You said I remember how we felt sitting by the water.....

So I'm feeling like I'm finally getting back into my groove with reading....and I'm LOVING it!

As a child I loved to read, so much so that my father would sign my up for the Dr. Suess book clubs and such and I'd be thrilled when I received a new book in the mail. Library day was my favorite day in elementary school. As a tween I was always begging someone to buy me a new book, or having my grandmother take me to the library. My joy of reading truly will always be one of my well nurtured loves.

On that note, books like the one I just finished are exactly what keeps my habit craving more. This book had everything I desire from a romance and then some! The book being The Sinner by Margaret Mallory, Book 2 in the Return Of The Highlanders series.

(Image from Goodreads)

The night I picked up Book 1 in the series, The Guardian , I couldn't put it down. Into the next day I was so enthralled with it I carried it with me everywhere I went until I finished. Therefore, I was super excited to win a copy of The Sinner! It's been sitting in a special place since I received it and three days ago I was in the mood to see how Alex's story was going to turn out. After all, he's our playboy, the one who's sworn never to marry. So many questions about what kind of woman would convince him to change his views on wedded bliss and how their story would unfold.

And did it ever unfold. This story is not lacking for adventure, that's for sure. Whereas I couldn't put the first book down, I felt myself forcing myself to do so with this one just in order to be able to take everything that had just happened in each section of the book in. Not in the bad way either. Each piece of the journey left me with that "wow" feeling you generally get at the END of a great book. There's just so much that Alex and Glynis have to endure on their road to happiness, but in the end, it's a love story like no other. I don't think there's a way to give a synopsis without giving out some sort of spoiler, and I myself hate those. I enjoy being able to discover everything out for myself, therefore I do recommend that you indulge in this book ASAP.

I loved, Loved, LOVED this book and cannot wait to read Duncan and Connor's stories in Books 3&4.

Can't you see that I'm lonely, rescue me......

So while browsing around the blogs a couple of weeks ago I came across this blog post :

http://naughtyromancewriters.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/how-kallypso-masters-made-santas-naughty-list-free-gift-a-giveaway/

I was then introduced to a writer I hadn't read before. Kallypso Masters. Where on earth have I been that I haven't read her books yet?? After reading the excerpt for the third book in her Rescue Me series I immediately downloaded the first, Masters At Arms.

(Image from Goodreads)

Ummm. Hello gorgeous cover. I suppose I should mention men in uniform comes right behind those in Kilts on my sexy list. Or rather men OUT of uniforms. I can deal with that too. Totally can deal with that.

(Takes a moment to deal with dirty thoughts that might have popped into mind while oogling the cover....)

I wasn't sure what to expect of a sort of prequel book. In book one we're introduced to the the main characters for the following books in the series, but we're also given a glimpse into their pasts, what brought them together as friends, and what bonds them together as a small family.

I will have to admit though, Adam has my heart. I can relate so much with his and Karla's story, and, I have a thing for older men too. No real shocker there for any of my friends. I met my first real love when I was 13/14 and he was 20/21. Of course this was still in the time when boys had good sense and nothing ever happened. But still it was a first love, and it was reciprocated by he. Now, later on in life we're great friends. I feel though like I champion more so for Karla and Adam on the basis of the "what if" theory. Don't even act like you don't know what that is. Every girl out there knows they've gone over the "what if's" with a past love at least once in their life. Karla though, she's getting that chance and I'm so excited for her!

I also am really looking forward to seeing what comes of Savi (Savannah) and Damien. Her situation probably will leave more than one person feeling squeamish but that just gives her more to overcome. Also more for Damien to be the one hero for. I can't wait to see what she's been doing for the past ten years and to  see Damien's reaction to all of her secrets she's held onto for so long, including the one about their child.

And *sigh* Marc, I really want to know what's going on with him at the end of the book. Why he's kind of placed himself into some sort of protective shell. Spending less time at the club and with Adam and Damien? What's crawled into him? Or rather who's he about to crawl into in book 2?

In all three men I love that we get a brief look into each of the men's hearts and into what makes them vulnerable. It's not something we as readers usually get so much depth into. Each man has his own heart hurdle he's going to have to jump over to be happy with the woman he loves, and it might not be an easy leap for these stubborn males.

So many questions that I can't wait to have answered in each of the follow up books. Each of the Masters has their own book with Master Marc's being Book 2, Master Adam's being Book 3, and Master Damien's being Book 4. If  book 2 and 4 are anything like 1 and what I've seen of 3, we're in for a good ride here ladies!

Don't care how........I want it now.....

Why yes, I am pulling a Veruca Salt.

I just finished The Haunted by J.A. Templeton, Book 2 in the MacKinnon Curse series and I'm already wishing I had Book 3 in hand. I started the book last night about this time and have devoured it over the past 24 hours.

(Image from Goodreads)

Book 2 literally picked up where Book 1 left on which means that the reader doesn't miss out on a minute of the lives of the main characters. When reading this book the chapters will fly by and you will glance up and see Chapter 5 and the next time you stop to take an eye break you're on Chapter 25 and the book is at 93%  and you're going, "Noooooooo! I'm not ready for it to be over!!". Which was totally me of course. Thus here I am, elated with the story and the course of the storyline, but sadly impatient that I'll have to wait at least another couple of months before Book 3 is published. (On a side note if Mrs.Templeton happens to stop in here and take a peek at this, my birthday falls on March 22nd and Book 3 would make the awesomest present.......)

Now, on to things I specifically LOVED about Book 2.

Kade. I loved how even though he's possibly one in the same with Ian's spirit, that Riley and he found their own separate footing as a couple. Also, his genuineness in his feelings for Riley. I actually did feel bad for him when the "incident" happens while his and Riley's relationship is so fresh. His pain was just so easily communicated in my opinion and his personality so clear.

Madison. What can I say? The kids got spunk and I love her. I started to worry about our poor Riley with not many sympathetic people around who could understand what she was going through with being able to see spirits. At least none around her age. And even though Maddy is only 12, I feel like she's a strong ally for Riley. As well as Cait, for believing both Maddy and Riley's abilities for what they are.

All in all, even though Laria and her backup goons return with a vengeance, Riley seems to find herself surrounded by lots of love fueled by her friends, Miss A & Anne Marie, her Dad, Kade, and Shane. I was thoroughly captivated by Book 2 and am possibly going to go stir crazy waiting on Book 3.

Edited to add that I woke up this morning and decided to reread the entire book just for fun. Some of you reread Twilight. I will be rereading The Haunted. :)