Yours To Keep by Shannon Stacey

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Publication Date: June 28, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Kowalskis #3 (can be read alone)
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Other reviews of Shannon Stacey: Undeniably Yours (Kowalski #2), Naughty and Nice Christmas Anthology
My Rating:



Book Blurb: Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he’s recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother’s upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn’t like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma’s offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there’s no chance he’ll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he’s not planning to call home. 
Emma’s not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his “pretend” kisses are


My Thoughts: This is the second book I have read in the Kowalskis series. These boys just keep getting better. Sean was Mr. Perfect in my opinion and Emma chose the right man to be her pretend finace. I really liked that these two did not fight their attraction for one another. They gave in but told each other this was only temporary, so for now they could enjoy one another. The sparks flew off my e-reader each time they were in a room together. I enjoyed reading as they each took the plunge to love. Even better, I liked how the grandma and Aunt Mary were  in on it too. It left me smiling watching these two do a dance around one another, fighting their true feelings, as these two older women sat back and had a good chuckle.

I really like this authors style of writing. I believe this is my third story of hers I have read, and each time I have enjoyed it. If you have not read a Shannon Stacey book, I think this one is my favorite so far. I was definitely recommend this one. I laughed so much during this one and could picture each scene in my head as it happend.




 

Picture of my family and me

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I thought I would share a picture with my readers of my family and me, so you can put a face to who writes this blog. I am thinking of adding an about me tab, to make it just a little more personal. So, here is family and I. Husband and I have been together 10 years. My daughter is 4 and my son will be 7 in about 3 weeks. Aside from my "human" family, I have 5 cats and 1 black lab puppy.

 

Thoughts On The Erotica Genre

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I was going over my review calendar a few minutes ago and getting books converted to go onto my e-reader. I realized most of the books were the genre of erotica and that a lot of the books I have been reviewing lately have been that genre. So, my readers must think I am a horn dog! But, I must say, when I sit down to read these books I am not reading that to get me all hot and bothered. They have good story lines. They aren't something you would find in a dirty magazine. The author takes the time to write a story, to draw you as a reader in to fall in love with the characters as they are falling in love. The only difference I really see with the erotic genre is you get a little more into the intimate scenes. The writer tells you a little more about what the two are doing. Just because a book is categorized as erotic doesn't mean the couple is spanking, using bondage and so on. Really, the average erotic that I read is no different then a $3 harlequin on the wal-mart shelves. Of coarse there is erotica out there that would make you blush and can play into your secret fantasies. However, most of the time on this blog you are going to find an erotic book that is almost the same as a contemporary romance.

A majority of the authors I have reviewed for are pretty tame. Almost all of them I would recommend to anyone who is curious about erotica. Now, that isn't to say I have not read book that were of this category that left me flustered. In fact, the first erotica that I read was a series by Shelly Laurenston. It was a 3 book series that was on the paranormal side. That left me blushing and thinking "Oh my god!" I think it was mainly the language in those books; from the curse words to getting used to seeing the words of "private" parts. I am now used to see those words. However, I do choose to pick  books that are not filled with curse words. I don't care to see certain words every other word and I now make the choice to just put those books down.

So, yes Beck's Book Picks reviews a lot of erotica. But, I think this genre has really broadened in the past few years that is isn't as taboo as it used to be. I think it mainly just gives readers a little more about what the couple did. Heck, how often have you been reading a clean romance book where the chemistry is flying off the pages with the two main characters and the author shuts the door. You are left thinking, "Man, I just wanna know what those two were going to do." Well, you can. The best part of of e-readers, no one knows what your reading, and I think that's one reason why the genre has grown and evolved so much.



 

Ruby Red Metallic by Casey Sheridan

Readers 18 and older

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Publication Date: April 1st 2011
Genre: Erotic/ novella
Reviewed For: Breathless Press
My Rating:



Blurb: Only one thing stands between Alaina and her passion. His name is Scott.

My Thoughts: This was a quick and to the point read. It was actually different from your typical romance of two people who just have to have one another. Alaina knows what she wants and it just happens to be a car. She will do anything for the cars she wants and she lets it be known she will do whatever it takes.

When Scott enters the book, I thought  I knew what was going to happen, but I was wrong. The book ended in a way I was not expecting. I liked that.

Anyone who likes the erotic genre will enjoy this as a read. Its very quick from start to finish and will leave you as a reader satisfied.


 

Beg For Mercy Winners!

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Its time to announce the winners of the Beg For Mercy by Jami Alden giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered. This is a great book, so if you see it out, be sure to pick it up.

The winners are:
Marlene Breakfield
Susan Widmer


Congrats! I will be sending out an email shortly for your information!



 

Lady of Seduction by Laurel McKee

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Publication Date: May 31, 2011
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Book 3 of Daughters of Erin
Reviewed For: Forever Romance
Add to your Goodreads List
Crystal's Rating:


Book Blurb (Goodreads): It's a mad, ill-advised journey that leads the usually sensible Lady Caroline Blacknall to the legendary isle of Muirin Inish, off the windswept coast of Ireland. Even so, she doesn't expect to find herself shipwrecked and then rescued by a man she believed she would never see again. A man who, long ago, held her life in his hands . . . and with it, her heart.

Reformed rake Sir Grant Dunmore knew he could never forget the beautiful woman he once endangered nor will he ever forgive himself. But history seems doomed to repeat itself, for as long as Caroline stays on the island, she is trapped in a secret plot that could forever free Ireland-or turn deadly for all. And yet, now that she is in his arms again, how can he dream of ever letting her go?

Crystal's Thoughts: Sensible Caroline Blacknall leaves her studious and scholarly life behind as she goes in search of the man whom, long ago, threatened her very existence and quite possibly her heart.  As she heads out on an adventure of a lifetime, she has a new found sense of self and learns to embrace it and all that comes with it.  This includes Sir Grant Dunmore, a man whom most thought would never reform his rakish ways to become the man Caroline always felt in her heart he could be.  

This was a wonderfully written story.  It captivated me page to page with it's high energy and dangerous and riveting action scenes.  The passion was amazing between Caroline and Grant, as they already had a bit of a spark from the previous book in the series and it's brought to blazing life between the pages (and sheets, and hay, and where ever else they can find) as they realize what they mean to each other.  There is a lot of historical references in the book, which were a little boorish to a NON history buff such as myself, but you can tell the author went into painstaking detail and it only served to make the novel more authentic.  All in all, this was a great tale of a young widow, looking for one thing, and finding something so much more precious than she could have ever imagined. 

 

Interview: Stormy Knight

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Welcome Stormy, to Beck’s Book Picks.




Tell us a little about yourself?

Just like my bio on Sapphire Nights Books, I am a former North Carolina resident. I love the Outer Banks and the ocean in particular. I’m not much of a snow girl, and prefer living in the Southern states, but adore visiting Chicago. I’ve been writing in other genres for years and just began to write erotic romance and erotica less than a year ago. It’s very liberating. Do I have experience in all that I write? No, but I’m no angel either. Let’s just say some of what I write is based on personal experience.

How did you decide that erotica was the genre you would write?

 I’ve known the editor and publisher for Sapphire Nights Books for some time. She put out a call for a new line of books, and I wanted to try my hand at it. I’d read many erotic stories and thought I could write as well if not better than many of them, so why not? I did take a pseudonym so my private life could remain that way.

You have several books out with Sapphire Nights Books, so far, which one is your favorite that you have written?

 It’s hard to choose your favorite. It’s similar to choosing one child as your favorite. But, if I had to choose, I’d say it’s a close tie between Red Hot Lightning and Behind O’Grady’s Pub. I like Red Hot Lightning because it was my first and Behind O’Grady’s Pub because it’s my first ménage. In the latter, I attempted to show what a ménage could be with tender, caring men. I will have others, but you’ll see interesting twists on the common theme.

Also, watch out for my novellas in The Three Bustiers Series. The first one, All for Lust, a M/F book, came out last month. One Good Lay premieres mid-July. Um, Brice’s good lay isn’t just one man. The third book, a M/F erotic romance, is Steaming Up. That one has been the most fun to write. It comes out the end of August.

What is it like being an e-book author?

Fun. My books come out in a relatively quick time frame (though sometimes you might have to wait for a year—just depends on the house). So many more people read electronically these days and sales are increasing. I read all my books that way now and doubt I’ll ever use my local B&N the way I used to.

Can we find you elsewhere under a different pen name?

Perhaps. VBG 

Do you have any writing quirks?

I think all writers do. I don’t think any of us are immune. Mine don’t tend to be too strange. There are certain phrases I use more than others, but because I’m aware I do it, I try to self-edit out many. 

Anything that gets you in the mood to write?

I’m rarely not in the mood. It’s a passion, one that I feed daily or I get grumpy.

Any advice for new writers who are hoping to one day be published?

Have a whole lot of patience. It doesn’t happen overnight and it’s cumulative. That is, once you’re published the first time, don’t quit your day job.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that others may not know.

I love to cook and have won a city-wide cooking contest. In my house, I installed a six-burner gas stove so I can "feed"  my other passion. I've discoved you have to feed your men well so they can satisfy you later. Just don't overfeed them--don't want them to go to sleep.

Lastly, is there anything you would like to share?

Just that women (or men) who have never read erotic or erotic romance should try reading some. The heat levels in the genre vary significantly. Some are so taboo that I might not like them myself, but there are others who do prefer that style. You just have to choose what you like the best. I prefer to think of my stories as sensual and sometimes even playfully humorous. Let’s say Stormy Knight’s books range from smooth finely aged Cabernet Sauvignon to sweet tickle-the-tongue Moscato as compared to other authors’ books that are more similar to a dry martinis straight up.

You can find more about me and my books at:

www.StormyKnight.net

http://SteamyStormyKnight.Blogspot.com

www.SapphireNightsBooks.com

Thank you so much!

Check out my recent reviews of these books:

Red Hot Lightening

Blown Away

Better After Midnight