TITLE: An Accidental Goddess
AUTHOR: Linnea Sinclair
COPYRIGHT: 2005
TYPE: Sci/Fi romance
PAGES; 448
SERIES: nope stand alone

REASON FOR READING: I am a great fan of Ms. Sinclair’s work and have been glooming her back list.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Raheiran Special Forces captain Gillaine Davré has just woken up in some unknown space way station, wondering where the last three hundred years have gone. The last thing she remembers is her ship being attacked. Now it seems that while she was time-traveling, she was ordained a goddess…. Gillaine’s only hope of survival rests with dangerously seductive Admiral Mack Makarian, who suspects her of being a smuggler—or worse. But he can’t begin to imagine the full extent of it. For Gillaine is now Lady Kiasidira, holy icon to countless believers, including Mack—a man who inspires feelings in her that are far from saintly…feelings she knows are mutual. But when their flirtation is interrupted by a treacherous enemy from the past, Gillaine’s secret—and secret desires—could destroy them both

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Okay as the summary stated this book takes place in space 300 hundred years in the future from the last place Gillie was at. The last place she was at was fighting a great enemy and protecting the same people who now worship her as a Goddess. The book had a lot of back story, religion and culture in it in order to help us understand the situation. It was a little tedious at times but at other times I found myself wanting more. Of course there is a romance element to it with Mack and Gillie together. At first it was a little hard to swallow considering that they had just met 2 weeks prior but towards the end of the book it felt natural. Even if I didn’t like the reason she gave behind it.

Things I enjoyed:
-I enjoyed the plot. What would you do if you woke up in a sick bay to find out that not only were you 300 plus years in the future but also worshipped as a Goddess? I know I would be just as upset as she was. Especially if I felt that they were taking my words and actions and making them into something more than they were.
-Gillie was a character that was born into greatness and people recognized that early on. She had no choice in the matter and only desired to be treated as a normal everyday person. Even in relationships most of the guys wanted to date her b/c of her power or her heritage and that hurt. So when she acted out or denied who and what she was it made sense. I did like how at the end she learned that she had to except who and what she was in order to save those she loved.
-The secondary characters were lovely I enjoyed Simon and the others and thought it was handled well. Simon actually stole the show a few times.

Things I didn’t care for:
-As I mentioned above I didn’t care for the whole falling in love thing in 2 weeks. It just doesn’t happen in real life and I have a hard time falling for it in books. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t.
-I didn’t care for some of the movement in the story it just seemed to slow down in places then in others it felt as if it moved super fast. All and all it was good but I felt there were parts that could have been cut and still made it a good book..

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it

SCORE: 7 out of 10

Anything Else: .This is yet another great read from a fantastic author. I would check out any of her previous books as well as this one.

Go and Check out the website for further questions http://www.linneasinclair.com/

Also as a bonus: ~If you like this author you might like these authors: Susan Grant, Robin D Owens, Patti O’Shea, Rowena Cherry, Deidre Knight, Susan Kearney, Ann Aguirre, Susan Sizemore, and JD Robb

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100+ Book Challenge

32 / 100 books. 32% done!

Ebook Challenge

9 / 10 books. 90% done!

TITLE: Ecstasy: A Shadow Dwellers Novel
AUTHOR: Jacquelyn Frank
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: paranormal romance
PAGES; 352
SERIES: yes but this is book 1 in the series

REASON FOR READING: To be totally honest the cover is what made me buy it. That and I loved Jacob. Different series by the same author

SUMMARY: {From Goodreads }
Among the Shadow dwellers, Trace holds power that some as willing to kill for. Without a stranger's aid, one rival would surely have succeeded, but Trace's brush with death is less surprising to him than his reaction to the beautiful, fragile human who heals him. By rights, Trace should hardly even register Ashla's existence within the realms of Shadow scape, but instead he is drawn to everything about her - her innocence, her courage, and her lush, sensual heat.After a terrifying car crash, Ashla Townsend wakes up to find that the bustling New York she knew is now eerie and desolate. Just when she's convinced she's alone, Ashla is confronted by a dark warrior who draws her deeper into a world she never knew existed. The bond between Ashla and Trace is a mystery to both, but searching for answers will mean confronting long-hidden secrets, and uncovering a threat that could destroy everything Trace holds precious.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Well I can’t determine if it was my mood or the book that made this not enjoyable for me at all. I think Ms. Frank did an excellent job of world building and I really enjoyed it. As well as the plot line it had some moments that were entertaining. But all in all I didn’t enjoy this book.

Things I enjoyed:
Like I said above I really enjoyed the world building. Ms. Frank is known for her fantastic worlds that are thought out and follow certain rules. Those rules carry over to every book and never change. However, the world building wasn’t enough for me with this book.
I did enjoy Magnus and I would love to see his book. And I love that she took the India culture and made it work with this series. I also enjoyed that their culture allowed for twin rulers a woman and a male. That was something interesting.

Things I didn’t care for:
The main characters. I seriously couldn’t connect with any of them. I didn’t care for Trace and I didn’t like his heroine. To be honest I can’t remember anything about her except she can heal and is pale. They always, always, always had sex. The few times they talked it ended with sex. They at least went 2 whole days without sex and that’s just b/c she was injured but then that third day watch out cause it was on. And it never stopped. I just didn’t buy that they had to do IT all the time. Mostly through this book I found that I just didn’t enjoy the interaction between the characters it fell flat to me.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Nope I’ve read her before and enjoyed her other series.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? passing

SCORE: 5 out of 10 (some parts worked others didn’t)

TITLE: Willow Bend
AUTHOR: Ally Blue
COPYRIGHT: 2002
TYPE: M/M romance
PAGES; 216 ebook
SERIES: no

REASON FOR READING: Ally was kind enough to give a free copy away on Wave’s site and I managed to snatch it up.



SUMMARY: {From Goodreads}
Can two men from different worlds cut the ties binding them to heartaches past and present, and make a life together? For Paul Gordon, the little town of Willow Bend, South Carolina is the perfect place to start over. A place where he can move on after his lover's death, alone and anonymous. Cory Saunders is just trying to survive. Between working two jobs and caring for his ailing mother, it's all he can do to keep his head above water. When Paul and Cory meet, their mutual attraction is undeniable. When the intense physical attraction starts to blossom into something deeper, neither wants to admit to what's happening. Cory doesn't have time for a relationship, and Paul isn't sure he's ready for one. But sometimes, what you thought you couldn't have turns out to be exactly what you need.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
This book is what I classify as a fluff read. Its something that is quick and easy, leaves you satisfied. Like I said it was a quick read nothing complicated in it. The only parts that were off involved death and seeing how I’m not a guy but a girl I know I would have reacted differently to the situation.

Things I enjoyed:
I enjoyed Cory and Paul they are both believable characters. I felt Paul’s pain at losing a loved one and I felt Cory’s pain of being an only child and the guilt that comes with that when your parent is sick. I understood why Cory did what he did and why he worked as hard as he did to take care of his mom. I also understood why Paul felt the need to get away after what happened to him back home. The romance was quick and hot. A little quicker than I would have liked but then again it fit the characters.

Things I didn’t care for:
Although the relationship was felt solid at times at other times I felt like it was rushed. Then again I am a very logical person and have never told anyone I love them within a span of a month. Also it felt like Cory was a little young for the relationship they were trying to build. And I thought moving in together after only 6 months was really rushing things. Than again like I said this was a fluff read and although I wouldn’t in real life do these things I can’t say it didn’t work for these two. I think it only felt this way b/c I know in real life it wouldn’t work but I found with the writing that it did? IDK make of that what you will.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Yes she was new and yes I plan to read more of her writing

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 7 out of 10
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100+ Book Challenge

10 / 100 words. 10% done!

Ebook Challenge

7 / 10 words. 70% done!

The Englor Affair by J L Langley

BOOK DESCRIPTION: From Goodreads:
In hiding who he was, Payton found himself-and the man he would grow to love.
After his brother is kidnapped, Prince Payton Townsend masquerades as an Admiral-s assistant in order to track the culprits through the tangled mysteries of the planet Englor. He finds way more than he bargained for in the form of Marine Colonel Simon Hollister.
Simon is no ordinary soldier. He-s heir to Englor and his life is mapped out for him: throne, bride, and eventually an heir. He never expected a dalliance with Payton to blossom into love, or that the organization that taught him to lead would threaten that love-and their lives.
Danger and intrigue abound as they learn more about their shared enemy, and about each other. What they learn could help them rise above to an enduring love-or pull them apart.

MY THOUGHTS
Things I Liked:
Pay and Si’s relationship. It started off with Si wanting to protect Pay and not realizing that he was fully capable of it himself. But when Si realizes this it was almost too late. I love the playful banter they have back and forth and how Si fell in love with Pay. It was cute to see him agree to a marriage but in secret to be happy about it. I love that Pay held his own with Si and didn’t stop doing what he does best playing with computers and taking charge in that area.
I also enjoyed the ending even though it had the dreaded Miscommunication they were still able to realize their love for each other and work through it. Unlike a lot of romance books that solely focus on drawing it out as long as possible this wrapped it up quickly and even had them both saying they were sorry instead of one party taking sole responsibility.

WARNING SPOILER!

I love that Payton feeling that he was wronged and unloved left without a major scene. He proved his point, he left a note and did what he thought was best. That is rare in real life and even rarer was Si going after him. So sweet and touching.

SPOILER OVER!!!

I enjoyed finding more out about both planets and how their societies worked. I really enjoyed learning what the differences were and I am dying for another!

Things I Didn’t Like:
Can I just say the jock strap scene and the whole sex scene in general with that particular device I could have lived without ever reading. No it wasn’t hot to me and no it wasn’t a turn on and yet I felt like it was a train wreck I couldn’t stop reading. LOL call me old fashion but if a guy did that to me I would gag from disgust LOL

Rating
8 out of 10

Additional Info
Make sure to read My Fair Captain first I really think this helps with the understanding of this book and the relationships already established. Not to mention this book pretty much takes off where the last one ended.

~ Published: 2008

~ Price: $5.50 in ebook
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/the-englor-affair

~Favorite Author Book
My Fair Captain (Nate is just perfect)

~ Author Website
http://www.jllangley.com/jllangley/Home.html

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100+ book challenge

7 / 100 words. 7% done!

Ebook Challenge

6 / 10 words. 60% done!

TITLE: The Other Queen
AUTHOR: Philippa Gregory
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: historical fiction
PAGES: 438 (in ebook format)
SERIES: Not that I’m aware of

REASON FOR READING: This was a free Sony book when I rec’d my e-reader and I have always enjoyed her works

SUMMARY: [from Goodreads ]
Two women competing for a man's heart. Two queens fighting to the death for dominance. The untold story of Mary, Queen of Scots. This dazzling novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a new and unique view of one of history's most intriguing, romantic, and maddening heroines. Biographers often neglect the captive years of Mary, Queen of Scots, who trusted Queen Elizabeth's promise of sanctuary when she fled from rebels in Scotland and then found herself imprisoned as the "guest" of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick.
The newly married couple welcome the doomed queen into their home, certain that serving as her hosts and jailers will bring them an advantage in the cutthroat world of the Elizabethan court. To their horror, they find that the task will bankrupt them, and as their home becomes the epicenter of intrigue and rebellion against Elizabeth, their loyalty to each other and to their sovereign comes into question. If Mary succeeds in seducing the earl into her own web of treachery and treason, or if the great spymaster William Cecil links them to the growing conspiracy to free Mary from her illegal imprisonment, they will all face the
headsman.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Um yeah this one just didn’t hold a candle to her previous works. The book was too long, it repeated too much and just didn’t do anything for me. Its about Mary Queen of Scots and I believe it was meant to make the readers feel for Mary and her unfair treatment. However, all it did for me was make me roll my eyes and think that Mary deserved everything she got.

Things I enjoyed:
There wasn’t much. I did enjoy see Queen Elizabeth from different perspectives and I realize that she probably wasn’t as liked as many believe. I do believe that she was a fantastic leader and I honestly think she was an excellent queen but after reading this I can see how others might not view it the same.
I also enjoyed watching the conflict between the two Queens and seeing how Mary thought that Elizabeth moved to slow while the whole time Elizabeth knew if she waited long enough Mary would tangle herself into some foiled plot after another.

