|
Posted: 03 Apr 2014 05:11 AM PDT
One pint sized human female who’s had too much to drink, not enough sleep, and absolutely no patience meets one stubborn dragon shifter with an attitude.
Bastian claims Acasia, his unwilling bride, after she spends the night carousing with friends. She’s not happy, he’s pissed off, and with a curse from a goddess thrown in, you’ll see Bastian breathe fire.
Add secrets, treasure, and unimaginable heartbreak for an emotionally humorous read and discover why Dragons Don’t Cry.
MY REVIEW
I love dragon books so whenever I find one I HAVE to read it. This is why I grabbed the chance to review Dragons don't cry with both hands.
Dragonkind has been cursed by Hera many, many years ago after one of them killed her daughter. After slaying the ones she could find, only four dragons were left. They are to find a bride once every one hundred years, fall in love, watch her grow old and die. They are to suffer and repeat the cycle until they find a true mate. Only then the curse will be broken.
Bastian is heartbroken and can't take much more of this life. He still mourns the loss of his last bride and doesn't want another claiming but when his time comes he can't stay away. The curse won't allow it. So, he's heading for the town where a group of young women are waiting. Will this bride be the one?
Acasia doesn't agree with the ritual going on for centuries. Every twenty five years a group of young women, virgins, are gathered so one of the dragons may choose a bride. The chosen one will never be seen again and no one knows what happens with them. She and her friends are not happy to be among the ones that will be presented to the dragon this time around.
Needless to say, she'll be the dragon's choice.
And here's where the fun begins:
Before the claiming Acasia has been drinking, so when she wakes up she has the mother of all headaches and her nose is assaulted by the most horrible smell. She understands she's in the dragon's lair and finds him standing above her.
As soon as she opens her mouth, sparks fly. She won't bow or beg for her life and if that's what he's waiting for he can go to hell!
Bastian is intrigued. This “stupid human female” is challenging him, amuses him and gives him hope. Still, he's not ready to give all of himself and have his heart break all over again. But it doesn't matter how hard he fights, Acasia won't accept bits and pieces. She's determined to have all, especially when she begins to understand him better.
D'Elen did and good job. The writing style was good but I think she should have told us more about the dragons, especially Bastian. I didn't quite understand how the realms work. She's been too vague. I hope she'll decide to write about the other three dragons too. I'd love to hear their stories.
All in all it was a great read and I recommend it. It was lots of fun.
Happy reading!
My human roar was nowhere as loud as my dragon’s, but it helped me gain control. When my anger settled slightly, I walked into her chamber. I whipped the covering back and saw the curve of her breast. I craved her full nakedness. I examined every inch that I could see knowing she would sleep through my perusal. Even beneath the material, her incredible form curved in all the right places. Her breasts were full, and I had a small glimpse of one nipple, small and rosy. I wanted to suckle, flick the tip with my tongue. I arranged my cock beneath the human jeans. I should have put on looser material. I focused my gaze on her face. Soft in sleep, beautiful in innocence. I wanted this woman. Needed to slide into her body and bury myself within her sheath. One of her hands curled beside her head. I uncurled her fingers, seeing the slight bruise and swelling from hitting me. If she touched me slowly, my scales would give way. Only in violence did they turn to armor. She’d hit me violently, making me laugh. But now, I pictured her body twisted, bleeding, and lifeless if I hadn’t caught her.
I love a good book, strong cup of coffee, and my laptop. I want a book to take me away, the coffee to keep me awake during my travels, and my laptop to make sense of all the ramblings in my brain. My thoughts may be jumbled but when I write them out they make sense, I hope.
I live in a small Arizona town with my husband of 34 years and two spoiled dogs. I have a hardback, autographed book collection that would make any bibliophile drool. Love is where my heart is so I write romance with happy endings but I don’t mind killing off a good character or two to keep things interesting.
|
|
|
Posted: 02 Apr 2014 02:25 PM PDT
Published by: Intermix (Penguin)
Publication date: February 18th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…
The star catcher of the college baseball team isn’t supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them—something that makes him want to open up.
Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working the suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.
Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him—or to stop herself from falling too far.
* * A companion novel to ALL OF YOU * *
BOOKS IN THE SERIES
At the theater, we bought popcorn, Milk Duds, and large sodas. After we settled in our seats in the crowded room, I opened the box of chocolate caramel confections and dumped them in the large tub.
“Um,” Quinn said, scratching his chin.
