This is an old poem that I wrote probably about a decade ago. It's definitely one of my favorites.
everytime I look at your eyes, I see your fears
you look as if you're so near to tears
your face is worn from pain and stress
your eyes are red and dry
i see that many thoughts are in press
you've just finished with a good cry
you look like you want out
you want to go to him
yet you know it's not the right route
your light has gone dim
your face tells me all i need to know
and as i notice forming tears
i see, perhaps, time's the only cure
now i see,
i'm looking back
at me.
All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Review: Biting Nixie - Mary Hughes
I picked this up at the behest of a friend. I'm glad I did.
Nixie is a punk musician that is anti-convention. So much so that she thinks buying insurance is the last step before death. When she's volunteered to run the towns first fund raising event (to prevent annexation by Chicago - and worse), Nixie's out of her element. And when she finds out it's to pay for a big-time lawyer, who just happens to look like sex-on-a-stick, she's beyond annoyed.
Julian Emerson is the big-time lawyer. He's come to defend the town against the shady group of suits that want to annex it, and an even shadier group of vampires. Julian learned centuries ago to remain in control, and stay on the straight and narrow. But Nixie threatens that control, while tempting him to new heights.
Two opposites are what Nixie and Julian are. Nixie doesn't understand why Julian doesn't get her, and Julian wishes Nixie would speak a known language. Even if they can foil the shady vampire's plan, can they manage to forge a future together?
This is Ms. Hughes first novel, but it doesn't show. The writing is tight, and the story is entertaining. Watching Nixie take responsibility, fighting it all the way, and Julian slowing coming undone was a pure joy. The characters are deep and complex, with relationships that go beyond just each other. The connections they have to other people and vampires made it seem like I could run into Nixie or Julian at the local bar, or city hall.
The one thing that somewhat pulled me out of the story is Nixie's language. I admit I'm not up on all the current slang, and sometimes I had a hard time figuring what she was saying. I felt a bit like Julian in the beginning. Luckily it did start to make sense towards the end, and context helped a lot.
This is not my normal book by any means. Not something I'd normally pick up. For all the drama, it's more light-hearted than most, retaining it's fun. But I'm glad I did. As this is A Biting Love Novel, I'm assuming we can expect more from Ms. Hughes with these vampires, and I look forward to reading more about some of the secondary characters that we meet - especially Logan.
Grade: B+
Biting Nixie is available from Samhain Publishing and you can purchase it here.
Nixie is a punk musician that is anti-convention. So much so that she thinks buying insurance is the last step before death. When she's volunteered to run the towns first fund raising event (to prevent annexation by Chicago - and worse), Nixie's out of her element. And when she finds out it's to pay for a big-time lawyer, who just happens to look like sex-on-a-stick, she's beyond annoyed.
Julian Emerson is the big-time lawyer. He's come to defend the town against the shady group of suits that want to annex it, and an even shadier group of vampires. Julian learned centuries ago to remain in control, and stay on the straight and narrow. But Nixie threatens that control, while tempting him to new heights.
Two opposites are what Nixie and Julian are. Nixie doesn't understand why Julian doesn't get her, and Julian wishes Nixie would speak a known language. Even if they can foil the shady vampire's plan, can they manage to forge a future together?
This is Ms. Hughes first novel, but it doesn't show. The writing is tight, and the story is entertaining. Watching Nixie take responsibility, fighting it all the way, and Julian slowing coming undone was a pure joy. The characters are deep and complex, with relationships that go beyond just each other. The connections they have to other people and vampires made it seem like I could run into Nixie or Julian at the local bar, or city hall.
The one thing that somewhat pulled me out of the story is Nixie's language. I admit I'm not up on all the current slang, and sometimes I had a hard time figuring what she was saying. I felt a bit like Julian in the beginning. Luckily it did start to make sense towards the end, and context helped a lot.
This is not my normal book by any means. Not something I'd normally pick up. For all the drama, it's more light-hearted than most, retaining it's fun. But I'm glad I did. As this is A Biting Love Novel, I'm assuming we can expect more from Ms. Hughes with these vampires, and I look forward to reading more about some of the secondary characters that we meet - especially Logan.
Grade: B+
Biting Nixie is available from Samhain Publishing and you can purchase it here.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Free Kindle Book: Long Hard Ride - Lorelei James
Starting today Long Hard Ride, the first in Lorelei James contemporary series, is a free read for the Kindle! Thanks to Angela James of Nice Mommy Evil Editor for giving me a heads up on this!
I was looking at buying this book, and have now definitely downloaded it to read!!
One lucky woman-three sexy cowboys...she's in for the ride of her life! Channing Kinkaid itches for a change; a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Determined to shed her inhibitions and embrace the steamier, seamier side of life, she sets her sights on hooking up with a real chaps-and-spurs-wearing cowboy. Enter Colby McKay -- bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. From the moment he sets lust-filled eyes on the sweet and fiery Channing, he knows he's found the woman who-s up to the challenge of cutting loose. What rough and rowdy cowboy could resist a no-holds-barred sexual romp with a sassy young thing starring as his personal buckle bunny?
I was looking at buying this book, and have now definitely downloaded it to read!!
One lucky woman-three sexy cowboys...she's in for the ride of her life! Channing Kinkaid itches for a change; a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Determined to shed her inhibitions and embrace the steamier, seamier side of life, she sets her sights on hooking up with a real chaps-and-spurs-wearing cowboy. Enter Colby McKay -- bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. From the moment he sets lust-filled eyes on the sweet and fiery Channing, he knows he's found the woman who-s up to the challenge of cutting loose. What rough and rowdy cowboy could resist a no-holds-barred sexual romp with a sassy young thing starring as his personal buckle bunny?
Intrigued by Channing's bold proposition of horsing around on the road, Colby impulsively sweetens the deal; sexual escapades not only in his bed, but in the bedrolls of his rodeo traveling partners, Trevor and Edgard.
Although Channing's secretly longed to be the sole focus of more than one man's passions, Colby's demand for complete submission behind closed doors will test her willful nature.
Can Channing give up total control? Especially when not all is as it seems with the sexy trio? Or will the cowboys have to break out the bullropes and piggin' string to break in this headstrong filly?
Warning: This title contains the following: lots of explicit sex, going strong long after the cows come home, graphic language that'd make your mama blush, light bondage with bullropes, menage-a-trois, and -- yee-haw! -- hot nekkid cowboy man-love.Clue (1985)
I had an on-line movie night last night with Kat to watch this movie. She was amazed that I'd never seen it. And I have to say after watching it, so was I.
It's got a great cast including Tim Curry (who I absolutely love), Christopher Lloyd, and Madeline Khan to name a few.
Six people are invited to a strange house, where they're greeted by the butler Wadsworth (Curry), and then are expected to find out who done it when one of the guests turn up dead.
I have to say Tim Curry makes this movie. It was hilarious watching the guests run around trying to figure out the murder mystery - that we all love doing with the board game Clue.
And the three endings to finish out the movie are absolutely awesome.
I'm glad I watched it, and now will be adding it to my To Be Bought list.
It's got a great cast including Tim Curry (who I absolutely love), Christopher Lloyd, and Madeline Khan to name a few.
Six people are invited to a strange house, where they're greeted by the butler Wadsworth (Curry), and then are expected to find out who done it when one of the guests turn up dead.
I have to say Tim Curry makes this movie. It was hilarious watching the guests run around trying to figure out the murder mystery - that we all love doing with the board game Clue.
And the three endings to finish out the movie are absolutely awesome.
I'm glad I watched it, and now will be adding it to my To Be Bought list.
Review: Unlaced - Controlled Response - Joey W. Hill
Thank you to Book Binge for previewing this book. The excerpts they posted, and the contest to win it (now closed) made me rush out and get it just as soon as possible.
I was going to wait until I'd read the whole anthology and do a review here, but after finishing Controlled Response by Joey W. Hill, I just had to talk about it right away.
When Lucas walks into a secluded clearing for a rest with his bike, he doesn't expect to find a half naked woman leaning back on Harley pleasuring herself. Wearing only a corset and thin silk panties. His spontaneous decision to become part of her fantasy ends with both of them thinking they'll never see each other again. But fate has a different idea in mind, and when Cassandra walks in to K&A for a negotiation, she'll soon find that much more than a business deal is being worked out.
