A Message to All My Blog Readers

As you all have probably noticed, I haven't been around much. I'm sorry for that. There is a reason behind it. I have spent much time debating on what to say to my blog readers and what not to say. I feel that I owe it to you all to explain my absence.

As you know last year I mentioned that I have a lot of stress. Well after some intense talking with my therapist we figured out the root of the problem. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. My panic attacks come from fear of being touched. No I am not a germ-a-phobe, I just can not be touched other than a hand shack. This makes things difficult when I go into crowded places liked the mall or Wal-mart. I break out into a sweat the moment I set foot in places like them. I am constantly thinking that everyone will touch me. That brings on the panic attacks. I was even in the middle of a panic attack at Target, walked outside and got lost in the parking lot. Luckily I did find the car and sat down so I was able to calm myself. So being out in public is hard for me.

Now that I am aware of what's going on they have me on medicine to help with the attacks. Not everything is 100% foolproof . I have to go to therapy weekly,which is emotionally draining. I do calming breathing exercises that help. Another thing that has helped is dieting and exercising. I have lost 21 pounds in just a month. I have found that reading also helps. When I am riding on the bus or siting in a crowded waiting room, reading a book helps to distract me from what is going on. Plus doing a my breathing exercises along with it.

So why the absence? To help get myself where I need to be I have to devote 100% to getting better. That means I have step away from the blog temporary. I saddens me to do this but I know it is something I have to do. I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do. Should I take time of from it or not. I know that I need to. I can not give the authors the best that they deserve with my reviews if I so much going on in my personal life.  Putting this out there is hard for me. I try to keep my personal life private. I felt that everyone who reads my blog deserves a reason as to why I have been and will be away.

 

I will keep you up to date on my progress. I will have a few reviews that I had scheduled post on future dates. Thank you everyone for being understanding and following my blog. Until next time. :)

 

 

Review: The Daemon Whisperer by Candice Bundy

Title: The Daemon Whisper (The Liminals #1)
Pub. Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Lusios Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy/Horror/Erotica
Format: eBook (366 Pages)
Source: I recieved this book from the author for an honest review.

Blurb:
Meriwether Storm discovered the grisly remains of her parents when she was only fourteen—the result of a failed daemon summoning. Meri immediately swore vengeance on the daemon who'd killed her parents, but there was only one problem: she had no idea which one had committed the atrocity. Before their untimely deaths, her parents trained her intensively in the arts, which Meri used to follow in their footsteps, ever seeking the daemon's name. Now, despite her years of searching, she's no closer to the truth and her time is running out.

When a mysterious daemon named Azimuth offers Meri a deadly summoning in exchange for information about her parents’ murderer, she takes it immediately and without intimidation. What does worry her is her attraction to Azimuth: when he touches Meri, her pulse races and she breathlessly awaits the feel of his lips upon her skin. Meri knows she should keep him at arm's length, but her traitorous thoughts obsess over him night and day.

Blinded by her desperation for the truth and her desire for Azimuth, Meri places her trust in the creatures who are her sworn enemy, jeopardizing her need for vengeance. After Meri discovers there's more to the deal than the daemon cabal first promised, can she accept all they have to offer?

When retribution is the only thing that drives you, how much are you willing to sacrifice before you lose yourself to the cause?

The book leads off with a gory first chapter, Meri witnesses a summoning gone bad. Usually I would stop reading the book at that time (too much gore) but the author's writing has me intrigued. She created a post apocalyptic world where daemons are the source of knowledge and vengeance. Meri is a strong willed character. She has been a summoner since she was young. She tends to keep to herself.  So when is paired with Azimuth there is a lot of chemistry there. Meri tries to deny it. He is a daemon and she is a human. There is more to Azimuth that he lets on. She agrees to work with him in hopes of getting the information needed on the daemon that killed her parents. Ultimately Meri finds herself drawn deeper in Azimuth's world and and into his arms.

This is one book that surprised me. I really enjoyed reading it. I am not a big fan of books that can be on the gory side at times. The author does a fantastic job in telling a story that draws you in and has you looking past the horror aspect of the story. She creates a world that is fasinating and scary all at the same time. She does paranormal romance justice.

Overall I loved this book and I can not wait for the next in the series. It is violent, and has sex scenes, so this book is recommened for readers 18+

Rating:

5 out of 5!!!

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

 

FTC Disclaimer: All books on this site are either given to me by the author/publisher for the purpose of reviews only or books I have purchased myself. I do not receive money in exchange for reviews.

