REVIEW: Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn

Format: Kindle
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: April 21, 2012
My Copy: Self-Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first.

Fans of Jennifer Armentrout's Lux and Covenant series might be surprised that the author has made her first venture into the adult contemporary romance genre. Writing under the pseudonym, J. Lynn, Tempting the Best Man was a sweet, sexy and funny romantic read. Even though I would consider this a mild adult romance I would like to warn Jennifer's YA fans that there are steamy/racy scenes, so if that isn't your cup of tea or if you're under 18 years old, I suggest you skip this book for now.

The story between Madison and Chase isn’t all that new. The tale about a girl in love with a childhood friend has been told time and time again. What made Tempting the Best Man stand out from the others is that Madison and Chase were so charismatic and charming. The multiple time they stuck their foot in their mouths were hilarious. You just knew these two were meant to be together except that their road to happily ever after had always been muddled with misunderstandings. Situations could have easily been fixed if Madison and Chase would have just been honest about their feelings from the get go and communicated better but then again the story wouldn’t have been as fun to read if everything was just smooth sailing for these two.

I enjoyed Madison as a heroine. She’s young, smart, stubborn, spunky and a tough, which is expected especially since she grew up with a bunch of rowdy boys. She was successful at her job and her only weakness seemed to be Chase Gamble. She didn’t handle everything as maturely as most people would but that was one of her likeable characteristics. I understood her trepidations when it came to Chase, honestly when you’ve been in love with someone for that long, emotions just get a hold of you that you can’t control. Chase Gamble was a very swoon worthy hero. He’s young, successful, wealthy, determined and had women lining up to be with him. Growing up with a womanizing father, he’d convinced himself that he was a duplicate of his father and wasn’t capable to truly loving or honoring a woman. From the beginning, you could tell Chase always had feelings for Madison just by observing the way he around when she was in need or the way he took the over protective brother role in her life seriously.

With likeable main and secondary characters, a cute unrequited love story, and wonderful chemistry between the couple, Tempting the Best Man is a wonderful read to add to your contemporary romance reading list. I was a little perturbed by the misunderstanding at the end which could have EASILY been cleared up but overall it was a fun story that I zipped right through. I can see why so many people love Armentrout's work and hopefully you'll be tempted enough after reading this review to pick yourself up a copy of of this quick witted, sexy contemporary romance.

Gush and Gripe #5

We are mad Gushing this month because starting midnight on June 1st our month-long Blogoversary Celebration begins!

As a head's up we only require one qualifier and that is for YOU to follow us via GFC for your entries to count.

Blogoversary Celebration List of events includes:

• Unveiling of our new blog design courtesy of Autumn from Alway Purrty Design
• Participation in the following Giveaway Hops:

                        My Favorite Reads June 1st - 6th

                        Debut Author June 7th - 13th
                        Shameless Summer June 8th - 15th
                        Indie Author June 13th - 19th
                        Lovestruck June 15th - 22nd
                        Hot Summer Nights - Erotica Hop  June 20 - 24th

Talk Supe Reader Tribute Giveaway

All you have to do is qualify is:
* Follow Talk Supe publicly via GFC
* Leave a comment on ANY of our book, novella, short story, etc. REVIEWS

Every comment counts as an entry. 
Only comments from June 1-30 will be considered.
Comments left on non-reviews (meme, random posts, etc) will not be included.

There will be a total of 6 winners: 
* Three winners will receive a $10.00 (US) Amazon Gift Card
* Three winners will get to pick ONE book of their choice from any of the books we've reviewed in the past year. 


The contest will run from June 1-30.
Winners will be notified by July 1.
Random.org will be used to pick the winners.
Contest is Open Internationally

Dirty Little Secret #13

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers. Every Thursday they get to know other bloggers and readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.

This week's questions:

If your blog crew (or if it's just you, then you are a pack of one) could make up their own pack, what name would you call yourselves and what animal pack would it be?

Braine

We'll  be a pride of cougars and we'll call ourselves The Real Housewives :D

That's my fantasy (obsession really).

Cimmaron

Since my astrological sign is Leo, I would be the HBIC in a Lion Pride  (lions roll in Prides and not packs). The lioness is the one who does the hunting for the pride, since the lioness is more aggressive by nature while the male lion stays homes and watches the cubs. The fierce lioness hunting skills would come in very handy while I stalk prey like Christian Grey, Gideon Cross, Jericho Barrons and Bones.

And since I'm from the West Coast we would be called the ...

West Side Wenches
 

Now that we've shared our Dirty Little Secret  with you, what's yours?

Review: Bound to Me by Jocelynn Drake

Book Preview

Series: Dark Days #0.5
Format: ARC (Edelweiss)
Excerpt here
Release Date: April 10, 2012
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Mira, the heroine of Jocelynn Drake's New York Times bestselling Dark Days series, has been a nightwalker for centuries, traveling the globe as an enforcer for a secretive, powerful organization. In Bound to Me, for the first time, we travel back into Mira's distant past to see the great love affair that shaped her. 

BOUND TO ME is my first Jocelynn Drake story and I haven't heard of this series or any of the characters so I can't make any comparisons or references to her novels. With that said, this Dark Days story was enough to whet my appetite for the series. This novella is Mira and Valerio's love story or at least it provides a snippet of their shared past.

No one will ever be able to please me the way you do. There won't truly be anyone else, even after we decide to go our separate ways. - Valerio

Mira is so fearless and doesn't seem to have any regard for her actions' consequences. She just do whatever she wants with hardly any remorse mainly because she is a vampire and a Fire Starter at that. I love trouble makers, they are always wild card with enough surprises that will keep readers continuously guessing. Valerio for his part was very passionate and protective of Mira, together they are the team to beat even if a group of nightwalkers are after them or whatever ragtag supernatural gang happens to cross their paths. 

You didn't think I was done with you, did you?

Of course not, you're too hard to be done.

Mira and Valerio are passionate people and their coupling was hot as a mother! JDrake sure gave us a tasty morsel with this one especially for readers like me who have yet to start her series. BOUND TO ME convinced me that Dark Days is an interesting series to follow, it seems to have all the elements that I like my UF/PNR to have.

As per Ms. Drake's note, this novella came to be because her fans requested that she writes something about Mira and Valerios. The fan mail might have been massive for her to finally indulge her followers. Not only that, it's a good indication that there is so much going on in the "present" to warrant such a request. Which makes me wonder, who is Danaus and what is Mira and Valerios relationship now? If Mira and Valerios are kaput, why is she still wearing his ring and what does her current beau feel about it? 

Please feel free to enlighten me if you've come across this series yourself.

Miss Vain's Red Light Special [Part Three]

Have y'all had the chance to cool off since reading about Miss Vain's date with Terrible? She sure knows hot to turn the heat up. We were THIS close to calling the fire station to cool the blog off. Miss Vain you are one naughty, naughty lady.

Tonight Miss Vain will be going on her third and final date with one of America's Most Wealthiest Men, Christian Grey. Apparently, Christian's Lady Love, Anastasia Steele, has been absent for quite sometime as she's down in Georgia visiting her Mother ad Step-father. No longer able to keep his sexual needs and desires at bay, Christian decides to pursue his next partner, Miss Vain. It's still unknown as to how the two met. Vain insists they were introduced by a mutual friend but we're guessing Christian discovered her at one of the numerous BDSM clubs he used to partake in.

Without further adieu, we present to you Miss Vain's date with Mr. 50 Shades of F*cked Up, Christian Grey.

ARC REVIEW: Improper Relations by Juliana Ross

Format: ARC (NetGalley)
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: April 23, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified—but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story, this book is intended for mature audiences only (18 and up).

