Stepbrother FML by: Claire Adams

Mia has always been "one of the guys," and with her

friends in the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity it's no different. But when one of the senior members of the frat, Jaxon, starts to pay more attention to her, she isn't sure whether to go for the attractive and athletic guy or to just keep things the way they've always been. Her mind is made up when Jaxon makes a move--but then she's thrown into confusion as he goes out of his way to ignore and snub her after they sleep together. Mia decides to move on with her life--right up until her mother announces her marriage, and introduces her to her new stepbrother... wow.

**I'm reviewing this "mini series" as a whole**

Mia and Jaxon's story started off with a bang! I loved getting to know Mia and her connection with the 'guys' at the frat house and how they became friends. I really adored her right off the bat. Same with Jaxon, he was sweet and adorable and I just loved how he treated Mia even when they were just flirting.

But once the deed was done, it went downhill from there.

Mia became utterly annoying with her repetitive mental narration of what happened. Talk about over thinking it! 

The barrage of going through the motions over and over and over and over and over....I don't think I could handle it again if she said one more time "the look on my mom's face..." along with many other lines that were the same! 

There is no doubt that Mia and Jax's sexual chemistry is off the charts hot! But I just wasn't a big fan of the story as a whole.

Midnight Rising by: Lara Adrian

In a world of shadows and dark, consuming hungers, desire is the deadliest weapon...

For journalist Dylan Alexander, it began with the discovery of a hidden tomb, thrusting her into the center of a gathering storm of violence and secrets. But nothing is as dangerous as the scarred, lethally seductive man who rises from the shadows to draw her into his world of dark desire and endless night.

Fueled by pain and rage over a shattering betrayal, the warrior Rio has pledged his life to the war against the Rogues. He will let nothing stand in his way—least of all a mortal woman with the power to expose the entire vampire race. For an ancient evil has been awakened, and a stunning darkness is on the rise. Suddenly Dylan is powerless to resist Rio’s touch, even as she uncovers a shocking link to her own past. And now she must choose: Leave Rio’s midnight realm, or risk it all for the man who has shown her true passion and the infinite pleasures of the heart. . . . 

Latest book in the Midnight Breed series....a bit more of a let down than the last couple books for me. 

I thought I'd be head over heals in love with Rio because of his poor situation and because I have such a soft spot of guys like that (in books only, lol)...

But I really just didn't get into his and Dylan's story. 

I really loved their connection and I think everything that happened, needed to happen to really make everything continue well, but I just wasn't feeling it this time sadly.

I will continue on though! Hopefully the next book will get back on track for me and be amazing.

Kiss of Midnight by: Lara Adrian

He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual

black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell’s deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night—or this man—is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite.

Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.

Here, in the arms of the Breed’s formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all. . . . 

Looks like I've found a fun new series to read!

The reviews weren't kidding when they said that this series is very similar to Black Dagger Brotherhood series...so of course I was eager to pick it up I have high hopes it's going to be a fun series read!

Gabrielle and Lucan are our first set of characters to learn about. Not only learning about them coming together but learning about the whole Order and about the war between the Breed and the Rogues....and I feel that all the information packed into this book made me not thoroughly enjoy the story of Gabby and Lucan. I know the all the information is needed so we can understand what's going on, but I just wasn't a fan of the way the story went for Gabby and Lucan along with the knowledge.

It probably doesn't help that I just can't get passed what Lucan did when he went into her apartment when she was sleeping! Seriously....just creepy to me.

Unbreak Me By: J.M. Walker

Running is always easier. 

Tori McLeod moved to the big city to get away from her mother—and her past. Her new routine is destroyed when she meets a mysterious stranger who won’t take no for an answer. Sebastian intrigues her, but his eyes hold secrets she would rather avoid. 

Sebastian Chelios, a hard as nails enforcer, is a new-in-town loner.

Sebastian has to have her. Control her. Possess her. But he can’t—won’t lose control, even though Tori’s innocence fascinates him. The last thing he’s going to do is love her, even after he gets her in his bed.

