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Review Dutch Me Deadly by Maddy Hunter

January 30, 2012 By

Book 7 in the critically acclaimed, bestselling Passport to Peril Mystery series!

As a travel escort for seniors, Emily Andrew-Miceli has led her feisty Iowa clan all over the world. This time, they’re off to see historic windmills, classic Rembrandts, and picturesque canals in Holland—if they can ever unplug from their smartphones, that is. Joining them is the high school class from Bangor, Maine, whose 50th reunion celebration goes south faster than a fallen Brussel sprout soufflé as old rivalries start heating up. Worse, Emily’s hopes for a 100% survival rate on this trip are dashed when an important member of the tour suffers a tragic (and highly suspicious) accident. Then the saucy seniors’ wild night of drug-laced desserts and risqué shows in Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District gets even more mysterious when one unpopular reunioner goes missing . . .

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Midnight Ink (February 8, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0738727040

My thoughts:

The above blurb says it all. If I say too much more it might give the story away. I love the series and was sad when the books stopped. When I talked to Maddy, as I am sure most of us emailed her wanting to find out information, she told me the series might be picked up again from another publisher. I am glad it did. Someone finally notices the series is worth while read. Before, it was not getting the close attention and dedication it deserved and now it is.

I have read all the books in the series and the characters, Emily and Nana just keep getting better with age. They can get themselves into some fascinating situations and murder seems to follow Emily around no matter what country they go visit.

Maddy did a sensational job with Dutch Me Deadly. I was calculating who did what up until the end. I was wrong on two accounts. There will be some characters you love and some you just want to slap.

The setting in Holland was surprising. The descriptions make you feel you are on the tour with the Iowa gang. After reading the book it makes me want to go over and check some of the sites out myself. You can tell the author did a lot of research.

Barb
Filed Under: Book Reviews for 2012 Tagged With: ,

See the Light – The Crossmaker Review & Giveaway

January 28, 2012 By

by VICTORIA
in GIVEAWAYS

YAY! IT’S A GIVEAWAY
TEN LUCKY WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR OWN COPY OF
SEE THE LIGHT’S ART CLASS- VOLUME ONE

Many of us have filled our children’s younger years with a variety of crafts and crafting programs, but what about Art? My oldest daughter has always been fascinated by it. We have taken her to galleries and art festivals, but teaching her how to create her own Art is something we have simply overlooked or couldn’t afford. Well, until now that is.

Click Here to see more of the review and what you can win.

[Read more...]

Barb
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

Moreno Brothers Series by Elizabeth Reyes Blog Tour

January 27, 2012 By

Forever Mine (Book #1)

Mature YA – Aprx 87k words

Seventeen-year old Sarah’s life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She’s forced to move, leaving behind everything she’s ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno. 

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be “just friends”. The problem? Sarah’s best friend Sydney is not a girl. 

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home?

Available now on Amazon US, UK, Germany , France  B&N Nook & Smashwords  

Blog posts/excerpts/teasers related to Forever Mine:

Prologue and Chapter 1

Chapter 2   

Excerpt 1

Excerpt 2

Excerpt 3

Excerpt 4

Excerpt 5

Excerpt 6

Book Trailer

Always Been Mine (Book #2)

  
Adult Contemporary – Aprx 98k words

After one heartache too many, Valerie Zuniga vows to never let Alex Moreno hurt her again. A year later, she is forced to reunite with him at a party where one unexpected sizzling kiss tells her she’s far from over him. No way will she allow herself to get sucked back into that torment. She’ll resist him even if that means using the one thing that’ll stop Alex dead in his tracks: another man. 

Alex is coming off one of the worst years of his life. He spent so much time wallowing in self-pity, he never realized how much he’d missed Valerie. That is, until that kiss. Now, he’s determined to get her back one way or another, and no other man will stand in his way. Especially after discovering that Valerie may be in danger, a danger he blames himself for.

Available now on Amazon US, UK, Germany, France, B&N Nook, and Smashwords  

My Review : Valerie and Alex have had an on again off again type of a relationship. When Valerie decides to see what would happen if she wasn’t around Alex betrays what the two of them had. Valerie takes a stand doesn’t want anything at all to do with Alex.

