WELCOME TO HELL

     The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.

     Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.

     Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…

     This was a very interesting read. We have this bunch of criminals that love a good fight but that have banded together to defend their territory in the hopes of having at least a good night's sleep and a meal.

     Dred is a great ruler that helps these convicts with their desires for fighting by hosting rivalry matches and other methods that keep the men occupied and out of their heads for a while. When new "fish" come along the different territories vie for the chance to recruit new and able bodies to help defend the territory.

     This was a very interesting story because every character, including the main couple, is a criminal.

     I liked the story and the characters. I liked the plot and its twists. I think the author did an excellent job with this story and how all of the details fell into place. I do have to say that I did not expect that ending and I can't wait to see what comes next for this lot. I have never rooted so hard for criminals like I've done with this book.

     In Howling for You, Jeff Christopher is a shapeshifter and all of Chicago's Cadogan House of Vampires. For a long time, Jeff had eyes only for the beautiful Fallon Keene. Unfortunately, she is the only sister of the lethal North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene. But fate takes a hand when the pack's totem is stolen, and Fallon enlists Jeff's help to retrieve it before the pack is thrown into chaos. Can she and Jeff find the totem and restore order before it's too late? And will Jeff finally be able to prove himself to the only person he truly loves?

     In Lucky Break, Merit and Ethan are in desperate need of some alone time, but their attempt at a romantic getaway is quickly interrupted when one of Ethan's vampire friends shows up at their door - covered in blood and accused of killing her shifter husband. Now, Merit and Ethan must put their passion on pause to figure out who's really responsible for the murder before all hell breaks loose...

     Jeff! I got me some sexy Jeff Christopher story!

     I have to say that Jeff is most definitively my favorite secondary character in these stories. He is cute, charming, and hella genius and funny. I was so happy when he got together with Fallon although there was something to their story that was hinted at but never mentioned as to why they weren't together. But then they were and I needed more on that story.

     Well, I got it and I have to say that I loved every second of their HEA.

     We also get a second part to this book in which Merit and Ethan want to go on a vacation away from the Chicago drama and are invited to the guest house of one of Ethan's longtime friends. But when they get there is not for a romantic getaway but to solve a mystery of murder.

     I liked the insight of what might have started the feud between the vampires and the werewolves (or at least a fraction of it) and what sacrifices these two races are willing to make to be happy with each other. It also gives me a look-see of what Eliza and Connor might go thru on the spin-off.

     Vampires generally aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, but Merit and Ethan are extra jumpy after a recent attack by a dark sorcerer. So when they learn that someone is messing with graves in Chicago’s cemeteries, stealing skulls and snatching souls, they fear that their powerful foe might be back for even more magical vengeance.

     But after a specter begins haunting Cadogan House—and targeting vampires—they realize that their being taunted by an altogether different sort of monster. A ghoulish villain straight out of the Windy City’s urban legends is on the prowl—and he won’t stop until he’s killed again...

     Merit, Sentinel of Chicago's Cadogan House, is pregnant. She's ready to meet her daughter, but also very excited about the possibility of seeing her feet again. But trouble always seems to find her...

     Ethan and Merit have been married for eight months, and they're preparing for life-with-baby. Ethan's battling his overprotectiveness, while Merit's hoping she can figure out how to be a loving parent given her family's chilliness.

     While out on an evening walk, Merit stops to help a human in need, only to find herself under attack. A sociopath with a debt figures pregnant Merit is an easy target--and Cadogan House would pay handsomely for her return...

     This is a nice view of some of Merit's pregnancy. But what I really liked about this book was the side story of Jonas and Cadogan's House cook (who I can't remember the name of at this moment).

     I was always rooting for the side characters to find someone to love or to end up with whomever they had a crush on. I am glad I got to see why Margery? Margaret? wasn't open to Jonas' interest and that she was able (with the help of the Cadogan House and all the vampires she loves) to get thru it and find her true love.

     I also was glad to see into that intimate moment in which Ethan and Merit decided on baby Eliza's name. It was very touching and I think it was about time that Ethan had something good happen to him.

     From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.
     These Royals will ruin you…
     Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.
     Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.
     Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.
     He might be right.
     Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

     I saw this book by chance in one of the profiles of my friends at Goodreads. Curious as always, I read the introduction and it caught my attention. While reading this book I returned to Amazon to verify that I had read young adult somewhere. It seemed more erotic to me than anything.

