Secretly Crushing On...Those Violet Eyes by Vonnie Davis...

Secretly Crushing On  is a weekly feature that is held on Thursdays, hosted by  Wickedly Delicious Book Blog.  This is a blog hop geared towards book lovers preferably ages 18+ with the objective to find and visit other blogs that share the

same interest as you... a love for Sexy Reads with a Hot Hero you are Secretly Crushing On. It can be an old book or new read.  

How to join:

• Make a separate post for the Secretly Crushing On hop on your blog.
• Copy the button above or place your own (as long as you link back to 
  Wickedly Delicious Book Blog) on top of your post.
• Pick your Secretly Crushing On candidate with an old book or currant read. 
  Give a reason for your pick or give a little teaser or both.
• Place your name and blog title in the linky at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog, 
  as well as the URL for a direct link to the post.
• Visit other blogs on the list and make some new friends.

Who are you Secretly Crushing On?

AMAZON

Evie Caldwell hates her life. Five years ago, she gave up college and her dream of teaching to care for her ailing mother. Now, she's trapped taking care of her worthless brother and the family ranch. Waiting tables to earn her way out of Texas, the last thing she wants is a muscleman with a macho Marine attitude complicating her life. But, oh, how that man makes her insides melt.

Wounded vet Win Fairchild returns to Texas to heal, find a piece of his soul, and open a ranch for amputee children. Finding someone to love is not on his agenda. But when he starts work at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, a spitfire with violet eyes and a major attitude instantly captures his heart.
Evie just wants to escape, but now that Win knows what he wants, can he convince Evie to stay in Texas—and his bed?

                                                            

I actually just reviewed this book. I love it so much~it has quickly become one of my favorite reads. The reason is not just a great story but an AWESOME hero!!! I fell in love with Win from the beginning. He is hot, sexy, sweet, caring, loving, romantic, protective, tough, rides a motorcycle, loves kids, is a little broken from the war, thinks he is less of a man because he is an amputee, and he is a chef. Win *sigh*  He is one of the best heroes that I have read. And the ending just melts my heart in the way that everything comes together for Evie and Win. I definitely want a Win of my own!!! ;)

Now it's your turn to show me your Secretly Crushing On choice? 

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Secretly Crushing On post, or just share yours in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). I would love to see your pick. Thanks!

Vonnie Davis Website

Reviewed Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright...

AMAZON

If your inner wolf and your body react rather enthusiastically to a psychotic Alpha male who’s own wolf has a tendency to turn feral, it can’t be a good thing, can it? Entering into a bargain with him wouldn’t be good either. Unfortunately, Taryn Warner, a latent wolf shifter, doesn’t have many options open to her right now. Okay, she has no options. Basically it comes down to whether she’ll do what it takes to escape the arranged mating with the sick SOB that her father set up. As the answer in this case is yes, it looks as though she’ll have to agree to Trey Coleman’s deal…she’ll have to mate with him instead. 
Having always disliked shifter politics, Trey Coleman hadn’t bothered trying to form alliances with other packs. Now that his uncle – a wolf with many alliances – means to take Trey’s territory and his pack, he has no option but to form some alliances of his own very quickly or he’ll be easily outnumbered in the upcoming battle. He figures that the easiest way to do that would be to mate with a female who’s Alpha is powerful and influential. There’s only one problem with that – he would then be stuck with her, and the last thing Trey wants is a mate. When he hears of Taryn’s situation, he offers her a deal – if she falsely claims he’s her true mate and allows him to claim her, he’ll save her from her arranged mating and then let her leave after the battle with his uncle is over. 
Sounds like a pretty straightforward deal...but soon Taryn and Trey realize they got more than they bargained for. Their mating instincts to protect and possess are weighing on them, they crave each other’s touch and company, and their inner wolves don’t like it whenever they’re apart. Add in that they’ll have to deal with this for an entire three months until the day of the battle finally arrives, and they’ve got themselves a recipe for disaster – or maybe for something quite the opposite. 

I am a HUGE fan of shifter stories. This is my first read from Suzanne Wright and I am so glad that I took a chance and read Feral Sins. I absolutely loved loved loved this book!!! I didn't know what to expect and I was so surprised how awesome it was. This is definitely a favorite of mine and it will definitely be a reread for me. Such a great story with such great characters and HOT sex!!! ;) I was pulled into the story from the very beginning and I loved every bit of it. I didn't want it end and I can't wait to read more from Suzanne. BEST OF THE BEST rating!!

Suzanne Wright Website

Delicious Washboard Abs Cover...

Delicious Washboard Abs Cover  is a weekly feature that is held on Mondays, hosted by   Wickedly Delicious Book Blog.  The object of this blog hop is to post a new, old or not release yet  sexy abs cover. This is a blog hop geared towards book lovers preferably ages 18+ with the objective to find and visit other blogs that share the same interest as you... a love for Sexy Reads with a Delicious Washboard Ab cover.  Woo-Hoo!!! ;)

How to join:

• Make a separate post for the  Delicious Washboard Abs Cover hop on your blog.
• Copy the button above or place your own (as long as you link back to 
  Wickedly Delicious Book Blog) on top of your post.
• Pick your  Delicious Washboard Abs candidate with an old book or currant read. Give a reason for your pick.
• Place your name and blog title in the linky at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog, as well as the URL for a direct link to the post.
• Visit other blogs on the list and make some new friends

Here is my choice this week:

AMAZON

All it takes is one night to change a cowboy’s life… Barrel racer Celia Lawson knows better than to tangle with bull rider Kyle Gilchrist. The sexy cowboy’s love ‘em and leave ‘em ways have earned him a reputation on the rodeo circuit, and he’s always seen her as his best friend’s kid sister. But after one wild, tequila-fueled night, Celia wakes up to find out she’s gotten herself hitched—to a man she never should have married! When Celia insists on an annulment, Kyle has no good reason to say no—except he isn’t ready to let go of his new bride. But then Kyle inherits a sprawling Wyoming ranch, and seizes the opportunity to enlist Celia’s help. She agrees to lend a hand—with two conditions: He has to get up to speed as a rancher within six months; then they’ll get a divorce. And their marriage will be in name only. Kyle gives in to Celia’s demand, yet he's ready to prove to her he has what it takes to turn their one night rodeo into a lifetime of love….

I chose this cover because I love cowboys and this guy is HOT!!! ;) I just want to lick his sexy 
6-pack!! LOL The only thing that would make it better is if he had tattoos and a little bit of 
chest hair. ;) He is perfect for Wickedly Delicious~all nice and smooth!!! LOL This is a great series~one of my favorites and I can't wait to read this book. Love Kyle and Celia!! :) No one can write HOT-SEXY-MELT YOUR HEART-COWBOYS like Lorelei James!!!


Now it's your turn to show me your Delicious Washboard Abs Cover? 

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Delicious Washboard Abs Cover post, or just share yours in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). I would love to see the cover you choose. Thanks!

Lorelei James Website
Lorelei James Blog

Reviewed: Those Violet Eyes by Vonnie Davis...

AMAZON

Evie Caldwell hates her life. Five years ago, she gave up college and her dream of teaching to care for her ailing mother. Now, she's trapped taking care of her worthless brother and the family ranch. Waiting tables to earn her way out of Texas, the last thing she wants is a muscleman with a macho Marine attitude complicating her life. But, oh, how that man makes her insides melt.

Wounded vet Win Fairchild returns to Texas to heal, find a piece of his soul, and open a ranch for amputee children. Finding someone to love is not on his agenda. But when he starts work at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, a spitfire with violet eyes and a major attitude instantly captures his heart.
Evie just wants to escape, but now that Win knows what he wants, can he   convince Evie to stay in Texas—and his bed?

This is definitely one of my favorite books that I have read lately. It is short but packed with such a great story and characters. Win *sigh* I fell in love with him from the beginning and he just kept getting better as the story progressed. Just love a wounded soldier!! I only wish the story was longer. Great epilogue!! Vonnie Davis has got herself a BIG fan in me after reading this story. I'm looking forward to reading more from her. Those Violet Eyes has definitely earned a place in my keeper pile and will most definitely be reread!!! Thanks Vonnie for such a great story and especially for Win *sigh* 5 out of 5 rating. :) 

Vonnie Davis Website

Gotta Love Blogger!!!

On Saturday Blogger "accidentally" removed my entire blog because their automatic system thought my blog was a spam blog. WTH!!!! I had to wait for them to review it and to decide whether they would reinstate my blog. They estimated 2 business days but couldn't  guarantee that or if my blog would be reinstated after their review. Again WTH!!! 

So today I get an email that says this:

Hello, We have received your appeal regarding your blog http://bellesbookbag.blogspot.com/. Upon further review we have determined that your blog was mistakenly marked as a TOS violator by our automated system and, as such, we have reinstated your blog. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused in the meantime and thank you for your patience as we completed our review process. Thank you for for understanding. Sincerely, The Blogger Team

Like I even had a choice in the matter!!! WTH!!!! I had to laugh about it or I would have cried at the thought of having to do my blog all over again.  Hopefully this won't happen to me again. *crossfingers* 

100 Followers Contest Winners!!!!

Winners have been notified by email!!! Thanks to all who participated!!! :)

Reviewed Softly At Sunrise by Maya Banks...

AMAZON

Rachel Kelly has traveled a long, hard road in her journey back to her husband, Ethan, and the Kelly family. Now, as she and Ethan are poised to move into their new home, safe behind the walls of the Kelly compound, Rachel wonders if she'll finally be free of the ghosts that have haunted her for so long and if she'll step into the sun after a past steeped in darkness.

I have such MAD LOVE for Maya Banks and this series. She is one of my favorite authors!! I love Rachel and Ethan and was so looking forward to reading Softly At Sunrise. I was not disappointed. AWESOME read!!! Loved it from the beginning to the end!!! So happy to see all the characters from the previous books!! Can't wait for PJ and Cole's book!!! Softly At Sunrise has found its place in my keeper pile to be reread along side the rest of the KGI series!!!! Definitely one of my favorites in the series!!! January can't come fast enough!!!

Maya Banks Website

Reviewed Hard Mated by Jennifer Ashley...

AMAZON

A short novel of the Shifters Unbound series. Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What's more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise. 
Myka, who'd been raised by an abusive stepfather, is not sure that a wild fighter named Spike is the best man to bring up the cute little jaguar cub. She goes to Shiftertown to check out Spike, and finds that the man behind the name is a lonely Shifter who's lost most of his family and is a fierce caretaker to those he has left. 
Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. He starts to like the sassy Myka, a horse trainer who's not afraid of working with animals, even if they're wildcats who turn into humans. 
When Spike's job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he's pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he's come to love.

Jennifer Ashley is one of my favorite authors and Shifters Unbound is one of my favorite series from her. I forgot how much I love this series until I started reading Hard Mated. Sexy Tattooed Spike *sigh* Liam *sigh* Sean *sigh* Ronan *sigh* I love Spike and Myka together!! I really enjoyed this book and I loved the story line!! So good. I got to catch up with all my favorite characters again and can't wait for Eric's book next. Such a great read and I hope that Jennifer continues with this series after Eric's book because I don't want to see it end yet!!! Hard Mated is definitely going in my keeper pile to be reread. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. :) Spike <3

Jennifer Ashley Website

Shifters Unbound Series / AMAZON

October 2, 2012

Reviewed Call Me Wild by Robin Kaye...

AMAZON

She doesn't know a single thing about relationships...
Unemployed sportswriter Jessie James plans to make a killing writing a bestselling romance novel. She's never read one, but really, how hard can it be? Moving cross-country to a borrowed house in Idaho, Jessie starts her research with the first gorgeous guy she runs into...

Luckily, he knows everything...

Sports doctor Fisher Kincaid notices Jessie right away--the transplanted Easterner sticks out like a sore thumb in the small town. When he discovers she's researching attraction and romance, he graciously offers himself as a test subject. That's when everything starts to go wrong, and they both find out how much they need a few good lessons in love...

Robyn Kaye first captured my attention with Romeo,Romeo and with each book in the series she has continued to earn my adoration. 
I love her style of writing and I absolutely love this series. Each book just keeps getting better and I don't want to see this series end. I cannot wait for Trapper's and Karma's books and I hope that there will be more after that.(*hinthint*/*winkwink*) 
I have been waiting for Fisher's book since reading about him in Yours For The Taking and I was not disappointed. It was everything I hoped for and so much more. Wow...what a great book. Call Me Wild was such fun to read and just a great way to spend my day. 
Oh, how I loved this story. Fisher and Jessie were great together and I wanted them to get the HEA that they so deserved. I loved seeing Hunter, Toni, Ben, Gina, Kate and Grampa Joe. I can't wait to see what Robyn has in mind for Trapper and Karma~Trapper has always been my favorite!!! I hope that Andrew may also get his own book!!(hinthint)
I was pulled into the story immediately by such entertaining characters and places that made me wish were real. I had trouble putting this book down~I love getting lost in a book. Robyn Kaye created a world with this series that I didn't want to leave and that I love returning to with each new book. Call Me Wild was a great addition and makes me want to reread the series while also looking forward to the next book. This is definitely in my keeper pile and is a definite reread!! BEST OF THE BEST rating!!!

"She never noticed what any of her other lovers smelled like. She never noticed how their voice deepened and pupils dilated, changing colors when they got excited, or even what color their eyes were. Hell, she couldn't even remember how they kissed, or what they looked like when they came. But with Fisher, she knew, she watched, she noticed, and she felt." *sigh*

***Copy obtained per NetGalley~Thank you so much!! :)

Robin Kaye Website

Books # 1 thru 5 / AMAZON

Reviewed Relentless Pursuit by Adrienne Giordano...

AMAZON

You call this a mission?
Yeah, ex-Army Ranger and Taylor Securities operative Billy Tripp screwed up. So instead of being assigned to a dangerous international mission, he’s sent to babysit a pricey necklace at a trendy South Beach hotel. The only bright side to the assignment is working with the manager, smoking-hot hotel heiress Kristen Dante.
Kristen’s worked hard to build her father’s Miami hotel into a jet-set destination. She’s confident in business but not so much with men. What could a sexy guy like Billy want with her when he could have someone like her beautiful, party-girl sister?
There’s a reason Billy’s known as Mr. Relentless. He doesn’t give up. Not on a job, or on the woman he wants. So when three luxury cars go missing from the hotel’s lot, Billy sets out to find the thief. Suddenly, he has a case with the risks he thrives on. But when his investigation leads to Kristen being threatened, the real danger is losing his heart.

Adrienne Giordano is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite series. I am so glad that she wrote a book for Billy, I have liked him from the start. His character was so much more than I expected and I absolutely fell in love with him. He was hysterical!!! His antics had me LOL throughout the book. I love how he reacted when Kristen threw the coaster at him and when she opened the door wearing that dress he bought for her and how he tried not to curse!! So funny!!! Kristen was a great character and I thought they were so perfect for each other. I totally got that she was so self-conscious about her body. I am still laughing at some of the parts well after finishing the book. I loved seeing Monk/Peter and Izzy~just love these two. 
Just another great read from Adrienne. I just wish it had ended with Billy and Kristen's relationship being a little more together/settled then how Adrienne left them.(I always want my characters to end up married with babies!!LOL):) I hope that this is not the last in the series and that Billy and Kristen's relationship continues throughout the series. 
Definitely recommend reading. Relentless Pursuit has earned its place in my keeper pile to be reread. Definitely one of my favorite books.
Thanks so much,  Adrienne,  for such an AWESOME book that was truly my pleasure to read. Relentless Pursuit was such a great way to spend the day. I loved getting lost again in the world of the Private Protectors!!! 5 out of 5 rating

***Copy provided by NetGalley~Thanks so much!!! 

Adrienne Giordano Website

Private Protectors Series Books 1 thru 3 and the Novella / AMAZON

Book 1                          Book 2                       Book 3                    Novella

Reviewed Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry...

AMAZON

Being a single dad was never on Michael Young's agenda. Yet with the sudden loss of his wife, that's exactly the role he has. On his best days, he thinks he can handle it. On his worst… Luckily, family friend Angie Bartlett has his back, easily stepping in to help out.
Lately, though, something has changed.
Michael is noticing exactly how gorgeous Angie is, and how single she is. She's constantly in his thoughts and he feels an attraction he never expected. Does he dare disrupt the very good thing they have going? If they have a fling that goes nowhere, he stands to lose everything—including her. But if they make it work, he stands to gain everything!

I think I have only read 1 of Sarah Mayberry's books before Within Reach and I am wondering why because it was so incredibly good. I love her style of writing. 
Within Reach is hard for me to review because it was so sad to me. The entire story had this underlying sadness to it and I have to say that I cried a lot through out the book. It was a very sweet, heartwarming, emotional story with characters that I so desperately wanted to see get their HEA. I loved Michael and Angie together but it was hard to see them struggle with their feelings for each other. But in their struggle I think that Sarah made the story and characters seem more real. I loved the ending and I only wish that there had been an epilogue a couple of years later to show how their lives together turned out. I say that only because even though they had great moments together, there was always that sadness that covered them and I would have liked to have seen them without so much grief and guilt wrapped around them. Within Reach is one of those stories that even after I was finished, I still ached a little inside. A great book that I couldn't put down and I will definitely be looking for more from Sarah Mayberry. Within Reach has definitely earned a place in my keeper pile. Love the cover!! 
5 out of 5 rating

***Copy provided by NetGalley~Thank you!!

Sarah Mayberry Website

Reviewed Twisted In Tulips by Nikki Duncan...

AMAZON

Tulle and Tulips, Book 2
After months of just getting by on military disability pay, Jace Nichols is going for his dream job in Miami. Until he stops to rescue a woman under attack. Thanks to his deeply ingrained sense of duty, he misses his one-shot-only interview—for a woman who seems more grateful he saved her way-too-sexy shoes than her life.
No one knows better than Misty Morgan that everyone is fighting some kind of battle. Hers is against her snobby family, who look down on her chosen profession as a wedding floral coordinator. Behind Jace’s surly exterior she senses wounds that run deeper than a missing arm.
When Jace spots Misty fending off yet another fawning male. he’s not sure what makes his control snap. The fact that she insists on wearing her skirts too short, or the fact he can’t resist kissing her. 
Best to get it over with and give in to one crazy night that should get her out of his system. Instead he finds himself with more second chances than he can shake his steel hook at—if he can find room in his wounded heart for love.

I am a HUGE fan of Nikki Duncan. This is the first book that I have read in the Tulle and Tulips series and I'm definitely going back to read Tangled In Tulle.  
Twisted In Tulips was an entertaining read. It was short, fun and sexy and left me smiling at the end. Jace and Misty perfectly suited each other.  I love a wounded/broken hero and a heroine that can help her hero find peace. Jace was kind of an asshat with the way he constantly commented on her clothes but he definitely made up for it. I just loved him!! I loved the way that even though they fought, they couldn't keep their hands off each other and it turned into some hot sex scenes. ;)  
Just a great little story that I wished was longer. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and hopefully see Jace and Misty again. I loved this cover!! Definitely a reread for me. 
4 out of 5 rating.

***ARC copy provided by Nikki Duncan~Thank you so much!! :)

Nikki Duncan Website

Tangled In Tulle Series Book #1 / AMAZON

Awesome Poughkeepsie Swag from Debra Anastasia...

Love it!!! Makes me want to reread Poughkeepsie!!! :)

Thanks so much Debra!!!

Debra Anastasia Website

Reviewed Twice Tempted by Marquita Valentine...

AMAZON

 Holland Springs Series Book#1

Born into wealth and power, Christian Romanov is Hollywood’s favorite bad boy with a golden touch…until the day his agent receives pictures of the movie star celebrating his birthday in a not-so-legal way. Now he’s been ordered to find a small-town girl to be seen with in order to improve his partying image. He agrees, but for an entirely different reason-to protect the reputation of an organization that helps get teens off the street and back into the school. Not only is he the anonymous donor that's been solely supporting the organization since its inception, he's slated to be their newest spokesman.
Zoe Ambrose is a hopeless romantic masquerading as a realist. But she’s also a successful novelist, trying to fit herself into a staid life when what she craves is the adventure she found one night in the arms of a playboy who never knew her name. When her successful crime series is optioned by a major studio, she travels to Las Vegas to find that the prince of her fantasies and single night of pleasure is the main contender for the male lead. But for four years Zoe has been publicly eviscerating the man who left her stranded that night—he’s the villain in her series! Now the movie star doesn't recognize her, and Zoe is determined to protect her heart this time.
When Christian braves the small town of Holland Springs and Zoe’s overprotective family to win the girl of his dreams, he finds that his Hollywood skills might not cut it—and learns a shocking truth he never imagined. Can he can tempt her again and finally give her the epic love story she has refused to write for herself?

As this was my first time reading Marquita Valentine, I wasn't sure what to expect. WOW...I was blown away by Twice Tempted!!! Such an AWESOME book!! It was filled with everything that I love~laughter, romance, hot sex, interesting characters, a sexy badboy with a British accent, a sweet clumsy heroine and most important of all, an entertaining story with an awesome epilogue!!
I was immediately pulled into the story with the opening line of "The first thing you need to do in Vegas is get laid."~Does that get your attention or what?? LOL I was engrossed with the characters and story and didn't want to stop reading and panicked as I got closer to the end because I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to leave this world that Twice Tempted wrapped me in. 
I love the way Marquita writes with not only a sense of humor but with such romantic lines spoken through Christian that just made me swoon~"I'm here to mend yours(Zoe's heart)with pieces of mine." and "She filled his empty body. His heart. His soul." *sigh* 
I absolutely love it when a book, that I don't really have any expectations about, blows me away and becomes one of my favorites. I am definitely a HUGE fan of Marquita Valentine after Twice Tempted. I am so glad that she contacted me with the generous offer to read this book. It was definitely my pleasure. 
I would absolutely recommend Twice Tempted. It earned it's place in my keeper pile and is a definite reread for me. I can't wait for Third Time's A Charm~Sasha and Rose's book~it sounds so good!!! I am so hoping that Christian and Zoe will also continue their story throughout the series. Oh and I hope that Sebastian will get his own story as well!! 5 out of 5 rating!!

Marquita wrote such a sweet dedication~dedications tell me a lot about an author and I felt that her's set the perfect tone for this book.

***Copy generously provided by Marquita Valentine~Thank you so much!!

Marquita Valentine Blog

Holland Springs Series Book#2

September 2012

Reviewed An Inconvenient Affair by Catherine Mann...

AMAZON

Hillary Wright has always been a magnet for Mr. Wrong. Her latest left her in trouble with the law, and to clear her name, she's agreed to an undercover sting—as the "date" for infamous Troy Donavan. The notorious hacker is now a government good guy…and a sexy billionaire playboy. Troy has a reputation as the sort of man she's vowed to avoid, and his secretiveness adds fuel to Hillary's distrust. But with his kisses like molten sin, her fierce resistance is melting. And being sensible in the face of such overpowering desire is just not an option.

I am a HUGE fan of Catherine Mann. She writes some of the best heroes that I have read(especially her military heroes)and Troy is definitely one of her best. 
An Inconvenient Affair is such a great story. It is a heartwarming, fun, sexy read with interesting and lovable characters. Troy *sigh* ~ he is such a great character (nothing better then a smart, charming, slightly broken, badboy)and I fell in love with him right from the start. I love him and Hillary together ~ she was perfect for him. Oh, there were some great sex scenes too!! ;) I am hoping to see their characters throughout the series.
Just a great quick read that entertained me till the end and I can't wait for the next book in the series!! Definitely a keeper!! 
Reading An Inconvenient Affair was a great way to spend the afternoon! Thanks Catherine!! 5 out of 5 rating. 

***Copy obtained per Catherine Mann ~ Thank you!! :)

Catherine Mann Website