Friday Bargains: Only print books

Normally, most of my bargains are e-books. Not today. I just discovered Book depository's bargain bin and thought I would high light some deals.  NOTE: Some of these are for the UK editions, which are more expensive than the US edition.

They have Cursed by Benedict Jacka. If you like Urban Fantasy, without any romance, I HIGHLY recommend this, I have a review of it scheduled for next week. 

The Uk edition of Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison is discounted to 4.50 Euro, which means a 66% discount.  Great book.

They also have great deals on Larissa Ione.  I liked the only book by her I have read, and I think I'll re-read it before buying any more.

They also offers a handful of midseries novels by Keri Arthur, which made me a bit bummed since I have wanted to read her, but if you need to catch up this is a great chance.


Amazon have discounted the pre-order of High Passion by Vivian Arend to 4.69. 
They have also discounted the pre-order for the Print version of Silver Mine to 9 dollar.

ARC Review: Wolf Nip by Vivian Arend

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain Publishing, available as e-book

The source: ARC from the author

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

Cat got your tongue?

Tessa Williams is looking to make her mark outside the family business, and the unusual landlocked paddle wheeler she spots in Haines, Alaska, strikes her as the perfect location. Only the owner is being difficult, refusing to sell. Still, she’s sure that replacing her written queries with a little in-person charm is all she’ll need to shortly have her Eco-tour B&B on the road to success.

Local wolf-slash-owner of said vessel, Mark Weaver, isn’t hanging on to the landmark building out of spite. There are more reasons for holding back the sale than are easily explained on paper. A face-to-face meeting to resolve the matter only confounds it—when Mark recognizes Tessa as his mate.

But she’s a cat…and cats don’t do insta-mates.

The sexual attraction between them isn’t in question, just everything else. He wants her. She wants twue wuv. His wolf can’t figure out what the holdup is. Her cat thinks the entire situation, and the pack, are rather amusing.

Somewhere in here is the beginning of a beautiful relationship—if they don’t drive each other mad.

Warning: One hyper cat, one laid-back wolf. Inappropriate use of permanent markers, and a heaping side dish of cat/dog jokes. Shenanigans (read: nookie) in front of a roaring fire. Spiced liberally with sarcasm. Enjoy!

The Review:

This is the latest Granite Wolves novella, and I had a blast reading it.

I enjoyed reading about Tessa and Marks romance. From their first meeting, when Mark's wolf says ” Mate!” and Tessa balks. It was intresting to see the differences between wolves and cats, and how their animals tried to nudge them into mating.

That said, I admired Tessa for her strength to hit the brakes, and insisting that they got to know each other first.

Following Tessa and Mark as they worked on renovating the paddlewheeler was a crashcourse in compromises. But it was also a case of mates complimenting each other, which they did in a beautiful way.

I giggled when I read about Tessa's meeting with the pack. I liked how she held her ground, and grudingly won the pack's respect.

The biggest problem I had was with Tessa. I liked her, but I never felt I saw how her emotions to Mark developed from attraction to love. Maybe that was why her lightbulb moment that she loved Mark felt rushed.

Amazon's Gold Deal: 6 Harlequin novels for 1.99

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets, against the wishes of his band of misfits. And Finley thinks she might finally be a part of something, finally fit in—until a criminal mastermind known as the Machinist threatens to tear the group apart….

Included for the first time in print, meet Finley in her first adventure The Strange Case of Finley Jayne the novella prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset!

Emma Shaw needs a husband, and fast! Not because she's interested in romance—after all, she's too busy with her landscaping company—but because Grandma Shaw is coming to town, and she will have nonstop questions about Emma's (stagnant) love life.

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he's recruited by Emma to be her fake fiancé. Sean doesn't like the deception, but he can't help his attraction to the feisty brunette. A little pretend kissing won't hurt anyone—especially when there's no chance he'll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he's not planning to call home. But when fake, innocent kisses lead to very real, explosive sparks, Emma and Sean discover that their big ruse might just lead to happily-ever-after….




Could a cordon bleu chef be a junkfood addict? The more Blake Cocharan learned about Summer Lyndon, dessert chef extraordinaire, the more intrigued he becameand the more determined he was to hire her. Blake wanted the Best, and Summer looked extremely good to him. Her superb credentials were icing on the cake.
Summer was accustomed to traveling around the world, creating the perfect ending to perfect meals. But Blake had a unique appeal. Summer found herself responding to the challenge, both professionally…and personally…. For the first time, Summer was planning a meal from start to finish—and creating a perfect ending all her own.


