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Review: Crave Me by Crystal Jordan
Crave Me
As newly appointed heir to his Pride, Tomas Montoya struggles with both his new duties and his new mate. He craves the dark and dangerous pleasure he finds with Ciri but wonders if he can ever satisfy her need for more…
- Publisher: Aphrodisia (September 27, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0758261551
- ISBN-13: 978-0758261557
*Crave Me is part of the Prowl the Night duology. My review of Want me, the other part of the duology is forthcoming.
Crave Me starts off really hot. They’re in the middle of mating (panther shifters) but at the same time it’s really sad because he’s thinking the whole time about how he feels very distant from his mate. In panther society, not everyone finds their mate (or has one) so the fact that they found each other is pretty special. But he’s heir to the leadership of the pride in South America. He’s temporarily the second in command in the North American Pride based in San Fran… I’m not entirely clear how the second system works. Even though it was explained, it confused me a little bit.
Anyway. They love each other very much but they’re so different. She’s a traditionalist, he’s progressive. She’s Japanese, he’s Brazilian. She’s into art, he’s into politics. Things worked before he had to step up and be second in command of the North American Pride and now she feels that politics have taken over their lives. The main problem (for her) is that she has been taken out of her culture and thrust into another one where she doesn’t fit in. There’s a huge disconnect between them. He doesn’t have time to spend with her because he’s working all the time, and I completely understand where she’s coming from. On the other hand, as someone who has to work for a living (and enjoys doing so), I understand where he’s coming from too. He has to do these things to make sure that everything goes smoothly for his father’s reign, and later his. No one will respect him if he just tosses his duties aside, even if it is for his mate.
So, Crave Me is about them overcoming their issues to be together. There’s a LOT of mating involved in the novella, because of the way their genetics are – if they find their mate and they don’t bone a lot, they will literally go insane. But they have to work through their issues or they won’t have a successful mating.
I really enjoyed seeing them work through their problems to find their way back to each other.
4.75 out of 5
Review: Embrace the Night
They’re the Magickal ones…vampires, werewolves, witches and fae who dwell among humans, united by extraordinary talents and unbridled sexual powers…
Chloe Standish went looking for a one-night stand to erase memories of her cheating ex-and found the hottest sex of her life. A witch and biochemist who’s working on a cure for werewolves, Chloe knows all about magic, yet Merek Kingston evoked a spellbinding lust beyond anything she’d ever felt. But now her ex-boyfriend and research partner is dead, his part of the formula in terrorists’ hands…and the detective in charge is Merek, the same man who’s haunted her dreams ever since their frenzied night together.
Chloe is the one person whose future Merek can’t predict…the only woman who could make him break every rule just to possess her again. Nothing will stop him from protecting her, and an explosive passion too primal, too perfect to forget…
- Publisher: Kensington Books (June 1, 2011)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B004NEW4ZI
This book is about a doctor (Chloe) who is a research scientist (and a witch) who is looking for a cure to lycanthropy… well, more a way to control their need to change. Sometimes during the full moon, a wolf will die during the change. Jaya, one of Chloe’s best friends from college, was one of the wolves who didn’t make it through the change, leaving behind her young son (Alex) and his father, who is also a research scientist and working with Chloe to find the cure.
I thought the friendship between the doctor and the “Normal” among the group of friends from college (Tess) and Chloe was very sweet… up until a certain point in the book, and I don’t want to give anything away because I hate spoilers.
Chloe meets up with Merek, who is a warlock and a cop. They have a one night stand before the beginning of the book, and they immediately have a connection. They can’t get each other out of their minds, but neither wants to admit it – especially Merek, because of events of his past that damaged his soul. They have incredibly hot smex and a deep connection that they’re fighting… and they go on the run with Alex, whose father is now missing.
I loved seeing the family dynamic between Merek, Chloe, and Alex. They worked well together and you could see the love between them all.
Sometimes the plot was a little confusing because I didn’t know who was good, who was bad, and what on earth was going on. There was a vampire named Payton who I had NO IDEA what side he was on. When another vampire Luca came on the scene, I didn’t know if he should be trusted either.
It was definitely an interesting book with a lot of twists and turns and very interesting characters. I’d like to see more about the other characters, and I hope that it’s part of a series.
4.5 out of 5 meows
Review: Falke’s Captive by Madison Layle & Anna Leigh Keaton
A graduate student working in animal genetics, Beth Coldwell is in town to track and tag big cats in the wild. Her prospects for the summer only improve when she meets Kelan and Reidar Falke and decides the sexy brothers are the right pair to fulfill her other, less than scientific, desires…
But her research is a threat to the Falke family secret. When Kelan, in cougar form, is captured, that secret comes closer than ever to being revealed. He escapes, but not before Beth draws a blood sample, and analysis shows this is no ordinary mountain lion.
Kelan and Reidar cannot deny the powerful attraction they feel toward Beth. She might just be their destined mate. But if they reveal themselves to her, will she embrace who they are or see them as just another science experiment?
- Publisher: Carina Press (October 10, 2011)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B005JSJX7E
There is a family of cougars (mountain lions)… two sets of triplets, from what I remember… a lot of kids. One is a girl who is a non-shifter and she’s a vet. The small tiny town has somehow accepted the fact that this family has a pet cougar and has always had a pet cougar in the family, despite the fact that you can’t domesticate a cougar (even putting him on a leash, which the town requires when they’re in the city limits).
Beth, a college student who is doing a research project, comes to town with a guy named Tim who irritated the crap out of me throughout the entire book, and their professor is supposed to be following in a few days.
Beth manages to shoot one of the brothers (Kelan) in the butt with a tranq dart while he was in cougar form. She brought him to the research trailer and locked him in a cage… after already having sex with him and his brother (Reidar) – which squicks me out. They don’t touch each other, but I don’t do well with stories that have the same family in a ménage. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ménage, but if there’s blood involved (running through their veins… and blood play, ew) then I usually run the other way.
Despite the fact that there were two brothers involved in this ménage, I really enjoyed the book. There was a good storyline, there was intense chemistry between the brothers and Beth. I did think it was a little weird that she was human and basically immediately realized that she was meant to be with both of these brothers for life as quickly as she did, but hey – it’s a book. And it somehow worked.
I’d give this a higher rating, but because of the brothers issue, I’m going to have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 meows.
NSFW Music Monday: Tonight I’m [Loving] You by Enrique Iglesias
I was cleaning my house, listening to the Pitbull station on Pandora when this song came on. Now, I’m well acquainted with the “clean” version of this song (Tonight I’m Loving You) since it’s on the radio ALL THE TIME, but I’d never heard this version. And, being me, I LOVE this version. So, this is my contribution to Music Monday. Hope you’re in a place where you can listen with the volume CRANKED UP. xoxo.
MamaKitty’s Riptide Wishlist
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Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run, #7) | $7.99 |
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Dirty Laundry | $7.99 |
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Quid Pro Quo | $1.99 |
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Gravedigger’s Brawl | $7.99 |
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Doubtless | $3.99 |
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Priceless | $1.99 |
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Once a Marine | $6.99 |
I was going through the Riptide website earlier and found a few gems that caught my eye. Since it’s right after Christmas and I’m a poor college student, I’m officially back on book-ban. But I do so love to window shop… If anyone wants to buy me one (or, y’know, all!) I’d be perfectly okay with that. 
Review: Moving in Rhythm by Dev Bentham
Mark Apostolos should be able to have any man he wants. Handsome and smart, he’s also cripplingly shy, especially around attractive men. Tired of waking up alone, he’s desperate to conquer his insecurities and have a real, meaningful relationship.
He gets his first opportunity when he tags along to his sister-in-law’s dance class and lays eyes on the sexy instructor. Seth Miller has a way of moving that takes his breath away. It isn’t long before sparks fly and they share a steamy kiss, but Seth wants much more than just a casual encounter.
If Mark wants a real relationship with Seth he’ll have to come to terms with his sexuality—but will it be enough to break through the walls he’s built up around his heart?
- Publisher: Carina Press (March 19, 2012)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B0070Y3GR8
- FTC Disclosure: received via NetGalley
Mark is “cripplingly shy” so when he meets super hot Seth in a Zumba class he’s taking with his pregnant sister-in-law, he runs for the hills. I use the quotation marks here for effect rather than just quoting the blurb – I felt like the premise was a good one. It sucked me in and made me want to pick the book up. Unfortunately, I think the premise of his crippling shyness fell flat. Sure, he couldn’t speak to any hot guy in the vicinity and routinely ran away when anyone tried to do more than talk to him or grope in a dark alley behind a seedy club, but when he started talking to Seth on the phone, his shyness went away pretty quickly.
I don’t think the main characters interacted with each other enough. Most of the book had Mark talking to someone else or agonizing over how painfully shy he was, so having them get to know each other on the phone a little bit, go to the dog park and not talk to each other in person (again – on the phone), and then suddenly jump into bed was a bit of a leap for me.
Rating: 3 meows
Christmas Eve Music Monday: O Holy Night by N Sync
I was about 16 when this album first came out. And yes, I was one of those annoying girls who loved Boy Bands. But I also loved Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson, and Nine Inch Nails, so you’ve got to give me some credit. *G* Anyway. This has been my favorite version of O Holy Night for 13 years, give or take (and now I feel old, ouch). It’s a beautiful a capella version and if N Sync had one thing down, it was their ability to harmonize.
Feel Good Friday
It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts. Not because there isn’t anything to feel good about, but because I’ve been so busy with school that I haven’t had time. But the semester is over, and I have a little time off to relax and blog (this is a great feeling).
Today, I’m going to make a list of five things that have been awesome this past week.
- I got to hang out with my Monkey a little bit more than usual.
- Cuddle time with PK has been in abundance.
- We have most of our Christmas shopping done, and I barely had to leave the house.
- I’m off of school until January 14th.
- I’ve only had to change out of my PJs during the day twice this week. SCORE.
- I’m writing and things are flowing. That’s always lovely.
- I’m interviewing one of my absolute most favorite authors today. That is EPIC.
Okay, so I wrote seven things rather than the five I promised. But seven is better than five, and I’m feeeeeeeeeelin’ good.
Review: Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins
After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon’s Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father’s wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she’s not thrilled…even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox.
Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist’s assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn’t the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn’t the only thing that needs a little TLC…
- Publisher: HQN Books (April 24, 2012)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B007BBVCH6
- FTC Disclosure: purchased with my own money
I loved Parker Welles in The Next Best Thing. She was a secondary character, mother to the hero’s son and friend to the heroine. They shared an easy friendship, and it was something that I envied, since I don’t know too many people who are still on speaking terms with their ex, and Parker and Ethan were on great speaking terms.
So, when I saw that Kristan Higgins had written a book about Parker, I jumped at the chance to read it. I didn’t know at the time that it was also connected to Catch of the Day, since I still haven’t read it, despite the fact that it’s been on my TBR list for… well, ever. What can I say? School & family keep me busy!
Parker’s hatred of her father’s lawyer, James Cahill, is pretty instinctive. I mean, he’s a lawyer (no offense to my lawyer friends – you know what I mean!) and worse: he’s the son that Parker’s father never had. So I can totally see why she hates him as much as she does. But James is actually a really nice (and super sexy!) guy, and when Parker’s father ends up in prison and losing all the family money leaving Parker broker than broke, James steps in to help her out.
All she has left is a ramshackle house in Maine that needs a complete overhaul. When James shows up to help, at first Parker is indignant and doesn’t want anything to do with him, but the ice around her heart slowly melts when she sees what a great guy James really is.
And I melted too. James is truly a standup guy, and even though he has feelings for Parker, he isn’t there to act on them and take advantage of her in her distress. Not that she wanted a man at that point anyway (something else I loved – she didn’t care if she had a love interest or not. She was all about being a good mom to her son).
Like every Kristan Higgins book I’ve read, I laughed out loud, I shed real tears, and loved every moment.
Rating: 5 meows
Review: Double Up by Lissa Matthews
Jared and Bryson started their life together by leaving their childhood homes to make their way west. Ending up in a small community near Livingston, Montana, with a small horse ranch, life is just about perfect for the two men until Jared gives Walt, a Native American drifter and horse trainer, a ride.
Sparks fly in the truck cab and when Jared gets him home, Walt finds himself caught between two hot-blooded cowboys, a place he never expected to be and one he doesn’t want to leave. Their idyllic ménage of love and lust hits the skids though when Jared experiences jealousy and fear. He issues an ultimatum to Bryson and Walt…either they leave, or he will.
Hoping Jared will come to his senses with time and space, Bryson and Walt wait. But after three months, Jared hasn’t budged. On his birthday, Bryson and Walt steal into the house they all once shared and wake him with a kiss, a grope, a thrust of hard bodies, and a birthday spanking he will never forget.
Will Jared be able to conquer his doubts and insecurities, or will he lose the only two people who will fight to keep him?
- Publisher: Loose Id
- ISBN: 978-1-62300-055-4
- Genre: GLBT, Menage, Cowboy & Western
- Buy Links: Loose Id, Amazon Kindle, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble
- FTC Disclosure: given to me by the author for the purposes of an honest review.
I love Lissa Matthews, both as a person and as an author. So when she asked me if I wanted to read Double Up, I leaped at the chance – especially after I’d read the excerpt she posted on her webpage. Yowza!
Double Up is the story of Jared, Bryson, and Walt. Three men who share something special – a Triad that actually works. Well, it works until Jared’s demons from his past come to haunt him in the form of a dream. Because of his insecurities, he pushes Bryson and Walt away, even going so far as to make them move out of the home they share or he’ll leave.
The story starts three months after Jared makes Bryson and Walt leave, and it’s obvious that they’re all in misery. When Bryson and Walt sneak into the house they once shared to give Jared a special wakeup call on his birthday, things quickly heat up. Once it’s all said and done though, Jared is still under the impression that he has to push them away or they’re going to leave him.
I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to smack Jared in his stubborn head. But I realized that it wasn’t just Jared being stubborn – he really is that insecure. His father was a jerk of the highest (or lowest, depending on your point of view) caliber, and growing up with a man like that is bound to leave you emotionally scarred, to say the least.
Lissa did an excellent job of keeping the three men as distinctly different people – Walt is the strong one, Jared is the loving although insecure one, and Bryson is the glue that holds them together. It’s rare that I see three totally different men in a relationship written so beautifully.
My one complaint is that I wish that the book had started prior to Jared sending Bryson and Walt packing. I would’ve loved to have seen how their relationship developed and how Jared got to the point where he felt like he couldn’t keep them in his life.
Overall, Double Up is a great read for those who love some hot cowboys, hotter sex, and a good angsty storyline (which is just how I like them!)
Rating: 4 meows
