Jeffe Kennedy - Facets of Passion Series "Platinum"

Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After Althea's artistic aspirations having gone down the drain she turned to something that would be connected with her greatest passion, she opened the Althea Grant's Charleston Gallery. Even though the business is not going well she tries to look optimistic.
When bad-boy sculptor Steel walks in her life and rents her basement, everything starts to change for Althea.
His raw art is a fresh breeze into her soft, pastel world, and he is more than welcome to show her that life can be painted in strong, bold colors. Peeling out her layers they will discover together that soft and hard can be a winning equation to happiness.

Boy, did I love this short story. It starts out with an insecure Althea and finishes with strong, secure, and confident Althea. I love it when it goes down like this.

Althea starts out to be an insecure lady, always hearing in her mind "failure" but all she needed was a little push towards jumping the cliff and assuming her life and her desires.
With the bonus of knowing she is Albino, a fact that goes along with her softness, and the taste for coolness and in her ways, we get to know a lady that needs some action in her life. But for that we have Steel.

Steel is a work of art. With a dominating character, he enters in Althea's life and revolutionizes everything by pushing her further and further into the fire. Should I say "burn, baby burn", How I love this guys, he could rent my basement anytime ...

Their relationship starts out to be a loose thing of the moment but as the story moves forward, it becomes serious and the connection created by their sexual adventures turns into something more serious.
When Steel reaches the point of no return, he sexes up the moment and invades for good Althea's heart.

This was the first read for M. Kennedy's books but I'll be looking forward to reading more from her. She has a particular way with writing the main characters, enthralling them in the story, and giving us some good, hot moments, and in the end we want more.

Jeffe Kennedy is also the author of "Sapphire", book one in the series Facets of Passion.

 

Published February 25th 2013 by Carina Press
ARC acquired through NetGalley for an honest review


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"Loving an Ugly Beast" by Danielle Monsch

I needed some fresh air from what I usually read, I love dark, sexy stories and I don't hide that my favorite genres are PR, Erotica, Romantic Suspense, and some Romance, but sometimes I like to wonder off to other realms.

From the author Danielle Monsch comes a book that in one sentence could be described as " the beauty is in the eye of the beholder". A sweet historic romance set in the country, where tortured souls try to start fresh and have their happily ever afters.

Known as Beast in his village for both his size and multitude of scars, Benton long ago resigned himself to a life without love and was content with his solitary existence, until Nissa entered his life.

Nissa is no beauty, plain, she came to the village three years ago to start a fresh new life. After her friend Benton disappears and a new man arrives at the village, handsome, charming, and with the intent on courting her, the peace she so hard claimed for her life is gone.

A fairy godmother gives Benton his greatest wish, to be a beautiful man and not a beast, and now is the time for Nissa to fall in love with him. But scars are not always visible and the fact that Nissa's past is a tortuous one may it destroy the chance of happiness for both of them ...

Almost like a fairy tail, we're swept away into magic land were fairy godmothers still grant wishes to those that have a troubled soul and help them find their true love.
The main characters are two troubled souls, with scars sometimes visible, sometimes not, but filled with kindness and love for each other.

Benton is susceptible to what others around him think and Nissa is wary of people who are beautiful because beauty can only bring pain and sorrow.
I loved Benton's character and the way he developed through out the story, always having Nissa's back and safety in mind.
On the other hand, Nissa was the sweetest woman, passionate, strong, brave, and never giving up on Benton.

This one is quicky but for a short story very satisfying.
The book is for all that love an historical romance with lots of love and enchanted worlds with happy ever afters.

Published on February 14th., 2013 by Romantic Geek Publishing
ARC acquired through NetGalley for an honest review

Upcoming Reviews for Easter

Well good afternoon from a rainy Lisbon and hoping that all of you are having a great Easter break.

Through this weekend I'm going to be reviewing the following books :

Known as Beast in his village for both his size and multitude of scars, Benton long ago resigned himself to a life without love and was content with his solitary existence, until Nissa entered his life.

