You Asked: Interview with Jason Aaron Baca – Cover Model & Fitness Trainer
Check out my blogger buddy, Ms. Romantic Reads’, interview of one of the most popular male romance book cover models. Illuminating.
Spotlight: Dangerous Protector by Milly Taiden (#Excerpt, #Trailer + #Giveaway)
Another winner by Milly Taiden!
An OB/GYN writes to George Will about college rape
A voice a reason in a sea of misinformation. Women need to be at the forefront of these discussions, as we are victimized at a much higher percentage than men.
Dusting off the Cobwebs
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Yes, I am still alive. No, I don’t want to talk about it, because I know how badly I’ve neglected my blog. Suffice it to say, that I have begun to climb out of the darkness and am finding new light.
I have met some interesting new people, and one amazing person in particular, with whom I have much in common. Part of starting a new chapter, is the element of newness and wonder seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes. Sometimes we need to step back and strip away our biases against ourselves and see the simple beauty they see. Thank you friend, for seeing inside my soul and being present with me.
There are a few wonderful books I’ll be sharing with you soon. Just have to knock the cobwebs off the blog and publish my reviews.
Happy weekend, everyone. I promise not to be a stranger. Much.
Cover Reveal and Giveaway – “Reasonable Doubt (Volume 2)” by Whitney Gracia Williams
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Title: Reasonable Doubt (Volume 2)
Author: Whitney Gracia Williams
Genre: 3-Part Erotic Romance Serial
Release Date: Very Soon!
Cover Designer: Najla Qambers of Najla Qamber Designs
Goodreads Link: Reasonable Doubt: Volume 2
Cover Reveal Tour Organized by: Between the Sheets Promotions
Synopsis:
She lied to me…
She betrayed the one rule that I’m most adamant about: Honesty. Complete and utter fucking honesty .
I really wish she was someone else–someone who didn’t have the ability to make me feel, someone I could easily discard like the hundreds of women before her.
She isn’t.
I’m drawn to her like I’ve never been drawn to a woman before–completely captivated by the very sight of her. But unfortunately, with my past slowly re-surfacing for all of the world to see, I’ll have to find a way to let her go.
She can never be mine.
Teaser (Appropriate for ages 18+):
Subject: ASSHOLE.
Just emailing you to say hello since you haven’t reached out to me, and you haven’t heard from me in a while.
Hope all is well.
—Aubrey
His response came immediately.
Subject: Re: ASSHOLE.
I fucked you this morning, and from what I remember, I heard you loud and clear.
—Andrew
Subject: Re: Re: ASSHOLE.
That’s not what I meant…I meant that you and I no longer talk on the phone or email each other like we used to. You only want to fuck, and you still have a big ass problem with leaving me hanging right after. Talking about the weather for five seconds once we get done is not what I meant by post-conversation and you know it.
You’re an asshole.
—Aubrey
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $5.00 giftcard, an ebook copy of Reasonable Doubt (Volume 1), or an eARC of Reasonable Doubt (Volume 2).
Reasonable Doubt (Volume 1) buy links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author:
A self diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them.
She is the “imaginary bestselling” author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.
When she’s not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop, she can be found on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. She also loves getting emails from her readers, so if you want to tell her how much you loved (or hated) her stories, email her at whitgracia@gmail.com.
#SOSVenezuela: The Spark That Started the Crisis in Venezuela by Mariana Atencio
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#SOSVenezuela: The Spark That Started the Crisis in Venezuela by Mariana Atencio
Maria Atencio presents one of the most comprehensive reports on the events that led to the current situation in Venezuela.
A-Z Challenge: “B” is for Blogging
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When I started this blog, it had no real direction or theme. In fact, I did not expect anyone to read it because it was going to be a place to synthesize my thoughts. I never expected to “meet” other bloggers and be moved by their words, laugh with them or feel badly when they were experiencing the tough side of life.
I also did not expect to post my thoughts on books in a public forum for others to read. I was content with posting my thoughts on Amazon or Goodreads, but the blog gave me the opportunity to add more personal comments that I did not feel were appropriate on Amazon or Goodreads. Ultimately, this led to the reorganization of the blog.
My life has been in a state of transition for the past four years and some things are still unsettled. I feel that everyone that has flowed in and out of my life, has helped me move in the right direction. Some have moved into my life for a brief period to demonstrate what I want or do not want out of friendships and some have helped me along my blogging journey. So today, I am recognizing Michelle from Ms. Romantic Reads, Anna from Herding Cats & Burning Soup, Becca from Lady or Not…Here I Come, The Chicks from Chick Swagger and Suzie from Suzie81 Speaks. All of these bloggers have encouraged me, stopped by to chat and inspired me with their words. May you all continue to brighten other people’s days with your wit, snark and spirited discussions.
A-Z Challenge: “A” is for “Aiden” – Book Trailer Reveal for Gina Maxwell’s “Fighting for Irish”
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He’ll fight for her life. She’ll fight for his love.
Former MMA fighter Aiden “Irish” O’Brien hasn’t stepped into the ring since he accidentally took someone’s life in the heat of rage. When his friend calls in a favor that sends him south to check on family, Irish figures he’s got nothing to lose. His life is on the ropes. The least he can do is make sure the sexy redhead is safe.
Kat MacGregor has forty-eight hours to settle the twenty thousand dollar debt her deadbeat ex-boyfriend owes a crime boss. If she doesn’t, she’ll pay for it—with her life. Kat’s halfway out the door when a sexy new guy walks into the bar and insists he’s there to help.
Irish is forced to fight in the underground MMA circuit to win the money she needs. But he’s been lying to Kat. About who he is, about knowing her sister, about why he comes home bruised every night. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him, but breaking her trust will cost him the most important fight of his life: the one for her heart.
Here is the link to my 5-Star Review. Enjoy the book trailer for “Fighting for Irish!”
About the Author:
Growing up she dreamed of helping people escape reality with her acting abilities…until college when she realized she had none to speak of. Another ten years passed before she discovered a different means to accomplishing the same dream: writing stories of love and passion for addicts just like her. Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, landed on the USA Today and NY Times Bestseller lists in less than a month.
Now she splits her time between writing more books and acting as Boss of the world’s first organized romance mafia, the Maxwell Mob.Thanks to the support she receives from her amazing family, Gina is finally able to live her dream of bringing a little romantic fantasy to the world, one steamy novel at a time.
Find out more about Gina on her website, follow her on Twitter, and Pinterest and like her Facebook page.
Cover Reveal and Giveaway – “Honor Reclaimed” by Tonya Burrows
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Fans of Tonya Burrows will be excited to learn that Seth Harlan’s story will be released in two months! Honor Reclaimed brings Team HORNET back together for another mission. If the action, suspense and sexy times are like SEAL of Honor we will be in for another treat!
Title: Honor Reclaimed
Author: Tina Burrows
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Event Organized by: Katie Clapsadl, Publicity Brazen, Covet, Ignite, Edge, & Select Entangled Publishing
Synopsis:
Former Marine scout sniper Seth Harlan is new to HORNET and anxious to prove he can still do his job despite an ongoing battle with PTSD. He remembers all too well what it’s like to sit inside an enemy camp, praying for rescue and waiting for death. So when a black ops soldier contacts HORNET to rescue a buddy who was left behind, all sorts of nasty memories strain his newfound stability.
When an interview with a runaway Afghan child bride leads photojournalist Phoebe Leighton to an arms deal involving a suitcase bomb powerful enough to wipe out a mid-sized town, she realizes this is one battle she can’t win on her own. Forming an unlikely alliance with a ragtag team of military and government delinquents, she meets Seth, a sniper carrying as many emotional scars as physical, who impresses her with his steely will and ignites passions within her she thought long dead.
Suddenly this mission is about a lot more than an abandoned soldier. Racing against the clock, Seth, Phoebe, and the rest of HORNET struggle to stop that bomb before it reaches it’s final destination: The United States.
Add “Honor Reclaimed” to your Goodreads shelf.
Pre-order “Honor Reclaimed” from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
About the Author:
Tonya wrote her first romance in 8th grade and hasn’t put down her pen since. She shares her life with two dogs and a ginormous cat, and she’s from a small town in Western New York, but is currently soaking up the sun as a Florida girl. She suffers from a bad case of wanderlust and usually ends up moving someplace new every few years–luckily, her animals are all excellent travel buddies.
When she’s not writing about hunky military heroes, Tonya can usually be found at a bookstore or the dog park. She also enjoys painting, watching movies, and her daily Barre workouts. A geek at heart, she pledges her TV fandom to Supernatural and Doctor Who.
You can find Tonya on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Visit her blog and sign up for her newsletter.
Song of the Week – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” by Michael Jackson
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I miss the King of Pop, since I grew up with his music still love it. Michael was more than a singer, dancer and entertainer. He was humble, generous and sadly, misunderstood. I wish he were still with us.
The song of the week reflects a challenge that I set for myself today. I just joined the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge (April 2014). As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD, in her mid-forties, this will go one of two ways (1) help me organize my thoughts and blog every day or (2) create chaos and anxiety in my life.
I choose organization, as it will “force” me to publish book reviews, and some reflection posts, I have been putting off. I am #1703. Hear me blog! Now, DANCE! Have a great weekend, everyone!
4-Enchanted Stars for A.D. Marrow’s “Love and Other Cosmic Nonsense” – Book Review
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Breaking it off with her long-time non-magical boyfriend, Evan, was for his own good. At least that’s what Maggie Owen tells herself. After all, a witch and a human can have no future together. Her vision told her so. But now it seems the universe is exacting revenge for upsetting the balance of what “should be” and her heart is telling her she was wrong.
Evan Jackson can’t believe his bad luck. It’s been a year since Maggie broke his heart, and now his business partner has hired her as their new receptionist. Fine, they need the help. But no way will he let her get close again. He can’t take another heartbreak from the woman he still dreams about, even if it feels like there’s still a magical pull between them.
Being in the same building with Evan is a start, but it’s going to take more than Maggie’s special talents and a wink to get the hard-hearted bad-boy to see that love is really more than just cosmic nonsense and set the universe back into balance.
My Review:
Take Bewitched, mix in a little Miami Ink For a Bewitching Debut – 4 Enchanted Stars
Disclaimer: While I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for an honest review, I enjoyed the book so much I purchased it for my ebookshelf.
This lovers-reunited novella, found Maggie Owen accepting a job at the very tattoo shop co-owned by her ex-boyfriend, Evan Jackson. In a cosmically ironic turn of events, their reunion was the impetus they needed to face their strong feelings for each other and the reasons for their breakup. There were several naughty, but not overtly explicit, sex scenes, that pulled readers in, as Maggie and Evan’s personal barriers were torn down and their mutual desire heated up. They had to look past their surface attraction, to the deep feelings underneath and both learned to accept the other’s gifts, including Maggie’s magical connection.
Annabel, Maggie’s sister and Liam, Evan’s business partner and friend, rounded out the cast and there were hints of a possible love match for Liam in future books. These secondary characters were even funnier and snarkier than the lead characters. My favorite quote was delivered by Annabel as she described Evan, “Maggie, the man looks like Aphrodite and David Gandy had a love baby. He loves art and building stuff. He likes puppies. He volunteers at a soup kitchen. His favorite movie is Love Actually for heaven’s sake.” (Marrow, A. D. (2014-03-24). Love and Other Cosmic Nonsense (Entangled Covet) (Kindle Locations 246-247). Entangled Publishing, LLC. Kindle Edition.) Who wouldn’t fall for a tattooed good boy, like that?
My only note was that the story was too short. I know A.D. Marrow planned to continue the series but this reader would have enjoyed some flashbacks to the characters’ “meet cute,” “first date,” or “first sex scene.” The length did not detract from the story – I just wanted more! However, fans of Entangled books will be pleasantly surprised with at least one cameo from another author’s popular MMA fighter series.
I look forward to Ms. Marrow’s future books and recommend Love and Other Cosmic Nonsense (Entangled Covet) for those days when you need a short, sweet and funny happily ever after to curl up with on a cold or rainy day.
Review links: Amazon and Goodreads.
About the Author:
A.D Marrow is a a registered Sapiophile, a proud Geek since before Geek was chic and believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. She lives in the foothills of North Carolina with her ridiculously hot and amazingly supportive husband, three kids that rock so hard there should be a national holiday for their awesomeness, two really stupid dogs and a plethora of Post-it notes with book ideas to last her until she’s 90.
Her childhood dream is realized in the fact that YOU have cause to read her bio. She hopes that one day, it lends her enough credibility to live out her second dream, which is to write an episode of “Doctor Who.
Her personal mantra echoes that of Morticia Adams; “Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.”
You can find A.D. on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
1,600 Soldiers vs. One Guarimba in Puerto Ordaz
#SOSVenezuela
The month-long shut-down of the La Churuata neighborhood in Puerto Ordaz seems to be over, after a simply huge military action to lift it. Correo del Caroni’s Maisdulin Younis has
an eye-opening write-up:
Ayer, mientras las cooperativas de limpieza de la Alcaldía de Caroní y de Gobernación del estado Bolívar, recogían las ramas y escombros que tenían los accesos cerrados, los vecinos observaban la situación con repudio.
Entre gritos e insultos, rechazaban la acción. “Queremos una Venezuela libre y no nos vamos a cansar. Van a tener que mudarse a La Churuata, comiencen a traer sus carpas si piensan que esto no se volverá a cerrar. Yo quiero un país libre para mi hija y ese país es Venezuela, no me da la gana de irme de aquí, yo sí amo a Venezuela”, gritaba Marielis Núñez a los miliares que estaban parados frente a ella.
Ms. Younis shows that still and…
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5-Stars for Robin Covington’s “Sex and the Single Vamp” – Book Review
Cici Trent, vampire and media darling, spends her days finding true love for humans and supernaturals (the “Others”) at her dating agency. But someone is trying to sabotage her business and she needs help. Unfortunately, the best man for the job is the one who broke her still-beating heart two hundred fifty-four years ago.
Deacon is a patient vampire. He’s only loved one woman in over three hundred years— CiCi— and she chose another. So when she shows up in his office asking for help, he finally has the chance to lay that demon to rest. He’ll help her, but for a price—a night in his bed.
Adrenaline, mischief, and a little late-night B&E light the passion that even a couple of lifetimes couldn’t put out. But Deacon has a secret and when Cici is suddenly mortal, his deception might be the only way restore her immortality. Can love bridge the gap between a heartbeat and forever?
My review:
I went through a huge vampire phase and devoured every popular series starring vampires – from Anne Rice’s darkly tortured The Vampire Chronicles to Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries, also known as the “Sookie Stackhouse” novels to Stephanie Meyer Twilight Series series. I was “all-vampyred” out! Not only did I stop reading all vampire stories, when they began to resemble these popular series, I avoided all by J.R. Wards’ Black Dagger Brotherhood. Vampires became passé to me and romance genres had jumped the proverbial shark with them. I was happy in my animal shifter world, with warm-blooded wolves, lions, tigers and bears….oh my. Yummy, yummy bears.
When I heard Robin Covington was writing a vampire novel I was intrigued. She was one of my favorite contemporary romance authors and I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Reunited After 200 Years. A Blessing or a Curse?
Robin Covington’s paranormal debut was a hit! I was a fan of her books – the Boys are Back in Town (A Night of Southern Comfort, His Southern Temptation, Sweet Southern Betrayal) series and Playing the Part. Even though I was on a self-imposed ‘vampire strike,’ avoiding all vampire books after many years of devouring them, I decided to read Sex and the Single Vamp with an open mind. I received a complimentary copy of Sex and the Single Vamp, and was not disappointed!
I already knew Ms. Covington had purposefully taken a new direction with this book. Both main characters, Felicity ‘Cici’ Trent and Thomas Samuel Deacon (aka. Deacon) were vampires at the beginning of the story. Over two hundred years after their first meeting, Cici sought out Deacon’s help because someone was sabotaging her business. Deacon agreed to help her, if she spent a night in his bed.
Suspense-filled reunion. Check.
Two-hundred-year-old unrequited feelings. Check.
Layers of lies, secrets and mistrust. Check.
Smoking hot and poignant sex. Check.
Deacon may be Ms. Covington’s most tortured hero. This was no easy feat, as several of her alpha men are former/active duty military with layers of sublimated pain. Deacon balanced a dichotomy between the sexy, honorable soldier and a ruthless vampire killer, which made him an alpha hero we rooted for more and more as the story developed. At the same time, Cici faced her fears, acted on her desires and embraced her true power. Midway through the action, Ms. Covington provided an interesting plot twist that forced this well-matched pair to revisit two-hundred years of pain and unanswered questions.
Ms. Covington’s talent for subtly tackling themes of discrimination and loss were integral parts of the story. Her secondary characters, Mya and Andy are the voices of reason; adding comic relief and the swift kick in the pants that Cici and Deacon needed to open up their hearts to each other. The suspense built, as we learned more about her diverse world of Others and their human counterparts. I hope she writes Andy, Mya and Ramirez’s stories in the future.
I highly recommend Sex and the Single Vamp, as a sensually, pleasant departure from the typical vampire tale.
Review links: Amazon and Goodreads.
About the Author:
Robin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hot contemporary and paranormal romance.
A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel was a 2012 finalist in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards, earned 4.5 stars and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”. When she’s not exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Manganiello.
Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington and Maryland Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).
Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppies.
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 