tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43631277372746507282024-02-17T02:49:07.217-06:00the life of fictionbook reviews.carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-54723732127709766312019-04-10T11:04:00.002-05:002019-04-10T11:04:56.076-05:00Review: Eleanor and Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry<img alt="E&G - BT banner.jpg" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5470" height="630" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/eg-bt-banner.jpg" width="1705" /><br />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: 400;">Eleanor & Grey, an all-new beautiful and emotional standalone from Brittainy C. Cherry is available now!</span></h1>
<img alt="Eleanor & Grey FOR WEB" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5466" height="1260" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/eleanor-grey-for-web.jpg" width="840" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Greyson East left his mark on me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="E&G - AN" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5467" height="628" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/eg-an.jpg" width="1200" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon:</span><a href="https://amzn.to/2FTOiSy"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> https://amzn.to/2FTOiSy</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon Worldwide: </span><a href="http://mybook.to/EleanorGrey"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://mybook.to/EleanorGrey</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Add to GoodReads: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2SYJ3dH"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2SYJ3dH</span></a></div>
<img alt="E&G - Teaser 2 AN.jpg" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5471" height="1080" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/eg-teaser-2-an.jpg" width="1080" /><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">My Review:</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">Brittainy C. Cherry is a wonderful story teller. She is one of a few authors that I "stalk" (such a negative word) for new releases because I have read and reread all of her books. Her stories are a gut punch that leave you breathless. They fog your head, make you swoon, and frustrate the ever living life out of you; but in a good way. Not only are her books incredible, but she seems to be an extremely genuine person as well. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">The first Ellie and Grey we meet in the story are high schoolers, the second E and G have experiences a lot of life and it's hard to make out the kids they were. In the beginning they're dorky and cute. Ellie may be a high school version of yours truly :) book in hand and chucks on feet. Actually, I'm 31 and that's still me! I sat down to read a little of this book and ended up finishing the entire thing. Brittainy will cast a freaking spell on you, people. Nothing else will exist until you finish ever. last. word.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">With no shortage of drama and pain Brittainy will transport you into her story and make you feel everything the characters are going through. It's magical without the magic and so beautifully yet painfully written.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The second half of the book is charming yet tear jerking. The loss is felt ten-fold and the air is thick with it. Ellie's character is by far my favorite of Brittainy's to date. She brings this fierce loyalty to the book that only a master can craft. She fights for this man she used to love and his family. She's a true hero throughout the story, especially in her own. Continuously they put the children in the story first and I absolutely admired that aspect of the book. It was sad and hard but so important.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
This book is everything. Read it. Share it. Tell everyone you know about it.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Excerpt: </span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eleanor</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thirty-two years old</span></i></div>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Greyson’s assistant, Allison, finished giving me a tour of the house. “Okay, I think that’s everything. I’m going to head out now, but go ahead and make yourself comfortable. Get used to the property. Mr. East knows you’re here today, so don’t feel like you aren’t allowed to wander around a bit. If you need anything, my cell number is on the contact list in the book, or you can email me. If nothing comes up, I hope your first day goes well. Claire will be with you Monday to make sure the transition goes smoothly.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I must have looked terrified because as Allison grabbed her coat and purse to leave, she gave me a light squeeze on the shoulder. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’re going to be fine, Eleanor. Mind over matter. You got this. Let’s touch base later in the week so I can check in on how things are going.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sounds great. Thanks, Allison.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">After she left, I took a deep breath and flipped through a few pages in the binder. Then, I did a once-through of the house, familiarizing myself with whose room was where. There was something so unsettling about the quietness of Greyson’s home. It was so dark with an odd gloomy feeling attached to it, haunting almost. I didn’t mean dark as in the lighting situation, rather it was the energy level. There was such a heaviness in the space. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The place felt like a house, not a home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">If I hadn’t known any better, I wouldn’t have believed a family lived there at all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">It felt so abandoned, almost like a memory frozen in time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">That might’ve just been my own thoughts, thought, due to knowing about the tragedy that had taken place in the lives of the individuals who lived there. With the number of books I’d read, it wasn’t inaccurate to say my mind wandered toward the dramatics. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I walked back into the kitchen, flipping through the binder, completely taken aback by the girls’ schedules. Between school, swim lessons, karate, piano lessons, physical therapy, and grief counseling, I wasn’t sure how they found the time to live a little.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Eleanor.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I leaped out of my skin at the sound of my name and turned to see Greyson standing behind me with an empty glass in his hand. He was dressed in a suit and tie, which was so strange to me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Who wore a suit and tie in their own home? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I hardly wore pants when I was home alone. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Oh, Greyson, hi. Sorry I’m still here. Allison was just giving me a tour, and she said it was okay to look around a bit more.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“She made me aware.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Wow. He had responded immediately, unlike the first time I saw him. I called that progress.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back, and that felt like the oddest thing in the world. The old Greyson had been full of smiles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a beautiful home,” I stated, unsure what else to talk about. “It’s massive. I swear, it’s like ten times the size of my place.” He blankly stared my way as I shifted from foot to foot. “I love the décor,” I blurted out, and I hated myself the second the words left my lips. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just walk away, Eleanor. Don’t be awkward. </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Those throw pillows in your living room are to die for. Where did you get them?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“The interior designer chose everything,” he replied dryly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Oh, right, of course. My interior designer is normally the clearance section at T.J. Maxx,” I joked. “Or on special occasions, Target.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">He didn’t laugh, probably because I wasn’t funny. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I wondered when was the last time he’d laughed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Did he ever find anything funny anymore?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">We kept staring at one another in the most uncomfortable silence, though I didn’t feel as if I could pull myself away from it. I probably stared at him too long, but how could I not? I’d gone fifteen-some years without looking at him. It was understandable that I wouldn’t be able to turn away quickly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The awkwardness of it all finally came to a halt when Greyson cleared his throat. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Eleanor?” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Yes?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“I came for water.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Oh?” I stared at him like an idiot, wide-eyed like a deer in headlights, waiting for his next words. I stood still as if he were going to expand on his interest in water. Was he offering me a drink? Were we going to sip water and catch up on things? Was I finally going to be able to ask him how he’d become the CEO of his father’s company at such a young age? What had happened to his father?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">His stare narrowed, and his lips turned down in a displeased fashion. He nodded once.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hmm?” I asked.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">He nodded more aggressively this time, gesturing past me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I glanced behind me and realized I was standing right in front of the refrigerator, blocking the water dispenser. I stepped to the side, mentally beating myself up.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Idiot.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Oh, right, of course. Well, I think I’m done here, so I’ll see myself out,” I stated, scrambling to grab my binder. “Have a good afternoon.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">He didn’t reply, but that wasn’t shocking. I was quickly learning that this new Greyson didn’t have nearly as much to say as the old one.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">About Brittainy: </span></div>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Connect with Brittainy: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Twitter: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Instagram:</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">GoodReads: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Join Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Stay up to date with Brittainy by joining her mailing list: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2oK1voU</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://bcherrybooks.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://bcherrybooks.com</span></a></div>
carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-4752206445233747302019-03-21T08:50:00.000-05:002019-03-21T08:50:11.423-05:00Cover Reveal: Eleanor and Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5355" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/eg-cr-banner.jpg" alt="E&G - CR banner.jpg" width="1705" height="630" /><br />
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eleanor & Grey, an all-new beautiful and emotional standalone from Brittainy C. Cherry is coming April 8th and we have the gorgeous cover for you! </span></h1><img class=" size-full wp-image-5357 aligncenter" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/eleanor-grey-for-web.jpg" alt="Eleanor & Grey FOR WEB.jpg" width="840" height="1260" /><br />
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Greyson East left his mark on me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add to GoodReads: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2SYJ3dH"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2SYJ3dH</span></a></p><br />
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cover Designer: Hang Le</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Photographer: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rafa G Cátala</span></p><br />
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">About Brittainy: </span></p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Connect with Brittainy: </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2Fc8izo</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Twitter: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2Oe1m8V</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instagram:</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> http://bit.ly/2Fltnc1</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://amzn.to/2Fk2jKg</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">GoodReads: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2ThAciJ</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join Brittainy’s Golden Girls (And Boys) Reader Group: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2Y4WEir</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stay up to date with Brittainy by joining her mailing list: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2oK1voU"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://bit.ly/2oK1voU</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bcherrybooks.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://bcherrybooks.com</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</p>carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-68102262591194611002018-12-05T18:57:00.001-06:002018-12-05T18:57:30.093-06:00Review: Undeniably You by Jewel E. Ann<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3fXId2TA26jwCc1m8ljg7Zvj6AWAjyY6sc7Yf_Lnhnpp7AWfRSIIYWBGAwWROHYuchGsBsmMcal5hUpghw8L8A6DWAfj_CX9IPOhvE-pbSm73rAly2PLJJ9Y41FHXKuciZW7kC1aTkE9/s1600/51uVNMTfcqL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3fXId2TA26jwCc1m8ljg7Zvj6AWAjyY6sc7Yf_Lnhnpp7AWfRSIIYWBGAwWROHYuchGsBsmMcal5hUpghw8L8A6DWAfj_CX9IPOhvE-pbSm73rAly2PLJJ9Y41FHXKuciZW7kC1aTkE9/s320/51uVNMTfcqL.jpg" width="213" /></a>Undeniably You by Jewel E. Ann</div>
★★★★★<br />
Age: Adult<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: Kindle Unlimited<br />
Buy it: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQGA9KM/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23001780-undeniably-you&tag=x_gr_w_glide_ku-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">One crazy dog—one awkward vet—one naked pool guy—and one life-changing month in California to make friends, fall in love, and twist fate. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Who gets paid to walk a dog and recline by the pool all day? Sydney Montgomery, aspiring museum curator and professional house-sitter, that’s who. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">When her aunt and uncle need a house and dog sitter for thirty days in Palo Alto, Sydney can’t turn down the chance to be closer to her sister in L.A. Within twenty-four hours of her arrival, Sydney’s cleaning up runny dog poo, taking an uncooperative pooch to a handsome yet awkward vet, and being rescued from the bottom of the pool by a naked “pool guy.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Lautner, “pool guy,” has a hot body and a cool persona. With eyes of iridescent blue oceans, he is mesmerizing, sexy, and addictive. What he is not—the pool guy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Dr. Lautner Sullivan is a college wide receiver turned pediatric resident. He knows how to woo a woman with flowers, pastries, and sweet tea. Lautner is every girl’s dream, but Sydney is not every girl. She’s immune to rainbows, fairytales, pixy dust, and the “L” word. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">The attraction is immediate, the friendship is earned, and the love is undeniable. Thirty days is their forever, but forever is not long enough. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">A standalone Contemporary Romance novel! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">*This book contains adult situations and explicit content 17+</span></blockquote>
