Backfield in Motion (Seattle Lumberjacks 4) by Jami Davenport

Hi!,

 oki now this is really the last line for the sport romance challenge since there is only a little more than 24h left and no i'm not finished.... when i see all the books fitting this category i have and that i want to read  it's infuriating i had to take a forceful reading break.... now i can read again but little by little  since my hands aren't healed and it's painful to hold something long and with all christmas and now New year preparation the time is limited. However i'm not giving up!

If you remember this year, i've read and absolutely loved Down by Contact by Jami Davenport, it was in fact the third book in the series and i have been dying to read book 1 and 2 since then, they are on my night table even but i couldn't read them then and now book 4 just released so  i couldn't resist and i jumped on it as soon as i could with pleasure^^ and i will read backwards after but i couldn't miss this new release to share it with you so...

 Happy Reading!

Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Publication: 2013

Genre: sport romance
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy received in exchange for an honest review
 

Short description from goodreads :

 Bruce "Bruiser" Mackey's story (running back)

All you'll ever be is a pretty face...

Star running back Bruce “Bruiser” Mackey has heard those words his entire life, especially after his twin brother’s tragic accident. He might use his surfer-boy good looks to land lucrative endorsements for his secret charity, but he hates books being judged by their covers. Which is why it’s wrong that his friend MacKenzie Hernandez is intent on giving herself a makeover.


Sure, Mac and her father have been reeling financially since her brother disappeared three years ago, and Lumberjacks management gives an annual scholarship that might get her life back on track, but he can’t imagine anyone smarter, sexier, or more beautiful than Mac already is. He can’t keep his hands off her—and the more they spend time together, the less he wants to. She’s perfect as is. One way or another, he’ll make sure the team’s tomboy greenskeeper gets a full ride. And between the two of them, they can learn to accept what’s behind them and look downfield to a future full of win.

My opinion:

          After enjoying so much “ Down by Contact” i was impatient to find the Seattle Lumberjacks once more however instead of starting with the precedent books it was time for the newly release and I didn’t want to miss it. Jami Davenport is really an author you have to try if you love sport romance because so far I have liked (or more) all I’ve read from her.

This book doesn’t break that rule I really liked it but at the same time I found it harder to immerse myself in the story because the suspense part was more important than the sport one and I guess perhaps a little too unbelievable for me. However the author’s writing talent made it so that I still couldn’t close the book and i had to finish it the sooner the better.

I was delighted to get to see again Kelsie, Lavender and Rachel as well as their counterpart^^, They have become great at scheming lovers plans and it’s sure Mac and Bruiser needed their wisdom ( I want to see Tyler get married even if apart the ceremony and paper it’s all look like he is already)I enjoyed discovering more about Brett and I do hope he will find his soulmate too because he does deserve it, he is so loyal and forgiving. Now i must say i still hate Veronica and I don’t think that could change a day…. You will see what i mean after reading this 4th book….she is such a b**** I wanted to strangle her ( I’m sure she is even furious with Elliot).

The romance between Mac and Bruiser is cute and I do love the message between it that you need to see behind the appearances. People can be so different that what they want people to believe and if you stop just at the looks you are missing so much…. Bruiser did need a change in Mac appearance to give it a try and I guess that part bothered  me just a little…he is saying he saw her and liked her before but he needed to see her as a woman to make his move…. Now that happen also in real life sometimes you need a change of place to open your eyes to what was right in front of you so i got over it pretty quickly. Both have guilt issues and difficulty to trust, they are stubborn and sadly not selfish enough sometimes making them pay a too heavy price for someone else decision or desire but together they do get stronger if they can accept it.

Nevertheless when you add the burden in Mac’s life to Bruiser’s past… it was a little too much for me. It’s not bad no but perhaps I would have enjoyed more if at least one of them at resolved his or her problem first because it does make a lot especially when Elliot come to add to the mix of their perturbed life already. I loved Elliot Character… so mature and at the same time so vulnerable..; it’s just that the 3 situations together were too much for my emotional state right now i guess.