     Let's start with Ella Harper, she's 17 and works as a stripper, come on, that was one of the things that caught my attention. And out of nowhere appears this benefactor who is very rich. It seemed sweet to me and at the same time, I thought I wanted to have something with the protagonist. She seemed to me to have been raised in the "streets" lack of will. The truth is that the author puts her as the adult between her mother and her. However, the way that sometimes acts seems to be quite the opposite.

     Reed, oh Reed, the author describes him as someone snobbish and who controls the school they attend. It seems to me that between her brothers and her father, Ella has a lot of testosterone in her life.

     There were parts that left me in complete shock because neither Megan Maxwell brings out as many erotic scenes in her novels as this author expounded. Talking about Megan she is Spanish author and I freaking love her. There were other parts that bored me a little. The truth is that despite everything, I finished it. And the only reason I started the second novel and why I give it 3.5 stars is by its end. I finish as I like it, I leave with curiosity, and as I mentioned, I am very curious. I'll tell you if I liked that and if I left it in my half. If you are interested in reading it, I will leave the link down below so you can purchase it.

Princess in Disguise

by Karen Hawkins

Series: The Duchess Diaries (#1.5)

Published by: Pocket Star

February 25th, 2013

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Rating: 3 Stars

     Princess Menshikov of Oxenburg, Alexandra Romanovin, is done being courted by men interested only in her position and wealth. Inspired by tales told by a beloved tutor of the bold and brawny men of Scotland, Alexandra visits that misty land, hoping to find true love. But while traveling without the protection of her royal name, she finds herself accused of thievery by an angry innkeeper. Rescued by the dashing and handsome Earl of Kintore, she thinks she’s found the answer to her prayers—a man worth falling in love with. 

     But Kintore has other ideas. An avowed bachelor who long ago swore off marriage, the earl wants nothing more than a passionate interlude with this beautiful, exotic stranger. But soon Alexandra’s intoxicating beauty and seductive touch leave Kintore wondering if a mere interlude will be enough...

     This was a cute short story.

     What I liked about this story was that Alexandra decided to be brave enough and get a man on her own that didn't want her for her money. She showed a strength of character and didn't let Kintore bully her into giving up on what she wanted.

     Kintore for his part gave it a good fight but in the end, his heart won out and he couldn't resist the call when it came. It was absolutely heartwarming when he burst into the drawing room.

     What I didn't like was the fact that the duchess knew what had happened between them? It was presumptuous of her. I also got mad when the innkeeper accused Alexandra of theft. I know those times were different but really? Even a low-class like her should have noticed the fine linen of her cloth.

     Aside from that, I liked the story a because even if it's part of a series it stands on it's own if you don't mind insta-love.

Playing to Win

by Jaci Burton

Series: Play by Play (#4)

Published by: Tantor Media Inc.

July 29th, 2013

Genre: Erotic Romance

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 4 Stars

     Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder. But if he doesn't clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He's not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she's not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she's determined to give it her best shot.

     When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

     I have been in love with the Riley family since I read book one of this series years ago. What I love about this series is that the family is not just centered in one sport but in a variety of them. From baseball to car racing to ice hockey to football and more. So that as you follow this lively bunch you don't get bored with the same "gameplay".

     In this fourth installment, we have Cole Riley, bad boy wide receiver, who has been traded one too many times and his new agent (his cousin Gavin's fiance Liz) doesn't want the bad reputation that will be attached to her name if she can't turn him around. Everywhere he goes and every team he's being with the media is there to trash his name with blown out of proportion gossip.

     Enter Savannah Brooks, an image makeover consultant. She has been hired to fixed Cole's image since this might be his last chance before no other team wants to pick him up. The problem is that Cole doesn't think he is the problem, the media is and he makes Savannah's job hard, but she is used to the type of reception she receives from Cole. She will not be easily intimidated.

     The banter between these two characters and the way Savannah handled Cole had me glued to the story. The Riley's are a bunch of macho a-holes that are marshmallows inside thanks to the loving upbringing. I love all the family dynamics and how this is one big family that supports every one of their own no matter what they've decided to do in their lives.

     The only reason this book didn't get a 5 stars rating is because of the narrator. I didn't want to judge the book because of my not liking the narrator (it is not the author's fault I didn't like her) but I still couldn't enjoy completely because of it.