BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Sunday, January 31, 2016

Getting Rough (Monkey Business Trio) by C. L. Parker- 4*



Title: Getting Rough
Series: Monkey Business Trio #2
Author: C. L. Parker
Genre: Mature Romance
Rating: * * * *
Publishers: Bantam
(Jan 26, 2016)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN: 978-1101882962
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

The next sizzling novel of C. L. Parker’s Monkey Business Trio—perfect for fans of Bared to You and Beautiful Bastard

Hotshot San Diego sports agent Shaw Matthews and his sexy professional adversary Cassidy Whalen have gone head-to-head in the boardroom—and the bedroom. Now Shaw has scored a big promotion—but only because Cassidy turned it down and ran off. There are many things he wants when it comes to Cassidy—just not her pity. So Shaw rushes to a small town in Maine to retrieve his dignity—and maybe the woman he’s hungry to claim once more.

Cassidy has pushed herself to the max to realize her career dreams—until a family crisis brings her home. But Shaw isn’t letting Cassidy go that easily. Neither is gorgeous heartthrob Casey Michaels, the childhood sweetheart she left behind—and who now wants to win her back. As the rivalry between the two alpha males intensifies, and Shaw’s seductive moves reach a whole new level of heat, Cassidy has to make a choice. And this time, it’s for the highest stakes of all.

Getting Rough is intended for mature audiences.

I love a story where the secondary characters are as likeable as the main characters. This was an awesome followup to book 1, taking up right where "Playing Dirty" left off. This is a hot, sexy, fun read and I can't wait for "Coming Clean" in September.

J.S. Scott's The Sinclair Most Likely Blog Tour & Giftcard Giveaway

The Sinclair Most Likely Blog Tour 

In J.S. Scott's contemporary romance series, the Sinclairs were born into one of Boston’s richest families, the siblings separate and leave their troubled childhoods behind…until life pulls them back together in the sleepy coastal village of Amesport, Maine. 

There they meet their matches, discovering that the satisfaction of having billions in the bank pales in comparison to the passionate love affairs that are shaking up—and righting—their worlds. 

Get to know each of the Sinclairs as J.S. gives readers a glimpse into each hero...

Which Sinclair is most likely to…

1)  … spontaneously fly a date to Italy to show her his favorite restaurant?

Dante, from No Ordinary Billionaire, will go far and beyond to show the woman he loves how much he adores her and a spontaneous dinner in another country might do just that.

2) … go on an extreme sports vacation?

Jared, from The Forbidden Billionaire, as we all know is the daredevil of the Sinclair brothers so it is natural to think he would think of an extreme sport vacation as a type of holiday!

3) … forget an important birthday because they were working on a million dollar merger?

Evan, from The Billionaire's Touch, has always been focused in his work. Being the eldest and the one responsible to take the role of the head of the family, makes it hard for him to let the business responsibilities to fall on someone else.

4) … write a romantic poem to their significant other? 

Evan. However regardless of being 99.9% business focused he will still indulge in something as romantic as writing a poem for his significant other.

5)  … take a ballroom dance class? 

Aww Grady, from The Billionaire's Christmas, known to the residents of Amesport as “the eccentric beast” he still has a soft side and will take pleasure in learning to ballroom in order to see Emily happy and have an excuse to be close to her.

6) … have the most children? 

Grady (but they all have a bet running on who will succeed).

This one was a tough one as all the Sinclair men love nothing but to show their women their Alpha and possessive side, however we thought Grady after discovering the miracle of Christmas and being surrounded by children in the youth center would love to see Emily carrying his babies.

***

And now get to know the Evan, the newest Sinclair hero, better with an excerpt from The Billionaire's Touch:

“Can I ask you a question?”

She lifted a brow before asking, “What?”

“Does Beatrice give out these stones to everyone?” Evan pulled the crystal from his pocket and held it out to her.

Hesitantly, Randi reached out and took the rock into her own hand. She turned it over and over a few times before handing it back with a perplexed look on her face.

“Hardly ever,” she admitted. “You got one, too?”

“She mailed it to me with a letter a few months ago, telling me I was going to be married within six months,” he answered reluctantly, slipping the Apache tear back into his coat pocket. “I think she might be demented.”

Randi laughed, and a bolt of pleasure raced through Evan’s body at the husky, sultry sound.

“She’s not crazy. She’s just a little eccentric. Sometimes her predictions actually do come true.”

Evan shook his head. “She’s destined for disappointment with me.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Randi admitted, reaching for the door of her rapidly defrosting vehicle. It was a deep-purple SUV that somehow suited her bold personality. Evan could finally see the make and model clearly.

“Randi?” he questioned huskily.

“Yes?” She turned and looked at him, her expression no longer hostile.

“Don’t worry about my coat. I have another one.”

It wasn’t what he really wanted to say, but he couldn’t exactly tell her what he was thinking. She was likely to apply a knee to his balls, and he rather liked them intact.

“I told you to send me a bill if the stain doesn’t come out. You might try the dry cleaners here. They’ve done miracles with some of my clothes. Stains are a job hazard for teachers,” she told him amiably.

It was her smile that made Evan snap. Her eyes were warm and happy, her lips curving into a beautiful expression of joy when she talked about her profession. But the grin was aimed at him, and Evan couldn’t possibly resist seizing the moment. He’d never made an impulsive move in his entire life, but he couldn’t seem to control his mind or body when she smiled at him this way.

He stepped forward without debating his options first, pinned her body against her vehicle, and without a cautionary thought in his head, he kissed her.

Evan groaned as his lips crashed down on hers, knowing that he’d just made a mistake that would probably cost him his sanity. Her body stiffened as he wrapped his arms around her, one hand threading through her hair to protect her head and keep it exactly in a position that allowed him complete access to her mouth. An unfamiliar sense of male satisfaction moved deep in his gut as the clip holding her hair fell to the ground and the dark strands tumbled around her shoulders.

***



Title: The Billionaire's Touch
Author: J.S. Scott
Publishing Date: February 2, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Montlake Romance



After a troubling childhood, wealthy Evan Sinclair likes his life orderly and controlled. He rarely gives in to spontaneous urges—until he begins a chance correspondence with a mystery woman who sounds like his complete opposite. She intrigues and amuses him, and the interest seems mutual…which is more than he can say for his current obsession, Miranda Tyler, the tough-as-nails, sexy schoolteacher who’s made it clear she’s not impressed—or interested.

Miranda finally has it all: a good job, friends, and the security of living in the quaint coastal town of Amesport, Maine. She even has an anonymous pen pal—a man she’s never met yet has bonded with almost effortlessly. The only thing unsettling her life is Evan Sinclair. The handsome billionaire is arrogant, pompous, and far too used to getting his way. Miranda tries her best to avoid him, until Evan’s steamy kiss turns her world upside down.

Soon their red-hot desire is scorching the sheets and has them both spinning out of control. But when secrets are revealed, will their insatiable attraction keep them together or force them apart? In J.S. Scott’s The Billionaire’s Touch, the eldest Sinclair just might have met his match.

Buy Link


About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author J.S. Scott is an avid reader. While she loves all types of books and literature, romance has always been her genre of choice. Because she writes what she loves to read, she excels at both contemporary and paranormal romances. Most of her books are steamy and generally feature a to-die-for alpha male, and all have a satisfying happily-ever-after ending. She just can’t seem to write them any other way!

Social Media Links


Rafflecopter Giveaway

The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan- 4*



Title: The Art of Taming a Rake
Series: Legendary Lovers
Author: Nicole Jordan
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: * * * *
Publishers: Ballantine Books
(Jan 26, 2016)
Paperback: 416 pages
ISBN: 978-0553392555
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Sparks abound in this sizzling new Legendary Lovers tale from "New York Times" bestselling author Nicole Jordan, in which a seductive rakehell must woo his spirited but love-shy bride while unmasking a mysterious assailant. Despite his notorious reputation, Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne, has mostly honorable intentions. So when beautiful Venetia Stratham boldly enters a gentlemen s club, demanding that Quinn stop courting her sister, he does what any bachelor would do: He kisses her. With her sharp wit, intoxicating passion, and surprising vulnerability, Venetia is irresistible except for all this nonsense about threatening to shoot Quinn. But when clandestine enemies make an actual attempt on the earl s life, Venetia is implicated. To save her good name, Quinn does what any true gentleman must do: He proposes. Thus Venetia finds herself wed to arrogant, wickedly sensual Quinn, whose devilish ways are as legendary as his rumored skills as a lover. Yet vexingly, her body rebels against her vow to remain immune to his many charms. If only she could reform the infuriating nobleman without diminishing his undeniable allure. As Venetia discovers that a true rake is hard to tame, Quinn faces an even greater challenge: winning his wife s fragile trust . . . while defending both their lives.

I do so love a good mystery wrapped up in a historical romance. That the heroine is spunky and funny and the hero a sexy rake also amps up the reading fun. This is a fast paced read and as always Jordan doesn't fail to leave you with a satisfied smile as you turn the last page at 3 AM.


Legendary Lovers Series
1. Princess Charming (2012)
2. Lover Be Mine (2013)
3. Secrets of Seduction (2014)

4. The Art of Taming a Rake (2015)

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Triplets Under the Tree by Kat Cantrell-3 1/2*

Title: Triplets Under the Tree
Series: Billionaires & Babies

Author: Kat Cantrell

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: * * * 1/2
Publishers: Harlequin
(Dec 1, 2015)
Paperback: 192  pages
ISBN: 978-0373734276
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
This Christmas, he'll meet his three babies for the first time…and desire their mother in a whole new way! 
After a plane crash robs him of his memory, billionaire fighter Antonio Cavallari comes home for the holidays to find triplets—and their "mother"—waiting. Antonio doesn't remember surrogate Caitlyn Hopewell, but he has triplets depending upon him. Who else can he turn to except the woman raising his children…and making him burn with desire? 
Caitlyn has longed for Antonio secretly for years. Now she's living in his home, loving his babies…living the life with him she's always wanted. But then Antonio's memory returns. And the secrets he's forgotten will change everything…

While the plot was unique-amnesia, MMA fights, triplets- I believe I've read just too many billionaire books recently. It was a quick fun read but nothing to go ga-ga about. I didn't feel like I really connected with Caitlyn and definitely not Antonio. Not real sure that I even really liked him. He was a bit off, kind of a cold person for most of the book.

Stealing Second by Alison Packard-4 1/2 *

Title: Stealing Second
Series: Feeling The Heat #5
Author: Alison Packard
Genre: Sports  Romance
Rating: * * * *1/2
Publishers: Carina Press
(Jun 22, 2015)
Kindle: 236 pages
ASIN: B00TP0BIXO 
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Katherine Whitton doesn't purposely avoid men and relationships, but she doesn't mind that side effect of immersing herself in her job with the San Francisco Blaze. Years ago she was betrayed by her one true love, and she's never fully recovered, though she's tried by building a new life in a city she loves.It's taken seventeen years for Tom Morgan to get over Katie—Katherine now. Sober now and faced with the incredible opportunity to manage the Blaze, he thinks he'll finally be able to handle working with this beautiful woman without falling to pieces…as long as she doesn't get too close. A crisis with the team's star pitcher forces Tom and Katherine to put in long hours together. Years of animosity melt away as the sexual tension between them ignites. But it'll take more than scorching kisses to avoid the wreckage of the past. And neither Tom nor Katie are sure they're ready to trust each other or risk their hearts for a second chance at happiness.
Read The Winning Season and Catching Heat for more stories about the San Francisco Blaze.
As a lover of San Francisco baseball, picking up this was a no brainer for me. Real life SF pitcher Madison Bumgarner is from my hometown and went to school with my kids and we have watched him play ball since he was in Little League, so needless to say we are avid SF fans. Getting a little inside look at this organization was fascinating. There's nothing I love better than a second chance at love so this story was a winner for me in the romance department too. The fact that the main characters have been apart for 17 years also meant that their love was more mature than when they were teens. My only negative take on the book was the original reason for their breakup although they did sort it out in the end.
Feeling the Heat
1. Love in the Afternoon (2012)
2.5. A Christmas for Carrie (2013)
3. Catching Heat (2014)
4. Breaking His Rules (2014)
5. Stealing Second (2015)

Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Skeleton in the Closet by Angie Fox- 4 1/2 *

Title: The Skeleton in the Closet
Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #2
Author: Angie Fox
Genre: Cozy Paranormal
Rating: * * * * 1/2
Publishers: Angie Fox
( Aug 26, 2016)
Paperback: 250 pages
ISBN: 978-1939661296
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

A haunted library is no place for a girl who can see ghosts, but when Verity Long stumbles on a dead body in the middle of the main reading room, she has to believe someone even a dead someone must have witnessed the crime. Her ghostly sidekick Frankie warns her to stay out of it. The very alive, very handsome deputy sheriff, Ellis Wydell, inadvertently places her directly in the middle of it. And her ex-fiancé, Ellis's brother, is back with an agenda of his own. Undaunted, Verity presses forward, uncovering scandalous secrets, long-forgotten ghosts, and a shocking trail of clues that places her directly in the path of a killer. 

I haven't read the first book in the series 
but having read Fox's Biker Witches Mystery 
series, I knew I'd enjoy this one too. As always 
her characters have you laughing out loud. Verity's 
pet skunk is adorable and side-kick ghost, Frankie is
 a force to be reckoned with. Having grown up with 
Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mysteries, getting a chance 
to help Verity look for clues and find out why and who 
killed Darla Grace was pretty awesome. There's just 
enough romance to keep it interesting and  gotta love
 the ghosts at the library even though they seem 
destined to relive the last moments of their life. 
Though there is a previous book in the series, there
 is enough back story to still make reading 
this one an enjoyable and fun read. I will 
go back and read book one though just 
because it was so fun. 

Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery
1. Southern Spirits (2015)
1.5. A Ghostly Gift (2015)
2. The Skeleton in the Closet (2015)
3. The Haunted Heist (2016)
Ghost of a Chance (2016)

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Kristin Miller Release Party and $50.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest at BittenByBooks

“They may not be the perfect match…But they’re having fun.
Going to the chapel, and her sister is going to get married…no matter what.
Josie Cole might be unlucky in love, but she’s a pro at matching other couples. When her sister gets married to the man of her dreams, it’ll be Cole Matchmaking Services one-hundredth match, and secure Josie a television special that would boost business.
Private investigator–and werewolf–Ryder McManus doesn’t believe in marriage. Catching cheating spouses has taught him there is no such thing as happily ever after. But then he never expected to find his fated mate, Josie, at his best friend’s wedding festivities.
When Josie and Ryder are together, the chemistry heats up. While he’s trying to stop the wedding, she’ll do whatever it takes to give the couple a dream day. But the secret he’s trying to expose might just ruin everything…”
Buy a Kindle copy of What a Werewolf Wants  from Amazon by clicking here. – ONLY $2.99!
Books in the San Francisco Wolf Pack series in the order they should be read:



What a Werewolf Wants– ONLY $2.99!

CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.

Prize 1: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

Prize 2: Five each $5.00 Amazon Gift Cards