Top Off Tuesday #7

It’s that time again (I know I'm late with this) — Tuesday! — which means [we] give you shirtless men to make your day better. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted 



Idle hands are the devil's workshop.

Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way...

Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation...because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?

-From Goodreads

Top Off Tuesday #6

It’s that time again (I know I'm late with this) — Tuesday! — which means [we] give you shirtless men to make your day better. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted 

“The smart guy”—Sebastian Keller’s lived with that label most of his life. Though he hasn’t always appreciated it, and it hasn’t exactly made him a man magnet, he’s put his intelligence to work building his store, Great Escapes Travel Book Shop, to the point it’s now the favorite recommendation of travel agents in the St. Louis area. His customers—especially the jet-setting senior citizens—love him for his amiable personality. 

He doesn’t feel very amiable, however, when Rad Tattoos moves in next door to Great Escapes. Its owner, Dylan Radamacher, rubs Sebastian the wrong way from the get-go. The man’s insufferable, stubborn, and, worse, a bad boy. Everything Sebastian loathes. To add insult to injury, Sebastian’s certain the loud music, the congested parking lot, and the constant colorful parade of the counterculture in and out of the tattoo studio are scaring away his loyal, conservative customers. 

And yet, much to his annoyance, the teasing sparkle in Dylan’s eyes, his hot, inked body, and come-hither voice set Sebastian’s libido on fire. Sebastian’s “been there, done that” with the bad-boy type before, though, and almost lost everything because of it. There’s no way he’s going down that road again. 

But when Dylan sets his sights on Sebastian and is determined to take him for a walk on the wild side, Sebastian knows he’s in big trouble. It’s going to take all his smarts and a whole lot of willpower to resist the sexy tattoo artist before the man finds a way to burrow deeper under his skin...  

From Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday #4

Hey there! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. 

This week's topic is:

Top Ten Bookish Secrets

1. Sometimes, I have so many books going, I forget which characters are in which story. It's like everything gets mixed up into one huge bowl and I can't make the pieces separate into a coherent thought. I'll be reading a story and be all WTF, and then I'll have the "Aha!" moment where I realize I picked up the wrong book.

2. I have never read the Twilight series. Even with the big hype surrounding it, I just haven't found the desire to actually read them. I'm sure the books are better than the movies, but I just haven't gotten to it yet.

3. I can put a book down, go back to it in a month, and still know whats going on. I'm pretty awesome at remembering what a book is about and it's main story line, even after a long period of downtime.

4. I read the same book twice and didn't even know it. Sometimes you choose to re-read a book because it's just so amazing. Well, once I read a book and then a few years later, read it again. The whole time I was thinking it sounded familiar...it's because it was. I felt so lame.

5. My mom thinks I read too much. I spend all of my free time reading. My mother thinks it will rot my brain or something. Personally, I just think she's upset because she doesn't make time to read herself. She enjoys it as much as I do.

6. Saving money on books is AMAZING. It's not a secret, but I still think it's awesome. I swap books on swap.com, get books from the library, using Kindle Lending and buy books on the cheap for my kindle. It's so much fun hunting for bargains.

7. I am not a fan of Historical Fiction. Sometimes I can find a good one, but for the most part, I stick to contemporary. I just get bored and/or confused.

8. All through College, the only books I read were textbooks. I missed out on a lot of good books because I was too busy. I'm more than making up for it now.

9. I didn't think 50 Shades of Grey was too intense. All the controversy was over nothing if you asked me. I have read books with much more hardcore BDSM, and it didn't bother me. What does annoy me is people being judgmental when all they had to do was read the summary and be like "Nope that's not for me." and move on.

10. Finding bookmarks is fun. I like taking a book out from the library and finding a cool bookmark. It's like a treasure hunt or something. I've gotten all kinds of them over the years, the most interesting was a $5 bill. 

Top Off Tuesday #5

It’s that time again (I know I'm late with this) — Tuesday! — which means [we] give you shirtless men to make your day better. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted 



If you want to score, you have to get in the game... 

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty...

-From Goodreads

REVIEW - Long Shots: Books 1-3

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Welcome to Pulled Long café, where the coffee is hot, and the sex is hotter! Meet your hosts:

Sadie Long has been lusting after her friend Paul for years, and when she visits him at Mavericks, the sex club where he works, she's suddenly fantasizing about being with Paul and his sexy boss Josh—at the same time.

Paige Long can't help but be attracted to gorgeous firefighter Carter, especially once she learns he's a Dom. But can she trust in her own desires and submit to happiness?

Ian Long doesn't want to be the rebound guy for a brokenhearted man—even after a little exhibitionist play with Jeff satisfies desires he didn't even know he had..

My Review:

Okay, let me start by saying....Holy S&!T this books was awesome!

*Phew* Now that I got that off my chest, let's start talking about the book itself. There are three novella's, each about a member of the Long family.

The three siblings own a coffee shop together.

Each story had it's own appeal and it's own surprises..and lots of steamy sex.

The first story was about Sadie and her love for a friend. This was contained some building suspense and a hot threesome with Paul's boss. 

*Drools on self* This was my favorite of the three stories. 

Paige's story was a little more intense. She meets a Dom at the cafe, digging into her resolve to never be part of the scene again. A man from her past resurfaces, the reason she wasn't getting what she needed.

The love interest's in Ian's story appeared throughout the other two.

Ian was by far by favorite character. He was so fun and believable. I wanted him to be my best friend. The one married man he lust's after finally steps up and returns his interest, thrusting them both head first into the sea of the unknown.

All three stories are available for purchase separately.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Shots-Double-Dark%5CPulled-ebook/dp/B008JI94PM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346106213&sr=8-1&keywords=long+shots%3A+book+1-3

*I received a copy of this Ebook from NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

Top off Tuesday #4

It’s that time again (I know I'm late with this) — Tuesday! — which means [we] give you shirtless men to make your day better. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted. 

When Breeze Monaghan gets caught red-handed by her millionaire boss she knows she’s in trouble. Big time. Because Breeze needs to keep her job more than anything else in the world. Sebastian Dark is used to getting exactly what he wants and now he has a hold over Breeze, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Like Scheherazade in The 1001 Nights Seb demands that Breeze entertain him to save her skin.

Can she employ all her ingenuity and sensuality in order to satisfy him and stop her world crashing about her? Or, like the ruthless businessman he is, will Seb go back on the deal?

This short story is available from the Kindle store for $0.99!!

Top Off Tuesday #2 & #3

It’s that time again — Tuesday! — which means [we] give you shirtless men. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted. (It's totally worth a peek!)

I'm doing a double dose of hotness this week because I missed last week. 

Where there's smoke there's fire. . .

Since 9/11, Brooklyn firefighter Griff Muir has wrestled with impossible feelings for his best friend and partner at Ladder 181: Dante Anastagio. Unfortunately Dante is strictly a ladies' man and the FDNY isn’t exactly gay-friendly. For 10 years, Griff has hidden his heart in a half-life of public heroics and private anguish.

Griff’s caution and Dante’s cockiness make them an unbeatable team. To protect his buddy, there’s nothing Griff wouldn’t do… until Dante is nearly bankrupt and proposes the worst possible solution: HotHead.com, a gay-porn website where uniformed hunks get down-n-dirty… Now Dante wants them to appear there— together.

Griff may have to guard his heart and live out his darkest fantasies on camera. Can he rescue the man he loves without wrecking their careers, their families, or their friendship?

-From Goodreads

This book was pretty steamy. I mean, look at those two hotties on the cover?

What could be hotter than two men fighting fire?

Well...I could think of a few things. *wink* *wink*

All it takes is one night to change a cowboy’s life…

Barrel racer Celia Lawson knows better than to tangle with bull rider Kyle Gilchrist. The sexy cowboy’s love ‘em and leave ‘em ways have earned him a reputation on the rodeo circuit, and he’s always seen her as his best friend’s kid sister. But after one wild, tequila-fueled night, Celia wakes up to find out she’s gotten herself hitched—to a man she never should have married!

When Celia insists on an annulment, Kyle has no good reason to say no—except he isn’t ready to let go of his new bride. But then Kyle inherits a sprawling Wyoming ranch, and seizes the opportunity to enlist Celia’s help. She agrees to lend a hand—with two conditions: He has to get up to speed as a rancher within six months; then they’ll get a divorce. And their marriage will be in name only.

Kyle gives in to Celia’s demand, yet he's ready to prove to her he has what it takes to turn their one night rodeo into a lifetime of love….

-From Amazon

Top Off Tuesday #1

It’s that time again — Tuesday! — which means [we] give you shirtless men. Top Off Tuesdays was started by Felicia, Christi and [Amanda].  It is where [ALL OF US] share the book covers that make us swoon.  Head over to Felicia’s blog to share your Top Off Tuesday link or to see what everyone has posted. (It's totally worth a peek!)

What happens in Vegas…can lead to romance.

It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea.

Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend’s sister…and the girl he’d loved since childhood.

