COVER LOVE: Alien in the House by Gini Koch

 Alien in the House 

Katherine “Kitty” Katt #7
by Gini Koch

Pre-Order Here:  Amazon  | B&N | Powells |

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini have learned the ins and outs of Washington politics, not to mention how to prevail in intergalactic war and foil dangerous plots. But, in the aftermath of Operation Destruction, the Gower girls’ powers are burned out, the entire A-C population has been “outed” as the aliens living on Earth that they are, and, worst of all, ACE is nowhere to be found.

Then murder and mayhem are served up at an important dinner party at the American Centaurion Embassy, and when the dust settles Alpha Team and the Diplomatic Corps have more problems than just a dead Congressman.

Is there a single criminal mastermind—or multiple enemies—behind all the conspiracies that want Kitty dead and the A-Cs gone or co-opted to become the War Division?

The return of the best assassins in the business, the reappearance of two individuals long-presumed dead, Agent Malcolm Buchanan felled by something no one can identify or cure, and new technology that can block even the most powerful empath on Earth … all of this means the game’s officially afoot.

Then Vance Beaumont comes to Kitty with a wild theory that someone is systematically killing off the House of Representatives…

It’s up to Kitty and the rest of the gang to find out what’s really going on and why. But will they be able to stop the killer or killers before the rest of the U.S. House of Representatives become casualties? And will the replacement Representative for New Mexico’s 2nd District, who happens to be Jeff Martini, be the next to die?

Kelly’s review of The Cat’s Meow by Stacey Kennedy

TITLE: The Cat’s Meow – Witch’s Brew #1
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
Characters: Libby & Kale
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/13/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Libby is an Enchantress—a witch gifted by the Goddess to conjure spells. When a magical presence is detected around a recent string of feline slayings, Libby takes the case to uncover the reasons behind the odd deaths. Much to her displeasure, the coven also sends a sexy warlock, Kale, to assist her.

While having the muscle around proves to be useful, fighting the attraction between them is worse than a hex, especially considering Kale is keeping secrets. But soon, Libby has bigger problems than the elusive warlock when her spells turn up clues that point to something far more sinister than slaughtered cats.

Now Libby has landed herself in the midst of an uprising. She trusts no one and isn’t safe—not from the warlocks stirring up trouble. Not from the worrisome rebellion she can’t escape. And certainly not from Kale, who is weaving a very dangerous spell over her heart.

REVIEW:
When evil comes knocking on your door you have two choices. Run or Open the door and kick it’s evil backside off your porch. Libby finds herself in this very dilemma in The Cat’s Meow. But Libby is about to learn she has a very good back up plan in the form of a warlock that doesn’t take no for an answer.

This was a fun book. I will admit that the book started just a little slow for me. But as the book went on it got better and better. I really liked the world that Stacey developed and love the cast of characters she brought to life. And I am looking forward to what is next in the Witch’s Brew Series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Kelly’s review of A Taste Of Ice by Hanna Martine

TITLE: A Taste of Ice – Elements #2
AUTHOR: Hanna Martine
Characters: Xavier & Cat
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There is an untapped world of magic that any man would covet…

Five years ago, Xavier escaped from the Ofarian Plant. Today he calls a Colorado mountain town home. It’s there he buries himself in his work, swearing off magic and relationships—until a woman threatens every promise he’s made to himself.

Cat has always known she is different. Water speaks to her on an uncanny level, and she channels this gift into beautiful painted waterscapes. Now, a gallery is debuting her work in Colorado—and it’ll reveal far more about her than she imagined.

The spark between Cat and Xavier is enough to throw both of them off balance. Every tantalizing moment sends them dangerously close to a rising flood of desire. Dangerous because Xavier comes to suspect that Cat is an Ofarian—his people’s enemy. But they’re both about to discover a far greater, more malicious power at play.

REVIEW:
I am really on the fence about this book. I think I really should have read book one Liquid Lies first. I think there was more history with the Element world and the main character Xavier’s history.

