Nalini Singh pulls away another dark layer of sheer desire, revealing passions unknown, in her latest novel about the world of the Psy. A ghost returns from a leopard changeling’s past, making him question everything—even his base animal instincts…
Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.
Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life--the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows...
Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past...or lose everything that ever mattered.
Well I am deep into vacation mode here, sleeping in late, eating food that is completely yummy but totally bad for me, and reading lots of books. It's sheer heaven, and the only thing preventing it from being perfect is the weather. I'd love a few days (or weeks) of sunny days with temps in the 70's, but since I live in the midwest, that just ain't happening.
I've finally read a Kathleen E. Woodiwiss book, the infamous "The Flame and The Flower". Written in 1972, thirty-five years ago, obviously this book is one of the biggest influences on the romance industy, having impacted many readers and writers alike. I liked it more than I thought I would. Reason being is because I was expecting it to be overtaken by a brutal, cold hero and a silly, paralyzed heroine, but that wasn't the case at all. Yes, the forced seduction was there, but not as violent as I had feared. Brandon was not the unforgivable hero I was imagining, and Heather was not always the shrinking violet I'd pegged her to be. So it was a pleasant read, and one that did remind me of the early historical romances I read when I was in my teens. I enjoyed it very much, and am much relieved as I have 3 or 4 others of hers that I bought, and now I don't have to face them with as much trepidation.
I'm going to be working on my Christmas cards this week, and am going to ask that if you're interested in doing a card exchange, please post a comment saying as much, and I'll email you my addy, and vice versa. If you participated last year (Dev, Jodi, Kate), I've already got you down. I know I'm a dork but I just love sending out cards, and receiving them.
When Dorie Anderson meets a cute guy, she becomes a huge klutz. Maybe this is why she hasn't had a date in six months. Statistically speaking, these years are supposed to be the sexual highlight of her life. So where are the highlights?
One phone call has turned Dorie's dead-end life into an adventure: she's won a trip on a singles' cruise to Fiji. With her cutest outfits packed and The Love Boat theme in her head, Dorie boards - and soon meets two hotties: pro baseball player Andy, and the ship's hunky French doctor. She's sure she'll fall head-over-heels in no time. Unfortunately, she's right: soon, she trips over her luggage right in front of them, leaving her with her foot twisted - and her ego deflated.
But a bigger disaster awaits. A storm wrecks the ship, stranding everyone on a deserted shore, and leaving one person mysteriously missing. Was he swept overboard or pushed? With the sun, the sand, and the heat, it'd be the perfect setting for romance-if it weren't for the fact that there might be a killer among them...someone who probably won't settle for being voted off the island.
SPOILERS! DON'T READ IF U DON'T WANT 2 KNOW WHO DORIE PICKS! SPOILERS!
Dorie Anderson is pretty much just a doormat, albeit a cute one, working a dead-end job at a Shop-Mart for an unforgiving boss while daydreaming of one day being a clothing designer. But upon arriving at work one day, she learns she's won an all expenses paid trip on a sailing yacht to the lovely island of Fiji, and she can't wait to pack her bags and head to paradise.
When Dorie gets to the island, the sounds and colors awaken her senses, and she's determined not to let negative thoughts ruin her much-needed vacation. Wearing one of her Anderson originals, she's ready for an adventure and looking for excitement, and maybe an island romance.
But Dorie has this little problem when it comes to good-looking men: her tongue swells and she becomes rather accident-prone, which is evident when she meets Andy, a gorgeous ball player with a Texan drawl. She gets all flustered and trips over her luggage. Soon she realizes she's surrounded by gorgeous men, from the doctor to the chef and the captain, and despite her little problem, things are starting to look promising. Now she just has to get her ankle taken care of, and she'll be able to enjoy herself as she'd planned to do. After an awkward and disturbing encounter with the cranky French doctor Christian, Dorie is determined to do just that.
With plenty of food - including chocolate - and the romantic attentions of the cute baseball player, Dorie is soon relaxing and making friends with the other ladies onboard. She's flattered by Andy's confident pursuit, yet she can't help it that her gaze keeps turning to Christian, or that everytime it does, he's looking right back at her, with a heat that leaves her breathless. But Dorie knows she doesn't have what it takes to hold the interest of the sexy doc, so she tries to concentrate on fun, easy-going Andy with his quick smiles and charming ways. It almost works. If only he'd stop looking at her...
But before she can do anything about it, their lovely vacation is marred by a violent storm, one that damages the boat and has them stranded on a deserted island, with no immediate hope of rescue. To make matters worse, one of the crew is missing, presumed dead. Murdered. And no one is sure who they can trust. The conditions are rather primitive, but they have reserves, though limited, onboard, and things aren't as desperate as they first feared, but there's also no way of knowing when or if they will be rescued before turning on each other....
"Trouble With Paradise" is a fun and frolicking beach read with a heavy dose of sexual attraction between the likeable Dorie and enigmatic Christian that keeps the pages sizzling. Dorie comes on this trip with the intention of having fun, but leaves with the stronger realization that only she can make her life happen, not someone else, and decides to actively pursue her passion for design. Christian is a doctor frustrated by his circumstances that have him working on a ship; despite being literally in paradise, it does not give him the fulfillment he craves to truly help people. Neither one of them wanted to feel the way they did about each other, but when things go serious, both know that what they've shared together is much more than a summer fling on an island. But what are they going to do about it?
I loved how Dorie and Christian kept gravitating back towards each other, like they couldn't help themselves. Their first kiss happens when neither knows if they will live or die, and it's filled with both passion and deeper emotion. Despite their differences, both personally and professionally, Dorie and Christian share a connection that makes them stronger when they are together. Both characters are able to loosen up and be free with each other, to laugh and love and just get caught up in their attraction, which inevitably leads to them falling in love. It's sweet and sexy, with that signature humor that Jill does so well. Dorie is the kind of woman other women would have as a girlfriend, and Christian is the type of guy we would want to fall in love with. I think I will definitely need to re-read this one while I'm waiting for her next "Sexy" book, which is exactly a month away. And if you're in the mood for a fun, sensual escape to an island paradise, then you definitely need to pick this one up. Jill rocks.
Have you ever been on a cruise?
Who would you want to be stranded with on an island?
Who's your type:
Easy-going, good-looking baseball player or sexy, brooding doctor?
Emeline's entire life is controlled by men. She's just been won in a wager by Jeffrey, the Duke of Eton, who keeps her under lock and key. And her cruel stepfather, Simon, wants nothing more that to dominate her entire future. What she wants is a man who'll set her free...and Rogan Cullen, heir to the dukedom, just may be the answer to her dreams...
Rogan is more than eager to have Emeline in his care, but his urge to protect her grows into a yearning to possess her - body and soul. Surrendering completely to love, they cannot foresee that something very sinister threatens to destroy them, for Simon will stop at nothing to control his stepdaughter's future...and only the most fervent passion can endure against such relentless odds...
The first time I'd heard about this book was early this year, while visiting Michelle Buonfiglio's Romance by the Blog and reading her 2nd post on forced seduction. Her description of this book stuck with me, so much so that I just had to buy it, and I did, a few weeks later. But it wasn't until another 6+ months went by that I finally felt the urge to read it. Nothing against the author, it's just that I have to be in the right frame of mind to read my books, and it just took longer for this one.
When we first meet handsome and Irish Rogan Mullen, he has just returned home to Barbados from an extensive journey, and has a joyful reunion with his sister Kieran and his parents, Patrick and Camille, the characters from Tracy MacNish's previous story, "Veiled Promises". Almost immediately upon returning, his parents give him a letter from England, from Camille's brother Jeffrey, summoning him to London. Despite already having been gone from his home for so long, running from his pain, he decides to answer the summons, taking his younger sister with him. Rogan's soul is restless, his heart heavy, and he's trying to outrun the demons that have him in a chokehold, so traveling to England means naught to him.
When we first meet twenty-one year old Emeline, she has just become the new plaything of Jeffrey, Duke of Eton, cousin to Simon Britton, Emeline's stepfather. Jeffrey is also uncle to Rogan Mullen. Both Jeffrey and Simon are obsessed with Emeline in their own twisted fashion, yet Simon has lost her to Jeffrey in a card game and must give her up for as long as Jeffrey wishes to keep her. Jeffrey, inflamed by the exquisite young woman, jealously guards his new mistress, going as far as to keep her locked in a room in his home, away from others who may try and steal her away.
When Rogan and Emeline first meet, it's as only arrived at his uncle's house, with his ill sister in tow. After seeing to Kieran, he roams the mansion, and as he's passing Emeline's locked door he makes a noise and she fears it's Jeffrey, and begs that he not come to her yet again. Rogan, concerned, wonders if she needs help, but she sends him away, and intrigued, Rogan decides he will visit her again, once he's met his uncle and taken care of Kieran.
Soon, feeling out of place, more restless, he returns to Emeline's door, not sure why, but compelled nonetheless. Later, he's appalled to hear his uncle and Simon talking of Emeline at the dinner table, and tries to control his anger at their crude comments in the presence of Jeffrey's wife. Incensed by them, and giving in to his own demons, he find some oblivion in London for a few hours, and upon returning to the mansion in the wee hours of the night, once again finds himself in front of Emeline's door, and turns into a regular though unusual correspondence with the young woman. They talk of a great many things, and Rogan presses to find a way to save his Princess Emeline, but she refuses to let him. She does warn him though: if he ever sees her, he will want to bed her. It's what happens to men.
Inevitably the day comes where Emeline is released from her confinement, and on that day, Rogan sees her for the first time, and yes, he does indeed want her. Very badly. She is all she warned about, and more. Emeline in turn feels an awareness for Rogan, sees his strength, his vitality, his beauty. Yet unbeknownst to Rogan, Emeline is trapped, a prisoner of a madman who has a hold over her in a way that makes it impossible for her to be free; she cannot escape because he has control, and in the end, someone must die. Emeline must make a choice, and along with it, lose her soul.
For me, this was a difficult book to read at times. Not because it was awful, but because of Emeline and the cruel way these men violate her. Though we don't get explicit descriptions of what happens to her with Jeffrey or with Simon, but do we know she does not like what she is forced to do. One's imaginations is given free rein, and these passages had me squirming, but not in a good way. Emeline is a victim, and she knows it, hates the constant shame and humilation of what she has become, yet cannot avoid it. She does what she must to survive, and if that means acting the part of whore, then that is what she must do.
Rogan is equally as inflamed with Emeline as Jeffrey and Simon, but the difference is, he sees her desperation, that is merely tolerating her situation and finds no pleasure in it, and it eats at him. Rogan is the rare man who truly doesn't care what others think of him, and has enough control over his own lust not to force himself on Emeline, even when she tries to use her body to thank him for his kindness. Eventually Rogan convinces Emeline that she is more than an object of men's needs, and she begins to trust in him and believe what he not only tells her, but shows her with example. He desires her, recognizes this, fights it, for he wants to give her something more, his respect, to show her she is a brave, caring woman worthy of love and happiness, just not from him. He makes no promises; he can never love her. But he can, and will help her, protect her. She deserves that much. One thing I have to mention is that Rogan had this way of saying "aye" when he talked, it was just so charming to me, and such a part of him.
I loved the interaction between Emeline and Rogan, how brutally honest they are with each other, and how Rogan doesn't ride in on his white horse and save the day. Emeline saves herself, and Rogan knows she can. He may never be able to care for her as she deserves but he can be her friend, and he will stand by her. Both have been broken in different ways, and recognize that in each other. Parts of their story were heartbreaking, but also beautiful. As difficult as it was to read at times, other moments were a joy. The developing relationship between Rogan and Emeline is touching and earthy, and as it unfolds, it becomes stronger, deeper, more honest. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time. I only wish there were more books out there that would have a similar impact on me.
Well, the official day of thanks is just about over, and I don't know about you, but I'm stuffed. Tthe holiday season is just about to go into full swing, and with that, many things to be thankful for. Black Friday is tomorrow and along with that, the mega sales that happen in time for the holidays. There's also spending time with family and friends, usually the one time you all get together throughout the year when we try to not be so busy and try to remember what's important - gifts. (Just kidding).
I have to work tomorrow, first time in my working career (not counting the bookstore) and it's rather strange. But I'm on vacation all next week, and I plan on getting the majority of my shopping done, and working on my Christmas cards. I did the same thing last year, but then I went to Vegas for a few days. This year I'm trying to be good, working on paying off my credit card...just so I can charge it up again. Well, hopefully not.
Next year I have some trips planned, nothing definite yet though. There is D.C. in April - I've never been before; Ohio for the 4th annual Lori Foster/Dianne Castell Reader/Author get-together; San Francisco in July, if I decide to go to RWA; and maybe another trip to Vegas, or somewhere warm, next November. I am so looking forward to it after being so good this year. (Translation: being boring).
I plan on doing another Christmas card exchange this year, so if anyone's interested, stay tuned. If you did it last year, don't worry, you're still on the list - I love sending out cards :)
And I want to take a quick minute to thank all the posters and lurkers who come visit "my place", and that I really enjoy your comments, and the fact you show up at all. I will be having a contest for a 1-year subscription to Romantic Times magazine, so I hope you'll stick around for that. After all, the holidays are all about giving
After Fate deals Supreme Battle Challenge (SBC) fighter Harley Handleman a sucker punch, his uncle secretly hires a pretty lifecoach to get Harley back in the ring of life. Anastasia Kelley has actually known Harley for years, but never as well as she's going to now. Hot for his fighter's form, she has trouble keeping it professional, especially since Harley doesn't know she was hired. And when Anastasia turns the tables on him, it's as if he's been hit below the belt. But that's also where is uncontrollable lust for her burns.
Love the heroine's name *g* I'm a huge fan of Lori's work, no secret there, and I'm looking forward to this release. Lori's a huge fan of the real-life UFC fighters, and it's fun to read her take on them.
Safeguarding high-tech secrets may be their game, but the men and women of The Goddard Project are anything but geeks. They carry out their missions with panache—and a passion that sometimes extends far beyond the call of duty...
Alan Hyatt could do his job in his sleep, and when the Goddard Project sends him to investigate a case of high-tech espionage in the Vancouver film industry, he finds a perfect reason to work in bed. But sizzling actress Jillian Carlyle also happens to be his landlady, and she's got a hard-and-fast (so to speak) rule that keeps her from dating her renters. While Alan’s cover as a reporter gets him close to all the suspects on the set of Jillian's sci-fi show, playing a background actor at her suggestion to get his story? Well, that's something else—but he's not about to turn down a red-hot redhead, even if she keeps throwing him curves...
Jillian just can't understand it. Sure, Alan is six-feet-something of chiseled ruggedness with gray eyes and an irresistible growl in his voice. But hello? She doesn't do relationships—even of the casual kind—with men who impact more than her senses. No one is getting a chance at her heart. Especially not one of her renters. Still, there's nothing wrong with enjoying Alan from afar—but not too far, or she wouldn't be able to fully appreciate his rock-hard abs when he's working out in the home gym. If only he didn't make her feel safe and oh so right when they touched...
Gray Dalton, the Marquess of Blackburn, awakens in a dark London cell staring down a gun barrel. Devon Caravelle, alleged mistress of a deadly French aristocrat, has been sent to ensure Blackburn's cooperation in a secret plot to unlock the mysteries buried within Beethoven's Third Symphony, the Eroica. It's terribly convenient and just as Blackburn planned. And taking the lady hostage is - if not terribly gentlemanly - not very difficult. Resisting her dangerous allure, on the other hand, is. Suddenly, the man famed for his cold-blooded control, wants a woman fiercely, wildly, forever...
Devon Caravelle has loved two things in her life: music and her father. She would do anything to discover his murderer and clear his name, even if it means forcing the contemptuous, debauched Marquess to her aid. But when he turns the tables and takes her prisoner, she is not prepared for his skillful seduction or her white-hot response...
It was supposed to be a seduction each side intended to win easily. Instead the first spark unleashes an untamed passion in a game where all rules are forfeit and every move brings them closer to an unspeakable danger...
Check out Charlotte's website here and her thoughts on blogging and reading here
I just read a report in the news this weekend about how quickly global warming is escalating - at a much faster pace that originally thought. According to the study, reported by a Nobel-winning U.N. scientific panel who were "warning of inevitable human suffering and the threat of extinction for some species."
The report also states that "as early as 2020, 75 million to 250 million people in Africa will suffer water shortages, residents of Asia's megacities will be at great risk of river and coastal flooding, Europeans can expect extensive species loss, and North Americans will experience longer and hotter heat waves and greater competition for water, the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says."
For those of you who may not know what global warming is, it's the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes, "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations" via the greenhouse effect. Natural phenomena such as solar variation combined with volcanoes probably had a small warming effect from pre-industrial times to 1950 and a small cooling effect from 1950 onward.[2][3] These basic conclusions have been endorsed by at least 30 scientific societies and academies of science, including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries; however, individual scientists disagree with some of the main conclusions of the IPCC.
Though it is difficult to connect specific weather events to global warming, an increase in global temperatures may in turn cause other changes, including glacial retreat and worldwide sea level rise. Changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation may result in flooding and drought. There may also be changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Other effects may include changes in agricultural yields, reduced summer streamflows, species extinctions and increases in the range of disease vectors.
Some effects on both the natural environment and human life are, at least in part, already being attributed to global warming. A 2001 report by the IPCC suggests that glacier retreat, ice shelf disruption such as the Larsen Ice Shelf, sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, are being attributed in part to global warming. While changes are expected for overall patterns, intensity, and frequencies, it is difficult to attribute specific events to global warming. Other expected effects include water scarcity in some regions and increased precipitation in others, changes in mountain snowpack, and adverse health effects from warmer temperatures.
Increasing deaths, displacements, and economic losses projected due to extreme weather attributed to global warming may be exacerbated by growing population densities in affected areas, although temperate regions are projected to experience some minor benefits, such as fewer deaths due to cold exposure. A summary of probable effects and recent understanding can be found in the report made for the IPCC Third Assessment Report by Working Group II. The newer IPCC Fourth Assessment Report summary reports that there is observational evidence for an increase in intense tropical cyclone activity in the North Atlantic Ocean since about 1970, in correlation with the increase in sea surface temperature, but that the detection of long-term trends is complicated by the quality of records prior to routine satellite observations. The summary also states that there is no clear trend in the annual worldwide number of tropical cyclones.
Doesn't this scare the bejesus out of you? It does me, because 2020 is not that far away - 13 years away in fact - and I'll still be around (hopefully). It really makes me stop and think about the ways in which I contribute to global warming, as insignificant as it may seem for one person's actions, take that times several million, or billion, and we've got a problem.
Of course there are things we can do to help stop global warming, and if we each do our part, it can make a difference. There's a list of 50 things to stop global warming, including:
Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner. Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
Cover your pots while cooking. Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%!
Use less hot water. It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.
Buy fresh foods instead of frozen. Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce.
These are just a few of the things we can do to help cut back on global warming. There's lots of information out there, valuable tips and ways we can do something. And it's our responsibility to do something; anyone living on this planet owes it to themselves, to their families, to each other to make a difference before we don't have a choice. Let's start now.
Based on the life of drug-kingpin-turned-informant, Frank Lucas, who grew up in segregated North Carolina where he watched as his cousin was shot by the Klan for looking at a white girl. He eventually made his way to Harlem where he became a heroin kingpin by traveling to Asia's Golden Triangle to make connections, shipping heroin back to the US in the coffins of soldiers killed in Vietnam. He soon made upwards of one million dollars a day in drug sales. Lucas was shadowed by lawman, Richie Roberts, who finally helped bring the kingpin to justice. The two then worked together to expose the crooked cops and foreign nationals who made importing heroin so easy.
When I first saw the preview for this movie, even though I am a huge, huge fan of Denzel's, I decided not to see it. I was feeling burned out on all of the extreme violence in movies that I'd seen ("The Departed", "Blood Diamond", "The Shooter") and wanted to stay away from those films for awhile. But, as it turns out, a friend of mine wanted to see it, and I said "what the heck?" and we went. I just cannot resist Denzel.
Make no mistake: it's a very violent movie, even moreso because it's based on a true story of a drug lord in the late 60's, early 70's, so when you realize that a lot of what happens in the movie most likely happened in real life, it's disturbing, grim, seemingly hopeless.
Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is the driver and bodyguard for current Harlem drug lord, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, and when Bumpy dies, Frank decides it's his turn up at bat, and he's going to show everyone around just who the boss is now. He knows that in order to be better than all the rest, he has to give the best product - in this case, heroin - out there to the customer, and sell it for less. To do this, he gets rid of the middleman and go straight to the source - the golden triangle. The timing couldn't be better as American soldiers are in Vietnam and since Frank has a relative stationed there, it's easy for the necessary arrangements to be made to have the drug shipped to America. "Blue Magic" is born...and distributed to the neighborhood. He makes a killing.
As Frank becomes richer, his life becomes better, and worse. He is able to give his mother, who still lives in North Carolina, a beautiful home, he owns his own club where he meets a Puerto Rican beauty queen named Eva that he eventually marries. But other crime lords feel like he's pushing them out, and NYPD's infamously corrupt Special Investigations Unit wants a piece of the action. Frank feels the pressure, but he's not one to back down, and he gives better than he gets. No one is going to ever tell Frank Lucas what he can and cannot do.
In the meantime, Richie Roberts is going through his own crap. His ex-wife is planning on leaving New Jersey and taking his son to Vegas, and him and his partner are pariahs in the police department for turning in almost a million dollars they seize in a crime. Eventually, though, things start to change a little and he's taken more seriously when he's chosen to lead a special task team of basically honest cops, and it's going to be their job to crack down on the escalating drug problem by going after the big dogs. Having no family life, Richie devotes all his time to this special task force with the determination of a bulldog.
At first, Richie and the guys are looking at long-time druglords, such as the Sicilian and Mexican mobs, and Lucas competitor Nicky Barnes. But as he investigates further, Frank's name keeps popping up, and he keeps showing up at big events, getting better seats that some of the most notorious druglords around. Richie knows that he, Frank Lucas, is the key, the one they need to bring down. After much time and patience, a weak link in Frank's organization gives them the desperately needed opportunity to take down the operation and arrest Frank Lucas.
The last few minutes of the movie revolved around Frank's and Richie's efforts to convict over 100 drug-related criminals, which lead to Frank getting a reduced sentence for his cooperation. At the end of the film, when he is finally released from prison, it is a very, very different world than the one he'd existed in.
Yes, "American Gangster" was a strong film, with good performances by both Denzel and Russell, who portray characters on different sides of the fence with their own code of honor. Richie is trying to do the right thing, but it doesn't always bleed over into his personal life, so he puts all his time and efforts into being a cop. Frank is a man determined to be filthy rich, not quite caring what heinous crimes he has to commit to get there, yet his devotion to his family makes him seem more human.
The whole drug scene is ultimately depressing, when you are shown over and over again the ugliness of addiction, the blood, the filth, the death, the extreme and horrible lengths a junkie will go to for their next fix. You realize that this is still going on today: people are getting rich off selling drugs, and addicts are dying for it. It's sad and horrifying.
Today, Frank Lucas is still alive and him and Richie Roberts consider themselves friends.
Here he is in a 2000 interview with New York Magazine.
He's a Harley-riding ex-thief working undercover for the government. She's a gun-toting ex-socialite hired to protect a valuable museum exhibit. But in her attempt to stop a heist, she never anticipated having her breath and her heart stolen...
Mac Canfield was the last man Lily West expected to see again, never mind aim her gun at. But here he was, the bad boy who'd broken her heart years ago-still a thief, this time high-jacking a priceless artifact--and it was all she could do to push aside the memories of how it felt to have his perfectly chiseled body next to hers.
Mac was no less shocked to see the beautiful girl-next-door all grown up, threatening to shoot him on the spot. Little did she know she was blowing his cover-and now he had to figure out how to get her out of harm's way without succumbing to his crazy desire to take her on a hot trip down memory lane.
Unfortunately, Lily has no intention of going anywhere with Mac. Which means he has to resort to kidnapping. Unless, of course, she agrees to let him take her for the kind of ride destined to drive them both unbelievably wild...
I loved Jaci Burton's "Wicked, Wild, and Wanton", and this sounds pretty damn good. Too bad we have to wait til February....
Country miss Miranda Albright has secretly watched her wicked neighbor, Ethan Hamon, the Earl of Rothschild, as he 'entertained' lovers on the grounds of his country estate for three summers. But after her father dies and the family falls into financial peril, Miranda is driven to strike a bargain with the Earl. He will play financial and social host for a Season for each of her three younger sisters... in exchange for three months of sin with her.
Miranda has always ached for the passion she’s spied upon, but she knows Ethan is the kind of man who could steal her heart, as well as claim her body. And falling in love with a man who admits she is nothing but a game to him could be the most dangerous and forbidden seduction of all.
Jess Michaels is the alter ego for historical author Jenna Petersen, who wrote the Lady Spies series. I admit I've not read Jenna's books, but I had read a story by Jess Michaels, called "Ancient Pleasures", and liked it a lot. Oh, and I mean a lot. It was incredibly sexy, tapping into some naughty fantasies, but nothing over-the-top.
That is what prompted me to pick up "Everything Forbidden". Although the cover is sensual and gorgeous, my first impression was that it was going to be heavy on the erotica and not so much on the romance - I was picturing multiple partners and even some pain - that's just what the whole mask thing makes me think of, even though it's not an ugly cover in any way. (Not that I have a problem with multiple partners, but the pain I can do without). Well, I shouldn't have worried, because unlike a lot of erotic romances out there, Jess Michaels concentrates heavily on the connection between these two characters, and the result is a delightfully sexy and enjoyable romance.
The premise sounds a bit like a Cheryl Holt novel I once read, and the exploration is somewhat similar though the motivation is completely different. Miranda Albright is at a loss as to how to keep supporting her family after the death of her father several months earlier. Faced with taking care of her mother and three younger sisters and fending off impending poverty, Miranda tries to make ends meet as best she can, but their financial circumstances are dire, and to make matters worse, her mother doesn't understand that she cannot spend money like it's going out of style. It appears the only way to end this miserable existence is for one of the daughters to marry and marry well. Everyone in the family thinks Miranda has passed by her opportunity, so the next obvious choice is Penelope, the second oldest daughter, followed by Beatrice and Winifred.
Knowing her family doesn't have the means to have a successful Season, i.e., catching a rich husband, Miranda approaches aloof yet rich neighbor Ethan Hamon, as he has recently retired to the country for his annual summer visit, and asks for his financial assistance. She knows there will be a price to be paid; after all there's no logical reason Ethan will do it out of the goodness of his heart, but she hasn't a clue as to what he may demand in return.
Unbeknownst to Miranda, Ethan has wanted her for quite some time, but steered clear due to his decision to never marry; Miranda is without a doubt the marrying kind and he has no desire to fall into that trap. He agrees to support her three younger sisters through each of their Seasons in exchange for three months of Miranda in his bed, and though shocked and embarrassed, Miranda is also intrigued, as she has fantasized about Ethan for the past three years, having secretly watched his outdoor liaisons and longing to feel such passion for herself. Knowing she will never marry anyway, Miranda agrees to Ethan's terms, knowing that while she primarily does it for her family, she also wants to experience the pleasure of Ethan's lovemaking firsthand, as he's been the star player in her fantasies for years.
Not one to let such an opportunity slip through his fingers, rather than let Miranda walk away once they've reached an agreement, Ethan is immediately compelled to seduce her right then and there. The lovely and innocent young lady fuels his blood as no other woman has, and he senses the deep passion lurking beneath her prim and proper exterior, but even he is overwhelmed by the willingness and fearlessness with which Miranda shows as he sets out to bed her and indulge in the delights of her body. Not ready to look too deeply at his unusually strong reaction to such an inexperienced young woman, Ethan is nevertheless consumed with uncontrollable passion for her, which both intrigues and worries him, as he prides himself on his great control.
As you probably can imagine, things eventually become muddled as feelings become even more involved, though each thinks they are handling things without getting caught up in it, but when their secret meetings are discovered by an unexpected source, a decision must be made as to how best to handle this complication without drawing scandal to Miranda or her family.
This definitely a story more on the romantic side, as Miranda already had feeling for Ethan before striking a bargain with him, and Ethan was unwillingly attracted to the country miss but determined to keep his distance. I liked that the sex scenes between them were not about the shock factor, but rather much more sensual and intense because of their strong attraction to one another. Other than one unique request Ethan makes to Miranda, for the most part Ethan and Miranda indulged in some traditional, one-on-one sex, with nary a threesome in sight. No whips, no pain, no extreme and uncomfortable positions. Don't get me wrong, sometimes a good ole' threesome is just what the doctor ordered, but this time around it was a bit refreshing to not have an extra cast of characters, and more concentration was put on the growing romance between Ethan and Miranda.
If I have one complaint, it's the last page of the book, that ended a bit too abruptly for me to be completely satisfied. Things seemed to wrap up rather quickly, and there was at least one unresolved issue that should have been addressed...unless Ms. Michaels has plans for a sequel about the sisters. And it would have been nice to have a few more moments of Ethan and Miranda basking in their love for each other before getting to the end; not even an epilogue was included, and I do love me those epilogues. Regardless, this wasn't the first, and it definitely won't be the last Jess Michaels' story I read. I've found that I enjoy her erotic tales very much and I am looking forward to future stories.
Genres: Comedy and Romance Release Date: January 11th, 2008 (wide)
Jane is idealistic, romantic and completely selfless--a perennial bridesmaid whose own happy ending is nowhere in sight. But when younger sister Tess captures the heart of Jane's boss--with whom she is secretly in love--Jane begins to reexamine her "always-a-bridesmaid..." lifestyle.
I really liked Katherine Heigl in "Roswell", (I don't watch much t.v. these days so I haven't seen her on "Grey's Anatomy") and she's engaged to Josh Kelley - I love his music. And I've liked James Marsden since...the first time I saw him, period. I think it was actually a film with Katie Holmes, some type of creepy movie where everyone's pretty much lobotomized, but James was in it, so it was all good. And who didn't love him as Cyclops, battling alongside Hugh Jackman?
This movie looks like a fun, romantic comedy, and it's on my list of "what to watch".
Starring the wildly seductive heroes Noah, Shayne, and Brody, Jill Shalvis’s exhilarating new series features a delectable concoction of sex appeal and adventure. Whether they’re up in the air or between the sheets, these hot, hardy pilots know exactly where the action is…
BLOWING IT ALL SKY HIGH In a family of serious over-achievers, Shayne Mahoney has always been the laid-back, easy-going rebel. But running Sky High Air - a charter airline catering to the rich and famous - is a dream come true, in-flight specials included. Like kissing his client’s beautiful, brainy daughter in a coat closet. But before Shayne can say ‘Fasten Your Seatbelts,’ Dani claims to witness a murder, gets stalked in her own apartment, and as added bonus, gets them both shot at by a mystery sniper. Normally Shayne would be running from the obviously crazy woman, and yet he finds himself trying to help her, leaving him to doubt his own sanity…
There’s a reason Dani never attends her mother’s high society parties. The fake people, the shallow conversation, and the fact that she doesn’t fit in. She’s a zoologist, not a starlet, and happy about it, even if she wishes men like ruggedly handsome Shayne Mahoney would spare her a second glance. Of course, dodging bullets isn’t exactly what she’d call the perfect follow-up to their heated kiss, but Shayne makes it clear she can depend on him. All she has to do is hold on tight to his delicious hard body until the ride is over…
I love Jill's books. LOVE. them. The only thing better than this book happens to be the 3rd in the series, with Brody, who totally scorched the pages in the first book, "Smart and Sexy". Jill's stories are funny and so super sexy. The woman needs to write faster. Please help her by sending cookies.
Bobby Green has turned his back on the family business. The popular manager of El Caribe, the legendary Russian-owned nightclub in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach, he has changed his last name and concealed his connection to a long line of distinguished New York cops. For Bobby, every night is a party, as he greets friends and customers or dances with his beautiful Puerto Rican girlfriend, Amada, in a haze of cigarette smoke and disco music. But it's 1988, and New York City's drug trade is escalating. Bobby tries to keep a friendly distance from the Russian gangster who is operating out of the nightclub--a gangster who is being targeted by his brother, Joseph, an up-and-coming NYPD officer, and his father, Burt, the legendary deputy chief of police.
