Tag: Shari Anton

What I Read Last Week

Posted May 24, 2010 by Tracy in Features | 10 Comments

It’s Monday again. Why does this keep happening every stinking week? lol
Well, I’d love to say that my life is so exciting and I’d love to regale you with many a fun and funny anecdote but the truth is, nothing happened this past week of any import. Just a normal week in Tracyland. Maybe this week will be so exciting I’ll be bursting at the seams next Monday to share things with you. Let’s hope. lol
I read a lot of books for The Book Binge this week in a desperate attempt to catch up. I’m almost all the way through the books from May so I’m making headway! lol Only a few more to go and I’m all caught up – yay! 🙂
So what I read this week:
I started off the week with a new to me author, Marie Sexton, by reading Promises. This was an m/m story about Jared who had lived his whole life in a small town in Colorado except for his years in college. He is gay but pretty much resigned to living on his own for the rest of his days. Then Matt comes to work at the Coda police department and Jared and Matt become instant friends. Jared falls for Matt, but Matt’s not gay…or is he? This was such a damn good story. I liked it so much. I enjoyed the writing and could really feel the things that were happening between Matt and Jared. Good stuff and highly recommended. 4.5 out of 5
Next up was Impulsive by Cathryn Fox. The story of a woman whose lover is killed and she’s turned into a werewolf. 100 years later and she’s scented her dead lover – who’s been reincarnated into Kane…a werewolf hunter. Wow, what a couple. This was read for The Book Binge. 3 out of 5

Next up was Tracy’s TBR Challenge read as well as an FTSP read – Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost. I bought this one the day it released and yet it’s sat on shelf til now. I think I was a little leery to start it as I wasn’t a huge fan of book 3. This one was a good read though with Cat running from a man who claimed to be her husband. It was a very emotional book between Cat and Bones and was hard to read at times but it was a good one. 4 out of 5

Next was Out of Bounds by TA Chase. This was the story of a professional basketball star who is gay – but he’s not out (except to his family) because he doesn’t wanted to take the chance that he might be removed from the team. Despite his qualms he begins a relationship with a nightclub owner. Kasey has real feelings for Gram but is hesitant to reveal his personal life to the press. The is a novella and I almost wish it had been a longer book. I felt kind of let down that what Kasey worried about the whole book was almost minimized because the book ended so soon after things happened. Beside that it was good. There was more sex than story imho but the sex was definitely steamy. 3 out of 5
Next up was Line of Fire by Jo Davis. This is book 4 in the Firefighters of Station 5 series – Tommy’s story. He’s pretty much in love with nurse, Shea Ford. She is afraid to get close to him because she’s afraid he is similar to a man in her past. She finally breaks through her misgivings and they fall in love. I really liked Tommy and Shea and they were so cute together – but almost too cute at times but it worked. The suspense part of the story was a little much but a pretty good story. Another Book Binge read. 3.5 out of 5

My next read was a short by Julie Kenner called Wrapped and Ready. I’m not sure what prompted me to pull out a Christmas short in May but I did. The story of Annie who’s had a thing for Brent most of her life – but they come from different lifestyles and she doesn’t think that Brent knows she exists. Oh, Brent knows and when Annie proposes that she get Brent as a Christmas present he’s definitely game. Cute. 3 out of 5

Bonded Souls by Nina Pierce was next. This is a prequel in her Shifting Bonds series. This tells the story of Jayda and how she met Cole (a wolf shifter) and became his mate. She is part of a prophecy and until she went on vacation to get some peace and quiet didn’t even know she was a shifter. Not only a shifter, by a polymorphic shifter – part wolf, part cougar, part human. A Book Binge read. 3.75 out of 5

Next I picked up Sucker for Love by Kimberly Raye for part of my FTSP. This is book 5 in the series and I got about 1/2 way through the book and realized I just didn’t care. I didn’t care about Lil, her family, Lil’s missing friend. Sorry to say the series has run it’s course for me. DNF
Another book I started and just couldn’t get into was Once a Bride by Shari Anton. I don’t have a clue where I got the book but it’s been on my shelf for a while. The story was about a man who accused of treason so goes into hiding and leaves his daughter (age 17) to face his accusers at their home. The man the king has sent to oversee the property while the matter is dealt with knows that he should have nothing to do with the daughter – and she’s pissed off at him for taking over the property – but that doesn’t stop their attraction. Again, I got about halfway through the book and nothing was clicking with me. DNF
Last but not least was another Tracy’s TBR Challenge read. This was The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd. Though I read all of Dodd’s Darkness Chosen series I wasn’t thrilled with it. I definitely liked this historical book better. It was pretty simple – an easy read with some silly parts but very cute. The story of a prince who finds his runaway princess – only she’s not the princess – just someone who looks like her. No matter her protestations that she’s an orphan from England and her guardian was the one who taught her about their respective countries, he thinks she’s fabricating it all to get out of marrying him and won’t believe her. So was she the princess or not? As I said – pretty cute. 3.75 out of 5
Some of my Book Binge reviews that have posted:
Happy Reading!


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Guest Review: Magic in His Kiss by Shari Anton

Posted November 10, 2008 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 5 Comments

Guest Review: Magic in His Kiss by Shari AntonReviewer: Tracy
Magic in His Kiss by Shari Anton
Series: Magic Trilogy #3
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

 

By order of King Stephen, Nicole de Leon has been confined to Bledloe Abbey since her father’s death eight years ago. As an orphaned noblewoman, she has always known that she would be married off to strengthen King Stephen’s political position. But as she reached marriageable age, she never dreamt that her extended family would come to her aid and prevent this unwanted marriage. For Nicole’s uncle, Connorap Maelgwn, has always despised King Stephen and would do anything to thwart him…even commit an act of war by kidnapping the bride the King needs to solidify an alliance. But Connor can’t charge through England with an army. He needs a warrior who’s trustworthy…a warrior like Rhodri ap Dafydd.

Rhodri ap Dafydd, a bard and warrior, has one purpose: to bring Nicole de Leon and home to Wales. He has no interest at all in politics–he’s merely helping a friend. But from the moment he lays eyes on Nicole, friendship is the last thing on his mind. With her fiery nature and her sharp tongue, Nicole is unlike any woman he has ever met. But falling in love with her was never an option. Brought together by fate but soon torn apart by war, can these two star-crossed lovers find a future together?

Thoughts/Opinion:
Nicole’s uncle sends Rhodri, a bard and warrior, to retrieve Nicole from the abbey she’s been living in for the past 13 years. He wants to marry her off to benefit Wales, while the king wants to marry her off to benefit England. Unfortunately there are many who are loyal to the king who do not want Nicole to leave England.

On the journey from the abbey, which is fraught with danger, Nicole and Rhodri find themselves learning about each other and liking what they find. They fall in love, but of course do not tell the other. Rhodri knows that she is bound to marry a prince of Wales and knows he should not interfere.

On top of all that happens on the journey Rhodri discovers that Nicole can hear dead spirits who have not moved on to the next world. I have to say that when I saw the word magic in the title I didn’t now they meant literally. However, I think the addition to the story was done well and added a nice element.

This was a typical historical romance (well, with magic involved) but a very sweet story. I loved the simple romance involved and would recommend it to anyone who loves historicals.

Score: 3.5 out of 5

three-half-stars


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What I’ve Been Reading This Week

Posted November 10, 2008 by Tracy in Features | 7 Comments

Good but very busy week. Between shuttling the oldest to tutoring (which is going well), physical therapy appointments (rotator cuff issues) & school projects I’ve had very little time for anything, including reading.

Hubby and I were supposed to go away this weekend for our anniversary but his bosses (corporate) slammed him with a surprise inventory. Oh well, we’ll get away another weekend soon. We did take some time last night and went out for dinner and movie. You should have seen hubby’s face when I turned to him at the bar and asked him if my face has started to sag. OMG the look on his face. You could tell he was trying not to laugh at my question yet say the “right” thing at the same time. I finally spared him, started laughing and told him I wasn’t serious. lol

So not much in the book department this week:

First off was Kiss of Fury by Deborah Cooke. This is the second book in her Dragonfire series. I found this book to be much more interesting and entertaining than the first. There was a lot going on, but it all meshed in the end. Unfortunately I read it in stops and starts and it took me forever. I may have felt differently about the book, if I’d read it in a couple of days but I still gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’m looking forward to the next book.


Next up was a short story called Breathless by Ericka Scott. I’ve read a couple of Ms. Scott’s m/f works before and enjoyed them. I have to say that I have great respect any author who gets published. This short however was not for me. It was an m/m story with were-swans (1 with vertigo) hot air balloons, male models and vindictive ex-wives…a lot going on in 36 pages. Let’s just say I wouldn’t recommend the story.

Then I read a novella by Patrice Michelle. This Nocturne Bite, Scions: Perception, is a story in her Scions series. I really enjoy Ms. Michelle’s writing and this novella was no different. I’m looking forward to Scions: Revelation that comes out Dec. 1, 2008.

Last on the list was Magic In His Kiss by Shari Anton. I read this one for review The Book Binge. It was a sweet book and you can go here and read all about it.

And that’s it! See, I told you life was getting in the way! I intended to read Meljean’s Demon Bound this weekend but haven’t gotten very far in it. But what I’ve read so far is wonderful. I’ll keep you posted!

Happy Reading!


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