Things I didn’t care for:
Pretty much most of it. I didn’t care to be told over and over how the Earl’s wife was one of the only women in the land who owned property, how she brought herself up from being poor to an Earl’s wife, then repeat that every time we got her perspective. I didn’t care for Queen Mary’s thoughts she was repeating everything as well, she also came across as a spoiled little brat who threw spats b/c she could. She didn’t care about anyone but herself which means to me she must have been a horrible leader. And honestly I just didn’t care for any of the characters in this book. Not a single one of them struck a cord with me.

Would I recommend this book? No

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Nope the author wasn't new to me. Unless the book is free I will probably pass on it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? If I could delete it I would

SCORE: 4 out of 10

Anything else? I think a lot of her works are fantastic and would highly recommend them but not this one.
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100 + reading Challenge

6 / 100 words. 6% done!


ebook Challenge

5 / 10 words. 50% done!

TITLE: Death of A Pirate King (AKA: DOAPK)
AUTHOR: Josh Lanyon
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: M/M
PAGES: 248 (in ebook format)
SERIES: Yes 4th in a series
Book 1 review: Fatal Shadows
Book 2 review: A Dangerous Thing
Book 3 review: The Hell You Say

REASON FOR READING: Come on I am a rabid fan girl now and I won’t miss a book

SUMMARY: [from Goodreads ]
Gay bookseller and reluctant amateur sleuth Adrien English's writing career is suddenly taking off. His first novel, Murder Will Out, has been optioned by notorious Hollywood actor Paul Kane. But when murder makes an appearance at a dinner party, who should be called in but Adrien's former lover, handsome closeted detective Jake Riordan, now a Lieutenant with LAPD -- which may just drive Adrien's new boyfriend, sexy UCLA professor Guy Snowden, to commit a murder of his own!

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Wow Josh sure knows how to hit you in the gut with emotions. This book took me on a rollercoaster ride from page one to the end. I ended up laughing, crying, grinding my teeth in anger and annoyance at people’s behavior, to turn around and cry again. This book effected me in a way I wasn’t expecting. For some reason (and yes I know that reason) I was completely able to connect with Adrien. I understood every emotion he had when he thought of Jake, I understood the anger when he found out things, I understood the snapping at people you love b/c of that anger, but most of all I understood the hurt.
This showed me (not that I had any doubt) that Mr. Lanyon is truly a fantastic author who writes with such depth and clarity that one doesn’t realize they are reading a book. They forget that these people aren’t real.

Things I enjoyed:
I really enjoyed seeing Adrien and how he was coping since the last book. I loved watching him go through all the emotions he thought he had worked through only to discover he hadn’t. This is one of Mr. Lanyon’s best skills, writing emotion in a way that every one can relate to it.
I also love that Mr. Lanyon showed us a different side to Old Jake. A side I wasn’t expecting to see, was happy to see but at the same time still wanted to kick his arse. He made a character I hated last book so real that I couldn’t help but understand and sympathize with his struggles. My God I actually like Jake at the end. (weird considering my feelings for him at the end of the last book)

Things I didn’t care for:
Yeah I can’t think of anything and that in itself is just strange

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would highly recommend this series. Hands down one of my favorites and a must re-read for me.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Nope the author wasn't new to me. I will read anything and everything this man puts out.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 10 out of 10

Anything else? This is definitely a series I wouldn’t miss out on
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100+ Book Challenge:

6 / 100 words. 6% done!

Ebook Challenge:

4 / 10 words. 40% done!

TITLE: Like a Thief in the Night
AUTHOR: Bettie Sharpe
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: paranormal romance maybe?
PAGES: 99 (in ebook format)
SERIES: Not that I’m aware of

REASON FOR READING: I’ve had this sitting on my computer for awhile I thought it was a good time to break out with it.

SUMMARY: [from Goodreads ]Death comes like a thief in the night. For reclusive thief Sevastien Aniketos, death comes in the form of slinky assassin Arden Black. But Aniketos has a surprise for his would-be assassin—he is immortal. And he is about to turn the tables on the pragmatic femme fatale. Arden finds more than she bargained for when she sneaks through the window of Aniketos’s glass penthouse to take his life. The immortal thief is no victim; he’s a clever strategist who has set his sights on capturing the lethal lady and making her his own. Trapped with a man she cannot kill, Arden slowly succumbs to Aniketos’s scheme of seduction, ceding her secrets, her loyalty, and eventually her heart. But when Arden’s wicked past catches up with her, Aniketos is faced with a choice. An endless life without Arden, or a paltry mortal lifespan with the woman he is increasingly sure he cannot live without

THOUGHTS/OPINION: All and all I enjoyed this book. It had some great things going for it. Word to the wise though this is a strong book, lots of crude language, lots of violence and violent sex. It all fits with the story but some might be turned off by that.

Things I enjoyed: I really like the mythology back ground on why Sevastien was the way he was. It was a very interesting background I think it flowed well. I liked that the “heroine” was strong, independent and never faltered from that. A lot of the times authors will have this “strong” heroine who is strong until she faces one thing then she collapses and becomes the damsel in distress waiting for the hero to save her. This was not the case. I also enjoyed the story and discovering the company that Arden works for and how they work.

Things I didn’t care for: The violent sex. Yes I understand that it fit the characters. Yes I understand why it was used. However, I personally just didn’t care for it. I don’t feel comfortable reading scenes where the “hero” strangles the “heroine” to help her get off. And yes before you ask she did want it, doesn’t mean I enjoyed reading about it.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? I have read this author before when she did Ember and I highly recommend it as well.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 7 out of 10

Anything else? I think this is a fantastic author that we should keep an eye out for.

Ebooks read:

4 / 10 words. 40% done!


100+ books read

4 / 100 words. 4% done!

2nd in a series challenge

1 / 12 words. 8% done!

TITLE: Shades of Dark
AUTHOR: Linnea Sinclair
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: sci/fi romance
PAGES: 392 (in ebook format)
SERIES: Yes 2nd one in the series first was Gabriel Ghost

REASON FOR READING: I loved GG and couldn’t wait to see where Ms. Sinclair took the main characters

SUMMARY: [from Goodreads ]
Before her court-martial, Captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren was the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she’s a fugitive from the “justice” of a corrupt Empire. Along with her lover, the former monk, mercenary, and telepath Gabriel Ross Sullivan, Chaz hoped to leave the past light-years behind—until the news of her brother Thad’s arrest and upcoming execution for treason. It’s a ploy by Sully’s cousin Hayden Burke to force them out of hiding and it works. With a killer targeting human females and a renegade gen lab breeding jukor war machines, Chaz and Sully already had their hands full of treachery, betrayal—not to mention each other. Throw in Chaz’s Imperial ex-husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and a Kyi-Ragkiril mentor out to seduce Sully and not just loyalties but lives are at stake. For when Sully makes a fateful choice changing their relationship forever, Chaz must also choose—between what duty demands and what her heart tells her she must do.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:Alright this book has action, romance, hawt menz, suspense, and of course a dozen or so plots that all come together at the end. (I mention this b/c I was really worried as we got close to the end on how she was going to wrap this up)
This book is the second in a series however, I don’t believe you need to read the first in order to understand what is going on but it would help. Reading the first would help to understand how the characters work together and even got together. This is a fairly complicated book in the sense of all the different subplots and different storylines going on.

Things I enjoyed: I really liked being able to see Sully and Chaz’s relationship as it grew. There were times when I worried they wouldn’t make it and other times when I knew they would struggle through it. The relationship that Ms. Sinclair has set up is priceless. She shows how hard it is to work in a relationship and a relationship is just that work. She doesn’t make it easy on these two and for that their relationship really grows. Ms. Sinclair had me laughing, crying, shaking in anger, and really hoping that these two would end up together. She is a powerful writer when it comes to this aspect.

Also her world building is to die for. I could perfectly see what a Kyi killer was. She gives just enough description to make you understand what the weapon or for that matter the ship should look like. But not so much description you can’t add in your own thoughts.

Things I didn’t care for: Ms. Sinclair was really bad about having us in Chaz’s head but then making sure that Chaz told us everything we might not have remembered from reading the first. It was annoying b/c I know when I am thinking of Kyi in my head I am not giving a full on description of what I know about them. Then turning around and explaining “to myself” how I know this information. I just felt like everytime she did this I was pulled out of the book.

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would highly recommend both this one and the first

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Nope the author wasn't new to me. I have read a couple of this author’s works and enjoyed everyone.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping

SCORE: 7 out of 10

Anything else? I think if you are going to read this you should also look into reading GG you won’t regret either choice.