Blood Rights ARC Review

Title: Blood Rights (House of Comarré, #1)
Author: Kristen Painter
Pages: 392 (ARC copy)
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: September 27, 2011 

The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely-wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle’s body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world…and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

My Thoughts - The fine ladies at Good Choice Reading allowed me to join their ARC tour for this book. I didn't even read the description, I saw the cover and HAD to review it.  (& some authors think covers don't matter - what ev-) The story is set in the not so distant future, a lot of is in New Florida which I found amusing. It has a hierarchy of vampires along with other mythical creatures and there are a special breed of humans bred for their blood. They're treated like Geishas.

The story heated up for me when Mal and Chrysabelle met. I love my characters flawed and Mal is to the extreme. I have to say he is my favorite although there were a cast of awesome characters. Doc is a shifter who can only turn into a house cat, he's in love with Fiona who happens to be a ghost and was Mal's first victim.

This book was an amazing first book in the series. LOVED IT!! I will own the whole series and I love the fact they are all coming out close together!

 Blood Rights comes out October 1st

Flesh and Blood November 2011

Bad Blood December 2011

A book was provided for my honest review, no other compensation was received

Suddenly Homeschooling Review and Giveaway - Winner!

Suddenly Homeschooling

If you are one of the millions of parents thinking about homeschooling or have already made the decision to get started, don’t do anything before reading Suddenly Homeschooling — it's a parent’s quick start guide to homeschooling in a hurry.

Suddenly Homeschooling takes on the challenges of today’s lifestyles and the concerns of families who homeschool for new reasons and are busier than ever before.

Using a unique step-by-step approach, the book shows how anyone can begin legally homeschooling in as little as two weeks, plus delivers valuable information for the rest of the year and beyond.

Tackling everything from the non-traditional to the puzzling to the mundane, the book delivers what parents need to get started and offers experienced wisdom and tips. Coverage includes basic topics plus tips for finding resources, organizing the home, juggling work and other duties, scheduling lessons and much more. Experienced homeschoolers will like the advanced coverage about teachable moments, styles and intelligences, help and support, plus the comprehensive glossary of homeschooling terms.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is an educational guru, habitual writer and compulsively organized  homeschooler. As an advisor and coach for homeschooling families all around the country, she uses her teaching, writing, workshops and discussion groups to encourage and empower parents who are raising the next generation of scholars.

Growing up in the northeast and earning advanced ivy-league degrees never prepared Marie-Claire for the realities of government schooling her own children. After heading south, she began homeschooling her children from birth and hasn’t looked back a day since.

As the founder and major contributor to a variety of homeschooling groups and web sites, she also publishes online at Examiner and at her new location, Quick Start Homeschool.

Mandie's Thoughts - I've been a long time follower of Dr. Moreau's Quick Start Homeschool blog and I was extremely giddy to be able to review her book. Dr. Moreau starts with several different scenarios as to why someone would homeschool. I was quite impressed with this because sometimes I forget why others choose to do it. 

    Then she sets up a 14 day programs for you. Now I have been homeschooling in some fashion since my children were two and I can honestly say there was so much information that I could use. She has suggestions as to how to school multiple children, how to schedule, record keeping, and so much more. She even includes charts to assist you.

    This is the PERFECT book for those who find themselves suddenly homeschooling or for established homeschooling families who would like to reorganize.


Dr. Moreau is allowing us to giveaway a copy of Suddenly Homeschooling!



A copy of the book was received for review for my honest opinion, no other compensation was received.

Without Mercy Book Tour & Giveaway

Without Mercy Description

What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?

When Darcy's outing takes a turn for the worst and tests her to the point of breaking, she struggles to maintain her humanity. Where loyalty and pack mean everything, she surrenders to the inevitable and only an act of complete trust can touch her. 

When all is said and done, with memories flooding her mind, Darcy holds tightly to the only thing that makes sense - it was all a dream. Or was it?

Buy it - Amazon $0.99

My Thoughts - 

Ever since I first saw the cover I had to have it. I bought it immediately even though I knew I was going to be able to review it. I just couldn't wait. I wasn't disappointing either. I read the novelette  in one night. My only complaint, I wanted more. This story was full of emotion, action, and I LOVE Mason!! Can't wait for the next installment.

