Thursday, March 13, 2008

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The Cuddle Sutra by Rob Grader


About the book:
Cuddling is more intimate than a candlelit dinner, more than a joint tax return and yes, even more than sex. With the simple act of an embrace, two people can be joined together in such an intense bond that words no longer serve a purpose. The cuddle says it all.

The Cuddle Sutra is an all-encompassing resource for the act of cuddling, filled with detailed descriptions and illustrations of all the ways to express affection, whether you’re in the privacy of your own bedroom or walking down Main Street.

Tell me more, tell me more!
This book is just so dang cute! I love the illustrations and honestly, love the fact there are over 50 different types of cuddle positions shown in this little pink book.

The author does not set out to dissect what the perfect cuddle requires in terms of acrobatic proficiency. Rather this is a look and help guide to creating something more meaningful than just sex...intimacy and closeness. I know there are many people who've told me over the years they aren't "touchy-feely" and I've always felt sad for them. I love a hug or pat on the arm from my friends. But when the lights are low and the world has gotten me down or I'm feeling sleepy, there's no place I'd rather be than with my hubby, just, well, cuddling. Those moments are more meaningful because we are both seeking that connection which can't be rushed or overlooked. We build those moments into our relationship to help us when we can't see each other for days at a time or when life starts throwing us rotten eggs. That emotional currency we build up and earn together is very powerful my friends!

The author highlights teh 3 T's of Cuddling:
Talk
Touch
Togetherness

After going thru the various positions in the book, I have several favorites...thought I'd share!
68 1/2
Cherry Popsicles
The Husband.

This is a great gift to give the one you love...to celebrate the gift of intimacy and love. Just in time for Valentine's Day!
You can get it from Source Books!

Grade: A
Sandie

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Heart of Fire by Kat Martin

About the book:
As a viscount's daughter, vivacious Coralee Whitmore is perfectly placed to write about London's elite in the outspoken ladies' gazette, Heart to Heart. But beneath her fashionable exterior beats the heart of a serious journalist.

So when her sister's death is dismissed as suicide, Corrie vows to uncover the truth, suspecting the notorious Earl of Tremaine was Laurel's lover and the father of her illegitimate child. Corrie infiltrates Castle Tremaine posing as a wide-eyed country relation whose charming figure— and reduced circumstances—make her irresistible to the confirmed scoundrel. But Corrie finds the earl is not all he seems…nor is she immune to his charms, however much she despises his caddish ways.

Far from a society column, Corrie's life soon reads more like one of Mr. Dickens's serials. But the danger of her ruse is hardly fictional: someone is bent on ensuring Corrie's questions go unanswered—and unasked.

Tell me more, tell me more!
Well, I won't lie...I put this down after a chapter. Just couldn't get into the book.

The plot has been well written and I honestly wasn't captured by the plot or the writing.

Let's hope I have better reading!

I'm off to read LoS again!
Grade: DNF

Sandie

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Never Deceive a Duke by Liz Carlyle

About the Book:

They call her the porcelain princess...

With her fragile beauty and regal bearing, the Duchess of Warneham knows how to keep her admirers at a distance. Twice wed and twice widowed, Antonia has vowed never again to marry; never again to surrender her freedom. But when her husband’s death is deemed suspicious, and his long-lost heir returns to seize control of the dukedom, she finds that fate has placed her future in yet another man’s hands—but not just any man.

They call him a cold-hearted bastard . . .

Deep in London’s docklands, Gareth Lloyd runs Neville Shipping with an iron fist. Unrecognizable as the starving orphan who was abandoned by his family and sent an ocean away from home, Gareth has put his troubled past behind him. That is, until the Duke of Warneham is found dead, and Gareth turns out to be the dynasty’s last living heir. Wrenched from his solitude, Gareth neither wants nor needs the honors and obligations of nobility—especially the Duke’s all-too-tempting widow... Or does he?


Tell me more, tell me more!
This is book 2 in what I'm calling the Neville Trilogy. Book 1 dealt with Xanthia Neville's romance. I am coming into the series with Book 2...truly seems to always be my luck to find a good series a book late. *sigh*

Book 2 deals with Gareth's story. In effect he is the adopted brother of Lord Rothewell (Book 3: Never Romance a Rake) and Xanthia who was rescued by their dead older brother from continued torture and abuse by a group of perverted pirates. Gareth's story was pretty darn heart-wrenching.

Antonia, the Duchess of Warneham, is a grieving widow caught in the swirl of gossip that she murdered her 2nd husband. Emotionally and physically fragile, she seems to fill the void in Gareth's life that's he's not sure he really had inside. He seems to have had a love affair with Xanthia...something to look for when I read Book 1.

I enjoyed the book...and I am looking forward to catching up with Book 1 and hopefully will find out what the heck is up with the other brother, Rothewell!

Story was well paced, some parts had me wondering where the story line was going but overall, I enjoyed this book!

Grade: B+
Sandie

Friday, January 18, 2008

Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros



About the Book:

Gabriel Fairchild's valor during the Battle of Trafalgar earns him the title of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancee he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London's elite secludes himself in his family's mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.

Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. After their first fiery confrontation, she engages the arrogant earl in a hilarious battle of both wit and wills. Although he pronounces her a "tart, vinegary creature without an ounce of womanly softness about her", he is secretly intrigued by her dry sense of humor, her lack of pity, and the bold way she brooks no nonsense from him. Whenever she is near, he feels the stirrings of a desire he never thought he would feel again.

As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel's life and his heart, they both discover that some pleasures are best explored in the dark.

Tell me more, tell me more!

Well Samantha comes into Gabriel's life and makes him get over his self-imposed pity party. Good for her! I'm so tired of whiny hero's who apparently can't see beyond the tip of their nose after something happens to them that makes them realize that they aren't superhuman. oy!

The book was ok. It wasn't very a book that made me forget time by any stretch of the imagination. However, it was a pleasant read. The plot kept bopping around merrily and then something seemed to change with the characters. Not sure when they got new personalities but ok, I'll go along for the ride.

Surprise ending wasn't terribly surprising. But I'll say that I thought Sam had a guts and wit and that is what kept me reading this book.

Grade: C

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

How cute is this baby?!


This is Sandie...named after MOI!
Isn't she adorable.

Proud Puppy Mama....









She is tired, has had a long day of playing with younger puppies at puppy daycare.