Review: Masters & Mercenaries- Lexi Blake

Hello all! I am continuing my review blitz with the first two books of Lexi Blake's Masters & Mercenaries series.

First up... The Dom Who Loved Me.

I. Loved. This. Book. I am serious. Both of the lead characters completely satisfied me in more ways than one. Grace Hawthorne is imperfect in the most perfect way. She is a widow with two college-aged sons, a normal executive assistant job and a less than perfect body. She devours BDSM romance books but doesn't pursue her secret desires...until she meets Sean.

Sean Taggart is a sexual Dominant and believes that Grace's employer is a front for something illegal. He is working with McKay/Taggart Security Services to find out exactly what those illegal activities are. In the course of his investigation and getting close to Grace to figure out that the nature of her involvement..he discovers her secret submissive side and it is ON! Sean masters Grace's submission while covertly investigating her boss. When his activities are revealed...he has to make a choice. Keep Grace or do his job.

Grace is on my top ten list of favorite female characters. The circumstances in her her life make her easy to relate to..may it be body issues, having children, previous relationship issues and unexplored sexual desires. And Sean...well he is just hot. His thoughtful and sexy domination of Grace is just gorgeous to read. And he isn't perfect either, which totally works for me. As a reader, I get kind of sick of the "totally got it together" male hero.

And the secondary characters are some of the most intriguing ever. So much..that you can't wait to read about them. And you will :)

And next up to bat...The Men With The Golden Cuffs.

This is Adam and Jacob's story. They come as a pair *snerk* and their desire is to find the one woman they can love and share. Serena is a writer of erotic fiction and has recently acquired a rather scary stalker. Everyone in her life thinks she is making up the stalker...so she is forced to hire bodyguards for protection. Jacob isn't entirely sure Serena is on the up and up...but Adam becomes enamored with Serena, especially when he finds out what kind of erotic fiction she writes and her submissive tendencies. Because Jacob and Adam love together... Jacob can't help but fall for Serena and cling to Adam's hope that she might be the woman they both can love, despite his reservations about her honesty. Serena is in heaven, being taken care of by two hot, caring and attentive men. Until the suspicions about her stalker break the trio's trust.

This story appealed to me for different reasons than The Dom Who Loved Me. Adam and Jacob were literally two different sides of the same coin. The way they were written made you want to dig into the book. You can't wait to see how they work in tandem, but in entirely different ways to make Serena theirs. And you feel for all three characters when the distrust and angst come into their lives. I seriously wanted to cry for Serena. Your heart also hurts both of the men, especially Adam.

Serena is also not perfect. She doesn't have a model body. She is forgetful and self-conscious about herself and I related to her even more than I did Grace. And again, the secondary characters help make this book an awesome read.

I can't wait for Liam's book, A Dom is Forever. Alex & Eve's story will satisfy my insatiable desire to learn what makes Eve tick and why she tortures poor Alex. And Ian Taggart...head of McKay/Taggart Security Services and Sean's brother...I really hope Ms. Blake is planning on writing his story.

I can honestly say these have been two of my favorite books to read and I am HIGHLY anticipating the remainder of the series. I am keeping these books on my bookshelf...and will probably re-read them several times over.

I insist you check out Lexi Blake's books. I am adding the Masters of Menage series to my TBR pile as I type this.

Standard disclaimer- Please note, these books contain elements of BDSM and menage. You don't like it...don't read it.

I am still taking recommendations for my TBR pile. Leave a comment or follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25. I promise I will be interesting at least once a week.

Review: Laid Open- Lauren Dane

I told you this was a review blitz!


Laid Open is a novella in Lauren Dane's Brown Siblings series. I seriously can't lie, this is one of my favorite series of books. The Brown's are so complex and gorgeously written, that I am so glad Ms. Dane choose to follow up on Eric, Todd and Ben's story.

Laid Open takes place after Never Enough (Adrian and Gillian's story) and I will say...unless you read Laid Bare, the first in the series and the beginning of Erin, Todd and Ben's story...well Laid Open won't make a bit of sense. I suggest starting from the beginning because frankly..it's worth it.
But just to lay a bit of ground work, Erin is married to Todd and Ben is their "third". They have a son named Alexander and are a unique and loving family.

As with all Lauren Dane's books, the sex is HOT. But what I was really interested in was knowing more about the dynamic of their relationship. These three people truly love each other, but it's not a perfect world. Readers will get to see how deep their love is, how they deal with the reoccurring memories of a tragedy and what I have been waiting for. A little more of Ben.

Laid Bare focused a lot on Todd and Erin, with Ben coming into the dynamic later. I was desperate to know more about how Ben felt about their relationship and Ms. Dane delivered. There was still the deep love and contentment amongst the three..but it made it a little more real knowing that even though it was pretty perfect most of the time, just like anyone else, they had their issues to deal with.

Please note, this is an erotic romance with BDSM elements and a committed menage relationship...including m/m. For heaven's sake, if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea don't buy it. You won't give it the appreciation it deserves.

This one will stay on my bookshelf keeping my other Brown Siblings books company. I may have to go reread the rest of the series...in anticipation of  Raven's book. (Such a long wait! I am ridiculously impatient!) I am also looking forward to the  new series that will feature Gillian's friends from Never Enough.

Brown Siblings Series
Laid Bare
Coming Undone
Inside Out
Never Enough
Laid Open


Go forth and read!

Review: Crash Into You- Roni Loren

Hello all! Be prepared for a review blitz..I have been reading but lazy about blogging. Now it's catch-up time.

I read Crash Into You prior to starting this blog, but I follow Roni Loren on Twitter and word on the street (yes I have ALWAYS wanted to type that) is that her Loving on the Edge series is getting more books! This caused me to have a fangirl moment and re-read Crash Into You. And of course I remember why I love Roni Loren's books.

Her characters.

Brynn and Reid are the main characters in Crash and they are everything I love about a good character. This is a BDSM erotic romance and Brynn and Reid aren't your cookie cutter submissive and Dom. Brynn is feisty, smart, strong and once she embraces her submissiveness, she helps Reid deal with the fact that it's okay to want to dominate women in the bedroom.

Reid isn't your typical confident alpha male. He is afraid of dominance because of his family history and how high profile he is. I enjoy Reid's character immensely. Don't get me wrong, I love the typical cocky, self-assured, confidant in their dominance, characters that are typical of a BDSM romance...but there is something I find so endearing about Reid and his struggle to accept his desires.

There is a crushing, suspenseful and almost tragic event in Brynn's life that shapes her throughout the book. I found myself thinking "Go Girl!" when she took the steps she needed to heal. And Reid's bumbling decisions when it comes to sharing things with Brynn make him the less-than-perfect guy that I find myself interested in reading. I want to see him fix it and come out on top (giggle).

The secondary characters in the book are also intriguing. Jace, Reid's friend and fellow dominant. Grant, owner of The Ranch, the exclusive BDSM retreat where Brynn and Reid go to try to find her sister...all made me want to know their stories, which is what I look for in secondary characters. And Melt Into You (next in the series) does just that. It is Jace's story.

If you are looking for an atypical but awesome BDSM romance with just the right amount of intrigue and suspense...I highly recommend Crash Into You. I am keeping it on my bookshelf...and of course saving room for the other books in the series.

Loving on the Edge Series
Crash Into You
Still Into You (this is an e-novella about Jace's sister)
Melt Into You (Jace's story)
Fall Into You (Grant's story..owner of The Ranch)

As always, I welcome your comments and you can follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25

Review: Deep Desires- Charlotte Stein

Before I being this review, I would like to point out that I wish it was Friday. The Friday before a very long weekend. I know I just got back from vacation but I could sure use one.

And now my review.

Abbie Gough, the heroine, is a physical and emotional abuse survivor who has locked herself into a routine in her own little world. Ivan lives across "The Courtyard" in Abbie's apartment "complex" and as you get further into the book, you find out just how complicated Ivan is.

This is my first book/novella by Charlotte Stein. The first thing that struck me is that I couldn't tell exactly where this story was taking place, which overall is not a bad thing. It allowed me to imagine it could be taking place in any city, in any country. Also adding to that is Miss Stein's use of British English...which I will admit took me a bit to get used to. My mind screamed "TYPO" while the less pedestrian part of my brain told be to shut up.

The story is deliciously drawn out with voyeurism and mutual masturbation as heavy themes in the beginning of the story. It almost got to the point where it was too drawn out, but it is almost like the author sensed it and fed you the details you needed to keep the story going at a good pace. I can appreciate that talent.

Abbie and Ivan, for all intents and purposes, are fucked up characters. But I loved their story because  as cheesy as this sounds, she completed him. And he did the same for her. They gave each other what was missing, what their pasts had destroyed.

And the sex! If you ever had a voyeuristic fantasy, ever wanted to catch your neighbor doing naked housecleaning, the window scenes will appeal to you. But the sex scene that did it for me was the one when all their barriers were broken down and it was just Abbie and Ivan... with none of their past sharing their bed with them. Very poignant and hot. Fair warning, there is also some brief m/m action, so if that isn't your bag...I would skip that part.

I look forward to reading more of Miss Stein's writing...and I will be keeping this one on my bookshelf. I suggest giving Deep Desires a read if something beyond the typical love story appeals to you.

I was lucky enough to get a review copy for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Hot in Handcuffs- Shayla Black, Sylvia Day & Shiloh Walker

Ahh Saturday. How I love you. And how busy I am when the week finally comes around to you. So, I shall pause in my party preparing to review one of my vacation reads.


To begin, these are three of my favorite authors. Just recently read the Ash Trilogy by Shiloh Walker. I have a serious love of Bared to You by Sylvia Day and Shayla Black's Wicked Lovers series is just swoon-worthy. I didn't think Hot in Handcuffs would disappoint....and it didn't.

This is an anthology, so obviously the stories are shorter. But trust me, they didn't pack any less of a punch.

First at bat is Arresting Desire by Shayla Black. I loved the female lead in this book. Lucia was a believable combination of smart and innocent. And the alpha male/FBI agent/panty dropping Jon Bocelli is hot. Smoking hot. His tender domination of Lucia, plus the appreciation of her intelligence really struck a chord with me. Jon's dominating seduction of Lucia, getting her to submit to both him and her fantasies should have been formulaic with all of the dominant vs. closet submissive tropes that I have read, but it wasn't. I enjoyed their interaction immensely. The sub-plot of family mystery/suspense added to the story and helped develop both Lucia and Jon's characters for me.

Second in the line-up was On Fire by Sylvia Day and oh my was it. Jared and Darcy set the pages on fire. The intensity of their desire for each other made me sweat. Darcy wasn't a female character you read about very often. She was very aware of her sexuality and indulged as discreetly as she could living in a small town. Then the suspicious fires begin, bringing Deputy Marshal Jared Cameron into her life...and bed. From the jump Jared wanted Darcy and when they finally came together, the combination of hot sex and fierce emotion that neither expected made for some of the best sex scenes I have read. Seriously. And again, the mystery just added to the story, making both characters vulnerable to the real world outside the bedroom.

And last, but certainly not least, is The Unwilling by Shiloh Walker. Now, I must interject here. I haven't read any of Shiloh's FBI psychic books...but I will be after reading this. I absolutely loved the relationship Colby and Mica have. They need each other, but don't want to need each other. When Mica asks for Colby's help he is reluctant because even after she left him, he still loves her. Their psychic connection made their relationship seem even more intimate than your every day relationship. It also made this a very enjoyable read. As always, Ms. Walker's descriptive writing seems to drop you right into one of Colby or Mica's visions. Her writing never disappoints.

To sum it up: This book is staying on my bookshelf. If you ask nicely, I may let you borrow it. If you don't return it...I will come after you to get it back :)

Have a good weekend everyone!

I'm Back!

If you weren't paying attention..I went on vacation. If you were paying attention..I went on vacation.

And now I am back to the real world...and better coffee. No offense to you Southern folks but I went a week without good fucking coffee and I damn near died from caffeine withdrawal. But, you made up with for it with awesome accents, polite people and some banging food. You are forgiven.

We didn't have any major vacation plans except visit the zoo, eat a Cuban sandwich, swim in the pool and get tattoos. Yes. Get tattoos. We have developed a habit of getting tattoos as souvenirs when we travel because frankly shot glasses are boring. My tattoo came out FUCKING AWESOME and I give mad props to the guy at FatKats Artistry in Ocala for the banging job he did. I am healing now and I swear this things itches like crazy. I can't wait to get my next one.

I shot a gun! Totally forgot to mention that. I have shot guns before..we used shoot targets off our back porch when I was a kid, but it had been awhile since I pulled a trigger. We shot targets in the woods across the street and I made a Pepsi bottle my bitch. It exploded and I shouted with glee. Then we went in and ate barbeque. My neck is still red.

In addition, I got in some reading. The Hot in Handcuffs anthology by Shayla Black, Sylvia Day and Shiloh Walker was so good. It shouldn't be read on a plane unless you plan on joining The Mile High Club. I swear I was panting as I exited the plane and cabin pressure had nothing to do with it. Plus, they are three of my favorite authors..so putting them all in one book is like multiple orgasms. It can not be missed. This book went right back on my bookshelf when I unpacked and I am sure I will re-read it several times over.

I jump back further into real life my returning to my job tomorrow where I will be back to reading on lunch...so hey I just might review some more books.

Now, I must go mentally prepare myself for my return to the workforce by having a grown-up Shirley Temple and trying to figure out what laundry is actually clean.

Please don't envy my exciting life.

Electronics & Me...

We have a hate/hate relationship. They hate to work for me and I hate trying to figure out how they work.

And because technology makes the world go round..consider me fucked. Not in a hot, nasty, sexy way either. (Unless you consider the overheating laptop part of the equation. Love me some laptop thigh burn.)

I have recently become reinvested in writing (see previous Lazy Blogger post). Well, it is difficult to cater to my extremely sexy, dominating bitch of a muse (I fucking love her) if my computer won't stay on for MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES! Not to mention my constant fear of losing work. I learned that lesson when 4,000 or so gorgeous words disappeared before I could back up.

This weekend..the laptop officially died. It bought the farm, took a dirt nap..whatever euphemism for dead rocks your boat. So with the remainder of this story screaming inside me to be let out...I went to buy a new fucking laptop.

I reiterate. I hate technology, electronics, shit with buttons and wires blah blah blah. I like my cell phone and my Nook. That's it.

So an obscene amount of money, patience and screaming because it took me forever to figure out later...I can restrain my bitchy muse and get back to work.

And if one more person tells me to get an external hard drive again..I can't be responsible for what I do to you. But I suggest a high pain tolerance and a safe word. You will need it.

Giving Good....

Email.

I know exactly what you perverts were thinking. And I am so proud! Your dirty minds are going to have to take a brief hiatus for now. I need to get this out. We can get dirty next post, if you ask nicely of course.

Email. Besides text messaging, it is for some, a preferred form of communication. I email every day. All day. It's a necessary part of my job function. It serves as a track-able way to communicate (I love Cover Your Own Ass syndrome) but it also allows psychos like me to color code, flag things urgent and generally control inbox chaos in the misguided attempt to control everything else in life.

As an email aficionado, I appreciate those who give good email. I like thoughtful, well articulated responses. I don't mind length (tee hee) as long as what you are saying is relevant. I also don't mind brief...cause who doesn't love a quickie.

Giving good email is a talent. If it's meant to be an electronic conversation and you can make it seamless...you rock. If it's supposed to be a lengthy missive set to inform and entertain...awesome. But before you click send realize something..there are no take-backs. Once you send that terrible joke or horribly misspelled paragraph out into the web universe that damn thing is gonzo. So allow me to give you some advice:

-Double check the email address. You do not want to be sexy emailing your husband, telling him you would like to be hogtied with your silk stockings and accidentally send it to some random dude whose email address is a digit/letter/period different from Hubby's. While I think it would be HILARIOUS...you having to explain to random dude why that wasn't an invitation could be a pain in the ass.

-Spell check. It exists. Use it. Love it. Submit to it.

-Don't overdo it. If your point can be made in three sentences, use three sentences. Don't use four...and don't skimp by using two.

-Consider your audience. If you are having a "conversation" email I personally don't care about syntax and punctuation.If you are emailing your CEO...punctuate properly and god forbid use a damn comma.

That's all I have. I love good email. I like them long, short, with bodacious vocabulary or a few short words. (You are awesome. Three words...great email.)

And always remember to thank someone if required. People can detect bitch through email, so if that's not your intent, watch your tone. (This is a HUGE issue for me. I always have tone....It's my aggressive/aggressive nature.)

Do you have tips for giving it good? Send them to me. And if I peaked your interest...and you wanna give me a round of good email, I promise to reciprocate. And I give great email.  ;)

Have a good holiday weekend everyone. Fall is coming soon. That means pie season! Mmm pie. I am having a real attention span issue today...ohh shiny! Night night!

Writing..Just Not Here

My name is Jessie and I am a lazy blogger. But, I am not a lazy writer. I have been neglecting my blog for a very good reason (at least for me anyway).

The writing bug bit me in the ass and this time the sucker wasn't letting go. I have written two stories, about 30,000 words total, in two weeks. That is a lot for me. I haven't written for pleasure in awhile.

Once I started, I couldn't stop until I finished. Then I had to edit and re-write. More edits and re-writes. I back off for a little while, usually a day, then return with fresher eyes. At this point, the person who reads my WIP screams at me for my excessive comma use...makes me remove about a thousand of them and then blesses it.

You ask yourself...what does she do with all of that creativity? Nothing. I mean it. Not. A. Thing. I sometimes submit to a super-secret erotic stories website. But most of the time, it sits on my hard drive.

Now you are asking yourself...what's the fucking point of doing all that work if no one reads it? Simple. I do it for me. It's cathartic. It's like my love of baking as stress relief. Methodical, creative but it won't cause a sugar coma or a mess in my kitchen.

I sincerely apologize for slacking on my reviews. I was selected for jury duty this week. Apparently our justice system is desperate having chosen me. So I will be writing numerous book reviews in my head so I can come home and pick up my slack. Plus I will be bringing my brand new shiny Nook that hubby bought me because I am cute (and a good lay according to him). So that means reading time!

I am hanging my head in shame but damn if the stuff I wrote didn't make me very happy. So, please forgive me my adoring public and I will return to my regularly scheduled program very soon.

Stay safe folks...people are a little crazy out there!

Why Am I Reading This?

It's Friday. I love Friday. Coffee tastes better on Friday. My feet hurt less after being in heels all day because they know for the next two days I am heelless.. Bliss.

I have a bunch of reviews prepared and will be blitz posting them this weekend. But Little Guy is asleep, so I thought I would take some time to have a "what's on my mind" post.

I have been finding myself checking out a lot of blogs lately. It's a cyber version of people watching...a hobby of mine. As an observer, I find that people are sometimes more honest in writing as they are in conversation. It's almost like they don't second guess themselves as they are typing, but their mind will censor their mouth when they are talking. Plus, when you are posting you aren't looking in the face of the person who is reading. It allows for more creative freedom in my opinion.

There is an enormous upside to this. Communication increases between people who wouldn't normally communicate. You find you have things in common with people who are states away. It's a lovely thing. I also think it's a double edged sword.

In being allowed to read some people's innermost thoughts and feelings, you may start to find out some things about people that you don't understand. You may read something and go "What the fuck?" Or "Wow..that was TMI." Or you could possibly have a moment like I did the other day and say...

"What Am I Reading This?"

I read for entertainment. I read for knowledge. Sometimes I read stuff just because it's funny. But most of the time, I look to gain something from what I am reading. I seek to understand at least something when I am done. And most often (99 percent of the time) I accomplish my goal. Unfortunately, in this case I did not. I didn't agree, understand or learn anything from what I read. But I am also aware that this person is not looking to educate me when they sit down at their computer and write. And they don't have to.

Writing is cathartic. I write all the time. I just finished writing an 11,000 word mildly erotic romance. Will you read it? Probably not. I write to release the words in my head. I have posted to a website steadily for years but don't throw that info out there (until now lol).

I guess all this rambling adds up to this: I am going to be more stingy with my blog reading time. I will stick to the blogs I currently enjoy and possibly branch off if those writers recommend someone. (I say possibly, because the Why Am I Reading This blog was a recommendation). As much as I like learning new things and cyber observing...if I can't wrap my head around your blog, I won't continue.

Now, you may feel the same way about mine. If you are having a Why Am I Reading This moment of your own...feel free to tell me why. And I would give you the few minutes back it took to read this...but I don't have that kind of power. Will you take a cookie instead?

Everyone enjoy your weekend!

A Moment with My Coffee

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable start to their weekend. I have several books I will be reviewing soon, but I really wanted to share this experience first.

It was rather humbling and I think every so often...we all need a humbling moment.

I have both friends and family in the military. I also "adopted" two soldiers last year through an incredible organization called "Adopt a US Soldier". We wrote letters,  sent them packages from home. Now that they are stateside, we have continued our friendship. We have discussed some of their experiences "over there" and what it was like to return home. This brings me to my experience the other morning.

I was in the gas station getting coffee (don't gasp, they have really good coffee) and a gentleman was standing in front of me. He was taller than me (everyone is lol) and was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Pretty average looking. As I was standing there, I noticed the scars. He had thick, angry looking shrapnel scars running up the outside of his left leg, arm, neck and face. The heavier scarring being on his leg and arm, but I was standing right behind him so my proximity made it easier to see the remainder of them. I observed quickly, because I didn't want to be rude and went back to my phone.

He was next in line. He put his coffee down and asked for a pack of cigarettes. He went to go swipe his credit card and it didn't work. The clerk was telling him it wasn't declined, but she was unable to tell him the exact reason why it wouldn't work. He started to flush a little and when he went to put his card back in his wallet, I noticed that the activation sticker was still on the back. I made a split second decision and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to look at me and I motioned him out of line.

I told him I noticed the sticker and that it looked like the reason why his card may not be working was that it wasn't activated. He looked embarrassed and I told him it seriously happened all the time. I told him he could activate it on his cell phone and it should work almost immediately. He reached for his pockets and if possible, looked even more embarrassed. He had forgotten his cell phone.

"I seem to be forgetting a lot of things lately."

I asked if I could assist. He handed me his card, I called the number on my cell and activated it. I handed it back to him and he thanked me. He said that a lot of people aren't so nice. He paid for his purchases, thanked me again and left. I paid for my coffee and I also left.

I called my friend, the soldier and told him what happened. He said that he probably had a TBI (traumatic brain injury) caused by a close range explosion. TBI's cause memory loss along with other physical and psychological reactions. My friend also has symptoms of a TBI due to an IED explosion that rocked a tank he was in. He showed me the pictures and I almost got sick. You can't even imagine, truly.

After I hung up with my friend, I realized exactly what my humbling moment was. The guy at the gas station was my age. And suffering from such acute memory loss with absolutely to way to fix it. I forget stuff all the time, but most of the time I can remedy that. There is no fix for what this gentleman is going through. And without treatment, it may actually get worse.

So, with my coffee that morning, I had a moment that I am sure will remain in my mind for a long time. And I hope our brief exchange made it feel a little better about people.

If you would like more information about Adopt a US Soldier please visit adoptaussoldier.org

Have a good weekend!

Bondage Through the Mail

Hello everyone! I hope you are well. I am sunburned, but got my fair share of people watching done at the amusement park...so I am a happy girl.

So, the title of my post. Intrigued, aren't you? Am I going to be talking about kinky toy catalogs? Possibly wrapping someone in layers of bubble wrap? Flogging with a book of postage stamps?

I will satisfy your curiosity right now. I am not a huge fan of delayed gratification...though sometimes it's fun.

Mark and Everly (see Opposites Attract and the follow-up) are back from their anniversary trip and have sent the prerequisite email bugging me to write their story. I sent the standard "No" reply and asked them about their trip. They said it was fantastic and they met some interesting people when they left their hut to socialize. Interesting eh? I should probably tell you that Mark and Ev went to a "lifestyle friendly" resort. As in "Hey, you give us money, you can do whatever you want as long as it's consensual" kinda place. You may have read about them in a kinky book. Well they aren't fiction and I got to hear what Everly looked liked bound and suspended over crystal blue water. I was slightly envious over the crystal blue water part. So, I know the first question in your head is...

How do they get their "tools of the trade" through airport security and customs? Okay, that probably wasn't your first, second or third question. But it was mine. Frankly, you can't get more than two ounces of shampoo through airport security, never mind feet of rope, six pairs of handcuffs, two pairs of bondage cuffs and other assorted kinky hardware. So I asked. And they answered.

They ship it ahead.

Now you are probably thinking "Duh" but apparently, Mark learned this lesson the hard way. When Mark was traveling extensively, honing his skills in Shibari, he often picked up different items along the way. Ropes, toys, cuffs etc. Now, this was prior to the current security measures, so most of the time he just threw it in his suitcase and went on his way. The metal detectors would pick up on some stuff, but no one really paid it any mind. Until, one day he was picked for a random baggage check. And boy was that cute little lady in for a surprise when she opened his luggage! Mark said he had no less than ten feet of a special kind of rope he had picked up in Japan, some ankle and wrist cuffs, lubricant, a flogger and some weird Japanese sex toy- thing he tried to explain to me but I still don't get. So, after rifling through his luggage, the girl blushed when she got to the lubricant and flogger. She proceeded to stare at him like he had six heads.

So at this point, I am laughing hysterically. And I am laughing because Mark can't lie. He is crappy at it. Everly catches him all the time. I tell him he lies like a man. He said if I keep saying that, he is going to tie me to a chair. So I am wondering how he is going to fib his way out of a visit to security and what I am sure will be a brief cavity search.

"I am a bounty hunter."

Then he proceeds to explain what he uses each of these "tools" for on his bounty hunting jobs. The rope for tying up suspects, the cuffs for restraining them and the flogger for roughing them up if he needs to. Apparently this was all she needed to hear. The bounty hunter thing made TSA girl totally swoon. She didn't even ask what the other "tools" were used for. She had him pack his luggage back up and sent him on through, nearly drooling because she met a real, live bounty hunter.

I must point out that I am practically choking with laughter and disbelief. That is the WORST lie ever. Everly confirms this did indeed happen, because he called her in a panic (yes Mark actually panicked) not because he was afraid of what they would think about him. He panicked because he didn't want them to confiscate his shit! (The rope was specialized and quite pricey, as is the Japanese sex toy doo-dad).

The moral of this story is, when in doubt, ship your kink. Or else TSA agents will be tying each other up with your very expensive rope. :)

Review: Game Misconduct- Bianca Sommerland

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a fine Saturday. I had a slutty encounter with some sangria last night so needless to say, my Friday night conversation with my friends wasn't about babies and housework ;)

So onto my review.

Game Misconduct is the first in the Dartmouth Cobras series by Bianca Sommerland. What attracted me to this book is the fact that it's a sports erotic romance. The Dartmouth Cobras are a professional hockey team and the heroine is Oriana Delgado, the team owner's daughter.

I had a few issues with this book. Oriana is dating Paul, the team's coach, but has feelings for Max Perron one of the players. Until she catches him in an "interesting" situation in an alley with a call girl and one of his teammates.

I need to stop here for moment. This book has a lot of sexual situations. Rape play, different degrees of BDSM, voyeurism and multiple partner sex to name a few. And while I have no issue reading about them, the way they were portrayed in this book can be summed up in one word. Confusing.

I don't know if it was me, but Oriana's trysts with all of the men on the team were hard to follow. I had to go over and re-read certain parts because I couldn't keep track of who was doing what to whom.

Also, the premise of the book was a little over the top for me. Silver, Oriana's sister, is left to do what she wants because she is the wild child so Oriana's father leaves her alone so she doesn't embarrass him further. Oriana is the good girl, stays will Paul because she is "supposed" to, until she realizes their relationship sucks. Then sweet little Oriana goes from good girl to team equipment in three paragraphs. The transition wasn't the smoothest in my opinion and added to the confusion of the story.

In the end, I enjoyed the different personalities of the guys. Sloan was the dominating sadist, Max the voyeur and Mason was the lead Dom. But in the end, Oriana didn't do it for me in the story.

There is a second book in this series, Defensive Zone and it's Silver's story. I am a little more interested in this one, because from the glimpse of Silver I got in Game Misconduct...I think I might like her character better.

As for Game Misconduct,  I sliding this one off the shelf to make room for Defensive Zone. If you think you can keep track of all the players in the book...feel free to go for it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. As always I would love recommendations and you can follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25

Also, if you read Game Misconduct...I would love to know what you thought :)

My Morning with Tank

Howdy folks..I am in a VERY silly mood so what does that equal? Blogging!

So the title of this post will make sense as I delve into my cluster fuck of a morning. You must realize that things like this happen to me often. Hubby would prefer I am chaperoned because I have some run-ins with some seriously interesting people.

My morning started off pretty mundane. Hubby spirited away Little Guy and I was left in the house by myself. I had more time this morning because I was going into work late. More time = complicated hair style. So after some good product application (screw flowers, get me some good curly hair product) I was off to the Town Hall to pay my property taxes. Property taxes fucking suck. Plus, it being the last day of the month, it was going to be a hot mess.

And of course. IT WAS. And because I didn't want to be ridiculously late to work (awesome employee alert) I didn't stop for coffee. Big mistake. EPIC mistake. The line was long. And I mean long. Like free shots and flashes long. So I settled in for the wait, tweeted a few times and generally looked disinterested. I do the disinterested thing because it sometimes discourages creepers from chatting with me. I also need to mention at this juncture I had about 6 dozen snickerdoodle cookies with me. I was bringing them into the office and there was no way I was leaving those damn things in the car. I worked hard on those cookies.

So back to the line. About 20 minutes in, I start to check out the tattoos of the very large man in front of me. Large as in 6' 7" (at least) and a good 325 in the poundage department. He was wearing leathers, a motorcycle club patch and a bandana. He was covered in ink. Some of it being seriously gorgeous and ever so slightly scary/perverse. He had a lot of boobs on him. So I am staring at this tattoo on his neck. I was actually trying to read it, but due to our significant height difference I couldn't make it out. He turned. I was caught. Before I could explain myself, he leaned over..blocking out the sun...and asked me about the tattoo I have on the inside of my right arm. It was only slightly visible over my shirt sleeve.

"Nice ink. Can I see it?" Gigantor asks.

"Absolutely." says Short Stuff (me)

So I pull up my sleeve and show him. This happens to be my most recent tattoo and one of 6 I have. He checked it out and nodded.

"Nicely done. I like the writing. My name is Tank. I need to pay the back taxes on my bike."

Tank???!!!

"My name is Jess. And I am paying taxes on my bad ass Hyundai." (All right, I didn't say bad ass. I am using my creative license.)

"Cool" (Tank indulging me. I know how uncool my Hyundai is.)

"Tank huh? That's kind of cliche. Like Tiny. You couldn't be more creative?"

So I must interject here. I have no filter sometimes...okay A LOT of times. I once told a guy who was obviously hyped on steroids, who was being terrible to his girlfriend, that he was probably pissed that she couldn't find his cock without using a microscope. This was in the grocery store. Hence my husband's desire for me to be chaperoned. So, picking on Tank's name probably falls into don't fuck with roid rage guy territory.

"You are mouthy, but you smell good. By the way, what's in the bag Curly Sue?"

"Cookies."

"Excellent. Can I have some?"

There is a lesson to be learned here folks. If a large man asks you for cookies, you give them to him. So I did. A half a dozen of them, which he ate in line. I mentioned they taste good with coffee. He offered to buy me a cup when we were done. I politely declined.

At this point, we are next to go. I go up to the window, take care of my transaction and leave. Tank is still at the window, eating cookies. The clerk isn't going to say a fucking word...because seriously you wouldn't either. He winks at me as I leave. And I am dazzled by Tank and the fact that he referenced a movie about a curly haired orphan. (Curly Sue. Focus people!)

So that was my morning with my new friend Tank.

I swear I will get back to reviews soon. I just read two books by Lexi Blake that made my girl parts cheer...so I will let you know exactly why when I review them.

Have a good week everyone...and if there are recs for books I should read...let me know!

Review: The Siren- Tiffany Reisz

I hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday. I didn't kill any idiot tourists, so I give myself a pat on the back. And I actually got some things accomplished today. Yay me.

Onward to my review.

The Siren is my first book by Tiffany Reisz. It won't be my last. I will admit though it had been recommended to me several times..I avoided it because it was usually in comparison with 50 Shades. Which, in case you didn't read, annoyed the hell out of me. But I follow Tiffany on Twitter, so I dug a little deeper. There is no comparison between 50 Shades and The Siren. They aren't even on the same planet.

The Siren is the story of Nora Sutherlin. Erotica writer, submissive and paid dominatrix (which technically makes her a switch). Nora only subs for one man. Soren. The rest of the time she gets paid to beat the hell out of the rich and famous.

The majority of the story follows Nora working with her editor Zachary Easton to publish her new novel. Zach has left England and unresolved marital issues for the East Coast. He is working with Nora before he heads to L.A. and is not happy about it. He doesn't think much of Nora's writing or her at first. So he gives her the almost impossible task of practically re-writing her book before he leaves.

Throughout the story you are introduced to key people in Nora's life. Wes, her 19 year old intern/roommate/constant temptation. Soren, Nora's dominant (I am not giving anything away, but holy crap) and Kingsley Edge, who sets up Nora's dominatrix gigs.

I can truly say, it has been a long time since I have been so emotionally invested in a book. I want to hug and shake Nora all at the same time. And I seriously cried for Wes.

I am continuing the habit of not revealing too much of the book. There is a heavy BDSM element in this book. Not play time people...the real thing. I personally have no issue with it, but if you do...I suggest you put this one back on the bookshelf. The only (and I mean only) thing that I wasn't so sure about was Nora's interaction with someone underage. But that's my thing.

This book will stay on my bookshelf..and I am REALLY looking forward to reading The Angel when it comes out in September. And I will continue to seek out more books by Tiffany Reisz.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I think a Sunday would be perfect day to sit down with The Siren.  ;)

As always...feel free to comment and follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25

Opposites Attract: Follow-Up

Wow. I am really amazed at some of the emails I have received regarding my Opposites Attract post. So, despite my slight tipsyness (too much Woodchuck at happy hour) I decided to address the one question that seemed to be prevalent throughout the emails. I have included an excerpt of one such email below (with permission):

Jessie,

I think it's lovely the acceptance you have for your friends and what could be considered by most as an alternative lifestyle. It's not at all alternative to me. I am an old hat at BDSM (and I emphasize old because by my rudimentary calculations I have quite a few years on you). 

So indulge me by answering a question. I won't even make you call me sir. ;)

Do you plan on re-writing your friend's love story now that you know the "real" story?

I am very interested in your answer.

Warm regard,

R.

R, Thank you for your question. And much to the disappointment of some of you, no I do not plan on writing Mark & Everly's story again. They have asked...several times. But I don't feel like I would do their story justice. This time I am adamant about that. Everly will not be convincing me this time.

My reasons are simple. I am uninformed. I simply know what I have been told, what I have read, or what my friends share. And that just doesn't cut it for me. Yes, I could research. Even find some people to ask questions, but then I think the story becomes something else. It becomes a tourist version of something that means a great deal to people who I care for.

But, I am willing to compromise. With Mark and Everly's permission..I will update folks on how they are doing and share some stories/anecdotes they are comfortable with me sharing. I have encouraged them to blog, but as Mark so eloquently stated "I can't write for shit" so I doubt that will happen soon.

So thanks again for all of the interest in my friends. I broke the cardinal rule of vacation and emailed them to tell them..and they were so excited they made their friends find me on Twitter to get to the post.

They are famous now :)

Have a good evening everyone...more reviews to come soon!

Opposites Attract

If you are cool...say like me...the first thing that came to mind when you read the title of this post was that delightful Paula Abdul/MC Skat Kat song.

You know it did.

I am actually writing this post to talk about my friends. Don't worry folks, they know I am talking about them. They gave me permission. Well actually, Mark gave me permission because Mark does that whole permission thing. Wink wink.

That will make more sense as I get further into this post but allow me to start at the beginning. Somewhat the beginning. I "met" Everly when I started posting sexy stories on a sexy story website 10 years ago. (Don't ask, I am not telling). She sent me messages through the site"s personal messaging system and raved about my writing. All right, she didn't rave but she said she enjoyed it immensely. I enjoyed her back and forth so much that we signed up for one of those instant messenger programs and started having something that resembled conversation. This was when she asked me a favor. A huge favor. She wanted me to write a story about her and her husband to give him as a gift for their anniversary. A love story. Romance, sex, love..mushy goodness. I balked. And not for the reasons you may think...

I was nervous. From what I could tell their love story was epic, almost monumental. We had talked about her previous abusive relationship to some degree. Everly's fiance' was verbally abusive. I am not going into detail, but at the end of her relationship with him, she had lost twenty pounds, her self-esteem and cringed when someone shouted. It took her forever for her wounds to heal. Then she met Mark and the true love story began. And there was NO WAY I could do that story justice. I turned her down. She persisted. I turned her down again. She drafted an email to me with all the stuff she wanted to include and sent it to me anyway. After weeks of staring at it....I wrote. And wrote. And without thinking about it...I sent it. She loved it. He loved it. And it forever cemented our friendship. Which is why it took them awhile to tell me the actual truth about their relationship.

Mark is a dominant and Everly is his wife and sub. And they were afraid to tell me because they thought I would judge. Now people, this is 10 years ago. Prior to that trilogy that has tourists cruising the BDSM lifestyle. So their fear was justified. But not necessary. So I asked them if they would talk to me about the true aspects of their relationship and they agreed. They were and are very open with me. Everly admitted that her prior relationship didn't work out because she had always been submissive and her fiance was not into the BDSM lifestyle. (She is probably laughing because I refuse to type the word "vanilla" because it pisses me off). So their relationship turned ugly.

Mark has always been a dominant. He says he can't remember a time he didn't feel that way. And when he found Everly he knew he had found forever. He tells me that she was hesitant, because even though she is a submissive, some of her hard limits turn potential partners away. Not Mark. He knew she belonged to him the second he met her. And as soon as Everly figured out she could trust him...he belonged to her.

Everly is only submissive in their home. Outside of their home she runs a very successful wedding planning business (that's how they met, she planned Mark's brother's wedding) and Mark only desires her to submit in the bedroom. They discussed her hard limits while getting to know each other. She is allowing me to share some of her hard limits here (since I was nosy and asked).

-No humiliation. No name calling, no slurs, no yelling. Ever. He can use pet names, but nothing derogatory.(She explained while sometimes BDSM helps people get over certain issues they have, this would NEVER fly with her.)
-No humiliation as punishment.
-No public or club scenes
-No additional people. It is the two of them only
-No extreme pain
-Others are discussed as needed

These seemed pretty straightforward to me. I asked her what she enjoyed about being Mark's submissive. And she grinned. Mark is a Kinbaku master. Kinbaku (also known as Shibari) is a Japanese style of rope bondage. Kinbaku means "tight binding" and without getting into too much information...I think you get the deal. Plus, there are other things Everly enjoys and we have had multiple enlightening conversations. She swears I am a switch because of my reactions to her stories. And I laugh at her every time she says it.

This brings me to the point of my post. At the time of our meeting, Everly and Mark could not have been more different than I was. I was in my early twenties, in a long term but not necessarily lasting forever relationship and the only thing I did with rope was secure things to the top of my truck. But once they learned that I didn't judge them...they talked freely. They shared with me, I shared with them. And I gained two very awesome and very kinky friends.

They gained someone they could tell that they once used pineapple as a safeword and all the best treatments for rope burns (if for some reason I should ever have a really bad case of it).

To sum up. I think they are great. I don't care what they do in the bedroom. And they don't think I am boring for what I don't do in the bedroom.

Ain't acceptance grand?

BTW- Please forgive me if I messed up some details. I had this written in my head last night and lo and behold...my Internet goes out. And since my sources left for vacation (their anniversary is this week, hence the reminiscing post) I was unable to call and confirm.

I hope you enjoyed the story of my friends.

As always, thanks for reading.

Reviews- Catch Up

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I just came from a one year old's birthday party. You may envy me now.

I tweeted a blog post I posted earlier this week on my Twitter account. I didn't tweet it originally, but then I read something that set me off again..so I took the link to Twitter.

So, my overdue review. Let's get it on shall we?

Dangerous Secrets- Lisa Marie Rice

Now, I previously posted a review for Dangerous Lover. Secrets is the second book in the trilogy and is Nick Ireland and Charity Prewitt's story. Charity is a librarian in small town Vermont who has unknowingly befriended a Russian mobster who fancies her to be the replacement for his murdered lover. He is also forging a terrorist plot against the United States. Nick is sent in undercover to get close to Charity and find out what she knows about her friend. He becomes Nick Ames, a big city businessman. And after briefly (and I mean briefly) hanging out with Charity at the library under the guise of opening a business in town, he asks her out and she says yes. They go out to dinner and the sexual tension is palpable. And here is where my issues with this book begin. It moved WAY too fast for me. They have one date, have sex, and he practically moves in. Then after what seems like a day...they get MARRIED! I was like huh? And I can't really divulge anymore because I don't want to ruin the ending. But it moves even faster from that point.

I liked Nick and Charity as characters. Charity is intelligent and sweet. She is well-loved and admired amongst the town people. Nick is tough, smart and has sensitive core which he exhibits when helping Charity with her elderly relatives. What I didn't enjoy was how fast their relationship moved. But, that is also a personal preference of mine.

I have yet to decide if I am going on to the third book yet. So I am keeping these on my bookshelf until I make that decision.

BONUS REVIEWS!

I read Kristen Ashley's Knight (apparently it is the start of a series...I didn't know that until I checked her website) and I was iffy on it. I liked the characters Knight Sebring and Anya Gage, but Ashley's writing of Knight's dialogue caused me to re-read several parts over and over. Not a fan of that. Plus, I wasn't a super huge fan of Knight's chosen profession and the whole "Daddy" thing during sex? Blech. So when they were discussing her other books on a website I frequent, I was told to check out her other books. Now, Knight was a lot more erotic (the sex was more graphic) than her other series/stand alone books. So I decided to take the website's advice and started with the Dream Man series.

The Dream Man series consists of four books. Mystery Man, Wild Man, Law Man and Motorcycle Man. I suggest reading them in order. The characters follow through the books. I also found out as I read characters from another Ashley series, Rock Chicks, also show up in these books. So if you really want to be up to date, read those first. I kind of wish I had, because of my OCD (Obsessive Chronological Disorder). I finished Mystery Man, Wild Man and I am almost through with Law Man (insomnia and I read ridiculously fast. Seriously.) So here is my review for Mystery Man and Wild Man.

Mystery Man- Gwen meets her mystery man in a bar. She has what she thinks will be a one night stand with him. Instead, he returns to her bed at night. Not every night, but only at night. He finds his way into her bedroom, rocks her world and then leaves. And this goes on for a year and half. She doesn't explore other relationships, just her Mystery Man. Then Gwen's life takes a turn and Mystery Man is a mystery no more. He is Cabe "Hawk" Delgado and he is taking his relationship with Gwen from strictly night time pleasure to a full-time relationship..whether she likes it or not.

I had a little of the same issue I had with the dialogue. Hawk is a bad-ass and talks like one...and Ashley writes it verbatim. Can be tough to read sometimes. But I really enjoyed Hawk and Gwen. The unorthodox start to their relationship, Gwen's family troubles, Hawk having to deal with Gwen's antics and the competition for her affection makes their relationship seem real. Introduced in this book is Mitch Lawson, Brock Lucas and Tack who show up in Wild Man and Law Man. All together, I really liked this book. So I moved onto Wild Man.

Wild Man- This is Brock's story. Brock shows up in Mystery Man as the undercover DEA agent involved with Gwen's family issues. He is undercover again, but with a far better assignment. He is assigned to get close to Tessa O'Hara and find out what she knows about her drug dealer ex-husband. And he gets close...as her boyfriend. For four months he is Jake Knox. And Tessa is in love with him. Until she gets taken into custody by the police for having lunch with her ex-husband and she finds out who Jake really is. During her interrogation, Brock find out what really happened to Tessa when she was married to her husband. Tessa isn't sure that she can get over the fact that he lied to her and she feels like he used her to build his case against her ex...and Brock doesn't want to let go of his sweet, cake baking Tessa. Tessa continues to be unconvinced until things start happening to her. And she also find out that Brock comes with a psycho ex-wife and two children.

I loved Wild Man. I loved the contrast between rough and tumble Brock and sweet, but strong Tessa. Their relationship had even more reality than Mystery Man. It wasn't neat and clean. It came with exes, kids, insecurities and nosy families. And that's as real as it gets. The same dialogue issue..I wish Ashley would use descriptors of how they are talking, instead of writing it how they would actually speak. Mitch and Hawk are also in this book. Mitch gets his own story in Law Man...which I am currently almost finished with.


I will post a review for Law Man and Motorcycle Man (Tack's story) as soon as finish. Both of these books will be staying on my bookshelf. I enjoyed the flawed alpha male characters and the sweet, yet strong female leads.

I hope everyone has a great week. As always, comment with reading recommendations or follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25


Just a note- I try not to get into too much detail with these reviews because frankly, I don't want to ruin the book for you. I have read reviews where they break the whole thing down and then reading the story seems rather pointless. But, if you want me to elaborate on anything further before you spend the money...just ask!

Sad Friday

Hello everyone. I won't be posting reviews today. I will make up for it this weekend by posting quite a few reviews because I am suffering from insomnia and reading like a crazy person.

This was a terrible Friday. The tragedy in Colorado made me want to run home and squeeze my peanut just because I could. I feel such sorrow for those people who will not be able to hug their loved ones again. It brings tears to my eyes even thinking about it.

My thoughts are will those who lost someone today. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded both physically and emotionally. It may not mean much right now, but there are a lot of people in this nation and maybe even around the world who are wishing the same thing.

I have no other thoughts on this. I will not be adding my theories, my opinions, two cents whatever. It's unnecessary and thoughtless to do anything but offer condolences and prayers.

I hope everyone in the blog universe enjoys their weekend. Keep Colorado in your thoughts.

Vanilla Rant

Vanilla. The term, well label really, has been become more mainstream lately with the popularity of the FSOG Trilogy. For those not in the know, here is what "vanilla" means in reference to sex. (Wikipedia link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_sex

This rant comes from a discussion/argument I had with an acquaintance today. The subject of people who have "vanilla sex" came up. And this asshole got tone...like he was better than me. Now, I know his preferences (not all of them mind you, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out some of them just by conversation alone) and frankly I don't care. People feel comfortable talking to me about certain things because I am relatively open-minded and non-judgemental. What goes down in your bedroom (kitchen, bathroom, dungeon) is your business not mine. I don't refer to your proclivities as deviant, dirty or sick. Those are labels (and insults) and as I have friends the BDSM lifestyle, they are also hurtful and mean. Plus they perpetuate a stereotype. I fucking hate stereotypes.

So why do you label others? Why is okay for you to call what others do vanilla...which basically means conservative, boring and dull. Which I find insulting. So, you like to get whipped. You wear a collar. You like to dish out pain. Why do get to cast judgement on those who don't?

I guess my point is, at some period in our lives most of us felt insecure about something sexually. Whether it's those dominant tendencies it took you forever to figure out were "normal" to have. Or realizing that the desire to be controlled is what you really need to feel free. Or after reading, watching or talking to people who are into BDSM you realize you aren't...that's perfectly fine too.

Please note, I know not everyone feels this way. Which is why this is a rant...and not end-all, be-all of truths. (I must say though, that would be AWESOME if what I said was indeed just that.)

So in the end...I won't label you...if you don't label me.

So please, take your "vanilla" and go fuck yourself. (I figure that's about as conventional as it gets.)

Review: Dangerous Lover- Lisa Marie Rice

The weekend is over and it's back to work tomorrow. At least for me. And now, I give you my promised reviews.

These took me awhile for a reason. It's not often I waffle on whether I liked a book or not. I usually have a very strong opinion and multiple reasons why I did or did not enjoy something. Allow me to explain below.

Dangerous Lover is the first book in Lisa Marie Rice's Dangerous Trilogy. Lover is Caroline Lake and Jack Prescott's story. Jack has loved Caroline from afar for twelve years. He fell in love with her as "Ben" a homeless teenager. As the teenager grew into an adult soldier, so did his desire for her. Caroline was the rich girl from the perfect family that Jack could never have. Despite that, he still carried her with him.

Meanwhile, Caroline's life was unraveling. Her parents died in an auto accident that crippled her brother, who Caroline had to take care of until he succumbed to his injuries and also dies. Forced to sell her possessions and take boarders into her once grand home, Caroline's life is running her bookstore and trying to figure out how she is going to pay her bills.

Jack's adopted father passes away, leaving Jack his business and house which he promptly sells. Jack takes his profits and several secrets with him to find Caroline. He just wants to see her. But when he finds out she is single and alone, he throws better judgement out the window and rents a room at the grand house he once envied.

Caroline is both a little scared and intrigued by Jack. She doesn't want to be alone in a house that seems to be falling apart around her. Jack comes to her rescue in several ways. But his secrets..and his violent past come to haunt him when an enemy catches up with him and Caroline.

For the most part, I really liked Jack & Caroline's story. It was slightly more "believable" to me than the next book because Jack had been in love with Caroline all those years. Caroline latching onto Jack was from loneliness and the desire for love and warmth. I used that justification when rationalizing to myself why the hell they fell into bed with each other so quickly and why Caroline wasn't a little more freaked out by Jack. She was really vulnerable, so I can see that without stretching the imagination so much.

I guess I have a thing about the sexing coming too early in the story (no pun intended). There are some exceptions to this, but in general..it bugs me. And it's also a personal opinion. I have always enjoyed the build-up along with the hot monkey sex, so I guess I feel robbed when I don't get it. Which is a good segue for my next post...

Now tell me blog universe...do you have a preference about when the sex shows up? Or you just don't care as long as it does? 

As always, you can comment below or follow me on Twitter @jessobrienct

Friday Rant

I hope everyone had a fabulous week. I have never been so glad it's Friday.

I still have to post those reviews I promised. I am writing them in my head...because I waffling on whether I keep them on my bookshelf or not. You will see my dilemma when I wrap it up in my head and get it on here.

So my Friday rant. I think we should all be allowed to do this, so feel free to comment and share your Friday rant. It will be the cyber equivalent of bitching over drinks at the bar.

I seem to be having a problem with people and customer service as of recent. No matter what you are selling...coffee, fast food, books or booze...If I am paying and I am nice to you, BE NICE TO ME. I don't expect you to bend over backwards. I don't expect a waitress to treat me like a celebrity. Or the coffee guy to lavish me with compliments on my gorgeous hair.  I don't expect an author to have a detailed conversation with just me about their current release. But...

Please don't rush me out of the booth if I am not done eating or drinking. If you aren't sure, just ask. I will tip you accordingly. If you don't hear my coffee order correctly, don't wing it. Just ask me. I have absolutely no issue repeating if for you. I understand that in your job, you serve assholes often. Please don't assume I am one. If you are an author, I buy your book and ask you to sign it (at a book signing of all places...the nerve I have) do not act like you are doing me a favor. I bought your frickin book! Thank me and sign it! Everyone else, just be nice. Especially if I pay you my hard earned money. Because, even if you don't that is the last dime you will see from me.

Did I miss when customer service/common courtesy took a nosedive? If your profession relies on people buying things from you...take it from someone who works in Marketing..do what it takes to get the sale. And I am not a bad customer. My expectations are firmly set in reality.

All right. I am done. All whining aside...I am not striving for a sunshiney, rainbow, fluffy cloud kinda universe. I am just aware that everyone (and I do mean everyone) has a level of suckitude in their life. Why add to it? You would want the favor in return.

Everyone have a safe and fun weekend. As always, feel free to comment or follow me on Twitter @jessobrien25  Also...need book recs people...so lay em on me!

Meccas of Used Books

I hope everyone had a fantastic day...I spent my day in jury duty where I was selected to be a on jury late in August. If you can't sense my excitement (sarcasm) from here I must insist you pay attention.

Being stuck in a jury room in court all day did allow me to get some things accomplished. I finished two Lisa Marie Rice books (Dangerous Lover and Dangerous Secrets which I will review in another post) and I have resigned myself to the fact that my beloved first generation Nook is dying. It no longer holds a charge and the battery sucks up more juice than my three year old nephew...even on airplane mode. I am currently discussing with my Book Pimp (hubby) about getting with the technological times and getting a new Nook. I am thinking a Nook Color, but if you have a review for the Nook Tablet...lay it on me.

So, in consideration of my slightly depressing day, Book Pimp suggested going to The Book Barn. And those of you who aren't familiar with The Book Barn it is one of the most unique used book stores I have ever seen. It is three separate locations in Niantic, CT. The most awesome being the Main Barn...which as the name suggests, used to be a barn. It is also made up of several outbuildings which house separate genres. It is book heaven for me. Mass market paperbacks for $1.00. Trades for around $4.00 and they have a place for every genre (Book Pimp is into slightly nerdy Civil War books). You can get your favorite paperback, sit on a bench and just read the day away. They also buy books! So when your bookshelf just can't take the strain anymore (or you need more room) you haul your goods over to the barn and they buy for cash or credit. I usually take the credit option and give it all back the same trip. I am efficient like that.

The only downside to this is you have to rely on what other people sell back...which can be hit or miss. But in most cases it's a hit. A major chain bookstore in our area closed down rather recently, which flooded the used bookstores with practically new material. People didn't feel bad selling back a $14.00 book for a percentage because they didn't actually pay $14.00 for it. (When the chain liquidated they got down to almost 80% off books).

But what the used bookstore does for me is allow me to discover new authors...or begin/continue a series. I get to read someone new...I see if I like them, then I buy full price on my Nook. Or, sometimes I get book 2 and 4 of a four book series, so I buy 1 and 3 on my Nook. It's a system that works for me and I have discovered a lot of new authors this way.

So blog universe...do you have a Used Book Mecca in your town/city? And what do you love the most about it? Have you discovered new authors like I have?

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @jessobrien25 and look for my reviews for Dangerous Lover and Dangerous Secrets coming soon!

Review: Worth the Scandal- Karen Erickson

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was a little too short, but I did get to read a great book so that always works for me.

Worth the Scandal is the first book in the Worth It series by Karen Erickson. It's a steamier- than- normal contemporary romance. Worth the Scandal introduces the Worth Brothers and is Alex Worth and Tessa Crawford's story.

Alex is the dedicated, somewhat cynical CEO of Worth Luxury Goods and Tessa is his sweet, slightly naive personal assistant who has it bad for her boss. And Alex is finally starting to admit to himself that he is starting to notice Tessa in a way that is giving him naughty thoughts about his voluptuous assistant.

Alex is forced to travel overseas and invites Tessa to accompany him, and despite her concerns goes above and beyond her job description. But, as Tessa gets further entrenched in Alex's world, she realizes he is in over her head.  She doesn't have money, she isn't tall, blonde or sophisticated. She also wasn't built for a short-term affair. But no matter how hard she tries, how confused or scared she just can't turn away from Alex.

In the meantime there is some corporate espionage happening at Worth Luxury and somehow Tessa has become a target. It tests Alex's trust in her...and I don't have to tell you how well he does with the test.

I will admit, I was definitely surprised at the ending. 

I don't want to get into too much detail of course..I never want to spoil a book for someone. But I will say this is definitely a keeper on my bookshelf. Hunter's book is available tomorrow..so I must scurry to go buy it. As much as I loved Alex..I think ruthless and super cynical Hunter might be the man for me. I hope his world gets turned around just like his brother's did.

In closing..I leave my favorite line from Worth the Scandal:

"For one night I want you to pretend you belong to me, Tessa. No one else, just me." He placed his hand on her cheek again, his fingers curving about her jaw, cradling her as if she were a delicate, fragile thing. "I don't want you to look at another man, speak to another man unless I say or indicate that you can. You're mine tonight." The look in his gray-blue eyes was fierce, full of a fiery passion she had never seen before.

She found she rather liked it.

As always..you can follow me on Twitter @jessobrienct

Review: Never Seduce A Scot- Maya Banks

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July. I survived a picnic with my family and I only had one glass of sangria. I am a rock star.

Now that I am out of holiday mode, I bring you my first review! An oddly enough..it's a historical romance. I have nothing against them, it's just not usually the first genre I pluck off the bookshelf. In this case though, I couldn't resist. Maya Banks (one of my favorite authors) was giving away a copy on Twitter and I had to throw my hat in the ring for a chance...and I won! <insert wicked excited reaction here>.

I love how Maya Banks writes a hero and heroine, no matter what the genre. For the most part, her heroes stray toward alpha (strong, smart, tough) but her females aren't the simpering type. And I LOVE that. I can appreciate a heroine who doesn't lose it over the emotional equivalent of a broken nail. And when I finished Never Seduce A Scot..I wasn't disappointed.

Both Graeme and Eveline drew me into the story and kept me in. The things that turn me away from some historicals is no matter how great the writing, I can't connect with any of the characters. This wasn't the case with Never Seduce A Scot.

Eveline, despite a disability, proved to be both feminine and fierce. Not even an arranged marriage and her husband's clan's hatred of her kept her down. And Graeme was both tough and tender with her, despite his one time desire to kill her father.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, especially Rorie, Graeme's younger sister. You couldn't help but love Eveline and Graeme just made me swoon. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. And for once, I can't guess who it may be about. I find that rather exciting.

This book is definitely staying on my bookshelf and I encourage fans of both historical romance and Maya Banks to pick up Never Seduce A Scot when it comes to an bookshelf/e-reader near you September 2012.

(Please note, I won a copy of this book and just wanted to share my thoughts. No compensation involved).

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and if you are so inclined...you can follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25

50 Shades- Slightly Annoying

Woo hoo! First post on my blog! So excited! Okay...down to business.

I, like everyone else in the universe, has read the 50 Shades Trilogy. And I, unlike most of the universe, found quite a few things I didn't enjoy about the book. For those who would like to know what, please peruse the list below. For those who think I have lost my mind because I actually found something to list...thank you for coming.

1- The heroine Ana Steele. I can't remember reading a female lead that irritated me more. Her internal monologue drove me completely nuts. I understand second-guessing yourself in a relationship but her self-esteem issues would make Freud dizzy.

2- Her willingness to enter into a BDSM relationship with very little sexual knowledge...well that really made no sense to me. AT ALL. I would have run scared into the night, no matter how hot Christian Grey was. I have no issue with taking liberties with reality in some situations, but I was lost on that one.

3- The idea that a messed up sexual past equated to Christian's need to dominate women. I have spoken to people in that lifestyle (not expert research mind you, more like curiosity). Most of them had no other reason for their sexual choice besides that fact that it brought them pleasure. No weird skeletons in the closet, no huge emotional events. They just like to dominate during sex.

I can now talk about what I did like. I enjoyed the complexity of Christian's character. Issues aside, his journey was enjoyable to read. I do like that it encouraged people to read. Women who wouldn't normally consider picking up a book when they had time...did. And it encouraged them to seek out more authors, different genres and enjoy the escape.

I can support anything that gets people to read more...after all the group discussion in book rehab will get kinda boring if I am all by myself!