Camelot Lost

I want to thank author Jessica McHugh for sending me a copy of her book to review.

This story begins, after Britain has been defeated and the country has lost its one true king...King Pendragon. He did leave heirs but they are very young. Unfortunately this are just not strong enough to stake their claim for the throne. The throne ends up falling into the hands of King Vortigern of Kent. It is now a battle for ultimate power. This war will pit brother against sister and father against son.

The idea that Camelot Lost was built on expanding on the story of Camelot and what happened next has great appeal. While I liked what Ms. Bonito did with this medieval novel, I found that the plot had some good elements to it but the characters didn't really draw me in as much as I hoped they would. I did find some of them interesting. For this reason, I found myself kind of stumbling though the book.

On the other hand Ms. Jessica did show that she has some good talent as an writer of medieval fiction. I think she will do alright in this type of genre. I believe she really enjoys what she writes and it shows. Camelot Lost is a little darker and the characters more sinister than you would expect. I did enjoy that as this was a nice surprise. While Camelot Lost may have been a little lost on me, it is still an ok novel.

To Your Own Self Be True

I want to thank author, Ray Melnik for sending me a copy of his book to review.





To Your Own Self Be True introduces Kaela Ladd, the other daughter of scientist Harry Ladd from author Ray Melnik's first novel, The Room. This story takes place in the year 2021.

Kaela is all grown up now and her father is gone. She will never forget the lessons he taught her, even if it took her a while to believe. Kaela is very excited. After finishing her internship, Kaela was offered a position at SciLab. There Kaela is tasked with teaching a Universal Personal Assistant how to function.

Research is not cheap work. Kaela's boss asks her to do a presentation to the board of a company in order to try and get more money. Besides working with a Universal Personal Assistant, Kaela also is very invested in trying to learn just what really happened to her father.

Mr. Melnik integrates physics with M-Theory. M-Theory is the concept that there is an eleventh dimension of space time. This so called eleventh dimension is believed to unify all these dimensions and be more powerful. While I love science, this book went over my head. Let me say this is not because it wasn't good but because the concept seemed a little far out there for me. As well as the fact that I believe that the story had some loop holes that probably would have been filled in better for me had I read The Room first, prior to reading To Your Own Self Be True. Again I want to say this was not a bad book, only that I felt to better experience what Mr. Melnik was trying to portray with his characters and time rifts that you should read the first book, The Room.

Benny & Shrimp

I want to thank Caitlin with FSB Associates for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Desiree Wakkin works as a librarian. She is book smart and very well organized. Benny Soderstrom manages a milk farm. He is not much into appearances. This can be confirmed by the first time Desiree and Benny met.

Benny was really scruffy looking and was wearing this quilted jacket that had a logo on it, that said Forest Owners' Alliance. Of course though, Benny deserves a break as no one really plans to fall in love at a cemetery.

For weeks Desiree and Benny would share the same bench at the cemetery but neither one would talk to each other. Finally one day, Benny worked up the courage to invite Desiree to lunch. From there on, Desiree and Benny realized they enjoyed each other's company. Benny nicknamed Desiree "Shrimp". This is because Desiree just seemed to stuck up of a name and Shrimp fit her better. Shrimp because these creatures have a shell on the outside with long feelers but are soft and curvy on the inside. This is exactly how Desiree was.

How long though will these two be able to put up with each other. Benny with his relaxed attitude and his mother's embroidery work in his home. Or how about Desiree and her higher than mighty attitude.

I thought Benny and Shrimp was a fun, cute read. Benny and Shrimp kind of reminded me of The Odd Couple. They were total opposites but yet you couldn't imagine them having a better relationship with anyone else.

The way this story was written is intriguing. The characters alternated between chapters. Desiree would talk and then Benny. The whole book went this way. It was told in first person dialect. I would definitely read another book by Katarina Mazetti.

It is a Dark Time

I want to thank Aurora with Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book to review.




Many, many centuries ago, Susannah was accused of witchcraft. She was ordered to be burned alive. Susannah was saved by an evil creature but for a price. In exchange for getting to keep her life, Susannah has to serve all of eternity as an assassin.

To present day. Susannah is no longer. She now calls herself Marsha Winters aka Maliha Crayne. By day Susannah goes by Marsha Winters, writer but by night she is Maliha, one deadly assassin. Susannah has killed more people than she can keep count. For the first couple of hundred years, the killings weren't so bad but now Maliha is tried and wants out of her deal.

There just might be a way for Maliha to get her wish. The only problem is that Maliha may no longer exist if she is to succeed. Come take a ride into both the depths of the underworld and mortal world as Maliha travels down the mortal path from New York all the way to China and Peru.

Dark Time is book one in this great new series by Dakota Banks. Dark Time is an explosive combination of James Cameron's Dark Angel and Xena, the Warrior Princess. It has all the great elements of being very dark, with a kick-ass heroine! I would recommend this book to sci-fi, paranormal, urban, or any other type of fan. Dark Time is a must read!

I would almost feel sorry for whomever gets on Maliha's bad side but they deserve it. Maliha could strike you down with just one look. Dakota Banks can bank on the fact that her books are going to go all the way to number one. The only thing wrong with this book is that I read it so fast that I have to wait till book two comes out.

Check out Mrs. Banks website

Two book giveaways

I am giving away 5 copies of each book. That is a total of 10 winners! Open to US and Canada Only. No PO Boxes. Ends August 29th. Please indicate which books you want to be entered to win. Thanks

For ever person you refer to my blog you get 1 entry per refer.
For every comment you leave from now till August 29th will get you an additional entry per comment.

This is all you have to do to win.

Book Information

Seven years ago, readers everywhere fell in love with Jim Glass, the precocious ten-year-old at the heart of Tony Earley's bestseller Jim the Boy. Now a teenager, Jim returns in another tender and wise story of young love on the eve of World War Two.Jim Glass has fallen in love, as only a teenage boy can fall in love, with his classmate Chrissie Steppe. Unfortunately, Chrissie is Bucky Bucklaw's girlfriend, and Bucky has joined the Navy on the eve of war. Jim vows to win Chrissie's heart in his absence, but the war makes high school less than a safe haven, and gives a young man's emotions a grown man's gravity.With the uncanny insight into the well-intentioned heart that made Jim the Boy a favorite novel for thousands of readers, Tony Earley has fashioned another nuanced and unforgettable portrait of America in another time--making it again even realer than our own day.

Book Information

Tom Loxley, an Indian-Australian professor, is less concerned with finishing his book on Henry James than with finding his dog, who is lost in the Australian bush.Joining his daily hunt is Nelly Zhang, an artist whose husband disappeared mysteriously years before Tom met her. Although Nelly helps him search for his beloved pet, Tom isn't sure if he should trust this new friend.Tom has preoccupations other than his book and Nelly and his missing dog, mainly concerning his mother, who is suffering from the various indignities of old age. He is constantly drawn from the cerebral to the primitive--by his mother's infirmities, as well as by Nelly's attractions. THE LOST DOG makes brilliant use of the conventions of suspense and atmosphere while leading us to see anew the ever-present conflicts between our bodies and our minds, the present and the past, the primal and the civilized.

I fight for Justice + Giveaway

I want to thank Debbie Lykins with Side Door Comminications for letting me be a part of this blog tour.





Rachel Crawford is a television reporter for WDXR. She is hoping to really make it big at the station. The piece she is about to break tonight will hopefully help her chances. The story is about human trafficking. The owner of a The Surf, Larry Jamison was supposedly luring women to America. In the middle of telling the story, Mr. Jamison barges into the television station and starts shooting people. The SWAT team come but just before they apprehend Jamison, he kills Rachel. Rachel was twenty-three weeks pregnant.

Now her husband, Blake Crawford wants to sue MD Firearms, the company who manufactured the gun Jamison used. It really isn't about the money but about justice. MD Firearms was aware that their guns were getting into the hands of criminals and they did nothing about it. What would happen is that someone would go into a shop wanting to purchase a gun and if the background check on them didn't pass then the shop would give that potential buyer the name of someone who could purchase the gun for them.

Jason Noble works as a criminal defense attorney. His father is not proud of him. He father is a cop. He believes that Jason works for the bad guys. Jason hopes to own his own law firm one day. He is contact to be the attorney for MD Firearms. Jason realizes this could be his biggest break yet. When Kelly Starling is first contacted by Mr. Crawford, she thinks it is a trick. After talking with Mr. Crawford she agrees to represent him in the case against MD Firearms. This is the ultimate battle between good vs. evil. You won't believe how it all ends.

The Justice Game is the first novel I have read by Randy Singer. I can remember what I said as I was picking up this book to read it. I said "I hope this book is as good as it sounds". Let me tell you that it exceed my expectations. The Justice Game reminded me of John Grisham's The Runaway Jury. It had that intense drama, great characters, and a riveting story line. I could definitely see The Justice Game being made into a movie. The best part about this book is that even Christian authors know how to produce really great reads! Mr. Singer has made me a fan



About Randy’s Approach to this Book

The Justice Game asks whether justice can be bought and sold in America and focuses specifically on the national gun debate. Randy’s goal in this book was not to make converts to either side but to present both perspectives of the debate and let readers draw their own conclusion. In fact, Randy’s book has been endorsed by people from both sides of the aisle.

Randy took a unique approach to determining the verdict in this story—he had his readers decide. Readers were invited to watch a special online video of the closing arguments and then vote on the verdict. People took this very seriously, and from feedback we received, it was a difficult decision for many. While the jury has made its decision, you can still view the video at http://www.randysinger.net/


What you can win. A certificate for the purchase of The Justice Game and a signed book plate by Randy Singer, so you will have an autographed copy of this book for your collection.

Now how to enter to win. Spread the word about this giveaway and leave a link (2 entries), for every comment you leave on my posts from July 27th till August 7th will earn you (1 additional entry for each comment), and you can also become a follower or already a follower (1 extra entry)

Open to US Only. Please leave a email address that way I can contact you if you are the lucky winner.

Best Friends Forever

I want to thank Dana for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler have been best friends since they were nine years old. Addie and her mother moved into the house across from Valerie. They were inseparable. That all changed in high school. Addie became the popular one and Valerie got thrown to the side. Valerie's brother was in a terrible car accident that left him mentally in-stable. It was up to Valerie and her parents to care for him.

Now flash forward to fifteen years later. Valerie has never left her hometown. In fact she still is living in her parents home, though her parents are are no longer alive. Where as on the other hand, Addie moved away. She is a famous weather girl for a television station.

Late one night Valerie hears a knock on her door. There standing on her front porch is Addie with blood on her coat. Addie tells Valerie that she needs her help. What ensues next for these two friends is a road trip filled with memories and hopefully a reconnection.

Best Friends Forever is a fun, chick-lit that will have you and your friends talking about it for a while. Addie and Valerie reminded me of Thelma and Louise...best friends till the end. At first I wanted to hate Addie for ditching Valerie but once I got to know Addie better, it was hard not to like her. Valerie is the backbone to this friendship. She may be quiet but she is always there for you when you need her. I couldn't put this book down. If you are planning a vacation, then make sure that you take a copy of this book along with you for your reading pleasure. Jennifer Weiner is a talented author.

To learn more about Jennifer and her books, then go to her website.

I would Die for You!

I want to thank Sarah with Random House for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Isabel Raine has a really good life. She has a good career and a wonderful husband. Isabel and Marcus have been married for five years. They have gone through a lot together, including a miscarriage.

Marcus leaves for work. As he goes, he tells Isabel "Thanks for being the most beautiful thing I'll see all day". It is late at night and Marcus is not home yet. Isabel calls both his cell and his work but no one has seen or heard from Marcus. Marcus has now been missing for hours, when her phone rings. The connection is bad but it sounds like Marcus's voice. Suddenly Isabel hears a man scream and the call is lost.

Isabel calls the authorities but they aren't interested. Isabel decides to investigate herself into the disappearance of her husband. All she gets for her troubles is knocked unconscious. She awakes in a hospital bed and a Detective Grady Crowe asking her questions about Marcus.

Come take a ride as Isabel races to the country Prague to find the man she thought was her husband.

What I love so much about the suspense/thriller genre is the adrenaline rush I get from read these types of books. I enjoy seeing what places an author can take me. Die for You did have the excitement. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough of a rush to keep me going all the way through till the end. Though I did like that the storyline took me to another country.

The plot was definitely a good one but I couldn't really find a connection with the characters. Some times this happens but luckily; all the things I did like about Die for You does make me want to try some of Lisa Unger's previous novels.

Confessions of a Trauma Junkie

I want to thank Mrs. Jones Mayo for sending me a copy of her book to review.

Confessions of a Trauma Junkie is a collaboration of true stories straight from the people who were there at the scene...the emergency workers. Sherry Jones Mayo did a great job of putting this book together.

This book is split up into four different sections about emergency service personnel. The first section involves stories about the ones who usually respond to the call. The next section shows the readers that even emergency responders are human too and sometimes they cry. There is just one rule about cry...never let your fellow co-workers see you do it. It is best done in private.

The third section deals with the nurses, doctors and the rest of the staff at the hospitals. Mrs. Jones Mayo starts off be explaining that when someone comes into the emergency room, the first question they are asked is what is the patient's name. The answers that people give are priceless. I was laughing throughout this whole section. I would tell me co-workers you have to read this one or that one.

The final section talks about events that happened , where just when you thought it was over, it really isn't. There is even a story about how Sherry herself helped out in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

I enjoyed this book. It really made me appreciate all the work these people do, day in and day out. They may not always get respected but I believe that Confessions of a Trauma Junkie does help give some of that respect these people deserve. Be warned that these are true events. So if you are faint at heart then you might not be able to handle the gore or even the somewhat crude language. To me I did not mind and could understand the reasons why for the language.

This is cool

Hey all. You have to check this out. This book is so good that it inspired St. Martin's Press to create a bonus mini ebook to honor The Devil's Queen!

Now is that cool of what. You can check out the mini book here. Hopefully reading this bonus will get you excited to purchase a copy of The Devil's Queen.



The Devil’s Queen tells the story one of Catherine de Medici, one of history’s most intriguing female figures. Born into one of Florence ’s most powerful families, Catherine was left incredibly wealthy by the early death of her parents. She later went on to become the jealous wife of the Prince Henry of France, the scheming mother-in-law to Mary, Queen of Scots, the architect of the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre, and, of course, France ’s most infamous Queen.

The Bone Factory

I want to thank Mr. Kenyon for sending me a copy of this book to review.

David Pierce is in desperate need for a job. He has a wife and a child to take care of. When he is offered the job as an advisor at Hydro Development. The plant has recently been re-opened after being shut down for a while. When the mutilated body of a farmer and the disappearance of a little girl where thought to be connected with the plant, the company shut it down. Now Hydro Development is ready to get up and running again. David will be the man to help them do just that.

Dan Flint works for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The FERC is has its eye on Hydro Development, especially after it was reported that the plant has supposedly tainted the water. A child caught some fish that had some strange growths. Dan senses something honest in David. He contact David and asks him to help him get the goods on the plant. Neither one of them could ever imagine the nightmare that awaited them.

The first few pages of this book is a definite attention grabber. The Bone Factory is a quick read. For me the star was David. I didn't expect this from him. He seemed like a by the book type of guy. He turned out to be a tough guy. He really stepped it up when it counted the most. If you have never read anything by Nate Kenyon then now is a good time to give him a try with The Bone Factory. It left me wanting more of a really good author.

A Circle of Souls

I want to thank Mr. Grandhi for sending me a copy of his book to review.

When nine year old, Janet doesn't come home from school, her parents get worried. Unfortunately the search for Janet ends in terrible sadness. Her body is found at Elephant Rock in pieces.

The local authorities call on FBI special agent Leia Bines to help solve the case. Leia discovers that all of Janet's body parts were not just scattered but instead left methodically to form a large stick figure, as if for sacrificial purposes.

Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury’s hospital has a new patient that has left him perplexed. Naya Hastings is seven years old. Her parents brought her in. Naya has night terrors. Naya starts having dreams about Janet. She swears that Janet visits her in her sleep. The amazing thing is the images Naya has drawn. Now in order for Janet's killer to be brought to justice, she will have to relay on Naya, Dr. Gram and Leia to caught the killer before he strikes again.

A Circle of Souls is Preetham Grandhi debut novel. A Circle of Souls is a brilliant, psychological thriller that will leave you memorized. It will have you questioning legends from reality. All of the characters had really great dimension. I could connect with them all. At first I wasn't sure how much I would like this book, only because of the fork lore elements mixed in with the story line but I enjoyed this novel so much that I read it in one afternoon. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Free Book Promotion

Hello All. I wanted to share with you a book promotion that Bancroft Press is currently holding.




Bancroft Press is holding a special promotion to give away FREE copies of Bill O’Reilly’s first book and novel, Those Who Trespass. All customers have to do is purchase ANY of the nearly 50 hardcover books published by Bancroft Press! Just use the code TWT when paying for the website purchase (www.bancroftpress.com ) and receive Those Who Trespass along with FREE shipping for the entire order. All copies are in mint condition and only 397 copies are available, with a limit of one copy per customer.


