HUGE Pimp Contest!
HUGE Contest with Amazing Authors! Visit Kitty Kelly’s Blog for more information.
Holy crap do I have a contest for you! Before we get to the contest of freaking awesomeness take a look at these amazing books from some of the best authors evah!
Burn With Me by R.G. Alexander
Aziza Jane Stewart is living on borrowed time, and making a few mistakes in London seems like a good way to go out with a bang. But when two compelling strangers draw her into an ancient conflict, she realizes her curse isn’t about death at all…it’s about the power within her.
The sexy giant following her says he can smell trouble on her skin, the smokeless fire and magic of the demons he was born and bred to hunt. Brandon may be an enforcer, but his reaction to her is anything but adversarial. Ram, her new Jinn shadow, will…
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5-Stars for “SEAL of Honor” by Tonya Burrows – Book Review
It’s a good thing Gabe Bristow lives and breathes the Navy SEAL credo, “the only easy day was yesterday,” because today, his life is unrecognizable. When his prestigious career comes to a crashing halt, he’s left with a bum leg and few prospects for employment that don’t include a desk.
That is, until he’s offered the chance to command a private hostage rescue team and free a wealthy American businessman from Colombian paramilitary rebels. It seems like a good deal—until he meets his new team: a drunk Cajun linguist, a boy-genius CIA threat analyst, an FBI negotiator with mob ties, a cowboy medic, and an EOD expert as volatile as the bombs he defuses. Oh, and who could forget the sexy, frustratingly impulsive Audrey Van Amee? She’s determined to help rescue her brother—or drive Gabe crazy. Whichever comes first.
As the death toll rises, Gabe’s team of delinquents must figure out how to work together long enough to save the day. Or, at least, not get themselves killed.Because Gabe’s finally found something worth living for, and God help him if he can’t bring her brother back alive.
My Review:
Gabriel “Gabe” Bristow met unconventional and sassy Audrey Van Amee, during Team Hornet’s attempt to save her kidnapped brother. Under the best of circumstances, their pairing would have been unlikely because they ran in different circles and lived in different countries. SEAL of Honor (Hornet) added the stress of putting together a new private hostage rescue team, in a politically volatile environment, to Gabe’s already full plate.
Audrey was an unusual leading lady, because she lived the life of a successful artist in Costa Rica and only became involved, when her brother was kidnapped. She did not have a history of dating military or ex-military men, but the chemistry between Audrey and Gabe was palpable from the moment they met. She gave Gabe no quarter, and while it may have irritated him on several occasions, it was her strength of character, conviction and love that broke down his barriers. Through Audrey, Gabe saw himself in a different light, and began to embrace his post-Navy career and new team. I only wish there had been more and longer intimate scenes between Audrey and Gabe. This did not take away from the plot of the book, however. The pacing was appropriate for a romantic suspense novel.
Tonya Burrows rounded out the cast, with the most ragtag team of strong, sexy, independent alpha men, I have seen assembled in a while – think Hogan’s Heroes for a new generation. As the first novel in her new HORNET series, Ms. Burrows gave the reader a glimpse into the relationships that began to develop among the eight men selected for this unique group. We were able to see why each man was chosen, and a tiny peek into his past. Each member of HORNET will have his place in the sun. (I was intrigued by Travis Quinn, the defacto-XO of the group, and hope Ms. Burrows plans to write his story next. Quinn had everything I love about former military men, especially a tortured past and an inflexible sense of loyalty. I see him as a future “book boyfriend.”)
I won an autographed copy of SEAL of Honor (Hornet) in a book blog contest. I have always been drawn to series about teams of men in uniform, especially after they leave active duty service. SEAL of Honor (Hornet) brought the men together and with each subsequent book, we will see them grow, as a team, and as individuals – when they find their lady loves. I look forward to spending more time with these men and the extended Hornet family. I recommend it to anyone who loves to invest time in well-developed characters, traveling to exotic and sometimes dangerous places. Great start to a new series!
