Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers

This is a cute book by Julia Dumont about a woman with a new business that is booming and just as things are starting to go right she hears from an ex and things begin to get interesting. Max was someone she felt needy for and who she was devastated over when he left and later got married to someone else.  She has a boyfriend right now but finds him boring and he just doesn't do it for her. She can't explain what IT is just that he doesn't have it. Max calls and wants her to meet him in a hotel where they had previously spent fourteen wonderful days. She tries to stay away from him by busying herself with work and things start going crazy when she meets this crazy dog lady.

To sum things up its a cute little story with some appearing and disappearing dogs and also annoying people but it also ends with a big question mark. I would rate this book a three out of five and can't wait to read the next one.

Cold Light

I haven't read the first book in the After Trilogy, but after reading Cold Light I have already ordered it on my kindle and will be reading it within the next few days. The way Traci L. Slatton has created the After world is amazingly real to a reader. I can picture it easily in my mind without even trying too hard. The characters in the book are very easy to  relate to  as well. The way people have to live now really hits home and makes me wonder if I would even be able to do that. Life without phones and computers and even tvs...kinda scary. As I previously stated I haven't read the first book but the way the author fills us in at different places in the book tells some of what I missed in the book. I didn't feel lost at all.

I have to say that I can only imagine how Emma must feel to be so deeply in love with Arthur and yet be married to Haywood. She does love Haywood as we know since she leaves with him and Beth her daughter to go back where they came from. She is deeply saddened to be leaving Arthur though and my heart goes out to her. I cannot wait to read the next part of the story to find out if Haywood survives and if so then does she still stay with him or does she go with true love and leave him and be with Arthur? I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 and recommend it to all my friends.

The Perfect Score

This book by Beth Williamson was INCREDIBLE!!! I myself grew up on a bowling league and this book made me remember all those years of fun and all the friends I met all over the state in different tournaments. Because of those experiences I am able to relate to the characters in all three of the stories.

The first story in the novel is called One Night Stand which stars Babs as a nympho who seems to be sleeping with anyone who has balls and then kicks them to the curb after just that one night. To me it appears she is searching for something or someone as she talks about her feelings and how her latest one night stand was an idiot. Well to shorten this review, she meets a man she knew from years ago and realizes that she is still attracted to him. They play a cat and mouse game with him eventually coming out on top. He makes her realize she is loved and proposes to her. Then it goes to the next story.

The second story is called Widow's Weeds and stars Veronica who is a widow and always dresses in black from head to toe. This is a little much for me as its been awhile since her husband died and we no longer live in the dark ages. I couldn't relate too much to this story only because she finds love with another woman. It is a touching story of lost love and how you can find it again with the right person. Then on to the third and final story of the book.

The third story is called Marlene's Man and I absolutely loved this story. It brings to life how bullies can stay bullies even into adulthood and what their bullying does to the victims even years later. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer and ended a bit soon for my tastes. I love how Buck goes about wooing Marlene it is just sweet as can be. The sex scenes are pretty steamy but not disgustingly so. All works out in the end for them and I can only imagine they will end up together forever but we shall never know for sure.

All in all I would rate this book a four out of five and recommend it to all my friends as a must read.

When The Siren Calls

When The Siren Calls was hard for me to get into, but once I did I found it hard to put down. I really enjoyed the sensual twists at every corner and love scenes weren't too much but also didn't leave anything unsaid. I would rate this a four out of five stars and recommend it to certain friends I know would enjoy it. Can't wait to read more by this author. 

Lust Unleashed

I have to say that Lust Unleashed wasn't a very interesting read for me. It was hard to get into from the beginning. It starts with a group of people talking about joining forces to hunt for the elusive Chupacabra  and from there I just lost interest. Usually mythological creatures interest me, however the way the author went about introducing the characters just didn't sit with me well. It wasn't written badly or anything, just seemed like it was an afterthought on giving them back stories. Then the more I read the more I had to force myself to continue, I understand the main character changes into a wolf, but the way he goes about even telling the woman he ends up sleeping with just kinda goes over weird to me. I just can't say what exactly I didn't like about the book, just that I didn't care for any of it really. I would rate this book a two out of five stars, and wouldn't recommend it to my friends to read. 

The Tragedy Paper

This YA novel by Elizabeth LaBan is a wonderful read, it's about the difficulties of being accepted, of young love and tragedy as well. 

Duncan is returning to Irving School for his senior year there, he is anxious to see what room he is going to be getting and what "treasure" has been left for him. He is also concerned about a paper he has to write called the Tragedy Paper, which is basically like a thesis for the school year. He is having issues over something that happened last school year, but we don't really find out what that is until close to the end of the book. He finds out he has the corner room that is smaller than the other rooms and also the room nobody wanted. He also finds his treasure is left by Tim, the previous inhabitant of the room. There is a note and a series of cd's that Duncan listens too starting his first night there. The cd's give us an inside look at Tim's life heading to Irving for his senior year and the incidents that took place. 

We learn through the series of cd's that Tim is in love with a girl named Vanessa who has a boyfriend that is possessive and a drunk at times, there are times Vanessa seems like she is falling for Tim as well, but she never pushes away Patrick, her boyfriend, Tim always comes last. It seems to me like Vanessa is aware of Tim being in love with her and is stringing him along knowing full well she would never be with him over Patrick. 

When not listening to the cds we learn about Duncan's involvement with Daisy and read about his struggle to involve her more in his life without pushing her away by hiding what he feels is a secret. Finally we learn there was a terrible accident involving Tim and Vanessa and she almost died. We learn Duncan feels responsible for the accident and the blindness that Tim has now after the accident. Tim's point in leaving the cd's was to let Duncan know him better and in the end he tells him that he doesn't blame him at all, everything leading up to the accident as well as what happened to him and Vanessa was his fault. 

I really liked this book and would rate it a 5 out of 5 stars. It may be a YA novel but the way it's written draws in adults too. It's something I would recommend to just about anyone.

The Pleasures of Winter

The actor's razor-sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw added to the tough-guy image. And yet, fighting that dazzling He-Man perfection, there was an irresistible sensual allure in the curve of his mouth. It wasn't right: no one should be that hot.

These lines written by Evie Hunter of Abbie's first impressions of Jack had me thoroughly  hooked. I could completely see Jack Winter as if he were right in front of me. The fact he is Irish just gave me goosebumps as I could hear his voice in my head.  I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. There are many different elements to the story that keep you guessing and turning the pages. The sex scenes are really steamy and will make you fan yourself from the heat.  I really liked reading of how Abbie learns she wants to be dominated. She struggles with this but also is so curious it's interesting to read about. Jack is a very alpha-male and wants to be the one to dominate her. 

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 and recommend  it to everyone who likes BDSM books. I can't wait to read more books by this author.