They have lots of books to choose from. One of my favorites is The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes. You can read my review here. I hope you take advantage of this offer.

Sunnyside Blues Winner

A few weeks ago author Mary Carter was nice enough to allow me to interview her. You can read the interview here. She also allowed me to give away a copy of her latest Sunnyside Blues.

The lucky winner is ....Mindy. I have emailed her. Congrats.

Be on the watch out for more great giveaways to come soon

Misery Loves Cabernet

I want to thank Rachel with St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy of this book to review.




Charlize aka Charlie Edwards works as a personal assistant to one of Hollywood's famous movie stars, Drew Stanton. It is not as easy and glamorous as one would think it would be working for a celebrity, especially when that person is Drew Stanton. Luckily for Charlie, she has her two best friends, Kate and Dawn by her side.

Just when Charlie begins to believe everything is going good for her, someone throws her a curve ball. First the guy she is seeing Jordan is offered a job in Paris. He will be gone for three months. Charlie doesn't think it will work between them doing the long distance relationship thing but she gives it a try anyways. Then her boss gets fired from the movie he is starring in...all due to an incident involving a hippo named Ida and a movie producer's swimming pool.

When Charlie spots her crush, Liam O'Connor, famous movie producer at a Halloween party, all bets are off between Jordan and her. Besides the statistics involving couples and long term relationships are not very good.

Misery Loves Cabernet is a fabulous, wonderful, witty and charming book.I absolutely loved Charlie and all her friends. Charlie and her friends need to have their own television series. I would definitely watch it.

I couldn't put this book down, in fact this book is a one-sitter! When you meet all the people that Charlie has to put up with, it makes her seem normal and everyone else dysfunctional. There are so many favorite moments for me in this book. One of the best had to be towards the very end when Charlie's grandparents arrived in their Winnebago to spend Thanksgiving with the family. Charlie's grandmother presented everyone with a list of items that had everything from Yogi Berra to baseball strikes on it. The list involved things that no one can mention during the holiday season.

For other great moments like these, you have got to pick up a copy of Misery Loves Cabernet today.


Visit Kim's website

Silent Killer

I want to thank Mrs. Barton for sending me an ARC copy of this book to review.

Eighteen months ago, something terrible happened in the town of Dunmore. Catherine Cantrell and her pastor husband Mark were relaxing at home, when the doorbell rings. Mark heads to the door to answer it. Suddenly Cathy hears Mark screaming bloody murder. When Cathy arrives at the door, she finds Mark in the front yard engulfed in flames from head to toe.

Cathy has returned to Dunmore. she wants to put the past behind her and get on with her life with her son, Sean. There are two reasons why Cathy shouldn't have returned...one is named Jackson Perdue and the other is that there is a serial killer on the loose.

Jackson has also returned home to Dunmore. He has been offered a job working for the police department. His first case is stopping a serial killer. One that newspaper reporters have dubbed "Fire and Brimstone Killer", because the killer has taken it upon themselves to dish out God's punishment on clergymen who are anything but innocent.

It has been a little while since I have read a Beverly Barton novel. After reading her latest release Silent Killer, I am a 100% convinced that Mrs. Barton can not write a bad book. What I liked about this book is that even though there was clues given bit by bit of the identity of the killer, I still was comeplety surprised when the killer's identity was finally revealed. I love when this happens. This is hard to do as I am a big thriller fan.

There were some loose ends that involved some of the characters in the story. Luckily Mrs. Barton explained that this is because she has already been working on a new novel that will tie up all these loose ends. I can't wait. The killer may be silent but you don't have to by picking up a copy of this book to read for yourself.

Her name is Jezebel

Jessie Belle Holt was born a preacher's daughter. She lives in the small town of Mayville, but Jessie Belle doesn't act like a preacher's daughter should. She is very promiscuous and materialistic about owning the very best possessions that money can buy. Because of this fact, people have taken to calling Jessie Belle "Jezebel".

Jessie Belle's mother tells her that she needs to save herself for her husband, one who loves her.

Pastor Traynor Deveraux Jr. travels to Mayville in place of his father, who was invited by Jessie Belle's father to come give a sermon at one of his tent revivals. From the first moment Jessie Belle lays eyes on Traynor, she claims him as her husband. She plans to do everything she can to become Mrs. Deveraux Jr. even if she has to lie, trick and seduce Traynor.

What a surprising wonderful novel Jezebel turned out to be. I know whatever I did expect for this book, it exceed my expectations. The story as well as the characters were filled with such strong emotions. This helped really draw me into the story. Jacquelin Thomas has an amazing talent for telling stories ripped straight from the Bible. Ms Thomas's calling as a writer is a gift that is to be treasured. Only a book like this deserves the very best with a rating of a five angel, recommended read!



Courtesy of FAR

Missing Mark

Readers were first introduced to Channel 3 television reporter, Riley Spartz in author Julie Kramer’s debut novel Stalking Susan. Now Riley is back in getting in over her head again in Missing Mark.

Riley has recovered from her scare in Stalking Susan and is ready to get back in action. She sees an ad for a wedding dress for sale. To anyone else they would just glance at the ad and maybe pass it over but not Riley. She believes there is a story behind the ad. She contacts the owner, Madeline to meet with her about the dress.

Riley learns that Madeline has been stood up at her own wedding. Her husband to be, Mark was last seen at the wedding rehearsal dinner. Riley smells a story here but her boss has other ideas. She wants Riley to investigate the disappearance of a prized missing bass from an indoor aquarium.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Riley’s next door neighbor George is a very odd character. He holds garage sales as an almost monthly event. How much junk can one person truly own?