Review/Interview Plus Giveaway VBT: Winter's Magic by Cynthia Gail

Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a good holiday. Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Winter's Magic by Cynthia Gail. I got the pleasure of interviewing Cynthia and reviewing Winter's Magic for this tour. This tour is presented by Pump Up Your Book.

 

Title: Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts #1)
Pub. Date: October 24, 2012
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook (174 Pages)
Source: I recived this book for the tour to give an honest review.

Blurb:
Beth Sergeant and Nick Chester come from opposite ends of the social food chain. While he sees a beautiful woman without an agenda, she sees a wealthy playboy. Can he convince her to let go of her insecurities and take a chance on love, when challenges from his past force her to reveal her most guarded secret?

Owner of La Bella Vita, a five-star day spa nestled in the affluent suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, Beth Sergeant knows her elite clientele first hand. She attended their private schools. She was even engaged, although briefly, to one of their most recognized bachelors. But she never fit in to their social-elite world.

After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. When he chooses to socialize, he has a never-ending list of exclusive events and beautiful women vying for his attention. Yet he never lets himself forget that everyone has an agenda.

Beth can’t resist Nick’s charm and accepts an invitation to dinner, despite her deep-seated insecurities. She proves she’s nothing like other women Nick’s dated and learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick’s past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret.
 

"Whoever invented Carmello deserves the humanitarian award. It's better than sex." The opening sequence spoke how I feel about the chocolate and how this book will be, fun and lighthearted. I loved reading Winter's Magic. It was a wonderful Christmas romance. Nick and Beth are two characters that belong together.  I was drawn in by the characters of Nick and Beth. I loved how they interacted together. They mesh well. Beth is content with her life working at her spa. In walks Nick and her world takes a 180. She finds herself smitten with and can not get him out of her head. Nick feels the same. He has just ended his relationship with high society queen Lauren when he meets down to earth Beth. Beth is just who he needs. She is not concerned with her place in society world, but with settling down someday. They have a whirlwind romance that leaves you thinking that it will end all nicely until Nick's ex throws a wrench into things.

The author takes you on a romantic ride with this book. It is entralling and you find it hard to put down.

The part that I didn't like in the book was with Nick's ex Lauren. When she showed back up at the end I thought that part of the story was a little predictable. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I love Christmas time stories and this is one of those. I think my favorite part was when Nick and Beth decorate Nick's house for Christmas. This is a recommeded read.

Rating:

 

 

4 out of 5!!!

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Soul Mate Publishing

 

 

Hi Cynthia. Thanks for stopping by today.
Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here today and talk to your followers about my debut novel, Winter's Magic.


Can you tell the readers 3 facts about Cynthia Gail the author?
I'm an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan, I didn't read my first romance book until my mid-thirties, and I love, love, love footrubs.


What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to entertain and we have great neighbors who get together spontaneously on a regular basis. We enjoy grilling in the summer, going boating on Old Hickory Lake, and I tend to hybernate in the winter. My husband and I have a standing Sunday night 'cooking' date.


How did you choose this current genre to write for?
At the risk of sounding cliche, it's what came to me.


What do you think is most appealing about the romance genre to readers?
Everyone loves a fairy tale. Everyone wants someone special to spend the rest of our lives with - someone who makes our toes tingle every time we think of being with them again. Someone who sweeps us off our feet and makes all of the stress and trials of life easier.


The first book in the Music City Hearts series is Winter’s Magic. Can you tell the readers a little about the book and series?
Beth Sergeant and Nick Chester come from opposite ends of the social food chain. While he sees a rare beautiful woman without an agenda, she sees a wealthy playboy. Just as he convinces her to let go of her insecurities and take a chance on love, challenges from his past force her to reveal her most guarded secret.

The series is based on three women who met their first year in college. After graduation, Beth and Jenny moved back to Nashville, TN and Sara remained in Lexington. Each book tells one of their stories and journey to finding true love.


Since you call Nashville your home, is this city behind the inspiration for your book series?
I love living in Nashville, TN. Although I don't include actual live locations within the city in my books, I felt it was the perfect setting for my stories.


What was your favorite part of Winter’s Magic to write? And why?
Christmas is my favorite time of year. The snow, spending time with family, the holiday spirit everyone carries with them. I'm not sure if there's a specific part of Winter's Magic I would call my favorite - it was the theme of the book that I enjoyed so much.


