Truth by Aleatha Romig

Truth
Series: Consequences #2
Author: Aleatha Romig
Genre: Fiction
Source: Author Submission
ISBN: 978-0988489110
E-Book Edition

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Claire Nichols endured the CONSEQUENCES of Anthony Rawlings’ vendetta. 

When she first arrived to his home, her goal was survival. Through strength and compartmentalization Claire captivated her captor. Her resilience in the face of his rule threatened Anthony’s well developed plan. Domination became desire and power turned to love. 

Their passion and adoration in a world of opulence appeared perfect. Yet, reality was a roller coaster of emotion. Claire’s world teetered on the edge of sanity as Antony monitored her every move. When given the opportunity to flee, Claire drove away. A fateful decision which set a well laid plan into motion. 

However, unbeknownst to either of them, there were others who saw past the perfect facade of Anthony Rawlings. There were others who saw the TRUTH. Conspiracy and unfulfilled promises result in an early prison release for Claire. Not just a release – a pardon. According to the law, her crime never happened! 

Will it be that easy? Faced with freedom from her past... can Claire seize it? Can she build a new life, mend her broken spirit, become the woman she once was, and seek her own revenge? Or is it all a game? And does the game master have different plans?

How does Sophia Burke fit into the puzzle that is Tony and Claire? Will her presence affect the future of this well esteemed man? Can he dominate twice? Is that his goal? 

TRUTH continues the tumultuous saga of CONSEQUENCES, introduces new players, and uncovers more intrigue. Aleatha Romig skillfully weaves past transgressions through current deception to create a fervent world of obsessed desire. In this reality can an all-consuming relationship survive? 

When buried sins are discovered they threaten not only Tony and Claire’s future -- but their very lives! Will the TRUTH be revealed in time?

MY THOUGHTS

First, thank you to author Aleatha Romig for allowing me to read and review this book early! Not only was she generous in allowing me to do this, but she is one author who follows along with your status updates just so she can cry, yell and jump for joy at the same time as the reader.

After the first book in the series, I had no idea how the author was going to fix things.  If you haven't read the first book, I urge you to get on it.  This is not a stand alone book and you will have to have read the first one titled Consequences to really understand what is going on and the personalities of each character.  At the conclusion of Consequences, I sobbed for Claire and had the strong emotion of hate for Tony.  I wanted him to pay.  I wanted him to be filled with the devastation and despair that Claire was filled with.  Most of all, I think I secretly wanted him redeemed.  I don't know how the author would be able to do it, but if it was going to be an option, I had a small part of me cheering for it.  Call it the romance-lover-at-heart part of me that will not ever go away.

If you didn't follow along with my status updates on Goodreads, you were missing out. I was all over the emotional board with this book.  Just when you think you have something figured out, the author basically grabs your brain and throws it up against your skull with a new discovery.  Yes, I went through with the morbid description, but how can you not with characters such as Tony?

From the first chapter of the book, the author clues us in on small things we wonder about.  I can't go into too much detail, but trust me in saying that the author created a masterpiece of a puzzle. At about 6% into the book when that first chapter is brought to light for Tony, all I can say is everyone better watch out!  Tony is NOT a happy camper.

I will say that Claire does get a stronger backbone in this book.  There were times where I was screaming at her not to do what she was doing, but by the end of this book, you will be surprised by the consequences of some of them.

That ending was OUTRAGEOUS!  Did it make the reader feel fulfilled? In a way, but now there are a whole new set of questions for us as well!  Another puzzle to add to the previous one and that is unraveling so wonderfully! Please, Ms. Romig.....give us the third book fast!!! I can't wait until the end of 2013 for it. I know you have it all figured out and sitting on your hard drive.  Just let me peek. PLEASE!!!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

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Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

Laid Bare
Series: The Brown Siblings #1
Author: Lauren Dane
Genre: Erotic Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: 9780425229712

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Unexpected Desire...

It's been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn't in the cards just yet...

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin's past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd's best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed--and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

MY THOUGHTS

I am really hesitant in writing this review since so many are fans of this series.  I wanted to be blown away by it since the reviews I have read have been favorable.  Unfortunately, my feelings fell in the middle for this one.

