.#Review: Reckless by @SC_Stephens_ #WickedWinterSaturdays

Baby, it's cold outside! Time to snuggle up with a mug of hot chocolate (or a glass of wine!) and fall into a steamy, sexy book.
Wicked Winter Saturdays is a weekly post to share with you some Hot, steamy books that will make your temps. rise.  

Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post).

The Bookish Babes

The Autumn Review 
Insightful Minds Reviews
My Secret Romance Book Reviews
Hackaroo's Reviews
Sim-Sational-Books
Globug and Hootie Need a Book
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews

**The books featured on Wicked Winter Saturday's  are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **




Reckless (Thoughtless #3)

by S.C. Stephens

Paperback, 544 pages

Published March 5th 2013 by Gallery Books

*purchased copy*

Can love survive when life gets Reckless? When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other withstand the constant pressures of superstardom? The friendships they’ve formed, the new family they’ve found, and the history they’ve forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band’s exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price—but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?

Reckless, hmmm... where do I begin? Sometimes, it's so hard to express love. Love, is a strong word and I choose it wisely. I can honestly say without a doubt I LOVE THIS SERIES! I enjoyed the ride, the ups and downs of Kiera and Kellan. The way their relationship was portrayed over the three books in the series was fantastic. I am so glad I decided to take a chance with this series, having only been my second read Contemporary Romance/New Adult, I can honestly say I'm a fan of this genre so much now, and I owe all the credit to this series!!

Kiera and Kellan are "together, together" in this book. They are finally spending all their time together as a couple. Sure, Kiera graduated college,  and Kellan is on the road to having a successful career as the frontman of The D-Bags rockband. But, in this book, they are spending all their time as a couple on the road and exploring what life is like as a couple with the craziness of traveling and putting on concerts. Keira decides she wants to write, while on the road. She wants to write about everything that happened since meeting Kellan. So basically it's like she is writing the three books in this series.

As D-Bags start to hit it big, with new ventures, and success, this book hits it home as a turning point for this couple. Can they survive being together with all the craziness that comes with this success? D-Bags finally seem to hit it big, but of course with being any kind of star comes pitfalls, that come in the form of record exes., fans, paparazzi, CrAzY fans, and oh yea, a highly successful, sexy,  star, Sierra, who craves the limelight everywhere she goes, and will do anything to keep her star shining.
This puts a niche in their relationship, and tests them daily.


I loved the direction SC Stephens took these characters on. I was a little worried that I wasn't going to care so much about reading about being on the road, and touring on a bus. But, SC puts such a realness to her story. I literally felt like I was reading an autobiography, and I enjoyed every minute!

Yes, there were some slower parts to this book, but the highlight for me was how Kiera transformed and became more confident, with their relationship. I loved how she put Kellan first, in so many situations. She was strong, stronger than I may have been, given some of the circumstances she had to face. Some of these circumstances were, crazed fans, hiding their relationship, watching Kellan make a sultry, HOT, music video, and swallowing down rumors that were spinning out of control in the tabloids. Linking not her and Kellan together, but Kellan and the highly successful star, Sierra together. What a monkey wrench! Throw that in the mix of their relationship, and I thought they were doomed!!  Kellan was even sexier, and even more romantic to Kiera. Trying to protect her, and making her #1 was always front and center to Kellan. I loved him even more, and loved the way he put her on the pedestal. She was his everything!

The ending felt so complete and magical to me. To see the journey coming to and end, and seeing what becomes of these two, and how Miss Stephens incorporated the secondary characters was perfect. I loved seeing Anna, Kiera's sister, become a mommy, and watching her relationship with Griffin, change. I loved how Denny, Kiera's ex, and Kellan's BFF, was brought back into the mix and was a  great friend to both! I loved seeing Kellan always trying to protect Kiera , even with his own life!!! O.K., I just loved everything about it! I would recommend you reading the whole series. Some people, myself included had a hard time with the first book, Thoughtless, but if you can get past that one, then your in for a fantastic story about love. True love, and every step of the wonderful journey, of Kellan Kyle and Keira Allen.

5/5 Complete Roses

Read my reviews for
Thoughtless #1 
Effortless #2

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved that we could be together, but could be doing our own thing too. We each had our own lives, our own joys, our own friends. We weren't dependent on each other for happiness, but being together sure amplified the feeling.

 

 

 

 

.#Review: Effortless by S.C. Stephens

Effortless (Thoughtless #2)

by S.C. Stephens

Paperback, 496 pages

Expected publication: January 8th 2013 by Gallery Books (first published March 15th 2011)

more details...ISBN

1476717486                      

(ISBN13: 9781476717487)

After being caught in the middle of a love triangle which led to a devastating betrayal, Kiera pledged to learn from the mistakes she’d made. She was determined to never again inflict that kind of pain on anyone, especially the soulful, talented man who held her heart. But life offers new challenges for every relationship, and when Kiera’s love is put to the ultimate test, will it survive? Love is easy . . . trust is hard....

*Check out my review of Thoughtless the first book in the series HERE

 

 

 

Effortless was amazing!

 

 

The whole book had me enthralled and I couldn't put it down, and even after a few weeks of ending it I still can't stop thinking about the utterly amazing Kellan Kyle and the rest of the characters from this book. A must read for all New Adult fans as well as Romance Fans!

  

 

 

 

Kellan and Kiera... two people who have found love, although not the conventional way, have taken their relationship to the next level. The level of, Can their relationship survive their trust issues? Can two people who continually seem to hurt each other or hurt for each other finally become comfortable with one another and grow in their relationship?

 

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions for Kiera this past year. She made mistakes, and hopefully has learned from them. Lies, betrayel, pain and almost losing her life, has changed her and she is slowly growing up, but we still see the immature side of Kiera in this book, and sometimes her choices are just plain dumb, and other times they are great. She's learning to not make the same mistaks she did with her ex, Denny. She's not allowing herself to become 100% absorbed in Kellan's life, and finally make a life for herself.

 

 

Things between these two are going great. The band is becoming more popular, and with that comes opportunities for Kellan and the band. Opportunities that may not sit well with Kiera, but not wanting to stand in Kellan's way, she knows these opportunities, come once a life time. As the boys of the band are now going on tour for six months, Kiera, although happy, and trying her best to be understanding is still having a hard time with being away from Kellan for that long.

 

Wouldn't you feel the same? Their relationship has just started and now it seems they are being ripped apart and all the insecurity questions pop into both of their minds, but one thing I've learned and maybe you have too, is that if love can survive absence then it truly does make the heart grow founder.

 

But, when all you've based your relationship with is trust issues, and conflict. Can it truly survive with both Kellan and Kiera keeping things from the other, will all they have, finally come crashing down, when the lies come front and center and all the issues of betrayal are now exposed between these two.

 

 

 

 

There was so much going on with this second book, the secondary characters were great, as they helped Kiera with being away from Kellan.

The notes, and things Kellan arranged for Kiera, in his absence, were fantastic, I mean can we say romantic with a capital R. Swoon!

 

Anna, Kiera's sister was a great roommate for Kiera, and I grew to really enjoy her story in this book, as well as the support they gave each other.

 

Kellan had issues in this story, and although they weren't bad, they did affect him.

 

 

And, even though, I was concerned about a person from a past relationship, who seemed to resurface at the wrong time. It seems to  have worked out at the end and seemed to be a great thing to have, this new friendship.

 

 

 

5/5 Rockin Roses

 

 

 

I'm highly anticipating the third book in this series, Reckless!

 

 

Quotes 

 



 

“You are told from the moment you enter school that time is constant. It never changes. It is one of those set things in life that you can always rely on...much like death and taxes. There will always be sixty seconds in a minute. There will always be sixty minutes in an hour. And there will always be twenty-four hours in a day.
Time was not fluctuating. It moved on at the same, constant pace at every moment in your life."

And that was the biggest load of crap that I’d ever been taught in school. Truth was, time did fluctuate. It was easy to lose hours or even days in a blink of an eye. Other times, it was a struggle to get through a mere hour. It ebbed and flowed as relentlessly as the
tides, and just as powerfully too. The moments that you wanted to last forever were the ones that were washed away all too soon. The moments that you wanted to speed up, were slowed down to a snail’s pace.
That was the truth of the matter.”  

 

 

 

 

 

 "I wanted to surprise you" His jaw tight, he spat out. " Are you surprised....? I know I am."

 

 

 

 

“Loving you, Kellan, is so easy, it's effortless."
His smile matched mine, then I frowned and sighed "Trusting you...that's the hard part”  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.REVIEW: Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Shadowfell                 
by Juliet Marillier
416 pages

Published: September 11th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Series :  Shadowfell #1

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy /Magic/

Romance/Adventure

Received Arc Copy from Pub

Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill—a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk—Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death—but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban’s release from Keldec’s rule.

Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

 
 
 

 

 

 

An adventurous fantasy book, that was highly enjoyable. Shadowfell

was one of those books that whisked you away and had

you routing for the heroine.

 

 







Shadowfell, for me was a fantastic fantasy read. I enjoyed all aspects of the book, even when the plot seemed to trudge along -slower than I expected, this book still held my interest and has me dying for the next book in the series.

Our adventure begins with our main character, Neryn, sixteen and traveling with the only surviving member of her family, her father. Protective of her at first, he slowly is on a downward spiral, and loses control, through his addiction with the drink.

After an awful circumstance leaves Neryn alone a mysterious hero comes and basically swoops Neryn away from the danger. Unconvincing of this hero's agenda, Neryn is always on guard, and even though, this hero named Flint seems to have her best interest at heart, Neryn  is determined to adventure her journey alone. A journey that will take her across a vast land of uncertainty, and emotion. She will face many obstacles along the way, but she is skillful, smart, and has an ability, that will help her face all sorts of creatures, good and bad.

Flint, is a character, that will have you convinced he has Neryn's best interest at heart, but he just may have an underling agenda that will have you convinced he is deceiving her. Reading the parts with Flint, had me falling for him, but I also was convinced that he too, may be after her for her ability, in a evil way. He will come to her rescue, and like breadcrumbs on the journey by the end of the book we learn full well, what his intentions truly are. I enjoyed Fint's character, and found him to be a wonderfully written character.  


Miss Marillier has a way of capturing, and holding your attention, through her words. I was actually captivated and read this book rather quickly. Some parts had me at a little less attention, but I never was bored with the plot or the characters. The story held my interest, and I enjoyed "walking" along the journey that are heroine sets off on. I felt like I was walking along with Neryn, throughout the journey and I found myself routing for her, and carrying her emotional baggage, telling her in my mind which steps she should take, or whom she should trust.
Imaginative, and lovely!

5/5 lovely roses

“It seemed to me it would be better to die standing up to a tyrant than to survive as a tool of his will.”  

" I did not complete the gesture. For there, in a crevice between the rocks at my feet, I saw a tiny plant growing. Three fronded shoots of soft green cradled a single flower no bigger than my thumbnail, a five-petaled bloom, white as first snow, fragile and perfect. So unlikely a survivor. So delicate, to stand against the scourging wind, the biting cold, the drenching rain. It was a place of death and sorrow. Apart from me..."

 

.Review/Giveaway: Pretty When She She Kills by Rhiannon Frater

Pretty When She Kills (Pretty When She Dies #2)

by: Rhiannon Frater

Kindle Edition, 278 pages

Published September 4th 2012 (first published 2012)

ASIN: B0096EFOAM.

Series: Pretty When She Dies #2 .

*Received from author in exchange for an honest review

Amaliya Vezorak never believed in happy endings…

When Amaliya harnessed her necromancer powers to defeat her greatest enemy, she believed she had finally found a happy ending with Cian, her lover and the master of Austin. That happiness is short-lived when the vampire ruling over San Antonio attempts a takeover of Austin in order to capture Amaliya and use her power for his own devices.

To make matters worse, Samantha, Cian’s ex-fiancée, is seeing ghosts, the untested vampire hunters of Austin are running scared as a supernatural war looms, a mysterious man is hunting Amaliya with the help of her one time lover, Pete, and Rachoń, the Summoner’s favorite progeny, appears to be out for revenge.

When Amaliya’s grandmother, a powerful medium, experiences terrible visions that reveal there is another necromancer vampire and she is crying out for help, Amaliya realizes happy endings do not come easily.

  

  

Pretty When She Dies, book #1, has recently come out in the audio format and can be found at Audible.com and iTunes.
My review of Pretty When She Dies can be found HERE.

  

  

 Check out the rest of the tour HERE

Another hit out of the ballpark! Miss Frater has a home run in this series!

Amalyia journey continues, but this time she is a little more confident and she has more power!



In the latest installment of The Pretty When She Dies series, -In Pretty When She Kills we are left with a feeling of excitement and awe! I mean really Miss Frater takes her series up, not just a few notches, but all the way up the ladder to the top!

In this book we are introduced to so much more. More creatures, were coyotes, witches, more heat between her and Cian. More adventure, fights, kills, a roller coaster of emotions and a fantastic ending.  Amalyia is faced with the aspect of a  huge paranormal war  she is being hunted by a mysterious man and the progeny of the Summoner, and now her grandmother is having horrifying visions of another necromancer vampire. Can Amalyia and her "new" vampire family save the Austin vampire group before they are overtaken? Now, that secondary players have reached a pinnacle in this book. We see them take center stage and I felt they worked well as a group, coming together for the same outcome.

I love the way Miss Frater has the ability to write characters whom are less than stellar, but still make them shine, and no matter how much you dislike the enemy, you will still have a slight feelings toward their outcome, screwed up, right! That's what she manages to do. I've read about six books of Miss Frater's so far and have yet to find one that I dislike. Pretty amazing if you ask me, since your talking to a non-horror reader. She makes it easy to read and the horror actually takes a backseat, to the amazing stories that are always fill with heart with strong character leads. She doesn't dwell on the horror aspects, she just puts it out there and you will find yourself loving everything she writes!

5/5 Stars 

Grand Prize Giveaway, listed below, can be found

@ The Bookish Brunette

• An autographed paperback of PRETTY WHEN SHE KILLS and the first book, PRETTY WHEN SHE DIES

• 6 bookmarks (2 autographed) 

Vampire fangs necklace and matching earrings

My giveaway here on the blog: 

is an e-book copy of

PRETTY WHEN SHE DIES AND PRETTY WHEN SHE KILLS.

• Open INT
• Must be 18 yrs. older
• e-books will be provided by the author
• This giveaway will be a little different -no rafflecopter form.
• All you will need to do is comment below.  
• Share your thoughts and be entered to win
• Winners chosen through random.org
• Good Luck!!

Contest is now closed 10/16/12
Winner is Valerie!! -Congratulations!!
Winner choosen from Random.org

**List Randomizer


There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:


1.Valerie

2.Teri

3.Kimba

4.Erin

5.Shannon

6.Bn 100

7.Kayla

8.Jolene

9.Martha

10.Jasmyn

11.Jennifer

12.Jenea

Timestamp: 2012-10-16 14:05:16 UTC



Review: The Assasin and The Pirate Lord by Sarah J Maas

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

By Sarah J. Maas

Kindle Edition, 63 pages

Published: January 13th 2012 by Bloomsbury Children’s

ASIN : B006ZVW3T4

Series: A Throne of Glass novella #0.1

Personal Purchase Amazon Kindle .99

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

Review:

High Fantasy adventure, action-packed with a strong female heroine!

I loved this short prequel to the Throne Of Glass. Although it was a short read, it was packed with action and had a great story behind it. We get a great intro to the characters and the past life of Celaena.

Celaena, a young but strong, level-headed, no holds barred female heroine is everything I love in a character and more. She's a character who isn't afraid of taking chances in facing ruthless enemies.

Our story begins set in a council room where a meeting of the Assasin's Guild is taking place. Celaena, one of the most powerful assasins, only second to the king, Ardalan, has just found out a member of their group has been killed and she's not happy, to say the least! As tensions flare, we see first hand what Celaena is capable of, and how easily she can lose her temper. She takes no bull from anyone, especially, not from Sam. Sam, a year older than Celaena, is third in line of the Assasin's and you get a sense of aniomosity from these two.

A couple of months later, our heroine, Celaena, is sent out on a mission, with Sam. Not pleased about it, they venture off to Skull's Island to meet with the Pirate Lord, Rolfe. Celaena hides her idenity from the Lord, inpart because she is young, and a female. She does come across as brave and bold with her interactions with the Lord.

Not knowing at first, why she is sent to Skull's Bay, Celaena quickly finds out and is not pleased by the events.

Choosing to do what's right, and what she believes in may prove deadly to her and Sam, whom decides to pair up with her, and go against what they were sent to do. Neverless, Celaena, goes against the rule of the King of Assasins, and proves that no one scares her, and she does what she wants, even if it means dire circumstances.

She may just be the strongest heroine in Young Adult Books!

I'm looking forward to reading more of Celaena's adventures, and will continue onto The Assasin and the Desert, next.







                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Review: Wicked Deeds On A Winter's Night by Kresley Cole





Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night



Title: Wicked Deeds On a Winter's Night

Author: Kresley Cole

Series: Immortals After Dark #4

Paperback, 359 pages

Published October 30th 2007 by Pocket Star (first published September 24th 2007)ISBN1416547037 (ISBN13: 9781416547037)

Rated R

Paranormal Romance, Witches, Lykae, Fantasy

Borrowed from library



Her breathless kiss haunts him...
Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed--until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.

His slow, hot touch is irresistible...
Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It's rumored that no one can tempt Bowen's hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.

No deed is too wicked for her seduction...
If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul--or will she risk everything for her fierce protector.

Review~  Highly recommended series for all paranormal romance junkies.  Loved it!



This book was a roller coaster of erotic emotions. Filled with sexual heat and desire.

The story starts off where the last one ended, Players competing in the Tailsman Hie, a race to the finish for a coveted key. A key, that allows the winner to go back into the past to change the future.

In Bowen's case he wants to use this magically infused key to return to his past and bring his so-called mate, Mariah, back to life.



Bowen, a strong, alpha male Lykae living with the burden of her death on his shoulders for over 150 years, is basically a man on a mission to bring her back from the dead, so he may live a life with his "mate". Although Bowen has been living a basically dead to the world existence since his mate died, things seem to change for him during this "race" as he lays eyes upon a woman who stirs feelings in him he never has felt before.

The lovely, coy, Mariketa is a witch, in disguise. She is young and hasn't fully come into her powers. Still learning the ways of the witch, she is a mortal who hasn't reached her full potential and has yet to turn immortal. Timid at first she becomes a character you will  envy! Hell, with a sexy Lykae after  you, you'll wish you were walking in her shoes.



The story plays out mostly in the Guatemala jungle and although Bowen traps and leaves behind the witch he is soon wracked with emotions for her and can't get her out of his head. He figures she must of enchanted him, for he hasn't "felt" anything for so long.

He must set out to retrieve her or face war amongst all creatures of the lore. What ensues is a terrific storyline infused with adventure, heat, and passion, throw in a villain and all bets are off.

The ending shows Mariketa at her best, and Bowen having to choose between two woman as secrets are unmasked....

Without delving into the rest of the story I will say this book is filled with HEATED passion, bordering on erotica. 

It will have you dreaming you had your very own Lykae in your bed. A determined cat and mouse teasing storyline that will leave you breathless and  aroused.

Miss Cole is an "All Star" of the paranormal romance genre, and should be read by all fans of pnr romance. 5+Stars!  

 

 

                                         

                      

    ~Favorite Quotes~



"Oh, great Hekate, is that his voice?” Carrow cried. “I just had an orgasm! Fudge your name tag if you have to, but get you some of that some-some. Remember, friends let friends live vicariously—”

“"What are my chances of stealing a kiss from you right now?" asked Bowen "None point none" answers Mariketa”

"We want you gone. Your presence is obviously upsetting her."

Oh, aye, the poor, wee lass --who tossed me like a skipping stone."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               



Harry Potter:Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley -My Review

Immerse yourself in the world of the spectacular "Harry Potter" film series, and learn why Yule Ball ice sculptures never melt, where Galleons, Sickles and Knuts are really "minted", how to get a Hippogriff to work with actors, about the inspiration behind Hogwarts castle, and why Dementors move the way they do. Written and designed in collaboration with the cast and crew that brought J.K Rowling's celebrated novels to the silver screen, "Harry Potter: Film Wizardry" delivers an enchanting interactive experience, transporting readers to the wizarding world by sharing filmmaking secrets, unpublished photography and artwork, and exclusive stories from the stars. Full of removable, facsimile reproductions of props and paper ephemera from the movies, this collectible volume offers a privileged look at the "Harry Potter" films and the talented group of Muggles that has made true movie magic.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

My Review  

A must for all Harry Potter Fans! A beautiful, pituresque, scrapbook collection of scenes and goodies. A colorful, visual delight!

This book is a must for all HP fans, of all ages. If you love the books and the films than add this to your collection.

Beautiful eye-popping pictures from the movies and  designs and ideas from the creative team behind the film.

Learn more about the characters and how ideas were brought to life, from page to screen. A great feature in the book are the removable  and fold-outs from the film. A delight to actually hold pieces made famous in the movie.

Includes films 1-7, with a sneak peak of Deathly Hollows 2.

5+ Stars! 

                                     

Harry Potter's Acceptance letter from Hogwarts:

422nd. Qidditch World Cup Programme:

Harry Potter throughout the years:

Marauder's Map:

Check out more pictures and removables, below