Tempting the Best Man (Book 1)

Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn

Gamble Brothers Series

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Kindle Edition

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother’s best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can’t stop bickering. Forced together for her brother’s wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they’re forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of “accidents” as the family tries to prove their “spark” can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don’t strangle each other first.

My Review 

I won an Ebook copy of Tempting the Best Man. I loved the Covenant Series but I'm sorry to say this one was a bit of a snoozer, although the sex aspect is very delicious. I know how hurtful unreciprocated love is and that is precisely what Madison is dealing with. Chase Gamble is too much of an idiot and he just didn't know that he loved her too, but, he had to make sure she wasn't going to be a one night stand, since he was dealing with his best friends sister. Weddings usually do bring out the best in people so it'd finally catch on.

View all my reviews

About the Author 

J. Lynn (also known as Jennifer L. Armentrout) is the USA TODAY BESTSELLING author of the Young Adult Lux and Covenant series, among other books. She writes steamy and fun New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. You can find her Twitter @JLArmentrout or at her website www.jenniferarmentrout.com

The Official Blog of Jennifer Armentrout | Website Blog

North Of Need~Hearts of the Anemoi

North of Need by Laura Kaye

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves… Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she’s recreated the very thing she’ll never have. Called to life by Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity. Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration—before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.

Alone in a vacation cabin for the holidays, grieving the death of her husband, out of sheer boredom and aching loneliness, Megan Snow builds a whole Snowman Family, but realizes what it represents, she will never be able to have, and it makes her collapse falling on the snowman in tears.

After reading that part over again, I cried;(

With a little of his winter magic, Owen Winters, the snowman, comes to life. He is the god of the North Wind who has been sent by his Father and at the request of John Snow's soul, to help Megan live a happy life but there is an order of things. Megan has to want, love, need Owen for him to become human. Otherwise, he will become Ethereal again.

The god of spring also threatens the time Owen has with Megan, and it only added to the agonizing frustration I felt for Owen. In the course of the story, when she learns more about Owen, I was mad that she didn't think to preserve him from melting. Just like with John's accident, if she could prevent something bad from happening why didn't she? Anyway, I thought she could've fixed the A/C or perhaps got one of those walk-in freezers. If she loved him, she would have tried to keep him safe from the warm weather at least. She disappointed me.

I also thought when and if he did become human there would be no more running with the wind and using magic. He would only be half the man he use to be :(

The most obvious prediction in the story for me was  I knew the minute she forgot to take her birth control that she was going to get pregnant. I mean with all the sex they were having how could she not?I highly recommend North of Need. It is Gravetells.com choice to read for December 2012.

View all my reviews

About the Author

Laura Kaye is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights the books that keep me waiting impatiently for.

Here We Go!..
Jennifer Armentrout is such a talented author and the covenant series is one of my favorite book series. It was outstanding!~ I can't wait to see what will happen next...in ....
..

Expected publication: April 9th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex. Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back. The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries. Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

Cinder for me was way more than just a retake on a very classic and old fairytale. It had a history all it's own and I like the cyborg Lunar princess idea . See My 5 Star Review of Cinder 

Expected publication: February 5th 2013 by Feiwel and Friends

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own. As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 150 Books Completed!

Yes I finished 150 books and I accomplished my 2012 Reading Challenge Goals! Yay! Blow the trumpets, sound the alarm! I should celebrate in honor of completing this challenge right? Well, I admit I was falling behind, so for the month of December ,to get caught up, I chose only Christmas short stories and Novellas and I've enjoyed it immensely. The novellas were super fun to read. So now I can continue to read long novels slowly at my own pace.

What I read last week

Messages (New Beginnings Series)
A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Karen McCullough
The Sneezing Christmas Tree by Aaron Kerr
Christmas Ever After by Elyse Douglas
Must Love Santa by Nina Bruhns
A Wizard for Christmas by Dorothy McFalls
The Ghost Of Christmas Last by Sean Hayden
Home for the Holiday by Christine Lynxwiler is my 150th book!
A White Cougar Christmas
Merry Christmas Mr. Babbers!
Secret Santa
Jingle This!
Wicked Christmas Eve
Holiday Flirts! 5 romantic short stories
Mary's Son by Darryl Nyznyk

What I'm reading now 

Not a thing. 

