a hero who has a striking resemblance to Han Solo. Han Solo was my first love – and I hate to admit it, but I find The Empire Strikes Back to be one of the most romantic movies ever. So, Lilli Feisty has made this claim of the hero of her latest ebook release, String of Desire(from Samhain). I just downloaded a copy – and I’ll let you know.

FYI, I totally need more Han Solo in my life.

One of my goals when I started this blog was to do a write up of all of the books that I read. Little did I know how unrealistic that goal was. It takes a lot of time and effort to read an average of 27 books and 6 ebooks a month (average since October 2007) – and that leaves little time to be able to do individual wrap ups. So, I am going to try and do a monthly wrap up. We will see how that goes.

I haven’t entirely made up my mind about ebooks. I buy them regularly. However, I do not have an ebook reader. I generally buy ebooks as PDFs and keep them on my computer – usually a laptop. I store them in my gmail account which works fairly well – with lots and lots of storage. I don’t particularly mind reading books on my computer, but will admit that it is not easy to curl up with a laptop on the couch to enjoy a good read. There is something missing from the experience for me. I still ultimately prefer a paper book with a colorful cover that is nice to look at. I also love the ritual of turning pages. I think that I feel more connected to the story when I am reading a physical book – and I have a much better idea of how much of the story I have read. Whether I would take to an ebook reader is an unknown. I would like to get one – especially in order to have a central repository for the files. I do have several hundred ebooks. But, I am not ready to buy one yet. I worry about formats, DRM, incompatibility and data loss.

My current problem is that I am now facing the ebook-which-may-or-may-not-be-published-in-paper-format dilemma. As with all books, there are many ebooks that have become my favorites with multiple re-readings. Several of these ebooks, I have purchased again once they were published in paper. This, especially in today’s economic climate, is a serious waste of money. This comes to mind today because of the recent release of Lorelei James’ Rough, Raw, and Ready. I am a fan of this series and own all previous books in both ebook and paper format. The print version of Rough, Raw, and Readyis scheduled to be released in late February of 2009. I am having a difficult time not buying the ebook. I WANT to read this story NOW!!!!!! I want to know what happens to Chassie, Trevor and Edgard. I hate having to wait. Yet, I am trying to be responsible in my spending, realizing that I would probably buy the paper copy even if I bought the ebook today. I suppose that in this I should count myself lucky – I mean I know this book is scheduled to be released in print. I didn’t know that the previous ones would make it into print.

So the larger problem with ebooks is that there is no guarantee that they will eventually be published in print. I assume that part of this is demand. Authors can get ebooks published and then develop a group of loyal readers. If the author’s works become more popular, there is probably a better chance that a book will be printer. Of course, this is just speculation. I have no idea. But, I do know that this is frustrating. I do not want to have buy the same item twice.

Realistically, the best way to handle this is to break down and get an ebook reader – I could ask for one for a Christmas present. Yet, I do not want to get stuck with a ebook files in incompatible formats – DRM drives me bonkers on my iPod. ARGH!!!!!!! So, at this point, Rough, Raw, and Ready remains on my Amazon Wish List – and I will try to refrain from purchasing the ebook. I don’t expect it to be easy.

Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Fear the Darkness. free ebook from St. Martins Press.

Main Character: Nick Gautier

Related Works: This is part of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter Series. Books in the series include the following:

• Fantasy Lover – Grace Alexander and Julian of Macedon
• The Beginning
• Dragonswan - Channon MacRea and Sebastian
• Night Pleasures - Kyrian of Thrace and Amanda Devereaux
• Night Embrace -Talon of the Morrigantes and Sunshine Runningwolf
• Phantom Lover
• Dance with the Devil - Zarek of Moesia and Astrid
• A Dark-Hunter Christmas
• Kiss of the Night - Wulf Tryggvasen and Cassandra Peters
• Night Play - Bride McTierney and Vane Kattalakis
• Winter Born -Dante Pontis and Pandora Kouti (short story in Stroke of Midnight Anthology)
• Seize the Night - Valerius Magnus and Tabitha Devereaux
• Sins of the Night - Alexion and Dangereuse St. Richard
• Second Chances
• Unleash the Night - Wren Tigerian and Marguerite D’Aubert Goudeau
• Dark Side of the Moon - Susan Michaels and Ravyn Kontis
• A Hard-Day’s Night-Searcher - Rafael Santiago and Celena
• Until Death Do We Part - Esperetta and Velkan
• Fear the Darkness - short story about Nick Gautier – ebook
• The Dream Hunter - Arik and Dr. Megeara Kafieri
• Devil May Cry - Sin and Katra
• Upon the Midnight Clear – Aidan O’Connor and Leta
• Dark-Hunter Companion
• Dream Chaser - Xypher and Simone Dubois
• Acheron - Acheron and Soteria Kafieri
• One Silent Night - Strykerius and Zephyra

My Thoughts:

This is a short story about Nick Gautier after he has been turned into a Dark-Hunter. This gives the reader a brief glimpse into what Nick is going through after his mother is murdered, and Artemis turns him into a Dark-Hunter.

Things Learned in this story:

• Nick has a bite mark from Stryker. Stryker has fed from Nick.
• Stryker has promised Nick the means to destroy Acheron if Nick obeys him.
• Nick became Ash’s enemy the night that Ash allowed Nick’s mother Cherise Gautier to die. Nick knew that Ash was a god and could have saved his mother.
• Stryker promised to help Nick get vengeance on Ash if Nick gave Stryker information on Ash.
• Nick isn’t really truly one of Artemis’ Dark-Hunters. She doesn’t own his soul (we learned this in earlier story). Nick can walk in daylight, and he has greater powers than many Dark-Hunters. He can also walk in cemeteries.
• Menyara Gautier is Nick’s aunt and a voodoo priestess. She calls Nick Ambrosius.
• Nick sees Kyrian, Amanda, Valerius and Tabitha together. He is unsettled that Kyrian has reconciled with Valerius.
• Satara (Stryker’s half sister) approaches Nick. In this conversation, we learn that Nick is a Daimon Dark-Hunter and that Stryker can see and hear all that Nick sees and hears.
• Satara tells Nick that Acheron’s mother is still alive and that she is Apollymi, the Great Destroyer. Apollymi is Stryker’s mother and the leader of the Spathi Daimons.
• Satara tells Nick that Ash has been lying to him – that he controls his mother and that he hurts people for his mother.
• Satara introduces Nick to Kratos who can bring a soul out of eternal rest. They promise Nick that they will return his mother to him if he brings Kyrian and Amanda’s daughter Marissa to Satara.
• Nick’s loyalty and Marissa could help Satara and Stryker brind down both the Greek and Atlantean pantheons.

Read first September 2008

Charles, Susie. Velvet Strokes. (Ellora’s Cave, 2006). ISBN – 1419905953.

Main Characters: Elizabeth Burnett & Thomas Danville

My Thoughts:

Thomas Danville comes looking for Elizabeth Burnett. He needs her to pose for him for a series of erotic works. Unfortunately, the two of them have a history, and their relationship did not end well. Elizabeth does agree to sit for Tom. Tom’s cousin Richard is to be the model who poses with her. Richard, of course, senses the sexual tension between his two friends – and somewhat goes out of his way to provoke it. He forces Tom’s hand during one of the modeling session which ends with all three of them getting intimate – quite spectacularly. This one is a winner!

Read first on October 8, 2007

Hill, Joey W. Make Her Dreams Come True. (Ellora’s Cave, 2000). ebook.

Main Characters: Meg & Daniel

My Thoughts:

I am becoming a huge fan of Joey W. Hill. Virtual Reality is one of my favorite books. This story about Meg and Daniel is wonderful. Meg has had a difficult time with her life of late. While spending the day at the mall, she stops to admire a beautiful dress. There she meets a mysterious man who buys the dress for Meg and convinces her to give up control for the day. After some hesitation, she gives in to the stranger. They spend the day at the mall doing some shopping, having ice cream and of course, playing. I will tell you that I never really considered the mall to be a sexy place – and then I read this story. It definitely made me want to go to the mall.

As with the other Joey W.  Hill stories that I have read, this one is rather emotional. Meg is just starting to live again after having experienced a tragedy. It is as if she is just waking up from a long sleep, due in no small part to Daniel. Daniel’s presence at the mall isn’t coincidental. He has been watching over Meg for quite some time – and. I think, planning his move. On this day, he decides to wrest control away from Meg – and to make her start living again. You can see Meg coming alive again as they go from store to store. I’m particularly partial to their scene in the store’s backroom. Wow!

Read first on October 8, 2007

Harper, Vonna. Virgin Afternoon. (Ellora’s Cave, 2006). Ellora’s Cave Quickies. ISBN – 1419907107.

Main Characters: Bryan Aster and Lara

My Thoughts:

Bryan Aster and Lara have been friends for years – mostly as part of a foursome with their respective spouses. However, Lara’s husband has recently passed away after a long illness – and Bryan and his wife have recently divorced. While going through things at Lara’s house one afternoon, the two give into their desire for each other. This is a great story about two people rediscovering something important after experiencing some of life’s pitfalls.

Read first on October 7, 2007

Hill, Joey E., Lacey Alexander and Elizabeth Lapthorne.  Behind the Mask.(Stow, OH: Ellora’s Cave, 2005). ISBN – 1419901168. Includes Board Resolution by Joey W. Hill, Mardi Gras by Lacey Alexander and Hidden Desires by Elizabeth Lapthorne.

Hill, Joey W. Board Resolution.

Main Characters: Savannah Tennyson and Matthew Lord Kensington

My Thoughts:

Wow! The time and effort that Matthew Kensington puts into seducing Savannah is rather amazing. Savannah is a high-powered business women - one who has erotic fantasies about Matt, who is a business colleague. Matt, who has a rather dominant personality, senses that Savannah needs someone to take control. To that end, he plans a rather elaborate means of seduction in his board room with the help of his four-man management team. This story has a power struggle extraordinaire – one that kept me quite engrossed. Fortunately, Savannah quite enjoys the way in which Matt takes control – and so did I!

Read first on October 7, 2007

Alexander, Lacey. Mardi Gras.

Main Characters: Mia Sanderson and Ty Brewer

My Thoughts:

This story has a slightly different take on the woman-in-love-with-older-brother’s-friend theme. Mia Sanderson is in love with Ty Brewer who she has known since she was thirteen. Of course, he has never showed any signs of returning her feelings. One day in the office, she overhears a conversation in which Ty confesses to his friend Jack that he has fantasies about being tied up. Tired of pining after Ty, Mia decides to take matters into her own hands. During a Mardi Gras party, Mia dons a mask, adopts the personality of Mistriss Mina and makes Ty’s fantasies come true. You have to admire the way that Mia goes after what she wants. Things get a little rocky when Ty figures out who Mistress Mina really is -but that doesn’t stop him from extracting his own form of revenge.

Read first on October 7, 2007

Lapthorne, Elizabeth. Hidden Desires.

Main Charcacters: Lily and Andrew Morissey

My Thoughts:

Looking for a little anonymous fun? With the help of a special mask, Lily puts together a special, Mardi Gras costume. At the party, she meets a handsome highwayman and gives in to her hidden desire to walk on the wild side. Unbeknownst to Lily, her highwayman is her colleague Andrew, who has been waiting for an opportunity to get close to Lily. He seizes the opportunity to get Lily into his arms for a passionate evening. I did enjoy this story – although it was my least favorite of the three stories in this anthology. Lily and Andrew didn’t resonate with me as much as the Savannah & Matt and Mia and Ty.

Read first on October 7, 2007

Bo, Rachel. Ringing in the Season.(Ellora’s Cave, 2003). ISBN -1-84360-730-1. ebook.

Main Characters: Traci and Rick

My Thoughts:

There is definitely something to be said for stories about rekindling the romance. In this tale, Traci has just about had it with her husband Rick. They have been married for 17 years, but lately Rick has been working and working and working some more. In fact, Rick had gone to work on Thanksgiving leaving Traci home with the kids, despite his promise to spend more time at home. With Christmas approaching, Traci is afraid that the marriage is over. However, Rick has quite the surprise waiting for Traci when she gets home – a rather erotic treasure hunt and trip down memory lane.

This story had me mesmerized from the beginning. Not only is it hot, but also quite romantic. As part of the treasure hunt, Rick writes notes with references to important parts of their life together. As Traci goes from note to note, she realizes how much Rick loves her – and desires her. Eventually, the notes leads Traci to Rick – man-woman love ensues. Additionally, Rick has made provisions in order to spend more time at home. Traci gets a wonderful Christmas surprise!

Read first on October 7, 2007.

Dragon, Cheryl. An Extreme Haunting. Tricks and Treats Series. (Ellora’s Cave, 2007). ISBN – 9781419912405. ebook.

Main Characters: Sean O’Brien and Dana Rayne

My Thoughts:

Now, I’m definitely not a fan of paranormal stories – especially those with ghosts. I find it difficult to get into them because my mind does not want to accept ghosts and like. I especially don’t really care for scenes where ghosts take over or manipulate people. This story definitely has ghosts – and ghosts who try to impose their will on the main characters. Despite this, I ordered this ebook (I’m a bit of a sucker for the BDSM themed stories, if you couldn’t tell that fact). I really liked both Sean and Dana – although wasn’t so keen on the ghosts.

Sean’s family owns an ancient castle in Ireland – one that is haunted. He travels to Ireland with a professional paranormal investigator hired by his sister in order to try and rid the castle of ghosts, despite the fact that he doesn’t believe the castle is haunted. Sean is sort-of a reluctant dominant – one who yearns to dominate, but has been disappointed that many of his past girlfriends weren’t looking to be submissive. Of course, Dana sparks Sean’s dominant fantasies – and Sean has quite a doozy of a daydream while on the plane to Ireland. This all gets complicated by the fact that the ghosts that inhabit the castle are a man, named Dermott, and several of his lady friends. Dermott was a dominant who didn’t believe in monogamy. Once Sean and Dana arrive at the castle, Dermott helps push Sean into making Dana his. This inhabiting is very disconcerting – near the end of the story, one of Dermott’s women tries to push Dana to kill Sean. This ends up helping to eradicate the ghosts.

All in all, I enjoyed the story – more than I thought I would. Sean finally finds someone willing to submit and Dana seems happy to submit. Overall, I didn’t really mind the ghosts.

Read first on October 6, 2007