Category Archives: 5 Flames

Dirty
Author: Megan Hart
Source: Personal Purchase
Genre: Adult Erotic Romance
Publisher: Spice
 (January 1, 2007)
ISBN-13: 978-0373605132

This is what happened…
I met him at the candy store.


He turned and smiled at me and I was surprised enough to smile back. This was not a children’s candy store, mind you–this was the kind of place you went to buy expensive imported chocolate truffles for your boss’s wife because you felt guilty for having sex with him when you were both at a conference in Milwaukee.


Hypothetically speaking, of course.


I’ve been hit on plenty of times, mostly by men with little finesse who thought what was between their legs made up for what they lacked between their ears.


Sometimes I went home with them anyway, just because it felt good to want and be wanted, even if it was mostly fake.


The problem with wanting is that it’s like pouring water into a vase full of stones. It fills you up before you know it, leaving no room for anything else. I don’t apologize for who I am or what I’ve done in–or out–of bed.


I have my job, my house and my life, and for a long time I haven’t wanted anything else.


Until Dan. Until now.

After hearing about Mandi rave about books by this author, I had to run to my shelves and find one.  I was in the mood for some sexy reads, so I picked out Dirty first.  Dirty. Yes that about sums up this book.  Hot, sexy, erotic and other adjectives all rolled together come out to Dirty. But it was a good Dirty to read. Don’t expect a lot of sweet romance, but do expect a dirty romance to bloom that puts a little color in your cheeks while reading it.

Elle does have a dark past that she is dealing with in her own way.  That way is sex and it has happened about 78 times.  Most people would be screaming whore or slut when they hear that number, but would you think that way if a guy had blurted out that number? I didn’t think so.  Then she meets Dan in the candy store. Dan is the temptation of a life she could have if she wanted.  While that might seem a little vanilla compared to her back story of sex, it doesn’t turn out to be.  Dan was ‘the guy’ that a woman would be happy to be with.  He seemed perfect and romantic while being sexy and mysterious at the same time.  I really enjoyed Dan in this book.  Elle was a little irritating at times but she slowly grew on me.

What I liked the most about this book was the fact that we got to glimpse into the darker side of Elle.  There is more than meets the eye with her history and it explains why she is the way she is.  There is romance that is perfectly balanced with the sex.  What is even better is that there is a plot as well that keeps this book interesting without falling flat between the sex scenes.  I can’t wait to read more books by this author!

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

The Vampire Academy
The Ultimate Guide
Author(s): Richelle Mead and Michelle Rowen
Source: Gifted
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
  (December 22, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-1595144515

Sink your teeth into the perfect holiday gift and must-have collector’s item for every fan of Richelle Mead’s totally addicting Vampire Academy series.


Discover the history of St. Vladimir’s Academy, explore the dark psychology behind Rose and Lissa’s spirit bond, and find out even more illicit secrets about Moroi society. This ultimate guide will feature everything readers want and need to go even deeper into the world of Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice . . . every heartache, every betrayal, every sacrifice, and so much more!

If you are a fan of the Vampire Academy series,  you probably think you know everything there is to know about them.  Even if you think you do, you still need to give the Ultimate Guide a chance because it will definitely surprise you with things you didn’t know.

I loved how it was broken down by each book in the series.  We get a small section from author Richelle Mead before each summary and she shares her thoughts on the writing process of each story.  We get to hear about her struggles, feelings, and character creation that we don’t get to read about in the original stories.  Then each book is broken down into sections as well explaining certain quotes, story arcs and more.  It even features a pop quiz at the close of each one.  I loved taking the quiz after each section because it really made you think about what you have read.  Great for readers in testing their reading comprehension.

In the middle of the book,  we are also treated to color photos of the illustrated novel, photos of the author at signings, and web site links to further our experience into the Vampire Academy world.  The final part of the guide is a glossary.  It explains certain terms that readers will come across in the world that the author created for us.

If you are a fan of this author and/or the series,  then this is a book you have to have in your collection.  It completes the collection and series perfectly and is perfect for gifts as well.  A great addition to my bookshelf!

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

Dating the Undead
Author(s): Gena Showalter & Jill Monroe
Source: Planned TV Arts
Publisher: Harlequin
  (December 27, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-0373892525

They’re drop-dead handsome— and we’re not kidding!


Welcome to the first and only guide devoted to loving the immortal man in all of his furry, feathery, fiery glory. Here is a forbidden-fruit salad of features, fiction, fashion, and more, including:


—Lipstick on His Collar


Is your immortal just a little bit…immoral?


—Angel in the Kitchen


Heavenly dishes that don’ take an eternity to prepare


—A Kiss is not just a Kiss


Immortals we crave divulge their lip-smacking turn-ons


—Undead & Well-Read


What’s hot between the covers this month


—A View from a Guy


Zombie Jack’s turn


—Immorstrology


Our indispensable guide to heavenly bodies

I had been eyeing this book — or book magazine — for quite awhile now.  When they offered it for review to me, I jumped on the chance!  Who wouldn’t want to read anything by authors Gena Showalter or Jill Monroe? Best of all, it is by both of them!

I absolutely loved this book!  It is definitely for the Immortal lover in all of us.  Can’t decide which Immortal creature is for you?  This book goes in depth of the pro’s and con’s of each species.  It features werewolves, vampires, angels, dragons, demons and even zombies.  The best thing about this book is the magazine feel of it.  It is set up like a magazine and has everything you could imagine in it.

We have recipes, interviews, travel locations, drink recipes, character evaluations, quiz’s, and so much more.  My favorite thing though was the ads.  I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at all of the creative ads that were included.  We had ‘Dead Bull’ energy drinks, GoDieVa Chocolates, J. Crud clothing, U.P.T. Undead Pregnancy Tests, and even Mythmatch.com ads.

So readers put your Cosmo’s and Vogue’s away and be sure to pick up the new craze on the shelves!  Guaranteed to be the best romance finder on the market for that perfect Undead mate! Plus you even get a sneak peek at author Gena Showalters next book, The Darkest Seduction!

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Last Sacrifice
Vampire Academy #6
Author: Richelle Mead
Source: Personal Purchase
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
  (December 7, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1595143068

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

In the final book in the Vampire Academy series,  author Richelle Mead brought action, drama, suspense and romance to one novel.  Why I am sad at this series coming to a close, I am excited by the idea of jumping into the spin-off series that follows this book.  I was a little hesitant in reading this book because I knew the series was coming to an end.  I wanted happily ever afters for so many characters but I didn’t want to take that final journey knowing it will be over.

At the beginning of the book, we are with Rose in the cells.  She has been arrested for murdering the Queen and is being held before her trial.  Needless to say, the preliminary trial doesn’t turn out for the best. It has been found that there is more than enough evidence for her to stand trial as a murderer.  Yes, the reader knows she didn’t do this horrible crime, but the Royal community does not.  When she tried to slip into her bond with Lissa, she finds that she is being blocked.  She can’t believe Lissa is blocking her and can’t figure out what she is up to.  Lissa, Christian, Abe, Eddie, Adrian and Dimitri are all planning a way to break Rose out of jail.  They know Rose will be a fugitive and will have to hide, but it also buys them some time to try and figure out who really did kill the Queen.  In the midst of all of this,  Lissa is nominated for Queen and must undergo her own trials and tests.  If this is not enough drama for the reader,  add in the mystery of a missing Dragomir that is not suppose to be alive and we have another problem that Rose is forced to deal with.

What can I say about this book to convince you that this series is worth the time to read?  If you have read my reviews for the previous books in the series, then you know that I am a huge fan of them.  I will say though that this book didn’t reach the awesome factor as much as the previous ones.  Yes, there is a lot going on, but I missed the connection between Dimitri and Rose.  I wanted them to connect even more than what was presented.  There was quite a bit of page time for these two, but I wanted more for them and wanted Adrian to be more of a presence with them.  I felt the way Rose handled the situation with Adrian at the end was a little cruel on her part.  I wish she would have stuck with what Dimitri had wanted in the first place and talked to Adrian first before the event happened.  My heart broke for Adrian and I do hope that the author has something planned for him.

Overall this was a great conclusion to a great series.  Does everyone get their happily ever after? Does Rose become Lissa’s Guardian?  Does Lissa become Queen? All these can be answered in this book when you start reading it.  I can’t wait to read the spin-off series next so I can see familiar characters again and hope for another happily ever after!

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

Spirit Bound
Vampire Academy #5
Author: Richelle Mead
Source: Personal Purchase
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
 (May 18, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1595142504

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It’s graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He’s out there, somewhere. 


She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won’t join him, he won’t rest until he’s silenced her…forever. 


But Rose can’t forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose’s prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price? 

What can I say about Spirit Bound that hasn’t already been said?  While I agree with some points other reviewers have made, I found myself also disagreeing with some of them.  Yes, some of the characters pulled a role reversal with personalities in this book, but at the same time many of them just progressed and matured.  While I am still a big fan of Dimitri,  I can also see the appeal of Adrian as a perfect love match.  Would I place him with Rose?  Maybe not, but it did add a little to the book.

Rose is determined to find out if it is true that you can bring back someone from turning Strigoi.  While she is still set on figuring out that mystery, she also decides to try and move on with Adrian.  Adrian has been patient with Rose and given her time to process everything she learned on her journey.  In this book I felt we got to see the real Adrian and the emotions he feels for Rose seem to be genuine.  Did I agree with Rose starting a relationship with Adrian while she was still harboring feelings for Dimitri? No, but I can accept the fact that she was trying to move on the best way she knew how.

But we must not forget that Dimitri is still out there.  Rose failed in killing him and now he will move mountains to find her and finish what they started.  What I enjoyed about this story arc was the fact that the author didn’t make us wait until the end of the book.  We actually got to find out if the ‘magical cure’ would work about halfway through the story.  Even though this happens early on,  the author still didn’t give the reader what they wanted.  Yes, the author loves to torture the reader by holding off on things.  There were many times I wanted to yell, cry and scream with frustration.  There were plenty of WTH moments involved with this book.

The ending was something I did not see coming!  Seriously Ms. Mead?! Do you enjoy torturing us?  All I have to say about it is that the author better give the reader some well deserved rewards for having to endure everything that we have read so far.  Will she give us a happily ever after?  Will Dimitri and Rose find their way back together? Will Lissa finally get what she is entitled to in the Royal Court?  The readers will have to wait and see.  Personally, this series is one of the best I have read in a long time! Bring on the finale, because I am ready for my emotions to quit riding the roller coaster!

“I’ve given up on you…Love fades. Mine has.”
-Dimitri to Rose

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I want. To help my girlfriend get her old boyfriend back.” He turned away again, and I heard him mutter, “I need two drinks.”
-Adrian to Rose

“What are you, Rose Hathaway? Are you real? You’re a dream within a dream. I’m afraid touching you will make me wake up. You’ll disappear.”
-Adrian to Rose

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!