Current Reading Mood: Graphic Novels
Quote of the day: “If they've managed to bring more firepower than us, we deserve to lose. But we aren't going to lose, because we're the Page sisters and we're librarians.” ― Bill Willingham, Fables, Vol. 13: The Great Fables Crossover

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tour: Playlist & Review of Descendant by Nichole Giles



About DESCENDANT: 

Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.

Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.

Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.
Descendant blog tour: Story Soundtrack (or playlist # 1)


I tried to put these in order of scene—sort of. Obviously there’s not one for every scene, because that would be a ridiculously long list. So I tried to think of the story in terms of movie length, and these are some of the songs I came up with.  


  1. How Does it Feel by Avril Lavigne
  2. Redemption Day by Sheryl Crow
  3. Home by Philip Phillips
  4. Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
  5. Starlight by Taylor Swift
  6. Naked by Avril Lavigne
  7. Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay
  8. Hold on to the Night by Richard Marx
  9. Stranger by Secondhand Serenade
  10. Catalyst by Anna Nalick
  11. What I’ve Done by Linkin Park
  12. Wait for Me by Theory of a Deadman
  13. Far Away by Nickelback

Obviously, I have a wide range of taste in music. I hope my stories reflect that diversity as well. What do you think? Are there specific songs you’d add to this list?I LOVE Home by Philip Phillips! Great choice.
I'd also add the songs: 

Birdy - People Help The People
Rainbow Arabia - Without You
Ben Cocks - So Cold

Review coming shortly!

Monday, May 13, 2013

For the Lover of Books (4)


For the Lover of Books is a weekly meme hosted by (moi), A Great Book Is The Cheapest Vacation, where I show off everything and anything that a book lover would love. It could be books, quotes, bookshelves, reading spots, gadgets, accessories, clothing, etc.
Anyone can join in! If you write up a post, please leave your post link in the comments below and I'll be sure to check it out! 



Check out the neat stuff that I've found this week:


This has happened to all of us, has it not? 

I found these on google, but I need to have them! I couldn't find the link to buy these, but I found another cool pair that I DID find the buy link too.. 

Great Bumper sticker!

I want this tote! 

Okay, I REALLY want this clock. 
This Jane Austen set of 4 pocket notepads can be found on Barnes and Noble.

What a great quote. I love Ilona Andrews. :) 


Saturday, May 11, 2013

Review: Harley Loco: A Memoir of Hard Living, Hair, and Post-Punk, from the Middle East to the Lower East Side by Rayya Elias




Pages: 320
Published: April 4th, 2013
Genre: Memoir, Non-fiction


Synopsis:
“It is my honor to introduce these pages—so gravelly, so straggly, so hopeful, bright, and true.”  —Elizabeth Gilbert 

When she was seven, Rayya Elias and her family fled the political conflict in their native Syria, settling in Detroit. Bullied in school and caught between the world of her traditional family and her tough American classmates, she rebelled early.

Elias moved to New York City to become a musician and kept herself afloat with an uncommon talent for cutting hair. At the height of the punk movement, life on the Lower East Side was full of adventure, creative inspiration, and temptation. Eventually, Elias’s passionate affairs with lovers of both sexes went awry, her (more than) occasional drug use turned to addiction, and she found herself living on the streets—between her visits to jail.

This debut memoir charts four decades of a life lived in the moment, a path from harrowing loss and darkness to a place of peace and redemption. Elias’s wit and lack of self-pity in the face of her extreme highs and lows make Harley Loco a powerful read that’s sure to appeal to fans of Patti Smith, Augusten Burroughs, and Eleanor Henderson.


Review: 
When I was first asked to review HARLEY LOCO, I wasn't sure how I would fancy it since it's a bit out of my ordinary reading zone. However, I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the writing style and over all story. It's a different voice than I'm used to and I'm glad I've had the chance to read it.

 Rayya is a natural storyteller, with a voice that reels you in. She takes us on a ride through her life as a "rough diamond", (as quoted by her friend Elizabeth Gilbert) where she experienced the highs and definitely the lows in her life. She didn't hold back anything, from her childhood, drug addiction, sexuality or dreams. She truly lived the life of a rock star.

 I have to admit, it's not an easy read, with such devastation and heartbreak. Nevertheless, it's inspiring story of a woman that finds her way through the dark, and comes out into the light. I was especially engrossed in the story come the last few chapters. Her overwhelming emotion and strength is uplifting and I congratulate her on being clean since 1997. She truly is a strong, inspirational woman and I highly recommend this read, whether you read memoirs or not. You won't be disappointed. 

My Rating:
 
 This book is one you don't want to miss!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

BTSeMag! Issue #10 Featuring Angela Knight



BTSeMag May 2013 
Issue #10
 
New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight presents Unbound.  Take a peek inside this sizzling new wrap up to her phenomenal sci-fi fantasy adventure series.  This book also includes 3 new authors with stories aimed to fill that before bedtime reading attack.
 
