Accidentals Series by Dakota Cassidy

This series by Dakota Cassidy is currently a five part series comprised of fun, frou-frou, paranormal romance novels.

    1. The Accidental Werewolf
    2. Accidentally Dead
    3. The Accidental Human
    4. Accidentally Demonic
    5. Accidentally Catty

Each book follows a different woman and how she deals with the unfair hand fate has lent her.  Their reactions to being thrown into each's circumstances is humorous, and realistic, with class-A temper tantrums.  Luckily for each of them there is a strong, handsome man to help each of the ladies with their predicaments.

Rachel's Ratings: 17

Plot: 6
    Strong Beginning: 1
    Keeps You Hooked: 2
    Predictability:   3
Characters: 5
     Believability: 1
     Intriguing Leads: 2
     Secondary Characters: 2
Steaminess: 6
      Mood: 2
      Hotness: 2 
      Number of Times: 2

A Dangerous Love by Bertrice Small

A Dangerous Love is a novel full of history, this story follows the life of Adair as she is forced to flee the home she loves, grows up in the royal courts, returns to her home and then gets captured by Scottish raiders.  Her new life in Scotland is one of a servant to the laird of of Clait, Conal Bruce.  Follow her tale as she faces trials, overcomes hardships and discovers love.

Book Blurb:
"Adair Radcliffe was a king's brat; a bastard born to King Edward IV and Jane, the countess of Stanton. Orphaned by England's War of the Roses, and betrayed by her half-sister, Elizabeth of York, Adair is taken from her home in northern England during a border raid, and sold into servitude to Conal Bruce, the laird of Cleit. The laird seeks a housekeeper, and a bedmate -- but instead he finds that beneath the girl's dirty, disheveled appearance is a proud and spirited beauty who refuses to be tamed. It is she who will teach the stubborn Scot that love recognizes neither borders nor rank. And Adair will learn at long last that home is where her heart rests, and not in the past."


Rachel's Rating: 16

Plot: 5
    Strong Beginning: 2
    Keeps You Hooked: 1
    Predictability:   2
Characters: 5
     Believability: 1
     Intriguing Leads: 2
     Secondary Characters: 2
Steaminess: 6
      Mood: 2
      Hotness: 2
      Number of Times: 2

Sins of Midnight by Kimberly Logan

Sins of Midnight is a pretty good read.  Lady Jillian is a quick-tongued lady who works with London's police force to discover the truth behind a recent string of murders, and in doing so finds more than she was looking for.

Book Blurb:
    "My unladylike association with the Bow Street Runners has made me fair game for London's loose-tongued rumormongers, but I, Lady Jillian Davertry, promise to behave-- at least until my sister's coming-out season has concluded.  But my vow will not keep me from solving the mystery that overshadows my life-- nor, I reluctanty admit, will it keep my heart from racing madly in the presence of Connor Monroe.
    I cannot ignore Connor's request for assistance in solving a mystery of his own.  But the hungry fire of his gaze and the heat of his touch suggest the irresistibly handsome rogue wants so much more... I know I'm entering dangerous ground, but I'm tempted by his sinful kiss"

Rachel's Rating: 19.5

Plot: 6
    Strong Beginning: 1
    Keeps You Hooked: 2
    Predictability:   2
Characters: 7.5
     Believability: 2
     Intriguing Leads: 2.5
     Secondary Characters: 3
Steaminess: 8
      Mood: 3
      Hotness: 3
      Number of Times: 2

A Beginner's Thoughts on Wine

I am working very hard at understanding wine.  How it gets the flavors it does, what flavors I enjoy, what makes a good wine, and if there one company that you can trust for good wines as a whole.  This is a very slow process and I imagine it will take years to discover everything.  But here's what I have learned so far from various sources.

The first thing to know about wines, at least for me, is the mystery of tannins.  Tannins are chemicals proteins erm... things that can be found in many plants.  I haven't quite figured out what they are yet, and I'm not very good at understanding plant biology/chemistry so I probably will never understand.  Regardless, their job is to make the grapes taste bitter until they are ripe and ready to release their seeds, this helps protect them from birds and such.  Tannins are present in the grape's stem, seeds and skins.  The tannic flavor of a wine is directly dependent on the length of time the stems, seeds and skins were involved in the fermentation process.  From what I can tell the darker red the wine is, the longer the skins were in the mixture.

Its because of that reason white wines may be more beginner friendly, that way you can introduce yourself slowly to the taste of the tannins.

Possible White Wines to try:
-Ice Wine
-Moscato

Possible Blush Wines to try:
-white zinfindel
-white merlot

Possible Red Wines to try:
-Merlot
-Chianti
-Shiraz

**disclaimer:  I have not tried all of these wines yet, this is just what I've gather from other websites**

Another option to try could be Port, which is wine that has been fortified with brandy.

Wine has different sweetness levels:
    Sweet to Dry

Wine also comes in different consistencies:
    Light (like water) to Heavy (like cream)

One thing that I didn't realize until this morning is that Wine can go bad!!  Once a bottle is open you should drink it within 3 days.  The longer its out it loses its flavors and takes on a vinegar taste.  I had wine open for like 2 month in my fridge, I drank it.  Didn't get sick or anything, but I also didn't really enjoy the taste that much.  So remember, drink within 3 days!

Some websites that have been helpful to me that you might want to check out are:
http://wineintro.com/
http://www.wine-4-beginners.com/
http://wine.about.com/od/winebasic1/Wine_Basics_A_Beginners_Guide_to_Wine.htm
http://www.discoveryellowtail.com/fun/flavor-map.php

Hope that helps you!  From now on I'll be posting my thoughts on my current bottle of choice and random tidbits when I discover them.  Enjoy!

One Night of Sin by Gaelen Foley

An amazing tale full of dangerous secrets, Russian Princes, English rogues and spirited ladies.

Book Blurb:
    "Lord Alec Knight, the most daring and handsome rogue in all fo London, is a smooth-talking aristocrat with an abundance of high-society lady admirers.  With his irresistible wit, lucky hand at the gaming tables, and enticing charisma, he can have any woman he wants.  But when the only girl he would have considered marrying ties the knot with someone else, Alec realizes he doesn't want to be with just any lady-- he wants to find the love of his life.
    The beautiful and boldly spirited Miss Becky Ward takes his life by storm after he rescues her from peril.  Alec soon learns that Becky is on the run, having uncovered a menacing secret about her cousin, the murderous Prince Mikhail Kurkov.  In the midst of danger, Alec and Becky find themselves deeply drawn to each other.  After the two spend an all-consuming night of sin, Becky's knight in shining armor vows on his honor to protect her until the end.  But before long, Alec is protecting her with more than honor-- and it seems the once untamed rake of London just may have found what he has been searching for all along... true love."

Rachel's Rating: 22

Plot: 8
    Strong Beginning: 3
    Keeps You Hooked: 3
    Predictability:   2
Characters: 8
     Believability: 2
     Intriguing Leads: 3
     Secondary Characters: 3
Steaminess: 6
      Mood: 2
      Hotness: 2
      Number of Times: 2

Duchess by Night by Eloisa James

Duchess by Night is a wonderful story that involves scandal, a cross-dressing duchess, risque parties and sultry scenes.

Book Blurb:
    "Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, is tired of her title and the responsibilities that come along with it.  Enough with proper tea parties and elegant balls; what Harriet really wants is to attend an outrageous soiree where she can unleash her wildest whims and desires.  But to attend such an event-- espcially if the even in question is Lord Justinian Strange's rollicking fete, filled with noble rogues and rotters, risque ladies and illicit lovers-- would be certain scandal.  That's why she must disguise herself...
    Looking forward to a night of uninhibited pleasure, Lord Strange is shocked to discover that beneath the clothes of a no-good rake is the most beautiful woman in the room.  Why is a woman like her risking her reputation at his notorious affair?  And can he possibly entice her to stay... forever?"

Rachel's Rating: 22

Plot: 7
    Strong Beginning: 2
    Keeps You Hooked: 3
    Predictability:   2
Characters: 7
     Believability: 2
     Intriguing Leads: 3
     Secondary Characters: 2
Steaminess: 5
      Mood: 3
      Hotness: 3
      Number of Times: 2

The Pirate Prince by Gaelen Foley

The Pirate Prince is a captivating tale full of pirates, sword fights, a lost heir, and lusty scenes.  Follow Lazar di Fiore as he tries to reclaim his kingdom and as he fights his feelings for Allegra Monteverdi, daughter of his enemy.

Book Blurb:
     When Allegra Monteberdi, the daughter of Lazar's sworn enemy, throws herself on his mercy, Lazar agrees to spare the lives of her family-- but only if Allegra sails away with him as his captive.
     Alone at sea with this dark, intriguing man, moving between seduction and fear, Allegra realizes it will take more than her growing love for this pirate prince to bring peace to her beloved home.  For Lazar must face the demons of his shattered past-- if he is to forge the destiny that is theirs to claim.

Rachel's Rating: 23

Plot: 8
    Strong Beginning: 3
    Keeps You Hooked: 3
    Predictability: 2
Characters: 7
     Believability: 2
     Intriguing Leads: 3
     Secondary Characters: 2
Steaminess: 8
      Mood: 3
      Hotness: 3
      Number of Times: 2

The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts

The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts consists three books: 

    (1) Key of Light
    (2) Key of Knowledge
    (3) Key of Valor.

The stories focus on a trio of women as they are search to discover hidden keys to unlock a great treasure.  Its fantasy meets contemporary with a cast of Celtic gods, goddesses, sorcerers, friendly dogs, annoying co-workers and attractive men.

Rachel's Rating: 23

Plot: 9
    Strong Beginning: 3
    Keeps You Hooked: 3
    Predictability:   3
Characters: 9
     Believability: 3
     Intriguing Leads: 3
     Secondary Characters: 3
Steaminess: 5
      Mood: 3
      Hotness: 1
      Number of Times: 1

A Beginning

 Whats not to love about romance novels?  They're full of adventure, love, handsome men, daring women, romance, villains, steamy sex and happy endings.  There are so many genres; historical, contemporary, paranormal, mystery and suspense.  I've read my fair share of romance novels.  I find that they're rather addicting, its like the Lay's chip advertisement "bet you can't have just one".  While some of the stories were wonderful and still have me thinking about them, others were just plain awful.  I got to the end and said "that was a romance novel?  Where was the romance?"  Another, even greater tragedy, is when I remember the plot of the book but I don't remember the author, or the title!  In this blog I will give a brief description on each novel that I read, the author, the title and then score it on a rating system that I have yet to come up with.  I hope this will help me and you discover some truly fantastic stories and authors.

Now, what pairs wonderfully with a good romance novel?  Why, that would be a glass of wine.  As a beginner taster I will be updating on my current choice and my thoughts on it.  I will also add in little factoids to help out other beginner wine tasters.