Rewriting Monday - Jodi Thomas

Title: Rewriting Monday
Author: Jodi Thomas
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2009
Pages: 343
Genre: Romance with a touch of Suspense

I agree with the cover quote by author Catherine Anderson..."A masterful storyteller." Jodi Thomas takes us to a small town in Texas with a population of 15,007. I loved her descriptions of the town, secondary characters, and her depiction of the romantic interest between the two main characters. Jodi Thomas takes a little twist with this book in that she writes in both first person and third person. You might think this would be hard to follow...but it wasn't. It flowed smoothly and was very easy to read. I really enjoyed the fact that we got to know what some of the other characters were thinking instead of just the thoughts of the narrator.

Pepper Malone is on the run from a mistake that ended her career as a Chicago reporter. She comes to the town of Bailee, Texas because that is where her Aunt lives and to pull herself together before choosing her next career move. Her Aunt is recovering from a broken hip in a nursing home, so Pepper takes up residence in her rundown mobile home. With only $245 in her pocket, she decides to apply for a job at the local newspaper. It is through Pepper and the first person narrative that we get a glimpse of Bailee and the local people. There isn't a character introduced in this story that you don't want to know more about. The secondary characters were great and even the subplot of another romance brewing between two of them moved me.

Mike is the owner of the local paper. The paper has been in his family for years although Mike wants nothing to do with owning it. However, after his brother's death, he quits his job of teaching and comes home to take over as editor. Mike is a great beta hero - he hides is inner turmoil and people tend to take him for granted. He is the shy strong type of hero that quietly sits in the background. His life is full of regrets...there are dreams that didn't get fulfilled, things he should have done, and all he wants to do is have the ability to rewrite his life.

While reading about the romance blooming between Mike and Pepper...there are other side stories that make this story such a great read. Like the threats that are coming to the paper, both written and phone calls; the mysterious man that shows up every Monday to buy a paper; the unknown past of Lorie, the bakery owner; and the lives of the residence in the nursing home. If you want a "beach" read that encompasses a bit of suspense, lots of great characters, and an ending that will make you sigh...then pick up a copy of Rewriting Monday. I can't wait to get my hands on her other book...Twisted Creek.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 343
Completed:  3/8/10

Rewriting Monday - Jodi Thomas

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/rewriting-monday-jodi-thomas.html

24 Hour Read-a-Thon

I'm so excited!!! This is the first time that I am going to be participating in the Dewey 24-hour Read-a-Thon!!! I have wanted to join the fun for some time now (it is held twice a year), but things kept getting in the way. I finally have the weekend free, and I am gathering my books together this week. The Read-a-Thon happens April 10th - 11th. I am in the Eastern time zone, so I start at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the 10th.

If you would like to participate, you can read more about the rules and have your questions answered at the faqs page. Sign-up is starting now...so don't wait too long!!! There will be mini-challenges throughout the event, so you can take a break from reading. Now, you don't have to read the whole 24 hours. A lot of people do sleep...it is all up to you as to how many hours you participate...this is supposed to be fun!!!

If you don't want to be a reader, you can always sign up to be a cheerleader. Cheerleaders will just spend whatever amount of time they can visiting the blogs of readers and encouraging everyone. The main purpose of cheerleaders is to keep Readers from feeling isolated as they spend their day reading.

I can't wait for the event to start...I will be updating my blog throughout the Read-a-Thon to keep track of how much I have accomplished. I will be counting pages read, hours spent reading, doing mini-challenges, and commenting on other blogs. I will also have a list of the books I read so that I can do my reviews later this week.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/24-hour-read-thon.html

Sunday Salon - 3/21/10

Good Afternoon Sunday Saloners!!! I've been reading quite a bit this week and also got some good books in the mail. This morning I finished up Fragile by Shiloh Walker. I am getting ready to start its sequel...Broken. Some other books on my TBR list this week are Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis; Wicked Ties by Shayla Black; and Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill. All of which I received in the mail from Amazon. I really need to finish up Highland Honor by Hannah Howell because she is the author I am celebrating this month for the challenge, Celebrate the Author. For this challenge, you choose one author a month whose birthday is that month and read one of their books. So far I have celebrated...Stuart Woods in January...and John Sandford in February.

A couple of posts I read this week are going to get mentioned here because of how much I liked them.  Stacey at Stacey's Place on Earth did an excellent job interviewing Beth Kery who happens to be one of my favorite authors. And Jenner at Life With a Little One does a meme on Tuesdays called Post-It-Note Tuesdays. This week she posted about "You Know You Have a Blogging Problem if..." which really gave me a good laugh.

I am four books behind in my reviews...up this week will be Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas, Bound, Branded & Brazen by Jaci Burton, Sarah's Child by Linda Howard, and Fragile by Shiloh Walker. Hopefully, I will be caught up by the end of the week.

I wish everyone a great day...to visit other saloners...check them out here.

Sunday Salon - 3/21/10

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/sunday-salon-32110.html

Wild, Wicked, & Wanton - Jaci Burton

Title:  Wild, Wicked, & Wanton
Author:  Jaci Burton
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2007
Pages:  326
Genre:  Erotic Romance

Three friends...three secret desires...three chances to make it all come true.

Wild, Wicked, & Wanton is just that...wild, wicked, & wanton. There are three individual stories in this book.  However, they are all connected through three friends. They are inseparable, sharing their wildest secrets and dares. "Their latest bet is the boldest one of all: Each must sleep with whomever the other two have chosen for her." Each friend has their own story but their interaction with each other draws the stories together that make it flow as one.

Wild Abby swore off men for good after her husband bedded every willing female in town. "She never counted on a pair of sexy veterinarians who are fulfilling a desire of their own." Wicked Blair is afraid to commit having broken off three engagements. "Yet there's one man she never had the courage to bed. The one man she really loved. But now, the decision is out of her hands." Wanton Callie's long dormant fantasies may be getting a workout. "A new man enters her life, and everything about him is irresistible."

This is definitely one intensely hot read. So, if you don't like romances that daringly push the boundaries then this one isn't for you. But, if you like them hawt, fiery, wicked, with scorching physical encounters...then you need to pick up a copy of Wild, Wicked, & Wanton. Jaci Burton creates three dimensional characters that are sure to entertain you. I thought all three stories were fantastic. Abby, Blair, and Callie are strong heroines that weren't afraid to go after what they wanted...that is after a little prodding from each other. And the heroes...wow...I just loved Seth, the sexy veterinarian; Rand, the dominate alpha cop; and Jack, the anything goes, gorgeous lawyer.

If you want to read an excerpt, head on over to Jaci Burton's website.



Rating: 4/5
Pages: 326
Completed: 3/7/10

Wild, Wicked, & Wanton - Jaci Burton

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/wild-wicked-wanton-jaci-burton.html

Hard to Handle - Lori Foster

Title:  Hard to Handle
Author:  Lori Foster
Publisher:  Berkley
Published: 2008
Pages:  648 (eBook)
Genre:  Suspense/Romance
Series:  Fighter Series Book #3

Ack!! This is the third book in a series and I didn't know it. I just didn't investigate it when I bought the book from Fictionwise. I will have to admit though, I didn't have any trouble reading it out of order...it can be read as a standalone. However, I think it would have been a bit more enjoyable to have the other secondary characters' back stories. This is the first book I have read by Lori Foster. It is a shame too, as she is a local author here in Cincinnati, Ohio. This series is about ultimate fighters, and I really enjoyed this avenue of heroes. I have read the usual genres of cowboys, firefighters, agents, SEALs, etc., but never one about fighters...so it was a nice change.

Anastasia is a life coach, helping people gain confidence in their abilities and discovering their true path in life. However, she is also Harley's landlord. She rents him a cabin every year, but they never exchange more than a few hellos. Until fate throws them together. When there is an attempt on Stasia's life, Harley makes it his mission to keep her safe.

Harley is an ultimate fighter once again going after the SBC title belt. Each time he has reached the top...ready to fight for the belt...an accident has occurred that has pulled him out of the fight. This time he is determined to get the belt. Stasia wants to help him...gain focus and get his life in order. He wants nothing to do with her and her brand of coaching. However, the attraction they feel for each other is too overwhelming to deny.

Harley is the perfect flawed alpha hero...a bit of a womanizer, definitely a dominant, and sexy to boot. Anastasia has a strength all her own. She doesn't fall at Harley's feet like the rest of the women do...in fact, she is quite good at not succumbing to his charms. She is recovering from a bad situation with a client, and is determined not to let it ruin her or her business. They spend a good portion of the book dancing around each other, but when they finally come together...fireworks!! I think the only thing that disappointed me in this book is that the fight for the title belt only lasted about a page...I would have liked to have seen more tension and edge of seat writing in this portion of the book. But, all in all, it was a fun read!! Like I said earlier...the only thing that could have made this more enjoyable for me is if I had had the background stories on a couple of the secondary characters...but I will read their stories next.

To read a couple of excerpts from this book, go to Lori Foster's website.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 684 (eBook)
Completed:  3/1/10

Hard to Handle - Lori Foster

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/hard-to-handle-lori-foster.html

Zack: Armed and Dangerous - Cheyenne McCray

Title:  Zack: Armed and Dangerous
Author:  Cheyenne McCray
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Published:  2008
Pages:  269
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Series:  Armed and Dangerous Book #1

Cheyenne McCray is a "new to me" author, and this won't be the last book of hers I read. I have a strong liking for contemporary romances with a western theme. Throw into the mix a hot ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officer cowboy, and you have the makings of a great romantic suspense story. Not only is the hero in this story a sexy cowboy...but the managing ranch hand, Luke, is to die for too. This is a second chance at love story that has you cheering for the hero and hoping he wins back his lady.

Zack stole my heart from the very beginning. He is as noble as a hero should be...working to protect Sky from the cattle rustlers, and continually proving his undying love for her. He is a down to earth, gun-totin', black stetson wearing cowboy. Need I say more?? LOL. He is definitely an alpha male and doesn't mind using some of that alphaness (is that a word?) to get what he wants with Sky.

Sky has been hurt by Zack in the past. So, she is leery about getting involved with him again. She is a strong woman, knows what she wants...she runs her own ranch, knows how to shoot, and isn't afraid of getting down and dirty with work. She definitely gets down and dirty with Zack - LOL.

The cattle rustling mystery kept me involved, and I wasn't sure of the outcome until the end. I do have to say that the romantic tension between the two was sizzling and the passion was extremely scorching. I think the relationship was the core of the story with the cattle rustling being a great subplot.If you want to read the first three chapters, head on over to Cheyenne McCray's website and take a peek.

I can't wait for Luke's story which is already published. Ms. McCray also has plans for more Armed and Dangerous men...on her Coming Soon page, there are slots for Clay and Noah.



Rating: 4/5
Pages: 269
Completed:  3/1/10

Zack: Armed and Dangerous - Cheyenne McCray

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/zack-armed-and-dangerous-cheyenne.html

Book Signing in Chicago

A fabulous group of romance authors will be in Chicago on March 13! Don’t miss your chance to meet acclaimed authors:

Julie James—writes smart, sexy contemporary romances.
Beth Kery– writes steamy, emotional contemporary romances.
Shiloh Walker—writes erotic romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense.
Joss Ware (aka Colleen Gleason)—writes a post-apocalyptic romantic adventure series and a historical vampire hunter series.

We’ll all be signing at the following date and time, so come on out and meet us!

Barnes & Noble
Webster Place
1441 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773-871-3610
March 13th, 3:00-5:00 pm

So, SPREAD THE WORD and get entered for a chance to win a $40 GC to Barnes & Noble.

Book Signing in Chicago

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-signing-in-chicago.html

Broken - Release Today!!

Shiloh Walker's book Broken is being released today!!! I've got mine ordered and can't wait to read it. Here is the blurb from the back of the book and a small excerpt.

Read More

Shattered

Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter and bail bondsman in St. Louis when a new neighbor catches his eye. He’s tempted by her beauty—but he knows from experience that anyone desperate enough to live in his building is damaged goods. Besides, he has his own soul to mend before he can worry about anyone else.

Desperate

Sara Davis is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on the lam. She’s not an abused wife, and she’s not a criminal. But she does have a plan for her future. And as much as she finds herself attracted to her gruff, tough neighbor, she can’t risk telling him the secrets she’s hiding. There’s just too much at stake.

Driven to desire…

But Quinn must get closer to Sara when she turns out to be the target of his new missing persons case, and he discovers that there is something more complex and dangerous to her than he thought. Now, both Quinn and Sara will have to expose their true feelings—as well as their fragile hearts—if they hope their love will survive…

EXCERPT

He opened the door—

And stopped dead in his tracks as somebody all but fell into his arms. Somebody…a woman. And not Theresa.

He caught her just above her elbows, automatically steadying her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice soft and low.

Then she lifted her face and Quinn found himself gazing into the biggest, brownest eyes he’d ever seen in his life. Feeling a little dazed, he studied her face while she stammered out another apology.
Quinn barely heard it.

He was too busy staring at her mouth. A very pretty mouth, a cupid’s bow mouth slicked with deep, vibrant red. Under his hands, he could feel silken smooth skin and unable to resist, he stroked a thumb along her inner arm.

Her skin was soft, soft and warm. He was also pretty sure she had the creamiest, most flawless skin imaginable. Her shoulder-length hair was a shade caught between blonde and brown, nondescript, but for some reason, he found himself thinking about tangling his fingers in that hair and holding her head still while he kissed that red-slicked mouth.

Well, hello…

read more…

Broken - Release Today!!

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/broken-release-today.html

Winner of Release

Thank you so much everyone...for coming over and joining my contest!!! I had such a great turnout, wonderful comments on my blog, and even picked up a few followers!!! I can't tell you how much all of that meant to me...Thanks again.

Without further ado...the Winner of Beth Kery's book Release is none other than...

Martha Lawson

I will be sending you an email shortly!!

 

I want to say...THANK YOU...again to all the wonderful participants...you made my first contest the best!!!

Winner of Release

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/winner-of-release.html

I Really Want to Win This One...

My friend, Blanche, over at There's No Such Thing as Too Many Books is having a contest!!!

What a fantastic one it is too...she is giving away a copy of Bound, Branded & Brazen by Jaci Burton. I have been waiting for this one to be released!! Release day is Tuesday.

So head on over there and join in the fun!!! Contest runs through this evening and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Here's keeping my fingers crossed!!!

I Really Want to Win This One...

http://worldaccordingtobooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-really-want-to-win-this-one.html