Books Read for December 2011 and the Preciousness Mho Has Claimed

Here are the books I have read for the last month of 2011:

1. Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane (March 2012 release)- A- (Top 10 2012)

2. The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton- B+

3. The Redhead Revealed by Alice Clayton- B+

4. My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander (February 2012 release)- B+
5. The Lady’s Secret by Joanna Chambers- B+

6. Night After Night by Janelle Denison- B+

7. How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long- B-
8. Behaving Badly by Isabel Wolff- B
9. Death of a Pirate King by Josh Lanyon- B
10. Trouble at the Wedding by Laura Lee Guhre (Jan 2012 release)- C+
11. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows- C
12. How to Dance with a Duke by Manda Collins- C
13. On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane- D
14. Living Violet by Jaime Reed (January 2012 release- DNF

15. The Duke is Mine by Eloisa James (January 2012 release)- DNF

16. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson- DNF

17. Defying the Odd by Kele Moon- DNF

Grades:

A- A- =1

B+- B- =8

C+- C- =3

D =1

DNF =4

Behold the massive TBR book shelves and pile o' books!

Mho is ecstatic he got his hooves on a copy of a sequel of sorts to one of the bets historical romances Mho has read, As You Desire. Connie Brockway's The Other Guy's Bride features the daughter of Harry and Dizzy (the main couple in As Your Desire) and her quest for a HEA. Hopefully The Other Guy's Bride will make Mho a very happy sheep.

Mho adores Sophie Kinsella (his favorite book by her is, Can You Keep a Secret?). He was pleased as punch to see that Sophie has a new book coming out called I've Got Your Number (February 14th from Dial Press). Sophia writes the wackiest and most adorable chick-lit romances.

Synopsis: Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry the ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her 'happy ever after' begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring but in the panic that followed, she has now lost her phone. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton doesn't agree. He wants his phone back and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents... she soon realises that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life

Ah the precious of preciousness! Mho got his hands on Stacia Kane's Sacrifical Magic, her much beloved and crackworthy Downside Ghosts series. This book is so full of win and Mho wants to have babies with it, Stacia, Terrible and Chess, that angsty, drug addicted ghost hunter. You thought the first 3 book packs a punch? Wait until you read Sacrificial Magic. Your heart will bleed for Chess, as well as wanting to smack her upside the head because she's her own worst enemy. As for Chess and Terrible together.... rowl.


And so ends this year's reading. Over 170 books were read by yours truly in 2011. How was your reading for 2011?

Happy Release Day to Me! Xavier's Loving Arms by KT Grant

I'm over the moon to announce that Xavier's Loving Arms has been released! Originally today was supposed to be the official release day, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was available to purchase late yesterday afternoon. Xavier'v Loving Arms is the third book in my Sweet & Sinful series (For the Love of Mollie and The Claiming of Suzy).

Synopsis: Xavier Marks has the looks, great job, and more than enough money to throw around. The only thing missing is a woman by his side. He hasn’t had much luck in love since he caught his fiancée cheating on him, and isn’t too happy about his current bachelor status. But that may all change when a cute barista from a coffee shop catches his eye. Perhaps she can help him lick his wounds?

Life hasn’t always been too kind to Rebecca Price. With a grandmother suffering from dementia, and the threat of foreclosure on her childhood home, she may have no choice but to turn to a possessive ex-boyfriend who won’t settle for anything less than marriage. She hides a shameful secret that still threatens to destroy her. She’s ready to give up all hope when a suave, yet seemingly kind-hearted man enters her life and comes to her rescue.

Rebecca is wary of placing her trust in Xavier, who wants to be more than a shoulder for her to lean on. But as the two grow close, Rebecca’s guilt over her past discretions continue to haunt her. Xavier wants to show Rebecca that the one place she can feel whole and at peace is in his loving arms.


Already some early reviews have been pouring in...

Penny at Penelope's Romance Reviews gives Xavier's Loving Arms a A-/B+. "This book takes some very real and troubling issues, and handles them perfectly. The girl gets the guy and a happy ending. Every woman who has struggled with body issues or an eating disorder needs this message of hope."

Liza at Blogging at Liza: " As I’ve come to expect from KT Grant, Xavier and Becca are super hot together once they finally give in to their attraction. In fact, each time they make love, they are some of the steamiest scenes I’ve read."

