My December Reads

I know I'm a bit late but I couldn't find the energy to make this list and because I have a bit of free time this week I thought total relaxation would be a great plan. In other news my birthday is next week and I already can't wait. *g* My sis told me she bought books so yay!!!

But here it finally is, my last reads of 2010:

1. Naughty and Nice by Jaci Burton, Shannon Stacey, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane (my review)

An anthology that finally brought me the missing christmas mood. I was so happy that Ms Stacey had a story in this one. I love her story and her writing was wonderful. Can't wait to find more. A very entertaining collection- I love Carina Press more and more with every read.

2. Hardware by Sara Brookes (my review)
Story about a geeky girl with a coffee addcition. Yes I was in heaven! Even more when the hunky barista guy showed up and started the kink times. I could have done without all the talk though. *gasp* that out of a woman's mouth- I'm shocked too.

3. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
Wow and WOW. WTH did I wait so long? This is such a wonderful and entertaining book. I loved it to pices. Adevnture, mystery, action, suspense and a wonderful romance. I'm really fascinated by this whole steampunk thing- it's liek ebing geeky with steam and yes I discussed if those gadgets could work with BF. So much love for this book! Can't wait for the next one.

4. Head over Heels by Annemarie Hartnett (my review)
I'm so happy I had the chance to read this one. It's fun and wit in superlative. Ms Hartnett's humor is right up my alley and her characters feel like actual real persons. I love how she always has some toy in the mix *wink* An author I will keep both eyes open for.

5. A Peyton Family Christmas (Southern Arcana #2.5)by Moira Rogers
I read this after Deadlock and I lurved this one. It's set between Crosscroads and Dealock and shows us all the charcters we started to love so much. I loved to see more about her. It's a free story at their website so if you would liek to read it go here.

6. Trust Me (Lassiter Group, #1) by Sydney Somers
After reading so many good things about this author I just couldn't resist the chance to read this one. And even though I'mnot a romantic suspense lover I adored this one. Captivating and a real pageturner. Review to come this week.

7. Play of Passion (Psy-Changeling, #9) by Nalini Singh
To wolves are our couple of interest in this one and yes I really liked it. All the growling can be fun. The romance was so cute, even though I wanted to slap Indigo more than once. The overall plot thickens more and more and OMG I can't wait for Hawke's book. That one will be a total win and I'm actually counting the days to get, even though it will be hardcover. *grumbles*

8. Immortal Champion (Immortal Brotherhood, #3) by Lisa Hendrix (my review)
Something out of comfort zone but I fell in love with Ms Hendrix' Viking heroes. You can feel how much time was spent on research and I loved how much detail and love shown through the story. I had some ruffles with some parts but I think that's jsut me. I know many reviewers who loved this one even more than me.

9. Sensual Stranger by Tina Donahue DNF
I actually really looked forward to reading this one but gasp it was to much for me. I couldn't connect to the characters and didn't really get were all the sexual attraction came from. For me the way teh story started was too easy and I was shaking my head most of teh time. Perhaps I was just not in the mood for a sexy read. Will give it another try in the future, when I feel more in a smexy mood.

How was your reading December?

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Winner!!!

It's still freakish cold and snowy in Germany and it took me 50 minutes instead of 15 to get to work today. So not much time for this....have to catch up on work.

The winner of a book of her choice by Tina Donahue is....

~*~*~drumroll~*~*~

Ronda

Congrats! Please email me at thegeekybookworm AT gmail DOT com

You have 48 hours to reply or I will draw a new winner.
Happy Monday everyone!

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Guestpost by Tina Donahue + Giveaway

I'm very happy to welcome Tina Donahue here at The Geeky Bookworm again. Her new novel, Sensual Stranger will be released the Wednesday and she's here to celebrate her new release. Please give Tina a warm welcome. 

When Things Start to Heat Up…

Don’t you love that point in a romance where the barriers between the hero and heroine begin to crumple? For me, the verbal foreplay and the prolonged, heated gazes always bring on a smile and the hunger for more.

In Sensual Stranger, my newest erotic romance, circumstances haven’t allowed Toni and Zach to be obvious about their attraction. Oh, it’s there, but they keep fighting it during their first hours together.

When they’re finally alone, free of outside distractions, vulnerable to each other’s allure, they have no protection. For Toni, it’s the beginning of a journey she couldn’t have imagined.

Here’s the blurb and an excerpt to show you what I mean:

BLURB:

Into his life she came—wanting…willing…wanton

It’s no ordinary morning when Toni Starr arrives at Zach’s garage. Flat broke, with a past she won’t share, Toni’s instantly taken by such a potently virile man. Direct and unashamed, she tells him she’s a motorcycle performance artist who needs work and knows motors.

Zach knows women, and Toni’s unlike any he’s met. Lushly sensuous, exceedingly assured, she’d easily be his match in business and bed. A provocative challenge that stirs him as nothing has since losing his wife. A chance he’s reluctant to take, offering no more than a month’s employment, then she’ll have to be on her way.

The hours tick by. Each word and glance intensifies their denied yet escalating desire, forcing them to surrender to passion and Toni’s need for Zach’s dominance. Driven by carnal hunger, conquered by yearning, they face the unforeseen truth of Toni’s past and a future neither of them expected.
___________________

EXCERPT:

At last the garage was empty except for her and Zach. Toni’s heart beat out of control. Taking a full breath became increasingly difficult. She felt awkward suddenly, not knowing what to say or to do.
Toni knew what she wanted—Zach to touch her, to fuck her hard and long—suspecting he wanted it too. Even so, she needed to be certain not to cross an invisible line between employee and boss, risking her job, which meant letting him make the first move.
He joined her by the cabinet, leaning against it, stretching out his left leg.
Their arms were only a few inches apart. She smelled a hint of coffee on his breath and imagined the heat of his skin. Pleasant sensations rolled through her.
In a softened voice, he asked, “How’d it go today?”
Wanting to tease, unable to stop herself, she said, “Better than you expected?”
He laughed. “You do good work.”
She grinned so hard it hurt her cheeks. His praise meant everything, more than he would ever know. It moved her like a baby’s first smile for its mother. It filled her as no food or drink could. She recalled her father’s approval, still missing it after so many years. Reluctant to allow those sweet memories to bring back all the others, ones she’d buried for too long, she teased, “Yeah, I know.”
Zach’s smile brightened briefly at her sass, then fled with his questioning look. “So what now?” He regarded her grease-and-oil-stained overalls.
Uncertain as to what he meant, not wanting to ruin anything in case she’d read him wrong, she joked, “You pay me for a day’s work? And while you head out, I clean up here and see you in the morning?”
“Where are you planning on staying tonight, Toni?” He looked at her, his expression serious. “Were you thinking of crashing in my office?”
A wave of heat surged to her throat and face at him guessing her thoughts. He had a reasonably comfortable sofa in there that looked as if he’d spent more than a few nights on it. “I won’t take anything,” she promised, her voice laced with embarrassment. “I’m not a thief.”
“No one said you were.” He pushed away from the cabinet and went to the wall switch, flipping the controls for the bay doors. He spoke loud enough so she could hear him over the rattling metal. “Finish up, then come into my office.”
As he moved toward it, Toni’s heart beat painfully in hope and worry. Hope that he’d let her stay in there. Worry that he’d changed his mind about her employment, intending to terminate her because she was still essentially a stranger. “Why?”
He stopped and looked over. The doors reached the floor, thwacking it. “So I can take you home.”
Stupidly, she stared at him. “What?”
He turned to face her. “You don’t have any money to spend on a motel room and you’ve already said you won’t be going back to the shelter. So I’m offering you a place to stay.”
Not understanding, Toni shook her head. “With who?”
His gaze roamed her. “Me.”
Her heart stumbled on several beats at his answer and the renewed intensity in his eyes.
As their silence lengthened, his demeanor shifted back to the forced restraint she’d seen earlier. “Don’t worry,” he said, his voice neutral, subdued. “I know how to handle myself.” He headed for his office again.
Without thinking, she called out, “I know that.” She could see and hear it.
Once more, he stopped and looked over.
“And I’m not worried,” she added.
Without warning, something dark and dangerous flared in his eyes, telling her she should be. He wasn’t a man to be toyed with. If a woman desired him, he’d enjoy her anyway he chose, and once he started nothing would stop him. He’d take what he wanted while providing equal pleasure.
Desire weakened Toni’s legs. She leaned against the cabinet, needing it for support.
“Don’t make me wait,” he said, domination and a hint of pleasure in his voice. Not giving her a chance to respond, he went into his office.
Moments later, she heard him tossing clipboards from his desk to the file cabinet next to it.
Gaze turned inward, she tried to picture his place, an apartment surely, just large enough for two. Would he offer her his bedroom or would he tell her to sleep on the sofa? During the night, would he come to her, unable to stay away, his big body trapping hers against the cushions, one hand holding her wrists above her head while his other roamed?
Her lids slid down on a lusty sigh.
She swallowed at the thought of his rigid cock pressed against her mound, showing her his need as he pulled her top away, baring her breast, lowering his mouth to it, pulling the stiffened nipple inside.
Her cunt clenched in arousal, delivering a rush of moisture at the image of his hot, soft lips surrounding her areola while his bristly cheeks scraped the delicate swell of her breast. Of him wanting no woman except her.
Had he ever loved anyone?
Even if he had, Toni sensed he didn’t now. He wouldn’t be bringing her to his home if he had a girlfriend he cared about. He wouldn’t be offering her a place to sleep. He wouldn’t be crossing a fragile line separating employer from employee, man from woman, stranger from lover.
He wouldn’t be telling her not to make him wait with a hint of danger in his eyes.
______________

Sensual Stranger will be available December 15th.

Buy Link, Email, Website/blog, Twitter, Facebook

~*~*~Giveaway~*~*~

To celebrate the upcoming release of Sensual Stranger, Tina is offering a contest today. 