“Sweet and salty—it’s a must-have for movie watching.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.” I picked up a Milk Dud, flanked it with two pieces of popcorn, and then brought it to his lips. “Here. I guarantee you’ll fall in love. You’ll never watch a movie without them again.”
“If you say so. . . .” He dragged the sweet and salty mixture into his mouth but kept my fingers enclosed between his lips. I held in a gasp while he ran his tongue over my thumb and then sucked on my forefinger before releasing my hand and chewing what remained.
“Agree,” he said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Wouldn’t want to be without them ever again.”
Quinn’s gaze latched on to mine. It felt like a bundle of feathers had been let loose in my stomach. “Guess you’ll have to come to every movie from now on. So I don’t forget.”
Speechless wasn’t even the word for what I felt in that moment. Dumbfounded might have been more like it, or maybe just struck stupid, because I couldn’t even move my lips to form any coherent words.
When the movie previews began, he turned toward the screen and reached for my fingers, interlacing our hands. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I expect you to feed me just like that the entire movie.”
Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything.
She believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.
She also owns her own jewelry business, called Tags-n-Stones(dot com), where she hand-stamps meaningful words or letters onto silver for her customers.
She loves to hear from her readers. You can find her on her WEBSITE: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
***
|
|
Posted: 02 Apr 2014 02:04 PM PDT
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 1, 2014Amazon
“Drake isn’t just someone I love, he’s the one I love the most in this world. He’s my best friend, my breath, my everything. I realize in this moment that the true reason I’m on this journey to find Drake is not just because I miss him and want him back, I’m also missing a huge part of me. Until we’re together again, my life isn’t complete. Without him I’m not whole.”-Morgan
“… I’m so sorry I couldn’t go to you. It was nearly impossible not to but Morgan we wouldn’t be standing here right now if I had. You found me Baby. When you met me on your first day at Baylor what seems like a lifetime ago you found me. Only this time I’m not letting you go.”-Drake
Struggling to get her life back on track after being left suddenly and inexplicably by (secret) boyfriend –not- boyfriend and boss Drake Baylor Jr., Morgan Lane searches the globe to find Drake knowing that the only way to truly live the life she’s worked so hard for is with him by her side.
Banished to Zurich, Switzerland by his father after being caught Breaking the Rules, Drake has nine months to get the European Division of Baylor Industries back on track. Again, he must obey the rules so that he can hopefully return to his life with Morgan and take the helm of Baylor Industries.
Everything is going according to plan as usual for Adrian Thompson who has just gotten Drake banished to Switzerland as part of his plan to get Morgan (his college sweetheart and hopefully future trophy wife) back in his life for good. With a little help from Lana Lane, Morgan’s mother, Adrian is hoping to have Morgan wearing his ring by New Year’s Eve.
After a few months of being wooed by old flame and now boss Adrian, and without so much as a word from Drake, Morgan hesitantly accepts Adrian’s invitation to join him for New Year’s Eve in St.Moritz Switzerland. Foiling Adrian’s plan, a “chance encounter” finds Morgan back in Drake’s arms.
Will Drake and Morgan be able to overcome the distance and time that is now between them along with a few of the hurdles that life has thrown their way? Morgan and Drake are once again faced with figuring out how to start their new future together- this time not Breaking the Rules, only Bending them.
Drake
I must be imagining things. That’s the only explanation. I excuse myself from the group to grab a drink and as I walk to the bar I’m drawn to the most beautiful and unforgettable long strawberry blonde hair flowing in large curls down a lean, bare back whose skin somehow always holds its tan from the summer.
It has to be Morgan. It just has to be. My body has been on fire since arriving here in St. Moritz. I find myself looking for her everywhere I go. My legs almost start into a sprint toward her but I make them slow to a brisk stroll, doing my best to maintain a steady breath. When I reach Morgan, her back is still turned towards me as she mindlessly swirls the red wine in her glass. I gently wrap my hand around her shoulder and she turns toward me, gasping loudly as tears fill her eyes.
“It is you,” I say, feeling lost for words all of a sudden.
“Drake?” Morgan whimpers as a tear falls down her cheek. I lean forward and kiss it away.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I’m here on vacation with Adrian,” she starts to explain as Adrian appears out of nowhere.
“Yes, darling?” Adrian says as he hears his name.
The sound of crashing glass pulls me out of the daze I suddenly find myself in and I realize Morgan has dropped her wine glass and it shatters all over the floor. People rush to help us clear up the glass. I look into her eyes and all I see is confusion and sadness.
“Morgan? Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?” I ask.
