Hello, lovely ladies 🙂
I’ve missed you! My holiday was wonderfully invigorating, but it’s good to back, and I’m ready to share with you my still spectacular reading streak. Yay!
But first, let’s look at what’s happening with the movies.
On Twitter, @fsog_greysessed shared how the Permanent bank in Vancouver turns into Seattle Nations Bank for the filming of Freed. Isn’t it beautiful?
The Fifty Shades of Grey Fan site posted some lovely pics of Christian kissing Ana in front of SIP with Sawyer, a silent sentinel in the background.
From the same site, see more of Ana making her escape with a bag of cash meant for Jack Hyde…
Thank you, Susan for sending me these great links which also included the next one:
Popsugar brings us hot guys reading as posted on Instagram…
Poor dudes, minding their own business and then WHAM! Intagram-famous! LOL! But I guess it won’t be long ’till the world’s subways and busses are filled with would-be models/actors reading, hoping for their 15 minutes of fame 😉 #FirstWorldProblems
Books I’ve read (and enjoyed) over the last two weeks:
Sidebarred by Emma Chase, book 3.5 in the Legal Briefs series, was a great novella addition to my favorite couple in the series so far. Light and sweet. Thank you, Gabby for suggesting 🙂
Inky by J. B. Hartnett, book one in the Leaves series was another excellent story from this beautiful author. I will definitely be reading the follow-on books in this range. The characters of these stories feel very real to me, their emotions raw and true. It’s refreshing in a genre where the glasses are, more often than not, rose tinted.
Worth Forgiving by Vi Keeland, book three in the MMA Fighter series was another hit. For me, this woman can do no wrong. I’ve loved every single one of these books. Can’t go wrong with a determined, brawny guy who knows his way around a woman’s body, huh?
Man Candy by Melanie Harlow was another lovely read. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming tale of a jaded heart finding love. Melanie has a whole slew of good books behind her name, so if you’ve not yet had the pleasure, and you’re looking for something sweet and spicy, check her out.
On my shelf I have:
Rebel by Callie Hart, book one in the Dead Man’s Ink series. I so loved Calico, I thought I’d read more from this intense writer, but, to be honest, I’ve been a little scared to start this darker story. I know! I’m such a ninny!
And thanks to Susan, Always by Nina Lane, book five in the Spiral of Bliss series, the concluding book of Dean and Liv’s story. This is another writer that weaves spellbindingly beautiful and honest books, one you can’t go wrong with.
I’ll leave you with this…. Again, it made me laugh out loud:
LOL! Nice watch, indeed!
It was lovely chatting with ya’ll, girls. Hope your weekend brings a whole lotta’ book delights!
fifty shades of grey and more 
Hi Monique glad you had a fab holiday it certainly looked great by the photos you sent even though the one with the snake freaked me out a bit lol.
So this past fortnight I had a so so reading week, I read a load of books quite a few in our usual genre which didn’t prove too exciting so I went onto some others I had on my kindle.
So our usual, I’ll start with that but know I don’t recommend any of them;
Sandi Lynn – Corporate Ass – this was good but not as good as I’ve come to expect from this author, jumped in far to quickly to the loving and not much substance
Wet and Burn both by Ruth Clampett – both boring as hell I left Wet at about 70% then tried Burn didn’t even make it 50%
Owned by the Russian Mafia Boss by Bella Rose, quite dark but I was enjoying it until the epilogue began at 65% and the story finished at 67% I was raging the rest of the book consisted of 1st chapters of other books I felt very short changed 😦
I then read Katherine in Gold because really shouldn’t all Katherine’s be 🙂 I enjoyed this but didn’t feel in was as good as Bride in Bloom – to me Holst was a bit too over the top romantic but I loved Frodo and his words of wisdom he’s like a male you!!
Then the reading got fantastic and intense – I read Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins – absolutely brilliant, I was gripped from start to finish anyone wanting a change from our usual should give this a try.
I also read – Shannon Betrayed from Birth – Any of the LOG’s on here from the UK will definitely know this story, it was a case where a young girl named Shannon aged 9 who was hidden by her mother (I use that term lightly) and her mother’s “friend” in the base of a bed for 3 weeks sparking a massive police hunt for the little girl who was luckily found alive and well and sparked a debate on the “British class system”
This was a fascinating and disturbing read and would probably put you Monique away in the head lol
Lastly I read “The Secret” by Deric Henderson, this was a shocking true story of adultery and murder that happened in Northern Ireland. I know this case well it was about a couple who conspired to kill their other halves, both are in prison at present, I had followed this on the news but reading the book that was taken from the court papers was eye opening and I would definitely recommend this.
So that’s all from me, have a great week everyone x
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Thank you, Katherine, it was lovely, snake and all. LOL!
Wow, you were very busy. And you’re spot-on. Sounds like themes that’ll drive me round the bend! You’re a brave woman, my friend. LOL!
I’m so with you on Holst and how cool is ex-porn Yoda/Frodo? He made me laugh. Great writing those, despite Holst not making it onto my BB list. Great share, girlfriend. Thank you 😘
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I forgot to say son and hubby back from France safe and sound they announced they were going back on 8th July for the final I threw such a fit that plan’s were changed and hubby and I going instead for a romantic long weekend 😉 still working on the spa as well he won’t get of lightly or cheaply lol xxx
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Whahaha! Good for you!! Love it! 😂😂
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I second Katherine’s suggestion about The Girl on the Train if you want a break from our genre. It was incredibly well plotted. The movie version which apparently is transferred from England to the US is coming out this fall. Here’s the trailer:
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Monique welcome back. Definitely think you should give Sugar Daddy by sawyer Bennett a try. It ends on. Cliffhanger but so worth it. And also try Paper Princess by Erin Watt.
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Heather what is Sugar Daddy about?
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here is the synapses, it was not my usual read but so worth it when I did read it:
Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic business partner.
The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever.
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Sounds good I will definitely check this out I’m itching for something to get my teeth into
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Hi again, Heather. I’ve put it on my reading list – thanks for that. Just a quick question: I’ve read the blurb but what I’d like to know is if the brutalising scene that sets up the story is written in great detail or is it implied? I like to be prepared for these kind of horrors… 😝
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The scene is in flashback form so some is implied, but the parts that are not are really small and are quickly over. It is done very tastefully (or as tastefully a scene like that can be written). Trust me I gloss over stories that have it written in, this was not that bad. You should be good. Have tissues near by though.
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Thank you for letting me know, Heather. And tissues? Oh dear! LOL! I’m such a baby!
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oh Monique you make me laugh 😁
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LOL! I laugh at myself!!! 😂😂
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Hi Heather. I’ll check out the book by Bennett, and I’m with you on Paper Princess, that cliffie was killer. I can’t WAIT for the next one. Anything by Elle Kennedy, AKA Erin Watt is a win in my book. Thanks for the recs, Heather 😉
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Welcome back Mo! I’m glad you enjoyed your hollydays! I read another MC series by L. Wilder, that seemed much better that the other one, it was really good reading, it has characthers with real problems and it felt more human in many ways than the T.M Frazier. And also read Arrogant Brit by Nikki Wild, it has a funny plot, with a hot British ex marine, sooo it was good read. And yesterday I started reading the 8th book on the Dartmouth Cobras series by Bianca Sommerland, so I’m happy cause I love that serie! Have a lovely week my friend. I have to say I miss the Meander, and the readers, but I started posting againg on my blog so, that’s positive too. Miss u girl! Kx
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Thanks, Kereny. I had a lovely time. Hope you’re doing well. And good for you, posting on your blog! That should keep you busy! Oohh, a funny book with a Brit marine? That sounds very promising!! Thanks, Kereny. I’ll definitely check it out. Have a glorious day, my friend 😉
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Yeah it is really food to be back on bloging. And so great to catch up with u my friend. I’m doing good considering everything around, but smiling to the life and taking the best of it. Have a glorius day you too. And a happy stat of week! Kx
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That’s wonderful to hear, Kereny. I think about you and your country so often.
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I know you do. Thanks for the support!
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Two books I mentioned two weeks ago:
Finding Fraser…for those who like Outlander. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME!! Even tho there’s an encouraging comment by Diana Gabaldon, this book in no way evokes Outlander. I was so pissed I wasted my time reading it!! Just kept waiting for it to get better. I have no idea how it got a 4/5 overall rating.
Here’s my review on Amazon:
“This book gives a bad name to late 20s, college educated baristas. The main character is clueless in an annoying, not charming, way. She is a righ’ edjit to take a term from the book. Her relationship to random guys screams a need for her to read “He’s Just Not That Into You.” The book meanders meaninglessly from one implausible encounter to another. And the world of coincidences where two people are at the same place at the same time is multiplied past any shred of possibility.
“The child-like quality of the main character, her striving to get clarity in her life and understand who she is, and her lack of attention to obvious warning signs, all suggest that this book should be directed to
pre-teens. They can learn a lesson from it.
“And a must read for Outlander fans? Really? No…false advertising
(Back to me)
The other book I read was The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich. I enjoyed it. I have to say I have a soft spot for her. She ties in some really nice emotional points (loss, yearning, weight problems) in her books and, while nothing is too explicit, I find I really respond to her male characters and their relationships. Her other books Big Girl Panties and The Sweet Spot were also sweet, enjoyable reads for when you want a break from intensity but still get that nice butterfly in your belly feeling.
Lissa
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Thanks Lissa. Don’t you just hate when a book disappoints so badly? I chuck ’em on my DNF pile so quickly their pages hardly turn! LOL! Life is too short to stick with a crappy book! I like the “No false advertising” line. Good one, girlfriend 😉
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Welcome back, Monique!!! So glad you enjoyed your time away, you were very missed!! (and more than a bit envied!!)
So….sometimes I have to look back to see what I read for reporting purposes, I read a series by Candace Blevins about hot fanged and furry things, loved the first book – enjoyed the others. Seems rare that an author can keep the same energy flowing through multiple books, which I can understand. Read a Cowgirl book that certainly had puh-lenty of hot sex, just the cowboy/cowgirl thing doesn’t give me whim-whams so it was a bit wasted on me. If one of you loves cowboys, let me know & I can recommend that to you.
So I’ve started “One to Hold” by Tia Louise (haven’t read enough to decide yet), and interrupted that to be MESMERIZED by a book recommended to me called “Dark Notes” by Pam Godwin. It is indeed quite dark (hence the title) and H-h-h-h-hot. Very intense and full of angst! Desperately impoverished, incredibly talented, and gorgeous young girl…overwhelmed by her handsome, wealthy, charming (and kinky) new piano instructor, tossed out of his previous teaching post due to his habit of hot bondage sex after hours. Well written and powerful – my understanding is this is a stand alone – I’m halfway through. It definitely has not disappointed! Yum – mee!!! Does not hurt that he owns the same type of Fazioli grand piano that Christian does in the FSOG movie! (anything about Christian…you know how it is.)
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It was lovely, thank you, Sharon 😉
LOL! I know what you mean with trying to remember what you’ve read even as far back as the last book! Thank goodness for Goodreads. Saves my skin for every Sunday’s book club! 😝 Oohhh, and mesmerised, huh? That sounds fantastically promising! I’ll definitely be putting that on my ever expanding list. *naughty grin* Sounds good, Sharon. Thank you for sharing, girl! 😘
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It’s a real pleasure to get each email you send — your guidance through all the erotic romance genre possibilities saves a lot of time and disappointment. Please can you give your ratings on Goodreads too….thanks!
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Hi Dawn. Thank you for your feedback. Sometimes I look at my stats, see the thousands of people reading my posts, but wonder why so few actually talk to me. It’s nice to know folks appreciate the information 😉 As far as my Goodreads star value is concerned, I can post, and I hope I remember, but I have to say that five solid stars, at least to me, is a very inadequate rating tool. I would LOVE for GR to add the half star option. I feel it would make my reviews so much more accurate. If I forget, to post the star ratings, please forgive me? 😜
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