What I plan on reading

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays by Christine Lynxwiler

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Amazon Kindle

A heartwarming Christmas novella about true friendship, helping those in need, and falling in love. . .What's a girl to do when she falls in love with her lifelong best friend? Small town librarian Lauren Forrester moves to St. Louis so that handsome contractor Jeffrey Warren can find a wife without having to deal with Lauren's moods. But when Jeffrey shows up on her doorstep to convince her to come home for a country Christmas, will the hardheaded pair lose their friendship or find something even more precious?

My Review

Lauren and Jeff had been best friends since they were kids. She had swore to help Jeff after his mom overdosed on drugs and his grandparents adopted him. Lauren was a type of person who'd help anyone though.

Jeff Warren confided in Lauren about his unsuccessful attempts at finding the perfect partner..maybe because he loved Lauren...and she loved him... and they just forgot to mention that part, or they were both good at hiding their feelings ....until the time was right - on Christmas Eve.
View all my reviews

The Ghost Of Christmas Last

The Ghost of Christmas Last by Sean Hayden

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Kindle Amazon

Throughout history, those who don't keep the spirit of Christmas in their hearts were often visited by three ghosts. These wise spirits showed these souls what the true meaning of Christmas was all about. Those were the souls worth saving. Those who weren't worth saving were only visited by one spirit and it wasn't for educational purposes...

My Review

At 63, Drew Middleton never understood Christmas, but if it weren't for The Ghost of Christmas Last filling his head with all sorts of lies scaring him to death, there would be no way Drew would change his ways. That would mean he was even worse than Scrooge! Well, maybe he was. The Ghost knew this, and that is why he had to make the story custom fit for Drew's life accordingly. Unlike scrooge, Drew didn't have 3 ghosts, just one who managed to get the job done quickly yet NOT without pain.

Ya that's my take. I can't say I like the story but it works. The grim reaper is sorta soft and merciful, because it IS the Spirit of Christmas and the cover is cool.

View all my reviews

About The Author

Born the son of a fire chief, Sean naturally developed a love of playing with fire. His family and friends quickly found other outlets for his destructive creativity. Writing is his latest endeavor. Always a fan of the macabre, mythical, and magical, Sean found a love of urban fantasy and horror. After writing several novels in this genre, he found, fell in love with, and immersed himself in steampunk. He has always wanted to rewrite history and steampunk gave him that opportunity. Sean currently lives in Florida as a fiber-optic engineer as well as an author. He was blessed with the two most amazing children he could ever hope for, has met the absolute love of his life, who coincidentally is his partner in everything. His hobbies include grand designs on world domination as well as a starring role in his own television sitcom.

Twitter: @ShaydenFL
Visit His Website

A Wizard for Christmas

A Wizard for Christmas by Dorothy McFalls

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Amazon Kindle

How far are you willing to go for a perfect Christmas?
In this novella, Holly desperately wants a perfect Christmas, and she's perfectly willing to make herself miserable getting one. Unfortunately, there are mystical forces at play that threaten more than her holidays...her life is in danger. And the only one who seems to know what's going on is a darkly handsome, but mysterious, wizard who makes her want to add "romance" to this year's Christmas wish list. 

This was book 1 in the Protectors Christmas box set

Excerpt...

Christmas music was being piped onto the streets. Deck the Halls and Fa, La, La, La, La....Holly was ready to deck something. Fa, La, La, La, that.

Her suitcase toppled over again.

And again she had to stop, put the suitcase back on its wheels before she could continue dragging her personal albatross down the street. Why had she packed so many clothes? This was insane.

A few bouncy steps further, the suitcase hit a deep rut and one of the wheels got stuck. Brilliant. It took some effort to pry the wheel from the crack in the walk. And she was getting colder by the minute.

When she started pulling it again, she ran straight into an arm. A healthy male arm.

"Need a hand?" Hadrian asked. He was leaning against the storefront and blocking her way. He smiled. It made her stomach do a little flip.

"I-I'm okay," she said, and tried to push him out of her path. She didn't trust him. He was too interested in her, and she didn't understand why.

"Didn't you say you were going out of town?" His brow kicked up as he eyed her suitcase. "I didn't realize you were walking to your destination."

"I'm heading over to the train station."

"Really? That's blocks from here. Let me drive you."

Her throbbing feet wanted to scream, "Yes!" She'd dragged her suitcase from one end of town to the next in search of a non-existent hotel room. Her feet didn't want to take another step. Ever.

"I'm okay," she said, much to her feet's chagrin. But if he drove her to the train station, there would be a good chance he'd insist on staying with her until her train left. And she had no ticket because she had nowhere to go, and what was she doing telling complete strangers about her fantasy trip home in the first place?

She pushed him out of the way and hauled herself forward. He caught the handle of her suitcase.

"You're limping," he said.

"I'm fine." She tried to pry his hand loose.

"You're exhausted."

"I'm not." His fingers wouldn't budge.

"You're afraid of me."

Her gaze flashed up to his face. He looked harmless, but then so did many of the mass murderers caught in recent years.

"I'm being reasonably cautious," she said, tugging at the handle with all her weight. "Let go of my suitcase or I'll scream."

He let go so fast she nearly smashed her face against the sidewalk.

"You know me, Holly." He sounded so darned reasonable. "Deep in your heart, you know me. You know I'm not a threat to you."

"Perhaps. But maybe I'm not a very good judge of people. There is no Oblique Café. No one in my building has ever heard of it. I think you drugged me. Or hypnotized me."

"Hypnosis? Really? That's the best your wildly imaginative mind could come up with?"

"Goodbye Hadrian. Have a very merry Christmas."

She stuck her chin in the air and hoped she looked determined when she felt anything but. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. This was her chance, perhaps her one chance to spend Christmas with someone. Anyone.

She stopped, but didn't turn around.

"What if I told you I didn't have anywhere to go?" she asked the empty space in front of her.

"I'd ask what happened to your apartment," he answered.

"It's a long story."

"Hmmm..."

"It's a stupid, long story," she amended.

"There's plenty of time to tell it, you know. There's six days before Christmas."

She wanted to laugh. But if she did, she'd probably end up crying. So she bit her lower lip.

"What should I do?" It was a desperate plea. A question framed more for herself than for anyone else.

"Come to the café with me. Jake has a room upstairs. It's not the Ritz, but it's comfortable. And affordable."

His offer sounded like a blessing.

"But there is no café."

"Not in this world. But, Holly, it does exist." He held out his hand. "Believe me. It exists as a refuge for people like you...and me." 

About The Author

Dorothy McFalls resides in an artsy beach community in South Carolina with her sexy sculptor husband and their papillon pup (Iona) and mischievous kitten (Suki). An environmental urban planner by profession and wildlife biologist by education, she gave up her day job to devote her time to writing in 2001. She writes romantic adventure fiction, Regency romances, and short stories.

Must Love Santa

Must Love Santa by Nina Bruhns

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Buy It on Amazon Kindle 

The only thing NYPD Vice Detective Nick Palladin wants for Christmas is a transfer to the K-9 Unit. He just needs to close this one last big case first, by shutting down a human trafficking ring run by a scummy veterinarian. Which is why he’s out on the street street corner dressed as Santa Claus, ringing a damn bell and taking covert photos of the vet’s customers, hoping one of them might be the link he needs to put the vicious bastard out of business. But his irrepressible Airedale terrier has very different ideas. K-9 Zenon has lasered his sights on a cute little perfumed fluff ball trotting his way...along with the adorably sexy lady holding her leash and teetering on a pair of too-tall stiletto heels. When the pretty lady tumbles to the pavement, well, what’s a gentleman—canine or Santa—to do? Why run to the rescue, of course! 

My Review

Nick Palladin is a detective who is tired of the coldblooded crimes and brutal violence he sees on a daily basis and wants more than anything to be transferred to the K-9 Unit.

Before that could happen though, he'd made a promise to a girl who'd lay dying in his arms, to avenge her murder, but he only had her last dying words as testimony and needed more evidence. He believed the man responsible for killing her was Frank Kraznov a veterinarian. So he stakes out his clinic, disguised as Santa Claus with his dog Zenon to take pictures of the traffic going in and out of his clinic, because Frank Kraznov was connected to a human trafficking ring and is a scumbag.

Emily Milan had never seen such a sexy santa before in her life! On her way to a job interview some random stranger kicked her dog after it growled at him, biting his pant leg. That is where it all starts. Nick, in his santa claus suit, comes running towards her and their two dogs take off running . I like how their two dogs got along. It is an amusing little story, fun for the holidays.

I enjoyed it

View all my reviews

 About the Author

Bestselling author Nina Bruhns' adventurous romantic thrillers contain a unique blend of interesting characters and settings, twisty suspense and sizzling romance. To date she has published over 25 award-winning novels. Awards and honors for Ms. Bruhns's books have included two RITA nominations, three Daphne du Maurier Awards for the Year's Best Overall Mystery-Suspense Book, two Romantic Times Reviewer Award for Best Book of the Year for series romance, a National Readers Choice Award, and five Dorothy Parker Awards of Excellence, just to name a few. 

 Read more about Nina Bruhns and her books on her website: http://www.NinaBruhns.com  Please "like" Nina Bruhns' Facebook author page! https://www.facebook.com/Nina.Bruhns.author

Christmas Ever After

Christmas Ever After by Elyse Douglas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Buy it on Kindle Amazon 

Can 26-year-old JENNIFER TAYLOR overcome her past—the death of her fiancé that has left her bitter and angry? Will she accept the gift of an adventure from a mysterious woman before it’s too late: a trip to New York City on Christmas Eve, where she’ll meet three men who will change her life forever? 

My Review

Mrs. Frances Wintergreen is a Christmas Spirit who has been following Jennifer Taylor for quite some time. The story takes place in a little town of Willowbury New England. This Christmas the lovely woman wants to give Jennifer a Gift: An adventure in New York. She warns Jennifer what will happen to her if she doesn't accept her gift; that she will become just like Mrs. Stanton, the mean old woman who never has anything nice to say about anyone. Yes Jennifer was cold hearted, bitter and angry and resented all that Christmas represented for having lost the one person she had ever loved. It had turned her into a real Scrooge with a broken heart. In fact this tale is yet another version of the classic Christmas Carol.

She went to New York reluctantly after her Shop caves in but she didn't know what to expect only that she had reservations at the Plaza Hotel. Soon she finds herself chasing after a little boy all over the city! Nobody knows who this little boy is until the end, but he leads her all over town and plunges her into a secret world filled with horrible realities about her past, present, and future.

After learning the awful truths about herself, just like Ebenezer Scrooge, she too was released from all her fears, resentments and betrayals.

I didn't like Jennifer Taylor and I don't care if her Cards N' Stuff Gift Shop ever gets restored. I don't even like Alex Hartman nor do I care for the little boy who ran away from home and leads Jennifer on a wild goose chase straight into the hospital where she meets Alex and Jason for the first time . It takes her awhile to figure out who they are and I knew it before she did. They were the prodigal son and grandson of the Mayor of Willowbury who Jennifer had known personally back home. It was all too contrived . I enjoyed when she got a makeover. It was perfect timing . Coming from the downhill sleigh fiasco her hair was wet and in tangles. She did indeed need it and the nice dress and shoes gave her confidence. What I didn't like is that even though it was supposed to be a romatic adventure the falling in love part happened way too fast for me.

