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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Giveaway & Review: No Way Back by Andrew Gross

Giveaway details: The publisher has generously offered a print copy of No Way Back to one lucky winner. (US only please)  Just leave a comment below with a valid e-mail to enter.  The winner will be chosen on May 6, 2013. Good Luck!!

Author: Andrew Gross
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of Publication: April 2013

One woman is framed for a horrific crime, and desperate to prove her innocence.

A chance meeting with a stranger in a hotel ends in a shocking murder. Wendy Gould is an average mom--and the only witness. Nanny Lauritzia Velez knows a shocking secret that could prove to be deadly. Both of their lives in danger, this unlikely pair must work together against a network of dangerous men who want nothing more than to see them dead.



When I started this book, I was expecting a completely different book than the one I got.  I could not put this book down!  No Way Back is an excellent, well written mystery that kept me captivated until the end.  Part of the story is told by Wendy, while the rest of the story follows the other characters.  I actually liked the switch in points of view.  I thought it worked very well here.  Also, it wasn't clear how all of the parts of the story were going to fit together, but the author did a nice job of weaving them into a story that made sense.

If there was ever a story that would make you not want to cheat on your spouse, this one is it.  When Wendy makes the mistake of going up to a stranger's room for a one night stand, she ends up smack in the middle of a HUGE conspiracy.  That one mistake costs her everything she holds dear.  What follows is a race against time to clear her name and to try to figure out what exactly is going on. I liked Wendy.  I felt really badly for her and found she was a character I could root for.

I don't want to say too much on the plot, because it would ruin the story.  There are a few twists that are better left to be revealed as you read.  I think this book would make a great movie!  Andrew Gross is a new to me author.  I look forward to reading more from him!


About the author:

Andrew Gross is the author of the New York Times and international bestsellers 15 SECONDS, EYES WIDE OPEN,THE BLUE ZONE, THE DARK TIDE, DON'T LOOK TWICE, and RECKLESS. He is also coauthor of five number one bestsellers with James Patterson, including JUDGE & JURYand LIFEGUARD. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. He lives in Westchester County, New York, with his wife, Lynn.

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Monday, April 29, 2013

Review & Interview: Bite Me, Your Grace by Brooklyn Ann

Welcome to author, Brooklyn Ann who joins us today as she promotes her debut novel, Bite Me, Your Grace. Enjoy her interview after my thoughts on the book.

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Date of publication: April 2013

England's "vampire craze" causes much vexation for the Lord Vampire of London, Ian Ashton. To save his reputation, Ian enlists aspiring authoress Angelica Winthrop without realizing she has hidden plans of her own.

Angelica Winthrop's life goal is to ruin her reputation, avoid marriage, and become a gothic authoress like her idol, Mary Shelley. To find inspiration for her new story, she breaks into the home of Ian Ashton, Duke of Burnrath, not knowing she will be coming up against the Lord Vampire of London. Romance sparks and reputations are at stake. But who knows the real difference between fact and fiction?

My take:

Bite Me, your Grace is the debut offering from Brooklyn Ann.  As you can guess from the title, the book is a paranormal romance involving vampires.  The book was a very quick read and very engaging.  I liked the world that the author is building with this series.  What I especially enjoyed was the way the author wove in historical literary figures into the book.  

Ian and Angelica were a great match.  I loved Angelica and her willingness to be her own person, despite the rules of society.  The more I read about that time, the less I think I could survive it.  It seems stifling.  The love story was nice.  I have to admit that I was glad the "falling out" between the lovers was not dragged out for too long.  Having the H & H be at odds for too long can get tedious.  

Bite Me, Your Grace is a good and well-written first book. The ending acts as a set up for the next book. I look forward to reading more about this world in One Bite Per Night which comes out later this year..  

Kari& Autumn: What inspired you to become a writer?

Brooklyn: Nothing really “inspired” me to become a writer. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and never outgrew daydreams. I always wrote stories but never thought about it until a few years ago. I was going to be a paleontologist, a rock star, a painter, a mechanic…actually I really WAS the last two. But I never quit writing. When I stopped and realized how happy I was writing, I figured out that that was what I was supposed to be doing.

Kari& Autumn: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Brooklyn: Usually in times and places where I’m supposed to be doing something else. I’ll be cooking, cleaning, running errands, at work or school, etc. Often I hear a song and see a story.

Kari& Autumn: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?

Brooklyn: Well, there will definitely be more regency paranormal romance novels on the way. I’m currently in edits with book 2 and finishing the first draft of book 3. I also have a New Adult paranormal romance series and a heavy metal romance series in the works.

Kari& Autumn: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

Brooklyn: Literary with a capital “L?” Probably Sug Avery from THE COLOR PURPLE. She brought so much joy and knowledge to everyone she encountered. And she remained her own person until the end.
Kari& Autumn: Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Brooklyn: A pampered housecat. To be able to eat, sleep, and play whenever I want would be awesome. Also, the love and affection I’d receive from my human would be priceless. 

About the author:


For more information visit her website: 

http://brooklynann.blogspot.com/

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Guest Post & Giveaway: Claim Me by J. Kenner


Giveaway details:  One lucky commenter will win a copy of Claim me.  Just leave a comment with a valid a-mail address to enter.  The winner will be chosen on May 4, 2013.  Good Luck!!!


The Chemistry of Dialogue
by J. Kenner

I love banter.

I love it in books, I love it in movies.  Frankly, I think that’s why I love romances (in print and on film) because the odds are the characters will have some great back and forth moments.  And those moments build tension.  They build the relationship.  And, yeah, they make us as readers (or viewers) fall in love with the characters, too.

This is not a new thing.  Shakespeare was a master the sharp witted lovers.  And classic movies are often classic in large part because of the memorable dialogue. A  quick Google search about the Thin Man movies (some of my favorites) revealed what I already knew: that one of the reason those films are classics is the witty banter between Nick and Nora.  And even more recent, I was watching The American President the other night, and that’s another one that has some stellar dialogue between the characters.  (Sydney trying to apologize for the “tight ass” remark leaps to mind.)  

I’ve shouted out a number of times about how much I love the In Death series by J.D. Robb, and one of the reasons is the back-and-forth between Eve and Roarke.  (As an aside, someone slap me down and tell me to get over the urge to re-read the series.  I really don’t have the time, and there are a ton of books in my TBR pile that I’ve not yet read!)

So, naturally, I’ve been thrilled when readers tell me how much they love the banter between Damien and Nikki.  And considering how much I love the Thin Man movies, I was over the moon at this review of Claim Me:  “Honestly, I got a whole Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man movies) vibe during these flirtatious interchanges. Updated and more risqué, but definitely a modern day twist on the classic couple.” Thanks!!

She even quoted one of my favorite interplays from my current release, Claim Me:

Nikki: "'Should I alert the financial papers?' I'd teased. 'Doesn't it affect the market when Damien Stark takes a day off work?'"

Damien: "'I'm willing to risk global economic collapse if it means a few hours with you.' He drew my hand up and kissed the tip of each finger. 'Of course, the more shopping we do, the more we support the economy.' His voice was low and sultry and full of enticing promises. 'Or maybe we should go back to the apartment. I can think of several interesting ways to spend the afternoon that have no fiscal impact whatsoever.'"

Nikki: "'Tempting.' I'd retorted. 'But I don't think that I could stand the guilt knowing that I traded an orgasm for fiscal ruin.'"

Damien: "Trust me, baby. It would be more than one orgasm."


How about you?  Do you love witty or sexy banter?  Any favorites to share?

One lucky commenter will win a copy of Claim Me! (print for US winners, digital for international winners!)


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner has written over 40 books under multiple names including Julie Kenner and J.K. Beck.  Her newest release, CLAIM ME (April 23, 2013), is the second book in the bestselling Stark Trilogy, which began with RELEASE ME, a multi-week NYT and USA today bestseller, continues with CLAIM ME, and which will conclude in July with COMPLETE ME.

You can learn more about her at her website (http://www.juliekenner.com) or connect with her on Twitter (@juliekenner) or on Facebook (http://juliekenner.com/facebook/)

Review: Claim Me by J. Kenner

Author: J. Kenner
Publisher: Bantam
Date of Publication: April 2013

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.

Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.


Claim Me is the sequel to Release Me which I reviewed back in December.  I was a big fan of the first book and am happy to say that I am a big fan of the second book.  I really enjoyed this sequel. 

As with most sequels, the book serves to further strengthen the relationship between the two main characters.  The readers learn a bit more about Damien and his past. He and Nikki have come to the end of their arrangement, yet both are reluctant for the relationship to end.   Throughout the book, Nikki is convinced that something is bothering Damien. I was a bit surprised when the truth is revealed. 

If you are looking for a mild romance, you won't find it here.  The love scenes are sensual, raw and and very hot.  As in the first book, the dom/sub element is part of the book, but doesn't overwhelm the story.  While I loved the ending, I was frustrated with the semi cliffhanger.  Only because I don't want to wait for July to see how it all works out in Germany!  Yes, I'm impatient!



Saturday, April 27, 2013

Joint Review: Mojo by Tim Tharp

by:  Tim Tharp
published by:  Knopf Books for Young Readers
publish date:  April 9, 2013

All Dylan wants is mojo. What is mojo? It's power. The ability to command respect. It's everything Dylan doesn't have. He gets no respect at school, and when he finds the dead body of a classmate, even the police push him around. All the thanks he gets for trying to help the investigation with his crime drama skills is a new nickname at school: Body Bag. So when Dylan hears about a missing rich girl from the other side of town, he jumps at the chance to dive into this mystery. Surely if he cracks a case involving a girl this beautiful and this rich, he'll get not only a hefty cash reward, but the mojo he's looking for. 
I think the summary I read (which is not the one above) led me to expect something totally different.  I was expecting a much darker book.  I wasn't disappointed though, it turned out to be a nice little YA mystery. 

The audiobook is narrated by Jesse Bernstein, who isn't my favorite audiobook narrator because I find him to be kind of juvenile.  However, he worked for this book.  I thought he captured the characters well, especially Randy. 

I would definitely recommend this one to the mystery fans among the YA readers.  I thought it was a fun book.

I, too, was expecting a completely different book.  I really enjoyed it.  I think the thing that appealed to me the most was the main character.  Dylan isn't the most popular kid.  He is just your average teen trying to make it through high school intact.  He isn't spoiled and has parents that pay attention to him.  Even if he thinks they are lame.  It's a real coming of age story.  Through the mystery, he learns who is true friends are and what is really important in life.  Mojo isn't all it's cracked up to be.  

I will say that I kind of had parts of the mystery figured out before the reveal, there were still a couple of surprises.  The other characters in the book were great as well.   I also found some great LOL moments in the book.  Like Autumn said, it's a fun book and definitely one you shouldn't miss!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Interview with author Amanda Scott

Please welcome author Amanda Scott.  she is promoting her recently re-issued book, Border Bride which I reviewed yesterday.  Enjoy our interview with her!

Author: Amanda Scott
First published in 1990 by Dell.  
Re-issued by Open Road Media March, 2013

Set in treacherous sixteenth-century Scotland, the first volume of Amanda Scott’s Border Trilogy tells the unforgettable story of a woman sworn to defy the knight she is forced to wed—only to discover a love she’ll do anything to claim

As Mary, Queen of Scots, languishes in the Tower of London as a prisoner of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, war tears Scotland apart. To save her beloved homeland, a proud Highland beauty named Mary Kate MacPherson must wage her own battle when she’s forced into wedlock with a knight, Sir Adam Douglas, from the barbaric borderland of Tornary.

Even as she succumbs to her seductive husband’s sensual demands, Mary Kate vows never to give him her heart. She will belong to no man. But Adam burns with something deeper than desire. Sworn to carry out a long-awaited revenge, he won’t rest until he has vanquished his enemies. Accused of treason, the last thing he expects is to lose his heart to the woman he’s determined to tame but never to love: his own wife.
 

Kari & Autumn: What inspired you to become a writer?

Amanda:
I was the oldest of four kids and second oldest of a host of grandchildren (the oldest being male), which made me everyone’s babysitter of choice. I made up hundreds of stories in those days to entertain the younger children. We spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ ranch in Northern California and at their cabin in the High Sierras. Neither place had TV, so we spent most of our time outside, playing games. I made up many of them on the fly, although the others always added their ideas and fought to play their favorite roles. The lawyers in my family are all courtroom lawyers. If you stop and think about that, you’ll realize that they are all creative types, too, creating images and likely scenarios for juries.

However, I never expected to become a writer. So the real answer to your question as to what inspired me is that I was flinging books across the room because authors hadn’t done basic research, saying that I could do better. My husband bought me a desk and a typewriter and challenged me to write a book. So I did, and to my astonishment, Signet bought it (The Fugitive Heiress)!
Kari & Autumn: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Amanda:  Mostly from the research, but I collect characters from all sorts of places—people I’ve met, character traits I encounter in books, poetry, or just people, places, comments I overhear. It’s all grist for the mill. Actually, my favorite answer to that question is Stephen King’s: “Cleveland.” The plain fact is that writers are like sponges—they soak up everything that approaches them and eventually it all gets wrung out in their work. For book one of my new Lairds of the Loch (Loch Lomond) trilogy, The Laird’s Choice, (Dec 2012, Forever), I got ideas from members of Clan MacFarlane, from the history of that clan, and from a dear friend who was born and raised in Scotland and is a historian. He came up with Tùr Meiloach, the name of the estate where my heroines live with their parents. It means “small tower guarded by giants.” The idea for the hero came from that definition. The idea for the book’s opening and the heroine’s gifts came from the Greek myth about Camilla, a huntress friend of the goddess Diana.
The next book in the new trilogy, The Knight’s Temptress, (August 2013) is based on stories about the seizure of Dumbarton Castle, a royal fortress, in 1425, and its recapture by Sir Ian Colquhoun. That story is the basis for Clan Colquhoun’s motto: Si je puis (“If I can”) which was Colquhoun’s response when James I, King of Scots, told him to win it back.  The third book, The Warrior’s Bride, will be out in early 2014.
By the way, the first chapter of The Laird’s Choice is on my website, www.amandascottauthor.com, as are the Amazon links to my books and ebooks.
Kari & Autumn: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?
Amanda:  Nearly all of my backlist will be available in electronic form by May 2, 2013. I’m very excited about that, because many of my older books have been out of print for years and fans frequently write me asking how they can get them. Now they can, in all formats, and the Kindle links are on my website, as noted above.
I just finished The Warrior’s Bride, which is book three in my Lairds of the Loch trilogy, so I’m now working on the outline for a new trilogy and a new contract. Having just written two trilogies set in the Highlands (Scottish Knights and Lairds of the Loch) and one set in Galloway (Tamed by a Laird, Seduced by a Rogue, Tempted by a Warrior), I’m ready to return to the Scottish Borders for a while and perhaps continue using Clans Scott and Douglas history for the background. I tend to move forward chronologically with the history, so I’ll set the three books around 1426–1430 in James I’s reign.
 Clans Scott and Douglas figure prominently in my own heritage, so they are naturals for me. I also have ancestral connections to a number of other clans, including Jamison, Logan, and Ferguson. Once again, I plan to use real people for my two main characters, specifically the grandson of the first Sir Walter Scott in Border Wedding. The Scotts, like most other families at the time, commonly named their firstborn sons after their paternal grandfathers, so there was a Walter in nearly every other generation from the late fourteenth century on (meaning, well before the poet Sir Walter Scott), right down to my own grandfather, Russell Walter Scott, who was named for his grandfather, Walter Ferguson Scott. I am not connected to the poet, but we are likely connected to that same line, just a few hundred or so years further back.
Kari & Autumn: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

Amanda:  I never know how to answer questions like this one. The plain fact is that I’ve been reading since I was three, so I have hundreds of favorite characters: the Cat in the Hat, Mary Poppins, Scarlett O’Hara, Jack Reacher, Elvis Cole, Joe Pike, Sophy in The Grand Sophy, Hermione Granger, and that’s just for starters. Looking over this limited list, I suppose I like them because they are intelligent and fearless, or, more accurately, they are characters who recognize that fear exists, that they feel it, but that they can overcome it. It’s probably not surprising that I try to create characters much like them.

Kari & Autumn:  Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Amanda:  No contest. I’d be a cat because, knowing that it’s the center of the Universe, it sleeps whenever it wants to.

Thanks Amanda!

About the author: 

A fourth-generation Californian of Scottish descent, Amanda Scott is the author of more than fifty romantic novels, many of which appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Her Scottish heritage and love of history (she received undergraduate and graduate degrees in history at Mills College and California State University, San Jose, respectively) inspired her to write historical fiction. Credited by Library Journal with starting the Scottish romance subgenre, Scott has also won acclaim for her sparkling Regency romances. She is the recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award (for Lord Abberley’s Nemesis, 1986) and the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award. She lives in central California with her husband.
For more information on Amanda Scott’s novels, please visit the official website.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Blog Tour: Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer

Author: Liza Palmer
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: April 2013

Queenie Wake, a country girl from North Star, Texas, has just been fired from her job as a chef for not allowing a customer to use ketchup. Again. Now the only place she has to go is home to North Star. She can hope, maybe things will be different. Maybe her family's reputation as those Wake women will have been forgotten. It's been years since her mother-notorious for stealing your man, your car, and your rent money-was killed. And her sister, who as a teenager was branded as a gold-digging harlot after having a baby with local golden boy Wes McKay, is now the mother of the captain of the high school football team. It can't be that bad…

Nowhere But Home is a wonderful book.  It's a well written and very heartwarming story.  Queenie Wake has been running for ten years.  Running from a town who sees her as no better than her mother, the love of her life, and really from herself.  Now she is coming back home to figure things out.  What I loved about this book is that it was such and honest look at the past and how it can affect who we are in this moment and who we become in the future. 

As Queenie learns, the only way to look forward and grab what you want is to make peace with the past.  I loved Queenie.  Even though she has a lot to deal with, she is such a strong character.  I enjoyed her journey as she works through her feelings about the past.  Her realization that the only things that are important is love and her family was such a great aha moment.  The other characters in the book were wonderful.  I especially liked the relationship between Queenie and her sister. 

I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart warming story about finding your true self and your way back home.  You can't help but find yourself rooting for Queenie and the town of North Star, Texas!


About the author:


Liza Palmer is the internationally bestselling author of Conversations with the Fat Girl , which has been
optioned for series by HBO. 

Library Journal said Palmer’s “blend of humor and sadness is realistic and gripping,..”

After earning two Emmy nominations writing for the first season of VH1’s Pop Up Video, she now knows far too much about Fergie.



Throwback Thursday: Blog tour - Border Bride by Amanda Scott


Author: Amanda Scott
First published in 1990 by Dell.  
Re-issued by Open Road Media March, 2013

Set in treacherous sixteenth-century Scotland, the first volume of Amanda Scott’s Border Trilogy tells the unforgettable story of a woman sworn to defy the knight she is forced to wed—only to discover a love she’ll do anything to claim

As Mary, Queen of Scots, languishes in the Tower of London as a prisoner of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, war tears Scotland apart. To save her beloved homeland, a proud Highland beauty named Mary Kate MacPherson must wage her own battle when she’s forced into wedlock with a knight, Sir Adam Douglas, from the barbaric borderland of Tornary.

Even as she succumbs to her seductive husband’s sensual demands, Mary Kate vows never to give him her heart. She will belong to no man. But Adam burns with something deeper than desire. Sworn to carry out a long-awaited revenge, he won’t rest until he has vanquished his enemies. Accused of treason, the last thing he expects is to lose his heart to the woman he’s determined to tame but never to love: his own wife.


Having read a few historical romances that take place in the Highlands lately, I was looking forward to reading Border Bride for this blog tour. It's an older book by Amanda Scott and perfect for Throwback Thursday.  I really wanted to like this book.  And, I did, at first.  The conflict and tension between Adam and Mary Kate looked to be promising.  I always love a strong woman who can hold her own against an alpha.

In the end, I really can't honestly say that I enjoyed the book. It wasn't the writing, it was the story-line and the characters.  I found nothing romantic or even appealing about a man who abuses his wife, not only verbally but physically.  He spends the entire story berating Mary Kate, spanking/slapping her, and treating her like dirt.  His blatant flirtatious behavior toward his cousin and other women at parties was just in poor taste.  I also saw no point in the child out of wedlock story-line   How cruel can one get by not warning his wife about that one ahead of time?  I kept hoping that Adam would get a clue, but he never got there.  I didn't once believe his declaration in the end.  I just felt badly for Mary Kate.  She is so naive and never really finds her true back bone.

I understand that this story is probably very true to the time period.  Relationships like this were probably more the norm.  Knowing that doesn't make me like it any better.  Some people may enjoy a story like this, but it just wasn't for me.
About the author:


A fourth-generation Californian of Scottish descent, Amanda Scott is the author of more than fifty
romantic novels, many of which appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Her Scottish heritage and love of history (she received undergraduate and graduate degrees in history at Mills College and California State University, San Jose, respectively) inspired her to write historical fiction. Credited by Library Journal with starting the Scottish romance subgenre, Scott has also won acclaim for her sparkling Regency romances. She is the recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award (for Lord Abberley’s Nemesis, 1986) and the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award. She lives in central California with her husband.

For more information on Amanda Scott’s novels, please visit the official website.




Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Review: Puppets by Daniel Hecht

by:  Daniel Hecht
published by:  Bloomsbury Publishing
publish date:  July 11, 2005

The New Jersey State Police had started calling him Howdy Doody, after the famous TV puppet of the 1950s. Three people killed in northern New Jersey, then three in Manhattan and another in the Bronx, in a thirteen-month period. And all of them hung up with strings attached to their limbs, like puppets. Finally the murderer was caught in New York City. Or so it seems--until State Police detective Mo Ford finds another victim, killed and arranged in exactly the same way. Is it a copycat crime, or did the police catch the wrong man? Mo's theory about what happened soon expands to involve U.S. intelligence agencies and a horrific experiment with human beings. With so many forces behind the scenes, who is the real puppet master?

This book was one of my random audiobook finds from the library.  It was one of those computer based suggestion from my past reading history.  I couldn't find anything else I wanted so I figured I'd give it a shot. 

I was really impressed with this book.  I've read a ton of murder mysteries and usually I can get an inkling of what's going to happen in the end or who the real killer will turn out to be.  In this case, while the perpetrator was suspected, I never thought it was possible.  It seemed so unlikely.  Anyway, kudos for surprising me there.

Another thing I really liked about this book in comparison to a lot of murder mysteries out now is that this book focused on the psychology of the crime.  So many books out focus on the forensics, and not the who and WHY. 

This book is considered a prequel to another book called Skull Session.  They're stand alone books, not really related to each other except that they both feature detective Mo Ford.  I would recommend reading Puppets first.  I'll be giving my thoughts on Skull Session in a couple of weeks.

 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Romance at Random Assassins Hockey Hop


Romance at Random is celebrating the upcoming re-release of The Assassin Hockey Series by Toni Aleo on April 23, 2012. The contest runs April 23- May 1.

They are giving away some fabulous prizes:

  • 5 sets of the series to etailer of choice;
  • 10 net galley preview copy giveaway sets;
  • $20 EGC Starbucks, the drink of hockey fans everywhere!

You can enter using the Rafflecopter below. Good Luck! Make sure to visit the the other participating blog for more chances to win!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 22, 2013

Blog Tour: In a Small Town by Marc DiGiacomo Tour



Author:  Marc DiGiacomo
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Date of publication: September 2012

The shotgun blast catches Detective Matthew Longo by surprise. His world unravels into a nightmare that seemingly won't end. Murder, rapes, pedophiles, the small town of Hutchville, N.Y. is changing. It is up to him to make a difference.

While partner Donny Mello is in Italy attending a funeral for a family member who is connected, to say the least, a beautiful F.B.I. agent waits to question him about his family business.

Can Matt keep from answering the Agents questions? More importantly, can he hide a potentially career-ending secret from his community, his brother, and most especially Agent Cynthia Shyler?


When I read the synopsis, I was really looking forward to reading the book.  Unfortunately, the story fell short for me.  I liked the concept of the book.  Matt Longo  is a great character.  He is shot and no one knows who did it.  All he can remember are new white sneakers.  While convalescing at home,  he falls into a depression.  Through his drugged induced dreams, we learn more about his past and how he became a cop.  We also learn more about his dealings with his partner. I did like that part of the book.

What I didn't like was the rest of the story.  I kept feeling like I was missing something.  The story felt disjointed at times. I felt like the book needed more editing.  The tense often changed in the middle of the paragraph and that threw me off.  I didn't really understand the reason for the shooting although the shooter was pretty easy to figure out. The sexual encounter with Cynthia came out of nowhere for me.  There was absolutely no build up to it.

The book was a short quick read that ends in a cliffhanger.  It looks like the next book is coming out sometime this summer.  It has gotten good reviews, so try it out for yourself and see what you think.


Want to win a copy to try it out for yourself?  Just leave a comment below to enter!  This will run until April 28. Good Luck! 




About the author:

The author is a retired and highly decorated police detective who worked for an affluent community within the State of New York. He has worked with numerous police agencies at the local, county, state and federal levels on various investigative assignments. He currently resides in New York with his wife and three children.

Website: http://www.inasmalltownbook.com/

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Review: Let the Dead Sleep by Heather Graham

Author: Heather Graham
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Date of Publication: March 2013

It was stolen from a New Orleans grave – the centuries-old bust of an evil man, a demonic man. It’s an object desired by collectors – and by those with wickedness in their hearts.

One day, its current owner shows up at Danni Cafferty’s antiques shop on Royal Street, the shop she inherited from her father. But before Danni can buy the statue, it disappears, the owner is found dead…and Danni discovers that she’s inherited much more than she realized. In the store is a book filled with secret writing: instructions for defeating evil entities. She’d dismissed it as a curiosity…until the arrival of this statue, with its long history of evil and even longer trail of death.



Let the Dead Sleep is the first in a new series by Heather Graham.  The series looks to be quite different from the Krewe of Hunters series.   In a way, it reminds me of that TV show from the 80's, "Friday the 13th".  The one about the antique shop  owners who have to get back cursed objects.  Only, this one isn't cheesy.

I enjoyed the cast of characters in the book.  Danni and Quinn make a great team.  I also loved their attraction for each other.  Danni inherits her father's shop not knowing about his life's work.  There also seems to be a hint that she may exhibit some latent psychic abilities.  Quinn died once and upon coming back he seems to have gained some extraordinary abilities.  It will be interesting to see how things between them develop.

The story of the cursed bust was pretty good.  There were a few twists that I didn't see coming.  I looked at this book as a nice set up for the rest of the series. I look forward to more from Danni and Quinn.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Review: Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Date of publication: February 2013

ONE WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN CURSED NEVER TO FIND LOVE . . .

ONE MAN WITHOUT A SOUL WHO WANTS HER MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF . . .

THEY MEET IN A SMALL ISLAND TOWN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WHERE MAGIC IS IN THE AIR AND FATE IS A FORCE TOO POWERFUL TO DEFY. . . .

Crystal Cove was one of my most anticipated reads of 2013.  I had really enjoyed the series up to this point, so I was looking forward to the last one.   While I did enjoy the book, I didn't love it as much as I wanted to.  The story was just OK for me.

I liked both Justine and Jason.  They definitely had chemistry.  But, that is really all I felt like they had.  The whole relationship felt way too rushed for me and fell a bit flat.  There really wasn't time for them to fall for each other.   I enjoyed the way they played off each other and there were a few LOL moments.  I just wanted more of them. The difference with this book from the others is that they take place over a longer period of time and there is room for the lovers to get to know each other while falling in love. That was part of the magic of the early books.  There just wasn't that here.   The love scenes on the other hand were much more intense.   I was a bit surprised at the sudden shift since the previous books were much more mild.  Not that I'm complaining

Crystal Cove really could be read as a stand alone book.  Other then Zoe and a brief appearance from Alex, none of the other characters show up here.  That was disappointing.  The ending felt rushed with no epilogue.  It would have been nice to have a better wrap up.  I do recommend the book, but if you are looking for the "magic" of the other books, you may be slightly disappointed.