Nissa is no beauty, plain, she came to the village three years ago to start a fresh new life. After her friend Benton disappears and a new man arrives at the village, handsome, charming, and with the intent on courting her, the peace she so hard claimed for her life is gone.

A fairy godmother gives Benton his greatest wish, to be a beautiful man and not a beast, and now is the time for Nissa to fall in love with him. But scars are not always visible and the fact that Nissa's past is a tortuous one may it destroy the chance of happiness for both of them ...

ARC acquired through NetGalley for an honest review

After Althea's artistic aspirations having gone down the drain she turned to something that would be 

connected with her greatest passion, she opened the Althea Grant's Charleston Gallery. Even though the business is not going well she tries to look optimistic.

When bad-boy sculptor Steel walks in her life and rents her basement, everything starts to change for Althea.

His raw art is a fresh breeze into her soft, pastel world, and he is more than welcome to show her that life can be painted in strong, bold colors. Peeling out her layers they will discover together that soft and hard can be a winning equation to happiness.

ARC acquired through NetGalley for an honest review

The second part in the Blackstone Affair Series.

After Ethan broken Brynne's trust, alone and afraid to have lost the woman he loves, he finds that he's unwilling to live without her and by all means he has to get her back.

Their passion breaks all boundaries and soon they are back together, now without any lies between them, but danger is coming on track with Brynne and he will do anything to protect the woman he loves, he's All Inn on it.

ARC acquired through NetGalley for an honest review

Here are three examples of great author's that I found and can't get enough of. If you haven't read them yet, get on it because you won't regret it.

"Naked" by Raine Miller

Nowadays there is a lot of new authors venturing in this new erotica genre and it's been a big leap forward, the erotica genre has evolved and somehow grown up.

I've always been an erotica fan and I've been for a long time. It's always interesting to see what the limit is and what reaction people have when crossing the line to the "dark" side of sexuality.

Now, I'm hooked on this series and to tell you more, my only words are ... I'm a goner for Ethan Blackstone and Brynne is such a lucky girl ...

When successful Ethan Blackstone receives a phone call asking to protect an american student, he's first reaction is to decline. But when he sees her, he's swept away.

He's always been dominant and with that nature it's difficult to fall in love. He wants to keep this woman no matter what and "No" it's not an option.

Brynne Bennett has run away from her damaged past and came to London to start over.

Part-time model, her life is back on track, and things couldn't go better until she meets Ethan. She can't resist him or his dominant character, and in this hurricane, the place to feel safe is by Ethan's side.

When danger invades their life and their scars run too deep, will they be able to overcome the past and rise together stronger ...

This book starts out as a fast paced story, it all happens fast as lightning and we're swept away with Brynne and Ethan, caught up in their embraces and their deep scourging kisses. And then down we go, without expecting to fall, it's a free ride to hurt and desperation.

Brynne is such a strong young woman, after having gone through a nightmare in her youth, she rises up with the help of her father and a few friends to overcome a scar that will never disappear from her soul.

Then comes Ethan and the heat is on, a roller-coaster ride that obliges her to pass from the fears to try to live  and trust someone so confident and so dominant. To find a safe heaven in this hurricane is the main goal, let's see if she makes it.

Ethan is the perfect male character in this kind of romance. Strong, with a character and a dominance that rises goose bumps in your skin, and finally the good looks, boy this man should be real.

The author writes and characterizes to perfection this man. This is what I want in a book, the feeling that all that involves the characters, from the surroundings to the details of their relationship, the words flow like a perfect song that you never get tired of.

The ending leaves you in a cliffhanger, and it's a good thing that I'm already devouring the second book.

If you like a scourging romance, smiling between a page and another, and hot, hot beds or anywhere else for that matter, this is the book for you.

ARC ACQUIRED THROUGH NETGALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

April is just around the corner ...

Good morning,

As a book wanderer, I'm always looking out for some new books, authors, whatever is linked to this passion of mine.
So April is around the corner with books that will fuel your reader's ...

