Mini Book Review: To Touch a Sheikh by Olivia Gates

Title: To Touch a Sheikh
Author: Olivia Gates
Series: Book #3 in the The Pride of Zohayd series
Release Date: 2 August 2011
Number of pages: 192 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, Amazon, Kindle store, Book Depository

Grade: 2 stars

Novellus malus!

Goodreads appetizer: The Sheikh's Surrender

No one gets past Prince Amjad Aal Shalaan's defenses. No one. But when Princess Maram shows up at Amjad's gala in her father's place, destroying Amjad's plans to reclaim what was stolen from his family, Amjad sees red... and uses a freak sandstorm to make her his prisoner of passion.

Swept to safety by the man she's always loved from afar, Maram knows she has one chance to make Amjad see her as a woman. His woman. But when the impossible prince and the unstoppable princess take shelter from the storm, neither is prepared for the aftermath of their desire...

My Thoughts: I love exotic royal romances, I guess they remind me of the 1001 Nights Tales I loved as a child. The premise of this one sounded like it would be a hot and fun story, but To Touch a Sheikh bored me pretty soon. I found the initial sparring match between the hero and heroine boring and redundant. They kept calling each other names in Arabic which the author then translated and repeated in their dialogue (like "prince hateful", "princess all talk", etc.) and it went on and on.

The other thing that stuck out to me was that despite being rival royal families, and the hero considering the heroine's family the "enemy" and despicable thieves he banters with the heroine as one would with their childhood bff, he is too genial and teasing.

Verdict: Not only the characters and writing didn't grab my attention at the beginning but the stuffy repetitive dialogue turned me off of To Touch a Sheikh. Sadly this wasn't for me, so I left it off at 10%.

Plot: 6/10
Characters: 2/10
Writing: 4/10
Cover: 7/10

Buy it:

Interview with Lacie Nation + Excerpt

Today I'd like to introduce you to Lacie Nation, the author of Courageous Dare, an emotional contemporary romance novel featuring a military man and a sweet vet.

Stella: Hi Lacie, welcome to Ex Libris! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

LA: I live in Ga with a wonderful man whom loves me very much, even when I’m in a mood. I write from a very deep place and because of that when I’m in the middle of an emotional scene I normally sob like crazy.

Stella: Your second novel Courageous Dare, a contemporary romance featuring a military hero was published on 21 November 2011, can you tell readers what they can expect of Courageous Dare? Is it a romantic suspense novel or rather an emotional contemporary romance? (Or maybe both?)

LA: Courageous Dare is an emotional read. There is a little suspense in it, but mostly emotion both sad and happy.

Stella: Can you tell us a behind the scene secret about Courageous Dare? Either about what inspired it or something about the writing process?

LA: LOL…there was a particular scene in Courageous Dare where all I could think about during the writing process was ‘how would I feel if someone told me this?’ I was hysterical and had to go lay down after the scene was finished. I won’t give away what happens, or what the scene consist of, but it was probably the most emotional thing I’ve written.

Stella: A soldier hero, fellow soldier characters, war, these are not easy subjects, what kind of research did you do for Courageous Dare to make it believable and authentic?

LA: I asked questions, read things on the website, and asked more questions. Every military aspect of this story had to be as close to reality as possible. Our service men and women put their life on the line for us, so I wanted to make sure the parts involving the military were done right. One part particularly had to be as close to perfect as I could get it. I spent weeks asking questions and reading procedures. I wanted to be as respectful as I could.

Stella: What was the most challenging about writing Courageous Dare?

LA: Making sure the military aspect of the story was done right. Without giving details about the story away, I had to ask some very hard questions about how certain things would be handled.

Stella: Can you summarize Courageous Dare Twitter style (140 characters or less)?

LA: A risky dare, passionate sex, tragedy, and family are make Courageous Dare.

Stella: Could you introduce to our readers the characters of Courageous Dare?

LA:

Baylee Crawford

Height: 5ft 8in

Hair color: Blond

Eyes: Blue

Occupation: Veterinarian

Accepted a dare to have sex with a stranger and met her soul mate.

Nash Jensen

Hair Color: Auburn

Eyes: Blue-green

Occupation: Staff Sgt U.S. Army

Never realized the girl he saw in his friend’s family pictures would be the woman he’d long to spend his life with.

Stella: If Courageous Dare was made into a movie, who would be your dream cast?

LA: You know, I’ve been asked this question several times and I can honestly say that I have no idea. Although I don’t know who I would want to play my characters, they must be able to convey the emotion in the right way.

Stella: What shall we be on the lookout for, what is next on your schedule?

LA: I’m working on a book called, The Weeping Willow Tree. It’s still early in the works, but is coming along very nicely. I’m getting into the parts where emotions run deeply so I’m excited about that. Writing the drama is my favorite part!

Stella: Have you always loved romance novels? Which books are your favourite/or did you read recently? Or any other genres you like to read? Any favourite authors/novels you’d recommend?

LA: As long as a book has a great plot and the story moves along I will read it. I’m not genre specific. I am currently reading (when I have a minute to take a breath) The Dark Hunter series. So far I like them. I’m a HUGE fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series as well. If a book doesn’t grab me in the first couple of pages I will likely put it down and not pick it up again. If you like vampires, action and sex then I would recommend both these series of books.

Title: Courageous Dare
Author: Lacie Nation
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Length: 160 Pages, eBook Format
Sub-Genres: Contemporary, Military

Baylee Crawford thought she had her whole life figured out, right up until she accepts a scandalous little dare involving a mysterious man that makes her throw caution to the wind. When she falls completely in love with her mystery man, how will she cope when she has to say goodbye to him as he leaves for war?

When a tragedy threatens to tear her world apart, Baylee is left feeling lost and has no idea how to help her family in the midst of this loss. Follow Baylee and Nash through a tale of love, passion, longing, war, and tragedy.

Buy at Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Secret Cravings Publishing

EXCERPT

Without fear or uncertainty in Baylee’s voice, she spoke in her way of challenging Jamie. “Dare.”

Jamie’s smile spread even wider, and she nodded slowly. She took a shot before saying, “I dare you to have sex with a stranger.”

A collective gasp swept around the room. Suddenly, this game had taken a turn from the occasional strip tease and random kiss to something else entirely. Baylee laughed and thought for a moment. She hadn’t been with a man in a very long time, not since her relationship ended a year ago. She never thought she’d sleep with some random man, but when her gaze fell upon the man sitting next to her, she made her decision.

She smiled at Jamie, stood up, and extended her hand to the delicious looking man sitting to her right. Shock passed over his face. He shook his head slightly, grabbed her hand, and followed her lead. Baylee looked over her shoulder to her best friend. She had to laugh a little at the look of total astonishment on Jamie’s face.

Baylee’s heart pounded harder in her chest the closer she got to her bedroom. Stopping at the door, she took a deep breath before turning the knob. Walking in, she took another deep breath and turned.

He leaned back against the door, causing it to latch with a soft click. Head down, the fedora covered his whole face, with the exception of his lips in a slightly dark, sexy smile. When Baylee heard the lock click, she clenched her thighs together in anticipation.

Taking a step toward her, he asked softly, “What should I call you?”

The deep timber of his voice sent chills down her spine and when she said “Baylee,” her voice sounded breathy. She never realized her voice could sound sultry.

“What should I call you?”

“Nash.”

His name, the only thing he said before he pressed his lips to hers gently. She didn’t think. Instead she deepened the kiss, tracing her tongue along his bottom lip. He opened his mouth sliding his tongue into hers. She moaned at his taste, whiskey, mint, and the slightest hint of cigarette smoke. A strange combination she found mouth watering.

“Tell me you’re sure about this. Tell me you want me.”

Desperation. The only word she could use to describe the way he sounded.

“Yes,” she gasped as he nipped the place where her shoulder met her neck.

Her answer seemed to be the only encouragement he needed. His hands moved down her body, stopping at the hem of her dress. When he pulled back to look at her once more, she gave him a nod of permission.

One sweep of his arms left her standing in nothing more than her panties, gloves, and heels. Swaying her hips in her best exotic dancer impression, she rolled her gloves off, letting them drop to the ground. She sauntered the three steps he had put between them when he removed her dress. She slowly lifted the hat off his head, revealing his deep auburn colored hair, cut really short on the sides and slightly longer on top.

Her hands ghosted down the back of his neck, over his shoulders, and across his chest to the buttons on his vest. As she worked the buttons, he put his hands on both sides of her face and kissed her so passionately, her knees nearly buckled. Once she got the vest off, she had no patients for the shirt buttons. She ripped them open with both of them groaning in delight at the sounds of buttons hitting the wall and hardwood floor. With their hands working together, his clothes quickly became a pile on the floor next to hers.

She moved to take her shoes off, but he stopped her, shaking his head slowly with a devious grin on his face. The way his eyes seemed to drink her in made her lightheaded.

“I want to taste you.”

About the author:

Lacie lives in Ga with her boyfriend of five years and their dog, Libby. She spends most of her time reading and writing. She writes from a very personal place and finds that creating a story based off of things she has been through is very cleansing. She is extremely close to her family so she tends to use little quirks that she loves from her family members to create characters that are realistic.

You can learn more about Lacie and her books at her website / blog / Facebook


Lacie is on a virtual book tour right now, you can follow her to learn more about the story and the author.

Mini Book Review: Enticed by His Forgotten Lover by Maya Banks

Title: Enticed by His Forgotten Lover
Author: Maya Banks
Series: Book #1 in the Pregnancy & Passion series
Release Date: 6 September 2011
Number of pages: 192 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, Amazon, Kindle store, Book Depository

Grade: 2.5 stars

Novellus malus!

Goodreads appetizer: ""Have we met?""

Answer: a right hook Because Bryony Morgan pulls no punches. Even when she's very pregnant and facing down the father of her unborn child. She fell for wealthy hotelier Rafael de Luca when he courted her for her beachfront real estate. Then he disappeared. Now, she's in New York for answers--and she won't accept a brush-off.

But selective amnesia after a crash has Rafael puzzled. How could he ever forget a combustible beauty like Bryony? Solution: return to the island where they met, and relive the unforgettable nights in question--until he remembers everything...

My Thoughts: Enticed by His Forgotten Lover was an OK read but nothing spectacular or memorable. The story was quite the usual, nothing new, nothing fresh, nothing unique. A quick read but one that won't stay with you long enough. The characterisations remained sketchy, I could have done with getting a more developed picture of the hero/heroine. We got a bit of a background on the hero, but the heroine remained a complete mystery. Nothing about her life, her family, background, what she does, what she likes, she remained quite the mysterious ghost-like heroine.

What I really liked about this book was the relationship between the hero and his 3 best friends. I very much would love to read more about them, but other than that Enticed by His Forgotten Lover wasn't such a hit with me, and I doubt I will remember much about it.

Plot: 6/10
Characters: 6/10
Writing: 7/10
Ending: 6/10
Cover: 9/10

Buy it:

February Flashback

February was just as busy or even more than January: I had to study for my final bar exam and Ex Libris was celebrating its 2nd Blogoversary so it most certainly was an eventful month! :-) 

Books read

1. Enticed by His Forgotten Lover by Maya Banks (Book #1 in the Pregnancy & Passion series)
2. To Touch a Sheikh by Olivia Gates (Book #3 in the Pride of Zohayd series) - DNF
3. Busted in Bollywood by Nicola Marsh
4. Caught in Heat by Miranda Stowe (Book #1 in the Half-Breed Shifters series)
5. Slayer's Kiss by Cassi Carver
6. The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen (Book #3 in the Sons of the Revolution series)
7. Mask of the Gladiator by Georgie Lee
8. A Waltz at Midnight by Crista McHugh
9. Dreams of Wolf by Miranda Stowe (Book #2 in the Half-Breed Shifters series)
10. The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst
11. Table for One by Ros Clarke
12. Rule of Three by Kelly Jamieson
13. Body Temperature and Rising by K.D. Grace

Books reviewed

As I had my final bar exam in February and was busy studying as well as due to the Blogoversary Celebrations going on, I didn't post many reviews on the blog this month, but fear not, I will make more than up for it in March! ;-)

1. Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox *
2. The Pet Shop by K.D. Grace *
3. Mask of the Gladiator by Georgie Lee


Books I liked the best this month:

I had read so amny amazing books this month I can't narrow it down any more:

Busted in Bollywood by Nicola Marsh

"Busted in Bollywood is an entertaining, funny romantic chick lit (reminded me of Sophie Kinsella's books and heroines), the narrator's voice was fresh and funny, and the setting was very colourful due to the Indian culture and traditions as well as all the exotic food and smells. The story got a bit slow in the middle, but still a very enjoyable read!

Nicola Marsh's writing is wonderfully evocative, the picture she painted of Mumbai was pulsing with life (and noise!). I'll definitely check out other books by her!

Busted in Bollywood was a nice, entertaining story which will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy with a smile on your face! My detailed review will be posted soon."

The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen 

What a wonderful story! It had pirates, sea battles, a feisty and brave heroine, a charming and honourable rogue hero, and of course a great heart-tingling romance. I loved The Rogue Pirate's Bride and can't wait to read Shana Galen's other books!

My detailed review was posted on the blog on March 1st.

Mask of the Gladiator by Georgie Lee

Read my review

I can't remember the last time I've read such a teeny short story (50 pages) and was so satisfied with the outcome! Mask of the Gladiator is superbly written, and despite its shortness it gives a well developed and wholesome story. I loved it!

Book I liked the least this month:

To Touch a Sheikh by Olivia Gates

This was a did-not-finish book for me, you can read why in my detailed review which will be posted on March 8th.

Reading Challenges:

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge: 26/170 books read, 144 to go
Romance and Me Reading Challenge: 1/12 books read, 11 to go
Historical Romance Reading Challenge: 4/12 books read, 8 to go
E-Book Reading Challenge: 24/150 books read, 126 to go
Men in Uniform Reading Challenge: 2/10 books read, 8 to go

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge: 0/10 book read, 10 to go
Speculative Romance Reading Challenge: 10/12 book read, 2 to go
Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge: 3/24 books read, 21 to go
Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge:2/12 books read, 10 to go
Why Buy the Cow Reading Challenge: 0/12 books read, 12 to go
Fairy Tales Retold Reading Challenge: 1/6 book read, 5 to go
Harlequin Silhouette Reading Challenge: 2/6 book read, 4 to go
Erotic Reading Challenge: 0/20 books read, 20 to go
1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 10/20 books read, 10 to go
2nd in a Series Reading Challenge: 1/20 books read, 19 to go
NetGalley Reading Challenge: 15/30 books read, 15 to go

I can never resist reading challenges (they were the ones responsible for giving me that final push to start my own a blog) and I just like to see in which categories the books I'm reading fit into.

If you like romance and you would like to challenge yourself and discover some romance sub-genre out of your comfort zone come and join the Romance and Me Reading Challenge I'm hosting with Book Lovers Inc. where we'll read 1 novel from a different romantic sub-genre every month. Monthly giveaways sweeten the pot as well ;-) You can read about the details and sign up HERE.

February was Romantic Suspense month and March will be Contemporary Romance month!

Events:

Ex Libris celebrated its 2nd Blogoversary with a month-long party with lots of illustrous and beloved guests! You can find their posts, interviews and enter all the giveaways until March 15th HERE!

Romance and Me Reading Challenge - Book Suggestions for March

March is Contemporary Romance month in The Romance and Me Reading Challenge! 

Up until last year I wasn't a fan of contemporary romance stories, I even disliked them, but now it is one of my favourite! You want to know what happened? I discovered some amazing authors and terrific series.

The Contemporary Romance subgenre is one  the most varied romance subgenre and you can find all kinds of wonderful books and authors to introduce you to or make you fall in love with it.

Here are a few of my personal favourites:

Erin Nicholas

In my opinion you simply can't go wrong with Erin! All of her books are amazing: funny and sexy, in short: outstanding!

To get a first taste you can read my review of

Just Right

Just Like That

Just My Type

Anything You Want

Jill Shalvis

I just recently discovered her Lucky Harbor series but it instantly became one of my favourite!

To get a first taste you can read my review of

Simply Irresistible

Candis Terry

Another wonderful author with a sweet, sexy and funny small town romance series!

To get a first taste you can read my review of

Any Given Christmas

Kristan Higgins

Kristan's books are unique: she writes such emotional romances that you'll tear up one moment then laugh the next. Her stories always warm my heart!

To get a first taste you can read my review of

All I Ever Wanted

My One and Only

Until There Was You

Julie James

Her writing is equally fantastic, I can only recommend her books!

You can't go wrong with any novels from these wonderful authors!

If you'd like to sign up for the challenge, you can do so HERE.

Romance and Me Reading Challenge - Link Up Your Reviews for March

If you have signed up for The Romance and Me Reading Challenge (or if you'd like to sign up for the challenge, you can do so HERE) you can submit your reviews of Contemporary Romance novels read and reviewed in March in the linky below.

And as March is Contemporary Romance month, thanks to the generosity of contemporary romance author Diane Escalera, the winner will receive a copy of Dangerous Desire by Diane Escalera, an exciting and steamy romance I enjoyed a lot! (Diane's latest release Still Hot For You hits the virtual shelves this month, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!)

Dangerous Desire by Diane Escalera

Sometimes you have to lose one thing to find another.

Sienna Diaz is desperate to find her missing beagle, no matter what it costs. She hires Cruz Santino, the best-and hottest-in the business. He's an ex cop, dangerous on many levels, which comes in handy when all evidence indicates her beloved pet was snatched to use in a dogfighting ring.

Cruz will do whatever it takes to find Sienna's lost pet, but he also wants results from the smokin' hot attraction between them-and he isn't above breaking his own hands-off-clients rule to get there. However, until he brings her beloved beagle home safely, he won't have Sienna's undivided attention...and affection.Strong language, caliente sex, violence, and a dangerously hot rescue.

Buy at Amazon

Read my review

So if you have read a contemporary romance novel in March and have reviewed it, leave the link to be entered in the giveaway.

To be included in March's giveaway you have to submit your review by April 1st, but even if you include it later you'll be in for the annual drawing, so now worries, you'll just miss out on the monthly one.

Please remember to put the direct link to your review and not to your blog url!

Good girls gone bad by Kelly Jamieson + Giveaway

Please give a warm welcome to Kelly Jamieson who stops by today to celebrate the release of her latest erotic title Rule of Three and tell you about what it is that intrigues and excites us about ménage stories, and she is also giving away a prize if you answer our little informal poll! ;-)

Good girls gone bad

by Kelly Jamieson

I’ve written a lot of blog posts lately about ménage à trois romances and what the appeal is. Obviously, having two hot guys around means double the pleasure, double the fun! But looking at the heroines of both my last two releases (Rule of Three and One Wicked Night) and how they ended up doing such naughty things, I wonder what more there is to it.

Both the heroines in my last two books end up in unconventional ménage à trois relationships, and they both have something else in common―they’re both considered “good girls”. Kaelin in One Wicked Night is dutiful, responsible and cautious. She sacrificed a law career to come back to her home town to care for family, and even though she doesn’t have to stay there any more she feels tied there by her own fear of taking a risk. Everyone in town thinks she’s a sweetheart who volunteers and helps others. Kassidy in Rule of Three grew up in a family where she was the “good sister”. Her sister rebelled against their parents, lives a different lifestyle and mocks Kassidy for her “safe” choices, her steady, supportive boyfriend and her predictable corporate job.

So how do such good girls end up doing such naughty things?

Women often have so many responsibilities – parents, children, husband, careers, volunteer work. All these things can take us away from attending to our needs, possibly needs for passion and adventure and excitement. Often we deny our sexual needs, pretending that we don’t experience lust or desire, or pushing those feelings away because we don’t have time for them. How often do women put aside our own wants and needs? How often do we put ourselves first? So often, we don’t. I know I’ve been there and done that and I don’t regret it, but I’ll admit to a deep down longing for something more — more passion, more adventure, a desire to be put first. Sometimes we might not even recognize what it is we want. Maybe we’re tired of being good all the time.

According to the psychological principal of “splitting”, women often separate the “bad girl” parts of ourselves, things like hate and envy and (gasp) lust, from the “good girl”. So maybe part of the appeal of the ménage à trois is the fantasy of letting ourselves be something other than the “good girl”. We can be bad. We can be lustful, sexy, desirable―so desirable that TWO men want us. We can be passionate and seek out adventure and excitement―even if it’s through the pages of a hot and sexy romance novel.

What do you think — do you have a naughty bad girl inside you trying to get out?

Kelly Jamieson is a best-selling author of over twenty romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. Where you can find Kelly:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Kelly’s Yahoo Newsletter group    

Nine Naughty Novelists           

Rule of Three

If you follow the rules, you miss all the fun...

Kassidy is a good girl who wants to be bad. Dag is a bad boy who is very, very good. And Chris? He likes to watch…

When wicked-sexy Dag returns to Chicago to catch up with his old college buddy Chris and meet The Girlfriend, none of them are anticipating the unexpected turn of events that switches a loving twosome into a scorching hot threesome. As old feelings resurface, and new attractions are explored, a storm of sexual sparks is unleashed that leads them into forbidden areas.

Always the good girl, Kassidy blossoms under the attentions of two loving men, but neither she nor Chris are expecting the ménage to take a quarter turn toward Dag…and his feelings for Chris. When it’s revealed that Dag’s attraction to Chris is one big reason he left town, a tangled mess of old hurts and new feelings might destroy friendship. Love. Might destroy everything.

Product Warnings: This book contains a couple already in love, a couple falling in love and a couple in love who didn’t know it; also multiple scorching sex scenes including girl with boy, girl with two boys, boy with boy and two boys with girl...whew!

Buy at Amazon

Read my review

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Kelly has generously offered winner's choice of an ebook copy of Rule of Three or One Wicked Night to a lucky commentator!

 

All you have to do to be entered is

1) answer Kelly's question: do you have a naughty bad girl inside you trying to get out?

2) leave me a way to contact you in case you win (e-mail address, Twitter handle, etc.)

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends on 15 March 2012!

Good luck!