Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Spotlight on: Circe



Hi and welcome to my blog! As part of a Virtual Book tour, I'm spotlighting Circe today!  There's also a giveaway involved for a lucky commenter to win!

BLURB: 
Dr. Black is a good man with a few vices. He is willing to sacrifice his career for his wife, Pria. He takes an internship at a hick institution in Southern Alabama to make his wife happy, but once he is situated in this old hospital, he finds that old habits die-hard. He is sexually compulsive and easily seduced by his supervisor, Cassie, who takes him to the bowls of the institution and shows him its tragic history. As Dr. Black loses himself in his obsession with Cassie, he becomes convinced that she is the key to Circe's mythology and magic and a series of bizarre murders leaves him convinced that she has opened the gates to another world. Madness and sanity begin to blur for Dr. Black and he becomes entangled in the mystery at the heart of Circe. A mystery that's as old as the ancient hospital itself. A mystery that could incriminate Cassie, an old god, or Dr. Black himself.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


I am a therapist and writer who lives in Alabama with my three corgis, children, husband, and other strange creatures. My short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies including CSM, Summer Gothic, Bound By Blood, and Outer Darkness. I have ghost story columns in theValley Planet and White Cat Magazine where I share my love for ghost stories that send shivers down your spine and keep you up at night.   I also share my passion for all things ghostly and haunted at my blog, ghost stories and haunted places.

I am currently working on my next Haunted America Book for History Press,Haunted South Alabama.  Follow me at my blog to learn about the ghost stories I am chasing and collecting for this fascinating addition to Haunted America.  I'm also workng on the next book in my Circe series.  The demon is awake and waiting for my new heroine in the swamps of Southern Alabama.  Click Here to Follow My Blog!
You can contact me at   jessica.penot@gmail.com







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Review: Chasing A Dream


Book Title:   Chasing A Dream

Author:  Beth Cornelison

Publisher: TKA Distribution

Genre: romantic suspense

Heat Level- spicy

Length-  321 pages

Reviewer name:  Nikki

Rating-  4.5 Lightning Bolts 

Blurb:

She's running from a nightmare...

Tess Sinclair must hide. Hunted by a powerful man who wants her dead, Tess flees her Texas home in search of anonymity, safety, and a new life. While a flat tire and stormy weather slow her escape, they prove the least of her worries. Just hours after her getaway, a hired gunman tracks her down. Grabbed in a parking lot, Tess is certain she'll be killed ... until a handsome hitchhiker intervenes. But can she trust the blue-eyed cowboy who appoints himself her guardian?

 He's chasing a dream . . .

Nothing can stop Justin Boyd from his pursuit of a music career in Nashville--except a woman in peril. Haunted by his sister's murder, Justin can't walk away from Tess until he knows she's safe. Justin puts his dreams of the music spotlight on hold until he can make amends for mistakes from his past. Yet the stakes in this game of vengeance are higher than he ever imagined, and the price for freeing Tess might be his own life.



Review: Denying the truth can only take you down a bad road. When that road turns deadly, it's time to  run.

So that's exactly what Tess does. The sting of a fresh wound, and fear fuels her need to get away, fast. She's lived in the shadows of a controlling and evil man for far too long. Things turn for the worse when she overhears something and finds out another startling, heartbreaking revelation. Tess is a woman in hiding. Though I don't understand why it took her so long to leave her husband, I am glad she did. And so starts this fast paced suspense read.

Untrusting and in trouble, Tess meets the book's hero, Justin. He's got a haunted past, but big dreams of getting a recording contact in Nashville. His run in with Tess starts with him helping her with cat trouble, and she oddly repays him by giving him a ride.

I loved Tess and Justin's journey. From the awkward stage of learning about one another, to the moment where Tess lets it all out, to the point where the pair is separated and things aren't looking the best for the couple, to the happy ending. Everything in between sure managed to steal my heart, make me gasp, and catch my breath.

Two strangers with a heart on the mend. Killers on their trail. A bond that begins to weave so tightly, and a love forming against the odds/ Can you ask for anything better in a romantic suspense? This story is always on the go, there's never a moment that I wasn't hanging on. Beth Cornelison writes some top notch, edge of your seat romantic suspense, and is an author I can turn to in this genre to keep my satisfied. Chasing a Dream is another wonderful story penned from this very promising author.







Barnes & Noble

Review: Big City Wolf


Title: Big City Wolf  

Author: Cynthia Sax

Publisher: Changeling Press LLC

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Level: 3

Length: 37 Pages

Reviewer: Crystal

Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS 

BLURB:


He was a wolf without a pack, a stray living on the street.
She was the pack princess, pampered and perfect. Half a century ago, their love was torn apart by a controlling alpha and a sadistic enforcer.

Unable to live without her wolf, Ember meets with North. He's angry, determined to find out answers she doesn't want him to hear. She has a secret she knows will destroy his love forever.

If the enforcer doesn't kill them first.

REVIEW:

 Big City Wolf starts out with several people in a limo going to a party. North is a wolf-shifter and he is the one hosting the party.

North is a man that has found love and lost it. Thought that he was wronged by the one who promised to stick by him. He has a strong personality. You can tell that he has known pain and is hiding it under his tuff exterior. He has been waiting for over fifty years to find out what happened between Ember and himself.

Ember has been hurt and has the scars to prove it. She keeps them hidden just like her heart. She is a woman that is very loyal, so she tried to stick up for the man that she loved and paid the price from it. She never stays in one place for long. Her dad was the alpha wolf and there is just some rules that can’t be broken no matter who you are.

As soon as Ember and North are together you can feel the tension. Their both still in love with each other but both are just too stubborn and hard headed to admit it. You can also feel their pain and if they had took the time to work through things then they could’ve been together and not wasted all those years. But there wouldn’t have been a story without it.

The plot to the story was good and paced just right. I had an easy time keeping up with the story and never thought I was missing anything. Good sex scenes, not really on the erotic side. Had some suspensful moments, so it got your adrenaline pumping. Of course they had to put some comedy in there. The story is mainly about Ember and North. Since North is now the alpha of his pack they had to put some of his pack in there. Not enough to take away from the story.

So my feelings on the book is it was a great story. The moral that I got out of it is if your really meant to be with someone. It doesn’t matter what life throws at you and you can take the time to listen to eac other then in the end you will be together.

I recommend this to anyone who loves shifters and just loves a good romance. This was another great read from Cynthia Sax.


Changeling Press



Monday, July 30, 2012

VBT: Vicki's Key


 Please welcome p.m. Terrell to Storm Goddess Book Reviews!  I have an interview and a review of Vicki's Key planned for today. Thanks for coming by!

Hi p.m. Thanks for answering my questions and welcome to my blog!


How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I started writing when I was 9 years old and my first full-length manuscript was completed when I was 15. As of the summer of 2012, I have had 13 books published and there are 3 more to be released within the next year. My books have encompassed four genres: contemporary suspense, historical adventure/suspense, computer how-to books and a how-to book for authors.

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

I prefer to write in just one genre. My first published books starting in 1984 were computer how-to books which paid the bills but my passion has always been suspense. I deviated from contemporary suspense twice: I wrote a book on promoting books for authors (published in 2006) and two historical suspense based on true stories. The historical suspense required a great deal of research while contemporary suspense is a faster, easier write for me. I also find that promotion and marketing differs from one genre to the next and should be taken into account when jumping genres.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

I plan the crime and I know the beginning and the end. I also know what is going to occur in the middle of the book that takes everything the reader thinks has been happening, turns it on its head and propels the reader to the end like a non-stop roller coaster.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

I prefer to write 4-5 hours a day, 6 and often 7 days a week. I spend my mornings answering emails and working on marketing and promotion and my afternoons and evenings writing.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

My favorite author is Erin Quinn. I love her romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal, the time travel elements and most especially her Haunting series. At one time I read mostly non-fiction about average people put into extraordinary situations—The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger and Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. But now I find reading romantic suspense very relaxing. I especially enjoy books set in Ireland, which is where my ancestors were from.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

I have been spending as much as 8 months out of the year on the road promoting my books and I’d really like to be able to market and promote from home more. Doing blog tours such as this one allows me more time to write and it’s far less wear and tear on me and my car. I also believe the Internet makes it possible to reach far more people, especially around the world, than a physical book tour.

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

I can actually think of two: I would love to be able to communicate with loved ones who have crossed over to the other side; and because I write about crimes all day, I would love the ability to repel would-be attackers with flames from my fingers or something similarly mortifying.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

I would have an eagle so large I could climb on its back and it could transport me anywhere, even into different realms. I’d love to be able to see the landscape laid out below me. But because I am afraid of heights, I would need a wide, stable seat on the back of that bird!

Tell us a little about your latest release.

Vicki’s Key is about a psychic spy whose mission goes horribly awry. As a result, Vicki Boyd decides to leave the CIA and take a summer job helping an elderly woman in a small Southern town. But when she arrives, she finds Laurel Maguire has suffered a stroke and is confined to her third floor bedroom and her nephew Dylan has arrived from Ireland to care for her. Vicki quickly falls in love with the charming Dylan Maguire. But when the house begins to come alive with dark secrets, she begins to doubt her own sanity. And when the CIA arrive to recruit her for one more mission, she finds her past and her future are about to collide—in murder.


What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)

The Internet. I shop on it, keep in touch with everybody, learn the latest news and get entertained all in one place.

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

I did co-author one book, The Banker’s Greed, which was released in 2011. But co-authoring a book only begins with the writing; it takes a concerted promotional partnership as well. If I co-authored another one, I’d love to be such wonderful friends that we’d rent a cottage in Ireland and write the whole book on location.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?

I would meet with the world leaders who divided the Ottoman Empire into what has become the Middle East as we know it today. And I would ask them if they could have or would have done anything differently that might have changed the course of world history and established a better plan for peace.

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I have five fish tanks and the crown jewels are freshwater angelfish which are ten inches tall. I find it very relaxing to clean and maintain their tanks, feed them and enjoy their lives. I have also volunteered with rescuing animals and love success stories about animals who have found a new lease on life with a family that loves them. I enjoy museums, especially those with historical significance.

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

I hope this doesn’t sound egotistical but I’d pick one of my own—Songbirds are Free. It’s based on the true life of Mary Neely, who was captured by Shawnee warriors at the age of 19, kept as a slave for 3 years before she managed to escape, and traveled hundreds of miles alone to be reunited with her family. She was a remarkable woman and I think a movie would be compared to the movie version of The Last of the Mohicans.

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?

I wish I was more athletic. My mother was always afraid her daughters would get hurt so we never participated in athletics. As a result, I hate to exercise now although it’s necessary—and I’d love to be able to enjoy it and be good at it.

Favorite color?

Yellow. It’s always bright and sunny. I especially enjoy wearing it on rainy, gray days.

Weather: Hot or cold?

Cold. I can always add layers of clothing but when I get too hot, I am miserable.

Favorite place to read?

On the living room couch or in bed.

Favorite meal.

In the summer, I love salads with a sliced, grilled chicken breast. In the winter, I can’t live without my pasta.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink.

Diet Coca-Cola with caffeine.

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

I would rent a cottage in Ireland far from the cities where I could reconnect with nature.


p.m.terrell is the internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of more than 13 books. She is also the co-founder of The Book ‘Em Foundation, whose mission is to highlight the relationship between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates. She co-chairs the annual Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair. For more information, visit her website at www.pmterrell.com.



VICKI'S KEY
By
p.m. terrell

BLURB:   
Following a flawed CIA mission, Vicki Boyd leaves the Agency to begin a new life in a new town assisting an elderly woman. But when she arrives, she finds Laurel Maguire has suffered a stroke and her nephew has arrived from Ireland to care for her. Vicki quickly falls in love with the charming Dylan Maguire, but all is not what it seems to be at Aunt Laurel's house. And when the VIA arrive to recruit Vicki for one more mission, she finds her CIA past and her new future are about to collide... in murder.




EXCERPT: 

Vicki continued into the bathroom and groggily brushed her teeth. Grabbing a washcloth and splashing water over her face, she leaned into the sink to soak up the cool water as it poured from the tap.

She turned off the tap and tried to fully awaken as the water dripped off her face. Rising, she reached for the hand towel along the wall, catching a glimpse of her profile in the bathroom mirror.

Her eyes caught a shadow rippling in the mirror and she froze, her arm suspended in mid-air as she watched the shadowy figure undulating against the shower curtain just behind her. It was thin—far thinner than a human being; perhaps only four feet tall and just inches wide. Yet, two arms extended past the body, moving jerkily like a creature walking and yet it remained fixed in the center of the tub. The torso parted into two legs that were stick-like and lurching.

Then the shadow stopped and turned toward her, as though just realizing she was watching. The head emerged from the body like a person jutting his neck forward, growing as it neared the shower curtain. It swelled in a black intensity while two pits where eyes should have been grew more prominent.

She whipped around to face the shower curtain, her heart pounding, and her breath shallow.
There was nothing there.



Review rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS 


Review:  You can make your life as simple as possible, but once on the fast lane, it's hard to ever slow down.

For Vicki, she's ready to be a normal civilian. She's lived the high stakes life for so long, it's time to move on. Is it as easy as one thinks? Absolutely not. 

Set in a North Carolina town, this story is part mystery, light on the romance, and very well written. The plot moves along well, with quite a few surprises and gripping character that stick in the reader's mind. Vicki's Key kept me entertained and in suspense at the same time. If you're a fan of mystery, check this one out!




She swung back toward the mirror. Her own face stared back at her, her eyes wide and chest heaving. The curtain hung behind her, motionless.
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of thirteen books, including six suspense/thrillers and two historical suspense. Suspense Magazine says "p.m.terrell gets better with each and every book she writes" and Midwest Book Review says, "p.m.terrell is a master at skillfully combining drama, action, suspense and romance to engage the reader in an adrenaline rush of page turning adventure." PBS television host Barbara Berlin says, "p.m.terrell is the next John Grisham." A full-time writer for more than 12 years, her latest series, Black Swamp Mysteries, combines international intrigue and adventure with the CIA's psychic spy program, resulting in a series that appeals to lovers of suspense, romance or the paranormal. Prior to becoming an author, terrell operated two computer businesses focusing on computer intelligence and white collar crime. Her clients included the CIA, Secret Service and Department of Defense. For more about terrell and her books, visit www.pmterrell.com. 



LINKS:

Twitter: @pmterrell
Facebook: p.m.terrell, author and Patricia M. Terrell



GIVEAWAY!!
Gift baskets from the real town of Lumberton, where Vicki's adventure takes place for one random commenter. 


Friday, July 27, 2012

Review: Deliver The Moon


Book Title:  Deliver The Moon

Author:  Rebecca J. Clark

Publisher:   The Wild Rose Press

Genre:  contemporary romance

Heat Level-  spicy

Length-  264 pages

Reviewer name:  Nikki

Rating-  5 Lightning Bolts 

Blurb:

Once upon a time, he promised her the moon. It's time to deliver.
Louisa D’Angelo used to believe in happily ever after—until the tragic death of her son and the demise of her marriage. Now, five years later, with her life back in order, she has a great career and a wonderful man in her life. So what if the passion and excitement isn't there? In her book, passion and excitement only lead to heartbreak. Then, her ex-husband shows up and upsets her tidy little world.
Gabe D’Angelo never believed in happily ever after—until he met Louisa who taught him how to love and be loved. But their happiness was short-lived. Guilt and grief forced Gabe to walk away. Now, though he's pulled his life together and should be happy, he realizes something’s missing. After seeing her from afar at a family wedding, he knows what it is. It’s Louisa.
The problem is convincing her she's still in love with him.



Review:  It was supposed to be the happiest day of her best friend's life. A wedding. Who would have thought that  Louisa's ex would have shown up? And what is the deal with the angst between her best friend and her brother, during this happy occasion?

Deliver the Moon features angst and troubled waters for two couples.  Louisa and Gabe, and Sarah and Arty, as a secondary couple.

Let's just say Gabe showing up isn't very welcoming, and of course, that piqued my interest. I wanted to know why? Why was some of Louisa's family so against him? And the biggest question, why show up now? Those pending questions kept me turning the pages, needing those answers. Louisa seems content with her life, but seeing the face of her ex husband brings all the pain and memories back.  To complicate matters, Louisa is in a new relationship.

Louisa's family has it's moments. Her mother is very formal, and she's one of those women that doesn't show much affection, but instead wants constant order. Both her mother and father seem to have a plan for Louisa that she just simply falls into. There are dreams an aspirations we get a glimpse of, but for some reason, Louisa doesn't want tao ct on them. The return of Gabe brings constant questioning, as she ponders her life now, and what could have been with her ex.

I wasn't sure of Gabe. I didn't know what to make of him. He's the one that left, so naturally I thought he was in the wrong. But there was so much more to their break up than meets the eye. In fact, they shared a tragedy that neither of them ever got over, and it tore them apart. It's evident that Louisa's feelings are mixed, but she can't deny some of the things she's had resurfaced in regards to Gabriel.

With Sarah and Arty, their wedded bliss isn't so. The pair are on edge, and they seem to be having their problems.  Gabe and Louisa step in to matchmake and get the couple to talk things out, and in the same sense, he and Louisa are opening doors to the past and allowing all the gut wrenching emotion and pain to flood out.

Deliver The Moon is a thief. This book stole my heart, but that's all right by me, because I don't want it back. This wonderfully written book of second chances deserves front and center attention. I couldn't help but shed a few tears, and erupt in cheers when a victory occurs. The characters are so well fleshed out, and can be related to very easily.  Ms. Clark puts so much into this book to make all the ends meet, and the ride along the way is filled with so many questions and soul searching. I can't say enough about it. I really loved this book.

If you're a fan of second chance romances, angst, and two happy ever afters, Deliver the Moon awaits.



The Wild Rose Press




Barnes & Noble

Follow Me Friday: Blog Style



Hi! Welcome to Follow Me Friday: Blog Style! I believe that book bloggers should help one another, because well, we all have one thing in common- the love of blogging, and books. I've had the pleasure of meeting and networking with some great bloggers out there, and my little tribute to everyone is to start up this fun Friday post! The power of uniting has helped Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More grow into what it is today, and I'm not about to forget the help I've gotten to achieve this goal. My hopes in starting this is to get other blogs some more followers, whether they are a well known blog or a small one, a blog that's just starting out. I'm here to help.


This Friday I'd like to feature Harlie’s’ Book Blog The owner/create of this blog is Marika Weber I hope you'll follow along as I ask some questions pertaining to the blog, and a few fun questions. Ready? Let's begin!


Hi! Welcome to Storm Goddess Book Reviews and More! I'm really excited about this, and glad that you have taken part of the fun!

So, tell us a little bit about yourself! Right now I’m a stay at home mom getting ready to move to another town next month. It’s been hectic but exciting. I’m also an aspiring writer with the rejections to prove it. J I’m actually pretty boring…married to a wonderful man, 7 year old son and love to read and blog.

What made you decide to start a blog? The blog came to fruition when my parents and husband suggested that I “talk” about the books that I read. Plus, I wasn’t working at the time so it was easy.

How did you come up with a blog name? Harlie is my alter ego and I came up with the name because I love Harlequin books. Yep, I love Harlequin. Most people make fun of them but I read all the lines and have followed them when they write for other publisher’s and such.

How many people do you have on staff, and how do you decide who does what job? I have three ladies that are helping me and I really need to get their pages up on the blog. One takes care of our fan page and the others have submitted reviews and interviews.

How long has your blog been live/active? Been live since 2010.

What type of things do you do? Services you provide? I just review/interview/guest posts/blog tours. The normal stuff I guess. I don’t do author services. I used to beta read for some well-known authors but I don’t do that anymore.

What are THREE unique things about your blog? 1. Biggest thing…no spoilers. You can read with confidence that a review will not have any spoilers. 2. I try not to cuss either. I keep it PG-13. 3. I review anything. I’m very diverse.

How do you go about spreading the word about your blog, and the posts? I’m on Facebook with a fan page and personal page. I’m on Twitter, Shelfari, Goodreads and Pinterest.

What's the best thing about blogging? Meeting the readers and reading their comments and opinions.
What's the hardest thing about being a blogger? Getting publishers to read my blog. J

Besides blogging, what are some of your other hobbies and passions? I’m a HUGE sports fanatic. I used to work for the Dallas Stars Hockey team during the Stanley Cup years and that was a blast. Baseball (Texas Rangers, Houston Astros), University of Oklahoma anything, Olympics, Houston Texans football, NASCAR, watching the college world series right now.

Which author have you not hosted on your blog that you'd LOVE to have? Dream team: Julie Garwood, Linda Howard, Rachel Gibson, Cherry Adair, Jayne Ann Krantz, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Tom Clancy. Can you imagine the roundtable discussion with that group? J John Grisham would be a dream, too. I could just stare at him from across the table and sigh at his accent.

How does one go about getting a review request to you? I have review request form on the blog.

How does one go about becoming a reviewer for you? I also have a form for reviewers to fill out.

Where can readers find you? Pinterest: MarikaWeber25, Twitter: @marika67, Facebook personal: Marika Weber http://www.facebook.com/marika.weber2, Facebook Page: Harlie’s Book Blog http://www.facebook.com/HarliesBookBlog, Goodreads: Brian’s Mom/Marika Weber, How many ways to follow do you have? Linky Followers, GFC, email, Networked Blogs.

How do you accept review requests? What genre's do you review? I will review anything but YA and true Sci Fi. None of us on Harlie’s read them. I know, bad reviewer.

How would an author go about getting a feature, whether it be an interview, guest post, etc? Just fill out the form on the page or email me. Plus, I’m a blog tour host, too.

Most memorable post/even? I’m really not sure but I’ve had people really dislike some of my reviews and vow to never send me a book again to read. One in particular caused a stink because I wasn’t “toeing the line” and being a good little minion. Sorry, the book didn’t work for me and hey, it’s just my opinion. Everything worked out in the end but that had to be my defining moment when I wrote that review and still stand behind it today. In fact after that review, Harlie’s exploded. In some way, I will always be grateful for that one book.




Let's share some firsts!

First post: Opening Muse October 18, 2010

First review: Emma Jay’s Two Step Temptation

First author interview: October 19, 2011 Stacy Eaton

First guest post: Sable Hunter, September 9, 2011

First milestone: Honestly I don’t know. J

First great compliment about your blog: Cherry Adair loved it and gave me a shot on a blog tour.

First time your quote has been put in a book- whether it be print or ebook) Talk to Me (print) by Cassandra Carr. It was her debut novel and still a top book for me.

First publisher you got to send you review requests regularly. Ellora’s Cave. Thank you Lily Harlem.



And now for some fun questions!

Three books on your keeper's shelf. Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood, all of the MacKenzie books from Linda Howard and Cherry Adair’s first ever TFLAC book which was a Harlequin Temptation, “The Mercenary”. Yep, its original and no, I will never sell it, give it away or trade for it and yes, Cherry knows that I have it. J

Favorite authors? My roundtable dream team: Cherry Adair, Jayne Ann Krantz, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, John Grisham, Tom Clancy.

Book you've re-read the most? All of Cherry’s TFLAC series at least a dozen times and Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood.
Favorite TV show? White Collar-Matt Bomer, The Closer, Friday Night Lights (even though it’s over), Dirty Jobs (Mike Rowe is sexy, in a dirty kind of way), Hawaii 5-0 and The Client List.

Favorite color? Blue

What's your dream job? Getting paid to review/blog. Also being an acquisitions editor for a publisher.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, no money holding you back, where would you go? Ireland, Scotland and Northern England.

Anything else you'd like to add in, maybe something I didn't ask in the interview that you'd love to share with readers? No I think you pretty much covered everything. J

I really appreciate you answering my questions. It's great getting to know other bloggers that share the same interests as I do.




Readers, I hope you'll check out this blog and give it a follow if you haven't already!


CLP Blog Tour: Denise Grover Swank. Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons Review:



Hi, and welcome to Storm Goddess Book Reviews. It's Friday!  I hope this week has been a productive and fun one.

Today, as part of a blog tour through Chick Lit Plus, I'm hosting a review for Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons, by Denise Grover Swank.

Blurb:


When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she’s lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she’s picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men’s restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there’s not a cotton picking thing she can do about it. Or is there? As if things weren’t bad enough, Rose’s older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons, and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can’t commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn’t about to let the best thing in her life slip away.

Rating: Four LIGHTNING BOLTS 



Review:  Ever had one of those days where every single thing that can go wrong, does? Yeah, who hasn't right? Rose, the heroine in Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons, is facing this disatrous day one thing at a time, but it keeps getting crazier!

This book is written with such fun, intrigue and upbeat. Now, that being said, this is the second book featuring Rose. The first book is Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes. I feel that the series needs to be read in order, as I was missing quite a bit that must have occured in the first book. Still, that didn't take away from how I felt about this story! I was very wrapped up in the story, with the never see coming plot twists and the very great cast of characters. it's two parts mystery, a great helping of romance, and all around laugh out loud funny. Denise Grover Swank has a great voice in the writing world and I'm looking forward to more!




Denise Grover Swank lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has six children, three dogs, and an overactive imagination. She can be found dancing in her kitchen with her children, reading or writing her next book. You will rarely find her cleaning.
You can find out more about Denise and her other books at www.denisegroverswank.com or email her atdenisegroverswank@gmail.com

Connect with Denise! 






Barnes & Noble

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Review: The Wanting Heart



Book Title:  The Wanting Heart              

Author:  Rionna Morgan

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Genre: Romantic suspense

Heat Level- Sensual

Length-   120 pages

Reviewer name:  Nikki

Rating-  4.5 Lightning Bolts 

Blurb:


Katherine White, a barrel racer from Colorado, lives in a fast-paced world where rhinestones shine, hooves pound, and dreams come true. She plans on winning World Champion Barrel Racer and being with her friends until she graduates from college.

She doesn’t plan on the man who broke her heart strolling back into her life. She doesn’t plan on finding solace in a charming stranger’s smile or falling victim to his knife.

Blake Spencer, the man who broke her heart, is all cowboy—from the hat on his head to the dust on his boots. He thought it’d be easy, coming back to town, bowing his head a little, saying he was sorry, and all would be forgiven. But what he didn’t know, what he didn’t plan on, was that the girl he thought he loved had become the woman he couldn’t have. If he doesn’t succeed in changing her mind, it won’t only cost him Kate’s love—it will cost Kate her life.

Will Kate survive the stalking of a serial killer and find what her heart truly wants?


Review:  She has the affection of two men....one has a history with her, the other sweeps her off her feet. Kate's life didn't have so many complications, up until now....

The Wanting Heart had a bit of a slow start, but once the steam picked up, wow, the ride got more intense. Kate is a woman that knows what she wants.  Love has never been on her side, but now she's begun to date again, and what do you know, a man she can't seem to shake has waltzed back into her life and shakes things up.

 Blake knows what he wants, and that's Kate. He's got a lot of road head to fight for her.  He's sure as heck not going to go down without giving it his best though. Despite their rocky past, I like Blake. His character shows so much potential, and when things turn scary for Kate, he's right by her side, wanting to keep her safe and find a place in her heart again.

This story is full of heart. There are a few scenes that are a little dark and violent, but written very well. Ms. Morgan has created a book that steals the heart of readers. The villain in this story is very creepy, I didn't expect the twist that came in the book with that. I look forward to reading more books by this author to watch.




Barnes & Noble

Review: Sweet Vengeance

                                                                       
Title: Sweet Vengeance  

Author: Nicole Morgan

Publisher: Siren Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: Hot

Length: 59,423 Words

Reviewer: Tabitha

Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS 


Blurb: Adam Collins is just beginning to put his life back together when he meets Chelsea, his sweet and beautiful next door neighbor. As the two spend more time together, an attraction between them builds.


A nightmare from Adam’s past, that he thought was long ago dead and buried, comes back to life and places him and Chelsea in danger. Enlisting the help of two of his former Navy SEALs team members, Adam must find a way to keep them both safe.


As the danger mounts and passions ignite, one question will remain. Who will be left standing after Sweet Vengeance is served?

What do you get when you mix the sweet girl next door, a hot Navy SEAL, and the mafia? You get Nicole Morgan's Sweet Vengeance.

Adam is an ex-Navy SEAL with a damaged soul. Things from his past leave him with anger issues. Most steer clear of him until he meets the spunky little blonde next door. She is like a siren calling out to his battered soul and his body aches to touch her. The closer he gets to her the more he fights the attraction.

Chelsea is tired of her next-door neighbor's rudeness. After almost being run over by him twice in one day, she is ready to flatten all his tires. So in a fit of rage she bangs on his door but isnft ready for the sexy brut that opens the door. Tongued tied and confused by his sudden sweet words she realizes she is in deep. What was she thinking when she went off all half-cocked.

I really enjoyed this story. The chemistry between Adam and Chelsea was off the charts. Nicole Morgan wrote yet another scorching couple. She knows just how to toss in enough sexual tension to keep you glued to the page.

I will admit I didn't like Adam much in the beginning but he grows on you. Plus you can't help but feel sorry for him when you get his full back-story. Poor guy has had a hard life.

Chelsea is just cute as a button and soothes Adam's tortured soul. True love always makes us want to be better people and that is what happens in this story.

I will remember these characters long after the last page was turned. I really love characters that stick with you. Kudos to Nicole Morgan for penning such a great story. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a steamy read.

I give Sweet Vengeance four Lightening Bolts.

Happy Reading,
Tabitha Blake






Barnes & Noble

Review + Excerpt: Paula Takes A Risk

Welcome! So glad to have you come back again. As part of a blog tour through Chick Lit Plus, I am sharing an excerpt from Paula Takes a Risk, by Randi Sherman. I have also been given a copy of the book for review, which I will share today as well. I hope you enjoy, and I hope you'll leave a comment, letting us know you stopped by!


Blurb:

After thirty-four years of just letting life happen to her, Paula Tenenbaum's mundane existence was suddenly interrupted. It was bad enough to be fired from her job because she was "average", but on that same day, her boyfriend also dumped her for being "un-dynamic." Somehow, someway Paula needed to make a change. But before she could figure out what her first step should be, her scheming neighbor Larry tapped into her silent desperation and dreams and challenged everything that she believed about herself. At first Paula was skeptical and scared, but quickly, she realized that she had nothing to lose, as she donned the persona of the successful, and vibrant individual that she had always dreamed of being, navigating thru business, colorful personalities and the people that she had idolized from afar. Written with sharp humor, and huge personality, Paula Takes A Risk is the hilarious story about the metamorphosis of Paula Tenenbaum, who naively enters into an adventure that changes her life. This is a story certain to strike a chord in anyone who secretly desires change, but is afraid to make it.


Excerpt:


She called upon movies she saw and the magazine articles she read about how the celebrities stood, posed and behaved at cocktail parties and formal affairs. She incorporated it all. When she was in the company of shallow people she quoted gossip magazines as if they were as factual as the Wall Street Journal. When she was speaking with business-types, she would listen intently, adamantly agree and then echo their opinions. When she was speaking to someone who had no interest in topical events or business, Paula discussed her fictitious life in London. She became very popular.
To Larry she’d say, “I can’t be that interesting. These people are just as shallow and phony as I am.” None of it mattered. Paula was having a great time. She was outgoing and—dare she think it—dynamic. She felt and looked fabulous. She wore expensive clothes and for the first time in her life, dressed appropriately for each occasion.
In the evenings, she wore designer cocktail attire and beautiful dresses from the boutiques in Beverly Hills, cute little hair bobs and fancy shoes with dainty purses to match. Gone were the days of carrying a huge pleather catchall bag that housed everything from an oversized wallet-checkbook combo to a spare pair of socks and a bag of trail mix. In place of the daytime jeans and T-shirt, she wore clothes that were referred to as leisure wear, lounge wear and cruise wear. She learned that dressing right for an occasion removed a lot of stress and self-doubt.


Review Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review:  It's about time for a risk....Could you live your entire life without doing so?  Well, for far too long, that's the case with the heroine in this story, Paula.  And now it's time she enters a new venture in her life.

Paula's dynamic change in this story is amazing. She goes from living dull to taking a chance, thanks to her neighbor. Though Larry is a bit on the shady side, and not completely trustworthy, the two as a pair makes for quite an interesting story.

Paula Takes a Risk is a witty novel that keeps the flow upbeat and fun. It was a easy read and one that I enjoyed. Are you willing to take a risk on this book?  If Paula can take one, anyone can!


Author Bio:
Randi Sherman, a native Californian, lives in San Francisco. With her tremendous grasp of the obvious, Randi has always had the ability to find humor in the mundane and share the laughter. She dares to examine and discuss everyday foibles, which obliges people to stop taking themselves too seriously.
Developing characters and writing have been a part of Randi’s life since she was a teenager, umm-mmum-mumm years ago. She spent time performing stand-up comedy at Los Angeles club amateur nights and studied Improvisation in the Bay Area. Realizing that she preferred having an income, living indoors and eating regularly, she reluctantly put her dreams on hold and entered the corporate world, yet never left behind her sense of humor and creative storytelling ability, skills which were not always appreciated during budget and strategy meetings.
Now, after living indoors for a while and eating, albeit too much, her book, Paula Takes a Risk is here. Randi’s unique wit, writing style and candor will surely make the reader sit up, stand up, roll over or assume an interested leaning position and take notice.
Randi would never claim to have a genius IQ, the body of a super model or always have the right thing to wear. However, she can spell the words, “smart” and “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Randi maintains a trim, well-toned body that is cleverly concealed beneath twenty pounds of soft protective layering and she has the appetite of a bird. (By “bird” I mean vulture.) Her entire wardrobe consists of black, black and varying degrees of black, except for those items that are covered with lint because she put them through the wash with a tissue.
Things that Randi cannot live without: people to laugh with, her car horn, a gym membership where there are chubby women who break into a sweat while putting on a jog bra, wine, waist capes, and her partner, Carol.
Randi does not like mean-spirited people, liver, left-overs, communal dressing rooms, tight underwear, and people who point.
Randi is five-foot-seven.

Connect with Paula!

Buy the Book!



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Review: Civilizing Frances

 Title: Civilizing Frances                    


Author:  Marguerite Butler 


Publisher: Musa Publishing 


Genre:  Historical Romance


Length: 262 pages


Reviewer: Laci 


Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS


Blurb: Frances Hatterly is thrilled to finally make her London debut. She means to indulge her passion for fashion and frivolity. But before she can even make her curtsey, she finds herself accidentally compromised by the most arrogant man she has ever met. Desperate to avoid being forced into marriage, she resolves to make herself as obnoxious as possible to drive him away.


The Duke of Ainsley knew he should never have agreed to help launch his friend's uncivilized sister Frances into society. After he is found alone with Frances, he must either marry the brat or find someone else to do so. But what sort of man would be willing to take the hoyden off his hands?


Ainsley must civilize Frances quickly, or risk losing more than his bachelorhood--he just might lose his heart.


REVIEW:  I immensely enjoyed Civilizing Frances. Even though it's number 3 in the Mad Hatterly series, and I haven't read the first two in the series, at no time did I find myself lost or confused. I was able to follow along just fine and Marguerite Butler did the best job of recapping how Pru came to be married to Charles in just a small little explanation that didn't feel out of place or redundant.
Frances and Ainsley are a pair that you would never imagine working well together, but strangely enough, opposites do attract, and they have just the right amount of sexual tension. Where Ainsley is a bit of a stuffed shirt and a bit uptight, Frances is very much the fun-loving hoyden who gets into situations that she can't get out of easily. They end up bringing out the best in each other and play off the other very well. I could relate to both characters, easily seeing the reasons behind the way Frances and Ainsley are portrayed.
One of the best things about the book was the menagerie of animals as secondary characters. They all had personalities that fit the moment and added to the humor and romance of the story. The human secondary characters were just as well-placed. Each fit the moment and benefited the overall theme.
At no time did I feel as if the story was progressing to fast or too slow. The book was well thought-out and well-written. I would definitely recommend Civilizing Frances to anyone who wants a historical romance that has love and humor.








Summer With Shalvis Blog Tour!




I am so excited and pleased to be hosting JILL SHALVIS today on my blog!  I've got a short interview with Jill and review. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the post.

If you are a new visitor, I hope you like what you see and perhaps give the blog a follow. For returning guests, as always, thank you, and I appreciate it.

I'm happy to have you here today, Jill! Let's go ahead and begin the short interview!



What draws you to contemporary romance?
It’s what I love to read, so it’s a natural fit for me.  Plus I like writing real people with real problems and giving them happy ever afters.


How do you keep track of all your different series when writing?
I keep a “bible” with everything written down.  Right now it’s the Lucky Harbor series and the Animal Magnetism series, and they’re different enough that it’s not hard.

Plotter or write from the seat of your pants?
Ha.  Since my editor might be reading this, I’m going to go with PLOTTER.  Very careful plotter!!!  Which is the easier way to write, to be honest (but if left to my devices, I’m totally a seat of my pants kinda woman :)



BLURB: 


HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG…
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.
A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.



4.5 LIGHTNING BOLTS! 

Jill Shalvis writes heartwarming stories with wit, charm, and heart. Her fictional town, Lucky Harbor, is a place only we can dream about. It's a well crafted small town that draws the hearts of readers everywhere. I think this is Shalvis's best series yet! It makes me want to leave my big city life to go live in Lucky Harbor.

At Last, the fifth installment set in this great community features Amy and Matt front and center.  Stubborn headedness is matched with this pair as the sparks fly. Readers are sure to enjoy the good, the bad, and the quirky that comes with living in a small town.  There's life lessons to be learned, love to be found, and fun to be had.

If you're not visiting Lucky Harbor, you're missing out. What are you waiting for?  Join the excitement and make your reservations today.  At Last is another great story, not to be missed. Shalvis is on my must buy list!


At Last can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, in both print and ebook, and check your local bookstores!






At Last on Barnes & Noble