Some ideas for April, and now that Spring has arrived, some sunshine ... at least I hope so.

"Dragonswan" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story was short and sweet and for a Dark Hunter lover like me, was what I call a nice  read for a resting bit.

Sebastian is dragon shifter that travels forward in time to steal a tapestry made by his sister telling the story of his people. He has to exchange it for the life of his brother that has been taken by his enemies.
In the process he meets Chanon, his natural mate, and takes her back in time to England.

Sebastian is my hero, a warrior that protects what is his and even after being left alone by his people and his family  for 50 years still has the integrity to not turn his back on them.

Chanon is the all typical woman with no self esteem, a dreamer, in love with the idea of the Knight and the shining armour, and that's what she really gets.

As a hole, I think that this short read is very satisfying for those who like a love story and shape shifting dragons. Enjoy!


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"Eternal Rider" by Larissa Ione

Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everytime I start to read a new series, the antecipation in my mind to enter a new universe
is always at the highest peak but sometimes I find myself disapointed. Not this time.
This world does not let you put the book down or let go of the swirling action that takes high peaks of adreline in your mind,
and for those that loved this author, they will find themselfs falling all over again.
For me, it was the first time that I read her books and I'm definitely going to follow up in those that came before "Eternal Rider".

For as long of decades, Lilith tried to seduce Yenrieth, and after she succeded, 3 boys and a girl were born.
The girl named Limos stayed with her in Sheoul.The three boys were Reseph, Ares, Thanatos, and they were placed in the human world
with powerful families.
The boys grew into men, never suspecting the truth about their origins. At least, not until demons rose up,
spreading terror and seeking to use Lilith’s sons against the humans. Limos escaped from Sheoul, found her brothers,
and revealed the truth about their parentage.

By this time, the brothers had seen their lands and families destroyed by demons and, blinded by hatred and the need for revenge,
Lilith’s children encouraged (manipulatively and forcibly, sometimes) humans to help them fight violent,
never-ending battles against the underworld abominations.

Zachariel, an angel of the Apocalypse, led a legion of angels to Earth, where they met in battle with demon hordes.
When the earth and waters ran red with blood, and humans could no longer survive on the poisoned land, Zachariel struck a deal with the devil.
Lilith’s children were to be punished for slinging mankind to the brink of doom in their selfish bid for revenge.
Because they had nearly brought about the end of days, they were charged as the keepers of Armageddon.
Defenders or instigators; the choice would fall on their shoulders.

Each of them was given a Seal, and with each Seal came two prophecies.
Should they protect their Seals from breaking until the prophecy laid out by the Bible came to pass, they would save their souls—and mankind.
But should they allow the Seals to be broken prematurely, as written in the Daemonica, the demon bible, they would turn evil,
and would forever be known by the names Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death.

And thus were born the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

This book tells us the story of Ares, also known as War. After seeing his family being killed by a hellhound, Ares turned into a brutal war
machine, which the only purpose for living was to battle and avenge those he loved, but one main lesson he learned was that you can never
love because in the end they will get taken from you and you'll suffer.

Cara Thornhart had gift, the gift of healing animals.Since she was a child she was seen as an outcast, so she hidden that ability in order
to try to live a normal life. She grew up as a woman that knew what to fight for and had the hability to achieve it but after her father's
death and the attack that she suffered, all the hability and self-confidence disappeared and she grew weary of the hability to live
turning into a "ghost", scared to live and fear reigning over her life.

A point in favor for this book is the action packed pages of action and endless battles between the characters and the logical link
that they all share between them, the thread line that the reader follows whithout loosing it's line and getting confused inbetween
scenes. Even for me, that never had touched any of the previous character's, I never lost my ground.

Starting with a fight between Ares and a hellhound, because they are immortal "but hellhound bites were poison to the Horsemen,
causing paralysis, and then the suffering really began.", the story evolves into a shattering fact, one of the seals has been broken,
and the Armageddon has begun.

