Free ebook Friday!! Falling for you by Julie Ortolon

What happens when Mr. Slow and Steady…


The forecast is smooth sailing for Oliver Chancellor, scion of Galveston’s premier financier. Destined to take his place in the hallowed marble corridors of his family’s bank, Chance is content with the future that’s been mapped out for him, right down to his upcoming engagement to a prim debutante enthusiastically approved by his socialite mother.

Finds himself on a collision course…

But when beautiful Rory St. Claire crosses his path, Chance recklessly plunges into uncharted territory with nothing but his heart to guide him-and a beautiful woman to tempt him…

With Ms. Full-Speed-Ahead?

Propelled by a lifelong goal to buy the island home reportedly haunted by her colorful ancestors, Rory desperately needs Chance’s help in securing a business loan, and she won’t take no for an answer. In the midst of convincing the hesitant blue blood to take a chance on her dream, Rory unexpectedly lands in Chance’s arms, stunned by his red-blooded passion-and her own awakened desire. Now, the mismatched pair can’t keep their hands off one another, and something tells Rory she’s headed for trouble-trouble in the name of love…

Read a excerpt and find out more about thise series by checking out Julie Ortolon's website here www.julieortolon.com She has a link at the tome of her website that will take you to a special site just for this series of books. Look for it at the top of the page on her website.

Get this book for Amazon Kindle here www.amazon.com for free right now.

Book review: The Danger that is Damion( book 3 Zodious series) by Lisa Renee Jones

General Powell from book 1 has returned and he’s developed a way to create and control a new generation of female GTECHs. He plans to use these women to bring both, the Renegades and the Zodius soldiers, back under his command. The world will be his. Now, Damion, a Renegade, who readers met in book two, will be pitted against one of those soldiers, a woman destined to be both his Lifebond and his enemy. Damion will become her only hope of salvation and their trust in each other the only chance they have to save the world from a madman.


This is the third book in the Zodious series by Lisa Renee Jones. In this one Damion Browne finds his lifebond in Lara Martin. Problem is all Renegades are Lara's enemies or so she is brainwashed to think. Damion captures/saves her when her assassination attempt on a Russian nuclear scientist. She's supposed to shoot him but can't. She keeps getting flashes of what she thinks is her family being murdered in from  of her and the Russian has little kids. Damion comes up on her and she seems to be lost in herself. Sabrina  who we met in the last book as the ICE drug dealer is back this time the leader of a group of female GTECH's called Serenity. These females are converted to GTECH and then brainwashed and that's what happened to Lara. Sabrina is the only one not brainwashed and their leader.  Something is wrong with new GTECH female soldiers from Serenity. Lara keeps having blackouts and odd dreams and hallucinations. Damion has to try and help her figure it all out while keeping her from getting killed.  This series has just sucked me in. Every book so far just grabs me. I think it's alpha males and the fact that the women they get paired up with are strong and sexy and smart and can kick ass all on their own. At the same time both the male and female leads can be vulnerable too. Plenty of action and suspense too to go with it. I find myself not only interested in the lead character of the book but all the secondaries too and watching for signs as to whose story might be next and can i glean any info as to who their lifebond might be. It's lots of fun. This is another great read by author Lisa Renee Jones. I've tried a few of the different genre's she writes and have not been disappointed yet.  4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. Bring on the next Zodious book!!

Read more about Lisa Renee Jones and the Zodious series as well as her other books by checking out her website here. www.lisareneejones.com There is even two excerpts for this book there.

Here's my favorite  quote from the Damion's book.

Chale whistled. "I'm straight as a steel pipe, and  Michael gets me hot when does shit like that.""That makes two of us right now," Damion said, drawing two glocks from his double-shoulder holster, and heading into the gaping hole Michael had created and entered. He was going to get Lara - and he was bringing her home.

Book review: Forbidden Fantasies by debut author Jodie Griffin

This review for ages 18 and over only please.




After fifteen years of marriage, Jessica Meyers’s sex life is, well, a little predictable. Her handsome husband turns her on, but missionary style once or twice a week? It just can’t compare to the hot new world she discovers in the pages of erotic romances. Her fantasies fuel the fire of her desire, adding a new spark to her and Alex’s lovemaking. But Jess is afraid to tell her husband what she really wants in bed–and her secrets start coming between them.


State trooper Alex Meyers is a master at uncovering the truth–except when it comes to his sweet, shy wife. She’s clearly keeping something from him. An affair? She wants out? When he finally confronts Jess, he’s shocked to learn she wants to turn her forbidden fantasies into nightly realities. But when he takes her to a unique B and B–Bondage and Breakfast–catering to couples and multiples, Alex is about to find out just how far he’ll go.

This is the debut book of brand new author Jodie Griffin. I found Jodie on twitter, my social media website of choice these days. I decided to check out her website and her back cover blurb for this book and decided i wanted to read her book. First of all you don't often read erotica type books where the couple are married. That's the first things that intrigued me and then there was the whole discussion of the erotica books the heroine is reading that gives her idea about her changing sex life. This is a short read but fabulously written. In a lot of ways i could see it happening in real life. There some really emotional stuff but you can feel the love between Alex and Jessica. Once Alex finds out what's really going on with his wife he makes her fantasies come true in a realistic way. There are these super hot sex scenes made hotter because it's a married couple ( by 15 years) and there's a bond there but also because they talk it out as they go. It's great!! 5 out of 5 Modokker Book stars for Forbidden Fantasies by Jodie Griffin. I didn't want it to end and read it one quick sitting.  Read more on Jodie Griffin's website here www.jodiegriffin.com

Book review: Hot Under Pressure by Louisa Edwards

Loaded with the hottest dishes and sexiest chefs, the Rising Star Chef competition is about to boil over for one pair of all-star cooks who can’t stand the heat—of working so close together...


SHE’S THE ONE HE LEFT BEHIND

Henry Beck thought he’d already faced the toughest kitchen challenge of his life. After all, what could top sweating it out as a Navy cook on a submarine? But when he learns his competition for the title of Rising Star Chef is the sweet hippie girl he married...and left...ten years ago, the heat is on.

HE’S THE ONE SHE CAN’T FORGET

Now Beck and Skye Gladwell are going head to head in the finals...and sparking up old flames every time they touch. But Skye wants more than a win over the man who abandoned her when she needed him most—she wants a divorce! Then her sexy almost-ex makes a deliciously dangerous proposition. He’ll give in to her demands, but if his team wins the RSC, he has a demand of his own...one last taste of the only woman he ever loved.


This is the third book in the Rising Star Chef series by Louisa Edwards. If you've never read a book where cooking of any kind was the back drop then i encourage you to start with this one. It works well as a stand alone but if you like to read in series order that works too. The first two in this series are Too Hot to Touch and Some Like it Hot then followed by Hot Under Pressure. In book one you get a intro into all the characters. That's where we all get to meet Beck as he's known by most. Henry Beck as he is know by the wife he hasn't seen in ten years. Skye Gladwell is the woman that won Beck's heart. Fear and a bad decision made him lose her 10 years ago. He meets his match in her at the last step in the Rising Star Chef competition. She wants a divorce and he wants another chance.  He makes a bet with her. If her team wins she gets her divorce. If his team wins she still gets her divorce but he gets one more night with her.  Beck is always a careful man. The Navy taught him all about discipline and how to hold himself in check. He had a rough childhood losing both of his loving parents at age 8 to a terrible tragedy and then being stuck in foster care til he was 18. Then came Skye. Skye Gladwell had dreams they just weren't the dreams her parents wanted her to have. She never felt good enough for them. Then she met Beck and he won her heart and soul.  Then tragically it all fell apart and Beck abandoned Skye. Ten years later they meet again at the Rise Star Chef competition and the heat as they say was on. This book was a journey for Beck and Skye. Their path back to love and happiness. Beck had to learn how to open up and communicate his feelings. A tough gig for a hardened orphan and Navy man. If he wanted his second chance with Skye he had to find a way.  The ending wraps up the competition with some unexpected  but exiting twists and some moments that will make you say awe....  Have the kleenex ready. Great way to end the series. Be sure if you read this book to read Becks poem at the end and to check out the recipies at the back of the book.  5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. Hot Under Pressure really got under my skin and drew me into the story.

Find out more about the Rising Star Chef series and author Louisa Edwards on her website here www.louisaedwards.com

Mancandy Monday!! It's getting hot in here!

Free ebook Friday!! Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks

Bluegrass State of Mind


In the first book of the Bluegrass Series, McKenna Mason, a New York City attorney with a love of all things Prada, is on the run from a group of powerful, dangerous men. McKenna turns to a teenage crush, Will Ashton, for help in starting a new life in beautiful horse country. She finds that Will is now a handsome, successful race horse farm owner. As the old flame is ignited, complications are aplenty in the form of a nasty ex-wife, an ex-boyfriend intent on killing her, and a feisty race horse who refuses to race without a kiss. Can Will and McKenna cross the finish line together, and more importantly, alive?

Get it for Amazon Kindle here www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-State-Mind
Find it for Barnes and Noble Nook here www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bluegrass-state-of-mind

Find out more about Kathleen Brooks and her books on her website kathleen-brooks.com

Book review: Barefoot Season (Blackberry Island series book 1) by Susan Mallery

Michelle Sanderson may appear to be a strong, independent woman, but on the inside, she’s still the wounded girl who fled home years ago. A young army vet, Michelle returns to the quaint Blackberry Island Inn to claim her inheritance and recover from the perils of war. Instead, she finds the owner’s suite occupied by the last person she wants to see.

Carly Williams and Michelle were once inseparable, until a shocking betrayal destroyed their friendship. And now Carly is implicated in the financial disaster lurking behind the inn’s cheerful veneer.

Single mother Carly has weathered rumors, lies and secrets for a lifetime, and is finally starting to move forward with love and life. But if the Blackberry Island Inn goes under, Carly and her daughter will go with it.
To save their livelihoods, Carly and Michelle will undertake a turbulent truce. It’ll take more than a successful season to move beyond their devastating past, but with a little luck and a beautiful summer, they may just rediscover the friendship of a lifetime.

This is book 1 in a brand spanking new series for Susan Mallery. She's made a new website for it as well as she did when she started the Fools Gold series which has several book going for it now and a great interactive website. Barefoot Season was really hard for me to stick with at first. It's not because the writing wasn't good. It was the negativity of the characters. You don't start out with a sunny outlook. It starts out with Michelle going home after being wounded Afghanistan. She's seen some horrific things and had to make some painful decisions and now she's going home. Home was another painful place for her. She left 10 years ago after a series of incidents that involved her best friend and both their sets of parents. She essentially ran away from home at 18 and joined the Army. Now she comes home and has to deal with betrayal and try to deal herself. It's almost more than she can handle and you wonder if she's going to make it or not. Luckily she's got a old Army friend, Sam who shows up and her old best friend Carly which she has a difficult relationship with at first and then there is Jared. Jared is a vet himself although Michelle doesn't know it at first. She rents a room in his house because she can't bear to stay at the Inn. He doles out words of advice but doesn't hover over her. He shows up to rescue for herself now and then but again doesn't push. The characters are so real and genuine, You feel their pain. That was one of the problems when i first started reading. The negative painful feeling of Michelle got to me. I'm a Army Veteran myself so it bothered me to read about how hurt she was on in the inside and out. I know Susan Mallery's writing though so i stuck with it. About 1/4 of the way through you meet Jared and from there it was easier to read. I thought maybe this guy is going to be the one to help get her on the right path.  I was totally on board with this book by the end and loving it. I think this is one of the best books I've read so far this year. It's about two friends finding their way back to each other. It's a love story too. It's about finding your way back from the brink of losing yourself and finding you're OK. It's a must read. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery. Find out more about this book and the whole Blackberry Island series by checking out Susan Mallery's new website for this series. www.blackberryisland.susanmallery.com Read a excerpt while you're there.

Lisa Renee Jones blog tour stop winner is......

Winner is Froggy!!!  Your choice of Michael or Sterling!! Someone will be emailing you soon. Congrats!!




Watch for the next book in the Zodious series out May 2012 The Danger that is Damion. My review will be posted here on the blog next week. Pre-order now. Check out Lisa Renee Jones website for a excerpt and more details on the series. www.lisareneejones.com

Book review Too Hot to Touch Book 1 Rising Star Chef series by Louisa Edwards

Welcome to the Rising Star Chef competition, where today’s hottest chefs battle it out on national TV for a chance at fame, fortune and culinary supremacy. Every contestant hungers to win, but only one will take the prize...


HE’S GOT THE SIZZLE

When it comes to competitive cooking, Max Lunden is no stranger to winning...though he’s never been great at working with a team. A master chef—and major hunk—he’s traveled the world, picking up new cooking techniques as well as beautiful women. But when the prodigal chef returns home to his family’s Greenwich Village restaurant, he discovers one too many cooks in the kitchen—and she’s every bit as passionate as he is...

SHE’S GOT THE FIRE

Juliet Cavanaugh used to have a crush on Max when she was just a teenager, hanging out at Lunden & Sons Tavern, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owner’s oldest, and hottest, son. Now a chef herself—competing in the biggest culinary contest in the country—Juliet will be cooking side by side with the one man she’s always admired...and desired. But despite their simmering attraction, Juliet is determined to keep her cool—no matter how hot it gets...

This is my first official book of Louisa Edwards that I've read. It's been mentioned to me many times that i need to read her and as all readers know there are way more books that there is time. I never got a chance until now. I have never read a book where cooking was the back drop to the story. I wasn't sure what to expect. I am kind of a simple cook. Mostly use salt and pepper for seasoning. I have a houseful of boys and they aren't interested in anything beyond basic right now. I do love to watch cooking shows on TV so i thought this would be interesting. It was. Max Lunden left town in a huff when the arguments between himself and his dad over the family restaurant got to be to much. He's been gone for 10 years learning all kinds of cooking techniques. A urgent call from his mom changes all that. He's needed at home to help the restaurant get into a big cooking competition, The Rising Star. Juliet or Jules as she's called now found a home with her best friend Danny Lundens family 10 years ago right after Max left. She escaped a scary situation with her mom and the Lunden's have treated her like family ever since. Max is back now and the crush Jules had on Max is still there but of a more mature nature now. Things sizzle whenever Max is around Jules. Everyone is keeping a secret from Max though. His dad collapsed in the middle of dinner service a while back and his health might be in jeopardy. Gus Lunden might now be able to see eye to eye with his son but he loves Max and doesn't want to stand in the way of his happiness. Gus is hoping he'll be ready to take Max's place in the competition once they qualify and Max can move on to his next big culinary dream. Max wants Jules and talking her into doing something about it takes him a while. It's supposed to be a temporary thing but after a while Max isn't sure if he can walk away from Jules. All the while Jules tried to protect her heart. Grab what she can of Max while she can and hope it's enough to survive when he leaves. This was a really good book. The Lunden's are a really close family for the most part. Caring and loving of each other as well as other people. They take Jules in and treat her as one of their own. Jules tries really hard to give back to the family that gave her everything. The relationship between Max and Jules is hot and heavy with many bumps in the road. I grew to Love Max by the end of the book and am really fond of all the secondary characters. I wanted to meet these people. lol The cooking parts were good but not as much fun for me only because i am not much of a cook. I mean just all the technical cooking stuff not the competition parts. There are some really great recipe's included at the end of this book also. As a whole i give Too Hot to Touch 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. A fun and HOT cooking adventure for all!