Link to Amazon Review and Goodreads Review
Spiritual and Prayer Warriors Needed for the Harris Family
Update from the Harris Family: Little Mighty Heidi Ann Harris grew her angel wings tonight at 17:55. She fought until the end, but her injuries were too much for her little 6 year old body to endure. Please continue to surround this family with love, warm energy and lift them up in prayer. It is a sad day, but Heidi is smiling, dancing and when I look at a ray of sunlight, I will think of her.
Today’s post was supposed to be funny. It will not be. It will be short.
A family that is very dear to me was in a very serious car accident. They remain hospitalized.
Spiritual and Prayer Warriors Needed for the Harris Family
Today’s post was supposed to be funny. It will not be. It will be short.
A family that is very dear to me was in a very serious car accident. They remain hospitalized.
Amazon Deals
Cori and Donna have compiled a great list of books on sale this weekend! Great reads for a great value!
Amazon Daily Deals
Sale $1.99 Sale! Dark-Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Today Only on Amazon! I’m going through my ebooks to make sure I’m not missing any now and grabbing them! If you haven’t read this series great time to try them out!
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Sale 99 Cents! Today Only! Own the Wind: A Chaos Novel by Kristen Ashley
Amazon Link
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99 Cents! Last day at this price! Outside The Lines (Line Series) by Kimberly Kincaid
Rated 4.5 Stars! http://www.amazon.com/Outside-Lines-Line-Series-ebook/dp/B00E82DQKW/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_3_076C
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Free Today Only! Beautiful Downfall by Scarlett Jade
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Downfall-ebook/dp/B00DD704VC/
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$1.99 Sale! Colton by Blood by Melissa Cutler #1 Amazon Bestseller
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNRHLX8/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
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Free! The Sheik’s Dangerous Lover by Elizabeth Lennox
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E5JAIP4/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_PUJ.rb04841KF
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Free! Carved In Stone (Contemporary Romance, Humor, Family and Relationships) (Art of Love Series) by Donna McDonald
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00534Q9L2/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_ESJ.rb0MK5G4F
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FREE! Strictly Business by Aubrianna Hunter Erotic Romance!
Amazon | B&N
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Free! Arrival of…
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Monthly Blog Follower Giveaway with Total-E-Bound Publishing
MsRomanticReads, one of my favorite bloggers, has some wonderful news and upcoming goodies for followers of her blog on WordPress. Visit her blog, become a follower a learn about upcoming book releases and chat with authors!
Etiology of a Book Trailer – “Searching for Moore,” by Julie A. Richman
Summer of 2013 has been the Summer of books and reviews, where I rediscovered the joy that leisure reading brought me. My newest ventures have been writing book reviews and beta reading books for independent authors. I am still learning how to do both, but writing reviews is definitely my favorite of the two.
Earlier this year, I read and reviewed Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman (Book 1 in the “Needing Moore” series). Julie’s book kept me up all night, deeply invested in Schooner and Mia’s story and I was emotionally drained but my mind kept spinning. That inspired my best book review to date, as words flew, organically, off my fingers, onto the keys, and onto the screen. When I hit “publish” on the blog post, the sun was rising and I knew I had to know more about the woman who wrote Searching for Moore. I had to talk to her.
I “met” Julie on Facebook. There was the initial awkwardness of the clichéd OMG-when-are-you-releasing-book-2 comment. Followed by the blubbering on of a fangirl who had too little sleep, too much coffee and not enough Schooner Moore or Mia Silver. Finally, we started to talk. Like lifelong friends. Who had never met before. The more we talked – about music, college, jobs, life experiences, relationships, etc. – Julie and I found that we had been separated at birth! Synchronous would be the best way to describe our connection.
Our friendship brought three other women into my life. All fans of Searching for Moore who had similar reactions to the story. As, we began “hanging out” together on Facebook, the bond became stronger. Sure we talked about our favorite parts of the book, but we talked about ourselves. If someone had a bad day, there were four other women to help her through it. If we needed a laugh or bawdy comment, we were there.