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My favorite Jewel E Ann book! Even though I wanted to punch someone a lot while reading it.<br />
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<table border="0" cellspacing="1" class="myActivity" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="readable reviewText" style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">I absolutely LOVED this book. It got a little angsty there in the middle and I may have been pulling my hair out, biting my nails and losing my mind but.. it’s Jewel E Ann, so it’s all good.<br /><br />I was consumed by this story from the second I started it. Sydney’s character was fun and spunky, with just enough crazy. She's house sitting for her Aunt and Uncle for a month and isn't looking for something serious. But along comes a guy claiming to be the pool guy, spoiler, he's not. Then throw in a shy but hunky vet and you've got my kind of love triangle! But, thankfully it's a well done love triangle!<br /><br />It’s a soul crushing and all consuming love story that you are chanting on from the first glance and I just can’t get it out of my head. Through the drama and hardship and right back to the love and emotions that pour from each page, I was obsessed and read it well past my bed time. Jewel E Ann manages to take my breath away with every book I’ve read of hers and I can’t wait to read more!</span></td></tr>
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carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-46702043877259509222018-11-30T09:22:00.000-06:002018-11-30T09:22:55.451-06:00Review: Scarlet Stone by Jewel E. Ann<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbq31UpI1dH-Q3aEGfZ1HKYt_84757QRWMWqfhQrRci-NkxMBSWfJjdqgHF40NjK_O_FhnGz3ne9w0nbRZy1dUN_ryBj_ynRs_lONixiqfUYflQcuXvJ6i-7CXPFRA_27VtwGMmrKc1E0/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbq31UpI1dH-Q3aEGfZ1HKYt_84757QRWMWqfhQrRci-NkxMBSWfJjdqgHF40NjK_O_FhnGz3ne9w0nbRZy1dUN_ryBj_ynRs_lONixiqfUYflQcuXvJ6i-7CXPFRA_27VtwGMmrKc1E0/s320/Scarlet.jpg" width="213" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scarlet Stone by Jewel E. Ann</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">★★★☆☆</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Release Date: 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Age: Adult</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Format: ebook</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy it: <a href="https://amzn.to/2SrnX35" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/scarlet-stone-jewel-e-ann/1125089124/2675840932866?st=PLA&sid=BNB_Core+Catch-All,+Low&sourceId=PLAGoNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Google_c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ef687T83gIVKx6tBh1AOgkMEAQYASABEgLK6vD_BwE" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">“My name is Scarlet Stone, and my biggest fear is that someday I will find what I want most in life, and it will be impossible to steal.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">What happens when life just stops? When one moment makes you question your entire existence? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Scarlet Stone is a third-generation thief who has everything: a doting fiancé, a spacious London flat, and a legitimate job offer. In a single breath, everything becomes nothing, and she finds herself on a plane to Savannah, Georgia in search of the meaning of life. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">After securing a six-month lease for a beachfront house on Tybee Island, Scarlet changes the way she looks, thinks, eats—basically her entire outlook on life. She needs peace, but what she gets is a housemate who looks like Thor, acts like a warden, and smells her proximity like a Bloodhound. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Theodore Reed is a carpenter and perfectionist with a body built of steel, a black, hollow heart, and a hunger for revenge. He doesn’t like company, girly-smelling crap, and British accents. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">He resents every breath she takes. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">She’s fascinated by his every move. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">In time, they discover their coexistence is toxic, their physical attraction is electric, the secrets they keep mean the difference between life and death, and the only truth they share is that everything is a lie. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">“Over eighty-five percent of the world's population believes in a higher power, yet, very few people believe in miracles.”</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Do you believe?"</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I LOVE Jewel E. Ann's books. I'm currently on a quest to read everything she's written. So far everything has been phenomenal, but this book was a little much for me. Her writing is entrancing and all consuming. Once I start her books I cannot put them down, and this book was no different. Kids? What kids? Dishes? What dishes? My house is a wreck but hey, my heart is happy!! While I flew through this crazy story I was often cringing or shaking my head.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Scarlet Stone follows Scarlet, or Ruby, on a search for peace. She lets go of her past and embarks on a journey for her future. On this journey she shares a home with Thor, I mean Theo. From encounter one I was not a fan of their relationship.. For someone who seems so strong her choices made her weak. Without giving too much away, their angry passion made me cringe. It was upsetting the way he treated her and yet she still followed him like a puppy. He has a devastating past but I'm sorry. No. Especially at the end, I wanted a different outcome for her. And his moods would go from one extreme to another. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Like I said, beautiful writing but just not my cup of tea, or carrot juice. Still a solid read! And check out her other books! You won't be disappointed!</span>carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-11067132737072317982015-07-30T16:18:00.000-05:002015-07-30T16:18:04.887-05:00Review: The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWZYDry5Qw5QQ4x1DYzh6F85SBIYH_bW-2OyRbnubJrieokSd3lgBU6Jzk2fDuOIyUaegKLTBSq6ey90uOgEq7rxCEu8scMPbsRlKHsj4lWESclLd_6SE_-CWOWRcQw-nPwi-6o_vFIpL/s1600/23252517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWZYDry5Qw5QQ4x1DYzh6F85SBIYH_bW-2OyRbnubJrieokSd3lgBU6Jzk2fDuOIyUaegKLTBSq6ey90uOgEq7rxCEu8scMPbsRlKHsj4lWESclLd_6SE_-CWOWRcQw-nPwi-6o_vFIpL/s320/23252517.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23252517-the-law-of-moses?from_search=true&search_version=service">The Law of Moses</a> by <a href="http://www.authoramyharmon.com/">Amy Harmon</a><br />
Release Date: November 2014<br />
Age: Mature YA, New Adult<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Supernatural, Paranormal, Fiction, Mystery, Romance<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: Purchased<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Law-Moses-Amy-Harmon-ebook/dp/B00PKSZ78M/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-law-of-moses-amy-harmon/1120801833?ean=9781502830821">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<blockquote>
If I tell you right up front, right in the beginning that I lost him, it will be easier for you to bear. You will know it’s coming, and it will hurt. But you’ll be able to prepare.<br />
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Someone found him in a laundry basket at the Quick Wash, wrapped in a towel, a few hours old and close to death. They called him Baby Moses when they shared his story on the ten o’clock news – the little baby left in a basket at a dingy Laundromat, born to a crack addict and expected to have all sorts of problems. I imagined the crack baby, Moses, having a giant crack that ran down his body, like he’d been broken at birth. I knew that wasn’t what the term meant, but the image stuck in my mind. Maybe the fact that he was broken drew me to him from the start.<br />
<br />
It all happened before I was born, and by the time I met Moses and my mom told me all about him, the story was old news and nobody wanted anything to do with him. People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids, and kids grow up to be teenagers. Nobody wants a messed up teenager.<br />
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And Moses was messed up. Moses was a law unto himself. But he was also strange and exotic and beautiful. To be with him would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. Maybe I should have stayed away. Maybe I should have listened. My mother warned me. Even Moses warned me. But I didn’t stay away.<br />
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And so begins a story of pain and promise, of heartache and healing, of life and death. A story of before and after, of new beginnings and never-endings. But most of all...a love story.</blockquote>
I needed this book. And when I read this book I couldn't breathe, then I didn't need it. I didn't want it. I hated it because it made me cry. And then I loved it because it made me cry. I was lost in Moses' story, in Georgia's story, in their story. This book is raw and it packs a heady punch, a sucker punch that I saw coming but didn't believe and then it came and I cried, it's raw and awful and beautiful and broken and fixed and torn. It's real and it's not real because there's this paranormal element that I didn't realize was coming but Amy somehow made this seem real. Like it happens all the time and while I read her story it did, it did happen and I won't listen to anyone that tells me it didn't because fiction like this is real. Amy's writing is real and it's soft and crinkly and that may not make sense to you but it does to me.<br />
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I liked that it was told in alternating points of view between Georgia and Moses in the before and after over a large span of time. The characters begin the story as teenagers and end the story as adults. I was very connected to all of the characters in the book, except maybe Georgia's parents. It's a dark read full of tears and heartbreaks but the book neatly folds together.<br />
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Moses is my favorite character. He's just. He's someone you want to help but you can't reach. He's hurt and in pain but has to get through things himself. He's funny and serious and doesn't know how to love himself. I love him, don't tell my husband. But really, I do.<br />
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For such a seriously toned book, I was uplifted and inspired. No matter the story you're looking to read, read this one. Because it's not at all what you're expecting and even through all of the tears I can still smile about it. You need this book in your life, You need Amy's writing in your life.<br />
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Other books by Amy: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17443673-a-different-blue?from_search=true&search_version=service">A Different Blue</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20901080-infinity-one?from_search=true&search_version=service">Infinity + One</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18301124-making-faces?from_search=true&search_version=service">Making Faces</a>carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-33586931845121993122015-04-25T13:45:00.000-05:002015-04-25T13:45:26.315-05:00Review: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mUHP8hzHJdER0Come7KxCxT3fz9JxCZXJpBXTaEdj49lytwHtHaSMi96utJNBs-zumjJo4z49I9Q23NvAUKBzoOierR17U_vefr-RXD_9AIzx5lEdYIJHdqQ7QeceCMcYg9-AZeZK0Pl/s1600/19321432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mUHP8hzHJdER0Come7KxCxT3fz9JxCZXJpBXTaEdj49lytwHtHaSMi96utJNBs-zumjJo4z49I9Q23NvAUKBzoOierR17U_vefr-RXD_9AIzx5lEdYIJHdqQ7QeceCMcYg9-AZeZK0Pl/s1600/19321432.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13522285-the-beginning-of-everything">The Beginning of Everything</a> by <a href="http://www.robynschneider.com/">Robyn Schneider</a><br />
★★★☆☆<br />
Release Date: 2013<br />
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books<br />
Age: YA<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Tragedy, Love, Coming of Age, High School<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: Library<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062217143/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062217143&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20&linkId=QA7QLJODI2QID6XV">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beginning-of-everything-robyn-schneider/1114820441?ean=9780062217141">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<blockquote>
Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.<br />No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.<br />But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?</blockquote>
This is a good book, with great writing, that is mysterious enough to make you want to read to the last page and it had everything I needed in a story right now, because my one year old keeps me more entertained than a lot of the books I've sat down to read. But, this one kept me hooked because I had to know how it ended!<br />
<br />
<i>The Beginning of Everything</i> is a good coming of age story about a boy who loses everything he thought he was made of only to gain perspective and become more of who he really is. It's funny, yet not mindless, and filled with witty quotes and kids who talk like adults. It's a YA novel that adults can appreciate as well and I found Robyn Schneider's writing style similar to John Green's. It takes place mostly over the beginning of Ezra's (OMG I love that name, Vampire Weekend anybody?) senior year when he becomes reunited with his past and realizes things are different from the outside. The reflective nature of this book is something I always love, characters who change and grow. Cassidy brings a puzzling nature to the story as the reader and Ezra try to figure her out. She's straight forward when it comes to speaking her mind but not her heart. Toby was by far my favorite character. He's Ezra's best childhood friend and they rekindle their friendship as if they've never parted. I think we all have friends like Toby and can relate to their relationship.<br />
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I will say, and nothing to do with the writing, but after reading the story I'm just not crazy about the title or cover of this book. I love them, but not for this story. <i>Severed Heads, Broken Hearts</i> is the UK title and I love that so much more for this story.<br />
<br />carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-22237991555663490702014-07-23T06:00:00.000-05:002014-07-23T06:00:05.520-05:00Cover Reveal: Hard Knox by Nicole Williams<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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Knox Jagger. The name inspires resent in every male at Sinclair University, want in<br />
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Charlie can be summed up in three words: independent, independent, and independent. To Charlie, Knox epitomizes everything that’s wrong with college males: prolific one-night stands, drunken senseless fights, and a body that hints at prioritizing gym time over study time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As an up-and-coming writer for Sinclair University’s newspaper, Charlie’s tasked with getting to the bottom of who’s been dropping little white pills into girls’ drinks at parties. In an ocean of All-American boys sporting polo shirts and innocent smiles, Knox is the obvious suspect. As evidence piles up against the bad boy of Sinclair, Charlie becomes more and more certain it isn’t Knox. But when her drink is dosed at a party and she wakes up on Knox’s couch the next morning, Charlie’s left with more questions than answers when it comes to Knox Jagger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How can Charlie ever hope to uncover the truth behind a guy so closed off he’s become . . . <span class="Apple-style-span">Hard Knox.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Goodreads:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22672422-hard-knox">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22672422-hard-knox</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://atomrbookblogtours.com/2014/07/17/new-release-and-events-for-nyt-bestselling-author-nicole-williams/%20nicoleawilliams.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8b5f7a; text-decoration: none;">Blog</span></a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nwilliamsbooks" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8b5f7a; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</span></a> | <span style="color: #8b5f7a; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicole-Williams/215156715173890?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the CRASH series (HarperTeen, S&S UK), LOST & FOUND series, UP IN FLAMES (S&S UK), The EDEN TRILOGY, and a handful of others. I write stories about everyday kinds<br />
of people who find themselves in extraordinary kinds of situations. I tell love<br />
stories with happy endings because I believe in making the world a better<br />
place, and that’s one tiny way I can make it so. I’m one of those people who<br />
still believe in true love and soul mates, and would rather keep my head in the<br />
clouds any day over having my feet firmly on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The author is offering (1) print copy of HARD KNOX! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visit her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicole-Williams/215156715173890">Facebook page to enter</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To sign-up for the HARD KNOX Blog Hop in honor of this release </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and/or the HARD KNOX Blog Tour, visit <a href="http://wp.me/p20ttU-3el">AToMR’s site</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://atomrbookblogtours.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AToMRPRomotionslogo_zps7a14e565.png" border="0" src="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o521/Tale_of_Reviews/AToMRPRomotionslogo_zps7a14e565.png" height="88" width="200" /></a></div>
carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-21813737981775078572014-07-18T10:05:00.001-05:002014-07-18T10:05:22.976-05:00Giveaways: Eleanor & Park and My Life Next Door<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To celebrate the end of Promo Week I have two books to giveaway! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihaJGqNVyaVxCPYq3VqmxJidCH1JYCNXSjP4K8IlFE2PxNfi7HS31RrAGukmXlBt6aKBWP__Kfib9BwlqpphsNz0eX3jh8dUSat0W6EtcQP8gbMkKrX7sn9GmKRE3Gy7EdiN8xSUNX18y/s1600/20140718_094724_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihaJGqNVyaVxCPYq3VqmxJidCH1JYCNXSjP4K8IlFE2PxNfi7HS31RrAGukmXlBt6aKBWP__Kfib9BwlqpphsNz0eX3jh8dUSat0W6EtcQP8gbMkKrX7sn9GmKRE3Gy7EdiN8xSUNX18y/s1600/20140718_094724_resized.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6fi8h0-ihLWlH9K3GGQh5eTxgG0gPb5Flq65-7aVl0Qz3cxSqX7B7OLa6mzCq_1W3_FXhqgU7DxE2V0grX7sUW4wiAkWUkYQnwBOCQovN1XPwEGc4drhBLyELHkfuJ96T-ynGKG9UAOI/s1600/20140718_094736_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6fi8h0-ihLWlH9K3GGQh5eTxgG0gPb5Flq65-7aVl0Qz3cxSqX7B7OLa6mzCq_1W3_FXhqgU7DxE2V0grX7sUW4wiAkWUkYQnwBOCQovN1XPwEGc4drhBLyELHkfuJ96T-ynGKG9UAOI/s1600/20140718_094736_resized.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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I've done a giveaway for My Life Next Door before and I have another copy to pass on! I also have a copy of Eleanor & Park (Rainbow Rowell is a GENIUS) to giveaway! Unfortunately both are US only, sorry guys. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>May the odds be ever in your favor ;)</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ELEANOR & PARK GIVEAWAY</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/52a15cfc80/" id="rc-52a15cfc80" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MY LIFE NEXT DOOR GIVEAWAY</span></div>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/52a15cfc81/" id="rc-52a15cfc81" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-91284700003431769712014-07-17T10:31:00.001-05:002014-07-17T10:31:53.536-05:00Check Out: Blaze Tuesday and the Case of the Knight Surgeon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDTcQDxRwf3jQbaOV1SrPAO9iWYjYCdgt4O8XeI8ZrwGl3Rhk2DeaVI42S1f44nXcFFn-pb4bOSUYF4hLEGXb72ygI5a7fi3zr7SXB86bGj1HD401AO0pskXdDofFt-e_7Csh_r3-wM5U/s1600/22701406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDTcQDxRwf3jQbaOV1SrPAO9iWYjYCdgt4O8XeI8ZrwGl3Rhk2DeaVI42S1f44nXcFFn-pb4bOSUYF4hLEGXb72ygI5a7fi3zr7SXB86bGj1HD401AO0pskXdDofFt-e_7Csh_r3-wM5U/s1600/22701406.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22701406-blaze-tuesday-and-the-case-of-the-knight-surgeon">Blaze Tuesday and the Case of the Knight Surgeon (book 1)</a> by <a href="http://www.theRaggedyAuthor.com/">Kai Kiriyama</a><br />
Release Date: August 5, 2014<br />
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<blockquote>
Clockwork body parts are touted as a medical miracle by the companies who make them, high fashion by the stars who sport them, and a lot of kids go through illegal surgeries. The sub-culture of Gearheads is full of kids with robotic body parts from poorly done surgery in less-than-sanitary conditions, and these are surgeries that don’t always take.<br />
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Blaze Tuesday is New York's most accomplished private investigator. A former police officer with a bone to pick with the corruption in the city, he's earned a name for himself as a guy who gets results, and who is willing to uphold the moral values so many others have forgotten, even if he has to break a few faces to do it.<br />
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Blaze is hired by Wayside Firms, one of the medical firms that produces the Clockwork, when a charity doctor who worked specifically with less-fortunate kids who have had botched illegal, is found murdered. As Blaze investigates the unfortunate death, he discovers a conspiracy that stretches from the lowest gutters in Hell’s Kitchen, to the highest corporate fat cats at the medical firms who create the Clockwork body parts.<br />
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Can Blaze get justice for the dead doctor, and bring some hope back to the kids in Hell's Kitchen who were counting on the Doctor's help? Or will he get caught up in the underworld of body modification and the big money it brings in?</blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</span><br />
A writer of many things and many genres, Kai is currently working on a novel (you can pretty much always assume that she's writing something!) that involves murder, mayhem and probably a ghost or some other form of otherworldly creature. She is also working on some non-fiction but she's not entirely sure why.<br />
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Kai has been writing for far too long and she's convinced that both her "to be read" and "to be written" lists will never be completed before she dies. She has a diploma in palmistry and can read hands with an accuracy that scares even her sometimes.<br />
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A time-travelling, demon hunting, Asgardian geek, with an affinity for pokemon and Shakespeare, you can be sure that there will be general insanity and dubious wisdom dispensed no matter where you chat with her. As always, she requests that you "be excellent to each other" while she's away.<br />
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Kai currently lives in Canada, but if she told you where, you'd have about fifteen seconds to assume the party position before the special ops team arrives.<br />
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She can be reached by email at kai@theraggedyauthor.com or on twitter @RaggedyAuthorcarolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-42092119897761315032014-07-16T12:20:00.002-05:002014-07-16T12:57:28.309-05:00Check Out: Pieces of Olivia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09ExFVVIxEtsfjJ2KyHC79vDQm28dgLBh0K5aHEYfThBwtXgsdIlBkoSeJJo5niwEiZvM2SGAmKSaAp5-rq5t6keWn8qjH9qTIFl4QrLFVaFF0Rqeaq-1Z4fy3UOaqTAuKGL3yxtJ-GRn/s1600/18827239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09ExFVVIxEtsfjJ2KyHC79vDQm28dgLBh0K5aHEYfThBwtXgsdIlBkoSeJJo5niwEiZvM2SGAmKSaAp5-rq5t6keWn8qjH9qTIFl4QrLFVaFF0Rqeaq-1Z4fy3UOaqTAuKGL3yxtJ-GRn/s1600/18827239.jpg" height="320" width="198"></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18827239-pieces-of-olivia">Pieces of Olivia: Charleston Haven #1</a> by <a href="http://t.co/tzFcqDJ23G">Melissa West</a><br>
Release Date: July 15, 2014<br>
Publisher: Penguin/InterMix<br>
Age: New Adult<br>
Genre: Contemporary Romance, College<br>
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IXX4IYU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IXX4IYU&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20&linkId=H5KEAOZH43T2I5TL">Amazon</a> <br>
<i><br></i>
<i>Other books by Melissa, </i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12844575-gravity">Gravity</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16032322-hover">Hover</a><br>
<blockquote>
Olivia Warren used to be a normal girl with a bright future. <br>
But on one fated night, everything changed.<br>
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Hiding the scars of her past up her sleeves, Olivia transfers her enrollment from Columbia University to The College of Charleston, determined to pursue her own dreams for the first time in her life.<br>
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She intends to allow herself a bit of alone time to heal... that is, until she meets Preston.<br>
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Preston is best friends with her roommate, completely hot, and off-limits. But the chemistry between them is instantaneous—and as the pair begins to spend more time with one another, their feelings for each other build into something undeniable, something powerful enough to heal Olivia’s deepest scars.<br>
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Olivia tries to put her own past behind her and trust Preston, but she discovers that his past might be more present than she ever bargained for…</blockquote>
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR </span><br>
Melissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/InterMix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction. <br>
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She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange. carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-84641657998319656772014-07-15T11:44:00.003-05:002014-07-15T11:47:57.157-05:00Check Out: Nova by A.J. Kane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC38l3h9R6UsKwXurUiDcMsPLSL530dYaXnhQzHkPtow5Cpjv-t0wXDca7qtTp1GtfksGSDbvX_x-jyEVqD6vHbStzHwobx9HbGGFTuE8d_ObAVJp6DNgYDJV11bJ_8vFJg9Cxj-pq7zSS/s1600/21964484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC38l3h9R6UsKwXurUiDcMsPLSL530dYaXnhQzHkPtow5Cpjv-t0wXDca7qtTp1GtfksGSDbvX_x-jyEVqD6vHbStzHwobx9HbGGFTuE8d_ObAVJp6DNgYDJV11bJ_8vFJg9Cxj-pq7zSS/s1600/21964484.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21964484-nova">Nova: Daughters of Darkness</a> by <a href="http://www.ajkaneauthor.com/">A.J. Kane</a><br />
Release Date: May 2014<br />
Genre: Witches, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K389TDS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00K389TDS&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20&linkId=AJ2PXEIIZARKFBTP">Amazon</a><br />
<blockquote>
A prophecy, a dark lord who looks way too good in black, and, well, Ireland … the perfect ingredients for a dangerous brew. <br />
<br />
Nova and her sisters are witches. They've always known about magic and their ability to use it, but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine the role it would play in their lives. It all begins with a trip to Ireland and then some haunting dreams. Nova is torn from her sisters and then her heart is torn in two when she begins to fall for the guy no girl should ever fall for. Will she make the right choices? And when the battle rages, who will be left standing?</blockquote>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">About the Author:</span></b><br />
A.J. Kane resides in beautiful southern Maine where she writes Paranormal, Fantasy and Romance. She is currently working on the second book in her new adult paranormal trilogy, Daughters of Darkness; due out in 2014. Her writing is fueled by chocolate, coffee and pasta, in no particular order. She has a life goal of traveling to Ireland at least once, and possibly never leaving. Her hobbies are reading, cursing (quite frequently), singing and listening to PINK obsessively, even though she is a rock chick at heart. Some of her favorite bands are mostly unknown, like Halestorm, Prospect Hill and Our Last Night. A.J. would love to hear from you! Contact her on Twitter @ajkaneauthor <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ajkaneauthor">www.twitter.com/ajkaneauthor</a> or on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ajkaneauthor">www.facebook.com/ajkaneauthor</a>.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Teaser:</b></span><br />
Nova turned to see her parents and Kyna standing behind Branna. “Why are you out here in this? You should be in the circle, where you’ll be safe!” she reprimanded Niamh and Craven.<br />
“And leave you three out here to fend for yourselves? Nova, you know we can’t do that.” The incredulous look on her father’s face would have been comical if the situation weren’t so serious.<br />
Even though Nova understood their need to see for themselves that their children were safe, she still hated the fact that they were in danger.<br />
“We were born for this and have the powers to defend ourselves.”<br />
“Oh, we are not defenseless, Nova.” Her mother said. Joining hands with Craven, Niamh chanted a spell, causing plumes of smoke to billow in and swirl around them; hiding them from view.<br />
“Cool” Kyna loved it when her parents performed magic.<br />
Her mother grinned. “See, we did manage to keep some power to ourselves.” Their parents looked at each other, happy they could show their daughters they were here to fight, not to be protected.<br />
The archers, now in the trees, began to rain arrows down on the demon swarm. That gave Nova, her sisters and their parents a chance to break through the throng. Spotting Felken, who had been missing since the king tossed him away, Nova and her sisters went after him.<br />
Branna shot fire blasts at a cluster of demons in their way,<br />
“Where is he?” Kyna yelled as she dodged a scaly arm swiping at her neck. She parried and stabbed through the arm with the knife in her left hand. Sweeping her right hand up, she glided the blade of that knife across the demon’s throat. Blood, black and thick, gurgled up out of its mouth, and she watched the life drain from his cold yellow eyes. It made her sick to think of how many lives she had taken so far and how many more she had yet to take. As if she sensed the struggle within her sister, Nova gave Kyna’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.<br />
“We’ll get through this, Kyna. We won’t be the same people when it’s over, but we will get through it.”<br />
“Ah, girls, you may want to get over here.” Niamh’s voice trembled with fear. Following her mother’s line of vision, Nova felt her heart stop. This can’t be real, she thought. Even with all the crazy shit she’d seen recently, this definitely took the cake.<br />
