Cheryl's Book Nook

I don't know about you but I am excited for book four, My Soul to Steal in the Soul Screamer series. YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND? Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back. See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives. And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants. I DON'T THINK SO. Purchase a copy here

Maggie Messina is the owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop. She and Lucy, Suzanne, Dana and Phoebe all formed a bond over knitting and became close friends. They are known as the Black Sheep Knitters. Where one goes, the rest are usually not that far behind. Maggie tells the ladies that an old friend of Maggie’s has invited her to come teach some knitting workshops at the Berkshire hotel. The hotel is hosting a Creative Spirit Weekend. Maggie invites the ladies to join her for a fun-filled weekend. When Maggie and her friends arrive at the Berkshire, they soon discover the reason for the new direction and feel of the hotel. The hotel is big into mediation, self-help and awareness, etc. The new owner of the hotel is Dr. Maxwell Flemming. Dr. Flemming is into holistic medicine. Like the saying goes…”It is all fun and games until someone is killed.” When one of the hotel guests is murder, the ladies make it their mission to find the killer before it is too late. A Stitch before Dying is...

Something strange is happening in the town of Holburn. People are acting violent. Damien Tyler was out in the woods with some friends. One of the other guys, Tony wants to go find Alan and Jennifer. While walking, Damien comes upon some little kids. It isn’t the children that Damien find odd but the fact that they are not sad of Damien or surprised to find him in the woods. Damien goes on his way. He is greeted by a scary creature made of ants. This creature is the first of many new inhabitants of Holburn. By the time Damien and a few other town folks realize what is going on, it is too late or is it? I have to admit that when I first started reading this book it was rough going for me. There was no lead up to what was happening. It just came at you right away. On the other hand, the surprise factor is what also makes this book. Shades of Green is kind of like something out of a Stephen King novel mixed with a cross of X-Files. This book takes you on a weird trip into a sci-fi reality....

Author, Kimberly Derting of the Body Finder novel series is hosting a huge contest. Hurry as it ends December 31st. Here is what you can win. FIRST PRIZE: A signed ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD, a signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, and a complete Desires of the Dead swag pack (including a signed DotD poster, bookmarks, stickers, rubber bracelets, and buttons). SECOND PRIZE: A signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, an ARC of UNEARTHLY, and a complete DotD swag pack. THIRD PRIZE: An ARC of THROUGH HER EYES, a $15 gift card to the online bookseller of your choice, and a complete DotD swag pack. And here’s how easy I’m making it to EARN POINTS: 1) Earn one point just for being a follower and commenting in this post. How easy is that?!? (New followers welcome!) 2) Earn one more point for following The Body Finder Novels, the official fansite for TBF/DESIRES. (And, yes, you have to let me know here, so I know to count your point!). 3) Earn one extra point for Re-Tweeting/Facebooking (or any other status ...

Young Thorik Dain world is about to get turned upside down in a big way. A mysterious stranger appears. His name is Ambrosius. He is injured. He tells Thorik that the Grand Council was attacked. The Council was meeting to find a way to join forces with their enemies to fight against a common enemy named Darkmere. Ambrosius knows that time is important. He must journey back to Mountain King Temple and see if there are any survivors. Ambrosius, Thorik and a group of others head out for the Temple. It won’t be an easy journey. Fate of Thorik is book one of the Altered Creatures Epic Adventures in the Thorik Dain series. I could definitely see both young and old adults getting into this series. There was lots of action, intrigue and adventure. I could really get into Thorik. There were many interesting characters. I was taken on a grand adventure…full of magic, intrigue, and action. Thorik is slowly emerging as a leader. I can not wait to see how he grows in the next book. The ending is a ...