View all my reviews

 Goodreads Review

Willowbury is a quiet New England town, especially festive and picturesque during the Christmas season. Jennifer Taylor owns and operates a shop called Cards N’ Stuff. The death of her fiancé, on Christmas Eve the year before, has left her bitter and angry. A few days before Christmas, a mysterious woman named Mrs. Wintergreen stops by Jennifer’s shop and offers Jennifer the gift of an adventure. Jennifer refuses. After a violent snow storm destroys her shop, Jennifer finds Mrs. Wintergreen and, out of desperation, agrees to the adventure. In New York City on Christmas Eve, Jennifer confronts her past, present and future. She falls in love and her life changes forever.

About the Author 

 Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse's mother was a painter and her father a textile consultant. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated from Columbia University with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers. His grandfather was a gifted humorist and storyteller from Kentucky. Elyse Douglas' four novels include: The Astrologer's Daughter, Wanting Rita, The Christmas Diary and Christmas Ever After. They live in New York City.

Twitter @Elyse_Douglas            Website

The Sneezing Christmas Tree

The Sneezing Christmas Tree by Aaron Kerr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Free for Kindle: December 10-12
Download The Sneezing Christmas Tree free
The complete MP3 audiobook is available for download free as well. 'Tis the season of giving, please enjoy this gift and pass it along to others as well. Merry Christmas!

A story to read with your family in an hour. A message to learn and live for a lifetime. When Alice and Tommy welcome a Christmas tree, Emily, into their home, she seems like a perfectly ordinary tree. That is, until the sneezing starts. They soon discover there is far more to Emily than they ever imagined. But everything changes when Alice realizes they may have made a terrible mistake. The entire family will enjoy this story and its timeless message of the love of Jesus and the unique purpose for which each of us is made. The Sneezing Christmas Tree is a story you'll return to and cherish year after year.

My Review

Imagine having your own talking Christmas Tree! Alice and Tommy named their new Christmas Tree, Emily. When they both heard {it} sneeze soon after bringing it home, {she} told them she had a cold from all the wet weather they'd been having, and it was true, that she was fully alive, but trees weren't supposed to let others know they could hear, see and talk. She even told them stories! If my tree could talk I suppose I wouldn't want to chop it down or watch it die and neither did Tommy and Alice. It was a horrible thought.

Now Emily assured them that it was her purpose to be a Christmas Tree. In fact, she was happier then ever they had chosen her for their christmas tree. It reminded me of a story I once heard about the wooden cross Jesus hung on. That too had a history. I wish I could remember the title so as to look it up online because I'm sure it's on the internet somewhere.

Merry Christmas!

View all my reviews

About the Author 

Aaron Kerr lives with his wife and four daughters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

http://www.thesneezingchristmastree.com

A Vampire's Christmas Carol

A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Karen McCullough

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Buy it on Amazon Kindle

Can Christmas Eve get any more fun? On her way to her family's home, Carol Prescott’s car slides into a ditch in a deserted area with no cell phone signal. The only available shelter is already occupied…by a vampire. To Michael Carpenter, Carol is the bait of a trap. In an effort to hold onto his soul, Michael has resisted the urge to drink human blood for almost a century. Now he hovers between human and vampire. If he doesn’t drink from a human before the night ends, he’ll die. He’s desperately thirsty, but Michael has seen the soulless monsters vampires are and he prefers death. Carol is pure temptation to him, the Christmas present from hell…or is it from heaven?

My Review

It was Christmas Eve one hundred years ago that Michael, on his way to his fiancees house to propose to her, was bit by a vampire and doomed to exist in the dark shadows. Only by drinking human blood would he be able to live forever, but Michael is loathed to be a monster like his master.

Dying takes time. It took Michael 10 years before he woke up undead, but he still needs to drink the blood of a human in the next 80 years or he will die.
He promised himself that he would never drink human blood but would rather die reunited with his human soul. So, this Christmas Eve, times up. Will he give in to his bloodlust? or, die?

I think it was evil supernatural forces that made Carol show up on his doorstep to tempt him, but she was more like an angel to help him.
Michael was on the verge of losing it and fought back with all his might to contain his bloodthirst. The rest of the story is best written in the pages of this ebook. I thought it was a well written holiday paranormal romance

View all my reviews

Here's an AWESOME Promo blurb from the authors website . 