Authors also featured inside:
Sandra Bunino
Jane Toombs
Lynn Hardy
Nora Weston
Jennifer Synder
Seraphina Donavan...and more
 
Columns
  • Read all about the newest book trends with Sandra's column:  Chic Trends in Romance
  • Answer all those techy questions with Lynn's Writing Types.
  • Discover Movie Flashbacks, the latest on the horror scene, and authors can see if their sites measure up!!
 
Join us!
 
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with author Alexa Grace! *GIVEAWAY OPEN*


Welcome Alexa! Thanks for stopping by. 

Spring is finally here! Have you started to any Spring cleaning? *looks around at so much work to be done..* *laughs*
Though it is killing me not to get started, I'm delaying Spring cleaning until after my next book Profile of Evil is published in May.What's your favorite thing about spring
I created an English garden in my front yard a couple of years ago, so my favorite thing about spring is working in the garden and watching the results of my hard work as everything blooms.Spring, also means your novel, PROFILE OF EVIL, is here! Can you tell us a little about this new trilogy?
Profile of Evil is the first book in the new Profile Trilogy and includes Carly Stone, who was introduced in Deadly Relations.

Carly Stone is a brilliant FBI agent who's seen more than her share of evil. Leaving the agency, she becomes a consultant for Indiana County Sheriff Brody Chase.  He needs her help to catch an online sex predator who is luring preteen girls to their death in his community.
The two resolve to stop this dangerous killer before he takes another young life — and time is running out.
Profile of Evil will be published in May 2013.

Which of your characters were the most challenging to write?
The sexual sadist, serial killer in Profile of Evil has been the most challenging to write because his character required so much research.  I was determined that his character, behaviors, and actions be credible so I researched by reading books written by profilers, discussed with my subject matter experts, etc.   This research was also needed so I could write an accurate profile for my Carly character

Do you think you'll ever write a romance outside of the suspense/thriller genre? 
I doubt that I will.  Suspense and thriller writing is what I was meant to do.  It's my passion.

Who are some of your favorite authors? 
I love reading books by James Patterson, Alison Brennan, Ann Rule, Kathryn Casey, Laura Griffin, and others.  I try to stick to the thriller or romantic suspense genre, but I have always been a fan of true crime.

A Few Randoms: 
Cats or Dogs?  I have five Miniature Schnauzers, three of which are rescues, that are important members of my family.

Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter?   I absolutely love the Fall and make a trip to Indiana every year to enjoy my family and the beautiful leaves.

Favorite TV Show?  Right now, my favorite program is The Following with Kevin Bacon.  The program is well written with strong elements of suspense.

Thanks for stopping by! 
Thanks so much for inviting me.



Title: Deadly Offerings
Author:  Alexa Grace
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Length:  314 pgs
Sub-Genres:  Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
           
BLURB:
December 2012 Anne Mason thinks she’ll be safe living in the Midwest building a wind farm. She may be dead wrong. Someone is dumping bodies in her corn field and telling Anne they are gifts—for her! As the body count rises, Anne realizes a cold-blooded serial killer is patiently waiting and watching her every move. And he won’t stop until he ends her life. It is clear there are no limits to this killer’s thirst for revenge or how far he will go to get it. Michael Brandt, the ruggedly handsome new County Prosecutor is the last person Anne can trust, but may offer her only chance at survival from a psychopathic killer. But will she survive the passion that rages between them?


BUY LINKS:


Tour Schedule:

April 18 :  Dakota Trace  Review (book 1) http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/
April 22:  My World  Guest Post  http://www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com/
April 25:  DakotaTrace Review (book 2) http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/
April 30:  A Great Book is the Cheapest Vacation Interview http://www.bookmarkyourthoughts.com/
May 1:  Jodys Book Review:  Spotlight and Giveaway  http://www.jodysbookreviews.com
May 2: Dakota Trace Review (book 3) http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/
May 4:  The Bunny’s Review  Interview http://www.blog.kybunnies.com/

May 6 :  Sun Mountain Reviews Interview/Review (book 2 and 3)  http://sunmountainreviews.wordpress.com/
May 8:  Zee Monodee Guest Post/Giveaway http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/p/welcome.html
May 10 :  Grinelda Markowitz’s Erotic Writing  Guest Post/giveaway http://grineldamarkowitz.wordpress.com/
May 13:  Deal Sharing Aunt Interview/Giveaway www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com



