My Thoughts. Your Thoughts? Everyones Thoughts....

As I'm sure you all know (from my lack of posting) I've been really busy lately. Even my reading has been slacking. I'm still reading of course just not nearly as much or fast, and it sucks. But anyway.....Via private emails I heard about things going on in blog land and such. And here's where my blog is going....

Normally I don't give two hoots what an author does personally. I mean their books are fiction and it's the stories that I love, not the person behind it. I mean not to be a bitch but really, do you wanna be best friends with the author or read the book? I'll take the book thank you. And if the author happens to be a really great person and interesting to chat with? Well then all the better, but it still doesn't make or break a book for me.

Some examples: I hear Judith McNaught is kind of snobby. What do I think of snobby people? I'll pass, not interested in wasting my time with them. What do I think of JM's books? She's one of my all time favorite authors. I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER BOOKS. And her personally does not affect them for me. Now granted I don't care enough to research and chat with her myself to see if she is in fact snobby it's all hear say but still, you get my point right?

And Julie Garwood. I think I heard a bit of a controversy going on a little bit ago because supposedly a long time ago she did an interview and said she NEVER read romance books but then did another interview more recently and said she LOVES romance books. People got all up in arms about her lying. WHO THE HELL CARES? I don't! I love her BOOKS.

Same goes with J.R. Ward, and Sherilyn Kenyon. Are they a bit to into their fantasy worlds with having chats with their imaginary characters and such? HELL YEAH! But I love their books. And as long as I keep both my feet in reality I'm good.

And it goes both ways. Stef Ann Holm, Carly Phillips, Renee Lyons, Anne Rainey, and Lori Foster are all really really great women. Very nice, and just all around wonderful ladies. Some I found nice AFTER I read their stuff and some I was friends with first. But regardless I like their stuff, nice or not. lol.

BUT, and here's my big BUT (HEY! Stop being mean! Not my ass butt! lol. Although that is kind of big too at the moment. lol.) when an author does something in their personal lives that I morally don't agree with and the money that I use to buy their book goes towards funding said thing I disagree with then I have an issue.

Now I am not going to claim to know all the details on this but I got my information from somebody I trust very much. I heard that Jaid Black has some things going on that I don't' really agree with. Now correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I heard:

She was doing some type of research at a prison where she met and fell in love with a prisoner. The prisoner is in for murdering his girlfriend by close range gun shot (as far as I know). Then he shot at her daughter (again as far as I know). I also heard that she (Jaid Black) believes that all men that are young (under the age of 25), poor and first time killers should not be judged as harshly? Or not given life sentences? That they feel remorseful and were not educated enough to know what they were doing to the point where they should be held accountable for their actions?!

Well I'll tell you this. I have very VERY strong opinions about a lot of things, and I will just briefly say that that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. And I wouldn't give two shits if a man killed my kids and fell into that category. Forget the freaking life sentence in prison, ship that scum off to some remote dirty nasty island where he can rot. He deserves no second chance, he lost that right when he took another life. And I feel it is belittling to the life that was taken to actually think her husband served enough time for his crime! She doesn't get to come back to life so I don't think he deserves to go back and live his.

But I don't want to get all into that. What I wanted to say here was that because of the fact that my money would go to funding her cause of campaigning against these men being locked up I will not ever buy a new book of hers. I feel this is in a total different category than not 'liking' an author. I morally don't agree with what she does or stands for.

I just read a book of hers last week for the fist time, I bought it before I found all this out, and it was actually pretty good. But it will be the last I but new, and I will not review it. I keep saying new because that is the only time they make a profit off of it right? Tell me if I'm wrong here too. But if I bought something in a UBS the author doesn't acutally make any money off of that sale right?+

So what do you think? What are your thoughts? I mean what you say will not change what I am doing or what I feel on this topic but I still am interested to hear what you have to say.

I think Karen Scott said it perfectly over on her blog. And I don't always agree with her opinions. But this time? She was right on.

But then again none of this would have happened in JB hadn't done that first interview and let all her personal issues out. Maybe I should just try my damnedest not to know anything about authors personal lives. I truly do think author Joey W. Hill said it the best:

"I’ve always had an aversion to reading, watching or hearing interviews of favorite actors, authors, musicians, etc. because so often the real person doesn’t measure up to the beauty of the art they produce. Their politics or religion are distasteful, or they’re shallow and self-absorbed, a vacuous mop-head without a lick of sense. From then on, though I may appreciate their craft or art, it has somehow been tarnished. Therefore, whenever I’m asked to provide personal information about myself for readers, a ball of anxiety forms in my stomach as I think: “Okay, the next couple of paragraphs can change forever the way someone views my stories.” Why on earth does a reader want to know about me? It’s the story that’s important."

