The Secret Place by Melodie Starkey

Emma only knows love from her older brother Trey. Her father ignores her and her mother hates her. Trey has always treated her like his own daughter. When their parents die in a car accident, Trey takes on the parental role even more giving his all to take care of Emma. When Trey marries, his new wife makes life miserable for fifteen year old Emma.

Two years later, Emma meets Jeremy. He is the great grandson of "The Witch" in Hutcherson, Oregon. Jeremy thinks he sees an angel when he sees Emma. Emma sees someone she can trust and be friends with. She also falls in love with his Gran, who treats her like family. Emma feels safe in Gran's home. But what will happen when Emma's secret comes out?

I couldn't put this book down. I read it in about eleven hours. I loved Emma. She has the best attitude. So spunky and bright. Jeremy is so loving and sweet. Gran is a spitfire and Trey gives you mixed emotions. I will definitely be reading this book again. The story was so compelling and vivid. If you're looking for a sweet romance then this isn't the book for you. It's a slightly dark story involving rape and incest. Jeremy is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Stars- 5
Passion- 2
Length- 278 pages

First Love (Now & Forever) by Melissa Johns

Emily has just moved to Buffalo, New York to be closer to her mom. When she starts her senior year of high school she catches the eye of Eric, the star quarterback. Emily's never had a boyfriend and Eric's not really allowed to have a girlfriend. His football career is too important to his dad. Now, these two grow closer and closer and have to figure out a way to make this work.

First, very cute story. I'll probably read the sequel when it's released. Second, this book needs an editor to not just edit but send it up in flames. There were so many punctuation, grammatical, and even tense errors that it was extremely annoying. Also, they're called contractions. Use them. It's okay to sometimes throw out the "I will" or "you are" in your sentences, but no one speaks like that all the time. Last, there was lots and lots and LOTS of smirking going on in this book. Pick a different expression. There are smiles, frowns, quirked lips, not just smirks.

I know it seems I have just slammed the hell out of this book. I did. BUT that doesn't mean I didn't still enjoy the book. Like I said earlier, I'm pretty sure I'll be reading the sequel just because I do like the story of Emily and Eric and I want to know what's going to happen. I just hope the next book will have been edited.


Stars- 2
Passion- 2
Length- 126 pages

Chasing Nikki by Lacey Weatherford

When Chase submerges himself in drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of his father's sudden death, he starts a tailspin into darkness. The once wonderful high school football player has quit the team and started doing nothing but partying. When he gets stopped late one night, on the way home from a party, and arrested, his mother decides it's time to do something drastic. She makes Chase move with her to his grandparents farm in small town nowhere. That's where Chase meets Nikki. His salvation. His angel. Now he just has to get her to realize that she wants him as much as he needs her.

Tear jerker anyone?

I loved this novel. It made me think "You idiot!" It made me smile. It definitely made me cry. This is a beautifully written novel with wonderful descriptions of the area and people. There are no 2D characters in this novel. They all wrap you up in their own personalities. Nikki is sweet and beautiful. Chase is hurt and confused and wonderful. This is a story of love and hope.

Stars- 5
Passion- 1
Length- 336 pages

Cowboys Down by Barbara Elsborg

Jasper is a London stockbroker who has decided he needs to learn to unwind, get dirty, and have some fun. This decision leads him to Nielson Ranch in Wyoming. Why he even decides that going to a dude ranch is beyond him. He just knows that he wants to get on a horse without throwing up. Unfortunately, the only thing he really wants to ride is Calum, the ranch owner's son.

Calum wants Jasper from the moment he sees him. Trying to hide that fact from his homophobic father is becoming harder by the second. It also doesn't help that his father doesn't trust him one iota as far as a handsome gay man being on the ranch is concerned.

When these two collide they decide that some risks are worth taking and some lives are worth changing.

I figured out pretty quickly what I loved about his book. It had a plot between all that hot M/M sex. There was plenty of sex, but this author actually made the rest of the book worth reading. A beautiful storyline that made me tear up in places and sigh with longing in others, I couldn't resist reading and reading and reading. Yes, my dishes got neglected. I couldn't help it. I also loved the fact that both of these men were men and not stereotypically gay. These men also had issues and problems to deal with and work through. All in all, I would love to read more by Ms. Elsborg.

Stars- 5
Passion- 5
Length- 266 pages

99 to Nowhere by Domino

Maxx is a runaway in a botched system. She's put up with too much abuse to believe in anything anymore. When a young man pulls her from in front of a car, he tells her about the chapel on 99. There's where Maxx meets Rio. Rio is another runaway who decides that Maxx shouldn't be on her own. Together they decide to get away. Try to find somewhere new. They decide to board a bus and go from 99 to nowhere.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was going to happen next. It shows the hard and rough life of a lot of kids in the system. It's beautifully written and will transport you to wherever Maxx is. It also gives you hope and belief, even when you think there's not much left.

I would say this is a YA novel, but there is some mild violence and some graphic language.

Stars- 5
Passion- 2 (one quick sex scene)
Length- 643 KB on Kindle (guessing around 300 pages)

Wishing for Someday Soon by Tiffany King

Katelyn has the normal everyday life of a seventeen year old teenager. At least, that's what she wants everyone to think. What she doesn't want anyone to know is how she protects her nine year old brother, Kevin, from the beatings her mother doles out to her or the string of "step dads" that flow through their lives. When they land in an extremely small town Katelyn meets Max. There she learns that it's harder to keep some of those secrets when people know everything about you from the moment you pull into town. Max doesn't care that Katelyn is poor. He just knows that he wants Katelyn and he wants her and Kevin to be safe.

I picked this book up and couldn't put it down. I was so drawn in that it was literally impossible. Katelyn was so strong, brave, and courageous. She was so well written it was as if she was someone who could walk right off the pages (or out of my Kindle). This was a wonderful YA book that shows what it's like to live in a small community where the town is willing to pull together to help each other.

Stars- 5
Passion- 1
Length- 288 pages

Solo by Sarah Schofield

Eliana has lived all over. It comes with the territory when your dad's in the military. When her dad gets deployed for a year, Eliana and her mother go to live with her grandparents in Oregon. After putting up a slight fuss, Eliana goes along to Oregon, even if she does miss California. She doesn't want to make any ties to the people in Myrtle Creek since she'll only be there for a year. Unfortunately, some of the people in Myrtle Creek want to be more than a passing acquaintance.

This book was a wonderful balance of teenage drama and feelings mixed with adult and responsible decisions. I liked how Eliana knew her own mind and had her own morals rather than going along with the idea of what could happen. Especially at prom. Lucas was ever the gentleman and perfect in so many ways. Casey was a bubbly fount of entertainment. I can't wait to read the sequel DUO when it's released later this year.

Stars- 5
Passion- 1
Length- 295 pages

Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair

Rebecca doesn't have the best self image. After her father called her and her mother fat and boring and then walked out of their lives, she hasn't felt very desirable. When her live in boyfriend Matt talks her into going away with him to some cabins with his swingers club, she's afraid that if she says no, he'll dump her.

Logan can hardly keep his eyes off the plump beauty that's come in with the swingers. She just looks so soft and beautiful. When he finds her freezing on the front porch instead of participating, he starts to believe she isn't into swinging. When he takes her up to his rooms, so she has a place to sleep and warm up, he starts to see that she just might be a submissive. That makes the Dom in him rush to the fore and want to take her. When Logan decides that he can't keep her because of his nightmares, that sometimes lead to violence, he sends her away. When he realizes his mistake he goes looking for her. What he finds is that her apartment has been rented and her phone disconnected. Now how does he get the perfect submissive back?

I am not a big BDSM fan. I don't mind reading a BDSM book on occasion and I found that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Logan was a good and fair Dom. He wasn't brutal to his Sub and he didn't want a mindless slave. I loved that he loved her fiestiness and attitude during the day. This book was very well written. I didn't notice any mistakes in the grammar or punctuation. The descriptions of the area was beautiful and very picturesque.

Stars- 5
Passion- 5
Length- 255 pages

Going Under by Georgia Cates

When Jesse Boone gets transferred to East Franklin High he's not happy to be starting his senior year with nothing but rich kids. Jesse's from the south side where all the kids are poor. When he takes the position of starting quarterback, Forbes decides he wants his spot back. That's when Jesse decides he'll take Forbes' girlfriend. Unfortunately, Claire is more than Jesse bargained for and he finds himself falling in love. But what are the odds of anything coming of a bad boy drug dealer and a rich princess?

LOVED it! I couldn't put the book down. I loved Jesse from the first moment and I would have fought just as hard to keep him. Claire was very real and sweet and perfect for Jesse. I did feel for Jesse with what his home life was like. These characters where so real. They had great emotions and dialogue. I didn't feel like I was reading something written by a middle schooler or someone who just slapped a book together in hopes it would sell. Ms. Cates is a wonderful author and I would love to read more of her work. I will say that there are a few places where there were added words or missing words but it didn't take me out of the zone too badly.

Stars- 4
Passion- 1
Length- 440 KB on Kindle

We Closed!

Sorry I haven't been writing any reviews. My husband and I closed on our first house Tuesday and I have been so busy packing that I have barely picked up my Kindle. I want to get into my beautiful new house as soon as possible. It has taken me most of the week to read a book so in a few moments I will post my review. I just ask that you wonderful people be patient with me while I move and get my internet service turned on and get unpacked. This is a lot harder with two kids than it was when it was just me. I'll try to keep you posted.

Brazen Ecstasy (Grey Eagle) by Janelle Taylor

This is the fourth book in the Grey Eagle series.

When Shalee and Grey Eagle have finally lived in love for the past five winters, Shalee starts to fear that too much love and happiness will find a way to fall apart. When Bluecoats attack Shalee and push her into the river, she is carried miles away from home. When no one can find her or any signs they start to fear her dead. Grey Eagle refuses to believe that she is lost to him.When he finally gets word that she's been found, he rushes to her side only to discover that she can't remember him. She can't remember the last five years. Now Grey Eagle has to make Alisha fall in love with him and become Shalee again.

I loved this! Grey Eagle was so loving and caring throughout this whole book. The amnesia aspect was wonderful and kept me engrossed. The feelings and reactions felt so real that you could almost taste the confusion and torment. Again, another wonderful book by Ms. Taylor.

Stars- 5
Passion- 4
Length- 496 pages

Forbidden Ecstasy (Grey Eagle) by Janelle Taylor

This is book three in the Grey Eagle series.

The day after Shalee (Alisha) and Grey Eagle's joining, when they have vowed to love one another, Grey Eagle goes to replenish supplies and leaves Alisha in the desert. She starts becoming concerned when he hasn't returned after two days. Has he been harmed? When Powchutu comes to her and claims that Grey Eagle returned to the camp and said that she died by enemy braves, her world crumbles. Powchutu talks her into going East with him and trying to go back to England. Along the way there are many troubles and many enemies.

I had mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it was an enjoyable read, but on the other, I was disappointed. When I realized where these feelings came from, I enjoyed the book more. It came from them being separated. You don't hear from Grey Eagle after the first part of the book until chapter eighteen. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had gone back to him occasionally. This book focused on Alisha and what she was living and going through, which was fine. By the time I finished the book I realized how much I did enjoy it. Forbidden Ecstasy followed in the line of the previous two with the descriptions and emotions. I cried while reading this book. It evoked great emotion. I was worried and anxious right along with Alisha. Ms. Taylor has captivated me with yet another book in her Grey Eagle series.

Stars- 4
Passion- 3
Length- 500 pages

Defiant Ecstacy (Grey Eagle) by Janelle Taylor

Part two in the Grey Eagle series

Alisha has just been taken from Fort Pierre by Grey Eagle. He has decided to show her his love and she couldn't be happier. The next morning when two strange Indians show up, one obviously a chief, and start to examine her, Alisha can't help but be hurt and afraid that Grey Eagle has sold her to another. Was his love just another evil and cruel joke?

Brave Bear treats Alisha wonderfully. He's thoughtful and sweet. He's kind and gentle. Alisha determines she's going to obey him and make him a wonderful slave. That is until Grey Eagle shows up to reclaim her. Should she go back to his cruelty or should she fight to stay where there is kindness and acceptance?

I liked this book even better than the first. I loved Brave Bear and all his kindness. His thoughts and feelings were pure. At the same time you get to see more of Grey Eagle's love for Alisha. It makes you start to disregard the Stockholm syndrome idea. It goes into more detail of the kindness he did show her between the brutality and his reasoning behind it. There's that cultural barrier and the fact that he's the chief's son. Of course, as modern day women who are free from the hold that men held over women in the 1700s, and as early as the 1900s, it's a little harder for us to comprehend, I think. Still, wonderfully descriptive and captivating. The first chapter is a rehash of the last chapter of the first book, but I did notice some added parts and different people's views thrown in so it can't hurt to read it if you want different perspectives.

Stars- 5
Passion- 3
Length- 472 pages

Savage Ecstasy (Grey Eagle) by Janelle Taylor

Alisha has only been out west for the past year. In her beautiful innocence she doesn't understand the hatred between the Indians and whites. She feels that if they would just talk to one another then everyone could get along. Her life unknowingly gets turned upside down the day the men capture a devastatingly handsome brave and bring him into the fortress. When they start to whip him she runs to his rescue. She tends his wounds and brings him food and water. When he escapes, Grey Eagle decides to spare her in his vengeance. He wants her as his own slave. Even through his brutality towards her, Alisha loves Grey Eagle with all her being. Can these two finally find a truce?

Okay, I have to admit I couldn't put the book down. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Ms. Taylor wrote a wonderful and very descriptive book. She held nothing back from her descriptions of battles, rapes, beatings, and love. This isn't a sugary sweet romance. Grey Eagle is a rather brutal man demanding Alisha bends to his will. In my personal opinion, the woman is suffering from some serious Stockholm syndrome. He rapes her, she loves him. He beats her, she loves him. He kills off all the whites in her fortress, she loves him. It's a never ending list of his brutality, yet she loves him with all her heart and soul. Yet, I again must say, I did enjoy reading the book for the amount of depth the characters displayed as well as Ms. Taylor's descriptions. There's lots of history and her explaining reasons and customs. You're not just reading and expecting to understand. She tells you what you need to know.

Stars- 5
Passion- 3
Length- 532 pages

A Twist of Fate by Karen Michelle Nutt

When Arianna Ward comes to and sees three strangers standing over her, she's not sure if she should run or stay. When snatches of memories or dreams or something starts coming to her, she decides to stay. What she can't figure out is why the man she's told is her husband looks at her with such disdain. The longer Arianna talk to people the more she finds out how horrible she was before her accident, when she was Annabelle. When snatches of a memory surface of a fortune teller telling her she belongs in the past, she's not sure if she should believe it or think she's going crazy.

Keldon isn't sure he should believe his black heart of a wife when she says her name is Arianna instead of Annabelle. What game is the evil witch up to now? Unfortunately, he can't help falling in love with such a kind and gentle soul as Arianna.

I was thoroughly caught up in this beautifully written and descriptive novel. The characters were beautiful with their depth, the locations were described wonderfully. I felt as if I was on the sea and at the plantation right along with them. This does contain the ugliness that was slavery, but the author was wonderful about making Arianna compassionate and wonderful towards the slaves. We didn't have to endure the horrible struggles these poor people went through on a daily basis because the slaves were a large part of the book. I think it would have been just too sad. The author also did her research and stuck to the facts as best she could with making them fit the story, which she talks about at the end of the book.

Stars- 5
Passion- 2
Length- 360 pages

Moon Spell by Samantha Young

Caia has just returned to her pack. She's been in hiding for the last ten years since The Hunter killed her parents. Now the pack leader Lucien says that it's okay for her to come home. What neither of them bargain for is the crazy attraction towards one another. What Caia never expects is why the water turns on or pipes burst when she gets really emotional. When the truth starts to come out, can Caia find it in herself to forgive and trust again?

This was a well written YA novel. It was beautifully told with well rounded characters. You could feel the emotions running through these characters. You were there running through the woods with the pack. There was some great suspense trying to figure out who done it for a while. Then to keep the story rolling, it's told who around the 3/4 mark in the book. Still doesn't take anything away from the action.

Stars- 5
Passion- 2
Length- 264 pages

We Now Have a Diagnosis

My loyal readers

I have just spent the last five hours in the hospital. I finally gave in and went because of still running a fever and the ever present headache. I apparently have...

Viral Meningitis

This is why I have felt like crap and have not been able to do much reading or anything else. My neck and head hurt to the point of tears most of the time, also bringing on nausea.

So the nice doctor gave me a prescription for some pain killers since Tylenol and ibuprofen won't even touch the headache and I have a nice  prescription for an antibiotic. Hopefully I will be well and reading and writing reviews daily again in no time.

Midnight Confessions by T.M. Bledsoe

Livie's life is hectic enough. She has four kids, two dogs, a mom and sister that cause pure chaos in her home and life. Now, her ex husband has decided she's the one to help him recuperate after a near fatal car accident. The last thing she needs is Dillon adding any more stress than there needs to be. Especially since the man is pure evil. He only used her while they were married.

Dillon has started to see all that he missed when he was married to Livie. Apparently she's not the money hungry woman he thought she was. And what happened to that Pomeranian that always hated him? That dog barked at him constantly.

I got caught up in this book from the beginning. I wanted to smack Dillon upside the head a few times. Of course, it was wonderfully written and I couldn't help falling in love with Dillon and cheering him on because of it. I wanted to be right in the middle of all the messes with the family. I was completely charmed by Jack, the accident prone child. The sexual tension was crazy. All in all, the story made me smile and tense up and I enjoyed it immensely.

Stars- 5
Passion- 3
Length- 300 pages

Jane Millionaire by Janice Lynn

Jill has decided to save her sister from breech of contract by going on Jane Millionaire, a new reality show, as her sister, Jessie. What Jill doesn't know is that Jessie pretty much stole her entire life, with the exception of her name. Even then, Jessie said that her friends call her Jill. When you have to pick between twelve bachelors, what do you do when you fall in love with the producer instead of one of the guys you're supposed to? This is Jill's dilemma.

Rob, the super sexy producer, has been burned before by actresses trying to sleep their way to the top. He's not interested in getting serious with any woman, especially not one looking to start up in show biz. He also can't ruin Jane Millionaire by having an affair with the star when she's supposed to choose a bachelor. So why can't he get her out of his head?

I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up because the idea of the bachelorette falling for the producer rather than a bachelor just sounded too good to pass up. I'm so glad I didn't pass it up. I loved Jill in all her witty, sarcastic, tough, feminine ways. Just because she's a cop doesn't mean she's not a woman. Rob was also very wonderful and hunky. Makes me want a Rob of my own. The ending totally blew me out of the water. I thought it was very creative and fun.

Stars- 5
Passion- 3
Length- 321 pages

Not Yet Recovered....I Do Have a Book to Post Though!

I'm not yet recovered from the flu but I have in fact finally finished a book. Now, I have a very sore throat on top of a scary high fever. 103 anybody? Yeah, I don't want it either. So, I know this post is short, but I will be posting a book review immediately after so I don't want you to get bored reading this and then not read my review of a wonderful romance.