I enjoyed this book, but didn’t love. I liked Xavier and Cat but never really connected with them. I am not sure what it was about this book. It just didn’t suck me in. I do plan on going back and reading book one and then maybe I should read book two again and see if I feel the same way. I will be planning on reading the next book in this series too.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Kissin’ the Week of Dec 24-29 Goodbye

12.24.12

An Extra Sweet Treat……

Interview with Justin & Rina from Carrie Ann Ryan’s Santa’s Executive

Kimberly’s review of What Happens at Christmas by Victoria Alexander

Kelly’s review of We’ll Be Home for Christmas by HelenKay Dimon

The Favorite Holiday Romance Novel of 2012

12.25.12

Happy Holidays

Release Day 

Kimberly’s review of Fated by Carly Phillips

Jennifer’s review of Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair

12.26.12

Guest Blogger: Helene Boudreau

Kimberly’s review of Surrender the Dark by Donna Kauffman

Kelly’s review of Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter

12.27.12

Kelly’s review of One Night with a Hero by Laura Kaye

Kimberly’s review of Dark Knight by Donna Kauffman

12.28.12

Guest Blogger:  HelenKay Dimon + giveaway 

Kimberly’s review of Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire

Kelly’s review of Stolen by Shiloh Walker

12.29.12

SINsational Saturday Series Wrap-up

 

Year End Review of 2012’s SINsational Saturday Series

A review of all the series we featured in the 2012 year.

Laura Wright’s Mark of The Vampire Series 

Jeanie Frost’s Night Huntress & Night Huntress World Series 

Rescue Me Series by Kallypso Masters

Iron Sea’s Series by Meljean Brooks

Ash Trilogy by Shiloh Walker

Sweet Blood Series by Laurie London

Changeling Series by Dani Harper

Play by Play Series by Jaci Burton

DemonSlayer Series by Kate Douglas

Guardian Series by Meljean Brooks

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by JR Ward

Maker’s Song Series by Adrian Phoenix

Hoodoo Series by Adrian Phoenix 

Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

Underworld Detection Agency Series by Hannah Jayne

Paladins of Darkness Series by Alexis Morgan

Shadowland Series by Shona Husk 

Shadow Keeper Series by JK Beck 

Doomsday Brethren Series by Shayla Black

Preternaturals Series by Zoe Winters 

Dark Angels Series by Keri Arthur

Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep

Shadow Series by Erin Kellison

The Guardian Angelinos Series by Roxanne St. Claire

Midnight Breed Series by Lara Adrian

Forgotten Goddess Series by Stephanie Julian

Order of the Blade Series by Stephanie Rowe

Indigo Court Series by Yasmine Galenorn

Armed & Dangerous Series by Cheyenne McCray

Elemental Witches Series by Anya Bast

Black Ops Inc Series by Cindy Gerard

Masters of Time Series by Brenda Joyce

Jane Jameson Series by Molly Harper

Eternal Guardians Series by Elisabeth Naughton

Deadly Series by Cynthia Eden

Lords of Deliverance Series by Larissa Ione

Grimm Circle Series by Shiloh Walker

Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear

Devil of the Highland Series by Lynsay Sands

Otherkin Series by Eve Silver

Firelight Series (YA) by Sophia Jordan

Dark Mission Series by Karina Cooper

Hush Hush Seires (YA) by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Passage Trilogy by Justin Cornin

Shades of Fury Series by Kasey MacKenzie

Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day 

Kyndred Series by Lynn Viehl

Real Mermaids (YA) Series by Helene Bourdreau

Guest Blogger: HelenKay Dimon (+giveaway)

Thank for having me here today to talk about my newest release, WE’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. It’s the third book in my Holloway series, which takes place in the fictional town of  Holloway, West Virginia. Needless to say, it’s a holiday romance. I’m thinking the title probably gives that away.

I wrote the book back at the beginning of the summer when the holiday was the last thing on my mind.  But when it came out a few weeks ago right as all the decorations went up at stores and I started hearing Christmas music on the radio, I started thinking about my favorite things about the holiday season. Then I compared mine to the hero’s.  The lists were pretty easy. Here are a few things that came to me without thinking too long…

For me:

1.     The sense of community and family. I love getting together with people I love and eating and laughing.

2.     Love, health and happiness for me and everyone I know.

3.     Shopping. There is something so fun about matching the right gifts to the right people.

4.     Wrapping gifts. Well, I like it at first…until I get bored.

5.     The things – holiday music, shiny decorations and all the awesome food!

For my hero:

1.     Family – the ones he’s related to by blood and the ones he’s picked up throughout his life.

2.     Providing a stable living and income for his employees.

3.     Having everyone he cares about be safe and healthy.

See, Spence (my hero) isn’t a “thing” person. He’s practical and fiercely loyal. He believes in home and hard work.  But with this book he also finds Lila, his heroine.  So maybe next year he can add “happiness and love” to his list.

I hope no matter where you live or what you celebrate that you and your families have a safe and happy holiday season!