The beginning felt really rushed to me.  I understand the author need to set up the relationship between Todd and Erin, but it ended up feeling forced and at times unbelievable.  I had hoped after the prologue it would even out and become better.  I love how the two of them reconnected.  I loved the D/s aspect of the relationship.  I even loved the other characters in the book as well.  Ben was even a good character even if I felt he got the short end of the stick in the relationship.  What bugged me about it was the way the relationships were handled and the back story of their lives while separated.

Erin's back story I can believe.  Anyone who loses a child and suffered what she did would have a different outlook on life and love.  Todd's on the other hand felt like just a quick excuse to get him back to Erin.  He got married after running away from Erin 10 years before because he thought his kink was wrong.  He grew up thinking his curious fetishes were not normal.  So he takes a pretty trophy like wife, tries the marriage thing for bit, then almost dies in the line of duty which also leads into a divorce.  After the divorce is over he moves back to his home town for a new job.  It seemed pretty extreme for me, but I went with it.

The relationship between Todd and Erin was just okay.  Then the author throws in Ben as another character in play for this relationship.  He is not an affair for them, but an addition in the bedroom and in their lives.  Ben is a long time friend of Todd's so I guess the reader is suppose to just take it as it is.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel any real spark between the three.

There is plenty of sex in this book to appease the naughtiest of readers with kink thrown in on certain scenes, but the plot and characters just left me feeling okay.  I wasn't blown away as I wanted to be, but I still think I will keep going in the series.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

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Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine

Bitter Blood
Series: Morganville Vampires #13
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Publisher
ISBN: 9780451238115

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…

Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires. 

To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse.

MY THOUGHTS

Oh Morganville, how I have missed you. This series is addictive and never fails at nonstop action and adventure. Please forgive me for being so vague in this review, but if I were to say to much it would give away so much of the story.  We can't have all the secrets spilled like blood in one review!

Bitter Blood is again told from multiple POV's from all our favorite characters.  The one that excited me the most was Myrnin though! We get to glimpse into his crazy mind and the author did a wonderful job of letting the reader understand what he goes through each day.  Myrnin also knows that Morganville is changing.  It is  finally coming down to a war between the humans and the vampires.  Sides will need to be chosen and our loyal group of four will find themselves put right in the middle of it.  Previous evil villains will reemerge and try to play the game of chess with lives of all.  Some you won't expect, others you will.  One character will finally die, but I won't tell you which one or how.

We will also see the marriage between a vampire and human --Eve and Michael-- come to a major play for this book.  Amelie didn't want this marriage to take place for a reason and it will be revealed why in this book.  Shane and Claire will also have their own relationship struggle that will change their outcome as well.

Can I just say that what the author gave me as a reader in the last half of the book, was some of the best she has written yet.  She wasn't afraid to take the road the fans will hate, but in time I believe it is for the best.  There has been build up for this scene throughout the last few books -- if not all -- that finally comes to a climax. I think I was just as flabbergasted and shocked as the characters.

After thirteen installments in the Morganville story, it is great to know that the author can keep shocking me and keeping the story line interesting.  For fans of Morganville, do not miss this one.  Things are changing and evolving with each new chapter!

MY FAVORITE QUOTE

--I lifted one foot from the brackish water, and the bunny slippers were soaked and drooped pathetically.  Even the fangs seemed robbed of any charm.
"Don't worry," I told it.  "Someone will pay for your suffering. Heavily.  With screaming."
I felt I should repeat it for the other slipper, in case there should be any bad feelings between the two.  One should never create tension between ones's footwear.
--POV is Myrnin, page 221

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

BUY FROM AMAZON

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Consequences by Aleatha Romig

Consequences
Series: Consequences #1
Author: Aleatha Romig
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: B005IP26DG
E-Book Edition

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Besieged by memories of a brutal abduction, Claire Nichols wakes in an unfamiliar bedroom, within a luxurious mansion. Her recollections have one common denominator, the man she just met, Anthony Rawlings. 

Unbeknownst to Claire, for a very long time, she has been within Anthony’s sights. Many of the pivotal events in her life occurred, due to his sinister manipulation. Every action has a consequence, and his actions result in their chance meeting. 