After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, and fresh off a divorce from the owner, Jenna Stevens is desperate for a change. So when she spots a for-lease sign in her hometown, she impulsively decides to open her very own cooking store. Her crash course in business is aided by a streetwise store manager and Jenna's adoptive mother. But as soon as she gains a foothold in her new life, in walk her birth parents—aging hippies on a quest to reconnect.

Now Jenna must figure out how to reconcile the free-spirited Serenity and Tom with the parents who raised her and decide whether to open her heart to a man who just might be the best thing to happen to her in years. All without sacrificing her newly found dreams. In the end, Jenna will find that there is no perfect family, only the people we love….

It's been years since Abby O'Brien Winters set foot in Chesapeake Shores. The Maryland town her father built has too many sad memories and Abby too few spare moments, thanks to her demanding Wall Street career, the crumbling of her marriage and energetic twin daughters. Then one panicked phone call from her youngest sister brings her racing back home to protect Jess's dream of renovating the charming Inn at Eagle Point.

But saving the inn from foreclosure means dealing not only with her own fractured family, but also with Trace Riley, the man Abby left ten years ago. Trace can be a roadblock to her plans…or proof that second chances happen in the most unexpected ways.

Undercover agent Gideon Yarbro is renowned for stopping outlaws almost before they commit a crime. But now he must stop a wedding—despite the bride's resistance. Lydia Fairmont will lose everything if she doesn't honor her betrothal to a heartless banker. Unless she marries someone else instead…whether it's a love match or not.

Determined to honor his own decade-old promise to help Lydia, Gideon carries her off to Stone Creek and makes her his reluctant wife. Forget a honeymoon for "show"—not with a vengeful ex-fiancé on their trail and a hired gun on the loose. But there just might be hope for the marriage…and two hearts meant for each other.


To get to the deals, just click on the covers. Also, I think the deal prices works outside the US too ( at least there's no Whispernet fees for me!)

Friday Bargains: Discounts and coupons

Penguin have discounted the following books.( hat tip to Apesmom at Mobileread for compiling the list.  Several of them are on my Wishlist and I cannot buy them, since the discounts are US only. *sniffle*)

Magic Unchained by Jessica Andersen Kindle | Kobo

Irresistible by Mary Balogh Kindle | Kobo

In the company of Witches by Joey W. Hill Kindle | Kobo

If I fall by Kate Noble  Kindle | Kobo

Hunter's Rise by Shiloh Walker   Kindle | Kobo

Wedded in Scandal by Jade Lee Kindle | Kobo

Shadow's Fall by Dianne Sylvann Kindle | Kobo

Carina Press has discounted their upcoming releases to 2.99 this month at all stores. 

Rush by Maya Banks is discounted to 7.99 ( This one has a lot of mixed reviews. It seems that reviewers either hate it or love it)

Books on Board has a new coupon that gives 40 % off:  happy price (  I strongly recommend that you download the books you buy immediately, since I have had problem with their site recently)

Review: Wolf Games by Vivian Arend

The particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain Publishing, available in print and as e-book.
The Source: Purchased at Kobo
The Grade: B-
The blurb:

True love's path never did run smooth.

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

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.

Erik expected to meet Maggie in Whitehorse to escort her to the home of her sister, his pack's Omega. Sheer chance puts him in the right place at the right time to catch her, but the realization that hits him with the force of a full body shot is no accident. She's his mate. An even bigger shock? She wants no part of him--not until she resolves her issues.

She'll have to work fast, because they're both selected to represent the pack during the premier sporting event for wolves in the north. Not only will she have to work as a team with Erik, she'll have to face down her fear of wolves. Let the Games begin


The Review:



This is the third story, and like the others I enjoyed it a lot.  

It was intresting to see another glimpse of the world Vivian Arend has created, in the shape of the Arctic Wolf Games.  I liked how it was a mix of outdoor sports and cleverness that won the games.

Maggie and Eric’s romance was sweet to follow.  Both of them recognized they were mates, but I really liked how they took it sloow.  Part of the reason was Maggie’s scars from the past ( and I loved the fact that she had them, since that often  is missing in PNR).
I cheered for Maggie as she regained her self confidence, and started to blossom into the strong wolf that she was.   Eric was the perfect compliment to Maggie. He was big, solid and confident. And when he focused on Maggie and what Maggie needed



The biggest problem I had was due to the fact I read three of the stories in a row. It was wonderful, but it also meant that  after awhile my attention started to wander a bit.

Review: Wolf Flight by Vivian Arend

 The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain publishing, available in Print and Digital

The source: purchased at allromance

The grade: B+

The blurb:

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.

Then Missy Leason re-enters his life. Ten years ago, their teenage attraction never went beyond hand-holding. Now their chemistry is off the charts, pushing him closer to the step he’s not sure it’s safe to take, especially with a human.

But Missy is more like Tad than he realizes. She’s wolf too,and a wolf pack is a dangerous place to have secrets. Missy’s Alpha has sniffed out her carefully hidden Omega powers. Her first response: run from the corrupt Alpha’s plan to make her his mate. Step two: get to Tad, and hope like hell his untapped powers are strong enough to negate her own.

Every touch with Missy is hot, hot, hot, but even finding out she’s pure wolf doesn’t solve Tad’s dilemma. Is she using him, or are they truly destined mates? Only one thing is certain. He will defend her to his last breath—on his terms. Even if it means losing his life.

The review:

This is Missy and Tad's story. This isn't the first time I read it, but I fell in love again with them. 

It was fascinating to get a glimpse, albeit brief, into how another pack worked.  It showed what good Alpha's Keil and Robyn was.  But it was equally fascinating to find out about Omegas. What they could and couldn't do.  I was also intrigued by the concept of First Mates, and the dangers that held.

The plot was gripping, I enjoyed the mix of romance and suspense. As Tad and Missy fumbled through the first step of their relationship, both of them were uncertain, and struggled with their secrets. But, it made it oh so much sweeter when they started to work together to defeat the bad guys.

In fact, my only problem with this book is that the Whistler alpha felt a bit predictable. Both in how he acted, and how he was described. .

Review: Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend

The Particulars:  Paranormal Romance, Samhain Publishing, available in Print  and as e-book.

The Source: Purchased at All romance. 

The Grade: B+

The blurb: 

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.

Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death. Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf.

Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full.

Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind…

Warning: Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘talking with your hands.’ Includes dangerous use of sarcasm and hot nookie in a remote wilderness sauna.

The review:

I love Vivian Arend’s Granite Wolves series, and  I have been intending to review them for awhile.
It was a delight to re-visit the pack again.  

The setting in wilderness at the border between Alaska and Yukon felt believable.  I could almost feel the cold air, hear the sound of skis flying over the snow covered lake.  And it felt utterly logical that there was a werewolf pack in the area.  

Normally, I don’t like instant love, but Ms Arend managed to make Robyn and Keil’s romance feel very believable. Part of the reason was that she allowed them to get to know each other before making love.  Another part was that she gave Robyn time to adjust to the fact that werewolves existed.

I loved the banter between Keil and TJ, although Keil wished TJ wasn’t there occassionally.  

I just wish it had been a bit longer, but that’s the greedy reader in me. LOL!

Read along: The Granite Wolves series by Vivian Arend

Book 6, Wolf Nip, will be released in February, so  to celebrate Vivian Arend is hosting a read a long of the first 5 novellas.  And, she is giving away prices too.  Join  the fun at her blog.   
( I definitely plan to. Also, this gives me a reason to review the first 4 novellas. Something I have planned to do for a long time.)

My Life According to the Books I Read in 2012

This meme has made the rounds on Twitter, and I thought it would a nice change from the standard list :). 
Note: Some of these aren't totally accurate, but I did my best.


Describe yourself:
Dare to believe by Dana Marie Bell

How do you feel: 
Lucky by Lazette Gifford

Describe where you currently live: 
Rocky Mountain Haven by Vivian Arend

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Yorkshire by Lynne Connolly

Your favorite form of transportation: 
Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley

Your best friend is:
Here to Stay by Debra Webb

You and your friends are:
Scandalous by Patricia Burroughs

What's the weather like: 
Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

What is life to you:
Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Favorite time of day:
Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks

Your fear:
Stolen by Shiloh Walker

What is the best advice you have to give:
Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton

Thought for the day:
All the Right Reasons by Sandy James

How I would like to die:
Enchanted Ever After by Robin D Owens

My soul's present condition: 
All for you by Dana Marie Bell

Cover reveal: Rocky Mountain Rebel by Vivian Arend

Vicki Hansol made different choices than her less-than-reputable mom and sister, yet her fiery temper has left her branded with the same town-bad-girl label. When she desperately needs a change of scenery, her get-out-of-town-free ticket arrives—and requires she face down one of her deepest fears.
Easygoing Joel Coleman has nothing to complain about, but he’s never really done anything to brag about either. The youngest member of the Six Pack Ranch is looking to make some changes in his life that include stepping out from under his twin brother’s shadow.
So when the bold beauty with the smart mouth approaches him with a proposition, Joel is intrigued. Her request for him to teach her to ride soon takes on a whole new meaning. All that passion in his arms, his bed, in the barn…hell, anywhere he can get it? Bring it on.
But tangling the sheets leads to unanticipated complications, and by the time the dust settles, everything family means is going to be challenged.
Caution: Saddle up for some youthful vigor applied with great enthusiasm. Ropes, rails and raunchy sex—there’s more places to get dirty around the ranch than first meets the eye.


 Look what Vivian Arend posted on her blog... Mmm.



 But there is more Rocky mountain goodness coming today. Yes, that's right. Today is Rocky Mountain Angel's release day.

Rocky Mountain Angel

Six Pack Ranch, Book 4

Sometimes even Angels must learn to fly…
Allison Parker needs a convincing excuse to come home to Rocky Mountain House. A hopelessly romantic reason that won’t let her mother suspect the truth—that Allison has discovered Mom is keeping a terrible secret from the family.
Gabe Coleman is struggling with two of the roughest parts of ranching: dealing with his bull-headed mule of a father, and making enough to pay the bills. When his old friend Allison offers to help him develop his ideas for organic ranching—in trade for pretending to be her fiancé—it sounds like the perfect set-up.
Yet the deception leads them in an unexpected direction, where their shared daily hells are erased by nights of heavenly distraction. It’s not supposed to be real, but once the gates are opened, there’s no denying they’ve found in each other a little bit of Paradise.
To break free of the past and face the future, though, will take more than temporary pleasures. It’ll take putting their hearts on the line.
Warning: Tortured hero with a guardian-angel complex, grief-stricken heroine willing to sacrifice everything for family. Break out the tissues, this trip to the ranch is a heartbreaker on the way to the HEA.

 Worried that you haven't the  Six Pack Ranch novels yet?
Don't worry, my giveaway of Rocky Mountain Heat  is still ongoing

Giveaway: Rocky Mountain Heat by Vivian Arend

Thanks to Vivian Arend's generosity, I have one e-copy of Rocky Mountain Heat to giveway!

He’s the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.
Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.
Jaxi has other plans for Blake’s hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s perfect for him. Except he can’t seem to see past the big “don’t touch” sign that’s apparently still hanging around her neck.
When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake’s nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi’s brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.
That is, if Blake’s finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…
Warning: Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?


To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail in it, so that you can recieve your copy.
Edited: And it might be a good idea to mention when the Giveaway ends. The Giveaway ends next Friday. November 30th.

ARC review:Rocky Mountain Angel by Vivian Arend

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

The Source: ARC from the authour

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

Allison Parker needs a convincing excuse to come home to Rocky Mountain House. A hopelessly romantic reason that won’t let her mother suspect the truth—that Allison has discovered Mom is keeping a terrible secret from the family.
Gabe Coleman is struggling with two of the roughest parts of ranching: dealing with his bull-headed mule of a father, and making enough to pay the bills. When his old friend Allison offers to help him develop his ideas for organic ranching—in trade for pretending to be her fiancé—it sounds like the perfect set-up.
Yet the deception leads them in an unexpected direction, where their shared daily hells are erased by nights of heavenly distraction. It’s not supposed to be real, but once the gates are opened, there’s no denying they’ve found in each other a little bit of Paradise.
To break free of the past and face the future, though, will take more than temporary pleasures. It’ll take putting their hearts on the line.
Warning: Tortured hero with a guardian-angel complex, grief-stricken heroine willing to sacrifice everything for family. Break out the tissues, this trip to the ranch is a heartbreaker on the way to the HEA.

The Review:

I have wanted to read this ever since Vivian Arend posted a snippet at her blog, so when she offered ARCs, I requested one. And I am glad I did.

This was a touching and heart warming story. I liked how Allison and Gabe let things take time, and didn't rush anything. But while they took their time, they were always there for each other when they had had a rough day. And there was plenty of those.

But most of all, I loved how their relationship with their families were depicted. Both the good and bad sides. And it was touching to follow Allison's struggle with her mother's decline. Yet, the love she felt for her mother shone through.

Like all Vivian Arend's books the setting play a big role. In this case it was evident the characters love for the outdoors are evident. But I also liked that it was that farming is hard, and that it often is a struggle to make ends meet. 

While I liked this book a lot, it had some issues that keeps me from give it an A. The biggest issue for me was that the spark between Allison and Gabe kept flickering. Sometimes I felt it, sometimes I didn't. I also wished that some of Gabe's decisions and struggles had been shown more clearly, instead of being mentioned off hand.

Cover Reveal: High Risk by Vivian Arend

This cover was revealed earlier this month, and I love it since it tells me what this books is: An erotic romance novel featuring Adrenaline junkies. ( Yes, I am tired of 50 shades of grey covers, that could be on any kind of book.)

Cover reveal: Wolf nip by Vivian Arend

Look what Vivian Arend posted earlier this week.  Is it February yet?

ARC review: Silver Mine by Vivian Arend

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain Publishing, available as e-book.

The Source: ARC from the author

The Grade: A

The Blurb: Life in isolation is the safest place for Chase Johnson, a crossbreed who doesn't know which form he'll assume next-cougar or wolf. Once a year, his unelected position as spokesman for the Yukon outcasts forces him to visit civilization. This time he runs across someone unexpected. She's not his mate, but she pushes all the right buttons.
It's taken years for Shelley Bradley to gather the courage to return to her home pack. In spite of being the lowest of the low-a shifter who can't shift-she's determined to make a place for herself as the Whitehorse locals' new vet-slash-doctor.

There's definite electricity between her and Chase, but sex with fellow shifters and the inherent mind games got old a long time ago. Ignoring him seems best. When he shows up at her office with a wound that won't heal, she's stuck-yet drawn to solve this medical mystery.

As they journey deep into outcast territory in search of answers, their powerful sexual attraction crumbles her resistance. But time is of the essence. If a cure can't be found before his human and cougar succumb to his injury, he-and others like him-will die.

Warning: Contains a silver-tongued, hairy-chested, lean-muscled Alpha who's got what it takes to lead in the wilderness and in the bedroom. Yeah, I know...not really much of a deterrent, is it? Throw in continuing territorial wars and a domestic cat. Stir and enjoy the chaos.

The Review:

I jumped on the chance to read an ARC of Silver Mine when Vivian Arend posted about the opportunity on her blog. And I am glad I did. This book was Vivian Arend at her best.

This book took place in Whitehorse and in the wilderness in Yukon. I loved the tiny details in small town life. From how everyone knows everyone, to the layer of secrets that existed beneath the surface. But, I loved the descriptions of the wilderness more. It tugged at something within me, and made me long to walk along the path that led to Chase cabin.

When it comes to the characters, I loved how Chase and Shelley reflected each other. They were both outcasts, but it very different ways. Shelley's wariness towards re-joining the Takihini pack made sense. Sometimes, I wanted to smack the old Takihini Alpha. This also affected their relationship. The attraction was there, but Shelley fought it. It was nice to meet the Takhini wolves again, but my favorite characters were the outcasts. They were grumpy, and had their bad sides, but all of them had a heart of gold.

But what made the book for me was how it showed that shifters isn't perfect. When Chase got wounded he shrugged it off, but the tension and worry gradually increased when his wound didn't heal. More, I liked how it was gradually revealed that the infection didn't just affect him, but it threatended all shifters. And that it affected shifters differently. Some it affected mentally, and some it affected physically.   

I cannot say that there was anything glaring that I disliked with this books, just a few typos.

Review: Wolf Line by Vivian Arend

The Particulars:  Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available as e-book
The Source: Purchased at Books on board
The Grade: A

 The Blurb:

Jared’s not sure how his quiet morning coffee near the harbour ended with him on a cruise ship impersonating one of his pack mates. Well, it might have something to do with a woman, but who can blame him? The female of the species was made to love, and he’s more than willing to share his considerable skills in that area. Especially since he figures the chances of meeting his own one-and-only are slim.
Keri Smith is positive the last-minute recruit sneaking aboard the Arctic Wolf Cruise Lines tour is her mate. Ix-nay on confirming that, though, at least for the next ten days. She’s promised her best friend to be overall troubleshooter for the shifter-only cruise. Getting tangled up in mating lust would reduce her skills to nil. Avoidance of the sexy wolf for the duration of the cruise, followed by jumping his bones, seems the logical solution.
But when libidos are on the line, “logic” and “wolves” don’t go together. Throw in suspicions of wrongdoing, and these two virtual strangers will need a lot more than luck to find their way through to forever.

