"The Only Exception" by Gina Gordon

Okay!  Let me just start by saying...

Gina Gordon,

You rock my socks!

*and possibly my panties, but I am not sure how many people want to know that particular fact*

I have been in love with Gina's books since Miss Jessica Rabbit had a giveaway and I happened to be the winner for a great book called "Forever in Lingerie"... I was hooked.  Now I stalk her blog shamelessly waiting for everything new she can throw at me and this one did not disappoint.

*Yes I know I'm just shamelessly plugging away for Gina, but let me assure you it is all due to her merits.  Shes an excellent writer and very deserving of all the money that I have spent (which is really not a lot they are only a few dollars...so go buy them) and what I will spend on her in the future*

Yeah I guess I should review now...

The Only Exception

by Gina Gordon



Blurb from Amazon:

Two co-workers, one work retreat, and explosive chemistry. The Canadian winter doesn’t stand a chance.

For Caroline Carlson, business is business. She will not let her profession define her. She’ll never make that mistake again. When she finds herself forced to attend a manager’s retreat in the middle of winter, the line between business and pleasure is blurred. Especially, since she’s forced to spend the time with Hayden, the man who has secured the starring role in her sexy dreams.

Hayden Cross is the new manager on the block. The retreat is a chance to let loose and get away from the daily grind. Until one night when a chance encounter with Caroline at a club morphs his plan into a personal dare. Mesmerized by the sexy woman writhing on the dance floor, he knows she's his fantasy come to life.

Caroline is convinced that Hayden is just another man who wants the fantasy, but his sexual advances are too hard to ignore. The more time they spend together the hotter it gets, and the Canadian winter doesn't stand a chance.

My Review:

My favorite thing about Gina's books are that they are super short, but they are absolutely jam packed with goodness.  I have held on to my sanity with her amazingly wonderful little bits of smut.  This one was no disappointment either.  I have been stressing from math and a should be (don't kick my butt Gina) getting started on the reading for the Passionate Plume Contest, but I needed something for me.

It was exactly what I needed.

The character Caroline was wonderful.  How many women these days try to live in a corporate world and be taken seriously.  I was born in a redneck community and later joined the military so I have seen plenty of men not taking women seriously.  I could relate to her struggle in trying to keep professional.

Then there was Hayden and hell...If I was her I wouldn't have held out as long as she did.  He is smoking!  He is the quintessential office guy as far as Caroline can can tell.  He just happens to be a sexy on and have a thing for her too.

She sets out on this office outing trying to keep up her professional appearance and in the end she lets down her guard and gets to know everyone.  Especially Hayden ;)

The sex is steamy, the romance is wonderful.  I loved it.  Is there really anything else to say?

*My reviews are personal opinion only. Any books that have been given to me were strictly for review and were in no way influenced by monetary gain*

In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to show off the books that you have gotten through out the week be they from someone, a swap, you buy them yourself, or the library. This brings books to light that some people may not normally check out.

Well this week was a little... anti climactic

It feels as if I have done nothing, but math this whole week (probably because its true) and I am so sick of equations and solutions...my solution. 

Burn that shit! 

A math book is the only book that should ever be burned.

Sorry if any of you are *gasp* logical thinkers and you like that sort of thing, but its like pulling teeth for me.

See...its turning me into bitch of the week!!!

 

Oh so enough of my ranting here is what I got

 

For school:

 

Close Range by Annie Proulx

This book has 8 stories including "Brokeback Mountain"

Man I love my Pop Lit teacher!!!

 

From PBS:

 

Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Wishlisted this on cover alone so hoping its good

 

See...Anti Climactic

Especially after the past few weeks and all the books, but I'm not wishlisting and I'm downsizing the wishlist I already have because of all the reading I have planned lately with school and for the blog.  I had a few that I wanted to review 2 weeks ago that I read, but it never happened.

 

Oh well...

How was everyone week??

Adventures in Lit

I'm am enrolled in 2 Literature classes this semester.  YAY!!!

 Here is my first assignment in my Intro to Lit class.

I chose to do an analysis on a poem about abortion.  Though I have never had one I have had to struggle through that decision once and thus it was the poem that most effect on me.  Its a little morbid, very real, and something most people never face, but if you ever do you can ppreciate the struggle.

So here it is.  My first adventure in Lit class!

The poem:

"The Lost Baby Poem" by Lucille Clifton

the time i dropped your almost body down

down to meet the waters under the city

and run one with the sewage to the sea

what did i know about waters rushing back

what did i know about drowning

or being drowned

you would have been born in winter

in the year of the disconnected gas

and no car

we would have made the thin walk

over the genecy hill into the canada winds

to let you slip into a stranger's hands

if you were here i could tell you

these and some other things

and if i am ever less than a mountain

for your definite brothers and sisters

let the rivers wash over my head

let the sea take me for a spiller of seas

let black men call me stranger always

for your never named sake

My Analysis:

I chose to analyze "The Lost Baby Poem" because it had more effect on me than any of the other poems that we have read so far. I have never had an abortion, but I have had to deal with the possibility of an abortion before and make a decision for myself and consider the possible guilt and consequences that would go along with my decision.

The title of the poem speaks a lot about what she is feeling. "The Lost Baby Poem" sounds like she is feeling the loss emotionally. She couldn’t know what that loss would be before, but now after the fact she is feeling the loss and the guilt and despair that accompanies it. Also on a more literal level she is talking about the baby that she lost. The one she will never know.

In the beginning of the poem you get the feeling or her despair and hopelessness. She talks about the experience and uses the metaphor of drowning to give you the feel of her being swallowed up by guilt for what she has done. She says "What did I know about drowning" which speaks to that fact that she could not imagine the despair that she now feels from that actions that she took.

The second stanza changes into justification of her actions. It speaks about her being in a bad place in her life and not capable of the care of a child especially with the passage "in the year of the disconnected gas and no car". Then she continues with further justification of not giving her unborn child a chance and giving that child away to strangers by the passage "we would have made the thin walk over genesee hill into the canada wind to watch you slip like ice into strangers' hands". It seems as if she felt that her child wouldn’t have had much of a chance even if she were to give it up to someone else.

In the end she seems to be reflective of the experience and then she seems to find resolve for the future. She intends to be a "mountain" for her future children. She wants to be strong and steady and there for her future children. She goes as far as vowing to herself that she would be that rock or she would welcome the punishment and ostracisation from her own people for her actions if she were to not follow through by saying "let black men call me stranger always for your never named sake"

Dear Math...I hate you!!!

Why oh why do I have to suffer through this torture???

Not only do I have to go through at least 2 semesters of this crap, but it is being taught by a tiny jerk off of a Indian man with a bad accent and most likely hasnt been laid in a century.  Seriously man...Pull this stick out of your ass!

Why cant I have a teacher like this?

Yeah that would be nice....

*sigh*

True I would most likely never accomplish anything if I had a hot teacher, but damn.  At least I wouldn't feel like shooting myself in the foot.

I am an English major for shits sake!!!  Just leave me in me little fantasy world.

In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to show off the books that you have gotten through out the week be they from someone, a swap, you buy them yourself, or the library. This brings books to light that some people may not normally check out.

Despite my shit storm of a week I have gotten quite a few books.  I wont be able to read much in the next week or so getting used to my spring schedule.

I dont know about you, but I am a firm believer that to every action there is an equal, but opposite reaction.  My life is direct proof of it.  It feels like I cant just relish the little happienesses lately.  Im trying so hard though.  This blog, my firends (online and in person), and my lit classes are keeping me going, but then there is my own personal hormonal issues, certain other people that try to bring me down, and my latest annoyance in my jerky math teacher.  Anyway enough of my bitching.  Im just trying to get it out so I can keep going.

Here is what I recieved this week

Via PBS

How to Abduct a Highland Lord

To Catch a Highlander

To Scotland with Love

The Laird Who Loved Me

& Sleepless in Scotland

by Karen Hawkins

The Maiden's Hand & At The Queens Summons

by Susan Wiggs

The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox

Red-Hot and Royal by Susanna Carr

Midnight Rising by Lara Adrian

All Night with a Rouge by Alexandra Hawkins

Here are some that FINALLY came from B & N

The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica, Volume 3: The Latest Annual Collection edited by Maxim Jakubowski

Deja Demon: The Days and Nights of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner

Wicked by Sasha White

Submission by Cherie Feather

Under the Blood Red Moon by Mina Hepsen

Untouchable (Emperor's Bride, Book 1) by Linda Winstead Jones

Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson

Endangered by Kathleen Dante

Here are the last ones I got this week from book stores around



Fluke by Christopher Moore

Forbidden Pleasure by Lora Leigh

Innocence by Kathleen Tessaro

Here is a few pictures from the weekend for your viewing pleasure as well
*yes I have a baby face and I am told constantly that I'll love it when I get older.  Chubby cheeks, dimples, and freckles make me look more like a fresh out of highschool kid that a woman pushing 30*

I absolutely love her... I'm just saying!

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to show off the books that you have gotten through out the week be they from someone, a swap, you buy them yourself, or the library. This brings books to light that some people may not normally check out.

Here we go for this week.  I got a few things, but nothing close to last week.

I got one thing from Paperbackswap

Tumbling Through Time by Gwen Cready

I bought a few things from the used book store next to my house

(Its so tempting passing buy every day)

True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson

Guilty Pleasure by Lora Leigh

Ruthless by Anne Stuart

Cravings (Anthology) by LK Hamilton and others

The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart

The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart

The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs

Some that I ordered from Amazon over Christmas and have just arrived

Being With Him by Jessica Inclan

Necking by Chris Salvatore

Here are the books for my 2 Lit classes this semester

Just got them in this week

And here is something that wasn't necessarily in my mailbox more like at my doorstep, but awesome just the same

My Best Friend!!!

And she came bearing gifts...

2 cute bracelets and a handmade cloth recipe holder book

She couldn't have come at a better time cause last night I had car trouble.  She cheered me up after she let me have a little pity party.  I can be dramatic and overreact sometimes :) 

So I am out a car for a day while trying to arrange transportation and getting my car fixed during a holiday weekend...ARGGGG

Transportation is covered for this week though which is wonderful, because I start my spring semester on Tuesday. 

So what did everyone else get in their mailbox this past week???



In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to show off the books that you have gotten through out the week be they from someone, a swap, you buy them yourself, or the library. This brings books to light that some people may not normally check out.

Yay for the new year!  It is 2011 and I am back from vacation.  I came home to a ton of books.  I have absolutely no room on my shelves, but I am happy to start the year off right regardless.  Lets just hope I can keep up with my reading in conjunction to a full college semester.  Anyway...yeah I'm rambling.  Here is what I recieved in my mailbox this week!

Here are some goodies that I won over the holidays

 This I recieved from Marta Acosta over at Vampire Wire
a copy of The Red Tree by Caitlan Kiernan aand a few bookmarks and postcards on of them had a little note from Marta.  Havent gotten to this book yet, but it looks really good

This is what I won over at  Book ♥ Soulmates

a copy of A Princess in His Bed by Lila DiPasqua and let me tell you this book is awesome!  Already devoured it and was very pleased.  It is a book with 3 short stories.  I also go a signed ornament, bookplate, and bookmark and a couple other goodies from the author that included a teaser for her other book "Awakened by a Kiss" that I'm gonna get my hands on asap

Here are the books I recieved from paperbackswap

I already read The Year of Living Shamelessly by Susanna Carr and I have to tell you it was amazing.  I was planning on posting a review when I got the chance since I added another challenge to my list this year.

The others I got were:

The Dangerous Book for Deamon Slayers by Angie Fox

The Masquerade by Brenda Joyce

Wicked by Shannon Drake

A Pirates Love by  Johanna Lindsey

Underfoot by Leanne Banks

Love Me Forever by  Johanna Lindsey

Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan

Hot Number by Carly Phillips

The Chick and the Dead by Casey Daniels

Here are some of the books I ordered with my amazon gift card

Ghouls Gone Wild by Victoria Laurie

Spiders Bite by Jennifer Estep

"Flirting with Forever" and "Aching for Always" by  Gwyn Cready

" Red-Headed Stepchild" and "The Mage in Black" by Jaye Wells

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Vamped by Lucienne Diver

Assassin's Honor by Monica Burns (damned it that cover isnt the hottest thing!)

Pleasure U by Carole Hart
*Dear Miss Jessica Rabbit told me about this one and already at page 52 I believe it was well worth getting*


I also snagged a few new ebooks on my kindle
No Rest for the Wicca by Toni LoTeimpio *given to me for review*
and I bought
"Wicked Ride" and "Her Five Favorite Words" from Gina Gordon
She's just amazing and I love her work!


Thats it for my week...I am swimming in books right now and couldn't be happier

My First Review

This is my first review for the Paranormal Romance challenge that's being hosted by Bitten by Paranormal Romance.

The book I chose to review first is...

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

by H.P. Mallory

Blurb from authors website:

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead.

A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover.

A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda;

one that includes an appetite for witches.

The Underworld in a state of chaos.

Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

Now its time for my review of the book...Bare with me I'm new to actually writing these.  I could talk about books all day long so I'm not really sure why I'm nervous about writing it.

 

This book was great!  It was everything I hoped for with the cheeky cartoon cover and more.  There was a lot more than just bubblegum paranormal romance to it though.  I expected it to be a cute and fun read, but then the author threw in twists and suspense and a good amount of heat and anticipation too. 

 

I have read a lot of authors lately that switch to different character perspective, but this one sticks strictly to the heroines perspective.  It reads like a diary of a good friend telling you and enthralling story.  The story had a lot of jumps in time between the chapters, but it in no way took away from the story.

 

I loved the characters in this book.  The heroine in this story is Jolie.  She is extremely relatable with her insecurities.  She is just the right mix of insecure and sassy quirkiness and I loved watching her grow through this story.  I really enjoyed the relationship between her and her best friend too.  They balance each other out well in the story.

 

I adored the dreamy hero Rand.  The whole broody man that shouldn't fall for the heroine, but he just cant help himself.  Reading about the developing relationship makes you feel like your actually in the midst of the relationship and going through the initial flirtation and the getting to know each other and then on to the sexual tension and there is plenty on that.

 

There are several other characters and Miss Mallory does a wonderful job introducing them as well there is a bitchy evil witch , a sexy hunk vamp, a super hot werewolf and a few others that round out this book and make it a great introduction to the series.  Overall this was a great book.  Ill be keeping up with this series for sure.

*My reviews are personal opinion only. Any books that have been given to me were strictly for review and were in no way influenced by monetary gain*