Good Morning!
Did you all have a nice weekend? I know for me the time change made yesterday the shortest day ever! I have no idea where the time went!
So…the refrigerator? Not purchased yet. Can you believe it? I finally decided which fridge to get and my hubby is now not sure that’s the one he wants. Wait, you said choose between these two and you’d be happy either way. What happened to that? lol He now wants the opposite fridge from the one I picked. Why? Because the one he wants has a bottom freezer bar that lifts when you pull it. I shit you not that’s why he wants the fridge. I said, “Um, hon, you know on the other one where the bar doesn’t lift? That one doesn’t lift and the freezer still opens! It’s amazing! And we save $800.00!” (Granted it’s a larger fridge so you pay for that too be STILL!) So, we’re at an impasse and hopefully we’ll figure it out this week. *sigh*
I’ve been thinking about getting pictures of the girls for a while and finally went and did it. I realized that the only pictures I’d gotten of them for years (other than the ones I take which are crap) are their school pictures. I needed some with them together and boy am I glad I did. These turned out better than expected and I’m so happy. I have a ton of other poses but these are definitely my favorites. I have to say, they clean up well, don’t they?
So what did I read this week?
I started the week with Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves. This one I read for The Book Binge so will let you know when my review posts. The book is about a multi-millionaire and his female bodyguard. She’s rough and tumble and not girly at all. He goes for the sexy blondes with huge…attributes. They end up having anger sex and she ends up pregnant. The story is about both of them coming to terms with being parents and eventually realizing that they love the other. I had a few issues with this one but overall all a pretty good story. 3.5 out of 5
Next was Dire Needs by Stephanie Tyler. Also read for The Book Binge. The story followed a pack of Dire wolves – the last of their kind – and the head of their pack who meets a human and realizes she his mate. She ends up being half dire wolf as she is actually the daughter of one of the pack. The pack also fights for humanity against evil witches. This one I had a ton of issues with. I liked the premise and what the story was trying to achieve but the story itself didn’t work for me. 2 out of 5
On Thin Ice by Jessica Lee was my next read. I’ll be reviewing this one this week so keep your eyes peeled. 🙂
Blame it on Bath by Caroline Linden is another I’ll be reviewing this week so watch for that one as well.
Defying the Odds by Kele Moon was next. I read a few reviews of this book a while back so decided to try it out. The story is about Melody who has divorced her abusive husband and is now trying to make a life for herself in a new town. She’s a waitress and buys Clay a piece of pie on Thanksgiving. That pie leads to the two falling in love but the story of how it happens is really great. Now some folks had an issue with the fact that she came from an abusive relationship but had no problem with the fact that Clay was a UFC and he was a big muscular man. I personally didn’t have a problem with this at all. Her husband had not been a muscular man and had come off as charming when he was really a snake. Clay was huge and not too talkative (at first) but he had a heart of gold. It just showed us that it really doesn’t matter what’s on the outside – it the good or evil that’s inside. I did have a problem with the hick speak. It tended to get old especially with the multitude of “ain’t’s” that were being thrown around. Good book. 4 out of 5
Last for the week was my Tracy’s TBR Challenge read for the week: Concubine by Jill Knowles. This is the story of Korai, a country at war with Zandria, a neighboring country. One of the princes of Korai, Kael, doesn’t understand the reasons his father the king let the original dispute get to the point of war – especially since Korai ended up with a lot of casualties. Kael’s father meets with the king of Zandria and gives certain things to Zandria as a type of penance and shocks Kael to death when he gives HIM to the Warlord of Zandria…who is a man! gasp! Oh, and half demon. Kael is rightly pissed but soon realizes that he’s not all that opposed to sex with Taren, the warlord. The story is about Kael and Taren’s relationship but also Kael coming to terms with who he is now that he’s a concubine and the love/hate that he feels for his father for putting him in that position and knowing he can never return to his country. There’s also a subplot of suspense of someone trying to kill Kael. I enjoyed this book so much. This was BDSM lite set in a fantasy world and almost everything about it just worked for me. The emotion, the eroticism…man! It was really good and one I would definitely recommend. 4.5 out of 5
My Book Binge reviews that posted last week:
Happy Reading!
Oh, Tracy. The one at the top. Fabulous!
I love the pictures of your girls. So pretty and I'm with Lori too, I love the one on top. =)
I really enjoyed the Graves so I'm looking forward to your review. =)
Lori – Isn't it great? I love that one. I have it in 8×10 in my family room and I ordered a canvas of it in black and white as well. It's a keeper. 🙂
Wena – Thanks!
The Graves was definitely different from what I expected but good. 🙂
Oh so pretty. Beautiful pictures.
So she's a female bodyguard, not at all feminine and she is represented by a skinny chick wearing a dress with the "one leg in the air I'm in bliss" pose? WTF? There's MY issue. LOL
I loved Concubine as well. It was sexy and sweet and was interesting to see Kael's adjustment to his new life.
Tam – You took the thought right out of my head! I swear I don't understand where they come up with these covers. Obviously the person didn't read the book AT ALL or take into consideration the authors questionnaire. *sigh*
I really liked that Kael in Concubine realized what kind of position he was in and tried to come to terms with it rather than trying to escape. The honor in this one was huge.
The picture of the two of them together is soooo cute!
Concubine was a darn good read indeed. 🙂
Good luck on the fridge impasse. Maybe you can find an old fridge on Craig's List – the kind that were REALLY iceboxes. 😀
I love all of the pictures, but there is something so natural about the last one.
Really, really nice pics! You must be so happy about them! Did they have fun posing for it? 🙂
Ouch, 800$ more. That's a really big difference and worth taking a second to really think about it!
Yesterday might have been the shortest day and therefore, the shortest week… but you made good on it! Awesome reading week!
I like Jane Graves writing, but I usually find her books to have flaws… ^_^;
Looking forward to your review of Blame it on Bath 🙂
Your girls are beautiful!! I've been meaning to get photos of my kids done and stuff keeps coming up. I need to just do it – you've inspired me 🙂
(An $800 difference? That would have been my deciding factor, lol)
Chris – Thanks. That's my favorite of the whole bunch.
Concubine was really good. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it went above and beyond.
Thanks for the fridge wishes. lol I'm hoping we can get things moving along either today or tomorrow. *crosses fingers*
Shannon – Thanks. My youngest is very comfortable with who she is and it shows. 🙂
Nath – Honestly? They were bears when they were doing it. lol They didn't want to smile showing any teeth and a multitude of other complaints. I was exhausted afterward so I'm glad the pictures turned out. I wouldn't want to have to do that again anytime soon. lol
Yeah, the Graves had flaws but it was a cute read nonetheless.
Yeah, you'd think my hubby would just go for the less expensive fridge but NO! lol
Patti – Thanks, hon. I know how you feel. I've been thinking about this for a while as well and just finally said "we're doing it". I was worth it.
I know! $800.00 for me WAS the deciding factor but apparently he thinks we're made of money. lol
Those photos of your girls – your girls are gorgeous! And I'm assuming your husband has the shotgun out WRT the oldest?
So glad you loved Concubine – I adored it!
All the best with the fridge!
Orannia – Thank you! The shotgun is primed and ready. lol Hopefully he won't have to use it for a while. She likes boys but she still gets grossed out by people kissing on tv so that's a good thing. lol
Yes, Concubine was great. I was so shocked at the beginning when the father handed him over! I'm thankful that the kids weren't around when I read that part because I said, out loud, what the fuck!!!? lol I just couldn't imagine why his father would do that! I really loved the twists and turns of the story. More books set in that world would be great.
Really? Lucky you, it didn't show 🙂
Those photos are fantastic, Tracy! I especially love the first one. I think your eldest looks a lot like you in that one.
So did you get a fridge yet? Don't you hate when the men FINALLY give you their input after YOU'VE finally made up your mind? omg drives me crazy too!
Nath – Thank heavens! lol
Christine – Thank you,hon. That first one shows how much they do care for each other even though they were at odds that day. They definitely can have fun together.
I hate to say it but my hubby does this frequently. He say: :either of these two, I don't care which one." But when I choose he'll say – oh, I liked the other one. WTF? lol Can't he just say I like fridge A? ug. 🙂 And yes, we've gotten a fridge – yay! 🙂