Warning: Really? You need to be warned about the hot nookie and sarcasm? Yeah, it’s in here. Also colourful cat shifters, lupine royalty, and wild adventures in cabins like you’ve never seen before.


The Review: 

I pre-ordered this one, but for a number of reasons I never got around to read it until now.   And I am glad I read it.

It was nice to re-visit the Granite Lake wolves, and get another insight into the world that Ms Arend has created.  Unlike the previous books, which took place in and around Haines (mostly), this book took place at a cruise ship.  Which has its problems.  I loved how the demands from the passengers and the unexpected problems affected Jared's and Keri's relationship.

At first glance, Keri and Jared felt like an odd couple but as the story went on, I started to see that they weren't an odd couple. In fact, they match each other quite well.  I had a blast following them, from the bumpy start  to their HEA. 

One thing that I loved was the mix of romance and.  I especially liked how intergral the  mystery that was to the story.  ( Sometimes a mystery subplot feels tacked on to add length, but not this time.)  The search for the thief kept throwing wrenches into the relationship.  I loved how they thrusted each other, and worked out their problems. 

The only thing that I didn't like was Jared's secrets. Yes, I can understand the wish for him to live a quiet life, but  as his secrets was revealed, I couldn't help wondering how the rest of the Granite Lake Pack will react when they finds out.

Arcs!

I rarely request ARCs, since I have so many books to read anyway. But thanks to a combination of several factors I have ARCs this month. And I thought I would blog about them.

First out is The Grass King's Concubine by Kari Sperring.   I have been waiting for this book ever since I heard her read from it at Eurocon in 2010.  And I am savoring it, reading 50-100 pages a day.   ( And yes, I'll review it. I want more books in this world, and she has hinted that hinges on this book.)

Next is Dragon Justice by Laura Anne Gilman.   This was a reward in the Miles to Go Kickstarter. And... I am still waiting for it. sigh. Hopefully it shows up tomorrow.

To compensate that I requested an ARC of Silver Mine by Vivian Arend.  I requested the Arc on a whim, not really expecting to get one. *g* So I was pleasantly surprised when a copy showed up in my e-mail account.

The result of this is that...I have requested more ARCs at Netgalley.   I can understand why  reviewers use Netgalley. The giddy feeling of reading an book early is very nice :).  I don't plan on using Netgalley often, though.

Giveaway round up

There is a lot of cool  give aways going on, so I thought I would round them up.

Kari Sperring is giving away a copy of her upcoming release the Grass King's Concubine.
Laura Anne Gilman is giving away a copy of Hard Magic.
 Vivian Arend is giving away lot of books. ( US only)
Thea Harrison is hosting a giveaway for her facebook fans.

Book recommendation: Silver Mine by Vivian Arend

 

Life in isolation is the safest place for Chase Johnson, a crossbreed who doesn’t know which form he’ll assume next—cougar or wolf. Once a year, his unelected position as spokesman for the Yukon outcasts forces him to visit civilization. This time he runs across someone unexpected. She’s not his mate, but she pushes all the right buttons.

It’s taken years for Shelley Bradley to gather the courage to return to her home pack. In spite of being the lowest of the low—a shifter who can’t shift—she’s determined to make a place for herself as the Whitehorse locals’ new vet-slash-doctor.

There’s definite electricity between her and Chase, but sex with fellow shifters and the inherent mind games got old a long time ago. Ignoring him seems best. When he shows up at her office with a wound that won’t heal, she’s stuck—yet drawn to solve this medical mystery.

As they journey deep into outcast territory in search of answers, their powerful sexual attraction crumbles her resistance. But time is of the essence. If a cure can’t be found before his human and cougar succumb to his injury, he—and others like him—will die.

I read the first one, and felt meh, but the blurb is intriguing and I liked the excerpt that Vivian Arend posted awhile ago. So I'll buy it.

So it is 2012

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.