One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of her following books:

1.Lush Velvet Nights – ebook

2.Adored – ebook

3.Deep, Dark, Delicious – ebook

4.Close to Perfect – mass market paperback

5.Bad Boys with Red Roses – trade paperback

6.Take My Breath Away – trade paperback

Winner chosen at random. Winner in continental US has her choice of one of the six. 

Just tell us what you love most about romance.

Winner outside continental US has her choice of one of the ebooks.

Please leave me a way to contact you (email in blogger profile or twitter name is okay).

Giveaway ends on Sunday December 19th and I will announce the winner in the following week.

Good Luck!

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My January Reads

January was a really busy month. All the birthday stress and the launch of Book Lovers INC really kept me entertained. Still so much to do for BLI but I hope that all the start problems will be resolved soon. When I started this list today I was totally astonished that I read 10 books and reviewed 7 of them this month. Perhaps I wasn't as busy as I thought. ;)
Here is what I read:

1. Crossroads (Southern Arcana #2) – Moira Rogers
To quote myself:

This book is full of action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Love, family and obligations play a big role and they seem so real that I just couldn't put this book down. The plot is heartbreaking but never too hard to stomach and the mix with funny witty conversations makes it into one of the best urban fantasies I ever read.
I recommend this series to everyone with at least a bit interest in urban fantasy. You will not regret this! Moira Rogers is definitely one of my best discoveries so far!

You can read my full rant here.


2. Immortal in Death (In Death #3) - J. D. Robb
As you may have noticed last month I really found a new addiction with this series. This book was so full of suspense and I enjoyed the story even more because it was a personal one for Eve. Roarke is as sexy as ever and I can't wait to get my next fix. Love this book and I can't say it often enough: Everyone should have at least tried this series. But I will try to restrain myself. Only one In Death book per month. Or better said this is the plan. We will see how long that will work for me. LOL


3. Coming Undone (Brown Siblings #2) - Lauren Dane
How did it happen that I didn't review this one? I think it's the old problem: When the book is something special to me I can't seem to find the right words to tell what I feel about it. It's so easy to write something when the book was good but how to really make the point that this book was something so much more to me. Still pondering how to write this review but let me tell you I loved it to pieces. Brody is a dream of a man: dark, tall and handsome. Which girl doesn't like the tattooed biker kind of man. Elise is so lovable and I really devoured this book. Will write an review! I really will.


4. Captured - Julia Rachel Barrett 
Wonderful science fiction erotica. The story was a bit strange at the start but worked out just fine in the end. I loved the way Julia included the social problems in this book. Would have loved it even more if the book would have a good 10 pages more at the end but it was a good read the way it is.
I'm so crossing all my fingers for perhaps getting a second book in this world. You can read my full review here.

5. First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World, #1) by Jeaniene Frost
I won this one in a big contest and I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my name was drawn.
Okay so Denise is not one of my favorite characters but I loved Spade so much(after a few pages of getting to know each other). This book is a great start to this new spin-off series and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one. You can read my full review over at Book Lovers INC here.
And I'm so excited to tell you: Ms. Frost will be over at Book Lovers INC on the 9th February (Release-day of First Drop of Crimson- next Tuesday) answering my questions about the new series and she will be there to answer yours too. *fangirl scream* So don't forget to come over!


6. Lead Me On (Tumble Creek, #3) by Victoria Dahl 
Mmmhhh, Chase. *dreams*
Okay…ahem where was I?
Ah yeah I really liked this book and not only because of this wonderful man. The story, as always, was funny, witty and you just fly through the pages without noticing the time you spent reading. The chemistry is sizzling hot and oh my what a bday pressie this guy is.

To read the full review please go here. 



7. Deep, Dark, Delicious by Tina Donahue 
Anyone hungry? I want something Cuban. And no I so mean something to eat girls, or not. This book was sooooo hot! Man this one scene was torturous long- you know the good kind of torturous.

I liked the story but would have preferred a bit more insight in the relationship building. I know I'm way too nosy but it would have been perfect if we could have watched this relationship grow from the start. I always felt like I missed something. You can read my full review here.


8. Switch by Megan Hart
I love Megan Hart's books. I don't know how she does that but I'm always strangely touched by her stories. She grabs me on the first few pages and I just can't stop. Switch was no exception. I even think it wandered directly into my top 3 of her books.
I loved the development of the plots, the characterization and especially the way her characters interacted.
After finishing this one I went directly to the online bookstore of my choice and ordered 2 more books by her.My full review can be found

here.


9. Stilettos Inc. by Lexi Ryan 
I got this book as a review copy and I was positively surprised to see that it is not a chic-lit but a rather good paranormal romance/erotica(as you can see I'm so bad at genres- perhaps I should just make 2 genres: good book and bad book…LOL).
The created world is good developed and the characters are very likable. I was a bit confused by the the often switching POV but I enjoyed the book nonetheless. You can read my full review here.

10. Stranger by Megan Hart
See I told you I had to buy another one of Ms. Hart's books. I started this on Saturday and finished it on Sunday. No biggie you say? I was on work on Sunday and spent each free minute reading. I just couldn't stop. Very emotional intense book that made me cry but I loved every second I spent reading it. I will work on a review for this one for sure.
 

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