AMEN!

Book Horror!

Well I'm moved....I should say I'm in my new house but still have a ton of unpacking. A lot of which are my 30 boxes of books. And that is what I am going to tell you about now....my MOVING BOOK HORROR STORY! (you'll all kinds of excited now aren't you? Come on admit it, I have you on the edge of your seat. lol.)

We did the BIG move on Saturday, but throughout the week we had moved a lot of the smaller boxed with our truck and just left them in the garage. Come Saturday after moving all the big furniture we were so tired and figured we would leave the rest of the boxes in the garage for later. After all I don't even have bookshelves to unload all my books (I know horrible). Anyway...on with the story.

Sunday I had to work so Josh cleaned the house a bit, put a load of laundry in and came to see me at work and run a few other errands.....5pm I get a phone call....there is 2" of water in our kitchen and laundry room! the hose on the back of the washer came out of the sink thing it was supposed to be on so when it was washing all the water went onto the floor. So I rushed home after work and found out it not only was in the kitchen and laundry room but it seeped under the cabinets and into the family room. Thankfully my in laws have a shop vacuum and got most of the water up with that and had fans drying everything. By the time I got home everything was basically done.

A few minutes after my in laws leave Josh starts acting all strange. He finally says that it was a little worse than he originally thought. I'm thinking 'well duh! The family room got wet too!' so I say to him "what are you talking about? Just say it" after him hopping around and evading telling me he says that some of the water went into the garage too. It still hasn't sunk in for me. So he then tells me that the boxes with my books got wet. I actually laughed at him. I said "whatever, I know your joking!" he looked at me and said he was really sorry but he wasn't joking. My face fell, I actually started to shake a bit and jumped up to run to the garage. The bottom of about 10 boxes were wet, soaked! I grabbed a knife and start to rip them open. Josh is watching me and I am no joke crying! (shut up! you know you would too!)

All I can say is that AVON has FREAKING THE BEST BOXES! I guess cause they leave them out on porches and they get wet from rain and snow they make them really good, cause none of my books were wet....WAIT! One box was, one none AVON box! It was the box with all my Judith McNaught (one of my favorite authors) and Nora Robert books in! Most of my JM books (paperback) now have water damage on the edge of the pages. I was soooo upset. Josh is all telling me we can buy new ones, but I know I'm not going to spend the money. And although they are a little messed up they are still fine, just not the original condition I had them in.

My husband was such a sweetheart, he knew how upset I'd be and it upset him to. I love him!

All in all though I guess it wasn't so bad, but still. Any books damaged is bad news to me!

In other news, I still have a ton of unpacking to do and all so I don't know when I'll be back in the swing of blogging. But check in from time to time, cause I will be back.

Bye....

Taming Him by Summer Devon, Kimberly Dean and Michelle M. Pillow

Perfection by Summer Devon

Grade: C+
Cover Grade: A
Buy It: Here

The Publishers:
In this steamy anthology, three strong, sexy women use their feminine wiles and powerful seduction to claim the men who can satisfy their every desire. . . .


After volunteering for a lab experiment gone awry, Bryan Hartigan is irresistible to women. Thanks to a "come and take me" chemical that emanates from his pores, every woman wants his body -- and a group of thugs want the million-dollar essence it exudes. While on the run from relentless stalkers, Bryan meets Allie, a sweet, sensual waitress whose luscious curves he can't resist -- and who may be the antidote to his alluring curse.

The Cover:
LOVE IT! Isn't it great? Sexy and yet we don't really see any one's full on face. Perfection in my book. Oh and I so have those shoes! I got them for $29.00 on sale at DSW, they're Nine West. You know your jealous. And of course I have the fishnets too. Hello!

Me:
When I was first about to review this book I was going to tell you it was a bit unbelievable. I mean the girl goes from wanting to disgust the guy to jumping his bones in about two hours or so. But then I have to take into consideration that one it's fiction and two that's the whole point of the book! His sweat practically makes woman attack him, sexually.

So in saying that, it really was quite good. I wouldn't call it erotic, but it was hot when they got it on. Especially the first time at the diner....on the bench seat....mmmmm. lol.

So for a fun short story that is also kinda cute pick this up. As long as your not expecting a completely erotic or very deep emotional book then you'll be satisfied. I'm looking forward to reading some more by Summer Devon. Thanks for the book!

HURRY!!!

The Daystar by Rene Lyons is out in Print today! I've read this one and LOVED it! So get on it,you know I know good books. haha.

Rene's wowed everyone with her first release of Midnight Sun, the first in her Templar Vampire Series then topped that one (in my opinion) with The Daystar. Constantine and Lex will blow you away. The story is excellent and the chemistry between these two? Well you just don't want to miss it.

As I said before e-books are great for convenience but when you find a great author like Rene Lyon's you just have to have the print version for your keeper shelf.

So go here and get your copy now.

Go get it!!! Instructing Sarah by Anne Rainey

NO, I have not read this book yet. BUT I read Haley's Cabin and LOVED it, and since I'm cool like that I've read bits and pieces of Anne's other work. Sooooo I can say without any hesitation that this book's gotta be great. And I will be getting it this weekend when I get paid (yes I am that poor right now, lol).

It is on sale now through Forbidden Publications and anyone who wants to read some steamy stuff needs to go get this! Anne's fist book Haley's Cabin was a hit and she's not slowing down any. As a matter of fact you can look forward to lots of juicy stuff about Anne and her work here on my blog.

So go get it. You can get it here, on FP site. And make sure you go here, to Anne's site to enter her contest to win a download of her other book Haley's Cabin.

Oh and didn't she get a damn good cover on this book? I know Anne's all about men's arms. Well hell, this mans sure got some nice ones. HOT!

Also in other Anne Rainey news, she has a book coming out in August called Sun City. She's said it is different than what she normally writes, so that should be interesting. As I know more, I'll post more. But for now go to her site and read an unedited excerpt from this story.

Oh and here is the blurb:
Roslyn Garrison is a spoiled heiress with too much time and money on her hands. Her biggest problem in life is choosing which country to visit next. Everything changes when she's invited to a party at the Palace Resort hotel in Sun City, Africa. The next morning, Roslyn wakes to find the mysterious Bane Riley holding her captive. Afraid for her life, she sets out to do whatever it takes to get free. However, she doesn't count on Bane's ability to set her blood on fire. He promises carnal delights if she'll only give into her desires. Can Roslyn let herself go and submit to the forbidden under the hot African sun or will her stubbornness force Bane to teach her a lesson?

I really gotta tell you as much as I usually dislike ebook covers, Anne's are pretty good. Sun City's is cool.

Tempted by Lori Foster

Book Grade: B over all, see each mini review for individual grades
Cover Grade: B
Page Count: 459


Cover Chat:
The cover was one of my favorites of all my April reads. What else can I say. It is cutsie, and fun. YET it does not show any people (faces), we all know that's a huge plus for me!


Some women don't discover their inner vamp...they set her free!

Little Miss Innocent?
For Dr. Daniel Sawyers, sex therapist Lace McGee was a puzzle. While she kept putting all sorts of inappropriate ideas into his sister's head, Lace was even better at putting all kinds of naughty thoughts into Daniel's head. But just how down 'n dirty is Lace really?

Grade: B-

While I did like the story and characters in this one there were things that made me a bit mad. Like how judgmental Daniel was.

Daniel is a doctor and has practically raised his baby sister Annie and younger brother Max. His mother passed away when he was 12 and his father never really recovered from the loss of his true love.

So when Annie starts hanging around Lace, a sex therapist, Daniel disapproves immensely. Lacy is everything he does not want to see his baby sister; sexy, alluring, and promiscuous. At least that's what he assumes. Seeing the way Lace dresses, acts and talks he doesn't see how he can be wrong. But he's got a lot to learn about her.

After Lace gets bit by a dog (on her butt!) and ends up in Daniels ER Daniel can't seem to leave her alone. He stitches her up, to both of their discomfort, and takes her home. Lace has never really helped the situation with Daniel, if he wanted to think the worse of her then let him.

But when Daniel and Lace spend a lot of alone time together they realize maybe there is a lot more than dislike between them.

The thing that annoys me is the basic thing we see in all romance. Daniel disapproves of Lace when he thinks she's been with lots of men and is sexually free with herself. BUT he has a cabin that he uses for all his sexual relationships. And surprise surprise he ends up being ALOT more experienced than her. SHOCKER right?! lol. But it was a good read despite.

