2/3 of Midnight Scandals anthology

Why I read it: I'm a fan of all three of these authors so I snapped this one up soon after it was released.  I didn't know what I was in the mood to read and felt unable to make a commitment to a full length novel so I turned to this - which had the advantage of being guaranteed to please as well as not requiring a lot of investment.

Why only 2/3?  I haven't read the Sherry Thomas novella, A Dance in the Moonlight, yet - only because I have her recent novels on my TBR and this story is set after them, so I'm saving it.

The Book Vixen's 2013 Contemporary Reading Challenge

I'm joining The Book Vixen's 2013 Contemporary Reading Challenge.  As contemporary is my favourite romance genre, it's not going to be that difficult!  Details below if you want to play too.

The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge was originally created and hosted by Pearl’s World of Romance, then was passed on to Romance Book Maven. Due to time constraints, Fatin asked if I would host the reading challenge and I’m honored to do so. I’m keeping the details pretty much the same as to when Pearl and Fatin hosted the challenge, though I did make a requirement that the book be at least 100 pages in length or longer to qualify.

Celebrity in Death by JD Robb - a mini review

Why I read it:  The paperback was finally released locally for not a billion dollars, so I bought it a little while back.  Generally, even as much as I love the audiobooks, I prefer to read these books first and listen later on.  Also, I am caught up on the reading but behind on the listening...

A review in brief:  Anyway, in the context of the series, this is one of the more procedural ones and less angsty - which fits after the drama of New York to Dallas (which I actually listened to first...  yes, I know what I said but I reviewed it for Speaking of Audiobooks).   Eve and Roarke needed a bit of a breather from personal drama so there's not much of it in this one.  They're both being somewhat careful of each other in fact, but in a good way.  There are some special moments with McNab and Peabody which I loved and Nadine has a greater role (which only makes sense when you think about it).  My love of this series has evolved to enjoying all the many secondary characters as well as Eve and Roarke, so even one where there isn't a lot of Eve/Roarke angst still satisfies.    

Dirty Thirty by Cara McKenna

Why I read it: I won a copy from the author on a recent Twitter giveaway.  I needed something short as a "palate cleanser" and thought this might be just the thing.

What it's about:  (from Goodreads)  Despite his scrappy punk packaging, Evan's got a submissive streak in him that's just screaming to be indulged. So on the eve of his thirtieth birthday, Evan's wife Margie arranges for them to ring out his twenties by realizing his darkest fantasy-inviting another man into their bedroom. Margie's found the perfect candidate for Evan's birthday treat. Paul works as a bouncer at their favorite bar, and lucky for Evan and Margie, he's every bit the sexual Dominant his intimidating body suggests. Evan isn't a hundred percent sure he's ready to go to all the places his kinks seem determined to take him, but one thing's for sure-by the time he wakes on his thirtieth birthday, his fantasy will have become reality.

What worked for me (and what didn't): This isn't a romance - it's an erotic short story. There is no courtship or HEA.  The couple are already living their HEA when the story begins.  I don't read a lot of erotica but I do enjoy this author's writing and the story sounded fun.  

I'm Over at AudioGals with a review of Flat Out Sexy

My review of Flat Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy, narrated by Emily Durante is live at AudioGals.  Come and say hi!