Inspiration of the Moment - Step Outside the Box

"At the end of the day, it comes down to this:

The way we choose to see ourselves...it limits who we can be.

Step outside the box. And you might learn something.

Because we are more capable than we imagine.

Because we all have it in us to do the things we've never done before.

Because, sometimes, we can surprise even ourselves."

~ Erica from Being Erica

REVIEW: Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles

IN DECEMBER 2010, BEFORE READING…

Muy caliente! HOT cover! To be released 24th May 2011 ...16th August 2011. Bring it!

I've had LUKE PASQUALINO in my mind as my Luis Fuentes ever since I saw him on UK Skins Seasons 3 and 4 (LOVED him as Freddie Mclair. *sighs*). And now, strangely, I think he kind of looks like the guy on the cover. Really looking forward to reading this! Loves me some Fuentes brothers! 

SEPTEMBER 2011…AFTER READING…

4.5 of 5 Stars

(This is an Adult-who-enjoys-reliving-the-stirrings-of-first-love-and-self-discovery-during-the-teen-years-through-YA books review)

**CONTENT WARNING - Since this is a YA book I will include a warning that this book contains some Sexual, Drug and Alcohol, Course Language and Violent Content - Recommended for Older Teens and Adults who enjoy YA books**

*sighs* Still loving ‘em Fuentes brothers! ^_^

I was totally drawn into this, read it quickly and really enjoyed it… but… Perfect Chemistry is still my favourite. What can I say, I ADORE Alex and Brittany!

Now, about Chain Reaction….In August 2010, in an interview for Return to Paradise, Simone Elkeles had this to say about the third “Perfect Chemistry series” book:

“Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn’t live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he’s never known, and just when he thinks he’s got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?”

Link to interview here

When I read this, I was interested to see Simone Elkeles turn around the “bad boy – good girl” formula of the first two books to a “good boy – bad girl” story in Chain Reaction. This is not what she ended up with, however.

While mostly everything else in the above blurb remained unchanged, Nikki is not the “bad girl” that Elkeles had originally planned on, and Luis certainly isn’t such a “good boy”. Please see the link below where Ms. Elkeles talks about why she changed this:  

Link to interview here

In Chain Reaction, Simone Elkeles gives us shades of gray in both Luis and Nikki instead, ie. ordinary teens who make some grave mistakes, that they can overcome and which need not direct/ruin the rest of their lives. I really liked that she did that!

Luis Fuentes, is considered the “good boy” in his family, but what the Fuentes family didn’t know, until Luis gets injured in a stupid stunt two weeks before Alex’s and Brittany’s wedding…pause for a SQUEE-SQUEEE!!! Uh-Huh…^_^...is that Luis is an adrenaline junkie.

So, it is Luis’own risk-taking nature that leads him to make some stupid decisions when he returns to Fairfield, Illinois, involving the Latino Blood (Alex and their father’s old gang). This misadventure leads to Luis to discovering some horrible truths that shake his very foundations, causing him to spiral out of control.

While I suspect some may think this book is too similar Perfect Chemistry, and may be dissatisfied, as a result, I felt that Elkeles was trying to portray that even for the so-called “good boy” of the family, he couldn’t run away from the legacy of the past of his family’s involvement in the Latino Blood. Also, for me, other aspects were different enough not to be an issue.

Of course, there were some parts when I was like, “What??? Luis, nooooooooo!!! Don’t be such a pendejo (idiot/dumbass)! Aaarggh!!!”

Yes, I clearly went on an emotional ride because of Luis. LOL

And Nikki…. Out of all the girls in this series, Nikki has the most “baggage,” from a painful life experience, which she suffers at the age of 15. I really connected with Nikki and felt for her. Nikki is feisty and vulnerable, at the same time. In order to protect herself, Nikki has built walls around herself and has severe trust issues with boys...and who could blame her? But Luis Fuentes makes her want to believe in a happily-ever-after, even though she fears trusting her heart to him.

Luis is just as sexy as his older brothers. I enjoyed the chemistry between Luis and Nikki and there were some very hot scenes between them. Hot Daaaammnn!! Although... it wasn't as strong as, definitely, Alex and Brittany, and perhaps, Carlos and Kiara...for me, anyway.

I loved that Luis wanted to reach for the stars, literally, and I loved the special gift that Nikki got for him. And his poem? *sighs* Luis is a romantic.

I loved Nikki's after school job and I adored "Granny"!

I loved how Luis was with Nikki's brother, Ben.  

I loved that while Nikki had been born in Mexico, she wasn’t in touch with her Mexican culture, and it was Luis who showed her the importance of not forgetting where you come from, to be proud of your culture, while not letting it confine you, either.

I enjoyed seeing Mrs Peterson, the “hard-ass-zero-tolerance” Chemistry teacher, again.

I really liked Nikki’s best friend, Kendall, and her boyfriend, Derek. But OMG, I seriously wanted to smack Nikki's ex, Marco, soooo many times!! Grrr!!! No love here for that total pendejo!!!