The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn’t seen Jeremy in seven years—ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he’s always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances…or will she surrender ground and give love a try?

-From Goodreads

I mean, DAMN, look at those abs. *drools on self*

I haven't read this book, but it is now on my TBR list.

Mainly because of the super sexy stud on the cover.

But can you blame me?

Random Scribblings

Words fly from th page, swirling around my head in the most dizzying fashion. Sentences no longer formed in my brain, leaving me broken and confused. What was I supposed to do now? The familiar feeling of uncertainty crept up my spine, caressing me. A light at the end of the tunnel beckons me on. Leads me down he right path. Rearranging and becoming more linear in pattern. Still, they held no meaning. It was no longer terrifying, just spectacular. They are becoming fuzzy. I try to read the sentences fast enough, before they fade completely. I can't. Again, I am startled awake by the dream that has haunted me forever. The full message never received, I stretch out in the warm white linens of my queen sized bed, hugging the pillow tightly to my side. It is the only thing that comforts me. Knowing it was just a dream and coming back to the real world. I believe its because I'm scared. Scred of what it might mean or how it will change my life. Smiling softly, I imagine all the ridiculous advice that could be swirling around in that fishbowl of words. Deep within my soul, I know the message is important. Life changing. Sighing heavily, I pull myself from between the sheets. Ready for yet another day of contemplation and confusion. Unaware that today would be the beginning of my journey. The journey to the discovery of the message in my dreams and who I really am.

Top Ten Tuesday #3

Hey there! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. 

Alaina's Top Ten Favorite Quotes from Books:

1. "It's strange indeed how memories can lie dormant in a man's mind for so many years. Yet those memories can be awakened and brought forth fresh and new, just by something you've seen, or something you've heard, or the sight of an old familiar face."

- Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows

2. "Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly."

- Cornelia Funke, Inkheart 

3. "There was a time, actually—you’ll see this in the memories later—when flesh was many different colors. That was before we went to Sameness. Today flesh is all the same."

– Lois Lowry, The Giver

4. “Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Loves is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It dose not take offense and is not resentful. Love take no pleasure in others people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.” 

― Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

5. “I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shinning armor” 

― Simone Elkeles, Perfect Chemistry

6. “It was amazing how you could get so far from where you'd planned, and yet find it was exactly were you needed to be.” 

― Sarah Dessen, What Happened to Goodbye

7. “Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.” 

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows


8. “I don't believe in failure, because simply by saying you've failed, you've admitted you attempted. And anyone who attempts is not a failure. Those who truly fail in my eyes are the ones who never try at all. The ones who sit on the couch and whine and moan and wait for the world to change for them.” 
― Sarah Dessen, Keeping the Moon

9. “I hated labels anyway. People didn't fit in slots--prostitute, housewife, saint--like sorting the mail. We were so mutable, fluid with fear and desire, ideals and angles, changeable as water.” 

― Janet Fitch, White Oleander

10. “Then tell them we've all got meanness in us...But tell them we have some good in us too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. That's why we've got to make sure we pass it on.” 

― Billie Letts, Where the Heart Is

Teaser Tuesday #3 & Top Ten Tuesday #2

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

The Rules:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) or so “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO 

INCLUDE SPOILERS!!

•Share the title &  author, too

"One time, when I was in a blind tree, waiting motionless for the game to wander by, I dozed off and fell ten feet to the ground, landing on my back. It was as if the impact had knocked every wisp of air from my lungs, and I lay there struggling to inhale, to exhale, to do anything.

That's how I feel now, trying to remember how to breathe, unable to speak, totally stunned as the name bounces around inside my skull."

Page 21 - Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I chose a quote from the beginning of the book because I have not made it very far, and I don't want to spoil the book for myself. Wish me luck!!

*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Hey there! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. 

Top Ten Books That Were Totally Deceiving

1. Unlikely Angel - Ashley Smith

This book is on this list because it was just plain awful. I couldn't get past the first few chapters. From the description I thought it would be a fast-paced account of her experience of being a hostage. However, it turned out to be a rant about her finding god, and talking about her drug habit/losing custody of her daughter. 

2. A Hopeless Romantic - Harriet Evans

The cover for this book is great, it's even got glitter!! I couldn't even finish this book it was so bad. I hated the main character, and the summary wasn't adding up to what I was reading. It was boring and completely not what I wanted it to be. 

3. Wings - Aprilynne Pike

The cover is what through me off about this book. I thought that it would take place near the water and that she actually would get like butterfly wings. Not what I imagined, but it was definitely better than I expected though. 

4. My Blood Approves - Amanda Hocking 

I had this book for over a year before I actually read it. The cover is just so "blah" that I didn't feel drawn to it. I was SO wrong. I was so good. Not to mention, not part of this book takes place at any sort of scene that resembles this. 

5. Anatomy of a Boyfriend - Daria Snadowsky

The cover art is awesome, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. The main character meets her first boyfriend and has a lot of "firsts" with him, but it didn't seem to translate to what the cover says.

6. Two-Way Street - Lauren Barnholdt

I had an image of the main characters from the cover, but the descriptions from the book didn't match the cover. Also, the major secret that was mentioned on the back wasn't that big. I mean, it was meaningful, but not a super big deal. It was a good book though.

7. Labyrinth - Kate Moss

From the summary, I thought I would really enjoy this book. I mean, it involved Egypt, magic and secrets. I was totally on board. I started reading though, and it was just dragged and dragged. I have been trying to read it for a year and I still haven't made it halfway through. 

8. Looking for Alaska - John Green

I love John Green, he is amazing. The cover AND the summary are both deceiving in a way. From the cover, I thought maybe darkness and candles would be prevalent, but I don't remember seeing any. The summary makes the reader think that Alaska is Miles's love interest and that isn't the case. But, the book is great, definitely a must read.

9. Brother Odd - Dean Koontz

This series is great, but this book was a major disappointment. The cover makes you think that Odd himself had become a monk, but he was just living at a monastery. I think my main reason for choosing this book is because the summary made me think I would enjoy it, and I hated it. 

10. White Oleander - Janet Fitch

First of all, I have read this book twice and I love it. The cover is what confuses me. The main character, Astrid, is a teenage girl who has long blond hair. I have no idea this person is supposed to be. No scene like this takes place anywhere in the book. It's a good cover, it just doesn't fit the novel. 

Musing Monday #1

This meme is hosted by Should be Reading.

Every week a new 'musing' question is posted by the host for all participants to answer in their own posts.

This weeks muse is:


What do you think are the top 5 books every woman should read?

That is an extremely hard question, but here are some ideas.





A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer
This book is an incredibly moving book. It's high on my list because it is a true story about a bout who is physically and emotionally abused by his mother. I think women and men would benefit from the power of this book.









Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten is not a very well known book where I'm from. This is a book about a mother's struggle to prove her son's innocence, when he is accused of a murder that he doesn't remember if he committed or not.

These two book are an example of motherhood, and how it makes some women stronger and turns some into monsters.





Someone Like You - Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen is always a great go-to author for women. Her books are meant for us and capture us. I chose this one in particular because it covers a wide array of issues. Loss, love, teen pregnancy, drugs and problems with family. There are just so many reason to love this book.







Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
An incredibly good book about a teenage girl suffering in silence. Her friends are all mad at her, her family barely speaks to her and she retreats from people. Art and a few budding relationships give her the strength to deal with her trauma.







Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles
I read this book in a day it was so amazing. I mean, who doesn't love a star-crossed love story? Very Romeo and Juliet, but without the suicide. This is a pure pleasure read that will keep you wanting more. I think everyone, male or female, should read this book, it's that awesome.

Teaser Tuesday #2 & Top Ten Tuesday #1

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

The Rules:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) or so “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!!
•Share the title &  author, too,

"Your all four. You're constantly bitching about things under your breath; you come across stupid because you don't speak; on a particular angle in that uniform on an overcast day with your hair up, you've got that butch thing happening; plus, you're pashing other girls' boyfriends, which makes you a slut."

Page 126 
Saving Francesca by Melinda Marchetta

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with them and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

Top Ten Books to Read In a Day

 

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

This was a great read, fast paced and different from other books in this genre. Her love interest is also a hot piece as well.

 

 Hanging on to Max by Margret Bechard

This is a short book, but it's incredibly moving. It's about a teenage boy, who is a single father.

 

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

This is the first book I had read that centered around dragons. The characters are great.

Will is definitely a guy worth reading about.

 

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

ALL TIME FAVE BOOK!! It's just amazing.

Who doesn't love a book about star-crossed lovers?

 

Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti

With characters and situations you can relate to, this book does not disappoint.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Epic. The nerdy kids finds friends, and suffers a tremendous loss.

Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

This book wasn't amazing, but it was cute and fluffy.

Marked by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

A different take on vampires that I found refreshing.

From what I've seen, people either love or hate this series.

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer

Nothing could have prepared me for the power in this book.

It's a true story of a child, abused by his mother.

Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Just a hilarious book, full of fun and laughs.