Bobby (Joaquin Phoenix) is living the good life with his sexy girlfriend Amada (Eva Mendes), slightly on the edge, where the line between legal and illegal is blurred. Already successfully managing one popular club, the owner, a man who is like a father to him, offers him the chance to help build and manage another, and Bobby has lots of ideas on how he'd like the place to be. Life couldn't get any better.
Except for with his family. With a dad (Robert Duvall) who's the chief of police, and his brother Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) who just made captain, Bobby's family life is tense at best. Having changed his name to keep both his personal and professional life separate, Bobby feels the strain of trying to straddle that line, and doesn't really know why he bothers. When the two cops tell him about the recent aggressive and violent activity of a Russian druglord, Bobby is reluctant to get involved. And when his club is raided by the police and he's arrested, it drives a wedge even further between both sides.
Until a family member is shot. Feeling angry and helpless, Bobby realizes he has access to a world that he never wanted to get involved with, but may help bring justice to his family. When the Russians offer an invitation to Bobby inside their operation, he's understandably scared. After all, they don't mess around if they think there's a threat, and they think the cops are a joke. But driven by a deep-seeded family loyalty, Bobby goes in and tries to infiltrate their secret plans, but things go awry and soon Bobby is fleeing for his life.
There is just something about Joaquin Phoenix. Every once in awhile, I see glimpses of the little boy he was in "Space Camp" and no matter how bad his character is, there's that tiny glimpse of vulnerability that makes whatever character he plays seem that much more real. In this movie, he's not really a bad guy, just someone who likes to party, hang out with his girlfriend, and do a job he actually loves doing instead of living the way his family expects him to live. Not so unusual. And despite everything, Bobby is loyal to his family, even if they are not all that close. Going through some tragedy changes his priorities on how he wants to live his life, and that means making sacrifices and giving up his old life in order to make peace with the new one.
In other news, Mark Wahlberg's part was rather understated as the good brother who follows in his father's footsteps. I loved Mark in "The Shooter" (never did do my review on that one) and "Invincible", even "The Departed", but here he was definitely underused throughout most of the movie. I think it shows his security and confidence in himself as an actor to sit back and let Joaquin take center stage here, and you can sense that the bond they share is genuine - they make believable brothers.
One thing that continues to frustrate me though, in these kinds of movies, is the role of "the girlfriend" or "the wife". Amada starts out kinda strong; her and Bobby are very close, they tell each other they love each other, he spends a lot of time with her and seems to include her in on any important events or decisions in his life, but then as things get heavy with the club and the shooting, all of a sudden she becomes wallpaper, and whiny wallpaper at that. At that point, I have to wonder why there is even a part for her because it certainly doesn't do much other than show that Bobby has a softer, romantic side, a version of his own family. Part of the problem is that Bobby stops confiding in her, keeps pushing her away, and you can't really blame her for resisting. It's just too bad it wasn't a stronger role, one that would portray the character in a strong, positive way. Wouldn't it have been an interesting film if Amada was the whole in Bobby's place? Now that's a movie I think I'd like to see.
Overall, I liked the film. It wasn't as emotionally heart-wrenching as, say, "Ladder 49" or as violent as "The Departed", but it was still enjoyable if rather predictable. I haven't seen many JP movies, but those I have seen have not disappointed, and I'd have to say the same for this one, though it may be one of his more unforgettable roles. The guy has quite an interesting body of work, so maybe it's not fair to think every movie is going to be that good. It's still better than some other actor's best work, so that's gotta count for something.
Veterans Day is an American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is celebrated on the same day as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.) Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to [United States] national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.[1] The holiday is commonly misprinted as Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day in calendars and advertisements. History: Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and 30 states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. It has been observed annually on November 11 since then - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans Day. On November 11, 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas staged a Veterans Day observance in lieu of an Armistice Day remembrance. Congressman Ed Rees of Emporia, Kansas, subsequently introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day.[2] Following a letter-writing campaign to secure the support of all state governors in the observance of this new holiday, the name change was enacted on June 1, 1954, to honor those who served.
Remember the Veterans today....
Click here for more info on how you can get involved.
“Ten Literary Characters I Would Totally Make Out With If I Were Single and They Were Real But I’m Not, Single I Mean; I Am Real–But I’m Also Happily Married and Want to Stay That Way, So Maybe We Should Forget This…”
except that for me it's
“Ten (or Eleven) Literary Characters I Would Totally Make Out With Since I *AM* Single. Oh Wait, They're Not Real. But I'd Totally Make Out With Them If They Were."
-Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Young, rugged, masculine, what's not to love? Plus he's Scottish, and that so totally works for me. No metrosexual is our Jamie, and thank the Lord for that.
-Sam Starrett from Suz Brockmann's Troubleshooter series. I don't know what it is, but I love this guy completely. Part of it was/is because he was just so into his heroine that I just completely fell for him. Yeah, he could be selfish, hot-headed, a complete idiot, but then he does something so sweet and sincere that I am toast. Another masculine alpha with an accent. Yum-mo.
-Zachary Bronson from Lisa Kleypas' "Where Dreams Begin". Yeah, yeah, yeah, there's Derek Craven, and Sebastian, and they are both totally hot, but Zach had me at that first kiss, when he becomes infatuated with Holly and starts a sneaky campaign to bed her. A blue-collar rich man, Zach is earthy, sexy, and arrogant, but when he falls, he falls hard and forever. Makes me melt everytime.
-Kenny "Wildcard" Carmody, another SEAL from Brockmann's series. The thing about Kenny is that he totally wears his heart on his sleeve, and yeah, he's a big, bad SEAL, but he's also prone to falling "in love" quicker than you can say "you had me at hello". There's just something so vulnerable, so sweet about him that I wanted to take him home. At first I didn't like the woman he ended up falling for, but she eventually won me over, and my Kenny got his HEA. Love him.
-Roarke. Come on, you know who he is, from JD Robb's "In Death" series. Roarke is like the ideal hero - rich, gorgeous, intelligent, sexy...and he has an accent. An Irish accent. Shiver me timbers. The man is not perfect, but that's what makes him so perfect. The biggest flaw that I see with Roarke is that he smokes. Huge turn-off, but for Roarke, I'd seriously consider him anyway. He's just too good not to.
-Zarek from Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Dancing With the Devil". He was literally one of the most tortured heroes I've ever read about, and he was so close to being inhuman, without emotion, until Astrid. Even then, he didn't change much, but his love for his woman gave him back some of his humanity. He holds a special place in my heart.
-Zsadist from JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. True, Z is almost a carbon copy of Zarek, even down to being a vamp. The similarities are so startling, but Z made his own mark on me. That first kiss with Bella is enough to melt the coldest of hearts. Wowza.
-Simon from Jennifer LaBrecque's "Daring in the Dark". Quiet, intense, brooding, a photographer with a sexy accent secretly in love with his best friend's fiancee. But is he going to do anything about it? Of course not. The man has morals, and would have never gone near her, were it not for a black-out and a life-altering secret.
-Jamie Creed from Lori Foster's Visitation series. Jamie is mysterious, a bit strange, quite the loner, yet always shows up when he's needed. Always. He is like a wise old soul in the body of a man in his prime, yet he yearns for love for himself. Thank God he finally gets it. Who could resist?
-Joe Morelli from Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. He's a tough, sexy cop who is just crazy about that lovable, inept bounty hunter Stephanie. Italian and all about family, Joe is the guy you bring home to dinner, and she does. Quite frequently. And he rocks her world.
-Ranger, also from the Plum series. Sorry, it had to be said. The one reason Stephanie is not married to Joe, cuz see, he rocks her world too. Ranger has a thing for Stephanie, though he's not looking for forever. He's the ultimate mystery man: resourceful, connected, loaded, with a secret past that he doesn't share.
A recently widowed science fiction writer forms an unlikely family with a close friend and a young adopted boy that claims to be from Mars. The new couple ignores some sage parenting advice from the widower's sister and gets more than they bargained for when a series of strange occurrences lead them to believe that the child's claim may be true.
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Science fiction writer, David Gordon (John Cusack) is feeling alone after losing his wife two years earlier. David is weighing the possibility of adopting a six-year old orphan boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman). There is only one thing that may prevent the adoption from happening, and that is Dennis believes he is from the planet Mars. David's sister, Liz (Joan Cusack), tries to talk him out of adopting a child, because he doesn't know the first thing about parenting and this child is over the line and very strange. David has made up his mind and wants to be a father to this strange Martian child. David is having so much fun being a parent that he has stop writing and is about to miss his next book deadline. His agent Jeff (Oliver Platt) tries to bring David back to earth, but David is thinking about Mars more and more. David is letting Dennis be himself, and he is caught up in the fantasy of Dennis actually being from Mars. Whatever the truth, David has changed for the better, and now he has learned how to be a loving and caring parent.
My friend B had asked me to see it with her and her 9-year-old daughter, and I admit I had not much of an idea of what the movie was about. I'd seen the preview a time or two, and it didn't look like anything I'd want to watch. A bit silly, really. But from almost the first moment, I realized that the movie I was seeing was not the movie I was expecting.
David (John Cusack) had lost his wife 2 years ago, and missing her reminds him of their mutual wish to adopt a child one day. He's conflicted as he discusses this with his female best friend Harlee (Amanda Peet) who nevertheless encourages him to follow his heart because she believes he has a lot of love to give a child. So when the opportunity presents itself, he goes to meet Dennis, a strange little boy who plays in a box because it protects him from UV rays, and wears a "weight" belt so he stays on the ground and isn't sucked back up to Mars, his home planet. Needless to say, Dennis has issues.
In an effort to get Dennis to open up, David tries to indulge him in almost anything the young boy wishes, from buying box after box of Lucky Charms (a favorite food item of Dennis') to letting him take endless Polaroid pictures to even an impromptu "let's break the dishes because they are just things so it's okay if you want to smash them all to bits" session where inevitably the obligatory visit from Social Services just happens to occur at the height of such giddy destruction. Uh-oh.
David realizes that if Dennis is going to live with him permanently, he's going to have to find a way to make him fit in, especially in school. Driven by the strong paternal affection he already feels for Dennis, his fear of losing the little guy frustrates him until he decides to prove to Dennis that his belief that he's a Martian is just pretend, just a way to feel safe when on the outside his life hasn't been so perfect. Being the smart, sensitive child Dennis is, he picks up on David's intentions, and tries to be the kid David wants him to be, but something is keeping Dennis from embracing his new life, something that may drive them apart for good.
Oh my God, I cried. Several times in fact. This little boy just got to me, and yes, even though it was only a movie, I kept forgetting that part. Bobby Coleman, who plays Dennis, does an amazing job of portraying this Martian child as a super-sensitive, unusual little boy who has been abandoned by his parents and copes by escaping into his own little world as a Martian on a mission. Sometimes he's sad, sometimes he's funny, sometimes he's so serious you just want to hug him because he's way too young to be that serious.
John Cusack portrays David as a successful writer who had his own awkward childhood, and can somewhat relate to Dennis' world of fantasy, and he grows to love this little boy so much that the thought of losing him scares him more than anything. With a looming book deadline hovering over him, David is at a loss as to how to write the book his agent and publishers want, only he's more concerned with trying to raise his new son and heal the hurt he carries around deep inside.
At times funny, often sweet and touching, "Martian Child" is a bit sappy, going for the obvious heart-string tug, but you know what? That was exactly the kinda movie I wanted to see, and I definitely got my money's worth. I know some people may have found this to be an overly emotional clunker that was a bit slow and didn't need to be dragged out for two hours, but I didn't mind that at all, and in fact wanted to see more. Interestingly, it turns out the little boy Bobby Coleman, had previously appeared in another John Cusack movie, "Must Love Dogs", which I did see, and was rather disappointed in. This time around though, I was much more engaged in the movie. Maybe I am way too easy to please, but "Martian Child" worked for me, especially amidst all the violent, brutal, jaded films out there these days. It's not the best movie I've ever seen, but days later, I'm still thinking about it, going over scenes in my head, wanting to go back and see them again. For me, it worked, and that's all I need to know.
Trade Paperback - Kensington Brava - November 27, 2007
ISBN 0-7582-1180-5
Alan Hyatt could do his job in his sleep, and when the Goddard Project sends him to investigate a case of high-tech espionage in the Vancouver film industry, he finds a perfect reason to work in bed. But sizzling actress Jillian Carlyle also happens to be his landlady, and she's got a hard-and-fast (so to speak) rule that keeps her from dating her renters. While Alan’s cover as a reporter gets him close to all the suspects on the set of Jillian's sci-fi show, playing a background actor at her suggestion to get his story? Well, that's something else—but he's not about to turn down a red-hot redhead, even if she keeps throwing him curves...
Jillian just can't understand it. Sure, Alan is six-feet-something of chiseled ruggedness with gray eyes and an irresistible growl in his voice. But hello? She doesn't do relationships—even of the casual kind—with men who impact more than her senses. No one is getting a chance at her heart. Especially not one of her renters. Still, there's nothing wrong with enjoying Alan from afar—but not too far, or she wouldn't be able to fully appreciate his rock-hard abs when he's working out in the home gym. If only he didn't make her feel safe and oh so right when they touched...