I loved the brotherly bonds between the Fuentes brothers!

I loved, LOVED seeing Alex and Brittany with little Paco, who we met briefly as a teen in the epilogue of Perfect Chemistry, and is an adorable toddler here. I loved seeing Carlos and Kiara, a few years down the track, and how Carlos can still be an idiot. LOL Thank you, Simone Elkeles, for giving us readers this continuity in the later books!  I love this aspect of the series!

Oh, and I loved the epilogue!!! I love seeing the snippet of the Fuentes family, many years down the track.

So... that's a whole lotta "love", huh? WHY was this a not-quite-5-Star read, for me, then? You mean, besides the times I was yelling at Luis? ^_^ Well, mamacitas, I still had some questions surrounding the shocker in this book. It just felt a bit unresolved and rushed, for me.

Also, I must say that I was a little disappointed that the shower scene on the cover, while was a cute scene, was not the hot scene I expected it to be. C’mon, Ms. Elkeles, how could you tease us like that?! LOL Though I never thought there were handcuffs involved; having always thought the chain in the picture was the shower pull.

And while I love the Mexican-Spanish words included in all the books, I do wish Simone Elkeles would have included a Glossary of those terms in the books so I wouldn't have had to google them.

I was actually debating giving this book 4 Stars, but seeing as I loved a lot about it, was so happy with the Alex and Brittany and Paco parts, and I'm re-reading it, soon after... well... I had to give it 4.5 Stars!

Being a huge Alex and Brittany fan, I just have to share this scene I loved:  

‘”I got Peterson for chemistry. Feel sorry for me?”

Brittany and my brother smile at each other.

“Definitely. She’s brutal,” Alex says. “Brit, didn’t she give us detention every day?”

“I’ve tried to block those days out.” Brittany cringes. “I really hated you back then, Alex.”

He slides the back of his hand slowly across her arm. “Come on, chica. You wanted me, but you were afraid to admit it.”

Brittany bites her bottom lip as she looks into my brother’s eyes. He cups her cheek in his hand and pulls her close, then kisses her.

I slide my nephew off my shoulders and shield his eyes. “Seriously, guys, aren’t you past the honeymoon stage by now? You’re on your second kid already.”

“I don’t want to get past this stage,” my brother says.

"Me neither," Brittany coos.'

*sighs* I love you, Alex, mi corazon!

If Ms. Elkeles does do any Fuentes next generation stories, I will certainly read them, what with how she’s completely whetted my appetite with the epilogues in this series! Though I hope she mixes up the formula. Keep the Fuentes swagger, but no more gang related stories, please. ^_^ 

Reading Order for the series:

1. Perfect Chemistry - Review here
2. Rules of Attraction - Review here
3. Chain Reaction 

My Luis (Luke Pasqualino) and My Nikki (Victoria Justice):

REVIEW: Mine to Possess (#4 Psy/Changeling) by Nalini Singh

3.5 of 5 Stars

I haven't reviewed book 3 yet, Caressed by Ice, but I wanted to get this one out of my system. Hmm...sounds bad, doesn't it?

Well...I have mixed thoughts/feelings about this 4th installment of the Psy/Changeling series. I’m sad that I didn’t love this one as much as I loved the first 3 books.

Clay Bennett, a sentinel of the DarkRiver leopard pack, grew up in the slums of the human world. He never knew his changeling father and his human Egyptian mother, Isla, wanted him to deny his changeling nature. As a young boy without the support of a Pack, Clay loses control of his animal side and commits a brutal act of violence in order to protect his precious best friend, Talin. He is sent away to juvenile detention and when he is released, he believes Talin has died and this leaves a huge hole in his heart.

Talin McKade, seeks out Clay for help, all these years after that bloody and terror-filled day. In desperation, when some of the street children that were her responsibility go missing, Talin turns to the strongest man she knows.

The moment when Clay first sees Talin again had me aching for him and hooked into the story.

‘He knew that sound, that female voice. It was that of a dead woman. He didn’t care. He had accepted his madness a long time ago. So now he looked, looked and searched.

For Tally.’

….
‘“Hello, Clay.”

Air rushed back into his body with the force of a body blow. A roar built in his throat, but he didn’t realease it, violently aware of the acrid scent coming off her in waves.

Son of a bitch! Tally was scared of him. She might as well have taken a knife to his heart.’

I thought the premise for Clay and Talin’s story was very promising and compelling. I love an “angsty” and emotional story. There were moments when my heart truly ached for both of them, for what they went through at such a young age, and how they would move pass that.

But then…there were moments when both Clay and Talin got on my nerves: Talin, with all her fears and flip-flopping; and Clay, with his temper and brooding. I understand that they both went through something just awful, that scarred them both so deeply, and they have issues - of course, they would! – but these behaviours wore thin after a bit, for me, and so affected my connection to them and my enjoyment of this book. Clay teases Tally as a “Brat” and Tally calls Clay a “Bully”. These were meant to be endearments, but unfortunately, for me, there were moments when they lived up to these monikers all too much.

