July's HEAs

Susi's Books:
July was definitely not my month. Hospital stay, a bazillion doc appointments and my finals all in one little cozy month. Blech! I vote for August being a better month. So here my tiny list:

1. Dirty Kiss by Rhys Ford (my review) - 4 stars
This was a really good m/m mystery novel. The setting was rather exotic and the characters highly intriguing. I will keep my eyes open for more of Ford's work.

2. Red Mortal (Gods of Midnight, #4) by Deidre Knight - 3 stars
Last book in the Gods of Midnight series *sobs* and I kind of expected more. Leo and Daphne always had this chemistry between them and for my taste they just spend to much time with denying themselves in this one. Got really annoying at some point to here the same reason again and again and again. And I'm still sad that Mason and Nikos won't have their own book. =(

3. Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour #1) by Olivia Cunning - 4 stars
OMG hawt hawt hawt. I read this one cuz Caro forced me to guinea-pig for her and I was always reluctant cuz I knew it would have rimming and just yuck. *Susi the prude* But well I just ignored those scenes. The rest was hot, hot, hot and the guys are fun in a rockstar kind of way. And they make me think of Apocalyptica doing dirty things. I approve. *g*

4. Rock Hard (Sinners on Tour, #2) by Olivia Cunning - 4 stars
This one was a bit more emotional and not so much focused on the sex. We still have tons of that but the emotional buildup is more complex and the overall feel more thought-provoking. Really liked this change of pace.

5. Dragon Bound (Elder Races, #1) by Thea Harrison- 4 stars
This one was really good. Finally a new PNR I actually do like. I wasn't sure if I would like it because I read some spoilers (on accident) before I started it but I did like it. It's not that outstanding as everyone wanted me to believe but it is definitely one of the best.

6. Black Night (Madeline Black, #2) by Christina Henry (my review) - 3 ½ stars
This one was fun- it has awesome characters that will make you giggle and snort and it has the gory fight scenes that will make you O_o. I expected a bit more development of the romantic plotline but there wasn't much.

7. Craving Perfect by Liz Fichera (my review) - 3 stars
This one was funny and reminded me of Bridget Jones but on the other hand it was a bit too shallow and superficial for my taste. I really wanted to bang the heroine's head against some hard.

8. Changing the Game (Play by Play, #2) by Jaci Burton (my review) - 4 stars
Ohhhhh Gavin- I'm in love. I really loved to see how he and Lizzie found their HEA. A love story about to stubborn humans and the smex was hot. Highly recommended series!

9. Indecent Experiment by Megan Hart- 4 ½ stars
A short story I bought for being a good student. And OMG this was hot- this will show what sexual build up should be like. Wonderful and just awesome. All thumbs up.

10. Open Season by Linda Howard - 3 stars
I read this one cuz Has from The Book Pushers pimped it. A nice romantic suspense but for me it was a bit too slow. I wanted a bit more thrill. But it was a fun read with a wonderful condom scene that made me giggle and role my eyes at the same time.

Caro's Books:
I’m not sure why this was a slow month for me too (Susi: you missed me!! Awww. *hugs*) but it turned out that way. *shrug* I won’t complain though because I read some fantastic books. I’m still over-the-roof happy about Backstage Pass! *squee*. Here’s my list:

1. Only Mine by Susan Mallery - 4 Stars (my review)
This is a very cute Small Town romance. Easy to read and full of happy! I fell for this town and its inhabitants.

2. Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase - 4 ½ - 5 Stars
This was different from the usual Historical romances, for once the heroine is working and not an idle aristocrat. This was really good. I’m excited about the next book.

3. Venom Jennifer Estep - 4 ½ Stars - Audiobook
I think this was my favorite in the series so far. But I’m still annoyed at a few of my pet peeves in this series.

