Review for Savage Sanctuary by Jacqueline Barbary

This is a very quick paranormal read that focuses on the world of shifters, those protecting them, and those who experimented on them and hunt them still.  This particular book is of the m/m genre and focuses on Robert Hamilton-Scott who has opened up his home as a sanctuary for those shifters hiding from the government.  He's a part of the resistance, a quiet part though since he's a shifter himself.  He dyes his hair since shifters have very distinctive hair coloring and keeps to himself out of fear of being discovered.  It's a quiet life until the day the resistance brings Michael O'Dare to recover at Robert's mansion.  He was experimented on by the government and forced to shift which has now left him more animal-like than human.  Robert sees the man inside though and helps him learn to be Centered like him so he regains his humanity.  There's still many obstacles to overcome in their relationship with many dangerous moments when the resistance goes against the government to free more shifters and hidden truths come out in the open.

Since this story was so short the emotional connection between Michael and Robert felt a bit rushed and a tad superficial at first.  It had the feel of love-at-first-sight which makes you question the longevity of their relationship, but the two of them go through so many life-threatening and highly emotional incidents that their bond does become a bit more believable.  And they both bring very unique qualities, unique life views, to their relationship that again made their bond realistic.  Michael clearly was the more experienced of the two, but he never made Robert feel naive nor did he act overtly dominant in their sexual relationship.  The sexual interludes between the two were nicely written and did not take over the story.  I liked seeing them as a couple, but wish more time could have been invested in developing their relationship.

Another casualty due to the shortness of the story was the world-building.  I'm definitely intrigued by these shifters, but I wanted to have a clearer image of the shifter's lives and the government's reasons for harming them.  It's a world that is interesting with a lot of possibilities that I'd like to see the author expand upon.

This story wasn't perfect, but it's a good start that if the author continues to write about will definitely have me as a reader.  This book would have gotten a higher rating from me had things been expanded upon, but the shortness of it made me feel cheated.  I wanted to know more and feel more invested in this couple's relationship but the shortness of the story didn't allow for that.  Given a longer book length I feel this author can create a very good book since this story was a nice start.

My rating for this is a C.

*I received this from NetGalley for reviewing purposes.

*Book cover photo courtesy of www.goodreads.com.

Teaser Tuesdays #10.......

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

  

JUST FOR KICKS by Susan Andersen

....from page 10

"He's stubborn, opinionated and just won't listen."

"A typical male, in other words."

Fashion Monday Madness......

After a few week's hiatus due to unforeseen medical circumstances, I'm back and can't wait for us to discuss this week's fashion choices.  The theme for this week is definitely leaning towards a black and white motif with a splash of color and covers what the stars wore over the past week.  Without further ado, let's look at.....

The Good....

Jennifer Hudson looks stylish and svelte in this classic LBD (little black dress) with a twist.  I love the zigzag pattern that makes the style unique and yet the color choice that makes it classic, great combination and super great fit.  She's been looking so amazing lately!

Kristen Bell looks sparkly and stylish in this fun little dress that's a bit retro and a lot flirty.  There's just the right amount of sparkles to keep this eye-catching and yet tasteful and the simplicity of the design is wonderful as well.  The hair looks amazing too, so sleek and shiny!

The Bad....

Carrie Underwood looks all sorts of confused in this dress that's bland in color and over-the-top with embellishments.  The tan coloring blends into her skin tone to make her look washed out and the ruffles and sea creature(?) covering her lower half are overpowering.  Although the film she's promoting does have to do with the ocean, so maybe she meant to look like a sandy beach in motion.

Katie Holmes has been looking more and more drab as her daughter continues to be the stylish one in the family.  Perhaps Suri will let mommy borrow her stylist?  From head to toe this outfit is ill-fitting and completely dated and I wonder how far back in the closet she had to reach to find this mess of an outfit.  Although if she needs a day job, she's already got the perfect ensemble for being a waiter.

The Ugly....

Actress Diane Kruger looks to be channeling the Amish in this drab and bulky dress that does not age her gracefully.  The hair too adds to the milkmaid look and I think it's time to go back to the farm and take this boring dress with her.

Blake Lively is channeling the 80's in this drab and poofy dress to promote the movie The Green Lantern.  Too bad the superhero couldn't save her from this retro look gone wrong!  The top part of the dress looks saggy, with a bodice reminiscent of Madonna's cone bra (without the pointiness of course!).  The skirt is way too short and one good twirl will cause a major flashing to occur.  Time to put this dress back in the closet for good and join us in the 21st century.



So there you have it, the wardrobe choices of the rich and famous for this week!  Sound off below on how you feel about the outfits above and let's get the lively debate going!

Review for Consent To The Cowboy by Abby Wood

Daphne Norris is a hard-workin' barmaid who wants more than a one-night stand cowboy.  Luckily for her, Will Hanson lands at her feet and is soon proposing a relationship way more intense than just one night.  He's been looking for just the right woman to be the other half of his Dom/Sub coupling and he thinks Daphne would be the perfect Sub.  After a weekend of intense interaction, Will and Daphne are soon very ingrained in each other's lives.  She takes to the roll of Sub wholeheartedly and Will is definitely cut out to be the Dom.  He has a say in every aspect of Daphne's life and she is very comfortable letting him make all the decisions.  Before long misunderstandings erupt and it takes an unexpected individual to bring the lovers back together.

I've read many stories based on this kind of lifestyle and still can't quite understand the appeal of it.  That is not to say that it affects my enjoyment of the story.  When the characters are likable, I will wholeheartedly buy into the relationship no matter how I feel about it personally.  Unfortunately for this story, I found the characters to be rather unlikable with a connection that didn't feel as though it was based on love.  Will is extremely dominant, both in and out of the bedroom, and it gave the impression of being a father figure to Daphne who already has daddy issues.  He wanted to change everything about her from her clothes to working only on his farm.  I don't feel as though a strong relationship can be formed when you're being molded into someone completely different by someone else.  I found Daphne to be even more unlikable because of the immature attitude and actions she constantly displayed.  From appearing scared of a sexual position one minute to jumping in wholeheartedly the next, to running scared screaming like a child from farm animals, it was one childish action after another.

My negative reactions to the main characters greatly reduced my enjoyment of this story.  The sexual interludes were hot, but I never bought into this couple's relationship.  The love of your life should bring out things in you, not suppress you and who you are.  After the final page and after much deliberation, I'm left very unsatisfied and disappointed by this story.  With stronger and more likable characters, a much better story could have emerged, but as it is I just can't fully recommend this story.

My rating for this is a D+.

*I received this from NetGalley for reviewing purposes.

*Book cover photo courtesy of www.goodreads.com.

Winner of Rob Tobin's God Wars: Living With Angels

I just wanted to send a big Thank You to those who signed up for the giveaway and those who sent me get-well messages!  I took all the names and put them in the Random.org machine who chose...........

CHRIS!!!!!!!!  You won a digital copy of Rob's book!  I am emailing you now and you'll have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  Congratulations!