Beyond Solitude by Kit Rocha [Review]

Beyond Solitude (Beyond #4.5) by Kit Rocha
Format: ebook
Source: provided by the author for an honest review
Date read: March 24, 2014

Beyond
1. Beyond Shame
2. Beyond Control
2.5. Beyond Denial
3. Beyond Pain
3.5. Beyond Temptation
4. Beyond Jealousy
4.5. Beyond Solitude - Kindle
5. Beyond Addiction
6. Beyond Innocence
7. Beyond Ruin

Kit Rocha
Kit Rocha is the non-paranormal pen name for the fabulous writing duo Bree and Donna. They also write paranormal sexiness as Moira Rogers.
| Website | Twitter (Kit Rocha) | Twitter (Donna) | Twitter (Bree) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When a motorcycle accident leaves Derek Ford riding a desk at the O'Kane compound, the last thing he needs is a sexy new assistant upending his office and his life. But Mia isn't scared of her domineering boss. The friction between them generates an undeniable heat—but Mia will not be kept, and Ford will do anything to protect what’s his. Set during Beyond Jealousy.

Thoughts on Beyond Solitude: Oh, my goodness! Grumpy Ford is just AWESOME. All prickly and snarly on the outside, such a soft sweetheart on the inside. Don't let his soft side fool you, though, he can still kick ass when he needs to.

Because that's what O'Kanes do. They stand up for those who are family.

Frankly, I liked this little slice of Sector Four. We got to see how people outside of Dallas's organization view the King and his loyal band. We got to see the brotherhood that comes part and parcel with being an O'Kane. Probably my favorite thing (next to all the naughty times!) is that the women hold an equal place beside the men.

And when Ford screws up with Mia, the women aren't afraid to make sure he knows it.

Lest you think this book is light on the trademark O'Kane sexy times, it is not. Ford and Mia have some sizzle. The tension between them is downright combustible, in fact. And the other couples who we've come to know and love are no less steamy. *cough*Lex, Dallas, Jas, Noelle*cough*

A very fun look at life just outside Dallas's inner circle. Yes, I'm smitten. This shouldn't be surprising seeing as I seriously can't get enough of these books.

O'Kane for life!

Top Off Tuesday - One tattooed werewolf for you!

I've decided to join Felicia, Christi and Amanda for their gratuitous shirtless covers on Tuesdays. Because nothing says Tuesday like flashing some skin! Hop over to Felicia's blog to see who else is participating!

This one's artsy. You know, because it's in black and white. I must say, I like it. I like it a lot.

Marked (The Wolf's Den #1) by Aline Hunter

Fantasy becomes reality if you carry the mark...

Chloe Bryant doesn’t know what to expect when she enters The Wolf’s Den. Drawn to the werewolf tattoo parlor for reasons she can’t explain, she soon discovers the sexy man from her dreams isn’t a figment of her imagination. Not only is Jackson Donovan real, but he explains the dreams they shared are due to their destined mating. It can’t be possible. She’s not a werewolf. Even if he swears the mark on her wrist indicates otherwise.

Jackson is stunned to discover the beautiful minx from his dreams isn’t a full-blooded werewolf but a Halfling. The only way to uncover Chloe’s past is to stake a claim to her future. By taking the delectable female into his bed, he’ll unlock every secret she has to hide -- as well as awaken the passion she’s tucked away for too long -- by exploring her mind, body and soul one sweet inch at a time.

Sweet Sizzle by Jodi Redford [Review]

Sweet Sizzle (Red Hot Valentine) by Jodi Redford
Format: ebook
Source: provided by the author for an honest review
Date read: January 20, 2014

Jodi Redford
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Kindle |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Valentine’s Day—the bane of Rory Sinclair’s existence. Hard to forgive the one holiday responsible for the single most moronic decision of her life. If it was up to her, she’d skip anything to do with cupid, but with her business partner home sick with the flu, she’s stuck delivering a bunch of cookie bouquets to a local firehouse. Who knows, maybe she’ll cure her Valentine’s Day neurosis and heat up the mattress with a hunky firefighter. Her plan of donning some edible undies and getting her freak on goes up in flames though the instant she steps through the doors of Station 5 and spots Bennet Jackson—the man responsible for her decade long Valentine’s Day boycott.

No matter how hard he’s tried, Ben has never gotten over the innocent girl he foolishly let slip between his fingers. When Rory unexpectedly crashes back into his world, he figures it’s his only shot at righting the wrongs of his past and getting her back in his bed and his life. For good. Unfortunately, she has other plans. Ones that don’t include him. He’s well aware that she has every reason to despise him, but if there’s one thing he’s up for, it’s a challenge. Because there’s no way in hell he’s losing the woman of his dreams again. And this time he’s prepared to pull out every dirty, sexy, and hotter-than-sin trick to convince her to stay.

Thoughts on Sweet Sizzle: Fair warning, Jodi Redford and I have some sort of sympathetic thought-transference thing going on. Meaning, I GET her. When she starts throwing out Star Wars quotes, I nod and smile. When she talks about punching Cupid in the junk, I laugh. (not that I've ever thought about punching Cupid in the junk, but I have thought about punching other things in the junk. Like dolphins. Do you know how unrepentantly horny dolphins are? They'll try to bone ANYTHING! You. Me. Other sea life. Dead fish. ANYTHING.)

Anyway. Take the sympathetic thought-transference into account as you read this review.

Onto the story. Rory and Ben. No joke, Ben screwed up. He ran scared when they were younger and hurt Rory badly. She's still carrying a torch for him (YES! I MANAGED TO SLIP A FIRE-PUN IN EARLY!) and seeing him out of the blue knocks her for a loop. With the heartache of what he did to her still present, Rory has a TOUGH time trusting him. AS ONE DOES.

Ben, meanwhile, knows he made a mistake. Rory's unexpected appearance gives him the chance he thought he'd thrown away. And, oh, man, it's so fun watching those big guys scramble all over the place trying to make things right.

With her trademark sexy-times and a firehouse full of hunks, Jodi Redford makes this a Valentine's to remember. Do I smell a follow-up with the probie and the firecracker? MAYBE.

(Wow. That probie/firecracker question sounds dirrrrrty. I swear it's not. I SWEAR!)

RtP Week in Review (05/04/14)

Now that Amanda's retired her Clock Rewinders feature, I'm playing with how I want to format my weekly recap. Things might change around here. Or maybe they won't.

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• One Good Early Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean [Review] - Oh, I got a kick out of this book.
• Top Off Tuesday - It's a two-fer!
• Snowcroft Lost by Christi Snow [Review] - Another winner from Christi!
• The Sins of Zahreh by Rosalind Scarlett [Review] - The vamp I love to hate!
• Love Bites by Lynsay Sands [Review] - Fun, light hearted, and sometimes ridiculous.
• Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong [Review] - I have to get this off my chest -- I adore Lucas.
• Bout of Books 10 Starting Line - It's almost heeeeerrrrre!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile - 5
• Hearts of the Anemoi (North of Need, West of Want, South of Surrender) bundle by Laura Kaye
• East of Ecstasy (Hearts of the Anemoi #4) by Laura Kaye
• Freebies - Check the prices before you buy!
• Super Trouble (Superlovin' #4) by Vivi Andrews (Paranormal romance)
• Books read - 3
• Currently reading 
• Dark Ride Dogs by Keith Melton

Globetrotting...

• On Tuesday, I talked about what I accomplished in April at KellyApple.com. SPOILER: 50K words is what I accomplished!
• On Wednesday, I reviewed Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski over at Amanda's blog. It was an enjoyable YA with plenty of juicy secrets!
• Free Books Need Love, Too! weekly reviews:
• Monday - Somebody's Lover by Jasmine Haynes
• Tuesday - GLA: Three Play Ball by Veronica Cox
• Wednesday - Tied and True by Marie Harte

Check it out!

• Seriously Series weekly update:
• Series started in 2014: 14/18 (+0 since last week)
• Series started before 2014: 7/18 (+1 since last week)
• Series rereads: 4/7 (+0 since last week)

Bout of Books 10 Starting Line

Bout of Books 10 is here! Check out the Bout of Books blog to see the ins and outs of what to expect from this read-a-thon. Reminders for the daily challenges (if you wish to participate), Twitter chats, etc will be posted to keep you in the loop. Now, let's get our read on!

Time Devoted to Reading
I will be dedicating the entire week to reading, BUT I'm also working full time and writing a book. So, my participation might be a little less enthusiastic than normal.

My Goals

• I'm aiming to read 5 books this week. I have no clue if I can even pull that off with everything else I'm attempting to do, but there it is.
• Use Google+ for my daily updates. I honestly don't know how well this will work or if I'll move back to my regular way of updating midway through.
• Have fun!

Books to Read (will update once I've narrowed down my options)

• at least 2 books off my review request list
• at least 1 reread for Seriously Series (BDB, Parasol Protectorate, or Women of the Otherworld)
• any other 2 that strike my fancy

Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong [Review]

Dime Store Magic (Women of the Otherworld #3) by Kelley Armstrong
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Date read: January 11, 2014

Women of the Otherworld
1. Bitten
2. Stolen
3. Dime Store Magic - Paperback | Kindle
4. Industrial Magic
5. Haunted
6. Broken
7. No Humans Involved
8. Personal Demon
9. Living with the Dead
10. Frostbitten
11. Waking the Witch
12. Spellbound
13. Thirteen

Kelley Armstrong
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world’s most powerful elite organizations—the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige’s wildest antics can’t hold a candle to those of her new charge—an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil...and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder—and frame Paige for the crime. It’s an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

Thoughts on Dime Store Magic:  I have to get this off my chest -- I adore Lucas. He's a little stuffy at times and he's not the greatest sorcerer but he's so darn cute. Plus, I totally love how he's chosen to stand up for the underdog and fight the Cabals. Well done, Lucas. Well done.

So. Where book 1 gave us werewolves and book 2 expanded the overall world to show us there are plenty of other supernaturals out there, book 3 shows us the inner workings of the witches and their coven and the sorcerers and their Cabals. Frankly, the witches are a bunch of do-nothing ladies. On the other hand, the Cabals are terrifying in their ability to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get what they want -- something we'll see more of in later books.

The coven's desire to stay out of the limelight and not get involved in anything that doesn't directly affect them has tied Paige's hands in a lot of ways. The Elders don't look to her as a leader (although she technically is) and when Paige ends up in trouble, they do nothing to help. Then there's that whole "witches and sorcerers don't mix" thing. Which doesn't appear to be the case when it comes to Lucas and Paige.

Did I mention how much I like Lucas? BECAUSE I DO.

Plenty of intrigue, a fair amount of backstabbing, and a couple who seem to be polar opposites make this a very fun book. Oh, and Savannah. A teenage girl with more power than most PLUS all the angst that comes with being thirteen. Good times.

Love Bites by Lynsay Sands [Review]

Love Bites (Argeneau #2) by Lynsay Sands
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Date read: January 11, 2014

Argeneau
1. A Quick Bite
2. Love Bites - Paperback | Kindle
3. Single White Vampire
4. Tall, Dark & Hungry
5. A Bite to Remember
6. Bite Me If You Can
7. The Accidental Vampire
8. Vampires are Forever
9. Vampire, Interrupted
10. The Rogue Hunter
11. The Immortal Hunter
12. The Renegade Hunter
13. Born to Bite
14. Hungry for You
15. The Reluctant Vampire
16. Under a Vampire Moon
17. The Lady is a Vamp
18. Immortal Ever After
19. One Lucky Vampire
20. Vampire Most Wanted

Lynsay Sands
| Website | Twitter | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

True love: good from the first bite . . .

Etienne Argeneau's three hundred years of bachelorhood were at an end. Either that, or he'd be forever alone. He could turn only one human in his lifetime, and most of his kind created a life mate. If he turned this stranger . . . But what choice did he have? He had to help Rachel Garrett. The beautiful coroner had saved his life. To save hers, he would make her immortal.

. . . to the last

Rachel Garrett awoke surprised. All she'd wanted was to get off the night shift in the morgue; now here she was staggering to her feet naked and in a strange place. But everything would be all right. She'd just make like a bat out of hell. Then she saw the man of her dreams emerging from his . . . coffin? And the look in his bright silver eyes said they'd be spending a lot of time together. She just hoped he tasted as good as he looked.

Thoughts on Love Bites: There were things I enjoyed about this book and things that didn't work quite as well for me. I thought Rachel's stubborn insistence that she as dreaming was hilarious. The fact that the Argeneaus didn't kill Pudge outright once he started trying to kill Etienne boggles me. For all their good natures, the moment someone tried to put the whammy on one of their own, it shocked me that they allowed it.

Plus, Pudge was annoying. Well, right up to the end when he just became amusing. Poor guy.

For me, this was an amusing, quick read. Etienne and Rachel had some hurdles to overcome in their relationship -- mostly because their relationship started with neither of them knowing much of anything about one another. Etienne probbbbbably needs to work on his communication a bit, but I can see why he wouldn't be the best with words since his entire family can just plop themselves down and read minds. Rachel was surprisingly accepting about the whole thing. Well, once she stopped thinking it was a dream, that is.

Fun, light hearted, and sometimes ridiculous. There are days when that's exactly what you need in a book. *nods*