Congrats to the winner of the 4D Concepts - Hanging Corner Storage in Maple from CSN OFFICE FURNITURE is................................
Aymless
****Please e-mail me your addy and I will get this off to you!
Do'in the Happy Dance over here, I got another award from Jenn J over at Sapphire Romance Realm. Jenn has a great blog if you haven't checked it out yet, hop on over, she always has some great contest so hurry on over!
This award was started by Bookin With BINGO
and here are the rules:
This "B-I-N-G-O" BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARD means that this blog is...
B: Beautiful - Fang-tastic Books
I: Informative - Chics with Books
and here are the rules:
This "B-I-N-G-O" BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARD means that this blog is...
B: Beautiful - Fang-tastic Books
I: Informative - Chics with Books
This award is the Lemonade Award. I received this award from Kelly Moran at her blog http://authorkellymoran.blogspot.com/, thank you for this award!!!
The Lemonade Award is a feel good award which shows great attitude or gratitude.
Here are the rules:~Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.~Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.~Link your nominees within your post.~Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.~Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.
Here are my nominees...
Here are the rules:~Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.~Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.~Link your nominees within your post.~Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.~Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.
Here are my nominees...
- ELENI @ La Femme Readers
- Cinnamon @ A Journey of Books
- Cecile @ All I Want And More
- Anna @ Anna's Book Blog
- Dayna & Tina-Sue @ Author's Promoting Authors
- Brandy @ B.Renae Reads
- Cindy @ Princess Bookie
- Denise @ Simply Vamptastic
- Elizabeth @ Moonlight To Twilight Blog
Don't forget to enter my Bookshelf Giveaway, I will pick the winner tomorrow morning! Good luck!!!!
BOOKSONBOARD.COM is offering Yorkshire by Lynne Connolly as a free read until Sept 05th. Hope on over and check it out HERE
Ok, first I will start by saying that I am a super dooper fan of Suzanne Brockmann and when I saw Super Dooper I mean uber crazy fan. So with that being said I am a little bummed by her recent release of HOT PURSUIT which is #15 in her Troubleshooters series. Now it wasn't awful my any means, and I am not sorry I read it AT ALL, just wasn't up to par for me if you consider all 14 of the past books. I do love Sam and Alyssa, the Dentist was creepy yet not intriguing enough for me to care. The part I did love Jules and Robin who make a great appearance of course and Dan and Jen. Dan so in love with Sophia and his high standard figures Jen is a sure thing because she isn't beautiful and she isn't skinny. The girls got some meat on her bones, and Dan and Jen hit it off. The problem he betrays her trust in him and his motives for being with her, breaking her heart and in turn he realized he has one and it belongs to Jen. Too late bucko, he is off to the middle east with his team and as usual SB leaves us hanging with some romantic loose ends. But it only makes me want to run out and get the next story. Izzy has a pretty decent part here as well and I honestly can say I do not under ANY circumstances like EVE. Good riddens and I hope with the new developments in HOT PURSUIT he will finally be able to get the infant go (I mean Eve, ugh she is sooo annoying)! All in all a good read, not great as some of the old gang makes an appearance which adds to the humor of the characters and their entertaining interactions. Would I recommend it, hum... honestly only if you are an avid Troubleshooters fan. Otherwise not so much!
3 STARS- LIKE EATING ONE CHIP, LEAVES YOU LONGING FOR MORE, WOULD STILL RECOMMEND
SNIPPET: "Alyssa Locke is no stranger to dealing with danger. As team leader of the nation’s number one personal security company, Troubleshooters Inc., she’s seen more than her share of action, survived plenty of close calls, and holds her own with the best of them–and against the worst of them. Guarding lives is her game, and no one plays it better. But her toughest challenge will be protecting herself from a serial killer she’s been after for years–known only as “The Dentist”–who is determined to make her his ultimate trophy.The assignment was supposed to be an easy one: teach self-defense techniques to a newly elected assemblywoman and her chief of staff after a political controversy generates a blizzard of hate mail–including death threats–from hotheads and cranks. But as soon as she mobilizes her squad of moonlighting Navy SEALs in New York City, Alyssa begins butting heads with the hard-case cop who thinks that the Troubleshooters are chasing shadows. Until they discover a dead body. And then another. Now Alyssa really has her hands full–bodyguarding two independent, busy women, managing a murder investigation, and trying to find time for her husband, Troubleshooters operative Sam Starrett, and their infant son. Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be a Troubleshooters operation without romantic sparks and heated rivalries–and any time the SEALs of Team Sixteen are involved, there are plenty of both. But then, while investigating a suspect, Alyssa is ambushed and suddenly finds herself imprisoned by The Dentist. Cut off from everyone she loves and relies on, Alyssa must call upon all of herstrength and skill to survive this final confrontation with the sadistic monster, meanwhile trusting that her Troubleshooter teammates, led by her beloved Sam, will reach her before it’s too late. "
PARAPALOOZA Begins on Tuesday 8/25/09 (today) for a whole week. Kimberley is giving away copies of BARELY BEWITCHED (& WOULD-BE WITCH if you missed Book 1) as well as copies of other fabulous paranormals. All you have to do is show up and comment for a chance to win.So make sure you make a daily trip to Kimberley's site this week! THANKS AMBERKATZ FOR THE HEADS UP!!
4 STARS - A PAGE TURNER, BRING ON THE SEQUEL
SNIPPET: "Erin Robinson moved to Desire, Oklahoma, unprepared for the dynamics of her new home. Ménage and Dom/sub relationships prevail here. Erin just didn't get it.. She couldn't deal with one man. More than one - impossible! But when someone tries to kill her, Jared, Duncan and Reese Preston scramble to protect her. At the same time, they're determined to show her just how good having three men in her bed can be"
With all you book junkies out there who doesn't need a new keeper shelf, I know I do! So what you need to do is enter this contest to win this fabulous and kind of funky bookshelf by CSN OFFICE FURNITURE! It comes in two colors, this is the Maple one below as well as a Cherry. BUT, the Maple is what is being given away. CSN OFFICE FURNITURE offers some really beautiful products so you should go check them out. CSN Stores sells everything from home office furniture to children’s furniture. I had the option to either get the bookshelf myself and review or have a giveaway. I feel so much in love with the one below that I decided to do both and let one lucky winner to be chosen on Random.org Friday Aug 28th the uber cool bookshelf!
***GIVEAWAY RULES***
Just comment, that is it!
**Winner to be chosen 8am Aug 28th**
open to us & canada only
First, WOW, a huge thanks to everyone who entered this contest and frankly any of my contest. I was so shocked as I went through all the entires. Also thank you to my followers, older ones and the new as also. I was able to check out some really cool blogs that I was unaware of and now a huge fan! So that being said I want to Congratulate.............
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BRIANNA
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**PLEASE E-MAIL ME YOUR SNAIL MAIL bjwaldron(at) gmail.com by next Wed, Aug 26th of I will go with the next person on the list per Random.org.
I was contacted by Marilyn Brant to read her ARC of ACCORDING TO JANE, which is her debut book to be released Oct 01st ! And by far one of the best books I have read this year. I think without going into serious detail and giving spoilers that I can tell you this touched me in such a way it is hard to describe. This book, a love story that spans 20 years approx is so..... well, how do I say, true to life. There is such heartache, passion, love, work in a few bad choice in boyfriends, a bitch of an older sister who tears you down at ever turn, insane family members who you love, but drive you to madness. And most of all there is a friendship that is so on and off, fragile and non-existent at times it took all I had not to just flip to the end of the book and read what the hell happens to these people. This is the friendship of Sam Blaine and Ellie Barnett who have a very fragile friendship if you can call it that. The book opens on Ellie and Sam's sophomore year in high school, where you can tell just from Sam's touches and Ellie's response to him that there are deeper feelings that both hide very well. Through flirting and a lot of jealousy on both ends there is an undying connection. Intertwined with the lives of the two characters there are family members who make you cringe and want to give a good shake. How can they be so heartless and cruel to Ellie? I think some of us will recognize some of these characters within our own lives as well. I especially loved Ellie's cousin Angelique who plans an importance roll throughout the story and grows into a mature woman with a beautiful family, even though she still spews nonsensically in french from time to time much to the annoyance of Ellie and myself. I think that is why I loved her so much, she is so real and quirky it is hard not to like the darn girl! Elli's sister also plays a huge part through out the book, first we see Di as a pretty much emotionally abusive older sister constantly calling her geek and tearing her down. But Di loves her sister Ellie as much as she knows how to at first, but as time goes by grows to appreciate Ellie and their friendship. I too grew to love Di as you saw a woman who had to surpass her own internal struggle of insecurities only to come out on top at the end. Then there is Sam, he is Ellie's soul mate, but as with life nothing works out the way we want. With his constant moves to make Ellie jealous he hits on girls through high school knowing that Ellie is watching his every move steaming mad and hurt by Sam's actions. Not that she helps, she is too afraid to act on her feeling until a week before their senior year ends they have sex, much to Sam's shock Ellie is a virgin. The strength of that bond I believe scares both, Sam into acting indifferent towards Ellie and Ellie's resentment at the rejection from him. They go their separate ways through college only to meet again at a bar, where their encounter is less than cordial when once again jealously rears it's ugly head. This time Ellie can no longer hold back the hurt and anger that spews out of her mouth only to ruin Sam's already faltering relationship with his girlfriend. What I enjoyed most is that not all these encounters were perfect, the relationship that Ellie and Sam have with each other and their significant others (however long or short the relationship ends up being) is so raw and sometimes downright so realistic that once again you forget this is a work of fiction. Ellie's romances throughout the twenty years are what has made her into the strong woman she is, one of the most important being the relationship with Jane. Jane Austin that is, who lives in her head since that fateful day back in sophomore English class when Jane decided to make her grand entrance. She and Ellie have an almost comical and if not at times mother-daughter if not mentor relationship. Jane sticks by Ellie throughout those years helping her cope with all of life's pitfalls but when it comes to Sam, Jane is in complete disapproval and calls Sam Ellie's Mr. Wickham. Who if you haven't read Pride and Prejudice Mr. Wickham is a complete scoundrel. There is a secret that Jane holds from Ellie and that is her connection to her, why she chose Ellie and why she has felt the need stick with her through thick and thin. Those not so pleasant times when Ellie felt so alone and unloved. I found the relationship humorous at times and feeling Ellie's frustration when Jane bashed Sam. Sam not so undeserving of some of Jane's criticism, but the man redeems himself in good time. If you count twenty years good time. I loved the ending of this story and was also sad to see it end as well. Sam needed time to grow up frankly, become the man that Ellie new he was inside. And Ellie, through her mismatched relationships with her past boyfriends and her family she too needed to grow up and forgiveness is apart of that maturity. It's a rough road to ANY Happily Ever After and as far as I am concerned no two characters deserve it more than Ellie and Sam. All I can say is, again without any spoilers is that Marilyn Brant you have a new super fan and I am singing your praises.
5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
SNIPPET: "It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett’s teacher is assigning Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. From nowhere comes a quiet “tsk” of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who’s teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author’s ghost has taken up residence in Ellie’s mind, and seems determined to stay there.
Jane’s wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go—sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane’s counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham.
Still, everyone has something to learn about love—perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie’s head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending…"
ISBN-10: 0-7582-3461-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-3461-2
In GAME FOR SEDUCTION by Bella Andre, Melissa has been in love with Dominic for over a decade, lusting after the wide receiver that her father managed since she was an teenager. Having grown up to become very beautiful and a lot less awkward then he can remember, Dominic has certainly noticed Melissa but has his agents daughter he knows that she is off limits. Melissa on the other had has had enough, enough of her father and his constant neglect in making her an agent, knowing full well she is one of the hardest workers in his agency but refusing to give her any encouragement or praise and that coveted title as agent. Pissed off she retreats to a players only bar where Dom has noticed she is pretty drunk and since there are no other females around he takes he home with him, for her protection.... yeah right, one thing leads to another and they can't keep their hands off each other! Dom is torn for his feelings for Melissa and she just seems so sure all will be OK despite their business relationship. The feelings she has for Dominic are so strong that every time she fights him she ends up in his arms no matter what her head tells her she loves him and Dom is falling in love with Melissa by the second. Melissa is strong willed and stands up to her father, I admire how Bella Andre doesn't write those willowy weak women with no spine once a man steps into the room. There is times when Melissa rejects Dom for her career and for his as well, which I really liked because life isn't pretty and it doesn't come all dolled up in a pretty package and a nice bow, it is hard and ugly and it hurts. Just like Melissa's life has at times. And Dom, well what can I say, he is beautiful inside and out, a good man with a pure heart and a strong will. He has stayed away from Melissa for a long time, keeping her at a comfortable distance for her sake more than his own. He takes a wild rookie screw up under his wing and shows him what being a team player and a good man is all about. As much for Melissa (Screw-up, playboy is her new client), but for him. I couldn't believe when the story was over, it had that feel good moment of silence at the end that so many great reads do. A keeper, hum, since it is on my e-reader I would have to say yes, would I recommend, Oh definitely for sure, you bet ya! Was it great, no, was it good, yes it was!!!! This is actually book two in Bella Andre's The Bad Boys of Football Series but what the hell I never start at the begining!
Game for Seduction ISBN-13: 978-1416558521
4 STARS - A PAGE TURNER, BRING ON THE SEQUEL
SNIPPET: "The daughter of a powerful sports agent, Melissa McKnight has harbored lust-filled fantasies for Dominic DiMarco ever since she was an awkward teenager, when the San Francisco Outlaws' gorgeous wide receiver became her father's superstar client. Now Melissa's a beautiful, tenacious associate in her father's firm, and being around to-die-for hard bodies is all in a day's work...until tangling with Dominic at a photo shoot blind sides her with passion. "
An Early Happy Birthday to Leontine of Leontine's Book Realm, she is having a celebreation of her birthday which is Aug 23rd! She will send one lucky person a hardback copy of Dreamfever and one lucky person a surprise present. This surprise consist of a novel from the backlist from Karen Moning. The randomizer will add numbers to each novel from the backlist and the winner of the surprise giveaway will have to pick a number to reveal his/her prize. The giveaways will be send to you via The Book Depository Store. Enter HERE
ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE by Denyse Bridger is a very quick but very steamy read about two strangers who's lives are about to intersect in the most interesting way. Chris McQuade is a man of the law on a stagecoach with a beautiful woman who he can't keep his eyes off of. Elizabeth Davis is the wife of the man he is hunting but when Chris finds that out he has already killed three men who tried to attack the stagecoach. Unbeknownst to him this is the Davis Gang, Elizabeth's husband Mark is a criminal who has left her after just a few short weeks of being married and all this time keeping his wife in the lurch. She isn't aware of his crimes and frankly if ever she was in love with him, she is no longer. As Chris and Elizabeth set out on horses to their destination the attraction between them flares until they can't hold back any longer. Confessing she no longer cares for her husband and Chris's passion for Elizabeth there is no stopping them. But with all the lovin comes the drama and the danger. That is where Mark Davis comes in, Elizabeth's husband, who has just witnessed their last love making encounter as well as some of his passe. Besides his ego being severely bruised with his wife being so brazen he is more upset that she was with the law man who wants his head. A little revenge, some seriously steamy sex between the new lovers and of course a great shoot out or two and have you have yourself one fun quick read that will keep you turning pages from beginning until the end.
5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
SNIPPET: " When the stagecoach carrying Federal Marshal Chris McQuade is the target of an attempted robbery, the handsome Marshal is left alone with a woman he's been attracted to from the start of the long journey from St. Louis to Wind River, WY. It isn't until they're forced to go on alone together that he realizes he's falling in love with the wife of the man he's been sent to bring to justice. Much to McQuade's surprise, Elizabeth Davis has fallen in love, too, and her husband is out for revenge after witnessing a much-too-intimate encounter between his enemy and his wife..."
Ok, I happen to have two of these and thought I would run a contest to give one away to someone who really wanted one as well...... what do you ask, well how about Sookie Stackhouse, Books 1-7 [BOX SET] by Charlene Harris !
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So what do you have to do to win?? Just post a comment with your e-mail please so I know how to get ahold of you! I am going to run this one until Friday, Aug 21st.
+1 for Comment
+3 follower or begin to follow
+5 if you blog about this contest
**open to ALL**
Oh la la! Was this a quick little hot story or what! Sometimes you just need a smokin hot little story in between books to set you straight and HEAT of the STORM by Elle Kennedy did just that for me. I have to say it was short (my reader was like 77 pages), but it only cost me $3.14 from Booksonboard.com, so I was trilled that from the first page to the last I was hooked in the world of Lt. Will Charleston and Mackenzie Wade! Mac is a lot physic and it has ruined every relationship with a man the last being devastating just because she had a vision of someones death and he stated that she reminded him of death. Pretty harsh words for Mac but she has always had her best friend Will to turn to. But when Mac kisses Will it is all over, the flood gates are open and Will has been waiting on Mac for fifteen years to let him in and accept him as more than a pal! He goes about seducing her but it doesn't end well. She is scared to death, literally that even though he is the ONLY one to accept her abilities and her for who she really is without hiding, she gets a vision that changes everything between her and Will. He is broken hearted with Mac's rejection after their one and only real sexual encounter and he isn't about to let her go, even if he has to accept his SEAL teammate and buddy's girlfriend Holly to make Mac jealous and see the light. They belong together and no matter what her visions tell her, he will ALWAYS be with her.
5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
SNIPPET: "An Out of Uniform story , Lieutenant Will Charleston has waited fifteen long years to show up as anything other than a one-pixel blip on Mackenzie Wade’s romantic radar. If a powerful storm is what he needs to send her into his arms, he’ll take it. Once the hot sex is over, though, she seems determined to kick him right back into the friend zone.
Not this time. This time, he’s going to teach her the meaning of tenacious.
Mackenzie has always had feelings for Will, feelings she fights with all her strength. He’s her best friend, her safety net. The one man who’s not scared of her accursed psychic gift. No doubt he drives her wild in bed, but their night of passion was more than a mistake. It generated a tragic vision of the future, one that leaves her more confused—and afraid—than ever.
Problem is, Will knows her too well. Plus he’s a SEAL to the bone. And they don’t like to lose..."
Hi all, congrats to ................ WANDA who was chosen with Random.org as this weeks winner of a e-book THE THIRD WISH by Kellyann Zuzulo!
**Wanda, please e-mail me @ bjwaldron(at)gmail(dot)com by Monday or I will have to pick another winner!
Tricia @ MY READING ADDICTION & Leontine from LEONTINE'S BOOK REALM just gave me an award! Thanks so much Tricia & Leontine.
Now, the rules for this one are as follows: The Kreativ rules state that, Once you receive this award you are to list seven of your favorite things and then nominate seven other blogs. So here goes...
- Summer storm on my grandfather's tin roof porch off the Arkansas River
- Quite time to myself to read, it is priceless
- My little monkey man, only 21 mo. and already a daredevil! The death of me I tell you!
- My Sony Reader, it is my lifeline, I worship this little piece of electronic goodness
- My girlfriends and their support and friendship
- Chocolate, dark, dark chocolate my best friend at times
- Origen's White Tea lotion, I would bath in it if I could. Ask my husband, he thinks I already do!
And Here are 7 blogs that I love to visit so I know you will too!
- ALL I WANT AND MORE
- BOOKIN WITH BINGO
- YOU GOTTA LOVE REVIEWS
- DAILY DOSE: FANTASY & ROMANCE
- IN BETWEEN THE PAGES
- ROMANCE ROOKIE
- RAZLOVER'S BOOK BLOG
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I was also awarded the The Lovely Blog Award by Jenn @ Sapphire Romance Realm!
And the rules for this one were...
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award
My nominees are:
Click on the picture above for BOOK JUNKIE II's Blog of Contests........
Hi All, just received this e-mail notice from Sheila Stewart and she has posted to her fans for a little support. Thought you might all be interested. I have read Discovery in Passion so I am off to purchase Escape in Passion right now!!
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"My new publisher has challenged me to sell twenty books by Midnight, this Friday and me being me, couldn’t refuse the challenge. So I turn to you, my loyal fans. J
Help me sell 10 copies of Discovery in Passion, and 10 copies of Escape in Passion by Friday midnight and to sweeten the deal, If I make the deadline, I will give away one of my ebooks, free, any book of mine of your choice to each and every one of my Newsletter fans (so if you aren't already signed up you will have to be to win!!!!!) . Yes, each one of you will get a free ebook of your choice if I make the deadline and sell 10 Discovery and 10 Escape by Midnight this Friday, August 14th.
So, tell your friends, tell your relatives, tell the neighbor, tell anyone to buy Discovery in Passion and Escape in Passion. Help me make fulfill this challenge!"
Help me sell 10 copies of Discovery in Passion, and 10 copies of Escape in Passion by Friday midnight and to sweeten the deal, If I make the deadline, I will give away one of my ebooks, free, any book of mine of your choice to each and every one of my Newsletter fans (so if you aren't already signed up you will have to be to win!!!!!) . Yes, each one of you will get a free ebook of your choice if I make the deadline and sell 10 Discovery and 10 Escape by Midnight this Friday, August 14th.
So, tell your friends, tell your relatives, tell the neighbor, tell anyone to buy Discovery in Passion and Escape in Passion. Help me make fulfill this challenge!"
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First, if you haven't read my Guest Author Interview with Zena Wynn you can CLICK HERE to do so. Zena was very candid and honest with her answers which were focused on her latest release THE QUESTION about two friends, lovers and husbands and revolves or rather launches around the question, what would you do for a friend? This is a fabulous story that begins with two long time girlfriends Crystal and Gail. Crystal is married to her loving and doting husband Rashid and has gone through several miscarriages only to come close this last time to losing her life while her best friend Gail has just lost her husband and son in a horrific car accident only a year ago. Crystal is selfish and blinded by her own quantum need to have a baby and insensitive to the fact that Gail has so recently lost her family, she asks Gail to be her surrogate, with Rashid's sperm and Gail's egg. Through much thought and love for her friend is desperate need of a baby to call her own she accepts the deal and legal papers are drawn up to begin the fertility treatments. Everyone is happy, well sort of, Gail is naturally uneasy as things progress, she isn't eating well and ends up in the emergency room with Rashid by her side not Crystal. Feeling that she is losing some control over her life and Rashid is gaining that control as she is forced to move in with Crystal and Rashid for several weeks for the baby's sake. Crystal is growing distant by the moment with jealousy of her friend playing a lead role in her decision to remove herself entirely from Gail and the baby. But, now it is not just one baby, but two, twins and Rashid is beyond excited and growing more and more controlling by the day of Gail and her actions. He as a somewhat forceful personality and I thought matched Gail toe for toe. Although she did give in most of the time, as she was indeed carrying his children and knew that his actions were out of concern for the babies. But there is a fourth player in the game that shows up, Greg a lawyer at the firm that Gail works at who has been flirting for months. Gail has decided that she needs to get on with her life and accepts Greg's invite for date. Their chemistry is refreshing and I completely loved them together, but there is hidden chemistry between Gail and Rashid and a mutual respect and friendship that grows throughout her pregnancy that can't be ignored. Especially when Crystal breaks down and leaves. As in disappears off the face of the earth leaving all her possessions behind. Torn apart and broken and actually pretty pissed Rashid files for divorce and as the children are born wants to marry Gail. But Gail has feelings, or rather actually does love Greg who has moved to California for job with another firm. Oh what to do, what to do! Gail is torn between Rashid and her babies she has grown attached to who need a mother more than ever now that Crystal is out of the picture or Greg! But as the plot thickens and Gail makes her decision as to where her true heart really lies and Crystal makes a reappearance as though nothing has happened. I found Greg to be honest, sexy and strong with Gail as he proved his loved to her a couple times over. Rashid I so wanted to hate at first and I do admit grew on me quite quickly as I began to see he heart and his point of view within the story. Gail was always strong and per personality didn't falter or weaken throughout all the drama and stuck true to the end. Now Crystal, she pissed me off from the start, but in all I think that is what is meant to be, part of my felt sorry for her, part just wanted to slap her. But although she wasn't truly evil and sort of redeems herself in the end, I did LOVE to hate her!
5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN, A DAMN GOOD READ!
SNIPPET: "What would you do for a friend? What sacrifice would you willingly make? This is the issue facing Gail Henderson when her best friend, Crystal Al Jabbar, asks her to be a surrogate for her and her husband Rashid, using Gail's own egg. Complicating the decision is the decision is Gail's recent loss of her husband and toddler son in a fatal car accident, two years earlier. After much contemplation, Gail reluctantly agrees. Her decision sets off a chain of events non of them could have anticipated."
Bengal's Heart is the latest Breed series that was released last Tuesday, Aug 4th and I was all in a tizzy to get to the store and pic it up. I just loved Cabel from the small snippets throughout the Lora Leigh's Breed's Series and I just knew this his story was going to be off the charts....... well one the rose colored glasses fell off I was left feeling empty and wanting something more. Cabel is a wonderful character, so damaged (aren't all the breeds really), yet with all his hard edges this is a heart behind it all. And his hard belongs to Cassa Hawkins and has for the last eleven years, all that time ago they had that fateful encounter in the Breed Facility in Germany. At the time Cassa was married to a man who ultimately betrayed her, abused her and was a down right nasty character. In turn for Cassa's trust her husband let the Bengal's to death, all but a few, including Cabel who kills her husband or so she believes and vows that day with death all around them that she is his, he owns her! Eleven years later and Cassa is an investigative TV journalist and one of the Breed's most outspoken activist, but it is time that fate intervenes and Cabel and Cassa's lives have once again intersected. Someone, or so thought by the Breeds, another Breed is killing off the Deadly Dozen. The monstrous Council members who have been known to hunt Breeds down for sport, now those men are dropping like flies one by one. And their bodies not necessarily being found either. Cassa is determined to find out before the press gets wind of the news turning those in support of the Breed's freedom against them proving them savage beasts after all! Cabel as her mate doesn't take long to claim her and although some of the other Breed's stories were a little more heartfelt I can't say that it wasn't entertaining to watch the demise of another mated pair. A demise really into the weakness that mating causes, making them both so vulnerable. But as minute as that was and as much as Cassa went on in the normal fashion of declaring she belongs to no man and verbally fighting Cabel off at every turn while spreading her legs at the same time, this story got old fast. I have to admit I was skipping pages out of shear boredom really. The most disappointing is that I actually liked Cassa and Cabel, I just thought the story line was tiresome and weak. Oh yes and boring. I thought with such strong characters that they could have had a more intriguing story, something to keep my blood boiling. The highlights as always for me is Jonas and finally LL is going to feature him in her next Breeds novel coming out Lions Heat in 2010. Now with such a powerful and forceful man I do hope that he has a story with the caliber of such a personality. Jonas is fierce and frankly throughout the entire book I was curious who his mate was going to be. There is a one sentence mention really of who she is on the last few pages. Which I admit I caved and skipped to, a weak mention and I just hope that his story lives up to Jonas himself. A powerful, fierce, controlling, egotistical, sexy, very sexy Lion!
****3 STARS- LIKE EATING ONE CHIP, LEAVES YOU LONGING FOR MORE, WOULD STILL RECOMMEND ****
SNIPPET: "Reporter Cassa Hawkins has always supported Breed rights, believing they should be allowed to live free of fear and prejudice among the humans. A reasonable woman couldn’t think otherwise, especially in the presence of Cabal St. Lawrence, a spectacularly muscled specimen of the Bengal breed. The epitome of the male animal, his sensuous growl can fire up Cassa’s vulnerable body faster than a flame. Yet neither can ignore the nightmare unfolding around them…
The Breeds have been incriminated in a series of violent murder, and accused of hiding a vicious serial killer. It’s left to Cassa and Cabal to discover the truth. But as hunter becomes prey, are trust and passion enough to keep them alive through the night?"
Today I want to wish Kellyann Zuzulo a warm welcome to Book Junkie! She has been kind enough to answer some question on her latest release THE THIRD WISH. Which BTW I had the pleasure to read and review (click HERE to read it) .... & I loved it! Kelly was a new to me author and opened my eyes to the world of the Jinn (or Genie). A genre that was also new to me, and one at the time I was timid to explore. Boy was I in for a treat! Kellyann was really able to capture the world of the jinn in all it's beauty and myth not to mention an intriguing story that sucks you in and holds you captive until the very end!
I am a fly on your wall today, what would I see in the day of Kellyann?
My fingers clicking on a keyboard every morning from about 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Then, throughout the day, the fly would see me dashing about, and probably think I was a bit of a buzzing pest myself: Getting breakfast, lunch and dinner for hubby and 3 little darlings; laundry; pick-ups & drop-offs; baths and crafts; and snatching some time on the computer when I can. I’m currently working on two books: the second book of a thriller trilogy and another genie romance. AND, if the fly perched behind me, he’d see the little twitter avatar on my desktop, so I can keep up-to-date on what’s going on with my tweeps. I only banish the little twitter bird when I’m on deadline.
If someone were writing a story about Kellyann, what type of character would describe you?
Strong-willed, tenacious vixen with long flowing hair and full, red lips who loves children. Oh wait, that’s the heroine for my next novel. Well, I am strong-willed and tenacious. Not too sure about the vixen part. And I love children…just ask my kids
Are any of your personality and life experiences in your writing, did experiences/influences help make into your writing, especially The Third Wish?
Absolutely. I think there have to be grains of reality in your writing to make it most provocative and memorable. Encounters I’ve had with people often become a starting point for a scene, but, of course, fiction then takes over. Also, some of the impressions I get from travel to various places are used in my writing to set a scene or help build a world. I think every writer leaves little pieces of themselves on their pages. After all, a book can only be written from your personal perspective. You can assume the guise of other characters, but it’s all coming from you. The real craft is to create diversity of opinion and purpose in your characters.
Can you tell us a little about your newest release The Third Wish?
A modern American woman, archaeologist Bridget Devine, uncovers a jinni in the desert outside of Jordan. I’ve done a lot of research about the jinn, which are believed by millions to be actual beings of creation that exist on a plane unseen by us. I’ve often wondered what would happen if a normal American woman encountered a jinni, without any knowledge of what they were or how they lived. How would that person react, say, feel? That’s what this story is about…imagining an encounter between a human and jinni. Makes it more interesting if they’re attracted to each other and curious about learning more.
Why write about the Jinn?
Because of “possibility”. The jinn are documented in scholarly books and in ancient stories, like those found in The Arabian Nights. It’s possible they really do exist. It’s possible that a human could encounter them. And that fascinates me. Before I ever heard about the jinn, I heard tales of fairies from my mother, who was born in Ireland. As I grew older, I read and discovered that just about every culture has its stories of mystical, magical beings. What a treasure trove for stories! Later, when I was managing editor for publications produced by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, I heard the stories of the jinn. Oh, and they can fly. How cool is that?
When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?
Yes, I give the process of naming my characters a lot of thought. Every single character is named according to who they are, some trait they have, or secret they keep. In THE THIRD WISH, the wicked king who returns to wreak vengeance, is the name of an actual Chaldean monarch who lived over 2,000 years ago. My hero jinni, Ashura-Goreem, is taken from actual writings from that time period and when shortened, his name is Ash, which I thought was appropriate for a genie. Bridget, as in the name of our heroine in THE THIRD WISH, is the name of my sister. I wanted an Irish name that conveys her will and her temperament. And her last name is Devine and, well, if you spell that with two ‘i’s, it says a lot about how Ash feels about her.
What influences your heroes?
My heroes are influenced by character traits that I admire in others. For instance, Ashura-Goreem in THE THIRD WISH is confident and focused, but he also has an awareness of what Bridget is feeling. My husband is like that. Sensitivity without being a mamby-pamby is important for the male heroes of my books. Loyalty is important and I think helps to create an appealing character, either male or female. We would all like someone who we know we can depend upon no matter what.
If you could be any fictional character for a day, who would you be? It can be one of yours or any other author's.
I would definitely want to be Zubis for a day. He is the main character in my thriller, A Genie in the House of Saud: Zubis Rises. One wish remains before he is set free. He’s had nearly 3,000 years of bondage to ‘perfect his craft’ as it were, so he’s more powerful than the other jinn. But he also has a conscience, which some of the other jinn, especially those who follow Iblis, do not have. He remembers the value in what Solomon taught. He has incredible knowledge. Plus, he can shift in the blink of an eye from one location to another and shoot sparks out of his fingertips.
For you, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Concept, Characterization, Plotting, Writing the story, Synopsis/Query letter writing, etc.
I love the actual writing most of all, but I really do enjoy the research although it is the hardest and most time-consuming. I spend at four months researching and outlining the books. The research segment is an opportunity for me to learn new things and acquire insight to facets of history or mythology that have always fascinated me. Applying that information to the story makes it more believable because it’s based in reality.
What books do you enjoy reading? Who are your MUST HAVE authors?
Jasper Fforde is my number one must-have author. His books are hysterical, extremely well-written and entertaining—which fulfill my top three reasons for reading. I’ve been exposed to many thriller authors just by virtue of being a thriller author myself and attending ThrillerFest each year. Some of my favorites are David Hewson, Joseph Finder, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, and Alexandra Sokoloff. But I also love the work of authors I’ve come to know since writing in the romance genre, like Lisa Pietsch, who wrote The Path to Freedom, and Heather Long, who wrote Remembering Ashby.
What was the first romance book you read and how did it effect you?
I don’t remember the title of the first romance I read but it was definitely one of the books by Barbara Cartland. Do you remember the grand old dramatic dame of the bodice ripper? She wrote about pirates and royalty and peasants and farmgirls. I must have been about 13 years old and I read a bunch of them. The stories were lush, but the one thing I told myself (even then) that I would do differently was to make the women more independent. Cartland’s heroines were pretty strong-willed, but just too subservient to the male hero for my liking. I try to make the female as powerful (personality-wise) as the male in my books.
If you were not writing, what would you be doing?
Reading or rolling around on the floor with my three kids. Or cooking; I love to whip up a non-scripted meal in the kitchen with lots of ingredients.
If you could work with any author who would it be?
Wow! That’s a great question. Of course, my dream would be to collaborate on a book with Jasper Fforde. I think the guy’s a genius. Of course, most geniuses work best on their own. But as far as the mystical genre of genies, in a thriller setting that I’ve been writing in, I think I’d get along with Douglas Preston, Lincoln Childs, or Nora Roberts—because they write thrillers with a supernatural bent.
If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
Do you really want to know about all the bad habits of the story’s hero? Some authors really want to humanize their protagonist with a slew of human foibles. That can work. However, I say a little Vaseline on the lens never hurt any reader, as long as the hero has other, endearing traits that make him or her realistic. Maybe I’m wrong. What do you think?
****GIVEAWAY!****
Win THE THRID WISH in e-book format!
+1 Answer Kellyann's Question
+2 Follow my blog, or if you already are a follower
+3 Post about this Giveaway on your blog/tweet/facebook or Myspace
*Winner will be chosen via Random.org on Friday Aug 14!
Raise your hand if you love men in skirts.........OK, OK kilts! Does it really matter? They are all sexy as hell and I do adore a brutish alpha male with a sensitive heart in a kilt. Oh and that lovable Scottish brogue. How can I contain myself. Well, it was hard I tell you, damn hard reading HIGHLAND DRAGON by Kimberly Killion, because I fell in love. In love with a wounded Scottish Highlander with a heart of gold, a heart that has been tormented by tragedy and death and war so much loss. A Scottish Highlander who's heart is under lock and key due to being blinded by his quest for vengeance of his father's death. A Scottish Highlander who is now the MacLeod Laird and must protect his clan more than ever against a tyrannical and murderous Beast. A Scottish Highlander who falls in love unexpectedly and allows the steel cage his heart has been locked away in to shatter and break free as he discovers life and love have more value than his vengeance. There is something to live for and her name is Akira, Akira Neish. I was so excited when I finished this book because it was just THAT good, it has taken me a few days to right this review and gather my thoughts. I truly loved it so much that I feel like I want to tell you EVERY detail so you too can fall in love with Akira & Calin. But, I will be good, no spoilers..... because my little kiddies, you will have to wait until October 06, 2009 to read this gem. And I know you won't regret adding it to your TBR List. First let me tell you I am Highlander Time travel fan (Karen Marie Moning ruined me) I do like very much Hannah Howell and Lindsey Sands as well (sometimes), but to be perfectly frank and honest I haven't branched out beyond my comfort zone to read any true historical & very steamy medieval romances. First, well secondly actually the dialect bothers me in most historicals, especially Scottish one's so much so that I have a hard time letting the words flow through my brain. NOT HERE my friends, the verbiage was so smooth that I almost forgot what I was reading I was so transfixed back unto the 16th Century. Then my other pet peeve is the imagery, ugh please spare me the 2-4 page detailed description of how green the knoll was or the fine stitching of the tapestry. OK, imagery is needed I agree just don't blather about it nonstop. NOT HERE, Kimberly Killion has intertwined the adequate amount of imagery needed into the dialog to place me in 1502 and fill my head and imagination just enough to where I felt as though I was there standing beside the character's as though I was watching their lives in real time, I cried with them, I laughed with them, I felt their anger and remorse and I certainly blushed with them during those smokin hot sex scenes. I could smell the heather and lavender, imagine the highland countryside and the stone floors of the castle without feeling smothered and frankly without skipping pages to save my own sanity! So........on with the review and enough of MY blathering!Our Story begins as a reflection eighteen long years prior where the beautiful and much abused Lena is giving birth to her 4th daughter with the Laird Baen Kinnon aka The Beast, he is evil personified and one scary and ruthless man. It is believed he has has his three infant daughter's murdered as they were not born male. Thus brings us to Lena, she fears he will kill her new baby since she is convinced she is a girl so she partitions for help from Laird MacLeod for protection and a unification of their clans. But in doing this they fall in love and after she gives birth so brutally on the council table in front of Kinnon and MacLeod clansman Laird MacLeod is slain as well as his men. The babe just feeding of his mother as she is murdered as well. Little does anyone know that ten year old Calin MacLeod is hiding in a secret wall and has just witnessed the entire ordeal. He takes the baby girl and his father's signet ring and brands her on her butt with the MacLeod crest, the bull, he is his, she will be his wife, she will be the pawn to unite the clans and she MUST live. The Beast has taken a whore's child, a male child and passed it off as his own son to the villagers of Dalkirth and for 18 years proceeded to carry out this lie. Calin is ready to claim his bride, she is 18 and he is anxious to set his plan for vengeance in place, but when he approaches his long time friend Kendrick Neish about his half sister Akira who he gave to when she was just a baby. Kendrick is confused and thought since she has gone missing that Calin has already set his plan in place and just taken her. The find out she was kidnapped and will be sold at auction at Tigh Diabhail aka The Devil's House where they bartered female captives. Calin is able to save Akira and comes face to face with his feisty spirited bride to be. Through a couple days travel they have their spats which are quite hilarious to watch Akira and Calin begin to have a stirring of feelings for each other. But both keep those feelings or inklings at this point highly guarded as she finds out that Calin has been her benefactor all this time paying for her education as well. Akira thinking she is a witch since childhood and teased and tortured without remorse is scared that she will not be welcomed into the clan, but is immediately loved by all especially little Andrew who I found to be the shinning light of the entire book. He offered such humor and as much arrogance (albeit adorable) that small toddler could muster, his story is one I would love to hear in the future as he fights in the wedding games his Akira's kiss and triumphs as with winner taking down Calin for sport. But at the end of the games evil once again shows it's face in Catriona the once mistress of Calin who basically screwed half the clan as well. Jealous of Akira she tries to come in between to two newlyweds and almost drives a edge right through their marriage. Calin is a good man, a strong man, a man who have been wounded and lived through battles and loss and is already realizing that he is falling in love with Akira and afraid to lose her to his secrets and lies. It was the plan, she didn't need to know, but now that Calin loves Akira he is afraid that he will lose her if she becomes aware that her father is Laird Kinnon who she despises and that his first intention was to only marry her for alliance and unity in the Isles. To appease her or his conscious, he tells her half truths about his and Kendrick's plan to destroy The Beast which helps Akira understand the reasoning behind the marriage and now she is in full support of this plan. In the meantime Akira has taken it upon herself with the approval of the council to educate the children of the Clan as she was educated with the help of Calin (her benefactor), the clan's women and the children lover her and she has etched her place in their hearts as well. She has become quite the Lady of CÃ nwyck Castle. One spotlight character or two rather who make important but all too brief appearances for my liking (I so adored them and wanted more), was Akira's sister Isobel and Calin's cousin Jamie. Isobel was hurt as a child and hasn't walked in some ten years and Jamie is the handsome cousin who was raised as a brother with Calin, handsome, rakish, if you asked any man he would say confident; I would say full of himself but in a charming way. Jamie has women falling at his feet but Isobel is tough and doesn't give him the satisfaction. They fall in love and it is adorable, he makes her legs come alive and she begins to heal.... oh I could start crying again now! But the adventure has begun for Akira, Catriona has a plan against her, she has abused the long used claim that Akira is a witch and barters for her life with Akira's to the Laird Kinnon. At the same time Calin has told Akira of King James request to support the alliance and his war against The Beast, but he must take an English wife, Catriona and his marriage to Akira will be annulled, all in the name of pacifying the King of England. Calin refuses but Akira knows this is what is best for the clan, they need the King's support and she is broken inside at the thought of leaving her husband who she loves. The dilemma tore my heart out but I was forced to keep turning the pages and learn that Akira has been yet again kidnapped and brought to Brycen Castle to face Laird Kinnon. You are thrown from one emotion to the next throughout the pages of this book and the height reached where these two lovers are torn apart and Akira's life is once again threatened at the hands of The Beast. Akira is wise, shall I say snarky a bit, educated, vulnerable and beautiful. She makes you want to root for her at every turn, she is not whinny but clever and understanding, she is dealing with a lot, a new marriage to someone she hardly knows, the idea she is a witch and cursed, an ex-mistress of her husbands who threatens to steel him back, not to mention two kidnappings and threats to her life and a tremendous loss towards the end of the book. Calin, oh I so adore him, although a brute he is a brute with a heart, and his soul belongs to Akira as he defends his love and his clan to find a peace inside his heart from all the vengeance and hatred that has been living inside him for eighteen years. You want to root for him throughout every page! They are both cunning and cleaver, fiercely loyal, insecure with their emotions at times and yet both Calin and Akira has this magnetic power by the grace of Kimberly Killion's words to time-warp you back to 1502 and experience their struggle for love and peace, as well as their grief at times. I was truly enthralled and taken away!
5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN (if I could give it 10 stars you bet your bippy I would!)
SNIPPET: " A desire that defies all limits… and a love that was meant to be…
Scotland 1502. Akira Neish has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan’s children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch—and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.
Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share—and truths that can no longer remain hidden—could rip all of Scotland apart..."
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
ISBN-10: 1420104411 & ISBN-13: 978-1420104417
ALSO don't forget Kimberly is running a SUMMER SIZZLER CONTEST, ends Sept 01, 2009
Hi All, today I am over at ROYAL REVIEWS and they have been kind enough to post my review of The Redemption of Micah by Beth Williamson. I so loved this book and really secretly in love with Micah the hero of Beth's latest and greatest Historical Western. Hope you enjoy my review! And Go get the book if you haven't, you won't be sorry!
Don't forget to head on over to my Contest Blog. There is some serious Contests going on this month. You may have already entered some and I am sure I missed a few as well. Head on over and check them out. The list is updated Daily so don't forget to scroll down and check out some that were posted prior to today but are still running! Click on the pic or on my Sidebar!
Thank you all for a great month! I am very happy to announce the two winners for the last week of my HOT SUMMER NIGHTS CONTEST..............
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WINNER #1: Sweet Vernal Zephyr
WINNER #2: (actually name #4 ) TRICIA
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Winner #1 gets to choose which prize they want first. Please e-mail me by 8/05, or winner #2 will take 1st prize and another winner will be chosen for 2nd prize. I want to get out all prizes form the month in the mail by Friday 8/07, I have a few extra goodies and books for ALL winners this month and need to get them out! EMAIL ME AT BJWALDRON(AT)GMAIL (DOT)COM
First Prize: Winner gets to chose either a $50 GC to either Barnes & Nobles or Borders as well as two secret new release books or the stash of books and goodies.
Second Prize: Will win either of the above depending on what the First Prize Winner Chooses.
Sorry, I was suppose to post the winner on Aug 01 but I have had a loner computer for over a month and had to give it back and have yet to get my new one. So I have had to post this today at work (shhhh, don't tell ;-))
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