Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Confessions of a Romance Reader: My latest obsession... The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada series by Chloe Lang

I'll admit it... there are times I tend to have tunnel vision about certain things... last month my obsession were Korean dramas, lol. I searched eBay and Amazon for Korean dramas with English subtitles.
This also happens with books... when I start a new author and fall in love, I want to read their entire back-list... also, when I start a series that's just awesome, well, I want to read all the books in said series right now... case in point...

Before going to sleep one night last week, I decided to look through my kindle at recent purchases I had made... big mistake.

I noticed Going Wilde by Chloe Lang, the first book in The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada series.

I haven't read too many in the LoveXtreme line by Siren Publishing... especially since I wasn't too crazy about one of the series I did read from that line. I thought I'd give this one a try, though... oh my goodness, I'm so glad I did!

I do love a good menagé... but, this one?
Well...
this one...
this one was great!
Each book in the series was hotter than the last... and, omg, I just devoured all five stories in one night. (So much for sleep, lol) Yes, I was obsessed with this series and wanted to read it all right then and there. It's a menagé with one heroine and five brothers... a fantasy read? Definitely. Hot? Heck yeah!

And, as much as I loved the heat in the stories, I was intrigued by the story of what brought Jessie to Wilde, Nevada in the first place... and what happens when she tries to get to the bottom of some things. I'm glad there was more than sex between the pages ;)

Honestly? I was so happy five out of the six titles in this series were already out. It's already driving me crazy to wait on the sixth and final installment to this series... imagine how much worse if I had to wait for more than one?

Dear Ms. Chloe Lang,


If you're reading this... please hurry up on the last book... I'm dying... DYING... to know how this all concludes!


~Ali

I'll give you a rundown of my thoughts on each story from this series, up to book five...
 **Warning: there may be slight spoilers, so please don't read ahead if you don't like spoilers... just go ahead and start the series, hehe. You can check it out here.




BLURB:
Wilde, Nevada is remote, rugged and rough. Jessie feels like she's walked straight into the wild west, complete with some of the hottest cowboys she's ever laid eyes on. But she has a job to do and it doesn't include getting close to the Wilde brothers.
The minute Jackson Wilde sees Jessie he knows she's the one for him and his four brothers, Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, and Austin. The gorgeous city girl calls to him like no one before, but she's convinced she doesn't belong in a place like Wilde. With danger lurking around every corner, Jackson will have to prove that she's finally come home.

Thoughts:
With Going Wilde you get a bit of background on Wilde, Nevada as well as on the brothers Wilde. They are all hot and interesting in their own way. The spotlight in this book, though, is definitely on Jackson Wilde. Let me just say, Jackson Wilde stole my heart *sigh*. I wanted to be Jessie... such a lucky girl ;) Of course, this being a menagé, Jessie not only got to be with Jackson, but some of the other brothers as well. Going Wilde gets this series off to a sizzling start, which only gets hotter with each book...


BLURB:
Wilde, Nevada is proving to be more troubling than Jessie imagined, when, just as she falls for one hot cowboy, feelings also spring up for his brother Phoenix. Though it’s crazy and not without risk, she can’t help but welcome his possessive embrace.
Phoenix knows she’s the woman for him─and his four brothers. But there are those in Wilde who want to destroy them. Phoenix must win Jessie’s love, or they might lose their hearts. And their lives. 

Thoughts:
In Wilde Fire, Ms. Chloe Lang builds up on book #1 and we get to find out more about the Wilde brothers. Jessie, unaware of what the brothers have planned for her, can't understand why she has feelings for more than one brother... going from a virgin in the first story to a wanton woman ;). After reading about each brother, I find Phoenix to be tamer than the rest, but no less enjoyable. As for Jessie, she finds herself in more 'accidents' and I was definitely clueless as to who was causing the accidents and why (I love it when I can't guess, lol). I loved watching Jessie fall for Phoenix as much as she has for Jackson. There is even a scene in the book where she stays with Phoenix during an emotional time that I found very sweet.
I couldn't wait to read more about Jessie and the Wilde brothers... lucky for me, I didn't have to...


BLURB:
Jessie learns what happens in Wilde, Nevada doesn’t stay secret for long, when one of the five brothers is involved, especially when he’s Dallas Wilde. With her job on the line, he’s much more trouble than she needs, but she can’t seem to resist.
Dallas Wilde is used to sweeping women off their feet, but since meeting Jessie, he can’t stop thinking about her. He vows to do whatever necessary to possess her for himself and his brothers. As an unseen menace inches closer, Jessie finds Dallas harder and harder to resist.

Thoughts:
Running Wilde entices us further as more of The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada story unfolds. When Jessie finds out what the brothers are up to, things don't look so good for Dallas. Having time to think, Jessie realizes she can't deny that her feelings for Dallas have grown to that which she has for Jackson and Phoenix.
I love how Dallas takes the time to teach Jessie to accept her submissive side. Those scenes are some of the hottest!
With Jessie still in danger, I wanted to find out what happens next...


BLURB:
Jessie has discovered much about herself since arriving in Wilde, Nevada, and Denver Wilde teaches her even more. When Denver introduces her to a sexual path of dark pleasures, Jessie feels herself losing her heart to him as he opens her up in ways she’d never expected.
As Denver pushes Jessie past her resistance, he is amazed at her courage and control. Falling deeper and deeper for her, he’s past all his limits, and still she wants more. Will he be enough to win her for him and his brothers, or will the hidden evil in Wilde destroy their chance at love?

Thoughts:
In Wilde Nights, Denver teaches Jessie more about BDSM and my, oh my, is Denver hot-to-trot. Things are definitely getting hotter than ever in book #4. Jessie discovers more about herself and the love continues to grow between herself and four of the Wilde brothers.
I was glued to the pages as things got juicer in Wilde Nights, with secrets being revealed, trips to a BDSM club (so HOT!), danger around the corner, and four hot brothers ready to protect and love the one who's captured their hearts.
But, will her training be enough to win the heart of the fifth elusive brother, Austin?...



BLURB:
Jessie cannot deny her feelings for Austin Wilde. His overwhelming dominance intrigues and frightens her, but she can’t see any kind of forever with him.
Her determination to go the distance with his demands thrills Austin. With each of her sweet acts of submission, the hardness around his soul melts away. He’s watched her shed her city girl notions and embrace the quirks of his childhood town.
He knows she’s the one woman who can truly bring him and his four brothers together. But time is running out to get Jessie to say yes to his proposal. Will the darkness in Wilde extinguish all hope for them before she does?

Thoughts:
I won't lie.. I looked forward to Austin's story since book #1. I just love the bad boys *sigh*. The more I saw or heard of Austin in each book, the more I wanted to keep him for myself to know his story. Austin is definitely as dark and dangerous as I had imagine.. but I loved seeing another side to him as he spends time with Jessie. I could not wait to get to Wilde Surrender... I definitely wish there had been more, though, as I could not get enough.
The ending of Wilde Surrender stopped my heart... oh my gosh, the cliffhanger!! This is why I'm now DYING for the final book in this series and you will, too.

Overall, if you're looking for a super hot escapism read, with five sexy men you just want to lick after the woman of their hearts, this series is the one for you!
Busy schedule? Each story is a fast read... but, if you're anything like me, clear your schedule, because you'll want to read all five in one sitting, then e-mail Ms. Chloe Lang begging for the sixth and final book in the series.
With every single new story, I loved reading how Jessie fell for the Wilde brothers one by one and looked forward to learning about her and each brother. I can not wait to read the conclusion and see how it all ends.

You can find out more on Chloe Lang and her books on her Siren Publishing author page:
http://www.bookstrand.com/chloe-lang




Thursday, August 18, 2011

Chapter 1 Thoughts: Blood Rights by Kristen Painter


Blood Rights
House of Comarré series
By: Kristen Painter
Publisher: Orbit Books
Release Date: October 1st, 2011

BLURB (from authors website):

House of Comarré series

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle’s body bears the telltale marks of a comarré — a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world…and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.
Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

PREORDER NOW: AmazonB & NBordersPowell’s


Chapter 1 Thoughts:

There was a prologue, so I read both the prologue and chapter one.
The prologue did a great job of setting the stage and mood of the book. We're introduced to the heroine, Chrysabelle, and to Malkom in chapter one. Their first meeting was a bit... rough, to say the least... and now I must wonder what will happen the next time they meet.

I was worried that I wouldn't get too into this series, as truth be told, the Urban Fantasy genre is not on the top of my fave genre list. I had nothing to worry about, though, because Blood Rights did an amazing job of pulling me in from the get go. So much so, I'm tempted to continue reading this instead of reading the first chapters of the other ARC's as planned, lol.

As you read, you get drawn into this other world and can feel the darkness that surrounds it. You get a sense of the desperation that Chrysabelle is feeling and wonder how she'll get through her situation.

For right now, Blood Rights by Kristen Painter is definitely on the top of my to-read-now pile.

Cover Thoughts:

I love the cover! It definitely has an Urban Fantasy feel to it. I love the comarré marks on the heroine and what she is wearing. The red added to the cover from the roses and ribbon, and also from what appears to be rubies on her dress, is another perfect addition. All in all, I think this cover is fab!



*Received for review at Authors After Dark 2011

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Authors After Dark: My Top Five List



I'm sure there will be/are a lot of posts on Authors After Dark out in the blogosphere... so, instead of going over every single thing... because I'm sure someone has done a better job ;)... I'll keep it simple and give you my top five favorite things about AAD Philly:

#5 - I actually had time to do some sightseeing :) ... you probably weren't expecting that to be on the list, lol... I've been to plenty of conventions the past few years, and I usually don't have time to leave the hotel. This time, I was glad I scheduled my flights with enough time to allow me to see the city I'm visiting. I got to see the Liberty Bell! How cool, right? hehe (yes, I'm a dork)

#4 - I got to room with my friend Joy (from Joyfully Reviewed)! We've been roomies several times already, and it's nice when you can room with someone you're already comfortable with... even if she does tweet lies about you... No, it's not true that I was snoring loud enough that the fire department had to be called! LOL. I don't think I would make it out of any convention alive without her, though... If not for her, I would be the one hiding in the corner ;)

#3 - I got to spend time with authors Melissa Schroeder and Kris Cook!! OMG, these two are fantabulous :) Plus, they hosted an open bar event... even if I didn't already think they were great, I sure as heck would have after that, LOL... Warning: Kris Cook and Joy should not be allowed to hang out together without adult supervision, lol

#2 - I absolutely love meeting other bloggers.. there were more bloggers this year than last, from what I could tell. I loved how there were special panels just for bloggers and we got a chance to interact. Those blogger panels and events were some of my favorite... I also got to meet @SpazP... who was just so sweet and awesome... and whether she knows it or not, I'm always trying to beat her in points on FourSquare, LOL... It was fun getting to chat with Felicia from Geeky Bloggers Book Blog... I can't wait to see her again at Readers 'n 'Rita in November! There are so many more awesome bloggers and readers that I met... and even if I named them all, I'm sure I'd forget a few... there was one fabulous blogger who made some yummy mango drinks! hehe


#1 - My number one favorite thing about AAD Philly? Just the simple fact that I got to meet so many great authors and readers. Some I've met before and some I was meeting for the first time. It's always great to get together with others who are just as passionate about the romance genre as I am.

Honestly, I'm already looking forward to next year!
The only downfall, for me, was that due to some pains I was having, I didn't get to attend all the events and panels I had wanted/planned to *boo*. But, for the ones I did attend, I had an absolute blast. I enjoyed looking at everyone's costume for the Mythos Ball and Steampunk Ball... I even dressed up a bit for the Steampunk night :)

I received a ton of books... not only to read and review, but to giveaway as well! Um, unfortunately, I must wait for all the books and promos to be mailed to me *sigh*... I've told my friend that I'd pay more for shipping if it could get here asap, LOL... I knew I should have left my clothes and taken my books with me, LOL

With so many books to read and catch-up on, I'll be reading the first chapter of my new ARC and sharing my thoughts on those... to see which ones I'll get to first. So, I hope you come back to see what goodies and giveaways are coming up on my blog!

Until then, happy readings!


Monday, August 15, 2011

Day 1, 2, 3, 4 of Authors After Dark Convention

Hmm... are you wondering where my posts for Days 1-4 of Authors After Dark Convention news are? Well, you're not alone, I'm wondering, too, LOL

Actually, I got so busy, as usual, that it was hard to find time to post... let alone sleep, lol

But, now that I'm back home, after a fantabulous time in Philadelphia for the AAD Convention, I'm going to reorganize and share with you all everything that happened at AAD and give away some of the awesome books and promo items I received... I received so much that I had to actually have my roommate, Joy, take home the things to mail to me this week *sob* I want my books, dang it!

Usually, I leave my clothes with her, pack my books, and have her mail me my clothes, lol. But, again, there was just so much, that I didn't think I'd get away with it this time *sigh*. Oh well, I'm willing to pay a little extra for shipping to get it here as soon as possible, lol.

I'll also share reviews on ARC's I received *yay*... and I'll definitely have to share some pics ;)

Until later... have a great day!!



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Day .5 of Authors After Dark #AADphilly


I finally made it to Philadelphia this evening... I'm so excited to be here for the Authors After Dark Convention!!

I've been to many conventions in the past few years, and Authors After Dark is by far one of the best! I'd recommend it for any romance reader looking for a convention to attend

The convention doesn't officially start until tomorrow... and I'm looking forward to sharing all the fun with you...

I'm baaaaack ;-)

I'm stopping in for a moment... but, prepare for more posts this week as I blog from the Authors After Dark Convention in Philadelphia!