Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Great Day!

I woke up this morning to what was going to be a normal day of cleaning and reading. One of my routines once I wake up is to grab my breakfast and check my email and today was no different.

Once I opened up my notifications I immediately noticed and email from Jamie Begley (one of my favorite authors) and became so excited! It was just last week that I checked her site to see if there were any up dates on her latest book in the Last Riders series. The only thing I discovered was the title. Still, that was something, right?
 
Well today the book went LIVE! Holy Cow! It was the best moment. My life is seriously boring if that was my best moment, haha. It's one of those things that just makes me smile.

There are only about 5 author's who write about MC's that are my go to authors and Jamie is one of them. Lucky's Choice is live! I can not wait to delve into the world of the Last Riders again.

If you like The Last Riders and you haven't seen her swag, you can find it here!

                                           http://www.zazzle.com/younginkpress



Spencer by Kerry Heavens

Just so you know, I can not resist books on sale or that wonderful FREE download. Being completely honest, most of them just sit in my digital library waiting to be read. I even receive emails daily from Book Bub and Shameless Book Club that I look forward to so I can bargain shop my next read. Haha! Still, something in the description of the book caught enough of my attention at the time to warrant a download. Such is the case with Spencer.


After taking a tiny break after my last read I decided I should really look at my library and read from the lost and forgotten instead of spending money on continuing a particular series that I am lusting after. So began my search. As I read information for several books I came across Spencer.

I. could. not. put. it. down. You are drawn in from the beginning and WOW!
The relationship between Jazz and Spencer is fiery and explosive. They don't know each other except through Twitter. Jazz knows what Spencer looks like but she keeps him in the dark. Their paths cross but Jazz keeps it a secret all the while continuing the relationship via Twitter. Usually in stories we see the male knowing the secret but I liked that in this situation the female knew the secret. Their online relationship is completely opposite their relationship in the real world. They flirt back and forth and even have Twitter sex but in the real world they hate each other. Their emotions, minds and hearts are put through the wringer. There were several points that I had to wipe away tears and many times I laughed so hard my husband came in to see what was so funny. It's hard to explain to him why I was laughing and many times he just looks at me this this look of "I don't get it." I have found that if I say "babe, I was reading" it satisfies him enough to walk away.

The sex was incredible! The first time it happens, Spencer and Jazz are angry and he takes her against a wall and it was H.O.T.! I have always wanted to be taken that way but to this day, no such luck.

Spencer is worth the read. I even stalked the author's website for a bit looking to see if she was working on Mag's and Will's book. (Mag's is Jazz's best friend and roommate. Will is Spencer's cousin) My stalking was fruitless.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Into stepbrother books...?

At first I overlooked all stepbrother books, it was never really something I thought I was interested in. Then I came across Stepbrother Untouchable by Colleen Masters and I have read several of her books and realized that I needed to have an open mind so I read the book. Once I started reading I could not stop. As it turns out I am not so bothered by the whole step issue. This started an obsession with step books. Instead of doing reviews for all the ones I've read I thought I would create a YAY or NAY list and explain why I marked some as NAY. Each book is linked to Amazon. I have a Kindle so, it is my go to site. It is not my intention to offend Nook readers, Barnes and Noble, IBooks, or any other devices or companies. Just saying.

The list contains all of the "step" books that I have read and I have several more on my to read list. I look forward to continue reading such a taboo topic.

YAY
Stepbrother Untouchable by Colleen Masters

Stepbrother Billionaire by Colleen Masters

Prick by Sabrina Paige

Step-lover by Bella Jewel

Stepbrother Bad Boy by Veronica Daye

My Stepbrother: The Dom by Arabella Quinn

Tool (A Step Brother Romance by Sabrina Paige

Stepbrother With Benefits 1-6 by Mia Clark (series is complete) each book is about 110 pages, very quick read

Stepbrother With Benefits 7-9 (second season) by Mia Clark (incomplete series) each book is about 110 pages, very quick read

Stepbrother Charming: A Billionaire Bad Boy Romance by Nicole Snow

BOSS: A Stepbrother Billionaire Romance by Victoria Villeneuve

Rebel: A Stepbrother Romance by Kim Linwood

Badass by Linda Barlow

Unacceptable: A Step-Brother Romance by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Dearest Stepbrother: Double Trouble 1-4 by Olivia Hawthorne (series is complete)

Dearest Stepbrother: Double Trouble - After College 1-4 by Olivia Hawthorne (series is complete)

Dearest Stepbrother: Double Trouble - Baby Makes Four 1-4 by Olivia Hawthorne (series is complete)

Dearest Stepbrother: Double Trouble - Oh Baby... 1-4 by Olivia Hawthorne (book 4 not available yet)

Jagger  1-3 by Olivia Hawthorne (complete series) I haven't started this one but based on what I've read from her I am optimistic.


NAY
STEP BY STEP by Addison Albaugh - This ones was just blah. The story line started out good but it went down hill fast. There was so much potential and the author just didn't capitalize on it.

Cannon by Sabrina Paige - I like Sabrina Paige but this book just did not do it for me. There just wasn't enough substance.

Step F*@k 1-4 by Scarlett Ward (series is complete) each book is roughly 64 pages. The series started off well but I was not impressed by the 4th book.

Mine - A Stepbrother Romance by Caitlin Daire - I want to love this book but there are so many little things that just wreck it. There are too many cheesy moments, the main characters are young 19 and 20 yet the author makes portrays them as too mature and I just fell like this was way too unrealistic. The one this I loved from this book was this quote from Mason,  "What the hell did anyone even need a life coach for? As long as you knew how to breathe, drink water and eat, then you pretty much had living nailed."

My Stepbrother's Baby 1-9 by Foxy Tale - This one was weird and a bit choppy. At one point Sebastian goes off to college and pulls away from Kelly. Instead of a resolution the story just concludes without ever addressing what was happening. There were many times I wondered if Sebastian really loved Kelly. She just seemed to accept her life when he went to college but the big problems were never addressed. Each book is only 26 pages, so I guess there wasn't much time.

Stepbrother's Gift by Krista Lakes - No, just no. Can't say any more.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Wow! It has been some time!

So, it has been some time since I posted! My computer went down and since it is summer and I was traveling quite a bit of June I couldn't get it in until July. After a bit of wait time I finally have access again!

I did attempt to post once from my phone but within 10 minutes I was completely frustrated and gave up. My hubs thought something was terribly wrong and kept checking on me trying to understand what I was doing. Once I gave up, he made a point to ask me what the Hell I was thinking and laughed his ass off! Such a supportive husband!


Eating Gator

I had three trips planned this summer. First, I went to Florida as a group sponsor for a Marine biology trip. Florida was hot but we had a great time exploring and gaining new experiences. We were able to swim with dolphins and even have one pull each of us around the pool. It was probably the best experience of the trip. It was amazing to see so many animals from an ecosystem that needs water to thrive. Emily and I even ate gator. Most of the kids thought we were crazy! We toured the Everglades and took an air boat ride as we hunted gators with our camera. At one point a gator scared a group of kids. They were never in danger but it was totally funny.  

The Enola Gay
After returning to my dry hot desert home I packed and headed to Virginia. I was given a great opportunity to attend the JASON National Convention. On the first night, we were wined and dined at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. With the museum closed, we were given a private tour before dinner and it was AMAZING! So much history to take in. One of the best parts was having the opportunity to see the Enola Gay, the plane that made history by dropping the first Atomic Bomb. 




 
  Then our dinner was served just under the nose of the Space Shuttle Discovery! AMAZING! I have always been fascinated by all things space and has been my dream to see an actual shuttle up close. It was the best dinner hands down! Who cares what the food tasted like the view was spectacular. Ok, the food was good as well. The potato side was everyone's favorite.
 
The next day we headed out to kayak but ran into an issue with the bus. On our way down a back hills road we came across a bridge that was labeled with a height of 11'8''. The driver being the experienced one said no problem, the bus was 11' 4". Many of us were concerned but hey, I've never driven a bus before who was I to say anything, right? Can you guess what happened next? If you guessed that we got stuck, you are right! The bus didn't make it. Nope, the roof caught on the bridge and began to pull away scaring the holy hell out of me! We were stuck. If the driver reversed the roof moved back but what was done was done. We needed a way out. How many science teachers does it take to figure out a solution? All 49 of them. Air was let out of the tires to lower the bus, all passengers moved to the front of the bus to weigh the front of the bus down so we could reverse, and a passing motorist leaped on the top of the bus and stood on the roof as the bus reversed! There were other suggestions like when the driver reverses everyone at the front jump and when we land the bus will lower and the driver should gun it, yeah I think we had an imposter with us. Eventually the bus was freed from the evil bridge and our day went on but later that evening after the kayaking and on our way to dinner the head guy in charge noticed something on the dash of the bus and quietly pointed it out to those of us in the front rows just loud enough so the driver couldn't hear. There was a sign clear as day that read "bus height 12'8".

 What was supposed to be a 4 mile trek down the Shenandoah River turned into 8. Did you get that? It was SUPPOSED to be a 4 mile trek but NO! I had to go and follow the wrong dumbass person. Yeah, I thought I was following one of our guides but nope, not so. Oh, and I wasn't the only one! When we realized that something was wrong it was too late. We ended up kayaking back UP river to a point when we could go no further due to the rapids and waited about 2 hours before the rest of the group caught up (we waited that long because the group we were waiting on decided to stop and snorkel looking at rocks). Then we continued back down river to where we had ended up the first time. Most of the river was calm and peaceful and I did have a great time. It was just relaxing enough to tell myself that I'd like to go again.Needless to say by the time we arrived back at the hotel I was exhausted. Unfortunately, I didn't have a water proof camera so this photo is all I have from my kayaking adventure.

The rest of the trip was typical conference and learning, nothing worth discussing.

My last trip was supposed to ne Vegas for the "Love N Vegas" authors convention. I have wanted to meet Pepper Winters since I first read "Debt Inheritance". Sadly life got in the way and I could not make the trip.

Having said all that I have been reading, reading, reading. Many good and many not so good. Hopefully in the next few I will be able to sit down and begin addressing them.. Till then...