After Dark Review of Hard as it Gets by Laura Kaye

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: "Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge.."

My Review: Why oh why do I post pone reading anything by Laura Kaye?! I always kick myself for waiting so long to read a book by her and this one was no different! I loved Becca and her connection with her brother (I am always a sucker for sister/brotherly love), not to mention her determination and toughness in the light of stressful situations. I admire this about anyone who works in the ER. I also liked Nick a lot, I can totally picture him in my mind (totally drool worthy I might add) and I have to say I liked how he held everything and one at arms length. The Sub-Characters added so much to the story, I love Jeremy & Jess, and of course the whole team. The only thing that kind of threw me is the amount of time they were able to spend in bed in light of what was going on and what they were preparing for, and I would have liked the mission at the end to have been a little longer and more action filled.

 

 

My Rating: I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next in the series to come out this next week! I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Bedtime Story: Hugs by Roger Priddy

 

Synopsis: "When is it time for a hug? Anytime - and this new addition to the bestselling Baby Touch and Feel series is full of hugs to enjoy! With photographs of irresistibly appealing baby animals, sweet and gentle rhymes to read, and soft textures for little fingers to touch, feel and explore, this is a very special book for parents and caregivers to share with the little ones they love."

My Review: I thought this would be a great book for Valentine's day. I have other Baby Touch and Feel books and Munchkin loves them. I liked how this one started out with the Panda Bear Hugs but it started to move away from hugs and instead included presents, I was a little disappointed in that aspect. I also found the touch and feel parts unimaginative, they are simple fur and cloth and some raised glitter that repeat throughout the book.

 

My Rating: This one was a little bit of a disappointment. I give it a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag.

After Dark Review of Falke's Renegade by Madison Layle

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: "Book three of Puma Nights

Veterinarian Heidi Falke can tell that something isn't as it seems when she rescues an injured jaguar. Black jaguars aren't native to the area, and as a Falke, Heidi knows that some men can walk in the shape of a beast...literally. She won't let this seductive shapeshifter leave without getting some answers.

Javier Montero is on a mission: find the shapeshifter who killed his family and get the justice he deserves. This unexpected detour won't put him off for long, and what he has with Heidi can't be anything more than sex--even if it does feel different from anything he's ever known.

With Javier, Heidi discovers passion she never thought possible. She wants their connection to lead to a future together. Javier made a vow never to mate again after his loss...but if he wants to keep Heidi in his life, he'll have to decide how far he'll go for vengeance."

My Review: I love this series and was very happy to finally get the opportunity to read the third book in the series. I enjoy Heidi and really want the best for her after having to grow up with all those pushy brothers. I honestly am not a huge Javier fan, you never quite get the feeling that he is a good guy, there is that little feeling back there that he might just be one of the bad guys. That said I love him with Heidi. I also enjoyed the emotional journey of this book, there are a lot of ups and downs, underlying emotions that rise up and have the potential to destroy everything if the characters allow it.

 

My Rating: I enjoyed the book, I think mostly because I was already attached to several of the characters being the third in the series. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Review of Lover from Hell by Rob Palmer

 

Synopsis: "Move over Stephen King and Dean Koontz...this spine-chilling suspense thriller will keep you gripped from the first page to the last:

When love turns to obsession, murder and mayhem is not far behind…

For widower Jack Soul, a chance meeting with a beautiful and exotic redhead dancer seems like a chance for a new start…a new life, a new love. But he soon discovers that there is much more to Angel Heart than stunning looks and an insatiable sexual appetite. When she decides that he is The One – the man she is destined to love for ever – his fate becomes inextricably and devastatingly entwined with hers.

Jack learns she not only has a secret life that will shock him to the core, but that her actions are driven by a dark past that shapes a twisted future. Soon he finds himself on a dangerous path where death and desire intersect, and where his very life depends on his ability to deal with terrors beyond his worst nightmares…"

My Review: So I am generally not a horror reader but this one was intriguing enough for me to take one. I got a kick out of the characters names, Angel Heart and Jack Soul. Angel was a little off to begin with but you wonder if maybe she was justified in some of her actions but the more you read about her belief system the scarier it gets. By the middle of the book I was screaming at the characters. Palmer did a great job of creating a lot of tension and build up to the explosive ending. If you are into suspense thrillers definitely give this one a shot.

 

My Rating: While I am not usually a fan of this genre, this one definitely had my interest throughout.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

 

Note: Please be aware that this is an Adult Horror, there are disturbing scenes of violence, as well as adult language and scenarios.

 

 

 

Lover from Hell was sent to me by the author for an honest review.

 

You can find out more about Rob Palmer and his work on his Goodreads Page or Website.

 

You can obtain your own copy of Lover from Hell in digital format on Amazon (note: it appears it has been published under the title Hell's Angel)

 

Review of Still Alice by Lisa Genova

 

Synopsis: "This may be one of the most frightening novels you'll ever read. It's certainly one of the most unforgettable. Genova's debut revolves around Alice Howland - Harvard professor, gifted researcher and lecturer, wife,
and mother of three grown children. One day, Alice sets out for a run and soon realizes she has no idea how to find her way home. It's a route she has taken for years, but nothing looks familiar. She is utterly lost. Is her forgetfulness the result of menopausal symptoms? A ministroke? A neurological cancer? After a few doctors' appointments and medical tests, Alice has her diagnosis, and it's a shocker -- she has early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

What follows is the story of Alice's slow but inevitable loss of memory and connection with reality, told from her perspective. She gradually loses the ability to follow a conversational thread, the story line of a book,
or to recall information she heard just moments before. To Genova's great credit, readers learn of the progression of Alice's disease through the reactions of others, as Alice does, so they feel what she feels -- a slowly building terror.

In Still Alice, Genova, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard, uniquely reveals the experience of living with Alzheimer's. Hers is an unusual book -- both a moving novel and an important read.(Spring 2009 Selection)"

My Review: I have been recommending this book to everyone I have talked to since finishing it. Still Alice had such an impact on me, far more so than I ever expected. I appreciated the more clinical approach but it didn't loose any of the emotion. Alice's struggle was very moving and the speech she gives at the conference was unbelievable and one worth continuing through the book for the opportunity to read. I do however suggest that you get the audio version of this book, as I can imagine the written version may get a little mundane or monotone with out the voice inflection. I use to joke with my own mother about how at least when you have lost your mind you don't realize it, but I will never again joke about this, as I have followed Alice's struggle and gotten a tiny insight as to what victims of the disease go through.

 

My Rating: Everyone should read this book (or listen to it) even if it isn't in your usual reading genre or the subject isn't one you are necessarily interested in, you should still read it. I was so impacted by this book I can't help but give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

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

Listening is an Act of Love by Dave Iscay
 Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood by Jim and Charles Fay
Tangled Past by Leah Braemel (After Dark)
Goodnight, I Love You by Caroline Jayne Church (Bedtime Story)
Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham (Graphic Novel)

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

Lost and Found in Cedar Cove
Zeus: King of the Gods
Bound to Seduction
Grover's First Day at School
Bert and Ernies First Book of Opposites
Codename Chimera
Gifted Apprentice
My Fuzzy Valentine


 

Currently Reading:

Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein - PB - on Page 138 of 310
One Shark, No Swim by Lehua Parker - Kindle - 15%
100 Cupboards by ND Wilson - PB - on Page 126 of 289


 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Water Harvest by Eric Diehl (Requested Review)
Knightmare by Deborah Valentine (Requested Review)
The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodein-Jones (Mount TBR)
Stone Cold Revenge by Jess Macallan (Mount TBR)

 



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I found myself bouncing around with my reading a lot this week. I wasn't really able to settle down and just read one book straight through, I guess I haven't been able to find the right book for my mood.  I did however manage to get quite a bit of reading done and am thinking I am going to have to add another day of reviews so that I can get them all posted! I also had a lot less time to read this week since Munchkin was home sick on Monday (meaning I was too), then dentist on Tuesday, and another snow day on Thursday (meaning another day stuck in the house trying to entertain a busy toddler).

As you may remember, February is the Month of Letters and I have been participating in several letter writing programs. There have been a lot of letters and cards leaving my house daily, and I have been so excited about getting a couple in the mail even!

 

 

It has been very cold and snowy here lately, we are getting 4-6" every three days. So for my nails this week I picked a color called Warm and Toasty Turtleneck, it sounded very appropriate and the color is beautiful!