"All Through The Night" by Suzanne Brockmann (October 30, 2007)
Since I posted the cover blurb a few days ago, I won't re-post it, just jump right into the review.
I have loved Jules since he first came on the scene, what, in "The Defiant Hero"?, and to have him finally get his HEA is a huge deal to this reader. The fact that Jules is gay has never been a problem for me, and I was just as anxious to read his story as I was to finally read Sam & Alyssa's story. While not perfect, "All Through The Night" is still a lovely happy ending for one of my favorite characters.
Some backstory: Jules Cassidy is a well-respected FBI agent who was out of the closet from day one. When Robin Chadwick and Jules first met, Robin was already in the midst of raging alcoholism, brought on by a great many things, least of all the conflicting feelings he had about his sexuality. Just barely getting his life together with an acting career, Robin decides to hang out with Jules in an attempt to understand the gay lifestyle as the character he's playing is homosexual. The more he was around Jules, the more his shell started to crack, until eventually the mutual physical attraction between the two explodes, and Robin can't help but indulge in a forbidden yet satisfying kiss with Jules (Note: a kiss so scorching hot it could put a multitude of love scenes to shame). But Robin's self-destructive habits are still controlling him, making him do several regrettable things, including hurting Jules, who values himself too much to not be happy, and walks away.
Fast forward to book 11, "Force of Nature", when Robin and Jules meet up again. Robin is now on top of the world, one of the most famous movie stars in the world, yet he's still brutally unhappy, pining for Jules but unwilling to admit it, drinking constantly, denying what he knows to be true, veering between aggressively coming on to Jules yet pretending it means nothing. However by the end of the book, after much misery, soul-searching, and life-threatening danger, Robin reaches the point where he can't pretend anymore. After what he's gone through, nearly losing Jules, it's just not worth it, not when the alternative is never being happy. He starts to become the man worthy of Jules, goes to rehab, and stops thinking only of himself. It's a tearful yet wonderful transition to watch, because the reader knows he will probably always be a work-in-progress, like we all are, but he's going to finally be good enough for Jules, who sincerely deserves it. Once Robin accepts his feelings, his true self, he embraces it wholeheartedly, and in a moment that he can't walk away from, declares to the whole freakin' world without a doubt just who it is that he loves.
Now we get to "All Through The Night", and Jules' & Robin's love story. (Because really, that's what it is). Jules is commuting to Boston, where Robin is shooting a cable series, from D.C., and Robin is doing the same from Boston when he can, and the separation is hard on the two men. After finally getting together, it still wasn't enough. Unbeknownst to the other, marriage is on their minds, and Boston is the logical place to settle if that's to happen. In their hearts, that's what they want, and so after some confusion, Robin and Jules get engaged.
Well, this is a Troubleshooters book, so it's not without its share of drama and even danger, not to mention emotional turmoil, a fixer-upper dream house, Sam & Alyssa, and the U.S. President. I wrote earlier how this wasn't a perfect story - after awhile, I was convinced that all the characters were the same person because the exact same slang and catch phrases are spoken by just about everyone in the book - yet I still felt the romance. It would have been nice to have seen more Robin & Jules together instead of through interactions with others, but the underlying core of the story is still the love Robin and Jules have for each other.
As in any SB book, all the world's problems aren't miraculously solved just because two people love each other. Robin stuggles on a daily basis with his alcoholism, proving that even happiness can't keep the demons at bay all the time, and Jules, wonderful, thoughtful Jules, reluctantly acknowledges the possessive jealousy he feels over Robin, a trait that caused friction in previous relationships and one he worries will push his soulmate away for good. But the thing is, Robin and Jules are perfect for each other, and know that marriage isn't going to make everything all better, but as long as they are together, facing those challenges will be a lot easier.
Something I really did love about this book is that finally Jules not only gets the guy, but he gets the recognition from friends and family as just how special he is. Throughout so many of the previous books, Jules' heroism and generous heart towards others has always seemed to go unnoticed, but here, we feel the affection and gratitude his friends and colleagues feel for this amazing FBI agent. Jules has saved lives, both figuratively and literally, and proves what a true friend he is to those in his life. I love that he is not your stereotypical gay man: he's in a physically and mentally demanding job, an extremely important one, and he can be just as alpha as Sam or Max or any of the other heroes we've read about. He's confident in who he is, he's gorgeous but more worried about his looks and his clothes than the safety of those he protects. Jules truly is a hero, and a very special one at that.
I know I'm rather vague in my reviews, mostly because I never want to give anything away, yet if you've been following the series, then this one is a treat to add to the list. Suz uses emotion and doesn't get graphic with the love scenes between Robin and Jules, which is kind of a shame, but it was nevertheless a romantic story. I had happy tears in my eyes throughout parts of the book. Call me a sap, but I sighed with happiness when it was over. And It's always nice to see Sam & Alyssa, and also a bit of Max & Gina, though I really missed Wildcard, Mark Jenkins, Izzy and Decker. And as always, I cannot wait for the next book in the series, with hopefully more Robin and Jules and their beautiful life together.
"Orangutans could be extinct by 2020 -- the victims of habitat destruction intensified by illegal timber trafficking.
And while the insatiable demand for cheap wood products and luxury hardwoods in the United States, Europe and Japan is driving illegal logging operations worldwide, America has no law against importing illegally-harvested wood into the U.S.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that we have an opportunity in the next 48 hours to help save orangutans and other wildlife threatened by illegal logging.
As Director of Defenders of Wildlife’s international conservation programs, I know the devastating impacts that illegal logging has on habitat for our endangered orangutans.
These primates -- one of our closest genetic relatives in the animal kingdom -- are rapidly being driven to extinction. Illegal logging has recently taken place in 37 of Indonesia’s 41 national parks, some of the last strongholds of the endangered orangutan.
The insatiable demand for cheap wood products and luxury hardwoods in the United States, Europe and Japan is driving illegal logging operations worldwide. Yet America has no law against importing illegally harvested wood into the U.S.
The Wyden-Alexander Amendment would give enforcement agencies a powerful tool in the fight against illegal timber traffickers by making it a crime to knowingly import, sell, buy or transport illegally-sourced wood and wood products.
But your Senators may never have a chance to vote on this important amendment unless you take action right away.
This amendment is our best chance this year to fight illegal timber trafficking and save the orangutans that are threatened by it, but we don’t have much time. The Senate is expected to decide on whether to allow debate on the Wyden-Alexander Amendment by the end of the week.
