Book Review: Eternal Craving by Nina Bangs

Title: Eternal Craving
Author: Nina Bangs
Series:  Gods of Night #2
Edition:  eBook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publication date: first published in April 2009

Goodreads blurb:

THE ELEVEN—an alliance of ultimate predators. Primal, lethal, irresistible.
THE PROPHECY—an ancient Mayan prediction that the world will end on 12-21-12.
THE PREY—where can you hide from pure evil?

Lies. He’s been promised a new life as the hunter he once was. But Al soon learns that all the rules have changed. Now he must control his most basic urges—the need to kill, to feed, to mate. And the woman he wants looks at him with both heat and fear in her eyes. Jenna Maloy doesn’t buy the story that he’s come to Philadelphia to save souls. She seems to see through the layers of deception to the primitive heart of him. With her beside him, Al stalks the dark forces that crouch in the city’s night shadows. But the real battle rages in his heart. Love is a formidable opponent. How can he ask her to stay with him after she’s seen the savagery of his beast? He only knows that if she turns from him he’ll be cursed with an Eternal Craving.

Eleven Gods of the Night…
The only creatures more deadly are the ones they’ve been summoned to destroy. 
  
My thoughts:
This is the second book in the Gods of Night series and the story of the Mayan legend carries on.
Jenna has come to Philadelphia to bring her sister, Kelly back home.  She doesn't trust Kelly's new husband Ty or his claim to be a "missionary". Her reporter nose is twitching.  

Fin and the Eleven are in Philadelphia on the trail of EIGHT.  When we meet Jenna, I didn't immediately like her. She has many hang-ups and her internal dialogue got to me in the beginning.  She feels inferior to her sister and therefor tries to act like she does not care.  She grows through the book and by the end, I really enjoyed her character. I have to admit that if I was thrown in a world with dinosaurs and demons, I would probably also not be at my best emotionally.


On the other hand, I loved  Al - I have such a soft spot for a tortured hero.  He had a hard time coming to terms with his human side and longs for a earlier, pre-historic time where all problems could be solved by violence.  And when he finally puts two and two together and discovers he loves Jenna . . . poor guy :)

For lovers of paranormal romance, this is a must read series.  Nina Bangs writes with humor and sensitivity - you will not be disappointed.  Can't wait for the third book that comes out in 2011. 

 

Puppy love

I have been talking about getting a little playmate for SPUD for some time now (and hubby just needed to listen - the decision was already made). But we had trouble finding the breeder we used previously, I just can't find the number! So weeks have turned into months and eventually years. Then out of the blue a co-worker told me that her daughter knew of a breeder with 14 Jack Russell puppies. An hour later, she emailed me the photos and an hour after that, little Roxy was taking the 200km drive to come and live with us :)  That was two days ago and I haven't slept since.  But she is a little bundle of joy - even Spud thinks so .

Book Blogger Hop

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING.

This week's question:
Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?  I don't use a rating system (yet).  I am still new to reviewing and trying to find my feet and am not ready for the added pressure.

You are at the right place

Don't feel confused - you are at the right place!  I am playing around with blog designs and headers and my blog might look a little different each time you visit until everything is sorted out.

I am sure I will find something I like . . . some day . . . 

Do you own a Kindle?

If you own a Kindle, you will love this forum site - Kindle Boards.   For those of you lucky enough to be living in America, they list lots of the free offers (sometimes only available for a day or two - check out the BOOK BAZAAR).  Those of us that live outside of the US, have to pay a whispernet fee that is totally rubbing me the wrong way!  They even charge this $2.00 when we want to download via our USB cable.  So the "free offers" are never FREE for us :(  Anyway, getting a little off-topic.

Kindle Boards are also full of "new" authors and have lots of really interesting discussions, all about books.  And let's not forget all the screen savers and "must-have" accessories.

EDIT:  The charge is $2.00 added to all orders.

Book Review: The Happy Baker by Erin Bolger

Title: The Happy Baker
Author: Erin Bolger
Edition: Paperback (my version was an eBook)
Genre: Cookbook
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication date: 01 October 2010

Blurb:

30+ years of dating fiascos
60+ down-home, comforting recipes
1 pink baking hammer, with apron & lip gloss to match
Many (many) bottles ...more 30+ years of dating fiascos
60+ down-home, comforting recipes
1 pink baking hammer, with apron & lip gloss to match
Many (many) bottles of wine
Too many tears
A whole lotta laughter

Yields: 1 Very Happy Baker

We’ve all been there. The blind date from hell. The Big Hurt. The guy who details his various surgeries over Caesar salad on the first date. Who needs a pint of rocky road when you can head to the kitchen and work out your heartache with a whisk and a bottle of wine? Erin Bolger has been there, dated that and baked through it all. Turns out the more bitter the heartbreak, the sweeter the batter. So don’t cry over bad dates, bad boyfriends or bad breakups—whip up a batch of My-Mom-Didn’t-Like-You-Anyway Cupcakes and bake yourself happy.

“This is the best book I’ve ever read.” —Erin’s Mom, an avid book reader

“I would not recommend this book to anybody.” —Erin’s Ex, not an avid book reader 

My thoughts: 
I LOVE recipes and when I can read the recipe book like a story (like I did in one sitting today), I am in heaven.  I was laughing at the funny (terrible) dating experiences and licking my lips over the beautiful photos.  The recipes are easy to follow and both a newbie and the experienced cook will find fun in the pages.  I can see that a few of these recipes will become favourites.

You can visit Erin at thehappybakerchick.com 

I received this book for review from the publisher.  The opinions expressed are my own and I wasn't influenced in any way.

This review was also added to GOODREADS and BOOK BLOGS.

Book review: The Sword by Jean Johnson

Title: The Sword

Author: Jean Johnson

Series: Sons of Destiny#1

Edition: eBook

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: first published in 2007

Goodreads blurb:

Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day-they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting their destiny, the brothers are exiled to Nightfall Island, a land where women are strictly forbidden. But, when the youngest of the mage-brothers rescues a woman from another universe, their world is altered forever.

Kelly Doyle had wanted to get away from the world. Threatened, attacked, and accused of witchcraft, Kelly had enough of her narrow-minded small town. And now she has somehow landed in another, magical dimension - the only woman in a realm inhabited by eight men who are desperately in need of a woman's touch.

My thoughts:
The first part of this book had me confused . . .could not quite get my head around the different brothers' names and descriptions (there's eight, you know!)  But soon the "human" sides of the brothers emerged and I got my footing.  It is a necessary part when you start a new series, so keep reading.  When Kelly was biting our hero in the first few pages, trying to save herself from some kind of terrible attach she thought he had planned, it just made me want to read more.  And when the romantic tension started, I started grinning.  We got our HEA (happily ever after) off course but the book also ended with the beginning of the book for the second brother, WOLF.  It is already ready to be loaded on my kindle - can't wait.


The Sword was a fun and easy to read romance set in a alternative universe and combines magic, time travel and lots of humor. I am sure this is going to be one of my favorite series'.

Follow my Book Blog Friday

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list.
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://edgyinspirational.blogspot.com/
3. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can.
4. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers.
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!

Happy Follow Friday!

September Spectacular Reading Challenge

This sounds like such a fun challenge and there will also be 5 give-aways! Here's the rules:


* It will start September 1st and go on through September 30th.
* There will be a 5 book reading challenge, ( one book a week) that you will have to read. Which books? Any 5 you want. Its your choice... Easy huh. At the end of that week you will post your review on your blog and add your link to the Mr. Linky on Steph's blog. ( If you don't have a blog you can either post a comment, letting everyone know what you think about the book or sent me an email with your review)
* Sept first starts on a Wednesday so you can start your first book on Sunday the 29th if you want.
* At the end of each week a giveaway will be posted. That's 5 giveaways!! The only thing you have to do to enter is, link your review on that weeks Mr. Linky. Plus get an extra entry if you add the September Spectacular button to your post or sidebar! ( Open Internationally)

Here are my five books:(subject to change):

One Lovely Blog Award

I'm so excited! I received a One Lovely Blog Award. It was awarded to me by Danielle over at Romance Book Junkies Book Blog. Thank you so much, Danielle. I enjoy playing around on my blog and I am happy that others enjoy it too :)  **blushes**

Here is the nitty gritty about how this award works:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to a max of 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered (I am also listing some old favorites).
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
4. It's that simple :) 

Here is the blogs I have chosen :)
1.  Smexy Books
2.  The Nerd's Wife
3.  Book Journey
4.  Debbie's Book Bag
5.  Spinster Stitcher
6.  The African Fly Angler
7.  Audible Candy
8.  Our Friends' HEAD SAL
9.  The Flying Itches Needle
10. Heart in Stitches
11. Romantic Crush Junkies

Twitter . . .

Could someone please help me? I am lost . . . I want to learn more about TWITTER and how to use it. Could someone please explain it (in very simple terms) to me. I don't seem to be getting it! (hangs head in shame).

EDIT on 11 September 2010:  Found a book that I hope is going to help me :)  I am signed up and ready to twitter.

Book review: A Dance through Time by Lynn Kurland

Title: A Dance through Time

Author: Lynn Kurland

Series: McLeod#1

Edition: eBook

Genre: Time Travel Historical Body Ripper Romance

Release Date: first published in 1996

Blurb from Goodreads:

"Come to me." The haunting voice of Scottish laird James McLeod summons writer Elizabeth Smith through time to 1311 Scotland. James forbids ...more "Come to me." The haunting voice of Scottish laird James McLeod summons writer Elizabeth Smith through time to 1311 Scotland. James forbids women at his keep. So he is rather surprised when Elizabeth is deposited in his care, though care isn't what he gives her when they first meet. Lynn Kurland excited readers with her memorable debut novel, Stardust of Yesterday, and her talents shine through again in this delightful time-travel tale of adventure and love.

My thoughts:
This book really delivers in the body rippers category! It is a light, fun and clean romance with a happily ever after (HEA) - what more could you ask for?
Elizabeth lies down on a park bench in 1996 and wakes up in 1311 Scotland with a Scottish hunk that is following a tradition of "no women" in his house!  Off course he throws her in a dungeon and then shows his tender side by feeling guilty and fishing her out.  But Elizabeth is not a meek girl and soon she is holding her own.
There were some inconsistencies in the book though - Elizabeth's 1996 apartment is a mess with dishes and soda cans filling all available surfaces but in her 1311 Scottish castle, she turns into a cleaning goddess (?).  But this is not a serious book, so let's not get too technical.
We meet some of Elizabeth and Jamie's family in this, the first in the McLeod Series who will feature in the rest of the series which I will definately read.

Book Blogger Hop

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING.

This week's question:

How many books do you have on your 'to be read shelf’?  I mostly read electronically these days and I have hundreds and hundreds of books (gigs and gigs) waiting.   And I keep getting more and more . . . and more.

Book review: Eternal Pleasure by Nina Bangs

Title: Eternal Pleasure

Author: Nina Bangs

Series: Gods of Night#1

Edition: eBook

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: July 1st 2008

Goodreads blurb:  

The Eleven--an alliance of ultimate predators. Primal, lethal, irresistible.
The Prophecy--an ancient Mayan prediction that the world will end on 12-21-12.
The Prey--where can you hide from pure evil?

Kelly Maloy opens her car door to much more than a great looking stranger at the Houston airport. Terror, desire, and a horrible truth climb in with him. She's only supposed to drive Ty Endeka around the city for a few weeks. Too bad no one tells her that once day fades she'll become part of a battle fought in the darkened streets with an enemy that isn't human. And the sensual man who feeds her fantasies hides a soul that gives new meaning to animal magnetism.

Eleven Gods of the Night...
The only creatures more deadly are the ones they've been summoned to destroy.

My thoughts: 
I really loved this book.  I was drawn in from the beginning even when I realised that Ty was a dinosaur.  I usually do not enjoy books about paranormal creatures like dragons but the 11 pre-historic brothers just draw me in.  And then the relationship between Ty and Kelly seemed so spontaneous and real.  I cared about all the characters and wanted them to succeed in fighting the bad guys (one down and many to go). And all this to the background of the end of the world approaching in 2012, like the Mayans predicated.  This was a action packed book but with enough romance to keep me smiling.  I love Nina Bangs' humor and will definitely try out the rest of the series.

BooksTBR in August

#1 The Sword (Sons of Destiny#1) by Jean Johnson

#2 Eternal Cravings (Gods of the Night#2) by Nina Bangs

#3 Divinely Designed by Rachael Renee Anderson  (have not been able to find)

#4 A Dance through Time (MacLeod#1) by Lynn Kurland

#5 Nine Rules to Break when romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean (I am reading so slowly recently - I blame all the wonderful book blogs out there.  I will add this book to my October list, as September's list has already been posted)

Happy Women's Day

I am not a mom but for all the moms out there - this is for you.

Heroes Season 1 Episode 1

We've just watched the first (pilot) episode of the first season of HEROES and . . .
wow . . .

Off course it ended with a "cliff hanger" - did the sweet little baby brother die? Never saw it coming that the older brother was the one that could fly . . . can't wait for the next episode. (Brother-in-law has all the episodes!  Hopefully I won't have to wait long.)  I heard that the series have already ended but it is new to me and hubby .

EDIT:  Episode 2 revealed that luckily baby brother is alive and flying .

