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I’m Reading All Played Out by Cora Carmack

I’ve been waiting for this book for freakin’ ever, so it had major expectations to meet. And it did. Oh, baby, did it.

Nell is Dylan’s roommate (Dylan, female lead of All Broke Down). And anyone reading these books knows that Mateo Torres is the house clown–the one about whom everyone laughs and shakes their heads. He’s also a bit of a manwhore.

Nell on the other hand is focused and driven–school and her career are it for her. After a bad bout of the lonelies, she decides to experiment and try out ‘real’ college life before she graduates. To that end, she makes a list and sets about to check off the items.

Accomplishing this task puts our girl squarely in the path of sexy Torres. . .and he falls hard. How he wins her skittish and reluctant heart is spun sweetly and with earnest realism; we see Nell yearning and pulling back while Torres exercises admirable patience and depth as yet unseen in his character.

I love when an author takes a side character we assume we knew–whom we had stereotyped–and brings him out, makes him 3-D and deep. It’s a good reminder that when we pigeonhole people, we’re doing them and ourselves a disservice.

My one and only complaint about this book is that Stella’s story, which I’ve been waiting impatiently to read, isn’t up for preorder yet. EARLY 2016!!! Gah, I’ll wither away and die before then. (Not really. At least, I hope not.)

If you haven’t read The Rusk University books, RUN and get them all. Right now. Go on, shoo. And read them, and then come back and thank me. ‘Cause I know you will.

Five From Terry Spear

Welcome to Five From Friends Friday!

Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers

from some of my favorite author friends.

I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.

Quickies from Terry Spear

Last February, I was in Daytona Beach at the Coastal Magic con. The first event was an author/blogger speed dating session. I found a place to sit and settled down, just as a pretty but slightly flustered woman joined me at the table. She introduced herself as Terry Spear and dumped out some swag to work on while we chatted and waited for bloggers. I learned that she’d had a stressful trip to Florida from Texas, as well as an anxious week leading up to the trip. What really sealed the deal for me about Terry, though, was that she gave me chocolate. Friends for life!

Q: You have two sweet pups in your life—if they were given the gift of speech, what would their conversation be like?

A: Oh, how much they love each other and me. I think that’s always the desire. That your fur babies feel as needed and loved as much as you need and love them in return.

Q:  You’re a Texas gal. If you were forced to relocate one day, what would be your number one choice of a new home state?

A: I’ve lived all over, and loved so many places. I’m actually from California, the redwoods and lakes and ocean I loved best. But Oregon, oh how I dearly love Oregon–the ocean, the trees, the mountains, the beauty. And Florida, the ocean, the palms, the warmer winters. And Wisconsin, the frozen lakes and mountains of snow, the fall colors that set the world on fire. And New Jersey, the ocean, the fall colors, the beauty of so much of the areas where I lived or traveled through. Colorado for the uniqueness and mountains, the old west feel, and wildflowers. Maryland, for the ocean, the Baltimore Inner Harbor, Annapolis, the tall ships and the quaint towns. New Hampshire for the cool summer nights and mountains and trees and lakes and fall. Texas, for all its diversity, but living near the Gulf would be the best. Do you see a pattern? Trees, water sources, fall colors, cool summer nights, mountains–I think I’m a wolf at heart.

Q: You write awesome shifter books. If your fairy godmother appeared and offered you the chance to shift into any creature, what would it be?

A: Thanks so much, Tawdra! I love all animals, and so I’d ask if I could shift into anything I wanted whenever I needed to so that I could write my books even more accurately and get the animals right. They deserve to be loved for who they are. Don’t you think that would be great?

Q: What food is your guilty pleasure when you’re deep in writing?

A: Chocolate!

Q:  We’re kicking of the Summer of Lovin’ with lots of sizzling beach romance reads. What’s your favorite part of the summer months?

A: It’s WAY TOO hot here. If I lived at the ocean, I’d be walking the beach, looking out to sea, enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, swimming, wading, watching the hermit crabs burrowing and the seagulls flying overhead. Since I don’t, I watch the birds and bunnies in my own little sanctuary surrounded by wheat and cornfields, listening to the songbirds, watching for the road runner and the shintail hawk, observing ladybugs and dragonflies and butterflies. Photographing them and the wildflowers too. Listening to the wind blowing through the corn, which makes it sound like the ocean waves, and imagining I’m at the beach.

