Book Review: ARC of Tangled Past by Leah Braemel @LeahBraemel

I was interested in this story mainly due to it's poly relationship premise. I enjoy historical romances, but I don't always get into Westerns, this was a different kind of Western though. Although there were the fun cattle rustling, horse riding, dirty varment kind of stuff within the pages that you'd hope for within a Western Romance novel, Tangled Past also has an intricately woven romance story line that you normally don't see. It is unique and very well thought out.

Yes, it is a romance. There are flowery prose and professings of love, but there are two male main characters and they are vying for the love of our female lead, Sarah. They are also vying for each other as well as Sarah.

Jackson is rough edged and abrupt, but he's honest and loyal.

Nate is kind and sweet, but earnest and passionate.

I couldn't help but fall in love with both of them right along with our tough Sarah.

Sarah's life hasn't been easy and even though her tale is very realistic for this time period and sometimes hard to read about, you come to find her strength and drive very enduring and attractive. Nothing ruins a romance more in my opinion than a "wilting flower" as Miss Martha calls them, the wise sage in Tangled Past.

Leah does a lovely job of creating three distinct characters that bring three distinct pieces together into a beautiful relationship. Their connection reminded me of a symbol I have tattooed on my back, the Trinity Heart Celtic Knot. Where one piece ends, another begins so there is truly no end. I would have loved to have been able to read more, especially later in the story.

I did find several type errors that brought me out of the story a few times, but that's the beta in me. I'd love to give this story a once over before it's published to make sure it is grammatically correct and reads smoothly. This story is quite enjoyable and deserves to sparkle.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romances, especially of the Western variety. I'm sure it's not easy setting this balance that you find in Tangled Past. Leah handles polygamy with care and it's not only emotional but beautiful and erotic. I would definitely like to read something from Leah again.

Thank you again to Carina Press for allowing me to preread their ARCs. I very much appreciate being given these opportunities!

Don't forget you can still bid on auctions for @all4alabama to support Tornado Relief!

Please check out all the amazing auctions still going on. One of which is my girl Kerry Freeman who is donating a complete YA/LGBT book package! So cool!

There are critiques and signed books and some GORGEOUS jewelry! Go check it out!!!!

http://all4alabamarelief.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Notturno by @ZAMaxfield Awesome paranormal read!

What an emotional story!
I picked this out because it looked like a naughty romp, but it turned out to be more so. Adin's story made my heart hurt over and over!

I was reading over the last day and my stomach kept dropping. It seemed like every chapter I had to tweet ZA about how much my heart hurt for Adin!

Donte is a lovely vampire character and the entire story just makes you swoon and smile and gasp. ZA has a wonderful way about her fluency and word choice, the way Donte and Adin coin a phrase was just adorable and fun. You could feel the attraction as you're reading. It starts passionately and ends passionately. It's a lovely mix of intrigue and action, mystery and conversation. It's wonderful!

It was a fantastic story. If you're looking for something that combines paranormal romance with intrigue and fun for a really great read, I highly recommend!

Book Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins @ladyhawkins

Well....

How do I write a review without spoiling it all?

Okay... so the ending made me wanna through the book. I hate when there is a series and they middle child you with this second book full of awesome then cliff-hang the end and make you wait a year. Maggie did it with Linger, SMeyer did it with New Moon, and I am sure there are hundreds of authors and authors to be that are all planning or have planned these "OMG - The End" moments.

I dislike them.

I like stand alone books, even in a series. For me, the waiting thing doesn't make me want to read even more then I rush out and buy the book a year from now, nope, it makes me lose interest and then when it does come out, I can't remember what I read a year before. I have too many TBR books to read so rereading isn't always a possibility or a desire.

So no, not a fan of the ending.

Other than that last page though. YAY!!!!!!!!

I adore Sophie. She's funny, smart, sarcastic, and playful. I love that about her. She's gotten a rough lot, but also, she's gotten some kickass stuff too!

Then there's Cal and Jenna and they are the best seconds. I love them both.

And then there's Archer. I won't say anymore, but wow.

