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Showing posts with label 3 STAR BOOKS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3 STAR BOOKS. Show all posts

Thursday, August 1, 2013

GUEST BLOG - THE $64,000 QUESTION: WHY IS SCI-FI SEXY?

The $64,000 Question: Why Is Sci-Fi Sexy?
 by Patricia A Knight
    
In the time-honored tradition of storytelling, I will try to illustrate with words why Sci-Fi is sexy. Here are a couple of paragraphs that came hot off the keyboard. 

Clear your mind. Settle into your chair and relax. Now imagine this:

       I, Darla Marie Dexter, object of alien fixation and thus representative for the entire human race, sat alone in my neighborhood Chicago bar – the one with the too-loud music and the tacky plastic tablecloths that my ex used to disparage. But I was waiting for a male from the planet Vortus. What would he know from plastic tablecloths?
       It was late, but the joint was packed. A good local band had played tonight. I chatted with Max, the bartender, and sipped my girly mixer with the pineapple on a stick and a cheesy little umbrella. I was always too embarrassed to order one in front of my sophisticated former boyfriend but I was a sucker for anything coconut.
       Max’s head lifted and his eyes shot to the door to draw my attention to the new arrival. I would have known, regardless. I felt it when he walked in. Because of my seniority with the Office of Extra-terrestrial Assistance,  I’d been assigned as personal, cultural liaison to the Vortian. You know, prevent any social faux pas, educate the alien on how earthlings behave, that sorta stuff. I just didn’t realize how intimately he wanted to liaise. I hoisted my cocktail and tried not to stab my eye out with the umbrella as I gulped the entire contents.
       “It’s the Vortian, Darla. Back to work.”
       “Yeah, Max. I know.”
       I ran shaky fingers through my page-boy hair cut. First putting my brunette locks behind my ears, then pulling the hair back to cover the blush that heated my cheeks.
       I did know. I could feel the Vortian’s arousal. I could feel the blood pounding into his groin. I could feel the expansion of his male, ah, parts . . . yeah, you heard right, parts. See, that was the thing. I didn't imagine I felt it. I really felt it. That mind telepathy stuff made the male delegates from Vortus a real hit with us earth ladies. Well, that and the extras that wrapped around and tickled your, ahem, while they, ah, stroked inside with the other, ah, thing. I picked up my bar coaster and started to fan my face.
       And then I was looking at me through his eyes. I could see my slender body perched on the barstool, my miniskirt barely decent, my four-inch stilettos caught on the wrung of the stool. I inhabited his body – a body that was, whoa, gorgeous, and equipped with that little something, ah, extra. And all the time there were these erotic images of what he wanted to do to me rolling through my mind like classy porn – memories of what I had looked like coming apart underneath him the last time he’d done me. Holy multiple orgasms! Take me to your leader.
       I shoved the empty fruit-drink toward Max.
       “Maxie, I need some ice water, fast.”
       The closer he came, the hotter I got. The bar stool I was sitting on was getting a little slippery from all the extra moisture down there, if you know what I mean. I knew, without even turning around, when he reached out to touch me. I could see it through his eyes.
       “Darla.” The deep whisky velvet of his voice added to the sensory overload and I turned with a brilliant smile.
       “Ulrik.”
       “Are you ready?”
       “Absolutely.” Oh, lordy, the things a woman will do to save Earth.

~ ~ ~

       There! Now, dear reader, you are going off to have sex with a telepathic alien with vibrating parts. Can you get THAT on earth? ( If you can, will you please give me his number? )


"Verdantia draws strength from the duo, but the sentient planet whispers to Ari that a third is necessary – Ari’s aide de camp, Visconte Doral deLorion, an angelically handsome, skilled assassin who silently surrendered his heart to Ari long ago."

Author: Patricia A. Knight
Pages: 349 pages
Publisher: Troll River Publication on June 2013
Form: E-book (from tour for an honest review)
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-fi/futuristic
Series: Verdantia #1
Amazon: Buy / $3.99 (Kindle)EU price, click to see yours )
Kobo: Buy / $2.00 (E-book)

"Conte Camliel Aristos deTano, Ari, has long spurned the marriage forced upon him. Princess Fleur Constante, his contractual bride and the beautiful future queen, though young and inexperienced, is willing to risk everything – including her own sanity – to save her planet.