Find out more about this series and Louisa Edwards on her website www.louisaedwards.com . Don't forget to read a excerpt for this book while your there and the latest book in this series comes out March 27th. Hot Under Pressure will be reviewed on this blog next week. Watch for it!

Lisa Renee Jones Blog Tour. Come meet the the guys of the Zodious series. Prizes!

       Meet Author Lisa Renee Jones

                                                                         and

The Men of the Zodius Series

                                        The world will never be the same…





Inspired by The Underground Guardians Series – Read about the Underground Guardians that inspired ZODIUS SERIES HERE


A little about future heroes including Caleb’s story HERE
Area 51 has proven to be more than a place from which alien rumors originate. It is there that the United States government created Super Soldiers under the top secret “Project Zodius,” soldiers they called GTECH enhanced. Alien DNA purported to be immunizations was injected into elite soldiers, and a new race was created—soldiers with unique powers. Human to the normal eye, but not quite so human anymore.

All Super Soldiers are dangerous but some are stronger and more powerful than others. All are fighters with incredible strength and speed along with unique mental powers. Rapid metabolism delivers them an amazing ability to heal from injuries, and a simple bullet is no longer deadly against muscles like steel. They are deadly fighting machines who can travel with the wind.

Along with this new breed of soldier had come a thirst for power. A thirst that Adam Rain intends to sate. This soldier had developed a vision for a “perfect race.” He became the new Hitler, calling his followers, those enhanced soldiers, the “Zodius.” The first step in Adam’s plan to rule humanity had been to take over Area 51. The main obstacle to his plan had been breeding, and he had a team of scientists working to solve the problems: a GTECH can only bear children if mated; and a Zodius only has one true mate (Lifebond). This meant he had to find compatible women for his men, an obstacle he became determined to overcome. This had left him searching for genetic and alternative birthing methods. He had used humans like tokens, promised them power or conversion, or threatened their families. Once he has perfected a way to grow his race, there will be no stopping him.

A group of these Super Soldiers led by his brother, Caleb, has defied Adam’s rule and formed “The Renegades.” These Renegades operate from a hidden facility deep in the Nevada mountains below the surface of the earth, designed to hide the Renegades from Zodius radar. These Renegades will form an uneasy alliance to the United States government, protecting humanity.

But Adam aspires to rule the world, and he believes he can do so with Caleb by his side. Adam is taking every step possible to ensure that Caleb joins him, and that the Renegades become part of the Zodius.

Caleb and his Renegades will do anything to see Adam fall and humanity saved from his wrath.



                                                   Now meet the men of the Zodius Series!

 


 Zodius Series, Book 1, The Legend of Michael

Sourcebooks (May 2011)


ISBN-10: 1402251564


ISBN-13: 9781402251566


HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON…

One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.

HE IS HER ENEMY…AND HER DESTINY…

Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.

But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same…



Read an excerpt HERE

  
Zodius #2: THE STORM THAT IS STERLING — Previously titled: THE RENEGADE CONQUEST


Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 2011)


ISBN-10: 1402251599 ISBN:978-1402251597


He may be invincible to everyone else…

Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so much more…

But she can see that deep down, he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted, but years later the heat between them flares back to life. Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s impossible to resist picking up right where they left off…



Read an excerpt HERE

    
Zodius Series Book 3: The Danger that is Damion


Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 2012)


Available for Pre-order at BN and Amazon


General Powell from book 1 has returned and he’s developed a way to create and control a new generation of female GTECHs. He plans to use these women to bring both, the Renegades and the Zodius soldiers, back under his command. The world will be his. Now, Damion, a Renegade, who readers met in book two, will be pitted against one of those soldiers, a woman destined to be both his Lifebond and his enemy. Damion will become her only hope of salvation and their trust in each other the only chance they have to save the world from a madman.

Read an excerpt HERE


For more information about the Zodius series and to learn fun facts please visit Lisa Renee Jones’ website and her Zodius Series Page HERE



Award winning author, Lisa Renee Jones, has published more than fifteen novels in several different languages, spanning multiple genres of romance – contemporary, romantic suspense, dark paranormal and erotic fiction. In each book the hero is dark, dangerous, and sexy. She debuted for both, Nocturne and Blaze, on the Bookscan bestseller list. You can find Lisa on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog for regular updates. Lisa now has a Fan Page at Facebook.


Lisa enjoys receiving e-mails from her readers! If you would like to receive information about Lisa Renee Jones’ latest books and news about contest giveaways, as well as any other information that might be fun or interesting to you, sign up for Lisa's Newsletter.

