Tag: Tamara Allen

What I Read Last Week

Posted July 2, 2012 by Tracy in Reviews | 3 Comments

Happy July!

Well, half of the year is officially over – what have I accomplished? Not a whole hell of a lot. lol I should feel bad about that but really, I SO don’t. 🙂

Let’s see, nothing much exciting happened in my neck of the woods last week. My new boss started TODAY. It was a pretty exhausting day just filled with information sharing and the grand tour and ya know, the info about where we keep shit. It was a good day so hopefully they will continue that way.

DFRAT is over! It was a great month and I loved participating in the Read-a-Thon. There are still giveaways going on, at least here at Tracy’s Place (I’m not sure about the other 3 blogs), so be sure and check those out if you’re interested. The ones that are still open are as follows:

Cathryn Cade is giving away 5 books! 1 copy of Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bryght, 1 copy of Her Commander, 1 copy of Prince of Dragons, 1 copy of Deep Indigo, 1 copy of Walking in Fire. (contest ends 7/2/12 at 7:00pm)

Leslie Dicken is giving away 1 book from her backlist (contest ends 7/3/12 at 7:00pm)

Nathan M. Farrugia is giving away 3 copies of The Chimera Vector (contests ends 7/4/12 at 7:00pm)

Yolanda Sfetsos is giving away 1 copy of A Patch of Darkness (contest ends 7/5/12 at 7:00pm)

On to what I read this past week:

My first book for the week was A Scandalous Affair by Karen Erickson. This story was about a woman who is immediately intrigued by a man that everyone thinks is a hardhearted bastard. The real truth is that he is hiding an embarrassing affliction and feels it’s just better to keep his mouth shut than to be thought a fool. Lady Pomeroy isn’t bothered by what other people say and since she’s a widow makes a move on the man she wants. It was a good story and I enjoyed it. I’ll be reviewing this later in the month. 3.75 out of 5

Next up was Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis. I’m slowly making my way through the couples of Lucky Harbor and am thrilled to say that this one was just as good as I’d hoped it would be. The book gave us Mallory who is the town good girl and Ty who is in Lucky Harbor to recuperate after a knee injury. Ty has no plans on staying but that doesn’t stop Mallory from trying a few bad girl moves on him. Cute, fun, funny, sexy – just a very good book. 4.5 out of 5

Next was Crux by Moira Rogers. This is book 1 in the Southern Arcana series and it follows Mackenzie Brooks as she starts a new job. Her boss, Nicole, has a feeling she’s on the run so she enlists her best friend, Jackson Holt to follow her. He finds that Mackenzie is rolled up in a huge plan by a cougar shifter to make MORE cougar shifters in order to then take over ALL the shifter. The story has great paranormal elements and a great suspense story. I liked the book and will definitely be reading more in this series. 4 out of 5

The Only Gold by Tamara Allen is such a good book. Jonah is an assistant cashier back in 1888 and expects to be promoted to head cashier as he’s been doing the job for the past year. When he walks into work, however, he gets introduced to Reid who has been given the job of head cashier. Jonah is crushed and more than pissed when Reid starts changing things at the bank immediately without even knowing how they’ve ALWAYS done it. Jonah and Reid have a contentious relationship but that doesn’t stop Jonah from lusting after Reid. The men eventually get together but then Jonah uncovers a plot to rob the bank and Reid’s smack dab in the middle of it all. I just adore Tamara Allen’s writing. Since I read Downtime I’ve been hooked on her. I normally don’t like historical m/m stories but she is really exception to the rule as she’s such a great author. The book is definitely worth the read. I don’t want to tell you anything about the story as it definitely needs to unfold as your reading but it was so good. 4.5 out of 5

Another Lucky Harbor book was next – At Last by Jill Shalvis. This story was about Mallory’s friend Amy who is the town bad girl and Mallory is trying to give Amy tips on how to be a good girl as Mallory wants Amy and Ranger Matt Bowers to get together. I’ll be reviewing this later this week so keep your eyes open.

Rules of Engagement by LA Witt has Dustin Walker meeting Brandon Stewart in a bar while playing pool. Dustin has NEVER been attracted to a man before but he can’t help but be attracted to Brandon. The two start a relationship but Dustin still has his doubts about why he’s with a man – not Brandon – just a man in general. When his family finds out and all hell breaks loose Dustin can’t figure out which way is up. Unfortunately both men get hurt in the process. Good story – loved both guys but especially Brandon as he just seemed the stronger emotionally and his character just worked for me. The end felt a bit rushed but it was good overall. 4 out of 5

Rain by LA Witt is a novella follow up with Dustin and Brandon. This takes place two years later and deals with family members from both Dustin’s family and Brandon’s family who have alienated the men due to their sexual preferences. Some things get worked out – some don’t, but it was great catching up with the guys and seeing them in the future. 4 out of 5

Last for the week was a book I read for Book Binge called Missing Daughter, Shattered Family by Liz Strange. The story is about a private investigator who gets hired to find a missing girl. He uncovers a boatload of information and of course not all parties involved are thrilled at having that info uncovered. He also deals with his partner of 5 years who is still in the closet. The beginning was very slow for me but it all picked up and ended up being a good book. If you like your mystery/suspense with a little m/m romance involved this would be perfect for you. 3.75 out of 5

My Book Binge reviews that posted last week:

*crickets chirping*

Happy Reading!!

3 Comments

Tagged: Jill Shalvis, LA Witt, Liz Strange, Moira Rogers, Tamara Allen

What I Read Last Week

Posted October 10, 2011 by Tracy in Features | 5 Comments

Hey there!

I’m writing this lovely post straight from lovely downtown Madison, Alabama. Ok, maybe not exactly downtown but close enough. 🙂 I’m here visiting my sister before I head down to NOLA GayRomLit. I flew in yesterday and got here in the afternoon. My sister and her hubby then took me on a personal tour of United Launch Alliance (where my b-i-l works) and I got to see where the Delta and Atlas rockets are built. I actually stuck my head into a rocket that was about 90% built.

My head was in the center part near the top. lol

It was pretty freakin cool to walk through that huge place and see how each piece is made. I have to say a lot of it was WAY over my head (my brain just doesn’t work that way, ya know?) but I loved it. We then went out for some great German food and I got to eat schnitzel for the first time.

I had to get up at 2:30 in the morning to catch my 6am plane yesterday so I was asleep pretty early (for me) but now I’m rarin to go. We don’t actually have plans for the day but when we do…I’m up for it! Lol

I’m sure there was stuff that I want to tell you about this past week but frankly I can’t remember a thing right now. Lol

Since my brain’s in stall mode I’ll just get to what I read last week:

First up was Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh. The story continued from the last book but this one wasn’t about Elena and Raphael this was the story of Dmitri, Raphael’s second. Dmitri gets involved in a case with Honor is a Guild Hunter and they have an amazing connection. They also investigate some murders. I loved this book. I thought Dmitri was a great character and I loved seeing him in a closer way than we’ve seen him in previous books. I read this one for The Book Binge so I’ll let you know when my review posts. 5 out of 5

Next up was What a Duke Wants by Lavinia Kent. This was a great historical that I really enjoyed reading. You can read more about the book and my review here if you’d like. 4 out 5

Next up was Chicken Ranch: Hunger by Amanda Young. The story is about an 18 year old guy who comes out to his father and gets kicked out of the house. After being on the street he finds out about an all male brothel called Chicken Ranch. He decides to check it out as he’s desperate and ends up working there. He’s a virgin until Killian comes along and makes it great for him. Killian and Declan run into each other later and actually start dating though Declan is still working at CR. They have their issues but still fall in love and deal with it all. It was a great story of love and hope and I really liked it. 3.75 out of 5

Next was a free story called Once Upon a Dragon by Jambrea Jo Jones. This was a choose you own m/m story from Kris’s blog and it was a good one. It was simple, short and a destined mates story and it just hit me the right way. About shapeshifting dragons and one finds his destined mate living in a tower that he thought was deserted. 4 out of 5

My next read was If It Ain’t Love by Tamara Allen. Also a free short story, this one took place in the great depression and is about two men who meet in the Bowery and decide to share some time. That time turns into a relationship that sweet and loving. The story was quite poignant in the descriptions of the desperation felt by the people living in that time – the bread lines and need for a job – just very realistic. A great read. 4.5 out of 5

Next was Bridges by M.J. O’Shea – another free short. The story follows Dallas and Brooklyn in their hatred for each other starting in the 3rd grade. The pair grow up hating each other but then start working together after high school graduation. They find that they really can get along and end up falling in love. I loved this story so much! There was just something about the boys and their hatred turned love that really got to me and I couldn’t get enough of them. 5 out of 5

Angels of Darkness by Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh, Sharon Shinn and Ilona Andrews was a book about angels. I really liked all of the stories in this book. I adore Andrews, Brook and Singh’s writing so I knew I’d like those. Shin’s and Andrews ended up being a bit of a surprise. Shin I’d never read but I really liked the story about a blind angel and the woman who helps him deal with life. Andrews’ story was a bit of surprise as well as it was a new world that they introduced about demons and aliens and though it was different I really liked it and can’t wait to read more about it. I read this one for The Book Binge. 4 out of 5

Last on the list for the week was another book I read for The Book Binge called A Bride Unveiled by Jillian Hunter. I really liked this book. It even had some things in it that I usually don’t care for and I still really liked it. It was the story of childhood friends finding each other again. Yes, the woman is engaged when they meet but it’s like she hardly knows her fiancé. No excuse to cheat on him but it still worked for me. I’ll let you know when my review posts. 4.5 out of 5

My Book Binge reviews that posted last week:
Serpent’s Kiss by Thea Harrison

Happy Reading!!

5 Comments

Tagged: Amanda Young, Ilona Andrews, Jambrea Jo Jones, Jillian Hunter, Lavinia Kent, M.J. O'Shea, Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh, Sharon Shinn, Tamara Allen, The Book Binge, What I Read Last Week, What I've Been Reading This Week

What I Read Last Week

Posted March 22, 2010 by Tracy in Features | 14 Comments

Well is was another quiet week at Casa Tracy. For some reason this time change has been kicking my butt and I can’t seem to get my ass out of bed in the morning. Other than that not much to report. 🙂 On to the reading…

First up was Angel’s Evolution by T.A. Chase. This was a book that I read for both my m/m challenge and my DIK challenge as it was one of Kris’s picks. I’ll post my review on Wednesday.

Next up was a yaoi manga called Chocolate Surprise by Lily Hoshino. I didn’t really care for this one at all. The graphics were just ok for me and the stories, well, were kind of frenetic. 2 out of 5

My next read was A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare. I read this one for The Book Binge. It was a historical paranormal book about a Duke who is a shapeshifter and the woman that he ends up marrying – his young cousins aunt. I had a few issues with the book but overall I liked it. I’ll let you know when my review posts. 3.75 out of 5

I read Downtime by Tamara Allen because I’m in the m/m romance group on goodreads and this was their book of the month. I am so damned glad I read it. Downtime tells the story of Morgan Nash who is an FBI agent in the middle of a stakeout when he gets transported to the 19th century – 1888 to be exact. Ezra and his friends Henry and Derry were playing around with a book and instead of summoning a demon – which they really didn’t think they’d do – they got Morgan. It takes Morgan some time to figure out that he’s no longer in the 21st century and he’s determined to get back to his time now. But the next day when they all return to the museum to send him back the book of incantations is missing. Morgan ends up spending 2-3 weeks in 1888 looking for the book, trying to discover the identity of Jack the Ripper and falling in love. He and Ezra are amazing together and I adored watching them fall for each other. The other thing I liked about the book is its consistency. There were no great highs and lows but a constant flow of a wonderful story. I never wanted to put the book down and was even crying by the end. So good! I’m so glad that this book was chosen for the monthly read as I probably wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise. (The cover doesn’t appeal to me at all as the characters look much older than they are in the book) 5 out of 5

Next was a story by Savanna Stuart called Unleashed Temptation – book 1 in the Miami Scorcher series. Another shifter story about a woman, Carly, who has moved to Miami to have a change of pace and get away from her cheating ex-boyfriend. She takes a job as an accountant at an auto shop and falls hard for the owner, Nick. Of course the owner is a shifter and knows that she’s his mate but he tries to go slowly so that she doesn’t get scared off. But there is an Immortal who wants her for his own and Nick’s not about to let Carly get harmed. A cute story with shifters, a possessive alpha male and a woman who knows what she wants. Very nice. 4 out of 5

Last but not least was To Wed A Wicked Earl by Olivia Parker. This covered my Tracy’s TBR challenge read for the week and probably my FTSP too (although there’s only 2 books in the series so far). This is Charlotte’s story. She befriends a total rake, the Earl of Rothbury, so that they can help each other. But Rothbury has been in love with Charlotte for years and feels that he’s too soiled for her. He really believes he’s not good enough because of his family background. It’s a light read and a cute one. I did have some issues with Rothbury’s character and his self-esteem issues that he only seemed to have with Charlotte. I really would have liked to have delved further into his past and childhood to get a better view of who he was but it seemed that part was skimmed over. I thought that Charlotte and Rothbury were very cute together though and it definitely made me laugh in a few places. 3.75 out of 5

I am such a doob! I completely forgot to put in her the other yaoi manga that I read this week. Duh. And I just did it last night. lol I swear my mind is going fast. Anyway…I read volumes 3, 4 & 5 of Totally Captivated by Hajin Yoo and loved them. I was disappointed that I didn’t have volumes 5 & 6 handy but I ordered them today so I’ll get to read them in a couple of days. The story follows Ewon who is working for a very young and handsome loan shark. Mookyul has got his eye on Ewon though and wants him for himself – but Ewon isn’t really into Mookyul…but he could be talked into it. 🙂 All volumes 4 to 4.5 out of 5 Oh – and I would swear on a stack of Bibles that my volume 4 doesn’t have that cover but that’s the only one I could find so maybe I’m delirious! lol I’ll have to double check when I get home tonight.

UPDATE: I was totally correct! My volume 4 has a completely different cover – here – I took a picture: