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text 2014-11-28 15:51
Tink's Neverland 99cents
Tink's Neverland: Cosmos' Gateway Book 1 - S.E. Smith

Tink's Neverland

 

Jasmine “Tinker” Bell has always had a love for life, looking forward to any new adventure that happens to come along. When a friend’s experiment creates a portal to another world she finds herself swept into a faraway galaxy she thought only existed in the movies.
J’kar ‘Tag Krell Manok had given up hope of ever finding his bond mate. He is surprised when a pint-size female unlike anything he has ever seen suddenly appears on his spaceship to save the life of his brother during an attack. When she is suddenly taken from him he will do anything to get her back and claim her.

Two different worlds collide when Tink, a mechanic in a small college town, meets J’kar, a Prime warrior from a far off galaxy. When Tink’s life is in danger, only J’kar can save her. Now Tink has to decide if she is willing to give up everything she has ever known and loved to stay with the alien she has fallen in love with.
Will their worlds survive the collision or will they be torn apart?

 

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text 2014-10-15 15:42
Paranormal Romance Featuring Sisters
A Brother's Price - Wen Spencer
Heart Quest - Robin D. Owens
The Mane Event - Shelly Laurenston
Kiss of Steel - Bec McMaster
Hostage to Pleasure - Nalini Singh
Water Bound - Christine Feehan
Beauty Dates the Beast - Jessica Sims,Jill Myles
Tansy's Titan (Cosmos' Gateway, Book 3) - S.E. Smith
Tiger Magic - Jennifer Ashley
His Highness the Duke - Michelle M. Pillow

I have six sisters. Six. And one brother. The mind boggles.  I am the eldest sister. Hee. 

 

So, I love Romance Novels that take on the dynamics of the sister relationship. I figure, shapeshifter, ghost, elf, time traveler, alien, vampire--no matter what-- sisters have your back. 

 

Here goes the first of my Romances List series on Sisters! 

 

Dedicated to the other members of my litter, T, S, M, E, T, and L.  oh, and G for surviving a household of sisters. 

 

For your reading pleasure Paranormal, Science Fiction and Fantasy Romance with Sisters! My lists are never in any particular order. There are a number of 5 star reads on this list telling you how much I like this theme. 

 

1. A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer 5 stars

2. Heart Quest by Robin D. Owens 5 Stars

3. The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston  5 Stars

4. Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster  5 Stars

5. Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh 5 Stars

6. Water Bound by Christine Feehan 

7. Beauty Dates the Beast by Jessica Sims 

8. Tansy's Titan  by S. E. Smith

9. Tiger Magic by Jennifer Ashley

10. His Highness The Duke by Michelle M. Pillow 

 

Do you have more recs? Gimme!

 

To vote for the best of the best, visit my Goodreads list: Paranormal Romance Featuring Sisters. 

 

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text 2014-09-30 16:03
Paranormal Spy Romance
Winter Pleasures: The Training - Anya Bast
Jerred's Price - Joanna Wylde
Howl at the Moon (The Others, #4) - Christine Warren
Gossamer Wing - Delphine Dryden
Archangel's Storm - Nalini Singh
When Stars Collide (The Darkon Warriors Book 5) - S E Gilchrist
Outsiders (Wildside Series Book 2) - Melanie Jackson
Seth - Eve Langlais
Tansy's Titan (Cosmos' Gateway, Book 3) - S.E. Smith
Stolen Earth (Delroi Connection) - Loribelle Hunt

Spy heroines and heroes are everywhere in Historical Romance. I would be very paranoid if I lived in Historical Romanceland. 

 

Spies are much less common in Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Romance and maybe just a little more exciting because of it.

 

Meet some great Spies of Speculative Romance: (My lists are in no particular order. I can never pick favorites!) 

 

1.When Stars Collide (The Darkon Warriors Book 5) by S E Gilchrist 

 

Reece, contortionist bubble dancer and part-time spy, has one goal – a safe haven and independent life far from the war.  But her plans go awry and her future becomes dangerously uncertain when she is falsely accused of the murders of her friend and a Darkon traitor. Now her new list of goals includes payback.

 

In her way is Ulrac, a banished Darkon patroller responsible for incarcerating females for barbaric ‘treatments’ and ‘research’ on the planet Isla. He's determined to use the capture of the spy and her intel to win the approval of his father – a hard-line Traditionalist with his own agenda – and help him overthrow the current ruler of Darkos.

 

But the war of the Seven Galaxies has reached a critical stage, and personal plans and goals suddenly hold very little meaning. The enemy is poised to unleash a terrible weapon and no one stands between him and total domination of all the universes.

No one – except Reece and Ulrac.