A Meeting with the Vampire on Christmas Eve 

Twas the night before Christmas and all through hall 

The vampire was ready for his last night of all. 

A hundred years gone and the urge to drink blood 

He’d struggled against and so far withstood. 

When out on the porch there arose such a clatter 

He trudged to the door to see what was the matter 

When what to his wondering eyes should appear 

But a young woman shivering with cold and fear. 

Her face it was lovely and her blood warm and sweet 

To him, she was temptation, from her head to her feet. 

Ignoring the warning that his presence meant danger 

She opted for shelter and passed time with the stranger. 

Memories of Christmases long gone they traded 

Gifts and feasts and treasures now faded, 

The terrible night, a century ago, 

When a vampire stole his life and his hope. 

As he suffered the death throes of blood-hunger pollution, 

She struggled to help him and find a solution. 

When an enemy terrible showed up to gloat 

He tries to make Carol a sacrificial goat. 

She’s no willing victim and fights for her life 

And to help Michael get through a night of strife.

About the Author 

Karen McCullough is the author of ten published novels in the mystery, romantic suspense, and fantasy genres and has won numerous awards, including an Eppie Award for fantasy. She’s also been a four-time Eppie finalist, and a finalist in the Prism, Dream Realm, Rising Star, Lories, Scarlett Letter, and Vixen Awards contests. Her short fiction has appeared in several anthologies and numerous small press publications in the fantasy, science fiction, and romance genres. Her most recent release is A GIFT FOR MURDER, published in hardcover by Five Star/Gale Group Mysteries. 

She invites visitors to check out her home on the web at http://www.kmccullough.com and her site for the Market Center Mysteries series, http://www.marketcentermysteries.com

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! what are you reading?
is hosted by Sheila @Book Journey

What I read last week . 

1. Fairies & Wishes 
2. Christmas Kisses 
3. Radiant: An Unearthly Novella 
4. Bearing All 
5. The Book Of Love: (Baby It's Cold Out)
6. My True Love Gave To Me 
7. Bah Humbug 
8. Holiday Rush 
9. The Christmas Star 
10. Get A Good Tree Or Die Trying 
11. Big Girls Don't Cry 
12. Blue Christmas 

What I'm currently reading 

1.   A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Karen McCullough

1. I am 45% done and I really hope for the vampire and Carol's sake that it is a HEA . As long as she can take him into the sunlight and change him back into a human at a certain time with her own blood , it should work . I've never heard of that happening yet out of all the vampire stories I've read 

What I plan on reading  

More FREE kindle holiday romances from http://www.freebooksy.com/.

I am determined to reach my 2012 reading goals and I have 13 more books to go to reach 150 . ugh! Wish me luck .

Messages (New Beginnings Series)

Messages by Rachel Hanna

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kindle Amazon 

A best-selling author, Delaney Dobbins has no idea that her life is about to be turned upside down after the release of her latest crime novel. Little does she know that she has an exceptional gift that she cannot stop from happening. When it lands her in a safe house with a local TV anchor, she cannot imagine how her life is about to change. This romantic suspense novella is 23,000 words, and does have some romantic/sexual situations. If you love Barbara Freethy novels, you will love this contemporary romance by Rachel Hanna. 

My Review

Delaney Dobbins is a writer who just finished her book called "The Murderous Affair" and was waiting to be interviewed by a popular news reporter on TV, Jensen Brown.

Her book was about a wife who was having an affair and killed her husband so she could get his money or something like that, but the irony was the details were very similar to a real life murder case investigation which the wife had pleaded not guilty. But when a cop tells her she was in danger for knowing too much of the murder, sure enough she is brutally attacked soon afterwards and is forced into hiding.
She finds out she is psychic but not until Jensen overhears a conversation she was having during her morning meditation. He even videotaped it. It was not something she was aware of doing either.

This book is full of suspense. To Delaney's shocking surprise, her story wasn't coming from her own creative ability but it had been told to her by some unknown dead man who was murdered and his real wife was in jail awaiting her trial. The real killers were out there and Delaney agrees to help solve the case along with her friend Jensen.

They spend a few days together in a cozy cabin where romance and love blossomed.
I really liked how this story comes together in a fast paced suspense romance.

View all my reviews

About the Author

Rachel Hanna is a best-selling author of romance novellas and novels. She lives outside of Atlanta with her husband, three cool kids, two crazy dogs and one very snooty outdoor cat. She loves to write, read, spend time with family and embarrass her kids as much as possible.

Visit her Website

Blue Christmas; Big Girls Don't Cry Christmas Short Story by Taylor Lee

Blue Christmas by Taylor Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Amazon Kindle
Romantic Suspense

Two top undercover agents, Captain Tiffany Anderson and Col. Brady Schaefer topple a dangerous international illegal arms dealer. Much to the surprise of the two "go it alone" sexy agents, Christmas in Korea is anything but Blue.

Snow Angels, cookie dough (and especially the frosting) plus a big dose of Elvis-- makes for a sizzling Christmas

Even Blue Christmases can be Red HOT!

                                                           
View all my reviews

Big Girls Don't Cry

Big Girls Don't Cry by Taylor Lee

Amazon Kindle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A girl abandoned to the streets.
A brother brutally murdered.
Can she find the killer before he finds her?

My Review

Lexie is a big girl at 16, at least she thinks she is, but when her big brother Anthony ruins her pole dancing debut she escapes that life safely and intact.

Her brother is an Army Major with a lot of muscle who has been looking for her for 14 years and now that he's found her he will do everything to protect her. She spends the next 10 years of her life learning the martial arts but when she hears that her brother has been brutally murdered she stubbornly tries to find the killer(s) on her own even refusing the help of the Army and the Police! lol I thought that was stupid and naive of her but lucky for her, Anthony's friend Col.Jake Gardner was just as determined to protect Lexie and he also wants to make her his woman
I didn't like Jake calling her 'darlin' it sounded too old or maybe it's because I didn't find Jake that hot. At first I was embarrassed with the way she treated Jake but it worked itself out, thank God for Brady, and yes, there was a lot of sex and I liked Lexie's Camaro and Jakes motorbike.

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About the Author

I write Sizzling Romantic Suspense. My stories are the stories of my heritage. From the residue in my personal blender of mixed races, cultures and world views, my characters emerge. It comforts me to know that while evil slinks in the shadows, the "good guys" of the world sniff it out - and snuff it out. My stories are not your mama's soft edged romances with swashbuckling heroes and blushing heroines. Heck no! These guys are arrogant alpha males and the feisty women who bring them to their knees -and vice versa... They fight hard, love hard and don't mince words. They are dangerous men and women in dangerous times. Love, passion and ridding the world of evil? What's not to like?

Get A Good Tree Or Die Trying: A Christmas Story

Get A Good Tree Or Die Trying: A Christmas Story by Ray Allman

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My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a silly hilarious story about a father whose responsibility it was to get a christmas tree AND look after his 4 year old son. It made me laugh at how unprepared and incapable he was for the task.

LOL! He gets kicked off a tree farm and damn near totals his wife's car!

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Book Description 

A short story for Christmas that will touch you in all the wrong places... Ray Allman tries. Really, he does. But he's handicapped by that Y chromosome. Still, bringing home a Christmas tree when his yuleaholic wife unexpectedly has to travel shortly before the holiday shouldn't be that big of an issue, right? Well, let's just call it an adventure. Because with a 4 year-old in tow and the wrath of his wife hanging over him, Ray goes in search of that perfect tree, but what he finds just might be the back door to hell. 'Get A Good Tree Or Die Trying' is a short story of approximately 6,000 words.

My Secret Santa 2012

My secret santa is Heather @booksavybabe .Today (Dec 6) I received Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells and she says there is more to come so I will update this post when I get them.

UPDATE: The Highlanders Touch and Kiss of Steel came in the mail today(Dec 11)! I'm so happy!  

All of them were on my goodreads wishlist and they are red hot books! 

Thank You Heather! 

Visit Heather's website Here: http://www.booksavvybabe.com/