More than a psychological thriller, Consequences is a vivid story of one woman’s struggle to survive incomprehensible circumstances. Every aspect of her being suddenly depends upon the tall, wealthy, dark haired, dark eyed businessman. Anthony Rawlings is known to the world as prosperous, benevolent, and kind. Claire quickly learns that he can also be a menacing controlling captor. 

With few options but concession, Claire attempts to earn her freedom, while enduring a hellish existence that truly appears perfect. Persevering tests and trials, she struggles to retain her pure Midwest values and beliefs. Encouraged by memories of a loving upbringing, she gains strength in the simplest of joys: solitude in nature and good in the face of evil. 

His goal in sight, Anthony’s calculated agenda encounters an unforeseen detour. He becomes captivated by Claire’s beauty, resilience, and determination. The interaction of these two compelling characters instigates strong emotions: fear, anger, love, and lust. Claire and Anthony’s tumultuous journey flows into uncharted waters of intrigue and passion. 

Utilizing vivid detail, this 167,000-word novel unfolds like a movie, before the eyes of its readers. From the opening criminal abduction, through twists and turns, to the unlikely romantic thrills, the suspense climaxes as Anthony’s motivation becomes evident. 

Anthony and Claire must decide if they will stay true to one another, or allow preceding actions to result in justifiable Consequences.

MY THOUGHTS

Holy freaking heck!  Yes, that is the main thought going through my mind after completing this novel.  I am surprised I can even get those three words to compute in my frazzled brain at the moment.  After Mandi from Smexybooks recommended this book to me, I thought she was out of her beautiful loving mind.  I thought to myself  that there was no way I would enjoy this book.  No romance? No supernatural plot? Are you insane Mandi? Then I finally decided to read it and step out of my comfort zone.

This is not -- and I repeat -- NOT a romance!  Also, if you are under 18 or cannot handle difficult scenes that include rape, violence or abuse, then this book shouldn't be read without proper warning.  I warned Mandi that I would be tweeting her my progress with my thoughts on this book.  She listened and she supported me through the journey. I seriously could not believe some of the things that happened in this book.

I so wish I could give it a proper review with scene by scene playback.  I am not going to do that though for the sheer volume of space it would take.  This novel was huge and I agree with others in the fact that it could have been worked down to half.  The author goes into a lot of details and scene setups that I believe could have been left out.  Not to say that I didn't enjoy those scenes, but it became too much with the other things that do happen.

I found myself starting to fall into the same Stockholm syndrome that Claire did.  I started to step into her shoes and think that if she just would have done one thing differently, it could have had a different outcome.  I thought Anthony was going to turn out to be a good guy and Claire was something special to him.  She was going to be able to fix him even if he was her captor.  DO NOT go into this book with a weak mind thinking that what I just said is true.  DO NOT think he will be a different person for her.  DO NOT be fooled as she was.  Remember that she was kidnapped and she had no choice in this.

The ending was a jaw dropper.  Not only did the 40% mark make me wish I had more wine to handle the story, but the ending was torture.  When Claire received that box, everything starts to fall in place.  Then when Anthony "meets" the next girl, you just know this isn't going to go well.

This is one emotional story that will leave the reader hanging on by barely a thread of sanity and belief.  I personally can't wait to step out of my comfort zone again and read the next book in this series.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

BUY FROM AMAZON

My Book Haul (23)

From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.

Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post 

with me (and others) to check out.

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FOR REVIEW

A Promise To Protect by Liz Johnson (signed)

-- Thanks to author Liz Johnson --

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

-- Thanks to Feiwel and Friends --

Furious by Jill Wolfson

-- Thanks to Henry Holt --

Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine

-- Thanks to NAL --

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So what did everyone else get this week?

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Losing It
Author: Cora Carmack
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: B009QAKUYG / E-Book Edition

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theater professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

MY THOUGHTS

I will be honest is saying that I am having a hard time rating this book.  I found the characters of Bliss and Garrick to be great, the writing flowed at a good pace, and the supporting cast of characters just as good.  I think the only real problems I had was the summary doesn't do the story justice and at times the author tried a little to hard to be funny.

The first part of the book felt forced because the author pushed the funny down the readers throat.  Bliss and her sarcastic wit and comments started to get a little too much.  Finally, once the story really starts moving and Garrick is introduced as more than a one night stand, it really started to take off.  Garrick is one hot professor with a British accent to boot!  I will even say that the cover image of him is pretty similar to what I had in my mind when reading about him.  YUM!  Bliss really does fall for him and you just know that the drama is going to unfold at some point.  You can't have a story without the drama.

While there were some great dramatic parts of the book though, the ending was not what I expected.  The one thing the two were worried about the most -- and one the reader thinks is going to happen -- doesn't even turn out to be the one thing that does happen.  The ending was sort of a let down for me after all the build up.  It was sweet and perfect for the couple, but I kept looking for more of a climatic story arc.

Even with all of those things that disappointed me in the story, I still found myself enjoying it.  I am interested in the future writing of this author and of her hints of writing spin-off's for the secondary characters of this book.  Great for a debut author, but I am hoping she will choose to spread her wings a little more with the drama for the next one.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

BUY FROM AMAZON

Reflected In You by Sylvia Day

Reflected in You
Series: Crossfire #2
Author: Sylvia Day
Genre: Romance
Source: Gift from Smexybooks(Thank you Mandi!)
ISBN: 9780425263914

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.

My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity. We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession...

MY THOUGHTS

OMG! Oh..my..GOD!  Seriously?! This is how the author is going to leave us?  Okay, I am still floored by the ending of this book -- even though we should have seen it coming -- and I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to write a review for this.  I know if you are a fan of this series, you have already been stalking other reviews, so I want go into too much detail.  Besides, if I were to go into too many details, it would spoil much of the book.

Gideon. I am now head over heels in love with you.  I was slow going and tried really hard not to let you into my heart, but I failed. I was a bigger fan of Gideon in this book and started to throw imaginary daggers at Eva.  I fell so hard for Gideon that in his words -- " I won't survive you."

On with the regular part of the review.  This book in the series focused on Gideon and Eva trying to build their relationship into something solid.  They are going to couple's counseling and trying to make it work despite the obstacles thrown at them every other page.  There were some small things that happened and then there were huge things that happened.  The one big thing was at the end and literally in the last chapter.  I can't believe it and my jaw is on the floor with my heart.  I had a what-the-heck moment and had to reread that chapter several times.  I just knew I was reading it wrong.

All I can say is that if you are a fan of this series, read it.  Flat out simple.
If you haven't started this series yet, then you forfeit your claim in the future of having Gideon as your book boyfriend and I claim him now with no take-backs.

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

BUY FROM AMAZON

The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders

The Unwanted Wife
Author: Natasha Anders
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: B009I3UOKQ
(E-Book Edition)

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

All Alessandro de Lucci wants from his wife is a son but after a year and a half of unhappiness and disillusionment, all Theresa de Lucci wants from her ice cold husband is a divorce. Unfortunate timing, since Theresa is about to discover that she’s finally pregnant and Alessandro is about to discover that he isn’t willing to lose Theresa.

MY THOUGHTS

I first heard about this book through my twitter feed from another reviewer that I trust.  I was loving her comments and status updates throughout her reading experience and just knew I had to try this book out.  When I purchased the book, it was a Kindle freebie on Amazon and in all honesty, I wasn't expecting much from it.  Usually if it is a freebie, and from an author I have never heard of, I get a hard time thinking it will be pleasurable to read.  With "The Unwanted Wife", I was actually surprised to find a rare gem in the vast pool  of Amazon freebies!

Within the first few chapters of this book I was hooked.  Alessandro was such a rude and cold husband.  I didn't understand why anyone would find this man attractive and swoon worthy for a main character.  After the book gets moving and the story starts to unravel,  I found myself completely turned around and cheering him on!  I was rooting for the supposed bad guy.  Theresa wasn't my favorite character, but she didn't lack in backbone.  This girl could hold her own against quite a bit.  She was strong, willful and stubborn to the point of reader frustration at times.