This book has many coffee and wine mentions (Xavier loves a good cup of java and a nice glass of Merlot), some sexy ice cream sharing (Between Xavier and Becca that steams up the sheets, and makes them a tad messy) Snuggie loving (Becca loves her Snuggie and shows Xavier the awesome power of the blanket with sleeves), A Gumby cameo (I told you I was obsessed with Gumby. Thanks Carolyn!) and most importantly shows how the power of love from family and friends can heal a damaged soul.

Never been seen before sexy excerpt...

Xavier shut off all the lights and stripped down to his boxers. Becca sat on her bed wearing a scoop-neck, violet colored cotton nightgown that fell to her knees. She could have picked something sexier to wear or perhaps nothing at all, but when she’d held up her nightwear to show him, his eyes became glossy and the front of his boxers grew tight.

Music from a light rock station played from her stereo. A steaming mug of hot chocolate sat on her bedside table, and a box of vanilla and chocolate popsicles lay on the bed.

He sat next to her, took a sip of the chocolate, and passed her the mug. They shared the drink until it was empty. Then she opened the box and pulled out two pops, vanilla for her and chocolate for him.

“Too bad we don’t have real ice cream and sprinkles.” He tore open the wrapping, sucking the treat deep into his mouth.

She licked her lips when his tongue came out and swiped over the frozen treat. Remembering the way his tongue made her come from the night before, she trembled in anticipation for what was to follow. Leaving hers on the bed, she picked up the box of condoms from the bedside table and shook it.

“We have these and they’re the colors of sprinkles, but I don’t think they taste like them.”

Xavier continued to work away at his treat until nothing remained. He finished and reached into the box.

“Lie down on the bed,” he ordered, and took the wrapper off his second popsicle.

“Yes, sir,” she said in a husky voice. Keeping her eyes on the man who turned her on in ways she couldn’t explain, she lay back, available for him to use.

She continued watching him eat, growing hungrier by the second, but not for ice pops. Her eyes fluttered when he pressed his cool lips against hers. She moaned, lifting her one leg up around his hips and clasping him by the back of the head.

“Hmm…you taste sweet.” She smiled up at him, allowing him to lift the hem of her nightgown.

“Why don’t you take this off?” he suggested, and she complied.

She turned her head away. It had been too long since a man had seen her with no clothes on. She waited for him to say something, confused by his silence. His face hovered over her chest, and when his chilled mouth swallowed her breast, she gasped.

He circled the edge of her nipple with the pop and a cool drop fell on her breast. She hissed from the cold sting as the burn in between her legs amplified. Tiny huffs left her mouth and she arched her back in delight when he took her nipple between his teeth and sucked.

“Xavier….” She held his head to her, enthralled, while he licked and nipped. She wanted him to caress her, but he didn’t, only sliding that damned ice pop down her stomach.

Wondering what's going to happen next? You'll have to buy the book to find out! *evil laugh*.

To purchase Xavier's Loving Arms:

Decadent Publishing for $4.99 (Most affordable price!)

Amazon Kindle for $5.99

All Romance Ebooks for $5.99

Smashwords for $5.99

Katiebabs' Official Best Books of 2011

It's that time again...my personal list of the best books of the year! I read 175 books this year than ranged from DNFs that got me in trouble, to those "A" grade books I wanted to have babies with and others that were enjoyable but weren't that memorable and yet still gave me joy while I read. I had a tough time coming up with my top 20 favorite books this year because I've come to the conclusion that I've become more critical in what I'm reading. It's getting harder for a book to wow me, although there are a few authors I still rely on who send happy chills down my spine and make me want to bow down to them.

Every author I mention in this post has astounded me in one way or another, and I THANK YOU for your  imagination and hard work at creating a product and a gift that has given me hours of pleasure and enjoyment. Books are like therapy for me because they keep me grounded and help me ignore the stress in my life. Because of you, the authors I look up to as my role models, your words and characters, have helped me get through the humdrum of the day and look forward tomorrow...because tomorrow there's always another book to read where I can be happy I'm alive.

Without further ado, I give you my favorite books of 2011!

Overall Favorite Read: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Honorary Mention: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Favorite Contemporary: Keys to the Castle by Donna Ball
Honorary Mention: A lot Like Love by Julie James

Favorite Historical: The Naked King by Sally MacKenzie
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Pleasure Me by Monica Burns and Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt

Favorite Paranormal: Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison and Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

Favorite Urban Fantasy: Tangled Webs by Jennifer Estep

Favorite Science Fiction: Deadline by Mira Grant
Honorary Mention: A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Favorite Young Adult: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Honorary Mention: A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Favorite GLBT Book: Prisoner of Love by Samantha Kane
Honorary Mention: His Client by Ava March

Favorite Debut Author: Tahereh Mafi
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Thea Harrison and Alma Katsu

Favorite Hero: Dmitri from Archangel's Blade
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Garrick Stratfield from Pleasure Me and Adrian Hawkhurst from The Black Hawk

Favorite Heroine: Captain Yasmeen Corsair from Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook
Honorary Mention: Pia Giovanni from Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Favorite Villain: Warner from Shatter Me
Honorary Mention: Xander Eckhart from A Lot Like Love (and hopes and prays Julie redeems him so he can be the hero of his own book!)

Favorite Sex Scene: Ares and Cara having upside down tree sex in Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
Honorary Mention: “Charming” Mickey O’Connor and Silence Hollingbrook's first time making love where Mickey offers Silence to use him in Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt

 The Top 20:

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
3. Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh
4. Pleasure Me by Monica Burns
5. Keys to the Castle by Donna Ball
6. The Naked King by Sally MacKenzie
7. Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
8. Prisoner of Love by Samantha Kane
9. The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
10. Unveiled by Courtney Milan
11. A lot Like Love by Julie James
12. Deadline by Mira Grant
13. A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
14. A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran
15. What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long
16. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
17. Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
18. Tangled Webs by Jennifer Estep
19. Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
20. The Taker by Alma Katsu

And a spare... Unlocked by Courtney Milan

There's always one author and their book I end up highlighting in my best of the year post. This year I would like to honor two authors. The first is debut author, Alma Katsu with her book, The Taker. The Taker is a supernatural Gothic type book that is so anti-love, and a true pessimist’s delight because of the message Alma tries to get across with her characters. It was refreshing to read something so different for me because of my obsession with romance novels, The Taker stomps on the HEA and beats it until it's unrecognizable. It's a cruel story that sweeps you away where you'll be dying for the next installment. Pretty rronic for this romance reader.

The second author who set the publishing world on fire and continues to do is Courtney Milan. Every single book I've read by her is so damn good. She astounds me every single time. Historical romance was the first genre that led me on a path where books became important to me, much like the air I breathe. When I think of historical romance, Courtney Milan's name pops into my head. And I don't think I have to point out what an amazing accomplishment she has done with self publishing. Unlocked has one of the best HEA's I ever read in any romance, and with Unlocked, she has raised the bar for so many authors, regardless if they go ahead and self-publish, epublish or traditionally publish. Courtney is not only a master storyteller who makes my heart flutter as a reader, but an icon I look up to in my craft as a writer and author. There's so many authors I aspire to be and Courtney is one of them. The author out of all other authors who owned 2011 is Courtney.

2011 was a year that showed so many changes in the publishing industry. New faces popped up that I can't wait to watch and see what they accomplish for the next year, including old standbys and favorites who I rely on for entertainment.

Goodbye 2011 and hello 2012! I cant wait to see what lies ahead in the book world as I try to read as many books I as I can before the world ends next December ;)

KB's Best Eye Catching Covers of 2011

These are my top picks for the most eye catching covers for this year. We have many pretty ladies with hair being whipped around, more than enough man titty (with lickable tattoos) and a cute puppy thrown into the mix...

And some 2012 cover pretties to look forward to...

What's your favorite covers for 2011?

My New Reading Obsession: Alice Clayton's Redhead Series

I’ve fallen in love with a new to me author, who if I had read back in 2010, would have been my favorite author that year. Alice Clayton has a sexy contemporary romance series out set in the glamorous world of Hollywood. The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed features a very down to earth woman in her early thirties who wants to take the entertainment world by storm. She’s Grace Sheridan, an honest, witty, funny redhead, who at thirty-three is living a dream life. Grace has always wanted to be in the spotlight as an actress. After some bumps in the road with her weight and originally heading off to Los Angeles and failing (or so she thinks she has failed), she left her hometown again and has returned back to the city that almost kicked her butt. Grace refuses to leave with her tail between her legs again, and along with her best friend from college, high powered agent Holly Newman, she’ll do whatever she can to land a job in movies or on television. Grace is also in the process of remodeling a house she just bought and doesn’t have to worry about saving moneys or paying too many bills because not only was she left a nice inheritance, she’s living with Holly for the time being.