The sport part is a little more behind the scene in this story, we know Bruiser plays ( and wins) that he has training session but the majority of the action take place far from the stadium. Perhaps i missed that but at the same time if you are not great fan of sport it makes it even easier to be drawn in the story.

All in one it’s a really good sport romance with a lot of suspense romance this time in the mix and one you should really give a try to.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

 For more info on Jami Davenport and her books you can check her Website  HERE

 Backfield in Motion is available on amazon or on smashwords ( as well as other format and retailer listed on her website)

Challenge:

Spotlight: Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Susannah Sandlin

Hello to all!!

                I was so deep in my reading that i nearly forgot to let you know about one of the book i have on my radar since i learned of its existence. As many of you probably know by now i'm  quite a fan of Suzanne Johnson who also writes under the name " Susannah Sandlin".

After writing in the urban fantasy genre ( The Sentinels of New Orleans series), the paranormal romance (The penton Legacy series) , and the thriller paranormal romance ( Storm Force), that talented author is now trying her hand in a Thriller, romantic suspense with is titled "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" which could become the first in a new series called "The Collectors" and it release tomorrow!!

Now what i am spolighting this today? For your benefit of course because by acting now you can save some money.

This novel will first be released as a serial on Kindle ( or for those who can use the free application on your computer, tablet)...each week you get one episode ( around 40pages) that will download automatically..and that for 8weeks since there will be 8episodes in total... Now here is the trick, if you pre order it now ( you have a few hours left^^ hurry pre orders help authors) or buy it early you will only pay 1,99dollars if you are in the US ( sadly serials are not available in every country or when it is not at the same price so check for this one).... yes 1,99 dollars for the whole book.... you pay once and you receive all the past ( if it's not a pre order) and future episodes when they release.

Now i know some of you are not fan of serial....i'm not in most case either but this one is really worth the wait and even if you don't want to read it before you got all the episodes if you buy it now you have it at the reduced price. That's quite a bargain.

As for the fan of print books like i'm, fear not ^^ after the last episode is released in digital we will get a print edition and the price of the digital version will go up of course. I can't wait to add this one on my shelves.

Really for having read the beginning i can tell you it promise to be excellent so if you love suspense and thriller with a touch of romance you must get this book in digital or print but you must have it.

So what are you waiting for? You can get it here and if you want more info you can check Susannah's Website  .  Remember the first episode is scheduled to be released tomorrow ( 30th)


Not convinced yet? Here comes the summary to entice you further^^

"From award-winning author Susannah Sandlin comes a heart-pounding romantic thriller that pits a quick-witted scientist and a scarred ex–combat diver against a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter with ties to the White House....

When biologist Gillian Campbell makes an offhand comment about a family curse during a TV interview, she has no idea what her words will set in motion. Within days, Gillian finds herself at the mercy of a member of the C7, a secretive international group of power brokers with a dangerous game: competing to find the world’s most elusive treasures, no matter the cost, in money or in lives. To save her family, Gillian teams up with Shane Burke, a former elite diver who’s lost his way, navigating the brutal 'death coast' of the North Atlantic to find what the collector seeks: the legendary Ruby Cross of the Knights Templar, stolen by Gillian’s ancestor and lost at sea four hundred years ago."

You don't want to miss this one, not only Susanne is a talented author is all the genres she tried but she is also a wonderful person and an author really attentive to her readers so enjoy this new release^^.

Buying Trouble ( Dorina Basarab 1.1) by Karen Chance

Hi!

       Have you recovered from Christmas? Ready for New Year Eve? To be honest, i'm not and i should definitively be resting if i hope to be able to stay up all evening but that's the last line to finish 2013 challenge and i hate failing so much that i'm doing my best. I still need to read 2 sport romance but first i wanted to close some gaps in the series i've read this year.

When I was reading the Dorina Basarab series, book 2 in particular I suddenly got the impression I was missing a lot on the story and then I was reminded that there was a novella set between book 1 and book 2 “ Buying Trouble” that centered on Claire. I had to read it and I was happily surprised to see that it was available in digital but also in a print anthology (that I owned).

