Selena-Lost-in-Thought

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Re-Read continues: Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

Order now - Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3)

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion and terror his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for each other begins to overtake them, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past and find a future with her....

Zsadist knelt down over one of the lessers, his scarred face distorted with hatred, his ruined upper lip curled back, his fangs long as a tiger’s. With his skull-trimmed hair and the hollows under his cheekbones, he looked like the Grim Reaper; and like death, he was comfortable working in the cold. Wearing only a black turtleneck and loose black pants, he was more armed than dressed: The Black Dagger Brotherhood’s signature blade holster crisscrossed over his chest, and two more knives were strapped on his thighs. He also sported a gun belt with two SIG Sauers. Not that he ever used the nine-millimeters, though. He liked to get personal when he killed. Actually, it was the only time he ever got close to anyone.

Excerpt From: J. R. Ward. “Lover Awakened.”

Don't forget the upcoming book Lover at Last coming in March 2013

Pre-Order your copy today

Monday, February 4, 2013

Review: The Education of Sebastian by Jane Harvey-Berrick

4 Stars

A friendship between the lost and lonely Caroline, and the unhappy Sebastian, leads to an illicit love that threatens them both.
Caroline Wilson is trapped in a cold and loveless marriage with an older man. When her husband finally wins a long sought-after promotion, Caroline feels she has little choice but to follow him to a new home in San Diego. There she meets Sebastian, a young man of 17.
For an all too brief summer, their happiness blooms.
But external pressures begin to bear down, not least from the overbearing David, and Sebastian’s parents begin to suspect that their son has a secret. Even Caroline’s new friend, Donna, realizes that dark passions exist below the serene surface.

Order The Education of Sebastian (The Education of...)

My Thoughts; I have to start out by being completely honest. When I first started this book, I could not decide if I was really enjoying it or if I was a little freaked out. It deals with two HIGHLY controversial topics.; marital infidelity and a relationship that teases the line between moral and immoral, legal and illegal if you will. Had I not had these feelings toward the beginning, and to be completely honest I am still a little torn, I would have given this book 5 stars

Caroline is a very unhappily married, 30 year old woman. Sebastian is a mature beyond his years 17 year old young man. He is only 4 short months from his 18 birthday - but what a difference a few months can make. They are the thing that tips the right vs wrong scale. The difference between a happy life together and years in jail. The difference between having the person you love forever or having to watch as you walk away.....

I really did enjoy this story and I found myself cheering for them and hoping that everything would work out. Hoping that 4 little moths would not end their world. I am curious to see where the story goes from here. However, be warned, this book does not end with a happily ever after it has a big fat TO BE CONTINUED. For an "erotic" romance it was a little tame so I guess maybe the genre is skating a thin line as well. I say give this one a go and see how you feel, you just might find yourself surprised.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Review: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless

5+ Stars

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies...