4. Something About You by Julie James - 4 ½ Stars
I wish it had more romance from the start. Otherwise it was very funny and the hero was yumilicious. NOM NOM NOM

5. The King’s Courtesan by Judith James - 4 ½ Stars (my review)
I was SO excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint. My review HERE

6. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning - Big fat 5 Stars
Woooot!! *suqeeeee* This was SO amazing. I loved it to PIECES. It’s just perfect. I’m still thinking about it now. *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*

7. Hammered by Kevin Hearne - 4 Stars - Audiobook
This was well narrated like the first 2 books but the story was a bit less interesting. Or better said it was a bit harder to follow mostly because I didn’t know ¾ of the deities/Gods/myths mentioned in this book. It was still a good book

8. Inside Out - Lauren Dane - 3 ½ Stars
As much as I love this series, I didn’t enjoy Inside Out as much as the other books. Not enough things happening and I didn’t care much about the main characters. I’ve been waiting for years for Adrian’s story though...I’m excited for Never Enough. It’s killing me to see everyone reading t now. WANTZ!!!

What was your favorite read in July? 

Any recommendations we shouldn't miss in August?

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June's HEAs

Caroline's books:
Making this post is a real eye opener for me. I seem to have a problem with rating books LOL. By that I mean...look at my books and see the ratings? If you ask me I’d tell you that there are different kinds of ratings depending on the genre I read. I’m more demanding of a Historical romance than an erotic novella. THIS is my problem, I don’t seem to know how to rate as a whole, but by genre. So yes I know it looks like I’ve given the same rating to all the books... *sigh* Anyway...

1. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews (4 ½ stars) :
It was fun and exciting. Not the best in the series but it was good. I can’t wait for more Roland time. Yes I’m Team Roland LOL

2. How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries (4 ½ stars) :
This 1 was a bit slower than the previous books in the series but it was still really good. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next 2.

3. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn: (4 ½ stars)
Cute! A very cute story. Alright, so it wasn’t very smexy but it was funny and easy to read. I loved seeing the Bridgerton again.

4. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (4 ½ stars)
Hot, fun, fast-paced, original. NOM Talk about a hot hero! I have to admit there might have been some eye-rolling at the heroine’s secret but it was still fun. Will be waiting for next book.

5. Kisri by Moira Rogers: (4 ½ stars)
Short and satisfying. Smexy steamy story. (Review)

6. Hexed by Kevin Hearne (audiobook) (4 ½ to 5 stars).
I listen to this Audiobook and it was awesoooooome. I fell in love with both the narrator’s voice(s) and the characters. I am in withdrawals, i NEED book 3. NEED!! *eyetwitch* Only a few days to wait.

7. Shameless by Anne Stuart (4 ½ Stars)
I loved it, loved nearly everything about it. It ranks high on my top book of 2011 list. Once again Anne Stuart delivers a fantastic tale and give us the HEA of the characters of the previous book. <3 (review)

 8. Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep (Audiobook) (4 Stars)
It was a nice book but it felt a bit slow at times. I guess it’s because this audiobook is narrated quite slowly. I wanted to rush the narrator. I also really dislike the ‘hero’. REALLY dislike him. I also discovered one of my pet peeves with this series. The heroine can see LOTS of things in a look...I mean things like ‘something flashed into his eyes, hurt, guilt, desire, regrets, ..bla blabla’. O_O yes right, you can see all that in 1 look. O_o anyway...still good series. I’m addicted and book 3 is really good so far.

 9. Unlocked by Courtney Milan (4 ½ stars)
 How I wished this had been a full length novel. It was very original and emotional. I loved it to pieces. I think even Susi would have liked it!

 10. Seduction and Scandal by Charlotte Featherstone (3 or 3 ½ Stars)
 I wanted to love this book but I was disappointed. I’ll still be waiting for book 2. Review to come soon.



Susi's books:
June was pretty good but I only read so many books because many of them were shorts or novellas. And I cheated with the anthologies- I only read one story in those. *bad Susi*But I read some pretty good books. So yay!

1. Kiss of Snow (Psy/Changling #10) by Nalini Singh - (5 stars)
We waited so long for Hawke's book and let's just say it was worth every second. LURVED it!

2. Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5) by Ilona Andrews - (4 stars )
As always I really loved it but it was a bit slow in the middle. Still better than most but you know, high expectations and all.

3. What a Goddess Wants (Forgotten Goddesses, #1) by Stephanie Julian - (4,5 stars) (my review)
 Great start to a new series. I adore Julian's mix of sexy, fun and exciting moments.

4. Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders, #2) by Lorelei James - (3 stars)
 Still very hot but I didn't like how easy Carter had it at the end. >.<

5. Two Weddings (Southern Arcana #3.5) by Moira Rogers - (4 stars)
Very entertaining short- makes me want to read Cipher even more.

6. Pushed to the Limit (Limit Wars #2) by Nico Rosso - (3,5 stars) (my review)
Really promising scifi. Great setting but the romance developed too fast for me.

7. Blue-Eyed Devil (Travises, #2) by Lisa Kleypas - (5 stars)
I adored this book. Awesome romance and heartbreakingly good plot. All thumbs up.

8. Smooth Talking Stranger (Travises, #3) by Lisa Kleypas - (4 stars)
I really enjoyed this one too but it was my least favorite of all three. Still better than most books in this genre though. I highly recommend this series to all romance lover- outstandingly good.

9. Kisri (And the Beast, #2) by Moira Rogers - (3 stars)  (my review)
I enjoyed this one but for me Rogers werewolves will always be my favorites.

10. Fragile (Rafferty, #1) by Shiloh Walker - (3 stars)
I expected much of this one but sadly it was too much emotional talk with too many repetitions.

11. Cat's Tale: A Fairy Tale Retold by Bettie Sharpe - (3 stars) (my review)
Very unique retelling of Puss in Boots. The setting was funny but the heroine was a but too much for me.

12. Burning Up (Psy/Changeling #8.5) by Nalini Singh - (5 stars)  (I only read Magic Dreams)
So far Singh never disappointed me. I love her writing and the changeling have a special place in my heart.

13. Hexed (Kate Daniels #4.5) by Ilona Andrews - (4 stars) (I only read Whisper of Sin)
It was soooo good to read about Dali and Jim but it was over too fast. After reading the last sentence I turned the page and was like WHAT? It's over? *sad susi*

14. Return To Shanhasson (Blood and Shadows, #3) by Joely Sue Burkhart - (3,5 stars)
This last part of the Trilogy was not what I expected. I times I felt like a prude Greenlander. LOL But still so good to see this awesome series come to a conclusion. review to come!

Did you discover any great reads last month we should check out? 
What was your favorite read in June?

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May's HEAs

Susi's Reads:
May was my recommendation months. Most books were highly rec’d or review books I actually hungered for- so this list is nearly completely full of win. YAY! Hope June will stay that way.

1. Goddess With A Blade by Lauren Dane - 4 stars
Surprisingly different from Dane's usual style. Gritty and witty urban fantasy with a slight touch of romance. Review will be posted tonmorrow at BLI together with an author interview and giveaway *hint*

2. A Brush of Darkness (Abby Sinclair, #1) by Allison Pang - 4stars
This was a recommendation from Caro and I have to admit I resisted for a long time cuz the only thing I could imagine while thinking of this book was unicorns.*shudders* But this best best and funniest unicorn ever. Funny and witty read with more smex than I expected. So YAY!

3. Come Back to Me by Julia Rachel Barrett - 4 stars
Such an emotional book. This one really touched me on the deepest level. It is a book about life and the bad times it has. Be warned it is full of heartbreak, pain and sadness but we shouldn’t look away from those. Recommended read.

4. Menage by Emma Holly - 4 stars
Another recommendation I got on twitter for smexy contemporary and OMG it was just that- smexy. LOL Nothing like I read before. It is focused on all things sexual but still adds a emotional twist to the story. Very nice done.

5. The Neon Graveyard (Signs of the Zodiac, #6) by Vicki Pettersson - 4 stars
This is one novel I hungered for over a year and it delivered what I wanted. Great final book in a great and unique series. My full review can be found here. You really should check that series out.

6. Contra Alliance: Shadows of the Past by Tom Kolega - DNF
I really looked forward to this book but it wasn’t as I expected it to be. Too much military in it for me- the pacifist in me can just take so much. LOL I was also confused by all the code-names and military abbreviations. But bf really loved this book so it seems to be me being picky. You can read bf’s review here.

7. Seeing Stars by Megan Hart - 4 stars
Set in the world of Passion Model- love that setting and the story really fits the overall “problems” of that society. Check it out.

8. Strange Attractions by Emma Holly - 3 stars

Again really nice and smexy but her approach to scientific part wasn’t for me. Perhaps my inner geek can’t handle this. LOL I even discussed her ideas with bf and we agree on this one.

9. Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders, #1) by Lorelei James - 4 stars
Another recommendation and oh why didn’t I start these sooner. Hot hot cowboys. Me likey- even though some parts were to much for me- made me feel like a prude. You can read the Cowboypst here.

10. Sugar Daddy (Travises #1) by Lisa Kleypas - 4 stars
Adored it- so different from the usual romance. Loved it. Rave about it can be found here. It deserves all the praise it got on twitter.

11. Enemy Games (Enemy, #2) by Marcella Burnard - 4 stars
I really love this series- Burnard writes wonderfully complex scifi romance. Great setting and characterization. Full review @ Book Lovers Inc.

12. Kamikaze (Last Call, #1) by Moira Rogers - 5 stars
This one was pure bliss. A short cute read, full of sexy times and wonderful geeky wit. I loved how you could feel their connection grow- always surprises me when this happens in such a short story. The characters are quirky and fun- and yes I just adore those hunky geeks- we need more of those in real life because seriously I agree with the heroine: geeks are sexy as hell. Very recommended- this really made my day sweeter.

13. Accidental Abduction by Eve Langlais - 2 stars
This one wasn’t what I expected. Silly at times and full of the annoyingly immature and antagonizing heroine. Also the story is weirdly familiar. More soon in review.;)

Note: I finished Kiss of Snow on June 1st but Caro forbade me to include so I won’t tell you how much made of awesomesauce it is. *sticks out tongue*
Caro: PS: Don’t you try to cheat Susi!!! June 1st is JUNE!!! LOL *g*
Susi: Most of it was read in MAY!!! LOL
Caro: I don’t wanna hear it!! You already read more books than me LOL *stick tongues out too*


Caro's Reads:
I can say this was a good month book-wise. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I stop reading book I don’t like? lol yes probably. But that’s something I’ll have to deal with sooner or later. I discovered a few new authors and I’m very happy with the result. Also I listen to Audiobooks while driving to work and the suspense is killing me. I can’t wait to go back into my car every time *g* :
1. Master of Crows by Grace Draven 4 ½ Stars
Very good fantasy romance. The world-building is intricate and fascinating. Top quality fantasy! And very smexy.

2. First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (Audiobook) 4 Stars
What a funny UF! I giggled a lot both the book and the narrator worked for me! I’m pretty sure it worked because of the narrator. Made it very lively.

3. For I have Sinned by Darynda Jones 5 Stars 
I LOVED this short story. It’s from a ghost’s POV and it’s heart-wrenching, funny, cute. All that in only a few pages. Not to be missed!

4. Breathless by Anne Stuart 4,5 Stars 
(review to come soon) Wow, Anne Stuart did it again. This book made me go all O_O a few times. And the ending is so bittersweet. It has one REALLY evil and twisted hero! Def worth reading!

5. The Wedding of the Centuryy by Mary Jo Putney 4stars , Kristin James 3,5 stars, Charlotte Featherstone 4,5 stars
I loved this anthology. The Charlotte Featherstone story is the cherry on the top <3 <3 *swoon* Review can be found here.

6. The Truth about Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries 5 Stars
I loved this book. Start of a great series. I love the mystery unfolding piece by piece.

7. A Hellion in Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries 5 Stars
Loved it too! Again I have nothing to say against this book. <3 Great series, great writing.

8. Spider Bites by Jennifer Estep (Audiobook) 4 Stars
It was a huge change from my usual funny audiobooks. It started slow but now I'm addicted. The narrator is growing on me.

9. Poison by Jennifer Estep 4 Stars
I started reading it before Spider Bites and I wasn’t getting interested. I went back to it after and I really enjoyed it. It’s easier to appreciate it when we know the characters. Cute.

10. The Devil in Disguise by Stephanie Sloane 3,5/4 stars
(review to come soon) I liked it but i wanted a bit more. I think some things were too rushed. Still good though.

Did you discover any great reads last month we should check out?

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