Thursday, March 15, 2012

Reviewing Your Universe


Covet by Felicity Heaton

4 Stars

Another Great Read!

When I was asked if I’d like to read and review Covet, I said yes without knowing anything about the book. I was that sure the story would be fantastic because I love Felicity Heaton’s voice. I’m happy to say, Ms. Heaton did not disappoint.

Javier is one of several vampires that own and run the Vampirerotique—a theatre that offers wickedly erotic and sinfully pleasurable shows to other vampires.

Over the last two years he’s become captivated by Lilah, a human female that works in his theatre. Unfortunately, he can’t indulge in any of his numerous fantasies about her. She is owned by Lord Ashville, a very powerful Aristocrat vampire, and touching another vampire’s bonded human will cause that human immeasurable pain—and the penalty to the offending vampire is death.

Lilah and Javier’s attraction to each other becomes a tangible thing, and Javier commits the ultimate sin when he gives in to his desires and makes love to Lilah. Their connection is deeper and stronger than he imagined. Losing her, living without her is not an option. Javier will fight Lord Ashville for Lilah—to the death.

I loved this story. Any time an author can inject an emotional connection into an erotic scene, I’m hooked—I’m a body, heart and soul kinda gal. Covet had an interesting plot that moved the story forward while carrying the erotic elements.

Short stories aren’t usually my first choice for reading because there’s just not enough word count to build out the necessary elements for a good book. Covet mostly did. The story opened with Javier’s captivation with Lilah fully in place. So, other than his description of Lilah being beautiful, I had no real substance to ground his obsession with Lilah in.

Lilah became a more dimensional character once we learn of her protecting another human from a vampire in the club. Her concern for Javier after they’ve been together also shows her caring nature and personality.

My other problem was with Javier himself. He knew being with Lilah would cause her horrible pain, but he made sure he was a considerate lover by making Lilah orgasm. The reader knew Lilah wasn’t in pain, but Javier didn’t. So that made me think his character was a little insensitive in that he assumed he could pleasure her while she was in pain—which would mean Lilah was a masochist and we as the reader had none of that information.

Admittedly, I’m thinking pretty deep into the story and character development, but that’s what readers do. Especially when it’s an author we love and expect nothing but great novels from.

Did either of my issues detract from the story? A little, but not really in the grand scheme of things. I will absolutely read next novel in Ms. Heaton’s Vampirerotique series. You should too!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lunar Love!



Welcome to my page of the universe!

I am so excited about this hop. Can you guess why? Come on now, I know you've spotted the cover to your right. The lunar title, gorgeous full moon, heroine with tri-colored eyes. That's right, I'm bringing some psychic fun to the hop.

And I have I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Bookworm Lisa to thank for organizing this fantastic event and inviting me to be a part of it. So *curtsy* thank you!

Just click on either link and you'll find an entire list of blogs hosting giveaways for this event. Check them all out. You're sure to find many new authors with great books.

Before I tell you about the goodies, I'm going to post the rules:

     *   You must be a follower of Renee Rearden blog. (I know I need a better title, but since I bought the domain I figured I should use it!) If you are not a follower, this will disqualify your entry.

     *   Please leave your exact Google Friend Connect (GFC) follower name in the comment section so that I can check your entry is valid. I reserve the right to disqualify entrants that do not complete this correctly.

     *   Leave an email contact in your comment so I can notify you if you've won. I reserve the right to disqualify entrants that do not complete this correctly. Winners will be chosen via random.org.

That's it!

Okay, I have to admit I'm really excited about this hop because Moonlight Bleu is the first in a series. The sequel, Crimson Series, launches in a few short weeks. So I would love to introduce everyone to my Tueri psychics.

Prize Pack #1 (U.S./Int)
     *    A signed copy of Moonlight Bleu with some swag.



Prize Pack #2 (U.S./Int)
     *    An Ebook (format of your choice) of Moonlight Bleu.


Prize Pack #3 (U.S./Int)

     *    A signed Moonlight Bleu bookmark and postcard.


Monday, March 5, 2012

Tag! You're it!


Tag! You're it!

Source
Guess what, everybody? My blogging 
friend, Kate Evangelista, from Kate's Blog 
tagged me for a Q&A meme and I'm more 
than happy to participate. Just for fun!