For my own peace of mind I had to read this before New Year as to start 2014 on the good base without any blank in my series.

Have you reached all your reading goals already? Working to tie some gaps?

Happy Reading!

Publisher: Berkley

Publication: 2008

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

In Midnight's Daughter, New York Times bestselling author Karen Chance took us to a new corner of Cassie Palmers world and introduced us to the lives of the mysterious vampires who rule the night. Now, read the eSpecial, Buying Trouble, the companion novella to Midnight’s Daughter, and learn why vampires aren't the only creatures to fear.


Claire just wants to keep out of trouble. But that isn't always easy when you’re a mage with the extremely unusual ability to block all magic around you. And when Claire’s sleazy boss decides Claire herself is the most valuable rarity to sell at a magical auction, trouble finds her. Now, her only hope for survival is to trust a mysterious and handsome stranger, a Fey Lord named Heidar. As their pursuers close in, there's one thing for sure, savior or threat, Heidar can show Claire things she never imagined in this world, and in herself. . .

My opinion:

         Definitively a novella that you have to read (preference: in order) if you want to have a better understanding of Dorina Basarab’s universe.  The fact it exist both in digital and print is really a bonus and I was really happy to discover Faerie and part of its politic  because the relation between the different “ clans” are explained but only a little since the story focus more on Claire and her real nature, identity.

To be honest I wasn’t remembering from book 1 how Claire had a difficult childhood and thus now I understand better how she came to stand by Dorina and why she never give up… Dorina was after her uncle the only one to really care for Claire as a person not for her magic which is the opposite of what her family did, selling her to be a slave after making life difficult for all the childhood. Here we get a glimpse of said childhood by Claire’s memories and really it hasn’t been easy. It was also really interesting to learn more about her magical talent but what I enjoyed even more was discovering her second-nature and those who come with it^^ like the tending Harpy surprisingly kind ( at least with Claire).  Yes it wasn’t a total surprise since I’ve read Dorina Basarab book 2 but learning how it happened the first time was simply too funny .

I also enjoyed how Claire met Heidar and how their relationship built in crisis time however I guess I was surprised at how little careful he was…. They are in danger, he knows thing Claire ignore totally and despite all that he set things in motion without thinking more about the consequences…. As much as he was making me smile before and I liked him I just wanted to slap him then ( glad Tanet did a little to put some weight in his head).

Nevertheless I couldn’t love this story…. I liked it yes but I was expecting so much more from the hints in Dorina Basarab book 2 so I’m still feeling like I’m missing something and that’s what I hate in a series…. Yes we learn about elves, yes we discover Claire’s nature but nothing about the “pet” Dorina got ( supposedly when she was looking for Claire) we don’t get the big clash between Dorina and the villain elf who is determined to have her head no Dorina is only cited has having paid Claire’s cousin a visit….nothing else.

Also when the romance is in place, the end of the novella feel a little rushed it’s not bad no and if you read it in order you will probably not feel this missing element feeling but if you read it  after the rest of Dorina series it’s good yes but not as excellent as it could have been.

However, this could even work as a stand alone if you which because there are nearly no reference to the main series. So if you are a lover of Karen Chance books, I can only recommend that you read this one in it’s place in the series, if you just want a funny paranormal romance with elves and others kinds of characters  you can pick this one for a fun ride.

Score:  3/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Josey’s Christmas Cookie by Sharon Kleve

Hello to all,


                   With everything that happened for the past months all my reading planning has gone to the trash... i planned to read more, to finish reading challenge at early december at the latest and i wanted to read Christmas romance for Christmas.... let just say that my pile will be bigger next year^^;;;

Now it's never to late for Christmas romance and of course you can read them all year along but i prefer them in winter when they are so heart warming....the time is diminishing fast before New Year so i have to read faster but i did want at least one magical moment so i picked one Christmas novella and i don't regret it all.

Happy reading!

Publisher: Sharon Kleve

Publication: 2012

Genre: Christmas romance
Violence: none
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: free

Short description from goodreads :

In the blink of an eye; Josey lost the most important people in her life, her parents.