Losing control is dangerous, especially when someone from Sebastian’s past covets Tori, putting more than just her heart in danger.

How can Sebastian protect Tori from Jose’s sadistic obsession? If he gets his hands on her, will she make it out in one piece?

So I think the part that started my disappointment was early on (less than 100 pages in) when Tori says "You don't even know me at all, do you?".....umm....no he doesn't....you've barley held any conversation at all with the man. You talked with him for maybe 20 minutes at the coffee shop, made out with him after he basically attacked you in an alley, and then danced and dry humped him at a club.....are you shocked he doesn't know you at all?

Sadly my disappointment didn't end there. And I think if I read Sebastian calling her "little one" one more I'd cry. I really don't do well with nick names like that in books because they are just so over used, which is exactly what happened here.

The plot was so very confusing and I still feel somewhat lost in it. I think it could have done so much better, but it's just so rushed together.

Highlander's Challenge By: Jo Barrett

Amelia Tucker, or Tuck as she prefers to be called, latest personal bodyguard assignment turns into one she'll never forget, thanks to a crazed kidnapper, one enchanted fountain, and a sixteenth century Highland Warrior determined to keep her under lock and key. Who will win this battle of wills?

I love highlander stories, but I can't lie, I really didn't enjoy this one. I think a part of it though was that I listened to it on audio book which normally I don't. The monotone story telling just didn't give me a great visual for it and ended up me just waiting for it to get over.

But I also really wasn't a fan of "Tuck". Amelia, aka Tuck is this big ol'security guard type female solider. I just have a visual of Brienne from Game of Thrones as Amelia and that really isn't the most romantic type female lead I enjoy reading about. She had a very bad and annoying attitude and I just had a hard time connecting her and Colin.

Unleash the Night -- By: Sherrilyn Kenyon

An orphan with no clan that will claim him, Wren Tigarian grew to adulthood under the close scrutiny and mistrust of those around him. A forbidden blend of two animals - snow leopard and white tiger - Wren has never listened to anyone when there was something he wanted. Now he wants Marguerite.

Marguerite D'Aubert Goudeau is the daughter of a prominent U.S. senator who hates the socialite life she's forced to live. Like her mother before her, she has strong Cajun roots that her father doesn't understand. Still, she has no choice but to try and conform to a world where she feels like an outsider. But the world of rich and powerful humans is never to meet the world of the Were-Hunters who exist side by side with them, unseen, unknown, undetected. To break this law is to call down a wrath of the highest order.

In order to have Marguerite, Wren must fight not just the humans who will never accept his animal nature, but the Were-Hunters who want him dead for endangering their world. It's a race against time and magic without boundary that could cost Marguerite and Wren not just their lives, but their very souls... 

I wish I could peek inside Sherrilyn Kenyon's mind some times. She has such a great imagination and I love the world she has created.

Though, Wren and Maggie's story wasn't one of my all time favorites, it was so very good.

Wren is such a fierce outcast, and falls for Maggie right away. Though they aren't destined mates,that doesn't' matter to them. Nothing will stop these two from being together!

Got to read about more time travel in this one as well. Neat idea that some of these characters have that ability.

OH! And we finally to get to from Nick again! WOOTY WOO!

Night play -- By: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Bride McTierney has had it with men. They're cheap, self-centered, and never love her for who she is. But though she prides herself on being independent, deep down she still yearns for a knight in shining armor. 

She just never expected her knight in shining armor to have a shiny coat of fur...

Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Most women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered--something no self-respecting wolf can accept...

But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win.

Though I really like their attraction and really adore the characters as a whole, Vane and Bride's story is really not one of my favorites. 

As the first branch off into the Were-Hunter world of the Dark Hunter series, this story is primarily based on describing the roles of the Were-Hunters and the differences between the packs. Vane and Bride have basically an instant connection and are essentially forced together by the Fates (those bitches, LOL).