Annie, Get Your Guy
No one likes being treated like a kid sister - especially by a guy who could curl a girl's hair faster than hot rollers in an electric socket. So when Annie Sawyers sets out to seduce Guy Donovan once and for all, she tracks down every book about sex she can find... One of them has to work, right?

Grade: B

The entire reason Annie and Lace became friends was because Annie sought her out for advice on seducing the love of her life. Guy is her brother Daniels best friend, he's been around since she was a little girl, being ten years her senior. And although there have been a few stolen kisses through the years Guy has kept his distance and never pursued anything with Annie.

Well Annie is done being the sweet little tom boy. She's spicing things up if it's the last thing she does. But the night she initiates her plan Guy leaves in a haste and ends up in a car accident.

Aside from feeling completely guilty about the accident Annie does benefit a little. Daniel tells Annie to take Guy away, to the 'cabin', to mend up. Away from everything.

And that's where it all gets started.

I really liked this one. Annie was so funny and Guy such a dumb guy. When he was drugged up on meds after the accident? OMG it was sooo funny!

Messing Around With Max
Maddie Montgomery has decided that things have gotten critical. She needs a couple of notches on her bedpost - fast! And rumor has it that Max Sawyers is just the man to show her the goods...and then some. Now, if she can just get past his dog...

Grade: B+

Maddie's been friends with Annie for a bit now, and she's heard all the stories about her bad boy brother Max. So when Maddie walks in on her fiance all tied up and being tickled with a big feather by another woman she decides Max is the perfect man to add a notch or two to her own bed post.

Max on the other hand is done his womanizing days. He found a dog on the side of the road left for dead and ever since he's a changed man. He wants a wife, someone to make a family with him and his dog. But his dog hates about every woman that comes near.

Except for Maddie, sure Chloe puts up a fight but Maddie isn't' even fazed and loves her. The only problem? Maddie wants a fling and Max wants it all.

Although the plot is a bit far fetched it was a good one. I think I liked this one the best. It was full of laughter with Maddie and her ex-hooker friends that she counsels and Max and his dog.

All together? Not a disappointment. Nothing to bolt out to the store over but still good, fun and a little hot. So what else can you ask for right? Just don't pick it up if your looking for a deep meaningful romance.

Update, and News....of sorts.

Okay so I picked this layout and I'm sticking with it unless (or should I be positive and say until?) I get a custom made template for myself. I love the three columns. What I hate is that there is no navigating bar on the top of the blog. Does anyone know how to fix that? Grrr.

I've updated my links on the side bars, if I missed anyone that posts here or I on yours please remind me. Here in the comment section. If your a book blog I'll link you here, if not I'll link you on my personal blog.

But for some exciting news....I just got Taming Him in the mail from Kate Rothwell/Summer Devon! Yeah! So I am putting everything else aside and reading this. Review soon to come. She even wrote to me in it saying "For Nicole- Because you begged so beautifully! -heart- Summer Devon". Who knew begging could be such a great thing! lol. Thanks Summer, I look forward to the read.

Oh and just so you all know...the audio book of To Die For by LH was soooo horribly read I had to stop after the first disc. I moved on to Cry No More, I love this story soooooo much, it never gets old. Give me some Diaz any day! Mmmmmm BABY!

Changes, changes....SORRY!

I know I haven't posted in a few days now. But if you've noticed my blogs been changing day to day. I loved my first template...but I REALLY wanted three columns (anyone know how to make a two column into a three???).

After a bit of hunting I THOUGHT I found one I liked, but low and behold I didn't end up loving it. I did find another one that was really cool, but for some reason it didn't work, that was annoying. So now I have this, yes I know it is kind of boring. I am working on finding something else.

If anyone likes making custom templates feel free to volunteer your services to this to picky to find a free one girl! lol.

As soon as I'm done messing with my template we'll be back to regularly scheduled blogging.

I have my review for Tempted by Lori Foster coming up, especially for Chantal. And lots more, so keep checking in on me!

Thanks...

A Contest....and new author to me Kate Rothwell/Summer Devon

I was doing a little blog hopping and I happened over to Rosie's blog, Nobody Asked Me, which by the way I love the look she has going on over there. Anyway I saw she had something posted up about a contest going on over on an authors blog and who am I to pass up something free, a book, and to get entered to win something else, money to get books! So here is what Kate/Summer has posted over on her blog, she's a funny gal. Enjoy.


Official Have I Got A Deal For You

It's official because I've got the updates put in and thus made it easier for you to use!

THERE ARE TWO CONTESTS! Both end JUNE 19, the day Revealing Skills comes out in print.


For CONTEST ONE, you don't need a website or blog. You can just email me or post a comment. (although if you do have a blog or website and you did post the review, I'd be grateful. Unless, of course, you compare the book unfavorably to horse manure)
For CONTEST TWO, you need a website or blog. (This is a change because, as someone pointed out, anything else is too spammy)

CONTEST ONE: Review a book and be put in a drawing to win a thirty dollar gift certificate from Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Samhain, your choice.
Here's how it works: I'll send you any one of my books. See the list below. You then write a review and put it in your blog or somewhere online. If you don't have a website, you can post the review in my blog under comments or email it to me. (my email address is on the right side of the page under OTHER PAGES WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME)

You hate the book, well, I'll survive. And you'll be put in a pool to win a gift certificate ($30) at Barnes and Noble or Amazon. The only book not included in this offer is Taming Him.


CONTEST TWO: Announce this contest--along with a link to this blog--on your blog or website, alert me and show me the link, and I'll put you in a drawing for everyone's favorite, a THIRTY DOLLAR! gift certificate for Barnes and Noble, Amazon, OR Samhain, your choice.

Don't forget to give me an email address/snail mail address for CONTEST ONE and/or a link for CONTEST TWO

That's not so complex, right? And for the first one, you also get a free book by me!

To reiterate (literally "repeat in another color"):

1. Get a free book by Kate and or Summer and write and post something about it ("I loved/hated this book by Kate and/or Summer. You should/shouldn't buy it and read it because_____. Don't ask me to send my copy, because this one happens to be an ebook and we don't share our ebooks.")

Be put in a drawing pool for a THIRTY DOLLAR GIFT CERTICATE.
You have to write something that indicates you at least looked at the thing, for heaven's sake. Also I reserve the right to lift really good comments from your great reviews and the right to use author calming visualizations if you post how and why you loathed the book. Either way you'll be entered in the contest--and the winner is picked by random drawing.

AND/OR

2. Post this offer on your site or blog Send me a link to your post and be put into yet another drawing pool for another THIRTY DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE.

Do both and be put in both pools.

Some Help Please!

Last week I went to the library and checked out a few books. I've been wanting to read Rebecca York's Beyond Control, forever! But of course they didn't have it. BTW isn't the cover to that book awesome! It's got to be one of my all time favorites, I just wish his lips weren't puckered as much. But anyway.

Instead I picked up the only three books they did have; Killing Moon, Edge of the Moon, and Witching Moon. I also checked out two Cheryl Holt books; Too Wicked to Wed and Too Hot to Handle. And lastly two Erin McCarthy books; Mouth to Mouth and ... freak I forget the name...well it's some other book with mouth in it. lol.

So here's is my problem. Rebecca York and Erin McCarthy's sites were pretty helpful but Cheryl Holt? A whole other story. I am sooo lost. I'm sure you all know how much I hate reading out of order so since CH is no help do any of you have the answers I'm looking for?



What order do Too Hot to Handle and Too Wicked to Wed go in? And what other books fit in the series? Why must authors make is so difficult? You know it'd be a whole lot easier on us readers if they'd just list any books in series in their order inside the book! Like J.D. Robb does, thank you!

So on other book news, I finished Simply Sexy today and last night I finished listening to Killing Time. So expect those reviews this week. They were both good in their own ways. lol. But we'll get into that later.

I was debating on weather I should listen to Cry No More or To Die For both by LH on Audio next. I went with TDF because I think it is due back to the library first. But after only listening to about 20 minutes of it I don't know if I can listen anymore. WHY WHY WHY when the book is in first person and about a blond former cheerleader now gym owner would you have a woman with an old lady squeaky voice read it??? I mean I saw her picture on the back cover, she doesn't look old. But whenever she is doing Blair's voice? It's bad! Grrr. We'll see. Maybe I'll just pass on this one.

I also started reading Killing Moon, only about 1 chapter into it, but I don't know if I'm in the mood for it. Is it really good? I think I may want to read a Stef Ann Holm book I have. Hmmm, decisions decisions.