Tag: Vivian Arend

So it is 2012

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

I am not much for to make New Year Resolutions, but this year I have one.   I want to keep my e-book purchases to a minimum. The main reason is that I have 200+ unread e-books. It is a mixture of novels, novellas and short stories.  There are some months I know I’ll fail.  I can say that I’ll fail in January.  Why?  Maya Banks, Faith Hunter, Moira Rogers and Vivian Arend have releases.    I’ll fail in March too, since Patricia Briggs,CE Murphy, Thea Harrison and Vivian Arend  have  books that are released then.
August too, since both Ilona Andrews and LA Gilman  have new novels out. 
Oh, yes.  Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook have  releases during the year.  Not sure when, though. 
There are probably a lot of books that I am forgetting, but these are the ones that are on my Auto buy list.

Except for them, I plan to keep the credit card OFF.  Will I succeed? Well, I’ll try.

  

Black Gold by Vivian Arend

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations, Paranormal Romance, reviews

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available as e-book
The Source:  Purchased at Books on Board
The Grade: B+
The Blurb:

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin. When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her caribou research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts. Lone wolf Shaun Stevens’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap. Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.

It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

The Review: 
What I liked:
I liked the Granite Wolves shortstories, so when I saw that Vivian Arend was working on a fulllength novel set in the same world, I pre-ordered it.   This was a fun read.  Gem and Shaun is each other opposites.  Gem is a southern belle that has had a sheltered life until now. Shaun is more experienced.   I liked that both acknowledged their mate bond, but they knew it would require work. It was fun to read about their struggles to adapt.  I loved that Gem refused to change her plans, no matter how hard Shaun tried to convince her.   It was fascinating to see Gem shake off the restrictions she was used too, and bloom in the wilderness.

What I didn’t like: 

This didn’t affect the story, but the fact that  Gem’s  college professor and the rest of the students came to her HOUSE to hold the laborations baffles me.  Wouldn’t it have been cheaper for Gem to attend with a bodyguard in tow?  Also, safety reasons. I suspect if something had happened during the laboration, it would have been Gem’s father that was responsible not the university.
I also felt that the subplot between Caroline and Evan didn’t add anything too the story, but was there solely to add length.

Spooktacular Giveaway: The Granite Lake Wolves series by Vivian Arend

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance102 Comments

CONTEST OVER. Winners will be announced tomorrow.
Welcome to my part of the hop.  I am in a generous mood, so I am giving two winners the chance to win the Granite Wolves series in print.  To Enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail.

Under the Northern Lights contains the following stories:

Wolf Signs
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Talk about getting your signals crossed…
Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.

Wolf Flight
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 2

An untriggered werewolf. A runaway Omega. It’s not easy fighting destiny.
Tad Maxwell’s workaholism serves to keep his bush pilot company in the air, and his inner werewolf in check. In the two years since he discovered his heritage, he’s resisted the longing to test the power of his wolf side. It would mean compromising his human principles.

Under the Midnight Sun contains the last two stories:

Wolf Games
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

True love’s path never did run smooth.
After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt. Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Wolf Tracks
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 4

Score one for the underdog … er … wolf.
TJ Lynus is a legend in Granite Lake, both for his easygoing demeanor—and his clumsiness. His carefree acceptance of his lot vanishes, though, when his position as best man brings him face to face with someone he didn’t expect. His mate. His very human mate. Suddenly, one thing is crystal clear: if he intends to claim her, his usual laid-back attitude isn’t going to cut it.

Note: These are novellas, so the Print version will look different.  Still contains the same stories, though.

Review: Exotic Indulgence

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Exotic IndulgenceExotic Indulgence by Vivian Arend

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The blurb:

There’s something magical about Bandicoot Cove. It’s where Kylie Sullivan’s dream of managing a luxury, five-star resort is about to come true. And it’s where people tend to fall in love. Kylie should know. She’s fallen hard—for three very different men. 

The Review:
Normally I don’t review short-stories, but I decided to make an exception.
This is exactly what the cover says a sizzling short story set in Australia. This is a co-authored story, and it shows a couple of times.  The cut between the scenes feels a bit abrupt, and I didn’t like the tone in some of the scenes.  Nothing gross, it was just a few word choices.   Also, thee relationship between Kylie and her men feels rushed, like they feel have to convince her that they have something more than sex before the resort opens. Still, it is sizzling, short read that it is a great lunch read.
And it is free. You can download it at all major e-bookstores.( Watch out with Booksonboard, though, they charge 0.99 for it)

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Contests and Auctions

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

This is May, which mean that Brenda Novak’s annual Diabetes Auction is in full swing.  There is a lot of goodies being offered, plus the money goes to charity.
Another auction is HelpWriteNow.  This auction raises money to help Tornado Victims.  Also a lot of goodies being offered.

And the contests… is four enormous contests, courtesy of Moira Rogers and Vivian Arend. More info here.

Falling, Freestyle by Vivian Arend

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Falling, FreestyleFalling, Freestyle by Vivian Arend

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Book: Falling, Freestyle by Vivian Arend

The Particulars: Erotic Contemporary Romance, Samhain, available as e-book

Why was it in my TBR? I like Vivian Arend

The Review:

The blurb:

Dara’s past four incredible years have been lived to the fullest. Along with her best friends, Kane and Jack, she’s left no local wilderness unexplored, no ski slope unchallenged. Yet lately she wonders why they’ve never seen her as more than a buddy with breasts. When—or if—either man will cross that unspoken line.
It’s a line Kane eyes harder every day. Since high school, he and Jack have shared everything. A condo, vacations—and their best girl. Kane’s ready to get serious about his wilderness school and outfitter business, and that includes putting down roots. Preferably with Dara.
Wary of the men who’ve recently been sniffing around Dara, Jack has a growing sense that he or Kane better make a move soon, or they’re going to lose out on their perfect match. Question is, who does she prefer…and who’s going to bring their easygoing trio to an end?
Overhearing the boys arguing over her, Dara’s floored—and torn. Choose between them? No way. Drastic measures are called for, a plan for their annual holiday getaway that will clarify her feelings once and for all—or lose everything in a sexual storm of whiteout proportions.
Warning: Old friends turned lovers can get into the most trouble—exhibitionism, bondage, spanking. Anal sex, oral sex, unauthorized use of ski safety harnesses, icicles in the hot tub…the author apologizes in advance for any melted monitors.

My impressions:

I like friends to lover stories, I like threesomes. Most of all, I like Vivian Arend. So, this felt like a guaranteed good read. I must admit, I was some what disappointed. Oh, it isn’t bad, but it isn’t the sizzling book I had expected. There was a lot of sex, the interaction between characters. But, it felt like everything went too smoothly. There was no conflict. Oh, sometimes it was hinted
at, but it never interrupted the story.

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