If you’d like to have Lisa visit your blog or website or would like to learn about reviewing one of her titles? please contact her assistant, Wendy Keel, at wendykeel@gmail.com 

 Now for the details of the Blog tour. All contests will run the entire length of the tour. Winners will be chosen on 3/21/12 and notified later in the week. A $20 Amazon GC will be awarded to one commenter for the whole tour. The more posts you comment on the more chances you have to win. For today's blog post you can win either a copy of book one The Legend of Michael or Book 2 The Storm that is Sterling. Just leave a comment and be sure to leave your email address so you can be contacted. Then go to Lisa Renee Jones website to see where else you can enter to win. Lisa Renee Jones Blog tour list

Mancandy Monday!! Let's take a swim

Billy Kiraly courtesy of Jenn LeBlanc tumblr see more here http://castingperry.tumblr.com

Book review: Through the Night(The Reliance Group Series book 3) by Janelle Denison

THROUGH THE NIGHT


LADY LUCK
As the Executive Casino Hostess for The Onyx in Las Vegas, Valerie Downing is always on the lookout for the night’s biggest winners. When she spots a man—one of the sexiest she’s ever laid eyes on—generating huge excitement at the craps table, she knows she’s in luck. Her goal: To make sure the high rollers stay at her hotel, and that any further gambling is invested right back into the casino. His: To enjoy some other “perks” that Valerie might have to offer.


GAMBLING MAN
Turns out Chase Pierson is already a VIP guest who happens to be working with Valerie’s boss on a top-secret mission for the Reliance Group—one for which she too has been recruited. But Valerie, bold and gorgeous as she is, is first and foremost a professional. No fraternizing with Onyx clientele is her motto…and this hard-bodied, infuriatingly charming client is no exception. Even if Chase knows that the harder the hunt, the hotter the surrender.

This is book 3 in Janelle Denison exciting Reliance Group series. In this one Valerie who is the hostess for Onyx Casino in Las Vegas  as well as a Reliance Group member. She gets paired with Chase Pierson who is treasure hunter.  Things heat up quick since Valerie is clairvoyant and Chase has psychic abilities too  He can touch a object and literally see it's history. Valerie can touch people or feel things in places. Between the two of them they hope to find a missing piece of a intricate and expensive cane once owned by Al Capone. There is another great treasure Chase is after once he finds the missing piece and assembles the cane worth millions. Problem is both Valerie and Chase have troubled family pasts to overcome. Sparks literally fly when they touch each other but someone doesn't want them together at all. I love love loved Chase. The love scenes were divine and the connection between Chase and Valerie was electric, literally!  I like when you can't figure out who the bad guy is but sometimes it's pretty fun when you think you know and you're sitting there saying NO NO NO don't you get it he's the bad guy. While that is fun for me this book wasn't about the bad guy but the love story. Chase has all this patience with Valerie and even though he has his own issues he's there for her and believes in her. This is easily my favorite of all the books in this series so far. Can't wait for the next one! 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars for Janelle Denison's Through the Night.
 
Read more about this book and this series on Janelle Denison's website. There is even a excerpt for this book there.www.janelledenison.com
 
Releases March 27th
pre order from Amazon right now www.amazon.com/Through-Night

Book review: Secrets Exposed by Lisa Renee Jones

Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy


Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman’s death, Lindsey blames her father’s controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later – the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father’s law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her heart. With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey

Secrets Exposed is a prelude novel to the new Lisa Renee Jones Tall Dark and Deadly series. I read a little backward and started with Hot Secrets book 1 in this series. Mark and Lindsey have a small part in it and i found out they had their own book so i needed to check it out.  Lindsey is this confident got it together attorney until she defends a guy accused of rape and wins and the very next day he supposedly rapes and kills a woman. Guilt from that follows her wherever she goes. Her father and her ex-boyfriend are controlling men and between the guilt from the trial and her father and ex she decides she needs a change and joins the FBI and moves to Washington. Unfortunately her father becomes ill from cancer and she has to come back and run his firm. Moving back even temporarily bring with it all the guilt and anxiety from before. Mark Reeves she thinks is her answer. She knows his reputation as an attorney and that he and her dad used to get along until they had a falling out. She needs his help to run the ailing firm that's falling apart and face a new case she inherits from her father that's similar to the rapist case that caused her to lose her nerve. I liked this book but no where near as much as i liked Hot Secrets. I think you can tell how much Lisa Renee Jones has grown as a writer since writing this. There were quite a bit of typos that i can most of the time over look but it got to be annoying. The other thing that was a bit annoying is every time Mark seemed to be getting Lindsey to trust him she would pull out the," He's just trying to control me" card. I get that she has been burned but it was to much finally for me. I had to try and block that out to enjoy the story. Mark is awesome. Plenty of patience and understanding. Lindsey's friend Steve from the FBI is great too. I would love to see him end up in another book. I will say i never guessed who the bad guy was and i had a guess or two. The sex scenes were very sensual and exciting. You could definitely feel the heat between the two characters. I really wanted to tell Lindsey to get a clue and not let Mark get away though. lol She finally complied. Secrets Exposed is a sexy little read with just the right amount of suspense. It can be read as a stand alone though but is connected to the new Tall, Dark and Dangerous series that started with book 1 Hot Secrets in January. 3 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Secrets Exposed. This was this past Friday free ebook Friday read.

