Review: Burning Up by Anne Marsh

Burning up

The Smoke Jumpers

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE…

For Jack Donovan, smoke jumping is a way of life. He lives for the adrenaline rush—the thrill of flying over the burning California hills, the intensity of diving straight into the inferno, the glory of taming the forces of nature. Love is a distant ember compared to the feeling he gets fighting fires—until an emergency call from his hometown brings him face to face with the one woman he can’t forget …

THERE’S FIRE

Lily never got over the handsome rogue who once kissed her senseless—and then left. She vowed she was done with love ’em-and-leave ’em men and small town life. Until a series of malicious fires set by a stalker has her running home to hide. Now, their summer is heating up as Jack fights to save her from the stalker’s fiery threats and to convince her to give the passion between them a second chance.

I obtained the above information from Ms. Anne's website!

I  am happy to say that this is the first book I have read for my own pleasure lately. Every once in a while - in between my reviews - I get to read a book that is just for my own guilty pleasure and I'm tickled to say that this is one of those treats.

Ms. Anne has entrapped me into a world I can't get enough of. Her writing style is easy, flowing and thorough. She included what she needs to and lets your imagination run when it needs to. She makes the excitement simmer, she makes the passion boil over all while you explode with anticipation of what is to come.  She gives nothing away easily... She will make you work for your happy ever after... Hell, she will make you wonder if you will get a happily ever after. Sometimes you will wonder if it truly will come…

I love Lily because even though life has dealt her a crappy hand, she made the most of it… Until one day, she realized things were out of her control. Her past has made her into the woman she is today - strong and determined. But one thing from her past continues to haunt her… Literally. Jack Donovan - one of the bad boys of Strong. This man captured her heart in her high school years and continues to haunt her dreams till this day. He is the one thing that her heart, body and soul wants… but she knows he is not for her. She knows he is not the staying type. So, when he walked away, she knew she had to convince her heart to let go. But we all know how hard it is to convince your heart to let go of something that you know is what you truly want. Lily walked away from Strong knowing that she was doing it for the good of her heart and soul… because she would never be able to have what she wanted. But what has Lily running back to Strong could be the death of her… 

Jack has been known all his life as one of the bad boys of Strong… him and his two brothers. But Nonna took them in and offered them her home and her heart. They took both, but guarded their own hearts with a wall of pure concrete - until Nonna finally broke them down. She showed them what love is all about. Protecting your family and treasuring them like no other. Jack might have been a bad ass, but he was also a gentleman… But his love 'em and leave 'em attitude was about to come to a halt… Jumping out of planes to fight fires was what Jack was damn good at and he knew if he could handle out of control fires, he could handle anything… But his Lily… Well, that was a different story. She had already captured his heart but he would be damn if he settled his soul down in Strong. That is, until someone decided to reek havoc on his hometown and his Lily. No one messed with what was his and even though Lily did not know she was his… he wasn't going to let anyone destroy what was his without a fight!

Jack and Lily are awesome characters - alone and with each other. Their chemistry is as hot as the books story line. This is such a great story and a different setting for me. I thorough enjoyed this story. Jack is one hell'va man and Lily is one hell'va woman! They will push each other till there is nowhere else to go, they will make each other re-evaluate what their life has to offer… They will make each other think about things they never thought they could think about… Hell, they have met their match as adults because now Lily can push back! And that is every part enjoyable as watching Jack push her back…. The drama and suspense in this story is awesome! The rest of the characters add to the story without overshadowing the main characters and the reason for their story!

I really enjoyed this story. It has everything in it to satisfy every desire that I could have for a great story. Ms. Anne gave me broken hearts, healing heart, drama, tension, passion, suspense and a whole lotta loving! She captured every angle of the story that was needed to make me feel like I was in the Lavender field with Lily… Made me feel like I was burning up in the fire ring with Jack - helping him fight it! She made you smell the smoke, feel the heat, sense the danger lurking in the dark… but she also made you feel the passion, feel the desire, feel the loneliness…. She brought life to Jack and Lily and the people of Strong. She will also be bringing forth more stories of Jack's brothers (or at least she better if she knows what's good for her, lmbo!) Ms. Anne has done very well at crafting a tale and putting me right in the story. 

This story melted my heart, made my pulse race but made me feel alive! The build up of this story is remarkable and I really hope you guys enjoy the Smoking Ride as much as I did…. and will with the next story to come!!! Thank you Ms. Anne!

To learn more about Ms. Anne, please visit her website!

And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!

*Virtual Book Tour Giveaway* Lucky Charm by Marie Astor *Goddess Tour*

Lucky Charm

by Marie Astor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Twenty-eight-year old Annabel Green is about to tie the knot with her college love, an aspiring author Jeremy Blake, but her plans for an ideal wedding are rudely interrupted when she catches Jeremy kissing his gorgeous book agent.

Shell-shocked by Jeremy’s betrayal, Annabel retreats into the quiet routine of TV dinners and solitary evenings. It is then that Annabel’s best friend, fashion designer Lilly Clayton, sets herself on a mission to draw Annabel out of her shell. In an attempt to persuade Annabel to keep an open mind on dating, Lilly takes Annabel for a stunning makeover, but after Annabel passes on a date with a dashing entrepreneur, Lilly decides that more drastic measures are needed. Lilly invites Annabel to see a palm reader who gives Annabel a lucky charm that is supposed to help her find true love.

A few weeks later, Annabel meets a new love interest, and as the two embark on a whirlwind romance, she starts to believe in the power of the talisman the palm reader has given her. But what Annabel doesn’t know is that Lilly is hiding a secret that could unravel her faith in her newly found luck in love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPTS: 

The next morning, Annabel woke up alone. At first she almost panicked when she saw the canopied bed and the tapestried walls, but then she remembered everything. With a groan, she leaned back into the soft mattress and burrowed her head in the pillow. What was she thinking, jumping into bed with a man she barely knew? Which led her to another question – where was Etienne? She jumped up on the bed, looking for signs of her companion from last night, but neither Etienne nor his clothes were anywhere to be seen. Oh, no, she thought, her pulse quickening with alarm. He left me here all alone! What if someone walks in on me? I could get arrested for indecent exposure. Is it even legal to have sex in historic landmarks? she wondered, her mind racing feverishly. And what sex it had been, Annabel thought dreamily. The intense memory was powerful enough to distract her from her current predicament: wild, passionate, all-consuming sex. Her lips curved into a smile of satisfaction as she remembered the heedless, fiery abandon that had consumed her last night. It was the same abandon that now caused her to wake up naked in an unknown bed in an unknown house. The sobering thought quickly brought her back to grim reality.

Where were her clothes? She had to get dressed and get out of there as soon as possible, hopefully before someone walked in on her and asked her what she was doing there, lying on a thirteenth century bed, albeit with a very modern, comfortable mattress. With relief, Annabel saw her clothes on the bench by the end of the bed. She was just about to grab her dress when she heard the door squeak open and, seized with panic, could not think of anything better to do than jump under the covers.

“Annabel? Are you under there?”

The sound of Etienne’s bemused voice filled her with relief. As usual, she had overreacted.

“Annabel, what are you doing under there?” Etienne pulled the corner of the coverlet.

“Hiding.” She blushed. “I didn’t know it was you. I was afraid of getting caught.”

“So you hid under the covers?”

“At the time it seemed like a good idea.” She shrugged. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“I’m sorry, I wanted to surprise you with breakfast.” Etienne motioned at the breakfast tray that he had put on the bed table.

Remembering her earlier panic attack, Annabel felt her face color.

Etienne poured two cups of hot chocolate and handed Annabel her cup. “I’m sorry I scared you. I hope this makes up for it.”

Annabel took a sip and felt the rich liquid warm her body. “It’s delicious. Thank you. I’m sorry for being such a scaredy cat.”

“It’s my fault entirely. I should have woken you up.” He offered her a plate of croissants.

Realizing how hungry she was, Annabel bit into the flaky croissant, savoring its buttery flavor. She took another sip of the hot chocolate, her mind struggling to process everything that was happening to her. Last night she had the best sex of her life with an incredibly handsome man who was now serving her breakfast in bed. This sounded too good to be true. Something would have to go wrong eventually, but then maybe it would not. Maybe, just maybe, her streak of bad luck was over. Annabel patted the golden heart pendant around her neck. She was not superstitious, but a little magic never hurt anybody.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels This Tangled Thing Called Love, Lucky Charm, On the Rim of Love, romantic suspense, To Catch a Bad Guy, and a short story collection,  A Dress in a Window. Marie is also the author of young adult fantasy adventure novel, Over the Mountain and Back.