Between the urgency that is to find a way to stop Ares seal from breaking and finding the aegimortis and who it is passed to, and
battling his brother Reseph, now known as Pestilence, and finding the long lost love in Cara, this book has the ability to povoate
your mind, and if you have the imagination for it, while reading you can picture this scenes in your mind, it would make a hell of
a movie...


View all my reviews

"Confessions of a Kinky Wife" by Justine Elyot

From Harper Collins Publishers comes this funny and tender book that reflects the needs of a 21st. century couple and their deep feelings towards each other concerning the daily routines, sex and their individual wants.
In the age of bewilderment to Fifty Shades of Gray and the million possibilities to follow into the dark of the couples bedroom, this story brings us the uncertainties that two people feel into giving in to fantasies that are not so common and still taboo to many.

Pipa has been married to Dan for a long time and now a new dawn has arrived, the day has come to open up to new desires and needs.

But will Dan accept this new woman that has emerged from the old Pipa, will he be able to acknowledge that punishment is pleasure and will he be able to be the true master that his wife needs ?

The road is a rocky one and both of them will have to work together to achieve the true pleasure that awaits them on the other side.

Domestic Discipline, a term that wouldn't cross my mind about a couple that have their life worked out so nicely and appearing to connect between themselves so well.
Their relationship is layed out in the book fluently and with a hint of a smile, sometimes conflicted, sometimes funny, but what we don't find is never a dull moment.
I simply loved this book, a refreshing fun time that I spent reading, and after got me in a so good mood.

The characters were so well written, Pip and Dan complete each other, Pip a funny woman, struggling to find herself within her sexuality and Dan, so tender and smooth, integrating his wife's dreams and fantasy's, and at the same time discovering his own sexuality.
The author achieved completely to put in form of a diary the everyday life of  a happy couple.

Now, the development of the story and as it was ending got me thinking that after a period of six months they really got it on. They grew up and organized themselves towards a main goal that in my eyes it was pictured like a road they traveled together, rising up the stakes and engaging in knowing experiences from their outside world through the internet.
The ending for me couldn't be better. What started as a game of kink turned out to be the next best thing.

If you're looking for some light, kinky read, this is the book for you.

Nora Roberts - The Queen of Romance

Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“I really enjoyed this book. I love it when a book reminds me of what I forget in our everyday life and has a background lesson to be learned.

This said here goes a short description of the book...
Nora Roberts introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island.
Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few possessions and no past. But the warm, sunny days and cool, windswept nights, as well as the loving concern of new friends--especially hunky sheriff Zack Todd--soon lure skittish Nell into a much-welcome fresh life. Nell's new boss, the captivatingly lovely bookstore owner Mia Devlin wonders from what or whom Nell is running. Mia treats Nell as she would a sister, which isn't too far off the mark, helping Nell discover and explore her inner resources while Zack's romantic attentions bring a rosy glow to Nell's cheeks and to her future. But something wicked this way comes… Will Nell be ready to face and conquer her past? Even with the love and support of Mia, Zack, and Zack's fellow police officer, his peppery, down-to-earth sister Ripley, Nell has the fight of her life--the fight for her life--on her hands.

Nell is the woman that we all want to be. She has the will to take her life back from the hands of her "psycho" prince charming, the will and the courage to die and be reborn into a brand new woman with a hole new life, reinventing herself and reconstructing the pieces that were shatered along the way.
I think that we all want a prince charming, someone that picks us up from our feet and offer us the everlasting happy end. But not all that shines is gold, is it?
Nell stands against a battle to finally win over fear and transforming it into freedom.

Our hero Zack is also worth the fight, a pacient man, trustworthy, and the perfect partner for our heroin.
Love does happen and sometimes you do recognize your other half, you have to take the risk.

This first book coach's us for the next two with Ripley and Mia
playing a secondary but important role in Nell's life.

The big picture is that this is a very satisfying read, with a strong plot, that leaves you reconsidering that if our life was lived in a simplyer way we would be a lot happier.

Bring on the next two ! ”


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A Murder is Announced ...

A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the typical town of Chipping Cleghorn, a murder is announced by the “ Chipping Cleghorn Gazette “.
By 18.30pm, at 29th.  October,  in Little Paddocks, the murder game will take place and the town residents will attend this little gathering.
Here begins the story of a mystery murder solved by one of the most famous and sweet old ladies, Miss Marple.
I’m a big fan of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes, and all it’s fictional characters, all it’s surroundings and subsequent plots where murder is king or queen.
If you’re in the mood for a plot where all it’s fictional characters are delicious and murder is the main character, read this book or another one of her collection of works, you won’t be disappointed .


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March is the month for books

Good Morning book lovers, here in Lisbon the rain persists and sunshine is not coming this Spring, so it seems.

Today I'll be starting with new releases that will certainly open your appetite to some new reads and authors.

                                                  

Above, are some books that cached my eye, but I'll be back with more news.

"Edge of Dawn" by Lara Adrian

Lara Adrian is known by all of us for her bestselling Midnight Breed Series but my fault, this is the first time that I read any of M. Adrian's books. I'll tell you it was not a waste of time, another series that I have to catch up to.

Twenty years have passed since mankind learned that vampires among them but the coexisting between the two is still hard and fueled with mistrust and fear. But the only thin line that tries to hold the fragile alliance is the Order, dedicated to protect humans as well as vampires.

In this thin line walks Mira. Having been raised among the order she fights and believes in everything they defend. But her life is about to be shattered when the one she loved and believed dead reappears in her life and to make the matter worst he is believed to be leading the enemy.

Kellan has always loved Mira but after the explosion and the news of his death, he thought that their paths would never cross again.

When he re-encounters Mira, in a special Ops, he is a shattered man because he knows that she will never forgive him for his actions.

But there is always a second chance around the corner and will this two be together after all ?

As I said earlier, this was the first introduction to this series and to this author so I'm putting a head start in what I liked the most.

For starters I loved the world she created, dark and dangerous, wild and filled with excitement, on one side the vampires on the other the humans. It's this world building that keeps me coming back to the Paranormal and when it's well written, I'm hooked.

The speed of the story is fast, a thing I enjoy because it keeps me on my toes to move on to the next page and know what is the next surprise. The suspense in the novel building up so you never know when it's going to explode.

And finally the romance, intense and breath taking, always a great passion larger than life, with characters that bring water to my mouth. The heat between the sheets is always something that I enjoy also, keeps me fanning for some cooler thoughts.

I enjoyed the main characters, Mira and Kellan, as well as the others, the old and the new, but I couldn't relate so well with them. Maybe it's because I haven't read the earlier books so I'll just follow up with the series.

If you enjoy a fast paced romance and want to spend your free hours with something to fill your mind with a new world, dark and fun, this is the book for you.

"Slow Burn" by Anne Marsh

This is the second book in the Smoke Jumpers series and the first one that I read from Anne Marsh.

Evan is my kind of hero, silent, sensuous and hot, all a girl could ask for. Faye is my kind of woman ... adventurous and strong, taking in her desires and accepting that we all have to live a little, second chances are just around the corner and all we have to do is take them.

The story revolves around Evan Donovan, smoke jumper and Faye Duncan a photographer, that after her divorce decides to buy the car of her dreams and hit the road, find some fun and as I said live a little.

But between a call from a war friend to check up on his ex wife and an arsonist on the loose, Evan meets the woman that will steal his heart and own him for a lifetime.

Faye Duncan has always been a good girl but now she feels that her life is in a crossroad and now is the time to live and risk on a new path. What she wasn't expecting was to find Evan and love again.

Can she risk her heart again and trust this smoking hot, brooding and sexy smoke jumper ...

I'm going to start by the cover. For all to see is this hot hot burning cover that was so well chosen and fits perfectly in this story. Loved it !

I liked the flow of the words, the relationship between the characters and the glimpses of other connections between the the other characters.

The story was balanced between the awakening of Evan and Faye to each other, the search for the arsonist and the hot hot encounters between the main characters.