Grace is on the up and up and also loves her single life. But Grace isn’t going to be single for much longer because at a party Holly is throwing for her clients and business associates in the film industry, she meets the next big Hollywood “It Boy”. He’s Jack Hamilton, a twenty four year old stud muffin from England who is known as the Super Sexy Scientist Guy in a movie called Time based on a series of short stories filled with time travel, romance and adventure. (Jack reminds me of Robert Pattison, but in a good way) Grace at first has no idea who Jack is until Holly introduces them. Grace thinks Jack is adorable and of course too handsome for his own good. She loves his accent and the way he bites down on his bottom lip. He also loves to dress down and wears a baseball cap over his lovely curls Grace wouldn’t mind petting. Jack takes his new celebrity status all in stride, although he’s not too thrilled that the paparazzi may start stalking him. He becomes smitten with Grace very quickly, and she with him, but she thinks they’ll only be friends because why would an extremely hot man nine years younger than her want her when he can have any woman his own age? Grace is not the type to throw herself at a man, but she wouldn’t mind finding out how well Jack kisses. Holly warns Grace that she can have fun with Jack, but his fans and the press must think he’s single. Jack on the other hand doesn’t care what the public thinks, even though it may hurt his career if he's dating Grace.

Jack wants Grace, and even though she tries her best to keep it as friends between them, he won’t take no for an answer. Grace soon falls for Jack’s quirky ways of seduction. He doesn’t have to pretend with her and he loves Grace’s humor. These two soon have nicknames for each such as Grace calling Jack, George (as in George and Gracie) and her Johnny Bite Down. Jack understands Grace’s eccentricities such as her candy addiction and her love of The Golden Girls. He loves being with her so much so, that all he wants to do is kiss and make out where he and Grace have some of the most intense foreplay without actual sex. Jack also loves her boobies that when he sleeps with her, he has to hold onto them like a teddy bear. He also knows how to hit her J-spot (she renames her G-spot after Jack) and brands Grace in what she calls the Hamilton brand on the inside of her thigh, thanks to him doing you know what with his mouth.

But even though these two are lost in their own special world, Jack is on the road to stardom and is ready to explode. Grace starts to question whether she and Jack can make it work out because of their difference in their ages and the Hollywood press that would be relentless if they found out about them both.

The Unidentified Redhead and the sequel, The Redhead Revealed is all about the wacky trials and tribulations of Grace and Jack as they try to make their relationship work. Jack, in a word, is perfect. I need my own Jack! The way Alice has written the character of Jack will make any female reader swoon. He’s too good for words and very mature and insightful. The way her treats Grace made me “awwwed” one too many times. Grace is awesome. She has an amazing personality and is proud of herself and her accomplishments, and rightly so. Her issues with her age and internal questioning on why Jack would be so attracted to her almost ruins everything between them. But then again if I were in Grace’s shoe and some hot celebrity stud wanted me to the point he forgot everything around him, I would be worried when the other shoe would drop. We see this in The Redhead Revealed when Grace is offered a chance of a lifetime by going off to New York and starring in Broadway show. She meets up with an old flame from college, and because of the distance between her Jack, their love is put to the test. The old big misunderstanding trope pops up, but that's nipped fairly quickly in a very emotional way.

The sensuality level in these books is through the roof. Grace and Jack are like vines on a tree with one another. It gets to be too much after a while because they’re both very generous with their love and using their hands and mouths in very creative and inventive ways. I’m surprised these two could walk after all their loving they engage in. They should write their own foreplay Karma Sutra.

I adore Grace and Jack and want more from them! These two remind me of a pair of comfortable shoes. You put them on and sigh because they’re so comfortable and are great fit. Grace and Jack are just that-a perfect fit. Alice Clayton has written a lovely couple who I’d rate up there with Roarke and Eve from JD Robb’s In Death series. I think perhaps Jack could give Roarke a run for his money.

I’m giving a call for action with Alice Clatyon’s Redhead series. You must, MUST buy these books! I bought The Unidentified Redhead for .99 cents at ARe and Amazon, and even before I finished reading, bought The Redhead Revealed at full price. Also, I’m over the moon that Alice is currently writing the third book in the Redhead series, which I’m dying to get my hands on. Alice, please finish writing book #3 ASAP because I’m obsessed with Jack and Grace!