We meet Sophie's dad in this book and it's actually a great story twist. We go to London with Soph and her two sidekicks and the book moves so quickly. Lots of action and fun.

Rachel really knows how to write to keep you interested.

I can't say much more or I'll ruin the great "Holy Dark Magic" moments including that ending. If you haven't read Demonglass, go on and get it :)

Maybe just wait six months or so. Then you won't be as cranky as me :D

Book Cover Reveal: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater! @mstiefvater

Maggie says there will be "blood, beaches, and kissing." Sounds like a good time!

Her's the snippet to wet your whistle straight from Maggie's people: "With her trademark lyricism, Maggie Stiefvater turns to a new world, where a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff--with more than just their lives at stake should they lose."

There may be horses... at least that's what I'm pickin' up. Riding horses on a beach = good. Riding horses with someone else = good. Riding horses on a beach with someone else in a race to save you life and theirs= gooooood book! :D

If you'd like more information, check out Maggie's personal site: http://maggiestiefvater.blogspot.com/2011/05/ta-da-scorpio-races-us-cover.html

Book Review: His Enemy's Daughter by Terri Brisbin

Total bodice-busting, lusty fun :)
It was the usual man vs. man, beauty and the beast retelling with a Briton/Norman/Saxon rebellion thrown in for funzies. It was a very quick read. Took me about two hours total from start to finish while we drove up the mountain.
I would highly recommend this if you are looking for some virginity-stealing, swoony, giggly good times with the marauding, hulking good-bad-guy knight and the fierce, do-gooding virgin with spunk.
All around brain candy :)

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 8: Lover Mine by J.R. Ward *sigh*

Oooooh.... John Matthew!

I was completely absorbed and enthralled by his story. Since we met him way back in the earlier books as the scared, abused pretrans. Then his growth and changes, meeting his support system, watching all the pain and suffering he goes through to become who he is at the end of this book. Oh.my.god!

It just killed me over and over. It took me a lot longer to get through this one due to the heavy subject matter, not only with John, but also with Xhex, the flashbacks of Tohr, and Lash. It all melded nicely together in this story, but it also hurt! Especially, Xhex's storyline. Wow. Incredible.

I really liked learning more about where Xhex came from and learning about John Matthew and his connection to Xhex. His story is hard to read, but it's so well told.

I also loved seeing Blay in action and his storyline coming out. I'm hoping we get more of his story in number nine. It is so refreshing to have a m/m storyline other than what we learned about some of the Brothers in earlier stories. This is a dedicated storyline and it's awesome. Angsty and beautiful :)

These books have me so completely addicted. It's ridiculous. And I've begun enabling others and bringing them along too :) At least I'm not alone!

You can help our friends in the South AND get great goodies!

Who doesn't love goodies? Who doesn't love good karma? Who doesn't want to assist our dear compatriots who've been seriously affected by tornadoes?

Step right up and assist away!

On April 27, 2011 a massive tornado traveled from Mississippi to Georgia destroying everything in its path. The hardest hit areas are in Alabama. The towns of Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Phil Campbell, Cullman, Pratt City, Hackleburg and many others will never be the same. There are people who lost homes, cars, photographs, books, toys, places of employment, pets and loved ones. Entire neighborhoods cease to exist and there are rural communities who no longer have grocery stores, gas stations and government facilities. Some people have nowhere to go except for a camping tent and forced to rely on the generosity of strangers.

All 4 Alabama will be holding auctions in order to raise money to help rural Alabama communities that may not get the financial assistance that the larger areas like Birmingham and Tuscaloosa will. All the proceeds will go directly to the communities in need (currently Hackleburg, Alabama and Phil Campbell, Alabama).

My dear friend Crystal and several other bloggers, authors, and publishers are all working together to help the folks who were affected by the tornadoes of the South. We would be much obliged if you would take the time to visit the pages of the auctions and bid to your heart's content.

ALL 4 ALABAMA RELIEF

I've donated a query and chapter beta and critique and several authors have donated books and swag bags. I know there is something for everyone to bid on!

Please visit and donate if you can. Any help will be appreciated!