Alexa's journey started in March 2011 when the Sr. Director of Training & Development position she'd held for thirteen years was eliminated. A door closed but another one opened. She finally had the time to pursue her childhood dream of writing books. Her focus is now on writing riveting romantic suspense novels.
She was recently named one of the top 100 indie authors by Kindle Review.  A chapter is devoted to her in the book Interviews with Indie Authors by C. Ridgway and T. Ridgway.
Her book Deadly Offerings is Book One of her Deadly Trilogy. The second book of the trilogy, Deadly Deception is available as is Deadly Relations, the final book of the Deadly Trilogy.
Deadly Holiday is her holiday-themed romantic suspense book.  If you liked the books of The Deadly Trilogy: Deadly Offerings, Deadly Deception and Deadly Relations, you'll LOVE this nail-biting, holiday-themed novella where the characters return to search for a lost boy, fight breast cancer, deal with the personal financial impact of a bad economy, and seek a Christmas miracle.
Profile of Evil, the first book of her Profile Trilogy will be available in spring 2013.
Alexa earned two degrees from Indiana State University and currently lives in Florida. She's a member of Romance Writers of America (national) as well as the Florida Chapter. Her writing support team includes five Miniature Schnauzers, three of which are rescues. As a writer, she is fueled by Starbucks lattes, chocolate and emails from readers.
You can visit her at - http://www.alexa-grace.net/                             
Friend her on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaGrace
Follow her on Twitter - @AlexaGrace2
amazon.com/author/alexagrace


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Enter for a chance to win an e-book copy of your choice of any book in the Deadly Trilogy!


Also, don't forget to enter the tour wide giveaway, where you have a chance to win  a $25 amazon card and an autographed print set of The Deadly Trilogy!

Monday, April 29, 2013

BTS Tour: The Billionaire Princess by Christina Tetreault



Title:  The Billionaire Princess
Author:  Christina Tetreault
Publisher:  Christina Tetreault (March 30, 2013)
Length: 318  pages
Subgenres: Contemporary, Suspense, Romance



BLURB:
She was raised as an American Princess
Following the betrayal of a former lover, Sara Sherbrooke swore off relationships, too afraid she would be used again.  Instead she has devoted all her energy to succeeding in politics without relying on her family name.  That is until one night in Hawaii with her brother's best friend Christopher Hall.
He is a self-made billionaire
Technological genius and CEO of Hall Technology, Christopher Hall first met Sara Sherbrooke when he and Jake Sherbrooke were college roommates.  While attending Jake's wedding in Hawaii, Christopher is reintroduced to Sara, a beauty who was once way out of his league.  But now as the most eligible bachelor in Silicon Valley, the only thing stopping Christopher from pursuing Sara is the thought of betraying his best friend.
As they work together to promote a new education initiative, neither can deny the attraction between them.  But will their growing romance be worth all of the consequences?
EXCERPT:
"All set." Sara forced herself to smile despite the tightness in her chest. She couldn't explain it, but she felt as if each step up the stairs was taking her further away from her life as she knew it and closer to something else. Something new and unexpected.
Christopher took a step back so she could enter the plane. "Excellent. As soon as you're settled we can go."
Forty minutes into the flight, Sara ditched her jacket and reached for her cup of tea. Both she and Christopher had finished their breakfast and had gone straight to work. Or at least she tried to work. Her brain had other ideas. It wanted to focus on the man seated across from her. Once again Sara's eyes traveled back to Christopher, the man who visited her dreams every night. The man, who despite knowing it was a huge mistake, she wanted to get to know better.
Despite her inability to work, Christopher didn't suffer from the same fate. Since opening his laptop, he hadn't looked up once. A fact that actually annoyed her a little. Having a man ignore her wasn't something that ever happened.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Christopher looked up, his warm chocolate brown eyes locking on her face. Heat instantly scorched her cheeks. It was one thing to study someone but another to be caught doing it.
"Sorry, I haven't been very good company," he said, his eyes never leaving her face. "I'm almost done with this."
The soft leather felt cool against the back of her thighs as she shifted in her seat, causing her skirt to ride up her thigh. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Christopher's eyes dropped down to the screen once again. She heard his fingers moving over the keyboard then he closed the laptop and his gaze once again settled on her face.
"All done. I'm all yours.”  His mouth curved into a wide smile.
Memories of their one night together exploded in her mind.  They hadn't spoken of it on the three occasions they'd seen each other yet she couldn't help but wonder if he ever thought about it. Too bad asking is out of the question.
"You should be careful who you say that to." She hoped a little teasing would help her think of him as a brother type rather than a lover. After all she joked with Jake all the time. "Say that to the wrong woman and you'll find yourself holding a pumice stone giving a pedicure."
Without warning he leaned forward and lifted her leg toward him. The feel of his hand on her bare calf sent shivers through her body.
"Since it looks like you had one recently, I guess I'm safe." He lifted his head from his inspection of her coral pink toenails. Slowly he put her foot back down to the floor and released it. But even after he moved his hand away she could feel it on her skin.
BUY LINKS:

Author Bio:

I wrote my first story with characters similar to those in the Sweet Valley Twins books at the age of 10 on my grandmother's manual typewriter. As I got older my stories and characters became more mature. During my freshman year at UMass Dartmouth, I read my first romance novel and fell in love with the genre. I have been writing contemporary romance ever since.

Today I live with my husband, three beautiful daughters and two dogs in Massachusetts. Whenever I have a free moment you'll find me either reading a romance novel or working on my most current story
Author Links:
Twitter: @cgricci

 
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