If you like a good exciting romance, filled with sexy characters and some suspense this is the book for you and could be read as a stand alone. It's coming out on the 26th. of March and I thank NetGalley that made possible for me to get it and review it before it was out. 

"Beautiful Bastard" by Christina Lauren

Bennett Ryan is Chloe Mills boss and has beautiful and delightful he is to her eyes, he also is unconsidered and a rude brute, a beautiful bastard.

But Chloe is stubborn and a professional and he is nothing without her work skills and perhaps some more details concerning what she wears underneath her sexy dresses.

When this two come together and clash, the storm rises up and escalates into something that could probably blow up in their hands.

Will they be death of each other or will they be each others salvation ?

Could it be only lust and punishment or could it be love ?

On this roller coaster ride they will have to find out if they are empty or filled with forever after. 

This book was a roller coaster ride, up and down, till you got dizzy, stopped and got moving again.
Even though this is the story of two different people growing up on their own feelings, from lust to respect, from hate to love, this book is so much more about feelings that common people have but don't work out.

This story screams sex all over it, at least until the middle of the book and from there on it screams love, growth towards themselves and towards each other, and to the end compromise into a relationship between two people that to the core are so alike.

To talk about Bennett is to talk about Chloe and the other way around.
This two characters are entwined and can not be mentioned one without the other. As Chloe is hard working and stubborn, Bennett is independent and has a vision for himself that doesn't pass by growing professionally at the cost of his father's empire. Both of them risk everything when it comes to their hearts and their desires and one thing is common to both of them, the meaning of "You are mine".
Whether if it's because of lust, control, or love, Bennett and Chloe belong to each other.

This book could have gone wrong and it could have been without sense and only something between two people having sex but the author had also a vision of writing two points of view from two people that make one story and she has won the goal that she has out to achieve.

Next up is "Beautiful Stranger" and I'm waiting for another book to entertain my reader but also something to think about because we all find ourselves in crossroads but do we take the risk or do we loose the ride ...

"Blood Flows Deep in the Empire" by N. Isabelle Blanco

After reading this book I found myself thinking if I liked the story all together and the perfect parts prevailed or if the facts that I didn't like would stand out as I was writing this review molding my opinion in a direction that I don't usually take, because in every book the point of view of the author and it's creative process is individual and unique. We may not agree or think that the story doesn't push all our buttons but besides this there's always something good to focus on.

So, bearing this in mind, here I go.

Dyletri, known for being God of Fertility, has locked away his powers due to the death of his lover.
In order to get her back, Dyletri makes a deal with the fates ... he will sacrifice a life so that the life of his lover could be spared.

The sacrifice is a human girl called Ismini.
When she reaches eighteen, she must be sacrificed to the fates and all will be good and leveled with the Universe.
But, what if Ismini burns Dyletri alive and completes him like no other has so far. If she is his mate, how can he sacrifice her and loose his heart and soul in the process ?

First our main characters, Dyletri and Ismini, I liked them both but in my opinion, they had some flaws that now, a few days later after having read the book, I realize can be overcame with the next installment of the series.

Dyletri is a big guy but for my taste he complains too much and his decisions are not taken with enough strength. He runs too much from the obvisious and he doesn't face up to the challenge of his feelings.

He is a good fighter, a loyal friend, but he lacks power of resolution. Good for him that in the end the fates are with him and he eventually get's the girl.

Ismini starts out to be a good, normal girl, but lacking strength and turns out in the end to be a kicking heroin overshadowing Dyletry.

I got the idea in the beginning that she was just another girl living her life in a big city and then all changes and  

she rises up to be strong, passing through physical pain to the point of fighting side by side with the other warriors.
She doesn't run away from her heart but she does accept her destiny with simplicity and resignation. There are some contradictions here.

There are a full number of characters that are part of the story and that I'm shure will have their story told because it's all set as part of a purpose, part of a higher goal. They are interesting with a healthy dynamics but I do wish that Ismini's friends will be less uncomplaining and more of heart warriors trying to make ends meet.
I'm also waiting to read more about the underworld and know a little bit more about the bad guys.
This story was too centered in Dyletry and Ismini trying or thinking to try to find another way of being together and the others around them were just there and not expanded equally in the book.

The story pleased me enough to take on the next story and hoping to find more pleasure in reading the following one.
The next book is set to 2014 so until then ...

Follow Up on Reviews

Good morning everyone and hoping that a bit of sunshine will be coming through Lisbon this week because all there is now is rain and more rain, I'll be reviewing the following ...

and ...

At the moment I'm reading "Edge of Dawn" by Lara Adrian acquired through NetGalley and I'll be starting "Blindfolded Innocence" by Alessandra Torre.

So a lot to do and so little time.

Amazon Kindle

With the wishes of a good weekend I'm posting some of the Kindle titles that I've downloaded today at cost zero from Amazon US.

It's always good to have a new read or get to meet a new author that after reading one work can turn out to be your next favorite.

Here are only some of the books but there are much more so check it out.

So here we go ...

by Theresa Weir

http://www.theresaweir.com/

by Matthew Iden

http://matthew-iden.com/

by Cheryl Douglas

http://www.cheryldouglasbooks.com/home.html

by Jessica Bell

http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/

by K. S. Haigwood

http://kshaigwood.blogspot.pt/

by Colleen Oakes

http://colleenoakes.net/

by Barbara Morgenroth

http://barbaramorgenroth.blogspot.pt/

by Vicki Keire

http://vickikeire.blogspot.pt/

by Cacey Hopper

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6152599.Cacey_Hopper

by Kristen James

http://writerkristenjames.wordpress.com/

by Jennifer Blake

http://www.jenniferblake.com/

by Sophie Nicholls

http://www.sophienicholls.com/

by K. A. Poe

http://www.kaylapoe.com/

by Jenni Merritt

http://www.jennimerritt.com/

by Sophie Moss

http://www.sophiemosswrites.com/

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"The Icing on the Cake" by Juliet Stallwood

Sometimes I like to wonder around into other fields, get to know other aspects of books that can teach me a little more about other things that I like to indulge my spare time. One of those things is cooking, it relaxes me and I can rest from my busy life with the kids.
The reward is usually the table and the happy look in their faces and their mouth's working the flavours that I come up with.
NetGalley gave me the chance to get to know a little more about this "thing" that I got about cooking books - I literally fall in love with them.
So today I'm reviewing Juliet Stallwood's "The Icing on the Cake" UK Edition and isn't this a beautiful cover ...

The book kicks off with an introduction by M. Stallwood that sets the pace with geniality, why ... because it is a peaceful and inspirational setting, that you can get the idea of learning and practicing in your own kitchen without a care in the world and at your own pace, no pressure.

In Chapter One you have Decorate to Indulge, and what gift it is to acknowledge that it really isn't hard at all to learn, with time, to beautify a cake and indulge in the pleasure of letting your senses eat before you actually taste the cake itself. This ideas are original and so simple, they come with another thing that I find very useful, various sketches so we can understand better and copycat what we learn.

Going on to the next chapter, you'll find Decorate to Love, destined to those special occasions for your loved ones.

Here you'll find recipes like the Valentine Cigarillo Cake, for a spicy treat you'll get the Corset Biscuits, if you want to present a friend getting married you can always bake and make a personalized gift like the Pom Pom Wedding Cake, and for a friendly tea party bake some Rose Bouquet Cupcakes.

There's everything for everybody you love.

By the third chapter things get a little difficult but nobody said it was all a play and no hard work right ?

In Decorate to Celebrate, you can make a birthday cake like a Dragon Cake, (how my son would love one of this), and for mom some Mother's Day Biscuits.

There's always something for every taste and for the bold you visit Chapter Four, Decorate to Impress.

Now this is the big league, those cakes styled as you see them in Pinterest and all around the web, but who could tell that you could pull that one off too.