The inhabitants of the sentient planet, Verdantia, are poised on the precipice of extinction following a brutal invasion by an off-world, nomadic horde. Verdantia’s capital, Sylvan Mintoth, must have its failing energy shield restored, or the planet is doomed. The Elders know the shield can draw energy from only one thing—a very arduous and grueling coupling of two specific people pre-chosen by the planet, Herself,  and promised by prearranged marriage contract.

Verdantia draws strength from the duo, but the sentient planet whispers to Ari that a third is necessary – Ari’s aide de camp, Visconte Doral deLorion, an angelically handsome, skilled assassin who silently surrendered his heart to Ari long ago.

The trio struggles to make this surprising partnership harmonious, pushing through pride, scars of past abuse, fears of inexperience and distrust. To save Verdantia, they must overcome their individual weaknesses and realize their full potential. Only the tetriarch and their combined synergy, can harness Verdantia’s immense power to shield its citizens from invasion."  ~ From Goodreads


The blurb pretty much says it all. But instead of sci-fi and futuristic that it promises this is pretty much fantasy for me, how you ask? It's the language they use, the hierarchy they have, the horse transportation, the archaic society, it was so fantasy, you just missed the elves. So you can imagine me expecting one thing and getting another took some adjusting. And we all know by now that I have issues with books promising one thing and delivering another. It's a pet peeve.

The sex was a little weird. There I said it. They used sex to be this higher connection to a sentience of the planet to protect them against an evil space race. Nothing wrong with that, it's not far fetch for me as my brand of spirituality includes tantric sex. But boy is it odd in this. There is a lot of shouting stop and crying and all kinds of weirdness that just wasn't sexy to me. At least she got tied up, that was interesting. ;)

The romance between Ari, Fleur and Doral was like mentioned in the blurb tough and Fleur's sheltered character didn't help matters, luckily as the book went on we begun to see courage and strength in her as well.

I got to say I acknowledged the excellent writing by Ms. Particia A. Knight, she's got the storytelling and world building done to a t, and that takes great effort and courage and she sure made it happen. She's also got a nag of making supporting cast credible and real, props for that! :)

I know I'm bit on my own in this review, as there are tons of 4 and 5 stars ratings for this at Goodreads, but all I can say is I expected sci-fi, and when I get something else I don't take it well. I imagine if I had expected fantasy I would have a whole lot of different stuff to say. Just my two cents.

Rating :




Sunday, July 28, 2013

REVIEW - SHARPSHOOTER

"Two years ago Gunner Ortez saved Sydney Sloan's life on a mission gone wrong. And ever since then, he's been watching her back. Now a hostage-rescue mission is about to blow the Elite Ops agents' lives apart once again."

Author: Cynthia Eden
Pages: 129 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Publishing on July 23rd 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Shadow Agents #3
Amazon: Buy / $4.95 (Paperpack)EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $5.50 (Paperpack)
Excerpt: Chapter 1

"Two years ago Gunner Ortez saved Sydney Sloan's life on a mission gone wrong. And ever since then, he's been watching her back. Now a hostage-rescue mission is about to blow the Elite Ops agents' lives apart once again.

Working side by side back in the jungles of Peru, the heat between Sydney and Gunner is hotter than ever-and so are the threats to their lives. With the danger escalating, Sydney knows Gunner is her only hope at successfully completing their assignment. But the ex-SEAL who arouses passion she'd only dreamed about also poses the greatest risk to the secret she carries in her heart...and in her belly."  ~ From Goodreads


I do have to say I've never really been a fan of love triangle dramas, Sharpshooter relies heavily on the brothers who want the same girl plot, sure they are all special agents and able to bring down rain but this relationship causes problems. Also the blurb doesn't prepare you at all for the miserable am I boaching on my 'I-thought-he-was-dead' half brother's fetching fiancee? This was a surprise I didn't want.