Find out more about this book and the Tall, Dark and Dangerous Series on Lisa Renee Jones website.www.lisareneejones.com She also has a blog tour going on right now and Modokker Book Picks in on it for March 20th. Come back then to see what it's all about and there will be a prize too. Details on the top right of Lisa Renee Jones home page. Plenty of chances to win.

Book review: Wicked Weekend (Book 1 of the Pleasure Code) by Gillian Archer

Ages 18 and older for this review please.



Carina Press
Book 1 of the Pleasure Code


Why did Lauren Vaughn introduce her sister to the man she herself was crazy about? Now Lauren is watching the happy couple at their combined bachelor/bachelorette party—while Lauren sits all alone at the bar. Until she spots a hot stranger with the telltale black handkerchief in his pocket: the signal for "seeks no-strings affair with sexy submissive."


Lauren can't take her eyes off him. So when he comes over, she kicks her inner good girl to the curb and follows Jamie Forman to his room, where he makes her scream with pleasure all night long.

But Jamie is a complicated man. He can't handle how desperately he wants her in his bed—and his life. It's up to Lauren to teach him how to make all night last forever.

This is a fast little 107 page read. I wasn't sure what to expect. The book being short and also not knowing anything about the author, but the blurb sounded interesting and the cover is just plain awesome so i took a chance. This is a nice mix of light BDSM and classic romance. A nice mixture to be sure. The book starts with Lauren mad at herself for getting herself in the position she is now in. She introduced a man she worked with and had the hots for to her stop dead gorgeous sister. Now she finds herself at a combo bachelor/bachlorette party at a ski resort for her sister and mr hot guy. This is where she meets Jamie. His sexy and seemingly into BDSM if the black scarf hanging out of his back pocket means anything. Something Lauren has been curious about for some time.  Jamie notices her looking and is intrigued and offers her one night to explore her curiosity. I like the relationship between Jamie and Lauren. It's more than just BDSM. The BDSM parts of this book are actually secondary to the quick love story between Jamie and Lauren. I have to say Lauren sister is a awful, nasty bitch and i felt sorry for what a cynical person she is. For the short amount of story you get I really enjoyed it and wouldn't mind reading the next book in this new series.  3 1/2 Modokker Book Pick Stars for Wicked Weekend by Gillian Archer. A definite sexy little read.

Read more about Gillian Archer on her website and read a excerpt for Wicked Weekend here www.gillianarcher.com

Buy beginning March 12th  from Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Man Candy Monday! He's all wet!

Free ebook Friday!! Secrets Exposed by Lisa Renee Jones

Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy…


Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman’s death, Lindsey blames her father’s controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later – the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father’s law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her heart. With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.


NOTE: Previously released as Hidden Instincts.

Prelude to Tall, Dark, and Deadly series released in January

Buy from Amazon for free right now. www.amazon.com/Secrets-Exposed

Find out more about Lisa Renee Jones and her books on her website here www.lisareneejones.com

Lisa Renee Jones has a blog tour going on right now with cool prizes at each stop and one grand prize . See the list of blogs here.
www.lisareneejones.com/blog-tour

Book review: TRATR The Rake and the Recluse parts 3-6 Illustrated novel by Jenn LeBlanc

o



A woman out of time.

A man stifled by propriety.

A nemesis determined to take her away.

A brother to the rescue.



How will a powerful Duke deal with a woman who doesn’t know her place? How will a woman used to the 21st century survive in time where she is considered property?

Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn’t quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.

How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn’t even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.

In part 4 (Ruination) of TRATR we get the ending of Gideon and Francine's story and a start to Perry's Gideon brother. It's hard to say much without giving plot points away and i am not used to reviewing a book in parts. I have to say that i didn't know when i started reading this book that there would be kind of a book and a novella all in one, but that's kind of what it's like. Much i love Gideon and his story Perry just plain ole snuck in and stole my heart. He's supposed to be a rake. Well he might have been but he has all his heart, this compassion this thing inside him that i think is just looking for love. Well love falls right into his lap almost literally. It's kind of a secret who his lady love ends up being but you meet her in Gideon's part of the book. My favorite part of Perry love story is the alphabet lesson. If you get the chance to read this I can almost bet it will be your favorite part too.  This was a interesting experience to one read the book in 6 parts but also all the photos that go with it. Jenn LeBlanc is a photographer so it was fun to see her representation of her story through her own pictures.  You could buy this as it was released but it is also available in one ebook as well. I think as much as I enjoyed reading it in parts as it came out I would be better suited to reading it in one big chunk. I probably wouldn't sit it down if I did though. lol  I am told by the author that there will be books to follow this one and she will be following up with Gideon and Perry's cousins and there will be photos again. If you have read this already how did you feel about the photos? Did you like them or could you have lived without them. Did you picture the characters and in the photos are make up different ones in your mind anyway. I would love to hear your thoughts on this as illustrated novels are kind of a new idea. I don't think I've seen this done before.  As for the book as a whole it's definitely a 5 out  of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars for me. Totally entertaining from start to finish.

