stiesbooks: December 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

How to Run with a Naked Werewolf

Caleb Graham is a werewolf by nature, a tracker by profession. He uses his “extra gifts” to find people, and not always in the most legal or ethical manner. He doesn’t care what they’ve done, or who wants them found, as long as his considerable fee is paid. He likes his life simple and uncomplicated.

Anna Moder, former physician to Caleb’s pack, happens across Caleb during a particularly violent “negotiation” that has left him bloodied and unconscious. She helps him, despite the fact that he’s cost her a car, so he insists that she stay with him on the road for a while. As they grow closer, Anna looks past the gruff exterior and and the questionable job to thoroughly decent werewolf underneath.

Anna – who is careful to edit her involvement with Caleb’s pack from their conversations – doesn’t talk about why a nice girl wants to live in the middle of frozen nowhere, but she’s obviously on the run from something. When Anna’s past collides with Caleb’s current assignment from one of his sleazier contacts, Caleb finally has to make a choice—protect his job…or his potential mate?

My Thoughts on the Book

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really loved this story and was so happy to be back in the Naked Werewolf world. This book is sweet and fun but not quite an humorous as the first two. This is more of a sleeping with the enemy meets Werewolf story but still original and very worth reading. We have some funny moments and I loved them all especially during the last few chapters. The ending was great but left a few things unsettled and I would have loved more things tied up( only because I loved the characters so much I wanted more); but it is a great read and perfect for all of the Molly Harper fans and enough of a stand alone that it can easily be your first Naked Werewolf book to read if need be. But I still suggest reading How to Flirt with a Naked werewolf first. I listen to books I love so I can read new books but still enjoy books I have read before and I have listened to "Flirt" more times then I can count, it is one of my go to audio books.

Friday, December 20, 2013

WHO IS THE REAL MOLLY McADAMS?

Molly McAdams is pulling a prank on the internet to celebrate the release of her prank-tastic novella, Needing Her, on 12/23! For eight days until Needing Her goes on-sale, the internet will be brimming with New Adult celebs like J. Lynn, Jay Crownover, Sophie Jordan, and more—all pretending to be the REAL Molly McAdams. All have filled out the same Q&A, so it’s up to the fans to guess which one is the real Molly! Each day, a new Q&A will go live on a variety of blogs, and if you guess who’s answering the questions in the comments, you could win a fabulous gift basket, including books from all the participating authors, as well as a prank “starter-kit,” for your own practical jokes. Here are the participants:

Molly McAdams

J. Lynn

Monica Murphy

Lisa DesRochers

Jay Crownover

Sophie Jordan

Nichole Chase

Blogger Yara Santos of Once Upon A Twilight

So see if you can guess who’s who by commenting, and you’ll be entered to win a lavish prize basket. And check all the other participating blogs until 12/23 to see if you can pick out the REAL Molly McAdams. Identities will be revealed, and the winner will be announced on 12/24, on these blogs as well as on the Between the Covers FB page.

About the Book

Needing Her:

A fabulous, fun, and sexy New Adult novella from New York Times bestselling author Molly McAdams. If you loved Connor in From Ashes, this is the story for you.

She's the girl next door

Maci Price isn't really into relationships. Having four very protective older brothers has always made having a boyfriend very difficult anyway. But her friend is set on finding her the right guy—and thinks the mysterious Connor Green is the perfect pick.

He's her brother's best friend

Connor Green is trying to find himself again. He loved, then lost, and it's time for him to pick up the pieces. His brooding is making his friends crazy, but Maci, who has grown up into a gorgeous and incredibly sexy woman, is about to break the spell.

They're made for each other

When Maci starts up old pranks to get Connor out of his slump, an all-out war leads to a night that will break all their rules … and a relationship they must keep hidden. Together they're electric. Apart they're safe. And soon they'll each find that they're exactly what the other needs.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple Bookstore

12/21- Molly McAdams Pretender #6

Favorite food?

Any flavored Cheesecake

Favorite color?

At the moment its light green

Favorite band and / or favorite song?

New Kids on the Block of course

How do you come up with your book ideas?

I can be surfing the internet or chatting on Facebook and Bam! New idea will pop in my head after seeing a sad story mentioned or a sad puppy pictured.

What’s the best prank you’ve ever played on someone?

I egged an ex-boyfriend's car in high school when I found out he liked someone else.

What’s your fascination with cops and detectives?

Hello! Who doesn't love a man in a uniform.

What’s the thing you love most about Needing Her?

The spiritual connection I felt while I wrote the book and hope that readers will feel it too.

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Monday, December 16^th:

A Life Bound By Books

YA Bookish News

The Novel List

Tuesday, December 17^th:

The Irish Banana Review

Tart Sweet

Urban Girl Reader

Lebooksquirrel

Judging Books By Their Covers

Wednesday, December 18^th:

My Overstuffed Bookshelf

The Book Reading Gals

Book Mom's Reviews

Reading Teen

Thursday, December 19^th:

The Bookish Babe

Tea Time Romance

Save Your Money For Books

Will Read For Books

Friday, December 20^th:

Books Like Breathing

Bookalicious

Reese's Reviews: MA2F

Fiktshun

The Lusty Literate

Owl Always Be Reading

Live To Read

Starbucks & Books Obsession

My Summer Girl Books

Fic Talk

Saturday, December 21^st:

Romancing the Readers

Got Fiction

Nevaeh's New Adult Book Blog

The Boyfriend Bookmark

Booklovers LaceyCat

Sunday, December 22^nd:

Flirty & Dirty Book Blog

Seduced By A Book

Fiction Fare

Library of a Book Witch

Whirlwind Books

A Bookish Escape

CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Swoon Worthy Books

Movies, Shows & Books

Brazen Reads

Good Choice Reading

Brit Nanny Reads

Monday, December 23^rd:

Babbling about Books, and More

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Rule by Jay Crownover

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

My Thoughts on the Book

This is a wonderful NA book, the characters are both strong and help each other through out the story. I loved that Shaw never wanted to change Rule even if Rule thought he needed to be changed. I loved that they knew each other for so long and Shaw never took any crap from Rule but still loved him for who he was. This story did not have a typical misunderstandings that you see in so many romances for the most part and everything was out on the table so the speak. Shaw spoke her mind and just needed to get Rule to see the truth. There were not a lot of swoon moments in this book for me but a lot of sexy ones. If was a fun read and I loved the characters.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

One Week Girlfriend

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever.

My Thoughts on the Book

This is a sweet story that you expect to be a romantic comedy but is much more then that. Fable is the stronger character in this story and Drew is the one that needs to be rescued, it is twist to the NA romance we do not see very often and I loved it. Thank you Monica!

Monday, December 16, 2013

A Little Too Much

In the follow-up to Lisa Desrochers’ explosive New Adult novel A Little too Far, Alessandro Moretti must face the life he escaped and the girl he loved and left behind.

Twenty-two year old Hilary McIntyre would like nothing more than to forget her past. As a teenager abandoned to the system, she faced some pretty dark times. But now that’s all behind her. Hilary has her life on track, and there’s no way she’ll head back down that road again.

Until Alessandro Moretti—the one person who can make her remember—shows up on her doorstep. He’s even more devastatingly gorgeous than before, and he’s much too close for comfort. Worse, he sees right through the walls she’s built over these last eight years, right into her heart and the secrets she’s guarding.

As Hilary finds herself falling back into love with the man who, as a boy both saved and destroyed her, she must decide. Past or future? Truth or lies?

My Thoughts on the Book

I really loved this story, it was different from the first story but still about two people finding the truth about themselves and each other. No love triangles this time. Hillary has a secret and while I guessed the secret early on the author does a great job of bringing it out slowly to the point that you think you might be wrong but you are not upset when you are right. I really enjoy Lisa Desrochers writing and how the location in each of these stories has become a character itself.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Elect Review

Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .

My Thoughts on the Book

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this book. This book was great, it takes place exactly where Elite leaves off and you hit the ground running! I love all of the characters and while I am not a fan of love triangles this one is needed for everyone's safety. At times I did find the book too fast paced and wished Rachel would slow down the story and the relationship to give us some sweet time with Nixon, Chase and Trace before everything hits the fan, and with the stakes these people deal with it is a big fan. I am looking forward to the next book in this series because even if I feel some things were a bit rushed Rachel does not disappoint!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Storm

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

My Thoughts on the Book

3.75 stars! I met Brigid Kemmerer at a book signing but had not read here book yet and decided to buy it as the idea sounded interesting and a new take on the paranormal. I was glad I did and I really enjoyed the book but I did have a few issues with the story. There is a lot going on in the book especially for a first book in a series. The characters are great but I felt at times that we needed more time to get to know them and did not need as much action as we had. We also have a lot of characters and I had a hard time keeping everyone straight at times. While I really enjoyed the story I think it would have been better if we did not have a love triangle in book one and the Father issues all in the same story.

All in all it is a great story and I am starting the second on right now because even though I thought there was too much going on in book one it was a lot of fun and I want more of the brothers!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Bitter Sweet Love Review

Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements, #0.5)

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.
Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

My Thoughts on the Book

This really was a perfect Novella, especially for a prequel. This short but not too short story sets the stage for White Hot Kiss, a book I can not wait to read. Dez and Jasmine are great in the story and I loved how the past set the stage for their future. Dez is patient and understanding ( and hot!) and Jasmine is strong willed but scared. They come together and worked together wonderfully. We get to meet some of the players for the next book and I know I am going to enjoy it just as much if not more.

Monday, December 2, 2013

The Christmas Season has never been so steamy

From award winning author Katharine Ashe, comes an enchanting Christmas novella about a shy but imaginative princess and the rakish Earl who could make all her wildest fantasies come true….

The Christmas season has never been so steamy.

Handsome as sin and scandalously rakish, Cam Westfall, the Earl of Bedwyr is every young lady's wickedest dream. Shy wallflower Princess Jacqueline Sensaire knows this better than anyone, because her dreams are full of the breathtaking earl's kisses. And not only her dreams--her diary too.

But when Cam discovers the maiden's not-so-maidenly diary, will her wildest Christmas wishes be fulfilled in its pages . . . or in his arms?

Excerpt from KISSES, SHE WROTE, A Christmas Romance by Katharine Ashe

“At least you won’t be at a significant disadvantage when you wed,” the princess said thoughtfully.

“Disadvantage?”

“There is . . .” Her voice trailed off. She looked out the window and tilted her head. Her stance was relaxed. This conversation did not, apparently, agitate her as it did him.

“Princess?”

“The thing is, I have never kissed a man,” she said and looked over her shoulder at him. “Will my husband be disappointed to discover that I have no knowledge of kissing?”

Cam’s throat had gone entirely dry. If she had no actual knowledge of kissing, she certainly had excellent intuition.

“Why do you ask me?”

“I cannot very well ask my brother. How horridly embarrassing that should be.” She scowled but her eyes twinkled.

“You might ask your ladies in waiting, or the Duchess of Lycombe.”

“How would they know the answer? They are women.”

He was nonplused. “Well . . .”

She turned to him fully. “You and I are friends, so I trust you will answer me honestly. I know you have considerable experience kissing women.”

His cravat had shrunk again. “Do you?”

She lifted a single, eloquent brow. She was far too intelligent for him, and far too forthright, and he was far too accustomed to consorting with females of much less acute minds and much baser characters. She was not now flirting with him but making a statement of fact.

He nodded in silent admission.

Both brows perked now, like the shimmering feathers of a raven. “So . . . ?”

“I should think that your husband would be delighted to teach you the finer points of kissing.” And learn a thing or two in the process.

“I suppose you may be correct about that. Men like to instruct women. I think it makes them feel more in control.”

He could not hide his amusement. “You don’t say?”

“Well, doesn’t it? You are a man.”

“Good of you to notice.”

“Do you like it when you feel in control of a woman?”

“I like it when a woman feels she is getting what she wants from me.”

Her fine, expressive eyes widened. Then, slowly, she turned to the pianoforte and began rearranging the music on the stand. Cam studied the clean sweep of her back to her gently curved hips and the straight set of her shoulders. She was not petite, not enticingly round, not anything he had ever desired in a woman. But merely looking at her back and knowing what she imagined of him — of them together — made his heartbeats hard.

“I should like to give it a try before I marry,” she said without turning around. Her voice was pitched a bit low. “Kissing, that is.” She glanced at him. Her cheeks were ever so slightly pink.

“Should you?” He suspected where this was going. He’d been the object of countless women’s flirtations. But never this woman. She confined her attentions to him safely in her diary.

This was a different woman before him now.

“Yes,” she said. “I think it would be a useful experience to take into marriage. Don’t you?” She turned her hungry gaze upon him . . .

Steal your own Christmas kiss with a $100 gift card to Sephora! Follow Katharine Ashe on Twitter, like her on Facebook, or leave a comment with a diary story of your own to enter for a chance to win!

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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Bitter Sweet Love Launch!!!!!

Jennifer L. Armentrout's amazing novella in her new The Dark Elements Series, BITTER SWEET LOVE, is out and we are excited to join in the release day launch for it. BITTER SWEET LOVE is the Prequel Novella for The Dark Elements Series and is full of Wardens, fantasy, and romance. The first novel in the series, WHITE HOT KISS, will be released February 25, 2014. Check out what we have for you today! There's also a fantastic excerpt for you to check out below!

EXCERPT:

Moving lightning fast, Dez shifted and I was suddenly underneath him. His arms were on either side of my head, caging me in. Our bodies didn’t touch, but I felt him to the tips of my toes anyway.

The teasing grin disappeared when I dragged in a deep breath and my chest brushed his. Everything changed in an instant. The playful mood faded, replaced by primal heaviness. Our gazes collided and locked. Neither of us moved. His closeness sent a series of shivers skittering across my skin and made it hard to take slow, even breaths. My body tensed when his gaze dropped to my mouth.

He tilted his head to the side. “I… I honestly have no idea what we were talking about.”

“Good. Neither do I.”

He shifted his weight onto one arm, bring him closer. “Have you enjoyed your trip so far?”

“Yes.” I felt as if I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.

“Good.” He lowered his head. His breath was minty as it moved across my cheek and then my lips. “I’m glad.”

I wasn’t really following the conversation and I wasn’t sure that he was fully aware of what was coming out of his mouth. I searched my hazy brain for something to say and wet my lips. I-

The sound that came out of Dez’s chest rumbled through me. A stuttered heartbeat passed and then his lips were on mine. There was nothing slow about this kiss. It scorched my skin and caused my body to stretch tight like a bowstring. The kiss deepened, spinning my senses. I shuddered when his hand curved over my shoulder and drifted down to my waist, his long fingers spreading out under the hem of my shirt, grazing the bare skin of my stomach.

I gasped, floored by the raw sensations pounding through my blood. My skin felt as if I was about to phase. Maybe I was.

“Jasmine,” he whispered, the word falling against my lips, and then his body was pressing mine into the mattress, heavy, sweet and hard.

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ABOUT BITTER SWEET LOVE (The Dark Elements #.5):

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…

Don't miss White Hot Kiss, book one in Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Dark Elements series from Harlequin TEEN!

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.