Cover Reveal: His Clockwork Canary

Out June 6th by Beth Ciotta

Tell me this isn't one of the hotest Steampunk covers?

I totally want to read this one.

So far no blurb or excerpt, so I'm judging this book by its cover.

Bad me, right?

I don't care!

I love gorgeous book covers.

Audio Book: Like Em Or Hate Em?

I have to say, I can not see the appeal of audio books. Something is lost when a book is read to me.

Why?

My mind wanders.

I have one Doctor Who novel in audio format.

It takes up 6 CDs!

I doubt I'll ever be able to listen to the whole book let alone remember what the book was about.

I've tried short audios, and I'm ok with them, especially if they have a great reader, like David Tennant.

He can read to me any time he wants.

What are your feelings on audio books?

CBLS Book Review: Finding Justice

Author: Rachel Brimble
Title: Finding Justice
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Publish Date: Feb 5, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: CBLS Promotions & the author

Book Blurb:  Old friends, new secrets Sergeant Cat Forrester lives by her own set of rules. When her childhood friend is murdered, Cat's world is thrown into chaos. Especially because Jay Garrett—a man from her past—is a suspect, and he needs her help to prove he's innocent. After all they once shared, how can she say no?

The attraction flares between them, and getting involved with a suspect is a huge risk. But the more time Cat spends with Jay, the stronger the tug on her heart. He is the same caring, irresistible man she remembers. Yet she can't let her emotions interfere with the case—solving it is top priority. And as she digs deeper, she discovers Jay has secrets that may jeopardize any possible future together.

Review: Finding Justice is Rachel Brimbles debut novel for Harlequin Superromance and it doesn't disappoint. This book could easily have been published under the Intrigue line, but I'm glad it didn't.

Cat is the kind of heroine you very rarely find in Harlequins where any level of mystery is involved. She's a top notch inspector and there's not a weak bone in her body when it comes to finding a killer. Now when it comes to her personal life that's another story.

I loved Cat and I especially loved how she put the case first, over her blossoming relationship with Jay, a childhood friend that she shared a one night stand with.

There was a good mix of personal feelings as well as intrigue to this book and a big plus was how the romance part was there, and at times it sizzled, but it wasn't the focal point of the story, that was left for the mystery of finding their friend Sarah's killer.

Rachel also adds a bit more to the story, having both the hero and the heroines mother as addicts, Jay with drugs and Julia with alcohol. Its not something you usually see in Harlequin romance, but it really humanized Jay. It also took him away from the "Alpha Male" category that most heroes from series romance fall into. He was flawed very much so, and that makes me love him all the more.

As for the whodunit, I figured it out pretty early on, but I'm pretty good at that.

Anyone that likes a good mystery will enjoy this one. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 stars

About the Author: 

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. She started writing short stories about eight years ago but once her children were at school, she embarked on her first novel. It was published in 2007. Since then, she’s had several books published with small presses as well as securing her first contract with Harlequin Superromance in May 2012. 

Represented by US agent Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…

Connect with Rachel Brimble:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

CBLS Book Tours Interview : Rachel Brimble - Finding Justice

Finding Justice
by Rachel Brimble
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Published by Harlequin Superromance
Release Date: February 1, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Word Count: 85,000

Available at:
Amazon | ARe | B&N | Harlequin

Blurb:
Old friends, new secrets…

Sergeant Cat Forrester lives by her own set of rules. When her childhood friend is murdered, Cat's world is thrown into chaos. Especially because Jay Garrett-a man from her past-is a suspect, and he needs her help to prove he's innocent. After all they once shared, how can she say no?

The attraction flares between them, and getting involved with a suspect is a huge risk. But the more time Cat spends with Jay, the stronger the tug on her heart. He is the same caring, irresistible man she remembers. Yet she can't let her emotions interfere with the case-solving it is top priority. And as she digs deeper, she discovers Jay has secrets that may jeopardize any possible future together.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult situations and language and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Interview: 

1. Tell us 5 things most readers wouldn't know about you.

- I love to knit

- I have a phobia of bridges

- I regularly eat four jelly donuts from our local bakery in one sitting ;)

- I ‘speak’ for my dog in a stupid voice

- I was rescued by helicopter from a hotel roof during the 2010 French floods

2.What is your favorite genre to read? and what is your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense – although a close second is historical from either the Tudor or Victorian eras. I have attempted a Tudor novel twice so far and abandoned both of them. I just don’t feel confident as I’m writing that period. I’ve just finished third Victorian which will be sent to my agent in the next couple of weeks.

3. What is the most challenging aspect of writing romantic suspense?

The plotting! I LOVE writing romantic suspense but getting the suspense thread and relationship thread right is tricky. I start out with a sketchy plan but it always ends up completely different that I thought at the beginning. ‘Upping the stakes’ is the most important element and I constantly worry about it – I seem to be doing something right, thank goodness!

4. If you could be a character in any of your novels, which one would you be?

I love Cat in Finding Justice – she’s a feisty, hardworking cop who has all sorts of personal problems going on. Yet she manages to balance them and keep her heart in the right place too. I really enjoyed creating her and telling her story. As she’s the star of book one in what I hope is an ongoing series, I intend to keep up with Cat by featuring her as a secondary character in the following books.

5. What is your favorite book?

For a classic – Gone With The Wind

For modern – The Chesapeake series by Nora Roberts or her single title, Montana Sky. Fabulous!

About the Author: 

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. She started writing short stories about eight years ago but once her children were at school, she embarked on her first novel. It was published in 2007. Since then, she’s had several books published with small presses as well as securing her first contract with Harlequin Superromance in May 2012.

Represented by US agent Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…

Connect with Rachel Brimble:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Follow the rest of the tour: http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/02/vbt-finding-justice-by-rachel-brimble.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Promo: Identity Crisis

Identity Crisis by Grace Marshall
Reclusive romance novelist Tess Delaney is the alter ego of Garrett Thorne, bad-boy brother of business tycoon Ellison Thorne. When Tess is nominated for the Golden Kiss Award, Garrett recruits PR specialist, Kendra Davis, to keep his secret and be Tess for the awards despite their mutual animosity. But when Tess is stalked by a rabid fan, an identity crisis is eclipsed by a battle for survival, and Tess Delaney, the woman who doesn’t exist, just might understand Kendra and Garrett’s hearts even better than they do.
Available from:
http://www.xcitebooks.co.uk/Book/7769/Identity-Crisis.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B2PLCOK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00B2PLCOK&linkCode=as2&tag=lucyfelthouse-21
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2PLCOK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B2PLCOK
Other links will be added here as they become available: http://gracemarshallromance.co.uk/books/identity-crisis/
*****
Excerpt:

Garrett felt like a naughty teenager as they sneaked out the back door, through the gate of the privacy fence and down the alley. He wore a shapeless track suit with the black hoodie pulled up over his head and a scruffy pair of Converse sneakers that weren’t exactly meant for dancing. And Kendra, well she hardly looked ratty, in his opinion. She wore low rider jeans, and where they weren’t hugging her body like a second skin, they were full of threadbare, flesh revealing holes. The black sweat top she wore was cut short enough to show a tantalizing flash of her navel and hips bones when she moved just right. It slid off one shoulder to reveal the thin lacy strap of a red bra. She wore all of her russet locks tucked up under a leather beret. Her fashion statement was topped off with black ankle boots. She looked very, very dangerous. And hot. Of course she didn’t need to dress the part for either, he thought. He was already certain on both counts.

‘You live a little closer to The Boiling Point than Dee does.’ She took his hand and nodded to where the alley T’ed with the street, and then gave way to the park on the other side. ‘She never goes there, of course. Well she did once, but that was just for Harris, then he hated it.’ She giggled. ‘God I wish I could have been there for that.’

‘Am I going to hate it?’ he asked.

She shook her head. ‘Probably not. You’re much more of a bad boy than Harris is, or is that all an act?’

The long line of shiny chrome Harleys out front of the squat cinder block building gave Garrett the first clue that this was not Dancing with the Stars. Kendra waved them away absently. ‘The Boiling Point’s not really a biker bar, but it’s kind of the warm-up act, I suppose you could say. Lots of bikers start off here before they head on to their usual haunts. Makes for an exciting mix. Later in the night there are almost no bikers. But there are always lots of interesting people.’

Any other time, Garrett would have been up for meeting interesting people, but tonight he couldn’t imagine anyone interesting him more than the woman on his arm. He paid the fee at the door and a surly man the size of small house with fire-engine hair and a scruffy beard stamped their hands with a red ink TBP.

Inside a live band had just begun to play to a full, but not yet crowded house. ‘The place gets raided from time to time,’ Kendra said. ‘I don’t know what all goes on. I just come here because it’s interesting.’

‘A good raid and us carted off to the police station will really give the press something to talk about,’ Garrett observed.

‘Don’t worry,’ she yelled to be heard above the band’s bass-heavy version of Highway to Hell. ‘They just got raided last week. They’ll be good to go for a while now. We can relax and enjoy ourselves.’ She pulled him onto the dance floor. ‘Best dance while there’s room. In a few hours it’ll be a real tit squeeze.’

Kendra Davis was just as stunning dark and dangerous as she was golden and romantic, as she was naked in his kitchen, and she definitely knew how to move on the dance floor. But it made Garrett more than a little nervous that he wasn’t the only one who seemed to be noticing the way the woman could shake her booty. He thought about asking her to try not to draw to much attention to herself, but he wasn’t even sure it was possible for Kendra Davis not to draw attention.

The place smelled of leather and beer, and sweat. Already there was a thick haze of pheromones invisible to the eye, but everyone there breathed them it, gave them off and reveled in the dark anticipation of what the night might bring. The look in Kendra’s eyes was bright and wicked, like she would do anything, try anything, like all the boundaries were suddenly negotiable.

And fuck, as amazing as she was like that, as much as he wanted to lose himself in the place, in the experience, there was no way he could keep from thinking about who might be watching her in that crowd, about who might be waiting for just the perfect opportunity.

As though she were reading his mind, she pulled him to her with a hand curled around his neck and spoke against his ear. ‘Oh would you relax, Garrett. Do you really think this is the kind of hang-out Tess Delaney would frequent?’

Then she slid both arms around his neck and let him pull her into a deep, hungry kiss. When it ended with an aggressive flick of his tongue, she offered a throaty giggle. ‘Marking territory, are we?’ Before he had a chance to respond, she returned the favor, plunging her tongue in deep, and tightening a fist in his hair to pull him closer.

He moved a hand to the small of her back and gave her the full frontal rub-up, enough to be sure she knew she’d gotten his cock’s attention. ‘You see where this is leading if you keep that up?’

She pulled away and gave his crotch some breathing room as the music settled into a heavy metal beat that filled the dance floor with lots of heavily booted bikers and their spandex and leather women. Garrett was surprised to find more than a few men in pressed jeans and designer polo shirts bellied up to the bar in the mix that looked like it was probably mostly low-brow. He wasn’t the only man who looked like he’d just come from a work out at the corner gym and Kendra’s shredded jeans seemed to be the fashion statement of more than a few women among a smattering of Goth and grunge and plain old red-neck jeans and tee-shirts with baseball caps.

With each song the band played, the dance floor became fuller and fuller. The strobe light flashed and the disco ball bathed the floor in sparkles as people rocked and strutted and sweated, and it became more and more difficult to tell who was dancing with whom. Garrett was about to grab Kendra by the hand and reel her back in so they could stay connected when a biker in a ZZ Top tee-shirt that smelled like an ashtray and looked like it might have been painted across his bulging pecs managed to slide in between them, turn his back on Garrett, and focus his full attention on Kendra. And suddenly all Garrett could see was his broad back.

‘Kendra,’ he called, but his voice was drowned out in the roar of Def Leppard. And that might have been okay if the man hadn’t been so fucking big. Kendra was certainly entitled to dance with whomever she liked. But he couldn’t see her. He fucking couldn’t see her! Not even her feet between the man’s shuffling boots. ‘Kendra!’ He called again. Louder this time. That at least got the man’s attention, but when he turned to see what Garrett wanted, and he could see beyond the biker’s bulk, Kendra was not there! The woman the man was dancing with had cropped blonde hair and a leather bustier several sizes too small.

‘Kendra!’ Garrett called out, louder this time, shoving his way past the biker, who pulled the blonde to him protectively. Frantically Garrett scanned the burgeoning crowd on the dance floor, scanned the women with hats. There were cowboy hats, police hats, even a few stocking caps, but there were just too many people, too many lights, too much noise. In his mind he could only think of Razor Sharp’s horrid email and Kendra’s response to it. Why the hell hadn’t he forced the issue? Why the hell hadn’t he made her tell him why she was so upset, made her tell him about the stalker Dee had mentioned. And fuck! Why had he let her talk him into bringing her here?

*****

Grace Marshall lives in South England with her husband and the growing gang of hooligan birds who frequent their feeders. When Grace isn’t busy writing something sexy and romantic, she’s busy digging in her ever-expanding veg garden or walking across the British countryside. She finds inspiration outdoors in nature, and most of her best story ideas come to her while she’s walking or gardening.

Grace is the author of the fast paced, quirky Executive Decisions Trilogy  published by Xcite Romance. The first and second novels in the trilogy are out now.

Grace Marshall’s alter-ego, K D Grace, writes critically acclaimed, best-selling erotic romance. Whether it’s sexy romance or romantic sex, between The Graces, there’s a story for you.

Find Grace here:

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GraceMarshallRomance

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GM_Romance

           

Lyric Videos? WTF

I have to admit, lyric videos have me a little perplexed. I mean, why spend money on something, when you're likely to be making another video?

It just doesn't make good sense, but then again, it gives your fans something to look at until the real thing comes along.

Case in point: Lady Antebellum's Downtown



But some are a bit more involved like Matchbox Twenty's She's So Mean



So what do you think? Cool or a waste of money for the band?

Intriguing Reads

Here are two books I've been contemplating buying from Carina Press, well three, if I get book one of The Magnocracy Series.

Vacant Graves: 

Description Book two of The Magnocracy Series Donovan Schist's current job was supposed to be an easy one: grab Phoebe Mosey before pimp and murderer Stanny Slash does, and drag her back home to Ohio--kicking and screaming if necessary. But when a blazing river halts their steam train in the middle of nowhere, the veteran turned detective starts to wish he had stayed in New York.

 With a homicidal Stanny hot on their trail--maybe poisoning Stanny's man was a bad idea--Donovan needs to get Phoebe out of Juniper Junction fast. Even if that means taking a few jobs for some quick cash.

He doesn't expect to find a mining company on the brink of war with a union, or bloodthirsty strike-breakers itching to use a steam tank and other weapons he hasn't seen since the War of Southern Secession. Or that underneath it all lies something much darker--an unspeakably diabolical conspiracy... For more Donovan Schist mysteries, check out Cruel Numbers.

Getting Skinny:

Owning a restaurant is as crazy for Nicky Landry as an alcoholic owning a bar. But despite having to cram herself into a body shaper to look decent in a dress, life is pretty good. She's throwing the party of the year for her graduating doctor boyfriend, Rob, who she's sure is going to propose--until his new girlfriend shows up at the party.

After ordering Rob to get his stuff out of her house and get lost, Nicky finds him faceup with her expensive Chroma knife sticking right out of his cheating heart. As the prime suspect, Nicky is in hot water. And no matter how hard she tries to clear her name, her problems only mount. She's convinced she can solve the murder--if only she can figure out the identity of the skinny person seen walking away with Rob after the party. Getting "Skinny" won't be easy for Nicky, but she never imagined it would be life or death...

This Wench Has One Thing To Say

Album Review: Dudley Saunders - Monsters

It has been 5 years since Dudley Saunders released an album, and that's 5 years too long.  He returns with Monsters a wonderfully moody and emotional folk music. His sound is like a mashup of James Taylor and Gordon Lightfoot.

What the essentially means, is that his songwriting is stellar and intelligent and very singable. His voice is melodic yet different; not traditionally beautiful, but one that grabs your attention.

Monsters is made up of ten songs, and this is one of the few times when you can say, each one is better than the last from the mellow folksy "We Were Right" to the wonderful live acapella "Coal Tattoo." The songs deal with the monsters in our lives that we are afraid of and the monsters we are.

It isn't a very upbeat album., yet is a beautiful listen.

There is something haunting and sad to "Zero Out (In These Boxes)" A song that tells of memories and not necessarily good ones, but ones that might want to be wiped from the slate.

"Monster" is another slow one. The melody is deceptively pretty at first. Haunting isn't the right word for this one. It is quite spooky, in an Edgar Allen Poe sort of way.

"Wheelchair in the 7-11 Parking Lot" is a rather long song title and a rather strange one. It is one of the saddest, no, the most depressing songs of the album. You heart breaks as Dudley sings "And all of this freedom is all beside the point When the limbs in your mind Bend on broken joints."

If that's not enough to give you pause "Rosewood Casket" will. The song of murder as you see in the opening line "Jonny killed his sweetheart when he was but fourteen. Stabbed her to the heart."

This isn't music to brighten your mood. It is like the songs of Dylan and Costello, it is music full of beauty and it is designed to make you think while you listen to the stories in the songs.

Dudley Saunders creates music not just for your ears but for your soul

Book Spotlight: The Earl Is Mine

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER Handsome, charismatic, and on the verge of becoming a successful architect, Gregory Sherwood, Lord Westdale, could have just about any woman he wants. So why rush to marry? So far there’s been only one woman he’s considered his ideal match. But that was before she had a secret affair with his best friend…with the help of an unwitting accomplice named Lady Pippa Harrington.

A PASSION TOO GOOD TO DENY Pippa may not have acted in her old friend Gregory’s best interests, but she’s always believed that the heart sets its own rules. This is why Pippa must escape her arranged marriage–fast–by fleeing to Paris, where she hopes to pursue her artistic passions. To do so, Pippa will need all the help she can get–from Gregory, the one man she isn’t sure she can trust…or resist….

Read an Excerpt: here


Kieran is running a fabulous giveaway at her site too if you pre-order The Earl Is Mine, the grand prize is a Kindle Fire or a Coach Bag!

Album Review: Ron Sexsmith - Forever Endeavor

Ron Sexsmith is one of those rare songwriters that just seem to get better as their career progresses.

On February 5, he releases Forever Endeavor. It is his thirteenth album.

Unlucky?

Only if you don't get to listen to it.

He sites his influences as Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe. He's toured with Nick on occasion.  His music falls somewhere in between the two for those haven't had the opportunity to listen to this Canadian songsmith.

He's a small part snark, and a large helping of acoustic goodness.

There's a lot of acoustic goodness here.

"Nowhere To Go" is the album's opening track. It is classic Sexsmith. Its moody, it's melancholy and above all else, it is beautiful.

Keeping up with the nowhere theme, "Nowhere Is" is the next track. A more up sounding track. I'm pretty sure Paul McCartney is somewhere wishing he'd written this one. The arrangement is sounds like 90s Macca, back when Linda was still alive to keep him in line.

"If Only Avenue" goes back to the Sexsmith formula. This song has the feel of a 60s pop ballad again, there seems to be a touch of Macca here.

One of the standout tracks is "Me, Myself and Wine." This was a song he wrote during some Nashville sessions. It was supposed  to be a country track, and though it has a bit of the old fashioned country twang, this song is more folk pop.

Another noteable track is "She Does My Heart Good." This is Sexsmith being perky and, dare it be said, perky. This is a catchy track that will easily work its way into your head, so that you are singing it for days on end. As Sexsmith describes it, "It's a straight up love song" and its hard to argue with that description.

"Snake Road" has a bit of an autobiographical vibe, especially if you've read his recent interview in The Guardian.

"Sneak Out The Back Door" is Ron's way to leave your lover. Who needs 50 ways, when you have Ron's easy way out!

Over all this is a solid album, with strong lyrics and elegant arrangements. It is everything you expect from Ron. He's definitely one of Canada's national treasures, right up there with Gordon Lightfoot.

This is a must have album for 2013

CBLS Book Review: Master Class

Master Class
by Cassandra Carr
Erotic Contemporary Romance
Published by Loose Id
Released Date: December 11, 2012
Heat Level: Sizzling
Word Count: 47,000

Available at:
Amazon | ARe | Loose Id

Blurb:
Ryan Tomasi feels like a failure. His marriage is officially over; the ink dried on the divorce decree. His friend Jack introduces him to BDSM and he agrees to attend a Halloween party at a club. A submissive approaches him, offering herself, and how can he refuse the kneeling beauty? They do a whirlwind scene and Ryan is addicted—both to dominance and to her.

Lisette Rinaldo is returning to the BDSM club for the first time since ending a bad relationship with her former master. She spots Ryan and is taken by the combination of self-assurance and nervousness the man displays as he takes in his surroundings. And after he gives her an incredible re-introduction to the lifestyle, she knows she needs to see the man again.

Ryan and Lisette explore each other and the lifestyle, but what started out as playtime quickly evolves into something more. The problem? Ryan isn’t ready to get serious again and Lisette doesn’t want to fall in love with a guy who can’t give all of himself to her. Both of them are going to have to break out of the bonds holding them back from happiness.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations (including BDSM/anal play/spanking) and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers.


Excerpt:

Lisette squirmed under his scrutiny. For a self-confessed novice Dom, he had the look down, that was for damn sure. “Can I say one thing not related to our current discussion, sir?”

Both eyebrows rose. “Of course.”

“You’re really good at that whole ‘staring a sub down’ thing.”

Ryan threw back his head and laughed. “I’m a professor. That’s the same look I use with wayward students.”

“A professor, huh?”

“Yes.”

He grinned, and Lisette was sure she was going to leave a wet spot on her harem pants if he kept that up. Woo boy.

What would it be like to be bent over his knee right in his classroom as he applied his large hand or a ruler to her bared ass? Would he do it in front of the rest of the students? Would he make her stand in the corner with her spanked ass on display afterward? Her pussy flooded, and she shifted.

“Lisette.”

His tone snapped her back to reality. “I apologize, sir.”

“We might have to work on that tendency to let your attention wander.”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded quickly.

“I asked you what you needed from tonight. I don’t like repeating myself.”

“I like to be spanked, sir. I haven’t been in a while, and I need one.”

“And how hard do you like to be spanked? I’m sorry if I’m asking a lot of questions, but as I said, I’m new to this, and I don’t want to hurt you.”

Risking censure, she reached up to touch his arm before pulling away. “It’s fine. I’d rather you asked the questions than muddled along, feeling uncomfortable. As far as how hard?” She shrugged. “You can spank me to tears. Like I said, I do like some pain.” She chewed the inside of her cheek, trying to decide if she wanted to admit what she was thinking. Deciding it was better to be honest with Ryan, she asked, “Would you like me to tell you what I was thinking about a little while ago when my attention wandered, sir?”

He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Sure.”

The words came out in a rush. “I was imagining being in your class, and you calling me out of my chair. You make me come to the front of the class and get over your knee. You bare my ass, even though there are other students there, and then pick up a ruler and start to spank me.”
Review: Every so often I venture into the world of erotica. I swear most erotic novels are BDSM these days, which isn't usually my thing, but Master Class caught my eye, and it didn't disappoint.

What I liked about Cassandra's book, is that there was more to it then just the sex part, which btw was very hot. This story also focused more on the relationship between Ryan and Lissette. 

I don't usually find the erotica I read to be erotic romance, but that's what Master Class is. Ryan and Lissette have a relationship that exists outside of the "club scene" which brings their characters to life more than if the story was one big BDSM scene.   So you get a romance that is almost sweet with the hot super spicy sex too.

The mixture was perfect and created an erotic novel that was satisfying and fun to read.

Rating: 5 stars

About the Author

Cassandra Carr is a multi-published, award-winning erotic romance writer with Ellora's Cave, Siren, Sybarite Seductions and Loose Id who lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Cassandra's book Caught was recently named Best BDSM Book 2011 by LoveRomancesCafe and Impact was named BDSM Book of the Month for May 2012 by BDSM Book Reviews.

For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, “like” her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.

Giveaway: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway Follow The Tour: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-barrage-master-class-by-cassandra.html

Cover Reveal: Dark Secrets

Blurb: Six years ago, Haidyn Mast left his home and his betrothed Anisa to follow his magical calling. Too weak to join the Arcane Guild and too ashamed to return home, he has made a life as a prostitute—to all outward appearances. In truth, he sells his mind but not his body, using magic to let his clients experience their most secret fantasies while his hands stay clean. Even the Lawman, the arbiter of justice in Reseda, is one of his clients, but Haidyn would rather not know the extent of that man's depravity. Though successful, Haidyn is shunned as a whore and his lack of formal training is causing his power to grow out of control. He's ready to retire and leave the city, but when he sees his Anisa standing at Lawman's side, he knows he must rescue her from the abusive enforcer. Risking his life and his sanity, he devises a plan, knowing that failure will mean death for him, and a lifetime of torment for her… For more Arcane stories, download Dark Vow today.

From Carina Press

How Depressing Can One Band Be?

Example:

The Band Perry's big hit: If I Die Young



The Band Perry's latest single: Better Dig Two

Movie Review: Ted

Blurb: Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane brings his boundary-pushing brand of humor to the big screen for the first time as writer, director and voice star of Ted. In the live action/CG-animated comedy, he tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish...and has refused to leave his side ever since.

Review: There are some movies that are just so ridiculous that you have to love them. Ted is one of them.

I mean Ted is a teddy bear that came to life as a result of a lonely boys Christmas wish. The opening scenes of the film sound just like a Christmas special!

That could take the film down a heartwarming road, but it doesn't.

Ted turns celebrity and then tailspins out of control with drugs and sex and general raunchy fun.

So if you think this is a kid friendly film, think again. It isn't. No matter how cute the bear is. Of course, if you want to explain some of the stuff to your pre-teens, go ahead, let them watch.

But there is more to it then the off color humor. There is Mark Wahlberg, who really plays up his Boston accent for this one. He's not usually a favorite actor here, but for some reason, he comes across as cute and almost sexy. And there is the fact that the movie really is about friendship and loyalty. I mean, John and Ted have been BFFs (Thunder Buddies) for years! Not many regular friendships last that long.

Yeah, it's raunchy and yeah its ridiculous and its mostly a guy film, until the end, when things are seemingly taking a turn for the worse when it comes to Ted. Then warm fuzzy feelings abound.

I have to admit I got more than a few chuckles out of this one.

It isn't the kind of movie that I could see myself spending $20.00 on, but for the price of a Redbox rental, it was good fun.

It's definitely a guy flick, but one some wenches will find amusing.

Album Review: Steve Winwood - Chronicles

There are some Greatest Hits albums that touch on all the wonderful aspects of a performers career. There are others that are just the tip of the iceberg. That's the case with Chronicles. It really isn't a good representation of Steve Winwood's career at the time of the release, which was the late 80s.

It didn't even give the listeners the bigger hits off his 1986 comeback album Back In The High Life. The selections from that album were mind boggling. You had the hit "Higher Love" but then he added "Wake Me Up On Judgement Day." Perhaps a better example of his songwriting, but what of "Freedom Overspill" and "The Finer Things" both huge hits for Winwood off that album.

The only single  on the album was the hit "Valerie" which can only be described as 80s music. Very synthy and very poppy. It first appeared on Talking Back To The Night

On a plus there is the wonderful "While You See A Chance" from Arc Of The Diver and "Vacant Chair" from his 77 album entitled Steve Winwood.

The album only touches on his solo career at the time so for people looking for songs from his Traffic days, well, they'll be disappointed.

It is a nice introduction to Steve's music, so for a newbie, this is a great album to start with.

Harlequin Cover Reveals!

Some gorgeous covers coming up for the March releases at HQN

THREE SISTERS by Susan Mallery
When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora's Box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he's right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she's lost herself, and she's in danger of losing her entire family if things don't change.
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WHERE DREAMS BEGIN 
Harlequin More Than Words Award Winners!
To celebrate the accomplishments of our MTW award winners, three bestselling authors— Sherryl Woods,Christina Skye, Author, & Pamela Morsi—have written short stories inspired by real-life heroines! FIND OUT MORE ► http://bit.ly/wDxTY6

BEFORE THE STORM by Diane Chamberlain Readers Page 
Fifteen-year-old Andy Lockwood is special. Others notice the way he blurts out anything that comes into his mind, how he cannot foresee consequences, that he's more child than teenager. But his mother sees a boy with a heart as open and wide as the ocean.
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I'm A Downton Abbey Addict & I'm Proud

I knew I never should have started watching this show, but several of my Facebook friends were really talking it up, so I had to watch it on Sunday night!

ARGH!

It is everything I love in a show.

It is a historical piece, set in England (That's always a plus for me) and the clothes are beautiful. Oh and did I mention Maggie Smith and Shirley Maclaine are in it?

That should be enough right there.

I know the shows on PBS are cut to ribbons, just like Doctor Who is on BBC America, but it is some gorgeous TV.

There is something about this show that just sucks you in. You feel like you've gone back in time, and for an hour or so you are in 1920s England, which seems to be a simpler place then 2013.

Now I've got to play catch up with the last two seasons.

Anyone else out there a Downton addict?

Now Here's An Idea

Have you noticed that with some movies, they give you a file that can be used on your tablets etc? Amazon even offers a free streaming for so many days on certain movie purchases, for those of us that aren't patient enough to wait for the darn thing to come in the mail.

But what about music?

What if you are one of those people, like me, that likes to own the CD, but doesn't want to wait for the hard copy to arrive.

Why not offer the album on the Cloud for those that buy them, or give a digital download with the album purchase.

I think I'd buy more music if this were something offered. Mostly because download files will always be available and if something happened to the disc, I'd still have my music.

Plus, it would just be nice...

Newish Ebook Site for Romance Readers

I just started getting emails from this new website, Discover New Love

I haven't decided if it is worth getting a membership for 6 months or not, because I haven't encountered any members yet.

I'm definitely not a leader in that way.

But $9.99 for 6 ebooks is awesome, even if it is a prepaid thing, because most of the paperback ebooks I read cost about $7.00 unless I get them on Net Galley to read.

It still looks like a great deal....though, what do you think?