I will admit that there is some editing problems, but not enough to deter me from finishing it.  The story did seem to draw out longer than it probably should have, but it wasn't boring enough that I wanted it to hurry up  and end.  A fluffy bit of over-the-top romance, but one that left me satisfied in the end.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

BUY FROM AMAZON

Halloween Heat Blog Tour with Eden Summers

Halloween Memories 

I've always been a lover of all things spooky and scary. I made a Ouija board as a teenager (against my parents wishes) and scared the crap out of not only myself, but my friends as well. Once we even believed we contacted my deceased grandmother and a best friend’s father–which was very emotional for us both at the time.

Living in Australia, Halloween has never been a big tradition. As a teenager I went trick-or-treating three or four times and had mixed responses from people on the other side of the door. Some were happy to play along, while others didn't appreciate Aussie’s copying American traditions. My best experiences with Halloween though, have been as an adult.

Not for the candy, not for the spooky stories, but for the awesomely sexy costumes!
In my short story in the Etopia Press Halloween Heat anthology, Emma has arrived at a costume party, dressed in an outfit her husband Tim had secretly organised.

“White platform stilettos and a white halter neck dress which clung to her curves tighter than plastic wrap. The dress had tiny bows at the hips, and a hem of feathers that matched the gorgeous wings on her back. Her chest stretched the limits of her favorite push-up bra, making her C-cup breasts look as though she’d arrived to audition for the latest porn flick. And then there were the panties. The lily white, crotchless panties. Really Tim?”

Not only has Tim organised her outfit, but he’s  also planned a night of treats that she may not be able to handle.

So today I want you to leave a comment about your favourite costume. Mine was a dark angel costume. Black wings, black beaded corset, short skirt, fishnet stockings, knee-high boots *sigh* That was a damn good night.

Erotic Contemporary Ménage  Five scorching contemporary erotic tales of ménage love to heat even the coldest Halloween night.  “Thrills and Chills” by Alyssa Turner “Deployment Gifts” by Jennifer James “Phantom Pleasure” by Eden Summers “Taking Candy” by Vristen Pierce “Trick or Treat” by Ana Maria Pasión

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance EBooks

Connect with us

Alyssa Turner
www.alyssaturnerwrites.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/alyssaturnerwrites

Jennifer James
http://www.authorjenniferjames.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-James/212335188856799

Eden Summers
www.edensummers.com
https://www.facebook.com/authoredensummers

Vristen Pierce
http://vristenpierce.wordpress.com/ 
https://twitter.com/vristenpierce

Ana Maria Pasion
https://www.facebook.com/AnaMariaPasion

We are giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to celebrate the tour.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

E-Book Deals of the Week

Below are this weeks E-Book Deals on Amazon!

Prices are subject to change at any time so grab them while you can!

FREE

Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

$0.99 or less

Stalk Me by Jillian Dodd

The Rejected Suitor by Teresa McCarthy

Once Upon A Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare ($0.87)

Touch of A Lady by Mia Marlowe

Hot Stuff by Carly Phillips ($1.00)

Hot Rain by Kat Martin

Squeeze Play by Kate Angell

Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper

When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck

Vampire Family Values by Susan Sizemore (FREE for Prime Members)

$1.99 or less

The Peril's of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long

Feed by Mira Grant

Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates

Blade Song by J.C. Daniels

At The Duke's Pleasure by Tracy Ann Warren

A Well Pleasured Lady by Christina Dodd

Harm's Hunger by Patrice Michelle (FREE for Prime members)

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods ($1.24)

Wyoming Tough by Diana Palmer ($1.24)

Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley

The Lost by Caridad Pineiro

$2.99 or less

Arson by Estevan Vega
Forbidden by Syrie James
Bound by Love by T.A. Chase ($2.66)
Hot Ticket by K.A. Mitchell ($2.66)
Hunter's Season by Thea Harrison ($2.66)
Offside by Juliana Stone (FREE for Prime members)

My Book Haul (22)

From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.

Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post 

with me (and others) to check out.

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FOR REVIEW

True Love at Silver Creek Ranch by Emma Cane

-- Thanks to AVON --

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

-- Thanks to Philomel --

Velveteen by Daniel Marks

-- Thanks to Amazon Vine--

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So what did everyone else get this week?

E-Book or Print? That is the question!

Photo credit: Pocket-lint

I have been a long time fan of print books.  There is nothing like walking into a book store and seeing all of the wonderful colors and the smell of printed pages.  I could lose myself for hours in a book store and not even realize that I have spent that long in there.

With the cost of living and everything else on the rise, I have noticed that books have pretty much stayed the same in cost.  It is a luxury that few partake in and they are seriously missing out.  My children will spend hours just sitting in their rooms reading and it has been a cheap and fulfilling hobby for them.  Even when we are low on funds, we make trips to the library just so we can have our hobby still for free.

I have a home library full of print books.  There is nothing like showing guests our own personal library.  For book enthusiasts, it is exciting to have our own room -- or just a shelf -- full of something we love.

Recently though, I won a Kindle Touch in a contest and decided to take the plunge into E-Books.  They are easily accessible and cheaper than a print book most of the time.  You can have hundreds of books stored on the e-reader or even a computer hard drive without the clutter of print books. Some book bloggers even prefer having e-copies of books instead of print copies.

I am slowly trying to convert my way of thinking and embracing the e-reader.  I am still not completely converted to it, but it is a slow process.  I enjoy being able to just click and buy a book and have it right then. Instant gratification is a plus.  I also like being able to access the books earlier at times as well. Sometimes the books that we are waiting for release in e-copy weeks before the print book and helps with the having-to-have-it-now mentality.  Having an e-reader also helps in the mystery of what a reader is reading at the moment.  If I wanted to read an erotica while waiting to pick my daughter up from school, the other people wouldn't have a clue. (Not that I would care)

Switching from print books to the e-reader world will be an ongoing process for me.  I am stuck in the age of old and can't seem to completely switch over.  I see pro's and con's to both worlds and I am still figuring them out.

My question to you is what type of reader are you? Do you prefer print copies or are you on the e-reader bandwagon?  Are you somewhere in the middle like me?

150+ Reading Challenge OCT Reviews

OCTOBER 2012 LINK UP PAGE

Hi all!  This is the post that you can link up your reviews for the 150+ Challenge for OCT 2012.  Each month there will be a new link up page and I will be listing each months main link below the challenge button on my bottom right sidebar.  I look forward to reading everyone's reviews and the books you choose!

* This is for your REVIEWS posted in OCT 2012 only! To sign up for the challenge please go to the page located HERE *

Charming Blue by Kristine Grayson

Charming Blue
Series: Fates #8
Author: Kristine Grayson
Source: Publisher/Sourcebooks
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781402263743

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Once upon a time...he was the most handsome of princes. But now he's a lonely legend, hobbled by dark history. With too many dead in his wake, Bluebeard escapes through the evil spell of alcohol. But it's a far different kind of spell that's been ruining his life for centuries. Jodi Walters is a fixer, someone who can put magic back in order. But Blue has a problem she's never encountered. And worse, she finds herself perilously attracted to him.

MY THOUGHTS

New stories based on childhood fairy tales can be a huge thing to take on for an author.  Sometimes they work and other times they fall.  They can be as wonderful and mesmerizing as Cinderella and Snow White.  Other times they can be like Humpty Dumpty on that wall on the edge of great that unfortunately loses it's balance and becomes a mess for the reader.  Authors have to know how to balance perfectly between long time readers and new readers.  We all have our favorite fairy tale and trying to change them can cause many opinions across the grid for readers and fans.  Kristine Grayson seems to be able to handle this task without disappointing the reader.

I will say that Kristine Grayson and her works have been hit and miss with me.  I have enjoyed some of her books, but others have not been as enjoyable.  Charming Blue seems to fall in the middle of this spectrum.  While I loved the plot and the characters -- including the secondary ones -- I had a really hard time getting into it.  Every time I set the book down for a bit I seemed to forget what had happened before.  It just wasn't memorable enough to keep me infatuated with the story.  It was one to pass the time, but not one that left me with the "must read now" pull that other books have given me.  For lack of better words, it didn't have the 'magic' I was expecting.

Again, while the plot and characters were fun and entertaining, it wasn't enough to keep the story flowing at a great pace.  It was slow and ho-hum.  While it may be another miss in this readers eyes, I still will continue reading the works this author creates because I am a sucker for fairy tale stories!

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

BUY FROM AMAZON