That's what Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she's never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he's nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn't at all who he's been claiming to be. When the secrets he's been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky's life will change forever.

~~~

My thoughts; I became familiar with Colleen Hoover in 2012 when I read Slammed and Point of Retreat. I was dealing with the death of my father and I saw myself in Lake on more than one occasion. That kinship I felt for her character made those two books a part of my soul and I knew from that point forward, if Colleen Hoover writes-I will read it.

When Hopeless was released I had already obligated myself to do a couple of other reviews, so I had to wait. I will just tell you guys that once I started it, I devoured this book and it in return consumed me.

Sky is a good girl with a bad reputation. She has been sheltered by her mother he entire life. No phone. No Internet. Not even a TV. She has lived a very simple life to say the least. She has been home schooled from day one of her academic career. She has never stepped foot inside the insanity that awaits her, as she starts her senior year at public school. Her best friend and next door neighbor Six abandoned her for an exchange program. So she is left to face it all on her own.

Dean Holder is dealing with his own type of demons. He tragically lost his sister and he is carrying so much guilt on his shoulders. As he and Sky get to know each other, it becomes clear that there is something more going on. As things started to unfold I was so overcome with emotions that I felt as though my heart was truly breaking. And I fell completely in love with this Hopeless boy.

This book deals with a very sensitive subject matter but it is written in the most respectful way imaginable. I applaud the author for that. I look forward to seeing many books from her in the future.

If you have not had the opportunity to read this book yet, I strongly recommend you do. You will not be disappointed. It is definitely going on my top favorite reads of this year.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Waiting on: Skin by Kylie Scott

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but I am looking forward to.......

Publication Date: February 1, 2013

Pre-order Skin

Six months since the zombie plague struck, former librarian Roslyn Stewart has been holed up in a school with eight other survivors. But now the shelves in the school canteen are bare. The stranger at the gate has supplies that will ensure the group’s ongoing survival, but at a cost. He wants a woman.

Nick is a man with a plan. He’ll treat Roslyn like a Queen, devoting the rest of his life to protecting and providing for her. In exchange, of course, for sexual favours. It’s the deal of the century given the state of the world. But Roslyn doesn’t see it that way. The first chance she gets she attacks the ex-army man and attempts to escape, forcing Nick to contain her. And so begins his awkward courtship of the woman, with her chained to the bed for security reasons.

Chained like a dog and forced to spend her every waking moment with a creep, albeit a good looking one, Ros is determined to escape. When circumstances force them to band together against a common enemy their very survival depends on their ability to learn to trust each other. An uneasy partnership develops, but can a relationship with such a difficult beginning ever have a future?

The hotly anticipated sequel to Flesh, Skin is set in the same universe with a different set of characters.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Review: Love Evolution by Michelle Mankin

4 Stars

After the death of her twin brother, nineteen year old guitar prodigy Avery Jones finds herself desperate, alone, and out of options. Hope arrives in the form of a job opening with Brutal Strength, one of the biggest rock bands out there. Only problem is temperamental lead singer Marcus Anthony doesn't want a woman in the group. So Avery and her manager Trevor come up with a plan involving a Bieber haircut and men's clothing. No one seems to be onto their little con. But what happens when Avery starts falling for Marcus? Will she be able to continue with the farce or will the whole thing come crashing down around her like a house of cards?

Love Evolution is a rock 'n roll romance based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Order now Love Evolution

My thoughts; No matter how many times I see a movie or read a story based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, I can't help but love it. This book was no exception. Anyone who has enjoyed this story before will love this version.

Marcus is the bad-boy rocker with a perpetual bad mood and Avery is the, ahem-"guy"-ahem who starts to pull him out of his funk, while making him question his sexuality. There were several moments that had me giggling as well as a few that broke my heart. I love forward to reading Mankin's next book in the Black cat series Love Revolution (Black Cat Records Shakespeare Inspired trilogy)

Friday, January 25, 2013

Lover at Last Countdown Week One.....

As you all know I am completely obsessed with J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. So... that being said, I am going to be posting a snippet every Friday until release day March 26, 2013 (originally posted on J.R. Ward's facebook page) I hope you enjoy them

*Reminder* VS for Lover at Last opens Monday Jan 28, 2013

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

Pre-order NOW..... Lover At Last: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

****

Originally posted December 12, 2012

J.R. Ward: *ahem* (and yes, this is Blay's POV, and no, this isn't their first hook up in the book lol)

“Let me kiss you.” Qhuinn groaned as he leaned in. “I know I don’t deserve it, but please . . . it’s what you can do for me. Let me feel you. . . .”

Qhuinn’s mouth brushed his own. Came back for more. Lingered.

“I’ll beg for it.” More with the caress of those devastating lips. “If that’s what it takes. I don’t give a f**k, I’ll beg. . . .”

Somehow, that wasn’t going to be necessary.

-Lover at Last, MS pg. 318

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Review: Beautiful Bastard by Christine Lauren

5 Stars

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.
Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office
As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

ARC provided by NetGalley Release Date February 12, 2013

Pre-Order Now at Amazon Beautiful Bastard

My Thoughts; What is it about the Twilight Saga, a purely YA series, that has inspired such awesomely hot and steamy stories to be born? Is there a subliminal message? If we read it backwards will we see an extremely R rated version of itself? Whatever it is I am happy to read the results.

Beautiful Bastard is such an apt title. Bennett Ryan is the definition of asshat. He is rude, obnoxious, egotistical, arrogant and I am 100% head over heels in love with him. I spend the first part of the book saying, "What an ass!" every time he would speak. And then immediately saying, "Atta Girl!!" when Chloe would fire right back. She doesn't take the crap he is shoveling and I love it.

I am going to recommend this book to anyone who is in love with any or all of the following men; Christian Grey, Gideon Cross or Jesse Ward. You will love this one.

But watch your panties ladies...... Mr. Ryan is a hoarder. *winks*

Pages

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Monday, February 4, 2013

4 Stars

Thursday, January 31, 2013

5+ Stars

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

4 Stars

Friday, January 25, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

5 Stars