Having never read Stalking Susan, I don’t have much to compare to her first book. Though, I do have to say that I did like her latest Missing Mark. I liked the play on words for the title of the book as the missing groom’s first name is Mark. Riley is very likeable. She reminded me of the twenty-first century version of Nancy Drew. While there are not a lot of twists and turns, there are a enough to make an mystery fan happy. I can’t wait to check out the nest release but till then I plan to read Stalking Susan.

http://www.juliekramerbooks.com/

I am only One Scream Away + Giveaway

I am happy to be a part of this blog tour. In fact courtesy of Anna with Hachette, I am giving away a copy of this book to one lucky winner.

Years ago, Elizabeth Denison came in contact with her worst nightmare. She became the victim and obsession of serial killer Chevy Bankes. She survived…if you can call always being on alert and scared a better alternative. Bankes was caught and sentenced to prison. He is now out and ready to pick up where he left off.

Former FBI special agent Neil Sheridan has been asked by his best friend, Rick, who is a cop to help him on a murder case. At first Neil has no interest. That all changes when Neil learns that the murder victim’s face was cut up to look like a doll; in addition to being raped and shot to death. The case brings back bad memories for Neil. When he was still active, he had caught and killed a serial killer. He believed that the killer was dead but now it seems he might have killed the wrong man.

Elizabeth Denison receives a phone call one day. The caller is none other then Bankes. He tells her that he is out and he hopes to hear her scream once more for him. Beth fears for her and her daughter’s lives but she keeps her mouth shut about the phone call. The police discover that the murder victim’s cell phone was used. The last call made on it was to a Beth Denison. Beth plans to take out Bankes herself but will her silence be deadly?

One Scream Away is what I call a good time. I just about read this book in one sitting. Both my eyes and hands were glued to the book. The sparks that Beth and Neil shared were really good. I liked that that the story line didn’t veer too far from the murderer and the characters and head more into a romance between Neil and Beth. While I do enjoy romantic suspenses; I like when they are evenly balanced. I scream for more Kate Brady!

How to win a copy of this book. Open to US and Canada only. No PO Boxes. Ends August 1st.

Blog about it for 1 entry and leave link

Become or comment that you are already a follower for another entry

Share your favorite horror movie or book and why. Because we all know that horror movies usually involve a lot of screaming! This will earn you 3 entries.

Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway!

Do you like this bracelet? Well my good friend Amy from Park Avenue Princess is giving it away to one lucky winner.



Head on over to get all the details and to enter here

The Bikini Diaries

Wendy Carnes's boss has sent her to Florida to check out the Emerald Shores Beach Resort. Her boss is thinking about investing in the resort. Wendy decides to bring a journal along with her on the trip.

While out on the beach, Wendy spots a tall, tan, beautiful woman wearing a skimpy white bikini. Wendy nickname's the mysterious woman "White Bikini Babe". Wendy is not immune to the fact that White Bikini Babe can capture any man's attention without every trying. Wendy wishes she was more like White Bikini Babe that she decides to get out of her comfort zone and become adventurous while in Florida by buying some sexy clothing and a bikini.

A handsome stranger whisks Wendy away from a party for a night of hot, steamy sex. Wendy later learns his name is Brandon. Now Brandon and Wendy are heating up the beach even after the sun goes down.

What better way to start out the summer right than to read The Bikini Diaries. Wendy shows that women can be empowering even while wearing a bikini. All you need is the right attitude, no matter what shape or size you are. Brandon is a bad boy with a capital "B". Brandon and Wendy were so hot together that if I were wearing glasses, they would have been steamed up the whole time. This book should come with a warning...dangerous curves ahead plus hot, steamy sex equals one scorching erotic adventure.

Courtesy of FAR

Honey, It's All in the Shoes and How you wear them!

I am glad to be a part of this great blog tour. Courtesy of TLC Book Tours

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk in someone else's shoes?

Well Southern Belle Phyllis Norton Hoffman does exactly that in Honey, It's All in the Shoes. She takes readers on a delightful, fun, charming, and witty ride down memory lane into her life as well as the lives of some of the most famous celebrities to have helped pave the way to the great selection of shoes we have to choose from today.

This book is broken up into little chapters. Each chapter talks abut an event that either involved Phyllis or about a different famous icon and the shoes they loved to wear. At the end of each chapter, Phyllis has inserted a history lesson about some various shoes and where they came from.

I was really surprised by how much I loved this book. The reason I say this is because I am not a shoe lover at all. In fact I own about three pairs of shoes...a heel, sandal and tennis shoe. Phyllis talks about how she has a huge closet full of shoes. While I may not be a shoe fan, I did enjoy reading where some of the shoes originated from and their purpose. Oh yeah! You didn't know shoes had a purpose other then to help you walk.

Well if you want to know the details, then you are just going to have to pick up a copy of this book yourself and check it out. You won't regret it. You will even find yourself laughing along the way.

Honey, It's All in the Shoes can be purchased at HCI Books:
http://www.hcibooks.com/p-3887-honey-its-all-in-the-shoes.aspx

also on amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Its-All-Shoes-Contemporary/dp/0757307574

Phyllis is the President of Hoffman Media:
http://www.hoffmanmedia.com/

Here is the TLC Book Tours schedule:
http://tlcbooktours.com/2009/05/phyllis-hoffman-and-honey-its-all-in-the-shoes-on-tour-july-2009/

Shimmer

Robbie Case is a multi-billionaire CEO, owner of the company Core Communications. He pretty much grew this company up from the ground. He went from thirty employees working for Core Communications to the company now employing around five thousand employees.

Core Communications specializes in information technology in the high-tech computer world. Their biggest seller is the Core Blue Boxes. These boxes help reduce the wait time to transfer date from one mainframe computer to another. The boxes are a must have for any business. The thing is that Core Communications is all a gimmick. The core blue boxes don’t really work. Everything Robbie has built is a lie. Now he will try and save a company that doesn’t really exist.

I thought Shimmer sounded really good. While I appreciate Mr. Barnes putting all his efforts into this debut novel; unfortunately I felt the story and the characters feel flat for me. Robbie seemed one dimensional without a lot of range. To be honest I even put this book down several times. Every time I picked it up again, I could only read a few pages at a time. Though, I could tell as I was reading this book that it had potential but it moved too slowly to me.

Eric's site:http://www.ericbarnes.net/

Eric's page on the UBB site: http://unbridledbooks.com/shimmer.html

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Michael and Susan have been happily married for many, many years. They live in Las Vegas. Susan is the proud owner of the Disco Diva, a hair salon. She has lots of loves like her collectibles, her friends...The Boomer Babes Rock Group, which is comprised of Patricia Davies, Mary Johnson, Lisa Taylor, Linda Jones, and Sharon Wilson, and her husband but her top love will always be her shop.

As much as Michael is proud of his wife, he is ready to retire and her wants Susan there by his side. He has been working at The Silver Spur casino for thirty years. Michael has a big surprise for Susan. Unfortunately, Susan is less then thrilled with Michael's surprise. In fact it causes tensions between husband and wife. As if Susan wasn't stressed enough. How will she react when a blast from her past comes back.

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing is part of the VaVaVa Boom series. What I liked about this book is that the characters were in their mid forties, fifties and older. Susan, Michael and the rest of the Boomer Babes Rock Group. They shows that age is just a number and you are only as young as you feel. As much as I did like this book, I wished I could have gotten into it more. I stuck with the whole story till the end but the last third of the story, I started to drift off for some reason. The energy just wasn't there the whole way for me. Though I do think author, Allison Bottke did a well done job on You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.

Talking to the Dead

Kate Davis has just went through one of the most horrific experiences that anyone can go through...that is buring her husband. Kevin and Kate were married for five years. In that whole time, Kate loved Kevin. At times though it seemed like that was something not quite right about Kevin but nothing too serious enough to draw red flags for Kate.

Now that Kevin is gone, all Kate wants to do is be left alone. Kate may be depressed...what by sleeping on the floor, not shaving in weeks but she is not crazy...no matter how many conversations; she carries on with her dead husband. Kate's sister and mother try to help Kate get out of her slump. Kate acknowledges that she does need help but professional help, especially as she and Kevin have been commicating a lot. The counselor suggests Kate go to group therapy. There she meets Jack. Jack is a kind hearted soul.

Kate is starting to make progress. The only thng left for her to do, in order to move on with her life is that let Kevin go but will she be able to. Also how will Kate react when she learns her life with Kevin was built on lies?

This is the first novel I have read by this author. I thought Talking to the Dead was a very deep, thought-provoking story. This story reminded me of an updated version of the movie, The Sixth Sense but without the creepy elements. Bonnie Grove really gave her characters depth and diminsion. Kate started out kind of weak but as the story progressed you could see she grow into a strong woman. I got to know Kevin and what type of man he was, because Kate would flash back to the past and the present. I don't know if Bonnie's goal was to make me hate Kevin but if it was then she did her job. I couldn't stand Kevin and felt that Kate is better off without him. Talking to the Dead is a good read.


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Talking with Mary Carter + Giveaway

What Inspired “Sunnyside Blues”
Mary Carter


"Sunnyside Blues" to me, at heart, is a book about belonging, and the yearning to find a place you can call home. I know I still have this longing in me. I've moved a lot in my life, and I've never settled down (for long) with a husband and kids. Sometimes I have a yearning for the “life I didn’t live” and I try to imagine what it would be like. Other times I think I’d be terrified to be tied down like that. So I can always see both sides of the fence, and at any given time I think I’d prefer one over the other—always wanting to experience everything at once—I think that’s what drives me to write. But I think even people who do settle down still feel restless and lonely at times. There's a lot of pressure in life to answer the big questions: Where will I live? Who will I marry? What's my dream job? I also liked the idea of bringing together two characters who didn't really want to be with each other, but for one reason or other needed to be together, and in the end, their lives would truly be better for having met, that something in them, no matter how small, has been healed by being together, and that even though their time together was brief, they would remember each other forever.

I knew I wanted the settings of Seattle (where I lived for six years-- a year of it on a houseboat on Lake Union that poor Andes never gets to experience) and Sunnyside Queens, where I had just moved from Manhattan. The characters started out as a collage of people I've known in my life—but by the time the book was finished they’d grown into their own people, and no longer resembled the person or persons I used to jump-start them.

Then came Andes' religious background-- which for the life of me I can't remember where that came from-- all I know is that I now have half a dozen books on snake handling lying about the place. I found the religious practice fascinating, and I wanted to be able to write about it without casting judgment. I grew up in Ohio and spent time in West Virginia, I think it’s an absolutely beautiful state, and I just knew that’s where Andes had to grow up.

I loved the title "Sunnyside Blues" and it just so happened that the first day I moved to Sunnyside Queens, I went into a coffee shop and there was a local jazz musician selling his CD, "Sunnyside Blues". And I had just offered up that title to the publisher for the book, so it was kismet!

Inspiration often starts with a tiny spark of an idea, a person you knew, a place you’ve been, or as often is the case with me, a scenario you can see in your mind’s eye. A famous writing adage for beginners is: “Write what you know.” I prefer: “Write what you can imagine.”

Thanks for letting me share!

Mary

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How to win a copy of this book:

All you have to do is leave a comment for Mary. Please leave your email address in the comments.

I will pick a winner July 18th.

Sunnyside Blues

I want to thank Mary Carter for sending me a copy of her book to review.

Twenty five year old, Andes Lane is a free soul. She has never stayed in one place for very long, always on the go. As much as traveling around the world sounds like fun, Andes is ready to settle down and find a place she can call home.

Andes just may have found that place. in Settle, Washington. She comes upon an flyer, advertising for a houseboat for rent. Andes goes and checks out the houseboat. The owner Jay tells her that the boat will be unoccupied after the fourth of July but after Andes criticizes the condition of the place, Jay doesn't want to rent to her. As if getting off the wrong foot with Jay wasn't bad enough, she has to also contend with his ten year old son, Chase.

Chase hates Andes and he makes sure she knows it. Andes currently has no other place to go. She tried to find a way to make it up to Jay. The only way to do that is through Chase. Jay gets arrested, leaving Chase in Andes temporary custody. Andes has never taken case of a child. She can barely take care of herself. In order to survive Chase and Andes will need to learn to get along with each other. They take a trip and end up in Sunnyside, Queens. There they will find love, friendship, heartache, and the most important thing of all...family!

Sunnyside Blues is a touching story about two people, who come to realize that home is where the heart is and that you don't always have to be strong, as long as you have people around you who care about you. At first I really didn't like Chase. He got on my nerves and I thought he was a brat. As the story went on, I came to realize that I felt sorry for Chase and was glad he had someone like Andes to look after him. Andes is very quiet. At the beginning, she is like a caterpillar but towards the end of the book she emerges turning into a butterfly. I did have a slight issue with the transition when the story would flash from present to past and present again. For me I wished the switch was a little more smoother. Overall though I thought this was an good book.

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The Birthing House

Conrad Harrison had been on the road a long time. He was traveling back to Los Angeles. He took a wrong turn and decided to stop for some rest. While looking through the newspaper, he found his dream home.

Advertised in the paper was an ad for a 140 year old Victorian house, located in
Black Earth. Conrad met with the agent. The instant Conrad set foot in the house, he felt something...it was like the house and him shared a connection like long lost lovers. The agent tells Conrad that the house used to be a birthing house. The reason for this is because a doctor used to live in the house and there was a lot of women who gave birth in the house. Conrad doesn't care and buys the house. Soon he, his wife, Joanna and their two dogs leave LA for their new life in Black Earth.

Joanna works as a sales/project manager for a company that deals with pharmaceutical companies. She travels a lot. Joanna gets called away. A change starts to come over Conrad. Leon Laski, the former owner brings Conrad over an old photo scrapbook. He tells him that it belongs to Conrad. Conrad opens the album to find to his much amazement and shock that the album contains photos of his wife but that can't be right as Joanna is not a hundred and four years old. He starts seeing and experiencing things...like he comes home to find both of his dogs bloody and tore up. It is like the house is alive.

The Birthing House is Christopher Ransom's debut novel. I have to say that after reading this book that Mr. Ransom has great talent as a story teller. I like how as the storyline progressed, that the events and the change that took over Conrad, slowly built upon each event. As much as I enjoyed this, I was hoping for more...creep factor. Though as I was reading this book, it did remind me of The Amityville Horror. Conrad had a personality about him that made him interesting to me. I don't want to give anything away, so you will just have to read this book for yourself. The Birthing House is a one sit read.

Swimsuit

Famous model Kim McDaniels has been kidnapped from a photo shoot in Maui. She wakes to find herself in the truck of a car. At first she thought it was her boyfriend Doug, playing a joke on her but she soon realizes that her kidnapper is not Doug. Unfortunately, Kim won't be able to model her way out of the predicament she has now found herself in.

Kim's parents receive a phone call notifying them that their daughter has been kidnapped and to come down to Hawaii immediately. They get the first flight out that they can.

Ben Hawkins is a former cop. He now works as a reporter for the L.A. Times. He scores the assignment of Kim McDaniels's kidnapping. Ben thought he could become the hero and swoop in and save the day. In doing so he hoped to get an exclusive rights to include in a novel he would like to write from this experience. Ben's investigating leads him down a dark, sinister path of betrayal, lust, and double crossing.

First, I have to admit that I have tried reading Mr. Patterson's work and it does nothing for me. I decided to try audio books. What I discovered is that I can get into these stories better when I am listening to them. Have said that, the reason for this has to do with the narrator. He really brought this story to life. The last book I listened to by Mr. Patterson was Run for your Life. Now that one was just ok but Swimsuit really cranked up the suspense. This story is way dark, gruesome, twisted, and fast-paced. Just the way I like my mystery thrillers. If you have never tried James Patterson then you should try this book. It is a stand alone novel.

Book Giveaways

Courtesy of Anna with Hachette. I am giving away 5 copies each of the following books. Yes, you heard me correct...that is 15 winners total!






The new Americana romance from bestselling author Dorothy Garlock, this time set against the backdrop of WWII.

Sophie Heller's family immigrated from Germany to Victory, a small town in Illinois, before WWII began. Now that the war has affected the town, the townspeople discriminate against Sophie and her family. When a train derails, it is an accident but the Heller family is blamed. Coming to Sophie's rescue is a teacher from the high school, and despite their cultural differences, a romance starts to bloom.








National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom.

Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear.

His surcoat still bloody from battle, William FitzAlan comes to claim the strategic borderlands granted to him by the king. One last prize awaits him at the castle gates: the lovely Lady Catherine Rayburn.Catherine risked everything to spy for the crown. Her reward?

Her lands are declared forfeit and she is given this choice: marry FitzAlan or be taken to the Tower. Catherine agrees to give her handsome new husband her body, but she's keeping secrets, and dare not give him her heart. As passion ignites and danger closes in, Catherine and William must learn to trust in each other to save their marriage, their land, and their very lives.





Rules are:

OPen to US and Canda only and NO PO Boxes. Let me know which books you want to be entered to win.

Leave a comment with your email address (1 entry)
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Share who your favorite romance author is and why (1 extra entry)

Contest ends July 31st.

The Hunted

I want to thank Mr. Barcomb for sending me a copy of his book to review.

When Lucky was just eight years old, she witnessed her father killing her mother. Her father tried to make it seem like it was an accident but at the last second, Lucky couldn't go through with it and turned her father in. He was sent away but he would never forget who was responsible for where he is now.

Many years later, Lucky is all grown up and has tried to put her life together pretty well. She had better watch her back, as her father is now a free man. He his one thing on his mind...revenge.

New York Police Department Homicide Detective Frank Russo has been called on the scene of a murder. A young man has been found with his brains bashed in and a wine bottle shoved up his ass. Detective Russo tries to wrap his mind around what type of sick person who do something like this to someone else. Unfortunately his doesn't have much time to ponder on the current matter, as his has a serial killer on his hands.

The Hunted is the first book to feature Homicide Detective Frank Russo. This story moves really fast in a good way, but at the same time, there was a point at the beginning where I did stumble a bit. This was because there were so many different characters written into this story that I had a hard time trying to separate and figure out what each characters connection was in the storyline. Once I gotten everyone straighted out in my head, the book read pretty smoothly after that. Mr. Barcomb shows he can produce a good suspense/thriller police drama.

Check out Mr. Barcomb's website

The Missing Ink

I want to thank Becky with New American Library (NAL) a subgroup of Penguin for sending me a copy of this book to review.



Meet Brett Kavanaugh, owner of one of the hottest, upscale tattoo parlors in Sin City...The Painted Lady. Brett is unforgettable, due largely in part to the huge arm tattoo that features water lilies and a dragon.

The cops come sniffing around Brett's shop, all because of a woman who wanted a devotion tattoo of a heart with the name of her fiancee, Matt. Brett learns that the woman, who gave her name as Kelly Masters is not who she claimed she was. Her real name is Elise Lyon and her fiance's name is Chip Manning not Matt. Chip is the son of big time developer, Bruce Manning; who has properties all over the world and has just built a swanky new casino called the Versailles.

Brett starts doing some investigating of her own. All she knows is that all clues point to her rival, Jeff Coleman of Murder Ink. Brett decides to confront Jeff, which is a bad idea but Brett always reacts first without really thinking her plans all the way through. Will Jeff leave a permanent mark on Brett? The Missing Ink is the first book in a brand new series, A Tattoo Shop Mystery. This book has everything including action, thrills, humor, and a kick-ass heroine! You know the saying...the bark is worse then the bite, well both Brett's bark and bite are deadly. She doesn't take anything lying down. There is one thing I do have to say and that is, it is Brett should keep her day job as the music industry is not ready for her, unless there is an audience for tone-deaf singers. I loved this book. What a great, strong start to this series. I have just found myself a favorite new author in Karen E. Olson. Can't wait to join Brett in her next adventure.



Check out Karen E. Olson's website

It could Only be You

Come meet the town folks of Angel Ridge, Tennessee. The town was founded by some of the richest families around...The McKays, the Wallaces, the Houstons, the Joneses, and, the Craigs. You could say that these people all had a rival with each other in the aspects of which family had more money. One way for them to show their wealth is to build this building or that building or to make the largest contribution. The only family that didn't spend their money frugally was the Craigs. They were happy living the simple life.

Josie Allen has returned home to work as a librarian for the Angel Ridge Library. Josie receives a phone call at work from a man named Cole Craig. Cole is the local handyman. He tells her that he noticed that there was water running from her home. It seems she has a busted water pipe.

After the first visit, Cole decides that he wants to get to know Josie better. It takes a little while to get Josie to warm up to him but eventually he wins Josie over and she agrees to go out on a date with him. Now all Cole needs to do is figure out where to take Josie. Luckily for him Dixie Ferguson, owner of Ferguson's Diner and match maker extraordinaire has stepped in to help Cole. Will Cole and Josie be a perfect match in heaven?

Only You is the first book in a brand new series by Deborah Grace Staley called The Angel Ridge Series. Only You is a charming and sweet story. At first you think that Cole and Josie come from two totally different walks of life but after getting to know them you realize that they aren't that so different. This book reminded me of the hit television show...The Gilmore Girls. Josie is Lorelai but not as kooky. Cole is Luke. The quiet, simple but sexy guy next door. Anyone looking for a good romanctic read, so try Only You. This series can only get better from here!



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The Texicans

I want to thank Nina Vida for sending me a copy of her book to review.

This story spans from 1843 to 1854. It takes place in Texas. A time when people were traveling to Texas looking to lay claim to land and make a life of their own.

Aurelia and her family were traveling to Chihuahua to get away from the disease of cholera, when they came upon an old woman. She could barely walk but after coming in contact with Aurelia, she got up and walked away. Her father comes up with the idea to pass Aurelia off as a healer. People come from all over to pay Aurelia to cure them. One of those people is a man named Willie Barnett, a Texas Ranger.

Joseph Kimmel receives a letter from a Cyril McCorkle, writing him to let him know that she will keep her brother's possessions till he arrives in Texas. His brother passed. In the letter, Cyril also mentions that she would be happy to be partners with him, if he decides to stay in Texas. Joseph sets out for Texas. Joseph ends up meeting and marrying a young woman by the name of Katrin. Joseph doesn't really love Katrin but it does it more as a friendly gesture. Down the road, Joseph spots the most beautiful woman, he has ever laid eyes on. Her name is Aurelia. He becomes infatuated with her. Causing Joseph and Katrin to become distant with one another.

The Mexicans by Nina Vida is what I have been looking for but didn't realize it till now. What a lovely, heart-felt, gripping, emotional story. Nina incorporates all different cultures in this book...from Mexicans, Whites and Native Americans. This novel reminded me of the movie Dances with Wolves. It told a great story but at the same time is a classic. While I liked Aurelia and Katrin, I had to get warmed up to Joseph. This is because of the way he treated Katrin. I understood his feelings told Aurelia but at the same time Katrin stood by him the whole time and he didn't see her for what she was...a wonderful woman, who just needed a little polishing off. Remember to check out this book the next time you are book shopping.

Visit Nina at her website