Jen's First Day

*waves* Howdy! I hope y'all had a good weekend. Wow, when we started this blog I thought my turn seemed like an eternity away, and now I'm freaking out, trying to figure out what to write. How the heck did the time get away from me?

It's Monday morning and I'm having a hard time coming up with a cute and clever intro, so I'll just jump right in if that's all right. Let's see...books. I have a horrible fear of commitment, so my favorites change every day. But I still managed to pick out six books that are special to me for one reason or another, and that I'd like to have with me if I were stranded on a deserted island. So, in no particular order, here are six of my Desert Island Keepers:


Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon: This is book 6 in Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series. I've since given up on the series, but Night Play really stuck with me. The heroine, Bride, is unconventional. She's a plus-size woman with normal insecurities, but she's also strong and able to take care of herself. She may be insecure at times, but she doesn't sit back and whine. She lives her life. She falls in love with a wonderful man, and she even has a hand in taking out one of the villains. The hero, Vane, is a powerful wolf shifter. He's gorgeous and strong, and he thinks Bride is the most beautiful woman in the world. He embraces her flaws and loves her more because of them. He cherishes her and makes her feel special. Most women can relate to the fantasy of being cherished by a wonderful man, and Kenyon really makes this fantasy believable without being cheesy. Vane and Bride are one of my all-time favorite romance couples.

The Demon You Know by Christine Warren: This is book 3 in Warren's Others series. Rule is a powerful demon from the Underworld. He's a warrior that helps keep the peace between the Underworld and Earth. Abby is a good Catholic girl that has only recently learned of the existence of vampires and werewolves, and suddenly she's faced with the realization that there are far more otherworldly creatures out there than she could have imagined. When she meets Rule, she's struck by his dangerous power and his gentle strength. When she realizes the man of her dreams is actually a demon from the Underworld, she's forced to reconsider her beliefs. Rule's inner goodness challenges Abby's faith and everything she's ever been told about the "evil" demons of hell. This is a great book about learning to accept and embrace differences, and opening one's heart to others. Oh, and Rule is super hot. ;)

Without Reservations by J. L. Langley (M/M): This ties with The Tin Star (also by J.L. Langley) as being my favorite M/M romance, but if I could only pick one of the two, I'd pick Without Reservations. Chay and Keaton are werewolves. Chay is a veterinarian, and one day someone brings in an injured dog. Right away, Chay sees that the pretty dog is actually another werewolf, and he recognizes that the werewolf is his pre-destined mate. Chay--a straight man--doesn't quite know what to think about the fact that his life mate is a male, but he makes the best of it. Chay decides that he'll honor the mate bond and he'll be with Keaton no matter what. Chay and Keaton build a beautiful relationship together (with HOT sex, I might add), and they learn to make their relationship together work within the pack and their families. JL's werewolf mythology is unique and interesting, and she writes wonderful characters. Chay is strong, smart, and sexy, and Keaton is adorable but also very powerful. The supporting characters in this book are fantastic, and by the end of Without Reservations I couldn't wait to see what happened in the next book.

This is a good introductory book for readers that haven't read much M/M romance. It's hot enough to satisfy fans of the harder stuff (like me), but sweet and romantic enough to make a great transition point from mainstream M/F romance. I'd even recommend it for readers that don't care much for paranormals. It's very earthy and real, and the supernatural aspects are integrated so smoothly into the story that it's easy to forget there's really no such thing as werewolves. JL is incapable of writing a bad book. Grab anything with her name on it (or her alter ego Jeigh Lynn) and you're guaranteed a satisfying and sexy read.

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie: Calvin Morissey. *sigh* A man that doesn't care if his girlfriend can't fit into a size 6 (or 14), and would rather share a box of donuts with her than watch her pick daintily at a salad. Do I really need to explain my love for this book beyond that?

Min Dobbs' sleazy excuse for a boyfriend dumps her for no good reason, and then she meets Calvin Morissey. Cal gets suckered into accepting a bet that he can get Min into bed in less than a month. Cal and Min start spending time with each other and inevitably fall in love. This book is cotton candy. It's sweet, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. This is a comfort read deluxe. A gorgeous man, a smart and funny heroine, toe-curling sexual tension, fabulous shoes, and Krispy Kreme donuts. Read this.

BTW, Cal is mine. Keep yer grubby mitts off my man. More details tomorrow.

Soul Mates: Bound by Blood by Jourdan Lane (M/M): Vampires. Werewolves. Angels. Demons. Sex. Blood. Gore. Sex. Violence. More sex. I'm gonna cheat here. I can't come up with a blurb here that really does this book (or this series) justice, so instead I'm going to send you to the review (<-- link) I wrote back in May on my own blog. This book is amazing. I'd have picked the entire series if I could. Read it. You won't be sorry. Your comfort zones will be stretched and your boundaries will be tested, but you won't be sorry. O.M.G. Amazing.



The Awakening by Kate Chopin: The Awakening is my favorite book of all time. It's one of a handful of school books that I can say I actually liked. I love The Awakening. I'm obsessed with The Awakening. I've read it at least six times, I own multiple copies of the book (along with a couple of commentaries and companion books), and I was even invited back to my high school to give a lecture on the book. The Awakening is considered classic literature among academics and feminists. I know, I know...classic literature and feminism--two things that interest me the least in my reading. But this book is just so good! I think what I love the most about this book is the gorgeous prose. Kate Chopin with language that is so beautiful and so evocative it's impossible not to feel deep emotions while reading her books. The Awakening is the most emotional of all her stories. It's a rather short book--under 250 pages if I remember correctly (I haven't read it in a couple of years)--but it's jam-packed with feeling.

The Awakening is about Edna Pontellier, a New Orleans woman that struggles with her own desires and the responsibilities of an upper-class wife and mother. Her husband treats her like property and she doesn't feel attached to her children. While vacationing on Grand Isle, she becomes romantically involved with a younger man. When she gets back home to New Orleans, she decides to make drastic changes in her life. This book is set in the early 1900's, but it feels so much like a modern story it's almost scary.

I first read this ten years ago when I was a senior in high school, and it really spoke to me. The Awakening has had a big impact on my life. I related to Edna even as a nice little virgin church girl of 17 (yes, at one time in my life I was pure :P). The book does not have a happy ending, but I think the ending works well for the story. I don't recommend reading this book during dark or difficult times because it evokes such powerful emotions, but it is a book that I think every woman should read once in her lifetime. The romance is sweet, the writing is gorgeous, and Edna's story is emotional and thought provoking. If I could only take one book with me to a deserted island, I'd take The Awakening.

I also recommend Kate Chopin's short stories. Most of them were banned when they were first written because they were considered too erotic and controversial for their time, and they do not adhere to conventional views of a woman's place in society. Kate Chopin models her writing after that of Guy de Maupassant, a French author known for his steamy short stories.

That's all for now, kids. Tune in tomorrow for my hero picks...and pics. ;)