Geek Love #366

CORRECTION: This is #367 for 2010.

Geek Love
Mechele Armstrong
ebook
Published December 13, 2010 by Liquid Silver Books
ISBN 978-1-59578-786-6

When Joel goes to a science fiction/gaming convention, he never expects to meet the woman of his dreams. But when he finds out a gaming buddy he’s never met is there, that’s exactly what happens.

Sam got tried of being a woman in the gaming communities, so she adopted a male persona to play--only now she has to make that lie up to her best friend Joel, who she’s spent many a night chatting with online. She doesn’t think anything that happens onscreen could be real but things sure heat up when she meets the man she considers a buddy.

Amidst science fiction regulars and popular shows and movie fans, Sam and Joel try to get to know each other beyond their gaming names and have a wild night together.

When another online woman sets her sights on Joel and is willing to do anything to get him, Sam is caught in the crossfire. Will she ever be able to reconcile herself to geek love becoming real?

Hot damn! Real gamers. We're talking 360, not that computer crap. Oh no, we're on a hardcore platform here. Crosscountry500, aka Joel Alton, is at yet another gaming convention with his fellow Halo 2 clan members. Over the years he's managed to meet all of his online friends- all but Samatra300. And oh does he ever want to meet Samatra.

They've clicked. In fact, Joel considers the elusive player his best bud. If only the guy was female. And lucky for Joel, Samatra is just that.

These two characters were just adorable! The girl is standing there, staring at him, and like a true geek Joel's too busy with the things going on inside his head to actually make a move. But when he does, Hil-ar-i-ous!

Stories like this just make you feel young again. Take you back when love was awkward and shy and the whole experience was surreal. And then the maturity rating gets upped and things get all kinds of steamy. The humor is applied to near perfection. I smiled, chuckled, and even proceeded to laugh my butt off at times. Though mostly I just oo-ed and awe-ed over the geekiness. 5 out of 5 stars.

Ms. Armstrong worked magic with this book and proved she is all too familiar with the gaming world because every detail was spot on. I would highly recommend it to romantics with a weakness for geeks or a flair for gaming. Fans of Firefly, specifically Mal and Inara, may find it extremely likable as well.

And ZOMG! Check out the excerpt that is Chapter One.

Other reviews of work by Mechele Armstrong:
Seek & You Shall Find (2 out of 5 stars)

2010 Lookback | 367 TOTAL READS

This past year, Redd and I challenged ourselves and each other to read 275 books. I'm not certain as to what Redd's standing record was at the time, but I know my prior record was fifty-seven in 2009. I was very new to this growing book addiction but I am happy to report that not only did I conquer this challenge but I Gibbsmacked that sucker with a total completion- including novels, short stories, bites, and novellas- of 367.

For the mathematically challenged: That's more than a story a day!

What have I learned from this experience? First, that I will never *ever* do something this overly aggressive again! Secondly, there are a huge number of fantastically talented authors out there. This year I discovered the works of Shiloh Walker and Evangeline Anderson which are very likely the most influential authors I've ever encountered. Cameron Dane, Sydney Somers, and Dana Marie Bell are a few others who have completely made this challenge memorable.

2010 Reads that made it to my All Time Favorites list

Lastly, and most importantly-- This past year I have basically lived for books and I could easily see myself doing it again next year. Which is a great way to "waste" time but I'm not getting any younger. I've done the formal education part of my life. I have a safe job that I like on most days, and manage to tolerate on the rest. And I've been blissfully married for nearly seven years. I'm ready to live for something more than books.

