Thursday, April 12, 2012

After Dark Review of Nothing But Trouble by Lisa Mondello

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: "Melanie Summers, a feisty zoologist with big dreams, must spend a month in the Wyoming wilderness in order to satisfy a deal made with her father.


Stoney Buxton is a hard-driving cowboy with simple values who needs to raise quick money to save the family ranch. Re-entering the rodeo circuit seems like the best way to get the money he needs until Melanie Summers shows up at his ranch flashing easy money. To everyone else, her offer seems like the answer to all his prayers. But one look at her long legs and pouting lips and Stoney know this high society gal is going to be nothing but trouble for his cowboy heart."



My Review: I really enjoyed the characters in this book! Melanie is so strong and determined, even with all the hardships and struggles. I think Mondello did a good job of showing that money doesn't always make everything perfect or easy. Stoney, oh Stoney proof that men aren't simple creatures, they are just as complicated as women, just don't show it. I enjoyed revisiting the Wyoming wilderness that I grew up with and watching it teach lessons to both Stoney and Melanie, nature has a way of forcing you to face your demons.        

My Rating: This was a book that I enjoyed reading and didn't put down till it was done. It earns a rating of Four Paws!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

After Dark Review of Divine Disdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton

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: "You may know me best as Meredith Nic Essus, princess of faerie. Or perhaps as Merry Gentry, Los Angeles private eye. To protect my unborn children, I have turned my back on the crown, choosing exile in the human world with my beloved Frost and Darkness. Yet I cannot abandon my people. Someone is killing the fey, which has left the LAPD baffled and my guardsmen and me deeply disturbed. I thought I’d left the blood and politics behind in my own turbulent realm. But now I realize that evil knows no borders, and that nobody lives forever—even if they’re magical."


My Review: Definitely not my favorite of the Merry Gentry series at all. It really seemed just like a fluff book to satisfy fans for a while. There really wasn't any movement forward in time or plot development, almost like a novella following a random tangent. I spent most of the book wondering what happened to several of my favorite characters that were featured prominently in the other books. I did like the brief appearance of Brennan and the soldiers. It was also good to see Merry stand up to her own men and lay down some law. All in all though, I felt a real disconnect with the book and characters.

My Rating: So having characters that I have become attached to definitely saved the rating on this one, I just hope to see a little more progression in the next book.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Monday Reading List & Meet Me On Monday





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!



What I Read Last Week:
Links will take you to my review
Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning (After Dark)
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
A Life Worth Living by Jennifer Probst (Short Story)
The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst (After Dark)
Golden Opportunity by Donna Marie Rogers
Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton (After Dark Review coming soon)
Nothing but Trouble by Lisa Mondello (Review Coming soon)


Currently Reading:
Frost Kisses by Kailin Gow - pb - on page 45 of 284

Next Books to be Read:

Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - April Book Club
Liberty: A Lake Wobegon Novel by Garrison Keller- Mount TBR Challenge
 
 
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So I found this fun little meme I thought would be great to add so people get to know me a little better (and discover my strange little quirks). Meet Me On Monday is hosted by Acting Balanced where 5 questions are posted each week for us to answer about ourselves and share with all of our readers.

Acting Balanced
 
So this week we are sharing some of our favorite recipes . . .
 
Well I am not much of a cook but I have a few recipes that I love, and I probably shouldn't share my favorite recipe with you but I am going to anyway. 
 
Biscuits and Gravy
 
1 lb. Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage (ground, not patties)
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Skim Milk
Flour
1 Can of Pillsbury Biscuits (I use original but any of them works)
 
Preheat oven and follow directions for biscuits on can.  In the mean time brown sausage in pan.  Once browned and cooked through, drain and return to burner.  Sprinkle sausage with flour, only a tablespoon or so, just enough to coat sausage. Pour cream of mushroom soup over sausage.  Fill empty can with milk and add to sausage mixture (if you prefer gravy that's a little runnier just add another half can of milk).  Mix together and heat thoroughly.
 
When biscuits are done split in half and pour hot gravy over top and enjoy!
 
 
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So busy busy busy around here! I am finally able to get on blogger again at work!  I really am sorry about the bazillion posts this weekend, I promise there won't be nearly as many this week :P   I will be bringing back the Bedtime Story this week, I am not sure if I am going to keep it on Friday nights or move it to another night, or even leave it flexible. I guess we will have to see what fits the schedule. 
 
So what do you have planned for this week?