she times three

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elletrois — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 09:36:14 -0500

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elletrois — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:42:20 -0500

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elletrois — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:20:08 -0500

keepyourbsoutofmyuterus: Her name was Savita Halappanavar. She...

elletrois — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:32:01 -0500

keepyourbsoutofmyuterus:

Her name was Savita Halappanavar.

She was 31.

She was a dentist.

Her husband was Praveen Halappanavar, 34, an engineer at Boston Scientific.

She was 17 weeks pregnant in Galway, Ireland.

She presented with back pain at University Hospital Galway on October 21st, was found to be miscarrying.

She asked several times over a three-day period that her pregnancy be terminated.

This was refused because the foetal heartbeat was still present and the doctors told her, “this is a Catholic country”.

She spent a further 2½ days “in agony” until the foetal heartbeat stopped.

She died of septicaemia a few days later.

Mr Halappanavar took his wife’s body home on Thursday, November 1st, where she was cremated and laid to rest on November 3rd.

There are now two investigations are under way into her death.

[This info via this link. For more.]

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According to the World Health Organization, 26.1 million people seek unsafe abortions every year in the world because they do not have access to safe ones. 47,000 die from those unsafe abortions.

I have been unable to find a stat of how many people, like Savita Halappanavar, die because they are denied abortion as a medical option.

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Her name was Savita Halappanavar.

So many people will die in situations similar to hers and we will never know their names.

This is unacceptable. It is morally bankrupt. It is the definition of tragic.

Her name was Savita Halappanavar.

claudiagray: Some book love from Jon Stewart.

elletrois — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 20:46:02 -0500

claudiagray:

Some book love from Jon Stewart.

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elletrois — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:01:47 -0400

Because wall to wall books will always get a reblog.

elletrois — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 01:23:21 -0400

Because wall to wall books will always get a reblog.

Consent to Love by Abby Wood Goodreads...

elletrois — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 23:04:00 -0400

Consent to Love by Abby Wood

Goodreads synopsis: Twenty-four-year-old small-town girl Ana Reynold serves beer at the local bar, tries to keep her beater car running, and dreams of a better life as a painter. If she can learn to make a decent steak, she might get promoted to cook—and earn enough for her real heart’s desire. Right now, that doesn’t include romance.

But when she meets a tall, dark and sexy Native American man named Kane, Ana can’t take her eyes off him—or stop thinking about him. But she’d better. Everyone knows the proud Lakota who raises horses wants nothing to do with a townie barmaid who’ll bring shame to his people.

Except Kane can’t get Ana off his mind. He proposes a red-hot weekend in bed, a no-strings affair to end Monday morning. Yet once Kane brings the outsider onto Lakota land, everything changes…

Review: Read May 24, 2012, but did not finish. 1/5 stars

I received this book as galley from NetGalley, and I must admit that I have not finished reading Consent to Love. The truth is, 519 pages in (there are 1718 pages to this story, per my iPhone Kindle app), the story did absolutely nothing to grab me.

My biggest issue with this book is Kane’s pattern of speech, which reminds me too much of the cliché Native American. At any moment, I expect him to say, “You, Ana. Me, Kane.” à la Tarzan. Maybe I am biased because my husband is half Native American, but it simply bothers me.

Additionally, I am all for two consenting adults falling in to bed together, but the situation between Kane and Ana seemed to happen without any real basis. They met on a construction site, and all of a sudden they are going to have sex? Had they had some sort of history explained prior to the sex, or met under the premise of “Hey, I’m looking for a one night stand,” it may have been more believable.

I am sure Ms. Wood is a wonderful author, but unfortunately, Consent to Love was simply not the story for me.

Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione Goodreads...

elletrois — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:39:00 -0400

Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

Goodreads synopsis:

They’re here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell’s minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday…or let it ride…

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he’s about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he’s ever wanted-a family.

Review: Read from June 12 to 22, 2012 - 5/5 stars

LETHAL RIDER by Larissa Ione can be summed up in one word: wow.

Yes. Wow.

I had very high expectations for this installment of Ione’s LORDS OF DELIVERANCE series, and I was not disappointed. Having read IMMORTAL RIDER, I knew Than and Regan were in for a bumpy ride on their way to their HEA, but what I did not expect was how much I would enjoy taking the ride with them.

Yes, there is gut wrenching pain inflicted upon our hero and heroine. Yes, they go through Hell (literally? Maybe, but you’ll have to read for yourself to be sure.) to earn their HEA. Yes, they have MAJOR issues that must be resolved. However, Ms. Ione handles all of this, and more, expertly.

Gone is the lengthy world building required in ETERNAL RIDER, so LETHAL RIDER kicks off with action and, thankfully for the reader, never lets up. Though this makes things difficult for the characters, the constant action and danger is tempered with wonderful humor (“So you’re kind of my … grandfather.” LOL.), and fantastic sex scenes that are more about intimacy (mostly) than the physical act. Which, of course, is perfectly written for two characters who have always had to keep their distance from people.

Expect to find a love story that is fraught with missteps and mistrust and danger from all sides, but know that it is all well done and worth reading. Basically, Wraith may be my favorite from the DEMONICA series, but after reading this book, Than is now my favorite Horseman. :)

Additionally, the partial resolution of the situation with Reseph is perfect, and I am eager for the release of ROGUE RIDER. I am also eager to know if Reaver will ever have his own book. A bibliophile can dream, right? ;)

LETHAL RIDER is a brilliant addition to the LORDS OF DELIVERANCE series, and if you haven’t read it yet, find the time to do so. You won’t regret it.

* All rights reserved. All photos are copyright to © me. Photos...

elletrois — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:53:00 -0400

Please excuse the mess.

elletrois — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:40:00 -0400

The site is currently under construction as I try to squeeze in photographing books, reading the plethora of books covering every flat surface of my home as well as the ebook galleys taking up space on my iPhone, and taking care of my minis who are home for summer vacation.

Thanks for visiting. :)

Lover Mine by J.R. Ward Goodread synonpsis: In the darkest...

elletrois — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:26:00 -0400

Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

Goodread synonpsis: In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. Long divided as a terrifying battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.

Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates.

Review: This review will have to be short and sweet, as I still have Payne’s and Tohr’s books to get to, but … wow!

The Warden really threw me for a loop with this installment of the BDB. The beginning had me wanting to gouge my eyes out due to all the “woe is me” JM was doing. I understand his pain, and the self-destruction, but I think I expected more from him. However, the ending? It was SO worth pushing through all the whining.

JM and Xhex completely deserve their HEA after everything they’ve both been through, and The Warden gave them even more tribulation to make one really, TRULY happy for their resolution.

The writing, as always, is well paced and STEAMY as all get out. The intimacy scenes are perfect for this particular couple, and well written for characters who have suffered from sexual abuse. Also, the resolution between JM and Tohr brought me to tears, and I am eager to move on in the series to see their relationship continue.

The only thing I really missed is an appearance from Beth beside her brief “appearance” at the end. With some of the issues her and Wrath were having in previous books, it would have been nice to have a bit of an update on them as a couple.

All that aside, if you haven’t read Lover Mine, do it. Find a few free hours, or stretch it out over a few weeks like I had to, but do yourself the favor of falling between the pages. You won’t regret it.

Let Me In by Callie Croix * I received Let Me In as a galley...

elletrois — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:43:00 -0400

Let Me In by Callie Croix * I received Let Me In as a galley from NetGalley.

Goodread synopsis: On leave for Thanksgiving, the last thing marine lieutenant Talia Barnett expects to find is Liam Brodie waiting for her at the airport. He’s had a starring role in her fantasies for the past two years, and although she’d love to make them a reality, she has a dark secret that prevents her from taking things further.

A former marine, Liam’s specialty is planning tactical operations, and that’s just what he plans to do to win Talia. The woman has kept him at arm’s length for too long, and this time he’s finally going to claim her—body and heart.

What begins as comfort quickly turns hot. When Liam shows Talia a hint of the dominant nature inside him, the submissive part of her flares to life. Though she desires him, she’s going back on deployment and doesn’t want to dump all her drama on him. Will he find a way to break through the protective walls around her heart and convince her they have a future that goes far beyond the bedroom?

Review:

I fully intended to dislike Let Me In by Callie Croix as a matter of principle. As the wife to an Active Duty Marine, I often find the military portrayals in fiction to be inaccurate. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

While Let Me In is a short story, Ms. Croix does a wonderful job of setting up a backstory that makes the almost instantaneous relationship between Talia and Liam plausible. I believe giving them a history allowed me, as the reader, to believe their relationship was real and not simply thrown together.

The sex scenes are steamy without being distasteful, and the heat between the two of them left me wanting more. The drama keeping them apart was not what I expected. but it was handled well and the resolution was satisfying.

Additionally, the military references were well done and fairly accurate.

All in all, Let Me In was a wonderful short story that has me seeking out other titles by Ms. Croix.

Sin Undone by Larissa Ione Goodreads synopsis: HER TOUCH IS...

elletrois — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:11:00 -0400

Sin Undone by Larissa Ione

Goodreads synopsis: HER TOUCH IS DEADLY As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she’ll die before she’ll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin’s innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence. HIS HUNGER CAN’T BE DENIED Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she’s no stranger: He’s bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld’s most wanted and Con soon learns he’s the only one who can help her … and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.

Review: ** spoiler alert **

Umm … what more can I say besides “wow”.

Sin Undone is everything a final book in this series should be. It is filled with action, provides closure for all the characters in the series while introducing the reader to characters in the next series, and is overflowing with hot sex scenes.

I love Sin and Con as individuals and as a couple. The process it takes for them to find their HEA is not rushed or contrived, and it takes many twist and turns that provide the reader with a feeling of satisfaction after the last page is read. After Wraith and Serena, Sin and Con are my next favorite couple from this series.

Though I do have to admit that the sperm donation in the end surprised me a bit, I thought it was a great way to illustrate the strengthened bonds formed within the family. Also? I really enjoyed Luc and Kar’s subplot, and how it connected to the main story. Very well done, Ms. Ione.

After everything Eiodolon, Shade, Wraith, Lore, Sin, and their respective mates have gone through during the Demonica series, Sin Undone closed the series (assuming this is the last of the Demonica series) in a way that left me feeling as if everything is as it should be for each character. This is not an easy accomplishment, I am sure, so I am thankful that Ms. Ione did it so well.

If you are a fan of the hot Seminus Demon siblings and you have been putting off Sin Undone, pick it up now. You will not regret it.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins Goodreads synopsis: Three years ago,...

elletrois — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:02:00 -0400

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Goodreads synopsis: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Review: Truth be told, while I enjoyed this novel, I do not think it is the kind that will stay with me.

I enjoyed Sophie’s character, and could easily sympathize with her. I would hate to be in a position such as her’s, completely left in the dark about such major issues. However, I didn’t love her or find her terribly compelling. Archer’s character, though, is one I would like to learn more about simply because I now want to know his story and why he did what he did.

I will admit, though, that I thought it was the headmistress who was behind the attacks. However, I knew something was off about Alice when she introduced the grave dirt. To me, that just spells bad juju.

As a whole, Hex Hall was an enjoyable read, and I will continue on with the series because now I am curious to know how it will all end.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Goodreads synopsis: Could...

elletrois — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:27:00 -0400

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Goodreads synopsis: Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Review: ** spoiler alert **

I had seen copies of The Hunger Games for a while, but never really thought about reading it until almost every author I follow via Goodreads, Twitter, or Facebook could not stop talking about the upcoming release of Mockingjay . I mean, if all these writers I admire are chomping at the bit to read it, maybe the series is worth reading, right?

Right.

From the very first page of Katniss’ story, I was hooked. Hooked. My heart caught in my throat when Prim’s name was called, I felt betrayed when Peeta’s voice mingled among the Careers, and I was devastated with Rue’s loss.

Every scene sucked me in, every word created an unexplored world that I willingly lost myself in. The writing is so vivid, each scene easily transporting the reader to the Seam or the tracker jacker tree, the cropping of rocks along the stream or the Cornucopia. Every night before finally putting the book down for the day, I would recount to my husband what had filled the chapters of Katniss’ world, wishing so very much for her and Peeta to pull through.

And they did.

Then the ending made my heart absolutely break. And I find myself once again hoping that Katniss and Peeta will pull through. But I’ll have to wait for Catching Fire to arrive to find out how their situation resolves, as I just ordered it last week. It should be on its way to me via USPS very soon, which is good, because any book that makes me regret living in a place without overnight shipping is an amazing book.

Well done, Ms. Collins. Very well done.