Overcoming self-esteem issues when your guy is hotter than hot is one of every chubby girl problems, right? Quite a few times I wanted to just roll my eyes at Bride for all her own personal demons and issues, but being a heavy girl myself, I basically could feel everything she did throughout the book. Though, I sincerely hope that not every chubby girl has to land herself a "Taylor" type boyfriend in their lives. No one deserves that. Nor a sister like hers either for that matter. Hurting or not, Bride's sister is a major bitch! 

Anyway, as with every long series, there will inevitably be a few books someone isn't fond of. I've already read this series once, and since this is my second round through, my feels stay the same with Night Play, just not the biggest fan of it but don't regret reading it. 

Dark Skye By: Kresley Cole

Eternal Obsession... 

As a boy, Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body - and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

Endless Yearning... 

Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance? 

With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts? 

I want to tell you this was as epic as it gets.

I want to tell you this was everything I could have hoped.

I want to tell you that Melanthe and Thronos' connection was beyond control!

But I just can't.

I honestly think I hyped myself up too much for this book. I realized that when, at one point (which as NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER happened in a Kresley Cole book before)I couldn't wait to be done with it. (NEVER EVER EVER EVER)

I wanted to just fall in love with Lanthe and Thronos' story. But I really just felt it was so draggy. Too many times I found myself thinking "seriously?"

I can admit with full bad-ass-ness, that I did cry in one part...a part that I've been dying to read about for 14 books now!!! I refuse to reveal any spoilers, so I'm leaving it at that!

I'm the first to admit that obviously every book isn't going to be GOLD (haha, see what I did there...well you'd have to know Melanthe to understand then). I will continue on as a life-long fan of KC and will try not to hype myself up for the next book.

Rhett By: J.S. Cooper

I’m Rhett.

I’m cocky because I can be. I’ve got it all: the looks, the money, the endurance. I’m the guy that every girl wants to be with, yet none of them have ever been able to tie me down.

I don’t do love. I don’t do relationships. And I sure as hell will never do marriage.

I’m all about the fast life and everything that entails. There’s a different woman in my bed every week. My friends are jealous of me. My enemies envy me. Everyone wants my life. And everything in my life is absolutely perfect. 

Until the day she told me she was moving away. She’s my best friend. She was my first kiss in grade school. We share everything with each other. We never dated because I don’t love her. I don’t care that she’s moving. I don’t care that she’s moving for a guy. I don’t care because I don’t love her. I don’t do love. 

I’m Rhett and I don’t let anything get me down. Then one night changed everything and everything I thought I knew was called into question.

All of a sudden, being Rhett didn’t mean so much anymore.

Rhett, oh Rhett....just like every rich/handsome young adult. No different with the want of a new girl in the bed everyday and get everything he wants, except with his odd "friendship" with Clementine.

The storyline was very much a no-brainer and easy to figure out what would happen. I was let down a bit, really hoping that Clemmie was going to tell him to stuff it.

Night Embrace By: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Setting: Modern New Orleans

"Night Embrace" spins the story of Talon, an ancient Celtic warrior who killed the son of the god Camulus.

Camulus cursed Talon, decreeing death for everyone he loved. Now a Dark-Hunter in modern-day New Orleans, Talon meets Sunshine, who is key to ending his curse once and for all. Not to mention helping him to save New Orleans from an ancient god bent on total destruction.

See original cover listed below. The cover shown here is the reissued cover that was done seven years ago.

Oh sweet, sweet Sunshine and Talon.

What would the Dark Hunter world be like without these two?!

Sunshine is an adorable dark haired free spirit artist reincarnated soul of Talon's deceased wife from centuries ago. She is very accepting of the things that play out in this book and doesn't seem to mind in the least.

Talon is afraid to love anyone because of a curse set upon him by one of the gods that death will come to anyone he loves.

Of course, it doesn't stop him from falling for his soul mate, duh.

Not a whole lot to say about this book since it wasn't a fav of mine, but hey, can't win 'em all, right!?

