Books We've Read - What You See

What You See is the latest book in the Sons of the Survivalist series by Cherise Sinclair.  You don't have to read the previous books though it does help of course.  Cherise Sinclair's books get a little graphic - there's some violence - hand-to-hand combat, gun, abuse, there is some sexy times that are described with a fair amount of detail.

This series takes place in Rescue, Alaska, and is about 4 boys who grew up together, foster brothers who form a strong brotherhood between them.  They end up being raised by a survivalist after being taken from an abusive foster home.  

In this one, Bull meets Frankie.  Bull is owner of the local bar/restaurant though he has other business ventures in Alaska.  Frankie takes time off from her job at her family's modeling agency to rescue her friend being held in Alaska by the local religious cult.  We've seen the cult gain more and more attention throughout the book, how local law enforcement wants to shut it down, but they have no evidence.  So, this comes to a head a bit in this book.  

I liked this one.  I liked the action.  I completely understand that this book/series is not for everybody.  It gets very gritty and rough around the edges.  That said, it is typical for Cherise Sinclair's books and, truthfully, it is a little tamer than her other series in terms of subject matter and content.  So, if this is your jam, check out the series.

Book Opinion - Healing of the Wolf

It's funny because I am not a huge shapeshifter fan.  Healing of the Wolf is part of a series.  It is a romance, but it has some shapeshifting and involves some kidnapping and torture and some explicit scenes in terms of sexual situations and violence.  So, if you're still with me...

I don't know if this was my favorite in the series, but it wasn't my least favorite.  I think I like the wolves/cats more than the bears, but this is also the post-book to the big siege.  I liked the heroine quite a bit and glad to see the healer get his story after he popped up in the previous books.  It was also good to see more of his brother, too, who had previously not made a huge impression with me.

Basically, the heroine is kidnapped and tortured in captivity by these bad folks who are capturing all the shifters.  There is an entire universe created about this species, but I'm not going into it all.  So, a bunch of people are broken out and absorbed into separate communities where Margery traded one form of captivity for another.  She leaves and makes a nearby community her home and becomes neighbors (and more) with the two main male characters (one is the community healer and the other is a former city cop and security of sorts here).  

So, there is a little action, some friendship, and a happy ending.  These books aren't for everyone for a variety of reasons.  I didn't think they were for me, but I decided to try them out years ago and ended up liking them.  I kind of gloss over a lot of the shapeshifter terminology, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

Books Read in May 2017

I'm almost up-to-date!

• The Enforcer by HelenKay Dimon (NOTE: This is part of the Games People Play series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Love Me Again by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Master of Solitude by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Mountain Masters/Dark Haven series. The order of which can be found here.)
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Good month of books!  To be honest, American Gods took up most of the month, but it was worth it.  Despite being a little heavy on the characters and page count, I liked how it ended.  The tv show is meandering even more, but I know it is going to be more than one season.  I hope it works out because I loved how it started.  I hope it keeps up momentum, but I also hope it gets out and gets to come to as awesome of a conclusion.

Books Read in August 2015

1. Servicing the Target by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Shadowlands series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Taking the Heat by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is part of the Jackson Girls' Night Out series. You can find more information here.)
3. Thrill Me by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Falling Under by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is part of the Ink and Chrome series. The order of which can be found here.)
5. Caged by Lorelei James (NOTE: This is part of the Mastered series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
7. Running With the Devil by Lorelei James

Just some trashy books and The Hundred Foot Journey. They were all entertaining. Good summer reading, I suppose.

Books Read in July 2015

1. Complications by Atul Gawande
2. Insider by Olivia Cunning (NOTE: This is the first book of the Exodus End. The band featured has made a cameo in her previous series - book list is here.)
3. Opening Up by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is the first book in her Ink and Chrome series. You can find more information here.)
4. Unraveled by Lorelei James (NOTE: This is the third book in the Mastered series. The order of which can be found here.)
5. Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is the first book in the Cedar Ridge series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Kiss Me by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
7. Holding Holly and Chasing Jillian by Julie Brannagh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order of which can be found here.)
8. Master of Freedom by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Mountain Masters and Dark Haven series. The order of which can be found here.)

I did a lot of reading. After a spell of heavier books, I jumped back into romance. I'll admit there was a mix of down and dirty and sweet so be wary if you use this for recommendations. Complications was my rare non-fiction book. I liked it. The author made things easy to follow. It gave great insight in a clear, concise way. I'd recommend it and I'd even go so far as to say I'd read his latest book.

Books Read in Fall 2014

November

1. Blood Magick by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of The Cousins O'Dwyer series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (NOTE: The other related book/sequel is Where She Went.)
3. Show Me, Baby by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Masters of the Shadowland series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Unbridled by Beth Williamson
5. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
6. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
7. Take Me to Paradise by Olivia Cunning (NOTE: This is part of the Sinners on Tour series. The order of which can be found here, but it has not been updated to include the latest novella.)
8. Holiday on Ice by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Play by Play series. The order of which can be found here.)

December

1. Yours for Christmas by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Lucky Harbor series - the last one! The order of which can be found here.)
3. Covering Kendall by Julie Brannaugh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

It looks more impressive than the list should be.  Many were novellas, just quick little fun romance short stories.  I did have some quality books in there - both romance and mainstream fiction.  It was a good run, and I have no complaints.

Books Read in May 2014

1. Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton  (NOTE: This is part of her Hope series.  The order of which can be found here.)
2. Edge of the Enforcer by Cherise Sinclair  (NOTE: This is part of her Doms of Dark Haven and Mountain Masters series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. It Happened One Wedding by Julie James (NOTE: This is part of the FBI/U.S. Attorney series. The related books can be found here.)
4. Catching Cameron by Julie Brannagh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order in which to read the books can be found here in the Novels tab.)

Decent month full of quick reads.  I'm enjoying my romance run.  All of the books were solid with great stories and characters.  June is not looking as promising so far though.

Books Read in November 2013

1. If Only by Cherise Sinclair  (NOTE:  This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series.  The order of which can be found here.)
2. Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis  (NOTE:  This is part of the Animal Magnetism series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick  (NOTE:  This is part of the Mother-Daughter Book Club series.  The order of which can be found here.)
4. Dark Witch by Nora Roberts  (NOTE:  This is part of the Cousin O’Dwyer trilogy.  This is the first book in the trilogy. You can find the release order for the rest of the trilogy (and the rest of Nora Roberts’s book for the year) here.)

The month wasn’t bad. I read all of these in the beginning of the month before starting the book club book which took me about a month to finish. You’ll see that one in December. No big standouts, but I enjoyed each of them. The books in the series were compelling enough that I’m frustrated by the long wait for the next book though The Mother-Daughter Book Club series is complete so I do have the second book ready to go. I usually take a break because the series is for much (much) younger readers so I can only handle so much at once of 6th grade angst.

Books Read in July 2013

1. Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor Series. You can find the order in which to read it here.)
2. Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards  (NOTE:  This is part of the Recipe for Love series. The order of which can be found here.
3. Doms of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
4. Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
5. Hawkeye One: Danger Zone by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Hawkeye Two: Bend Me Over by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
7. Book Three: Make Me by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
8. Hot Summer Nights by Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy, and Jessica Clare. (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series - the order of which can be found here and the Serendipity series - the order of which can be found here.
9. Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
10. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
11. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)

The Jill Shalvis one was a forgotten novella.  I caught up on that while waiting for her next release.  The rest were mostly quick erotica reads before a friend recommended the Enchanted, Inc. series which I've completely flew through.  I'm currently reading the fourth book and don't know what I'll do when I catch up!

Books Read in May 2013

1. Fly Away by Kristin Hannah  (NOTE:  You really should read Firefly Lane first.)
2. Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl  (NOTE:  This is part of the Jackson Hole series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. Hot Ticket by Olivia Cunning (NOTE:  This is part of the Sinners on Tour series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
5. Too Hot to Handle by Victoria Dahl  (NOTE:  This is part of the Jackson Hole series.  The order of which can be found here.)
6. Halfway There by Susan Mallery  (NOTE:  This is part of the Fool's Gold series.  The order of which can be found here.)
7. This Is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair  (NOTE:  This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series.  The order of which can be found here.)

Decent month of reading.  They were all digital. I read A Reliable Wife for book club, but I bought the book years ago. So, if anything, I was glad to finally read it. The others were good books though some aren't for the faint of heart so if you're playing the home game, read the summaries before you read. I'm enjoying being able to read on the way to work, the joy of commuting on the train. Lots of good books coming out this summer, too.

Books Read in October 2012

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. A Fool’s Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is the first of the Fool’s Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. My Liege of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Mountain Masters/Dark Haven series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Coming Undone by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is the second book of the Brown siblings about the Brown siblings and their friends. The order of which can be found here.)
5. Inside Out by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is the third book of the Brown siblings about the Brown siblings and their friends. The order of which can be found here.)


Gone Girl is the book that took me about 3 weeks to read.  That said, I sat down with it 3 times and each time read about 100 pages.  The last day, I just read half the book until I finish.  It will consume you and you'll want someone with whom to discuss it.  I thought Fool's Gold Christmas was very sweet and a nice conclusion to this portion of the series.  I haven't read many of the Dark Haven books because they are mostly short stories, but I may go back to catch up (which is rarely done with me).  I was more invested in this story than the previous books I had read, but I also liked that past characters made appearance.  Still, it isn't my favorite series of hers.  Lauren Dane is a recommended authors and, so far, I really enjoy her books.  I'm finding these last two were great, and I'm really liking the current book.  Her books haven't clicked with me in the past, but I'm glad I gave her another shot.

Books Read in August 2012

1. All Summer Long by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This book is part of the Fool’s Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
   
2. Hard to Resist by Janelle Denison
3. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
4. Convincing Quinn and Breaking Beau by Chloe Cole
5. Kissin’ Tell by Lorelei James (NOTE: This is part of a series. You can find more information and order in which to read here.)
6. The Dom’s Dungeon, Master of the Abyss and Hour of the Lion by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: Master of the Lion is the sequel to Master of the Mountain which I read but do not have previously listed. The others are either stand alone or the first in a series.)
7. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn (NOTE: This book is the sequel of sorts to The Lost Duke of Wyndham though the books take place simultaneously. After reading this one, I went back and skimmed the other.)
8. Unleashed by Cherrie Lynn (NOTE: This is the first book before Rock Me which I read previously. I think the second book is much stronger, but I hate to leave a series unfinished.)
9. Baby Bonanza by Maureen Child
10. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is the first of the Play-by-Play series. The order of which can be found here.)


Lots of books this month. It was a lot of fluff though I started some mainstream fiction books. I was on vacation so the quick reads were perfect. It’s hard to concentrate on bestsellers for me with waves and sun. You’ll probably see those titles later in the year. I’ve been reading some great books, just waiting for time to really sink my teeth into them.

Books Read in July 2012

1. Breaking Free, Lean on Me, Make Me, Sir and To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series. The order can be found here.)
2. Summer Days and by Susan Mallery (NOTE: These books are part of the Fool’s Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. At Last and Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Lucky Harbor series. The order can be found here as well as on her website.)
4. The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. (NOTE: This is part of a greater series. You can find the convoluted order here, but you should at least read Call me Irresistible first as these two books take place during simultaneous periods of time.)
5. Try Me by Olivia Cunning (NOTE: This is the first short story in a new series.)
6. Jacked Up by Erin McCarthy (NOTE: This is the latest in the Fast Track series. The order can be found here.)
7. Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany

Lots of books this month. The first is part of the erotica series I started last month. The others are all favorite authors – Jill Shalvis, Susan Mallery, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Erin McCarthy. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Outside the Lines was for book club and the first time I’ve read the author. I really enjoyed it and look forward to finding more of her books. I’m on vacation in August so I’ll either read a lot of books or very little. I’m already one down and it’s the second of the month so we’ll see if I can keep it up (though probably not at a one a day pace).

Books Read June 2012

1. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
2. 50 Shades of Grey by E L James
3. Paris in Love by Paris in Love
4. Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn
5. Almost Summer by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.
6. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
7. Club Shadowlands and Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series. The order can be found here.)

Most of my reading came at the beginning of the month. Almost all were library books. I thought The Book Thief was interesting but it made me cry. I thought 50 Shades was overrated. I thought Paris in Love was adorable although I will warn you that it is a compilation of Eloisa James's Facebook and Twitter posts so if you are a fan of hers, it may be familiar or you may not like the format in general. The last is a series recommended to me because it's supposed to be what 50 Shades should have been (though it's a specialty club and not a rich dude fantasy scenario). Either way, none are for the feint of heart. I'm back on track with sweet little romances which is like a breath of fresh air. Next up will be a mainstream fiction book and a memoir. Keeping it varied as usual.