Saturday, January 31, 2015

How to Climb the Eiffel Tower by Elizabeth Heins

Published October 1, 2014 by Light Messages Publishing
Lara Blaine believes that she can hide from her past by clinging to a rigid routine of work and exercise. She endures her self-imposed isolation until a cancer diagnosis cracks her hard exterior. Lara’s journey through cancer treatment should be the worst year of her life. Instead, it is the year that she learns how to live. She befriends Jane, another cancer patient who teaches her how to be powerful even in the face of death. Accepting help from the people around her allows Lara to confront the past and discover that she is not alone in the world. With the support of her new friends, Lara gains the courage to love and embrace life. Like climbing the Eiffel Tower, the year Lara meets Jane is tough, painful, and totally worth it.

My Thoughts…

Elizabeth Heins has taken on quite a few tough subjects in one book.   Blaine is a lonely person.   She really has no friends after alienating herself from everyone after a rough upbringing.  Then she collapses at the gym and is taken to the doctor only to find out there is something horribly wrong with her.  She is all alone while dealing with so much.  I was impressed by the finesse and understand Elizabeth had for dealing with such tough subjects. 

While this story starts out so sad and depressing it only goes up from there.    Blaine was written in a way that made me feel sympathetic and understanding to why she ended up the way she has.    She is an entirely realistic character that was easy to relate to.  As she continues to struggle with her life and the decisions she has to make I could feel her grow stronger and more positive. 


I cried, laughed, and was woke up as to what should be important in life.  The story in How to Climb the Eiffel Tower is realistic and touching.    I will recommend this story to readers looking to have their heart touched and their eyes opened. 

Book Links

Friday, January 30, 2015

Lies of Lunar Falls by Lashell Collins

Lies of Lunar Falls (Lunar Falls 2)
Author Lashell Collins
Genre: Paranormal/Romantic Suspense/Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: January 30, 2014
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Drawn to the mysterious and sexy shifter who is now her mate by forces she still doesn’t fully understand, Carly Tipton thought she had uncovered all the secrets Lunar Falls was hiding. Secrets that shook the very foundation of her own family tree. But what she’s about to learn is that the secrets of Lunar Falls are only the tip of the iceberg, and that the lies it tells actually go much deeper than she or Gabe ever imagined.
Gabe is determined that he and Carly are going to be free to build a life together. A life without the limits or the stigma of prejudice. But he soon comes to realize that he’s not only fighting for the freedom of their love, he’s fighting for the freedom of all five packs. As GrandAlpha, the fate of his entire people rests squarely on his shoulders as the threat of civil war looms ever larger above him. And when the ruthless cat shifters begin killing innocent humans, Gabe's problems quickly go from bad to worse.
Lies of Lunar Falls is book two of an adult, sexy shifter romance trilogy.

My Thoughts…

Lies of Lunar Falls is part two of the Lunar Falls trilogy.  The story has everything I love.  Shifter paranormal, romance, mystery, and suspense, what else can you ask for in a story? 

When reading a series, you never know what to expect from book after book.   In the Lunar Falls series it is a homerun.    Book two starts exactly where book one ends.   The story is continued without missing a step.   From the first page to the last page I was hooked.  

The characters are amazing.   Each one is believable.  Some I loved and some I hated, but I loved hating them.   They are real characters with real feelings and realistic reactions to the world around them.  They have secrets that they must keep and know when they have to share the secrets to keep their loved ones safe.   Carly and Gabe are, of course, my favorites.  Yet James intrigued me.   I want to know more about his history and where his future will be.   Can he live his life with the woman that he imprinted on?   Will he take his place back as the GrandAlpha? 


I definitely will be anxiously awaiting the final book in this series.  Lashell Collins has continued this series without missing a beat.   I do recommend you read the first book in this series since they tie together so closely.   This is a series that I will recommend  to all my paranormal book readers. 

Book Link
Goodreads   |   Amazon   |   iTunes
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TO COME
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble:
iTunes:
Kobo:
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Gabe’s gray eyes glowed like the embers of the fire as he stared into the flames and thought about the Katjie. Why were they here? They normally preferred to stay as far away from Ohio as they could get. Ohio was werewolf territory, and the last thing the cat shifters wanted was to be surrounded by them. They only ventured in when it suited their purposes somehow, and the last time they’d come around, James Masters - his father, beloved Pack Master and GrandAlpha over the five packs - had ended up dead. There hadn’t even been a body for his family to weep over. And now the cats were back and a human was dead, found mutilated and partially eaten on one of the hiking trails.
It had been a long busy couple of days trying to deal with the public’s alarm and the media’s constant intrusion. All that on top of everything going on in his personal life with Carly and his family’s reactions to their bonding had Gabe tense. More than tense.
He felt the touch of a single finger at his temple and a slow smile broke his brooding expression as the light behind his eyes dimmed. He turned to look at her as she unwrapped the soft throw from around her delectable body and climbed into his lap.
“So what exactly happens during the hunt anyway?” Carly asked as she watched her fingertips take a slow meandering path through the dusting of black chest hair that covered his pectoral muscles. She loved looking at him. He was so beautiful, in all of his forms. And she smiled as she thought about how those same powerful pecs swelled and morphed into something beyond human. Something wonderful and ghastly. Otherworldly.
Gabe tightened his arms around her naked body as she sat facing him, and he snuggled deeper into the comfy couch. He’d lit a fire in the fireplace of the small farmhouse they now shared, and the whole place had taken on a snug cozy feel. The scent of sex lingered in the air, mingling with the intoxicating smell of her skin, and the combination soothed him. Relaxed him. It was exactly what he needed - the ultimate aroma therapy.
“The hunt is our most sacred ritual. It’s not just about food to survive, there’s much more to it than that. It’s almost like … a religious rite of sorts,” he explained.
She looked at him with a small frown. “Like a rite of communion or something?”
“Mmm … something like that, I guess,” he answered. “We gather, usually in small family packs, but sometimes in communal groups - friends hunting together, that sort of thing. And when the moon rises, we disrobe.”
“Disrobe?” Carly repeated with raised eyebrows and a surprised expression. Gabe smiled at her.
“Yes, disrobe. It’s a show of respect to the Great Father and the goddess, Moon.”
Lunar Falls Triology Website:



 photo Synopsis8_zps80e1e80b.jpg  photo LiesLF-Teaser1_zpsrx1xr3iq.png  photo All covers_zpsrmpyuadu.jpg  photo Synopsis7_zps1559a710.jpg  photo SANY0063_zps6cefcfe1.jpg
Author Bio & Links:
Lashell Collins is an American author of romantic suspense, contemporary and paranormal romance. She spent the last twenty years of her life working in veterinary clinics and garden centers in her home state of Ohio, and is now living her dream of writing full-time. When she's not busy tapping away on her laptop and living vicariously through her characters, she can usually be found watching TV, rocking out to Slash, stuffing her face full of Chinese food, or riding on the back of her husband's Harley-Davidson. Give her a shout, she loves to hear from readers!
Website: http://lashellcollins.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LashellCollinsAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LashellCollins
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lashell-Collins/e/B00BHMAURS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1413996324&sr=8-2-ent
Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6948715.Lashell_Collins?from_search=true
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/lashellcollins1/
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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Hook by K.R. Thompson

Title: Hook
Author: K.R. Thompson
Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale/Adventure
Hosted By: DRC Promotions


Synopsis

Archie Jameson sat in the dark corners of the print shop, dreaming of adventure. 

Today, it found him.

Caught in a chilly October storm, he ducked into a tavern, hoping to escape the rain. What he found, was a room teeming with pirates. Shanghaied by the most elderly of the lot, Archie found himself serving on a ship captained by the fiercest pirate ever to sail the seven seas--the man known as Blackbeard.

Through a series of thrilling twists, Archie finds himself captain of another of Blackbeard's ships, the Jolig Roger. In an attempt to flee danger, his ship becomes lost under stars never before seen.

Determined to save both his crew and the woman he loves, Archie will make decisions that will forever seal his fate.

Discover the untold story of the man who became Captain Hook.

My Thoughts….

I love fairy tales.   Recently I have been reading quite a few fairy tales twists.   Hook is exactly that.  It is the how of Captain Hook.   This is the story that is not told in the Peter Pan books.   I love how K.R. Thompson kept the bulk of the story true to what is known.    The characters were familiar to me and were great.   Every pirate was developed enough to understand they why they became a pirate.   The Lost Boys were explained in a way that I never considered and Wendy was just entering Neverland when the story was ending.    Thompson showed a side of Peter that I loved.  

You know that when you pick up a book and think you know the story, this is that book.   With each chapter I learned things that I did not know and that changed the story.  This story had twist after twist and I loved every minute of it.   The story of Peter Pan is popular and this book turned the story around and gave a totally different view on Neverland.   


I definitely recommend Hook to any fairy tale lovers.   It is a shorter story that is guaranteed to entertain.

Book Links
Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble   |   Goodreads


Buy The Book




About The Author

K.R. Thompson was raised in the Appalachian Mountains. She resides in Bland County with her husband, son, three cats, and an undeterminable amount of chickens.

An avid reader and firm believer in magic, she spends her nights either reading an adventure or writing one.

She still watches for evidence of Bigfoot in the mud of Wolf Creek.


Connect with K.R. Thompson








Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline

Published November 25, 2014 by St. Martin’s Press

The women of Rosato & Associates return, after the relaunch of the series that started with Accused. This second entry, Betrayed, stars Judy Carrier, who has had the starring role in only one previous Rosato book. When Betrayed opens, Judy Carrier finds herself at a crossroads in her life. Her best friend, Mary DiNunzio, has just become partner and is about to become a bride, leaving Judy vaguely out of sorts. She's not jealous, but she's not happy either and she's wondering where her own career and love life are going. To make matters worse, she is rocked to her emotional foundations when she learns that her beloved Aunt Barb has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She races to her aunt's side, and so does Judy's mother, only to find that her aunt is dealing with the sudden death of a friend who had been helping her through chemo. The friend, Iris Juarez, was an undocumented worker at a local farm, but her death doesn't look natural at all, to Judy. Judy begins to investigate, following a path that leads her into an underground world far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Judy has to dig to uncover what happened to Iris, and at the same time unearth the secrets in her own family.

My Thoughts…

Lisa Scottoline is a go-to author for me.   I love that I never really know what I to expect when I pick up one of her books.   This book has so much to it; I am not exactly sure what genre to put it in.  There is mystery, relationship problems, family secrets, cancer, and the problems of illegal aliens in the US. There is something for everyone in this story.   

I loved Judy and Mary’s relationship.  Their friendship was the true kind.   They had each other’s backs, even when they had things happening in their own lives and knew they could trust each other without a second thought.   They have a friendship that every person should want and does need.  
There is a lot happening throughout the story, but Lisa does an amazing job of tying all they lose ends together.  The stories intertwine perfectly, with many of the characters being involved in the different story lines.   The illegal aliens are something I am not overly familiar with and enjoyed seeing the US from their side of the road.   (I do realize that not ever alien is like the ones in this story.) 

I definitely recommend Betrayed to anyone looking for a great legal mystery.   This is a story that will keep you guessing.

Book Links

LISA SCOTTOLINE is a bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author and a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer. She has been published in thirty countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets.

What others are saying…
“Lisa Scottoline is one of the very best writers at work today.”  --Michael Connelly

“I’m a huge fan of Lisa Scottoline’s Rosato & Associates series. The plots are twisty and the pace never quits!” ––Kathy Reichs

"Scottoline writes riveting thrillers that keep me up all night, with plots that twist and turn."
Harlan Coben



Tuesday, January 27, 2015

PROMO of The 5 Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson

   
Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1uDW62G
Purchase on iBooks: http://bit.ly/1L5c3DE
Purchase on B&N: http://bit.ly/1xLum7S
Purchase on Kobo: http://bit.ly/1upZf01

Elizabeth Carlson is living in the pits of hell- also known as grief.

Her husband of eight years, the father of her four children and the love of her life, died from cancer. Grady’s prognosis was grim, even from the start, but Liz never gave up hope he would survive. How could she, when he was everything to her?

Six months later, she is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and get the kids to school on time. Both seem impossible. Everything seems impossible these days.

When Ben Tyler moves in next door, she is drowning in sorrow and pain, her children are acting out, and the house is falling apart. She has no time for curious new friends or unwanted help, but Ben gives her both. And he doesn’t just want to help her with yard work or cleaning the gutters. Ben wants more from Liz. More than she’s capable of ever giving again.

As Liz mourns her dead husband and works her way through the five stages of grief, she finds there’s more of her heart to give than she thought possible. And as new love takes hold, she peels away the guilt and heartache, and discovers there’s more to life than death.  
 
About Rachel Higginson

Rachel Higginson is the creator of The Star-Crossed Series, Love & Decay Novella Series, The Starbright Series, The Siren Series, Bet on Us and the soon to be released, The Five Stages of Falling in Love! She is also the co-creator of the podcast "Zach & Rachel Take Over the World." She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days raising four amazing kids. In the few spare moments she has to herself, she is either reading for hours on end or writing her own stories.  

Monday, January 26, 2015

The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna van Praag

Published December 20, 2014 by Ballantine Books

The Dress Shop of Dreams is part of the Winter SheReads book choices.   SheReads is a community of bloggers that work together to promote book. 


Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.

Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.

My Thoughts…

This is a story of magic, love and family.   I was sent to a world where dresses can make a person be stronger, know her heart, and understand what path she is to head down,  a world where history can be learned just by dreaming.    The characters are magical and lovable.  The story line moves at a steady and easy pace that pulls the reader in and hold her in from the beginning to the end. 

Etta knows that Cora is living a partial life and knows that they only way to help her is to let her heart know the truth and feel the hurt that has been hidden from her for almost her entire life.   The love she feels for her granddaughter, Cora, is obvious and huge.  Etta is my favorite character.  The magic she shares with the women that come into her dress shop made me smile and feel good.   She not only wanted them to look good, she wanted them to feel good and confident.    While Etta struggles with her own heart break she is able to help so many other women. 


I found The Dress Shop of Dreams a charming and lovely book.    The bits of magic and mystery pulled me in and didn’t let me go, even now that I am finished I still am thinking about the story and characters.   The variety of romances were a great bonus, from the main romance of Cora and Walt, to the side romances including one of fifty years in the making.    This is a story I will recommend to anyone looking for a mystical and magical story to fall into.   

Book Links

Advance Praise for THE DRESS SHOP OF DREAMS

“Dreams, dresses, magic, and mystery swirl in this enchanting novel. The Dress
Shop of Dreams is the book to read before turning off your bedside light.”
—Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of An Island Christmas

“Big-hearted, beautiful and brushed with magic, this novel celebrates life's
moments of joy, possibility and transformation. Menna van Praag’s
writing is bright with sparkles and lovely grace notes.”
—Susan Wiggs, bestselling author of The Beekeeper’s Ball

“The Dress Shop of Dreams is a dream come true for lovers of romantic tales
with a twist of fantasy. Utterly enchanting! Menna van Praag’s imaginative,
endearing characters will stay with you long after you close the book.”
—Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Wind

Meet the Author
Menna van Praag was born in Cambridge, England, and studied modern history at Oxford University. Her first novella, Men, Money, and Chocolate—an autobiographical tale about a waitress who aspires to be a writer—has been translated into twenty-six languages. Her first work of fiction, The House at the End of Hope Street, was inspired by an idea van Praag had to set up a house for female artists to give them a year to fulfill their artistic ambitions. You can learn more about Menna on her website at

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Siding with Plato by Michelle Manning

Published May 13, 2013 by Createspace

Brooke Aarons can't get to college fast enough. Leaving behind her small town life, she intends to transform herself into a brilliant psychologist with no distractions along the way. But when she finds herself on a double date with the school's star football player - and worse, enjoying it - Brooke has to wonder if she's the one who needs her head examined.

James Cartwright's easy life, endless bucks, and long line of willing girls should make him a non-starter for Brooke, but as she learns, the psychology behind a bad crush is a whole lot messier of a subject. Maybe Plato was right. Maybe love is a serious mental disease. If so, Brooke doesn't have long to find a cure before James' attention proves to be a terminal condition. 

My Thoughts…

I love when a new author comes across my desk.  Michelle Manning is that new author for January.   I always start the book with a little worry about what to expect.   Siding with Plato is exactly what I was hoping for and more.

I love Brooke and her college friends.  They were each unique, yet so fitted to be best friends with each other.  My oldest is heading to college next year and I hope that she meets friends like these girls.   (Although, a little less drinking and partying and a lot more class time and studying would be great.)   While each had their own insecurities they accepted each other without question and had each other’s backs from the very first day they met. 

Then come the boys… James of course is interesting.  I didn’t like him, I thought he was using Brooke and that she would get hurt.   Over time I came to like him more, but never really loved him.   The boys that lived in the same dorm as the girls were my favorites.  The practical jokes and conversations had me laughing out loud.   The frat boys were exactly what I expected and made me cringe. 

If you are looking for a quick and fun story to read Siding with Plato is exactly the right book.    I definitely recommend checking it out. 

Book Links

About the author:
Michelle Manning was born and raised in Valencia, California. After majoring in journalism at Arizona State University, she worked in public relations and marketing, as well as for a red carpet entertainment news reporter for PopSugar. She lives in New York City, where she is currently working on the next installment, which will follow the girls of University of Texas in their further chronicles. Siding with Plato by Michelle Manning (published by CreateSpace, RRP $12.99 paperback, RRP $2.99 ebook) is available online at retailers including amazon.com and can be ordered from all good bookstores.


Friday, January 23, 2015

The Climax (The Publicist #3) by Christina George

Category: Adult fiction
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: Dec 15, 2014 (bundle edition)
Available in: Print and e-book (mobi for Kindle)
Will send books: internationally
Tour dates: Jan 12 to Feb 6, 2015
Content Rating: PG-13 Mature

Kate Mitchell has never forgiven herself for breaking Nick Lavigne’s heart. Now he’s back and he’s moved on, and it’s affecting Kate’s life more than she’s willing to admit.

Kate Mitchell has everything. She's the head of a crazy successful publishing house, engaged to the traffic-stopping sexy Mac Ellis and she's about to sign one of the biggest authors of her career.

And that's when everything falls apart. Everything is perfect…until it’s not.

In a city of 8 million people Kate manages to run into someone she never expected to see again.

Nick is handsome, impossibly kind, every girl’s dream, and Kate’s former fiancé. He’s also the brother of the rising star author she’s trying to sign. Now that Nick’s back in town and has moved on he insists he’s over Kate, but part of him still can’t get past how amazing they were, and his sister won’t let anyone forget how brutally it ended.

When Mac is dealt a life-changing blow, it forces Kate to question every single choice she’s made. 

My Thoughts…

Sigh, Kate’s story is now done.   I know that there will be more to come from the other characters in this series but Kate’s story is one I wanted, one I waited (sometimes impatiently) for, and one that I could not get enough of.  

The Climax is the perfect last part of Kate’s story.    There is craziness from authors, discovering the truth of feelings, and of course a lot of Mac and Nick.   I have to say that from the very beginning I have been #teamnick.   I truly believe that once a cheater always a cheater.    During The Climax I knew that I hoped she would dump Mac and go back to Nick, but I was never sure until almost the end of what she would do.     I could feel her struggling with what to do, but I believe that she knew from the second meeting with Dr. Ruth she probably really knew what had to be done.  Still sometimes knowing what to do isn’t enough, you need that push to do what has to be done. 
As always, I loved Grace.  She is outspoken, loyal, and the best friend Kate could ask for.   She has the right approach, most of the time, in telling Kate what she thinks then saying but I will support you no matter what.    Those are the best kind of friends to have. 

I cannot wait for more from Christina George.   This is a series that I will happily recommend to all my friends.

Book Links
Amazon   |   Goodreads

Check out the rest of this series.....

The Publicist (Book One)
Behind every book, there’s always more to the story.
Can one woman change an age-old institution like publishing? Probably not, but Kate Mitchell sure wants to try. As a publicist with a large, respected New York publishing house, Kate finds herself at the mercy of a broken publishing system, books that don’t always sell (at all) and author egos that are often, well, as big as the island of Manhattan.

Enter the star Editor, MacDermott Ellis. Tall, handsome, charismatic, married, and ready to save the day. Kate wants to do the right thing but her hormones seem to be driving her decisions. Then there’s Allan Lavigne, once a revered author, now as forgotten as yesterday’s news; and his nephew Nick, who wants to sweep Kate away from New York for another coast, California.

As Kate tries to navigate the landmine of publicity, the over-the-top author expectations, and the careful dance of “I’m sorry, your book isn’t on the bestseller list this week”, she also finds authors who are painfully overlooked by a publisher wanting more sex, more celebrities, and more scandal.


​Shelf Life (Book Two):

​It’s an industry of out-of-control egos, unrealistic expectations, and unfulfilled promises.

This is publishing and it’s Kate’s world, but maybe not for long.

When one of Kate Mitchell’s star authors is carted away in handcuffs, it’s only the beginning of her troubles. As her world crumbles around her, Kate desperately looks for anyone to hold onto but finds that happy endings are truly works of fiction. With the shelf life of her career and her love affair quickly expiring, Kate sets off on a new adventure…

Starting over in California is easy but Kate soon learns that leaving her old life behind isn’t. Nick Lavigne is eager to help her forget but two things still own her heart, the dream of discovering the next great American novel, and MacDermott Ellis.

As Kate tries to rebuild her life she finds a surprising gift that reboots her career in a new and unexpected direction. Suddenly her name becomes synonymous with one of the biggest bestsellers publishing has seen in ages and she's welcomed back with open arms.

But at the height of her success the ghosts of her past come back to remind her of the world she'd been trying to forget and the man who never let go of her heart.

Behind the book, there’s always more to the story. Welcome to Publishing, the ego has landed.


Author's Bio:


Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.

Connect with Christina: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~ Goodreads



Where to buy the books​: Amazon





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Meet The Publicist Series Promo Post...

Book Synopses:
The Publicist (Book One)
Behind every book, there’s always more to the story.

Can one woman change an age-old institution like publishing? Probably not, but Kate Mitchell sure wants to try. As a publicist with a large, respected New York publishing house, Kate finds herself at the mercy of a broken publishing system, books that don’t always sell (at all) and author egos that are often, well, as big as the island of Manhattan.

Enter the star Editor, MacDermott Ellis. Tall, handsome, charismatic, married, and ready to save the day. Kate wants to do the right thing but her hormones seem to be driving her decisions. Then there’s Allan Lavigne, once a revered author, now as forgotten as yesterday’s news; and his nephew Nick, who wants to sweep Kate away from New York for another coast, California.

As Kate tries to navigate the landmine of publicity, the over-the-top author expectations, and the careful dance of “I’m sorry, your book isn’t on the bestseller list this week”, she also finds authors who are painfully overlooked by a publisher wanting more sex, more celebrities, and more scandal.

​Shelf Life (Book Two):

​It’s an industry of out-of-control egos, unrealistic expectations, and unfulfilled promises.

This is publishing and it’s Kate’s world, but maybe not for long.

When one of Kate Mitchell’s star authors is carted away in handcuffs, it’s only the beginning of her troubles. As her world crumbles around her, Kate desperately looks for anyone to hold onto but finds that happy endings are truly works of fiction. With the shelf life of her career and her love affair quickly expiring, Kate sets off on a new adventure…

Starting over in California is easy but Kate soon learns that leaving her old life behind isn’t. Nick Lavigne is eager to help her forget but two things still own her heart, the dream of discovering the next great American novel, and MacDermott Ellis.

As Kate tries to rebuild her life she finds a surprising gift that reboots her career in a new and unexpected direction. Suddenly her name becomes synonymous with one of the biggest bestsellers publishing has seen in ages and she's welcomed back with open arms.

But at the height of her success the ghosts of her past come back to remind her of the world she'd been trying to forget and the man who never let go of her heart.

Behind the book, there’s always more to the story. Welcome to Publishing, the ego has landed.


Climax  (Book Three)

Kate Mitchell has never forgiven herself for breaking Nick Lavigne’s heart. Now he’s back and he’s moved on, and it’s affecting Kate’s life more than she’s willing to admit.

Kate Mitchell has everything. She's the head of a crazy successful publishing house, engaged to the traffic-stopping sexy Mac Ellis and she's about to sign one of the biggest authors of her career.

And that's when everything falls apart.

Everything is perfect…until it’s not.

In a city of 8 million people Kate manages to run into someone she never expected to see again.

Nick is handsome, impossibly kind, every girl’s dream, and Kate’s former fiancé. He’s also the brother of the rising star author she’s trying to sign. Now that Nick’s back in town and has moved on he insists he’s over Kate, but part of him still can’t get past how amazing they were, and his sister won’t let anyone forget how brutally it ended.

When Mac is dealt a life-changing blow, it forces Kate to question every single choice she’s made.

Follow Kate as she embarks on a journey of life and love, navigating through the decisions that will change it all forever.


Author's Bio:

Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.

Connect with Christina: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~ Goodreads


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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Broken Trust (3 Musketeers, #1) by Thomas Maurin

Published October 25, 2014 by Createspace

This is a story about three smart, successful people who were once fast friends in college and have now been thrust together again in an unlikely, multi-layered investigation with far-reaching international implications and billions of dollars at stake. One is a forensic accountant for the SEC, one beta tests hardware and software for the US Department of Defense and the UK Ministry of Defense, and the third is a wildly successful entrepreneur, software developer and venture capitalist in Silicon Valley.

They get caught up in the hunt for a corrupt Swiss banker intent on finally unloading the last of the gold stolen by his father in World War II; a violent, narcissist leader of a Mexican drug cartel making his move to take over as the head of all cartels in Central America; and the daughter of a murdered Bulgarian arms dealer making the deal that will give her mother financial stability and get them both out of the increasingly unstable arms business.

The plot unfolds as financial crimes committed by insiders put common criminal activities to shame in a world where technology has increasingly insinuated itself into our lives to good and bad effects.

My Thoughts…

This is a great book.   The friendship between Fitz, Jamie, and Chris was obvious.   Even with the hard feelings between a couple of the characters, it was obvious that they all cared for each other and had each other’s backs no matter what was needed.    These 3 Musketeers went farther than most friends would.  My favorite character is Fitz.  She is a tough girl, who stands up for what she believes in, and goes to the wall to protect those who are important to her.    She will even protect people who haven’t always done the right thing.   

There are parts of this story that went over my head.  Some of the computer terms and programs were way above my knowledge, but I was still able to understand the story and enjoy it.   The banking terms were also above me.   Again, that did not take away from the story.  I enjoyed reading Broken Trust from the first page until the very last page. 

The settings in this book are amazing.   I love the big cities, but the Cayman Island was my favorite.   I could see the ports, the fancy hotels, and the elite businesses.    When I can picture the scenes in my head I know that it will be a book that I happily recommend to others.   

Book Links


Meet the Authors:

Thomas Maurin is the pen name of husband and wife writing team Bonnie B. Hartley, Ph.D., and Michael T. Hartley, CFP®. They both write non-fiction books and articles regarding financial and family business topics and have delivered talks on those subjects internationally over the last thirty years.

Connect with them: Website​  ~  Twitter


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Dreaming of Love by Melissa Foster with Giveaway


NEW RELEASE........
Book #11 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #19

Emily Braden is a leader in architectural preservation, a pillar in her small hometown, and successful in everything she does—with the exception of finding true love. She’s watched several of her brothers fall in love, and she needs this trip to Tuscany to get away from it all and to stop focusing on what she doesn’t have.

Dae Bray doesn’t do flings, and he never stays in one place for very long. As a demolitionist, he goes where jobs take him, and the more often he travels, the better. His trip to Tuscany is all work—until he meets smart and sexy Emily, who makes him reconsider his fear of settling down, his no-fling rule—and just about everything else he’s ever believed about himself.

Passion sizzles as Dae and Emily explore the history and beauty of Tuscany. Their romance moves beyond tourist attractions to the bedroom, blossoming into a deep connection neither can deny. But their worlds collide when Emily wants to preserve the property that Dae is there to demolish. Can a woman who sees the beauty in preservation and a man whose life is spent tearing things down find a solid foundation for their love?

My Thoughts….

I am not sure what to say about this book that I have not said about the rest in this series.   They are all absolutely amazing.    I started with book #1 in the Love in Bloom series and am always anxiously waiting the next book to be released.   I always think that the male in that book will be my favorite, yet with each book I get a new favorite.   

Dae Bray (sigh) is amazing.    The romance, the love, the understanding all makes him the best so far.   The fact that Dae and Emily have pretty much opposite jobs, yet he doesn’t think twice about it being an issue between them makes his true feelings shine through.    There is never a doubt that Emily and Dae will end up together.  

From the first time Melissa Foster brought Emily into the books, I wanted to know her story.     I knew she would find her happy every after, I mean she is a Braden, but who, when, and where???   Of all the female characters in this series she is the toughest, the roughest, and the most deserving.   Her upbringing of being raised by a single mom with all those brothers around her could not possibly be easy.    Then she goes on to be so successful, yet all alone.  I was thrilled with Dreaming of Love came out and was Emily’s story.   


Once again, I cannot recommend this story and series enough.   Each one is its own story, yet by reading them in order you get a much better feel for the characters and who belongs with who and how then ended up there.    There are so many characters left that I need to know more about I patiently await the next book in this series.   

THE BRADEN COUSINS are one of the newest additions to the LOVE IN BLOOM series.
**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Available to buy from...

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest or her personal website.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.


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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
ALSO AVAILABLE 
Books 1 - 3 Snow Sisters, Love in Bloom Series #1 - 3

Books 1 - 6 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #4 - 9

Books 1 - 5 The Remingtons, Love in Bloom Series #10 - 14 


Books 7 - 12 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #15 - 20

Books 1 - 4 Seaside Summers, Love in Bloom Series #21 - 24


NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!
flames of love
Five lucky winners will each receive the Flames of Love ebook
Ending on Sunday 1st March at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!


Monday, January 19, 2015

All the Butterflies in the World by Rodney Jones

Published October 28, 2014 by Red Adept Publishing
With her senior year looming, Tess McKinnon has two goals: hanging out with her best friend, Liz, and avoiding her judgmental, alcoholic mother. Then yummy John Bartley arrives—to tell Mrs. McKinnon that her daughter is dead. Distinctly still alive, Tess is baffled by John’s tales of 1800s time travel, rewritten lives, and love. She knows she’s never seen him before, but her feelings refuse to be denied.

When Tess and John discover an aged newspaper clipping that indicates John’s uncle was hanged for Tess’s murder in 1875, John decides to return to his time to save his uncle’s life, but when Tess checks the article after John’s departure, she is horrified to discover that John has been hanged instead.

Armed with determination and modern ingenuity, Tess must abandon her past and risk her future for a chance to catch her own killer and find her first love for the second time.

My Thoughts…

Time travel, the thing some of us dream of.    All the Butterflies in the World is a twist on time travel.  Not only can Tess in 2009 go back to 1875 but John from 1875 can travel to 2009.   The hitch is that John always arrives on the same day.   What a cool idea.    Rodney Jones wrote a time travel book that is not so sci-fi like that it is hard to believe and follow.    I loved how confused both John and Tess are when they arrive in the past/future.   Rodney does a great job getting right into the differences between the two worlds and how they affect the characters.  Seeing John and Tess struggle to fit in and adjust proved just how advanced the world has become and how spoiled we all are with the technology available.    I found it interesting how it ended and thought it would be the other way (this will make more sense when you read the book.)

I find myself struggling to write this review, only because I loved the book and do not want to give too much away.    I was lucky enough to read the first book in this series, The Sun, the Moon and Maybe the Trains, first and I do recommend you start with that first as it will let you connect better with the characters and understand better the whole time travel thing.    I enjoyed that the time travel aspect was not the entire story, the characters and the settings are the true story.   I love the differences between Tess’s house and world and John’s house and world and how nonjudgmental both characters were of each other.  There was a lot of curiosity but not jealousy. 

I definitely recommend this book, both of them, to anyone looking for a fun read.  I have already recommended them to my book club and cannot wait to see how they like them.  

Book Links



Here is a peak at book one of this series....

Overview:

What would it take to convince you that the woods you just left is a hundred and forty-four years distant from the one you entered?
Ten years have passed since the Civil War broke up John Bartley's family. Living with his aunt and uncle in the tiny village of Greendale, Vermont, isn't filled with excitement for a seventeen-year-old.

Until John walks into the woods one day and stumbles into 2009...

Fortunately, he chances upon the outspoken Tess McKinnon. To earn her trust, he must first convince her that he is neither a lunatic nor a liar. The proof he needs is buried at the end of a mountain road, where the ruins of Greendale lie just beneath a layer of dead leaves and moss.

What became of his home? Why is there no record of its existence?


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