Finished Reading . . . #48: Going Down (cover is NSFW!)

Going Down
Cassandra Gold
978-1-61124-411-3
Amber Quill
2013
45 pages
ebook
Age range:18+

Romance, male/male
source: Private Library


Tattoo artist Laurie Watson has felt the distance between himself and his live-in boyfriend, Win, for a long time, but he’s finally had enough. He’s determined to figure out how to work out whatever’s gone wrong between them. Unfortunately, when he gets home, he finds Win talking with his ex.

Figuring he’s missed his chance to fix things between them, Laurie flees. The temperamental elevator has other ideas, however, and Laurie and Win are trapped between floors.

No longer able to hide from their problems, Laurie and Win will either make up, or break up for good...

~*~*~

A quick read but with an underlying moral. You must communicate to make relationships work. I hope it doesn't take an elevator, it sounds scary.


Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
m/m romance
Monthly Mix-up Mania

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #47: The Fireman and the Cop (sexy)

The Fireman and the Cop
Ellery Mountain #1
RJ Scott
978-1-78184-217-1
Total-e-Bound
January 2013
78 pages
ebook
Age range:18+

Romantic Suspense, male/male
source: Private Library


Ellery is a quiet town in the Smoky Mountains, at the base of Ellery Peak, where nothing ever happens. Max Harrison escaped from his firefighting job in the city to take up a role as assistant to the mayor, whilst also holding the position of a volunteer firefighter.

Finn Ryan is one of only three cops in the small town and it soon seems to Max that someone is out to hurt the sexy cop. Rescuing Finn from a burning precinct was the easy part—it’s keeping him alive after that that fireman Max Harrison finds difficult.

~*~*~

Max's first fire with his new job is the police station. He meets Finn when he goes in to save him.  Finn grew up in Ellery and has a regular Friday night with his friends and that's our introduction to half of the three couples in the series.

I was thinking it would be a quick, light hearted read but it wasn't. Yes there was humor but there were several places where my breath speed up or got caught in my throat.

I loved how the roots of being in the same small town kept popping up for Finn and the love and support he's shown.

Wishing now that I had bought book two as well...off to go shopping!


Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
romance
m/m romance
Men in Uniform
Monthly Mix-up Mania

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #46: The Carpenter and the Actor (sexy)

The Carpenter and the Actor
Ellery Mountain #3
RJ Scott
978-1-78184-321-5
Total-e-Bound
May 2013
87 pages
ebook
Age range:18+

Romance, male/male
source: Private Library


Jason McInnery, hounded by the paparazzi after his brother's death, runs to the one place where he hopes people will not sell him out. The place where he was born.

Hiding in the tourist cabins at Ellery Mountain Resort out of season he thinks he finally has room to breathe.

If only Kieran Dexter, a man ten years his junior, would stop fixing stuff and generally causing ripples in Jason's calm space.

~*~*~

I didn't feel lost when I read this one, even though I didn't read the first two books in the series. Jason is believable in his grief, the small town is believable in leaving him alone (almost), and Kieran is a sweetheart!

We also meet the couples from the first two books but instead of making me think "Oh, I know how the book ended" I'm thinking "wonder how they got there".


Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
romance
m/m romance
Where are you reading/50 states

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #45: With This Kiss, part two (sexy/NSFW)

With This Kiss, part two
Eloisa James
9780062276940
HarperCollins-Avon Impulse
March 2013
62 pages
ebook
Age range:18+

Regency-era Romance
source: Private Library


Lady Grace Ryburn has accepted another man's proposal after the love of her life, Lieutenant Colin Barry, asked for her own sister's hand in marriage.

But when Colin returns home from the wars, injured in body and spirit, will she be able to turn her back and marry another? Or will she throw away every rule her mother taught her and try to seduce a man who has shown no interest in her kisses?

Part one must be read before reading parts two and three. Author's Note: Lady Grace is the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbrook, from The Ugly Duchess, and Colin is the eldest adopted son of Sir Griffin Barry, from Seduced by a Pirate. In its entirety, With This Kiss is a 200-page double-length novella.

~*~*~

As with most trilogies, we are thrust into the middle, barely catching our breath from the cliffhanger at the end of part one before heading for another one.

I'm not liking Grace very much at the moment. She's being insensitive, pig-headed and self-absorbed.

Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
romance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #44: The Lady Most Likely (sexy)

The Lady Most Likely
a novel in three parts
Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway
978-0061247828
Avon
December 2010
384 pages
ebook (also in print)
Age range: 18+, I think 16 should be okay

historical romance
source: Private Library

Grade: B+


Alec stopped chuckling. “What?”

“A list. Of women. I had my sister make me a list of possible brides. I can’t be expected to figure this out on my own.”

“The rest of us generally do.”

Hugh gave him a powerfully irritated glare. “I’m busy.”

~*~*~

Hugh, Earl of Briarly, is not your typical Earl. He would rather be in his stable than anywhere else and he trains his own horses. Most Earls would simply hire a trainer but Hugh wants the horses trained, not broken so he does it himself. This leads to forgetting to come to dinner on time and sometimes he smells more like his horses and misses dinner completely! This is fine when you're at your own home, but at a house party, you're expected to arrive on time and smell like a recent bath.

Training your own horses is not the problem, the problem is that Hugh is an Earl, with entitled property and as he has no wife, his heir is a cousin none of his sisters like. Come to think of it, he doesn't either. After a nasty fall that leads to a week-long coma, he decides he needs to get married in order to have a proper heir.

This leads to the list. A house party given by his sister and her husband. And the women being crossed off his list one by one.

This may be "a novel in three parts" but it is seamless. It is funny, romantic and sexy all in the right spots.

Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
romance
In the Middle
Monthly Mix-Up Mania

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #43: Never Less Than a Lady (sexy)

Never Less Than a Lady
The Lost Lords #2
Mary Jo Putney
978-1-4201-0329-8
Zebra
May 2010
352 pages
ebook (also in print)
Age range: 18+, I think 16 should be okay

historical romance
source: Private Library

Grade: B+


As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son of his own. The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft—a village midwife with a dark secret that thrusts her into Randall’s protection.

Within the space of a day, Julia has been abducted by her first husband’s cronies, rescued, and proposed to by a man she scarcely knows. Stranger still is her urge to say yes. A union with Alexander Randall could benefit them both, but Julia doubts she can ever trust her heart again, or the fervent desire Randall ignites. Yet perhaps only a Lost Lord can show a woman like Julia everything a true marriage can be…

~*~*~

We met Alex and Mrs. Bancroft in the previous book. . . Just when all seems safe, danger lurks again. And again. I was starting to wonder when it would end and IF there'd be a happy ever after at all rather than the formula of there has to be one!

I love when "doing your duty" falls by the wayside when "follow your heart" comes into play. To have such a twisty happy ever after just adds to the satisfaction. I do have several questions so I don't feel this one ends tied neatly in a bow.

There are two more available in the series, one coming out soon and another in the works. There is hope to have my questions answered!


Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
A to Z
ebook
romance
In the Middle
Men in Uniform
Monthly Mix-Up Mania

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Bout of Books 7.0 Wrap-Up

Bout of Books

Read-a-Thon

Wrap-Up

Official Blurb

(Please make sure you’re linking back to the Bout of Books website and attributing properly.)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

~*~*~*~

 
My goals may have bit the dust but I still want to know how I did. . .

Goals

• I plan on reading each day, just like I usually do. No, I did not read on Monday, all day at Disneyland wiped me out.
• Read 1,000 pages, or at least 4 books. Finished four books and started one more. Total Pages read? more than 743.
• do Twitter updates. Yes. One.
• Check out the challenges (doesn't look like I'll be able to actually do any of them). no
• Daily comments on other blogs. Sigh, didn't get this done at all!

List of possible books

Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries
Informed Risk by Robyn Carr
And Then She Fell by Stephanie Laurens
...and about six library books scarred around

~*~*~*~

Monday
Disneyland

Tuesday
California Adventure
started The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn 

Wednesday
Disneyland
read some of Halfway There by Susan Mallery

Thursday
finished - Halfway There by Susan Mallery (no page count for Bout of Books)
finished - With This Kiss, part one by Eloisa James (no page count for Bout of Books)
finished - The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn ~ 374 pages
started/finished - Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney ~ 352 pages

Friday - Sunday
started - Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods ~ 17 pages

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Happy Monday ~ Bout of Books edition

Two week report of new books in the house

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

Thank you to April's host: MariReads. May's host is
4 the Love of Books.



Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:


from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
Sleight of Hand by Peter S. Beagle (short stories)
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
Inferno by Dan Brown (for M but I'll read it too)


added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.)
With This Kiss, park two by Eloisa James
About My Mother, anthology



Also went shopping through the free section, added a bunch then clicked Pin It
(still not finished pinning all of them)

Current Library books at the house:
Fellowship of Fear by Aaron J. Elkins
State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
Homeland by R. A. Salvatore
Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick


I have no idea where I'm at anymore with the rest of them....I've got over 30 books on request, most delayed.

What are you Reading?