“I…I uh…I’m sorry, I have to go,” Morgan says as her voice cracks. The next thing I know is she’s racing out of the ballroom. I sprint after her but it’s hard to navigate through the large crowd of people that have convened in the lobby to enjoy some after dinner drinks and munchies. I barely catch a glimpse of her strawberry blonde hair race out the front door of the Ritz and all I can think about is that she isn’t wearing a jacket.
*****
“I’ve been living every second of every day for you. For us. To come home with a clean slate and a Fortune 500 company to run. I want for us to run it together because there is no one else on Earth that could do a better job at this than you. I’m so sorry I never got to say goodbye to you, my love, and I swear I would have if I thought my father wouldn’t find out. I figured he would talk to you and see the hurt in your eyes at my departure if I told you. Everything I have done has been for our future,” Drake says, while wiping the tears from my eyes.
“I understand, Drake, but you have to know that these have been the hardest months of my entire life,” I say. “I looked for you. I searched the world for you.”
“I know,” Drake interrupts.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I saw you in Paris. I watched you collect your bag in the baggage claim at Charles De Gaulle.”
“You what? Drake, how could you? You must have known I was looking for you. I wouldn’t have told anyone. I can’t believe you would let me continue to torture myself by searching for you when you could have explained what was going on. I knew it was you in the baggage claim. I sat there calling your name like an idiot. I wanted to run and throw my arms around you but the soldiers patrolling with their heavy artillery scared me and I didn’t want to cause a scene. How could you stand there and not turn around?” I’m so hurt and so pissed I can’t even see straight. I slam my tea down on the coffee table before me and run to the bathroom, locking the door behind me.
All I’ve wanted for the past three months is to have Drake back and now that I do, I suddenly need space from him. I’ve thought about how it would be if we were ever reunited…would we find our happy ever after? Can we survive this separation? We love each other more than anything, but I’ve been so hurt I don’t know how to see past this. And now we have a baby on the way, how can we not be together? It’s getting late and I’m confused and tired and emotional. I feel like putting this conversation on hold until the morning when we have both rested and can think clearly.
I’m about to exit the bathroom to go crawl in bed when I hear a light knock on the door and Drake starts speaking in a soft, almost broken voice. “Morgan, I was torturing myself too. Don’t you have any idea how hard it was to walk away from you? You are my breath, my life, my everything. I would have never done this if I had another way to keep you forever. I promised you I would always fight. I was fighting to keep your job at Baylor. To support your dreams. I have been fighting every God damned day for the past three months for us. If I would have talked to you in Paris it would have put us in jeopardy. There was no way to be sure my father wouldn’t find out than to leave you alone. That was my only certainty.
“I’ve already said there is no way for me to ever show you just how sorry I am for everything. Please forgive me, Morgan. That’s the only way we will be able to move on,” Drake says. I open the bathroom door and lock eyes with Drake. I can see the hurt in his eyes and I know he’s been just as miserable as
me. I take a step towards him, and he whispers, “I love you, Morgan. I never in a million years wanted us to have to go through these past few months,” while reaching out to pull me into his arms.
I go willingly, curling myself into his embrace and crying into his chest. “I believe you, Drake, and I forgive you,” I whimper into Drake’s chest. “It’s going to be hard to forget that though.”
“I know, baby. Please just tell me you’ll try. Let’s figure out how to move forward together,” Drake says as he showers the top of my head with kisses.
*****
“Take me to bed, Drake. I need to feel your warmth inside me again,” I say while pulling out of his embrace. Drake doesn’t waste any time taking me by the hand to lead me to his bedroom. When we reach his bed, Drake slowly undresses before me. I haven’t taken the time to fully admire just how beautiful he looks in his tuxedo until I watch as he starts removing his bowtie then works his way down. I’m practically drooling when he finally drops his boxers, his erection springing free.
I take Drake in my hand, slowly massaging his velvety smooth girth as I reach behind his neck with my other hand to pull him down for a kiss. “I love you, Drake, I’ll never stop fighting for you either,” I say as I continue to slowly stoke him.
Drake reaches for the band of my yoga pants, yanking them down to the floor. He gives me a slow, sweet smile encouraging me to step out of them and I do, while reaching my arms overhead so he can pull my sweater off. Drake lays me down on the bed and suddenly his eyes go wide while he looks me over head to toe.
“When were you going to tell me?” He asks as he pulls his mystified gaze from my belly, meeting my eyes.
“How do you know?” I ask, bewildered that it only takes him a moment to realize something it took me months to figure out.
“Morgan, I know your body better than anyone else. I knew when I looked at you tonight that there was something special, more beautiful about you but it only took one look at your gorgeous body to see how it’s changed. Look at your breasts, your hips, this amazing little bump that is carrying our child,” Drake asks with love and admiration in his eyes.
LK Lewis lives in Northern Michigan with her Husband and 3 year old son.
Born and raised in Michigan, LK spent her early twenties chasing the man of her dreams (now husband of 8 years) around the country, residing in both New York, and Portland, Oregon. While living in Portland, LK attended East West College of the Healing Arts, and is now a Massage Therapist, Makeup Artist, and Spa/ Boutique Owner.
When LK isn’t working, writing, or chasing her son around, she enjoys boat days, playing in the sunshine, and giggling with her husband. You may also find her on twitter most days, especially live tweeting when The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Sons of Anarchy or The Walking Dead is on. Check her out, you may enjoy her colorful commentary!
Website / Goodreads / Twitter
***
|
|
Posted: 02 Apr 2014 01:38 PM PDT
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Publisher: Witness Impulse, an imprint of HarperCollins
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Elisabeth is a picture restorer. This gives her the solitude and independence she needs—living and working alone in her flat. Despite her skills and reliability, Elisabeth undercharges for her work—valuing the worth of the paintings rather more than she values herself. Her ambitions are modest: beauty to look upon, unintrusive friendships, and complete privacy. But when a mysterious and obviously wealthy man commissions her to restore his fabulous collection, an uncharacteristic combination of curiosity and financial need prompts her to accept his offer. Elisabeth soon realizes her error, as the past and the present combine to make privacy her nemesis. As she becomes a hostage to her patron, her lover and her friend realize they know nothing about her, or where she might be.
Running up the hill to the station, late for the afternoon train, late for life, she had seen an old man with a stick walking ahead and had stopped to avoid him. He had been identical to a stranger putting flowers on a grave in the cemetery, and both times the sight filled her with fear and fury, made her wilt, wounded with memory. After that, she had sat too long by the graveside, distracted by the monuments of chipped angels and worn sandstone, the new stones of vibrant white, the flowers and shrubs, new or faded. She was not mourning: she was assuaging a constant sense of guilt and loss, aware that it was not quite the same sensation. Flowers took a long time to die when left in the air. It was t he only place for miles where she could see colors. a put on letters since they moved and the thousand and one recriminations which would have followed if ever she had dared to knock on their door. Father would have come towards her leaning on his stick and, never after all these years meeting her eyes, mumbling accusations until her willpower fell away with her coat. She had satisfied the insatiable appetite of guilt by taking flowers to her mother’s grave. Standing there in front of a new, crude white and gold headstone which reminded her of a bathroom fitting, she could feel similar waves of disapproval rising like heat, drowning her own anguish in their blind lake of understanding.
It was the grey, utilitarian mess of the landscape above all, but she no longer knew if this judgment was the selective nature of her own eyes which made it seem so dead. The bus from the graveyard into town took her past some rare fields of glowing yellow stubble, blinding in the light, but she could not take unmitigated pleasure in that. She could look at a field in a state of beauty and know it would change with the same unreliability of people, but a painting of the same thing could make her shout for joy.
After art, nature. Never the other way round. Green fields and wide skies were better in oil paint, more easily controlled, invoked no loneliness. Which could not be said for the station, unmanned after the truculent man selling tickets left at four. A dearth of trains to take her into lovely, filthy, metropolitan anonymity. Empty feelings and empty stations, no sense of belonging. If you do not belong when you are a child, you will never belong.
He never touched me, father, only you. I have tried, mother father, sister, brother, to gain some sort of acceptance, but you haunt me, even in solitude, with all your bitter hopelessness.
 I grew up in rural Derbyshire, but my adult life has been spent mostly in London, with long intervals in Norfolk and Deal, all inspiring places. I was educated mostly in convent schools; then studied English and went on to qualify as a solicitor, working for what is now the Crown Prosecution Service, thus learning a bit about murder at second hand. Years later, writing became the real vocation, although the law and its ramifications still haunt me and inform many of my novels. I’m a novelist, short story writer for magazines and radio, sometime Radio 4 contributor, (Front Row, Quote Unquote, Night Waves,) and presenter of Tales from the Stave. When I’m not working (which is as often as possible), I can be found in the nearest junk/charity shop or auction, looking for the kind of paintings which enhance my life. Otherwise, with a bit of luck, I’m relaxing by the sea with a bottle of wine and a friend or two.
***
|
|
Posted: 02 Apr 2014 11:52 AM PDT
Printesa de Tinichea (Seria Sally Lockhart, volumul 4)
Descriere:
Jim Taylor a căutat-o pe Adelaide toată viaţa sa - de când o salvase pe fetiţă din ghearele unei stăpâne nemiloase şi o pierduse apoi pe străduţele întunecate din Londra victoriană. Dar nu s-a aşteptat nicio clipă să o regăsească dându-se drept prinţesa de Razkavia, ameninţată de rivali periculoşi într-un regat corupt, unde soarta ei va depinde din nou de el.
Primele trei volume din seria Sally Lockhart de Philip Pullman:
Despre Autor:
PHILIP PULLMAN a studiat limba şi literatura engleză la Oxford şi a locuit în tinereţe în Australia, unde a citit cu plăcere cărţi de benzi desenate cu SUPERMAN şi BATMAN. A început să spună poveşti încă din copilărie şi şi-a transformat pasiunea în meserie, creând numeroase romane pentru copii şi tineri. Astăzi locuieşte la Oxford, în Anglia, cu soţia şi copiii şi scrie în continuare.
***
|
|
Posted: 02 Apr 2014 11:27 AM PDT
***
|
|
Posted: 02 Apr 2014 01:49 PM PDT
In a perfect world, Lani Foster had it all; wonderful, supportive parents, two adorable little boys, an amazing husband whom she loved fiercely, and an unbreakable bond with her best friend, Parker, no one can tear apart.
But Lani never realized being happy would cost her years of pain, until tragedy strikes the Foster family, leaving her left hanging by a thread, questioning everything around her.
Lies are exposed and secrets are brought to surface, destroying the one person who just wanted to feel loved, to be happy.
What do you do when you find out your marriage was nothing but a lie? Do you stand by the one person who abolishes your world? Or do you let go, and leave everything behind to start all over again.
Shattered Promises is about learning how to survive after the storm pulls you away. Everyone deserves a chance to be happy, it's finding the special one to stand by your side through the rain.
“I have one tiny piece of my heart left,” I whisper as I close my eyes, not believing this is really happening. “One tiny piece, and I’m handing it over to you. Just, please….please be gentle with it. Because if something were to happen between us, God, I’ll be done. I’ll have nothing left. Losing you will destr-….. ” Before I’m able to finish, he leans in, grabbing the back of my neck, and kisses me.
His teeth softly tug at my bottom lip, forcing my mouth open.
A faint moan escapes my lips the second I feel his tongue invade me.
Gripping my waist, he lifts me up, and his hands move to the back of my thighs, holding me in place. Without breaking contact from our kiss, he carries me into the bedroom and lays me down on the bed, staying directly on top of me.
“I’ve waited a lifetime to hear you say those words. You’re it for me, princess. You’re all I’ll ever need.” Nibbling on my neck, then back up to my ear, he pushes up on his elbows and hits me with that sexy as hell smile.
“When you’re sad, I’ll be the one to cheer you up. When the world disappoints you, I’ll protect you and hold you close to my heart. I refuse to let anyone hurt you or take advantage of you again.”
Tears slowly drip from the corners of my eyes, except this time, it’s not caused from pain. For once in my life I am happy, pushing the past behind me.
“When you need to cry, it’ll be my arms that hold you. You’ll never feel alone again.” Lifting my shirt, he keeps his eyes trained on mine and continues speaking.
“I’ll worship the ground you walk on, take care of you, and love you until the end of time. You were made for me, Lani Renee’.
The feel of his lips run back across my mouth and I hold him there, refusing to let go. Unclasping my bra, his callused fingers rub over top of my nipple, forcing me to squirm, while his other hand inches underneath my cotton shorts, heading directly to my aching spot.
“I’m going to show you what it feels like to be cherished, to feel loved. And after tonight, you’re mine. I’m never letting you go.”
I’m scared he’s going to hurt me once this is over. I don’t think I could ever go through another heartache. But instead of running like I’ve always done, I decide not to let fear control me any longer. Tonight is about new beginnings, it’s about starting over. And tonight, I’m going to see what it feels like to let him love me.
J.R. Grant is a thirty something mom of three who resides on the East Coast. When she isn't spending her day relaxing on the beach with a good book in hand, she’s lost in a world of fictional characters, begging to tell their story. She is a hopeless romantic that loves getting sucked into a mushy book anytime of the day. The minute her love of reading was discovered, is the day she became unstoppable. With high hopes and great expectations, she can’t wait to share her stories with the world.
FACEBOOK / GOODREADS / WEBSITE / TWITTER
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment