Farm Fatale by Wendy Holden

As much as I liked Farm Fatale by Wendy Holden there were parts of the book that I had a hard time with. Rosie and her boyfriend mark are off to live a life in the country, Eight Mile Bottom is a small village and I think both of them are looking to this new start in different ways. Rosie is looking for that inner happiness that she has been longing for, thinking that being away from the drama and hassle of the city is just want her and Mark need. Mark on the other hand is convinced or rather tries to convince himself that his journalism career is going to take off by writing about country life in rural England.

The village is full interesting characters that I think help the story along, without all their antics and bizarre personalities the story might have fallen flat.

One stand out was the vivacious Samantha, her personality alone and charismatic dialog will make you laugh out loud. She is simply outrageous and addictive, but I wasn't quite sure her motives at times weren't purely selfish.

Through and through Farm Fatale has it's charm, but off and on throughout the chapters I felt that the story dragged along and went off in a few tangents that were unnecessary and hard for the reader to follow.

Rosie and Mark, a couple living in chic urban squalor, pine for the rustic bliss of country life. Newly minted, Samantha and Guy want the same thing-on a somewhat grander scale. The four converge on the quaint village of Eight Mile Bottom. With its eccentric residents, including a reclusive rock star, a nosy postman, a foxy farmer, and one ghost with a knife in its back, the two couples are soon swept up in various romantic entanglements, mix-ups, slipups, and unlikely seductions in their search for ever-greener pastures.

Winner: Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

Thank you all of visiting Book Junkie and entering the contest to win an ARC of Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong! I have only one winner per Random.org and that is ..............

CASS

Author Guest Post & Giveaway: THE WILD IRISH SEA by Loucinda McGary

Today I am thrilled to have author Loucinda McGary to Book Junkie. She is celebrating her July release from Sourcebooks, THE WILD IRISH SEA ! You can read my review HERE.

I hope you enjoy Loucinda's guest post today and don't forget to enter the contest to win 1 of 2 copies of THE WILD IRISH SEA that is up for grabs!

My Nora Encounter

It’s that time of year. Next week, the Romance Writers of America hold their annual national conference. Every year hundreds of writers, both established and newbies, attend RWA National to learn their craft, network with editors and agents, meet old and new friends, and listen to inspiring workshops and speeches.

Best of all, this conference allows all us ‘normal’ people to catch glimpses and maybe even exchange conversations with the super-stars of our industry. The big names all put in appearances – Sherrilyn Kenyon, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Jennifer Crusie, and of course, Nora Roberts. Being in close proximity to people held in such high esteem often results in some close encounters of the star-struck kind. One of my friends admits to having a verbal meltdown when she ran into her long-time idol Julie Garwood. Another said she suffered from acute shaky hands syndrome while attempting to help Nora with a potential wardrobe malfunction backstage at an awards ceremony. Such stories abound before, during, and after National.

I’ve been lucky enough to attend four National conferences in the past six years. I always have an enjoyable time, but I’ll never forget my very first National conference in 2005 because that is when I had my own personal Nora (Roberts) Encounter.

It was the Booksellers’ Awards Luncheon, and by the time my buddy Willena and I met up and made our way into the crowded ballroom, there were seemingly no tables with two seats remaining. I’d resigned myself to eating at two different places, but not Willena who marched right up to a table way in the back with a huge “Reserved” sign but only three people seated at it. She was already half into a seat and pulling me into the one next to her as she asked if it was all right for us to sit down (not a shy bone in her body, my buddy Willena)! Two other lost-looking newbies sat down too as soon as the lovely, petite lady nodded. But she added that we had to save one empty seat for her friend who was running late. Then she introduced herself as Cindy Hwang, editor at Berkley.

Good thing I was already sitting down when she introduced herself, not that having lunch with a well-known editor wasn’t heady enough. But I recognized the two other people sitting at the table across from me, although they politely introduced themselves anyway – Jayne Ann Krentz and Christine Feehan. Oh. My. Gosh! I was tongue-tied with awe as I introduced myself as Ms. Unpublished Nobody. The other two newbies were similarly afflicted. Even Willena was a bit ruffled.

We were rescued from the awkward silence by the waiters who placed our luncheon plates, dessert plates, and filled our drinks, including the empty spot for Ms. Hwang’s elusive friend. I don’t think I tasted a thing in my main course as Jayne Ann and Christine politely asked each of us what sub-genres we wrote. I was too nervous trying to form a coherent reply.

We started our dessert – my favorite, cheesecake – as the mistress of ceremony stepped upon the stage and approached the microphone. The seat next to Ms. Hwang was still glaringly empty. However, as the speaker began, the back door of the ballroom opened and in rushed none other than Nora Roberts!

I know I gasped audibly and I think Willena and the other two unpublished writers did the same, while Nora hurried over and sat down at our table. Then she did something for which I will adore her forever. She shoved aside her main course plate, pulled the cheesecake toward her and took a big bite. Yes, indeed, she was a woman after my own heart. She ate her dessert first!

She’d only managed to eat about half her portion when the speaker began talking about the next award and started describing the In Death series. Nora muttered an expletive under her breath, jumped up and ran for the stage. When she got to the microphone, I remember she made a witty remark about not needing to do the treadmill today. She never did make her way back to our table, but it didn’t matter. She’d already made four new fans.

After lunch, I went up to my room, called my critique partner and screeched in her ear, “You won’t believe who sat at our table at lunch!” When the conference was over, I returned home and started reading the In Death series, and every time I read a new one, I still remember my Nora encounter.

Have you had your own star-struck encounter? Please share it!

THE WILD IRISH SEA BY LOUCINDA MCGARY – IN STORES JULY 2010

Drawn to a force he can’t resist…

Former police officer Kevin Hennessey is running from his past—choosing to battle smugglers instead of dealing with his personal demons. When a desperate, rain-drenched American woman appears on his doorstep with wild tales of danger, Kevin is drawn to helping her, despite his reservations...

She never saw him coming…

Amber O’Neill knew without a doubt that her brother was in mortal danger. Rushing heedlessly to the rocky shores of Ireland, Amber was stunned to find her rescue mission derailed by a gorgeous, but deeply flawed Irishman...

The tumultuous sea, the intertwined fates of the coastal villagers, and unearthly tales of a hidden selkie prince bring Kevin and Amber together in a connection of mind, body, and soul that neither can deny...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Loucinda McGary took early retirement from her managerial career to pursue her twin passions of travel and writing. She sets her novels in some of the fascinating places she has visited. She was a finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest in Romantic Suspense with the manuscript that eventually became her second novel, The Treasures of Venice. Her first book, The Wild Sight won the Best First Book category in the More Than Magic contest. She lives in Sacramento, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.loucindamcgary.com/

***GIVEAWAY***

With many thanks to Danielle @ Sourcebooks I have two copies to give away.

Below are the rules, please follow for your entry to count

RULES:

MUST be a follower or become one

MUST answer Loucinda's question above

MUST leave your e-mail

Winner will be chosen 07/27

US and Canada only please (sorry, publisher rules)

The Wild Irish Sea by Loucinda McGary

If I said that I loved this book that would be an understatement! The Wild Irish Sea by Loucinda McGary was fantastic and mesmiraizing! First, when you start the first few pages you are magically transformed into Kevin's small Irish cottage with him and Amber. Kevin is a recovering alcoholic and working through his own demons when Amber comes knocking, literally at his door in search for her brother.

Feisty and refreshing, Amber knows in her heart that something is wrong with her brother and now he is missing. Sending out a stress call to her, not on the phone but psychically. Their connection will bind them together for life. And now it seems that something has severed that connection.

Off to Ireland and into the life of the sexy Kevin, who much to his dismay, agrees to help the desparate American. Which of course, as we can all see the writing on the wall, they fall madley in love.


When push comes to shove the begining and the end of course were brillantly written, but it is the middle that counts. All the juicy tidbits of their romance and mini adventure in the search of Amber's brother, the Irish legends of seals and their power you can't help but be transported to Ireland, the world of Amber and Kevin and with a blend of paranormal myth and mystisism.

A desperate call from her twin brother awakens Amber O'Neill from a sound sleep and propels her to Ireland's wild coast - and straight into the arms of local inspector Kevin Hennessy.

Reclusive Kevin is hiding from his past and his personal demons. He agrees to help Amber search for her missing brother even though he's a little unnerved by her ability to read his mind. But as the mystery unravels and survival becomes their prime objective, it will take all their efforts to keep themselves, and everyone around them, alive

Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS

Published: July 2010

ISBN: 9781402226717

Use the code 35JUL10 for 35% off!

Winners: Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer

I want to thank everyone who came out and entered to win Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer! Per Ransom.org 5 winners were picked, and they are ..........

penney

Meljprincess

Darcie K

Armenia

Books and Bane

Winner: Damaged by Pamela Callow

Thank you to everyone who came out and left a comment! I have one winner for Damaged by Pamela Callow and the winner is .................

Natasha

*e-mail sent, please respond before 07/23 or another winner will be chosen

Giveaway & Review: Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong is a really spellbinding read, transporting the reader into the world of sharp-tongued Savannah who is really just coming into her own with her supernatural powers.

The girl is full of sass and attitude that just won't quick, plus she kicks a little ass so that never hurts. Working with human isn't up her ally, but that is just what she has to do if she wants to work on her case for the agency. On her own this time and not able to use her magic at her every whim really sets her on edge, but throughout the book you watch Savannah grow and make more mature decisions about her craft and abilities.

This case will be a true trial for her and she really has to pull it together to make it through all the hurdles.
Kelley Armstrong really pulls out the punches with some fantastic plot twists that will suck you into the supernatural realm of the Otherworld only finishing and leaving you craving for more.

The orphaned daughter of a sorcerer and a half-demon, Savannah is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at 21 she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town as a favour to one of the agency’s associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes.

Soon Savannah is in over her head. She’s run off the road and nearly killed, haunted by a mystery stalker, and freaked out when the brother of one of the dead women is murdered when he tries to investigate the crime. To complicate things, something weird is happening to her powers. Pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons, Savannah has to fight to ensure her first case isn’t her last. And she also has to ask for help, perhaps the hardest lesson she’s ever had to learn.

Dutton • July 27, 2010• ISBN: 0525951784

*** GIVEAWAY ***

I have 1 ARC of Waking the Witch to giveaway

Just leave a comment with your e-mail (a MUST)

Winner chosen 07/23

Open to all!

Think of a Number by John Verdon

THINK OF A NUMBER by John Verdon is the debut novel which has been published with Random House Publishing and released July 2010.

A wonderfully written suspenseful thriller that revolves around retired homicide detective Dave Gurney and a serial killer.
Dave has been retired for not quite a year, but for the always busy and engrossed detective life in upstate NY isn't all what it seems. Bored to tears and looking for something to fill his days he develops a new hobby, actually it was a little disturbing if you ask me. He is re-creating pictures of the serial killers he once caught during his career. It was a little creepy, but then again I had to put myself in this man's shoes, it was all he knew for years, chasing down these killers, they became his life. Which of course this hobby is non to pleasing to his wife, who thought by him retiring and moving out of NYC that they would have a second chance on life and their marriage. Apparently not.

Not only that but poor Dave get himself entangled in the mystery of a new serial killer at large. It starts when he is contacted by an old acquaintance who is receiving mysterious and quite disturbing letters from someone who claims to know him rather well. Enough that the poems and letters that he is now receiving are quite hostile and so disturbing he is at a loss.

The story really starts for me there and doesn't really let you go until the end. Although I have to say there are a few chapters here and there that were a little fluff to keep the story going I felt that all in all I couldn't stop turning the pages, I had to know what was going to happen next. Dave seemed so human  to me, faults and all and that is part of what made him so real. With so many twists and turns within the plot line this is one roller coaster ride of a thriller that you aren't going to want to put down!!!!

Arriving in the mail one day is a taunting letter that ends with a simple declaration “See how well I know your secrets-just think of a number.” Eerily, those who comply find that the letter writer has predicted their random choice exactly.

For Dave Gurney, just retired as the NYPD’s top homicide investigator and forging a new life with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York, the letters are oddities that begin as a diverting puzzle but quickly ignite a massive serial-murder investigation.

Brought in as an investigative “consultant,” Gurney soon accomplishes deductive breakthroughs that have local police in awe. Yet, with each taunting move by his seemingly clairvoyant opponent, Gurney feels his tragedy-marred past rising up to haunt him, his marriage approaching a dangerous precipice, and, finally, a dark, cold fear building that he’s met an adversary who can’t be stopped.

Starting on 7/12 and running through 7/25, THINK OF A NUMBER is being offered as an e-book for the special price of $5.99! Click here to connect to the Random House website where you can purchase the ebook. The special e-book pricing will be available from any retailer that sells ebooks (Amazon, B&N.com, Sony, etc.)

Roseflower Creek by Jackie Lee Miles

I was thrown into the world of Lori Jean with just the first few haunting words of Roseflower Creek by Jackie Lee Miles. This is the story of Lori Jean and her short life, only in this world for 10 short years the reader is immerse into her sad life of poverty and abuse. Stock with a depressed mother and an alcololic stepfather this sad little girl will grip your heart and not let go. Murdered in a drunken rage by her stepfather who happens to be an abusive and raging alcoholic it was so disturbing and downright sad that it brought tears to my eyes.

Truly mesmerizing and raw are J.L. Miles words through the eyes of this precious little girl who witnesses the utter sadness of her mother on a daily bases. It is amazing how perceptive children are and how much our attitude and personalities affect them internally.

Lori Jean is an old soul, a beautiful soul of a child who's life of poverty and emotional neglect are so poignant and in so many cases across this country frighteningly true.

I couldn't stop thinking about this book when I was finished, it truly broke my heart because you know the things that happened to this little girl happen all the time sadly.

The author did a brilliant job of bringing Lori Jean to life, I felt as though she was talking to me and telling me her story, it felt so heartfelt and personal. A horrible tragedy comes to life, but you almost feel blessed to know Lori Jean, she is just that special.

"The morning I died it rained. Poured down so hard it washed the blood off my face."

Thus begins the story of ten-year-old Lori Jean, whose short life and early death are woven into this affecting novel set in the 1950s rural South. Abandoned by her father when she was just five years old, Lori Jean's world consists of a weak-willed mother and an alcoholic stepfather who can't keep a steady job. Yet Lori Jean is filled with the curiosity and hope common to all children.

When Lori Jean uncovers her stepfather's secret, everything spins out of control and she pays the ultimate price for what she knows.

But through this heart-wrenching story comes surprising tribute to the human heart's ability to heal and love— despite the most difficult circumstances.

30 (ARC) Book Charity Giveaway!!!!!

I have decided that instead of a regular contest I am going to have a Charity Auction for my son's cause. Every September we join in the Boston PKD walk. This is to help fight PKD and help raise money to find a cure for the disease. PKD is Polycystic Kidney Disease. My son has ARPKD (Autosomal recessive, is a relatively rare genetic disorder), which means that my husband and I (unbeknownst to use at the time), both happen to carry the gene. The odds are rare that we would marry and have children, but knowing what we do know with the complications of his birth and treatment since we have had the opportunity to learn about a disease we had no idea even existed.

There is currently NO treatment and NO cure for PKD, but there are more researchers, clinical trials and people pulling together to fight this disease than ever before. There is hope – hope for a treatment, hope for a cure, hope for a long and happy life despite PKD.

You can read a little about the disease here. Learn more about ARPKD.

Here is my post on Porter's Blog from last years walk!

**********

Join Us for the 2010 Walk for PKD!

So, on with the Charity Giveaway. I have a huge box of ARC's. About 30 and it keeps growing. I have decided to give away all of them to 3 winners.

1st place winner will get their choice of 15 books plus swag and secret prizes

2nd place winner will their choice of 10 books plus swag and secret prizes

3rd place winner will get all the rest of the ARC's plus swag and secret prizes

** If you post any banner on your blog site or Facebook, I will give you 3 extra entries plus your donation points**

*** I will have a separate and special surprises for the person who donates the most ***

RULES: For every $2.00 you donate you get 1 entry, (ex: $6 = 3 entries).

The walk is September 25th here on Boston

Winner will be chosen Sunday 09/26 via Random.org

DONATE TO A WALKER -----  TEAM PORTER (MUST donate under team name )

Once you have donated please complete form below!

*all information is private and secure and handled via PKDcure.com only, not me or this blog site...... but feel free to leave a comment!
MUST FILL OUT FORM BELOW!!!!!

HERE is what is up for grabs!!! ALL ARCS!!! (more will be added) ...some are already out, others not until Aug, Sept, Oct and NOV !!!

Boys Lie by Belisa Vranich
Captured by Desire by Kira Morgan
Hell Ya by Carolyn Brown
I Love This Bar by Carolyn Brown
My Give a Damn is Busted by Carolyn Brown

Hero by Cheryl Brooks (2 ARC copies)
Stronger Thank Sin by Caridad Pinero
Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning
Dangerous Deeds by Dee Davis
Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis
Saving Max by Antonette Van Heugten
Holiday Affair by Lisa Plumley
Never a Bride by Amelia Gray
Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine
To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine
They Never Die Quietly by D.M. Annchino
Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
Farm Fatale by Wendy Holden
Rosewater Creek by Jackie Lee Miles
Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt
Deadly Fear by J.T. Ellison
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear (2 ARC copies)
Love in Mid-Air by Kim Wright
An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey
One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy
SEALed with a Ring by Mary Margret Daughtridge
The Amanda Project by Stella Lennon
My Own Personal Soap Opera by Libby Malin
The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer
The Making of a Dutchess by Shana Galen
The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare
Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase
Tempted by a Warrior by Amanda Scott
The Wild Irish Sean by Lucinda McGary