Bookish Bingo Summer Edition

Bookish Bingo Summer Edition (Hosted by Pretty Deadly Reviews)

I am excited to be joining in the fun of Bookish Bingo once again!  This board looks like a LOT of fun!!  Thanks to Pretty Deadly Reviews for hosting this fun adventure into reading!

Love all the categories!!  Great combo of wide open and more challenging!  This bingo runs from June 1-August 31 and you can sign up until July 16 so if you hurry, you can still sneak in before the deadline like I did...Good luck!

Deal Me In: The Gauntlet by Karen Chance

Deal Me In: The Gauntlet by Karen Chance

This story started our really strong and then it just lost steam...I ended up DNFing it although I tried it more than once.  I am not sure why it didn't work for me.  

Deal Me In: Demon's Secrets by Nathalie Gray

Demon's Secrets by Nathalie Gray

Cain (of Cain and Abel) steals secrets from the souls of the dying for his keeper in Hell.  Secrets can be used to buy souls and are in high demand.  Because of this, other keepers have their own spawn who are on the hunt for secrets.  One of them is Bethany who Cain finds himself drawn to, so much so that he is willing to die again for her knowing only the most heinous of tortures await him if he returns without the secrets.  This one was pretty good.  

Deal Me In: Nightdrake by Lara Adrian

Deal Me In: Nightdrake by Lara Adrian

DNF.  Bummer, I generally enjoy Lara Adrian's writing but this one didn't work for me.  

The Truth About Riley by Henrietta Clark

The Truth About Riley by Henrietta Clark

Riley Aylworth's life has been completely devoid of intimate contact since a fire three years ago left him with horrific facial scarring, so when he finds an ad for a phone sex service, he decides to give it a call.  Except that the number is not a phone sex service--it's the revenge Cameron Kirkwood's ex-boyfriend took on the uptight advertising executive after Cam forgot their anniversary and accidentally put him in the hospital.  Needless to say, after thirty-nine disturbing calls seeking phone sex, Cameron is at the end of his tether and yells at his fortieth caller.  What he doesn't expect is for Riley to hit redial and yell right back.

The argument helps both Cameron and Riley vent about their issues and when they've calmed down, they decide to exchange numbers and talk again.  From this decision springs a friendship that, over time, grows into a gentle romance--all over the phone, because Riley is too scared to meet Cam in person.  Showing a potential boyfriend his disfigured face is the fastest way to get rejected, right?  Even a month of scorching hot phone sex can't change his mind, no matter how hard Cam tries to persuade him that with their phone chemistry, the sex would be so much better in person.

Meanwhile, Cam is haunted by the scarred blond he seems to be seeing everywhere, and Riley can't get the handsome brunet who always seems happy to see him out of his mind.  It's a shock to both men to realize that the guy they're falling for over the phone is also the man who brightens their day with just a smile; but it's one thing to let a stranger smile at you and quite another to let him close enough to see into your soul.  If Riley can't break down the walls in his mind and believe that Cameron loves him in spite of his scars, their relationship may be doomed before they've even had a chance to kiss.  

The book blurb above is really comprehensive as far as the plot for The Truth About Riley goes.  What it doesn't tell the reader is how smart this book is.  Henrietta Clark has an amazing way with words...she can tug at your heartstrings to the point that it is almost too much but just when it feels as if it might tip over into maudlin she pulls it back.  And her comedic timing?  Impeccable!! This book made me laugh out loud several times, snickers and snorts were constantly sneaking out, and while that makes me glad that I wasn't reading this book out in public, I still want to shout from the rooftops: GET THIS BOOK AND READ IT RIGHT NOW!!  

Cam is dealing with the revenge of a ticked-off ex who had legitimate complaints and Cam owns that.  But he also realizes that it was a two-way street and he is sad that four years with a man he truly loved hasn't left him with anything except thirty-nine calls wanting phone sex.  The fortieth tips him over the edge and he lets loose with harsh words.  

