Thursday, October 6, 2011

After Dark Review of The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston

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 seens 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: "Christmas Pride

How come all the good-looking ones are insane? That's what runs through NYPD cop Desiree "Dez" MacDermot's mind the minute she hooks up again with her childhood buddy, Mace Llewellyn. It isn't just the way he stares at her with those too-sexy gold eyes--as if he could devour her on the spot. Or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal bod-o-death. It isn't even that he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle. It's more about that disconcerting, shifting-from-man-to-lion thing that unhinges her...and makes her want more. Mace likes making Dez crazy. In fact, he likes her any way he can get her--in bed, on the desk, here, now, again. Together, they'd always been trouble, but Dez has no idea just how good trouble can feel...


Shaw's Tail

Brendon Shaw, hotel owner and lion shifter, has seen better days. He's been beaten, had a gun to the back of his head, and had to be rescued by a Pack of shape-shifting wolves. He didn't think he'd survive the night, much less find the woman of his dreams. And he never thought the woman of his dreams would have a Tennessee accent and wear cowboy boots. Once he sets his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go. Ronnie Lee Reed is ready to change her life, and New York City is the place where any girl--even one who runs with a Pack--can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion-shifting, oh-my-what-big-um-paws-you-have men. Then again..."



My Review: This one was ok for me. Not my favorite by Shelly Laurenston but still good. The first story with Dez and Mace was a little too physical for even me, it felt like it had very little story line to it until the end when Dez actually gets to be the bad ass cop hero she is. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, except maybe Dez a little bit but not enough that I care for her. The second story was definiately an improvement. The comedy element was great and I fell for Shaw and Mitch, even though he played such a small part, definitely stole a little piece of my heart. I really connected with and enjoyed this second story more and look forward to following Ronnie, Shaw, Shaw's cubs and Mitch in future stories.        

My Rating: I give this one Two Paws and A Stump Wag. The two stories really saved the rating on this one, based on the first it would have gotten a lower rating but I enjoyed the second one enough to raise the rating.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).




Current Active Project:

Princess Bs - 32,131 words
A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?



Other Works in Progress:


Tamlyn Marie's Grace - 12,072 words
Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)



The Last Mountains - 15,352
A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?


Night Rider - 17,229
Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?



Other Ideas Plotting:

The New Old Home
A lottery won and what is decided to do with the money.



Bloodsoar's Story
A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.


The Assassin's Assassin
A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.
 
 
 
 
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Again no new writing just more outlining and plot development for the nano coming up.  I even sketched up a couple of maps for the layout.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Its Monday again




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!



Okay, so I got a little distracted yesterday by the book I was reading and forgot to post!



What I Read Last Week:
Links will take you to my review
Wow I finished a whole lotta notta this week!


Currently Reading:
The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston - Nook - on page 255 of 329
Sabriel by Garth Nix - PB - on page 203 of 496
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - PB - on page 18 of 348
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439
Taste Me by Tamara Hogan - Nook - on Page 30 of 384

Next Books to be Read:
Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories
Holes by Lewis Sachar - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge
She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron - Poetry/ 2011 Challenge
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Rhodie Readers Book Club


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Now I feel like I need to share one of my many obsessions with you all to explain my lack of reading and posting. 

Sooo here goes nothing, I confess I am addicted to





ProFootball!!

Football has been an obsession of mine for as long as I can remember and it literally takes over my life ever fall and winter.  I compete with my family in picks each week as well as manage a fantasy team.  So not only is my entire Sunday spent in front of the TV eating wings and my Monday nights as well but hours upon hours of research, stats and adjustments to my team.  So there you have it, the reason I am not around nearly as often or getting as much reading done (hence the massive reading in the summer).