Between the covers book club

Hello, lovely ladies

How was your week? Mine was awesome considering the book high I’m on. Yay! But more about that later…

Again this week was pretty quiet where the movies are concerned. I guess the next big thing would be to start seeing some actual footage. I’m looking forward to seeing Erika’s vision in action. Exciting stuff!

Every mommy will understand this pic Sharon sent me:

Right? Blessed, quiet time to read…. LOL!

Also, I wanted to chat about something someone mentioned recently: how very strange it is that we all have FSOG in common, but our book loves after can vary so greatly. It’s a good and very valid point, a tidbit of info I’ve found fascinating since I’ve had this blog. I’ve said it before, but I’d like to reiterate that what differentiates us is beautiful. I love you guys sharing with me and with each other. Please don’t feel put off if we don’t all agree on our favorite reads. The whole point of sharing here is to make a more informed choice about the books we choose (or avoid), but the occasional hit-and-miss is inevitable. Please don’t let differing opinions keep you from sharing the things you love. One girl’s DNF is another girl’s treasure. I wish I could share with you my perspective of all the readers I come across here, on all my social media, and via email, to share with you my incredibly diverse stats from ALL over the world. We come from such unbelievably varied backgrounds, cultures, and attitudes it’s little wonder that we have contrasting tastes. I still think it’s absolutely wonderful that we are united in our love for Fifty AND reading. Never be shy to share!

So, let’s look at my (mostly) yummy book week:

This week I read:

  

Calico Callie Hart was fantastic. It had a touch of darkness, but the author wrote it in such a way that didn’t give me nightmares (phew!), yet still managed to paint a touching picture of the female protagonist’s past. I loved this grown-up, gritty book, carefully threaded with a good dose of realism. It was a great rec! Thanks, Kath 🙂

I then reached for Play Me by Katie McCoy, thinking that a lighter pace was in order after Calico’s grip, but it turned out to be the black mark on my otherwise spotless reading week. I could not even call it a poolside read. Just 9% in, it went on my DNF pile. Just goes to show – AGAIN – never judge a book by its cover. I was thinking along the lines of Elle Kennedy or Kristen Callihan. I was so wrong.

But then… I had my first taste of J. B. Salsbury. I read her Fighting Fate story, book six in the Fighting series. Yes, I know it’s odd to start so late in a series, but I always like to check out the latest on offer to see if I’d be prepared to work my way back, especially in a series where the books may be read as standalones. And Whaddya’ know? Like Calico, it easily made it onto my favourites list. I really enjoyed this tale of hesitant souls fighting to find their way to each other. I’ll definitely be getting to know more of these alpha fighters.

Here’s a little taste of Killian and Axelle’s journey.

Currently I’m reading:

Paper Princess by Erin Watt, book one in The Royals series. I’m very keen on this. It’s my understanding that this is a pseudonym Elle Kennedy uses writing alongside Jen Frederick.

Who knows where I’ll go next? If The Royals work out for me I might continue on in this series.

This made me laugh. I just love the cheeky things kids come up with:

A little Christian Grey in the making, huh? 😉

Have a beautiful weekend, girls. I’ll see you next week!

Between the covers book club and Spanish chapter

Hello, lovely ladies

I trust you had an awesome week and that you spent a good deal of time with some beautiful delicious reads. 

For the Spanish readers, please find Spanish Meander – Grey holiday in Spain in the sidebar. This is a short story I wrote BEFORE I finished Meander. This is the second last story to be translated. Wow, what a journey it’s been. Kereny, you are a star!

I absolutely ADORE this pic Sharon shared with me this week. A very LITERAL book boyfriend….

Cool, huh? 😉

This week I read:

 

Deception by Aleatha Romig, book three in the Deception series, was okay. I will continue the series, I think she’s heading for five in total, but I’m not completely in love. Too many plot holes for my liking. I guess I’m hoping that she’ll draw it all together in a pretty, tidy bow, but I cannot imagine that it will be the case.

Mr Perfect by J. A. Huss was not for me. I chose this above Calico because I was in the mood for the comedy that this one promised, and initially, it certainly delivered. What I didn’t enjoy was the 0 to 100 km/h style lovin’. I guess it’s pretty strange that, as an erotica writer, I’m so anti sex-off-the-bat, but I NEED the love (or at least a connection) to spark and develop between characters before they jump each other’s bones. Sadly it’s gone on my DNF pile, but I can see the appeal. If quick (rough) heat is not an issue for you, then you might like to dip your toes in this one. As a side note, this is the third book I’ve read by this author and all three were COMPLETELY different from the previous. It’s very unusual in our genre to see such diversity in overall theme, feel, and content. Not sure what to think about that, but if you were expecting this book to be something along the lines of her acclaimed Three, Two, One story, then you’ll be in for a helluva’ surprise.

Currently I’m reading:

Calico by Callie Hart. This was another rec, and so far, I can see why. Phenomenal writing and complicated characters make this book feel grown-up and sophisticated. Will report fully next week…

On my shelf I have:

Fighting Fate by J. B. Salsbury, book six in the Fighting series. I’ve not read this author before, so here’s hoping…

So, imagine walking in on this in a hotel room:

Naughty, I know, but oh-so creative! LOL! 😉

It was lovely chatting with you, girls. Thank you for always thinking of me, sending me pics, and book recs, and jokes, and links. I love hearing from you! 

Have a happy weekend!

Between the covers book club

Hello, lovely ladies 🙂

Happy, happy Mother’s Day!

And just for this auspicious occasion, I thought I’d get you a handy home appliance…

😉

Cottoning on to the conversation we’ve started last week about new scenes being included in the movie, here are some pics of Christian going down in Charlie Tango. Seems we won’t just be hearing about it from Ana’s panic, but rather, we’ll see him and Ros in all the scary action. Thank you, Susan for the links!

This pic is from the Fifty Shades of Grey Fan site. See larger pics here, and here.

What’s Filming has more behind-the-scenes information and pictures of the Charlie Tango set.

As we’re knee-deep in sharing the pleasure books bring us, I would like to pass on this gem from Sharon:

Such truth. Love it! 😉

This week I read:

 

Ladies Man by Katy Evans, book three in the Manwhore series, was great. With this book Katy reconnects with what I believe she does best: the burning yearning build-up between two skittish would-be lovers. SPOILER ALERT: there are very few writers in our genre that can get away with holding off on the hot lovin’ until the bitter end of a book but still keep you enthralled. Interesting technique to keep you wanting more… 😉

Throb by Vi Keeland, book one of the Life on Stage series, was another awesome read. I loved the premise. And I always adore a story of a man who knows EXACTLY what he wants! *wink, wink*

Currently I’m reading:

Deception by Aleatha Romig, book three in the Infidelity series.

On my shelf I have:
 

Calico by Callie Hart and the highly recommended Mr. Perfect by J. A. Huss.

Also, I’ve started a slow reread of Mr. Ward, Lord of the Manor again. I LOVED Jesse the first time around, and this time seems no different, but I’m noticing one helluva update. As was the case with the recent Crossfire series, the intimate language is softer and further, I noticed that she’s removed A LOT of the (British) Englishisms, some of which were a little off-putting in the original text mainly because they were heavily overused. I like the changes, but would love to hear from someone who’s read it recently and can compare notes with me. If you’ve not had the pleasure, check out Jodi Ellen Malpas’s Beneath This Man series

I saw this little joke. It made me laugh. Men, huh? Oblivious! LOL!

I wish you a beautiful day, and if you are lucky enough to be a mommy, I hope you get spoiled and take a moment to remember what a blessing it is to carry the honored title of mom. One last time:

Happy Mother’s Day!