Mini-Reviews: Saint Kate of the Cupcake / White Collared

Series: Standalone

Genre: Women's Fiction

Publisher: Omnific

Publication Date: 3/25/14

Format: ebook

Pages: 210

Source: Publisher

Rating: 2.5 - 3 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  BN

Kate Winters has become the perfect aristocratic wife and mother in her adopted homeland of Great Britain. She manages her husband’s cold, demanding family while armed with a grudging Stepford smile and a proper strand of pearls. When her precious boys go away to boarding school and her absentee husband leaves this “domestic goddess” to her own devices, she ends up baking…a lot. Her newfound passion for the kitchen quickly turns her prim and proper life upside down when her cookbooks become best-sellers and she finds herself in talks for a TV deal.

 

 

After Kate’s new celebrity life seems to have settled into one that's familiar, if not happy, Anders Larsen throws her for a loop. Anders is not only the leading man in Kate’s favorite TV show, he’s also Hollywood's hottest commodity and the star of her most secret erotic fantasies. One night with Anders turns into so much more, causing her perfectly manicured grip to slip, and she begins to lose control of her buttoned up life. It was only supposed to be one night, but the off-the-charts chemistry and amazing sex are temptations Kate can’t resist.

 

 

She begins to believe she can balance this double life until rumors of her sexy affair surface on the Internet. Kate has a choice to make: return to her safe but stale marriage—and her best chance for saving her new career—or taking a chance on the life she could have with the man she loves.

 

 

What price is “Saint Kate of the Cupcake” willing to pay for a chance at happiness?

 

 

My Thoughts

 

This is a brave book. A heroine who jumps into an extramarital affair isn't exactly an easy sell. There are several authors who've made me understand and sympathize, and to be honest, I was never fully sold on this in Saint Kate. But, it's not exactly the Kate's story that didn't sell me, but the way it was told.

 

It's hard for me to briefly explain this, but here goes. The narrative employed a lot of telling versus showing. I was told how Kate felt, and her reasons for the affair, but never experienced a lot the emotions throughout much of the book. I felt like a lot of aspects were implied. I was told her husband was distant, but didn't really see it. I didn't feel the aching loneliness. We do get more details about her marriage later, and a big revelation about the husband, but I never understood why so much was withheld for so long. It felt like too little, too late.

 

What I liked most about Saint Kate was Anders, the man she fell in love with, and was on board with the affair. I know that sounds weird, but he was a nice man who fell in love. And prepared to go the distance.

 

I do want to warn, though, there's a sexual assault towards the end. It wasn't heavily detailed, but almost felt manipulative. So those who are sensitive to that should go in with the heads-up.

 

 

So in the end, I really wanted to love Saint Kate of the Cupcake, but I ended up liking most of it. The first half was slow and lacked a heavy emotional punch. The second half was a lot better, because the emotions were there and we finally get more details about Kate's marriage and her life with and without Anders.

 

 

I don't whole-heartedly recommend this book, but I did end up liking aspects. The ending was very nice, with an epilogue that made me smile.

Series: White Collared #1

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Publication Date: 6/3/14

Format: eARC

Pages: 100

Source: Publisher

Rating: 2.5 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N

 

 

The first sexy installment in Shelly Bell's four-part serialized erotic thriller about a young law student who must go undercover at a sex club to prove her client is not guilty of murder.

 

Driven by ambition …Third-year law student Kate Martin outran her tragic past to become an intern for her idol and secret crush, the powerful attorney Nicholas Trenton. She is thrilled when Nick assigns her to represent his best friend and client, millionaire Jaxon Deveroux … the prime suspect in his submissive wife Alyssa's murder.

 

Seduced by desire …Kate knows they have only a few days to find the real killer, and since signs point to a member of the BDSM community, she volunteers to go undercover as Jaxon's submissive at Benediction—the private sex club where he is a member—to covertly investigate Alyssa's last few months. For years, Kate has kept her dark fantasies a secret … but a chance to explore them with sexy, dominant Jaxon is just too tempting to pass up. 
 
 

My Thoughts 

I love serialized novellas, so was anxious to start the White Collared series. Guys, it just didn't work for me. This was due to my lack of being able to suspend disbelief. First we have a law intern being assigned to represent a high-powered millionaire who's accused of murdering his wife. Okay, I didn't go to law school, but really? Could that really happen? I have a couple of attorneys in the family, but was afraid they would laugh at me if I asked them about this. Another thing is, the heroine, the aforementioned intern attorney, also goes undercover with the defendant to his BDSM club to uncover the true murderer. Sounds like solid logic. To be fair, she has apparently read FSoG multiple times so she's boned-up on all aspects of BDSM. Then there's the whole chemistry she shares with both her boss and the defendant. It was just a clusterfuck in my (apparently crabby) opinion. And lastly, the guilty party. I guessed whom that person was at the beginning, but that "Nah, that's too obvious." I finished the first installment, not super excited, but willing to give part two a try. Then I continued to be annoyed, skipped to the end of the series to see if I was right. I was. That just burned me up so I dnf'd the series.