(Oh, Acheron...so wise....so sweet....so....adorable)

His Safe Keeping By: Tina Bass

Krista Avery moved to the sleepy town of Mt. Eve, Virginia, away from big city life, enticed there by a research doctor that is fascinated with her blood. Trying to build a life for herself after a horrific event in her past sent her into a spiral, she is a woman battling a rare blood disorder and the memories she has never dealt with. Returning home from the hospital after the Doctors experimental treatment, a dizzy spell forces her to pull over to the side of the road. 

Lawson “Kade” McKaden is a State Trooper, ready to retire, returning home after a transport to a Federal Prison that wasn’t supposed to be his. After a stint in the Air Force and a satisfying career, he is ready to leave the uniforms behind for the life of a rancher. But a broken down car on the side of the road calls to his sense of responsibility and the sick woman inside calls to his heart. They have more in common than they know. 

An escaped rapist turned serial killer is hunting her. She was his first and he has plans to be her last. Together can they beat back the demons from her childhood? Will Krista have to face the demon from her past alone, or is she Kade’s for… His Safe Keeping? 

I honestly wasn't as a big of fan as I hoped I would be of this. I think it was primarily because it took me about three quarters of the way into the book to really grasp both Krista and Kade's personalities. 

Trust me, I'm all about the "HE MAN IN CHARGE" type of guys, and I really did like that kind of guy in romance books. They always try and do the best for their women and are just so yummy you can't help but love them.

Kade, well, I couldn't really get that with him. He made me more mad with how he handled Krista in the first place and I had a hard time letting it go. Once they really got comfortable together and I could see they really were perfect for one another, it helped quite a bit. 

Overall, it was a cute story. Not one of my favorites, but still glad I gave it a shot.

Divine Misdemeanors By: Laurell K. Hamilton

You may know me best as Meredith Nic Essus, princess of faerie. Or perhaps as Merry Gentry, Los Angeles private eye. In the fey and mortal realms alike, my life is the stuff of royal intrigue and celebrity drama. Among my own, I have confronted horrendous enemies, endured my noble kin’s treachery and malevolence, and honored my duty to conceive a royal heir—all for the right to claim the throne. But I turned my back on court and crown, choosing exile in the human world—and in the arms of my beloved Frost and Darkness.

While I may have rejected the monarchy, I cannot abandon my people. Someone is killing the fey, which has left the LAPD baffled and my guardsmen and me deeply disturbed. My kind are not easily captured or killed. At least not by mortals. I must get to the bottom of these horrendous murders, even if that means going up against Gilda, the Fairy Godmother, my rival for fey loyalties in Los Angeles.

But even stranger things are happening. Mortals I once healed with magic are suddenly performing miracles, a shocking phenomenon wreaking havoc on human/faerie relations. Though I am innocent, dark suspicions of banned magical activities swirl around me.

I thought I’d left the blood and politics behind in my own turbulent realm. I had dreamed of an idyllic life in sunny L.A. with my beloved ones beside me. But it becomes time to wake up and realize that evil knows no borders, and that nobody lives forever—even if they’re magical.

This took me a little while to read. Mostly because I just found myself very bored with the plot. 

I love Meredith and her men, I love the idea of her having twins with them all and they're all contributors to the babies as well. 

That's why I was very sad that I didn't enjoy this book near as much as some of the other books. 

I just don't understand in all honesty why Merry works at a detective agency. I understand Anita's job because it suits her. But I just honestly don't get Merry in this detective position. She's constantly putting herself in harms way. She can't really glamour her way around so people don't notice because she still has her harem of guards following her as well.

But hey, can't love them all, right? I still love LKH and I will still forever be a fan. 

I am though, so so so so so excited for the next book! Bring on the babies!!!!

Masters of My Desire By: Jenna Jacob

Plowing into Bambi and totaling my SUV wasn't the way I envisioned starting my vacation. Then again, neither was being rescued by two gorgeous men. Nick Masters and Dylan Thomas swooped in to save me from the wreck. They weren't just knights in a shining truck, but Dominants so potent the submissive hidden inside me clawed to kneel at their feet.

To my surprise, they offered to teach me the joys of submission. I shoved down my fears and agreed to spend one glorious week of pleasure under their hand, at the center of their raw passion. With each command and touch, they bared my soul and stole my heart. With them, I felt like a beautiful—if kinky—Cinderella. But all too soon, the clock struck midnight, and I fled…

Returning to my lackluster life, I was determined to somehow survive without the masters of my desire. I never imagined they would travel a few hundred miles to hunt me down. Could I say yes when they offered to bestow something on me far more beautiful than a glass slipper?

I really just wasn't as into this second book in the Doms of Genesis series as I was the first book.

Thought the storyline was very cute, I just think I had too many issues with the way Savannah, Nick, and Dylan worked together. I actually had to take a break in the middle of this book to read something else because I was just getting frustrated. But as soon as I finished that book, I picked this one back up and finished it.

I tell you what though, my favorite part was when she screamed "RED!!"

I've now read three books (IN A ROW MIND YOU) that had a person safe word out. The first being the fact that was the person was actually being abused, the second because the person was trying to make a point, but this the first time you really have a real sub safe-word out because she really and truly freaked out. 

I also really enjoyed the last few chapters of the book. When all the main characters of Genesis are getting together and spending time together. I really enjoyed that.

A Stroke of Midnight By: Laurell K. Hamilton

~*~Book Description~*~

I am Meredith Gentry, P.I. and Princess Merry, heir to the throne of Fairie. Now there are those among me who whisper I am more. They fear me even as they protect me. And who can blame them? I’ve awakened the dazzling magic that’s slumbered in them for thousands of years. But the thing is, I can’t figure out why.

I am Meredith Gentry, P.I., solving cases in Los Angeles, far from the peril and deception of my real home–because I am also Princess Meredith, heir to the darkest throne faerie has to offer. The Unseelie Court infuses me with its power. But at what price does such magic come? How much of my human side will I have to give up, and how much of the sinister side of faerie will I have to embrace? To sit on a throne that has ruled through bloodshed and violence for centuries, I might have to become that which I dread the most.

Enemies watch my every move. My cousin Cel strives to have me killed even now from his prison cell. But not all the assassination attempts are his. Some Unseelie nobles have waited centuries for my aunt Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness, to become weak enough that she might be toppled from her throne. Enemies unforeseen move against us–enemies who would murder the least among us.

The threat will drive us to allow human police into faerie for the first time in our history. I need my allies now more than ever, especially since fate will lead me into the arm of Mistral, Master of Storms, the queen’s new captain of her guard. Our passion will reawaken powers long forgotten among the warriors of the sidhe. Pain and pleasure await me–and danger, as well, for some at that court seek only death.

I will find new joys with the butterfly-winged demi-fey. My guards and I will show all of faerie that violence and sex are as popular among the sidhe as they are among the lesser fey of our court. The Darkness will weep, and Frost will comfort him. The gentlest of my guards will find new strength and break my heart. Passions undreamed of await us–and my enemies gather, for the future of both courts of faerie begins to unravel.

~*~My Review~*~

Fourth installment of the the Merry Gentry series....I'm feeling a bit more and more like "really, did she really just gain another power?"

But that was a common thing I though in the Anita Blake series too.

Regardless of all the magical powers that our little mortal, Meredith, comes into in this book, I think I'm just having a hard time dealing with the duration of time it happens in. 

Now I understand that these powers are magnifying since she's back in the mound and such, but this book literally only the next 24 hours since the end of book 3.


Summed up, Merry has added yet again a few more people to her 'slept with' list. Which includes but not limited to: Adair, Amatheon, and Mistral. She's also made the sithen come alive once again, had the ring find it's first "love match" in centuries, and become some sort of power being able to mark her men.

Though seriously far-fetched...I do adore these stories. They are fun to read and just very entertaining. 

I really don't have much to report on this book, it just kinda fell flat for me. 

Till next time.....