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Evie may feel like she doesn't measure up to her prettier, younger sister, but she still knows what she wants—Lucas, her cousin's sexy roommate. She's dreamed about being with him for a long time, and on the sweltering night of her sister's wedding, it's clear he shares her lust. Now Evie is determined to take what she desires—even if it's just for one night….
Book one of Lauren Hawkeye's Erotic Me series.
Thuy's review:
It’s a hot, sweltering night and all Evie wants is a cold glass of water. Her house is overrun with friends and family in town for her younger sister’s wedding. She slips out of bed and quietly makes her way to the kitchen. Suddenly she’s not alone and she finds herself face to face with her old crush from years ago, Lucas. Evie had no idea he’d even been at the wedding but Lucas is still as handsome as ever. And what’s more, he seems to be looking at Evie with more than just friendship in his eyes. Lucas is her fantasy and suddenly it’s coming true.
Wow - this is a short, steamy read that grabs you from the get go. I wasn’t sure what to expect but what I got was a well written, erotic short which left me wanting more. The story is told from Evie’s POV. She starts off as very insecure and unsure of herself. Even though she’s happy for her sister, she feels like she’s failed somehow because her younger sister is married before her. She also has a stuttering problem which comes out at times and makes her even more self-conscious. While the insecure Evie is surprised by Lucas’s interest, she doesn’t spend a long time analyzing it and instead, seizes the moment. Their encounter is sexy, sensual and very satisfying.
I wish this story had been a little longer. I wanted to know more about Evie and what she does and where she’s been since that last time she saw Lucas. Since the story is told by Evie, we learn almost nothing about Lucas. He just shows up in the kitchen and give Evie an incredible ride. It would have been nice to learn more about him. There was definitely potential for a longer story with these characters and I wish they had been fleshed out a little more.
All in all I really enjoyed this fun, steamy short from Lauren Hawkeye. I definitely want to read the other stories in this series at some point and hope that Hawkeye releases a full length book in the future.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature/meme created by the folks over at The Broke and the Bookish. To sign up or find out more about it, visit the Top Ten Tuesday page. This week's topic is Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For the Longest Time and I Still Haven't Read.
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick - I bought this ages ago and really wanted to read it. Still do. Everyone I know has read it and says it's great but I still haven't managed to get around to it.
The Kind One by Tom Epperson - A noir book set in 1930's Los Angeles. I purchased this at the LA Festival of Books years ago. I think I even have a signed copy. It looks dark and creepy and right up my alley but somehow I've managed not to read it
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safron Foer - Heard amazing things about this book and I really love the cover. I feel like I might be the only person who hasn't read this one.
Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas - A
good friend recommended this book to me. It's less than 300 pages long
and would probably only tame me a day to read but I am not a huge
non-fiction person which is probably why it's been on my shelf for
awhile.
2666 by Roberto Bolano - I actually started reading this one but only got about halfway through the first book. I just wasn't keeping my attention. I gave this book to a friend the same year I bought it and she read it and loved it. I think the first book is the hardest one to get through, but that it's supposed to go really fast after that. I've put it away for now but hope to come back to it one day.
The Gates by John Connolly
- I have no idea how long I've had this one but it's been awhile.
Another great cover and a friend tells me I will like it. I definitely
want to read this one next year.
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - I really like this series so I am not sure what my problem is. It's gotten to the point where I have kind of forgotten what happened in the last book. I hope I can pick it up again and figure out what's going on.
Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler
- I have this in HARDCOVER, people, which means I bought it the year it
was released - over 5 years ago. I am really interested in reading
this. I love Disney and animation and this story really interests me.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - I have no good excuse for not reading this one yet. Everyone I know says it's fantastic and that I will love it. And I really want to read it, so why haven't I?
Tree of Smoke by Denise Johnson
- I can't really remember why I bought this book though I think the
cover had something to do with it. I haven't read too many war novels
but think one sounded intriguing.
That's what I have for this week's Top Ten. Thanks for stopping by!
say "twee!"
You can follow Thuy online at Twitter @fishgirl182
In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives book bloggers the chance to share what they’ve bought/borrowed/received!
Hi kids! This was a long week for me. I came down with a mysterious flu/stomach ailment in the middle of the week that kept me home for a couple of days. I didn't get to read much because I was so sick but I did get some reading done. I really thought I wasn't going to have much to show you this week but Netgalley and the library flooded my reading pile. Here's what I got.
Bought
Take Me Down by Lauren Hawkeye (short story eBook) - review coming soon
For Review
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick - I haven't read Ashes yet but it's in my TBR pile. This book looks excellent as well.
Alias Dragonfly by Jane Singer - About a 15 year old Pinkerton agent during the Civil War. Intriguing!
by Lori Foster, Susan Donovan, Victoria Dahl - I think these might be part of series books but I am just going to give it a go and hope they still make sense.
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones - Only heard of this series recently but I've heard good things.
In his position as Tracker for the SnowDancer pack, Drew Kincaid must rein in rogue changelings who've lost control of their animal halves- even if it means killing those who've gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage-to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite...and who threatens to enslave his wolf. Thuy's review:
Ooh this was a really good one. Nine books in and this series still rocks! We have Indigo, dominant wolf female and one of the top lieutenants in the Snow Dancer pack. Circumstances have made Indigo wary of ever being involved with a male less dominant than her. Drew, the pack tracker, has never fit in with the pack hierarchy. While still a dominant male, his role has always necessitated being outside of the hierarchy. When he finally decides to go for the woman he wants, he finds himself facing down one of the biggest challenges of his life.
Indigo is one of Snow Dancer's top lieutenants. She is smart, strong and can kick the ass of most of the males in the pack. She’s also terrified of giving up control in a relationship. She's reluctant to start anything with Drew, a younger wolf who doesn't fit her idea of her ideal mate. She's seen up close up how a relationship with a less dominant male can go very wrong. Since Drew doesn't fit into the standard hierarchy, her wolf is attracted to him but is unsure if a relationship with him can work. She's also also used to being in charge, which leaves her in the awkward position of wanting a more dominant partner but also reluctant to give up control. When Drew comes along with his plan of charm and conquer, Indigo is thrown for a loop. But what she wants and what she needs are two entirely different things and Drew is the perfect foil for the serious lieutenant.
Drew is probably one of my favorite males in the Psy-Changeling series. I mean, he could charm the pants off of anyone. He had me grinning with his playful antics and the crazy stunts he pulls when Indigo gets mad at him. And even though he seems like he's all play, he also has an intense and serious side to him. He loves the pack and he will go to any lengths to protect it and those he loves. His laid back attitude complements Indigo's more reserved nature well. He makes her laugh and isn't threatened by her high rank. She challenges him and, even though she is more reserved in showing her affections, it's clear that she adores him. The last scene at the hospital squeezed really pulled my heart strings.
To tell the truth, I am don't remember all that well what happens with the Psy Council in this one. I was too wrapped up in Drew and Indigo's story to take too much note of it. However, unrest is escalating within in the Council and in the Psy Net. Lines are being drawn among the Council members and sides will have to be chosen soon.
I love you, Nalini Singh and I love this series, too. Next up is Hawke and Sienna's story, which I think everyone has been waiting for. Squeeee!
Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…
As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.
Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.
Thuy’s review:
Lord of the Abyss is the fourth book and conclusion to the Royal House of Shadows series. This is the story of Micah, the youngest Elden prince, who has no memory of his life before becoming the Lord of the Abyss. Liliana, the daughter of the Blood Sorcerer, endeavors to find him and bring back his memory before time runs out and Elden is lost forever.
This is the book I had been waiting for - the whole reason I started the Royal Book of Shadows series. I admit that I had high expectations for this book and Nalini Singh did not disappoint. I loved, loved, loved the story of Micah and Liliana. Lord of the Abyss is a take on Beauty and the Beast but, in this case, it’s Liliana who is the Beast to Micah’s Beauty, at least on the surface. Born with a hooked nose, straw-like hair and a limping gait, Liliana is no beautiful maiden. Micah, on the other hand, looks like the prince he is. But though she is not beautiful on the outside, Liliana shines with beauty from within. It is her pure and good heart, her generous nature and intelligence that are able to capture Micah’s interest and tame the wildness in him.
Micah and Liliana are such rich and unique characters. Romance novels are often rife with cliches but this was delightfully not so with these characters. Neither has had an easy life. Liliana has been the target of the Blood Sorcerer’s cruel games and punishments since she was a child. But instead of becoming dark and twisted like him, she’s developed an inner strength that would rival that of any warrior. Lilian is willing to risk everything to right the evil that her father has committed. People make cruel jokes about her looks and whisper behind her back. It hurts but Liliana knows that outer beauty does not equal inner beauty. She is kind to all of the creatures and people of the castle, and isn’t afraid to stand up to Micah’s autocratic ways. And Micah, oh Micah. Big and handsome and covered in armor, a shield for both his body and his heart. He never had a chance to be a child, the spell his parents cast flinging him to the bowels of the Black Castle, in a sleep state until he was old enough to take over as Guardian of the Abyss. All he has ever known is the castle and his grim role of Guardian. Used to getting his way, Micah is demanding and sometimes a little spoiled. But he is also very generous and fair. Naive about the ways of the world outside of the castle Micah has an air of innocence about him. Neither Liliana nor Micah has ever had any real friends and both lead a lonely existence. An unlikely pair of kindred spirits, they are able to see something good and beautiful in the other that no one else does.
The halls and grounds of the Black Castle really come alive in this book. Singh has created a vivid world in which to set Liliana and Micah’s love story. All of the books have been different in their setting and Singh did a great job of creating the unique and believable world of the Black Castle. From the dark stairways and dungeons to Jissa and Bard - all of these elements came together to form a new and interesting world. For the final journey to Elden, Singh conjured up a whole host of dangerous creatures for Liliana and Micah to battle. Some are scarier in looks than personality but all of them are strange and different and add to the rich landscape.
The only slight, very slight, criticism that I have for the book is that the ending seemed a little rushed. Because all of the books had been leading up to this battle with the Blood Sorcerer, I was expecting an all out epic fight. What happens is still satisfying but isn’t as grand as I was expecting. I also thought that the siblings would play a larger part in the battle. It ends up being Micah’s fight though they all lend their powers to defeat the Blood Sorcerer. This is a very minor complaint, as the ending is still awesome and everything wraps up nicely. This is easily my favorite book of the series and I still sigh a small sigh when I think about Micah and Liliana.
Lord of the Abyss is a great book and fitting end to the tale of the royal heirs of Elden. It’s a unconventional fairy tale that is sweet and passionate and utterly captivating. It’s a story that makes me believe in happy endings and I know that I will be coming back to it again and again.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for
an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this
book.
GIVEAWAY
Because I love this book and want to share the love, I am going to give away a copy to one lucky winner. I will even spring for the fancy version that includes a copy of Desert Warrior.
CONTEST RULES:
1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section - the Rafflecopter widget collects that, so don't forget to fill it out!
2. The contest runs from November 8 to November 22, 2011 (the book's release date)
3. You must be 18 or older to participate in this contest.
4. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
5. This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY, as long as book depository will ship this book to your country, so please check.
6. MANDATORY ENTRY: Comment on this post--what's your favorite fairy tale and why?
All the other entries are optional. The winner will be chosen on Nov. 22. Good luck!