Belinda Boring - A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devouring her latest read, you can find her celebrating her passion for books on her blog The Bookish Snob.

With all that excitement, it wasn’t long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can’t help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn’t be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.






We're giving away 2 e-copies!Enter to win at more blogs HERE

Airel Book Tour Review and Giveaway

Airel (The Airel Saga, Book 1)

All Airel ever wanted to be was normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like sudden mysterious illness. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written.

It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything she hopes for even now. Airel knew change would be inevitable as life went on. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

About Aaron Patterson

Aaron Patterson is the author of the bestselling WJA series as well as a  two Digital Shorts 19 and The Craigslist Killer. He was homeschooled and grew up in the west. Aaron loved to read from a small child and would often be found behind a book and would read 1-3 a day on average. This love drove him to want to write but never thought he had the talent. He wrote Sweet Dreams the first book in the WJA series in 2008. Airel is his first teen series and plans for more to come are already in the works. He lives in Boise Idaho with his family, Soleil, Kale and Klayton. His daughter had an imaginary friend named She.
His latest book is Airel.  You can visit his website at StoneHouse Ink or connect with him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1462837115.

About Chris White

Chris White has an award for reading 750 books in one school year—from the 3^rd grade. So yes, he’s more of a nerd than Aaron. Chris loves history, Sherlock Holmes, and anything that’s not virtual, like old motorcycles and mechanical typewriters. He recently celebrated 9 years of marriage with his wife, April, and has two boys: Noah, age 7, and Jaden, age 2, who inspired the illustrated kid’s book series of Great Jammy Adventures. Chris is working on a short story called The Marsburg Diary that will further explore the prologue to Airel, and he is finishing up his first novel, entitled K, due out in 2011. Chris has a major crush on Audrey Hepburn, who is now dead. His wife is okay with all of this.
Chris’ latest book is Airel.  Connect with him at Facebook at www.facebook.com/whatnorthbetrue.
His latest book is Airel.  You can visit his website at StoneHouse Ink or connect with him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1462837115.

My Thoughts - As soon as I saw this book cover and I had to read it. A+++ on that. It started off slow for me. Airel was a typical teenage girl. I know this is a young adult book, I read a lot of them but I think she was a little stereotypical and annoying. There are two story lines, the other is of the Angel Kreios. I was immediately sucked into his story and when Airel and Kreios stories collide it makes for an excellent book. I like Michael's  position in this story and can't wait for the next book featuring him.

We are giving away an e-copy of Airel!

 

Baby Med Basics Book Review

TURN MOMENTS OF PANIC INTO MOMENTS OF ACTION!

One of the most important ways you can show your children love is by knowing how to care for them in an emergency. Baby MEDBASICS® will show you -- in clear, simple language and easy-to-understand illustrations -- how to handle the most common infant emergencies. 

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or babysitter, look no further than Baby MEDBASICS® to provide you with the knowledge, confidence, and security you need. YOU can do it, we'll show you how.

                                      Buy It

My Thoughts - This is a great resource for parents, grandparents, babysitters.... anyone watching a child. I love the fact that it's the perfect size to fit in most purses. The book is separated by sections and color coded dividers to make easy to find in an emergency. Very easy to follow and definitely recommend everyone have a copy or two laying around so grab in case of emergency.

The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags: Relationship Warning Signs You ... Review

The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags: Relationship Warning Signs You Totally Spotted . . . But Chose to Ignore

by Natasha Burton, Julie Fishman, and Meagan McCrary

Red Flag (noun): 1. A sign of danger.

2. The point in time when you notice something is a tad off with the guy you're dating, but decide to let it go because you really like him, you're tired of being single, you really really want to get laid, whatever. Then, when things start going downhill, you look back on that seemingly insignificant moment you dismissed and think: That's when I should have known.

YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

Saw something wrong with him -- whether it was suspect grooming habits or ridiculously childish behavior -- but let it slide. It's not that big of a deal. Except it totally was. You wanted to fall in love, but ended up going insane. You swore you'd never do it again. But did.

