Saturday, January 22, 2011

Review: The Wilder brothers series by Jill Shalvis

OK i know i usually just review one book but i can't this time. Last week i read The 3 books in the Wilder brothers series by author Jill Shalvis. I discovered Jill Shalvis last year. I have a friend who shares her books with me when she is done with them and i believe that's where i encountered my first book by Jill Shalvis. I've been wanting to read this series for a while. I use paperbackswap.com to trade some of my books for other books.  I've had the three books from this series on my wish list for several months but none have become available. I finally used my libraries inter loaning service to get the books from another library. Alot of work to read these but worth it. Least i hoped it would be when i ordered them.

First in the series is Instant Attraction.

Get Wild... and then Get Wilder

Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl--working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn't fit in anywhere. That's all she wants. Well, that--and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she's crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed--that part defies explanation. . .



After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he'll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie's killer smile triggers something deep in his gut. . .among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he's ever felt--and an adventure Katie's wishing would never end...

This one is about the younger of the Wilder Brothers.  Both Katie and Cameron have something in common they both are fighter inner demons from terrible accidents that happened to them. I love how this book opens with Katie staying in Cameron's cabin. He's been gone for a year so his brother gives Katie's Cabin to stay in while she is a temporary employee for them. Cameron comes home to find Katie in his bed. Woo hoo! With that kind of opening it can only be great from there right? Right!! Cameron tries to set some of his own personal conflicts aside to help Katie get over her survivors guilt and she helps Cameron get over his problem of thinking he's defined by his past. I am huge Jill Shalvis book. I've never been disappointed in any of her books and this book was all i expected and more. I give it 4 and 1/2 Modokker Book pick stars.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book #2 is Instant Gratification
 
Book number 2 is Instant Gratification and is Stone Wilder's book. Stone is the middle brother and the one who runs things at Wilder Adventures. Here's a blurb from Instant Gratification.
 

The Doctor Is In Deep



Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair's last job in a New York City ER. It may as well be another galaxy. Here, running her father's clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Plus, she has to contend with patients like Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. The man laughs at her. A lot. And Emma loathes him. All except that tiny part of her that wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book. . .



When Stone tries to help Emma learn to loosen up a bit, he pictures white-water rafting or scenic mountain hikes. Not a mind-blowing affair that shakes them both to the core. Emma's sure she has no place in a town like Wishful, but Stone knows different. Emma belongs here—in this town, in his life. And convincing this strong-minded, stubborn, sexy woman of that fact will be a challenge no Wilder man could resist. . .


Poor Emma is a excellent Dr but she can't prove it by the people in Wishville, CA. She can't seem to get a decent paying patient.  TJ brings Stone in to the clinic and even he doesn't want to let her sew him up and kiss his boo boos. lol They clash of course and Stone tells Emma she's to uptight and he wants to help her loosen up. This 2nd installment of the Wilder series will make you laugh and maybe make you tear up a time or two. Just the kind of book i love. I give Instant Gratification 4 and 1/2 Modokker Book Pick stars.





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book #3 is Instant Temptation
 
This book is the 3rd and last book which focuses on TJ the oldest brother. The brother that takes care of everyone and everything.  Harley is the one girl that wouldn't pay him any attention. He's been attracted to her for a long time and she seems to hate him. Harley's got a secret though. hmmmm Blurb below.
 
To Harley, the landscape around Wishful, California, is exhilarating, untamed, and more than a little dangerous. The same could be said for T.J. Wilder, who's invited himself along on her trek to study a rare coyote. Harley's career is riding on this trip, and she doesn't need a stubborn, incredibly sexy distraction. But T.J. is a professional guide who knows when to stay back and when to provide invaluable expertise - just like he's done since they were in high school. And Harley, as usual, is torn between throttling him and giving in to the raw attraction that's been smoldering all these years. T.J. knows how proud and capable Harley is, but he's damned sure not letting her put herself at risk when there are illegal hunters in the area. She needs him, with the same soul-stirring urgency that he's always craved her. And here, in this beautiful place days from civilization, he'll finally have a chance to prove it - over and over again
 

I just loved TJ. I think you know how i feel about the book so I'm going to just say i give it 4 and 1/2 Modokker Book Pick stars. lol

I was sad to see the series done. Love these guys and their ladies and there are some secondary character that are pretty cool too. I will definite be buying these books for my keeper pile and re read them often. I had to return the ones i read to library unfortunately.  If you haven't read a Jill Shalvis book this is a great series to start with. There's romance and adventure and quite a few laugh out loud moments too. Great combination. You can check out these book and read excerpts for all three at Jill Shalvis website by clicking here.  Follow her on Facebook by clicking here.
 

Giveaway!! Dakota Child by author Linda Ford.

I have a copy of Linda Ford's Love Inspired Historical called Dakota Child for giveaway today.

Dakota Child

Trapped in a North Dakota blizzard, single mother Vivian Halliday's prayer for herself and her child is answered. Rescue comes in the seemingly terrifying form of Billy Black, the hulk of a man feared by all the townsfolk. Yet in the home he shares with his ailing mother, the handsome, gentle giant warms her baby's bottles and sings sweet lullabies that lull even Vivian to peaceful sleep.



When the storm abates and it is safe to leave, will she seek the life that led her back to the village…or stay where she's found an unexpected family for herself and her Dakota child?



I don't generally read alot of Love Inspired Christian type books but the few that i have I've really enjoyed and this one was one of those. If you would like to win a copy of this book. All you need to do is leave a comment and a email address so i can reach you and please tell me What book you are most looking forward to coming out this year.  Contest run until Friday January 28th.
To check out other books by Linda Ford  and her blog you can go to her website by clicking here.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Books for january 2011

It's the start of a new year and there are lots of awesome books coming out this year. Let's see if i can make a list of good ones coming out January 2011 for starters.

Ruthless game by author Christine Feehan came out December 28th ( Ghostwalker's series)
Sizzle by author Julie Garwood January 28th (softcover)(Buchanon-Renard Book #8)
The Perfect Play by author Jaci Burton  Feb 1st
Convincing Alex by author Nora Roberts January 19th (re-release)
Archangel's Consort by author Nalini Singh January 25th (Hunters Guild book #4)
Primal by author Lora Leigh ( connected to Breed series) February 1st

There's a few that i would like to read to get you started. I'm really looking forward to Archangel's consort. I've read the previous books in this series and all a 5 stars for me so hoping this one follows suit. I bought Ruthless Game just have to sit and read it now. Big fan of Christine Feehan so it should be a good one. I've read convincing Alex before. It's a re-issue and a great read as well. Sizzle has been out  in hard cover but this time it's softcover. If you are one to wait for softcover snap this one up. It's a awesome read as well.

These are some I'd like to read this month is your list similar and if not what others would you like to add to my list? I'm always interested in new authors so tell me what you are looking forward to reading in January 2011. Next month we'll check out Feruary's releases.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Kindles and other E-readers

Well i finally joined people who read ebooks on Kindle. I have had the app on my iphone for a while but didn't like using the small screen to read. Still in a pinch it works, it's handy if your stuck sitting waiting with nothing to do. I had a $50 Amazon gift certificate burning a hole in pocket and I've been eyeballing a Kindle for a while so that's what i used it towards. I received it in the mail Friday and once i got it figured out was adding books like crazy. I have close to 40 books on it now and all were either free or i won them from some place. From the short time i've had it i have made these observations. I have the basic Kindle that is $139 at amazon.com so it has Wifi but not the 3G. I bought a router for my computer at home and  it loads the books very quickly. From what I've been told by friends you don't need the 3G unless perhaps you travel alot and do not have access to wifi hot spots. Wifi hot spots are all over now i believe so that should not be a problem i don't think. Mcdonalds and the local libraries here offer free wifi. If you like to read in bed the Kindle works better for me than a paperback. I always fight with pages and getting comfy when reading. there there are the times i accidentally drop my book and it falls off the bed closed. It's small enough to fit in most purses so if you have to go to the Dr or dentist this fits nicely in most purses so it's not ONE MORE THING to carry when you're out and about. If you travel you can load books at home if you need to and have enough for a couple weeks vacation etc if you want.  Now there are lots and lots of free ebooks if you are on a tight budget. I have had no trouble finding books to load for free. I noticed there is a experimental section on the Kindle menu which includes a web browser you can try out and the ability to upload mp3 music files to listen to music while you read and text to speech. Certain book you can set it up to read the book to you if needed. This past weekend Amazon announced book sharing too. It's not the best thing so far but hopefully it will get better. Right now you can lend a book to someone for 14 days. Drawbacks are you can only lend it out one time. If your friend doesn't get it read in 14 day that's there tough luck. Better than nothing but hey it's something they didn't offer before. You can also gift someone a ebook too. All you need is the giftee's email address. The Kindle is lightweight and about the size of a 5 x 7 book. My Kindle will not be replacing my paperback book though. Love them and just bought a few so for me the Kindle is just another option. Another way to do what i enjoy. Read. 

Feel free to leave some comments here if something i've said's not 100% correct or if there is anything else you can add. Do you have a Kindle or other ereader? Please share your thought on what ereader you have and if you like it and if so tell us what's so great! I love my Kindle so far but a friend of mine got a Nook color and is enjoying it and another got a ipad where she has the Kindle, Nook and ipad apps on it to use for reading.

Happy reading!