**Jumble Your Genres Review ~ Lord Rakehell's Love ~ Donna Cummings**

This month's Jumble Your Genres genre was Historical Fiction. My pick was Historical Fiction/Romance. ;) 

***

Lord Rakehell's Love

The Curse of True Love #1

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Genre: Historical Romance

Source: Purchased ecopy on Amazon

Rating: 4 Bookworms

Goodreads

Synopsis

Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, is playing matchmaker in Regency London...only it seems she's placed a curse on the lovers instead.

~~He was late to his own wedding~~

Simon is known as Lord Rakehell, so any same woman would be wary of wedding a man of his reputation. He loves Georgiana, and is determined to prove it to her, but how can he overcome his wedding-day blunder?

~~She was heartbroken by the scandal~~

Georgiana knew the dangers of falling instantly in love with a celebrated rake, but even she had not expected him to show up for their nuptials with ladies-of-the-evening in tow. Now she must determine whether Simon's protestations of love are genuine, or if she is being led astray by the passion he continues to incite in her.

I one-clicked Lord Rakehell's Love (and Lord Wastrel) shortly after reading lovely reviews of it from Lexxie @Unconventional Book Views. I'm eager to get to the next installment as Lord Rakehell's Love was every bit the delight Lexxie promised it would be.

Aphrodite is bored and decides she wants to dabble in matchmaking, in Regency London no less. She and Ares set about it but decide there should be a little challenge in it. They decide their couple should be one seemingly ill-suited for one another...a rake and a wallflower.

Georgiana Kirkwood is a wallflower but a beautiful, clever, and witty one. Simon Blakely, Lord of Winbourne, is better known as Lord Rakehell among the ton. He is dashing and a complete rogue. But it's his roguish ways that attract Georgiana in the first place. After a whirlwind courtship, their wedding day has arrived...but the groom has not. Following the fallout, I liked seeing the softer side of Simon. The side of him that is beside himself for the mistake he made. He was desperate to win Georgiana back. Georgiana wants to forgive Simon. But she's worried the risk may cause her even more heartache. I liked seeing her sensible side. She's not going to accept Simon back so easily.

The banter between Georgiana and Simon is so playful and witty. The chemistry between them is clear and it was easy to see the attraction between them was solid. This is a short, sweet read and I was pretty satisfied with the story. Although I always enjoy lots of character development and would have enjoyed more here, I didn't find the story lacking. The humor in it all made it delightful. And I enjoyed meeting Lord Wastrel, Simon's friend, as well as Felicia, Georgiana's friend and confidante. The next book involves them. I'm keen to see what Aphrodite has in store for them.

**Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged ~ #43**

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged (gifted or won) plus a recap of the previous week's reviews, upcoming reviews, and any other bookishness I want to share. :)

Here's what was added to my ereader and/or my physical library this week:

BOUGHT

These were all *freebies* or *99 cent* holiday steals that I one-clicked. And yes, those first two ARE entire series...for only 99 cents. 

BAGGED

As I said last week, I won a piece of jewelry from Soul of the Rose in a blogger giveaway hosted by Michelle Mankin. This is the necklace I picked. 

Last Week's Reviews

Angel Bait by Tricia Skinner
Coming For You by JA Huss
Forbidden by Amy Miles

Upcoming Reviews

Lord Rakehell's Love by Donna Cummings
Sweet by Erin McCarthy
Rock Chick Revolution by Kristen Ashley
Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens (re-read)

**My TBR List November ~ The REVIEW & THE WINNER!**

My To-Be Read List is a new meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. Michelle has been doing this for awhile and recently decided to extend the fun for us all. I thought it was a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

Forbidden
Arotas Trilogy #1
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 2011
Source: Purchased ecopy from Amazon
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodread

Synopsis
Roseline Enescue didn't ask to become an Immortal, to have all the guests at her wedding slaughtered, or be forced into marriage with a man whose lust for blood would one day ignite the vampire legend. Willing to risk everything for a chance at a normal life, Roseline escapes to America. Terrified her husband Vladimir will find her, Roseline enrolls as a senior in Chicago's elite Rosewood Prep school. Mingling with humans is the last place he would look for her. But her transition into the human world isn't easy. Mortal men flock after her while cutthroat girls plot her demise. Yet Roseline remains relatively unfazed by the petty hysteria until she falters into the arms of Gabriel Marston, reluctant MVP quarterback, unwilling ladies man, and sensitive artist in hiding. Troubled by the bond that pulls her towards the mortal boy, Roseline tries to ignore him, but Gabriel is persistent. As their lives entwine, Roseline begins to realize that Gabriel is much more than he appears. His ability to toss a football the entire length of the field and grind concrete into dust pales in comparison to the glowing blue cross tattoo that mysteriously appears on his forearms. Despite the forbidden bond between them, Roseline can't help wondering what Gabriel is: He's not human. He's not immortal. So just what is he?

I'm not sure how long Forbidden has been waiting for me on my kindle (I one-clicked it when it was a freebie) but I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. It's a bit of a spin on the Vlad the Impaler myth, but it's more. There's a bit of mystery, some suspense, romance *sigh*, and some very well written and violent action. This is categorized as YA but it's definitely mature YA.

Roseline Enescue risked everything when she fled her husband, Vladimir. She knows all too well the punishment she will endure if she's caught but she can't take living the life he forced her into. She is successful in her escape and flees to America where she ends up in Chicago. There she enrolls in school. Her plan is to lay low, avoid people - it's the only way to stay safe. But Rose didn't count on meeting Sadie...or William, Sadie's brother...or Gabriel, who really throws a wrench into her plans. Things actually go along pretty well though, until someone from home shows up to take Rose back. Then things get even more interesting.

Forbidden is an excellent introduction to the Arotas Trilogy. It's sets up the mythology, introduces the players, and develops the characters. And I love the characters. Rose is strong, courageous, determined, and loyal. Sadie is sweet, loyal, and quick under pressure. William is lovable and willing to do anything for a friend. Gabriel is brave and strong, with a beautiful spirit. Vladimir is scary evil. Then there's the mystery of the bond and the prophecy. What exactly is Gabriel? And it's all set against the backdrop of high school and typical teen-aged angst.

I feel like I can't say much more without being spoilery. Ms. Miles has crafted a wonderful story - one that I'm honestly eager to continue. The only reason it's not a 5 Bookworm read for me is because it's written in third person, present tense - this is purely a personal preference - this format is one that bothers me. Forbidden is an enthralling read though. And one I highly recommend.

And the winner is.... NAOMI HOP!! *tosses confetti* Congrats, Naomi!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**A Month of Giving Thanks ~ #13**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

On this last day of November, I want all you bloggers know that I adore y'all! Both the blogs that I've followed since the beginning and the blogs I've recently found. You all make my blogging life a delight. I'm happy and thankful to consider you all friends.

I'm also grateful to you readers who follow my blog. I appreciate y'all so very much! And I hope you've found a few good reads here. :)

And lastly, to the authors who write the books I love! I'm thankful for the stories you create, the characters I've become so invested in, the book boyfriends ;) and the hours I spend lost in a good book.

**My TBR List ~ Review for November**

My To-Be Read List is a new meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. Michelle has been doing this for awhile and recently decided to extend the fun for us all. I thought it was a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

Forbidden
Arotas Trilogy #1
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 2011
Source: Purchased ecopy from Amazon
Rating: TBD
Goodread

Synopsis
Roseline Enescue didn't ask to become an Immortal, to have all the guests at her wedding slaughtered, or be forced into marriage with a man whose lust for blood would one day ignite the vampire legend. Willing to risk everything for a chance at a normal life, Roseline escapes to America. Terrified her husband Vladimir will find her, Roseline enrolls as a senior in Chicago's elite Rosewood Prep schoo. Mingling with humans is the last place he would look for her. But her transition into the human world isn't easy. Mortal men flock after her while cutthroat girls plot her demise. Yet Roseline remains relatively unfazed by the petty hysteria until she falters into the arms of Gabriel Marston, reluctant MVP quarterback, unwilling ladies man, and sensitive artist in hiding. Troubled by the bond that pulls her towards the mortal boy, Roseline tries to ignor him, but Gabriel is persistent. As their lives entwine, Roseline begins to realize that Gabriel is much more than he appears. His ability to toss a football the entire length of the field and grind concrete into dust pales in comparison to the glowing blue cross tattoo that mysteriously appears on his forearms. Despite the forbidden bond between them, Roseline can't help wondering what Gabriel is: He's not human. He's not immortal. So just what is he?

Funny story...I didn't start Forbidden before heading to Texas for the Thanksgiving holiday. I thought...5 days of vacation? I can finish it, no problem. Well, between cooking, hanging with extended family, eating, shopping, etc., I haven't finished. *frowns & hangs head*

I can tell y'all I'm 73% through and I'm loving it. 

I'll be in the car all day today heading back to Colorado. So my review will post to either later tonight or tomorrow, depending on what time I get home and how much I get read between having to drive and the sleepiness caused by motion sickness meds. :)

I'll also have Rafflecopter pick the winner of the giveaway.

**A Month of Giving Thanks ~ #12**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

But as this month winds down, I'm taking a page from Berls and Michelle and giving thanks for my blogging friends. I realize the month is almost over so I might have to cram a few together but it's the thought that counts, right?!? :) I'm now down to TWO days...

***

I'm also very thankful to have found Traci @Mad Hatter Reads. Traci is not only a great blogger - she's a kind and generous person too. I met Traci early on in my blogging life - followed her reviews and posts. As we got to know each other by chatting through comments, I learned that Traci is warm and funny. And if you follow her blogs, you know that she and Cheshire  give good interviews. ;) Traci is really creative and it shows in her author interviews. She is also responsible for adding to my bulging TBR - both my pile and the hoards of books I've collected on my ereader. Oh, and she also contributed to my jumping onto the Felicity Heaton and Tricia Skinner bandwagons. If you haven't found Traci and Chess, go see what the Mad Hatter Reads.

***

I'm thankful to have found Jennifer @Donnie Darko Girl. Jennifer is so sweet! She has fabulous taste in music as well as in books. She's made me one-click - and y'all know I don't need help with that - and she's made me think about reading zombies!, look up bands, and consider changing my hair color. ;) She's great to talk to on a personal level as well as about books. And with the variety of books she reads, there's always something for everyone on her blog. I hope that if you haven't found Jennifer already, you'll pop by and say "Hi!" Tell her I sent ya! ;)

**Review ~ Coming For You ~ JA Huss**

Coming For You

Dirty, Dark, & Deadly #3

Release Date: November 19, 2014

Genre: Adult, Erotica, Thriller
Source: I purchased an ecopy from Amazon
Rating: 5 Bookworms

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
James
Who am I?
What am I doing?
Why am I doing it?
Questions are as dangerous in my world as secrets are valuable.
Answers, however, never come easy.

Harper
Who am I?
What am I doing?
Why am I doing it??
I've never asked myself a single questions about my life. Not even once. I follow orders. I keep my head down. I do as I'm told. But now the choices are everywhere.

Sasha
I don't ask questions and I don't need answers.
I know exactly what I'm doing.
Last Christmas Eve, my life fell apart.
This summer, I'm about to get even.

Well, I certainly didn't see that coming. I've said it before but Huss really is a master at writing unpredictable. Coming For You had so many twists, my head was spinning at times. I even woke up one morning thinking "Oh!" because my subconscious had worked out what something meant while I was sleeping. This conclusion was thrilling, heartbreaking, befuddling, and incredibly satisfying.

The secrets were revealed - well for the most part - all the players were uncovered, plans were set into motion, and life-changing decisions were made. There was no way I could have predicted all that went down. Connecting all the dots, putting all the puzzle pieces together was a challenge. And honestly, it's part of the joy of reading a Huss book. There were even times when I doubted James', Harper's, and Sasha's future. But then, these are highly trained individuals we're dealing with here, so I should have had more faith.

My heart broke for Sasha. She really did lose so much in her short life. But she carried herself with such poise and maturity. She did come out a winner in the end.

The Harper I loved, the strong, feisty girl, was back. I was impressed with how she handled herself when she wasn't quite sure what was going on and who to trust.

James showed what he was made of. Yeah, he might be just a little crazy, and his methods are unconventional, but he's honest. And he was determined that he and Harper be free.

And I must mention that I loved getting a cameo of a favorite character. *sigh*

Coming For You was a thrilling conclusion to this series. Even though James and Harper's story has come to an end, I'm eager for the next stories in this world. Thank you, thank you, JA for sharing your imagination - creating gripping stories with characters I love.

**A Month of Giving Thanks ~ #11**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

But as this month winds down, I'm taking a page from Berls and Michelle and giving thanks for my blogging friends. I realize the month is almost over so I might have to cram a few together but it's the thought that counts, right?!? :) I'm now down to THREE days...

***

I'm very thankful to have become blogging friends with Teresa @Readers Live 1000 Lives. I can't remember how I found Teresa but she was one of the first blogs I followed - although I was still kinda nervous about leaving comments. :) I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer because of Teresa! And she's added countless other books to my TBR...certain JLA books, M. Leighton, Carmen Jenner just to name a few. ;) Teresa reads a variety of genres and writes wonderful gushy reviews. Have you met Teresa? If not, go see why Readers Live 1000 Lives. ;)

***

I have to give a shout out to Michelle @Novels on the Run. I'm very thankful to have met her. She a fantastic blogger, offering fun and insightful reviews in a variety of genres. PLUS, she's an author - writing as Emma James - and I'm grateful to have been an early reviewer for her first novel, A Little Faith. It was fresh and fantastic! Michelle just is a lot of fun, too. If you haven't found Novels on the Run, take a spin by her place. :)

**A Month of Giving Thanks ~ #10**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

But as this month winds down, I'm taking a page from Berls and Michelle and giving thanks for my blogging friends. I realize the month is almost over so I might have to cram a few together but it's the thought that counts, right?!? :) I'm now down to FOUR days...

By the way, Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate!

***

I'm thankful to have met Sharrice @Reese's Reviews. Sharrice is such a sweet young woman. She does an incredible job of balancing her reading and blogging with going to school. I've so enjoyed discussing different books with her and she's responsible for getting to me addicted to HM Ward! :) Sharrice also does a neat feature on her blog every Tuesday where she lists a book that she just *had* to have but that's still sitting on the TBR shelf. Sharrice reads a variety of genres and writes great reviews. If y'all have found Reese's Reviews, go check her out!

***

I'm also very thankful to have found Marilyn @Marilyn's Mystery Blog. Marilyn is just lovely to talk to. We read lots of similar books and I've enjoyed getting her take on many books that are on my TBR. Like Abbi Glines...she's been killing me with teases and reviews of Glines' books. ;) She also doesn't help my one-click addiction with the freebies she manages to find. But it's all good. Marilyn is also an author, but one I've not read yet. I do own the first in her Mystery Falls series and am planning on reading it in 2015. Have you met Marilyn? If you haven't, hop to it!

**Review ~ Angel Bait ~ Tricia Skinner**

Angel Bait

Angel Assassins #2

by Tricia Skinner

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: October 31, 2014

Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

Author's Website | Amazon | GoodReads

 Synopsis
 He's not that kind of angel.

Jarrid is a “Bound One”: half angel, half human, trained from childhood to enforce Heaven’s laws on earth. An assassin with no remorse. And no choice. When he discovers an ancient ritual called Ascension, which might give him a shot at freedom, he can’t resist his lifelong dream. He only needs to find one last Renegade angel and take him down…using a certain woman to flush the angel out of hiding.

She's not what he's expecting.

News reporter Ionie Gifford has no clue an outlaw angel wants her dead, much less why, but she does know one thing: the enigmatic Jarrid, with his penetrating silver eyes and his worship-worthy body, is her ticket to the city's supernatural underworld, where she might finally be able to locate her mother's killer. For that kind of information, she's willing to risk everything...

They can't be together -- but can't keep apart...

Blindsided by Ionie's beauty and tenacity, Jarrid finds the millennia-old glacier around his heart melting. But when he's faced with a choice, will he sacrifice Ionie for freedom from his brutal servitude—or agree to be bound for eternity, to protect the life of the woman he's falling in love with?

From novelist Tricia Skinner comes a story that will have fans of action-packed love stories applauding. Seamlessly combining elements of paranormal romance and gritty urban fantasy, the Angel Assassins series is a heart-pounding spin on angel mythology.

I was once again impressed with the world Ms. Skinner created and the unique ways in which she created an angel mythology all her own.

Angel Bait focuses on Jarrid, the broody of The Bound. He's tasked with solving the mystery of multiple charred corpses. When he learns a Renegade, or a fallen angel, may be involved, he's eager to take on the case as he has a plan which would result in Ascension for himself and his brethren. All he has to do is find his bait and his plan will fall into place.

Ionie, a smart, plucky, and beautiful reporter happens to be said bait. Oh, and she's tenacious, too. She's been on the trail of a killer, reporting on these mysterious deaths. When her boss asks her to work with Jarrid, she sees an opportunity for an exclusive story. What neither she nor Jarrid planned on was falling for one another.

This was an exciting and action-packed installment. There was the suspense of Jarrid drawing out the Renegade as well as Ionie trying not to get caught in the crossfire. I'm still eager to see what the Renegades' end goal is - even though this particular Renegade's aim was shown. And the possibility of involvement at the top - Heaven - has me chomping at the bit for the next in the series. I'm guessing Ascension is what The Bound are looking for and I'm anxious to see how everything will shake out for them as well.

The world building just got better with more supernaturals introduced as well as how they fit into the mythology. And I enjoyed that the story was told in alternating POV between four characters. Although Ionie and Jarrid were the main characters, it was very exciting to see the action from the Renegade's and his lackey's POV.

I'm thrilled to have had the chance to continue in this series so quickly. I'm loving everything about it and can't wait for the next installment.

**A Month of Giving Thanks ~ #9**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

But as this month winds down, I'm taking a page from Berls and Michelle and giving thanks for my blogging friends. I realize the month is almost over so I might have to cram a few together but it's the thought that counts, right?!? :) I'm now down to FIVE days...

***

BRAINE @Talk Supe! I'm ecstatically grateful to have met this fabulous lady...at least virtually. Braine is sooo much fun and she's so generous and kind. She's someone I feel like I've known forever and I *know* I can reach out to her for anything, and she'd do her best to help. And I'd do the same for her. :) She reads in some genres I frequently read but she's also got me interested in stepping back into some genres I left behind AND stepping out of my box to try some new genres. (*cough* steam punk *cough*) Her reviews are always thoughtful and entertaining. And she does lots of fun posts like Gush & Gripe and Flashbook Friday. Braine is just...well, she's just fabulous! If you haven't found your way to Talk Supe, you're missing out!

**Teaser Tuesday ~ #46**

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

***

Coming For You

Dirty, Dark, & Deadly #3

by JA Huss

Adult, Erotica, Thriller

Synopsis

James

Who am I?

What am I doing?

Why am I doing it?

Questions are as dangerous in my world as secrets are valuable.

Answers, however, never come easy.

Harper

Who am I?

What am I doing?

Why am I doing it??

I've never asked myself a single questions about my life. Not even once. I follow orders. I keep my head down. I do as I'm told. But now the choices are everywhere.

Sasha

I don't ask questions and I don't need answers.

I know exactly what I'm doing.

Last Christmas Eve, my life fell apart.

This summer, I'm about to get even.

***Teaser***

I feel like I'm part of a game. I'm a chess piece. I'm a card that's being played. I'm not quite sure.
But I do know one thing. Actions have consequences. I can't afford to mess this up.
-Harper, Loc 913

**A Month of Giving Thanks ~ #8**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

But as this month winds down, I'm taking a page from Berls and Michelle and giving thanks for my blogging friends. I realize the month is almost over so I might have to cram a few together but it's the thought that counts, right?!? :) I'm now down to SIX days...

***

I'm thankful to have become blogging friends with Berls @Fantasy is More Fun. I believe we found each other through Feature & Follow but it's been a few years now and I'm older so my memory is not what it used to be! ;) What matters is that we did find one another. And I truly appreciate our friendship. Berls has always been someone I could talk to - about anything and everything. Of course, we talk books. She's caused me to add *many* books to my tbr. But that's okay because I've reciprocated in kind. :) Thank goodness she (and Michelle) created COYER. It greatly benefits my by removing some of the many books Berls adds. ;) We also talk about family life, Texas, school, etc. Berls is such a generous person and even though I haven't met her (yet) it feels like we've been friends for a long time. Luckily, I'm going to get to meet her in person next year at RT! And I can't wait. I may not sleep at all on that trip since there will be so much talking and giggling and hugging going on! If you haven't found out why Fantasy is More Fun, go meet Berls!

***

I'm also very thankful to have found Michelle @Because Reading is better than real life. I found Michelle through Berls and COYER. Michelle writes thoughtful reviews and offers interesting author spotlights as well. She's really creative and so sweet, too. I've enjoyed getting to know her through COYER. Recently she's started the My TBR List meme, which I'm participating in. It's a fun way to knock off books from our bulging TBRs. If you haven't met Michelle, go check her out Because Reading is better than real life...I'm pretty sure we all agree on that! ;)

**A Month of Thanks ~#7**

Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading are hosting A Month of Giving Thanks. I thought it was a great idea as Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I'm grateful for so many things. I may not manage a post every day but I wanted to kick off the month right.

***

I'm so very thankful for so many things in my life - my health, my husband, kids, family, and friends. I'm thankful that I can live in my version of paradise here in the Rocky Mountains. I'm grateful for the ability to read! *ha* 

But as this month winds down, I'm taking a page from Berls and Michelle and giving thanks for my blogging friends. I realize the month is almost over so I might have to cram a few together but it's the thought that counts, right?!? :) I'm now down to SEVEN days...

***

I'm thankful to have found Rabid Reads!! Carmel, Jessica, Lorna, Stacey, and new reviewer Melanie offer up some very informative and entertaining reviews! ;) I was late in becoming a Rabid Reader but I'm a very rabid now. They review urban fantasy, fantasy, paranormal, and paranormal romance for the most part. And in my pre-blogging days I read TONS in these genres. These ladies are responsible for aiding in my return to these genres...and I'm enjoying it. They each are also so kind and fun to talk to. Jessica feeds my Kristen Ashley addiction regularly and I've so enjoyed discussing KA and Ilona Andrews and Kim Harrison with her. Carmel likes to talk smack about my love of romance. ;) But that's okay - I give her smack back. ;) If y'all haven't become Rabid Readers, go check out the blog. I promise you'll be rabid by the time you leave!

**Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged ~ #42**

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged (gifted or won) plus a recap of the previous week's reviews, upcoming reviews, and any other bookishness I want to share. :)

Here's what was added to my ereader and/or my physical library this week:

BOUGHT

So, I honestly can't remember what all I purchased and who to *thank* for them. I did purchase a few physical books, The Retribution of Mara Dyer and Captivated by You. I purchased an ecopy of Coming For You. Oh, I one-clicked Rock Chick Revolution because Robyn and I are about to start it. I one-clicked The Leftover Club because it was free.

I'm sure there are others but I've been messing with creating shelves on my kindle and things are kind of a mess. :) And, y'all know I'm going to be participating in a Read What You Own challenge in 2015...I'm feeling panicky...like I better get everything that I want to read NOW! LOL I need to budget so I don't spend all the Christmas $$. *bwahahaha*

BAGGED

Naomi gifted All the Pretty Poses to me, just because she's awesome! :) Thanks, Naomi. I won The End of Violet and Abby from Jaclyn @JC's Book Haven and Scott Silver. Thanks! I received an eARC of Presently Perfect and Southern Rocker Chick. I won a print copy of Caged in Winter from the publisher in a giveaway. I also won a blogger-only giveaway from Michelle Mankin. I won a GC, and audio version of Irresistible Refrain to give away here on my blog (enter here), and a piece of jewelry from Soul of the Rose. I'll post a picture of it once I pick one. :) Thanks so much, Michelle!!

Last Two Weeks' Reviews

Heat by Kailin Gow
Beast Parts 3 & 4 by Ella James
Fairy Tale in New York by Nicky Wells
What's Left of Us by Amanda Maxlyn
Enthrall Him by Vanessa Fewings
Bulletproof by Melissa Pearl
Rampant by Gemma James
Blood Curse by Kat Flannery

Upcoming Reviews

Angel Bait by Tricia Skinner
Coming For You by JA Huss
Forbidden by Amy Miles
Sweet by Erin McCarthy