Scent of a Mate (Sassy Mates #1) by Milly Taiden

MP3 On Compact Disc

Today I listened to the unabridged audio version of Scent of a Mate (Sassy Mates #1) by Milly Taiden and narrated by Arika Rapson. I received my copy of Scent of a Mate (Sassy Mates #1) by Milly Taiden for free through Goodreads First Reads. My review, as follows, expresses my unbiased opinion for Scent of a Mate (Sassy Mates #1). Approximate playing time for this novel is 4.5 hours.

Scent of a Mate is for adult readers who enjoy reading paranormal, shape-shifter erotica novels!! So, in a nutshell, this novel is for mature audiences (18+ only) as it contains pretty graphic language and some violence.

Overall, I really liked listening to Scent of a Mate by Milly Taiden. I enjoyed both the storyline, fast pace of the story and the characters in this novel. My listening experienced was also enhanced by the narrator Arika Rapson! The only thing I didn't enjoy was a rape scene near the end of this novel... Otherwise this was a great read.

The following is the plot summary for Scent of a Mate from Amazon:

Jordan and Aric

An alpha looking to claim his curvy, sassy mate is about to learn it's not as simple as a bite.

Mission: Scent a Mate


Jordan Alvarez knew that a promise to her best friend involved staking out the local wolf pack’s scenting ceremony and recording the graphic details, but she was the writer and the only one with the balls to finish the task. No one would know that four human women had sneaked proof of their rituals, or at least, that was the plan until Aric Wolfe showed up.

Mission: Stake a Claim

Aric Wolfe knew his baby sister was up to something, and expected her best friend, Jordan, to be in on the chaos. He finally had an opportunity to lay claim to a mate that had been under his nose for years. Jordan’s scent called to both the man and the animal, and he was done fighting the call of the beast. It was time to mark his mate.

Mission: Survive an Alpha


When a good intention creates a problem for the Wolfe family, Jordan finds herself being stalked by a woman intent on claiming Aric as her own. Battle lines will be drawn, love will be put to the test, and Aric will have to fight Jordan’s strong personality to keep her alive. Two alpha hearts seeking control will either find the balance or risk losing their love forever.

Mature reader warning: Adult content including but not limited to: Violence and raw sexual language and actions.

I'm giving Scent of a Mate a rating of 8 stars out of 10 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Twisted Linen: A prophetic thriller of deception, deceit and faith by C. W. Cook

Yesterday, I finished reading the paperback copy of Twisted Linen by C. W. Cook. I received my copy of Twisted Linen by C. W. Cook for free through Goodreads First Reads. Even though I received my copy of Twisted Line for free, the following review expresses my unbiased opinion for this novel.

First off, I really like the cover design on Twisted Linen.... The back cover of this book is nice too, but felt it was a tad difficult to read the plot summary as the font is fairly small.

I was drawn in by this novel's subtitle "a prophetic thriller of deception, deceit and faith"... The subtitle made me want to read Twisted Linen to see what it was all about... The plot summary also had me intrigued too.

Twisted Linen is a really quick read, which is another feature I enjoyed about this novel. I like reading fast paced thrillers. Even though I liked the storyline and key concepts presented in Twisted Linen, I felt it was a fairly predictable novel overall. Basically, I had guessed how a few of the key plot details would turn out in the end. 

I also felt that some of the scenes presented in Twisted Linen by the author needed a bit more flushing out to paint a more complete picture of what was happening at a particular moment... A few other scenes in this novel didn't seem like plausible scenarios... In other scenes, I felt like too much written detail was given. Perhaps the material could have been presented in a slightly different manner, like spreading out the information in tidbits over the course of various chapters. Or perhaps have the characters disclose the information through dialogue in different scenes.

Overall, I liked the characters in Twisted Linen, but felt that at various times they were presented in a fashion that was too black and white... The main characters needed a bit more depth to them to feel more realistic. I also couldn't believe that certain characters were being duped by a trusted person in the novel and that they didn't begin questioning that person's actions.

The following is a plot summary for Twisted Linen by C. W. Cook from Amazon's website:

Against his wife's warnings, Simon agrees to help Cardinal Genovi expose the conspiracy behind a modern-day cult. But Simon should have listened to Grace; she's more than smart and alluring ... she is usually right! 

**Twisted Linen is a fast-paced conspiracy thriller offering a chilling view of a possible future** 

The short novel is drawn from modern-day current events, human genetic engineering, and end-times Scripture. It weaves a fictional tale around Biblical prophecy concerning Israel and astronomical signs to occur in 2017. It's an appropriate read for those who like believable suspense thrillers with a touch of the occult and paranormal. Also a fine choice for the Judeo-Christian reader who's looking for clean writing that's free of foul language. 

For decades Simon LaCroix faithfully served as Special Agent in Charge of Vatican Security, but now he and his wife Grace, want a safer life apart from Rome. Their bug-out plans are interrupted when a top raking Cardinal summons Simon to the Papal Office and discloses a diabolical threat against the civilized world. A modern-day cult called the Golden Dawn plans to use the latest in genetic science to usher in a Final World Order, and Cardinal Genovi demands Simon's help this one last time. But there are deep fractures in the Church, unexpected betrayals, and dark secrets concealed in Grace's past that hold dire consequences for them both.

From the majestic city of Rome to the picturesque city of San Sebastian, Spain, Simon and Grace race against time to expose the conspiracy behind an occult's insidious agenda. The situation turns deadly when a kidnapping ensnares Simon and Grace in a net of deception, deceit and divided loyalty. And where it all leads. . .a dark nightmare into the underbelly of the occult with demonic consequences not revealed until the very end.

Okay, I'd say that overall I enjoyed reading Twisted Linen... But I felt it could have been a much better novel. After I'd read Twisted Linen, I'd visited Amazon.com to read what other readers had to say about Twisted Linen. I was surprised to see a total of 9 reviews of Twisted Linen, all of them were 5 star reviews!! I didn't feel that Twisted Linen was that good to warrant a 5 star review. I'm giving Twisted Linen a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Friday Finds #61

Friday Finds is a book meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Friday Finds is a chance to share and show off the books you discovered during the week and would like to add to your reading list...

Or a place to simply feature the books you've actually purchased throughout the week and have added to your to be read pile!

Here are my eBooks finds for the week:

Coral & Bone by Tiffany Duane
Playing Santa by H. Y. Hanna
Killer Christmas by Harper Lin
The St. Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre by Elisabeth Crabtree
Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais
Smoke in Your Eyes by Jennifer D'Angelo

Here's to Decorating Your Christmas Tree Book Lover Style!!

Happy holidays to all!! I don't know when you put up your Christmas tree... But, if you're a book lover like me, then perhaps making a tree from stacked books is the way to go this year!

I like the look of the above book themed Christmas trees and may try to make something similar this year to decorate our home.

What do you think? Will you be making a Christmas tree from books? When do you put up and decorate your Christmas tree?

Loss of a Family Member of the Furry Persuasion

Roxy

We lost a furry, four legged family member earlier this week. Our beloved pet dog, a Pomeranian named Roxy, passed away unexpectedly. So, it's been a difficult week for all of us grieving for the loss of our beloved family pet.

We had Roxy since she was a puppy and she enriched our loves in numerous ways. I personally have so many happy, fond memories to remember Roxy by, that I'm trying to focus on the good times, while still going through and honoring the grieving process.

Roxy always had a zest and love for life. She was so smart and learned things quickly. Roxy was also a good companion dog, very loving, and very loyal. We took her nearly everywhere with us as she was truly a member of the family. Roxy most certainly will be missed and remain forever in our hearts. We love you, Roxy!!

Roxy as a puppy asleep next to my hubby!!

The entire notion of pet loss has me wondering if anyone knows of any good books on pet loss that they could recommend?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Friday Finds #60

Friday Finds is a book meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Friday Finds is a chance to share and show off the books you discovered during the week and would like to add to your reading list...

Or a place to simply feature the books you've actually purchased throughout the week and have added to your to be read pile!

Here are my finds for the week:

1. Night Machines by Kia Heavey

2. Misletoe In Manhattan by Talli Roland

3. Winter's Magic by Cynthia Gail

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Happy International Men's Day!!!

Happy International Men's Day to all the men out there who Rock the World!!! 

Since my blog is primarily about books, I'm including my list of favorite books I've read this year that were written by men as follows:

1. The Soloist by Steve Lopez
2. The Professor & the Madman by Simon Winchester
3. The Playground by Ray Bradbury
4. Loser by Jerry Spinelli
5. The Pluto Files by Neil deGrasse Tyson
6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
7. Steinbeck's Ghost by Lewis Buzbee
8. True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
9. The Asylum by John Harwood
10. Blockade Billy by Stephen King

Celebrate International Men's Day!! Share with me your favorite books by men that you've enjoyed reading this year! 

Until my next post, happy reading!!