Review courtesy of Nancy (my friend and fellow blogger) Two men. Two women. One huge continent. This is the basis of Smith's story of the trip taken by Ewart Grogan 107 years before Smith replicated the same trail. Grogan was intent on proving to his hopefully future father-in-law that he was man enough to marry Gertrude Watt. He started off just prior to Christmas, 1899, by foot with food, rifles and a team of African porters. Along the way he met Arthur Sharp, a renowned explorer who became his fast friend. He shot elephants, hippos, snakes and, occasionally native men who tried to attack Grogan's expedition. Always the end in sight was to make it to Cairo and wire Gertude that he still loved her and wanted to marry her. It took him over two years and 7000 miles. Smith, on the other hand, was three months from his wedding day. His understanding fiance, Laura, had given her blessing to the trip and he had enough money, film and inner strength to go for it. His trave...

My review Someone is killing women. This killer burns marks into their skin, while they are alive and than finishes them off by stabbing them through the heart. Though, Eva Rayburn has paid her dues, she still has nightmares about that incident. Will she ever be able to run far enough away from her fears to stop them from consuming her? While investigating an arson case, Detective Deacon Garrison is drawn to Eva. There is something about Eva that she is hiding. As Deacon digs deeper, he uncovers something very sinister. Senseless is the latest release from Mrs. Burton. I have read every book by Mary Burton. I have enjoyed them all. I do have to say though that this latest book is a bit edgier and more thrilling. The chemistry between Eva and Deacon seemed a bit forced. It was like they were supposed to share sparks but Eva was a little messed up. Deacon was more like the knight in shining amour coming to save Eva. I could have done without the romance and been happy with the murder mys...

I want to thank Nancy for reviewing these children's books. I recently received 4 kid’s books to review from AuthorHouse. Having not done a lot of children’s books reviews (but being a grandmother of 3 having READ thousands) I decided to call this segment: Story Hour. Pearl’s Wisdom by Auntie LuLu (aka Mary Lou Moeller) Pearl is a pumpkin. No more, no less but this little book by Auntie LuLu is a gem. Mainly photographs of Pearl taken from when she was picked out of the pile at the store until she disappears is great for imaginative conversations with 2-3 year olds and good just “as is” in a read to me story for the younger set. The photos by Zdenka Barker are clear and well set up. Wish my cell phone shots were that good! There’s an Elephant in My Bathtub! by Arturo J Miramontes and illustrated by Arthur J Miramontes. Written in first person, this is a tale of a boy with a vivid imagination. He sees water in the hall, giraffes and elephants in the tub and his mom just sighs and pl...

French author, Gael Chatelain emailed me to let me know about their second novel., Do Unto Others Do Unto Others » is the story of two women, one of 30 years old, the other, 40 years old. The older one makes the young arrested at the beginning and we do not really know why. Through the story of the life of the young one, and today’s life of the 40 years old one, I tried to talk about women, and how hard it is, as a woman, to live in our world… working, loving, existing ! Certainly, the value is something subjective, especially BEFORE you read a novel. Here I want to show that a writer can exist without going through the gauntlet of a system leaving little room for young authors. I hope you will have the time and curiosity to take a look. To read this book for free, click, on the link above. Enjoy

Check out this great deal. You can pusrhcase a Signed First Edition of Moonlight Mile by New York Times best-selling author Dennis Lehane Book Summary Amanda McCready was four years old when she vanished from a Boston neighborhood twelve years ago. Desperate pleas for help from the child's aunt led investigators Kenzie and Gennaro to take on the case. The pair risked everything to find the young girl—only to orchestrate her return to a neglectful mother and a broken home. Now Amanda is sixteen—and gone again. Purchase here deal expires on 12/27/10, at 11pm EST

I wanted to share with you all about a fun event from Harper Collins. For those who haven't yet met Maisie, you're in for a treat. Winspear has created an amazing character in Maisie Dobbs, who is a female investigator living and working in London in the 1920s and 30s, and whose stories and cases find their roots in World War I. Visit Jacqueline Winspear's website for more on the world of Maisie Dobbs and for a cast of continuing characters. The read-along will officially kick off on January 1st and run through the publication of the paperback of the most recent Maisie Dobbs novel, The Mapping of Love and Death (on sale 2/22), as well as the new Maisie Dobbs hardcover, A Lesson in Secrets (on sale 3/22). We'll end the read-along in April with a Book Club Girl on Air Show with Jacqueline to discuss all the books! Cast of Continuing Characters Maisie Dobbs In 1929 Maisie Dobbs moves into a small office in Warren Street from which she intends to conduct her business as a p...

Eve Duncan is one of the best forensic sculptors in the world. This is why when CIA agent, Catherine Ling need someone to help her learn the truth about her son, Luke, she turns to Eve. Cause only the best will do for Catherine. Nine years ago, Luke was kidnapped by Sergei Rakovac. Sergei is one of the most powerful members of the Russian mafia. All this time, Catherine has wondered if Luke is dead or alive. Sergei can not be touched. He made a deal with the CIA. In exchange for helping Catherine; Catherine will help Eve learn the truth about what happened to her daughter, Bonnie. It has been a long while since I have read an Iris Johansen novel. Chasing the Night has me wondering why it took me so long between the last book and this one. It was not long once I sat down to start reading that I was instantly hooked. Eve makes forensic sculpting intriguing. Catherine is like the female version of Rambo. She comes in blazing with guns and lots of attitude to boot. Eve and Catherine make a...

Dan Del Colliano and Jay Cassio were the best of friends. They have each other’s backs. Jay grew up to be an attorney. Things are not looking good for Jay. His current client has just lost her head literally. Jay’s client was Kate Powers. She was married to Bryce Powers. Mr. Powers is a very powerful man like his last name. He owns Bryce Powers & Company. Dan is helping Jay. Dan tells Jay that he is going to Florida to meet with someone to get some dirty on Powers. If Jay had known that this would be the last time that he would see Dan alive, he would have talked him out of going. Now, it is up to Jay to avenge Dan’s murder. I first was introduced to Mr. LePore when I read his debut novel, The World I Never Made. I could not read that book fast enough. I knew afterwards that Mr. LePore was someone to keep an eye on. I was right. Jay made Dan proud. Jay fought hard to get justice for Dan’s death. Jay did not back down, no matter how high the stakes were. The action is fast, the char...

Abigail Donovan is down on her luck. It has been a while since her first novel was chosen as one of Oprah’s book picks. Now, Abigail can not even generate a crowd to her book signings. Instead she has been reduced to dressing up in a bunny costume and reading another author’s book to children. If Abigail can not finish her latest book soon than she will be out of a job. Abigail’s agent signed Abigail up on Twitter. Abigail knows nothing about Twitter. It is not soon before she meets #MarkBaynard. Mark is a old pro on Twitter. Mark shows Abigail the ropes. Soon Abigail and Mark are carrying on conversations. Mark tells Abigail that he is a English professor on sabbatical. How much can Abigail trust of Mark? The last third of this book was a complete surprise. I just knew something was up but I had no clue what it could be. I really felt a connection to Abigail and Mark. Abigail seemed a bit dorky but when she was chatting with Mark, her dorkiness was actually appealing. Mark was a swee...

Sourcebooks is celebrating Jane Austen’s birthday Sourcebooks, the world’s leading publisher of Jane Austen fiction, is offering a unique deal to readers who want to celebrate Jane by reading special editions of all six of Austen’s beloved novels in a 21st century format. Special e-book editions of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park will be available for free for one day only. These celebratory editions include the full novels, plus the legendary color illustrations of the Brock brothers, originally created to accompany the books in 1898. In addition to the Jane Austen classics, readers can also enjoy these bestselling Austen-inspired novels. The following bestselling e-books will be free on December 16th in honor of her birthday: Eliza’s Daughter by Joan Aiken The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecc...

One of my fellow book bloogers was talking about a new author she discovered and that she signed a contract with Angry Robots, publishing company. A imprint of Harper Collins. I was checking out the Angry Robots site and found this tasty treat that I wanted to share I have this book on my wish list and hope to pick up a copy to check out. Angry Robot is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers 77-85 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8JB UK www.angryrobotbooks.com Copyright © John Meaney 2010 All rights reserved. However, feel free to share this sample chapter with anyone you wish. And if you like this, go and buy Thomas’ book. And if you really like that, tell your friends… You thought Big Brother was tough? Try Knife Edge – the reality TV show where wannabe knife fighters are the celebrities in a nation going to hell. Chapter 1 They drove through the Wiltshire night not saying the name of Sophie. He at the wheel, she in the front passenger seat, tension clamping her mouth. Over and over, n...

It isn’t easy being a woman in a male dominated world. It is even harder when you have split personalities; all fighting for a chance to come out. Meet…FBI Agent Cadence Jones. Cadence has three sides to her. There is Cadence the FBI Agent, who tries to stick to the rules. Than there is Shiro, the ninja warrior and finally there is Adrienne, the instigator. You can guarantee that no case is ever boring with the many sides of Cadence around. I love FBI Agent Cadence Jones and her multiple personalities. Though my favorite was Shiro. Shiro really was a force to be watching your back around. She could kick your ass and enjoy it. The one that made the least impression on me was Adrienne. I hardly noticed when she would made an appearance, though Adrienne is still someone I would not like to meet. He would show up when someone was fighting. I felt sorry for Cadence’s partner, George. He never knew which one of Cadence’s many personalities would make an appearance next. George was always in ...

Trina Stewart came to Hollywood with big hopes and dreams of making it big in Tinsel Town. That was ten years ago. Trina teaches class to Japanese students on how to speak English. Trina still hopes to make it big. Matiu Wulf has come to Hollywood all the way from New Zealand to take a design scene class at UCLA. Matiu has no plans to stay. In fact he can not wait until he can return home. Matiu has moved into Trina’s apartment complex. Matiu never expected to fall in love. From the second moment, Matiu was head over heels with Trina. How much is Matiu willing to give up for love? Will Trina ever get her big break? Trina was so funny or really it was the situations that she found herself in that were really hilarious. For example, when Trina was teaching her class English. The language barriers of explaining the English definition of a word really was funny. Trina always seemed to find herself way in over her head. Matiu is so yummy. He not only is a gentleman but he has an New Zealand...

Author, Alice Eve Cohen met her second husband, Michael at a conference. Michael is ten years Alice’s junior. Alice already had a daughter named Julia when she and Michael met. Things were looking up for Alice, when she received the biggest shock of her life…she is pregnant! What I Thought I Knew is author, Alice Eve Cohen’s memoir into her life as a mother, wife and writer. I really liked this book more than I thought I would. I say this because memoirs are not typically my first book of choice. Mrs. Cohen shared every aspect of what she went through when she learned she was pregnant at age forty-four. The “What I Know” lists that Mrs. Cohen made were good. I liked learning what she knew as she was learning about different things. Mrs. Cohen opened the door into her life and let readers in. From what I read about Michael, he seemed like a nice guy. He was a good father to Julia. Eliana is one special and bright girl. There were some humorous moments. What I Thought I Knew is a book wo...

Everyone born after the shift can see ghosts. Aura is unique. She not only can see ghosts but she is their lifeline to the present. This is cool but at the same time it can have its annoying moments like…when ghost appear unexpected and demand your help…or having ghosts yell in your ear, never giving you a minute of peace. Of course, Aura would never trade any of this, when her boyfriend, Logan ends up dead. It is up to Aura to help Logan pass through to the other side. There is a new boy in town. His name is Zachary. There is something different about Zachary. What is Zachary hiding? I have wanted to try out author, Jeri Smith Ready for a while. I decided to start with Mrs. Smith Ready’s young adult paranormal series. Shade is book one. This book is a ghost story but not a scary ghost story. More like a love story. I liked Aura. She was cool. She is like a typical teenager only she has the ability to see and speak to ghosts. I liked Aura and Logan together, even though I didn’t really...

Review by Nancy Chris Chambers is one of the best private investigators in the business. She has built up her team carefully, the only one she may have issues with is the boss' son. Hired as her "assistant". The ony thing he seems to assist is the resignation of office managers after he takes them to bed. She has just lost a client. In an locked room. To murder. It didn't make her boss happy. Hell, it didn't make Chris happy either that the client died on the day the note she got said he would. Now there is another client. Aidan Wolfe is getting the same notes. A boy was killed but Aidan wasn't really responsible - or was he? All Chris knows is that he's the guy she tried to pikc up last night at Kenny's bar. Her bad. Chris tries desperately to keep her team together as they disappear, one by one. She also tries desperately not to think about how Aidan makes her feel. Both seem to be lost causes. Meanwhile, someone is trying to kill her client - again....

Author, Mary Burton has two new releases coming out back to back Senseless (January), and Merciless (February). To celebrate, Mary is sharing a receipe for some cookies that were inspired by her books. Enjoy and happy reading! Every Serial Killer Knows. . . The vicious burns scarring the victims’ flesh reveal the agony of their last moments. Each woman was branded with a star, then stabbed through the heart. With every death, a vengeful killer finds a brief, blissful moment of calm. But soon it’s time for the bloodshed to start again… The Perfect Time. . . Ten years ago, Eva Rayburn and her sorority sisters were celebrating the end of the school year. That party turned into a nightmare Eva can’t forget. Now she’s trying to start over in her Virginia hometown, but a new nightmare has begun. Every victim is linked to her. And Detective Deacon Garrison isn’t sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating—or protecting… To Make His Mark Only Eva’s death will bring peace. Only her t...

Author Tyr Kieran contacted me to let me know aobut a contest he is hosting. VAMPIRE STORY TITLE CONTEST – OFFICIAL RULES .VAMPIRE STORY OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES To provide fair and equal chance of winning to all Tyr Kieran readers, the following are the official rules for the Title Contest. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL ENTRANTS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. Contest Dates The Vampire Story Title Contest will begin at 12:00:01 AM EST on Wednesday 12/1/2010. Entries received prior to this date will be deemed invalid. The contest’s designated submission time frame—the first round—will commence for three weeks (21 days), ending at 11:59:59 PM EST on Wednesday 12/22/2010. Entries received after the end of the contest’s first round will be deemed invalid. The second round of the contest, for selected entries, will begin at 12:00:01 AM EST on Thursday 12/9/2010 and will commence for two weeks (14 days), ending at 11:59:59 PM EST on Thursday 1/5/20...

Charlotte Silver just wants to be known as a normal teenager. Unfortunately for Charlotte her wish will never come true. Her parents host a television reality show like “Ghost Hunters”. They travel from place to place investigating. Because Charlotte is not old enough to be on her own yet, she gets the pleasure of being dragged along and sometimes pitches in when her parents need an extra crew hand. Charlotte is known as Princess of the Paranormal, thanks to her parents thinking it would be cute to dedicate one of their books….To Charlotte…Princess of Paranormal. After filming on location at a restaurant in Charleston, strange things start to happen to Charlotte. Charlotte starts experiencing cold chills and hears voices. It seems that somehow Charlotte’s parents awoke something paranormal at the restaurant. Now Charlotte has ghosts following her. Oh, what is a girl to do with a bunch of ghosts? Past Midnight is book one in the Past Midnight series. I thought this was a pretty good boo...

My Review: So we are all familiar with the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus but what version of this story are you familiar with? There is only one true story. With Christmas being so commercialized like any other holiday, we may all sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas. Author, Donna Van Liere helps reminds us with The Christmas Journey. The Christmas Journey is the perfect story to share with everyone. The pictures were nice. Mrs. Van Liere really brought to life the story of May, Joseph and baby Jesus. The Lifetime Movie Network is showing Donna Van Liere's Christmas Movies. Here is the schedule (* all times EST) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 The Christmas Shoes - 7p - LIFETIME The Christmas Blessing - 9p - LIFETIME MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 The Christmas Blessing - 6p - LIFETIME MOVIE NETWORK (LMN) The Christmas Shoes - 8p - LIFETIME MOVIE NETWORK (LMN) The Christmas Hope - 10p - LIFETIME MOVIE NETWORK (LMN) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 The Christmas Shoes - 12a - LIFETIME MOVIE N...

Mahri Zin and her people are desperate for a healer. Mahri knows that if she does not find one soon, it could be too late. Mahri knows that any healer she finds will no go willingly with her, so she kidnaps one. Unfortunately, Mahri ends up kidnapping not only a healer but Prince Korl Com’nder of the Sea Forest. Can Mahri convince Korl to help her people? Beneath the Thirteen Moons is the latest novel from author, Kathryne Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy just keeps getting better and better with each book. When Mahri was jealous of Korl and all the attention he was receiving from the woman of her village, I was laughing. Mahri would not admit that she liked Korl, so she would pout, which was funny. Korl knew just how to push Mahri’s buttons without going too far. For being a Prince, Korl was cool. He and Mahri were a good match together. I wished that I had a pet like Jaja. He was so cool. Beneath the Thirteen Moons is one part paranormal, one part magical, one part romance and one hundred perce...

For Detective Taylor Jackson’s part in helping to stop “The Conductor”, a horrible serial killer, Taylor has recently been reinstated. Detective Jackson is putting her team back together again. Taylor does not have much rest time before she is needed. While heading home after celebrating, Taylor receives a phone call from dispatch of a possible homicide. Detective Jackson and her team head over to the scene. While investigating, they receive another report of a homicide. Before Taylor knows it, reports of homicide are coming in from every direction. When it is all said and done, there are eight young teenage bodies. Each one with strange occult symbols carved into their bodies. Can Taylor piece together all the pieces before the killer strikes again? The Immortals is the fifth Taylor Jackson novel. The Immortals I thought was a bit darker and grittier than the prior novels. It moved slower than the other ones. While I started this series with reading book three and have enjoyed every b...

Julia and her husband, Brisbane have been traveling all over the Mediterranean for their honeymoon. They just returned after being gone for eight months. Brisbane and Julia are ready for a change of pace. Julia’s sister, Portia tells Julia that she wants both Julia and Brisbane to go with her to India. Portia’s good friend, Jane Cavendish is in need of their assistance. Jane’s husband is dead and Jane is with child. If Jane and her child hope to have a safe future then they will need all the help they can get from Julia, Brisbane and Portia. Everyone is guilty. Dark Road to Darjeeling is the fourth Julia Grey novel. Julia is like the female version of Sherlock Holmes. Even when Julia is suppose to be enjoying the rest of her honeymoon, she cannot help but find herself in the middle of a good murder mystery. Julia was bitten by the mystery bug when she helped her current husband, Brisbane solve her former husband’s murder. Julia and Brisbane make a great pair. They are meant for each ot...

One of daytime soap operas most memorable couples, John and Marlena must face a new obstacle together. It will test both of John and Marlena’s faith and love. John is dying from something mysterious. Marlena has gone to see some of the best doctors around. Marlena goes to see Dr. Blake Masters. Dr. Master’s is John’s last hope. Meanwhile, Charlotte Gaines is the daughter of Richard Gaines of Financial Gaines Group, LLC. After Charlotte loses both her parents, Charlotte learns a shocking truth that will change her life forever. For a very brief time I did watch daytime soap operas. There were only two that I got into…one of them was Days of our Lives. While I like knowing that I am never that far away from helping myself to an extra serving of all my favorite characters, reading about them just was not the same as watching them on television. I found John and Marlena’s story to be more interesting than what was happening with Shawn, Belle, and Charlotte. Though, I did like the twist on ...