Kate's Questions for the Tag:

1. What's your go to book to read again 

    and again?

Oh boy. That's a tough question because 

I don't read books more than once. I don't 
exactly have a photographic (eidetic) memory, but I have a very good 
memory. So, I usually remember too many things about a book to 
read it over again. However, I have a "keeper" shelf I keep all the books 
 love and would like to someday read again. Plus, books on my keeper
shelf are also the ones I recommend to all my friends. I have a pretty 
large keeper bookcase not a shelf.


2If your life were a reality show, what would it be and why?

My life would definitely be Survivor. (No groaning!) I have four 

daughters. Yep, four of 'em. Between fiancees, boyfriends, proms, 
driving permits, and zero-hour classes I always feel like I'm looking 
for necessary items to survive the day (like my lunch when I forget 
it on the counter)...not to mention rewards to bribe-er-motivate 
the girls to accomplish whatever chore or task they've been asked 
to do! 


3What's the one song you have on repeat?

Actually, I don't have any songs on repeat. I don't even have an 

iPod! Since I listen to people talk all day during my day job as a 
court reporter, I like my quiet time. I do listen to the radio in my 
car though...

4. If life is like a box of chocolates, which kind of chocolate are 
    you in the box?

What a question! I love chocolate. I think I'd probably be a milk 
chocolate caramel peanut cluster (peanut, cashew or almond). 
Yep, there's all kinds of levels in that answer! I'm definitely a 
little nutty. And there are lots of flavors to my personality. As a 
Gemini, my hubs used to joke about never knowing which of my 
two personalities (ego and alter ego) would say good morning!
 For the most part though, I'm pretty mellow with a sweet 
disposition. Okay, sappy...but how the heck do you describe 
yourself?  =D

5. If I looked in your closet right now, which article of clothing do 
    you have the most of?

I'd have to say suits. I work in a courthouse, so I have more 
professional clothes than I do comfy clothes. There's something 
inherently wrong with that statement. I think I need to go 
shopping!  LOL

6. Which book on the NY Best Sellers List would you have wanted 

    to have written?

I'd have wanted to write the best selling Harry Potter series 

(I know, just like everybody else, right?). J.K. Rowling is a fantastic 
writer. Her stories are exciting, engaging and full of adventure. I 
guess mostly because all of my girls were able to read the Harry 
Potter books and they absolutely LOVED them. Having said that, 
I love writing adult novels in the paranormal romance and urban 
fantasy genres. My girls will just have to be older before they read
my stories! 

7. If you could be anyone famous, who would it be and why?


If I had to choose to be anyone famous, 
it would be my  
favorite actress Meryl Streep. She always portrays such 
strong characters, and her sense of humor is wickedly
 hilarious. Who wouldn't want to be a successful, 
badass woman like Meryl Streep?

8. What would you do with a million dollars?



Wow, if I had a million dollars the first thing I'd do is retire 
from my day job and write full time. What a dream!!! 
After that, put my girls through college, and then buy a 
bigger house. I need a craft room and an office. 


9.  If you knew for sure that the world is ending, what's the 
     first thing you'd do? 


If the world were ending, I'd spend the time I had left with 
my children and husband. I love them so much, and I'd want 
them to know that unequivocally. Then eat cheese puffs. 
Comfort food, what can I say?


10.  Which fictional character would you want to meet in 
       person and why?


Okay, this is going to sound like a cop-out, but I couldn't 
choose just one character I'd like to meet. There are so 
many from my favorite novels I think I'd like to interview 
them all. I'd meet with each of them over coffee or a meal. 
Then write articles about the ones that allowed me to, and 
promise not to breathe a word about the interview of 
characters that would normally say, "I'd tell you, but I'd 
have to kill you." What can I say, living dangerously has a 
strange but addictive appeal.




11. If you met your sixteen-year-old self today, what would 
      you tell her?


Run! Run like hell and never look back!!! 


Okay, so that's a little melodramatic...but it's definitely what 
I'd say. I had a boyfriend at the time (isn't it always about a 
guy?), my first love. He so totally destroyed my self-esteem. 
Took me years to get over that and feel comfortable in my 
own skin. Being married to a wonderful man helped me 
realize I was important and valued (and loved, needed, and 
sexy too!). I think that's why my heroines have similar issues. 
Of course, they get over their perceived weaknesses and get 
to exact a little revenge-I mean justice. Hey, writing is cheaper 
than a therapist!




Okay, now for the tag rules:


1. You must post the rules!
2. Answer the questions and then create eleven new questions 
    to ask the people you’ve tagged.
3. Tag eleven people and link to them.
4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.


Here are my Tag Questions:


1. What book did you read that made you think, "I could write a novel"?
2. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?
3. If color defines you personality, what shade are you?
4. What defining moment in your life shaped the person you've become?
5. Do you have more purses or shoes in your closet and are either an obsession?
6. Are you a television or motion picture kind of person?
7. If you could be anyone else in your family, who would it be and why?
8. If you found a case full of money, would you keep it or search for the owner?
9. Have you done anything to prepare for December 21, 2012...just in case?
10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
11. What is your favorite, sinfully-delicious snack...the one you sneak to eat?


Tag! You're it!


1. Lynn Rush
2. Danica Avet
3. Sean Poindexter
4. Danyelle Leafty
5. Avery Olive
6. Candace Bundy
7. Jordan K. Rose
8. Jeffrey Beesler
9. Michelle Clay
10. Karen Y. Bynum
11. Kait Nolan


Again, just a little fun. :-)

Friday, December 16, 2011

Warmest Christmas Memory

Although I've told this story before, I wanted to share it again since I won a pair of tickets to the Mannheim Steamroller concert next Wednesday for sending the story to the radio station.

My warmest Christmas memory required some serious thought.

You'd think the "best" Christmas memory would be the most unforgettable, right?

The first Christmas with my husband really was. And after sifting through countless memories created by 24 years of marriage, four daughters, almost two grandsons, and every life experience in between, I realized why I'd missed the quiet beauty and perfection behind his special gesture.

Like a lot of couples, we married young...practically right out of high school. With college on the horizon and a baby on the way (oh yeah, I'd gotten pregnant right off the bat!), Hamburger Helper was too expensive for our budget. Add to that, the Christmas holiday was fast approaching.

Hubby's boss had given every employee a Christmas tree, and the smell of fresh pine filled our small apartment. I made popcorn garlands for decoration because, well, that's all we could afford.

A week before Christmas, I came home to find our Christmas tree decked out in beautiful Hallmark ornaments. I squealed in delight, and my husband smiled shyly. "I did extra work on a remodeling job, and they gave me this box filled with ornaments. I'm sorry none of the dates are right."

He was correct. Not one ornament had a relevant date. Didn't matter. They were perfect. We started a tradition that first Christmas together, one we've followed every year since: hanging those mismatched ornaments on the Christmas tree next to others we've collected over the years. They all have special meaning, but some of them-a select few-I cherish with all my heart.

Every Christmas since has been wonderful, but when I think about that first Christmas with my husband, the memory always warms my heart.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Ice Man by KyAnn Waters

Review:

Everything has a label, even love. Take relationships. There are sexual relationships—lust at first sight, friendship—friends with benefits, and romantic love—fated soul mates.

Rowan, a flair bartender in the exclusive fetish club Catacombs, subscribes to the lust-at-first-sight proposition. Being a blood slave to the vampire Theron definitely falls into that category. The pleasurable high from donating blood and the fantastic sex Rowan has with Theron definitely take lust to a new level.

But for Rowan, his relationship with Theron is actually more of the friends with benefits variety. He's not in love with Theron. Rowan doesn't believe in romantic love—and everyone knows it. That's why he's known as the Ice Man.

And then Rowan meets Brett Kirsche. Brett's recently divorced, openly gay, and intriguingly normal. Rowan wants to be with Brett—and he gets his wish. He and Brett have one night of hot, incredible, gotta have more—probably for a lifetime—sex. Rowan starts to believe in a romantic kind of love, which leads to a monogamous relationship between Rowan and Brett.

But Rowan's kept the fact he's a blood slave for Theron a secret from Brett. Can he feed Theron without sex and thereby breaking his pledge to be monogamous to Brett? And how long can he keep his secret from his lover because the truth would surely ruin the love he's finally found?