Can a hound dog named Cookie, a pair of Mourning Doves and a passionate vet bring the holiday spirit back into Josey's life in time for Christmas?

My opinion:

          This is really a sweet Christmas novella and, if you love animals as I do, your heart will melt at some passage. If you love short story and novella and want to read one set at Christmas time including some humour, really determined birds, cute and loving dog as well as two humans destined for each other then you have to give this one a try.

Really it was a perfect read for the season and if I was a fan of novella I would have given a higher score sadly it’s not the case and thus it all felt a little rushed for me: meeting and first date the same day….a little too quick for me  now it’s part of the genre and it’s just their meeting ( they don’t jump on each other that quick thankfully or I wouldn’t have liked it at all) so I did like this story and I was smiling at the birds and i was so sad for Cookie’s past.

If you want some clean romance, animal humour and some Christmas magic do read Josey’s story it will leave you all heart warmed and smiling at any pet you encounter.

Score:  3/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenge:

Offside (The Barker triplets 1) by Juliana Stone

Happy Holidays to all of You!!


                     I hope you had a wonderful Christmas time with your loved ones ( and if you don't celebrate, a great family time simply). For once i did enjoy a calm meal and christmas day was also a really good one since i managed to get a little reading done after all i'm still hoping to finish the challenge i've entered and that's the last line so i'm trying^^.

I opted for a sport romance since i must still read 2 others but to be honest i was also hesitant to pick it... during this year that i tried to discover this genre i found excellent ones but i also got really disappointed by other and i was a little afraid if it wasn't one for le that i would loose my motivation.....thankfully i have been more than happily surprised and i really liked to read this on christmas since the main messsage is forgiveness and trust so without waiting here is my opinion on Offside by Juliana Stone

Happy reading!

Publisher: Juliana Stone

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: contemporary, sport romance
Violence: mild
Language: mild
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: free (promo on smashwords at the time)

Short description from goodreads :

 When hockey phenom Billie-Jo Barker returns home and decides to play in the local Friday night hockey league, all hell breaks loose. Not because Billie's talent is in question, but because Billie is a woman. And though these are modern times, some of the local guys still have a problem letting a girl into their 'men's club.'

Soon, Billie is at the center of a small town battle of the sexes, with everyone choosing sides. Her sisters. The townsfolk. Her friends. And yet, the only person whose opinion she cares about doesn't seem to care much at all. Logan Forest, the man who broke her heart when she was eighteen and the man she now shares the bench with every Friday night.


She's got a lot to prove and though Billie Jo Barker scores on the ice, will this girl ever score with the man of her dreams?

My opinion:

          As hesitating as I was to start this book I didn’t expect it to be that good! I really loved it.  While it was a little difficult for me to get into the story at first because I kept confusing the characters (between Billie, Bobby and Betty you have to follow^^) I got really attached to Billie and Bobby….( I hate Betty even if she appears only a little)… I admire how Billie fought for her dreams and how she isn’t giving up, she was moving and the fact she loved Logan since little drew me to her… she is an athlete and he has the mind of one determined, voluntary and stubborn too^^

Bobby is different. Part of me were (still are) angry with how she is reacting but at the same time to having had my father live a degenerative illness I really can understand her. If you haven’t lived the situation you can’t imagine how exhausting physically AND emotionally it can be… you can choose to help with your free will you are never prepared for how hard is it to see one person you care for change and not recognize you or simply acting the opposite you always knew him to be. It hurts a lot and I’m sure under her grumpiness she is terribly afraid to loose her father and it’s a way to protect herself. The fact she was alone to do it add up to all the stress and fears she had so in a sense it’s normal she cat how she does to Billie and if you look closely she is never really mean to her ( not like Betty) she not supportive that’s completely different…. I really hope she will get her HEA with Shane and even more I want to know what happened between them!

I really loved that the sport in this was hockey in fact it’s was attracted me in this book to start with and i was really glad to see how the author introduced us to it… it’s completely part of book but not overwhelming if you don’t know anything about it. You follow Billie’s love for it you don’t have to stick to the rules to get a felling of what happen because mostly in this story the ethic is predominant…for example  you know what Seth did isn’t acceptable no matter what the rules states it’s not something you can agree with. I also really appreciate to see how the sport made the character stick together even if it wasn’t the case at the beginning…. By sharing together, working together they bonded and those bonds while done are strong as we can see how the guys move together to defend her.

Logan is so yummy^^;; I loved how loyal he was with Shane and how determined he could be. It really made sense with the romance part… it took time to take place but when it does it’s ignite with a spark. Logan has been hurt but it was more a misunderstanding in fact even if he doesn’t know it. Because of that he has apprehension with Billie simply because of whom her sisters are… he takes time to really see her for her and he gets really surprised… however they share so much in common they couldn’t not to get together. He is protective, honor counts for him and…. He isn’t a complete macho so a perfect book boyfriend, a real alpha is his own way.

Really it was a great sport romance read and while the rest of the series won’t be sport romance ( or less because if Shane appears he is playing hockey too) but only contemporary I wouldn’t need a lot of coaxing to give it a try after enjoying this first book so much! If you want a steamy romance but that built slowly, some hockey sport and want to see some macho get what they deserve with also some humour along the road ( the cat Weird is too funny) this is a great book for you!

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Unicorn Keep by Angelia Almos

Hello to all!

                The countdown for Christmas is nearly finished and i don't know for you but  here we are not ready yet despite all my efforts... christmas card have been sent ( nearly all received on time, still waiting to hear from some people), 99% of the gifts are wrapped and under the tree ( only one left to do but it's at home already) and i finally put my hands on the majority of my christmas meal... tomorrow will be the last line and then i really hope i will be able to relax a little .

 However, the winter challenge i joined this weekend did gave me the little push i needed to get back on reading as soon as i have 5min off....not sure it will be enough to finish all i have to do but i decided to start on a book from an author i've read a lot this year but really love and it set in winter so perfect to make up for the White Christmas not on the horizon.

Enjoy!

Publisher: Thoroughweb Press

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  9781476261065

Genre: fantasy, YA
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: ecopy received in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodreads :

 Jiline of Ainsley is dismayed when her best friend is selected by the mages to become a unicorn keeper at the Keep, an isolated mountain fortress. Especially since Madelen is in love and engaged to the richest boy in the village. Jiline on the other hand has no prospects of marriage or a trade in their small village. So, she comes up with a plan to take Madelen’s place at the Keep and hopefully flunk out of unicorn keeper training before the mages can discover the deception. Unfortunately, the unicorns have their own plans for her.


Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is Madelen, on the trail sparks a magical connection between the two. Knowing he can’t feel a magical draw to someone who has no magic, he tries to prove Madelen (Jiline) has magic within her. His attention brings unforeseen complications for both of them

My opinion:

          I’m really delighted to have discovered Angelia’s books this year because even if there are some I loved more than other I liked all of them and I’ve been disappointed so far. I was really happy she wrote a book about unicorn for me to try once again the magic operated.

This title is a YA, fantasy one and Angelia’s talent really works well for this genre but what marked me the moist is how well the horses and unicorns habit’s and description are fitting. We really see she loves them and know a lot about the subject which made the unicorns so lively and believable that you are immersed in the story and could wish for horse of your own after reading about sweet Ginger the Pony, about Bai the prideful unicorn and all the others.

I liked the story a lot and enjoyed the universe where magic isn’t hidden and at the same time not told all about. Jiline is a really interesting heroine; I loved how she thought before taking a decision, not wanting to be rash about it and not taking all she was told for truths that can’t be put into question. She wanted to help and save her friends, then the unicorn but not until the end and still with difficulty did she think about herself. I really love that.

Herrick was a loyal and thoughtful suitor, he doesn’t mean to bring attention to the girl he knows as Madelen but he is draw to her. He needs to be near, to see her and to get her approval. When the need arrives he does his best to protect her even if it means putting himself in danger for someone so young it was cute and definitively the kind of boyfriend I would love to have. His magic is his own and he is stronger than a lot of other mage, reason, aside from who is mother is, he is put under surveillance. He is also able to rethink what he was told.

Ginger is loyal and so courageous as well as too friendly^^;; , bait is a unicorn who seems a little too attached to Jilene, protector aside he is an excellent fighter and doesn’t like Herrick at all. His mother Gwyn  is the leading mare and she is really cute to read about. I love how commanding she can be as well as patient with Jilene letting her come to her own conclusion not rushing but giving a nudge in the good direction if needed. She knows what is best for her but let Jilene decide when the moment is right.

Now there were 2 things that bothered me… first one detail that perhaps it’s only my fault but at the beginning perhaps there were one or 2 typos a negation not present or a name missing but I can’t be sure in the state I’m in I could I have missed and really you read the story in one so that don’t impede your enjoyment of the story at all.

What bothered me more was Eli… I don’t know why but I would have liked to see more of him…. I don’t know if he did what he did only because he was compelled to that’s not really précised just hinted at. However since his link to the unicorn I was hoping they would take him along one way or another so I was always hoping to see him appearing but we simply don’t know what happen to him exactly. He was the one in the keeper really close to the unicorn but it’s like their bond just disappear. Same for Madelen, we don’t know how things work for her not even for the little Cris  and I would have liked more closure.

 The ending I sweet and really well written even if part of me would have wished something different I don’t regret it. It’s really cute story with a sweet romance in a fabulous fantasy world. I recommend it with pleasure!

Score:  4/5 (3,75 to be precise^^;;)

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review,All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

  If you want this book you can buy it on  Smashwords in the digital format you prefer or for print copy on amazon or bookdepository

            You can find more informations on the series and Angelia on her Website 

Challenges:

2014 TBR reading Challenge sign up post

hi!

            The year isn't finished that i try to make resolutions for 2014 and one of these is to participate again in the TBR reading Challenge because for the last 2 years it has been quite a motivation for me.
The 2014 edition will be exclusively hosted on Bookish so we will avoid the hiccups from past editions and there will have some optional read along too and others details but what is sure is that we will have fun!

During  the 2013 edition i've read more than 60books but to be cautious, this time again i will start at the first level ( and move up if i can) A firm Handsake and that means between 1-10books. I don't list my books in advance either because i pick them as i come accross them on my shelves often while looking at some for other challenges and to be honest it avoid me some stress^^

Here are the info if you want to join us:

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO  20134ARCs and 2014 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2014 TBR PILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month  we will post a wrap-up post, here, on BOOKISH. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;) 
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - a box of books.
11. You don't have to follow Bookish Blog to join the challenge, but you do have to follow us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:
(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2014)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

Really it's a fun challenge and you can see the novelties and sign up here so don't hesitate you can do it low pressure by starting low and moving up levelm or immediately set goals higher depending on how you feel!

are you tempted to join Evie's Challenge?

Winter Challenge

Hello to all!

                      As you could have seen the blog has been quite silent lately due to health problem...that affected my reading a lot more that i would have liked and i fell behind in my challenge objctive.
The situation is far forsettled but it's slowly improving ( except my hand) so when i saw Stephanie from Cover2Cover offering us some motivation to try to reach our challenge goal for 2013 i couldn't miss this opportunity and i joined the Winter Challenge

I'm trying not to overdo it because i still have a lot of Christmas preparation to do and i have some rest long overdue but i want to try to finish what i can ( i hate failing!) . So for stephanie we only have to read not to review which will help my goodreads challenge but i will try to review those entering other challenges.

i don't have any specific titles in mind but i want to read 6 books and/or novellas if possible and i need to review 3 sports romances as well as at least one paranormal one so that's what i will set as my goal and if achieve that i will be really happy^^

i will perhaps update this post as i advance in the challenge so don't hesitate to participate or to encourage me a little^^ i'm sure i will need it

Update: goals reached 5/6

22th: Unicorn Keep read, reviewed

25th: Offside : read- reviewed

26th: josey's Christmas Cookie: read- reviewed

27th: Buying Trouble: read - reviewed

29th Backfield in Motion: read and reviewed

31th: Lucky Charm: read ( reviewed on goodread)

Happy Holidays!

update 31th december 2013: Challenge completed! Meaning that a few hours only before we reach 2014 i completed my challenge goals! i don't think i would have managed without this little push so a big thank you to all participants!

Chenoire by Susannah Sandlin

Hello to all,

 i'm sorry i haven't been absent so long (and i'm not back at 100% yet) but the situation with my mother needed all my attention. She is improving and the doctor don't recommend the operation because of thebonusvs risk ratio so at least until the end of the year we need to take it easy with injection and rehabilitation. On my side, that stress didn't help with my hands at all but i'm glad i nearly finished my christmas correspondance.

I'm behind in the challenge i've entered with all what happened and i still don't have a lot of time but i will do my best to at least post a little this month and perhaps finish the challenge? ( need to find more hours in the days)

Like i told you weeks ago already ( time is flying) i will probably need to focus on short story and novella first  and that's what i did today. You know i'm a fan of Suzanne Johnson/Susannah Sandlin 's writing...i really can't resist so with her new release tomorrow i couldn't not share it with you. And since it's a short story with a funny publishing adventure i decided to share it with you but you would have know it if you follow the author so no real secret revealed but one that you must add to your ereader!

 happy reading!

Short description:

 When Faith Garrity’s twin sister died, she lost a part of herself. Unable to move past the pain, the once-driven ornithologist is at risk of losing her career as well. To save her job, she heads to the oil-ravaged wetlands of Louisiana. There, in the bayou community of Chenoire, she encounters the handsome but guarded Zackary Préjean, still suffering from a great loss of his own.


She’s drawn to Zack, but soon finds that the Préjean family isn’t what it seems… They have dangerous secrets—and deadly enemies. Caught up in a feud that threatens the area’s uneasy truce, Faith and Zack must learn to trust each other. Survival will require enormous sacrifice, but it just might also give them both a way to move on

Story background:

               The publishing and story of how a book or novella comes to exist can be strange sometimes… if this title “Chenoire” reminds you something don’t worry you are right in 2011 it was a free novella set in the Sentinels of New Orleans series…. Unfortunately that publisher didn’t see the potential of this short story…. But Suzanne Johnson also writes under the name of Susannah Sandlin and under that name she has another publisher…who wanted this story in his catalogue.

So after some adjustment this story changed of universe and I must said I do appreciate that modification more than I expected…. The story is the same but with different characters and as much as I love Rene delachaise I couldn’t see where this novella would fit in the “sentinels” timeline. Now we have more characters and thus possibly more fun to come^^ a merman could join the team of storm force or we could hope for other novella in the same universe but about other supernatural species ^^. So in a whole I think this is a excellent news and now you can get this novella and savour it!

My opinion:

          Like often about novella I don’t want to say to much in fear of spoiling the story for those who haven’t discovered it yet….so I can say I really loved it, normally I don’t reread at least that soon a story because I remember it too well and get bothered….in this case it wasn’t the case at all. Yes I remembered the story and only the name changed but it was still has fun and I love how the author’s love for the area is spreading in her words. I do want to visit the region despite the gators now^^

The characters are fun are well built,. Faith is determined but really attentive to other and Zack^^ he will make you love fish in a different way than before^^ It’s a story about trust and acceptance, forgiving and learning to live again after a horrible lost…. So you will smile and well has tearing up a little while reading this but foremost you will immersed in Louisiana  natural beauty and left to want more ^^.

Now that this story is set in the universe of Susannah Sandlin I love it even more than in the past so you just definitively give it a try! It works perfectly as a stand alone so even if you haven’t read anything by this author ( under Suzanne Johnson or Susannah Sandlin name ) if you love paranormal romance and mermen as a different kind of shifter read this one^^ you will be looking for more ;)

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own

 

  If you want this book you can buy it on  amazon 

You can find more informations on Suzanne/Susannah on her Blog

Challenge: