I'm at ARRA with a review of Reflected in You

I'm over at the ARRA blog today with a review of Sylvia Day's Reflected in You.  I gave it a B+. ARRA members who comment go into the draw to win both Bared to You and Reflected in You in print. 

Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare, narrated by Kaleo Griffith

Why I listened to it: Are you kidding?  I've been haranguing Tantor for ages to try and get them to pick this series up on audio.  I'm sure it wasn't just me but I'm proud to say that I had a small part to play in getting this series onto our MP3 players.

What it's about: (from Goodreads) It's been years since her child's father dumped her, and since then investigative reporter Kara McMillan has kept men at bay—although every day she aches more for a lover's touch. But to get that, the hard-boiled journalist must become vulnerable—a feeling she vowed never to have again.

With his dangerous good looks, charm, and power, Senator Reece Sheridan could have just about any woman he sets his piercing eyes on. But he’s intrigued by only one. This Kara, this gutsy investigative reporter, has a sensuality that arouses him to no end. If she’s a firebrand in print, he guesses, she must be just as fiery in bed…

But this is no fling. A sudden political scandal—and attempts on Kara's life—could very well drive them apart. Or maybe, just maybe, adversity could draw them into a bond even more intense than their steamy sexual embraces…

What worked for me (and what didn't): I've read the book twice so I know the story well.  Kara McMillan is a reporter for the Denver Independent's "I-Team", covering the environmental beat.  When a whistleblower gives her information about a mining company dumping toxic materials into the water supply, her investigation leads her into danger.  While all this is happening, she meets sexy Senator Reece Sheridan, an idealistic ex-social studies teacher who ran for office on a dare from his students.   Their first meeting is hilarious - Kate has had too many margaritas and she asks Reece some very interesting questions - including whether a woman really does taste like tuna!

Pressure Head by JL Merrow

Why I read it: I'm a JL Merrow fan and had this one pre-ordered.

What it's about:  (from Goodreads)  Some secrets are better left hidden.

To most of the world, Tom Paretski is just a plumber with a cheeky attitude and a dodgy hip, souvenir of a schoolboy accident. The local police keep his number on file for a different reason—his sixth sense for finding hidden things.

When he’s called in to help locate the body of a missing woman up on Nomansland Common, he unexpectedly encounters someone who resurrects a host of complicated emotions. Phil Morrison, Tom’s old school crush, now a private investigator working the same case. And the former bully partly responsible for Tom’s injury.

The shocks keep coming. Phil is now openly gay, and shows unmistakable signs of interest. Tom’s attraction to the big, blond investigator hasn’t changed—in fact, he’s even more desirable all grown up. But is Phil’s interest genuine, or does he only want to use Tom’s talent?

As the pile of complicated evidence surrounding the woman’s murder grows higher, so does the heat between Tom and Phil. But opening himself to this degree exposes Tom’s heart in a way he’s not sure he’s ready for…while the murderer’s trigger finger is getting increasingly twitchy.

Warning: Contains a flirtatious plumber with hidden talents, a cashmere-clad private investigator with hidden depths, and an English village chock full of colourful characters with plenty to hide.

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October Round-Up

My monthly post was getting to ungainly, so I'm going to try a few different things to tizzy it up.  Suggestions welcome. :)

On Paper/eBook

The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener - C-  Isn't that a beautiful cover?  I reviewed this one for ARRA.  The short version is that I thought this was a romance but it was an historical with romantic elements.  There is a relationship but the usual romantic ending isn't present.  It isn't NOT there. It's just... absent.   The conspiracy in the book is actually true but I'm not sure how realistic Charlotte's backstory was. 

Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh - B+  I reviewed this one for ARRA and will post a link when the review goes live.  But, the short version is that I really enjoyed the quieter love story in this book and I thought it suited the covert nature of Jason, the Spymaster.  I liked the way Mahiya chose to live a life full of joy and love rather than become bitter and hard.  I liked the clever way Singh made this an aspect of Mahiya's great strength of will rather than it coming off as being passive and wishy-washy.
The cover does look a bit like a bird crapped on it though.