A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:

With This Kiss, part one by Eloisa James
Halfway There by Susan Mallery
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney

Books stacked by my reading chair (clean slate for the year):
The Weight of Deeds by Eli Thorpe
Howard's Gift by Eric C. Sinoway with Merill Meadow
The Holder's Dominion by Genese Davis
Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Bay




Next up:
Cat and the Lady Killer by Lisa Orchard
Finding the Voice Inside You by Jill Birth
The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club by Duncan Whitehead


Reviewed:



Did Not Finish, may try again later:
Starting Now by Debbie Macomber - library book with holds...will try again later


Happy Reading!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #42: Loving a Lost Lord (sexy)

Loving a Lost Lord
The Lost Lords #1
Mary Jo Putney
978-1-4201-2862-8
Zebra
March 2012
352 pages
ebook (also in print)
Age range: 18+

historical romance
source: Private Library

Grade: B+


Battered by the sea, Adam remembers nothing of his past, his ducal rank, nor of the shipwreck that almost claimed his life. However, he’s delighted to hear that the golden-haired vision tending his wounds is his wife. Mariah’s name and face may not be familiar, but her touch, her warmth, feel deliciously right…

When Mariah Clarke prayed for a way to deter a bullying suitor, she didn’t imagine she’d find the answer washed ashore on a desolate beach. Convincing Adam that he is her husband is surprisingly easy. Resisting the temptation to act his wife, in every way, will prove anything but. And now a passion begun in fantasy has become dangerously real—and completely irresistible…

~*~*~

First in a new series, we meet all four of the Lost Lords in this story, learn how they became friends and grew into more like brothers, willing to do anything for each other.

I'd love to be friends with Mariah, she's so sensible but fun.

I'm not sure what to say. There is danger, memory loss, recovered memories, back-from-the-dead relatives, shady characters, and a satisfying ending.

Oh! I started today. I finished today. I really liked this one and am looking forward to the other three.

Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
romance
In the Middle
Bout of Books 7.0
52 in 52

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Finished Reading . . . #39: Halfway There (sweet/sexy)

Halfway There
Fool's Gold
Susan Mallery
9781460311998
Harlequin HQN
May 2013
47 pages
ebook
Age range: 14?

contempory romance
source: Private Library


Fayrene Hopkins may be only twenty-four years old, but she runs her own business and has big plans—plans that don't involve falling in love yet. She's determined to make her mark on the world before settling down.

She thinks she's got life all figured out—until she meets Ryan Patterson on her latest job. Fayrene senses his interest in her, and she has to admit he gets her pulse racing. Luckily, starting a relationship with Ryan is safe—he's leaving Fool's Gold when his work contract is up.

Ryan has goals of his own and a job waiting for him in Texas. He doesn't expect to get waylaid by a sassy blonde and cozy town. But what started out as temporary is starting to look like the real thing. If only he can convince Fayrene that some plans are made to be broken.

~*~*~

It was nice to visit Fool's Gold once again.

This is a short story of one couple. How they meet, why they date, and what happens when one is given a gift they didn't know they wanted.

Totally a happy ever after story.


Challenges this counts towards:
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways
ebook
romance
Quick Fix

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Bout of Books 7.0 Update (thru 8 a.m. Thu)

Bout of Books

Read-a-Thon

May 13 - May 19

Official Blurb

(Please make sure you’re linking back to the Bout of Books website and attributing properly.)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

~*~*~*~

Tuesday: started The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
Wednesday: read some of With This Kiss, part one by Eloisa James
Thursday: Finished. . . 1) Halfway There by Susan Mallery, 2) With This Kiss, part one by Eloisa James, 3) The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

ARC Challenge

ARC Challenge

2013

hosted at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Sign- up here

Any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.

I'm going for ... Bronze ... 

I should go for Platinum but hope to read/review 18 ARCs this year.

The Levels:

Level Bronze:
a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to category b.
b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.

Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS

Level Gold: Read 30 ARCS

Level Platinum: Read 35 or more ARCS

The Rules:

• To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well. 
• You Can join this challenge at anytime throughout the year. 
• You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want. 
• If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level. 
• Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC's. 
• Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Please subscribe to my blog, as I will be doing a monthly post with MR Linky. 
• Please add your reviews for each month in MR Linky in the monthly post. For your Name, please use this format Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author's Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader). Please be sure to use the direct link to your review, not just to your blog. Then please leave a comment. 
• HAVE FUN!

~Books to Read~

I should have a wall of shame posted somewhere, I've got too many on my shelves, too many read but not reviewed and too many started but not finished.

Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries
Cat and the Lady Killer by Lisa Orchard
Finding the Voice Inside You by Jill Birth
The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club by Duncan Whitehead
The Spirit of the Heart by Ismael N. Nuno, M.D.
Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods
Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard

whew! That's a good start, wish me luck! (why yes, that is the same list as the Clean Sweep ARC challenge for May!)

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Bout of Books 7.0 Updates

Bout of Books

Read-a-Thon

May 13 - May 19

Official Blurb

(Please make sure you’re linking back to the Bout of Books website and attributing properly.)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

~*~*~*~

I had planned on spending my days reading, just like I usually do. I was going to concentrate on a couple of review books, do twitter updates and comment, comment, comment.

All my plans went out the window when the husband said, let's get out of town. So, I'll take my touch and a couple of fun books, leave the kid (he's 23) home with the cats and see everyone this weekend!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Motherhood is. . .

 more than bearing children.

Happy Mother's Day to all who nurture others. 

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013