 

2, Outsiders (Wildside Series Book 2) by Melanie Jackson 

 
Cyra Delphin never felt quite right in her own skin. As a child, her parents made her hide her gifts. But certain things don't stay buried. What others are afraid to acknowledge-- the modern world's seedy underbelly, its Wildside ruled by dark magic and goblins-- doesn't simply go away. And when that dakrness came to call, Cyra sought sancturary in the Nevada desert. 

She found Thomas Marrowbone. He, too, was part of the Wildside. Beneath his tormented shell lurked something powerful and inhuman, but also something primal and erotic. Cyra recognized it, and for love she would follow the enigmatic loner into the depths of Hell. Their true destination-- Sin City-- held the Queen of the Goblins and an unholy court; and the journey would test both their bodies and hearts... but their quest's success promised salvation and a happiness Cyra had never known. 

 

3. Seth (Cyborgs: More Than Machines Book 5) by Eve Langlais 

 

An excellent athlete who is highly intelligent, charismatic - without modesty - and handsome too, Seth has it all except for the girl. But not for long. Like it or not, he's determined to win her heart - and get in her pants. So what if it means letting the military replace a few parts and becoming the world's first cybernetic spy? Cool missions, a hot chick, awesome toys; it all sounds like a dream come true until the military decides to terminate their billion dollar experiment.

But they didn't count on their project soldier fighting back.

 

4. Tansy's Titan (Cosmos' Gateway Book 3) by S. E. Smith 

 

Tansy Bell, is the middle daughter of the three Bell sisters. She has always been a little different, even for a Bell. A chameleon, she can change her appearance and personality to blend in almost anywhere. She uses this talent to bring some of the worse criminals in the world to justice. 

Mak ‘Tag Krell Manok is the wild one of his four brothers. He is known for his hot temper, fierce strength, and skills as a warrior. Few men in any galaxy dare to challenge him and live. Frustrated at his failure to find females compatible with a Prime male, he returns to his home world only to discover his oldest brother has found his bond mate – in an unusual species known as a human. What is even more astonishing is his reaction to an image of his brother’s bond mate’s sister. 

Mak has set a new course – for Earth and the female that stirs his blood to fire! But first, he has to find her. Next, he has to convince her she belongs to him. If all else fails, he will just take her, after all, she is delicate, fragile, and no match for a Prime warrior. 

What he doesn’t expect is to find her in trouble and fighting for her life. Now, he must save her before it is too late. But, even then there is no guarantee that she will come with him. For this small, fragile female has the strength and determination of twenty Prime males and values her independence. 

Mak is about to learn that big trouble can come in very small packages and size is often a misconception because there is one female in the universe not afraid to stand up to him – even if she is afraid to love him. 


Can he keep her alive long enough to realize she is the perfect mate for an untamed warrior or will the men determined to kill her take not only her life but his as well?

 

5. Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh

 

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha's consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.
 
Earning Neha's trust comes at a price--Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.
 
With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare... and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

 

6. Gossamer Wing (Steam and Seduction) by Delphine Dryden 

 

After losing her husband to a rogue French agent, Charlotte Moncrieffe wants to make her mark in international espionage. And what could be better for recovering secret long-lost documents from the Palais Garnier than her stealth dirigible, Gossamer Wing? Her spymaster father has one condition: He won’t send her to Paris without an ironclad cover.

Dexter Hardison prefers inventing to politics, but his title as Makesmith Baron and his formidable skills make him an ideal husband-imposter for Charlotte. And the unorthodox undercover arrangement would help him in his own field of discovery.

But from Charlotte and Dexter’s marriage of convenience comes a distraction—a passion that complicates an increasingly dangerous mission. For Charlotte, however, the thought of losing Dexter also opens her heart to a thrilling new future of love and adventure.

 

7. Howl at the Moon: A novel of The Others by Christine Warren 

 

Noah Baker never wanted to betray The Others. But if his military commanders want him to covertly investigate a Lupine scientist--whose extraordinary research on sensory perception in werewolves could be used to develop werewolf-sharp senses in human soldiers--Noah must oblige. Even if it means deceiving the woman he desires the most.
 
Samantha Carstairs is the personal assistant to the Alpha of the Silverback Clan, and as best friend to the Lupine community's most brilliant scientist, she is privy to its most dangerous secret. Noah knows that Sam will never leak the scientific research…so he must find another way to get it, while keeping Sam close. But someone else is after Sam's secret. Who is the other spy infiltrating The Others? If their genetic secrets get into the wrong hands, all hell could break loose. Now Noah's true loyalty is put to the test as he fights to protect The Others--and his beloved Sam--and find the imposter…before it's too late.

 

8. Stolen Earth (Delroi Connection Book 3) by Loribelle Hunt 

 

Britt Anderson is retired. Secretive and fiercely independent, she journeys to Delroi to spend time with her two oldest friends. She doesn’t expect to be dragged back into the spy business when she gets there. But the lure is impossible to fight for a not so reformed adrenalin junkie. Danger. Conspiracy. What’s not to love? 

Unfortunately, there’s always a price and it presents itself as the darkly dangerous Barak Trace. She can’t deny the attraction, but has enough sense to steer clear of the possessive glint in his gaze. Until he somehow manages to merge his psychic abilities with hers. When he’s captured by rebel forces, she has no choice but to go after him. The question is will she be able to free himself once he’s rescued? And will she even want? 

 

9. Jerred's Price by Joanna Wylde 

 

Jerred is a Saurellian spy, posing as a freighter captain/smuggler, and one who doesn't know the true meaning of love. Giselle is a barmaid hiding out on an Imperial space station, on the run for her life and leery of any man, especially one like Jerred. But from the moment they meet, passions get hot and desires run wild. When Giselle witnesses a murder, the mysterious freighter captain is her only hope for escape. There's just one problem. He isn't willing to take her on for free. Before she's done Giselle will know what it means to pay Jerred's price. 

 

10. Winter Pleasures: The Training (Seasons of Pleasure) by Anya Bast 

 

Sienne is beautiful, intelligent, talented…and a slave. Given to the lord of Nordan for a season, she has one mission: seduce Marken with a body made for sin and bring back to her Sudhran masters secrets they can use to conquer their northern neighbors. If she fails, the family who took her in as a child will pay the price.

 

Marken has no desire for a slave. Women come to his bed willingly or not at all. Yet when he frees the beautiful temptress, she refuses to leave his side, sating her curiosity with questions about his court and her desire with a depthless ability to submit to their growing pleasure. But despite every plan to teach her to be free, Marken finds himself becoming increasingly entangled…and increasingly possessive.

 

Time is running short. Sienne has until the last winter’s snow has melted before she must make a choice that will change the shape of two nations forever.

 

 

Do you have a favorite Paranormal Spy? Let me know!

 

To vote for the best of the best, go to the Goodreads list: Paranormal Spy Romance.

 

To get recs for all kinds of Romantic Spies, visit my Pinterest Board: Spy! Spies in Romance.  

 

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review 2014-02-10 17:21
Tansy's Titan Review
Tansy's Titan (Cosmos' Gateway, Book 3) - S.E. Smith

Tansy Bell, is the middle daughter of the three Bell sisters. She has always been a little different, even for a Bell. A chameleon, she can change her appearance and personality to blend in almost anywhere. She uses this talent to bring some of the worse criminals in the world to justice. 

Mak ‘Tag Krell Manok is the wild one of his four brothers. He is known for his hot temper, fierce strength, and skills as a warrior. Few men in any galaxy dare to challenge him and live. Frustrated at his failure to find females compatible with a Prime male, he returns to his home world only to discover his oldest brother has found his bond mate – in an unusual species known as a human. What is even more astonishing is his reaction to an image of his brother’s bond mate’s sister. 

Mak has set a new course – for Earth and the female that stirs his blood to fire! But first, he has to find her. Next, he has to convince her she belongs to him. If all else fails, he will just take her, after all, she is delicate, fragile, and no match for a Prime warrior. 

What he doesn’t expect is to find her in trouble and fighting for her life. Now, he must save her before it is too late. But, even then there is no guarantee that she will come with him. For this small, fragile female has the strength and determination of twenty Prime males and values her independence.

Mak is about to learn that big trouble can come in very small packages and size is often a misconception because there is one female in the universe not afraid to stand up to him – even if she is afraid to love him. 
Can he keep her alive long enough to realize she is the perfect mate for an untamed warrior or will the men determined to kill her take not only her life but his as well?

 

Review

This was fun Science Fiction Romance romp with a 7 foot tall alien warrior hero and a kickass operative human heroine. The violent world she lives in is gritty and brutal. She never changes her deadly ways which is grand. The hero is gonzo for her in that fun fated mate way. The love story is action packed.

 

This is the first book I have read in series so I don't know too much about the alien culture and world and that part of the story is pretty minimal here. Her sister's backstories are interesting as is that of the genius best friend (male) who gets the next book and her parents. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books and bought the first one.

 

This isn't a serious book despite some of the dark subject matter of human traffic (the earth kind) but it is a good light SFR read if you like that kind of thing and I do.

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review 2013-11-30 20:04
Cosmos and Dithering Over Book Donating
Cosmos - Carl Sagan

At the moment the stacks of my books that I'm going to donate to our nearby library cover our small loveseat, and a chunk of those are definitely going away. But the problem is that I get all mushy over books. And since these are the heaviest and most expensive parts of any move, it'd be better if I could kill off some of those emotional ties to the paper and only hang on to those that are really vital.

 

Back in the 1980s I watched all of Carl Sagan's television series of Cosmos on PBS and loved it. This was also back in the pre-VCR period when you had to watch things right then because there was no way to rewatch anything unless PBS re-ran it. So for Christmas my parents gave me the hardcover book of Cosmos, which I loved. I have to admit I didn't read it cover to cover, just the parts that I'd liked most in the series. It's been something I've been meaning to reread for ages. I really feel I owe Sagan for helping me through AP Biology in high school and then helping me in the science test freshman year in college (short version: distribution requirement) - all aided with memories of Cosmos. (And a biology teacher who played the video of Cosmos on DNA in class.)

 

So why is it in the Donate pile? Well, neither of my parents wrote in it before gifting it (fewer people do that I notice) - which would definitely mean I'd have to keep it. And now I can tell that the binding isn't holding up well, so it's showing signs of Not Holding Up Well. I put it in the Donate pile, then moved it to the Maybe Not pile to dither about it. In the end I'll probably give up multiple other hardback books to the donate pile and keep it. Because if the pages get loose that's actually a reason to take pages out and maybe frame a few!

 

I still plan to get Cosmos as an ebook, because somehow Sagan's work seems fun to have in a cloud I can always access. I sort of think he'd find that a new adventure in methods of reading, just as much as he seemed to enjoy the history of the book as a means of learning.

 

....Ok I had to pause there, and I picked up the book and looked inside....nope, I am keeping it! I got all nostalgic when it fell open to the chapter titled One Voice in the Cosmic Fugue and remember how Sagan pronounced fugue.

 

I know it's been quoted oodles, but I figure, since I'm reading this bit now (the index is really good), I'll quote from chapter 11, The Persistence of Memory. The thing about the quotes you'll read is that you'll not realize that the context of the Sagan quotes on books here tie in to the concept of information found in our genes, our own internal library. Again, this is the sort of thing that stuck with me to help me out in future classes:

 

p. 279-282: "...When our genes could not store all the information necessary for survival, we slowly invented brains. But then the time came, perhaps ten thousand years ago, when we needed to know more than could conveniently be contained in brains. So we learned to stockpile enormous quantities of information outside our bodies. We are the only species on the planet, so far as we know, to have invented a communal memory stored neither in our genes nor in our brains. The warehouse of that memory is called the library.

 

...More recently, books, especially paperbacks, have been printed in massive and inexpensive editions. For the price of a modest meal you can ponder the decline and fall of Roman Empire, the origin of the species, the interpretation of dreams, the nature of things. Books are like seeds. They can lie dormant for centuries and then flower in the most unpromising soil.

 

The great libraries of the world contain millions of volumes, the equivalent of about [10 to the 14th power] bits of information in words, and perhaps [10 to the 15th] bits in pictures. This is ten thousand times more information than in our genes, and about ten times more than in our brains. If I finish a book a week, I will read only a few thousand books in my lifetime, about a tenth of a percent of the contents of the greatest libraries of our time. The trick is to know which books to read. The information in books is not pre-programmed at birth but constantly changed, amended by events, adapted to the world. It is now twenty-three centuries since the founding of the Alexandrian Library. If there were no books, no written records, think how prodigious a time twenty-three centuries would be. ...If information could be passed on merely by word of mouth, how little we should know of our past, how slow would be our progress! Everything would depend on what ancient findings we had accidentally been told about, and how accurate the account was. Past information might be revered, but in successive retellings it would become progressively more muddled and eventually lost. Books permit us to voyage through time, to tap the wisdom of our ancestors. The library connects us with the insights and knowledge, painfully extracted from Nature, of the greatest minds that ever were, with the best teachers, drawn from the entire planet and from all of our history, to instruct us without tiring, and to inspire us to make our own contribution to the collective knowledge of the human species. Public libraries depend on voluntary contributions. I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries."

Sorry, couldn't manage the formatting of -to the nth power.

 

Anyway, I read that quote (several pages if I were to copy it all out) and can't help but think that Sagan would have enjoyed the progression of paper books into ebooks. And the fact that ebooks are causing lots of us to dig around in much of the old, pre-1900 books that are now free and finding interesting things. I'm also going to ignore the fact that many libraries are finding funding to be a struggle these days, and refuse to get depressed about that.

 

However I am now going to hug this book and keep it. Besides, I definitely don't need four copies of statistics textbooks, even if I someday do need to run an analysis of variables again some day (please no, I'm just joking, I so do not want to mess with ANOVAs again!).

 

I've also decided that this is as much a review of the book as I'll ever get around to, and should be incentive enough to bibliophiles to at least check out chapter 11. All the chapters in the book are easily stand alone essays. And there's lots of pictures, all of which have descriptive and sometimes long captions. I still plan to get the ebook though!

With those weighty words of books and scholarship I should probably add that if I read any more more this afternoon it'll be to finish off  one of the two cheesy books on film and television that I'm reading. Because sometimes that's the sort of voyage my brain needs to take.

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