Waiting on Wednesday #12

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Braine
Moonglow

Darkest London #2
Kristen Callihan
Forever
August 21, 2012

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .
Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .
Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Truly excited for this book, Callihan did an amazing job with Ember and Firelight with hints of Beauty and the Beast and now I'm curious on what fairy tale this will be based on. Callihan satiates my need for some historical romance laced with the supernatural.

Pre-Order Moonglow from

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Cimmaron

Shadow's Claim

The Dacians #1

Kresley Cole

Pocket Books

November 27, 2012

He won’t be denied

Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore’s most fearsome villains.

She’s bound to another

Desperate to earn her guardians’ approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she’s lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.

A battle for her body and soul

Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina’s heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium’s worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina’s own desires to a fever-pitch.

We've got another new series from Kresley Cole! She sure is one busy lady. Shadow's Claim is a spin-off from her super popular Immortals After Dark series. This new paranormal romance series follows the royal bloodline of Dacia, the mysterious Vampire kingdom set within "The Lore" (mytholigical world in the Immortals After Dark series). Royalty and Vampires? Count me in!

Pre-Order Shadow's Claim from

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

So tell us, what book or books are you anxiously waiting for?

Miss Vain's Red Light Special [Part Two]

When we last saw Miss Vain, she was in one of France's oldest luxury hotels, Hotel De Crillon in Paris, enjoying a night of passion with Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Unfortunately, their night was abruptly cut short after one of Bones' crazy stalkers floods the luxurious penthouse suite. With mascara running down her face and sopping wet hair and clothes, Miss Vain decides to call an end to her night with Bones and return home. Fortunately, her decision to cut her date short may have saved Miss Vain's life because mere seconds after Vain jumped in her cab, Bones' wife Cat busted through the doors of Hotel De Crillon with over two dozen silver knives and a sword strapped to her body looking to hunt and kill Miss Vain.

Now back home, Miss Vain is preparing for her next hot date. After a chance meeting on the online dating website, PlentyofFish.com, Miss Vain is anxiously waiting to finally go on a date with Terrible from Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series. Let's see what sort of tantalizing situations Miss Vain will get into with the scarred and tattooed hero.

Review: Where There's Smoke by Karen Kelley

Book Preview

Series: Good Girl 1
Format: ARC
Excerpt here
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When sexy wannabe-demon, Destiny Carter, is kicked out of Hell, she lands in Ft. Worth, Texas with one week to corrupt a soul. Or else. She slips into a slinky red dress, and heads straight for the delicious, corruptible looking cowboy at the bar.

But Chance Bellew has his own agenda-saving souls. He's not your typical angel. He’s a nephilim, to be exact. Centuries ago, angels came down from Heaven and mated with mortal women. When the women bore children, a new race was created. Immortals with powers—demigods, nephilim.

But the children don’t live by the same rules as mortals, or that of the typical, robe-wearing, bright light-surrounding-them angels. Hell, most of the time the nephilim are breaking the rules, and making up new ones as they go. As long as they don’t cross over to the dark side, everyone pretty much stays out of their way.

But sometimes a demon-in-training, who looks like Destiny, comes along and all Hell breaks loose

DISCLAIMER:

This book and the corresponding review is intended for readers 18 and up due to the nature of the story and borrowed quotes.

Miss Vain's Red Light Special [Part One]

As we mentioned yesterday, Talk Supe is hosting a late night special this week with one of our favorite book blogger friends, Miss Vain of Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy. Each night we will be posting tales of Miss Vain's date night escapades with some of her favorite book boyfriends. Be ready to follow Miss Vain around the world as she desperately tries to make a love connection with some of the richest, most handsome and lethal men in her paranormal universe. 

Tonight we will be reading about Vain's red hot date with Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Nigh Huntress series. It baffles my mind as to how Bones was able to keep this date hidden from his kick-ass wife, Cat. Let's cross our fingers and hope that Miss Vain returns home safely without having any silver knives sticking out of her chest. 

Bought, Borrowed and Bagged #4

BB&B (Bought, Borrowed and Bagged) is a weekly meme, inspired my The Story Siren and Pop Culture Junkie, where we share with you the books that we have bought, borrowed or bagged (won) plus a recap of the previous week's reviews, upcoming reviews, on going events and any news we want to share with our followers.

Please feel free to stop by and share with us the books you've received this week. If you're participating in a different meme where you showcase your book hauls, please make sure you leave us a link to your post so we could stop by and visit. If you are currently not participating in a meme, anyone and everyone is welcome to join BB&B. Just leave us a comment below to let us know you are participating.

Bagged

free from Amazon

thanks to the Amber alert

my own signed copy of

The Last Keeper

courtesy of Michelle Birbeck

 sorry the pics are grainy.

Bought

from Amazon

Bagged

from NetGalley & Edelweiss

You can probably tell from the covers but I've really been into

reading some very sexy and tantalizing stuff. 

Big & Small

The upcoming adaptation F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is something we are eagerly looking forward to! And not just because of serious eye candies, Leonardo DiCaprio and Toby Maguire, but also Carey Mulligan and Isla Fisher are in it too! On top of that, this film is directed by Baz Luhrman, the same guy who brought us Moulin Rouge (2001) and Romeo + Juliet (1996), and with a budget of $120M, rest assured that the movie will have the necessary pomp and circumstance associated with the Flapper era from the music down to the costume and props. The Great Gatsby is slated to come out on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012.

Upcoming Reviews

• Preservation by Rachel Wade
• Bared to You by Sylvia Day
• At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost
• No Holds Barred by Callie Croix
• Improper Relations by Juliana Ross
• Darkness Becomes Her by Jamie Rush
• Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn

Last Weeks Reviews

• Let Me In by Callie Croix
• Dead Night a Novella by Tim O'Rourke
• Intangible by J. Meyers
• The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst
• Immortals and Melodies by Heather Jensen

Upcoming Events

You know how the Discovery Channel has their annual "Shark Week"special every summer? Well, we here at Talk Supe are super excited to be having our own special with a different kind of predator. From May 28th to May 31st, Miss Vain of Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy will be making a very special late night appearance on our blog. Each night she will be sharing details from her very hot and steamy dates with her top three book boyfriends. So please stay tuned and make sure to stop by to read all about her kinky fuckery adventures. 

Also, stay tuned for more info about our upcoming 

Memorial Day: Remembering Their All

What Heroes Gave 

by Roger J. Robicheau (Sp 5, US Army) ©2001

Each donned their uniform to be 

Defenders of our liberty

Their mission sure, their spirits bright 

Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight 

One final day each faced their call

Each gave their best enduring all

We’ll never know what they went through

But know they loved this country true

Deep down inside we should all feel

What heroes gave, their cost so real

We must stay thankful, grateful of

The gift of freedom through their love

Their loved ones bore the gravest pain

What we can’t know, some now sustain 

To God I pray their pain will cease

And each will find long-lasting peace

Remember this from year to year

What heroes gave – shan’t disappear

We’ll never let their special day 

Their time for honor slip away 

These brave fought for a nation free

If not for them, where would we be?

(Source)

I am proud to say that I am a sister of a U.S Army soldier who has fought and served for this country in Iraq and Afghanistan. No matter the differences my brother and I may have, I'm still very proud of the work he's done for this country and it's citizens. In a time of political scuffle between democrats, republicans, liberals, tea party, red and blue states, we must not forget about the men and women who have courageously served and given their all for our country. It's quite easy to forget about the brave men and women who have fought or are still fighting to protect our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

We often speak about the heroes we admire in the books we read but sometimes forget about the REAL heroes throughout American history. Although one day doesn't seem enough to express our gratitude's, I'm glad that there is one for ALL of us to stop and spend a moment to be thankful to our soldiers. Regardless of political views or position on war, I hope that during this long Memorial Day weekend you take the time to recognize the thousands of men and women who serve in the Armed Forces during war and peace, past and present.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/05/21/3962108/what-memorial-day-means-to-me.html#storylink=cpy

Early Review: Immortals and Melodies by Heather Jensen

Series: Blood and Guitars #2
Format: Digital
Excerpt here
Release Date: May 28, 2012
Purchase: Amazon

Catalyst frontman Trey is no stranger to chaos, but even the life of a rock star couldn’t prepare him for the consequences of loving a vampire. Trey’s life is in danger; threatened by the very group he must join to stay alive. His struggle to continue his career and release a new album with the band is marred by events that force him to ask a powerful Synod Elder for help.

Aurora has to keep Trey alive until she can make him a vampire, but her own kind will stop at nothing to prevent it. The head of the Emissary is having her followed, and if she can’t figure out who is behind the violent attacks, Trey might not make it to the full moon. As Aurora battles her own kind, she’s also plagued by the risk she’s taking by changing Trey. Will her moon-given power be enough to carry Trey through the change, or will he be left floating in the wake of destruction?

I found myself wishing for the power and whimsy of fairy tales. If only things were as simple as we’re led to believe as children. I remembered the story of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Both were saved by the power of a kiss, drawn out of their lifeless state to live happily ever after. Desperately, I bent and left a soft kiss on Trey’s lips. It was foolish. I knew that, but even that knowledge couldn’t prepare me for the agony that ripped at my heart when he didn’t respond. -Aurora

A rock star and a vampire, that's the love match in Heather Jensen's Blood and Guitars series. In book 2, IMMORTALS AND MELODIES, lovers Trey and Aurora are testing the strength of their relationship. We witness them fight for survival from vampires who are against their uncanny relationship and duck the prying eyes of the public.

I like Trey's "new" attitude, he was a little laid back in Blood and Guitars but in Immortals and Melodies he's wittier and adapting well with Wes' death and the constant life threats from vampires. Just one of the perks of being in a relationship with one. Aurora for her part has mellowed a bit but still protective of Trey, always having his back and being his number one supporter. It's so hard to talk about this vaguely because there's a LOT of things that happened in this book that I don't want to reveal otherwise I'll spoil it for the series' followers. Let's just say that Immortals and Melodies didn't suffer from the "middle child syndrome" but instead laid out the groundwork for book 3. *wink*

You just wrapped your car around a pole and you're worrying about the other guys in the band. - Aurora

Like it's predecessor  Blood and Guitars, IMMORTALS AND MELODIES continues the love story theme mashed up with the rock star life. This book is more on Trey and the play of emotions he has over the changes in his life. I was happy that Trey & the band finally had closure over Wes' death and his relationship with his dad is on the mend. There were parts that I found a little long, like Trey's hospital confinement and Aurora's recovery from Malena's attack but other than that I enjoyed the direction of the story.

And though it might sound small and unimportant, I'm glad that each chapter tells us which voice we're reading. I remember that was my comment in the first book as the story has an alternating POV between Aurora and Trey so THANK YOU Heather for adding that little bit of detail. 

Cover Reveal: Days of Blood and Starlight

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2Format: Hardback
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

I am so excited to read this! Plus in case you haven't heard, Daughter of Smoke and Bones' film rights has been acquired by Universal Pictures. I am totally in love with this series, it's so exotic and original from the myth down to the characters. I can almost smell the sweet scent of incense, feel the heat of Moroccan sun, see the splash of color described from the souks and spice markets. It felt like I was on vacation when I read Daughter of Smoke and Bones and I will most definitely pick this one up!

My Review

REVIEW: The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst

Series: Marriage to a Billionaire #1
Format: Kindle Book
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: February 2012
My Copy: Self-Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A marriage in name only…

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend’s older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart.

Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he’s offers Alexa a bold proposition.

A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right?

"She needed a man. Preferably one with $150,000 to spare."

Smart, independent and vivacious Alexa McKenzie needed a man. Real bad. When her family is in danger of losing their home, Alexa conjures up a spell to bring her a man who held all the qualities she dreamed her soul mate would possess and had very deep pockets. She didn't have to wait very long because long-time best friend, Maggie, walks in and suggests Alexa marry her older brother, Nicholas 'Nick' Ryan. Nick has his own reasons to find a wife, quick. In order to inherit the majority of his family's company shares, Nick must marry and for it to last at least one year. Being the shrewd business man that he is Nick gives into his sister's suggestion and agrees to marry Alexa even though he has a very strong aversion to marriage.

"He needed a woman who looked upon the venture as a business opportunity."

Although the "marriage of convenience" plot of The Marriage Bargain isn't all that new, Jennifer Probst was able to breath in some fresh air into an old premise. What I really liked about Alexa and Nick's arrangement is that they weren't two strangers who meet at an opportune time but actually had a past. Having known each other since childhood, Alexa harbored a crush on Nick until he smashed those dreams and broke her heart. With their history and hidden attraction for each other, the dialogue and interactions between Alexa and Nick were highly entertaining. It's doesn't take long before Alexa is able to unravel Nick and his cynical views of love, family and marriage.

I instantly liked Alexa from the very beginning. She is extremely independent but loving, and very loyal to her family and will do whatever she needs to help them. Her compassion and free spirit is what essentially breaks down the walls that Nick had built up all these years. Coming from a broken home, it was understandable why Nick was so apprehensive to get too emotionally attached to a woman. Seeing him unexpectedly open up to the idea of love was beautiful and touching.

The Marriage Bargain is a wonderfully fun romance read that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with the characters. I was unable to put my Kindle down until I finished it. Alexa and Nick were very charming and the passion between the two was engrossing. Jennifer Probst is definitely a romance author that will be on my watch list. I'm eagerly waiting for the second book in her Marriage to a Billionaire series, The Marriage Trap, which will  most likely end up being an auto-buy as soon as it's released on June 15th.

Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Series: Intangible 1
Format: Digital
Excerpt here
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Purchase: Amazon

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

First off I'd like to thank Ms. Meyers for giving me a copy of her book, I never expected I'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I started INTANGIBLE with much trepidation not because of the plot but because yours truly is having a reader meltdown. I am currently experiencing reader's fatigue and I am still in the process of looking for an antidote hence I am slowly weaning off from reading YA. So I was worried that I will give this book an unfair review because of this phase but still I tread on because I find I can still be objective about my reads so far.

The Children of the Prophecy must die!

At 25% I was ready to put this book in a box and start labeling it with the usual YA stereotypes. But then something amazing happened in the story that got my attention. I've read a LOT of good reviews for INTANGIBLE but my impression was this was just a standard YA read: unoriginal but wonderfully written.

Well suffice to say that I was wrong because Intangible wasn't what I was expecting. At. All. Just when I thought I got it figured out J. Meyers throws another piece of the story that took it another level. Luke and Sera are not the only supernatural people in this story but Vampires, Elves and other Realm creatures are thrown into the mix. Luke can foresee and change the future but Sera heals and can turn a vampire back to human and probably neutralize other beings as well. Which makes them a threat to the non-humans.

I like that Jason, a vampire villain, didn't act like a teenager but acted more like an old soul dealing with babies compared to his age. Sera has a mean streak so she's not a flat goody-goody heroine. I wish that Luke's character would've taken more precedence because I find his character more curious than Sera's. He's the levelheaded one as opposed to Sera's "teen" tendencies (insta-love, impulsive, etc.) plus he's the seventh son of the seventh son.

They wanted me to find Luke and Sera for them, he said. 

What? Sera said. Like a bounty hunter?

His shoulders sagged. Yes.

INTANGIBLE's ending was well done, it gives us a promise of more adventure and more intricacies in the plot. More potential villains popped up and it looks like Luke and Sera will get teammates as more special kids are coming out of the woodwork now that the Children of Prophecy have come out. I for one am very curios as who or what Luke and Sera are, I'm sure there's more than meets the eye and I can't wait for the big reveal which hopefully will happen in book 2.

Review: Dead Night by Tim O'Rourke

Series: Kiera Hudson II 1.5
Format: Digital Format
Release Date: May 18, 2012
Purchase: Amazon

When Potter disappears from Hallowed Manor for twenty-four hours, he goes in search of the only person he thinks will be able to give him answers as to why the world has been pushed. That person is his first love, Sophie.

But Sophie has been pushed, too, and is running for her life. In a world where wolves live amongst humans, Potter must save Sophie while trying to search for answers.

During his search, he discovers that some things are best left secret.

First of all I'd like to thank Tim for the free advert and for inducting me to Potter's fan club! Yay! Next I'd like to thank Lynda O'Rourke for throwing muscle should Tim permanently kill off Potter, that little Foreword/Acknowledgement was hilarious! I'd like to meet Mrs. O'Rourke some day, she sounds like my kind of chick.

You're a pervert! the old woman screamed again. Somebody help me -- there's a man in here sniffing my knickers!

Now hang on, Grandma, I said, unable to believe what I was hearing. I wasn't... 

I've read about young men like you in the newspapers, the old woman croaked. You're one of those kinky types.

This is another Potter novella and I have to say that I like this better than the first one. The events of this book was a couple of days before Kiera's come back in Dead Flesh. Potter is his witty self plus we finally get to meet his first love, Sophie, or at least some version of her. I'd like to believe that Potter finally had closure over his heartbreak over Sophie but it sounded like the latter is going to be around for a while. This possibility excites me because a love triangle with Potter in the middle sounds like a delicious disaster IMHO as he doesn't see himself as a hunk. 

I don't ever remember having sex with you! she shouted.

You really know how to boost a man's ego

Aside from more Potter time, one of my favorite characters is back from the dead too! But what's really making me itch is the mystery behind Kiera's return and the role of the Lycanthropes in the pushed world. And if anything, Tim weaves wonderful mystery stories so I am eagerly anticipating book 2!

Dirty Little Secret #12

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers. Every Thursday they get to know other bloggers and readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.

This week's question:

What's the sexiest item of clothing a hero can wear in a novel?

Braine: I don't have anything specific in mind because it depends on the setting, generally speaking I always go for anything understated. It could be an old pair of jeans, a well tailored suit or a pair of tight breeches. For me it has to do with the hero's swagger: like Jericho Barrons and his custom suits or the Brothers and Dark-Hunters' tight leather jeans (commando!), they wear the clothes and not the other way around. Heck anything that clads a tight ass like skin works for me!

Cimmaron: Does his birthday suit count? No? Well, I will have to concur with all the ladies of Under the Covers and say the SEXIEST item of clothing a hero can wear is an old pair of faded jeans and nothing else. I'm thinking Christian Grey in his Red Room of Pain wearing nothing but his old faded jeans (commando), barefoot and ready to give me the most pleasurable night that I'm sure I'll never forget. Hot Damn! Just thinking about it is making me squirm in my chair.

Now that we've shared our Dirty Little Secret with you, what's yours?

Waiting on Wednesday #11

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Cimmaron

Poisin Princess

The Arcania Chronicles #1

Kresley Cole

Pocket Books

October 02, 2012

He won’t be denied

Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore’s most fearsome villains.

She’s bound to another

Desperate to earn her guardians’ approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she’s lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.

A battle for her body and soul

Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina’s heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium’s worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina’s own desires to a fever-pitch.

I love Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series and I'm sure this new series will be just as amazing. Being in the YA genre, it won't have all the smexy times her Vampires, Weres, Demons and Valkyrie have in IAD but I'm sure with Cole's fantastic story telling, compelling characters and the wonderful worlds she creates this will be another hit for her. 

Pre-Order Poison Princess from
 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Braine

Last Kiss Goodnight

Otherworld Assassin #1

Gena Showalter

Pocket Books

November 27, 2012

THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION…

Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.

THE ULTIMATE PRICE…

Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different—he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him…and he’ll be put to a killer test

Pre-Order Last Kiss Goodnight from

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

What are you waiting for?