Review of Straight from the Hip by Susan Mallery

Synopsis: "Izzy has always been the fearless Titan sister. But when an oil rig blows up, leaving her barely able to see, her sisters find themselves as concerned by her emotional withdrawal as by the possibility that the explosion was no accident. Are the mind games their long-lost brother Garth has been playing turning physical? Or is someone else out to get them?
When her sisters enroll her in a survivor training camp, Izzy is not happy. Nick, her instructor, is determined that she won't be left in the dark. In more ways than one. But if he tells her the terrible truth behind why he's helping her, he'll never see her again. Unless they're both willing to take the biggest risk of all."

My Review: I adore Izzy, I think she is my favorite sister so with the ending of Lip Service (book 2 in the series) I was devastated! I really think this is the best book of the bunch! I was kind of expecting Izzy's story to be a lot steamier but I really enjoyed the personality growth and self searching! I love the new characters that were added in this series, Aaron seems like the best friend everyone should have! I will also say the worse bad guy is beginning to show his face and the other bad guy is looking like a not so horrible person. You will have to read to figure out which is which ;) I am on to read the last book in the series (and probably finish it in one day like I did this one)!

 

My Rating: Gosh this one was fantastic! I was glued to this book and couldn't stop until I was done.  This is definitely a Four Paw and a Stump Wag book!

 

 

Note there are a couple of adult sexy scenes but they can be skimmed over if you prefer to avoid them.  It is only a little heat, not enough for an After Dark rating ;)

Review of Lip Service by Susan Mallery

Synopsis: "Skye Titan's wealthy father thinks he can still dictate his daughter's choice in men. Now widowed and a single mother, Skye isn't the yes-girl she once was. Especially since the love of her life is back in Texas after eight long years. He won't like the answers to the questions he's asking. About why she left him at the altar. And about her eight-year-old daughter.

Former navy SEAL Mitch Cassidy comes home to find nearly everything different. His wounds from battle have changed the way people treat him. His cattle ranch is suddenly organic. But time hasn't touched his desire for Skye -- or the sting of her betrayal. Forget lip service. He's asking that luscious mouth of hers to reveal the truth. But will Mitch be able to put the past aside to help Skye get out from under her father's thumb and help himself recover from a broken heart?"

My Review: I have to say I love this series, every time I finish a book I have to pick the next book up and then I can't stop reading until I am done! That said of the Titan sisters I think Skye is my least favorite, not that I don't like her, she just isn't my favorite. She seems to good and too much of a pushover, I just can't stand that in a female character. However I adore her daughter Erin, I could see myself being Erin's friend and of course Mitch! He has his issues (putting it lightly) but I love him (not as much as Cruz). I really enjoy the story line of this series, it isn't all mush, there is a little mystery and drama behind it propelling the story through the books. You don't really know who is the worst bad guy but they are easy to hate. The ending really makes you pick up the next book, it was so dramatic!

 

My Rating: I so enjoyed this book and am loving the whole series! Lip Service gets a rating of Four Paws!

 

 

Please note there are a couple of adult sexy scenes but those can be skimmed over. I didn't feel it was enough to be an After Dark.

Review of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Synopsis: "For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever."

My Review: UGH!! I almost didn't finish this book, of course I had to go buy the whole bundle since everyone raved about it, but I don't know if I can bear to read the other two books. Warning there are about to be spoilers as I rant This felt like I was reading a more boring version of Twilight. Oh I'm an introverted girl who isn't scared of the sudden idea of paranormal and I always knew I loved the wolf that was a creepy stalker, and now he is human and I just know we will spend the rest of our lives together, I will do anything to be with him. Oh and my parents don't seem to notice anything odd going on, neither do the teachers when I start to miss school even though I am top of the class and never break the rules. UGH!!! I can't stand it! Sam is just as bad! Supposedly he is super smart and has read all the classic books written not only in English but german as well even though he only has a short time to be human every year. Have you been to northern Minnesota? You are lucky to get 2 maybe 2 & 1/2 months of warm summer weather, yet he has managed to learn a lifetime worth of information in just those couple of months each year. Oh and by the way he is the only one who seems to be able to fight off the wolf urges when in that form. Nothing happens for most of the book and I found myself just skimming to get through the book, I was so bored! Yeah, so I really doubt I will read the rest of the series even though I spent the money to buy the bundle, I definitely learned from that mistake.

 

My Rating:  For all those reasons and more I can't give this one more than One Paw. I almost wish I could give it less but well my critters don't have less than a paw.

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

October Night by Theresa Oles
Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery (After Dark)
Finding Time by E.R. Pierce (After Dark)
Daddy Cuddles (Bedtime Story)


Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

Shiver
Straight From the Hip
Hot on Her Heels
It's Time to Sleep, My Love
My Truck is Stuck
 

Currently Reading:

Blood in the Valley by JK Hogan - Kindle - 5%
Stork by Wendy Delsol - Audio CD - on Disc 2


 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Heat Wave by Richard Castle (Audio Challenge)
Soft Spots by Clint Van Winkle (Mental Illness Advocacy Challenge)

 



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It was a rough week with Munchkin but I still managed to get a decent amount of reading.  Keep your eyes peeled over the next couple of weeks for a few interesting reviews!  I hope all the Dads out there had a wonderful time yesterday for Father's Day.  Munchkin assisted in making French Toast for his daddy and gave Daddy some new books to share between the two of them.

Happy Reading this week!

Bedtime Story: Daddy Cuddles

Synopsis: "Animal babies are so adorable that their daddies can't help but cuddle and love them. In this celebration of parental love, each daddy shows how much he loves his baby in his own special way."

My Review: A cute book, some of the same images as Daddy Kisses though, I would have liked it to be a little more unique. That said, Munchkin still enjoys the story and pictures. I do love the fact that daddy can get involved too.

 

My Rating: Cute animals, simple loving story. I would have liked some new images and animals. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

After Dark Review of Finding Time by E.R. Pierce

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

Synopsis: "Are you a mother or parent? Do you feel like you've lost your way as a woman? Wish you could find time and different ways to be intimate with your husband or partner? Here is a book for you.

Who is Eliza Prince? She doesn't know anymore. She's a mother. A wife. But what happened to the sexy woman? The woman who wore heels and skirts and had passion with her husband? Now, her husband sleeps on the couch, and she sleeps with the kids.

Finding Time is about reconnecting. An erotic marriage novella filled with fantasies and eroticism. It's about communication.

Every mother will relate to Eliza. Her body changed, her self-confidence shattered and she lost her female identity.

Now, she wants it back. Her desires are strong and she hopes her husband, Jett, will be on board with her plans.

Warning: This monogamous novella burns up the pages. It's real and heartfelt. Sexy and Erotic."

My Review: Boy did this book hit a nerve! After kids it seems like the relationship between a husband and wife really take a back seat but as we read about Eliza and Jett struggle to bring life and connection back into their relationship, it gives little ideas to bring home. Finding Time is a nice short read, perfect for after the little ones go to bed (maybe set the mood). Definitely some very hot scenes so reader be prepared.

 

My Rating: This was a great, emotional read with plenty of heat.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

After Dark Review of Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

Synopsis: "Heiress Engaged To Marry Playboy!

Lexi Titan can just see the headlines. All of Titanville will be buzzing. Not that she has any other choice. Faced with exactly thirty days to come up with two million dollars, she is out of options. Marry Cruz Rodriguez or lose everything — the successful day spa she built herself, her tyrant of a father's respect. And the long-standing competition with her sisters for the family business.

Cruz has money, success, smoldering good looks — everything but the blue blood needed to become a true member of Texas society. If Lexi agrees to be his fiancée for six months, lending him her famous father's influence and connections, he'll hand her a check on the spot. And in six months they'll go their separate ways.

But neither one is prepared for their long-ago shared passion to throw a wrench into what would seem to be the perfect deal.."

My Review: This was a nice (full length) intro to the Lone Star Sisters. You can't help but fall in love with the characters. Even though the story line of a business deal marriage for money has been done again and again, you seem to forget about that with all the underlying story lines going on in the book. And of course Cruz just makes you forget everything else *fans self* nothing beats a hot guy who knows how to rev an engine ;) The sub-characters are even fantastic, I can't wait to get to know Kendra more, Lexi's sisters, heck even the cat CC. A little hint, the ending does leave you hanging so have the next book ready.

 

My Rating: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.  I give it a rating of Four Paws.

 

 

 

*Under Her Skin was read for the 2013 Series Challenge.