Plus, they seemed to bicker a lot! It wasn't like the banter in the previous books, for me. It felt like bickering, and was not very enjoyable to "watch".

That being said, I know some Goodreads friends who absolutely loved this book, and Clay and Talin. It always fascinates me how we can all have such varying perceptions of characters, and I really wish I could have loved this the way some of my friends did. Understanding what Clay and Tally went through on a logical and mental level, it makes me feel bad that I couldn’t be as understanding on an emotional level, and found them annoying, to some extent. I liked them, but I didn't love them the way I did the couples in the other books. Sorry, Clay, Tally and Nalini Singh!

I loved the developments in the world that Nalini Singh advanced in this book. We learn some interesting history about the Psy and I loved the story about the “Forgotten”.

I always love the one or two pages that Ms Singh uses to lay the foundation of the world development at the start of each book, before we get into the first chapter and introduced to the featured characters and their story.

I loved the introduction of the new characters in this book, and the moments with the ongoing characters.

I was also very excited to get to Dorian's book! I love Dorian!

I ADORE the alpha couple, Lucas and Sascha, and love the little moments that Nalini Singh includes in the later books, such as this one:

‘Nodding, Lucas pressed the Enter key and sat down in the other armchair. Sascha perched on the arm, leaning into her mate, who slipped an arm around her waist, his hand lying loosely on her hip. It was an easy pose, the pose of a couple that had been together long enough to have created their own patterns, their own secret language.’

~*~*~*~*~

My Clay and Tally

Inspiration of the Moment: Psy/Changeling - Prisms

"To survive, you must become more Silent than the Council, your heart ice, your mind a flawless prism. But never forget - prisms bend light, change the direction of what is known, generate fractures of beauty. Ultimately, prisms create their own truths."

~ From a handwritten letter signed "Iliana", circa June 2069
(in Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh, Psy/Changeling #5)

REVIEW: Visions of Heat (#2 Psy/Changeling) by Nalini Singh

4.5 Stars? Aaahhh... Make it 5! ^_^

“Tell a child something often enough and she starts to believe it.”
~ Sascha to Faith

*sigh* I LOVED this book even more the second time around!!

While my re-read of Slave to Sensation had me dreaming (again!) about being enslaved by the delicious Lucas Hunter *grins*... it more seriously had me contemplating the concept of a “society without emotion”, that is the Psy. In my re-read of Visions of Heat, the theme that became the focus of my reflections - which was also a prevalent theme in the first book - was that of having the courage to free one’s “self” from the "prison" imposed by others, and of seeing things we were blind to before.

Faith Nighstar, of the PsyClan NightStar, is a powerful “F-Psy” – a cardinal Psy with the ability of foresight. Since the age of 3, she has been isolated from society and trained to give business forecasts, worth billions. She has also been told that the F-Psy are particularly susceptible to madness. That for her own protection, she must be constantly monitored and undergo medical tests, regularly.

Now, at the age of 24, Faith is starting to have some very dark dreams, malevolent visions of blood and murder. She thinks - not “fears”, as the Psy are not supposed to fear - that insanity is looming. In an effort to get more information, without alerting her keepers of her degeneration, Faith decides to seek out Sascha Duncan, a renegade Psy who is now part of the DarkRiver changeling leopard pack.

Vaughn D’Angelo, a jaguar adopted into the leopard pack through a tragic event, whose beast prowls closer to the surface than other changelings, is a sentinel of DarkRiver. He has recently become very curious about an isolated compound, in which appears to live a Psy. The Psy usually choose to love in skyscrapers.

When Faith escapes the compound to seek out Sascha, it is Vaughn who finds her in DarkRiver territory. Vaughn’s cat side is immediately instinctually drawn to Faith and can’t stop teasing and bombarding her senses with his touch. This puzzles Vaughn, the man, as he does not believe in the concept of “mating”, not wanting to ever need anyone or have someone need him.

I was drawn into Vaughn and Faith’s story: Vaughn, as he works though his conflicted feelings towards Faith; as he sees her as not just a cold Psy, but a fascinating woman he wants to tease and protect, and as he realises that while he has "mated" with Faith, she can refuse that mating bond. Faith, as she tries to buckle “Silence”, to find pleasure in Vaughn’s touch, and to allow herself to feel. I felt for the losses they had both suffered – Vaughn’s story, particularly, broke my heart. I admired Faith as she fought not to fall into the madness of her dark visions; as she started to “see” that the things she has been told all her life were lies. How does Faith break through the walls that isolate and imprison her, when they are so much a part of “her”?

I appreciated the intriguing political aspects that Nalini Singh included in this book - and also in the first - through the machinations of the Psy Council.

Through my re-read, I found the initially bewildering, complex concept of the PsyNet easier to process.

There were a few loose threads at the end of this book, which I’m expecting will be answered later the series…at least, I hope so!

P.S. I DO NOT like the cover of this book and the guy looks nothing like how Vaughn is described! In fact., a lot of the covers in this amazing series by Nalini Singh just don't do it justice, in my humble opinion.

“Faith looked up. And up. As she’d guessed from the feel of him at her back, the jaguar was tall in human form. His hair was a thick amber-gold, long enough to brush his shoulders, and his eyes ... they were an odd almost-gold, the eyes of a cat made human. There was nothing soft about him, nothing tame. Yet she, a woman who'd never before understood the concept, found him beautiful. It was an inexplicable reaction, one her brain couldn't accept, going as it did against every rule of Silence.”

Vaughn is prrrimally sexxxy...

  

His jaguar is strong within him...



Vaughn needs to live in the wilds of nature...



Faith has only known a sterile Psy environment ....









Now Faith's night-sky eyes have opened...

And her senses expode under
Vaughn's heated touch - RAWR!!!
Can Vaughn help Faith break free of her prison?



~*~*~*~*~*~

Psy/Changeling Series reading order:

1. Slave to Sensation
1.5 "The Cannibal Princess" - Free short story:
http://www.nalinisingh.com/freebies.php#princess
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed By Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
5.5 "A Gift for Kit" - Free short story:
http://www.nalinisingh.com/freebies.php#gift
6. Branded By Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow

And there are also stand-alone novellas:
1. "Beat of Temptation" in An Enchanted Season
2. "Stroke of Enticement" in The Magical Christmas Cat
3. "Whisper of Sin" in Burning Up

But if you wish to read in strict chronological order, see Nalini Singh's website (link to the page here): http://www.nalinisingh.com/psybehind.php

A Society Without Emotion? - Some Thoughts on Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series

I mentioned in my review for Slave to Sensation that this book (well, the whole series, really) is “thought-provoking” and just wanted to share some of the thoughts it “provoked”.

I’ve been thinking about how interesting it is that the Psy race has so many people of interracial genetic background, as a majority of them are “test tube babies”. For example, Sascha is of mixed Asiatic (Japanese) and Anglo-Indian descent. It seems that the prejudices for the Psy people, though, run not in the colour of one’s skin, but rather in the fact that one has less cerebral development/ lack of psychic ability / is an emotional being. The Psy consider themselves “superior” to the Changelings, who they consider only a step above animals and humans.

Then I thought about the kind of extreme society the Psy have created by eliminating emotion. It seems, though, that the Psy Council, the ruling body of the Psy, can be ruthless. Is ruthlessness a result of the absence of emotion? “Ruthless” is defined in the dictionary as “having no compassion or pity”. The Psy, having conditioned emotions out of their race through the “Silence Protocol”, have no compassion or pity.

But… the Changelings, who are emotional beings, are also capable of being ruthless. This is mostly evident in their ruthlessness in vengeance. In this sense, it is the presence of the emotion of rage and drive for revenge, which may cause them to be “ruthless” – it is their overwhelming emotion which may render them unable to feel compassion or pity... or maybe it is just a choice not to.

One of the questions posed by this series is: Has the Psy decision, based on logical reasoning, to eliminate emotion in order to eradicate violence and mental illness instead created the very monsters the Psy sought to control? So, to feel or not to feel? Crimes of passion versus the cold killings of sociopaths?

Also, what about the Psy’s “indifference” as opposed to “ruthlessness” – will apathy be the downfall of the Psy?

I just know that I wouldn’t want to live in a world without emotion. But I would like to live in a world without violence. With or without emotion, is violence an inevitable part of the human condition?

These are just some of the thoughts I had - mostly just rhetorical questions! LOL

REVIEW: The Cannibal Princess (Psy/Changeling #1.5) by Nalini Singh

FREE SHORT STORY ON AUTHOR'S WEBSITE

4 of 5 Stars

The Cannibal Princess is a cute free short story in the Psy/Changeling series on Nalini Singh's website.

Here's the link to it:

http://www.nalinisingh.com/freebies.php#princess

It takes place between Book 1, Slave to Sensation, and Book 2, Visions of Heat. In this short story, Ms. Singh gives us a little glimpse into Lucas and Sascha's life together.

I adored the twin cubs, Julian and Roman, in Slave to Sensation and this is a cute story with them in it.

I loved this part of the scene:

"The cubs giggled, then shifted apart. Julian patted the space in between and Sascha sat. They immediately snuggled up to her, small and warm and so precious. Every time she held these two, she wondered about what the future held for her and Lucas. Her eyes lifted and clashed with his as he sat down on the edge of the coffee-table in front of her. The beautiful green of his gaze held the most intense kind of promise.

Her heart jerked. Impossible, her Psy mind told her. But she knew it was possible. Emotion had a strength most of the Psy had forgotten. It could hurt and it could give such joy it was beyond anything she had ever imagined possible."

The adorable leopard cubs, Julian and Roman

REVIEW: Slave to Sensation (#1 Psy/Changeling) by Nalini Singh

5 of 5 Stars   

The first book in Nalini Singh's 

fascinating and acclaimed 

Paranormal Romance

Psy/Changeling series

 satisfies on so many levels!

  

*~*Slave to Sensation *~* 

Touching fingertips, 

To ice-cold lips,  

The skimming touch, 

Sensations, too much;  

The brushing thigh,  

Escaping sigh, 

The softest whispers,  

Sends primal shivers;
Barely leashed control,
Of a fractured soul

The heat of skin,  

Burst flames within;

Instinctive artistry,  

Reactive chemistry

The ragged breath,  

Cerebral death; 

Who thought such bliss,  

In just one kiss?  

Now, his changeling touch, she craves,  

Has she become sensation’s slave?

(by J.M.A. a.k.a. Lady Jayne, 12th August 2011)

~*~*~*~*~*~

Nooo… Slave to Sensation isn’t a book of poetry. I had drafted a review for this, but unfortunately, it was on my laptop, which was among the items stolen in a recent break-in. And somehow, when I sat down to re-write this “review”, this poem came out. Sorry. If you are one of the few people (like me) who has not read this series yet, PLEASE do not judge it based on my humble “ode” to it! LOL

Slave to Sensation is the first book in the stimulating Paranormal Romance (PNR) Psy/Changeling series by Fijian-New Zealander author, Nalini Singh. I kept seeing this series being hailed as a favourite PNR amongst my Goodreads friends. I must say, now I know the appeal! What a deliciously enjoyable first book in a series! This book was published in 2006, so yes, I've been slow to jump on this bandwagon...but that's okay, that just means I have lot of Psy-Changeling books to enjoy! *grins*

While Nalini Singh seduced me, with this first taste, to crave more of the books this series, this poem was my attempt to capture how the sexy, tactile and sensually primal Changeling, Lucas Hunter (a panther who is the Alpha of the DarkRiver leopard pack) managed to overwhelm Sascha Duncan (of the cold Psy race) with sensation – something “unnatural” to the Psy who do not touch. Slave to Sensation is indeed an apt title.

I’ve always had a fascination for stories with characters who have psychic abilities, and have developed, in the last few years, a love of the sexy animalism of shape-shifters. And this book combines both loves! I loved this remarkably interesting, detailed and imaginative world that Nalini Singh created - Bravo, Ms. Singh! The writing and the story were thought-provoking and evocative. 

This story is set in 2079 in San Francisco and its surrounds, where co-exist, though not without its tensions, three main groups of people: The Psy - a psychically advanced and logical race, who conditioned emotions out of their society through a program called “Silence”, which was instigated in 1969 in an effort to reduce the high incidence of insanity and violence in the Psy population, and who consider themselves the “superior” race; the Changelings - the instinctual, emotional, territorial and sensual shape-shifters, made up of various animal packs, who are cunning and underestimated by the Psy; and the humans - there is only mention of them in this book, though I am told that there will be human characters in later books.

(Edit: I mentioned that this book was "thought-provoking" and here are some thoughts it provoked - "A Society Without Emotion?")

I loved that there was suspense and mystery in this story – of a serial killer targeting Changeling women. Lucas and Sascha meet as part of a Psy-Changeling business venture and end up working together to solve the mystery.

I loved, and connected with, the character of Sascha, who is terrified about being found out as a “flawed” Psy and as a matter of survival struggles to hold on to her fragile mask of a calm, cool and collected Psy. Sascha is no “typical” Psy and the ability she possesses is one that I wish I had.

And Lucas? Mmm, mmm, mmmm… He was dangerously sexy hawt, with a tortured past, determined to claim Sascha as his mate, and he was just so there for Sascha. Purrrrs….

The only wee issue I had with the book…which is my problem, really… was with the concept of the “PsyNet”, which, while incredibly fascinating, was a little confusing, especially with the projection of a “shield” within a “shield” within a “shield” and the computronics imagery – I’m not tech or computer savvy - which reminded me of Matrix meets Tron meets Inception. Brain buzzingly cool.

I loved the cast of characters of the Changelings and the two packs introduced in this book – the DarkRiver pack (leopards) and the SnowDancers (wolves). I had recently seen the prevalent love for Hawke, the Alpha of the wolf pack, and from his introduction in this book, I could already understand the fascination with him and am excited to get to his book….which unfortunately isn’t until Book 10! I was also fascinated with Vaughn, from the leopard pack, who wears his beast closer to the surface than others in his pack, and just had to read his book, which was next in the series, Visions of Heat, straight away!

If you are one of the few people who haven’t read this series yet, make sure you pick up Slave to Sensation ASAP!!!

"He tasted better than her dreams, as rich and delectable as the most exquisite chocolate, as exotic as the panther he was.”

Lucas Hunter - Lusciously dangerous to the senses

A panther and Alpha of the DarkRiver Leopards

 Sascha - An unraveling cardinal Psy, with night-sky eyes

 

Sascha's animal instincts are awakened by Lucas

~*~*~*~*~*~

Psy/Changeling Series reading order:

1. Slave to Sensation
1.5 "The Cannibal Princess" - Free short story:
http://www.nalinisingh.com/freebies.php#princess
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed By Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
5.5 "A Gift for Kit" - Free short story:
http://www.nalinisingh.com/freebies.php#gift
6. Branded By Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow

And there are also stand-alone novellas:
1. "Beat of Temptation" in An Enchanted Season
2. "Stroke of Enticement" in The Magical Christmas Cat
3. "Whisper of Sin" in Burning Up

But if you wish to read in strict chronological order, see Nalini Singh's website (link to the page here): http://www.nalinisingh.com/psybehind.php

My Song of the Moment - Skyscraper by Demi Lovato

I LOVE this song! Great, inspirational lyrics and I love the emotion in her voice and in this video.

SKYSCRAPER BY DEMI LOVATO

Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence, as it's ending, like we never had a chance.
Do you have to make me feel like there's nothing left of me?

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

As the smoke clears
I awaken and untangle you from me
Would it make you feel better to watch me while I bleed
All my windows still are broken but I'm standing on my feet

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

Go run run run I'm gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear yeah
Go run run run yeah it's a long way down
But I'm closer to the clouds up here

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Ohh
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper

(Written by Toby Gad, Kerli Kõiv and Lindy Robbins and produced by Gad)

GIVEAWAY WINNER: Lucky's Lady by Tami Hoag

Thank you very much to everyone who participated in my very first International Giveaway!

Soooo... Who got LUCKY?? Well, I've decided that 2 people will get Lucky today!  The WINNERS, by random draw, of one of my "classic favourites", Lucky's Lady by Tami Hoag are...

REN and DINA!!!

Congratulations, Ren and Dina!!! I hope you both enjoy Lucky's Lady as much as I do! Please email me at ladyjaynesreadingden@yahoo.com with your postal details.

For those of you who weren't successful this time around, I'm very sorry. I wish I could give everyone a copy of Lucky's Lady.

But ... I will be having another International Giveaway here at the Reading Den in AUGUST 2011!! To give you a hint of what the book will be, I will be giving away 2 copies of the latest book (which was released in May 2011) in an Urban Fantasy series. Soo...stay tuned!!! ^_^

REVIEW: Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2) by Simone Elkeles

4 of 5 Stars

(This is an Adult-who-enjoys-reliving-the-stirrings-of-first-love-and-self-discovery-during-the-teen-years-through-YA books review)

**CONTENT WARNING - Since this is a YA book I will include a warning that this book contains some Sexual, Drug and Alcohol, Course Language and Violent Content - Recommended for Older Teens and Adults who enjoy YA books**

Rules of Attraction is the sequel to Perfect Chemistry, and the second book in the “Fuentes Brothers Trilogy”. I really love the cover of this book - Very HOT and romantic! I don't know what it is about kissing in the rain... *shivers* ^_^

Perfect Chemistry was one of my favourite reads of 2010. I just absolutely adore Alex and Brittany!

In Rules of Attraction, author Simone Elkeles once again uses the formula of “bad-boy” from wrong side of the tracks meets middle-class “good girl”. However, while I really enjoyed this book, it lacked that sizzling, combustible magic that was Perfect Chemistry, for me.

Carlos Fuentes is a rebel who loves living on the edge. He is forced to move to Boulder, Colorado, to live with his older brother, Alex, to finish off his senior year of high school. One his first day of school, Carlos gets assigned to Kiara Westford, who is to be his “peer guide”. Kiara is an avid hiker, dresses in baggy T-shirts and hiking boots, and is wholesome – definitely not Carlos’ type.

When Carlos ends up getting into some trouble, he moves in with the Westford family, as part of the REACH program. Through living in close proximity to each other, Carlos and Kiara get to know each, and well, much to both their surprises, sparks eventually fly and they end up falling for each other. Hey, this is a YA Romance! ^_^

Like in Perfect Chemistry, I really enjoyed the alternating point-of-views that allows the reader into both Carlos’ and Kiara’s heads. Simone Elkeles is really connected with her “inner teen”. Her writing keeps me engaged and makes me remember what it was like to be a teen falling in love.

I didn’t like Carlos much from the snippet I got in Perfect Chemistry and wasn’t sure how much I would like this book, but ended up really enjoying it. The reason I love Alex so much more is because he didn’t want to be in a gang, but felt he had no choice. He wore a “mask” to convince others he was bad, yet longed for something more in his life. His internal struggle moved me so much…plus, he was so gosh-darned sexy! ^_^ Whereas, while Carlos was a hottie, too, I felt that he had an attitude problem and enjoyed being a “badass”. I really enjoyed watching Carlos’ growth throughout this book. Though at the end of the day, Alex is still my numero uno Fuentes brother, mi corazon. Aahh…Alex… *sighs*

I loved Kiara. She is the kind of girl I could see myself having been friends with in high school. She is smart, funny, strong, determined and caring. Though, actually, her love of cars and hiking wouldn’t have aligned with my interests of reading and talking about hot guys, at that age. Oh, wait, those are still my interests! LOL

I really liked Kiara’s best friend, Tuck, and her adorable younger brother, Brandon.

The epilogue was sweet but was a little corny.

But what I most especially loved, was getting more of Alex and Brittany in this book and seeing them in college, even though things were not smooth sailing. I loved the realism of their relationship. They are one of my favourite YA couples. I just love them!

All in all, Rules of Attraction was funny, romantic, angsty, and tugged at my heartstrings, just at the right moments. I happily recommend this YA series for adults who enjoy reading YA and want a sexier, grittier read, and for older teens.

Some of my favourite quotes/scenes:

“We kiss all the time." I clear my throat, then add, "We just...do it in private."
"A smug expression crosses his face. "I don't buy it for a second, 'cause if you were my girlfriend and a stud like me was livin' in your house, I'd kiss you in front of the guy every chance I got as a reminder."
"A reminder of w-w-what?"
"That you were mine."
…

"Tell me somethin’ you do that would shock me.”
She sits back on the couch. “Shock you?”
“Yeah. Shock me to the core.”
She sits up on her knees and leans toward me. “I’ve thought about you, Carlos,” she whispers in my ear.
“At night, in bed. I think about kissing you, our tongues sliding against each other’s, while your hands are buried in my hair. When I think about feeling those ripples in your naked chest I touch my—”
“Here’s more popcorn!” Westford says, barging into the room with two big bowls filled to the rim with freshly popped popcorn.
“Kiara, what are you doing?"
…

"You know about fixing cars, you're athletic, and you know when to shut up."
"That last one isn't a skill."
"Honey, trust me. It's a skill."
…

"La cucaracha, La cucaracha, Ya no puede caminar, porque no tiene, porque le falta, I don't know the rest, la la la la!"
...

“K, The lady at the store said yellow means friendship and red means love. The Rosary is the only thing I own that has value to me. It’s yours. I’m yours. C.”

My Carlos (Marlon Teixeira)

My Kiara (Hayley Erin) 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm REALLY looking forward to the youngest Fuentes brother's (Luis') book, Chain Reaction, out on 16th August 2011 - SQUEEE!!!!

LOVE the cover! It seems that in this 3rd book, Luis Fuentes is the "good boy" with big dreams who falls for the "wrong" girl. And I already have a cutie image of "my Luis", so bring on Chain Reaction!

Book Description:

"Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop ...looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?" 

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Lucky's Lady by Tami Hoag

*~*INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY details at the bottom of this review.*~*

5 of 5 Stars

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE LUCKY'S LADY?
 

"Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point."

“The heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing of."

~ French Proverb

I first read Lucky’s Lady in 1994, during my late teens, and have re-read it several times over the years. Writing this review has spurred me to re-read it, my last re-read being about 8 years ago. It was such fun revisiting this "classic favourite" of mine.

For me, Lucky’s Lady is my favourite Tami Hoag book and is a blend of steamy, sexy contemporary romance and suspense; though stronger on the former, as this was her first full length novel after writing Category Romances (Loveswept) for many years. Tami Hoag’s later books focussed more and more on the suspense elements and eventually went from Romantic Suspense to Crime Thriller. I really miss her Romantic Suspense.

In Lucky's Lady, psychologist, Serena Sheridan, is looking for her missing grandfather and she needs a guide to navigate the dangerous back country of the Louisiana swamp. Enter, the dark and mysterious, smart-mouth, ex-military, Etienne “Lucky” Doucet, a tortured, artistic soul who calls the wild and treacherous swamp his home, to be her “guide”. There is some great banter and sexual tension between Serena and Lucky, and here are some samples to whet your appetite:

“I’m hiring you as a guide,” she said through clenched teeth, her voice trembling with rage or desire or both. “Not for stud service.”

Lucky mentally thanked her for breaking the spell. He stepped back, cocking one hip and hooking his thumb in the waistband of his pants. He gave her a devilish grin. “Why not, angel? I’d give you the ride of your life.”
...
"I'm amazed," she said at last.
"What?" He gave her a narrow look. "That I wouldn't sell you to white slavers?"
A corner of her mouth lifted in a wry smile as she started toward the dock. "That you have a friend."
…
"Serena lifted her chin in a defiant notch. “You have an amazingly high opinion of your own appeal, Mr. Doucet.”
“Oh, no, chère, I just call ‘em like I see ‘em.”
“Then I suggest you make an appointment with an optometrist at the earliest possible date. A good pair of glasses could save untold scores of women the unpleasantness of your company.”
Their gazes locked and warred – hers cool, his burning with intensity."

But Lucky's Lady is more than just a sexy read. It is emotional and romantic. And there's a scene with Lucky and some baby raccoons that just melted my heart. 

I learnt quite a few Cajun-French words reading this, with the handy glossary of words and phrases at the back of this book. Just remembering Lucky say mon couer (my heart), vien (come)...ahem... and je t'aime (I love you) sends shivers down my spine. And there's a scene with a mirror that is forever burned in my memories. *fans self*

Tami Hoag does a fantastic job of painting, with her words, images of the hot, steamy and wild Louisiana bajou. I had images just like the ones below, in my mind's eye, as I read. I just love the setting!

Lucky and Serena traveling in his pirogue through the misty bajou.

The wild bajou with its many mysteries and lurking danger terrifies Serena.

How I imagine Serena's grandfather's plantation, Chanson du Terre, to look.

And if that doesn’t make you start to feel excited and warm, then the dangerously sexy Cajun, Lucky Doucet (or as I like to call him, "Luscious Lips" Lucky), will.

“Her first impression was of raw power. Broad shoulders, bulging biceps. His chest, bare and gleaming with a sheen of sweat, was wide, and hard muscle beneath taut, tanned skin. The strong V of his torso narrowed to a slender waist, a stomach corrugated with muscle and dusted with black hair that disappeared beneath the low-riding waistband of faded green fatigue pants.

She raised her eyes to his face and felt a strange shiver pass over her from head to toe, making her scalp tighten and her skin tingle. He stared at her from sleepy lids with large, unblinking amber eyes, eyes like a panther’s. His brow was heavy and straight, his nose bold and aquiline. His mouth did the most damage to her nervous system, however. It was wide, with lips so masterfully carved, so incredibly sensuous they would have looked perfect on a high-priced call girl. The effect of that mouth on a face so masculine – all lean planes and hard angles and five o’clock shadow – was blatantly sexual.”

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this sizzling Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense, first published in 1992. Read it for yourself and see if you don’t want to be Lucky’s Lady, too. ^_^

THANK YOU, Ms. Tami Hoag, for Lucky Doucet!   *sighs* 

My recent image of Lucky Doucet (The swoon-worthy Gilles Marini)

- It's a good thing I didn't "know" him as a teen, since my parents would have had a heart attack if I'd had posters like this in my room! LOL

 

*~*INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!!!*~*

My very first Giveaway and I'm excited! ^_^

To honour one of my "classic favourites" and to give one lucky person the chance to "know" the sexy Cajun, Lucky Doucet, too, I will be giving away a brand new paperback copy of Lucky's Lady by Tami Hoag. Entries open from 18 July 2011 - 25 July 2011. The randomly drawn Winner will be announced on 26 July 2011 here at Lady Jayne's Reading Den and notified by email.

Please enter by posting your name and email address in the comments below, and by sharing the name of the book (plus the author's name) of your "classic favourite" Contemporary Romance or Romantic Suspense. (Edited to add: Or if you are not as old as me *LOL*, or new to these genres and don't have any "classic favourites" yet, then current favourites are also welcome. ^_^)

Please note that the Giveaway is only open to followers of Lady Jayne's Reading Den (including new followers) and  must be from the ~100 countries to which The Book Depository has free shipping. Please see list below for eligible countries:

List of eligible countries

Good luck!!! ^_^

My Poetry: Resilience

"Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good." 

~ Elizabeth Edwards

I've been feeling like I've been down in the gutters after a family death at the start of June and then a home robbery and vandalism in the middle of June, which is why I haven't posted anything for a few weeks. Apologies!

But in the past week or so, I've felt re-born and have been "claiming back" my home ... and myself ... again.

While I've lost some drafts of my recent reviews, which was on the laptop that was amongst the items stolen from my home, I will write them again - hopefully soon!

I did write another poem, though. This poem arises out of recent events and is inspired by the above quote by Elizabeth Edwards and Jaci Velasquez's song, Flower in the Rain (video posted below).

~*~Resilience~*~

I’ve felt like I was kicked down,

But I picked myself up,

I could continue to frown,

But instead, I look at my half full cup;

I will be like a flower in the rain,

And when the storms have passed,

I will grow stronger again;

Oh, my bittersweet Resilience,

I have come to know your brilliance,

For even my Faith like a mustard seed,

Can give me strength when I bleed,

And to be enduring like a weed;

Like a weed growing in the gutter,

Which can still make one utter:

There is beauty in the gutter,

Where Resilience springs,

A beauty that reminds us to be thankful,

For the depth of Hope it brings!

~ By Jayne Michellane a.k.a Lady Jayne, 4th July 2011

Flower in the Rain by Jaci Velasquez: