Too Wicked To Wed by Cheryl Holt

Genre: Regency Romance (lots of steam)

Blurb on Back: Can the rogue who won her virtue...Helen Mansfield's reckless brother has done the unthinkable, gambling away his sister's chastity to save his family's estate. When Helen visits the lodgings of the gentleman who has won her, hoping to make him see reason, she interrupts a carnal scene as outrageous as it is erotic. Luke Westmoreland, the illegitimate son of a duke, is clearly a rogue...and he's also the most wildly attractive man she has ever met. He offers Helen a new bargain that will give her one more year in her home. But their daily meetings quickly become sizzling lessons in wanton desire...

Teache her the meaning of desire? Once branded a smuggler and thief, Luke Westmoreland is now hailed a hero, thanks to an act of bravery at sea. Although he has taken full advantage of the women his fame has enticed, none of the strumpets lining up to share his bed has intrigued Luke as much as beautiful, spirited Helen. Their trysts are abandoned, sensual adventures that depen into a love neither dares to admit---until another man's twisted obsession places Helen in danger...

My thoughts: One thing I love about Cheryl Holt is that she is not afraid to tell grity, passionate and true stories. She doesn't shy away from things that are real. If the guy is supposedly a rake she makes him a rake. Luke is deffinitly a rake and he is not sorry for it. He has women (many), he's mean, plus he is a criminal which he is not at all sorry for. I love him. Something about those bad boys is so appealing.

Helen, the woman destined for Luke, is the innocent spinster who is not at all shy. She says what she means though I think saying no to Luke was a little hard for her. What I don't understand though is that she wasn't all that horrified by the opening scene in which she finds Luke surrounded by scantily clad women. Shouldn't and innocent spinster who has lived a very sheltered life be a little shocked by the scene. Though she does try to leave it wasn't all that convincing to me.

Even the villian of the novel was great. He was a true bad guy, not just a pretty face acting bad. He does do some horrible things to the different characters. Be warned he does participate in several forced encounters with the opposite sex. I could have done without one or two (or all) of them. After the first I do not really see how it helped progress the story.

Overall it was a good book. I can't wait to see what Holt gives us next!

Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter

Genre: Paranormal Romance with lots of tongue in cheek humor

Blurb on back: Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chil your drink or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my Grande Mocha Latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I'm waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells me 1) his name's Rome Masters, 2) he's a government agent and 3) I can control the four elements with a thought. He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation than I am . . .Because now he'll have to kill me.

My Thoughts: Hilarious. Have you ever read a book and thought to yourself, "This could be a real person." Granted the who super powers the main character, Belle, gets are not possible, but her entire attitude towards life is very life like. Several times I identified with the character. She starts the book off as a waitress who does not like her job and whom customers are very rude to. She is rude back. I have felt like that many times or wanted to act just like that when I have worked in the retail world. You just want to say bite me. Belle does, though not in those words.

X-Men and Superman have nothing on Belle, though she probaly identifies with some of them. Belle had the unfortunate luck to drink a really bad Mocha and become a superhero with some awesome superpowers. Powers over fire, wind, earth, and water. Belle struggles throughout the book to determine if this is what she wants and how to deal with her powers. Let's just say she causes a few fires before she gets it right. But in the end like all good romances she perserves and gets the guy, a dark sensual hero who has a bit of the cat in him.

Favorite Quote: "My friend Sherridan----the only friend I had, really, since she didn't mind the fact that I had no free time......told me the devil on my right shoulder must have brutally strangled the angel on my left, destroying any hint of moral influence." (Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter)

Upcoming Releases

Well, we are on the advent of a new month and if your anything like me you already know what books are being released in October that interest you. October is a big book month for me. I'm so excited! Here is the list of my future tbr books.

Passionate Thirst by Cameron Dean (never read any of her work, looking forward to it)
Seduced by Magic by Cheyenne McCray (second book in series about fairies and such)
Conspiracy Game by Christine Feehan (3rd or 4th in a series about physic military group)
Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich (2nd in a funny mystery series about the racing industry)
No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole (2nd in paranormal romance series)
Strange Candy by Laurell K Hamilton (anthology of 13 short horror, fantasy, etc stories)
Love at First Bite by Sherrilyn Kenyon(can't wait to read, features more Dark Hunters)
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding by PN Elrod et al. (anthology of fantasy writers)
Master of Swords by Angela Knight (4th in her Mageverse series, great paranormal romances with vampires, werewolves, fairies oh my!)
Glass Houses by Rachel Caine (a YA novel, think it is about a girl who sees dead people but not sure)
Greywalker by Kat Richardson (not sure of the premise but I remember I wanted to read it)

What other books is everyone looking forward to?

Not a novel but a book none the less

I am a grad student slugging my way through my masters program. And like many of you out there, even if you only got your undergrad, I am beseiged with research papers. And with papers you always get writing manuels. I have to write all of my current papers in the APA format. Has anyone ever really looked at this manuel? It is horrible. No sane person can find anything in this book. I spent an hour alone looking for information on how to cite an interview source. The stupid book only told me to go to section 3.102. There is not a 3.102! Why couldn't it give me a page number? I finally relied on the trusty Internet search for my solution. Only took me a minute or so to find the answer to my question.

As for a rating of this lovely book (Publication Manuel of the American Psychological Association) I give it 1 star. Or less. Personally I believe the people who compile the information are doing their own psychological study to see how crazy someone will be after they try to find information. I'm ready for a little white straight jacket myself.

Dark Celebration by Christine Feehan

4 Stars

This was a great book to help continue the Dark series, books about a group of creatures based on the vampire myth. Dark Celebration is the newest book in a very long series. It seems to go on and on. Though while every other book in the series focuses on one hero and one heroine this book covered everyone in the entire series. Each character had their time in the spot light to shine. A writing style that may deter some of the less Carpathian enthusiasts.

The book follows Mikhail, the Prince of the Carpathian people, as he visits each of the couples who have come home to celebrate the Christmas season. Of course nothing ever goes smooth and havoc soon reigns as the bad guys come out to play. But good prevails and the day is saved. Mmmm...sounds like any other romance book out there.

Overall, I would recommend the book to a lover of romance and vampires. Though if you are not familiar with the series you will be very lost. New readers need to at least read the last few books in the series to get a feel of what is going on.