Montana Fire by Lisa Jackson (Random Read #1)

This was my Random Read for February as well as my first time reading Lisa Jackson and, well, it was exhausting. Montana Fire is made up of two shorter stories about the McLean brothers, Denver and Colton. The stories are loosely connected but can be read separately. I really wasn't a fan of Aftermath and if basing my opinion on just that story would never pick up another Lisa Jackson book again. Ever. I did manage to finish the entire book and ended up liking the second story Tender Trap and it's characters a good deal more. I'd maybe, maybe pick up another book of Jackson's after reading Colton's story but I'm not going out of my way to get my hands on one. There were a lot of similarities between the storylines for each brother which was a little on the unoriginal side and left me wondering if it was a theme Jackson uses often in her writing. In both the slightly older hero dumps the heroine when they're kids over a misunderstanding/betrayal and because she's too young, stays away for years with no communication and the heroine never dates or is with anyone else during the near decade because they still love the hero even though he was an ass and isn't in their lives any longer. At least in the second story the relationship was somewhat believable and the characters were nice to one another and decent people overall. 



Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 2 out of 5

"Aftermath"


"Naive and in love, Tessa Kramer had lost her innocence to Denver McLean under the Montana sky. But when a fire blazed through the McLean ranch, casting deadly suspicion on Tessa's ardor, Denver left and never looked back. Now, years later, he's returned. But will their scars from the past undo the connection they still feel?"

Wordless Wednesday...mornings.

Alright. I know it's wordless Wednesday but .... This is Gladys and how she's decided to wake me up in the mornings now days. When I moved the room around she got two of her favorite things. Lounging on her mom first thing in the morning and getting to look out of the window at all the trees outside at the same time. It's not her most flattering look but I think they're pretty funny and couldn't help myself.

Bound, Branded & Brazen by Jaci Burton

Do you ever read books that get you a little hot and steamy? If you do, join in Hot Reads and share some of your favorite sexy reads and find some new ones!

Hot Reads is a Monthly Meme, hosted by Book Savvy Babe and Alive on the Shelves, where we get to share our hottest read of the month!  Your choice can be any book, it doesn’t matter the genre, the length, whether it’s new or old.  If you read it during the month, and it raised your temperature, it qualifies to be a HOT READ!  To make things as simple as possible, Hot Reads will take place the 28th day of the month.  So every month, be ready to share your HOT READ pick!  

Follow Friday! Where do you read?

Q: Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most...

A: Alright this is kinda fun. Can't wait to see where everyone reads. I've got 3 spots. 

First spot is my bedroom. Love reading in here. The flash is doing a kinda funny thing with the wall color since it's the middle of the night but it's a really nice moss green color. It's a pretty relaxing and warm place to read.

Hush (Lodestone #1) by Cherry Adair

A reckless adventure in a deadly paradise.

Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adventure, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world's highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death--where they don't know the rules.


A one-night stand that will change his life forever.
Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle. A risky, deathdefying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak's life . . . until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense.


An unexpected diversion with lethal consequences.
Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun, and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead--at any cost.


Type: Romantic Suspense, Slight Paranormal 
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Naughty After Dark Blog Hop Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway! Loved all the guilty pleasures. They were great! We had two winners at Herding Cats & Burning Soup. Congrats to....

June M who picked The Mark of a Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill (nice choice!)

and

Elie Z who is getting a nice box of chocolates!

Wordless Wednesday...a little blown glass.

Recipes: Macaroni and Cheese- a little grown up

I love a good macaroni and cheese and this one was pretty damn good. It's a little dressed up so doesn't feel quite like a kids side dish. The added ingredients (mustard, onion, cayenne pepper) gave it a nice little kick and a wonderful flavor. Smelled heavenly when it was cooking too.

Girly Crafty Project 1! Building a birdhouse!

 I have officially made my first and last birdhouse! And finished one of my girly crafty projects from my new years resolutions. Woohoo! Okay so it wasn't all that girly but birds are a bit girly, right, so I'm going with it.

I've got this book of 2001 things you should do before you die and building a birdhouse was one of them. So I picked this little one up ages ago and it's been sitting on my shelf. Not sure exactly why we all need to build a birdhouse but a birdhouse we have even though they totally and completely freak. me. the. hell. out. They're not nearly as bad as butterflies ::shudder:: but still.

Dead After Dark anthology

While I didn't LOVE this anthology as a whole it was worth the read for Ward and Squires' contributions. Both were wonderfully written and left me wanting more- in a good way. Ward is always on my to read list and I'll definitely be reading more from Squires now too.