Find out more about Jenn LeBlanc and her work on her website here.www.jennleblanc.com

Buy it as one whole book here Amazon Kindle  www.amazon.com for $5.99 on sale
Buy it as one whole book from B&N Nook here www.barnesandnoble.com on sale for $5.99

Book review: This world or the Next (The Perilous Journey's of Wilona Bumbridge 1) by debut YA author Lukas Holmes

I don't really review Young Adult books but was asked if my son would like to read and review a brand new YA book and after reading the blurb and me telling him what he needed to do he decided he wanted to give it a try. The following review is his words alone.


 By Guest Reviewer Jacob Boggs



The world she knows has come to an end…


When the Black Carriage kidnaps Wilona Bumbridge from the streets of Victorian London, her life immediately appears to improve. She is taken to a place with other children and given a bed of her own and food at every meal, things she’d never been able to count on before. But when it soon becomes apparent that their captor is not as human as he seems, and that even the beds and food disguise his nefarious plans for the children, Wilona realizes that escape is their only hope for survival.

From London to the English countryside to a spaceship with a view among the stars, her perilous journey has merely begun. With nothing more than the advice of a little redheaded girl who hides secrets of her own, Wilona and the other children must fight together to defeat a monster whose evil extends across the universe.


This World or the Next is the debut book for author Lukas Holmes. When I started reading this book I started off thinking that it would be something great like the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series. I found the settings and characters to be unique, with my personal favorite being the Texas teen Cam. I enjoyed the story from start to end with the clever plot twist at the end leaving the reader wanting as many answers as the cast did throughout the book. The only problem I found in  the story was how many times and how far the author "jumped the gun." A good example of 'jumping the gun' would be talking about life after college in 7th grade. As far as I counted this happened, I think at maybe six different points in the story. The thing I found the most interesting is the history of the characters and how it shaped them. Only second to that would be the love interest between some the characters, especially that of Lady and Lord Madsen and how their love lasted to the end. All and all This World or the Next by debut YA author Lukas Holmes is an over all good book that could become the next big thing after the Hunger Games or Twilight is well done with our generation and we need something new to find enjoyment in. I give This World o the Next 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.


You can read more about Lukas Holmes and read a excerpt for this book here www.lukasholmes.com
Buy it for Amazon Kindle here www.amazon.com/Perilous-Journeys-Wilona-Bumbridge Ebook only but paperback coming soon.
 
Buy it for Barnes and Noble Nook here www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-world-or-the-next

Book review: Texas Two Step (Texas Montgomery Mavericks book 1) by Cynthia D'Alba

Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 1


After six years and too much self-recrimination, rancher Mitch Landry is ready to admit he was wrong. He’d loved Olivia Montgomery but commitment wasn’t high on his list back then. That was his first mistake. He’s just divorced his second, and he’s set to do whatever it takes to convince Olivia to give him another try.

Through hard work, determination and more than a few tears, Olivia survived the break-up with Mitch. She’s rebuilt her life around her business and the son she loves more than life itself. She’s not proud of the mistakes she’s made—particularly the secrets she’s kept—but when life hands you manure, you use it to make something better of yourself…lest you get stuck in it.

At a hot, muggy Dallas wedding, they reconnect. Olivia’s first instinct is to play it cool, but after one devastating kiss things flare out of control, real fast. Maybe a quick roll in the hay will get him out of her system once and for all. Funny thing about hay though, once it’s tangled in your hair, getting it out risks revealing things that were never meant to see the light of day.

This is Cynthia D'Alba's debut book. Mitch Landry meets Olivia Montgomery in a bar when she and her friend are there to celebrate their 21st birthdays. He's attracted right away but then finds out who she is and that she's his friends sister. Oh off limits. He can't fight the attraction though and they go on a date. Things are great for a while and then he breaks her heart when he breaks off the relationship. He says he's doing it for her. He thinks she's to young to be that serious and he's going back home to a ranch in the middle of no where. Thing is 6 month later he marries another woman breaking Olivia's heart again. This is all part of a prequel the story you can read on Cynthia D'Alba's website. The book starts out six years later when Olivia's best friend Emily and Wes, Mitch's friends wedding.  Sparks fly right from the get go but Olivia's got a really big secret she doesn't want Mitch to find out. No matter how much Olivia want to avoid it the attraction is to much and they get together. Secrets rarely stay secrets forever and Olivia's secret is out when it shows up at her house while Mitch is still there. This story is a tangled mess of emotions and people trying to do the right thing. Can Mitch and Olivia wade through the mess to find happiness together finally? Love my cowboys and this one measures up nicely. I liked Mitch. He had a few rough edges and bonehead moments but he came through when it counted. I doubt  know what i would have done in Olivia's shoes if what happened to her happened to me. That was a tough call and i think the author took the path that many of us would've. Great writing and i can't wait to see read the next book in this series.  4 out of 5 Modokker book pick stars for Cynthia D'Alba's Texas Two Step.

