Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Weekly Reads 11/10 - 11/16

Hi fellow book lovers!!!!  I hope y'all had a fabulous week.  Mine was... interesting... but interesting in a good way.... I'm so stinking proud over one moment that I plan to share... you know, later.  

I didn't have the best of luck with reading again this week... but instead of it being my head just wasn't in it.. it was more of the whole "I don't have time to read but I really want to finish this first"  thing.  I really could have had more time to read but I got it in my head that I wanted to be better prepared for Christmas this year and well... one thing led to another and by the end of the week I had an overloaded Pinterest Board, a binder full of new cookie recipes, and a load of gifts that desperately need a new hiding spot!  Plus a list that feels like it's a mile long of things I either still want to do, things I'd love to try, and gifts I'm thinking I should purchase.  

So, even though I did have a good read and a good reread this week... I also need some recommendations!  I'm needing something light yet engaging... something sweet but totally passionate.  Something that is totally and completely "Lori Safe"!

Here are last weeks reads and recommendations:

A Love of Vengeance (Wanted Men) by Nancy Halivand


So. Good.   Just sayin'
A Love of Vengeance had the perfect combination of bad boy alpha male, strong heroine, and smoking hot passion.  It held my interest to the very end and left me desperate for the next book in the series!

Last week I had mentioned I was in the middle of reading this one and put the seed out there to email me if you'd read it or started reading it.  Well... I head from someone and let me just tell you.. our non-stop email message was nothing but... 
"OMG!"
"WTF"
"I want to hate her but I just can't."
"HOTNESS"
Obviously... we both enjoyed this book and while I would love to tell you some of our other thoughts, she did ask to stay anonymous and since I don't post actual quotes without giving props to the person who said it... I unfortunately have to keep my lips sealed which totally  bums me out because this chick had some funny one liners.  *insert sad face*

Anyway, A Love of Vengeance is a definite recommend.  


Reed's Reckoning by Ahren Sanders 


Here is my reread from last week.  I first read Reed's Reckoning over the summer...after a long list of incredibly horrible books.... so of course I was like "Best. Book. Ever!"  at that particular time.  

So with my reread... I wasn't quite as impressed.  I mean, it was a reread so I can't look at it the same... right?  But I noticed the BETA reader in me surfacing (quite a bit) during my reread.  I kept wanting to shout...do your research!!!  and I did have a couple eye roll moments.  

HOWEVER, this book is still really good.  It's got more than just the bones and is still way better than a lot of other books I've read lately.  Not to mention, when I really thought about it... the few places my beta half seemed to twitch at... really didn't take away from the story itself. 

So again, this is another one I recommend! 


While these two are not the ONLY books I've read this week... they are the only ones I'll share and here's why: 


Last Wednesday my 8 year old (we'll call her G) came home from school and this was our conversation:

G: Mom!  Guess what?
Me:  What?
G:  I found the most engaging book in the library today!
Me: *trying to figure out how my 8 year old figured out how to use the word engaging correctly* Really? 
G:  YES!  I think we should read it together and discuss it during our breakfast chats.
Me:  *tearing up because I always thought she hated our breakfast chats*  That sounds fantastic G!
G: *jumps up and down clapping* YAY!  This could be our new morning tradition!  We talk about books!
Me: *more tearing up because how absolutely fabulous would that be?* 

So... of course, I couldn't tell her no... actually telling her no didn't even cross my mind.  So far... G and I have read and discussed almost 3 entire books since last Wednesday....which is pretty amazing considering she's only 8 and all 3 books have more than 130 pages each! 

I couldn't be more proud!  And I do hope this is a tradition her and I can keep... because seriously, how absolutely amazing would that be!

So.... unless you're looking for recommendations for your 8-12 year old or just happen to like to read books like Judy Moody (that kid cracks me up), Junie B Jones, or Monster High... I'll make sure to leave these reads off my weekly recommendations ;)  


 Happy Reading Friends!

Got recommendations?  Comment below and let me know!  I'm always looking for fantastic reads!


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Weekly Reads 11/3 - 11/9

 
Have you ever felt like there was so much crazy going on around you that you just can't seem to function properly?  And it doesn't even really involve you?  Well maybe a little bit does but 99% of it is other people?  





This is apparently my life at the moment and since I'm in such an incredibly talkative mood... I figured I'd share it with y'all before moving into the disappointment that was my reading list last week.  (Don't mind the sarcasm... I've been very sassy lately, or so my husband tells me.)

Enjoy....

 



The crap that I don't want to think about that's happening right here in St. Louis...



 




 dealing with family members issues.....




 



3rd grade homework (that right there is enough to drive anyone up the wall)....



 
 

and best of all.... getting blamed for another persons crazy!  




You'd think with all that crazy, I'd be able to easily get lost in a good book... apparently not because all that crazy just keeps cycling through my head... repeatedly.


 
On to the important stuff... My Reads for last week. 

I have to be honest and say... I was a bit disappointed by everything I seemed to pick up.  I know in my last post I mentioned that I was excited to read the next book in a few series... and I am... but, because I get burnt out so easily, I like to take breathers in between series (and by breathers I mean, I sometimes wait a whole month before moving onto the next book.).  I have a reason for this... it probably makes no sense to anyone but me so even though you're probably thinking "Well.... what is it?"  I'm not going to share... because if I did you'd probably think...

Anyway... I picked up so many different books that looked fantastic.  They got amazing reviews... and they were either free or super cheap.  So, I did a bunch of one-clicking.
 Well... needless to say... I just didn't enjoy any of it. I'm not saying there weren't some decent ones on that list... ones I even tried reading... I'm just saying my brain was so exhausted from everything else it only seemed to want off the wall fantasy or something that would grab me within the first 3 pages. 
Soooo.... here is what I managed to finish last week.  No laughing either because a little shifter love (okay so maybe 2 or 3 shifters at a time) could seriously do anyone some good.  Don't worry non-shifter lovers.. there may be 1 or 2 books listed below that are NOT paranormal and only focus on a traditional couple ;) 

*Caution*




Every Night Forever by R.E. Butler


I'll be honest... I wasn't too sure about the Hyena thing apparently being better than werewolves, but... it seemed to work okay.  As long as I pictured the Stone Brothers looking more like dogs or coyotes instead of actual hyenas... because hyenas just aren't cute, at least in my opinion. 

BUT... This really was a decent read.  As long as you like a little shifter love that has more than just 1 sexy shifter.  

Alyssa and all 3 Stone Brothers really did grab my attention.  Nothing too terribly drastic happened but I will say that this book was pretty hot.... and hot in a way where the heroes took their time with the heroine.

I'm not necessarily recommending this one... but I'm not saying pass on it either.  Just go in remembering that this book is a menage a tois.



Girl's Night Out (Bad Boys #4) by Susan Arden


I am questioning myself on why I'm putting this one on the list since I did start getting bored around the 60% mark... but then again what I did read (and actually pay attention to) is typically something I would thoroughly enjoy but my mind just wasn't in it... so we'll go with that.

The characters were extremely well built and enjoyable.  The romance aspect was a tad on the insta-love aspect... but then again that's something I don't typically mind.  But the best part of all was... even though this is the 4th book in the series, you really don't need to read the first 3. 

I'm going to go ahead and recommend this one... including recommend rereading it myself when my mind is back in the normal way of thinking. ;)  


Twin Alphas: Claimed by Georgette St. Clair


See?  I'm all about the complete fantasy right now:  hot shifters, another dimension, menage a tois.
I know a few of my friends who will read this and shake their heads while saying "Lori and her shifters".  

But.. I really liked this one... like really liked it.  It was a short read, with some smokin' hot twins that not only turn into protective wolves but... they are into women with curves.  I know the whole BBW isn't for everyone and it's not necessarily for me either unless it's written where the heroine is curvy and not "fat".  And that blurb had me second guessing the one-click button because the word chubby is used... but it was written exactly how I like my curvy heroines! 

I'd recommend this one to any of my fellow readers who like a good menage a tois with some hot shifters thrown in. 

 
That's all I actually read... start to finish... last week.  So sad too, because I normally read about a book a day.  *Here is to praying my reading focus will return soon*  

Well... Okay, those of you that I'm friends with on FB probably saw my post last week and are still wondering what book it was about.  And for those of you who I'm not friends with or who didn't see it....


 I did read this one other book that is absolutely fantastic.  BUT... I can't tell you what it was or even who it's by because it's not out yet... and I think she's hoping for a spring release (but I'm not quite sure). 
I will say this though... it was fantastic.  So fantastic when I read the last sentence and then saw The End.. I actually said (out loud, to my kindle, at 2am) That Bitch! 
Just wait... when the time comes (or I should say when the book releases) I'll make sure to tell y'all about it. 

So that really is it... Unless you want to know what I'm reading right now... at this very moment...
and even if you don't I'm going to share anyway... because I am really enjoying it so far and even though I'll tell you exactly how I felt about it next week... I'd still like to share a little bit now... because so far... it's that good. 

A Love of Vengeance (Wanted Men #1) by Nancy Haviland


I may only be 27% in... but Gabriel is so deliciously alpha.  

Check this one out and if you finish before next wednesday.. shoot me an email at Lorisbookblog@gmail.com and tell me what you thought and we'll talk... You may just end up featured on the review for this book next week ;) 

Happy Reading Friends!  I hope you all have a fantastic week!










Wednesday, November 5, 2014

October Reads & Recommendations

Since I'm just starting this today and because I read some pretty amazing books in the month of October... instead of a weekly post, you're going to get my October Recommendations.

These recommendations were all 4 or 5 star reads for me and listed in the order I read them.

All Lined Up  by Cora Carmack

AWESOME book.  I get in these moods where I want a fabulous New Adult Novel... especially with an athlete.  Cora is a star when it comes to these and All Lined Up is definitely a game winning Touch Down worthy of a massive celebration.  

Perfect character building with just enough drama and angst to keep you on the edge of your seat.  

Dallas and Carson kept me engrossed in their beautiful love story.  I'm definitely looking forward to Silas in All Broke Down!

Definite Recommend!




Another AWESOME read!  This was my first read by Julie Cross and I have to say it definitely won't be my last.  Obviously I'm all over these sports reads but this one was a definite Home Run!

The characters were perfectly built, the chemistry was absolute perfection, and the relationships all around were realistic. 

Annie was amazing all on her own... her humor kept me in stitches!  Add in Brody and you have an absolute perfect YA/NA crossover!  Just keep in mind these characters are still pretty young and make some stupid decisions ;)

Definite Recommend! 




Stupid Girl  by Cindy Miles


I'm seriously a sucker for New Adult Sports Romances... and apparently I like Baseball players (although, I always thought it was Football players lol) because here is another Home Run for y'all! 

Stupid Girl was a sweet little read about two very broken characters who are able to find happiness in each other.  They were able to over come fears and move forward toward everlasting love.  

Cindy Miles takes you on a journey with Olivia and Brax that leaves you wishing for even more of their story.  I'm already looking forward to Kane and Harper in Stupid Boy!

Recommend! 



 One Night Stand by Parker Kincade


Alpha Male Alert!!!!  
Joe Sterling... sigh... I really don't need to say anything else lol.  

I have to admit there really wasn't anything spectacular about One Night Stand other than it kept
me highly engrossed... it was more on the erotic side than contemporary.  But it did still have a decent little story line going on.  

Sometimes we just need that perfect Alpha Male with a touch of insta-love and this was definitely a great one for that! 

I'm already salivating for the men of The Martin Family....Amanda has some seriously hot brothers who all have their own books! 

Recommend! 



Spring Training  by Parker Kincade


I may have developed a little crush on the writing style that is Parker Kincade... and I'm starting to question my obsession with ball players ;) 

Spring Training was another cute little read with a laid back alpha male (who is hotter than you know what).  Just like One Night Stand, it has it's little insta-love connection which seemed to work perfectly for these characters and this story.  

Garrett and Jess may not have the easiest road to an HEA but they definitely get there in ways that had me happy and frustrated all at the same time. 

Recommend!
  



Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin


Refreshing, refreshing, refreshing!!!!  

Have you ever wondered what happened to all the normal book boyfriends?  You know, the ones who haven't bedded every beautiful woman out there?  The ones who have been in relationships and know how to treat their woman without being too overbearing for the heroine who needs that extra space? 

Yeah?  Well... here is a book for you!  

Clementine has some obsticles to overcome and Gavin... well Gavin is just the perfect man to help her through it all.  

I couldn't seem to force myself to put this book down. 

Definite Recommend! 



Her Purrfect Match by Milly Taiden 


I can't have a month without one of my hot shifters! (And to my girls who know my dirty little secret, which isn't so secret... it's not a menage lol)

I LOVE Milly Taiden's books... they're short, they come packed full of hot Alpha Male, and her heroines are always beautiful in that normal curvy way with a sense of humor I can't resist!

Her Purrfect Match is the 3rd book in the Paranormal Dating Agency and I have to say it's even better than the first two... but then again there is something awfully intriguing about a man who can not only turn into a lion but who is this grumpy loner that begins to smile because of his absolutely adorable mate!

Definite Recommend (ONLY if you like Paranormal)





There are my 4 and 5 star reads for the Month of October!  Starting next week, I will be posting weekly reads... it will be all the books (available for purchase only) I read the week before and my thoughts on them!  

I hope you have a fantastic week!

Happy Reading!








I'm Back!

HI *waves*

I'd like to take the time to thank all of you who have continuously checked this blog for my return... I'd especially like to thank those of you who have messaged me asking if I planned to return and giving me sweet words of understanding (for my much needed time off) and beautiful words of encouragement.  I'm sorry it took so long, but that urge just wasn't there... not that I haven't read some AMAZING books, because I have... but that urge to sit down and write out my feelings was just... gone.  No matter how much I loved the book or how much I wanted to share it with you... I just couldn't find that urge... and I truly believe that if that desire to do it isn't there, it won't be well received.  So... even though it's been over a year.....Thank you for all of your understanding and support... I can't even begin to express how much it has meant to me! 

Obviously, it's been forever since I've had that driving urge to write a blog post with what I've read and what I recommend... BUT, I've got it back.  YAY!  I want to take things slow as far as reviews/blogging goes because it's been a while and I don't want to overwhelm myself and end up burned out again.  I also want to do things differently in hopes that I can emotionally get back to the basics - the reason WHY I wanted to even start a blog.  It's all about the books and recommending those books to my fellow book lovers.

So.... here's my plan.

Instead of daily posts with a review for only 1 book, I'm going to do weekly posts with all the books I read that week.  The reviews will be short... maybe a paragraph (or two depending how much I need to chat about it) and I will also say whether I recommend it or not.  I'll see how this works out for me for a few months and either continue on or reevaluate how I want to do things with Lori's Book Blog.  For now, Lori's Book Blog will be review only... and only reviews on books that I've purchased via Amazon, simply because it looked good and I wanted to read it.  There won't be any author spotlights,  release day blitz, cover reveals, blog tours, or anything like that (For now at least).... it will strictly be Reviews/Recommendations on books that I have found myself or have been recommended to me.

So let me know what you think too... whether or not you like the weekly posts with a few books and short reviews or if you'd rather see more... but keep in mind I want to keep this strictly review only for now!

XOXO,
Lori