1. Tapestry of Spells by Lynn Kurland
2. Lured by Lori Devoti
3. Lord of the Highlands by Veronica Wolff
4. Dark Lies by Vivi Anna
5. Seduced by Shadows by Jessa Slade
6. Elemental Magic by (various)
7. Back to Life by Linda Johnston
8. Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend
9. Wolf Flight by Vivian Arend
10. Highland Moon by Kendra Castle
11. Eyes of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready
12. Shifting Plains by Jean Johnson
13. Eternally by Maureen Child
14. Nevermore by Maureen Child
15. Vanished by Maureen Child
16. Wolf in Waiting by Rebecca Flanders
17. Blackout by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom
18. Moon Marked by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom
19. Sentinels: Wolf Hunt by Doranna Durgin
20. Darkness of the Wolf by Bonnie Vanak
21. Return of the Wolf by Karen Whiddon
22. Tempting Traditions by Marie Harte
23. In Plain Sight by Marie Harte
24. Alexandra's Legacy by N. J. Walters
25. Wild Thing by Doranna Durgin
26. Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren
27. Becoming by Moira Rogers
28. Little Things by Moira Rogers
29. Cry Sanctuary by Moira Rogers
30. Sanctuary Lost by Moira Rogers
31. Sanctuary's Price by Moira Rogers
32. Fated by Lauren Dane
33. Stripped by Marcia Colette
34. Into the Mists by Maya Banks
35. The Empath by Bonnia Vanak
36. Enemy Lover by Bonnie Vanak
37. Immortal Wolf by Bonnie Vanak
38. Hellhound King by Lori Devoti
39. Wolf Rain by Flesa Black
40. Seeing Eye Mate by A McKenna
41. Checkmate by Annmarie McKenna
42. Savage Retribution by Lexxie Couper
43. Crux by Moira Rogers
44. Crossroads by Moira Rogers
45. The Alpha by Cynthia Carole
46. Her Chosen Wolf by Renee Michaels
47. Paranormal Payload by Mandy M Roth
48. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
49. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear
50. Man From Nowhere by Rachel Lee
51. Unbreakable by Sydney Somers
52. Stripped Away by Sydney Somers
53. Storm Warning by Sydney Somers
54. Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston
55. First Howl by Vivian Arend
56. Second Howl by Vivian Arend
57. Her Wolf by Rebecca Royce
58. Summer's Wolf by Rebecca Royce
59. Wolf Reborn by Rebecca Royce
60. Eyes Like A Wolf by E Anderson
61. Mated To A Wolf by Marisa Chenery
62. Shadow of the Wolf by Dana M Bell
63. Hungry Like The Wolf by V Summers
64. Jinx & Her Werewolf by Marisa Chenery
65. Twin Flames by Elizabeth Winters
66. Prey for the Wolf by Kari Thomas
67. To Catch A Wolf by Colette Denee
68. To Tempt A Wolf by Colette Denee
69. Red Wolf by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom
70. The Fury by Sloan McBride
71. Tor:Viking Master by Ellen Margret
72. Stefan's Mark by Jaden Sinclair
73. Reyn's Redemption by Beth Cornelison
74. What's A Ghoul To Do by Mardi Bellou
75. Embracing The Wolf by Felicity Heaton
76. In Heat by Felicity Heaton
77. Vicious Vixen by Shiloh Walker
78. Wolf Games by Vivian Arend
79. Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker
80. A Wolf's Tale by Honey Jans
81. Candy Houses by Shiloh Walker
82. My Shifter Showmance by R. G. Alexander
83. Never Cry Werewolf by L.A. Banks
84. One Eye Open by Karen Whiddon
85. Cry of the Wolf by Karen Whiddon
86. Touch of the Wolf by Karen Whiddon
87. Wallflower by Dana Marie Bell
88. Sweet Dreams by Dana Marie Bell
89. Cat of a Diff Color by Dana Marie Bell
90. Steel Beauty by Dana Marie Bell
91. Only in my Dreams by Dana Marie Bell
92. Secretive Stranger by Jennifer Greene
93. Seducing A Wallflower by S Illyria
94. Ornament: Alex & Emma by Dana Marie Bell
95. Ornament: Simon & Becky by Dana Marie Bell
96. Ornament: Adrian & Sheri by Dana Marie Bell
97. Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly
98. Dare To Believe by Dana Marie Bell
99. Roan's Fall by Marisa Chenery
100. Come To Me by Linda W. Jones
101. Slave Princess by Felicity Heaton
102. Runaway Hearts by Felicity Heaton
103. Fight for Love by Felicity Heaton
104. Stranded by Felicity Heaton
105. Heart of an Emperor by Felicity Heaton
106. Heart of a Mercenary by Felicity Heaton
107. Heart of a Prince by Felicity Heaton
108. Heart of a Commander by Felicity Heaton
109. Heart of an Assassin by Felicity Heaton
110. Kiss & Tell by Sandy Lynn
111. Talking with the Dead by Shiloh Walker
112. Waitin On A Hero by Sydney Somers
113. Soul Stealer by Kimberley Troutte
114. Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James
115. Tyger Tyger by Cathryn Cade
116. Her Commander by Cathryn Cade
117. Going the Distance by Mandy Roth
118. Midnight Cravings by Lolita Lopez
119. Trey by Cat Johnson
120. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
121. To The Max by Annmarie McKenna
122. Beauty is A Beast by Tina Holland
123. Stormchild by Vivian Arend
124. Carolina Wolf by Sela Carsen
125. Consort by Kim Knox
126. Weaving Words by Kim Knox
127. Beyond the Shadows by Jess Granger
128. Satin Spar by Kim Knox
129. Skin Magic by Kim Knox
130. Breaking Chance by Kim Knox
131. I Poisoned You by Pablo D'Stair
132. Say You're Mine by Sydney Somers
133. Hearts & Minds by JC Hay
134. Wind and the Sun by Vivian Arend
135. Caged Desire by Sydney Somers
136. Sin Eater by Evangeline Anderson
137. Point of No Return by Mandy Roth
138. Animal Instinct by Desiree Holt
139. Shapeshifter's Craving by Lee Pearce
140. Tessa's Ambassador by Cyna Kade
141. Wild Card by Moira Rogers
142. Calling the Bluff by Moira Rogers
143. Ante up by Moira Rogers
144. Kaspar Trulhaine by Pablo D'Stair
145. Blade:Out of Shadows by Tim Bowler
146. Precarious by Al Riske
147. Divine Intervention by T. Michaels
148. Avenging Angel by Madelyn Ford
149. Maui Heat by Ari Thatcher
150. Peak Energy by Afton Locke
151. Seychelles Sunsey by Lynne Connolly
152. Reaper's Justice by C. Boyett-Compo
153. Desire in the Dark by Naima Simone
154. Better Late Than Never by S. Stuart
155. Spirit's Release by Tea Trelawny
156. Lakespur by Anny Cook
157. Interlude in Pearl by E. Ryan-Davis
158. Hunting Evander by Kim Knox
159. Haunted by the Past by Riley Ashford
160. Eland by Allyson James
161. Outlaw Lovers Dossier by J.Springer
162. Changing Perspective by M Mann
163. First Taste by Paisley Smith
164. Kayla's Birthday by Ashlyn Chase
165. Danu the Return by Sally Painter
166. Hot for the Reunion by Ann Jacobs
167. Nocked for a Loop by Sam Cheever
168. Her Very Special Robot by Ann Jacobs
169. Scoring by Mari Carr
170. Bad Widow by Barbara Elsborg
171. Door Prize by Lynn LaFleur
172. Master's Thief by Nicole Austin
173. Erotique by Nicole Austin
174. Saturday Night Fever by Ciana Stone
175. Not Just An Orgy by Sally Painter
176. His Voice,His Command by V Harper
177. Thrill of the Hunt by Nathalie Gray
178. Spirit Lifter by Debra Glass
179. Take Me by Grace Samuels
180. Playing Hardball by Madison Hayes
181. Bride's Holiday Gift by Solange Ayre
182. Lap Dance by Sally Painter
183. Hot Moon Rising by Desiree Holt
184. In The Dark by Brynn Paulin
185. Diablo's Return by Sierra Rose
186. Pleasure Model by Chris Rowley
187. Simple Secrets by Nancy Mehl
188. Faithful Beginnings by Lacey Thorn
189. Carnal Lust by Ashley Ladd
190. Picture Perfect by Lexie Davis
191. Position Secured by Olivia Brynn
192. A Sex God by Ashley Ladd
193. Arran's Lure by Saskia Walker
194. Better Left Unsaid by Ellen Ashe
195. Brigand Love by Isabelle Drake
196. Chance Encounter by S Williams
197. Come To Me by Desiree Holt
198. Don't Ask, Don't Tell by Ashley Ladd
199. Evangeline by Sedonia Guillone
200. UnderMyUmbrella by Karen Erickson
201. Fast Cars, Loud Music by S Winston
202. Going Down by Lexie Davis
203. Happy Birthday by Barbara Huffert
204. Her Dawgie Valentine by T Ramagos
205. Honky-Tonk by Summer Jordan
206. Jess's New Toy by Dakota Rebel
207. Midnight Desires by Kris Norris
208. Passion's Wings by Alysha Ellis
209. Photo Finish by Alexis Fleming
210. Sex In A Suit by Ann Cory
211. Siren Song by Shermaine Williams
212. Something Borrowed by Lisabet Sarai
213. Summer Exposure by Victoria Blisse
214. That Night in Paris by Saskia Walker
215. The Interview by Lisabet Sarai
216. TheNaughtySecretary by Ashley Ladd
217. Thieves' Honour by Lisabet Sarai
218. To Comfort A Vampire by V Blisse
219. Watch Me by Lexie Davis
220. Wordless by Charlotte Stein
221. Yes, She Can by Jude Mason
222. Twelve, Eleven, Thirteen by P D'Stair
223. Need Me by Shelli Stevens
224. Dark Obsession by Sydney Somers
225. Cast in Chaos by Michelle Sagara
226. Wolf in the Woods by Marisa Chenery
227. Love's Nest by Marisa Chenery
228. Jager's Mate by Marisa Chenery
229. Misery Loves Company by Ellen Ashe
230. Amuse Me by Lexie Davis
231. Beg Me by Desiree Holt
232. Hit & Miss by Alexis Fleming
233. Pandemonium by Alexis Fleming
234. Convincing Cate by Jamie Hill
235. Watching Her Every Move by DeRicci
236. Alpha Awakening by Diana DeRicci
237. Windigo by Cynthia Carole
238. After Dark by Bryan Lee
239. Cain's Apples by Bryan Lee
240. The Anthill by Bryan Lee
241. The Weekender by Bryan Lee
242. Hungry For Love by Ray Weeks
243. Ashen by Pete Clark
244. Falling Star by Olivia Brynn
245. Her Hero in Hiding by Rachel Lee
246. The Prophecy by Nina Croft
247. Sanctuary Unbound by Moira Rogers
248. The Last Track by Sam Hilliard
249. Wolf's Magic by Rebecca Royce
250. Two Sighted by Annmarie McKenna
251. Refuge On Crescent Hill by M Dobson
252. Unmasking the Mercenary by J Morey
253. Enslaved by Sydney Somers
254. The Alpha by Annie Nicholas
255. Isaiah's Haven by NJ Walters
256. Long For This World by J Weiner
257. Primal Hunger by Sydney Somers
258. Primal Attraction by Sydney Somers
259. Primal Pleasure by Sydney Somers
260. Jack by Cat Johnson
261. Renegade by Lora Leigh
262. Taste of Haven by Sierra Summers
263. Saying Yes by Barbara Elsborg
264. Savage Love by Crissy Smith
265. Steal Me by Tina Folsom
266. Pack Alpha by Crissy Smith
267. Pack Enforcer by Crissy Smith
268. Pack Territory by Crissy Smith
269. Back From Hell by Shiloh Walker
270. Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke
271. The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks
272. Mesmerizing Stranger by J Greene
273. Zombie Moon by Lori Devoti
274. Arctic Shift by Lissa Matthews
275. Take Me by Shelli Stevens
276. Picture Perfect by E Anderson
277. More Than Friends by E Anderson
278. Punishing Tabitha by E Anderson
279. Moon Shadow by Jenna Kernan
280. Darkness&Light by Felicity Heaton
281. Her Dark Angel by Felicity Heaton
282. Dirty Girl by Evangeline Anderson
283. Wishful Thinking by E Anderson
284. Hunger Moon Rising by E Anderson
285. Simple Need by Lissa Matthews
286. Making a Scene Trudy Doyle
287. Friends with Benefits by Cat Johnson
288. Ultimate Kink by Cameron Dane
289. No Prince Charming by Shiloh Walker
290. Crazed Hearts by Shiloh Walker
291. Soul Deep by Vivian Arend
292. Foxy Lady by Marie Harte
293. Stick Shift by Lissa Matthews
294. Touching Lace by Anne Rainey
295. Tasting Candy by Anne Rainey
296. Demon in Me by Michelle Rowen
297. Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz
298. Sweetest Tattoo by Camerone Dane
299. Belonging by Shiloh Walker
300. Trust in Advertising by Victoria Michaels
301. Billionaire's Mate by Cooper McKenzie
302. One Night With You by Shiloh Walker
303. Seek & You Shall Find by M Armstrong
304. Dark Embrace by Mina Carter
305. Vixen by Mina Carter
306. Feral by Mina Carter
307. Broken by Shiloh Walker
308. Sting of Desire by Lilli Feisty
309. Beautiful Girl by Shiloh Walker
310. Dirty Deeds by Sheri Lewis-Wohl
311. Caught Red-Handed by Paige Tyler
312. What She Wants by Anne Rainey
313. Demon Moon by Cameron Dane
314. Little Bit Naughty by Anne Rainey
315. A Good Student by Elliott Mabeuse
316. Shaken by Dee Tenorio 
317. Lycan Lover by S.K. Yule
318. Lycan Lust by S.K. Yule
319. Fated by Shayla Black
320. Jimmy by Cat Johnson
321. Edge of Morning by Desiree Holt
322. Wolf Next Door by Anastasia Rabiyah 
323. Taking Chloe by Anne Rainey
324. Tempting Grace by Anne Rainey
325. Eye of the Beholder by Dana M Bell
326. Wolf Tracks by Vivian Arend 
327. Left for Undead by L.A. Banks
328. Remembered Love by Diana Hunter
329. SheWolf by Teresa D'Amario
330. Dark Succession by Teresa D'Amario
331. Something Wicked by Michelle Rowen 
332. A Scarlet Past by Evanne Lorraine
333. The Sun Sword by Lexxie Couper
334. A Deadly Whisper by Stacey Kennedy
335. Stolen Passions by Crystal Jordan
336. Caged by Diana DeRicci
337. Never as it Seems by Shiloh Walker
338. Kya's King by Becca Dale
339. Good Girls Don't by Shiloh Walker
340. Oral Expressions by Ann Campbell
341. He's The One by Jane Beckenham
342. Look What Santa Brought by AnnMarie McKenna
343. Doing It Her Way by Rita Sawyer (HEA Review)
344. If You Believe by Crystal Jordan
345. Believe In Me by Crystal Jordan
346. Heart's Sentinel by P.J. Schnyder
347. Red's Wolf by P.J. Schnyder
348. My Demon Saint by R.G. Alexander
349. All She Wants For Christmas by Crystal Jordan
350. Holiday Bound by Beth Kery
351. Discovering Sofia by Mel Teshco
352. Slow Ride by Lorelei James
353. Snowy Night Seduction by Arianna Hart
354. Alaskan Wolf by Linda O Johnston
355. One of the Guys by Shiloh Walker
356. My Favorite Mistake by Karen Erickson
357. Tween Hopeful & Hopeless by Sam Cheever
358. Message for Minerva Jean Hart Stewart
359. Song of the Swan by Kelly Ferjutz
360. Christmas ScandalNot by Jeanne Savery
361. No Place To Run by Maya Banks
362. Lie With Me by Stephanie Tyler
363. Waiting at Eros by Rosemary Laurey
364. Red Satin by Barbara Miller
365. Hunter's Blood by Marianne Morea
366. Game Over by Taylor Keating
367. Geek Love by Mechele Armstrong

So that's my last post of 2010. Best wishes to all of you in the year to come and may your dreams for 2011 be bright and rewarding. Thanks for reading!

Game Over

365 Reads of 2010 concludes with GAME OVER.

Game Over
Taylor Keating
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Published November 2nd 2010 by Tor Paranormal Romance
(first published October 23rd 2010)
ISBN 0765365472 (ISBN13: 9780765365477)

Video game designer River Weston is ready to sell her soul to smooth out the glitches in her latest project. When she unwittingly taps into a parallel dimension via cutting-edge technology, a Dark Lord is quick to take her up on her inadvertent offer. Trapped in the world she thought she’d created for her game, River finds herself in a very real alternate dimension that she must escape from before her soul can be used to unleash evil–upon this dimension and many others.

River’s only ally is the sexy and mysterious Chase Hawkins. A prisoner of the Dark Lord, Hawk is a man adrift—literally. His body safe at home under the watchful care of the Guardians’ scientists, his astral-traveling spirit has been enslaved by his people’s worst enemy, the Dark Lord. Clinging desperately to his sense of self, Hawk is determined to turn the tables on his captor before the connection to his body is lost. When the beautiful, achingly familiar River enters the picture, he vows he will do everything he can to save her from her bleak fate.

Drawn together with an inescapable force, Hawk and River must wrest her soul from the Dark Lord’s grasp before it’s too late.

"I'd sell my soul for this game to work."

And with that one phrase, River had given the Dark Lord the power to tap into her virtual video game, reroute code, and, if successful, give him the opportunity to claim her soul.

But at the very least he has to play within the plot of the intended game. River must make it to the final level where either she or her own creation, the Soul Man, would die. But the Soul Man will be the Dark Lord. And Sever, her programmed partner, will be replaced with Hawk, a captive of the Dark Lord's prison.

This story has a little bit of everything. Guardians, Fae, Werewolves, Military, Computers, ... and the list goes on. While it wasn't anything I'd go coo-coo for Coa-Coa Puffs over, I did enjoy it.

It was likely the idea of the story that kept me mesmerized the most. Having Hawk walking around River's game wondering what the hell was in her head that made her come up with some of the crazy-creative details was one thing. Then, being River and seeing your most cherished achievement, her baby that was her game, manipulated and altered to some soul stealing evil entity's will was quite another. Not only does the game itself evolve to challenge the player, but the code that's evolving is being modified.

Though the scene where Hawk finally gave in to his desire for River, and pushed aside the fact that there were forbidden to be together intimately, was my absolute favorite.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a soft voice.
She nodded. "Yes," she whispered. She placed a fist over her chest. "it's just that this doesn't feel like a game to me."
Warmth streaked through him and he felt a flash of possessiveness. Feeling very ill-equipped to deal with the powerful emotion, he closed his hand over hers and squeezed, the pull between them too powerful to deny. "It's real."

Ya know.. not until I posted that excerpt did I realize how repetitive it was. Felt. Feeling. Powerful. Powerful. I suppose it does that a lot.

The ending was just wrong. Nick, River's real world fuck buddy, is an ass in disguise. It's just wrong that Hawk's mind and soul ends up in the guy's body. Definitely deserves a book two, though. Would love to be along the journey back to Hawk's real body so we can finally see what he looks like, and River has alot to learn about who and what she is. 4 out of 5 stars.

Check out book two, Mind Games (due out May 24, 2011), over at Taylor Keating's website. Includes an excerpt.

Hunter's Blood

Hunter's Blood
Marianne Morea
Kindle Edition
Published August 21st 2010 by kNight Romance Publishing
ASIN B00408B0AW

Revenge...it's a way of life for psychic Lily Saburi.

Haunted since the brutal murder of her best friend and partner Lily's out to find the killer...but finds more than she expected. After being bitten by a rouge animal she's infected with a deadly virus, one of which there is no cure.

Sexy and powerful Sean Leighton, a were-hunter is charged with destroying anything infected with the deadly pathogen. His pack must be protected at all costs. Sean is faced with the decision to kill the woman he's fallen in love with or save his pack. Will they fall victim to Hunter's Blood?

Everything about this story is just too easy. The characters are completely predictable and the ending isn't even a freakn' ending!

Ten ratings on Goodreads consisting of nine 5stars and one single-star, I expected a hell of a lot better. It's good, don't get me wrong, but the pace is a bit quick and very little time and words are spared on descriptions. Plus, as I said, there's no real freakin' ending. It's like the last chapter got ripped from the file. Even being a book one it deserves a true conclusion. 2 out of 5 stars.

More reviews on Hunter's Blood
Redd @ The Unbroken Wyld (2stars overall)
Gloria Lakritz (Grammy1) (5stars)

____________________________________________________________________________
My Goodreads Review:

Hunter's Blood by Marianne Morea

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Everything about this story is just too easy. The characters are completely predictable and the ending isn't even a freakin' ending! The pace is a bit quick which only adds to the lack of ability to bond with the characters. Not that there's much to bond to. Very little effort is spared on descriptions and even less on explanations. I was very disappointed in this story, as a prequel and a book.
View all my reviews

Lie With Me: Shadow Force #1

Lie With Me
Stephanie Tyler
Shadow Force, book one
Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Published October 26th 2010 by Dell
ASIN B003EY7IR2
ISBN 0440245966 (ISBN13: 9780440245964)

Forced together by fate, bound together by desire.

Framed for a double murder, Delta Force operative Cameron Moore is given a new lease on life by the CIA—provided he pays them back by doing their black ops dirty work. Now Cam is ready to renegotiate their deal, and he thinks he’s found the perfect bargaining chip: Skylar Slavin, bestselling author of espionage thrillers and the daughter of the CIA man who saved him from a prison sentence.

Skylar has been living in anonymity, never suspecting that someone so dangerous—and so desirable—would plunge her into a world as treacherous as one of her spy novels. But how can Cam go through with his plan to kidnap Skylar when just the sight of her sets off an explosive attraction he’s never experienced before? And when Skylar falls prey to an even more perilous threat, this special ops soldier must call upon all his combat skills to protect the one person who can help him win his freedom—and the only woman he’s ever loved.

This story starts off at the moment Cameron proves that he's had enough being a lackey for his 'savior'. In a fast pace, high stress situation, Cam sets into motion what will result in his freedom, or his death.

After spending two years in prison for a crime his father framed him for, Cam was given a chance for release from Gabriel in return for joining Delta Force, an above the law operation that crosses the legality line all too often. But Cam has a conscience, and it's had enough.

He escapes with his life and runs to his best friend and former Delta Force agent, Dylan, from whom he receives information that may be Gabriel's only weakness. Information that may be the leverage Cam needs to finally be free and information that Dylan has been withholding for the past five long months. Oh yeah, Cam was all about kicking his best friend's ass for that one.

But Cam isn't the only one that has come into this intel and is out to hurt Gabriel, and soon Skylar Slavin, writer and daughter of Gabriel, is the target of two men out to take her captive.

I love it! Never do I miss a chance to root for the bad guy and this story is forcing you to do it! The lesser of two evils, Cameron is the villain and he and Dylan are definitely two dark heroes who are willing to lie, cheat, steal, seduce, and kill to get the job done. That's actually their motto!

Problem? I don't see one. The author does amazing things at creating drama between Cam and Skylar. As much as he wants to hate her, he can't. As much as she doesn't want to trust him, she does. Not a completely unheard of kind of conflict but the writing is superb. And the characters, who find a kindred soul in their counterpart, are totally worth falling for.

Even as Cam is kissing Sky, and effectively falling for her, his simultaneous thoughts are of how easily, and quickly, he could kill her. Yays for the darkness. For the blurred, gray lines and stretch of shadows. Finally I have found a contender to go up against Shiloh Walker.

Now on the other side of this book is Dylan's story and OhMyDamn, it's just as powerfully good. He and Riley have been at it for years. Since before they even knew who each other were and when they didn't, was it ever complicated. Trying to kill the same person you're wanting to share your bed with and never knowing they were one in the same. So yeah, they'd got their own share of drama. Especially after Dylan steals the files on Skylar and Riley counters by putting a bullet in him and walking away. They're both agents. Both possibly with different agendas. But everyone in this story has one common denominator- Gabriel.

Cam was great but I was all over Dylan. Cam might not think the guy's got a conscience, but he's definitely got a heart. Every flashback to Dylan's past left me breathless.

No Place To Run: KGI #2

* This post contains spoilers *

No Place To Run
Maya Banks
KGI, book 2
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published December 7th 2010 by Berkley
ASIN B0049H9ARO

Sam Kelly was her first love.

The last person Sam Kelly expected to pull wounded from the lake was Sophie Lundgren. Once they shared a brief, intense affair while Sam was undercover and then she vanished. She's spent the last months on the run, knowing that any mistake would cost her life and that of her unborn child—Sam's child. Now she's resurfaced with a warning for Sam: this time, he's the one in danger.

Now he's her last chance.

Sam has too many questions to let her slip away again—like why she disappeared in the first place. This time he vows not to be seduced. But one look in her eyes, and the passion burns again, and Sam knows he’ll do anything to keep her and his child safe. However, Sophie’s dark past is more dangerous than he imagines, and the only way for either to survive it is to outrun it.

Another touchdown for the KGI series!

And it's a football analogy because baseball's homerun version didn't necessarily apply. I got a lot of frustration out of this one. Sam developed a tendency to annoy me and Sophie... well, I just didn't believe in her the way I did Rachel.

Sophie met Sam Kally, the eldest of the Kelly brothers, a number of months ago while playing spy for her father. She fell in love and bed with the guy and not necessarily in that order. With the intensity of her emotions fueling her, Sophia finally finds the will to escape her father and with cold blood staining her hands proceeds to spend the next five months running for her life. Pregnant all the while.

When she can't handle the constant moving and evading anymore, Sophie finally runs to Sam for protection for herself and their unborn daughter. When the evil forces that are giving chase take Sam's mother as hostage things get even more serious. Especially on top of Sam's father's suffering of a heart attack.

All brothers are back in action. Even Ethan and Rachel can't stay away. And Rusty is still the strange tag along to the family. Still waiting on Sean's purpose. He's not enough of a man for PJ so he basically lacks any purpose whatsoever with me. Wouldn't mind if he took a bullet and disappeared altogether. Harsh, I know.(PJ is the only female member of KGI, or what may be a team that only assists KGI)

LOVED Kyle Philips' entrance. The moment he said his name I was like ahlright!

The most disappointing little tidbit of this story was the fact that Sophie had a girl. This from a man who descends from a guy who sired six sons. I feel Sam got jipped. Though I have nothing against grand-daughters. 4 out of 5 stars.

Garrett is next. A guy with a serious weakness for women. But it's a good weakness. He's very close to Rachel and he nearly gave his life for Sophie. Still... I'm looking forward to Donovan's story the most. He being the favored son and all. =)

The Kelly's

Frank & Marlene - the parents

Sam (former Army) w/Sophie [bk 2]

Donovan (former Marine)

Garrett (former Marine)

Ethan (former Navy) w/Rachel [bk 1]

Nathan & Joe (active Army, fraternal twins)

Other reviews from this series
- The Darkest Hour (KGI #1): Ethan & Rachel's story

Tween Hopeful and Hopeless

Tween Hopeful and Hopeless
Sam Cheever
Kindle Edition
Published March 2nd 2009 by Cerridwen Press
Free Read from Amazon
ASIN B003SX0Y6G

Part of the Dancin' With The Devil series. What do you do when a bunch of dark world types steal magic from the Hopeful souls in Saint Peter's kingdom to capture the Heavenly Gates and infiltrate the Big House? Astra Q Phelps does what she always does-kicks ass, blows shit up and prays!

With an opening line like "I usually don't like to start my day kicking demon ass" this short read looked promising. With a dragon for a sidekick and all the comforts of a space age at her disposal, Astra teeters in between the forces of Heaven and Hell. She has two men in her life- the sex crazed lover that is Prince Dialle, and the quiet, more subservient partner that is Emo.

Dialle is the more aggressive of the two which matches Astra's attitude quite well. It's plain to see why both men respect her and this is easily a series I could fall into. I liked Dialle but I had more interest in Emo and honestly would have liked to see some kind of triangle there. Quite out of the norm for me. I typically hate triangles.

This one gets 3 out of 5 stars. Book one is below. The image is linked to Goodreads.

Astra Q Phelps is a Tweener, which means she's part angel and part devil. She vaporizes devils and demons for a living. When Astra gets the call from the big Him to aid the good side in a battle between two rival devil courts, she finds herself battling not only the forces of evil but her own nature as she rubs up against the sexiest, most infuriatingly enticing devil prince and discovers he brings out her devil in the most delicious ways. But Astra's problems don't end with a worrying jolt to her sexual nervous system. She is also discovering that she doesn't really know herself all that well as she begins to uncover magic powers that she didn't know she possessed. She might be entangled in a prophecy that links her to her delicious devil prince in more ways than one. Add to this spicy mix a few yummy secrets she learns about her longtime partner and friend, Emo, and you have a tantalizing stew of problems to solve, and only one small Tweener to unravel them all. Reader Advisory: This book contains graphic violence.

This week I also read:

Message For Minnerva - A 48 yr old woman, victim of a loveless, abusive marriage, finds happiness again. 2 out of 5 stars.

Christmas Scandal,Not! - A young boy named Robin appears at the doorstep of Elf's home claiming no one will be worried that he'd gone. Elf and her sisters are left to solve the riddle of the boy's situation. 2 out of 5 stars.

Song of the Swan - A knight, injured in battle, loses his betrothed and maybe soon, his castle, meets a young, blind woman with an equal compassion for swans, the symbol of his estate. 4 out of 5 stars.

Wish List: December 2010

December 1

December 1

December 1

December 1

December 1

December 6

December 7

December 7

December 13

December 13

December 14

December 21

December 21

December 28