I wasn't a fan. I think I had trouble with Gunner having such poor self-esteem... and that just isn't sexy... it was hard to like him when he was being a little girl about Slade coming back... not a turn on for me. Actually it really crated on my nerves. I wanted him big, rugged and manly, standing up and saying she's his and his brother needs to respect that... but oh no, he has to think about it for good part of the book!

Eh, sorry I'm ranting about this. I was expecting a sweaty jungle romp with enemies... and what I got was whining, insecurities in the jungle.

Now I really really liked the suspense! Man Cynthia Eden knows how to write one! She kept me guessing, intrigued and entertained with her plot and supporting characters! I definitely want to read more from her. :) And the cover portraits the book so well! Gunner always has Sydney's back.

This book is for you if you love... love triangles, heroes pining for their brother's girl and heroines who know what they want... and can kick ass to get it.

Rating :




REVIEW - DARK WOLF

"Lily Cheval chooses to live alone, but a series of rapes and murders leave her wary and worried for her fellow Chanku. Then she meets Sebastian Xenakis and the connection is intense and immediate. The son of a charismatic cult leader, Sebastian is a mysteriously sensual man who uses magic to shift into wolf form..."

Author: Kate Douglas
Pages: 350 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books on April 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Spirit Wolf  #1
Amazon: Buy / $9.39 (Kindle)EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $11.49 (Nook)
Excerpt: Chapter 1

"It is a new beginning for the Chanku. For so long they kept their shapeshifting ability secret, but now they have assimilated into the world in ways they once never thought possible. Still there are those who want to destroy them, with dark powers of their own…

A Bold New Beginning...

The CEO of Cheval International, Lily Cheval chooses to live alone, but a series of rapes and murders leave her wary and worried for her fellow Chanku. Then she meets Sebastian Xenakis and the connection is intense and immediate. The son of a charismatic cult leader, Sebastian is a mysteriously sensual man who uses magic to shift into wolf form. He and Lily come together in a moment of supreme ecstasy, succumbing to a primal passion that leaves Lily shaken but utterly alive. Is Sebastian her lifetime mate or is he her worst enemy?"  ~ From Goodreads


I don't know if this is just me or the fact that I've been on painkillers while reading this but... I'm bit baffled. Everything was so serious, and busy and dramatic and it was hard in the first half of the book to pinpoint the whole magic stuff, the humans, and the Chanku which were shape-shifting wolves ( maybe ) and then the guy who maybe or maybe not was one, and there were herbs. I was a lot confused.

The interaction between what I thought was the main couple Lily and Sebastian was interesting and it soon became another brain teaser with Lily's love for Alex, and then Annie's love for Alex and then Seb attraction to Alex... and I just thought this was gonna be straight forward romance!

Now the four of them get hot and heavy and it begins to make sense that the Chanku are more err... pack animals and into sharing than humans. Sebastian's first time with Alex was quite hot even though I'm not into the M/M books. And Lily's role is quite big and quite serious, as is she, I would have love to have seen her let her hair down... not a lot of laughs in this one.

Now Dark Wolf was interesting read, even though, kinda in the Urban Fantasy end but with serious romance areas, I think anyone who loves a detailedly created world of shape-shifters and magic is gonna like this. Me? I don't think I'll follow the series just because I'm more Romance girl than Urban Fantasy these days.

Rating :




Saturday, July 27, 2013

REVIEW - DEEP AUTUMN HEAT

"Lexie Meyers decides there’s nothing sweeter than watching Sebastian Grayson’s perfect, wicked mouth devour her coconut cake. He’s hot, he’s hungry, and he’s sizing her up like she’s the best thing on the menu."

Author: Elisabeth Barrett
Pages: 299 pages
Publisher: LoveSwept on July 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Star Harbor  #1
Amazon: Buy / $9.09 (Kindle)EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)

"Lexie Meyers decides there’s nothing sweeter than watching Sebastian Grayson’s perfect, wicked mouth devour her coconut cake. He’s hot, he’s hungry, and he’s sizing her up like she’s the best thing on the menu. But she’s been burned in the past and flings just aren't her thing. Too bad Sebastian can’t resist a challenge.

Worldly, famous, and notorious with the ladies, Seb had planned a weekend of fishing and relaxation with his brothers. Until Lexie, with her kissable lips and frosty “get lost” attitude, makes him want to forget his culinary empire and create some magic with her. After he fires up his charm - including challenging her to a televised cook-off to break through her resistance - it’s now hotter in the bedroom than it is in the kitchen and Lexie isn't sure whether she’s lost her mind . . . or just her heart."  ~ From Goodreads


I wanted to like this book, I gave it about five chances to get to me. It didn't and it took me a long time to realize what I wasn't getting to the flow of it. And then it hit me, it wasn't so much the lack of romance, but the over abundance of work. And when I read romance I don't wanna focus on work.

Let me elaborate, as much as I liked the chemistry between Seb and Lexie, there wasn't a lot times they were together and let the romance develop, sure it was hot when they were together, but I was left missing more interaction with the two.

Now I did like Seb, he had the cocky arrogance of a guy who's very good at what he does and that made him sexy, especially when he was being all  alpha dog with Lexie. Hot! Lexie I liked a little bit less than Seb, maybe because she was up to her elbows in drama, secrets and didn't wanna give up anything. Gets old fast.

So not my best experience, but if you like the blurb, do pick the book up, maybe these things just bothered me. ;) Not everybody.

Rating :




Thursday, June 27, 2013

REVIEW - KIDNAPPED COWBOYS (GIVEAWAY)

"Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother."

Author: Lindsey Brookes
Pages: 380 pages
Publisher: Self Published on Feb 2013
Form: E-book (from tour for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: Buy / $6.19 (Kindle)EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)

"After countless attempts to speak with the owner of the retreat for troubled teens she runs on the outskirts of Lone Tree, Montana, Caitlin Myers resorts to kidnapping Brandon ‘The Ogre of Lone Tree’ Barnes in a desperate attempt to change his mind about turning Stoney Brook into a vacation resort for the wealthy.

Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother. Things go from bad to worse when a late spring snowstorm strands them together at the cabin. But it’s during their snow-in that Dalton learns why Caitlin has gone to such lengths to save Stoney Brook. Having had issues with his older brother himself and a not so happy past, Dalton promises to do what he can to help her.

When confronted Brandon tells Dalton he’ll hold off on his plans for the retreat, but only if Dalton agrees to stick around and help run it. Keeping his promise to Caitlin, Dalton agrees and what starts out as a common goal to turn the troubled teens’ lives around that summer ends up turning theirs around as well. Can a man who has always avoided putting down roots and a woman with a deep-seated fear of abandonment hang on to the happiness they've found together? Or will the past return to threaten their newfound love?"  ~ From Goodreads


I really wanted to like this book and I think I did pretty good 1/3 into it, then it began to lose pace and entertainment value, sure the humor was there but it started to feel slapstick and forced. I might be near alone in this opinion as I've heart great reviews on this book.

In the beginning I liked both Brandon and Cait and their chemistry, and the love of chemistry never faltered, just the story did a little. The "bad brother" Dalton was heavily featured as well which is I believe to see his story, he seemed to have heartache, a bitch ex and some hollywood star caliber package lying around. But of course you got glimpses of a good heart. Brandon had a pretty good story arc from runaway playboy rodeo-star to stand-up ( except for the soap incident ) disciplinarian of teenage misfits, Caitlin was just little coocoo, endearing at times, annoying in others. I wasn't quite sure which won. ;) Perhaps her good heart made her more likable in the end.

The blurb ( even though bit on the long side ) promises some fun, love and drama and you do get that - and a lot reviewers have found this book great, so I'd say if the blurb intrigues you pick up a copy - make up your own mind. :)

Rating :






Lindsey will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

 All the tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-reviews-tour-kidnapped-cowboy.html


Romance author Lindsey Brookes grew up reading romance novels. She penned her first romance, a historical, at the age of seventeen. From there she went on to join Romance Writers of America where she learned the ins and outs of the publishing business and ways to hone her craft. She switched to writing contemporary romance and has finalled in/or won more than 75 RWA chapter sponsored contests with over a dozen different manuscripts. She is also a four time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist and winner of Harlequin's Great American Romance Novel contest. She's married to her childhood sweetheart, her hero, with whom she has two beautiful daughters.

Check out her websites:
www.lindseybrookes.com
www.possumhollowseries.com
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.brookes.9?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter
https://twitter.com/Lindsey_Brookes

Friday, June 21, 2013

REVIEW - THE UNEXPECTED WEDDING GUEST

"Getting caught in her wedding dress by her drop-dead-gorgeous ex-husband is Reese Michael's worst nightmare. Especially when her perfect-on-paper fiancé then cancels their wedding."

Author: Aimee Carson
Pages: 129 pages
Publisher: Harlequin on June 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: Buy / $4.39 (Kindle)EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $4.99 (Nook)

"Getting caught in her wedding dress by her drop-dead-gorgeous ex-husband is Reese Michael's worst nightmare. Especially when her perfect-on-paper fiancé then cancels their wedding!

Reese has spent years trying to forget how her marriage to Mason Hicks crashed and burned-yes, their chemistry was incredible, but a girl can't live on lust alone! And what's a jilted bride supposed to do when the one man she could never forget is back in her life, as irresistible as ever? Mason might be her own personal brand of Kryptonite, but surely life is meant to be lived a little dangerously...?"  ~ From Goodreads


I have a had so much luck with the kiss series that I was not expecting ( yes, how unexpected ) to feel so blah with this story. Even with the little tension and enough romance to be readable TUWG didn't leave an impression on me... thinking back there is not much I remember of the novel... I think that says enough.

Of course there are always misses in all series and me and TUWG just didn't match in chemistry. What I wanted more of was fat pace situation, there was some dragging, a stronger hero, he just of hung around in the beginning.

I hope you'll enjoy TUWG more than me, the concept is interesting as well as the plot, but just not a match for me.

Rating :




Wednesday, June 19, 2013

REVIEW - ABOARD THE WISHING STAR

"On her trip she meets Nate, a scuba dive instructor and ex marine. Will Kara learn to trust him with her heart, when she fears this shipboard romance will reach an end and she'll never see him again, leaving her broken hearted."

Author: Debra Parmley
Pages: 127 pages
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing on June 2013
Form: E-book (from tour for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Amazon: Buy / $9.91 (Kindle)EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $5.99 (Nook)

"When Kara's, husband is shot and killed in front of her in what she's told is a random act of violence, she becomes convinced the world is unsafe. Her life is quiet and predictable, until she wins a Caribbean cruise for two and takes along her best friend.

On her trip she meets Nate, a scuba dive instructor and ex marine. He'll teach her to face her fear of deep water and teach her to snorkel. Will Kara learn to trust him with her heart, when she fears this shipboard romance will reach an end and she'll never see him again, leaving her broken hearted?

When Kara's boss shows up at their first port of call unexpectedly, Nate's protective nature comes out.

Her creepy boss becomes more aggressive after she returns to Ohio and when she calls Nate he gets on the first plane. Can Nate rescue her?"  ~ From Goodreads

Debra will be awarding a $5 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop and a signed print copy of her first book, A Desperate Journey, along with a $5 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).

The more you comment, the betteryour chances of winning! The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-review-tour-aboard-wishing-star.html



I had never before read a cruise liner romance, by that I simply mean a romance set on a cruise ship, now I'm not sure if I had any expectations but I felt as somehow the book was hurried along or maybe the author was skipping all the tedious parts of traveling? I got all the main stuff, the pools, the dinners, the cabins but that all paled when the characters weren't quite right.

Firstly the supporting chaperon of our heroine was annoying, she was loud, brash and overly sexy- which made reserved Kara even more prudish, meek and timid. The men didn't fair much better either, I actually found Adam more interesting than Nate the hero of the romance. Why, you ask? He had more personality.

Now you might think I didn't like this book at all, which is not the case. I found the plot entertaining and the added suspense on Kara made this book very readable and helped a ton to make the cast likable and more interesting.  But would I re-read this just for the story? No, there is plenty character development to be done. That said I'm interested in reading Debra Parmley's books in the future, I liked the fast pace of the novel and the story telling.

Rating :




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