So, what about yall? Do you love anthologies or try to avoid them? Anyone else find a great new author to read from picking one up like I did with this one?

Type: Paranormal Romance
Heat: 2-3 out of 5
Rating: 3 out of 5

Kiss of Fury (Dragonfire #2) by Deborah Cooke

Alexandra Madison has discovered an invention that could change the world. When her partner is murdered and their lab destroyed, Alex knows she has to rebuild her prototype in time...

Donovan Shea knows the Madison project is of dire importance to the ongoing Pyr/Slayer war. So when he sees Alex being followed by a Slayer, he reacts and defends her, never imagining that she’s his destined mate...

As Slayers close in on their prey, Donovan knows he'’ll surrender his life to protect Alex—and lose his heart to possess her...

Type: Paranormal Romance, Shifters (Dragons)
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Rating: 3 out of 5

The battle between Pyr and Slayer continues! This time Alex Madison is caught in the crossfires. She's invented an earth friendly car that's soon to be debuted and is key to saving the earth. On top of that it turns out she's Donovan's destined mate. Basically she's everything the slayers are out to destroy and they're determined to eliminate her invention and prevent her and Donovan's firestorm. Terrified of dragons after an attack she now has to trust the very creatures that scare her in order to survive. Things aren't much better on Donovan's side of things. Of all the Pyr he's the one who doesn't want a mate or his firestorm. Because of a betrayal in his past he's turned into a playboy who doesn't want to settle down or risk his heart again. 

Follow Friday and a wedding invite!

Feature & Follow Friday is a Meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Each week there's a fun new question then you hop around and check out all kinds of fun new blogs! Jump over to their blogs to join in on the fun!

Q: I like unique names for characters and am looking forward to coming up with some when I start writing. What's the most unique character name you've come across?

Wordless Wednesday....um...blended family?

Naughty After Dark Blog Hop!

So. It's my first blog hop and there's a good bit of squeeing going on here. What a fun hop to join in on! It's hosted by Close Encounters with the Night Kind and Natasha Blackthorne who put it all together! It's their first time hosting a hop and they've done a fantastic job! Don't forget to check them out too!

So. Naughty After Dark. Mmmmhmmm. I'm going with my favorite guilty pleasures for this giveaway. 

Seducing the Enemy's Daughter by Jules Bennett

Brady Stone had just learned the new manager of the property he wanted was a woman...and quite desirable. Charming Samantha Donovan into giving away corporate secrets would be even sweeter considering she was the enemy's daughter.


The business magnate had been planning his revenge for years. Now the only thing standing between Brady and victory was a beautiful, innocent pawn. His head told him to forget about any possible future with Samantha. But his heart knew that in destroying the Donovan empire he would be ruining his last chance at happiness.


Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 2 out of 5

I picked up Seducing the Enemy's Daughter because of the Lori Foster Get Together this summer that Jules Bennett is attending. I want to read a little of each author that will be there. 

Her writing is simple and easy to read. I really enjoyed the character of Samantha. She's hard working, determined, treats people well and cares about her job and the people who work for her. Samantha is throwing everything she's got into making the Hawaiian resort she runs a success. She loves the resort and wants to earn her father's respect as a business woman. She's someone I'd want to know and be friends with. Someone you want to see succeed. She's a lovely woman who is surrounded by less than stellar men. Father, brother and our hero Brady. Honestly, they all fall firmly into the category of bastards.

Flat-Out Sexy (Fast Track #1) by Erin McCarthy

Independent single mother Tamara Briggs wanted to find a new, sexy, no-strings-attached man-just not one as young as NASCAR driver Elec Monroe. But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she’s tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you ma’am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how much risk she’s willing to take to experience the power of true love.

Type: Contemporary Romance

Heat: 3 out of 5

Rating: 3 out of 5

Well. This one took a little while for me to get on board. For the first few chapters I was seriously disliking our heroine Tamara and was wondering how in the world I was going to get through the book. It all started with Tamara and her friend at a cocktail party more or less trashing the man Tamara was dating. From all accounts he really wasn't all that great of a catch but still I just did not like the way Tamara and her friend were going on about him. She came off shallow and mean hearted. I still really don't see why that part was included in the book. It didn't add much to the plot and was just distasteful. Alright, I'm done ranting. Other than that I enjoyed the book. It was a fun, sweet and sexy read. And I did warm up to Tamara once the first few chapters were over and she was with our hero Elec. 

In My Mailbox!

Oh it was a happy mailbox this week. I'm certain my mail lady really doesn't care for me anymore. But really I'm so okay with that.

Copper Beach (Dark Legacy #1) by Jayne Ann Krentz

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber-"hot rocks." Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.

Type: Contemporary Romance, Slight Paranormal Aspect

Heat: 2 out of 5

Rating: 2 out of 5

I love Jayne Ann Krentz. Absolutely love her books as Krentz and Amanda Quick. I was so stinking excited when I heard there was a new series coming out and that it would be a paranormal. Unfortunately I didn't really love this one. Maybe I built it up too much? No clue but it just didn't do anything for me or have that little something I love about her stories and writing. 

Follow Friday!

Q: What would your prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?

A: I'd so go for reading 100s of mediocre books instead of my favorite until I was sick of it. I never want to be sick of my favorite book. Would break my heart to get tired of the characters and get to the point I didn't want to visit with them anymore. Plus even mediocre books have their moments and can make you laugh or cry. 

What about yall?

Houston, We Have a Problem by Erin McCarthy

Dr. Houston Hayes has never had trouble maintaining his professional distance with both patients and co-workers...until he meets resident Josie Adkins. Every time the tiny tornado of cheery clumsiness drops a chart in his presence, he's treated to a view that makes him extremely interested in her bones. Jumping them, that is. For a man who prides himself on control at all times, this is getting to be a problem. And problems always have solutions. All her life, Josie has wanted to be a surgeon. But how can she do that while she's suffering from the debilitating Dr. Hayes Induced Dropping Medical Equipment Syndrome? Honestly, with those ice blue eyes and powerful shoulders dipping down to a--whoops, there goes the blood pressure cuff--what's a girl to do? And then Dr. Hayes shocks her by prescribing a very sexy cure: one night of sheet-burning passion to erase the sexual tension for both of them. But only one night...he won't need more than that. Suddenly, Josie has her mission--a chance to prove the arrogant Dr. Hayes wrong. One night with her will never be enough if she has her way. And soon, both doctors may be falling into a desire deeper than any they've ever known...one that makes them hungry for more.


Type: Contemporary Romance/ Chick-Lit
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

This May I'm getting to attend Lori Foster's Annual Reader & Author Get Together. I'm so stinking excited it's not even funny. I've only read a handful of authors going though so decided to a ton of reading before hand and read a little from each author. Thus....Erin McCarthy and Houston, We Have a Problem. It turned out to be a pretty cute book and one to add to my guilty little pleasures pile. Loved the title too.

Wordless Wednesday...bravery...I haz it.

Tasty Delights--Tomato Soup w/ White Beans and Pasta

Tasty Delights and Dazzling Disasters is all about playing in the kitchen and having some fun.

I'll share my delights or my disasters. Yall feel free to join in and create your own posts, share your favorite recipes, what have you. 

This was such an easy meal to make and turned out delicious. A handful of ingredients, hardly any dishes used and cleanup that was a snap. Was perfect for a winter afternoon!

In My Mailbox!

My real mailbox was pretty quiet this week. Only two books arrived. I think it's still recovering from last week!

Follow Friday!

Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick ass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?

You know, I love a good kick ass heroine and I am all about a drool worthy alpha male but what all of my favorite books share is the unexpected. 

It can be something little or a huge event. Have to do with the characters themselves and doing something outside of what is typically expected of them (ex. Zsadist in Lover Awakened) or a twist in the plot you just don't see coming. One of my favorite "unexpecteds" was What a Dragon Should Know by G.A.Aiken. I LOVE her writing as Shelly Laurenston. She's hilarious and I always expect a good laugh from her books. Same with her writing as Aiken. But with this book she had me in a puddle of tears with the the storyline and way she wrote the characters and their reactions. It blew me away because it was something I would never expect from her writing. 

Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles #1) by Amy Lignor

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache. 

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

Random Reads! February: Montana Fire

Random Reads is a monthly meme hosted by I'm Loving Books out to help all those unfortunate books that always get picked last. All you do is pick a book at random from your TBR shelf and read it within in the month.

Such a great idea I have to join in :) Click the banner up top for more information and to join in! I have all of my books on Goodreads and used Random.org to pick my book for me which landed me on........ Book 553! One of my newest arrivals and probably one I'd never read.  So, last month I bought a mystery box of 50 romance books on ebay with no idea what it would have inside. Montana Fire was one of the books included. Looks like it has two stories. Never read Lisa Jackson. No idea what this ones about. Should be interesting. Off to Goodreads to see what I just got myself into....

Project Tell Taylor!

The Goal: Get Taylor Swift to Tweet about Remembrance! And win some great prizes along the way! (check out both giveaways below!)