Book Review: Seduction in Death by JD Robb

Title: Seduction in Death

Author: JD Robb (Nora Roberts)

Series: In Death series #13

Edition: Audio

Read by:  Susan Erickson

Genre: Murder Mystery

Release Date: first published September 1st 2001 

Goodreads blurb:   This time Eve is on the trail of a serial killer--or maybe killers--who stalks young women looking for love in online poetry chat rooms. Once a romantic date has been arranged, the murderer sets the scene with roses, champagne, and candlelight, then serves his unsuspecting victims a lethal combination of date-rape drugs that takes them to the height of pleasure and too far beyond. But this killer is really clever, altering his look to become each victim's dream date. What a nightmare! Detective Dallas is on the case, chasing an anonymous psychopath with a twisted taste in romance. But Eve seems a little more fragile this time around, still plagued by the nightmare of childhood abuse.

My thoughts:  This is the thirteenth in the series and I guess I should be used to Eve's stubborn refusal to make it easy on herself.  She just seemed to irk me to no end even refusing to admit when she was sick and had to take some flu medication.  Roake had to sit on top of her so that the medicine could be thrown down her throat.  She has been married to Roake for nearly a year now, shouldn't she accept a little love, tenderness, friendship and support by now. That man is a saint with everything he has to endure.


It sounds as if I did not enjoy this book but that is not true.  I love the way Eve always have to build the evidence to be able to get to the killers in the end.  It will keep me reading (listening) to the rest of the series - think we are in the high twenties already. The books are not really mysteries as we know who the killers are right from the beginning in almost all the books.  The stories are about Eve having to fit the pieces together.  And in the sidelines the lives of her friends . . . errrmmmm sorry - 
colleagues.


I love the narrator, Susan Erickson.  She does an excellent job with all the different voices.  I read yesterday that this was the first book she narrated in the IN DEATH series but it didn't bother me that the voices were a little different from the rest of the series.  She has obviously build from this starting point and it was never an irritation for me.

All in all, I really enjoyed the story and listening to it all was very relaxing while the traffic was trying to get me to display some road-rage.

Triple blog hopping fun!

Book Blogger Hop with Crazy For Books
The Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that they may be missing out on! This weekly book party is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, visit Crazy For Books to grab the logo, then post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list.
This week's question is:

Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?

Nope -  I find music distracting but the TV is mostly on when I am not in the bath reading.  (it seems like such a contradiction!)  I tune it out the TV completely but I enjoy the humming in the background.

Hippo with a Headband (isn't that the cutest name for a blog!).  Click on the button and join the hop







Follow the Blog Hop with Parajunkee:
Here is how it works:
# Go to the Parajunkee's blog and put your Blog name and URL in the Linky thingie.
# Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
# Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
# If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

What are you reading? meme

Sheila from Book Journey  hosts a weekly meme about books which I have decided to join this week.

This is what she says about the meme:  It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Here is what I have read.  This past week I finished the third Honeybun book that I mentioned in a post below.  I did not enjoy it as much as the previous two books.  I then started Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.  It is still too early to say what my feelings about this one might be although YA is not my favourite genre.

I am also still listening to Seduction in Death, the 13th in the "In Death"-series by JD Robb (Nora Roberts).  It makes my daily commute much easier to bare.  Eve Dallas is near to bringing the two murderers to justice.  I am sure I will finish it this week.

Awesome book covers

Just look at these book covers - they are beautiful!  It just struck me recently how much covers have changed in the last few years.  We never used to get these spectacularly beautiful pictures on books.  When I look at them, I just want to read them!

What happend?

I used to be organized.  I used to have lists and lists and lists for everything and I actually used it!  (If you have never known that warm fuzzy feeling when you get to draw a line through some errant you had to do - you haven't lived!)  I used to be EARLY for appointments, meetings, get-togethers.  What happend?  As I sit here writing this, my desk is such a mess that I don't have a spot to put my latte.  I can't even see the pattern of the duvet on the guest bed behind me (too much laundry and clothes).  .  .

I'm back . . . I actually shamed myself into cleaning up the bed behind me

Where was I?   Mmmmm, okay got it.

Even my laptop is disorganized.  My files are all over the place.  Every weekend, I promise myself to just START sorting everything.  And every Sunday (like now), I just feel mad at myself for letting it all get away from me.  But tonight just after I finish this post!  This time, I AM starting.

I don't even have any excuses, no children running around, no family emergencies keeping me away, no demands from hubby to do this or that - nothing.  Maybe I am getting lazy as I am getting older.  Maybe I could blame blogging!  I seem to spend an awful lot of my time online these days.  Yes that's it - I BLAME THE INTERNET!