Touch Me And Tango by Alicia & Roy Street

This is book two in a series and even though I didn't read the first one, I never missed a beat. There was no confusion at all.

The heroine is a ballroom dancer who at first is not very likable at all. I had a hard time with her character up till about 85% percent when she basically admitted she was a mean girl. For reasons I didn't quite understand, she spurned her lover in high school, said some mean things to him, treated his sister like dirt, and as an adult, goes partner to partner (literally) and is about to marry a man she doesn't love just for the money. BUT there's a valid reason for that too.

Tanya and Parker meet again when Tanya goes back to her hometown to help her mother. There's a lost treasure mystery, old feelings of resentment and love both, a moment of eating crow for Tanya. (She needs his sister. I like that this was kind of a moral. At least , in my eyes it was.) Things go from bad to worse when  Tanya's fiance shows up with his true colors in tow and a bad person from Parker's past pops in as well...and everyone wants old Uncle Harry's treasure.

Tanya earned some points when she became determined "to prove she wasn't just some rich and spoiled maneating princess." And I really enjoyed how she taught a wheelchair ballroom dancing class. I wish there was a book dedicated to Billy and Monique. This was just awesome! 

I went and found a YouTube video I was so interested:

Things don't look good there for Tanya and Parker and I started to doubt they'd have their HEA...

The writing style was good, but I had a hard time liking and connecting with Tanya and the story wasn't as funny as I expected. For some reason, I think given the Chick Lit appearance of this, I expected more humor than it had. I also would have like more back story about Harry and Stella. I felt there was more there.

I give it a three. It's a light and entertaining read that readers that like those dancing TV shows will probably really enjoy.

Random Reading

Welcome back to Random Reading! Let's see what I have for you this weekend... An author I've enjoyed in the past has a new book out from Carina... I found a chick like about girls racing in Australia...and scroll on down to find what all else went on my "to read" and better yet, how in the world I came across them! It's always something different!

For those just joining us...

Some people do Libary Loot. Some people do Mailbox Monday. Me, I don't use the library. I have nothing against it; just hate having to read a book in a certain amount of time, and as for Mailbox Monday, I can't say most of my titles come in my mail. I buy them usually or get them via paperback swap.

And I find them the most random ways, these titles. But they all usually have one thing in common: STRONG, SEXY heroines!

First, Saving the Rifleman by Julie Rowe. I've read two books by this author before and thus, when I see her name, I tend to scoop them up. Discovered this one on netgalley, which I've started using again now that I'm caught up for the most part on reviews. This time, she wrote a historical romance, rather than a contemporary in an arctic setting. Great War, Germany, a traitor to the German cause aiding a wounded rifleman... That certainly screams FEARLESS, STRONG woman to me!







Girl Racers by Janet Gover. We can thank Facebook connections for this find. An author I'm a HUGE fan of posted a link that led to this author's page, where I found this must read title... It takes place in Australia. Woman lawyer and tomboy (strong and sexy!!!) and another lady are racing  in a snowy mountains car rally. They're not just trying to win a race, either, but apparently the same man. Chick lit featuring strong women. Can't resist. It's not available in Kindle yet in the States so it's on my wishlist for now. 

Fever by Mary B. Keane. I've read about typhoid Mary before, but never following her or her POV so this will be slightly different. It's about the Irish immigrant who could cook, but carried disease with her everywhere she went. After leaving a trail of disease in her wake, she became a hunted woman. Discovered this on Goodreads Historical Fiction of 2013 list and scored it on Netgalley. Plan to read it this month. 






Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot. This was a Kindle freebie and I believe it caught my eye before, but I was and still am a wee weary as it is a Christian pub and I'm just not coo coo about preachy books. However, nothing in the blurb screams preachy so I'm going for it. Historical fiction, WWII, Germany, a whore that can possibly change history, a pilot... 'Nuff said. It's on my Kindle. 





Wild Viking Princess by Anna Markland. How can I resist a title such as that? Blurb, though short, promises a very feisty heroine, but what really hooked me was the author's blog. First, I came across this book whilst browsing Amazon. Okay, not browsing, but posting reviews really late...You know when you go back and realize you reviewed them on the blog and Goodreads, but oops, forgot Amazon.. And this book was listed beneath another book. The title and cover grabbed my eye. I went to the author's site to get the cover art for Goodreads (Authors, post your darned books on Goodreads, please.) and found a blog post that promised a dog stole the show in this too. It's on my Kindle now. :)

Tabou by Suzanne Stroh. Won on LibraryThing. Promises lesbian love, political intrigue, family drama, and more. So sounds like TWO strong, sexy women...though I think one of those folks on the cover is a dude... We'll see. :)

Touch Me And Tango by Alicia and Roy Street. Dancing. Tango. Romance, and according to one of the reviews, there's a hidden treasure/mystery. Not sure how strong a heroine I'm looking at here, but I was intrigued enough to accept this when it was offered for review by Sizzling PR. Reading it soon. But LOOK at that awesome cover. Makes me wanna get up and dance.








Repossessed by Sandy Parks. I bought this with a minute of seeing it on my twitter feed. TWITTER works! I loved Julie Moffett's books and have been waiting eagerly for her sister's book too. Why? Her sister is a pilot! And you all know how coo coo I am for women in aviation. I am so flippin excited about this one, I could scream. It's a former fighter pilot now repossessing aircraft. Parts also take place in Brazil. EXTRA BONUS: There's a woman mechanic! And there's a lot of exclamation points here! Planning to read this soon. :)

Saving the Rifleman by Julie Rowe

It's the Great War and Maria is a British nurse in  Belgium. Naturally, she sympathizes with the British. When a handsome wounded British soldier appears hiding in a closet of the hospital, she struggles to save them both... He needs to get home with some special information and after getting caught and almost raped by a German officer as she tries to save John, she has to run too.

But John has a wounded leg, Germans are stalking him after the Officer's humiliation, and Maria is falling hard for a man she feels is above her in society. Dare she part with the one thing of value she has on her person...her heart and her female charms?

Things happen in the heat of the moment...

The story was action packed with cute dialogue. There were moments of intense suspense when I thought they were going to die or not get away. The run doesn't stop with leaving the hospital. They have quite a few intense moments as they try to reach the border.

What I didn't like: At times it was TOO easy. I mean, really, the Germans didn't take us war twice and for so long by being stupid. Nobody looks in the closet? The chickens in the coop don't make a bunch of racket and alert the soldiers to the intruders? After his gunshot wound, already sewed up twice is kicked repeatedly, he can walk?

Some things didn't make sense to me, but in all, it's a good story, and the ending was fantastic! I love how Maria handles herself against a cousin. That is all I'll say.

Four bikes. I got this from netgalley.

A Must Share

Louisa May Alcott said it. Jewelry Designs by Lula put it on a pendant for me.

It's the new trend, little tiles with cute sayings and pictures, but depending on what you say, these little pieces of wood can have such an impact.

This has to be my favorite of all.

Thank you to Jewelry Designs by Lula. Check out her Facebook Page to order your own. It can be any saying from any author or historical figure you want.

And that's all for today. 'Til tomorrow, peeps, and remember, strong is sexy!

I'm in PRINT!

I've been writing ebooks for over a year now, and many people, family included, have said to me, "I'm just not ready for an ereader," "Is this going to be in print?," "I don't want to read on the computer."

I listened, and I understood, and now I'm pleased to announce a print book is available with five different Tara titles in it.

The blurb speaks for itself. The book can be bought on Amazon and Create Space.

To all my followers, friends, family, and fans that have encouraged me to do this: Thank you. 


In Strong is Sexy, it’s exactly that. Strong is sexy. No simpering damsels here, not in the end anyway. Travel back to 1820s Los Angeles and swordfight with Catalina and her dashing Ricardo. Ricardo believes his wife is having an affair with a masked crusader. What will he do when he finds out his wife is the Maiden Behind the Mask? The right to vote for women was not easily won. Elizabeth and Margaret fight for that right in Votes for Vixens. There’s a riot not only on the streets of New York City, 1919, but in their hearts as well. U.S.A.F. fighter pilot, Captain Janet Kerrigan, is in for a huge surprise when she takes to the Iraqi skies on Christmas day. Can she save Christmas? Or will Operation: Enduring Santa cost her her career? Author, Tara Chevrestt shares her own story of strength. Hear Through My Ears is a tale straight from the heart that takes you on a journey of hearing impairment and the struggles that go with having a disability. If she overcame them, you can too. And last, but not least, a bonus story is included, a story inspired by three humorous little dogs—all female. And though, one could argue and say, “Dogs aren’t sexy,” the author’s Pekingese begs to differ. Join Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy in three humorous canine capers, Dog Tails.

Review and Interview: Love Kinection by Jennifer James

This a cute novella featuring a heroine with the most sarcastic wit. I personally felt the sarcasm was the best part and it made me laugh often.

Abby is a woman who has been hurt...and I mean in a bad way. Her fiance ran away with the last person he should have ran away with...and on her wedding day...which happens to be Valentine's Day. Naturally, she doesn't care for Valentine's Day now and when the "big" day comes around and she gets a real unhappy text message, Tom comes to the rescue.

Everything happens for a reason...If her fiance hadn't left, if she hadn't got that text...

Anyway, Tom has apparently had his eye on her for a long time. A broken cell phone becomes a date with takeout food and Xbox and who's the bigger geek contests and eventually, sex.

But can Abby turn away from her past. Is Abby ready to move on again?

I absolutely LOVED what Abby ends up doing. Didn't see that coming and was mighty pleased at her spunk.

My one quibble: way too much flirting, beating around the bush, cutesy stuff at times. However, I'm sort of a "let's get to the point" kind of person. LOL

Very cute and well-written and funny. Four bikes. I received this through Sizzling PR.

***
And please give a warm welcome to Jennifer James!

Book Babe: The heroine, Abby, has lots of fun, sarcastic thoughts. One was... "True love, roses, romantic comedies, Cinderella (well, pretty much all the Disney princesses to be truthful_...garbage."

That made me laugh. There's actually quite a few women who can't stand those princesses or the image they give little girls. What are your thoughts on that? Is there a Disney princess you can't stand? Love?

Jennifer: Thanks for having me on your site today Tara!

Ahh, the princesses. If you take them as strictly entertainment for kids that won’t stick with them, they’re fine. But when you start to worry and wonder about the things Disney might be teaching your kid (especially since the original stories those movies were taken from have their own brand of menace and terror) you can get pretty darned concerned. Tiny Diva #1 (my daughter who is now 6) told me a few years ago she needed us to buy and move into a castle so that she could marry a prince. Because without her castle, how would he find her? My response was that she should never wait around for the prince, and she should get her own castle. Be independent. Self-sufficient. My little girl went into a whole explanation that centered on the princesses and how their lives worked out as her reasoning for us needing a castle RIGHT NOW.

It’s funny, but it’s not.

In particular I don’t like Ariel. She’s only 15 and running away from home to get married to a stranger she’d never even spoken to. Creeptastic, that. The music is fun, the animation beautiful, but that’s a story when boiled down I just don’t like.

However, I have to say that I LOVE Tiana. Love her. Not only does she have the gumption to make her own way in a world that sees her as a second or even third class citizen (she’s a woman, and she’s African American in the deep south long before the Civil Rights movement) but by the end of the movie she and her prince have formed a partnership based on mutual affection and respect. That’s a princess I can get behind.

 Book Babe: "Ben, Jerry, and Riesling. Yes, we're gonna have a crazy orgy."

What's your favorite ice cream? Favorite wine?

Jennifer: I’m lactose intolerant. No, really. So, for me to eat ice cream, I have to really be committed to Lactaid and have a serious jonesing on for the stuff. But I love mint chocolate chip, Ben & Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Cookie, vanilla with Reese’s Cups or Reese’s Pieces (or both) in a Blizzard, rainbow sherbet, butter pecan…..heck, put it in front of me with the medicine and it’s on.

Wine I have no ability to buy or order for myself. I enjoy a nice blush wine with dinner once in awhile, but I’m a total light weight. Instantly tipsy on wine.

Book Babe: "Was I doomed to spend every Valentine's Day engaged in situations I wanted to die from?"

What has been your worst Valentine day ever?

Jennifer: Hmm…I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever had one. My husband and I don’t really celebrate it. Here in Northeast Ohio we have a holiday in October called Sweetest Day. (This seems to be a Midwest holiday only, my friends in Colorado had never heard of it before I mentioned it to them.) Anyway, it’s sort of Valentine’s Day in October. Stuffed animals, chocolates, the works. We usually give each other a cd or something for that. Valentine’s Day passes without much fanfare in our house. Our way of rebelling against Hallmark.

Book Babe: Abby's towel falls and her "date" sees her stark naked way before she wants him to... Ever had anyone you didn't want seeing you naked see you naked?

Jennifer: Yep. My skeezy neighbor.

The first place hubs and I lived together was this tiny one bedroom place. I had my big triple dresser with giganto mirror on the wall opposite the only window in the room. A privacy fence surrounded the property, so naïve twenty year old me though no one could see in.

Wrong.

I got out of the shower, dropped my towel and was in front of the mirror brushing my hair. Movement in the mirror caught my eye and when I focused on it I realized the fifty-something year old guy who lived behind us was standing on a chair on his back deck, looking at my reflection in the mirror over the fence. When he realized I’d caught him (because I waved—I mean, what else to do? The jig was up, too late to cover my girly bits at that point) he damn near fell down trying to get out of sight.

What a creeper.

Book Babe: *struggling not to laugh from that story* Have you ever had an Xbox date?

Jennifer: No, and I feel so sad about it. Lightning struck our house a few years ago and fried half the electronics in our house. I had an old PS2 I loved to play the Final Fantasy games on.

We haven’t gotten around to getting a new system and that’s probably a good thing. I can spend days and days playing video games. I love them.

I have gotten to play Kinect games with my friends, and I think it’s a blast. Sort of embarrassing when it takes your picture, but so much fun.

Book Babe: Are you a "geek" like the heroine and hero claim to be?

Jennifer: I am not the geek you are looking for….

*grin*

Yeah, I’m geeky. In my own nerdtastic way. I love to discover new slang, bad sci-fi movies, devour Urban Fantasy, (Lois McMaster Bujold and Anne McCaffery are my heroes! Those ladies were my gateway drug during my teen years.) am addicted to Supernatural, Buffy, Angel, Dr. Who…I collect posters and trinkets and crap like that. I quote movies now and then and used to spend way too much money at the comic book store on Wednesdays. (That didn’t last long though, cause CRAP I would have gone broke. I have it in my head that someday I will write a graphic novel though.)

So yeah, you can definitely see some of me in Tom and Abby.

Book Babe: Really enjoyed having you, Jennifer. Come back again sometime.

Credo's Legacy by Alison Naomi Holt

I read the first book, Credo's Hope I think a year ago...and was very impressed. So when book two was offered to me, I jumped at the chance. It doesn't disappoint.


Alex Wolfe, detective is back...and NOT staying out of trouble, thought it's not her fault. Really. LOL

Again, it's suspenseful, full of cop protocol, and funny!

The suspense: Two cases going here. Two missing kids and a missing boyfriend with a handsome rodeo clown in the middle of it. Gia, the Italian Mafia Don is back and this time with a niece wanted for murder. Enter a molestation scandal, a dirty cop, and late night chases through seedy neighborhoods. And Alex is really toeing the line...how much does she report to Gia and how much does she withhold from her unit?

The cop protocol: This was a bit irritating TBH. Apparently, "lower" detectives have to let themselves be pushed around and egged without fighting back/sticking up for themselves. I grew real angry with this detective Carruthers for his constant nastiness and at Kate, Alex's boss, for letting it go on. I really hated these scenes...and also wondered what action was taken against Carruthers for the car...not saying more. Perhaps that's for book three.

The humor: Probably the best LOL moment was when Alex goes to daycare and traumatizes all the little kids. Or could it be that moment her boss keeps her from having an orgasm? (No, there's no sex in the book. Trust me, it's just a funny part.)

And I love that this author always puts morals in there somewhere. "Tough is the ability to stand up for yourself, to be who you are. Don't let them dictate who you become."

Four bikes. I recommend this to anyone looking for mystery, cop drama, humor, and entertainment.