If you would like to learn more about Marie’s writing, please stop by her website: www.marieastor.com or visit her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Books by Marie Astor:

This Tangled Thing Called Love – a contemporary romance about overcoming one’s inhibitions, learning to tango, and finding one’s true love match.

http://www.amazon.com/This-Tangled-Thing-Called-ebook/dp/B0078IPNCW/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337972977&sr=1-3

Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.

http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Charm-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005BZL3L4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336842915&sr=8-1

On the Rim of Love – a contemporary romance about the unexpected power of love.

http://www.amazon.com/On-Rim-Love-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

A Dress in a Window – a collection of short stories about love, coincidences, and fate.

http://www.amazon.com/A-Dress-Window-ebook/dp/B004E112TO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Over the Mountain and Back – young adult fantasy adventure novel about a boy who takes his snowboard for a ride and finds himself in a magical, hidden world he never knew existed.

http://www.amazon.com/Over-Mountain-Back-Adventure-ebook/dp/B008WF1Y78/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1350684616&sr=1-6

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.marieastor.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_Astor

Twitter: @marieastor

****Giveaway Information*****

Marie will be awarding to five randomly drawn commenters at the end of the tour (US ONLY), one of the following five custom-designed jewelry prizes:

Prize 1: Smoky quartz necklace with sterling silver flower clasp

Prize 2: Lapis and labradorite necklace with sterling silver clasp

Prize 3: Kayanite and turquoise sterling silver necklace

Prize 4: Onyx and red agate sterling silver bracelet

Prize 5: Jade, amber and red agate necklace

I encourage you to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/11/virtual-excerpt-tour-lucky-charm-by.html

And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!

*Super Book Blast Tour Giveaway* League of Love: Laura's Light by Donna Gallagher *Goddess Tour*

Laura’s Light

by Donna Gallagher

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Forty-two- year- old single mother Laura Harris devoted more than half her life to raising her son. She remembered the concept of having sex but it had been aeons since she’s actually been a participant - especially with a real flesh-and-blood partner. But it’s time to reclaim her life. Her son is a man now. And the rising star of the Jets rugby league team. Their future is brighter than ever and, for the first time, financially secure. But Laura is starting to think agreeing to have dinner with Trevor Hughes could be biting off more than she can chew. Not that she can’t see herself taking a nice big chunk from the absolutely gorgeous thirty-four-year-old sports commentator’s rump, he’s one prime piece of masculinity! She just isn’t sure how or when the whole sex thing will become an issue. She can’t even get past the what-to-wear step. Let alone the when-to-take-it-off stage…

Trevor Hughes usually avoids the woman with substance - he has enough of his own demons to deal without trying to care for anyone else. But there’s something about the upbeat, sexy, one-woman-dynamo Laura Harris. The woman is pure sunshine and happiness. And that’s surprising when you look at what life has handed her. Nothing seemed to dampen Laura’s spirits and she quickly becomes someone Trevor needs in his life…Until misunderstandings come between them. Can Trevor put things right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt  - Explicit:

“Decisions, decisions,” he moaned.

“Mmm… Did you say something?” Laura hummed in his ear.

“Just deciding what I want to do to you first—whether to get naked with you, or just eat your pussy first. I can’t make up my mind. It all seems so good.”

           

“Get naked, Trevor. Let me feel the warmth of your skin against mine.”

           

“Are you cold, honey? I didn’t even think…”

           

“No, not cold—burning, melting for you. Definitely not cold, but I still want to feel your skin against mine. Flesh to flesh, no barrier between us.”

Trevor decided that Laura was right—no barriers between them sounded good—but he had to move her so he could achieve that goal. As he gently lifted her smaller frame from his lap, ready to place her next to him on the couch Laura began to struggle. Worried that he was hurting her, Trevor let her go, let her move herself, only to discover that she had a plan of her own. Laura slid between his thighs kneeling on the carpet. The grin she gave him sent lightning bolts of pleasure through his system. Trevor remembered that look—that wicked, wonderful look. And so did his cock.

 

“Here, let me help you undress. I promise I’ll be extra careful!” Laura giggled as she teased Trevor, purposely brushing her hand over the hardness in the front of his pants, then cupping him gently. “Hmmm, you feel kinda worked up again. Isn’t that how you described it last time? When you cautioned me on the zipper thing.”

“Oh, hon, I’m past worked up—I’m about to explode.” Trevor gritted out.

“Maybe I can do something to help, then,” Laura purred.

She leant forward so as to reach the opening of his pants. With one hand, she carefully lowered the zipper completely—it had already been at half mast from when he had unbuttoned earlier to give himself more room, but now he was completely open. Laura grasped the waistband of Trevor’s pants.

 “Lift.”  

As he did, she pulled them down past his hips, repeating the motion with his boxers. Once freed, Trevor’s shaft stood tall, rigid. As if it were beckoning her, she could not refuse its call. She ran her tongue around the circumference of his erect penis, the mushroom-like head, the joining of his skin. She laved and licked, explored every bulbous vein, every satiny bit of skin that covered his impressive form. Laura loved the taste of him, the slightly salty, musky maleness. She lapped at the pre-cum that formed at the eye before swallowing his erection down into her throat, loving the moans and grunts Trevor was making.

When he took hold of the sides of her head and drew her away, she didn’t fight him. It was time he buried that hard cock—that part of him that differentiated his maleness from her femininity—inside her dripping wet and throbbing pussy, where it belonged. “I need you, Laura, need to bury myself in you, want to come inside you.”

“I need that too, Trevor.”

Laura lay back on the carpet and spread her legs for him in an invitation for him to take her. She watched as he extracted a condom from the wallet he took from his now discarded pants’ pocket. He rolled the latex on and her mouth watered. Her folds wept with cream as the moment drew close—the moment she’d thought she would never feel again, that fullness she had craved for weeks and had been unable to attain at her own hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Sydney-born Donna Gallagher decided at an early age that life needed be tackled head on.

Leaving home at 15 she supported herself through her teen years.

In her twenties she married a professional sportsman, her love of sport -- especially rugby league -- probably overriding her good sense.

The seven-year marriage was an adventure. There were the emotional ups and downs of having a husband with a public profile in a sometimes glamorous but always high-pressure field. There were always interesting characters to meet and observe and even the opportunity to live for a time in the UK.

Eventually Donna returned home a single woman, but she never lost her passion for watching sport, as well as the people in and around it.

Now happily re-married and with three sons Donna loves coffee mornings with her female friends, sorting through problems from the personal to the international. But she's on even footing with the keenest man when it comes to watching and talking rugby league.

Donna considers herself something of a black sheep in a family of high achievers. Her brother has a doctorate in mathematics and her sister is a well-known sports journalist.

An avid reader, especially of romance, Donna finally found she couldn't stop the characters residing in her imagination from spilling onto paper. Naturally rugby league is the backdrop to her League of Love Series, published through UK publisher Total-E-Bound, spicy tales of hunky heroes and spunky heroines overcoming adversity to eventually find true love.

http://www.donnagallagherromance.com

http://facebook.com/donnagallagher63

https://twitter.com/donnag63

http://www.total-e-bound.com/authordetail.asp?A_ID=251

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1866

***Giveaway Time**

Ms. Donna will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

I encourage you to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/12/virtual-super-book-blast-lauras-light.html

Good luck to everyone!!!!! Leave your comment and email for your chance to win!!

And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!

*Book Review & Giveaway Info* S*E*C*R*E*T BY L. Marie Adeline *TLC Book Tours*

About S.E.C.R.E.T

•   Paperback: 288 pages

•   Publisher: Broadway (February 5, 2013)

In S.E.C.R.E.T there are…

No Judgments. No limits. No shame.

Cassie Robichaud’s life is filled with regret and loneliness after the death of her husband. She waits tables at the rundown Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed. The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S.E.C.R.E.T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying journey through a series of ten rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating and emotionally powerful, S.E.C.R.E.T is a world where erotic fantasy becomes reality.

About L. Marie Adeline

L. Marie Adeline is a pseudonym for a bestselling author and television producer.

I obtained the above informtion from TLC Book Tours website. 

I received this book for my honest thoughts... So, let's get to my review ~ shall we!

This is the first story I have read by Ms. Adeline and I believe this is the first book she has written. Her writing style is new to me... This story really stuck out with me because of its location - New Orleans. My hometown. Ms. Adeline does a really good job at describing the location and captured the atmosphere. She captured the true essence of the characters environment.

Cassie is a woman who's life is.... nothing. If her life was a color - it would probably be brown. Boring,  dull... Monotonous. She is used of her life being nothing, but deep down inside, she craves for the life of the unknown, the exciting, the vibrant, the life that others have. She wants to be desired, to be wanted, to be touched, caresses... She wants to turn heads and be confident in herself. But she fears the unknown... she fears the rejection... she almost feels the fear of life. But she knows that in order to move on and move ahead in life, you must be willing to try....

Alongs comes S.E.C.R.E.T. - a secret world of women who help other women embrace life and love and passion.

The question is can Cassie accept what S.E.C.R.E.T is offering her... A chance of a lifetime.

The story was really good and descriptive. I enjoyed the story. This story reminds me of a "freeing the soul," kinda story. About embracing what you - as a woman - have to give the world. Embracing the woman within and embracing life.

If you want to find out about the secrets... you will have to get your own copy... Or better yet... Look below for a giveaway! Be prepared to throw yourself into a world of... Passion, excitement, and a little of the unknown! :)

**Giveaway Info**

The prize, Ms. Adeline is very graciously giving away a copy of the book to one lucky winner!

US/Canada Only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are interested in picking up your own copy (if you want till the giveaway is over - in case you win...) here is the Amazon link! :) Good luck! 

Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/S-E-C-R-E-T-Novel-L-Marie-Adeline/dp/0385346433

And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!