 

WE’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
by HelenKay Dimon
Release Date: December 3, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press

Amazon  | B&N

No man likes having his bedroom skills described as forgettable, but that’s just what Lila Payne does when she runs into Spencer Thomas again. When she discovers that he’d lied about his name during their brief three-day romp a few months before, she’s so angry that she pretends she doesn’t remember him.

Spence regrets his deception, but not as much as he regrets that their time together didn’t last longer. When she shows up in his town, looking to revitalize her uncle’s mountain resort, Spence is determined to help. Maybe rescuing Lila from a hopeless renovation project will get him in her good graces—and back in her bed.

Lila has no interest in being rescued, and Spence is insulted by her stubborn rebuffs and her “faulty” memory. But when rehab work turns into an after-hours meeting, the two of them are in for a night that just might prove unforgettable…

33,000 words

Kimberly’s review of Barefoot In The Rain by Roxanne St. Clair

TITLE: Barefoot In The Rain
AUTHOR: Roxanne St. Clair
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/30/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

They say you can never go home again . . .
When “Life Coach to the Stars” Jocelyn Bloom is embroiled in scandal, the only place she can hide is the one place she wishes she could forget. She left Barefoot Bay-and the boy next door who knew all her secrets-years ago. Now nothing about the tiny island off the coast of Florida is quite how she remembers it, especially Will Palmer. He’s even more gorgeous and tempting . . . and still capable of turning her world inside out.

But what if someone is waiting for you?
To Will Palmer, Guy Bloom is more than the elderly, senile neighbor he looks after-he’s the last connection to Jocelyn, the woman Will loved and lost. But the reunion with Jocelyn doesn’t go smoothly. Shocked by the change in her father’s personality, Jocelyn struggles to reconcile her dark childhood with the sweet, confused man who has grown close to Will. Jocelyn has guided countless clients to happiness-but can she escape the rainy days of her past for a new sunny future with Will?

REVIEW:
Wow.. This book… Lets see… It is a really good book but a bit on the sad side. In short (and not giving anything away) Jocelyn returns to her hometown after a scandal in California. Her dad was abusive when she was young but now he is suffering from Alzheimers and doesn’t even recognize her. The man who she always loved but had to leave, because of her father, is now her fathers caregiver and Joss is trying to deal with everything.

Here is the hard part. How does a person forgive an abusive father even when that father is not the man he used to be? There is so much anger/hurt in this story but when you realize that people have to deal with this situation every day you wonder how they can do it.

And the relationship with Joss and Will is sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. The reader wants so badly for Joss to trust Will and yet the reader understands why trust and love can be so foreign to her.

This book is a wonderfully sad story. It is not a light read at all. However, it is written really well and is really a interesting story. It is just not a light-hearted feel good kind of story. But worth the read. It is the second in the Barefoot series but while you can tell there was a previous story with other characters it can stand alone.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

Kelly’s review of Stolen by Shiloh Walker

TITLE: Stolen
AUTHOR: Shiloh Walker
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/30/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Shay Morgan has stayed hidden for a long time. Living a reclusive life in Earth’s End, Alaska, she’s as far away as she can get from the trauma of her childhood and the man who hurt her long ago. But terror takes over Shay’s life yet again when an unknown stalker steals away the fragile peace she’s built for herself—targeting not only her but the one man who’s ever managed to get past the walls she’s built around herself.

Elliot Winter has lived through being falsely accused before—it ruined his military career. Now it’s happening all over again. And this time, his accuser is a twisted impostor who’s targeting his ex-girlfriend, Shay. Despite a fierce mutual attraction, Shay and Elliot broke up because Shay couldn’t let her guard down, couldn’t let Elliot in. But now they both need to trust each other to confront a psycho who seems to know all their secrets

REVIEW:
Shay Morgan has had anything but a storybook life. Her childhood is something made of nightmares and her adult life is not going much better. Recovering from a car accident, breaking up with her boyfriend, her best friend is starting to act really strange and to top it all off someone is impersonating her.

Shay will soon learn that she has to step out of her comfort zone in order to protect herself from this most recent threat. But can Shay let the past go long enough to truly trust the only person in her life that is worth her trust?

This was a great story. Messed up, but a great story. Even when I learn the who, the what and the why I was still dying for more. I didn’t want to put this book down until the last page was read.

Really Good!! If you love a good romantic suspense you really should pick up a copy of Stolen.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Kelly’s review of One Night With A Hero by Laura Kaye

TITLE: One Night with a Hero
AUTHOR: Laura Kaye
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/20/2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He wants just one night…

After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.