This short is one of the best I've read in a long time. Often I'm left wondering why the hero and heroine fell in love after a novella, but that's not the case here. Ms. Hill does a wonderful job of giving depth to the characters, and the reasons for their actions. Cassandra had deep motivations for the way she behaved, and the way she dressed, which were all shown wonderfully. Lucas had a single-minded determinedness that was incredibly hot, along with a innate goodness that pulled at my heart. I loved him, not only because he knew when to push, but because he knew when to lay off as well.
Then there was the deep secondary characters. All extremely well fleshed out, but it was the K&A men that had me longing for their HEA's. One of them already got theirs, and I rushed out to purchase Behind the Mask which has Matt's story in it. I can't wait to see who's going to match Peter, Jon and Ben.
On top of all that, this story was incredibly hot. It practically sizzled in my hands.
This is the first story I've read by Ms. Hill, but it definitely won't be the last. I'll definitely be picking up her backlist, and eagerly anticipating her next novel.
Grade: A-
Unlaced is available from Berkley can be purchased here and here in ebook.
I was going to wait until I'd read the whole anthology and do a review here, but after finishing Controlled Response by Joey W. Hill, I just had to talk about it right away.
When Lucas walks into a secluded clearing for a rest with his bike, he doesn't expect to find a half naked woman leaning back on Harley pleasuring herself. Wearing only a corset and thin silk panties. His spontaneous decision to become part of her fantasy ends with both of them thinking they'll never see each other again. But fate has a different idea in mind, and when Cassandra walks in to K&A for a negotiation, she'll soon find that much more than a business deal is being worked out.
This short is one of the best I've read in a long time. Often I'm left wondering why the hero and heroine fell in love after a novella, but that's not the case here. Ms. Hill does a wonderful job of giving depth to the characters, and the reasons for their actions. Cassandra had deep motivations for the way she behaved, and the way she dressed, which were all shown wonderfully. Lucas had a single-minded determinedness that was incredibly hot, along with a innate goodness that pulled at my heart. I loved him, not only because he knew when to push, but because he knew when to lay off as well.
Then there was the deep secondary characters. All extremely well fleshed out, but it was the K&A men that had me longing for their HEA's. One of them already got theirs, and I rushed out to purchase Behind the Mask which has Matt's story in it. I can't wait to see who's going to match Peter, Jon and Ben.
On top of all that, this story was incredibly hot. It practically sizzled in my hands.
This is the first story I've read by Ms. Hill, but it definitely won't be the last. I'll definitely be picking up her backlist, and eagerly anticipating her next novel.
Grade: A-
Unlaced is available from Berkley can be purchased here and here in ebook.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Karen Marie Moning Book Order
Highlanders
* "Into the Dreaming" in the Tapestry anthology
Aedan and Jane
1. Beyond the Highland Mist
Hawk and Adrienne
2. To Tame a Highland Warrior
Gavrael and Jillian
3. The Highlander's Touch
Circenn and Lisa
4. Kiss of the Highlander
Drustan and Gwen
5. The Dark Highlander
Dageus and Chloe
6. The Immortal Highlander
Adam and Gabrielle
7. Spell of the Highlander
Cian and Jesse
Fever World
Mac
1. Darkfever
2. Bloodfever
3. Faefever
4. Dreamfever
5. Shadowfever
Dani O'Malley
6. Iced
7. Burned (22 July 2014)
8. Flayed (TBA)
Mac
9. [Untitled] (TBA)
10. [Untitled] (TBA)
Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.
http://www.karenmoning.com/
New Author Challenge
I read about this challenge here. At Literary Escapism they're offering up a challenge to read 50 new to you authors, so I looked at my TBR (to be read) pile and decided I could probably meet this challenge if only I could get through that list. The start of my list is below in no particular order.