I liked the complexity of Rowan and Theron's relationship. Genuine caring on both men's part showed how difficult and endearing friendships can be. Brett and Rowan's attraction, sizzling chemistry and ultimate love connection was a satisfying part of the overall story line.

There were, however, a few issues that lessoned the enjoyment of the story for me. The first was Brett's immediate acceptance of vampires, blood slaves, and Rowan's part in that culture. The second was Brett's decision to instantly immerse himself in the same culture Rowan just fought to leave behind.

Though to be fair, both of those issues can be attributed to Brett's love and commitment to Rowan. Maybe they just hit me the same way as the ending—rushed. I definitely believe in love conquering all, but the book's fast resolution left an unresolved feeling.

Do these issues detract from the book? A little. Should they keep you from reading ICE MAN? Absolutely not. Ms. Waters has a way of working the most erotic interplay into genuinely compelling relationships—and that's why I'll read the next book in the series!

Rating:  3 stars

This review originally written for The Romance Reviews.
Direct Link: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1924

Monday, November 14, 2011

Yearly Budget Time

Every year about this time the county has their annual budget submissions/decisions. So, in Superior Court we always have a department provided pizza lunch and the news/numbers are given to the staff. With the state and county budget shortfalls, everybody's been hit hard. We've been pretty lucky so far.

Last Friday we received notice we had a mandatory 8:00 a.m. all staff meeting this morning. Well, that set off alarms for me. When something happens that's out of the norm, I take notice. I tried really hard not to worry over the weekend and just wait for the actual news. It really is easier problem solving the ultimate issue in question.

So I walked into the meeting room this morning, and there were homemade rolls and sweetbread. Good sign. Health care contributions went up, no cost of living raise (I don't care) but NO jobs were cut!!! I'm so thankful. I have been blessed in my life, and I will never take my job for granted again!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Outer Rim by Alexis Martin

Review:

I've always wondered about space, what it would be like to fly in a spaceship and if there is life on other planets. I got a sneak preview to both questions in THE OUTER RIM.

Captain Tyvan Sheppard's ship is attacked by a Turian vessel in the Helios system. The AI program on board steers his ship toward the planet Urtopia, giving Tyvan his best chance to stay alive.

Tyvan survives the crash landing. When he awakes, he is being tended by a blue alien female. Through some gesturing, Tyvan discovers the alien is named Anaki. He's shocked to learn there's life on Urtopia, and pleasantly surprised Anaki is quite intelligent. He is healed miraculously fast by her medicine and treatment. In a short amount of time together, she learns his language just as quickly.

Urtopia becomes Tyvan's only existence. Without any way of communicating with the outside worlds, he adapts to his new way of life. His attraction to Anaki grows, and soon he realizes his feelings are deeper than he thought possible. When he discovers there are different species of beings on Urtopia, Tyvan's new life and love is threatened.

Chloe Jones is Tyven's lover. When General Braxton delivers the news of Tyvan's death, she's devastated. An investigation into Tyvan's disappearance is started by Glenn Mathias, a young Federation officer. His questions cause Chloe to suspect General Braxton is hiding information about the crash.

She finagles her way onto the team boarding a ship headed to Urtopia to discover what really happened to Tyvan. During the journey to Urtopia, she and Glenn become lovers. When they're kidnapped, they realize their investigation threatens a mining corporation's profits. They're sold to a faction on Urtopia and must find a way to save themselves or become victims of corporate greed.

Ms Martin's depiction of a future still ruled by money, power and a race for natural resources struck true. Political maneuvering between species would be expected, and I was not disappointed.

I loved the description of Urtopia and the way the planet came to life on the page. The animals and new species are creative and interesting. Tyvan's character adjusted well to his changed circumstances, and I enjoyed the humorous interaction between him and Anaki.

Chloe's character was more difficult for me to like. She grieved Tyven for a whole afternoon before she decides to go to dinner with General Braxton. He's not her type, but he's powerful and they have a sexual encounter. Then she falls for Glenn and immediately puts his life in danger by making rash, selfish decisions. Thankfully, she redeemed herself at the end of the story. You know the saying: All's well that ends well!

So if you'd like to take a quick jaunt through the galaxy, visit a new planet, and enjoy some wicked hot space sex, look for THE OUTER RIM and enjoy the ride!

Rating:  3 stars

*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews
Direct Link: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2428