…what they need is each other.

Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together?

REVIEW:
Brady, Brady, Brady……
One Night with a Hero is Laura Kaye’s follow up to her Forbidden Hero story. Brady is Alyssa’s big brother and this boy has some major demons of his own.

In One Night with a Hero Brady tried to drowned his self-imposed sorrows in that of a very feisty and super cute Joss. But when Brady finds that his one night stand is living next door he can’t help but go back for seconds, then instantly regrets his actions.

But will seconds be enough?

There is just something about Joss that draws Brady, but he is too darn stubborn to take a chance. And therefore does everything he can to distance himself from her.

Brady is a beyond stubborn and a bit of an a$$. Yes, he has some issues from his past. The way he treats Joss at times made me want to slap him upside the head. Joss is a big girl and really does know how to take care of herself. But protecting your heart is a totally different situation. There are some thing a girl should not have to deal with on her own. But when push comes to shove Joss knows how to shove back.

Over all I really liked this story and very glad that Laura gave us Brady’s story

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Kimberly’s review of Dark Knight by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Dark Knight
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/10/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As the head of a secret government task force, commonly referred to as the “dirty dozen,” Scottie Giardi is as tough as she is professional. But this skilled operative has her hands full keeping Logan Blackstone in check while his brother completes a dangerous mission. Logan is big, strong, sexy, and determined to find the twin brother he’s never met. More amused than intimidated by Scottie’s undercover games, he’s ready to play, offering a taste of sweet temptation in the bargain.

An ex-cop on a deeply personal mission, Logan isn’t about to tolerate interference, even if Scottie is gorgeous and could easily make him forget his business. She may have the upper hand while they’re locked up in his mountain cabin, but the fire in her eyes tells him the desire she feels is real. Their mutual attraction is about to take them into the dangerous, vulnerable places of the heart, where there’s no turning back.

REVIEW:
I so enjoyed this book. I had just finished the other three in the series (Santerra’s Sin #1, Silent Warrior #2, Light My Fire #3) and was thinking I would take a break and come back to this book later but something made me start reading it and I think it is the best of the series.

To be honest though there is no suspense in this romantic suspense but there is a lot of romance. The character of Logan is so intense and mesmerizing that it is hard not to fall for him right away. Scottie is a tough woman but the author has been able to match her up to someone equal to her and yet complimentary to her. Not any man would have been good for Scottie but Logan is perfect.

This is a great short story and one that any romance fan will enjoy. You do not need to read the others in the series but I think as a fan you will enjoy them. Pick up the first one and you will not be able to put any of them down.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

Guest Blogger: Hélène Boudreau

Real Mermaids Festive Treats

Hi everyone! Jade here from Real Mermaids.

One of my favourite things about the upcoming holidays is the great treats we get to make and share. I love food so much, in fact, that I included a recipe for some of my favourite snacks in each of the Real Mermaids books.

My friend Cori and I thought we’d experiment a bit and ‘holiday-ize’ each recipe for you!

In Real Mermaids Don’t Hold Their Breath, Cori and I were totally desperate for a sleepover snack so Cori whipped up a batch of chocolate covered popcorn with some popcorn kernels, chocolate chips, a brown paper bag and a microwave. I’m not kidding—that girl’s a genius! We added some candy cane sprinkles here to give it that festive touch.

Chocolate Popcorn with Candy Cane Sprinkles

Supplies:

– brown paper lunch bag

– stapler

– measuring cup

– microwave

Ingredients:

– 1/3 cup popcorn kernels

– 2 tbsp brown sugar

– 3 tbsp chocolate chips

– 3 tbsp butter or margarine

– pinch of salt

– 3 candy canes, crushed

Pour the popcorn kernels into a brown paper lunch bag then fold the top of the bag ¼ of an inch, twice. Secure with two staples (trust me, Cori Googled it!) at the folded part to seal the bag shut. Put the bag flat in the microwave and cook on HIGH for about two minutes. Each microwave is different, though, so you may need to adjust the time.

Meanwhile, add the brown sugar, chocolate chips, butter/margarine and salt to a microwave-safe measuring cup. Cook on HIGH for about 15 seconds or until the gooey buttery-chocolaty mixture is melted. Mix well with a fork then pour it over the popcorn.

Toss like a salad, add the candy cane sprinkles on top and munch away!

Happy treats and have a great holiday, everyone!

Love,
Jade