Riley has had a hard hand dealt to him and while he forces himself to live his life to the fullest, there are days he just wants to close the curtains, curl up and hide.  He misses basic human contact and so when circumstances bring a phone sex ad into his life, he decides to try it.  He doesn't expect a tongue lashing and immediately calls back and gives Cam as good as he just got.  

This leads into an amazing story that develops at a realistic pace, with both Cam and Riley giving and taking.  I was highly enjoying this story but then they began "dating" and I completely fell in love.  The monopoly scene?   Perfect.  This is the type of book that makes me want to gush about it and I will definitely be book-pushing this book on my friends.  I will be eagerly looking for more from Henrietta Clark!

 Reading Challenges
105 Challenge
Contemporary Romance
ebook Reading
Monthly Mix Up Mania
New to You
Bookish Bingo

I purchased this book with my own funds.

The Wolf's Tiger by Lynn Tyler

The Wolf's Tiger by Lynn Tyler

He's a tough, strong wolf shifter--raising his three young nieces will be a snap.  Sure it will!  Enter a sexy tiger-shifter-turned-nanny and things really start to get interesting.  The Wolf's Tiger is the passionate new addition to Lynn Tyler's hot, paranormal romance series, Pack Mates.

All Grayson Mitchell, a wolf shifter, wants to do is raise his nieces in peace and maybe get a full night's sleep while he's at it.  But between his job as an emergency room nurse and the demands of the three little girls, sleep seems far off.  He needs someone who can help him out with the girls, and a nanny seems like the ideal solution.

Shannon Cho is a tiger shifter who has banished from his pride for being too powerful.  But he doesn't want to lead.  He wants to devote his life to children.  Answering an ad for a nanny is the opportunity he's been waiting for.

But what happens when the two men cross the line between employer and employee?  Will love flourish?  Or will the secret that's been kept from Smooth Rock Falls pack tear everything apart?

This may be my favorite entry of the entire series to date.  Grayson, who was wonderfully understanding in book 2, finally gets his own happy ending and what an HEA it is!  Shannon is an absolutely amazing character and he and Grayson are a perfect pairing.  

Gray is devastated when his sister and her husband die leaving behind three precious girls who are the apple of their uncle's eye.  All three, Hope, Honor and Faith were well written feeling like real children without being too precocious or too precious both of which are personal pet peeves.  Gray is trying to do his best to keep his family safe and happy, but raising three girls with his busy job as a nurse is not easy!  He decides to advertise for a nanny.

Who should see his ad but Shannon who is looking for a family that needs him and his talents for organization, cooking, and educational play.  Shannon is relieved to find a job that seems so tailor-made to his strengths and where he can make a true difference.  It doesn't hurt that he finds Gray to be an attractive man but even more, he finds himself loving everything he learns about Gray and Gray is equally smitten.  

Watching Shannon and Gray's relationship develop over the course of this book was a treat.  Sometimes this type of book (paranormal, shifter series) can be short and rushed but this one was just delicious in its timing.  Then a bit of mystery is introduced and that only heightens the tension.  Overall, this is a great addition to a series that I am enjoying more with each addition.  I strongly recommend you check it out (although this series is best read in order!).

Reading Challenges
Hard Core Reread
What an Animal
Around the World
Monthly Mix Up Mania

I purchased this book with my own funds.

2015 Audiobook Challenge: 1st Quarter Update

2105 Audiobook Challenge: 1st Quarter Update

So far this year, I have listened to two audiobooks.  Both were books that I had previously picked up in print but that for whatever reasons, didn't work for me the first time around.  The first book I listened to was The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp by Kathy Appelt, narrated by Lyle Lovett.  I enjoyed it.  The second book I listened to was High Noon by Nora Roberts, narrated by Susan Erickson.  I LOVED it!!  I hope to have listened to at least two more books during the 2nd quarter of the year.  Thanks again to The Book Nympho and Hot Listens for hosting!