 

 

I don't know. If I was into BDSM, I would be severely annoyed by a lot of the fictionalized representations of the community.

 

 

On the plus side, the writing was really good. So there's that.

 

 

 

So. Have you read either of these books? Did you love them? Hate them? Think I'm way off base here? Let me know!

ENHANCED POUGHKEEPSIE BLOG TOUR WITH DEBRA ANASTASIA: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAYS

Welcome to the Poughkeepsie Enhanced Collector’s Edition App Tour!

 

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia has been a cult hit bestseller since 2011. A homeless guy counting the smiles of a kind train commuter spiraled into a novel that was nominated by the Rockstars of Romance as one of the most romantic stories ever and won 2^nd place!   It was a story that deserved getting a jumbo-sized enhancement. Extra scenes out the ying yang was, of course, a huge part of the fun. Getting to spend some of those previously undiscovered first moments with Blake and Livia or the moment he proposed was worth exploring. In Debra’s wildest dreams she imagined Poughkeepsie with its own soundtrack, anchored by her favorite musicians. When blockbuster talent Ron Pope signed on with fourteen songs and then Rustic Overtones agreed as well, she knew things were going to get crazy cool.

After almost two full years of development, the Enhanced Poughkeepsie is ready.  Debra lost count of the hours spent, as did the developer poured into this. It was beast, and more amazing than she could have ever imagined. This app became the most exceptional reading experience Debra could devise for her readers.

 

 

 

 

Immerse yourself in the world of Debra Anastasia’s Poughkeepsie.

Experience this bestselling novel for the first time…again as you break all the rules about books with Omnific Publishing and Debra Anastasia.

In this enhanced version of the novel, you’ll enjoy insights from the author, music by Ron Pope and other artists to set the mood, and images and video that bring the scenes to life as you read. You’ll delve deeper into the world of Poughkeepsie through nearly 50,000 words of added scenes (more love, more drama, more romance!) and informative insights into how this marvelous story and its characters came to be.









Self-contained in this app (no wifi needed after downloading):
•complete novel Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
•author/director’s pop-up commentary
•music by Ron Pope, Rustic Overtones, Monoxide G, Violet Winter, Bo Heart, and Jeff Epstein and the City Line Singers
•more than 100 images to enhance the story
•videos of your favorite characters in action
•special animation
•sound effects
•interviews with the characters, author, and more
•interactive games
•trailers for the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood series
•how-to knitting instructions
•how-to instructions for making a paper rose
•recipe for the dinner Livia makes for Blake

 

 

 

 

 

Check out what’s in store for you:

Trailer Link

 

This app is available for multiple devices!

Enhanced Poughkeepsie for iPad

Enhanced Poughkeepsie for iPhone (link to come)

Enhanced Poughkeepsie for Android (link to come)

Enhanced Poughkeepsie for ePub (on your computer) (link to come)

 

My Review

When I read Poughkeepsie (my review )I fell in love with an unique and intensely passionate story. It's a story I haven't let go of, forgotten in the slightest, in the two years since. When I learned an app was being developed for Enhanced Poughkeepsie, I thought "Whaaat?"  but knowing how creative and passionate Debra Anastasia is, that quickly turned into excitement.

The Enhanced Poughkeepsie app is a very cool interactive experience. Music played a large part in the creation of Poughkeepsie. While reading, you can listen to the music that inspired Anastasia, or helps create the perfect mood for a moment. You also have photos to help envision the setting, the characters, some are even gifs.. Bonus: Quizzes! "Which Poughkeepsie Man is Your Match"! My perfect match is BLAKE -- swooooon. "Which Poughkeepsie Woman Are You?" I got Livia, naturally. Quotes that Anastasia makes note of are highlighted in red; when you click on them you find out why. The app is finished with interviews, special extras, and features of those involved in the production. The entire Enhanced Poughkeepsie experience is gorgeous.

On a personal note, I am very thankful I got the chance to experience Enhanced Poughkeepsie. It was intense, gorgeous and inspired. I had the chance to fall in love with this beautiful creation all over again.

 

GIVEAWAY

 

 

For this tour, there is one HUGE giveaway that you totally should treat yourself to entering.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

 

And this blog is giving away eCopies of Poughkeepsie and Return to Poughkeepsie to celebrate!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the two kids, the two kids, and her ongoing battle with...ahem... digestive issues, which combined with her adolescent boy sense of humor makes for colorful and sometimes cringe-worthy social media updates. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when--along with the animals and humans in her house--the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and--fingers full of peanut butter--she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

She's eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.Debra lives in Maryland with her family. You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads  |  Pinterest  |  Tumblr  |  Amazon  

 

BLOG TOUR: RETURN TO POUGHKEEPSIE by DEBRA ANASTASIA

Welcome to my stop on the Return to Poughkeepsie Blog Tour.
My post includes a review and two giveaways.

Series: Poughkeepsie #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Omnific

Publication Date: 12/31/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars

Beckett Taylor is a murderer. Destruction and intimidation are his calling, his craft —whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe,to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. Mob forces have moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an
instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back safely. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, along with the new man
he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or worse until death does part.

 

First Impression ... Oh my peas, I have been waiting for Eve and Beckett's book for ages. Or maybe a year and a half, same difference. Poughkeepsie, the story of Blake and Livia and their families is one of my favorite books. I'm dying to see what Debra Anastasia brings us next.

The Story... Where do I begin? If you've read Poughkeepsie, then you know what beautiful insanity is in store. If you haven't, I highly suggest you give it a try, because it is a gorgeous love story full of many surprises and dynamic characters.

In Return to Poughkeepsie, the story continues with Beckett. Having left Poughkeepsie to keep his loved ones safe, he is in despair. He misses his brothers, their wives, and Eve, his assassin lover/would-be killer. Beckett sets off to become a better man, one worthy of Eve's love. The journey takes a surprising turn, one I never ever expected. But a man as renowned and feared as Beckett will not be forgotten. His family in danger brings Beckett back, but can he and Eve ever find their way?
 

The Characters ... Return to Poughkeepsie centers primarily around Beckett and Eve and, WHOA, those two were still as crazy and fantastic as I remembered. Before, the two consistently toed a fine line between love and hate. Their lust is alive and lethal, constantly pulling them together in a dance of love and pain. Their appetite was so intense that it bordered on scary. I am always fascinated with characters who feel an attraction to a person who is their enemy, deserves their hatred. Anastasia completely sells this seemingly insane pairing; Beckett and Eve are a couple that must be together.

Return to Poughkeepsie also heavily features the beloved couples Blake and Livia, Cole and Kyle. Having read Poughkeepsie, it did my heart wonders to find Blake healthy and happy with Livia. Their home is happy and full and I appreciated Anastasia's realistic portrayal of marriage and parenthood.

Kyle and Livia's portion was both hilarious and heartbreaking. Hilarious because Kyle still has the funniest and filthiest mouth and I adore her and her former priest husband, with his peaceful nature and constant prayers. Their story is also heartbreaking because they go through some really rough times. Anastasia did their experience tender and honest justice.

Ryan, a cop, is another character with a good bit of page time. I did not trust Ryan, at all. I wanted to hate him, actually. But between him dealing with his ex's horrible and hilarious pranks, and the fact that he was a stand up guy who had a certain character's back, and the fact his heart gets broken, I ended up loving Ryan. I would love to see him find some happiness in the future (hint, hint).

The Writing... Debra Anastasia has once again proven herself a truly gifted author. Her prose is gorgeous. The tone easily transitions between sexy and exciting, thoughtful and sad, dangerous and loving. And humorous. The dialogue, especially from Beckett and Kyle, is ridiculously funny. 

I loved that Return to Poughkeepsie was a story with so much depth. Eve and Beckett by all reasoning, should never be together. The fact that I agonized for these two speaks a lot for the character development and emotions infused into the story.

Could I Put Return to Poughkeepsie Down? The story gets off to a truly heart pounding start, full of close calls, violence and sex. When the story soon took a much, much different path than I expected, I was thrown. I was afraid that as a reader I would be missing out on very important moments. But I saw where the story was going, and I rallied. There's lot of mobster-ish happenings in the middle portion of the story, which really isn't my thing, but I appreciated how it impacted Eve, Beckett and Ryan. As the story progressed, the tension built to a kickass pace, and my heart was in my throat throughout.

In the End... Return to Poughkeepsie was a great story. It was full of love and hope, violence and danger, pain, anguish, and achingly beautiful moments. I love this series, love the characters. And the ending was perfection. Until the very end, I was not aware of a forthcoming third book. And after the sneak peek, I am once again dying for the next Poughkeepsie book.

Favorite Quotes:

  Her blue eyes filled with tears. "I love you.
  His forceful manner slipped. His voice caught on the emotion in his throat. " I know. I'm sorry."


  She touched him and smiled. She didn't need to say it. It was all over her face: She loved him. He was her hero. She kissed him again and again. He ran his hands all over her body, feeling for injuries but only finding her softness.
  She cuddled into him and took a deep breath. Blake wrapped his arms around her and felt primal. Here in woods he could protect her forever.


  "Come her to me," Beckett demanded in a gravelly voice. He pointed to the spot in front of him. "Come here or run, because the next choice you make will be for the rest of your life."

Poughkeepsie Series

 

(covers lead to GoodReads)

My Review of Poughkeepsie

Purchase Return to Poughkeepsie

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAYS

Tour-Wide Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Poughkeepsie & Return to Poughkeepsie (ebooks)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the author
Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the two kids, the two kids, and her ongoing battle with...ahem... digestive issues, which combined with her adolescent boy sense of humor makes for colorful and sometimes cringe-worthy social media updates. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when--along with the animals and humans in her house--the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and--fingers full of peanut butter--she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

She's eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.Debra lives in Maryland with her family. You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads  |  Pinterest  |  Tumblr  |  Amazon  

REVIEW: FIGHTING FATE (GRANTON UNIVERSITY #1) by LINDA KAGE

Series: Granton University #1
Category/Genre: NA Contemp. Romance
Publisher: Omnific
Publication Date: 7/16/13
Format: ebook
Pages: 286
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Forgiving your brother's murderer may be noble, but falling in love with him borders on betrayal.

When Paige Zukowski enrolls at Granton University in honor of her dead brother, she has no idea fate will land her on the same campus with the very guy who killed him. But Logan Xander isn't quite the murderer she's always believed him to be.

A day hasn't passed since the tragedy that Logan doesn't wish he could go back and undo everything. It doesn't take Paige long to realize he's suffered as much as she has. Forgiving him for ruining her life might not be so impossible after all. But when she actually starts to like him and realizes he likes her in return, their true anguish begins.

I recently read Linda Kage's novel, Price of a Kiss, and immediately decided "I need more from this author."  She has a writing style that is hard for me to pin down. It's definitely charming, very clean and concise, but it also has a bit of a light-hearted feel, even when the subject is not.

Fighting Fate poses a serious premise: What if the monster you think you know is just a regular man? What if your pain is his guilt? What if the truth isn't black and white? What if you fall in love with your brother's killer?  This isn't the first story of it's kind - not by a long shot - but this is always an interesting premise. I was curious to see if Kage could give a realistic-feeling story that didn't just brush over the logistics and emotions of developing feelings for the man who ended a loved one's life, but really dug deep. I believe she did..

Fighting Fate was a sweet, sad, funny, heart-breaking, and ultimately up-lifting story. Very bittersweet. I loved that Kage took the time to let us know the characters, letting the reader settle into the story. As the story moves along, the characters experience a great deal of growth. Paige begins the story angry and broken, and as she gets to know Logan, realizing the truth of her brother's death wasn't so clean cut, she learns the power of forgiveness. Logan begins the story completely defeated. He lost everything in one moment. As he becomes to know Paige, he also learns the power of forgiveness, but also redemption.


Fighting Fate was another really good, thoughtful and charming book from Linda Kage. I look forward to reading many more of her works in the future.


Favorite Quote:


  Helpless anger stole over him. She was going to ruin his life. Before he could even brace himself for the fallout, she'd crush everything he'd worked three years to build. And here she was, acting scared of him.
  He wanted to grab her and shake her, make her look at the man behind the murderer, and force her to forgive him, tell him it was okay, that she knew he hadn't meant to kill her brother.    ~5%


  "When I look at you, I should feel nothing but guilt and remorse. I should close down and burrow into that wretched place inside myself. But I can't. I just...I feel so alive. You've made me smile and laugh and...and want.   ~65%

Purchase Fighting Fate

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

About the author:

The youngest of eight children, Linda Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest. She now lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Linda is a member of Romance Writers of America and its local chapter, Midwest Romance Writers.

Website   |  Blog   |  Facebook   |  Twitter   |  Amazon  |   GoodReads

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY ~ RETURN TO POUGHKEEPSIE

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Series: Poughkeepsie #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Omnific

Publication Date: 12/31/13

 

 

 

Beckett Taylor is a murderer. Destruction and intimidation are his calling, his craft —whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe,to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. Mob forces have moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an
instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back safely. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, along with the new man
he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or worse until death does part.

 

 

 

Why I'm Waiting ~ I absolutely loved Poughkeepsie. I cannot wait for this Beckett/Eve-centric story. It's going to be completely insane!

 

 

SULTRY SPRING SATURDAY: TANGLED (TANGLED #1) by EMMA CHASE

"Spring is here, and pollen is in the air. While you're sneezing your way towards Summer, pop those Claritin and lose yourself in a Sultry Spring Read."

Sexy Saturdays is a weekly post we started to challenge ourselves to read more steamy books and have a lot of fun. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post).

The Autumn Review
Sim-Sational Books
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews
Insightful Minds Reviews
My Secret Romance
Globug and Hootie Need a Book


**The books featured on SULTRY SPRING SATURDAYS are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **  

Series: Tangled #1
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Omnific
Publication Date: 5/20/13
Format: Kindle
Pages: 254
Source: Purchase

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

 

Let me just go ahead and warn you, this will be a completely ridiculous and fun (for me) review. I'm kind of a ridiculous person anyway, and this book just brought it out in me even more. I don't do "scholarly" reviews, but I'm guessing you've already figured this out, amirite? I write  FEELINGS reviews, and Tangled gave me a lot of FEELINGS.

 

My feelings for Tangled include, but are not limited to: happiness, pure joy, lust, shock, awe, lust,  outrage, pity, lust, enlightenment....

 

Speaking of enlightenment, Tangled taught me a lot. The story has a unique narrative. The fourth wall is down, and Drew is directly speaking to the reader, making asides as he tells the story of falling in and earning love. I mentioned to some friends that Tangled made me feel powerful, like I had been given a handbook to the male mind. I really like men. I like to know how the really think and feel. I have a guy sense of humor, so any book that gives me that is a treat. So back to enlightenment, Tangled offered some nice gems. Such as:
 

• Men really do think about sex as much as you thought  hoped they do. That's right, I said hoped. I've been with the same man since 1997, sixteen years, and after all this time, this is reassuring and hilarious to me. This knowledge makes me feel powerful.

 

"Men pretty much have sex on the brain twenty-four-seven. The exact figure is like every 5.2 seconds or some shit like that.

  The point is, when you ask, 'What do you want for dinner?' we're thinking about screwing you on the kitchen counter. When you're telling us about the sappy film you watched with your girlfriends last week, we're thinking about the porno we saw on cable last night. When you show us designer shoes you bought on sale, we're thinking how nice they would look on our shoulders.

  I just thought you'd want to know. Don't shoot the messenger.

  It's a curse, really." 

 

• Older sisters are the best. Drew's older sister Alexandra was hilarious and scary, maybe my favorite character in the book. Alexandra will rage on Drew and call him out for his stupid man ways. Her husband, Drew, and their friends don't dare cross Alex, but they love her fiercely. She will be the first to call Drew out for being an idiot, but also the first to have his back. Did I mention her title?

"On no.

  It's The Bitch. Otherwise know as my sister, Alexandra.

  When I say the word bitch I mean it in the most affectionate way possible, I swear. But it's what she is. Demanding, opinionated, relentless."
 

• Ladies, men are on to us. Yep, they know that we talk about them, in and out of the bedroom. When I read this, I immediately asked my husband if this is true. I mean, I talk about him with my BFF to his face, but I was curious if all men knew this. Apparently, they're not as oblivious about some things as we'd thought.

"--I've heard my sister and her little friends have their chats too. Some of the things that came out of their mouths could've made Larry fcking Flynt blush. So don't act like women don't talk just as much as us guys do..."

 

• Men love your body and they want you to love it too. They want to see you, and they want you to embrace being seen. When you are comfortable in your skin, there is nothing sexier to a  man. I already knew this, but it's nice to have it reaffirmed. It is an amazing and powerful thought.

  "Now, I know some women have some issues with their bodies. Maybe you've got a little extra junk in the trunk? Get over it. Doesn't matter. Naked kicks Modest's ass every single time. Men are visual. We wouldn't be fcking you if we didn't want to look at you."

• Smart men have a healthy and respectful fear of women.

"You ever watch Animal Planet? Women are kind of like a herd of elephants. They stick together for protection. And if one senses danger? They all stampede."

• Smart men also know who really holds the power.

  "Johnny Fitzgerald's an idiot. Vaginas beat penises every time. They're like kryptonite. Penises are defenseless against them."

• Any man, even the most revered of bachelors, is capable of falling in love. That's not to say that any woman will do-- only the right one. But when he does finally fall, he falls hard. Forever.

  "She's all I think about. She's everything I never thought I wanted. She's not just perfect--she's perfect for me.
  I'd do anything for her.
  Anything.
  I want her near me, with me. All the time.
  Forever."

• Men screw up sometimes. They do. It's inevitable, and besides the point. What's important is that when he does make a huge jackass of himself, the man that is worth your love will do anything to prove his love and make things right.

Drew's determination to earn Kate's trust and love was at the heart of Tangled. It's Drew's journey from a "guy" to a "man".
  "...sometimes a guy can't become a man until he's met the right woman."

So you see, reading can be fun and informative. Use this knowledge!

Tangled was such a great experience for me. I started chuckling on the first page, and the story only got better and better from there. Drew was a hot mess. Sexy. Intelligent. Arrogant. Ridiculous. Honest. It was an absolute joy to watch this man fall in love. Kate was amazing, too. She was also intelligent, but also sexy, strong, willful. She stood toe-to-toe with Drew each step of the way. He didn't seduce her against her will, she chose him. And that, to me, is the sexiest part of their relationship. The entire story had me hooked, and wow, was that climax (literal and figurative) EPIC.

Just like the characters themselves, Tangled was Sexy, Intelligent, Charming, and Witty. I cannot wait for more of Drew and Kate, and author Emma Chase.

 

Purchase Tangled at:

      

 

 

About the author:

By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother of two who resides in a small, rural town in New Jersey. By night she is a keyboard crusader, toiling away the hours to bring her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.

 

Connect with Emma at:

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads

  

 

COVER REVEAL: ROMANCING THE BOOKWORM by KATE EVANGELISTA

I have a really cute cover reveal to share with you today! Kate Evangelista and Omnific Publishing are revealing the cover of Romancing the Bookworm. The reveal was organized by AToMR Tours.

 

 

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Genre: Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Expected release date: July 9, 2013

 

 

  Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel. It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her. Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme. Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?

About the Author
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.

Kate Evangelista | Twitter

 

 

{WICKED WINTER SATURDAYS} REDHEAD SERIES by ALICE CLAYTON

Baby, it's cold outside! Time to snuggle up with a mug of hot chocolate (or a glass of wine!) and fall into a steamy, sexy book.

Wicked Winter Saturdays is a weekly post we started to challenge ourselves to read more steamy books and have a lot of fun. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post).

The Autumn Review
Sim-Sational Books
Hackaroo's Review
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews
Insightful Minds Reviews
Taryn @ My Secret Romance

**The books featured on FRISKY FALL SATURDAYS are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **

Series: Redhead #1
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publication Date: 2/16/10
Format: Kindle
Pages: 276
Source: Bought

When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actor, it's a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best friend and agent, that dream could become a reality, but at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? Will an unexpected sizzling romance with the entertainment industry's newest 'it' boy shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life? Alice Clayton spins a playful and erotic May to December romance in this, her debut novel. Clayton's funny, borderline neurotic heroine is perfect in her imperfections, and the off the charts sexual chemistry between her and her charming, yet blissfully unaware leading man are the true heart of The Unidentified Redhead. With laugh out loud dialogue and a super steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the Paparazzi has never been so fun.

Series: Redhead #2
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publication Date: 9/28/10
Format: Kindle
Pages: 228
Source: Bought

As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack -- everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, funny, and feisty couple -- find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, particularly because she’s playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun.

Wait, it’s just friendship, right?

Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the swirling throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps concocting for him -- all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film.

Thank goodness for phone sex.

But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational, but can this duo survive swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, Grace’s raging internal battles, and a whopping nine-year age difference?

Tick-tock, the clock is ticking. Isn’t it?

Alice Clayton brings the second installment of a tale told with her magical mix of humor and heat, so cuddle up under the sheets and flip on the Golden Girls. Grace and Jack are at it again.

I AM IN LOVE. SO IN LOVE. You see, if there's one thing that I love more than a steamy romantic story, it is a steamy romantic story that makes me laugh out loud. A book that makes me giggle, repeat the dialogue to my husband to prove to him how fantastic it truly is, a book that reminds me that the very best love story is one that is built around love and laughter.

I needed the Redhead Series, so badly. I had come off some truly wonderful books, but they were emotionally draining. I swear, if I read about one more traumatized young girl and the stoic, smart boy who loved her...I was going to stick my head in the oven. Or something. I needed romance. I needed love. I needed laughter. I needed a book that would carry me away. I did one better, finding two fantastic books that totally won my heart and mind.

Grace and Jack are perfect.  Jack is a twenty-four year old up and coming actor. The hottest guy in Hollywood, the world. Pretty young things are falling at Jack's feet, every guy's wet dream, yes? But when Jack meets Grace, a thirty-three year old aspiring actress, sparks fly, laughs ensue, and a Crazy Love is born.

You would think with the age difference, Grace would be the voice of reason amid the insanity that is their lives. That is so not the case. Jack, he has knowledge, insight...skills that belie his young age. He's the reason to Grace's crazy. The calm to her storm. The George to her Gracie.

I cannot even do justice to the Redhead Series, to how immensely happy both books made.me. I laughed. I swooned. I started swearing more around the house. The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed are my new Happy Place. The books are perfect. I've ordered my print copies and anxiously await the moment that I can pet them, hold them, and squeeze them tightly to my bosom. (kidding! kind of...) I need more Jack and Grace in my life.  I will be first on line to nab book three.

Can't recommend The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed highly enough. Alice Clayton is my new hero.

 Favorite Quote:


"Two hours?" Jack interrupted, looking insulted. "A really good, thorough, dinner will take at least three to four hours, maybe even longer. It depends on how hungry you are, how satisfied you want to be. You might even want multiple courses. Courses, that is," he finished, surreptitiously snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me back against him. His eyes were on fire as he looked at me and I could no longer feel my legs. What was directly above my legs however, I could feel intensely.
~ The Unidentified Redhead

He had flashed me a triumphant grin--there was nothing like a proud, proud man. A man should feel pride in his work...and making me come was now his job. I had never been given it so good in my life. My throat was hoarse, my legs were on permanent shimmy-shake, and I could not wipe the grin from my tired face.
~The Unidentified Redhead


"Grace, I think I can honestly say, with no second thoughts, that there isn't another pair of boobies on the planet that I'd rather have in my hands than yours. Sleeping or otherwise," he stated, with a glance at my chest.
~The Unidentified Redhead


"Grace? I just want you to know, well, how glad I am that I met you. I can't imagine my life without your crazy, sexy, beautiful ass in it now," he whispered in my ear....  
~The Unidentified Redhead

  I heard nothing but his quiet laughter, and then his perfect voice whispered, "Aw, Gracie, I missed you too.
  And then I tasted nothing but his sweet lips, pressed firmly to mine, as I kissed him like it was my job.
~The Redhead Revealed


  I smiled as I watched him, his chest rising and falling with his breathing. He looked so sweet, so vulnerable. I sank down on the bed next to him, and he rolled over toward me in his slumber. His arms reached out and he mumbled, "Tits, please..."
  I sighed and slipped into his arms. Snuggled in, with his ever-present hands on my ever constant boobies, I let my Brit sleep. I loved him, you see...
~The Redhead Revealed


  "You know we are totally crazy, right?" he asked me, brushing my hair back so he could look at me.
  "Well, you don't call me Nuts Girl for nothing. You wanted a crazy girl, and you sure got one."
  "I sure did, and how lucky am I?" he said, still smiling.
  "No one will understand this. You know that, right?" I said, still trying to kiss him.
  "They don't have to. This is about you and me." He kissed me deeply, and I melted. I actually melted in his arms as I started to cry again.
~The Redhead Revealed


  We'd gone through hell and back, and he stuck with me. My life was a sum of all its parts. Everything I'd been through, everything I'd done had brought me to this place with Jack.
  We were solid. We were strong. And we were moving forward together.
~The Redhead Revealed




You can purchase The Unidentified Redhead at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

You can purchase The Redhead Revealed at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

{SERIES REVIEW} CRUSHED SERAPHIM and BITTERSWEET SERAPHIM (SERAPHIM #1 and 2) by DEBRA ANASTASIA

 

 

Today I am reviewing the Seraphim Series by Debra Anastasia. The series includes Crushed Seraphim and the recently released Bittersweet Seraphim. 

 

 

Series: Seraphim #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publication Date: 5/17/11
Format: ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 194
Source: Bought

How does a foul-mouthed angel end up as the last hope for all of Heaven and Earth?

When Seraph Emma is maimed and tossed from Heaven by a rogue angel who's taken charge, she fears she'll never be allowed to return. Tasked with the impossible job of showing the self-loathing (and not even human!) Jason his worth, Emma is sure she's doomed to fail.

Meanwhile, having wormed his way into Heaven, the corrupt Everett has trapped God in Hell and has designs on unleashing evil everywhere. Fortunately, if there's one thing Emma can't do (in addition to minding her language), it's give up. Determined to save Jason and get back to Heaven-even if it means going to Hell-Emma's plan is simple yet impossible: trick the Devil to save God.

What she doesn't count on is the devotion and, well, humanity she finds in Jason; the spirit, hidden compassion, and raw sex appeal within the Devil; and the vulnerability of her own heart. With the help of two unlikely allies, she'll wage the battle for Heaven. But will Emma be sidetracked by a new sort of heaven along the way?

What's truly more dangerous?

Falling from Heaven, or falling in love?

 

Series: Seraphim #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publication Date: 11/22/12
Format: eARC
Pages: 280
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Suffering is worst when you’re doing it alone. But Emma’s taking Hell like an angel—even though her languishing began with having her seraph wings torn from her back. Now her worst enemy lords his body and his evil desires over her while she tries desperately to remember the words to her favorite prayer.

As Devil, Jack used to have Hell and its women humming like well-oiled machines. Too bad he’s nowhere near the place now. Stuck on Earth as a human, he must work with a ragtag team of exiled minions and half-breeds to save the angel who’s become all that matters.

Rescuing a seraph is the plan, but breaking into Hell means letting evil things out. Once they collide, minions and angels converge in the battle of the ages: good versus evil. But which side is which? Will Jack destroy the world as he fights to save Emma, his true and timeless love, from a damnation he designed?

An action-packed sequel to Crushed Seraphim, this tale reveals—time and again—what happens when the heart’s deepest desires break free. With a story both sizzling and sensual, emotional and enigmatic, Debra Anastasia invites readers to join a battle with nothing less than love on the line.

Not Your Average Angel Story

What an understatement. Having read Debra Anastasia's beautiful story, Poughkeepsie, I was dying for more of her work. Anastasia's stories are unique. Her characters can be sweet, sexy, dangerous, or docile, but they all manage to to have a wicked sense of humor and a "ballsy" (for lack of a better word) charm.

So, were Crushed Seraphim and Bittersweet Seraphim what I expected? Well, yes and no. I got the out-of-the box story that I was hoping for. Seriously. Emma is a an angel who is just as likely to swear and flip the bird as she is to bless someone. An angel who lovingly tends to those in need, and can't help but fall for the Devil, Satan Jack. Jack....wow. I thought I was prepared for his special brand of sexy swagger. Not even close. This man was beautiful, seductive, dangerous, and, dare I say, honorable. Unff. This man was so sexy, he made me hurt. Here's the deal: Imagine Johnny Depp. Yeah. Combine that image with that sexy mouth and that's all it takes to make the ladies, and angels, fall hard for Satan Jack.  Jack and Emma's love story is glorious, but not without tragic road blocks.

I was also surprised (pleasantly) by the elaborate, all-encompassing tale of love, pain, desperation, sacrifice and hope. I expected the Seraphim Series to be primarily about Jack and Emma. It really is, but it is also about the divine and demonic beings that set their journey in motion and the ones they meet along the way.The road these characters, particularly Emma and Jack, must travel is frightening, tragic and ultimately, worth it.

Crushed Seraphim is a story that I did enjoy, but I also spent a decent portion of my time gaining my bearings. I understood it, but I think I just needed some time to see how the pieces fit together. The story ended up coming together with  great force and left me flying to open Bittersweet Seraphim to discover what happens next.

Bittersweet Seraphim was a delight from beginning to end. It begins with the tragic love story of a minion of hell and a human. I would think that anything less than Emma and Jack would be unsatisfying, but this opening pulled me headfirst within the story. Jack and Emma quickly gain center stage of the book and while Crushed Seraphim seemed to focus more on Emma, Bittersweet Seraphim gives us SO. MUCH. JACK. Though I love awesome Emma, Jack's larger role in this book made it even more awesome than book one.

The Seraphim Series was great. Honestly, the more I sit here and consider, the more I'm loving it. So yes, I did get the lively, entertaining story I was expecting, but I also got so much more. More heartache. More pain. More love. Bittersweet Seraphim had one of the most beautiful endings that I've ever read. An ending that left me with teary eyes and a happy heart. I can safely say that Debra Anastasia and her remarkable stories are truly one of a kind.



Favorite Quotes:

  "As she spoke, her eyes filled with the same gold-colored sheen that had been in her tears. 'Don't listen to him. You're a miracle. If nothing else, I'm so very glad we've met.' "  ~Crushed Seraphim, 18%


  " 'No one knows you're here with me, Emma. Wanting me isn't a sin. I'll give you pleasure, pure and simple.'
  He snapped the second button of her union suit. It clattered to the floor and rolled on its rim, taking some of her virtue with it.
  'Pure.' Her ears were so sensitive, and the deep vibration of his voice drove her wild. He licked her lobe gently, then whispered again. 'And simple.' "  ~Crushed Seraphim, 33%


  "Jack took the cigarette from her and held it in his fingers. He took a drag and blew the smoke in his well-practiced way. It formed a heart-shaped ring. He grabbed a handful of her hair and kissed her solidly, his hands no longer shaking. He held tightly and moved her head to one side, then the other, as he tasted her mouth. She moaned and gave up caring where she was, who she was pledged to."  ~Crushed Seraphim, 80%


  "Jack unzipped his pants and spoke to Jason.  'You might want to have Kate close her eyes if you ever want her to sleep with you, asshole. Because once I take off my pants, you'll always come in second.' "  ~Bittersweet Seraphim, 33%


  "Jack ran a hand through his hair. At twenty-six, he'd had his share of the ladies. Okay, fine. He'd had ten guys' share of the ladies. There was just something about him -- mostly it was in his pants. He was like the pied piper of p***y and loved every g*dd*mn minute of it."  ~ Bittersweet Seraphim, 88%


  " 'It's you.' She started to cry again.
   The lump in his throat made his voice faulty. 'It's you.' "  ~Bittersweet Seraphim, 92%



You can purchase Crushed Seraphim at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble


You can purchase Bittersweet Seraphim at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the kids, and their homework. The laundry pile turns into a big, heaping monster. When the clothes finally make it into the washer, it gets unbalanced and puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This crazy job that never ends is her first love and her crowning achievement. Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and--dripping and frenzied--she'd find somewhere, anywhere to write it down. Debra grew up in New York and got a bachelor's degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn't trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they're delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns. Earlier this year Omnific Publishing published her debut novel, Crushed Seraphim, and she's currently pounding out the sequel to angel Emma's adventures. You can visit her website at www.DebraAnastasia.com and find her on twitter @Debra_Anastasia. (taken from GoodReads)