Don't beat yourself up. In the search for love, we've all either blatantly ignored or completely missed red flags. Instead, smarten up. It's time to figure out what you missed and learn how to avoid similar flagtastic fiascos in the future. If you raise your red-flag awareness now, you'll be able to greenlight a real relationship down the road. 

Read an Excerpt
My Thoughts - Oh to the days where I wish I would have had this book.It all seems like common sense now that I've found the love of my life but I had to kiss some toads. This book shows you what to look for so you aren't wasting your time.The big RED FLAGS that I was so oblivious to before. Single ladies - PICK THIS UP!

Creep Book Review

Pulsing with the dark obsession of Radiohead’s song “Creep,” this taut thriller—Jennifer Hillier’s superb debut—rockets from its seductive opening to a heartpounding climax not easily forgotten.

If he can’t have her . . .

Dr. Sheila Tao is a professor of psychology. An expert in human behavior. And when she began an affair with sexy, charming graduate student Ethan Wolfe, she knew she was playing with fire. Consumed by lust when they were together, riddled with guilt when they weren’t, she knows the three-month fling with her teaching assistant has to end. After all, she’s finally engaged to a kind and loving investment banker who adores her, and she’s taking control of her life. But when she attempts to end the affair, Ethan Wolfe won’t let her walk away.

. . . no one else can.

Ethan has plans for Sheila, plans that involve posting a sex video that would surely get her fired and destroy her prestigious career. Plans to make her pay for rejecting him. And as she attempts to counter his every threatening move without her colleagues or her fiancé discovering her most intimate secrets, a shattering crime rocks Puget Sound State University: a female student, a star athlete, is found stabbed to death.

Someone is raising the stakes of violence, sex, and blackmail . . . and before she knows it, Sheila is caught in a terrifying cat-and-mouse game with the lover she couldn’t resist—who is now the monster who won’t let her go

My Thoughts - Wow!! I can't believe this is a debut novel! Sheila is a recovering sex addict who had an affair with her teaching assistant but called it off before her wedding. Ethan doesn't take that too kindly so he threatens to expose a sex tape of them. Since this would ruin everything Sheila has been striving towards so she pushes back. 

This ticks Ethan off and he decides if he can't have her no one can. Fabulous book! I wonder if there is to be a sequel. If so, I have to have it!

Dark Corners Review & 2 Book Giveaway

      Dark Corners Description

  Ella Reynolds knew from the first moment she walked into the old house someone or something was watching her. Waiting. Her husband's violent murder sent her spiraling into a world of grief and isolation, but Ella isn't alone. Who or what is responsible for her husband's death is still with her. Darkness has engulfed the past year of Ella's life. Everyday reality slips a little more between her fingers as she struggles to break free from her memories. 

     She must look deeper into her past as well as the present to discover truth of her husband's homicide. A string of uncanny events takes place and practical explanations run thin as Ella follows the terrifying road to closure. As the past and present come to a head, Ella must decipher who or what the murderer is before it takes her as well. 

                                                   

Mandie's Thoughts - First I want to say that I wasn't given this book to review but that I bought it. I know you'd think as many books that are sent to me I'd never have to buy a book again. Well this one came highly recommended on a book club I'm in and I figured it was only $2.99 for the kindle version, how could I not get it? As soon as I picked it up I couldn't put it down.

    Ella is so flawed. She's paranoid, crazy, and a drunk but I really connected with her (& not because I'm any of those things). From the very beginning you have to know why she's nuts. You know there has to be much more to it and as you read you see that there is something about her house...

    This book provoked so many emotions in me. I was angry, scared, curious, but most importantly entertained. I couldn't put this book down and it literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Dark Corners had me stumped and I'm really good at guessing the end. I was second guessing everyone and everything! I probably guessed every character in the book before it was over and I was still surprised.  
    I honestly think Dark Corners would make the perfect movie, one that even my husband would watch..

                     I loved this book so much I contacted the author and asked if I would offer my readers a copy. She was kind enough to allow 2 copies to give away! Your choice of e-book (international) or print (US)
 Mandatory Entry - Tell me you want it and promise me you won't jump to the end ;) BUY IT HERE or if you go to Smashwords & use code SSW50                                                      It is on sale for $1.50for their big July Sale!
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         Giveaway will end July 19th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S Residents 18+ for the print version or international for the e-book

Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion Book Review

Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion


DRESSED TO THE NINES
Today's baker faces a great challenge: With little time and a limited repertoire, she often needs to whip up a delicious dessert that's dressed to impress. Rachel Schifter Thebault, founder and head confectioner of Tribeca Treats in New York City, knows all about making a sweet statement. Combining a confectioner's expertise with fashion sense, she shares a scrumptious cache of popular dessert recipes that can be accessorized to fit any occasion.

What's more, transforming a basic dessert into a masterpiece brimming with personality and flair can be easy, quick, and fun. In the same way you'd plan an outfit, Sweet Chic pieces together a Devil's Food Cake -- the little black dress of delights -- with such irresistible accessories as Caramel Buttercream (think knee-high boots) for ultimate decadence, turns Vanilla Cookies (the crisp oxford shirt) into Strawberry “Shortcakes” ideal for casual or dressy occasions, and blends brownies (the cashmere sweater of confectionery) with a swirl of mint for a showstopping number.

Gorgeous and appetizing color photos throughout reveal how a change of icing here and a substitute topping there can take a simple dessert from Sunday brunch to a date-night treat. Mix and match more than seventy recipes for cookies, cakes, and confections, including Peanut Butter and Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Brownie Sundae Parfait, Mini S'mores Cupcakes, Wasabi-Black Sesame Truffles, and so much more.

Whether you're a novice baker hoping to master the basics or an experienced one looking to add a little versatility to your existing creations, Sweet Chic is a clever and practical guide for memorable desserts, a one-sweet-fits-all way to make a tantalizing impression.

Mandie's Thoughts - It's a beautiful book with beautiful pictures. I love the fact that it is sturdy and I need that in my kitchen. The recipes are simple yet elegant, like why didn't I think of that?
My favorite - The chocolate mousse! So Easy to make.!

The Orphan Sister Book Review

The Orphan Sister

Description

Clementine Lord is not an orphan. She just feels like one sometimes. One of triplets, a quirk of nature left her the odd one out. Odette and Olivia are identical; Clementine is a singleton. Biologically speaking, she came from her own egg. Practically speaking, she never quite left it. Then Clementine's father—a pediatric neurologist who is an expert on children's brains, but clueless when it comes to his own daughters—disappears, and his choices, both past and present, force the family dynamics to change at last. As the three sisters struggle to make sense of it, their mother must emerge from the greenhouse and leave the flowers that have long been the focus of her warmth and nurturing.

For Clementine, the next step means retracing the winding route that led her to this very moment: to understand her father's betrayal, the tragedy of her first lost love, her family's divisions, and her best friend Eli's sudden romantic interest. Most of all, she may finally have found the voice with which to share the inside story of being the odd sister out. . . .

                                                              Book Club Reading Guide


  Read the First Chapter   Mandie's thoughts- There were things I loved and hated about this book. I can certainly say it's a great one for a book club because there really is so much to talk about. Let me start with Clementine. She drew me into the story. Her father disappears and her triplet knows what's going on. Clementine already feels left out. At times Clementine becomes whiny and I thought the name choices were odd, they were all too close together - Yes I know they are all family but it made it difficult to follow when I had to keep getting up to tend to the kids. Also all of the flipping back and forth in time, this is definitely one you have to sit down and get into.  All and all I did like it, Gwendonlen Gross gets deep into this family's dysfunction and I enjoyed the relationship building with Eli.

Lord of Shadows Book Review

Lord of Shadows

Description

Who is working the demon arts . . .
Was it her murdered father? Her fugitive brother? It has been seven years since Lady Sabrina Douglas cloistered herself with the Sisters of High Danu, but the questions remain. She is Other—a mixture of Fey and mortal—quietly using her powers to heal. That is, until she saves a half-drowned man, his soldier's body a roadmap of scars, his fathomless eyes filled with heartbreaking loneliness. The inexplicable connection overwhelms her defenses, touching her heart, mind . . . and body. . . .


and to what end?
A man with no memory, Daigh MacLir seeks his past even as unknown threats fill him with monstrous rage and inhuman abilities. But as a desperate game of hunter and hunted is played out from ballrooms to bedrooms, what Daigh discovers is more chilling than anyone could possibly imagine. Defying death was only the first step in the task he has been given, and Sabrina is his last hope. But dare he risk involving her? Daigh has been summoned to find an ancient king, and even the powers of love may not be enough to win the battle against the powers of darkness.
Browse Inside

Mandie's Thoughts - Can we say hot cover? Two things I love - the paranormal and historical fiction. This book has both, I'm not sure what my problem was but I couldn't love it no matter how hard I tried. Let me say this book was well written and had everything that I should have loved. I can't quite tell you why I didn't love it, maybe I couldn't get into their world? It left me a little cold. It wasn't bad by any means but I only thought it was good, not great and I expected more. 

A product was received for review for my honest opinion, no ohter compensation was received.

Keys to the Kingdom Book Review

FORMER SENATOR JOHN BILLINGTON KNEW WRITING THIS NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED PIECE MIGHT GET HIM KILLED . . .

July 6th

The congressional inquiry into the 9/11 attacks left several secrets unanswered. The top three are Saudi Arabia's full role in the preparation for and the execution of the plot; the Kingdom's willingness and capacity to collaborate in future terrorist actions against the United States; and why this and the prior administration conducted a cover-up that thus far has frustrated finding the answers to the first two questions. 

Now, there is an even more ominous unknown. Does Saudi Arabia have the bomb? . . . The United States should take prompt action to prevent this potential conflict from becoming a reality. 

Shortly after this appears in print, his suspicion comes true: Senator Billington, a co-chair of the 9/11 Congressional Inquiry Commission, is murdered near his Florida home. Sensing the danger he faced before he was murdered, Billington left ex-Special Forces operative Tony Ramos detailed instructions for an investigation into Saudi complicity in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Now Ramos, in conjunction with Billington's daughter Laura, must uncover a shocking international conspiracy linking Saudi Arabia -- the Kingdom -- to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, in a race against time that will span Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

But will Ramos and his team be able to stop al-Qaeda from unleashing nuclear disaster on American shores and beyond?

Destined to be a titan amongst thrillers, Keys to the Kingdom is infused with inside information and insight into the world of terrorism that only Senator Bob Graham -- as former Chairman of the Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence -- can offer. 

                                                                  Read an Excerpt 

Mandie's Thoughts - This is something I think my husband would really have enjoyed but he takes forever to read and I had to get a review up. I've always had a lot of respect for Bob Graham being that he was the Florida Senator for two terms. This isn't the usual romance, paranormal, cook book, or young adult I usually review but I still enjoyed it. The Senator put together a very fast paced action packed book. A few times I wondered if this was really fiction.

                         Disclaimer - A product was received for my honest opinion, no other compensation was receive.

Island Girl Book Review and Giveaway

                               About Island Girl

What Would You Do If You Were Told You Had Alzheimer’s? 

Island Girl is the emotionally riveting story of a 55 year old mother, Ruby Donaldson, fighting to reunite her family as she struggles with the diagnosis of early on-set Alzheimer’s.

Ruby refuses to let the disease control her future, but first she must find a way to convince her older daughter Liz to grow up and come home; to take her place as head of the family thereby securing the future of their home on the Island, and ensuring that Liz’s younger sister, Grace, will be cared for in the only place that is safe for her.

But there are good reasons why Liz and Ruby have been estranged for years, and Liz can only wonder why she should forgive her mother a lifetime of sins just because she’s sick. Does Alzheimer’s grant Ruby instant immunity, a moral get-out-of-jail-free card?

Ruby always thought she’d have a lifetime to make things right, but suddenly time is running out.

                                                               Read an Excerpt 

About Lynda Simmons

Lynda Simmons is a writer by day, college instructor by night and a late sleeper on weekends. She grew up in Toronto reading Greek mythology, bringing home stray cats and making up stories about bodies in the basement. From an early age, her family knew she would either end up as a writer or the old lady with a hundred cats. As luck would have it, she married a man with allergies so writing it was.

With two daughters to raise, Lynda and her husband moved into a lovely two storey mortgage in Burlington, a small city on the water just outside Toronto. While the girls are grown and gone, Lynda and her husband are still there. And yes, there is a cat – a beautiful, if spoiled, Birman.

When she’s not writing or teaching, Lynda gives serious thought to using the treadmill in her basement. Fortunately, she’s found that if she waits long enough, something urgent will pop up and save her – like a phone call or an e-mail or a whistling kettle. Or even that cat just looking for a little more attention!

You can visit her website or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook 

Mandie's Thoughts - This was a very emotional book for me. The author really know show to pull those strings. This tells the story of three women - Ruby, Grace, and Liz in alternating chapters. It deals with family dysfunction and heartache. By the end I was both happy and sad. This would be the perfect book club pick!
 Pump Up your volume Virtual book tours is allowing me to give away a copy!  Mandatory Entry - Tell me why you want it :) 
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Giveaway will end July 15th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S  & Canada Residents 18+
Disclaimer - A product was received for my honest review no other compensation was received.

Lucky Stiff & Wanna get Lucky Book Reviews & Giveaway

Wanna Get Lucky -

A young woman plunges from a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter, landing in the Pirate’s lagoon in front of the Treasure Island Hotel in the middle of the 8:30 Pirate Show.  Almost everyone writes her off as another Vegas victim. 
But Lucky O’Toole smells a rat.  She’s head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, the newest, most opulent mega-casino and resort on the Strip, so she’s got a lot on her plate: the Adult Film industry’s annual awards banquet, a spouse-swapping convention, sex toy purveyors preying on the pocket-protector crowd attending ElectroniCon…. 

Still, Lucky can’t resist turning over a few stones. 
When a former flame is one of the snakes she uncovers, Lucky’s certain she’s no longer dealing with an anonymous Sin City suicide.  To top it all off, Lucky’s best friend Teddie—Las Vegas’ finest female impersonator—presses to take their relationship to the next level.  Leave it to Lucky to attract a man who looks better in a dress than she does.

Lucky must manage the Babylon’s onslaught of outrageous festivities, solve a murder, and struggle to keep her life and libido from spinning out of control… not to mention keep her balance in six inch heels. 

                                                    
Read An Excerpt
Mandie's Thought - I absolutely LOVED, I mean loved this book. If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich you are really going to love this. It was fast paced and quirky. I wasn't too sure about Teddie at first, especially with Dane around but I eventually warmed up to him. This book is full of spunk and oh so funny!

Lucky Stiff

Lucky O'Toole -- head of Customer Relations at premier mega resort the Babylon -- thinks it's just another night in Las Vegas. A tractor-trailer has spilled its load of a million honeybees, blocking not only the Strip but the entrance to her hotel. . .The district attorney for Clark County -- apparently the odd man out of a threesome on the twelfth floor -- is hiding in the buff in one of the hotel's laundry rooms. . . And Numbers Neidermeyer -- one of Vegas's less-than-savory oddsmakers -- is throwing some major attitude at Las Vegas's ace private investigator, the beautiful Jeremy Whitlock.

The next day, Lucky discovers Ms. Neidermeyer has been tossed into the shark tank at the Mandalay Bay Resort as a snack for the tiger shark. When the police show up at the Babylon with a hastily prepared search warrant, applied for by the district attorney himself, and Jeremy lands in the hot seat, Lucky realizes her previous night was far from routine.

Amid the chaos of fight weekend, the Babylon's hiring of an eccentric new French chef, and her madam mother's scheme to auction off a young woman's virginity, Lucky is drawn into a deadly game where no one is what they seem, a game that will end only when she discovers who made fish food out of Numbers Neidermeyer.

Lucky O'Toole and fabulous Las Vegas -- life doesn't get any better.
Mandie's Thoughts - This book was another home run for Deborah Coonts. She has a fan for life from me. Her characters have so much life and she is a fantastic writer. Any fan of the Stephanie Plum series will love this! If you are looking for something fun and maybe not so realistic then this is for you. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and Lucky is a strong lead. I hope to read many more in this series!
FSB media is allowing us to give one of our readers BOTH books!!Mandatory Entry - Tell me why you want it :) 
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Giveaway will end July 14th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S  Residents 18+
Disclaimer - A product was received for my honest review no other compensation was received.

Beg For Mercy Book Review & Giveaway

Description

He lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching . . . And once he has you, all you can do is. . .

BEG FOR MERCY

Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother-the only family she has left-for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.


Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey. 

      Jami Alden is the Holt Medallion–nominated author for sexy romantic suspense. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her socially well-adjusted alpha male husband, her sons, and a German Shepherd who patiently listens to dialogue and helps her work out plot points. You can find out more about Jami and her books at JamiAlden.com, or by following her on Facebook and Twitter.

Mandie's Thoughts - I literally could not put this one down. Imagine me cooking dinner and reading. :) It was a little dark but very very well written. The story was told from three perspectives - Megan, Cole, & the Killer. This was a sit on the edge of your seat read but Jami didn't forget to add some steamy romance. Megan and Cole had great chemistry and plenty of tension between them when Megan wouldn't give up on her brother despite the growing evidence. 

                Forever Romance is allowing us to giveaway 3 copies of this fabulous book!!
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Giveaway will end July 1st at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S & Canadian Residents 18+ We will require a phone number for our Canadian residents if you will. No PO boxes please.If you will this on another blog, you will only receive ONE set of books from the publisher.
Disclaimer - A product was received for my honest review no other compensation was received.

The Blood that defines us Book Tour

Every house has its own history and its own secrets. Some secrets are just darker than others. And some are even downright terrifying.

When the Johnsons moved into their new house, they didn’t expect that weird things would start to happen, objects would move on their own, and that the house’s history would come back to haunt them.

But I did. Read an Excerpt

Author Bio:
Majanka Verstraete is a twenty-year-old law student with a passion for writing and reading. Her favorite genres are fantasy, horror and historical fiction, although she occasionally enjoys other genres as well.
The Blood That Defines Us is her first published novella. She is currently working on an epic fantasy series for young adults. Feel free to visit her website (http://writings.eternalised.net)

 Author Website

Buy on Smashwords

Buy from Publisher

Goodreads 

Mandie's Thoughts - Holy Moly! This was good, it actually blew me away. I'm usually not much for horror but this isn't gory. Just creepy but a very very good and well written novella. You'd be silly not to pick it up, you can buy it from Smashwords for $1.99!  Majanka is an author I'm going to keep my eye on. I can't wait for her next book.

To Be Sung Review and Book Giveaway

 To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal

Judith Whitman always believed in the kind of love that "picks you up in Akron and sets you down in Rio." Long ago, she once experienced that love. Willy Blunt was a carpenter with a dry wit and a steadfast sense of honor. Marrying him seemed like a natural thing to promise. But Willy Blunt was not a person you could pick up in Nebraska and transport to Stanford. When Judith left home, she didn't look back.

Twenty years later, Judith's marriage is hazy with secrets. In her hand is what may be the phone number for the man who believed she meant it when she said she loved him. If she called, what would he say?

TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER is the epic love story of a woman trying to remember, and the man who could not even begin to forget.

  Read An Excerpt
Mandie's Thoughts - This is a perfect Summer read. It deals with the 'What Ifs' of life. If Judith would have stayedin Nebraska with her true love. This book has a load of secrets and is beautifully written.Definitely recommend!
Hatchette is allowing us to give away 2 copies of this wonderful book
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 Disclosure - A product was given for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given 

Scandal in Scotland [Book Review]

Scandal in Scotland

New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins spins an unforgettable tale of a captivating beauty with a secret, a dashing sea captain on a treacherous mission—and the priceless artifact that seals their destiny.

 

A DESPERATE BEAUTY Despite fame and countless admirers, actress Marcail Beauchamp has never forgotten William Hurst, the audacious seafarer she once loved . . . and lost. Now, forced by a mysterious blackmailer who threatens her family, she must steal an ancient onyx box from the one man she's vowed never to see again. A 

BOLD ADVENTURER To save his brother from a ruthless abductor, William must deliver the artifact as ransom. He's stunned when Marcail, more lovely than ever, suddenly appears on his ship. But when she drugs him and steals the box, his fury knows no bounds.  

THE TREASURE EVERYONE WANTS William pursues Marcail, but too late: she has already delivered the box. The estranged lovers realize they must work together—both to regain the artifact that could mean life or death to his family and to destroy the mysterious blackmailer's power over her family. Thus begins a high-stakes quest through the reaches of Scotland, a quest that stirs up long-forgotten memories and an unquenchable passion. . . . 

                                                                      Read an Excerpt

Mandie's Thoughts - Give me a hot Scot any day and I'm happy. Apparently Karen Hawkins writes a lot about hot Scots! This was a great historical romance, perfect for lying on the beach with. This is the second book in the series and I will be picking up the first and the third. My favorite part of the book is that William and Marcail were lovers before and quickly reconnect so you aren't waiting half the book with nothing but tension.

GREAT read!!

Me and Bobby McGee [Book Review]

From the back of the book...  

"Prepare to embark on a thrilling comedic adventure seen through the booze-blurred eyes of Keesey Cypher, a government-trained killer with an ill-fated abundance of classified memories who has since resigned himself to a regrettable existence, sipping away his tainted past. It is this powerful thirst coupled with Cypher's hunger for games of chance that leads him to New Orleans' coziest dive-bar the day after Fat Tuesday where one night of seeming misfortune leads to a frighteningly funny reality of subversive politics, corporate greed, backwards logic, and star (double)-crossed romance.

In this gripping social satire of modern times, Me and Bobby McGee pokes fun at the inane absurdities ingrained in our society, proving that freedom is truly subjective and karma is not just a philosophy, but a fate that is unwavering. And as an added bonus, for the careful reader and music fan, there are subtle connections throughout the novel to the classic folk song that inspired its title. In a world of terrible truths and impending doom, find out what happens when the only man with the power to stop it... decides not to."

Amanda's Thoughts: 

This book was really hard to read. I found myself frequently rolling my eyes. It's not that Chad Coenson is a bad writer, its just that it's not my kind of story. I think there are people who would really enjoy the story (as evidenced by the great Amazon reviews), but for me, it was just "too much".

The main character was too horny, and drinks too much. The F-word and other cuss words were used too much... 3 times more than necessary. It's not that I'm opposed to using the F-word either. I think it's a great word, because it has its place. If you use it too often, it loses its effectiveness. That's kind of how I felt with this book. It was "too much", and lost its effectiveness with me.

20 Years Younger [Book Review]

           20 Years Younger by Bob Greene

    It's time to turn back the clock! In 20 YEARS YOUNGER, Bob Greene offers readers a practical, science-based plan for looking and feeling their best as they age. The cutting-edge program details easy and effective steps we can all take to rebuild the foundation of youth and enjoy better health, improved energy, and a positive outlook on life. The four cornerstones of the program are: an exercise regimen for fighting muscle and bone loss, a longevity-focused diet, sleep rejuvenation, and wrinkle-fighting skin care. 

    Woven throughout the text is practical advice on changing appearances, controlling stress, staying mentally sharp, navigating medical tests, and much more. Readers will walk away with a greater understanding of how the body ages and what they can do to feel-and look-20 years younger.

               
                                                                 Read an Excerpt 

About the Authors 

Bob Greene is an exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer specializing in fitness, metabolism, and weight loss. He is the bestselling author of The Best Life Diet, The Total Body Makeover, Get With the Program!, and the coauthor of Make the Connection. He is also a contributing writer and editor for O the Oprah magazine, and writes articles on health and fitness for Oprah.com.

Harold Lancer, MD, is a Beverly Hills dermatologist. Diane L. McKay, PhD, is a nutrition specialist and scientist at Tufts University. Ronald L. Kotler, MD, is cofounder of the Pennsylvania Hospital Sleep Disorders Center.

My Thoughts - I've been a fan of Bob Greene from seeing him on Oprah. I think it has a lot of common sense advice. A great book to remind you of how you should be taking care of yourself. Definitely nothing ground breaking here but a decent book none the less.