Together.
Together, we decided to create the following book trailer. Kristen was our computer guru, taking all the pieces and creating something that represented all of us, even after the infamous crash of “Video Version 1” (shudder). Cleida brought us Mia and Schooner and had the uncanny eye to spot the right photos of them. Samantha was our cheerleader, keeping everyone in good spirits. I suggested “If I Should Fall Behind,” by Bruce Springsteen as the accompanying song and critiqued the final product. We accomplished this in about two days and presented it to Julie, on Sunday, just past midnight.
As we waited, impatiently, for Julie to view the video, so many thoughts went through our heads. “What if Julie doesn’t like it?” “What if the fans don’t like it?” “What if it’s not good enough?” “What if it doesn’t capture the essence of Schooner and Mia?” These were the longest three minutes of the entire process!
Julie loved it!
She immediately posted it on her Facebook page. It was received warmly by other fans, who then shared it with their friends and family. Now, I share it with you. Please share, reblog, buy the book and fall in love with Schooner and Mia. (Book 2, “Moore to Lose,” will be released in September 2013.) Amazon Barnes and Noble
After reading Searching for Moore please visit Julie’s author website for additional scenes, written in the point of view of other characters, and find her on Facebook.
Here is our labor of love for Searching for Moore .
It’s a boy for the Duchess of Cambridge
Fresh Prince of Cambridge! May he, and his parents, live a long, healthy, happy lives. Blessings! Namaste.
Royal Baby Watch 2013 – We Can Turn Anything Into “Must See TV” And I Will Watch
What is it about the British monarchy that fascinates Americans like me? Is it because our very existence as a country is tied to throwing off the shackles of royal “tyranny?” Professor Arianne Chernock has her theories in this video. Frankly, I think it may be the tea and crumpets? Fish and chips? Delicious ales? Or scones? Ah, scones. I would hurt a bitch for scones of any flavor, man. But, I digress…
Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Along with millions of my fellow Royal Watchers, or people simply looking for good news that day, I was captivated by the pomp, circumstance and opulence of the event. However, I took an instant dislike to Diana’s voluminous gown. Even though it reflected the style of the early 1980s, and was the height of couture designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, I thought it looked like bed sheets. Dingy bed sheets. So dingy that I remember thinking, “My Barbies would never wear that hideous, dirty dress.” This may have been the moment where my inner fashion critic was born.
I grew up in Latin America where we would periodically receive news of the Spanish monarchy and other European royal families, but I was only interested in The Queen and her family. I was, after all, one-eighth to one-sixth English, and damned proud it. This compelled me to devour information about the births of William and Harry, the wedding of Sarah Ferguson to Prince Andrew and the births of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (two names that guaranteed they were teased on the playgrounds) and watching Zara Phillips compete on the Olympic Equestrian Team. Ah, the glittery, glamorous life of the British monarchy. Sigh.
Then, the wheels started to come off the bus. The monarchy lost popularity, marriages broke up, a castle was destroyed by fire and Princess Diana passed away. The Royal Family opened their, previously private, homes (castles) to the public to pay its taxes and debts. They started to resemble commoners and were seen as an unnecessary “burden” to many British people. Suddenly, my dream of wearing a crown was tarnished, but I still held hope that someone would bring sparkle back to those beautiful tiaras.
As William and Harry grew into handsome young men, and went off to college, my hopes were resurrected. William began dating a brunette beauty and Harry, my tasty ginger snap, found blonde strumpets…I mean young “ladies” to entertain. Alas, neither made commitments to the women with whom they were linked.
Until one happy day, when the lovely Catherine Middleton was proposed to on an African camping trip, by none other than Wills! I would have a chance at another Royal Wedding….er…a chance to watch another Royal Wedding!
Again, my dear Royal Watcher friends from around the globe, and I gathered together to see the official engagement, and the beautiful wedding that launched Pippa Middleton’s arse into tabloids around the world. Fat-bottomed girls, like me, loved that moment! Although, Pippa’s junk trunk is a Smarte Car, at best. It is not even large enough to be a Mini Cooper trunk. (Sorry luv.)
Today, we gather again, on Royal Baby Watch! Some people will say hateful things and question the significance or continued need for the monarchy. They may go elsewhere and spew. This post is about sending warm wishes to a young couple about to have their first child, regardless of their heritage. It surrounds a woman giving birth for the first time with love, light, healing energy and hopes for a speedy labor and uneventful delivery. Above all, I send Kate and William my wishes for a healthy, happy baby.
I cross my fingers and hope for a Baby Girl. Because, c’mon people….tiny tiara?! That shit is royal cuteness. Sign. Me. Up.
What Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor Says About You
What happens if you like all the flavors listed? Does your personality change according to the flavor? 🙂
Talk Me Off My Beta Reading Ledge
“A beta reader is someone who agrees to look over a piece of fiction for spelling, grammar, characterization, and continuity errors. Unlike a true editor, a beta reader is typically unpaid, and he or she sees the work at a very rough state. Many authors like to use beta readers to improve the quality of their work before they submit it for professional editing and critique, and beta readers are usually profusely thanked in acknowledgments, in recognition of the time and energy which they invested in the work.” (wiseGEEK, 2013. What is a Beta Reader?)
I have been asked to beta read several books for independent authors. They contacted me after receiving a personal email from me about how their book impacted me, read a review I wrote for another book, or as a favor. When I read, my life and work experience become part of the process. I have held more than one professional job and several career changes, so I am able to pull from an “eclectic” background. Authors will receive honest, in-the-moment feelings about a passage or plot twist, in addition to continuity and writing errors. I want them to see through my eyes. I prefer to keep chapter notes, rather than editing notes on the document. It is a personal choice.
Once I send my reading notes and summary comments to the author, I move on to the next thing. After all, it is not my work. I am not responsible for ensuring the errors and corrected and facts are double-checked. I am merely providing an opinion, based on what I read.
What happens when I see the published book has the same errors I flagged as I was reading four months ago? These were not spelling, punctuation, grammar or even usage errors. No, these were poorly researched “facts” that may have added “drama” to the story, but were simply untrue and easily verified with a Google search. Unfortunately for me, the errors were glaringly blatant because I had first-hand knowledge of the material, having worked in the field.
My first reaction was, “WHAT?!! I TOLD you that was wrong, why didn’t you change it?!,” followed by “Well, it’s not my book so…oh, well <shrugs shoulders>,” to “once this gets into the readers’ hands, they will tear it apart.” (In this case, “readers” are the general public – people who did not receive ARC copies, are not book bloggers or other authors.)
Now, I feel ambivalent because I have been asked to “recommend” the book to people. I cannot, and will not, do it in good conscience. I used the excuse that I was a beta reader and my recommendation would be “biased.” Then, quickly walked away from the discussion.
Author and Author/Reviewer Friends, I know you use beta readers, or at least hope you do. (If you don’t, we need to talk. Right. Now. Seriously.) What happens when the beta readers find something in your plot that is wrong – not something they disagree with – but just plain wrong? Do you rewrite that part? What if is a major plot twist? What if it is something you are counting on, to draw your reader in? Tell me what you would do.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional beta reader and do not receive compensation for pre-reading any material. Beta/ Draft and advance reader copies are sent to me by authors who want my opinions.
#Sharknado took over Twitter, but not the ratings race
I woke up this morning to sunny skies and birds chirping in the trees. I am suffering from post-Sharknado storm fatigue and thanking our lucky stars that Ian Ziering learned how to wield a chainsaw at West Beverly High. This movie is a possible end-of-days scenarios that has not been considered. I for one, am happy, to have been shown this cautionary tale. We were saved from imminent planetary destruction, people!
The moral of this story: Be nice to sharks and stop chasing tornadoes. You never know when they will reunite for a sequel.
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 