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Monday 30 November 2015

Book Blitz - Anatomy of a darkened heart by Christie Stratos


A pair of eyes underlined in weary darkness and punctuated with a knowing stare. These are not the normal eyes of a newborn baby. Abigail Delilah is the firstborn of three Whitestone children – and she is the most regretted.

But is it really her fault?

She can’t help that the revelation of Father’s wretched secret coincides with her birth. She can’t help the fear she feels during Mother’s psychological – and physical – assaults. As the shadows grow stronger over her soul and the noose of pain tightens around her neck, Abigail will find out which is stronger: her family’s wicked assumptions about her or her true self.

Take your first step into the Dark Victoriana Collection with Anatomy of a Darkened Heart.

Multi-layered with motifs, symbolism, and psychological depth, this tale of dark Victoriana will appeal to the literary reader and the leisure reader alike, combining key facets of several popular genres. And don’t be afraid to get addicted – the collection continues exploring the intertwining threads that weave together the complex tapestry of the Whitestone legacy.


Historical Down to the Floor Cleaner

It was really important to me to write a book that was historically accurate and didn’t mix today with yesteryear. My novel takes place during the period of 1840-1861, a time when commonplace services of today, like mail delivery, were in a state of flux. Even down to letter delivery times, it was very tricky to get it right because there were no standards at the time; the post office was still working itself out. 

One thing in particular that was great to incorporate into Anatomy of a Darkened Heart was how someone would clean a floor and the solution and scrubbing instrument used. That sounds irrelevant, but it’s details like this that bring the time period from vague background bits to sharp, all-encompassing details that make the ambiance a living part of the book. 



Anatomy of a Darkened Heart extract:

The Hinsleys. Godparents.
Elizabeth knew what he was thinking. He was thinking they would grant Abigail Delilah plenty of gifts, money, bestow upon her all the things they could not give their own baby. But he was also thinking Mrs. Hinsley could act as a second mother to the child, replace Elizabeth even if only to a small degree. He was thinking Mrs. Hinsley would make Elizabeth into the woman he wanted her to be: her mother. 
She would be no such thing.
Elizabeth's mother was a pious woman, yes, but also hard, cold, so stern that Elizabeth never felt her love. Exactly what she married into. How do these horrible motifs carry through a person's life? If she had already experienced distance from her parents, should she not experience warmth from her husband? Was that not what was due her?
It seemed not.
Elizabeth wondered… If she was more like Mrs. Hinsley, would Richard change at all? Would he become more considerate, more caring? Elizabeth doubted it. More likely he would remain the same but approve of her more. What does that feel like? She supposed it must feel like a child winning a game of fox and geese - hard won and short-lived. Insignificant in the long run. 
No, she would not be her mother's daughter. 
She must take Mrs. Hinsley in, make her think that she was welcome in Elizabeth's home at all times, that she was part of the Whitestone family now. Now that Richard had already made this enormous decision and informed them behind Elizabeth's back, she must make Mrs. Hinsley feel like she belonged, bring her in close. That would be the easiest way to eliminate her from the picture. 
Richard had changed the wallpaper. It was horrid. Black damask on blinding white. She would have preferred almost anything else. But why would he ask her? It was his house.
It was his house.
It was his house.
It was his baby.
But it was in her hands.

Dark Victoriana Collection:  

The Dark Victoriana Collection is not a series but an exploration of the same town in which the Whitestones live. There’s plenty of crossover with events in Anatomy of a Darkened Heart as well as other happenings and new secrets we didn’t get to discover in AoDH. There will be five books total in the collection: the first novel (AoDH) followed by three novelettes and then a final novel. I can’t reveal too much without giving some things way, but I can reveal the titles and release years of the upcoming books.

  • Locke and Keye (early 2016) “When you make the lock, you own the key”
  • Love’s Bloom (mid 2016)
  • Mrs. Dodd’s Doll Shop (late 2016)
  • Surviving the Whitestones: Ashdon’s Account (2017)

There’s a lot to look forward to!

Buy links:

Buy direct from the author for the same price as Amazon - signed and personalized copy: http://christiestratos.com

Bio:



Christie Stratos is an editor and award-winning writer who holds a degree in English Literature. An avid reader of all genres and world literature, Christie reads everything from bestsellers to classics to indies, and is an audiobook reviewer at AudioBookReviewer.com. She is also a writer of published short stories, poetry, and novels. She dabbles in all genres.

Social media links:

Editing website: http://proofpositivepro.com



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Wednesday 25 November 2015

Blog Tour / Book Musings - Lindsey: Love and Intrigue by Kimberly Kolb


LindseyBanner

Welcome to my tour stop for Lindsey: Love and Intrigue by Kimberly Kolb. This is a young adult mystery and the tour runs Nov. 16-27th with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for the full schedule.

LindseyLoveIntriguecoverAbout the Book:

Fifteen-year-old Lindsey Morgan Brooks is still considered the new kid in the small town of Emit, Michigan. Both of her parents are lawyers, but her father has built his reputation prosecuting some of the worst criminals in New York and Chicago. Now, as a high school junior, she is trying to choose her own path.

Lindsey feels the demands and pressure from school, gymnastics, and her parents as she battles insecurities to build friendships while steering clear of the many land mines in high school-such as the group of popular girls she has dubbed the "Fab Five" Busy with activities and consumed with thoughts of her secret crush, Chris, she takes little notice of what's happening around her.

She gets a flat tire, gets caught with the lights-out and starts receiving strange text messages-things she assumes are just high school pranks gone too far. Her father wants her to be able to handle herself, so she should be able to handle this.

 But while she steals a glimpse at Chris, who is watching her?


Book Musings : 

I received a free copy from the author for an honest review.

I was expecting more from this book. This is a first time author so there were no expectations but I expected lots of tense moments from the blurb. The author did deliver on it but not to my satisfaction. Read on to know what I liked and what I felt was missing.

 I liked the way the author had based a story around teens and a look into their emotional make up with all the typical angst and thoughts and feelings. They weren't too adult but at the same time weren't too childish. I liked Lindsey with her simple outlook. The author had made a good start with the expansive information on all the characters. The only downside is that it took too much space. 

I also liked the way the action/story picked up after the mysterious messages started. I felt that it could have started sooner and it would have had a bigger impact. I didn't connect that well with Chris at the start but he had a bigger presence near the end. 

What I didn't like was the way Lindsey handled the messages. She would have been better off going to the adults for guidance. Otherwise, I liked the way the story played out. I just feel this could have been better.

My one line review :  A regular story of teen angst with a spin on intrigue

My rating : 3/5

My reread factor : 3.5/5


Excerpt : 

Chris walks over and tries the same thing. Then he turns to the house and asks, “Where are your folks tonight, Lindsey?”
As he says this, I follow his gaze and realize the entire house is dark.
“They were going for dinner in town, but I’m surprised the house is completely dark. If nothing else, I think the landscape lights should be on.”
“No problem. I have a flashlight on the boat. Let me get it, and then we can walk up. Hold on one sec.”
Why would all the lights be out? Didn’t I leave a light on in the house? I usually leave one on for Baron.
“Okay,” Chris says, turning the light on as he steps off the boat. I’m still so cold, I have my hands in my jacket pockets and my purse hooked on my wrist. As Chris lights the path with his left hand, he puts his right arm very lightly around me. As we walk together, I am very conscious of trying not to step away from him nor step so that I am closer. Much as I’m getting a thrill having him next to me, I don’t want to send any signals. Given that I’ve no idea what Chris and I are really doing, how can I possibly send the right signals anyway?
We are about five steps from the patio when I slow down. Chris matches my pace and stops when I do. “Let me find my key,” I say, starting to look in my purse. Chris aims the flashlight to illuminate my purse.
Snap. Both of us whip around to scan the tree line next to my property as we both heard a twig break.
“Let’s go,” Chris states in an authoritative tone as he grabs my arm and forces me back in the direction of the boat.
“What was that?” I whisper as he is rushing—almost pushing—me back to the boat.
“I don’t know; come on let’s go,” he says. He quickly helps me get back to the dock and then on the boat. “Sit down,” is all he says and jumps in the boat and starts the engines again. The roar of the motor is deafening as we speed away in the dark.
I shiver as much from the air as from my thoughts. Why are the lights off in my house and on the dock? Was someone in the woods? Was it just a deer?




Kolb, Kimberly - 2013 Woods Head shot (1)About the Author:

 Kimberly Kolb earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial organizational psychology from the University of Illinois. She began writing while waiting for her daughter to finish ballet and tap classes. Kolb lives with her husband and three children north of Chicago. This is her debut novel.

Kimberly Kolb received the Editor's Choice and Rising Star Award from iUniverse.


***
*****
***
GIVEAWAY:

$50 Amazon gift card (INT)
Ends Dec. 2nd, 2015
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.


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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.


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Friday 20 November 2015

Book Blitz - Before the Dawn by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue


Before the Dawn
Lindsey Fairleigh & Lindsey Pogue
(The Ending #4)
Publication date: November 20th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance
A year ago, the Virus killed off most people in the world.
A year ago, strange things started happening to those who survived. Some of them transformed into something dark and sinister, while others evolved, becoming something more, something beyond human.
A year ago, Dani and Zoe were lost. They traversed the country to find one another, losing some of the people dearest to them along the way. They fought for their right to simply live, uncovered long-buried secrets, and discovered irreversible truths. And after everything Dani and Zoe have been through—even with the battle wounds that they bear—they’re still not safe.
It’s time for the struggling to end, for survivors to take back their lives, their families, their safety. It’s time to really begin to live, and to do that, they must wait for the first rays of dawn.


EXCERPT:

For three hours, I’d been sitting at the dining room table, my sketchpad washed in the baleful color of late morning that shone through the narrow windows, overlooking what appeared to be a deserted farm. Everyone was hiding indoors, dehydrating food, wrenching, painting, and—in Annie’s case—playing with kitties, all sheltered from the sudden downpour.
Hearing the creak of the front door opening, I looked up. Tavis stepped inside, rain dripping off his coat as he leaned forward and peered into the dining room at me, his feet planted firmly on the welcome mat.
“Hey,” I said, folding my arms in front of me.
Tavis smiled, his warm, customary greeting. “Morning.” But even in his natural, easy air, there was something about the way he looked at me that made even the slightest linger of his gaze and the quickest glance seem like something more. I could’ve pried, could’ve peeked and prodded, but I was a little too hesitant to learn the reason.
“You seen our animal whisperer anywhere? We’ve got a horse with colic out here. We could use her Ability.” Tavis pointed to his head.
His facial expressions always made me laugh, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him as I glanced outside. Darker clouds approached quickly from the west. “She’s out with Jason,” I said, “foraging. Hopefully they’ll be home soon.”
“Ah, foraging,” he said with a wink. “Got it.” And then he was out the door, and I watched as he strode back toward the stable.
I took a sip of lukewarm coffee, settling back into work mode, and let out a sigh as I stared down at the start of my second blueprint of the day. I tapped my charcoal pencil on the tabletop and glanced between Jason’s hasty, ill-proportioned sketch and my own, hoping I was interpreting his floorplans for the new smokehouse accurately. I’d gotten quite good at looking past his scribbled letters and numbers, relying mostly on the arrows and the drawing itself to help me decipher the rest.
Footsteps creaking overhead and feminine laughter were followed by a muffled “You wish, buddy” that floated down the stairs of the otherwise silent house. No wonder Harper had been so anxious to rearrange the infirmary. Chris laughed again, a sound I’d been hearing more and more frequently over the months. My eyebrow rose of its own accord, and I reached for the mug beside my sketchpad. A contented smile splayed my lips as I appreciated the happy routine we’d all seemed to fall into, gloomy weather or no.
After draining the contents of my mug, I absently set it aside, deciding the beams in the smokehouse roof needed to be closer together if they were going to support the wide—
An ear-piercing cry rolled in with the distant rumble of thunder.
Eyes narrowed and heartbeat thrumming, I jumped to my feet and gazed through the window at the gravel drive. Opening my mind, I felt Dani’s desperation and anguish before I even saw her.
“—shot!” With hair matted from the rain and her clothes drenched, Dani sprinted clumsily up the driveway, her eyes wide with terror. “He’s been shot!




Author Bio:
 Lindsey Fairleigh lives her life with one foot in a book—as long as that book transports her to a magical world or bends the rules of science. Her novels, from post-apocalyptic to time travel and historical fantasy, always offer up a hearty dose of unreality, along with plenty of adventure and romance. When she’s not working on her next novel, Lindsey spends her time reading and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her two very confused cats.

Lindsey Pogue has always been a little creative. As a child she established a bug hospital on her elementary school soccer field, wrote her first YA manuscript in high school, and as an adult, expresses herself through writing. Her novels are inspired by her observations of the world
around her—whether she’s traveling, people watching, or hiking. When not plotting her next storyline or dreaming up new, brooding characters, Lindsey’s wrapped in blankets watching her favorite action flicks or going on road trips with her own leading man.


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Thursday 19 November 2015

Blog Tour / Book Musings - Guarding Sophie by Julie Brannagh


Enter to Win a 
Digital Download Copy of GUARDING SOPHIE



GUARDING SOPHIE
Love and Football #5.5
Julie Brannagh
Releasing Nov 10th, 2015
Avon Books


 Hearts beat and sparks fly when two people find shelter in each other

 Seattle Sharks wide receiver Kyle Carlson needs to escape and Noel, Washington, is the perfect place for him to do it and figure out his next step. He likes the seclusion and predictability of the small town…until the biggest surprise of his life turns up in the local grocery store.

 Sophie Hayes has her own reasons for disappearing without a trace and moving to Noel. This mountain town makes her feel safe for the first time in a long time. But her quiet routine is threatened when Kyle walks back into her life. Growing up in the same Florida town, she always had a little thing for the sexy football player. This tie to her old life, though, could mean she has to run again, even if her heart wants to stay.

 When the reason she fled shows up in Noel, Kyle and Sophie, with a little extra help from his teammates, must decide to stay and fight for the life, and love, they’ve found together.
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Kyle Carlson wore sunglasses, but they were no match for the brilliance of Noel, Washington’s late-spring sunshine. Noel was a mountain pass and a ninety-minute drive away from his life in Seattle. The small town was the perfect place to get lost for a while.
He shielded his eyes with one hand as the real estate agent and interior decorator he’d hired drifted into view. The real estate agent held out a shiny new set of house keys to him.
“It’s all yours, Kyle. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Everything’s ready to go?”
“Of course,” the decorator said. “You wanted simple but comfortable and earth tones. I hope you’ll love it. If you have questions or need anything else, please give me a call right away.” She dug into what Kyle knew was an expensive designer handbag and extended her brightly-patterned business card to him. “Thank you for the business and enjoy.”
“Take a look inside,” the real estate agent said. “I think you’ll love it.”
“I’ll do that,” Kyle said. “Thanks again.”
The real estate agent and interior designer shook hands with him and got into their car. He raised a hand in farewell as they followed the winding, narrow road back to downtown Noel, I-90 and civilization as quickly as possible.
Kyle longed for privacy like other people wanted drugs or alcohol. He hadn’t always been so anti-social. The past seven years of dealing with scores of family members, “friends” and others who thought he was their personal ATM machine since he was drafted into the NFL had finally taken its toll. He realized that his profession didn’t really lend itself to anonymity. Maybe he should have become a plumber or an auto mechanic instead of the starting wide receiver for the world champion Seattle Sharks. If he’d had a more unobtrusive life, he’d go to work from seven to four or so, go home, put his feet up, have a beer and quit worrying about the problems that came when one was lucky enough to earn a staggering income for catching a football six months a year.
Kyle walked up the front path and climbed two stairs to the A-line’s wraparound front porch. The front door of his new cabin was hardwood inlaid with baguettes of beveled, leaded glass. Two stories featured floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over a view of blue skies, puffy white clouds, and endless evergreens. Instead of the rustic, unfinished structure most people would imagine when hearing the word “cabin”, his new place was as luxurious as the stylish Seattle hotel he’d just checked out of. It was also the perfect place to hide out for a couple of months.
He stepped over the threshold of the cabin he’d spent a shocking amount of money on and took a deep breath. Sun-warmed, lemon-scented air surrounded him. The front door shut behind him as he glanced around.
The floors were hardwood. The furnishings were earth tones, man-sized, with a few brightly colored accents to draw the eye. A gas fireplace with a stone surround dominated most of one wall in the living room. A long staircase led to a loft that overlooked the first story and three bedrooms. He’d thought long and hard about the extra two bedrooms before buying the place. If he had nowhere for anyone else to sleep, they’d be a lot less likely to visit, which worked for him.
He let out a contented sigh as he realized the only sound was his breathing. He’d bought the house in the name of a trust his family and friends knew nothing about. He’d moved out of his huge house in Newcastle two days ago and used the proceeds from its sale to fund the house he was currently standing in and a one-bedroom condo in a Bellevue high rise, also in the name of the trust. It was his choice who found out where he was and what he was doing from now on.
He’d have almost two months of solitude before training camp started. He couldn’t wait.

Reprinted Courtesy of HarperCollinsPublishers


I received a free copy for an honest review. But I went ahead and bought it because this is my usual fare. I love sports romances! And this is no exception.

I personally found Sophie a bit of a scaredy cat because I felt that she went to the extreme right at the start. Yeah I know she was frightened at her attack but I still felt she took an extreme decision right off the bat. Otherwise I found her to be likeable with her inner strength and her indecisiveness. She came across as realistic in the romance department. As for Kyle, he totally rocked my boat with his sensitiveness and yearning. I preferred Kyle to Sophie though. 

The story was very easy to read and it was a very fast one too. It was over too soon in my opinion. The author caught my attention from the start and I loved the fun tale. It had a mix of happiness and fear and sadness. Overall, though, it was a satisfactory book.

My one line review :  A fun sports romance with loveable protagonists

My rating : 4/5

My reread factor : 5/5




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USA Today Bestselling Author, Julie Brannagh has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She lives in a small town near Seattle, where she once served as a city council member and owned a yarn shop. She shares her home with a wonderful husband, two uncivilized Maine Coons and a rambunctious chocolate Lab.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, or armchair-quarterbacking her favorite NFL team from the comfort of the family room couch. Julie is a Golden Heart finalist and the author of contemporary sports romances.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



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Wednesday 18 November 2015

Blog Tour / Book Musings - The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder


CBBblogTour2

Welcome to my tour stop for for The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder. This is an adult contemporary fantasy. The tour runs November 9-20 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for the full schedule.

soul-sommoner-cover400 Book Title – The Soul Summoner
Series – The Soul Summoner Series Book 1
Publisher – Forge Creek Press
Release Date – November 9th, 2015
Genre – Contemporary Fantasy
Rating – PG13
Length –  290 Pages

About the Book:
Blessed–or cursed–with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people… and the worst. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability to judge the innocent from the wicked a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.

She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger--who is as alluring as he is terrifying--shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.

Now, Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.

***

 Book Musings :

 I received a free copy from the author for an honest review

This book was a better read than what I was expecting. The start was a bit slow but then it went on to become a smooth read. I wouldn't exactly call it a fantasy because the only fantastical aspect was the protagonists' powers. Otherwise it was a normal who did it read.

The characters were well formed. Sloan was a contradiction of sorts. She was a strong character and I loved her struggle to get involved in the case or not. Nathan was a likeable character at the start then I disliked him for a while but then he again became a cool character at the end. He took me on quite a journey. Warren absolutely blew my mind. He is my type of hero - strong and silent.

The story progressed well and the identity of the antagonist was a total surprise. The author played it well. The story kept my attention throughout the book with the various twists and turns.

The romance part had me guessing at every turn. I was so sure who the hero was but then the story turned into a competition of sorts. The scenes were fun and funny.

In short, I can see myself reading more of this author's books.

My one line review :  A surprisingly attention grabbing book

 My rating : 4.5/5

 My reread factor : 3/5


About the Author:

  Elicia Hyder is the author of several contemporary fantasy novels such as The Soul Summoner, The Siren, The Angel of Death, and The Daughter of Zion as well as a few contemporary romances, The Bed She Made and To Be Her first. Elicia studied American Literature and Creative Writing at the American Military University. She lives with her husband and five children in central Florida.

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GIVEAWAY:

$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ends November 25th

Prizing provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. 

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.



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Friday 13 November 2015

Blog Tour / Book Musings - Pirate Princess by Catherine Banks


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$10.00 Amazon.com Gift Card


PIRATE PRINCESS
Pirate Princess #1
Catherine Banks
Released Nov 2nd, 2015


As the daughter of the Pirate King, Tilia Swanson has an unusual upbringing learning skills that aren’t often available for women. As the heir apparent for the Kingdom of Crilan, her skills set her apart as she is trained by the best in the land and taught to harness her magic. However, piracy is in her blood, and draws danger to Tilia in the way that treasure draws pirates. Some treasures are more valuable than others. Will this lesson be learned in time or will the betrayal of those around her be her undoing?

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I look forward to reading more books by the author. I am sure I will be a repeat reader.

The book was a mix of all elements which I love to read about. There is a spunky heroine with tom boyish attitude, a risk taking hero and an adventurous tale involving many characters. I loved the setting of the tale. I haven't read much about pirates. So it was an interesting read full of amazing feats and an educative look into the lives of pirates. 

Jax totally stole my heart with her action heroine image. No one stood out so much for me , not even the hero. The only part which I didn't like much was the romantic aspect. I felt it was a bit overdone. There was too much kissing going on for me in relative to the tale. I know they are teens but there were too much hormone driven action going on for my taste. 

The author has packed a long story in a short span according to me. About half way through I felt like I had finished a book and had moved on to the sequel. But it was a totally fun book. I enjoyed the tale with its twists and turns. The pacing was just right and the narration in terms of Jax' POV was an important aspect as it kept me apprised of the thoughts and feelings of Jax. 

Overall, it was a cool adventure to go on, with the perception of action on the side of pirates. 

My one line review : A cool adventure with twists and turns and a tinge of mystery.

My rating : 4/5

My reread factor : 3/5




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Catherine Banks is the author of the Artemis Lupine Series, Little Death Bringer Series, Ciara Steele Novella Series, and the novel Daughter of Lions. She began writing fiction stories when she was only four years old and finished her first full length novel at the age of fifteen.
Catherine is a Northern California native and has lived within a twenty mile radius her entire life. She plans to travel to as many places as possible in her thirties to make up for her lack of traveling experience. She is married to her soulmate and best friend, Avery, who blessed her with two amazing children. After her full time job she reads books, plays video games, and watches a lot of anime shows and movies with her family to relax.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads


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Thursday 12 November 2015

Blog Tour / Book Musings - How to lose a bachelor by Anna Banks


Enter to Win a 
$100.00 Amazon eGift Card


HOW TO LOSE A BACHELOR
Anna Banks
Releasing Nov 9th, 2015
Entangled: Bliss


When Rochelle Ransom auditioned for the dating show Luring Love, she had big plans for winning the prize money to help her favorite charity–and if she won the hot bachelor's heart, even better. But at the last minute she finds out the hot bachelor is her ex-boyfriend, Grant Drake. Desperate to keep her distance from him, she'll do anything–and everything–to get voted off.

Years ago, Rochelle broke Grant’s heart, and he's out for revenge. There's no way he'll vote her off.  After all, vengeance is a dish best served red-hot...and on live television.

When her hilarious antics to get kicked off the show escalate, Grant’s reminded why he fell in love with her the first time. Now he isn't sure which might be more fun... Seeing how far Rochelle is willing to go to get away or how far he will to keep her forever.

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I received a copy for reviewing purposes but that doesn't affect my thoughts on it.

I have to say I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. 

The premise is what got me picking it up for a read. And I am so glad! The author is a new one to me but after this I am going to check out her other books too. I am sure I will end up buying a couple atleast.

The protagonists, Chelle and Grant had me giggling and shaking head in turns while reading the book with their machinations. The book was full of interesting incidents and it was a fun read. It did have a couple of pages with serious undertones when Chelle goes to meet Grant's mom and when Chelle's father's background is revealed. Other than that it was a light flirty book.

The supporting cast of the women taking part in the contest were good with their parts perfectly in sync with the plan to get Grant and Chelle back together albeit unknowingly. I am looking forward to reading more about certain characters and no, I am not saying the names because I don't want to jinx it! I am hoping the author would do sequels.

In short, I can see myself reading this book again to enjoy the romance and the chemistry between the protagonists. 

My one line review : A fun flirty read with non stop giggling and romance.

My rating: 5/5

My reread factor : 4/5



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NYT Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012) OF TRITON (2013) OF NEPTUNE (2014). Repped by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency. I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can't walk in high heels, but I'm very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.

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Book Blitz - The Torment of Rachel Ames by Jeff Gunhus


The Torment Of Rachel Ames
Jeff Gunhus

Publication date: November 10th 2015

Genres: Adult, Thriller
Suffering from writer’s block, novelist Rachel Ames escapes to a lake cabin to calm her mind and regain a sense of herself. The location is perfect. Isolated. Beautiful. Inspiring. It even comes with a good-looking landlord who shows an interest in her. But she can’t shake the sense that something terrible has followed her to the lake, something just beyond her consciousness, something out on the edge where the sounds of a raging fire and sirens linger whenever she slows down to listen. Determined to make the cabin work, she tries to settle in and give her new life a chance. But when strange things begin to happen around her, she wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake. As the darkness that’s followed her manifests itself in inexplicable ways, her concept of reality is stretched thin and she realizes nothing at the lake is what it seems. As she fights to survive with her sanity intact, she understands too late that the location she’s chosen for herself is far from perfect.

EXCERPT:

Rachel Ames knows she’s making a terrible mistake, but that’s never stopped her before. Even as she speeds down the empty highway, she’s certain nothing good will come of this trip. She can’t say why she has this belief, only that it’s deeply rooted, part of a visceral animal instinct clawing away at her insides. Call it intuition. Or call it common sense, doesn’t matter. Can’t change the fact that it’s the truth.
She refuses to change her destination, even if the rising sense of dread causes her heart to beat right out of her chest. She’s committed, this much is a fact, so she pushes aside all thought of turning around and focuses on the road ahead.
She checks the map on her phone, taking comfort in the little blue dot on the screen that symbolizes the exact spot in the world occupied by her aging Honda Accord with faded red paint, bad muffler and squeaking brakes. The dot sails along a straight white line surrounded by an ocean of green. She appreciates the simplicity of the image, the perfection of it. An object moving at a steady rate along a direct path toward a specific destination. No hurdles. No obstacles to navigate. Not even an intersection or a fork in the road. There are only two decisions to make. To continue forward or stop the car and go back.
And there’s no chance in hell she’s going back.
Her two gentlemen passengers are the perfect companions. Silent, good-looking and only there to cater to her whims and needs. They sit together in the seat next to her, sharing the seatbelt. That might have been overdoing it, but strapping them in together makes her laugh, so she forgives herself the indulgence. This is her journey, her time, so acting odd is her prerogative.
Besides, the two of them are the perfect complements. Daniels and Underwood. Booze and typewriter. Soul mates bound by common history and mutual reliance.
The Underwood typewriter was a great find her sophomore year in college, given to her by Professor McNeely’s widow soon after his very public death from a massive aneurism. It’d happened right in the middle of her creative writing class, just as the old bastard was finally saying something nice about her novel-in-progress. Mid-sentence, he’d slapped a hand to his head, made a small grunt and rolled his eyes back in their sockets. At first, she’d thought he was mocking her work, but then his back arched and he collapsed to the floor. After that came the convulsions, followed by the shit and urine filling his pants as her classmates screamed. Then, as the good book says, the lights went out and Elvis left the building.
But unlike Elvis, the man wasn’t much loved. A taskmaster who hated any writer beside himself, he used critiques as an assault rifle to mow down any young soul with the temerity to attempt the art that, in his mind, belonged only to him and a handful of his peers. Sure there were the appropriate candlelight vigils and the church service to honor the brave soul who died fighting the good fight in his ivory tower, but right under the surface, the humor rolled dark and furious.
I heard that the last pages he read really blew his mind.
You know that saying, would it kill you to say something nice?
Rachel guessed it had.




Author Bio:

Jeff Gunhus is the author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 100 on Amazon and have been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.

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