“What the fuck is that!” Branna yelled, her hands engulfed in flames, ready to blast the shit out of the new arrival.carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-35280084471522161852014-07-13T10:06:00.000-05:002014-07-15T11:48:09.992-05:00Check Out: How We Deal With Gravity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlvC8SYfKdEwdwFmY0ssAP-Ii7sI_6L4jTHTEAHSkz5AErvNQUzkD-90iftszakhCjIRfspnU8vLJ_2kvuPSlb8OnyWzBVn9EPoopaNSBXXrz6ggclTs9U1hVsad3WaCS2X3ApC6EweEV/s1600/GravityCover_Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlvC8SYfKdEwdwFmY0ssAP-Ii7sI_6L4jTHTEAHSkz5AErvNQUzkD-90iftszakhCjIRfspnU8vLJ_2kvuPSlb8OnyWzBVn9EPoopaNSBXXrz6ggclTs9U1hVsad3WaCS2X3ApC6EweEV/s1600/GravityCover_Final.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21945638-how-we-deal-with-gravity?">How We Deal With Gravity</a></i> by <a href="http://www.littlemisswrite.com/">Ginger Scott</a><br />
Release Date: July 8, 2014<br />
Age: New Adult, Adult<br />
Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Family<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LL017OQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00LL017OQ&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20&linkId=6UALF2XEWKU2PWZS">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-we-deal-with-gravity-ginger-scott/1119720470?ean=2940046004847">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<br />
<b>The first week of sales will go to an Autism Organization in Arizona called <a href="http://www.autismcenter.org/">Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)</a></b><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When her son Max was diagnosed with autism, Avery Abbot’s life changed forever. Her husband left, and her own dreams became a distant fantasy—always second to fighting never-ending battles to make sure Max was given opportunity, love and respect. Finding someone to fight along her side wasn’t even on her list, and she’d come to terms with the fact that she could never be her own priority again.<br />
<br />
But a familiar face walking into her life in the form of 25-year-old Mason Street had Avery’s heart waging a war within. Mason was a failure. When he left his hometown five years ago, he was never coming back—it was only a matter of time before his records hit the billboard charts. Women, booze and rock-n-roll—that was it for him. But it seemed fate had a different plan in mind, and with a dropped record contract, little money and nowhere to go, Mason turned to the only family that ever made him feel home—the Abbots.<br />
<br />
Avery loved Mason silently for years—until he broke her heart…completely. But time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason. Could this one save them both?</blockquote>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Inspiration Behind </b><b><i>How We Deal With Gravity</i></b></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">by Ginger Scott</span></b> <br />
<b><br /></b>
So why autism? Why a love story about a single mom, raising a child with autism? Why this story? To understand what inspired Avery and Mason and Max, I need to take you back to my beginning with autism.<br />
<br />
My path with autism began as a journalist. I had just left the newspaper world where I was working as a breaking news reporter covering crime, courts and politics and entered the land of magazine writing, and I was hungry to write a story that really mattered. I mean really mattered. I was working for a fairly sizeable glossy magazine here in Arizona, and I had the opportunity to cover some pretty posh places and high-profile people. And I loved every minute of that. But I still felt like I was missing the grit, the power of real storytelling. And out of the blue, the idea of autism—what it’s really like to be a family living with autism—hit me.<br />
<br />
I didn’t know much, a vague impression of what autism was. But I made my pitch, found a few key local connections and was off and running on my assignment. I read article after article, medical journal after medical journal, and book after book—and everything felt like it was upside down and impossible to understand. A typical journey for a person’s first experience researching autism, I would later come to understand.<br />
<br />
Once I had soaked in what I could on my own, I took a deep breath and called an organization here in Arizona that would be my anchor, and hopefully put me in touch with families, doctors, therapists, teachers—people who could help me make sense of what I’d learned so I could tell the story to others. This place is called the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC), and when I first entered its doors, it was nothing more than a library room and a few resource offices for therapy, meetings and assistance.<br />
<br />
But it was enough.<br />
<br />
I walked into SARRC as a journalist on her mission for a good story, and I walked away changed forever. I met the founder, Denise Resnik, and spent time with her family learning first hand what went into raising a child with autism. But I also learned what went into igniting a wave of change—a movement. When the Resniks received a diagnosis of autism, they processed it with grief, anger, frustration, despair, hope and will, as many families do. And then they dug in and started something—something…big.<br />
<br />
Since those early days, SARRC has grown into one of the national leaders in autism research, spawning programs like job training for young adults, genome studies, integrated pre-school programs and more. That tiny building has grown into an enormous one, and SARRC’s reach is mighty.<br />
I have never been inspired by anything more my life, and that first story, which turned into my favorite thing I’ve ever written, ignited a passion in me to help however I can to spread autism’s story. Over the years, I have volunteered my writing services to SARRC, telling dozens of stories of families, doctors, programs, achievements, triumphs and inspirations. And over that time, I have had family members face autism diagnoses as well as many friends.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to a few months ago, when another idea found its way into my head. I had a new story I wanted to tell—this time, as an author. Autism is a powerful subject in its own right, and the numbers, unfortunately, show that it’s something more and more of us are intimately aware of (the latest studies show one in 68 children in the US are affected). I’m not the same person I was when I first walked through SARRC’s doors. I’ve absorbed and helped share some pretty powerful true stories—stories of challenged marriages, crushed spirits and loss. But somehow, people find a way to persevere. And that…that…is what HOW WE DEAL WITH GRAVITY IS ABOUT.<br />
<br />
Autism is consuming. It becomes a parent’s priority, and things like love, happiness…and life…take a bake seat. Ah but hope—hope. This one word is something I hear in every interview of every family affected by autism. So when I created Avery Abbot, I wanted to push her to the edge of almost losing hope—and then I wanted to give her chance. And that’s how Mason Street was born.<br />
<br />
You see, love and hope are deeply intertwined, and I believe you need to use one to fight for the other. And when you are raising a child with autism, love and hope almost take on super human strength, because you need them to survive. And I wanted to tell a story that honored that fight. So while GRAVITY is a love story between two people who are losing hope, it’s also my love song to the many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and grandparents who have opened up their hearts to me and shared their stories with me over the years. They’ve changed me, and I hope I do them justice. carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-52417803673985623062014-07-12T12:03:00.003-05:002014-07-12T16:57:25.540-05:00Review: Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2p-LmFEJrsQpVHh_7l2jgp2j-zCz24eJ8FcaWYc6_A0yNeEgQkcnZEjQcw_VPhOqAFAdxH-4Uvop6pExvDGh2vm02YBBJOuBj43GxAb-lt9zG14n40Q4Tr8Rla8dJVuhULPUrNfuVOfC/s1600/18246727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2p-LmFEJrsQpVHh_7l2jgp2j-zCz24eJ8FcaWYc6_A0yNeEgQkcnZEjQcw_VPhOqAFAdxH-4Uvop6pExvDGh2vm02YBBJOuBj43GxAb-lt9zG14n40Q4Tr8Rla8dJVuhULPUrNfuVOfC/s1600/18246727.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18246727-mud-vein">Mud Vein</a> by <a href="http://www.tarrynfisher.com/">Tarryn Fisher</a><br />
★★★★★<br />
Release Date: April 5, 2014<br />
Age: Adult, 17+<br />
Genre: Dark, Contemporary, Suspense, Kidnapping, Mystery, Thriller, Romance<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: purchased<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JHVUQ70/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JHVUQ70&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20&linkId=THONHTOKEVCHNVGR">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mud-vein-tarryn-fisher/1119123881?ean=9781497455047">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<i><b>($.99 ebooks for limited time at Amazon and BN)</b></i><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is left to decode the clues to find out why she was taken. If she wants her freedom, she has to take a close look at her past. But, her past has a heartbeat... and her kidnapper is nowhere to be found. With her survival hanging by a thread, Senna soon realizes this is a game. A dangerous one. Only the truth can set her free.</blockquote>
When I was reading this book, I felt like I was holding my breath. I was suffocating in a need and then I was part of the story. I was so involved in Tarryn's words that I was affected wholly around every corner and every surprise. This book will stay with me and haunt me and possibly take over my brain at some point. There aren't words to describe the tight feeling in my chest when I look at the cover or the chills that consume my body when I think about the plot.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"You are a stillness. And I tried to move you. It didn't work. But that doesn't mean you didn't move me. " </blockquote>
This book is a secret. A dark and twisted secret built and built and built on pain and self reflection. It's a book that you as a reader will try to figure out and wrap your head around but until you finish the story and put it down you will be so absorbed and lost that coherent thoughts may not be possible. It's beautiful and it's broken, and I loved it.<br />
<br />
Of all the books I've read, this book has by far the most highlighted passages.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Every minute you spent getting to know me, I got to know me."</blockquote>
Not only is Mud Vein dark it is also a beautifully imperfect love story, a story about the tie that two people have and the pain it causes and the suffering it endures. Soul mates. The story is not words on a page it is a movie playing in my brain, Tarryn's words are exhausting. They're perfect and digestible, they're memorable and painful. She's the best and if you disagree, we can't be friends.<br />
<br />
I spent this review talking about my feelings for the book as a sort of therapy, I can't get over this book. I did not dissect the story because I want you to be just as lost and miserable as I was. Go on.<br />
<br />
I recommend this book to fans of: <a href="http://www.authorkarinahalle.com/">Karina Halle</a>, <a href="http://www.tarrynfisher.com/">Tarryn Fisher</a> (duh), <a href="http://www.aboutcjroberts.com/">C.J. Roberts</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/KathrynVancePerez">Kathryn Perez</a>, and <a href="http://www.jessicaredmerski.com/">J.A. Redmerski</a>.carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-19016712147441172202014-04-03T20:29:00.001-05:002014-04-03T20:29:46.893-05:00Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCityoDxQPy2oIHSAD_R4n4Kf3yPwXOFJKxGL2ylmUvIsXS9qVGsFkecVSaaRU4yzTcOemCtVR_EylJdrcxKahs5Xszh5Z5l79xRRCpw9O7JU8LUx4XOdp3giKZCNcf8Wvm3UJjxPcVNsx/s1600/17788403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCityoDxQPy2oIHSAD_R4n4Kf3yPwXOFJKxGL2ylmUvIsXS9qVGsFkecVSaaRU4yzTcOemCtVR_EylJdrcxKahs5Xszh5Z5l79xRRCpw9O7JU8LUx4XOdp3giKZCNcf8Wvm3UJjxPcVNsx/s1600/17788403.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788403-maybe-someday">Maybe Someday</a> by <a href="https://colleenhoover.com/">Colleen Hoover</a><br />
★★★★★<br />
Release Date: March 18, 2014<br />
Publisher: Atria<br />
Age: New Adult<br />
Genre: Music, Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, College<br />
Format: Paperback<br />
Source: Purchased<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DPM7RJW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DPM7RJW&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maybe-someday-colleen-hoover/1115884686?ean=9781476753164">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.<br />Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…</blockquote>
<strike>I kind of stalk Colleen Hoover</strike> and as soon as she mentioned another book <i>I may have</i>, definitely did, squeal and freak and sit quite impatiently waiting for the release. Which felt like it took FOREVER. Then, on release day, I bought the book but waited a few days to start it and seriously read it the slowest I have ever read a book. Yes, I was excited, but I was savoring every second and detail. No lie, this book took me over a week to complete. I KNOW. For me, that's nuts. But, I didn't want it to end, I was enjoying the story and characters way too much.<br />
<br />
My favorite thing about Colleen's books is the surprise journey she leads the reader on. Reading the blurb I always think her books sound pretty straight forward and then.. she does the Colleen thing and just completely blows my freaking mind.<br />
<br />
The added element to hear the songs created in the story was so fun and it introduced me to another artist to follow. You need to read this book and I know a lot of you have or will, but those Colleen-virgins seriously need to jump on the bandwagon. You know who you are.carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-2043107275940787112014-03-26T18:15:00.001-05:002014-03-26T18:15:13.296-05:00Check Out: X&Y by Rebecca Finlayson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDQoy8uoEfLPZ7m2cgg4_LXnnO0g7N28qtBuuZ20urBz3w054vQ_aKFGI3cKov1xm2841TBjSNYhPlbR-aSSq4yVL2EndXGpBxlKAhcOOtkrBvGtmk_DIEv8Dt6o6yApunu3oKeCBuvgp/s1600/20921932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDQoy8uoEfLPZ7m2cgg4_LXnnO0g7N28qtBuuZ20urBz3w054vQ_aKFGI3cKov1xm2841TBjSNYhPlbR-aSSq4yVL2EndXGpBxlKAhcOOtkrBvGtmk_DIEv8Dt6o6yApunu3oKeCBuvgp/s1600/20921932.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20921932-x-y">X&Y</a> by <a href="http://www.rebeccafinlaysonbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">Rebecca Finlayson</a></span><br />
Age: Young Adult<br />
Genre: Dystopian<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZ8EOKS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GZ8EOKS&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20">Amazon</a><br />
<blockquote>
“With remarkable intelligence, stunning beauty, and – as the daughter of the head of the Triad, Society’s top three Human Designers – immeasurable wealth, Olivia Adonane’s future is assured. Wanting the same for her best friend Lily, whose world is far beneath her own, Olivia doesn’t know that she could kill her friend with her kindness. With her humble background, university is not something to which one such as Lily Brown is allowed to aspire. <br />
By designing all humans in the womb, Society – formerly known as Great Britain – tells its citizens it is building Utopia, though Olivia discovers that this is far from the truth. After watching Lily die in a secret chamber below the Triad Building in London, thanks to a law she didn’t even think was possible to break, the glass of Olivia’s perfect world is shattered. <br />
From here on out, she has a choice. Will she continue on her pre-designed path, following in her father’s footsteps through medical school to become Society’s most powerful Human Designer? Or will she seek to rebel against the System, attempting to expose and overthrow the seemingly-invincible regime so that her fellow citizens can be truly free?”</blockquote>
Genetic engineering is set to be one of the most controversial topics of our time. Our world has the technology to do amazing things and genetic engineering, at least from a technical point of view, is one of them for sure. But just because it’s amazing, does it mean it is right?<br />
<br />
I got the inspiration for “X&Y” a couple of years ago when I was supporting a Religious Studies lesson (I work as Teaching Assistant in a secondary school – 11-18 year olds). We were talking about genetic engineering and the ethics of it, particularly when it came to humans. The technology is there to begin eliminating fatal hereditary diseases from humans, which on the face of it is great. But where does it stop? <br />
<br />
I imagined a society in which the process didn’t stop, and the whole country became subject to a regime of genetic engineering in order to reach Utopia. While on the face of it, particularly from the main character, Olivia’s, point of view, there is dark stuff going on behind the scenes. I found it fascinating to write from the point of view of someone who has everything and is faced with the choice to risk it all for what she believes in. <br />
<br />
I hope that readers can relate to the things that my characters go through. After all, the issue of identity, in whatever context we face it, is something we all struggle with. I hope that readers enjoy the story and use it to question what is going on in our world today. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Below is the first chapter of X&Y. You can find the book, with a larger free sample, in the Amazon Kindle store.</i></b><br />
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<div style="font: 16.0px Lucida Grande; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 3.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>1.</b></span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Times New Roman; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thunder rumbles in the early hours of this morning and when I wake I think of Lily and what we’re going to do today. We’re meeting before school so we can post off our university applications together. To anyone who does not know who we are it seems such a little thing, but in this day and age it is not. My Ambition means I’m guaranteed a place at a prestigious institution, but Lily’s venture is a little more uncertain. Her portfolio, given to her parents when she was still in her mother’s womb, states that her Ambition is to be a waitress, which I’ve always thought was some kind of mix-up, as I’ve never thought she was right for the Service Industry. Very clumsy, and perpetually distracted by “higher things”, as she calls them, her different Preparation Experiences in cafes and restaurants have always ended spectacularly badly, though I will give her current boss come credit; she is unremittingly patient with her. </span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lily is also extraordinarily clever, which is why I persuaded her to fill in a university application in the first place. Strange, I think, considering her family’s Ambitions, that her Tag gave her the chance to advance as much as she has. I know that Lily thinks this is too risky, bordering on dangerous – especially when the admissions boards find out about her humble family background. What harm is there in trying, though? Despite her reluctance, I know when she gets offered an opportunity to study Philosophy and Poetry she’ll be ecstatic and all the fear will have been worth it.</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My own Ambition is very different. I will be following my father down the Designer route. First, six years of medical school followed by three more years of theoretical and practical study at the School of Human Design. I will learn how to create Tags with which to start unborn babies off on their uniquely selected paths, learn to further the research that reduces – and, hopefully, eventually eradicates – glitches in the System, and such like. My father is the most renowned Designer in the country, the head of the Triad – the Triad comprises of the country’s top three Designers – and one day I will take his place. It is a huge responsibility, but it is one for which I have specifically been Designed. I have no need to doubt myself. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Good morning, father,” I chime, kissing him on the cheek as I bounce down to the dining room for breakfast, schoolbag and big brown envelope at the ready. I fling them down untidily on a chair and fix myself some cereal. “Where’s mother?”</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Still in bed; she’s a little under the weather this morning. Not to worry though, she’ll be up and about in no time,” he says while sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper.</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“What is the news like this morning?” </span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Calm, as usual,” he smiles, and my curious doubts are quieted. Why do I harbour them? Our Society is near perfect. While other nations are constantly embroiled in bitter civil struggles, slowly destroying themselves from within, our country enjoys peace and prosperity. The “Utopia”, that the old writers dreamt of, is being achieved at last. I just wonder what the other countries are doing so wrong. Father soon breaks me out of my reverie. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Is that what I think it is?” he asks, indicating the brown envelope. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Yes,” I say proudly. “I wonder which school will want me.”</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“All of them, I expect. Look how strong your application is, after all.” </span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“It doesn’t hurt that I have your name on it, though,” I say slyly. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“True,” he says, winking at me. “But if your Ambition was not to follow in my footsteps, they would turn you down as any other school would turn down an applicant whose Ambition did not meet with their requirements.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“There’s something I wanted to ask you related to that,” I say. “You know Lily, my best friend?” </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Yes?” His tone is careful. He has never met Lily and there’s something about his wariness whenever I mention her that makes me uneasy, like he doesn’t think we should be friends. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Do you know if her Tag and her Ambition portfolio got mixed up somehow before she was born?” I ask.</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“I don’t know; I wasn’t assigned to her case. You would have to find that out from her hospital. Why?”</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Well, her Ambition is for her to be a waitress, but she’s not suited to that at all.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Waitressing is a perfectly good and sturdy profession,” my father says, his tone reprimanding. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“I know; I’m not being high and mighty. It’s just that, Lily doesn’t seem to enjoy it at all. She seems much more interested in pursuing Academia after Mandatory Education is over. I just wondered whether her original Portfolio was along the lines of some kind of Higher Educator, and the folder got mixed up in the hospital.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“That’s impossible,” he says, though his dark eyebrows narrow a little over his thick-rimmed black glasses. “Are you sure this isn’t just some Secondary Interest that she is feeling quite strongly about at the moment?”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“I don’t think so,” I say, although my instincts tell me to shut up. “Even in between her work breaks she’s always reading a book of some poet or another. She excels at school – really, she would do much better at <i>my</i> school – and it crushes me to think she can’t do what she really wants.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“She wants to be a waitress,” my father says quietly. “If her portfolio says so, then that is what her Tag has prepared her for, and that is what she will do. I think you might be seeing more in this situation than there is.”</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“But-” I start to argue, about to reveal that I’ve helped her fill in university application, but something in his voice tells me that would be dangerous. His mobile phone rings and he frowns when he sees who is calling him. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“What is it?” he snaps into the phone. His eyes widen as the speaker on the other end rapidly relays information, though I can’t hear what he is saying. “I’ll come immediately.” He clicks off, his expression a mixture of annoyance and something else. Dismay?</span></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 42.5px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“We’ll talk about this later,” he says quickly as he dons his suit jacket and picks up his briefcase and I assume he means our earlier conversation. “I have to go. I’ll see you for dinner. We’re going out to The Glade tonight.” He kisses my head and leaves. Soon I hear the car rev up and speed away, gravel flying everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Sure,” I murmur, wondering what on earth that was about.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</span><br />
Rebecca Finlayson was born in the north of England - specifically Blackburn, Lancashire – but actually spent most of her childhood in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (fans of Harry Potter will recognise that name!). Inspired by reading a children’s version of “The Odyssey” 20+ times while growing up, she decided to study Classical Civilisation at Warwick University and took a job as a Teaching Assistant upon graduating. After two years she decided to take a year out in order to do some charity work but, more significantly, pursue some writing projects that had been nagging at her for some time. The first of these projects to be completed, a Young Adult Dystopian novel entitled “X&Y” is now on sale on Amazon Kindle. The second – a fantasy novel entitled “The Secrets of Nethiaria: The Magician’s Book” will be out in Spring 2014. <br />
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You can find Rebecca Finlayson at <a href="http://www.rebeccafinlaysonbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">http://www.rebeccafinlaysonbooks.blogspot.co.uk</a> or on twitter: @finlaysonauthor.<br />
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<br />carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-77309797293378718842014-03-07T05:32:00.003-06:002014-03-07T05:32:54.634-06:00Check Out: Stealing Promises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjUlka7Rx-OGK-KHG5-Cyd1CSrI144pdbJ_d-qHLRgqVXiCgZfUBeKq6abI_FhXcEKEWbgf3ieNhE1yuiefrs6neB6PJGO0e6B_KoV34PytrL0G4EBvH_NANF-YK6avEXTNqG0AUPtj7JvYRncXFUCpjhNTwrAcMQNrZ55QcVUEufYq3cnPJtxYv9no7rx8JQ=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://markmywordsbookpublicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SP-New-Cover.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18366646-stealing-promises">Stealing Promises</a> by <a href="http://www.brinacourtney.com/">Brina Courtney</a><br />
Age: New Adult<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YKNU0U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008YKNU0U&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/214944">Smashwords</a> ($.99 for a limited time)</div>
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Promises are made to be kept, never stolen. But that’s exactly what happened to Victoria Blane and Levi Manor. Tragedy strikes their perfect relationship leaving Victoria struggling to overcome the darkness that threatens to bury her.<br />
With Victoria’s life in tatters she decides that running away is easier than dealing with her troubles. But when a friend finds her on the floor in her kitchen, she knows it’s time for a change.<br />
Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone. He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever.<br />
Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. He becomes her champion, her life line… her sunshine in the darkness. But is Victoria ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?</blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">The next morning Victoria was surprised to find it drizzling outside. She snuggled further under the quilt but when she reached over for Levi, he wasn’t there. She groggily opened her eyes and started to sit up looking for him, but he wasn’t inside the small cabin.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Wrapping the quilt around her body she shuffled over to the window to look out and see Levi rearranging some things in the truck. She opened it slightly and called out to him, “Morning, did you have breakfast yet?”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">He waved back at her, there was mud down his jeans but he looked relaxed and almost cheerful. “No not yet. I’m trying to get down to the main house to get us some, it was included with our stay. God damn truck is stuck in the mud.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Victoria sighed deeply, so much for getting to see the small town that was close by. “Well I packed some snacks.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">He smiled back at her and shrugged his shoulders and walked into the cabin taking off his muddy boots upon arrival. He walked over to Victoria and delivered a light kiss on the cheek, “How did I get so lucky?”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">She smiled back at him devilishly, “Can’t tell ya. So what’s the grand plan for today vacation planner?”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">He laughed at her teasing, “You’ll just have to wait and see won’t you?”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">She set her lips into a thin line, Victoria didn’t like surprises very much.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">“Don’t worry about it. Just eat your granola bar.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">After they ate and Victoria had gotten dressed Levi led her to the back of the cabin to a small trail. “I think you’re really going to enjoy this.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">They walked through the cool spring air while trees shed sprinkles on them. They walked in silence, hand-in-hand over small rocks and twigs, through the mud until Victoria finally heard rushing water. “Is that a waterfall?”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Levi smiled at her. “Nope. I did you one better.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">As they continued to walk they came upon a clearing with a small hot spring receded into the ground. There were rocks set up around it clearly put there by nature while others had been moved by people to keep clothes dry and supplies away from the steam. Victoria smiled and pushed Levi playfully. “You know I didn’t bring a bathing suit!”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Levi kissed her on the lips pushing his body against hers, “Of course I know that.” He quickly began to strip, taking his hoodie and shirt off in a flash. Victoria watched with interested eyes as he turned to her, his tanned muscles rippling beneath the light rain. He walked over to her and wrapped his hands around her body to bring her closer. “You’re going to join me, right?” He whispered hotly in her ear.</span></div>
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<h3>
<strong>About Brina Courtney</strong></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><strong><div align="center" style="display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brina-Courtney/270546116309774">Facebook</a> | </div>
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<a href="http://www.brinacourtney.com/">Website</a> | </div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/BrinaCourtney">Twitter</a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.yanovelreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/5295520.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5295520" src="http://www.yanovelreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/5295520.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>Brina Courtney is a new adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She’s spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDK98f_X3nfZYSqUtDtBpEaiG3PBFFB7zdNnINaj70LwFQb5PjIr0BooPW7W4EUlj28wSSQE9ASBt8AE_j69LBzrYeYGa5EecrvxGxyK4WyygV0jF4O0xhYYlRCLxjD2C-FJZcWwLFoj-/s1600/17861295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDK98f_X3nfZYSqUtDtBpEaiG3PBFFB7zdNnINaj70LwFQb5PjIr0BooPW7W4EUlj28wSSQE9ASBt8AE_j69LBzrYeYGa5EecrvxGxyK4WyygV0jF4O0xhYYlRCLxjD2C-FJZcWwLFoj-/s1600/17861295.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17861295-in-this-moment">In This Moment</a> by <a href="http://www.autumndoughton.com/">Autumn Doughton</a><br />
★★★★☆<br />
Release Date: August 2013<br />
Age: New Adult<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance, College, Drama, Tragedy<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: Purchased<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EH1WDPS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EH1WDPS&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-this-moment-autumn-doughton/1117390820?ean=2940148971153">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<blockquote>
Every moment possesses its own kind of magic...<br />
Aimee Spencer learned the hard way that for some moments, there are no take-backs, no rewinds, no do-overs. A year ago her world imploded and Aimee has been running ever since. She doesn't want to feel. She doesn't want to remember. To bury the ghosts that haunt her, she is living a life that has become unrecognizable.<br />
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Cole Everly is a golden boy with a cocky smile and an attitude to match. He's grown accustomed to girls throwing themselves at his feet, but when Aimee trips and literally lands in his lap one afternoon, she's not at all what he expects. Difficult, damaged, closed-off. If Cole needed to make a list of qualities to avoid in a girl, Aimee would probably match up with every single one of them. He knows that he should stay away but he's drawn to her in a way that he can't exactly explain.<br />
In this honest and absorbing story, Aimee and Cole struggle to sort out the thin spaces between loss and love. Ultimately, they will need to learn how to navigate through the pieces of the past if they want to hold on to the future and each other.</blockquote>
I kept hearing about this author, <b>Autumn Doughton</b>, and was recommended her books a few times by trusted sources. I was browsing Amazon and <i>In This Moment</i> was only $.99 for Kindle so I snatched it up, read it through, and quickly became a fan of Autumn's myself.<br />
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Here's the thing about this book, it is nothing that stands out in the New Adult category. I spent the first half of the story thinking I had read it before (I hadn't) but it's so familiar and similar to the other books out there. There's the popular college jock, emotionally damaged loner girl, their friendship, their romance, rocky times, love, you know. For me, that was a good thing. I needed something to get me back into the reading mood; and Cole and Aimee's relationship pulled me in until I finished their story.<br />
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Cole Everly is all strength and charm, with a past full of girls that he doesn't care about. Aimee has had a difficult couple of years and isn't looking for romance and certainly isn't looking in the direction of Cole. She's guarded and locked away inside of herself. Full of blame and depression that's eating away at her, but meeting Cole was a great thing for Aimee. Slowly throughout the book the reader has the opportunity to watch her grow, trust, forgive and eventually love.<br />
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The mystery aspect of Aimee's past is enough to keep anyone intrigued and hooked. Autumn does a great job building up to the details of her past and the tragedy she had faced. She's a weak character, full of flaws; but those flaws and weakness make her the admirable survivor. I can't imagine the will it takes to make some of the decisions (good and bad) that she did. But I can appreciate how multidimensional she is.<br />
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This book features some tough issues, drama, and sadness. But, it's a book full of tomorrows and possibilities, it's uplifting and challenging and one to not overlook. It's not all dark clouds and sad eyes and it is very well written, lacking the cliches and unsympathetic nature that some books of this genre possess. I say read it! Especially if you enjoy New Adult romances, Cole does not disappoint ;)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY</span><br />
Enter to win a kindle copy of<i> In This Moment</i>!</div>
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carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-25303387504064231472014-02-26T20:13:00.002-06:002014-02-26T20:13:26.179-06:00So, I'm new here.Haha, new. Not really. Unless blogging for 4 years is new. Then. I guess I am.<br />
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I have to say, I miss blogging, I miss reviewing and most of all I MISS READING!<br />
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Here's a little post just to post. I'm hoping to have more soon. I'm currently not accepting any review requests. And, any books I've previously agreed to review I will not be promising a date or that I will actually get to it. I'm horrible, I know. But, this gig is my hobby and I just can't promise a whole lot right now with a baby coming in just 11 short weeks. 11 weeks! Ahh. And, with my utter disconnect to reading I'm only reading what I really want to read right now; I think I've read 3 books in 2 months. I KNOW! I used to read more than that in a week! :( Hopefully that changes soon.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Some Recent Releases</u></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18143908-take-a-chance">Take a Chance</a></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">by <a href="http://www.abbiglines.com/">Abbi Glines</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A Rosemary Beach Novel (Chance #1)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52ZqO9kD_vn4hTOP31PmgIRBd-gYzAJnjJTml4_lSHYeVAsqa2Jdqq85Dy1u0y2aYoWxAhqVlGBY3eBMO3FjulTRAw2zjxGE6PUoP_EPiDeA19SxGyiQ6AayrvRa6hF82HdTRjNO2U3z_/s1600/18143908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52ZqO9kD_vn4hTOP31PmgIRBd-gYzAJnjJTml4_lSHYeVAsqa2Jdqq85Dy1u0y2aYoWxAhqVlGBY3eBMO3FjulTRAw2zjxGE6PUoP_EPiDeA19SxGyiQ6AayrvRa6hF82HdTRjNO2U3z_/s1600/18143908.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a>When Harlow Manning's rocker father goes on tour, he sends her to Rosemary Beach, Florida, to live with her half-sister, Nan. The problem: Nan despises her. Harlow has to keep her head down if she wants to get through the next nine months, which seems easy enough. Until gorgeous Grant Carter walks out of Nan's room in nothing but his boxer briefs.<br />
Grant made a huge mistake getting involved with a girl with venom in her veins. He'd known about Nan's reputation, but still he couldn't resist her. Nothing makes him regret the fling more than meeting Harlow, who sends his pulse racing. Yet Harlow wants nothing to do with a guy who could fall for her wicked half-sister—even if there are no strings between Grant and Nan. Grant is desperate to redeem himself in Harlow's eyes, but did he ruin his chances before he even met her?</blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18524947-donners-of-the-dead">Donners of the Dead</a> by <a href="http://www.experimentinterror.com/">Karina Halle</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0RzC3P_Cx86Ihad1QTXc3Koj-kb2QZKrXJR-Qo9KUkHdYEJHQwZHY_iUzNNMbjyKCJGfKEqTJpMhilF-WvsatmCnTQHmvRmx0J6ToYoPHijmE4e6XyPyQx3Bh8bFmJ78L2J4EYwulKg8/s1600/18524947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0RzC3P_Cx86Ihad1QTXc3Koj-kb2QZKrXJR-Qo9KUkHdYEJHQwZHY_iUzNNMbjyKCJGfKEqTJpMhilF-WvsatmCnTQHmvRmx0J6ToYoPHijmE4e6XyPyQx3Bh8bFmJ78L2J4EYwulKg8/s1600/18524947.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>***A Standalone Horror Romance coming February 2014***<br />
A note about this book: Donners of the Dead is set in 1851 – couples were often thrust into marriage together with short courtships, racism was widespread and not overly frowned upon, and women had little to no rights. What wouldn't fly in today's day and age was unfortunately the norm back then - it is worth keeping that in mind when reading this book.<br />
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Jake McGraw was unlike anyone I’d ever known. He was brash, rude, unapologetic and arrogant; chauvinistic, close-minded, and terribly stubborn. He was built like a tree, tall with a hard chest and wide shoulders and hands that looked like they could wrestle a bear. He was a cigar-chomping, scruffy-faced, beast of a man. I was pretty sure I hated him. And I know he hated me. But among the flesh-eating monsters in these snow-capped mountains, he was the only thing keeping me alive<br />
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The year is 1851 and pioneers in search of California gold are still afraid to travel on the same route as the tragic Donner party did years before. When the last wagon train to go into the Sierra Nevada mountains fails to arrive at their destination, Eve Smith, an 18-year old half-native girl with immense tracking skills is brought along with the search party, headed by an enigmatic former Texas Ranger, Jake McGraw.<br />
What they find deep in the dangerous snow-covered terrain is a terrifying consequence of cannibalism, giving new meaning to the term “monster.” While the search party is slowly picked off, one by one, Eve must learn to trust Jake, who harbors more than a few secrets of his own, in order to survive and prevent the monstrosities from reaching civilization.<br />
***This is NOT New Adult***</blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182046-therapy">Therapy</a> by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/KathrynVancePerez">Kathryn Perez</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERXoXfDzw7tAL6_lGGTfdi9OGA-u-jG4cSBfMfTE4uf-2PUFmMJaILWOwA6RRjB2Ejev-cBYK2fWNbhzKSJEKzPFxy__a6bxoE8rf88bNCwearu8lPArQgli1s9kRDMVGuR39Isv0PdWF/s1600/17182046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERXoXfDzw7tAL6_lGGTfdi9OGA-u-jG4cSBfMfTE4uf-2PUFmMJaILWOwA6RRjB2Ejev-cBYK2fWNbhzKSJEKzPFxy__a6bxoE8rf88bNCwearu8lPArQgli1s9kRDMVGuR39Isv0PdWF/s1600/17182046.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a>I’m needy.<br />
I’m broken.<br />
Cutting breaks through my numbness, but only opens more wounds.<br />
Depression, self-harm, bullying....that's my reality.<br />
Sex and guys....that's my escape.<br />
The space between the truth and lies is blurred leaving me torn, lost and confused. And while the monsters that live in my head try to beat me-- the two men that I love try to save me.<br />
This is my story of friendship, heartache, and the grueling journey that is mental-illness.<br />
Sometimes you have to get lost in order to be found…</blockquote>
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I actually read this one (I KNOW, I read a book!). My feelings are still all over the place. I was trudging through, then absorbed, then... It's a jarring and emotion filled ride and I read it straight through but I wasn't wholly invested. It really reminded me of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13312527-the-opportunist">The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13345975-avoiding-commitment">The Avoiding Series by K.A. Linde</a>; if you like those then check it out!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13645645-uninvited">Uninvited</a> by <a href="http://www.sophiejordan.net/">Sophie Jordan</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxTn1CSbfxOYNwik6VqVk9mmEgigAh1FZSPPozTTy1cvh9qDhIPhH2ZcBYgTHKkKPUkYnErhemCR5fUB2VKAtcFmGJlit4Anagl8pWrrgu7GyAO1ameTmOroQQkFUYH-yOAuBc5v8AK_G/s1600/13645645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxTn1CSbfxOYNwik6VqVk9mmEgigAh1FZSPPozTTy1cvh9qDhIPhH2ZcBYgTHKkKPUkYnErhemCR5fUB2VKAtcFmGJlit4Anagl8pWrrgu7GyAO1ameTmOroQQkFUYH-yOAuBc5v8AK_G/s1600/13645645.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a><b>The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.</b><br />
When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.<br />
Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.<br />
The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.</blockquote>
Another one I read and this one was WOW. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book! I recommend it to fans of Kelley Armstrong's YA titles.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>A Couple of Upcoming Releases</u></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788403-maybe-someday">Maybe Someday</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://colleenhoover.com/">Colleen Hoover</a></span><br />
Expected Release: March 18, 2014</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz6PWWOTn3cDmTYUjSWYTzek5xYlBFu2MXqK5dR11zkqHFmjYDta3TDCYLkQt0K4HLCZSWlrlh1fnASK30ZKSRXz2WobZfaf7rnco43rtBEGLIptSNSRDn-Vp-jJnMh74k3FmnwZNLp_H/s1600/17788403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz6PWWOTn3cDmTYUjSWYTzek5xYlBFu2MXqK5dR11zkqHFmjYDta3TDCYLkQt0K4HLCZSWlrlh1fnASK30ZKSRXz2WobZfaf7rnco43rtBEGLIptSNSRDn-Vp-jJnMh74k3FmnwZNLp_H/s1600/17788403.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a>From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance—and the enchanting music that inspires one young woman to put her life back together.<br />
At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.<br />
Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…<br />
From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Slammed, Point of Retreat, Hopeless, This Girl, and Losing Hope, Maybe Someday is destined to become another bestseller and long-lasting fan favorite.</blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18530135-royally-lost">Royally Lost</a> by <a href="http://angiestanton.com/">Angie Stanton</a></span><br />
Expected Release: May 6, 2014<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi8zo-g4iPJTMR_ux3iuGJOyEVFechi1cj8au3F_juIEVGJVtwCifBRl__71Iz8f7j9nk_35lntANnZIWiIBLIoa5IkEBXaLQfZUb5Y5QNZ5tGVo8bebjz15jyYdIkWiCbrURRmZldsqA/s1600/18530135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi8zo-g4iPJTMR_ux3iuGJOyEVFechi1cj8au3F_juIEVGJVtwCifBRl__71Iz8f7j9nk_35lntANnZIWiIBLIoa5IkEBXaLQfZUb5Y5QNZ5tGVo8bebjz15jyYdIkWiCbrURRmZldsqA/s1600/18530135.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.<br />Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.<br />When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?</blockquote>
carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-38777758730670609702013-12-15T09:13:00.002-06:002013-12-15T09:13:41.878-06:00Holiday Gift Giving Ideas #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FbWW_8L7LOJZtTmXOq-G_U8WufVJ1-a8kftZsHDwbYhi92AwsHuO_tF780wxHXESgJK4_hcMGcngmkC0vzIeDT8LhVr50GFqGKfPbv387VCVkzG_FQODY4IbabriMFRFssPqL7MVK2ls/s1600/red_bow_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FbWW_8L7LOJZtTmXOq-G_U8WufVJ1-a8kftZsHDwbYhi92AwsHuO_tF780wxHXESgJK4_hcMGcngmkC0vzIeDT8LhVr50GFqGKfPbv387VCVkzG_FQODY4IbabriMFRFssPqL7MVK2ls/s320/red_bow_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two years ago I was searching the web for the perfect book lover gifts and decided to share them here. Here is the third annual gift giving ideas post. Featuring awesome things to gift the tributes, Hogwarts alumni, nerdfighters, and fan girls (and guys) on your list!<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>TFiOS Travel Mug</u></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/165479284/shipping-delay-the-fault-in-our-stars-by?ref=sr_gallery_31&ga_search_query=nerdfighters&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all">Sold here at this Etsy Shop</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmBpGRX3lnTeyxvDFRcJTN-8mYWV8kP3VzVvyZOuWiOA5XTBZMDohLB8saxmAvaNHAwS4LYwnou1KJg0vWrqguwoFFxans3kiGGoUg-OKs4-dWf4mtSXI8mEb29Xl4zLFBE_32KorsUlF/s1600/il_570xN.511893963_jv5j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmBpGRX3lnTeyxvDFRcJTN-8mYWV8kP3VzVvyZOuWiOA5XTBZMDohLB8saxmAvaNHAwS4LYwnou1KJg0vWrqguwoFFxans3kiGGoUg-OKs4-dWf4mtSXI8mEb29Xl4zLFBE_32KorsUlF/s320/il_570xN.511893963_jv5j.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This shop also sells various other book related mugs!</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Cannon Bookends</u></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/shot-from-a-cannon-bookends">Found at Uncommongoods</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Ov5mPhTek5TA17-v_mTfLz1cWoEWrtDBHLTI6yUujhkwNldhwo0FMV87vK3fvz6PK2kD5JD546K_LPvSRbflqZUAmy1j710SgJ201tbwTgNttx4vN-zw77u7CZ5V92MP66I8I0AhbCq/s1600/cann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Ov5mPhTek5TA17-v_mTfLz1cWoEWrtDBHLTI6yUujhkwNldhwo0FMV87vK3fvz6PK2kD5JD546K_LPvSRbflqZUAmy1j710SgJ201tbwTgNttx4vN-zw77u7CZ5V92MP66I8I0AhbCq/s320/cann.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Elven Ear Clips</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/166f/">Found at ThinkGeek</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaaoX0o-2jqRid3oGA4hAkKeyhcA_Dwrs_rajEkuj3MU8b7CAQ3I2gSmM2_KQzdKWThDgEFscjTWbLT9kQdtRGjY69AC79iB3A2xr7YE2f_vS1gM17Su2cPqclPFNuMYd4kzkfiUGblMf/s1600/166f_elven_ear_clips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaaoX0o-2jqRid3oGA4hAkKeyhcA_Dwrs_rajEkuj3MU8b7CAQ3I2gSmM2_KQzdKWThDgEFscjTWbLT9kQdtRGjY69AC79iB3A2xr7YE2f_vS1gM17Su2cPqclPFNuMYd4kzkfiUGblMf/s1600/166f_elven_ear_clips.jpg" /></a></div>
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Just in time for the new Hobbitses!</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Big Bang Theory Clue</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1403/?pfm=geektoys_featured_1403_4">Found at ThinkGeek</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB5RX4on6ZtEYe-VRM7LO2rBu2lfNOZIAuLzYy-4JmjbbcJqx8ObGdiEQMYgD6AO8un90owrm0GC9Q-o3kBalrBSRA7_9LXtTSjg7QE7k8hwEnr1KxkXGqf-8ngcaswfdj5rooDPKch_j/s1600/1403_big_bang_theory_clue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB5RX4on6ZtEYe-VRM7LO2rBu2lfNOZIAuLzYy-4JmjbbcJqx8ObGdiEQMYgD6AO8un90owrm0GC9Q-o3kBalrBSRA7_9LXtTSjg7QE7k8hwEnr1KxkXGqf-8ngcaswfdj5rooDPKch_j/s1600/1403_big_bang_theory_clue.jpg" /></a></div>
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How awesome!</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Tardis Tent</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/efa1/">Found at ThinkGeek</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DAuCdCf9ZuqDW4a6aEvwEr3LNbJuntko2xPcjk8HeAAgPGLil2GO1bJLlvGmBU5y5JKsGdQ0w_jlPJa2K-OrdeoiSt2ESF5Da48GbSzVOcWJ6YCX6X-ZAOyGZ3revT8pnYO-j6bnP1gz/s1600/efa1_doctor_who_play_tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DAuCdCf9ZuqDW4a6aEvwEr3LNbJuntko2xPcjk8HeAAgPGLil2GO1bJLlvGmBU5y5JKsGdQ0w_jlPJa2K-OrdeoiSt2ESF5Da48GbSzVOcWJ6YCX6X-ZAOyGZ3revT8pnYO-j6bnP1gz/s1600/efa1_doctor_who_play_tent.jpg" /></a></div>
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I can hear my Doctor Who pals squealing already!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>For more gift ideas continue reading...</i></span></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A Game of Thrones Cookbook</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed95/">Found at ThinkGeek</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G0yY0kpgiGUug6WC3odNxXFPWYzzG8JEbA_ZvL_thdgTBdBFdL4bRyPwnQ7Ar978edkXdUl1thSs4n9XlMR7bAsmzlvRVs90Lay7ZN3K3fKfkuYXw5HI0Fo5EaF9aMntx0E4kYfnNHCz/s1600/ed95_unofficial_game_of_thrones_cookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G0yY0kpgiGUug6WC3odNxXFPWYzzG8JEbA_ZvL_thdgTBdBFdL4bRyPwnQ7Ar978edkXdUl1thSs4n9XlMR7bAsmzlvRVs90Lay7ZN3K3fKfkuYXw5HI0Fo5EaF9aMntx0E4kYfnNHCz/s1600/ed95_unofficial_game_of_thrones_cookbook.jpg" /></a></div>
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because Winter is Coming.</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Startrek Shirt</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.lookhuman.com/design/35930-i-want-a-starship">Found at LookHuman</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrinsZBa0CH7cAxblddX1TYnd7pwIMbSq0hQjnY-tSjhStv6kDGbo-nl_s3eFM0XS4QwO8iTmNNfF7-bC7VPQU-JkUetFg-Cr5vCBmrRt4p33C-S83jwdo1o91P2kLFYkKXClL31jmcHK/s1600/394triblk-w484h484z1-35930-i-want-a-starship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrinsZBa0CH7cAxblddX1TYnd7pwIMbSq0hQjnY-tSjhStv6kDGbo-nl_s3eFM0XS4QwO8iTmNNfF7-bC7VPQU-JkUetFg-Cr5vCBmrRt4p33C-S83jwdo1o91P2kLFYkKXClL31jmcHK/s320/394triblk-w484h484z1-35930-i-want-a-starship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Zombie Buddy Bracelets</b></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/95849320/zombie-apocalypse-buddy-bracelets">Found ay Etsy</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt1kgbO1AGkFg1Hsd40HOZTpur_Qw77LybdwDIhCjhfIrTew_TSnPzovu-WRkxbFtfx_JYZoZmnCGNS3FQzR8J3AAnHCouDLTXUWIIJokF62ZjC5B8gpAPiJHqhEjmiswa04zfgdh0-Je/s1600/il_570xN.322508890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt1kgbO1AGkFg1Hsd40HOZTpur_Qw77LybdwDIhCjhfIrTew_TSnPzovu-WRkxbFtfx_JYZoZmnCGNS3FQzR8J3AAnHCouDLTXUWIIJokF62ZjC5B8gpAPiJHqhEjmiswa04zfgdh0-Je/s320/il_570xN.322508890.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A great gift to give to your doomsday buddy!</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hogwarts Shirt</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.lookhuman.com/design/22393-i-work-out">Found at LookHuman</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcegF9eLlh-xM8kmcLPrmbpI9hKKgN2hWlKJgYjsP-3I6ciI4eo5RzXP6dWSqY9LJJYEgNkj2yMTbG9Zcr3Dzf0LWK2For9JGUlX8gOv_jgfJX3X4nVcurQxU4Ktlq2k5nyLLAgYgKBYF/s1600/tr401atg-w484h484z1-22393-i-work-out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcegF9eLlh-xM8kmcLPrmbpI9hKKgN2hWlKJgYjsP-3I6ciI4eo5RzXP6dWSqY9LJJYEgNkj2yMTbG9Zcr3Dzf0LWK2For9JGUlX8gOv_jgfJX3X4nVcurQxU4Ktlq2k5nyLLAgYgKBYF/s320/tr401atg-w484h484z1-22393-i-work-out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Harry Potter Light Switch Plate</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104550250/lumos-nox-silver-and-black-standard?ref=market">Found at Etsy</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqnv6ooLUT1do00CPN7NiXogdUTRE2Cy77JiYa0jA8mf3wWzUUP4MInjS0I3Yzi1-lSVdWGXWrOSyP8w9wf4CpSxOAmpLXYP5ep0d9nDgpN4KGnXXsPuLo-6wnj3Tlgfj2Yfzl6a7kljv/s1600/il_570xN.428209287_gi41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqnv6ooLUT1do00CPN7NiXogdUTRE2Cy77JiYa0jA8mf3wWzUUP4MInjS0I3Yzi1-lSVdWGXWrOSyP8w9wf4CpSxOAmpLXYP5ep0d9nDgpN4KGnXXsPuLo-6wnj3Tlgfj2Yfzl6a7kljv/s320/il_570xN.428209287_gi41.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">comes in different colors!</td></tr>
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There is soooo much on etsy, I could list everything or you could go browse. Go browse.</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Yoshi Painted Ornament</span></u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/166307709/yoshi-painted-christmas-ornament-super">Found at Etsy</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKYU7r4X2O5z-KvhV8NRs_MJ39WZXqjLZE5847OULhcZzuGGQtmhklC12V810hfHVLTFA4WKXv2xJtG1gWEy9pcv0xryhSkHQ4B_7svkqAkzJNhC5sUaMbhfMCytgnkM_wu0TAtxz3rcZ/s1600/il_570xN.514912947_p1tl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKYU7r4X2O5z-KvhV8NRs_MJ39WZXqjLZE5847OULhcZzuGGQtmhklC12V810hfHVLTFA4WKXv2xJtG1gWEy9pcv0xryhSkHQ4B_7svkqAkzJNhC5sUaMbhfMCytgnkM_wu0TAtxz3rcZ/s320/il_570xN.514912947_p1tl.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
This I really feel like with some creativity you could make yourself, and personalize it. </div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">USB Animatronic Squirming Tentacle </span></u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ede3/?cpg=cj&ref=&CJURL=&CJID=1414665">Found at ThinkGeek</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJbYq5l4_GssGWO2qtBDqPJLzI9WGv2eOtTY9hAh4-brL-Sw2orGsOWdHCKu3yjuQHPFT7MVP1yTwOyMC6x8byVQs53T5vHd2uqS-rJtgGNSjchM3TNIlnhrEFW9dX8FT3xMZg2XJy0Hy/s1600/usb-animatronic-squirming-tentacle-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJbYq5l4_GssGWO2qtBDqPJLzI9WGv2eOtTY9hAh4-brL-Sw2orGsOWdHCKu3yjuQHPFT7MVP1yTwOyMC6x8byVQs53T5vHd2uqS-rJtgGNSjchM3TNIlnhrEFW9dX8FT3xMZg2XJy0Hy/s320/usb-animatronic-squirming-tentacle-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last year I found some amazing Ninja USBs. This year I came across this, must see to believe.</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Leather Mac Book Air Case</span></u></b><br />
<a href="http://twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook_macbook/">Found at TwelveSouth</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q_kAeMRp0y-KSf29VRWDF562Pq3wrFK5Dd5xL_wVi5OBAxtUrp6hdb3FBZFKHxQpPhLsfA10z1-ALTg_1QsRgvNkWIR0JLKq4ramRk4NFK9KbgutyT-3-Sdac5f1Rkl4iVotkW1dC0g3/s1600/BookBookRetina_Left_Hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q_kAeMRp0y-KSf29VRWDF562Pq3wrFK5Dd5xL_wVi5OBAxtUrp6hdb3FBZFKHxQpPhLsfA10z1-ALTg_1QsRgvNkWIR0JLKq4ramRk4NFK9KbgutyT-3-Sdac5f1Rkl4iVotkW1dC0g3/s1600/BookBookRetina_Left_Hero.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Zombie Hunting Permit</b></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/United-States-Zombie-Hunting-Sticker/dp/B005G3XFW6">Found at Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizApHm8vV1neVwnH9DWl0TkgUuT2ZTfjBKWakqdBUApQbc99KuKESxgUlth6PSSL2upzVur-hQoGEyYvQQMSJavXTBsVdRNlTQdtWhNBL-TOgM2UN56e32CvvA4BcTnP3YPbq1MPbiFtD2/s1600/5148EXH+x0L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizApHm8vV1neVwnH9DWl0TkgUuT2ZTfjBKWakqdBUApQbc99KuKESxgUlth6PSSL2upzVur-hQoGEyYvQQMSJavXTBsVdRNlTQdtWhNBL-TOgM2UN56e32CvvA4BcTnP3YPbq1MPbiFtD2/s320/5148EXH+x0L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Haha! Buying!</div>
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<br />carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-46700393030674259882013-11-23T07:29:00.000-06:002013-11-23T07:29:47.635-06:00Blog Tour: Remy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWRwQbFIlycmHbXpG51WIC4UA-TJdBzRZI7D2Fdel05dX3L_-MotbYM1Tka4vKqjRPlowaiuEpY4mslr9_e12xa8IY6Z4v5yAdug9boYAPObbj24Cj-C3mma39sKUpXOKxXOpzihKvBCr/s1600/REMY+Banner+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWRwQbFIlycmHbXpG51WIC4UA-TJdBzRZI7D2Fdel05dX3L_-MotbYM1Tka4vKqjRPlowaiuEpY4mslr9_e12xa8IY6Z4v5yAdug9boYAPObbj24Cj-C3mma39sKUpXOKxXOpzihKvBCr/s200/REMY+Banner+copy.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiLdTpyNtag9pBkfbFrkeDDWdHwqnFWxGDBXIdeqolsqL_wt3YOHu37tM2ZN6rK-zeeeb5J7pj9d6WCnEpvqQRde2xiqdR3TFe7A4ZMC7-Bu_ln7T0T0pAosHSw-MBtQLP3lwv1aWtDqz/s1600/9781476764467_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiLdTpyNtag9pBkfbFrkeDDWdHwqnFWxGDBXIdeqolsqL_wt3YOHu37tM2ZN6rK-zeeeb5J7pj9d6WCnEpvqQRde2xiqdR3TFe7A4ZMC7-Bu_ln7T0T0pAosHSw-MBtQLP3lwv1aWtDqz/s320/9781476764467_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="205" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17830559-remy?ac=1">Remy</a> by <a href="http://www.katyevans.net/">Katy Evans</a></span><br />
★★★★★<br />
Release Date: November 26, 2013<br />
Publisher: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=gallery%20books&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimprints.simonandschuster.biz%2Fgallery&ei=uq2QUu_hC4fVrgH6t4G4Bg&usg=AFQjCNErQPZ4d5IH597y4BV4HsR4dcMWzg&sig2=-Yxom27yJa-pkrD-SlPQig&bvm=bv.56988011,d.aWM">Gallery Books</a><br />
Age: Adult<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fighting, Love, Illness, Boxing<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=subclub%20books&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesubclubbooks.com%2F&ei=-u6PUr6LEIHAqwHIy4HYCA&usg=AFQjCNHNaBBBMN3GuqikRQVLsPr4FhhXYA&sig2=VeRcmXtJyutH1rhRR3i94w&bvm=bv.56988011,d.aWM">SUBClub Books</a><br />
Preorder: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D0MZXE8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00D0MZXE8&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remy-katy-evans/1115426938?ean=9781476764467">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Underground fighter Remington Tate is a mystery, even to himself. His mind is dark and light, complex and enlightening. At times his actions and moods are carefully measured, and at others, they spin out of control. Through it all, there's been one constant: wanting, needing, loving, and protecting Brooke Dumas. This is his story; from the first moment he laid eyes on her and knew, without a doubt, she would be the realest thing he's ever had to fight for.</blockquote>
With my limited presence this month, I feel like all I've posted are book review for Katy Evans books. This is not a bad thing, not at all. We should just rename November to Remy-ember! Remy is the third book (kind of) in the Real series by Katy Evans. Book 1 is <i><a href="http://thelifeoffiction.blogspot.com/2013/10/real-by-katy-evans-mini-review.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Real</span></a> </i>and book 2 is <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thelifeoffiction.blogspot.com/2013/11/blog-tour-mine-by-katy-evans.html">Mine</a>.</span></i><br />
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Remy is a <i>continuation/companion</i> novel. Included we have Remy's point of view from <i>Real</i> and<i> Mine </i>(which all I can say is <b><i>OMG</i></b>) and then we have some bonus future (present) chapters in the midst of the past. Reading the first and second books is definitely a must. I am a huge fan of Katy Evans' writing and these characters have become some of my favorites. Her words flow right off the paper and get lodged into my heart, it's just an emotional and world rocking ride.<br />
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To be inside Remy's head and feel and understand exactly what he was going through at certain points was amazing, he's all sweaty one-tracked mind guy and then; he's more, so much more. He's such a complex and complicated character that for Katy to get in there and get her hands dirty molding and shaping what his thoughts are like was just really incredible. Seeing Brooke from his point of view and through his eyes was also intriguing since we just spent the last two books looking through hers.<br />
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Assuming if you're reading this review you've already read <i>Real </i>and <i>Mine,</i> I want to discuss why these three books impacted me so much and why I think all <b>3 deserve 5 stars</b> (because they definitely do). <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This next part will contain spoilers for the first books so PLEASE do not continue if you haven't read both books 1 and 2.</span> </b>Remy has a problem that isn't just his to bear, it affects all of those in his life. He works so hard to control the manic behaviors but still battles and struggles with it everyday. This is also a problem that so many people in the real world face. I grew up with depression and battled to overcome the darkness that lurked in every nook and cranny of my mind. I also had a best friend who was bipolar and it's a whole other world of emotional turmoil. Anyone overcoming, living with, managing and dealing with anything remotely close to this fictional character are my heroes. We are not defined but these ailments but what we do to overcome them and Remy's struggle is so much deeper than words on paper for me, he is represents real (go Katy). What I absolutely admire Katy for is not wrapping it up in a bow and being done with it, because that doesn't happen. They may live happily ever after but we know there will still be bumps in the road and obstacles to overcome. Life isn't easy.<br />
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All three books are just well written dramatic examples of the strength we have as humans. These characters may be fictional but their lives reflect everything of the nonfiction world. Thank you Katy for sharing their stories with us! :) I look forward to reading and reviewing more by Katy Evans!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c195524/" id="rc-c195524" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ABOUT KATY</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.katyevans.net/">website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katy-Evans/521052267929550">facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/authorkatyevans">twitter</a> </div>
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Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-9243440782086172112013-11-13T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-13T07:00:04.406-06:00Blog Tour: Mine by Katy Evans<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNJWZWwfpBF_DbGhUMo90VXSwBEJcXGQs5lkqA0cj1clQ2Ia6aT7O8_OqnlWx0_UIgYMxvC2dE0aXyrHUQGeKuZmNZo3YLsmVG70ZgUn-GRoKcybFLzi969bTgR8V-13HZAdt1DJASIH7/s1600/Mine+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNJWZWwfpBF_DbGhUMo90VXSwBEJcXGQs5lkqA0cj1clQ2Ia6aT7O8_OqnlWx0_UIgYMxvC2dE0aXyrHUQGeKuZmNZo3YLsmVG70ZgUn-GRoKcybFLzi969bTgR8V-13HZAdt1DJASIH7/s320/Mine+Cover.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17792606-mine">Mine</a> (Real #2) by <a href="http://www.katyevans.net/">Katy Evans</a><br />
★★★★★<br />
Release Date: November 5, 2013<br />
Publisher: Gallery Books<br />
Age: Adult, Mature 17+<br />
Gen<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">re: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Contemporary Romance, Illness, Lust, Boxing</span></span></span><br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: The SUBClub Books<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mine-The-REAL-series-ebook/dp/B00D0MZXCA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383594313&sr=8-1&keywords=katy+evans+mine">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mine-katy-evans/1115426936?ean=9781476755601">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mine-9">Kobo</a><br />
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<b>“I will do anything to make her MINE.” —Remington Tate </b></div>
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In the international bestseller REAL, the unstoppable bad boy of the Underground fighting circuit finally met his match. Hired to keep him in prime condition, Brooke Dumas unleashed a primal desire in Remington “Remy” Tate as vital as the air he breathes . . . and now he can’t live without her.<br />
Brooke never imagined she would end up with the man who is every woman’s dream, but not all dreams end happily ever after, and just when they need each other the most, Brooke is torn away from the ringside. Now with distance and darkness between them, the only thing left is to fight for the love of the man she calls <i>MINE</i>.</blockquote>
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Are you ready for this? You can't be. You can't be prepared for the sexual tension, frustration, teeth grinding, eye squinting, and overall scream worthy events that occur in this book. My disclaimer: DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO BE CONSUMED. Do not read if you don't have room in your life for the Drama that is Remington Tate. This man makes me crazyyyyyyy!! Freaking unbelievably heart stopping CRAZY.<br />
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At the end of <em>Real</em> I went through a few stages of grief. I was crushed, obsessed, and NEEDED MORE. The wait to read <em>Mine</em> felt infinite, when the time came I put all other book boyfriends aside and immersed myself in the world of Remy and Brooke. And holy crap, Katy Evans. I'm starting <em>Remy</em>, the next book in the series, RIGHT NOW<br />
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I loved this book!<em> Mine</em> is an excellent addition to the Real series!! To get to read about Remy and Brooke again was exciting and Katy Evans successfully filled the giant shoes she created after writing Real, and then she made them bigger. How? You ask. Well, that's a surprise. All of those emotions and feelings are back ten-fold, prepare to be wowed people. Prepare to be wowed.<br />
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Full of the sexual attraction and chemistry that I loved about <em>Real</em>, but with more assertiveness; <em>Mine</em> was [to repeat myself again, I hope you're getting my point] an even better read than the first. When sequels surpass my expectations I get giddy for future reads. Katy Evans has a fan for life in me. There are some serious plot twists and nail biting corners in <em>Mine</em>. I will not spoil anything, some of which I saw coming, some blew me away.<br />
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About <em>Mine</em>, as mentioned it is the second in the series. YOU MUST read <em>Real</em> first. Must, must, must. Must. Must, Must. <em>Mine </em>continues Remy and Brooke's story and builds on it. After the ending of <em>Real</em> I couldn't wait to pick this one up. The story picks a couple months after the first book ends. We follow Remy and Brooke through their romance, drama, and crazy life. With everything readers adored from book 1; Remy's badass self and his huge heart, it's a favorite of <strong>mine</strong> for sure. I recommend this book, Real, and I can't wait to let you all know what I think of Remy (my review will be live November 23rd!). Go forth and read, read anything you want but make sure you also read this series!!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ABOUT KATY</span><br />
<a href="http://www.katyevans.net/">website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katy-Evans/521052267929550">facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/authorkatyevan">twitter</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!</blockquote>
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carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-58556399211841453192013-11-01T06:15:00.002-05:002013-11-01T06:15:49.570-05:00Cover Reveal: Psycho Inside Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTOXKbVL0zIke2LmoMsedqZThaKxxBz3FKfi6VXBH4cv5BubN5eMffqh5arp0tS7D4V9iHT7tjagug1esIdTFgVqS18chwXuW4T3k9ybKhSNG2MlkZF8-tlWrNFyvD1res5v6TL49UD6c/s1600/PIM+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTOXKbVL0zIke2LmoMsedqZThaKxxBz3FKfi6VXBH4cv5BubN5eMffqh5arp0tS7D4V9iHT7tjagug1esIdTFgVqS18chwXuW4T3k9ybKhSNG2MlkZF8-tlWrNFyvD1res5v6TL49UD6c/s400/PIM+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://bonnierpaulson.com/" target="_blank">Bonnie R. Paulson's</a> <i>Psycho Inside Me</i> releases November 30, 2013.<br />
This YA thriller romance is fast, fun, and more than a little dangerous. See why...</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Psycho Inside Me</u></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I killed my first victim at thirteen years old – my age, not</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
his. He was going to rape me, him and a couple of his friends. And so, I killed</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
him. And then… I killed again. And again.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At seventeen, I’m killing four to six times a year – maybe</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
more. Don’t stress out. I only go after the pedophiles and rapists. There are</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
more out there than I could cover in a lifetime.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saying I did this on my own would be selfish. Enforcing</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
justice holds a glory all its own. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
now, my lifelong friend and backup, Deegan, has been arrested. I have to decide</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
if I want to give myself up and take his place or leave him with all the</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
damning evidence. I don’t want to <span style="font-family: inherit;">stop killing. But if I let him take the fall,<br />
I can’t kill anymore. And I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to<br />
keep doing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>.<br /> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
I can’t kill anymore. And I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
keep doing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>.<br /> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But the worst part of it all? <i><b>I love him.</b></i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZqBRcZ7Kozf7TeC9nH4Wu0O2regTeCy6M3ksBD6pzb4HAT7h2gtgiu4BkReps1-eB7CYmEu529IRCTcGyMlz4OcwN2XUDBKgKjxtEu7SlEfjMdiotrbaM5Wz8VGCAWFA11joa83-nYE/s1600/psychofullcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZqBRcZ7Kozf7TeC9nH4Wu0O2regTeCy6M3ksBD6pzb4HAT7h2gtgiu4BkReps1-eB7CYmEu529IRCTcGyMlz4OcwN2XUDBKgKjxtEu7SlEfjMdiotrbaM5Wz8VGCAWFA11joa83-nYE/s400/psychofullcover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cover was created by the ultra talented <a href="http://redbird-designs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Redbird Designs</a>. She's amazing...</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ABOUT BONNIE</span></b><br />
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Bonnie R. Paulson likes it dark and twisty. For more on her Science flavored with Romaction, sign up for her <a href="http://www.bonnierpaulson.com/" target="_blank">newsletter</a>.<br />
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Find Bonnie at:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/bonpaulson" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bonnierpaulson" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.bonnierpaulson.com/" target="_blank">Online</a>carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-39379728760910481042013-10-20T09:30:00.002-05:002013-10-20T09:30:31.389-05:00Real by Katy Evans Mini Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T_CsAb_woz-CGa9VB2hdtQpgcXNRVxS8gT8X0qy-QO5VxqBYSCj6D8bpB1SpJHbEPW6Ta33Wq4wMN5ly8ktF6XSnTxCaoXU9sP7ZCA7GO5zHJ6f4_zNoDZpMsfk0jewxg6fp5hEY9yFB/s1600/17980297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T_CsAb_woz-CGa9VB2hdtQpgcXNRVxS8gT8X0qy-QO5VxqBYSCj6D8bpB1SpJHbEPW6Ta33Wq4wMN5ly8ktF6XSnTxCaoXU9sP7ZCA7GO5zHJ6f4_zNoDZpMsfk0jewxg6fp5hEY9yFB/s320/17980297.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17980297-real">Real (Real #1)</a> by <a href="http://www.katyevans.net/">Katy Evans</a><br />
★★★★★<br />
Release Date: September 3, 2013<br />
Publisher: <a href="http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/gallery-books">Gallery Books</a><br />
Age: Adult, Mature 17+<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Illness, Lust, Boxing<br />
Format: ebook<br />
Source: Publisher for Review<br />
Buy it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476755590/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1476755590&linkCode=as2&tag=thelifoffic-20">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/real-katy-evans/1115099256?ean=9781476755595">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
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Remington Tate has a bad-boy rep in and out of the ring, a granite-hard body, and a raw, animal power that sends his female fans into a frenzy. But from the moment their eyes lock, the only woman he wants is Brooke Dumas. His desire is pure, all-consuming, and REAL. <br />
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Hired to keep his perfect body working like a machine, Brooke finally has the lucrative sports therapy job she's been dreaming of. But as she tours the dangerous underground fighting circuit with Remy and his team, Brooke’s own body becomes alive with the most primal of hungers. If what happens between Brooke and Remy is ever as light as a flirtation, it quickly becomes an erotic obsession for them both, and promises so much more. <br />
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But their white-hot lust has a dark side;and when Remy's deepest secret comes to light and Brooke's familial duties demand action, will the pair be able to hang on, or will everything that once seemed so real suddenly fade away like an illusion?</blockquote>
Um. So this book was a phenomenal read for me. I was nothing short of obsessed while reading and after finishing. I did have my moments of; we get it Brooke, he's hot. But, it didn't stop me from enjoying every sexy moment.<br />
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For fans of Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster, Real offers a heart pumping and crazy ride of lust and attraction. It's sexually frustrating, nail biting, drama-filled and unforgettable. Remy's dealing with a lot and the way he handles himself made sense when his secrets were laid out on the table. He stills the show and I found myself wanting his presence on every page. Brooke is a great character too, but Remy is the star.<br />
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This book is not for the faint of heart and definitely an adult read, 17+. Everything about it makes me want to reread it, which I plan on doing soon. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17792606-mine">Mine (Real #2)</a> comes out November 5, and I'm part of the blog tour so look for my review on November 13th!carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-30270960414034492372013-10-16T17:18:00.001-05:002013-10-16T17:18:29.565-05:00Cover Reveal: Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AQQkVkods25GEx3zXOBWwjS-R_gVoBCJp3GplIjyJMgGEQbWYaVldnfQsqEvVYuTuPrKAhE1ctsVUZwqR5EeeUAliXpbivZu4S_0xT1XDHTXYQYz6lGagkLFdj-g0TxTsAKwdzGwz3D6/s1600/Mud+Vein+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AQQkVkods25GEx3zXOBWwjS-R_gVoBCJp3GplIjyJMgGEQbWYaVldnfQsqEvVYuTuPrKAhE1ctsVUZwqR5EeeUAliXpbivZu4S_0xT1XDHTXYQYz6lGagkLFdj-g0TxTsAKwdzGwz3D6/s400/Mud+Vein+Cover.jpg" width="258" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18246727-mud-vein?from_search=true">Mud Vein</a> by <a href="http://www.tarrynfisher.com/">Tarryn Fisher</a></span><br />
Release Date: December 2013<br />
Age: Adult<br />
Source: Shh Moms Reading<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is left to decode the clues to find out why she was taken. If she wants her freedom, she has to take a close look at her past. But, her past has a heartbeat…and her kidnapper is nowhere to be found. With her survival hanging by a thread, Senna soon realizes this is a game. A dangerous one. Only the truth can set her free.</blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ABOUT TARRYN</span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authortarrynfisher">facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Tarryn__Fisher">twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.tarrynfisher.com/">website</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5410816.Tarryn_Fisher">goodreads</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBKTqpVOc_CX1okKJR_2yq8X0Wonn5mr-oR5fv-Sb4XofhIl3x04ZnGMTacYsEdZ0_hTsnahLp9GAtVsQPqoZbjkV7QHXSU-DCbofZ0gUq_fmoOxapW6U7isupLUKBFI60KqXX7vYlWAZ/s1600/Tarryn+Fisher+Author+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBKTqpVOc_CX1okKJR_2yq8X0Wonn5mr-oR5fv-Sb4XofhIl3x04ZnGMTacYsEdZ0_hTsnahLp9GAtVsQPqoZbjkV7QHXSU-DCbofZ0gUq_fmoOxapW6U7isupLUKBFI60KqXX7vYlWAZ/s200/Tarryn+Fisher+Author+Pic.jpg" width="200" /></a>I am a real life villain, truly. I drink sick amounts of Starbucks. Most of the time my hair smells like coffee. I was born in South Africa, and lived there for most of my childhood. I moved to Seattle just for the rain. Rome is my favorite place in the world so far, Paris comes in at a close second. I read and write more than I sleep. When I was eleven, I wrote an entire novel about runaway orphans, using only purple ink. I am addicted to Florence and the Machine and will travel to see concerts. I love scary movies and giraffes. I spend way too much time on Facebook. Meet you there?…</blockquote>
<br />carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363127737274650728.post-82799575491604375732013-10-11T17:43:00.002-05:002013-10-11T17:43:47.843-05:00Big ChangesOk. So, you may have noticed a lack of posts. If you follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thelifeoffiction">Facebook</a> there has been a lack of updates there as well. I have a good reason, I promise.<b> I'm having a baby!</b> It is my first and so far has not been an easy pregnancy. I am sick constantly and if I'm not sick I'm asleep (or chasing my 3 year old class around). This has obviously been affecting my reading, blogging, and updating.<div>
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This is my post to let you all know, I'm still here! I'm just taking it easy right now, not reviewing many books and not scheduling many blog tours or anything. I actually haven't wanted to read! It's crazy, I KNOW! Freaking crazy! My husband is not a reader and I'm afraid this child will not enjoy it either lol </div>
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Some upcoming things: I think next Wednesday I will be helping the fabulous Tarryn Fisher reveal the cover and synopsis for her upcoming title, Mud Vein. Next month I'm also kind of scheduled (nothing's final yet) to review Mine (Real Series #2) by Katy Evans!! Other than that I'm just rereading some favorites to get me back into the groove and hopefully after this first trimester I'll be back to my normal self again. :)</div>
carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082653047207068687noreply@blogger.com4