Book Spotlight: Bikers & Pearls by Vicki Wilkerson

Author: Vicki Wilson

Publisher: Entangled Press

Date of Publication: August 2013

Who said tempting a sweet Southern belle would be easy?

When rebel biker Bullworth Clayton gets tangled up with pastel-and-pearls-clad April Church, sparks fly. Sure, April would clearly rather work with anyone else, but if teaming up with Bull means a successful charity event for a sick little boy they both care about, then so be it.

April is baffled at how drawn she is to the leather-wearing, tattooed Bull—he just doesn’t fit with her simple, safe, country-club life. And as much as the handsomely rugged man tempts her, she still can’t shake the images of the tragic motorcycle accident from her past, which left her scarred and her father broken.

 Bull tempts her to don a pair of leather pants and go for a ride with him, while April desperately tries to resist her attraction to the wild side and keep her exploits hidden from her small town. Will they be able to navigate their differences and find a middle road to love?

There is a tour wide giveaway of a gorgeous pearl necklace (US only) to enter fill out the rafflecopter below:

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Author Bio:

Vicki is a native of the Charleston, South Carolina, Lowcountry and loves to share her enchantment with the area with readers through her writing. Even in childhood, she enjoyed penning stories and poems—no doubt fueled by her grandfather's enthusiasm for telling tales himself. Where else—but in the South—could one find the interesting blend of salt water, eerie swamps, unwritten traditions and unique characters? In her spare time, she loves traveling, spending weekends at her family's lake house, playing golf and cooking (with lots of wine). Visit Vicki at http://www.vickiwilkerson.com .

Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bikers-Pearls-Summerbrook-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00E2PF838

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bikers-and-pearls-vicki-wilkerson/1116150130?ean=9781622661947

Interview and Review: Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes by Gina Lamm

Today we welcome author Gina Lamm.  She joins us with an interview as she promotes her latest book, Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes.

Publisher: Sourcebooks (Casablanca)
Date of publication: September 2013

Leah Ramsey has always loved historical romance novels and dressing in period costumes. So when she has a chance to time travel and experience the history for herself, she jumps at it-figuring it can't be too hard to catch the eye of a duke. After all, it happens all the time in her novels. Avery Russell, valet and prize pugilist, reluctantly helps Leah gain a position in the Duke of Granville's household... as a maid. Domestic servitude wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but she's determined to win her happily ever after. Even if the hero isn't exactly who she's expecting...

My thoughts:

Geek Girls Don't Date Geeks is the second in the "Geek Girls" series by Ms. Lamm.  I have to admit that this one was just OK for me.  I think I liked the first one more.  The one thing about this book that I did like was the hero isn't a rich duke.  He is a valet who has nothing to offer but himself. He has been caught in a bad situation and is doing everything he can to take care of his ailing aunt. I liked him much more for that.  

The only thing that I didn't like was that it felt like it took forever for Avery and Leah to get together. Other than physical attraction, I wasn't feeling the love between the two.  I didn't care much for Leah. She came across as a bit self-centered to me.  But, she did redeem herself in the end.  It was a quick read, so if you read the first one, it's worth reading this one.

Hi everyone, and happy Monday to you all! GEEK GIRLS DON’T DATE DUKES hasn’t even been out a week, and I’m already overwhelmed with love. I’m so grateful to From the TBR Pile for having me as a guest today. Thanks Kari and Autumn!

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

Gina: I love stories. I’ve been a voracious reader all my life. I love playing pretend, being creative, acting, dancing, writing, all of it. But telling stories through writing has become my favorite way to express my need to create. When I discovered eBooks, I started spending a lot—a whole lot—of money on them. And I read so fast that I really was outpacing my book budget! One day I started to write a story to entertain myself, and that story turned into my very first novel. Through the encouragement of friends and family I decided to try to get it published. Though that book was never accepted for publication, it definitely put me on the path to becoming a career author. I love to write, and I can’t imagine having any other career as fulfilling as this.

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

Gina: Stephen King’s book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft says to write what you like. That’s what I had been doing before I read his wise words, but I really do try to keep that the focus of my writing now. I write about what I love, and what I like. When trying to come up with a new concept for a book or a series, I scan my brain for things I’m drawn to. With the concept for the “Geek Girls” series, World of Warcraft and Regency romances were my two “likes” and I mooshed them together to get a kooky time-travel series. I still try to stay true to things I like when picking concepts now. I don’t write to trends, I write what I’d want to read. If that matches a trend, wonderful! But if not, that’s okay too. I think it’s important for authors to be true to themselves.

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

Gina: Well, I’m currently hard at work on the third and final book in the “Geek Girls” series. It’s entitled THE GEEK GIRL AND THE RELUCTANT RAKE. I’m billing this one as my “Regency Road Trip,” and it’s hella fun. You’ll meet Ella Briley, the heroine of book three, in GEEK GIRLS DON’T DATE DUKES. I’m having a ball writing this kickass female comic artist. But I’m definitely looking forward to a couple of new, unrelated projects to follow up with. It’s a bit too early to spill any of those ideas, though. Still keeping a coupla cards close to the chest. ;)

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

Gina: Oh gosh, that’s totally a tough one. But I do have to go back to Mr. Stephen King. DOLORES CLAIBORNE is my favorite book of all time. Even though romance is my favorite genre, DOLORES CLAIBORNE taught me so much about voice, and deep characterization that I can’t discount its affect on me now. Even when I didn’t understand a darn thing about novel writing, there was something so magnetic about that character, about her struggle, about the human experience as seen through her eyes. Actually, talking about it makes me really want to go read it again right now! :)

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

Gina: I’d probably be a hawk, or a falcon. A bird of prey, so I wouldn’t have to worry so much about being eaten. But I’d love to fly. I think that’s a pretty common human wish, but as I’m writing this while in vacation up in the mountains, I think it’d be extra cool!

Thanks so much for having me here. I’ve really enjoyed it! 

About the author:

Becoming a magician proved to be less interesting than Gina Lamm had anticipated when she was six,

so in her adult life, she’s turned to writing.

This belly-dancing, wisecracking, marshmallow-addicted mother of three energetic fur-children loves nothing more than penning funny, emotional tales of love, lust, and entertaining mishaps.

Married to a real live superhero, she and her family live in North Carolina, surrounded by tobacco farms, possums, and the occasional hurricane.

Website: http://www.ginalamm.net

twitter username:

GinaLamm

Joint Review: A Matter of Days by Amber Kizer

Author: Amber Kizer
Publisher: Delacourte Press
Date of publication: June 2013

On Day 56 of the pandemic called BluStar, sixteen-year-old Nadia's mother dies, leaving her responsible for her younger brother Rabbit. They secretly received antivirus vaccines from their uncle, but most people weren't as lucky. Their deceased father taught them to adapt and survive whatever comes their way. That's their plan as they trek from Seattle to their grandfather's survivalist compound in West Virginia. 

I ultimately enjoyed A Matter of Days.  In the beginning, I  told Autumn that I thought it was kind of slow. Thankfully, it picked up.  Reading very much like a diary, the story follows Nadia and her little brother Rabbit as they attempt to reach West Virginia and the safety of their grandfather's home.  The world's population has
been decimated by a super flu.

I thought the characters were pretty realistic. I really liked Nadia and Rabbit. They had been trained by both their father and uncle for survival. They were able to put much of that to good use.  Who knew you could pee on a wound as a temporary disinfectant?  Using the mantra "Be the Cockroach", they fought to survive. I'm not sure if I would have been prepared for something like this.  I also like Zack. I loved how he kept calling Rabbit by different animal names.  That made me laugh.

I think this would be good for middle grade level.  There was nothing really objectionable in it. I think that anyone reading this book would benefit from reading the author's notes at the end.  She offers information about pandemics and provides further reading.  She emphasizes that the best thing to fight fear is information.  I thought this was an important message for young readers.  I definitely recommend this one!

I really liked this book.  I thought it was a great story about survival that focused more on positive aspects.  So many of these YA post-apocalyptic stories are all so doom and gloom, it's hard to think that anybody would even want to survive.  However, Amber Kizer writes a great story about family and the will to survive.  Not everybody in this book is bad, just like not all people are bad, just like not everybody in a doomsday scenario will be bad.

Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie

by:  Sophie McKenzie
published by:  St. Martin's Press
publish date:  July 9, 2013

When Geniver Loxley lost her daughter at birth eight years ago, her world stopped… and never fully started again. But then a stranger shows up on their doorstep, telling Gen the very thing she’s always wanted to hear: that her daughter Beth was not stillborn, but was taken away as a healthy infant and is still out there, somewhere, waiting to be found. It’s insane, unbelievable. But why would anyone make that up? A fissure suddenly opens up in Gen’s carefully reconstructed life, letting in a flood of unanswerable questions. 

Close My Eyes would have been a really good story but it was about 100 pages too long.  For about the first half of the book I was really into and keen to know what was happening and interested in everyone involved.  By the last third of the book I was skipping ahead, because it was getting so drawn out and the story getting more and more convoluted.

Geniver (kudos on the name, I did like that) is still not quite over the still birth of her daughter 8 years previously when a stranger shows up on her doorstep claiming that her daughter is still alive.  That her husband and doctor were complicit in her disappearance.  Geniver's husband Art denies everything, but deep down she feels like she can't trust him and continues to investigate on her own until she find more proof.

One of the interesting things about this book is that Geniver's husband is gaslighting her throughout the book.  If you aren't familiar with the term, it means to make people think they're crazy when they aren't.  Not only is her husband doing this, her best friend seems to be playing a part too.  Fortunately, Geniver is a little bit more strong minded than they think she is, because she sees through what they're doing.  This book was a really classic example of the ways that people manipulate others through the fear of being labeled "crazy".

So, did I like this book?  Yeah, it was ok, not one of my favorites.  There were too many red herrings.  I think it could have done with some better editing so that it would have been a little bit more condensed.

Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes

Author: Elizabeth Haynes
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Date of publication:  August 2013

Annabel, a police analyst, is shocked when she discovers her neighbor’s decomposing body in the house next door. And she’s appalled to think that no one noticed her absence.

Back at work, she sets out on her own to investigate, and finds that such cases are frighteningly common in her hometown.

Human Remains was a very engaging book.  Despite it's length,  I was able to read it very quickly.  After Annabel discovers her neighbor's remains, she starts to look into other undiscovered deaths in her town.  She finds that in the past year the number of people who have seemed to died alone has increased significantly.  She tries to convince her colleagues at the police station, but no one takes it too seriously.  The irony in all of this is that Annabel is a lot like her neighbor.  She has no friends and no real family.  Would anyone notice that she was missing?  The story unfolds slowly through the alternating view point of Colin and Annabel.  

I think the most disturbing parts of the book were the "letters" or explanations from the people who die alone.  Their lives were so sad.  These parts really said a lot about our society.  Who really knows their neighbors anymore?  How many people out there die alone only to be discovered months or years later? The reality of the story is overwhelming.   This is one book that I think will stay with me for a while. It's creepy, disturbing and definitely a book I recommend!

About the author:

Elizabeth Haynes is a police intelligence analyst, a civilian role that involves determining patterns in offending and criminal behavior. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of Into the Darkest Corner and Dark Tide. She lives in England in a village near Maidstone, Kent, with her husband and son.

Visit her at elizabeth-haynes.com, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Interview & Review Chimera by David Wellington

Please welcome author David Wellington.  He joins us today with an interview as he promotes his latest book, Chimera.  

Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: July 2013

7 fugitives escape from a secret military facility in upstate New York, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.

7 super-soldiers gone rogue.

7 innocent citizens targeted for death.

Disabled Army Vet James Chase is drafted for a desperate mission to stop this lethal force. Aided by a mysterious woman named Angel and a courageous, beautiful veterinarian, Chase sets off on a hair-raising cross-country hunt.

But are the killers really rogue soldiers, or are they only the tip of a sinister conspiracy . . . the first piece of a shocking nightmarish plan that will lead to ultimate destruction?

I have to say that Chimera is one of the better books that I have read this year.  I devoured this book! When I was done, I felt like I had run a marathon.  It's non-stop adventure with a touch of romance added into the mix. What could be more exciting than escaped genetic mutants who seem to be following a kill list?  

The main character, Jim Chapel, is a war veteran who is missing an arm.  Don't worry, he has a very cool prosthetic arm.  He's tough and flawed and that made me like him so much more.  The best thing about Chapel is that a lot of people underestimate him because of his missing limb.  He is the guy I want on my side in a fight!  He is aided by the mysterious Angel who is a constant presence in his ear. Think Garcia from Criminal Minds.

This is a hard book to describe because there are so many surprises and twists in the story that I would hate to ruin it.  But, with a story that involves the FBI, CIA and other government agencies, you can never be sure who to trust.  The scientist in me loved the genetic aspect of the book.  The chimera idea was fascinating.  

There is a novella featuring Jim Chapel coming out in October called Myrmidon.  I can't wait to spend some more time with Chapel!

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

Dave: It was pretty much my only thought from the second I learned how to read.  I remember being disappointed by some bad book or other and deciding that if I wanted something better, I would have to make it up myself.  I always say I’ve been writing since I was six years old, so I’ve had thirty-five years of practice.

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

Dave: They just come to me, usually when I’m lying in bed and I can’t sleep and I’m staring at the ceiling—an image, often, just a still picture of something cool, or a character, or sometimes more, and I know I have to write the story behind the thought.  Beyond that I don’t want to know where the ideas come from, because that might jinx it and stop them from coming, and that would be awful!

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

Dave: My newest book, Chimera, just went on sale—as in, a couple of hours before I typed this sentence.  It’s a great thriller with everything you could want in it, from mystery to action to science fiction and even some horror.  There will be two sequels, called Hydra and Cyclops.  I also have a big zombie epic called Positive that will come out next year.

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

Dave: The Artful Dodger from Oliver Twist.  I always like a good rogue character, one who can be unpredictable and surprising while maintaining sympathy.  People who only know the Dodger from the movies or from Terry Pratchett’s excellent re-imagining will be in for a real surprise when they read the original book!

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

Dave: Oh, some kind of bird.  Maybe a crow, or a raven?  They’ve got incredible problem-solving skills, they can work out puzzles and figure out new solutions to things, and still they get to fly.  The best of both worlds!

About the author:

David Wellington is the author of Chimera, a thriller released July 23^rd.  He has written more than a dozen novels, which have been reprinted in more than seven languages.  His horror series include Monster Island, 13 Bullets, and Frostbite.  He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

http://www.davidwellington.net/

Throwback Thursday: Issy's Infatuation by Shelley Munro

Author: Shelley Munro
First published in 2007 by Ellora's Cave

Issy Deans has a secret-she's always lusted after Tyler Jameson. Call it an unfortunate infatuation with her brothers' best friend. A surprise meeting at rugby training brings a provocative proposition. One month of hot sex then they'll both walk away. Issy isn't a fool. She says yes. Let the month begin. Each touch sizzles. It's pure magic between them. Passionate. Intense and even better than she imagined. Issy is riding high on Tyler and her hot prospects as a representative rugby player until reality steps in with a forward pass

Issy's Infatuation is from Ellora Cave's "Quickie" line.  It's a fairly quick and enjoyable read.  Issy has known Tyler since they were younger.  She also used to be in love with him.  The problem is that he was her brother's best friend growing up.  When Tyler takes over as coach for her Rugby team, he realizes that little Issy is all grown up.  

Even thought it's a novella, I felt the connection between Issy and Tyler. Their attraction was very hot and I liked their relationship. I was rooting for their HEA.  If you are looking for a steamy, erotic  afternoon "quickie" check out this throwback!

Blog Tour: Unwanted Proposal by J.N Johnson

Author: J. N. Johnson
Publisher: Sunshine Press
Date of publication: July 2013

Caleb Myers watched as his sister and brother-in-law, Joshua, drove away from Clearwater for a much needed vacation, leaving him to housesit, and take care of the family business. The idea of a long weekend of peace and quiet at their country cabin turned out to be a short-lived dream when a phone call from his employee at Winter Lilly’s Outfitters brings news of an unwanted visitor. Riley Campbell wants nothing more out of life than to impress the pig-headed bosses who like to use her as client eye candy at her Houston law firm, and put her career on the fast track for partner. Nothing made her happier than legal battles and paper pushing, but when she is sent miles from her normal city life, and thrown into the country setting of Clearwater, Wyoming, she fears she may have met her match. With an offer in hand to buy Winter Lilly’s Outfitters, Riley tries to convince Caleb to take the deal, but his good ole boy ways, country charms, and fierce loyalty leaves her wanting more than just his name on the dotted line. Can two people from opposite worlds come together under such an Unwanted Proposal?

Unwanted Proposal is the latest installment in the Clearwater series.  I have enjoyed this series so far and this next one was just as enjoyable.  I liked Caleb from the previous book and I was happy to see him get his own story.  When he meets Riley, the attraction is instant.  Besides the physical attraction, he sees something in her that calls to him.  Even though Riley is there on business, she can start to see the possibility of a different future as Caleb sows her what is so special about the town.  I did think the relationship moved a bit fast, but it wasn't totally unbelievable.  I loved Caleb's secret.  I thought is was very sweet.   I look forward to the next installment!

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About J.N Johnson:

Living in her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, JN Johnson is the proud mother of two beautiful

little girls and is married to her high school sweetheart (and greatest supporter ) whom she considers the rock that keeps her grounded.

She was first introduced to the world of fantasy when she was seven years old reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe making her never want to read about “the real world” again. Her mother and grandmother’s love of romance novels gave her the opportunity to learn about book trading, taking all of their old books to the local flea market to trade for anything that sparked her interest. Those days are long gone; her books now stay safely on her book shelves at home and out of harm’s way

Amazon  WEBSITE  FACEBOOK

CLEARWATER WEBSITE

Blog Tour: Bait by J. Kent Messum

by:  J. Kent Messum
published by:  Plume
publish date:  August 27, 2013

Six strangers wake up on a remote island in the Florida Keys with no memory of their arrival. They soon discover their sole common bond: all are heroin addicts from the slums of Miami.

This book was explained as the movie Saw meets Survivor and that's really the best way to describe it.  The six participants in the game are kidnapped from the streets of Miami.  They are chosen because they are all addicts and nobody will miss them.  They are dropped off on an island with little food, little water and no memory of how they got there.  The only instructions they are given is that there is more food, more water and heroin on the next island if they are willing to swim there, and they are being watched.

While there are six "players", only 5 make it beyond the first day, so the story really revolves around those five.  Felix the boxer, Ginger, Maria, Kenny, and Nash.  I would have liked a little bit more characterization between Kenny and Nash.  I kept confusing the two, combining them in my head.  These 5 people, going through heroin withdrawals, are pushed to their limits by madmen seeking entertainment.  The group realizes they are going to have to work together to swim through shark infested water to get their next fix, if only they're being told the truth about what awaits them on the next island.

I liked this book.  It's not too terribly long.  I read most of it in one sitting.  It's definitely R rated on language and violence...and obviously drug use.  Bait was a story I was really interested in reading and I wasn't let down.  Great debut from J. Kent Messum.

Tour:

Monday, August 26th:  Tiffany’s Bookshelf

Tuesday, August 27th:  Book Chatter

Wednesday, August 28th:  Tina’s Book Reviews

Thursday, August 29th:  Simply Stacie

Friday, August 30th:  Midnight Thrillers

Tuesday, September 3rd:  From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, September 4th:  No More Grumpy Bookseller

Thursday, September 5th:  Ageless Pages Reviews

Monday, September 9th:  Mental Foodie

Tuesday, September 10th:  You’ve GOTTA read this!

Thursday, September 12th:  Bewitched Bookworms

Monday, September 16th:  A Bookworm’s World

Tuesday, September 17th:  Literally Jen

Wednesday, September 18th:  October Country

Thursday, September 19th:  nomadreader.

Fiend by Peter Stenson

by:  Peter Stenson
published by:  Crown
publish date:  July 9, 2013

When Chase sees the little girl in umbrella-print socks disemboweling the Rottweiler, he's not too concerned. As someone who's been smoking meth every day for as long as he can remember, he's no stranger to such horrifying drug-fueled hallucinations. But as he and his fellow junkies soon discover, the little girl is no illusion. The end of the world really has arrived. And with Chase's life already destroyed beyond all hope of redemption, Armageddon might actually be an opportunity-a last chance to hit restart, win back the love of his life, and become the person he once dreamed of being.

I thought I was going to really like this book.  It was being described as Breaking Bad meets The Walking Dead.  Sounds like it would be pretty awesome right?  Turns out a zombie apocalypse told from the point of view of a meth addict really isn't my cup of tea.  This book has gotten a lot of really great reviews so I guess I'm in the minority here.

My issue wasn't really with the story.  The story was fairy interesting.  The zombie apocalypse hits and the only people who didn't turn are the meth addicts.  The main character Chase is dealing with the potential loss of his parents, his girlfriend, but more importantly his meth.  All that was ok.  I was getting really grossed out by the descriptions.  I don't want to hear things described as "smelling like an abortion" or "laying there like a used tampon".  I know zombies are gross and disgusting, but come on...seriously, that was going a bit overboard in my opinion.

So Fiend was just kinda eh for me.  I don't see myself recommending it to other people.  However, if you are interested in a twisted, junkie book, tomorrow we're posting about a book called Bait.  I liked it a lot better.

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

Author: Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Avon
Date of publication: January 2013

Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she's never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London's most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross. 

I really liked this sequel to A Rogue by Any Other Name (my review).  Phillipa ("Pippa") is Penelope's sister.  She has consented to marry a man she really doesn't love, but because she is honorable, she won't back out.  The issue is that she wants to go into the marriage knowing something about sex before she does.  She tries to recruit Cross to help her in the task. 

I loved Pippa.  She is a scientist through and through.  This make for some very funny scenes.  One of my favorites is when she interviews the "working girl" in The Fallen Angel.  Very funny!  Cross was a good match for her.  He is very intelligent, yet he is a tortured soul who doesn't think he deserves to be happy.  Even though I always know there will be a happy ending, I still find myself rooting for the couple   Especially this one. 

The next book in the series is Temple's story.  I can't wait to read it when it comes out in November!