Alex is trying to keep his grades up because of football and stays away from Valerie as he can not tell her what is going on.

When a wedding brings them in touch with each other Valereie knows she still loves Alex but tries to fight it. Alex knows he wants her back and what is he going to do about an ex boyfriend and a boss who wants her as well.

I have not read book 1 or the next one yet. It did not matter as I was able to enjoy the read with out doing so. I enjoyed Alex as he was a funny caring character. You wanted to reach into the book and smack him so he would just come out and say how he feels. His passion for Valerie is a nice take.

Valerie has been hurting for so long and pined up how she felt about Alex it was hard for her to let go and just take another chance.

I enjoyed the read and we all need a second chance. The scenes were great to read there were some parts repeated a bit in the beginning that should have been delt with, but other then that a great book to read.

Blog posts/excerpts/teasers of ABM

Excerpt 1  

Excerpt 2 

Excerpt 3

Sweet Sofie (Book #3) 

Mature YA – Aprx 58k words 

Her entire life, Sofia Moreno has dealt with overprotective brothers. With her three older brothers always lurking, no boy would dare reach out to her. Luckily for Sofia, the one boy she’s got her heart set on has always been within reach: her brother’s best friend Eric, even though his loyalty to her brothers runs deep. Sofia knows there is only so much he can do before giving in to her.

Two years older than her, Eric Diego has always known there would be hell to pay if he messed with his best friend’s kid sister, Sofia. Through the years, he watches as she blooms into a beautiful young lady right before his eyes. With teenage hormones raging and Sofia more than willing, Eric agrees to the unthinkable: a forbidden secret romance. Feeling emotions and a feverish passion that’s new to them both, neither is ready for how quickly their romance spins out of control.

Available on Amazon US, UK Germany , France, B&N Nook, Smashwords

Blog posts/excerpt/teasers of Sweet Sofie

Excerpt 1 

Excerpt 2

Romero (Book #4) 


Adult Contemporary – Aprx 89k words

Prim and proper middle school teacher Isabel Montenegro always runs the opposite direction from men like Ramon Romero. A foul-mouthed, uneducated, loose cannon has no place in her careful plans. But instead of running away, Isabel is completely captivated. The intensity of his nature, while a bit daunting, mesmerizes her in ways she can’t begin to understand. She’s unwilling to walk away—even when her instincts are screaming at her to run.

Romero has no idea what he’s getting himself into when he first kisses Isabel. Shocked at the passion she invokes in him, he believes he can keep his usual short fuse under wraps. Falling fast and hard for someone so flawlessly sweet only makes him more aware that he’s far from perfect. If she is ever witness to his biggest imperfection, he’s sure she’ll bail. But when her meddling sister does the worst thing imaginable—bring other men between him and his Izzy—that fuse is lit and all bets are off. 

Available on Amazon US UK Germany, France B&N Nook, Smashwords

Blog post/teaser/excerpt of Romero

Post

Excerpt 1

Excerpt 2

Teaser 
Making You Mine (Book #5)

 Sal’s Story coming end of December 2012.
 
Blurb to come for a short excerpt teaser click here.

Exact word count to be determined still in rewrite stages but at first draft 118k words
About The Author:
I was born and raised and continue to live in sunny southern California. I’m married and have two wonderful teens. My love for writing began when I was just a kid though, I never really had any dreams or aspirations of doing it for a living. Then along came the age of eReaders and I saw an opportunity to get my writing out for the world to read without jumping through hoops and getting past the red tape of trying to get traditionally published. The Moreno Brothers series has literally changed my life. I now wake up to go to work a few yards from my bed. 
Forever Mine is the first in the series and is currently still free on Amazon but I anticipate that changing real soon. Always Been Mine is the second in the series, then Sweet Sofie and recently released Romero is the fourth. Making You Mine is the fifth in the series and will be available tentatively this December 2011. I already have another series in mind that will immediately follow this one. (No I won’t be taking any vacations from writing!) I will have more info sneak and peeks of that series which will be out in 2012. But I have so many other stories screaming to be told I only wish I could write faster!

I love hearing from my readers and try to always respond as soon as I can, so feel free to reach out!



List of characters in series: 


Main characters in order of how they are introduced in books. (I’m sure someone will correct me if I get the order wrong. LOL 


Sarah Fierro: Moves to La Jolla at 17 when mom is sent to jail meets Angel and falls head over heels. 


Sydney Maricopa: Sarah’s (male) childhood best friend back in Arizona and cause of much angst in FM. 


Angel Moreno : Youngest of the brothers, part owner of Moreno’s restaurant in love with Sarah.


Valerie Zuniga:  Sarah’s cousin who first tells Sarah about the Moreno brothers and has been crushing on Alex since grade school. 


Eric Diego: One of the Moreno Brothers childhood best friend and has been in love with their sister Sofia since they were kids. 


Ramon (Moe) Romero: Their other childhood best friend who goes by his last name and falls hard for Valerie’s roommate Isabel (Izzy).  


Sofia Moreno: The Moreno Brother’s overprotected baby sister. Involved with the family restaurant(s)
but has her own writing thing going and in love with Eric ever since she can remember.



Alex Moreno : Middle brother but physically the biggest. Hot head of the three part owner of Moreno’sand in love with Valerie. 


Sal Moreno:  Oldest of the brothers, stayed in school longest to earn his master degree and perfectionist of the three. Overseer of all the Moreno restaurants and in love with…?  ; )


Isabel Montenegro (Izzy) Valerie’s college dorm roommate who later becomes her apartment roommate. Middle school teacher who falls in love with Romero. 
  

Barb
Filed Under: Author Blog Tour, Book Reviews for 2012 Tagged With: , ,

2 Free Excerpts from Emily March & Ruthie Knox Plus a Giveaway

January 25, 2012 By

Enjoy the 2 excerpts and be sure to enter the giveaway below…

Angel's Rest by Emily March (Excerpt)

RIDE WITH ME by Ruthie Knox, A Loveswept eOriginal Excerpt

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Starts today 1-25-12 and goes for 7 days ends at midnight 31st and winner will be announced February 1st.

Prize: Romance at Random will send the winner a digital book thru Net Galley (terms & restrictions apply) or print review copy, not for resale.

What to do to enter: Leave a comment telling us what romance book you have read this year this is your favorite.

Good luck and thank you for stopping by.

Barb
Filed Under: Free Excerpt, Giveaway Tagged With: , ,

Kiss of Death Blog Tour & Giveaway With Lynn Romaine

January 24, 2012 By

I would like to welcome Lynn Romaine to the blog today and stopping by during the tour.   At the bottom on the post you will see all about the giveaway.

 

 

Romantic Suspense: Passé or Not?

By Lynn Romaine

 

For those of us who grew up reading Jane Eyre, Rebecca and Madam Will You Talk?, it’s not a question of what’s so great about romantic suspense fiction, but what else would have called our burgeoning hearts into bloom while teaching us to be strong women?

 

What I mean is that women like me, born in the mid-to-late twentieth century, were looking for a way to have some say in our lives and avoid being slotted into the traditional female role. Romantic suspense made it possible to take our first steps into the world of men where there were important things to be done while still searching for love.

 

What’s romantic suspense? The genre is defined as a story with an intrigue or mystery for the protagonists to solve where the heroine is the victim of a crime or attempted crime and works with a hero to resolve the threat. Mary Stewart is said to have perfected the genre with her ten romantic suspense novels written between 1955 and 1967. She was acknowledged to be the best at blending the two themes of suspense and romance into a seamless story.

 

Today, with all the great things women are achieving you could argue that romantic suspense has outlived its use, but that does not seem to be the case. Those wonderful protagonists continue to express even more power and determinism in their fictional lives, while at the same time fulfilling on the sense of love and belonging most of us long for as women.

 

So go out there and find yourself a romantic suspense book, settle down by the fire and get inspired!

 

Lynn is one of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.

 

Lynn Romaine has a Master’s Degree in Information Science from Indiana University. She has worked in various writing and editing capacities for ten years, as well as having published five novels. In 2010 she received the Midwest Writers Fellow for her recent novel, Night Noise, published by Turquoise Morning Press. In 2008 she created Red Pants for the World, a project encouraging young women in difficult circumstances to find their self-expression through words that inspire the world with various programs to support women discovering the power of writing. (www.redpantslegacy.blogspot.com) www.lynnromaine.com and www.WritingTonight.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Noise

By Lynn Romaine

 

Murder can ruin a spring morning. And destroy every-thing Miller Abel has loved and trusted. Her family murdered, Miller is living in the dead zone and planning revenge, when FBI antiterrorist agent, Robert Matisse, knocks on her door. Grabbing at the opportunity to work with him and unravel a connection between the murders and his ecoterrorism case, she throws herself into the path of a killer and there’s no way Matisse can stop her.

 

GIVEAWAY:  US ONLY

Prize is a copy of Night Noise

All you have to do is leave a comment with your answer to this question.  What is your favorite thing about romantic suspense?  

The winner will be chosen from the comments.

Barb
Filed Under: Author Blog Tour, Blog Tour, Giveaway Tagged With: , ,

Delivering Hope Blog Tour book review & Giveaway

January 23, 2012 By

**Be sure to check out the giveaway below the review**

I want to thank Jennifer for asking me to be a part of the blog tour.  This book hit home for me and Jennifer will tell you I had to think a few days before I said yes.  We talked a few times and she is the sweetest person you would want to chat with.  Here is my review of Delivering Hope:

Olivia Spencer wants to be a mother more than anything else, but years of infertility have left her soul wounded and her marriage strained. Allison Campbell is a young, single woman who discovers that a moment of excitement has led to an unplanned pregnancy and an overwhelming heartache. As the lives of these two women touch, you’ll see that deep love can pave the way for sacrifice.

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (February 14, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1599559021

My thoughts:

Olivia has struggled with wanting to be a mom with all the infertility she is down and doesn’t know what to do.  Her marriage is starting to take a toll on both her and her husband.  She meets Allison who is a young single woman who has gotten pregnant.  She has not clue what to do until both these woman come together.

The book is remarkable.  A lot of women will be able to relate.  I was up and down through the book as I too struggled with infertility losing 2 babies and then nothing.  I was so depressed for a few years until my husband talked to me about adopting.  It has changed my whole life.  I know what joy my 4 boys bring to me.  I have no regrets and I love being a mom.

Jennifer has written a wonderful book that I think mom’s and daughter’s all over the world should read.  They need to know most of us go through the same things, but there is hope.  You are still a mom even when you adopt.   My oldest was 8 when we adopted him and he is the first to tell you he was happy his birth mom gave him up so he could be loved by us.  We have since adopted his siblings.

Delivering Hope is a wonderful uplifting message to get across.  I will be re-reading this book for years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer  will be giving away a signed copy of the book to two individuals, and a signed bookmark and Delivering Hope magnet to five individuals.  There will be several ways to enter, and your readers can enter using one or all of the ways.

 

  1. Become a follower of my blog:  www.jenshopefulwriting.blogspot.com and leave a comment letting me know you’re here!
  2. “Like” the Delivering Hope facebook fan page:  www.facebook.com/DeliveringHopeNovel
  3. Watch the book trailer:  www.bit.ly/peCixw and post a comment on the facebook page telling what you liked about it.

 

The winners will be randomly chosen at the conclusion of the blog tour and posted on both my blog and the facebook fan page by 10:00 am on Saturday, February 11th.

 

 

Barb
Filed Under: Author Blog Tour, Book Reviews for 2012 Tagged With: , , ,

Review Emmy Budd and the Gypsies # 5 by Jean Blasiar

January 23, 2012 By

 

A bizarre turn of events lands Emmy and T. J. at the police station as suspects in an armed robbery. Released into the custody of their parents, the young sleuths unwisely attempt to find the real culprits in order to prove their innocence. Emmy and T. J. are then kidnapped in separate incidents with T. J. left abandoned where no one will find him. In her most puzzling mystery yet, Emmy must unravel the clues in an attempt to find and free T. J. before it’s too late and discover the truth behind the enigmatic Gypsies.

 

  • Paperback: 142 pages
  • Publisher: Charles River Press (December 19, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1936185253

My thoughts:

Most everyone knows Jean is one of my favorite authors.  I love reviewing for her as the Emmy Budd series is charming, witty, mysterious and down right wholesome.  Book 5 is no exception.  The last place I was expecting Emmy and T.J.  was jail.    After helping in the drugstore one afternoon an odd man came in with some flyers.  After he left the owner threw away the flyers.  TJ and Emmy finished helping with the new magazines and left to go have some fun.  After they see the drug store owner go into a few other shops and threw the copies they had away Emmy had an idea.  She told TJ to follow her and then went to see the gypsies.  TJ did not like it one bit, but the approached a girl who told them they were too young to have their fortunes told and then told them to leave.  While this was taking place the drug store is robbed and of course Emmy and TJ were the suspects as they were the last in the store.

Now they have to clear their names and hunt for the girl who has mysteriously disappeared.

This is by far my favorite book in the series.  Jean adds a few twists to keep you on your toes and guessing.  The book takes you in and holds your attention.  I was turning the pages wanting to know what was going to happen and if TJ was going to be ok.  Then when Emmy’s kidnapped my heart was racing as if it was my child.  The story will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My 8-year-old who loves to read only certain books loves this series as well as my 14-year-old who hates to anything other than WWII books.

Jean has a place in our house and now we are ready for book 6.

 

Barb
Filed Under: Book Reviews for 2012 Tagged With: , ,

Valentines and Eden Fantasys

January 23, 2012 By

Plan your St. Valentine\'s Day and save the date with EdenFantasys - the sex toys shop you can trust!

Have you figured out the perfect gift for your Valentine? If not try EdenFantasys. They have lots of items to choose from. They have the greatest gift guide

One of the gifts I was looking at is the Aromatherapy Bwarm Massage Candle. As you can see from the picture below, the wax would be easy to pour. There are 3 different scents, Fig Leaf, Amber Amore and Patchouli Rose.

If you have someone who likes to take bubble baths they have Treasure of the Sea – Sensual Kit.

Just like the picture above, the kit comes with a real seashell scoop. The water is blue with lots of foamy bubbles. Have smooth skin while you are relaxing alone or sharing the bath for a fun evening.

For those that think EdenFantasys is all about adult sex toys you have a surprise coming at the next gift I am going to talk about. Make-up is probably the last thing you would think they would carry. The face palette comes in a cute case with 4 eye shadows, blush, applicators and 3 lip glosses, and is from Bella in Bloom.

I hope I have given you some good ideas for Valentine’s Day.  Be sure to check out everything Eden has to offer.

 

This is a sponsored post by EdenFantasys.com

Barb
Filed Under: Eden Fantasys, Product Review Tagged With: ,

MathTacular! Review & Giveaway – Part 1

January 23, 2012 By

by VICTORIA
in GIVEAWAYS

You can enter below on rafflecopter

My family has been blessed to receive the MathTacular! The Complete Package, for review. Because there is so much to offer, I will be completing my review in sections in an effort to provide our readers with an inside view of everything they have to offer. For Part 1, I will be reviewing the Math Educational Kit with DVD. This kit is designed for children up to age 7 or second grade… Did I mention this was a giveaway, and the winner will receive this exact kit along with an additional DVD of their choice? In case you missed it:

YAY! It’s a Giveaway! MathTacular! Is giving away their Math Educational Kit with DVD AND an additional MathTacular DVD of the winner’s choice!

To read more of the review click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Article by Victoria
Victoria C. is a former Family Law and Litigation Paralegal who has since become a full-time homeschooling mom to her four wonderful children ages 11, 9, 6, and 1. She and her husband of twelve years believe the immediate family relationship is of the utmost importance.

Victoria has written 20 awesome articles.

Barb
Filed Under: Giveaway Tagged With: ,

YouNeverLose Winner

January 23, 2012 By

Here is what they have to offer to my readers: A $25.00 gift card to AMC theaters and 25 points to use on the site. Just use the rafflecopter form below. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Barb
Filed Under: Giveaway, Product Review Tagged With: , ,
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