***

HOTTEST OF THE HOT ON THE NAVY SEAL WOLF TEAM

SEAL Wolf Hunting-300Paul Cunningham has eluded many traps in his long career as a Navy SEAL, but there’s no way out of this one. On a rare visit home, he gets “volunteered” for a local charity bachelor auction, and the community is counting on him. Then he discovers that the sexy she-wolf with the winning ticket is Lori Greypaw-the one woman he could never resist. And she has plans for Paul that go way beyond a simple date. For the first time in his bachelor life, this alpha wolf SEAL is going to have to prove his worth…

 

A SEAL Wolf Hunting (Book 16)

(July, 2015)

Amazon

 

 

Bestselling and award-winning author Terry Spear has written over fifty paranormal romance novels and four medieval Highland historical romances. Her first werewolf romance, Heart of the Wolf, was named a 2008 Publishers Weekly’s Best Terry Spear, rightBook of the Year, and her subsequent titles have garnered high praise and hit the USA Today bestseller list. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry lives in Crawford, Texas, where she is working on her next werewolf romance, continuing her new series about shapeshifting jaguars, having fun with her young adult novels, and playing with her two Havanese puppies, Max and Tanner.

Follow Terry here:

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I’m Reading The Mistake by Elle Kennedy and The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan

I was trolling the ‘Zon last week when lo and behold, I saw that The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan had been released! I gobbled it up–you might remember that Kristen wrote The Hook Up which I’d found earlier this year. I was so excited to read this book, and it didn’t disappoint. I absolutely loved the relationship between Ivy and Gray and the easy way it developed. Both were well-rounded, believable characters, likable and real. I was thrilled with the bumps along their way and how they were resolved. It was a story worthy of the huge hangover it gave me.

I sighed as I finished, flipping back onto the home screen of my Kindle, and I blinked in surprise and then glee–because there was The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, the follow up book to The Deal. It was like a miracle . . . a reader’s miracle.

While I was enjoying it, though, I was surprised to come across a familiar name from another book. Drew Baylor? But he was a character in The Hook Up. I loved it, though–characters crossing worlds. How cool! So imagine how giddy I was when I reached the end of the book and found out about a very cool Facebook group that lets fans of some of my favorite authors hang out and chat!

The Locker Room celebrates the books and characters of Cora Carmack, Elle Kennedy, Kristen Callihan, Monica Murphy and Sarina Bowen. It’s a dream come true.

So to recap: this week’s books were both excellent follow-ups to the fabulous first books. Both were deep and sassy love stories, deep and realistic characters, men who make us all go ga-ga and women who are more than capable of kicking a little ass.

What could be better? So glad you asked. All Played Out, the Rusk University book I’ve been waiting for over the last months, finally hit my Kindle last night. You know what we’ll be discussing next Wednesday.

Sigh.

Signed,

One Really Happy Reader

Five From Kallypso Masters

Welcome to Five From Friends Friday!

Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers

from some of my favorite author friends.

I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.

Quickies from Kallypso Masters

I’m a strong believer in paying it forward–and happily, so are most indie authors. I’ve been the fortunate recipient of more grace and favor than I’ve any right. One of the fabulous authors who’s been gracious and kind to me–helping to host a release party, letting me take part in hers–is the wonderful Kallypso Masters. I love her books, because they’re not your standard BDSM or military books; they’re a perfect blend of thoughtful exploration of a lifestyle that might be unfamiliar to many readers as well as sensitive handling of the unique qualities in military men and women. I’m thrilled that Kallypso is here today to share five quickies!

Q: Your character Adam is one of my favorites. He meets a guy who’s about to join the Marines. What advice would Adam give him?

A: Be aware of your surroundings at all time–seeing and listening with more than your eyes and ears. Stay focused. Remember to breathe. Remain calm under duress. Leave no Marine behind.

Q: You’ve just won a week-long vacation in Paris. The only caveat is that you have five minutes to pack and you can only bring five items of clothes. What would get tossed into your backpack?

A: I hope the shoes aren’t included as clothing, but here are my clothing items: comfortable slacks, two t-shirts, bra, panties, and a cocktail dress. (But I SO would never go to Paris or anywhere that light!)

Q: Plain or peanut M&M’s?

A: Peanut!

Q: Summer’s around the corner! What’s your go-to adult beverage for the warm months?

A: Anything with rum and fruit juice(s)! (It’s also my favorite winter adult beverage! I just go up to the bartender wherever I am and ask for his or her rum and fruity specialty.)

Q: At a library one day, you meet a 20 year-old girl who’s never read any books for pleasure. What novel, other than any of your own, would you suggest for her first ‘real’ book?

A: Just one? Wow. I’m going to say “Archer’s Voice,” by Mia Sheridan. A hero unlike any I’ve ever read in a poignant, emotional Romance that will have her falling in love with reading again. 

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USA Today Bestseller NOBODY’S DREAM

One broken heart. 

One battered soul. 

April 2015 Nobodys Dream B&N w USAT

No one said life would be fair or easy. Quiet, Peruvian-born artist Cassie Lopez learned this the hard way. Betrayed by the man she planned to marry, she shut herself off as far away from all but her closest friend from college… 

Until the night Luke Denton came crashing into her Colorado mountain sanctuary with a vengeance. Confused by her heart’s response to this kind and gentle man, Cassie pushes herself to help the cowboy recover quickly so she can send him on his way. But Luke’s patience and understanding threaten to break down the very defenses she needs to survive in this world after he’s gone. 

Search-and-Rescue worker Luke, who lost his wife and unborn child in a tragic accident, also knows firsthand of the unfairness of life. He keeps his own nightmares at bay by focusing on his rescue activities, most recently adopting and working with abused and neglected horses. 

Can two wounded people find trust and love together? Do nightmares end where dreams come true? 

Amazon/Amazon UK/Amazon Australia/iBooks/NOOK/Kobo/Google Play/All Romance eBooks

 USA Today bestselling author Kallypso Masters writes emotional, realistic Romance novels with an emphasis on healing using sometimes unconventional methods. Her alpha males are dominant and attracted to strong women who can bring them to theirKally promo shot Nov 2013 knees. Kally also has brought many readers to their knees—having them experience the stories along with her characters in the Rescue Me Saga. Kally knows that Happily Ever After takes maintenance, so her couples don’t solve all their problems and disappear at “the end” of “their” novel, but will continue to work on real problems in their relationships in later books in the saga.

Kally has been writing full-time since May 2011. She lives in rural Kentucky and has been married almost 32 years to the man who provided her own Happily Ever After. They have two adult children, one adorable grandson, and a rescued dog and cat.

Kally enjoys meeting readers. Check out the Appearances page on her web site to see if she’ll be near you!

Follow Kally here:

Facebook/Tsu/Twitter/Pinterest/Web site

I’m reading The Liar by Nora Roberts

I’ve been a Nora Roberts fan for a very long time. My favorites have always been her trilogies, whether they’re the romance with paranormal twists books or straight romance, but of course I enjoy her annual hardback romantic thriller releases, too.

The Liar was a book that intrigued me. I was excited to read it and see if it lived up to the hype. The first few chapters were. . .slow. Now whether they really were or whether my perception of them was colored by my recent new adult romance reading, I can’t say. I do know that although the story was building, slow but sure, it wasn’t quite gripping me yet.

The shift came when the female lead, Shelby, returned with her young daughter to her family and home in the mountains of Tennessee. Here the story not only picked up pacing, the heart of the tale began to beat. There was such connection between Shelby and her family and friends,and their community, that it became almost another character in the story.

Of course, the love story didn’t hurt either. Griffin was a leading man worthy of the title, and his part never faltered.

One of the things I’ve always loved about Nora Roberts is that she doesn’t fall into trite traps in her books. We might anticipate the fight that’s going to alienate the romantic leads, but Nora derails it before it happens. She takes another route and leads us to the inevitable conclusion with finesse and style.

This book was no different when it came to the love story, but the thriller part was fairly predictable. No spoilers here, but I’d called the main situation before I reached the halfway point in the book, and I’m frankly surprised no one in the story itself did, too.

Happily, as in all of Nora’s books, the excellent writing, heart-melting love story and fabulous characterization trumps any weak plot lines. I enjoyed this book; it lingered on my mind for days afterward, and I can gladly recommend it.