- Laurell K. Hamilton
- Brent Weeks
- Anne Bishop
- Rob Thurman
- Jeaniene Frost
- Alexis Morgan
- Jacqueline Carey
- Julia Quinn
- Sabrina Jeffries
- Joanna Bourne
- Gena Showalter
- P.C. Cast
- Janet Evanovich
- Anne Stuart
- Emma Holly
- Angela Knight
- Virginia Kantra
- Larissa Ione
- Harlan Coben
- Meljean Brook
- C.L. Wilson
- Maria V. Snyder
- Suzanne Enoch
- Eloisa James
- Lynn Viehl
- Eve Silver
- Cheyenne McCray
- Katie Macalister
- Neil Gaiman
- Maya Banks
- Jaci Burton
- Stephani Hecht
- Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Nalini Singh Book Order
Psy-Changeling Series
* "Beat of Temptation" in An Enchanted Season anthology
Nate and Tamsyn
Deleted Scene 1
Deleted Scene 2
* "Whisper of Sin" in Burning Up anthology
Emmett and Ria
1. Slave to Sensation
Lucas and Sascha
"The Shower" Free short
"The Cannibal Princess" Free short
2. Visions of Heat
Vaughn and Faith
3. Caressed by Ice
Judd and Brenna
"Miss Leozandra's" Deleted scene
* "Stroke of Enticement" in The Magical Christmas Cat anthology
Zach and Annie
4. Mine to Possess
Clay and Talin
Read my review of Mine To Possess Here
"A Conversation" Free short
5. Hostage to Pleasure
Dorian and Ashaya
"A Gift for Kit" Free short
6. Branded by Fire
Mercy and Riley
"The Party" Deleted scene
7. Blaze of Memory
Dev and Katya
*Christmas in the Kitchen Free short
8. Bonds of Justice
Max and Sophia
* "Star Kissed" Free short
9. Play of Passion
Indigo and Drew
* "Wolf School" Free short
10. Kiss of Snow
Hawke and Sienna
* "Brenna and Judd" Deleted scene
* "Walker and Laura" Deleted scene
* "Sienna ambushed by Drew" Deleted scene
* "Marlee talking to Walker" Deleted scene
* "Indigo and Sienna in conversation" Deleted scene
* "About the empath" Deleted scene
* "Judd about Alice" Deleted scene
11. Tangle of Need
Riaz and Adria
* Mercy and Riley's News Deleted scene
* Hawke and Sienna Deleted scene
* Stalking Hawke Free Short
12. Heart of Obsidian
* Climbing Trees Deleted scene
* Award Ceremony Deleted scene
13. Shield of Winter (3 June 2014)
Vasic and Ivy Jane
Guild Hunters Series
* "Angels' Judgment" in the Must Love Hell Hounds anthology
Deacon and Sara
* Angel's Pawn (ebook)
Read my review here
Ashwini
1. Angels' Blood
Read my review here
2. Archangel's Kiss
Read my review here
3. Archangel's Consort
4. Archangel's Blade
Dmitri and Honori
* "Angel's Wolf" in Angels of Darkness
Noel
* "Angel's Dance" in Angels' Flight
Galen and Jessamy
Also includes: "Angel's Pawn", "Angels' Judgment", and "Angel's Wolf"
5. Archangel's Storm
Jason and Mahiya
6. Archangel's Legion
Raphael and Elena
Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.
Also, please note that Nalini Singh has a free additional scene that she includes in each newsletter that allows us to catch up with everyday life of the characters we love - sign up at her website.
http://www.nalinisingh.com/
J.R. Ward Book Order
Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
1. Dark Lover
Wrath and Beth
2. Lover Eternal
Rhage and Mary
3. Lover Awakened
Zsadist and Bella
4. Lover Revealed
Butch and Marissa
5. Lover Unbound
Vishous and Jane
6. Lover Enshrined
Phury and Cormia
7. Lover Avenged
Rehvenge and Ehlena
8. Lover Mine
John Matthew and Xhex
9. Lover Unleashed
Manny and Payne
10. Lover Reborn
Tohrment and No'One
11. Lover Reborn
Qhuinn and Blaylock
12. The King (25 March 2014)
Wrath and Beth
Fallen Angels Series
1. Covet
Vincent Di Pietro and Marie-Terese
2. Crave
Isaac Roth and Grier Childe
3. Envy
Thomas DelVecchio Jr. and Sophia Reilly
4. Rapture
Matthias and Mels Carmichael
5. Possession
Duke Phillips and Cait Douglass
6. Immortal (Fall 2014)
Additional
1. "Story of Son" in Dead after Dark anthology
Michael and Claire
2. The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide (includes the short "Father Mine")
Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.
http://www.jrward.com/
Lynn Kurland Book Order
DePiaget / MacLeod / McKinnion / Smith Families Series
*Note* This is my, somewhat, unorthodox reading order. With all the time travel going on, it's a bit hard to nail down a truly chronological reading order. Some stories deal solely in medieval England (or Scotland), but many of them deal in the present as well as medieval times. I've done my best to follow both the medieval and present timelines and tried to ensure that you read the story about the couple prior to learning about their HEA. This is a different reading order than given on Lynn Kurland's website. Also, while I am a big proponent of reading in order, most of these stories stand well on their own
1. Another Chance to Dream
Rhys de Piaget and Gwennelyn of Segrave
2. If I Had You
Robin de Piaget and Anne of Fenwyck
3. "The Three Wise Ghosts" in the Christmas Spirits anthology or Love Came Just in Time anthology
Gideon de Piaget and Megan MacLeod McKinnion
4. Stardust of Yesterday
Kendrick de Piaget and Genevieve Buchanan
5. A Dance Through Time
James MacLeod and Elizabeth Smith
6. The Very Thought of You
Alexander Smith and Margaret of Falconberg
7. "And the Groom Wore Tulle" in the Veils of Time anthology or Love Came Just in Time anthology
Ian MacLeod and Jane Fergusson
8. "The Traveller" also in the A Knight's Vow anthology
William de Piaget and Julianna Nelson
9. My Heart Stood Still
Thomas MacLeod McKinnion and Iolanthe MacLeod
10. A Garden in the Rain
Patrick MacLeod and Madelyn Phillips
11. Dreams of Stardust
Jake Kilchurn and Amanda de Piaget
12. Much Ado in the Moonlight
Connor MacDougal and Victoria MacLeod McKinnion
13. When I Fall in Love
Nicholas de Piaget and Jennifer MacLeod McKinnion
14. "The Gift of Christmas Past" in The Christmas Cat anthology or Love Came Just in Time anthology
Miles de Piaget and Abigail Garrett
15. With Every Breath
Robert Cameron and Sunny Phillips
16. This is All I Ask
Christopher of Blackmour and Gillian of Werewick
17. From This Moment On
Colin of Berkhamshire and Alienore
18. "To Kiss in the Shadows" also in the Tapestry anthology
Jason de Piaget and Lianna of Grasleigh
19. Till There Was You
Zachary Smith and Mary de Piaget
20. The More I See You
Richard of Burwyck-on-the-Sea and Jessica Blakely
21. One Enchanted Evening
Montgomery de Piaget and Pippa Alexander
22. One Magic Moment
John de Piaget and Tess Alexander
23. All For You
Stephen de Piaget and Peaches Alexander
24. Roses in the Moonlight
Derrick Cameron and Samantha Drummond
25. Dreams of Lilacs
Isabelle de Piaget and Gervase de Seger
26. Stars in Your Eyes
Imogen Maxwell and Phillip de Piaget
27. Ever My Love
Emma Baxter and Nathaniel MacLeod
28. A Lovely Day Tomorrow
Olivia Drummond and Jackson Kilchurn
Related
1. "The Icing on the Cake" in the Opposites Attract anthology or Love Came Just in Time anthology
Samuel and Sydney
Nine Kingdoms Series
* "A Whisper of Spring" in The Queen in Winter anthology
Symon and Iolaire
* "The Tale of the Two Swords" in To Weave a Web of Magic anthology
Mehar and Gilraehen
Arc 1 Miach and Morgan
1. Star of the Morning
2. The Mage's Daughter
3. Princess of the Sword
Arc 2 Ruith and Sarah
4. A Tapestry of Spells
5. Spellweaver
6. A Gift of Magic
Arc 3 Rùnach and Aisling
7. Dreamspinner
8. River of Dreams
9. Dreamer's Daughter
Arc 4 Acair and Léirsinn
10. The White Spell
11. The Dreamer's Song
12. The Prince of Souls
Reprints
1. A Time for Love
Contains Another Chance to Dream and If I Had You
Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.
http://www.lynnkurland.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
