Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Holiday Thoughts

As the holidays draw closer, I find myself reminiscing a lot. At this time of the year many people feel sad because it is a time to be with family and share good times with our loved ones and we are missing the ones we lost. When we lose someone we love, we tend to be a little maudlin during the holidays. My mother passed away 6 years ago and I still miss her terribly, especially during the holidays. We were very close, and we shared some wonderful times together.  I read a post about "Those Damn Christmas Letters". It was very funny yet poignant for me. My mom used to write a Christmas newsletter every year. Her letter was not the kind that only told how good everything and everyone was, but was a real newsletter sent to family  members to keep everyone informed about everyone else with the happenings good and bad for the year. I promised her I would continue the tradition and I have kept it up since she died. It gets harder each year as the family has grown somewhat apart, but I find out as much as I can about what has happened in the family throughout the year and put it in the letter. I found one of my mom's Christmas poems  from the Christmas before she died and I want to share it with you. 


When I am asked: “What do you want for Christmas?
What can we give you this year?”

If I say “NOTHING”, you buy something anyway.
So here’s a list of what I would like; believe me when I say:
Pajamas for a little child, food to feed the poor.
Blankets for a shelter and I ask but little more—

Perform good deeds and let me know, or volunteer your time.
These last are worth a fortune, and they needn’t cost a dime.
I have so many things now; vases, candles, clocks, and tapes.
I have no need for garments, or for pretty trays or plates.
Candy is too fattening, knickknacks I have plenty of.
Just make a little time & spread some Christmas love.

I have no walls to hang more pictures.  I have books I haven’t yet read.
So please take what you would spend on me and help the poor instead!
Just send a Christmas card to tell me what you have done.
I will open them on Christmas Eve and read them one by one.
It won’t cost much for postage as a package sent would do.
You’ll need no wrapping paper, ribbons, ink or glue.

I will be so thankful that you listened to what I had to say.
And I will be the instrument to help someone else this way.
Thank you for paying attention to what I had to say.
Spread love & peace & happiness in this very special way.

Thank you!
Love
Shirley


Dedicated to my mom in loving memory this holiday season! 


 Ded

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Blog Hops and Contests

It's been a while since I posted. I  want to share what I've been doing lately. I have been following a lot of blogs since we last talked. I found a really great way to meet new authors and find out what is going on in the lives of old favorites.  BLOG HOPS!.  It is a unique way for authors to get their writings out there and lets readers get a look at some AMAZINGLY talented people. I have been hopping and entering contests. It's a way for me to get some really good books and swag without having to spend a ton of money I don't really have. It's also been a fun experience. I get to meet new authors, have a chance to win books or gift cards to buy books, and the best thing is: My husband can't complain that I am spending money that we don't have toward my new hobby. I have to say that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE blog hopping.

So If you're interested, here are a couple of blog hops for November 2011:

Giveaway Gratitude Blog Hop -   11/17 to 11/27

Small Blogs, Big Giveaways -  11/18 to 11/25.
 http://smallblogsbiggiveaways.blogspot.com/

New Authors and Book Lovers Blog Hop - 11/23 to 11/30
 http://worddiaries.blogspot.com/2011/10/calling-new-authors-and-book-lovers.html

Guilty Pleasures Happy Holidays Celebration - 11/21 to 1/1/2012

Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Blog Hop - 11/25 to 11/27
 http://www.booksavvybabe.com/black-friday-blog-hop/

I will post some more for December later. December is a great month for hops and contests.

Until next time.  HAPPY READING!  <^_^>

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Dragon Shifters

Today, I've listed quite a few dragon shifter books. Most of them I've read and really enjoyed. You know I like the erotic ones the best. I  listed them by series order if they are part of a series. The blurbs are courtesy of "Goodreads".

Let me know if you've read any of them and what you think about them.

Talk to you later  ;)


Maiden Flight
Dragon Knights 1
Bianca D’Arc
War is coming for the knights, dragons, and a damsel who is not quite in distress, but finds her heart’s desire in the strong men of the Border Lair.

Border Lair
Dragon Knights 2
Bianca D’Arc
War has come to the Border Lair, but as enemies become allies - and lovers - hope springs anew for the dragons and their knights.A young widow, Adora raised her daughter by herself, but her girl is married now. Can Adora find a love of her own in the crowded Border Lair? Dare she even try?

The Ice Dragon
Dragon Knights 3
Bianca D’Arc
A wild Northern Ice Dragon and the girl who raised him save the life of a fierce, shape shifting royal black dragon, only to have him save them in return with his love.

Prince of Spies
Dragon Knights 4
Bianca D’Arc
Prince Nico is a cunning master of stealth, but can he master a maiden's fragile heart?

Wings of Change
I Dream Of Dragons
Dragon Knights 4.5
Bianca D’Arc
Lucia, born a lady in a foreign land, now waits tables for her keep. When she sees Sir Reynor wasting away, she storms the Castle Lair seeking help for the dying dragon. What she finds is a dashing rogue, a mighty dragoness, and a contrite knight who blames himself for his dragon partner’s injury.

Firedrake
Dragon Knights 5
Bianca D’Arc
Drake returns home after fifteen years to face his estranged family and the dragon he left behind, but finds more than he bargains for when a young prince is kidnapped. It's up to Drake, his childhood friend and rival, Mace, a warrior woman named Krysta, and two young dragons to track the prince and get him back.

Dragon Storm
Dragon Knights 6
Bianca D’Arc
Caught in a magical storm and deposited on modern-day Earth, twin dragon princes Darius and Connor are looking for a way home. Instead they find something most unexpected—their mate.

Sophie’s Dragon
Jory Strong
Mystery and fantasy writer, collector of crystals and believer in magic, Sophie Alexander can't resist the lure of trying to find the legendary Chalice of Enos. She feels compelled to hunt for the Dragon's Cup even though the mysterious and dangerous Severn Damek is after it too. Little does she know she's on a collision course with a supernatural being straight from one of her novels.

Drui Claiming
Jory Strong
Dragons. They huff and puff and burn the house down when they don't get their own way. They're possessive, dominating, and don't know the meaning of carefree because they're weighed down by all the treasure they feel compelled to guard. They're trouble but it doesn't change the fact that Marika has it bad for a certain silver-blond male named Xanthus whose dark, dark eyes have a lethal effect on her libido.

Dragon Mate
Jory Strong
The younger members of dragon-kind might be foolish enough to allow their human mates the freedom to choose where they go and do as they please. Kirill doesn't plan to make the same mistake. Now that the time has arrived to claim her, he intends to go to the human world, collect his mate, and immediately return to the dragon realm with her. Unfortunately for him, Jazzlyn has other ideas.

Dragonfire
Dragonfire 1
Sherrill Quinn
When an old, brutal enemy surfaces, determined to destroy Lani Aster and her sister, Lani must call upon her ex-lover Zander Lyaksandro--the fierce leader of the shapeshifting Dragon Order--for help. But Zander had betrayed her once before. Can Lani really trust the man who had broken her heart? And can Zander overcome the doubts of the past and learn to love again in time to save their lives?

Dragonheat
Dragonfire 2
Sherrill Quinn
Nikolai Zelenka and Rainer Batsakis are sent by Zander Lyaksandro to find out what happened to a geneticist working on a cure for the higher-than-normal mortality rate of infants within the dragon clans. They meet the scientist's sister, DeeDee Adair, and immediately recognize her as their mate. Are two lusty shapeshifting dragons more than DeeDee can handle? Or will Nik and Rainer discover they have their hands full with her?

Dragonlight
Dragonfire 3
Sherrill Quinn
Ice dragon Gavril Stasio was caught while doing recon on a new dragon hunter. He never expected her to save his life. Kidnapping her, however, was no way to thank her, but he had no choice. Marina Rodriguez wants to do what she can to atone for the havoc her family has wrought on dragons. She finally gets her chance and ends up defending herself against charges that she's a dragon hunter. Once she's done that, she's faced with two sexy dragon men who want to protect her. And make love to her. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do

Dragon’s Bane
Sherrill Quinn
Dragon’s Bane is the story of Cinderella's fairy godmother, Adara Tremeirchion. Adara is the youngest--and most successful--fairy godmother in the realm. But she has made an enemy of Cinderella's wicked stepmother. Ruarc of Melthione is a prince of the kingdom that neighbors Prince Charming's. He, too, is on the stepmother's "hit" list, cursed by her to be a dragon by night.


Dragon’s Kiss
Shadow of the Dragon 1
Tielle St. Clare
Lorran has studied dragons for years, hoping to find a way for the wild creatures and humans to live in peace. She knows better than most the devastation caused by a dragon bite. And when Kei the Dragonslayer appears on her doorstep, torn and bleeding, she knows he has only weeks to live. Kei has been a dragon slayer all his life, but when he becomes the victim of a dragon bite, he turns to Lorran, the only woman who might be able to save him from sure death.

Dragon’s Fire
Shadow of the Dragon 2
Tielle St. Clare
Power comes from passion. Those words haunt Tiana's nights. A witch with no powers, Tiana is rejected and pitied by her people. She lives a contented, quiet existence on the edge of the Matriarchy's lands-until Princess Merena kidnaps Prince Rainek of Xicanth to use as a sex slave. Seeing his strong, naked body chained to the wall, Tiana discovers desires and needs she never expected-and the passion that flows between them has unexpected results.

Dragon’s Rise
Shadow of the Dragon 3
Tielle St. Clare
As a child, Prince Bren of Xicanth saw the devastation created when a dragon is rejected by its mate . . . and vowed he would never unleash that kind of horror and suffering on a woman. The promise is simple to maintain until Tynan, the dragon who shares his existence, chooses a mate and demands to claim her as only a dragon can.

Dragon’s Prey
Shadow of the Dragon 4
Tielle St. Clare
Captured and put into slavery, it should be a simple thing for Kayla to escape, if only her dragon would cooperate. But the blasted beast - bored with the males at home - sees Kayla's captivity as the perfect opportunity to find her mate. When her dragon finds the man for Kayla, he's all wrong. He's too strong, too aggressive and way too grouchy.

Enter the Dragon (anthology)
Tielle St. Clare
"By Daylight Come". It has a weredragon, a warrior, and a maiden, oh my. This tale is a contemporary, has a little violence (and purple blood!), some light BDSM, and is a menage story.

Mlyn Hurn
"Tale of the Dragon" This dragon story has a dragon as protector, but the main characters are very definitely human. The story is historical and very enjoyable and includes: a Duke, a headstrong Princess, a dragon egg, a rather hip adult dragon, cats and kittens, and a charming imp of a boy.

Madison Hayes
"Hyde!" had a very different feel. It was menacing and futuristic. The dragon of this tale is one who can overcome his host and use the host body

The Barbarian Prince
Dragon Lords 1
Michelle M. Pillow
Going undercover at Galaxy Brides as one of the prospective mates to these Viking-like barbarians, Morrigan has no intention of getting chosen to stay. But when Ualan of the Draig picks her to be his wife with the aid of his mystically glowing crystal, it is all she can do to say no. Waking up from a drug-induced night of torturous and unfulfilling pleasures, Morrigan discovers her spaceship has left without her and Ualan is claiming she is his wife. It’s not exactly the story this reporter had in mind. And to make matters worse, Ualan refuses to take no for an answer.

The Perfect Prince
Dragon Lords 2
Michelle M. Pillow
Nadja Aleksander has everything she could ever want in life, except her freedom. Skipping out on her engagement, to a man her controlling father has chosen for her, Nadja books passage on the first spaceship she can find. Bound for a planet of primitive humanoid males, Nadja plans on finding a simple, hard working man who will allow her to live out her days in total obscurity. Prince Olek of Draig, royal ambassador, is pleased with his refined and blushing bride. When she chooses him to be her life mate, appearing happy in her decision, his heart soars; until the next morning when his new little Princess wants nothing to do with him. Olek doesn’t know what he’s done to upset his alluring bride, but he is determined to reignite the spark that burned the night they met.

The Dark Prince
Dragon Lords 3
Michelle M. Pillow
Intergalactic thief, Olena Leyton is one of the best space pirates in history. Sailing the high skies in search of adventure is in her blood. When her crew is scattered in a run from the law and her ship crashes, exploding into a ball of flames, the injured Olena is forced to find sanctuary on a Galaxy Brides ship. Posing as a blushing 'mail-order' bride to elude the bounty hunters that pursue her, Olena finds herself heading to the primitive planet of Qurilixen. But, being a bride isn't something that Olena takes seriously. Prince Yusef of Draig, Captain of the Outpost, leads a simple life away from the palace. He knows from the first moment he sees his fiery temptress that he will possess her and make her his bride for all time. However, Yusef learns that playing with fire will always leave a man burned. But, with passions as powerful as this dark Prince's are, he is not willing to give up his bride without a fight

The Warrior Prince
Dragon Lords  4
Michelle M. Pillow
Physically scarred in childhood in an act of betrayal, Pia has never been considered an attractive woman. One horrible mistake and she is on the run. Desperate to hide her identity, she makes a deal with Galaxy Brides--in exchange for a new face, she'll marry anyone they put in front of her. Never did she realize her future husband would be the most handsome warrior of the Draig. Though no man could thwart the brave Draig leader, a woman would be his undoing... Zoran of Draig is a man who knows what he wants. He has to. Being a Prince and the Captain of the Draig Guard, he has to make swift decisions, be ready to battle at a moment's notice, and most of all, he always has to be in control. When his wife, the one person who should obey him refuses to, Zoran discovers the battle for his heart's desire is fiercer than any he has ever waged before.

Flame Angel
Lisa Andel
Little did Angie know she was about to attract the most dangerous man in town - Kraid Devon, the Dragon. Or that the attraction would be wildly mutual. Angie has an affinity to fire. Especially the kind of fire she creates with a certain Dragon, despite the fact he's the scariest man she's ever met.

Can’t Get Enough
Dragon Kin Prequel
Shelly Laurenston
Even for a dragon, Ailean the Wicked has a bad reputation. For 150 years he's been renowned for his fighting prowess, but now he's got a new conquest in mind-a gorgeous dragoness known as Shalin the Innocent. Ailean suspects she's anything but. And while he's saving her from her enemies, he plans to prove that, even in human form, a bad-boy dragon can show a girl a good time that's truly off the scale...

Dragon actually
Dragon Kin 1
G. A. Aiken
It-s not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear-a lot-or else salute. It-s true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother-s soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer.

About a Dragon
Dragon Kin 2
G. A. Aiken
For Nolwenn witch Talaith, a bad day begins with being dragged from bed by an angry mob intent on her crispy end and culminates in rescue by - wait for it - a silver maned dragon. Existence as a hated outcast is nothing new for a woman with such powerful secrets. The dragon, though? A tad unusual. This one has a human form to die for, and knows it. According to dragon law, Talaith is now his property, for pleasure...Or otherwise. But if Lord Arrogance thinks she's the kind of damsel to acquiesce without a word, he's in for a surprise

What A Dragon Should Know
Dragon Kin 3
G. A. Aiken
Only for those I love would I traipse into the merciless Northlands to risk life, limb, and my exquisite beauty. But do they appreciate it? Do they say, 'Gwenvael the Handsome, you are the best among us - the most loved of all dragons?' No! For centuries my family has refused to acknowledge my magnificence as well as my innate humility. Yet for them, and because I am so chivalrous, I will brave the worst this land has to offer. So here I stand, waiting to broker an alliance with the one the Northlanders call The Beast. A being so fearful, the greatest warriors will only whisper its name. Yet I, Gwenvael, will courageously face down this terrifying...woman? It turns out the Beast, a.k.a. Dagmar Reinholdt, is a woman - one with steel-gray eyes and a shocking disregard for my good looks. Beneath her plain robes and prim spectacles lies a sensual creature waiting to be unleashed. Who better than a dragon to thaw out that icy demeanor? And who better than a beast to finally tame a mighty dragon's heart?

Last Dragon Standing
Dragon Kin 4
G. A. Aiken
I know what they see when they look at me. The charming, soft-spoken dragoness bred from the most powerful of royal bloodlines. A disguise stronger than any battle shield that allows me to keep all suitors at tail’s length. A technique that’s worked until him. Until Ragnar, the Cunning, handsome barbarian warlord and warrior mage from the desolate Northlands.

Dragon on Top
Dragon Kin 4.5
G. A. Aiken
Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience. . . and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist. . .

The Dragon Who Loved Me
Dragon Kin 5
G. A. Aiken
I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I’ve earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it’s the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best—destroying the enemies of my kind.

Dragon Lord
Kaitlyn O’Connor
Raina had never been employed as a 'domestic', but she was gung ho to try anything once, however unnerving and 'strange' she found the occupants of the remote island estate. Foreigners, she thought, with strange eyes, unfamiliar ways, and an even more alien language .... Very alien. As unnerving as she found the dark, devastatingly handsome, and infinitely mysterious Simon Draken, however, Raina also found him so compelling, so magnetic she could no more resist him than she could will her heart to cease to beat.


Firebreather
Marie Harte
Ferin Dekker is wealthy, powerful, and the secret ruler of the mysterious Dracon clan. Lea Venlay is the daughter of his people's enemy, yet she intrigues him to no end.
Determined to find out what it is about Lea that captivates him, Ferin spirits her away into the mountains, seeking answers. Lea can't believe she's been kidnapped by a man she's been unable to stop thinking about. But Ferin is Dracon, and if he knew about the books and research she's done regarding his secretive clan, he'd be more apt to crush her than kiss her. And then there's her disagreeable family to contend with.
Dragon Blood
Madelaine Montague
They were the last of their kind--brothers born of the last dragon and doomed never to find mates of their own--not of their own kind, at any rate.

Dragon's Blood
Cruentus Dragons 1
Brynn Paulin
For centuries, there have been legends of Vampires—the fault of one careless dragon. But humans only know part of the story. Walking amongst us are Dragons—Shape-shifters who feed on blood. Reluctant Dragon Elder Janos Aventech’s vacation in New York is about to come to an abrupt end. Riding on the subway, he stumbles across a Dragon mate—one of the few human women with whom his people can unite and be truly happy.

Dragon’s Star
Stephanie Burke
Left to die in the searing heat of the desert floor, a sacrifice to the scavengers that inhabit its sandy depths, the nameless female struggled to save her own life. As a foundling, she had always done so. When she turned down the son of the leader of her village, she found herself cast to the vicious Scabs and their never-ending hunger. But then something came to her aid! A large talking lizard with more attitude than brains was there, carrying her off to a strange new world inhabited by the Dragonish.

Fire In The Sky
Michelle Hasker
Selena’s had the hots for her boss Kyden since she started working for him. There’s something about him that just drives her insane with desire. Kyden’s ordered her to stay late to work tonight, just the two of them, but she’s not sure she can control the desire if they are alone in the building. Or if she wants to.

Reclaimed
Selena Illyria
Control is essential for a dragon, what with their fiery breath, knife-sharp nails, and teeth that can shred a human in moments.  The day Brenton loses control is the day he runs from the one woman who can complete him, his fire companion. Now he’s back and he’s going to reclaim Sky Lilly forever and always.

Ferret You
Celia Kyle
Egan’s a dragon with a plan. After watching his brothers settle with their fire companions, he aches to create a home with his own. Only Mireya is being somewhat… resistant. Okay, she’s said no. Repeatedly. He likes to think she’s just playing hard to get. He hopes.

Captive Heart
Anne Kane
After years of playing the field, Haydn has finally found his soul mate. Problem is, the well-endowed Cassie thinks all dragons are trouble and she has no intention of letting Hayden anywhere near her. He's going to have to do some fast talking to convince her he's the dragon of her dreams.

Savannah’s Menage
Lizzie Lynn Lee
Tired of the usual dating scene, Savannah Lisander, part-human, part-dragon is skeptical that she'll ever find her souler. Then she meets a set of triplets who blow her mind and her heart.

Raen
Michelle Hasker
Using her Internet friend to fulfill sexual fantasies isn't a problem -- until Raen meets him in person. Her desires deepen the feelings she's always had for Dru, and now nothing will do except capturing him and making him hers.

Resistance
Selena Illyria
It's been two weeks since Katrina last saw Braydon. She's beginning to have her doubts about their relationship. Braydon refuses to let Katrina's insecurities keep them apart. No matter what it takes, what walls she he has to break down and what excuses she makes, he's going to prove that they belong together.

Siren’s seduction
Mina Carter
Edan is a loner, pure and simple. A loner with one goal in life, to avenge the twin killed in an illegal cage fight four years ago. With no body to mourn, Edan takes his twin's place in the ring to save as many paranormals as he can from the brutal sport.
Dualla. Half mer, half... something else, she's always been the odd one out. A healer like her mother, she's had the same dream for years -- dreams of a man who is more than a man, and a dragon with purple scales who sets the sea on fire. A warrior to her mystic. A man with a broken heart... one Dualla knows she was born to heal.

Binding Katrina
Selena Illyria
Katrina doesn't mix business and pleasure. Period. Things get too complicated. Besides that, she's not looking for a relationship. Yet she can't stop desiring Clash and Claw's new bouncer, the sexy Elven prince dressed in black leather, with tattoos and piercings.

Master of Dragons
Angela Knight
The last time fairy princess Nineva Morrow engaged in magic, evil forces rendered her an orphan-isolated and incapable of trusting in anyone's survival. But after years of hiding on Earth, she'll use her powers once more-and attract more knights than she can handle

Sunday, June 19, 2011

My top ten shifter romances

All of these books are by Shelly Laurenston, who is my favorite author of shifter romances. She has a unique perspective on her characters and her books are funny as well as hot. If you love a little humor in your romances, then Shelly is THE one to read. I recommend reading them in the order listed as characters from the books are often included in the next book and so on. If you haven't tried Shelly Laurenston's books, you are really missing something great. I can't wait for the next book in her series.


Note: all descriptions are courtesy of "Good Reads" and Shelly Laurenston's Website).

The ratings listed are mine!


1. Pack Challenge Rating 5*
What's an Alpha Male to do when he meets the Alpha Female of his dreams? Step one, hide all sharp objects. All Zach Sheridan ever wanted was to become Alpha Male of his Pack and be left alone. What he definitely didn't need in his life was some needy female demanding his attention. What he never saw coming was the vicious, scarred female who not only demanded his attention but knew exactly how to get it. Sara Morrighan knew this was the best she could expect from her life. Good friends. A nice place to live. And a safe job. But when Zach rode into her small Texas town with his motorcycle club, Sara knew she wanted more. She knew she wanted him. But after one sexy encounter with her dream biker, everything is starting to change. Her body. Her strength. That new thing she's doing with the snarling. Even her best friends are starting to wonder what's going on with her. But this is only the beginning. Sara's about to find out her life was meant for so much more. And Zach's about to find true love with the one woman who makes him absolutely insane.

2. Go Fetch  Rating 5*
How much trouble can one small female be to a modern-day shapeshifting Viking? Well.it really depends on local gun laws. Conall Vga-Feilan, direct descendent of Viking shifters, never thought he'd meet a female strong enough to be his mate. He especially didn't think a short, viper-tongued human would ever fit the bill. But Miki Kendrick isn't some average human. With an IQ off the charts and a special skill with weapons of all kinds, Miki brings the big blond pooch to his knees-and keeps him there. Miki's way too smart to ever believe in love and she knows a guy like Conall could only want one thing from her. But with the Pack's enemies on her tail and a few days stuck alone with the one man who makes her absolutely wild, Miki is about to discover how persistent one Viking wolf can be.

3. Miss Congeniality (When He Was Bad Anthology)  Rating 5*
It's those damn stockings that get me every time. They have this sexy little line down the back and I can't help but stare at her legs...constantly. And you'd think she'd be all over me like every other female in the Seattle area. I'm young, good looking, and one day I'll be Alpha Male of my family's Pack. But Professor Irene Conridge acts like I don't even exist. How is that possible? Now she's got enemies coming out of the woodwork and I have to protect her. Why? Because that's the kind of man I am. Yes, I am that amazing. Of course, it doesn't hurt that while I work to secure her safety, she'll be hanging out at my house. That's hours...days even that I've got Irene Conridge right where I want her.

4. Here Kitty Kitty  Rating 5*
What do you do when you’ve got a hillbilly tiger by the tail? Or maybe the question should be: what wouldn’t you do…

Nikolai Vorislav likes his single life just as it is. Simple, relaxing and quiet. What he doesn’t need is some foul-mouthed Texan hellcat living in his house, eating his food, flirting with his idiot brothers and shooting holes in his home with his granddaddy’s gun. But those long legs, dark eyes and lethal tongue are making Nik insane and he fears he may be caught in the sexiest animal trap ever.

Angelina Santiago doesn’t know how she got from Texas to North Carolina in a night or how she ended up in some hillbilly tiger’s house wearing only a sheet. What she does know is that she doesn’t like good ol’ boys with slow, sexy drawls who can’t seem to stop rubbing up against her. Yet in order to protect her friends, Angie has to stay with a cat who seems hellbent on finding all sorts of delicious ways to make her purr.


5. The Mane Event  Rating 5*
The Mane Event consists of 2 novellas: Christmas Pride and Shaw’s Tail
Christmas Pride
How come all the good-looking ones are insane? That's what runs through NYPD cop Desiree "Dez" MacDermot's mind the minute she hooks up again with her childhood buddy, Mace Llewellyn. It isn't just the way he stares at her with those too-sexy gold eyes--as if he could devour her on the spot. Or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal bod-o-death. It isn't even that he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle. It's more about that disconcerting, shifting-from-man-to-lion thing that unhinges her...and makes her want more. Mace likes making Dez crazy. In fact, he likes her any way he can get her--in bed, on the desk, here, now, again. Together, they'd always been trouble, but Dez has no idea just how good trouble can feel...
Shaw's Tail
Brendon Shaw, hotel owner and lion shifter, has seen better days. He's been beaten, had a gun to the back of his head, and had to be rescued by a Pack of shape-shifting wolves. He didn't think he'd survive the night, much less find the woman of his dreams. And he never thought the woman of his dreams would have a Tennessee accent and wear cowboy boots. Once he sets his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go. Ronnie Lee Reed is ready to change her life, and New York City is the place where any girl--even one who runs with a Pack--can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion-shifting, oh-my-what-big-um-paws-you-have men. Then again...

6. The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston Rating 5*
Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward "accidentally" bumps into Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she's come since high school. Back then, Jess' gangly limbs and bruised heart turned to jelly any time Smitty's "all the better to ravish you with" body came near her. So, some things haven't changed. Except now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp - or twenty - with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy.

The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty's security firm might be a million miles from the lovable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn't want it now, not even with someone targeting her Pack. But Smitty's not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder...


7. The Mane Attraction  Rating 5*
Weddings have the strangest effect on people. How else to explain the fact that Sissy Mae Smith woke up in Mitch Shaw's bed the morning after her brother Bobby Ray tied the knot? Or that gunmen are trying to kill Mitch, and Sissy Mae now has to escort a bleeding, stubborn, yet still incredibly sexy lion shifter to her Tennessee Pack's turf to keep him safe? It doesn't help that Mitch's appraising gaze makes her feel like the most desirable creature on earth, or that the ultimate stray cat is suddenly acting all kinds of possessive...Mitch is an undercover cop who's about to testify against some dangerous ex-associates. Even more worrisome, he's harbouring hot, X-rated fantasies about the fast - talking little canine - and he has to deal with every male in Sissy Mae's Pack sniffing around her in a way that makes his hackles rise. Mitch has his pride, and he intends to show Sissy Mae that when a lion sets out to make you his mate, the only thing to do is purr, roll over, and enjoy one hell of a ride..

8. The Mane Squeeze Rating 5*
In Shelly Laurenston's laugh-out-loud funny, deliciously sexy novel, a shape-shifting Grizzly and a single dangerous feline collide-and discover untamed, unstoppable attraction . . .
Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O'Neill has learned how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy in the form of a massive Grizzly shifter? Especially one with a rather unhealthy fetish for honey, moose, and . . . uh . . . well, her. Yet despite his menacing ursine growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan "Lock" MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for her, protects her, and unlike the rest of her out-of-control family manages not to morbidly embarrass her. Too bad cats don't believe in forever.
At nearly seven feet tall, Lock is used to people responding to him in two ways: screaming and running away. Gwen-half lioness, half tigress, all kick-ass-does neither. She's sexy beyond belief and smart as hell, but she's a born protector. Watching out for the family and friends closest to her but missing the fact that she's being stalked by a murderous enemy who doesn't like hybrids . . . and absolutely hates Gwen. Lock probably shouldn't get involved, but he will. Why? Because this is Gwen-and no matter what the hissing, roaring, drape destroying feline says about not being ready to settle down, Lock knows he can't simply walk away. Not when she's come to mean absolutely everything to him.


9. Beast Behaving Badly  Rating 5*
Some men just have more to offer. Like Bo Novikov, the hard-muscled shape-shifter hero of this wildly funny, deeply sexy new novel from Shelly Laurenston-part polar bear, part lion, pure alpha...
Ten years after Blayne Thorpe first encountered Bo Novikov, she still can't get the smooth-talking shifter out of her head. Now he's shadowing her in New York-all seven-plus feet of him-determined to protect her from stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights. Even if he has to drag her off to an isolated Maine town where the only neighbors are other bears almost as crazy as he is...
Let sleeping dogs lie. Bo knows it's good advice, but he can't leave Blayne be. Blame it on her sweet sexiness-or his hunch that there's more to this little wolfdog than meets the eye. Blayne has depths he hasn't yet begun to fathom-much as he'd like to. She may insist Bo's nothing but a pain in her delectable behind, but polar bears have patience in spades. Soon she'll realize how good they can be together. And when she does, animal instinct tells him it'll be worth the wait...

10. Big Bad Beast  Rating 5*
When it comes to following her instincts, former Marine Dee-Ann Smith never holds back. And this deadly member of a shifter protection group will do anything to prove one of her own kind is having hybrids captured for dogfights. Trouble is, her too-cute rich-boy boss Ric Van Holtz insists on helping out. And his crazy-like-a-fox smarts and charming persistence are making it real hard for Dee to keep her heart safe...
Ric can't believe his luck. He's wanted this fiercely-independent she-wolf from day one, but he never expected teamwork as explosive as this. And now is his last chance to show Dee what she needs isn't some in-your-face Alpha male-but a wily, resourceful wolf who'll always have her back in a fight…and between the sheets. 

Shelly Laurenston also writes about dragon shifters under the name of G. A. Aiken

 I will not be able to blog for about 2 weeks, so next time I will list my top 10 dragon shifter books.
 

So long for now...