Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Goodreads Description:

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time. 

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms. 

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

My Rating:

My Review:

I picked this up because of all the hype around this book.  I really enjoyed it and I did like the unique qualities of this book.  It was definitely not what I expected.  It was more about the story then the erotica content and I really enjoyed that aspect.  I felt for Anastasia and her conflicted feelings about Christian and his unique tastes in sex.  I loved how Anastasia effected Christian as much as Christian affected Anastasia.  I was shocked and excited by the way the first book ended and I hope the second book follows through and makes me more happy.  We will see!

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Goodreads Description:

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind. 

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles. 

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights... 

My Rating:

My Review:

I truly love the Alpha and Omega series.  I lost interest in Mercedes stories when these came out!  Anna's worry about her husband's stress levels and how he's dealing with the excess amount of killings he has to take care of.  She doesn't stop and finally Charles is given a break by his dad, and Anna is given the lead for the mysterious killings of wolves and other paranormal beings.  I loved the mystery and action and suspense.  Anna and Charles' relationship is renewed and the killer found!  Great read!

Charmed and Enchanted by Nora Roberts

Goodreads Description:

Charmed: Boone Sawyer never expected to move next door to a woman who looked like one of the fairy princesses he often wrote about. Anastasia Donovan had a serene kind of femininity that would baffle and allure any man who was still breathing – and Boone was definitely breathing!

Ana’s gift was for healing. Though her intriguing new neighbor made his living writing fairy tales, she didn’t think he’d easily accept her legacy. But when an accident put a life at stake, she could not deny her powers – though it could cost her Boone’s love, and risked her very life…

Enchanted: IT WAS AS THOUGH SHE WERE UNDER A SPELL

Lovely, guileless Rowan Murray felt drawn to brooding Liam Donovan with a power she'd never imagined possible. And his breathtaking kisses convinced her he felt the same. But she soon realized her darkly enigmatic neighbor was as elusive as the mysterious wolf she'd seen lurking about her cabin.

Liam was tormented by indecision. He understood he had no right to love Rowan, knowing what lay ahead. But the allure of her beguiling innocence overpowered his will until he could resist no longer. And he knew, if he was ever to make Rowan his, he had no choice but to reveal his incredible secret.

My Rating:

My Review:

I loved Ana's story and I really loved her story.  It was sweet and touching.  She had some hard lessons to over come and Boone helps her along.  Boone's daughter is adorable and I thought what Ana did was very brave and in the end proved her point about keeping Boone at arms length.  I like how the author wrapped up the book however and I just all in all thought the story was sweet.

Liam Donovan is a cousin of the characters in the series, and to be the head of the family if he chooses to take over for his father and wear the amulet.  He doesn't want to be controlled by fate but control his own future.  However then comes Rowan and he has some hard decisions to make.  I liked Rowan a lot and was so happy when she decided to take her life in her own hands and not be bullied into a life she didn't feel was right.  I liked the romance of the two but felt it was missing something to make it a all out 5 out of 5.  

Captivated and Entranced by Nora Roberts

Goodreads Description: 

Captivated: Screenwriter Nash Kirkland figured self-proclaimed witch Morgana Donovan would be a great "resource" for his next horror movie. The problem was, getting to know Morgana was becoming an obsession.

Was he truly in love, or was he just bewitched?

Morgana could accept Nash's skepticism, and, fortunately for him, she found him outrageously attractive as well as endearingly sweet. But could an ordinary man handle being in love with a rather extraordinary woman?

Entranced: Obviously psychic Sebastian Donovan was a fraud, but fiercely protective Mary Ellen Sutherland was desperate to find a missing baby and had run out of leads. So, reluctantly, the skeptical private investigator agreed to enlist Sebastian's help. Soon she had to admit - grudgingly - that this man had some pretty remarkable gifts. Especially his extraordinary ability to penetrate her tough facade and awaken her heart.

My Rating:

My Review:

Morgana was my favorite of all the Dovovans.  That being said, since she is the first you meet she makes a great impression!  Morgana has a occult store and has some crazy powers.  Her relationship with Nash is awesome an funny and HOT.  I loved how she finally proved she really was a witch!  

Sebastian is a troubled soul and has a hard magic gift to deal with, psychic abilities.  He can't say no however when a baby boy is stolen, and it doesn't hurt that Mary Ellen is around.  I enjoyed their search and final take down of the people responsible.  And of course the romance was good, a bit slower in pace then Morgana's but the content of this book is a bit more serious then Morgana's as well.  

Definitely recommend these books and the entire series in fact.  

More Than Words Stories of the Heart by Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak, and Meryl Sawyer

Amazon's Description:
Even as you read these words, there are women just like you stepping up and making a difference in their communities, making our world a better place to live. Three such exceptional women have been selected as recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award. To celebrate their accomplishments, three bestselling authors have written short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.

Debbie Macomber touches the heart in What Amanda Wants—a young woman's story of strength and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Brenda Novak's Small Packages shows us how the love of a very special baby boy helps two people get past their pain and embrace a hopeful future…together.

Meryl Sawyer explores the importance of creating balance in our lives, stopping to smell the roses and making time to chase our dreams in Worth the Risk.

My Rating:

My Review:

I really enjoyed all the stories in this book.  I thought they were well laid out and written. The book definitely made you look at your own life and be thankful for what you had!

Betrayal by Christina Dodd

Goodreads Description:

At nineteen, Noah Di Luca was Bella Terra's golden boy, handsome, confident, and untouched by the shadows that tormented his brothers...or so it seems. Driven by ambition, beautiful teenage Penelope Alonso fought her way out of the ghettos. During one hot summer, they came together in the sweetness of first love...until his past reared its ugly head and Noah walked away.

Nine years later, Penelope returns, never imagining she'd see Noah or that one glance would wake their fiery passion. As peril builds around them, Penelope has one choice: to survive, she must once again trust the man who betrayed her.

Even with terror stalking through Bella Terra's streets, love may be the most dangerous choice of all.

My Rating:

My Review:

I was so disappointed by this book.  It wasn't really the writing but the direction of the plot that made me frustrated.  I felt left wanting and there just wasn't the punch like there was in the other two books and in other books written by this author.  It does wrap everything up and I absolutely LOVE the twist at the end but I guess it was just too neat and not as suspenseful and the others.

So Many Books, SOOO Little Time

I have not stopped reading though I haven't posted any blogs in a while.  I have been reading, A LOT.  I however haven't had any time to blog about them let alone rate them on Goodreads!  BUT I wanted to at least list the books I've read so you know what to look forward to in the next week or so as I catch up.

Betrayal by Christina Dodd 3 out of 5 stars Finished 4/?/12

More than words Stories of the heart: by Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak, and Meryl Sawyer 3 out of 5 stars Finished 4/?/12

Captivated and Entranced by Nora Roberts Both books 4 out of 5 stars 4/12/12

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs 4 out of 5 stars 4/20/12

Fifty Shades of Grey 4 1/2 out of 5 stars Finished: 4/24/12

The Half-Breed Vampire 2 out of 5 stars Finished: 4/25/12

Wanted: Undead or Alive  4 ½ out of 5 stars Finished: 5/2/12

One Night in Scotland 5 out of 5 stars Finished:  5/3

The Memorist by M.J. Rose 4 out of 5 stars Finished: 5/4

More than Words: Stories of Hope by Diana Palmer, Kasey Michael, and Catherine Mann 3 out of 5 stars

Finished: 5/6

The Perils of Pleasure Julie Anne Long  3 ½ out of 5 stars Finished: 5/7

So here is a quick review....I'll post my detailed opinions as I can get to it.