Saturday, August 29, 2015

Center of Gravity by Laura McNeil

I love this book! Won an Arc of the book. Well written and the story flows with a build up to the very end! The use of insight by each character was really good and helped each perspective. The mental intensity was felt even though it is in reading I felt like I was watching everything unfold before my eyes. Highly recommend for book clubs.



Overview

The truth could cost her everything.
Her whole life, Ava Carson has been sure of one thing: she doesn’t measure up to her mother’s expectations. So when Mitchell Carson sweeps into her life with his adorable son, the ready-made family seems like a dream come true. In the blink of an eye, she’s married, has a new baby, and life is wonderful. Or is it?




Author


After six years behind the anchor desk at two CBS affiliates, Laura moved to the Alabama Gulf Coast to raise her family. 

Laura's debut novel with HarperCollins (Thomas Nelson), Center of Gravity, set in Mobile, Ala., will be published in July of 2015. Her writing awards include those from William Faulkner-Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, Writer's Digest, RWA, and the Eric Hoffer competition. Her accolades in broadcasting include awards from the Associated Press, including Best News Anchor and Best Specialized Reporter.

She holds a master's degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and is currently pursuing her MFA in creative writing from New England College.

Join her mailing list here: {http://wp.me/P5LDZm-R}

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Promo Tour: Out of Your Mind: Daisy's Choice by Diane Hernandez

Promo Tour: Out of Your Mind: Daisy's Choice by Diane Hernandez

Though happy and carefree by nature, Daisy Fields is in a fragile state looking for stability and friendship when she moves to Solvang, California, hoping to find a fresh start. Instead, she finds herself in the midst of an intoxicating physical attraction to her sexy new boss, the famous reclusive artist Garret Brinkley. Daisy tries hard to resist the magnetic pull she feels toward the mercurial artist because she knows his desires are purely sexual and he isn’t capable of a romantic loving relationship, but the explosive chemistry between them is too strong to ignore. Still, Daisy must resist, and luckily finds companionship from Garret’s dog. The German shepherd, rapidly becomes Daisy’s new best friend, offering love and comfort to the lonesome girl since Garret is incapable of either. 

When another man enters Daisy’s life, she finally feels a romantic connection and hope for her future, only to discover Garret’s feelings go beyond physical need. It’s a tragic turn of events that forces Daisy to choose between the two men. However, her depression has darkened her spirit and joyful disposition to such lengths that she feels her choice isn’t which man to be with, but rather, if she should be at all. 

Diane Hernandez’s latest novel gives readers a glimpse at true love, growing through a foundation of anxiety and despair. 

Out of Your Mind: Daisy's Choice FREE download during tour! 



August 24 - SinfullyGood Reads

August 25 - FictionDreams       

August 26 - The Book Bag

August 26 - Book Lover in Florida             

August 26 - Granny Loves To Read          

August 27 - Charline’s Blog & More          


August 28 - Chick Lit Plus



Author Bio:
Diane Hernandez was always aware of the voices in her head. But, it wasn't until her nest emptied, and the harried frenzy of being a wife, mother and chef was replaced with a quiet calm, did she listen to them. Once she realized those voices were telling her tales of love, desire and sometimes pain, she started writing them down. Those manuscripts have been turned into provocative novels she has decided to release for your enjoyment.
When Diane is not busy taking dictation from her subconscious, she works as a culinary arts instructor at an Arizona community college. She enjoys creating new recipes, reading women's literature, gardening, watching Project Runway, and shopping online for shoes. TALL GIRLS NEED SIZE 12--just sayin'.


Link to Daisy's Choice FREE ON TOUR-  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01069YWJY  
Link to Garret's Control to be released August 24th- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011QPECVU   


The Christmas Dance by Kay Horner

Review

I liked the bible references that were used to compare to a dance with God. Short, sweet, and reflective is how to describe this book. Comparisons to music terms and dance moves is a very interesting way to reflect on the interpretation of the holy word. I liked it.


Description

God has a divine invitation just for you. 

The Christmas Dance beautifully retells the stories of beloved Bible characters—revealing how they danced with God to usher in the birth of Christ, how they moved with Him on earth, and how God invites each of us to follow His lead into the full purpose for our lives.
 
As God draws you into His story, you may find your heart longing for a deeper relationship with the One who knows you better than you know yourself. God is the divine author who has the ability to create and recreate, to write and rewrite, to sweep you off your feet and place you into a heavenly dance that goes on throughout eternity.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Poppy the Proud by Emlyn Chand

Review

Love this book about jealousy and acceptance. Easy to read and your kids will love it! Illustrations are awesome. Good book!
Poppy the Proud


Poppy the Proud (Bird Brain )

by 
4.3 of 5 star
Poppy is the prettiest peacock in the entire garden, but one day his privileged existence is upset when an all-white peacock is born and promptly named the most beautiful by a smitten flock. Intensely jealous, Poppy no longer knows where he fits in and decides to reclaim his title as the fairest bird in all the land, no matter what it takes.

In a desperate attempt to regain the admiration of his peers, Poppy steals items from the humans that visit his park. He wraps himself in a beautiful silk scarf, wears a series of ornate bangles around his neck, and even tries to dye his feathers with colored dust from a festive Holi celebration. Unfortunately, each of these attempts not only fails to improve his appearance, they actually make it worse. What’s a poor bird to do?

In this compelling tale of self-esteem, pride, and learning what makes each of us special, Poppy the peacock discovers that true beauty lies beneath the feathers.

Poppy the Proud is the third in a new series of color-illustrated books for children entitled The Bird Brain Books.
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When Girlfriends Find Love by Savannah Page review & giveaway

I loved this book! The girlfriends all complement each other. They are different but all bring something unique to the friendship. The conflict between Sophie and Chad is something we all go through. Does he love me? Should I tell him how I feel? What if.....? She gets all kind of advice from her friends but she needs to find her own path! Reminds me of my relationship with my friends.....over 40 years worth of advice, fights, but more important loving friends. Great book club read or just for best girlfriends to read!


Book Blitz: When Girlfriends Find Love by Savannah Page

Sophie Wharton is in control. Whether life is going according to plan or throwing her for a loop, Sophie is determined to remain calm and in charge. It's no wonder she's the successful owner of one of Seattle's most charming cafés, The Cup and the Cake. Her lemon meringue cupcakes, petite French treats, and cappuccinos always leave customers coming back for more. Naturally, her camaraderie of college girlfriends are still thick as thieves a decade later. And it should come as no surprise that she has her own cozy apartment in the hip part of town and grand goals for her future.

Of course Sophie has had her share of rough times, and recently some unexpected surprises have emerged. Her best friend Claire has moved across the state, the demands of her café are mounting, and some major changes among her circle of friends are shaking things up. But it's nothing Sophie can't handle.

When it comes to her love life, however, Single Sophie's at a loss. She approaches it the way she does nearly everything in life--by trying to call all the shots. But love doesn't work that way, and as Sophie examines her past relationships--thinking back on romantic trysts in Paris; college mistakes; the relationship responsible for the Year of Heartbreak--she must come to accept that love is an unpredictable, untamable, and often unexpected force.

This is the witty and heartwarming conclusion of the When Girlfriends collection, a novel about examining the past, moving forward, and following your heart. It's a story about friendship, relationships, acceptance, and learning to love again. About what happens when girlfriends find love.

August 24 - CDYess Writes – Excerpt

August 25 - Granny Loves to Read- Review & Excerpt

August 26 - Chick Lit Goddess – Excerpt

August 27 - Annabel and Alice- Review

August 27 - Mallory Heart Reviews- Review

August 28 - Living Life With Joy – Q&A & Excerpt

September 1- The World As I See It – Review & Excerpt

September 2- Book Lover in Florida – Review & Excerpt

September 3 - Fiction Dreams – Excerpt

September 4 - Authors and Readers Book Corner – Excerpt

September 4 - Forget the Housework I’m Reading – Excerpt

September 7 - Book Mama Blog – Excerpt

September 8 - Books Etc – Review

September 9 - Chick Lit Plus – Review

September 10 - Every Free Chance Book Reviews – Review

September 11 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

September 14 - eBook Addict – Q&A
Bio:
Savannah Page is the author of the seven-novel When Girlfriends collection, heartfelt women's fiction that celebrates friendship, love, and life sprinkled with drama and humor. When she isn't writing, Savannah enjoys a good book with a latte and jazz tunes, Pilates, and exploring her home of Berlin as an American expat.

Social Media Links:
Website & Blog: www.savannahpage.com

Buy Links:




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EXCERPT #1 FOR SAVANNAH PAGE
CHICK LIT PLUS TOUR 24 AUG-14 SEP

I never expected to see Chad Harris, of all people, in Paris that summer. But when he unexpectedly arrived for the sale of one of his paintings—a sweet deal his wealthy and well-connected father had helped set in motion—and when he’d called me up and offered to meet and hang out, I surprised myself when I pounced on the opportunity.
I think my exact words were, “Oh, yes! Please! That sounds awesome!
I’d been homesick having already spent several weeks in the City of Light solo, and it would still be another week before Claire and Conner would arrive for her surprise proposal. The idea of getting to spend some time with an old friend—an American and native English-speaking one at that—seemed as appealing as an early evening session at Studio Tulaa or an afternoon of shopping with one of my girlfriends.
I should have known, though, that it would be only a matter of time before Paris would work her charm on two unsuspecting Americans abroad.
“So what’s it like here, Sophie?” Chad asked as we strolled the narrow and sloping cobblestoned rue Mouffetard, home to Paris’s Marché Mouffetard, a bustling market that, while feeling very medieval and European in style, was redolent of Seattle’s Pike Place Market with aromatic fromageries and fish stalls.
“Honestly?” I said. “Right here? Right now? I kind of feel like I’m back home in Seattle.” I laughed.
Chad said he caught my drift, but pressed for more.
“Oh,” I said breezily, “it’s as wonderful as all the books and films make it out to be. I mean, it’sParis.
“Romantic city, huh?” He flashed me a sly grin as I halted in front of a fromagerie I’d been frequenting recently. Their selection of cheeses was to die for, reasonably priced, and, seeing how I was with art-lover Chad, worth a quick stop.
“Oh, please,” I shrugged off. “Romance? Me? Who are we kidding?”
“You’re not getting lucky in the City of Love?”
I cast him an icy gaze before saying, “So not talking about that with you. Now come on.” I ushered him nearer the aromatic shop. “Here’s something you might appreciate.”
“Stinky cheese?” He crinkled his nose as we drew nearer the busy shop.
“Look.” I pointed up at the façade, indicating the intricate murals. “Neat, huh?”
Chad gawked, head tilted back, as boisterous market purveyors and clamoring customers pushed and shoved about, knocking his wide shoulders slightly to the left and right.
Still staring up at the masterful artwork, commenting on how brilliant the design and technique were, I actually caught myself feeling something akin to kind-heartedness, maybe even affability, for Chad. I knew it wasn’t just the effect of an open-air market and artisanal food stalls—they always get me in a euphoric mood. I knew it wasn’t the murals—art can be evocative, but not so much when enjoyed with thick aromas of ammonia-heavy cheeses like Brie de Meaux andEpoisses. There could be only one reason why I was enjoying the company of Chad, and that was because I was a twinge homesick. His familiar face was quite welcome.
“So if you aren’t getting hot and heavy with some beret-wearing schmuck,” Chad said as we sauntered along the narrow street, “what are you doing with yourself, with your time?”
I gave him a playful punch in his thick arm.
“I’m going to classes, baking classes,” I said in an obvious tone. “You know it’s not like I’m on some long-term summer vacation here, skirting responsibility, running away from work, living in the lap of Parisian luxury.”
“I see nothing wrong with that if you are,” he said coyly.
“The classes are going really well.” I stopped in front of a stand overflowing with a rainbow-colored medley of flowers. “It’s nothing like U Dub, cramming for history exams and sweating bullets over writing the perfect term paper.” I bent down at the piles of wrapped dried lavender and breathed in deeply. Absolute heaven!
“We did that in college?” He laughed in mirth. “So what is it? Like, learning how to crack an egg?”
“Nooo,” I said, rolling my eyes. I bent down to breathe in the scent of some tuberoses. “Like learning how to make the proper French croissant, or the proper madeleine, or learning how to keep your soufflés from collapsing. Oh!” I practically shouted. “Or how to make the cream for the macarons absolutely delectable—not too pungent, not too sweet, yet not too subtle. That is the challenge.”
I picked up one of the bouquets of lavender and fanned it about my nose as a mixed look of pleasure and bemusement covered Chad’s face.
“I’m serious. It’s hard work, the school.” I returned the lavender to its pile as soon as the wrinkled, grey-haired woman behind the stall gave me a suspicious gaze—a gaze that said I was to look and smell, not touch.
I flashed Chad a quick grin and said, “But the classes are fun. I’m so glad I decided to do this.”
“Yeah,” he said in a muttering kind of way, then he said something else I couldn’t quite make out as I moved a pace forward along the flower stall.
I stopped to admire an assortment of roses in a small oak barrel, and Chad began to chuckle under his breath, wagging his head slightly.
“Aren’t these gorgeous?” I gestured to the roses. “I mean, flowers somehow even smell andlook better in Paris than they do in Seattle!”
“Gorgeous, indeed,” he said. “Here.” He plucked a peach-colored rose from the barrel and asked the grey-haired woman in horribly accented French how much it cost.
“Maybe you can put it in your hair or hold it or…” he said to me as he looked down at the rose he’d just bought. “A little vase in your apartment or something?”
“Thanks,” I murmured, suddenly feeling my cheeks flush, taken aback by the kind gesture.
“Here.” He handed me the rose, sheepishly holding it out, eyes still focused downward, just like a five-year-old boy who’s offering the neighborhood girl the daisy he’s plucked from his mom’s flower bed.
Worried he would sense my red complexion, I took the rose and hastily began to dig through my handbag for no apparent reason. I muttered how he didn’t have to do that—it was really sweet of him, and the rose was beautiful, but he didn’t have to.
“I wanted to,” he said smoothly.
I halted the vain search in my bag—a stupid way to stall and bide time for the blushing to subside. I pointed with the rose on down the cobblestone lane. “Shall we? Walk? More?” I cleared my throat and awkwardly tucked some hair behind my ear, keeping my eyes focused on the silky folds of the perfect rose.
I could still feel my cheeks blushing, but Chad didn’t seem to notice or care when our eyes finally met and he said, “You know, all your talk about baking class got me craving something sweet.” He rocked slowly on his heels.
“Oh?” I said in a squeamish-sounding voice. I batted at the already-tucked-away piece of hair.
“Come on.” He placed a hand on my lower back, ushering us forward against the throngs of marketers. “There’s got to be a bakery around here somewhere.”
I stepped forward sprightly, escaping Chad’s touch to my back, becoming acutely aware that homesickness may not have been the only force at play. Paris, ever the charming city, had something up her sleeve. And nothing in the world could have prepared me for what that something was.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Maid For Love by Caroline Mickelson

I enjoyed this book. It was not my usual cup of tea but I like the message that love conquers all! Love is stronger than anything and sometimes we can't change someone or beat love! It was a quick read which I liked and was easy to follow. I liked the story and characters.

Summary:
Despite the fact that her love life is a disastrous mess, Zoe Watson’s cleaning service, Maid for Love, is enjoying record profits. Her crew handles the removal of household dust and clutter, leaving Zoe free to use her special gift for memory alteration to erase her client’s painful memories. But although she can wipe the slate clean for clients, she’s had far less luck erasing the thoughts of her ex-boyfriend, Michael Archer, from her own heart.
So when she runs into Michael, and suspects he might remember her after all, she decides the best way to keep her heart safe is to get close enough to him to modify his memory, without breaking her heart. Or getting caught.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Long, Tall Christmas by Janet Daily

I loved this book. I really liked following the journey of sorrow and loss by the family to moving on and finding joy again. I liked the story because it showed lifelong friends who realize that the kids they were are not necessarily the adults they have become.  There were many different emotions and experiences in this book.

Description

This Christmas, wrap yourself in love…

Facing foreclosure on her California home, widowed Kylie Wayne is grateful to accept her aging aunt Muriel's offer to come back to small-town Branding Iron, Texas, and help out on the ranch. But when an early storm rolls in, Kylie's dream of a perfect Christmas for her kids is blown away with the unexpected snow. Comfort and joy seem unlikely, unless a certain long, tall Texan with a bad boy's charm can rope some holiday cheer…

No one imagined restless, independent Shane Taggart would work his parents' ranch all these years. But with his father gone, Shane is ready to sell his land and see the world—until sweet, sexy Kylie shows up. The dutiful good girl he remembers has turned into a spirited woman, and Shane wants to give her the warm family future she longs for, puppy and all. One kiss under the mistletoe may not convince her, but Shane knows that love is a gift that will last forever…

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Living a Life That Matters – A Memoir of the Marquis de Lafayette by David M. Weitzman

Review

I received this book on NetGalley for review. If you want to understand the 
history of this time......read this book. Very enlightening and informative in 
an enjoyable reading experience. Learning about history and the people in an 
easy to read book. It was great to be able to envision the time by the well 
written word. There was detail of the time that makes you feel like you are 
there and experiencing what was happening at this time.  Highly recommend 
and would be great for book clubs! There would be lots of options for discussions.

Description

The life story of a wealthy French nobleman who risked his fortune, family and arrest 
to come to America to support colonialist seeking to gain their independence from
their British rulers, then returned to France to lead a second revolution against the
very aristocracy he was part of, and later after imprisonment and exile, returning to
France to help overthrow the Bourbon kings installed after the defeat of Napoleon.
He wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen which influenced
and inspired rights-based liberal democracy throughout the world. Lafayette 
was one of the first abolitionists and supported movements throughout the world to end slavery.


A Note From the Publisher

Author is available for interviews, blog tours, autographed book giveaways, contests, and 
book club discussions.

Marketing Plan

Author Bio:
David Weitzman has written the only first-person account of the life and revolutionary times 
of Gilbert du Motier-better known as the Marquis de Lafayette. Weitzman faithfully renders 
the color and spirit of revolutionary times in this historically accurate account of the events 
and relationships the young nobleman entered and formed on his path to become a well-respected 
fighting commander and right-hand man to General George Washington, who regarded this 
special French ally 'Like my own son.'

"Living a Life That Matters" is the product of careful scholarship and equally careful 
construction by the articulate and witty Weitzman. No one who professes feelings for the 
beginnings of this country will want to miss the opening scenes of the American experiment 
in this compelling page-turner of a novel.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meirer

I almost stopped reading this book. It was slow and confusing the first few chapters 
but then the story kicked into gear. I liked it! I would recommend this book but it does
start slow butkeep going. I liked the different characters and can relate to the 
differences within a small town. There were good details to follow and histories
of characters was good.



Candy Corn Murder

Leslie Meier
Kensington Books
Halloween is coming to Tinker's Cove, Maine, and local reporter Lucy Stone is 
covering the town's annual Giant Pumpkin Fest for the Pennysaver. There's the 
pumpkin-boat regatta, the children's Halloween party, the pumpkin weigh-in…even a 
contest where home-built catapults hurl pumpkins at an old Dodge! But not 
everything goes quite as planned…


Lucy's getting very annoyed that her husband Bill and his friend Evan have
been working seemingly nonstop on their potentially prize-winning pumpkin
catapult. But when the day of the big contest arrives, Evan is nowhere to
be found…until a catapulted pumpkin busts open the trunk of the Dodge.
Amid the pumpkin gore is a very deceased Evan, bashed in the head and placed
in the trunk by someone long before the contest started.
Bill is on the hook for the Halloween homicide—he was the last one to see
Evan—so Lucy knows she's got some serious sleuthing to do. The crime's trail
seems to always circle back to Country Cousins, the town's once-quaint general
store that's now become a big Internet player. Though the store's founder, Old
Sam Miller, is long gone, his son Tom and grandson Trey now run the hugely
successful company. But whispered rumors say things aren't going well, and Lucy
finds that this case may have something to do with an unsolved, decades-old
Miller family mystery…
With each new lead pointing her in a different direction, Lucy sees that time is
quickly running out. If she wants to spook the real killer, she'll have to step into
 an old ghost story…

Tales from Christmas Wood by Suzy Senior

Read this with my 10 year old grandchild. We both loved it. We enjoyed all the little stories 
that were all related. Loved the illustrations they were excellent! I think every family 
should read this together for the messages of family, love, forgiveness, 
learning to say sorry, giving, and friendship. My grandchild liked the separate stories 
which were like chapters and they loved adding the Nativity into the story. 
Also the drawings! Loved it!

Description

It’s winter, the snow is deep, and in the woods there are cute and fluffy animals 
preparing for Christmas. Five different stories come together in the sixth
tale, where they discover the real meaning of Christmas.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford

My Review on NetGalley

I enjoyed this book but I thought there was too much flirting 
with the two lead characters. I wish there was more story
 instead of all the flirting. They played off each other 
almost every time together. Sometimes more is not better. 
With the flirting. There was good back stories and a mystery 
that I wish had been more to the front than all the flirting.
 When the other topics were in the front it grabbed 
my attention. When Trey came around it was like a pesky 
gnat sometimes. I wish he had more depth. I read this ARC 
and would recommend this book and would like to read 
more by this author.

Description

Warm up this Christmas with a sexy cowboy firefighter who knows how to ignite flames as well as put them out...

Trey Duvall is a rancher, proud as can be of his Wildcat Ranch. He's also the top volunteer firefighter of Wildcat Bluff, the town that pulls out all the stops for its Christmas festivities. Misty Reynolds pulls into town just in time to help Trey put out a suspicious fire, leading him to dub her his "Christmas angel". Unfortunately, Misty's past has left her with terrible memories of fire, and of Christmas time. As the two are unwittingly thrown together again and again, can Trey win Misty's trust -- and her heart?