Alice Clayton has created something special with Grace and Jack. This couple and the way they treat each other is perfect for any romance reader and will now be a part of my keeper shelf with all the rest of my favorite books. (Both books are available at Omnific Publishing)

Final Grade: Both The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed get a B+

A few other Redhead series reviews:
Alpha Reader
Love Romance Passion
Yummy Men Kick Ass Chicks

Guest Author Post: Sandy Williams and Three Reasons Why THE SHADOW READER is Not a Paranormal Romance *Book Giveaway*

KB: One of my new favorite debut authors this year is Sandy Williams. Her debut Urban Fantasy, The Shadow Reader (click here to read my review) is so full of awesomesauce and has one of the best love triangles (with no sex!) I've read in recent memory. If you're an Urban Fantasy fan who loves a great, action packed story with an amazing heroine who is torn between two wonderful man, then you must read The Shadow Reader.

I asked Sandy if she wouldn't mind stopping by and talk about The Shadow Reader and why it's considered more Urban Fantasy than a Paranormal romance, including the question of which section The Shadow Reader should be shelved in bookstores and what genre it's labeled...

When I began writing THE SHADOW READER back in 2009, I was determined to make it a paranormal romance. I loved reading urban fantasies and paranormal books, and I really loved reading romance. I knew a wanted a relationship to be at the core of this book, but when I finally typed THE END, I was torn. I wasn’t quite sure if I’d written an urban fantasy or a paranormal romance. I was so unsure of the genre that, when I queried the book, I labeled it a UF to some agents and a PR to others.

Now, despite the relationship stuff and the kissing (kissing!), I’m certain it’s not a PR. Here are the three main reasons why I think THE SHADOW READER falls under the UF heading.

1. There’s no s e x. To be honest, I’m not sure how there’s not any s e x in The Shadow Reader. I planned for there to be some, but as I was writing the book, this love triangle thing started to develop (I so did not plan a love triangle!), and I could not for the life of me figure out how to work in a smexy scene without making McKenzie seem like a… a promiscuous person. Sex is pretty much a requirement for adult paranormal romances these days. If I wanted to sell The Shadow Reader as a PR, I would have had to edit in at least one of those scenes.

2. There’s only one POV Many paranormal romances – and romances in general – have two points of view. They alternate between the hero and heroine. I’ve always loved getting to see both people falling for each other, but from the start with The Shadow Reader, I knew I wanted this book to be from McKenzie’s POV only.

3. There’s too much world building I’m not saying that paranormal romances don’t have much world building – many of them have developed awesome worlds and cultures – but the world building isn’t the focus. The relationship between the hero and the heroine is. In The Shadow Reader, the war between the fae is a huge issue that drives the story forward. Its resolution is what we’re reading for, not whether McKenzie ends up with a certain guy or not (although, we really, really want to know that as well). The story is about her survival and the impact that war has on her life and her friends.

Now, having said all that, I was told my local B&N shelves The Shadow Reader in both the SFF section and the Romance section (I’ve only seen it in SFF. I didn’t think to check the Romance shelves.) That makes me perfectly happy. I love romance, and while a large percentage of my book focuses on the fae and their war, The Shadow Reader wouldn’t be what it is without the romance.

What do you guys think? Should The Shadow Reader be shelved with the SFF or with the Romance books? And if you’ve bought or spotted The Shadow Reader at your local bookstore, which shelves did you see it on?

Bio:
Sandy graduated from Texas A&M University with a double major in political science and history. She thought about attending law school. Fortunately, before handing over her life’s savings, she realized case studies weren’t nearly as interesting as novels and decided to get an MA in Library Science instead. She worked as a librarian until her husband whisked her off to London on an extended business trip. She’s now back home in Texas, writing full-time, raising newborn twin boys, and squeezing in time to play geeky board and card games like Settlers of Catan, Dominion, and Runebound.

She loves hanging out with other readers and talking about books. For recommendations, check out her Goodreads account. And if you have a favorite book or author, she’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, or via email. 

Synopsis: Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

CONTEST TIME!

Sandy has a signed copy of The Shadow Reader to give away to one lucky person (US residents only). For your chance to win, leave a comment here for Sandy by Friday, 12/30.