Read more about Cynthia D'Alba and this book and the books coming in this series on her website here. www.cynthiadalba.com

buy from: Samhain

Borders
Amazon
B & N
Powell’s

Mancandy Monday! Want to take a dip? The water is fine!

Free ebook Friday! Deadly Fall by Ann Bruce

When his latest case falls on him and his partner—quite literally—Detective Nick Markov knows the destruction of his car by a not-yet-cold body is the least of his worries. The deceased is prominent businessman, Andrew Langan, and suicide is swiftly ruled out after Nick pursues the killers down twenty-seven flights—and loses them.


To his superiors' frustrations, Nick doesn't believe Langan's soon-to-be ex-wife, Augusta, is guilty, even though she has motive, opportunity, no alibi and a shady past. The only reasons Nick has for going against logic are the feeling in his gut and the constriction in his chest.

Augusta is thrust back into an unwanted spotlight and her quiet life shattered. Then things go downhill. In between dodging the media, she confronts muggers, kidnappers and goons better dressed than she. With Nick, who dredges up a past she'd rather forget and feelings she'd rather not acknowledge, Augusta must race to unravel her late husband's secrets before she finds herself skydiving without a parachute.

I was cruising around Amazon's free romance 100 section and came across this book. First the cover appealed to me which is why i check it out and the blurb and excerpt provided sounded pretty interesting. That's how this book was selected for this week. To find out more about Ann Bruce check her website. There is a excerpt there as well as Amazon. www.annbruce.net

Buy it for Amazon kindle free  here www.amazon.com/Deadly-Fall

Book review: The Winston Brother by Lori Foster

The Winston Brothers: Tangled Sheets/Tangled Dreams/Tangled Images


All four Winston brothers are scorchingly handsome, sensually passionate- and stubbornly proud. Left alone in the world after their parents' deaths, they learned to depend on each other-and to cherish the bond that holds them together. Now, with their disarming charm and sexy smiles, they will inspire readers' wildest, most sensuous fantasies- and will surely become the men of their dreams.

This book has 3 novella's for three of the Winston Brothers Mack, Colee and Chase with a sneak peak at Zane's story at the end. This is a older book originally released in 2001 i believe. I'm always trying to catch up on the back lists of authors i really enjoy. I walked up to my bookshelf and snatched this one off the shelf
the other day and began to read. It was a quick one afternoon of reading.

First up is Tangled sheets which is Cole Winston's story. Cole is the oldest and took over raising his brothers when he parents were killed. He bought a bar to earn a income and all the brothers work there. Sophie is the boutique owner up the street. Looking and acting prim and proper she comes to the bar every afternoon for hot chocolate and to unwind. Secretly she is watching Cole and wanting him. She thinks he's out of her league though and isn't sure how to go after him. Little does she know Cole wants her too. The bar is hosting a Valentine's day photo contest. Winner would get a night on the town with Cole. Just what Sophie wants. She comes up with a crazy scheme of pretending she has a twin sister who is much wilder than her. Someone Cole would want. She justs wants one night with Cole because she doesn't think she can get anymore than that. If she only knew what Cole thought of her. It gets fun seeing how it all plays out. The brothers are great. Sophie and her friend are pretty cool. All in all a fun little story.

Next up is Tangles Dreams which is Chase Winston's story. This one is set at Halloween time and he suddenly finds himself attracted to Allison Barrow. His sister in law Sophie ( from Tangles Sheets) best friend. This one has a bit of a paranormal twist. There are ghosts in Allison's house. She can talk to them and see them if they choose. They are a friendly couple too. Chase finds suddenly though that he can hear Allison's thoughts and that her thoughts are all about him. Doesn't bother him because his thoughts are about her too. It gets interesting with the ghosts the other boyfriend and some jewels. Oh and a gun. Little off the wall but a fun read none the less.

Last in this book is Tangles Images Mack's story the baby of the family. Mack is a school teacher or he is trying to be one. He is doing his student teaching and having a hard time with the school's administrator. While he waits to see if he gets approved for teaching he finds himself doing a favor for his 2 sister in laws, Sophie and Allison.( From the previous two novella's) They want him to model some men's lingerie for a photographer so they can make a catalog for their boutique.  He find himself stuck doing it and gets a surprise when the photographer in question turns out to be old classmate from college that he had the hots for. Jessica Wells is divorced with a 13 year old daughter. She gave up her college chance when she got pregnant and married years ago.She ignored him at school because he was so carefree and she had to struggle to get through. Women through themselves at him and then there was the fact that she was several years older than him. Mack doesn't let her off the hook though. He tempts her with all the provocative little scraps of underthings he has to wear for the photo shoot and she can't resist eventually. It's fun to watch Mack try to get Jessica to see age is only a number. Great little fun read.

If your looking for a relaxing fun and a bit crazy off the wall read. This is is. Plus 4 HOT Winston brothers. What's not to like? I sat and read this in one afternoon. No hard thinking just a lot of reading enjoyment. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for The Winston Brothers. Now i have to go find and read Zane's book. Brother number 4! Find out more about Lori Foster and her other books on her website here.www.lorifoster.com