This book is a nice way to start with confidence to bake and open your imagination to new designs and explore new ways to fulfill  your time with the things you love.

In the last chapter the author shares with us the Best-Kept Secrets, from the basic equipment to measures and designs, guides and templates.

This book is a keepers, indispensable to all that love cooking and creating, and beautifully presented from the colors to its photographs.

Author: Juliet Stallwood

http://www.julietstallwoodcakesandbiscuits.co.uk/home/

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review

"Embrace The Darkness" by Alexandra Ivy

Embrace The Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

(re-Read)

Lady Shay is the last of her kind. Half human, half Shalott, her blood is a precious aphrodisiac to vampires, who consider it more precious than gold. Though Shalotts are renowned assassins, a curse held over Shay lands her on the slave auction block, where her fate is uncertain.

Viper, the beguiling chief of a deadly vampire clan, can't explain his longing to possess the beautiful Shalott who once saved his life, but now he is free to do anything he wants with her. Strangely, while he desires both Shay-s blood and body, he wants her to surrender willingly.

A hidden evil has been stalking Shay since she left the slave market with Viper. It is an evil that endangers the very existence of Viper's kind, and there's no reason he should court such danger just to protect a Shalott. But the love he feels for Shay is enough to make him willing to go to hell and back if it means spending an eternity with her in his arms.

Second in Alexandra Ivy's Series Guardians of Eternity, this story empowers my love of vampires to a hole new level. It can be read as a stand alone even though Abby and Dante make an appearance, for the happiness of us reader's that read the first book.

Viper was alluring and interesting in the first book and I was so focused on Dante that I brushed him off, but now I see the mistake I've made. Either than being just another vampire, Viper is deadly, fast, sensuous and beautiful, and there are so many words that could describe him that I would be sitting here all night.
When he rescues Shay from the auction, he gets more than he expected and looses much more than he knows, his heart and he's soul to the one woman he pursues without knowing why.
Viper is delivered to us in a poetic and thrilling speech, how I love the way M. Ivy writes.

Shay has been running all her life from vampires, being wanted for her blood, and she is one hell of a kick ass heroin. I really like her and understand her need to be free and not be a slave or imprisoned by all the supernatural creatures that lurk in the night.
Again, the author made a very good job in constructing this character and making her an outstanding woman.

In Embrace The Darkness we witness a roller coaster ride, always thrilling and never dull. You can't take your eyes off the pages ...
It carries you from one supernatural to another, in the middle you are faced with the lust and passion between Viper and Shay, and in the end you're biting your nails and running along with it.

Next up is Styx and this series is one of the best so don't miss it, read it and live it.



View all my reviews

Friday Update - A Walk Around Some Book Blogs

Today, pass by http://www.samanthayoungbooks.com/ and check out her post on Quinn Loftis "Fate and Fury" that is released today by http://www.quinnloftisbooks.com/.

Also there are other goodies concerning her own publications like the fabulous book "Down London Road" that will be released in the format of eBook and Paperback by the 7th. of May.

Still in the same tone, visit http://firespiritsnovels.blogspot.pt/, the fabulous series YA Urban Fantasy and find out more about the new installment that will be released in April 23rd. .

Moving on to http://www.goodchoicereading.com/, today we have a cover reveal, "Need" by Stephanie Lawton, http://stephanielawton.com/, and the review for "Orleans", by Sherri L. Smith, http://www.sherrilsmith.com/.

Passing by http://www.katiesbookblog.com/ the announcement of the Blog Tour: Harlequin Teen's Reading Into Romance with an exclusive guest post from Katie McGarry, not to miss.

From http://www.redhotbooks.com/ comes the review for "Eternal Beast" by Laura Wright, and how do I love this covers ...

Now, if you love covers like me and in my opinion are an important part of the book, pass by http://www.nocturnereads.com and check out some more.

From http://sexyforreview.blogspot.pt/ comes the post on the Dakota Trace Tour so don't miss out.

And for now is all, until I return again with something that catches my avid reader's eye again.