If you had to choose Hollywood actors to play the roles of Beth and Nick, who would you choose?  Beth is a strong, independent woman, so I would choose Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock. For Nick, I would choose Bradley Cooper.


How many books will you have in the Music City Hearts series?
Three books were initially planned: Winter's Magic is Beth's story, Spring's Surprise is for Sara, and then Summer's Family Affair tells Jenny's. But I'm adding Fall's Redeeming Grace for Lauren, the antagonist from Winter's Magic. I just couldn't stand to leave her in such a negative light, so I'm bringing her back and tying up all of the loose ends.


What is your next work in progress?
Sweet Tooth is a stand-alone title that I've been working on separate from the Music City Hearts series. It's about a single mother named Angela Preston, who’s struggling to make ends-meet with a bakery and catering business. When her car is totaled by a local delivery truck, she meets Lance Stone, whom she assumes is the driver’s regional manager. He eats lunch at her diner several days in a row before she finally agrees to a date. Only after she’s given him her heart does she realize he’s the CEO of the company who’s planning to tear down the blind school her son attends.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. It has been fun. Is there any additional info you have for the readers?
I'd like to invite everyone to visit my blog. I post What's New Wendesday every other week where I highlight a new author or book that I've found. Then on alternating weeks, I post Fantastic Fridays where I talk about fun stuff - a new jewelry outlet I've found, a recipe, favorite memory for the season, poems, etc. I'm open to suggestions on anything your viewers would like to suggest I include.


Thank you for having me. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and cheers to a wonderful new year!

 

 

About the Author:

My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our teenage son and three dogs. Life is busy, but when I have free time, I love to read. A math/science girl at heart and a retail analyst by trade, I never thought I’d be writing romance. But one day, a story popped into my head and I had to write it down. The fantasy, escape, and wonder of just reading multiplied by ten-fold and I couldn’t stop my fingers from typing my own fairy tales.

I hope you enjoy my stories. Each one touches on modern day issues, fears, and challenges that women face every day. And each one illustrates that love is within reach if you let down those walls and allow your heart to open. Our lives and experiences are so much more meaningful when we have someone to share them with. Cynthia’s latest book is the contemporary romance, Winter’s Magic (Book 1 in the Music City Hearts series).

 

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 





 

Pump Up Your Book and Cynthia are teaming up to giveaway a $50 Visa Gift Card and 4 Winter's Magic eBook + Swag packs. How do you enter? Just feel out the Rafflecopter below. That's it. Good luck.

 

For a complete list of tour stops click here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC Disclaimer: All books on this site are either given to me by the author/publisher for the purpose of reviews only or books I have purchased myself. I do not receive money in exchange for reviews.

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours. I hope that everyone has a safe holiday and enjoys the time with family and friends. While you are at your dinner table saying grace please say a prayer for those that we have lost this year. I am very blessed and grateful for all those who are in my life. Whether I know you in person or through this blog, thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Review: Exposing ELE by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels

Title: Exposing ELE (ELE Series #3)
Pub. Date: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckels
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranormal
Format: eBook
Source: I received this copy from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb:

"I honestly wish I could believe that things will end perfectly, with one big bright happy ending. But these last few days have taught me that life isn't made up of shiny moments. Life is hard; it's gritty. One day you are filled with joy and the next, you are crawling through the muddy trenches with no inkling of when you might be able to climb your way back up again." ~Willow Mosby, Exposing ELE

Can Willow expose Project ELE for what it really is?

Just when Willow Mosby thought that her life might return to normal, her parents and Tony are ruthlessly abducted, along with many other victims from the shelter. In an effort to save them, Willow has to take a stand against the darkness brought forth by the masterminds of Project ELE.

In the midst of all of the chaos, Willow is faced with some impossible choices. Is Willow strong enough to make these decisions? How can she decide between the man she first loved and the man who has sworn to protect her?

When certain events are set in motion, Willow finds herself caught in the center of an even darker, more diabolical scheme than she could have ever imagined. With her abilities rapidly growing, Willow finds herself more powerful than ever before. What she hadn't realized is that someone else has noticed her power, and they will stop at nothing to get it.

From the authors of Project ELE and Finding ELE comes Exposing ELE. The third book in an all-new apocalyptic series with a paranormal twist: The ELE Series.
 

This book seems to center more around Willow and Tony's world than anyone else. So for those Tony fans (Me!!!) you will be happy that he gets more face time. Willow sets out to save her parents and Tony. Willow being Willow her first priority is not herself but others. She wants to bring Tony and her parents back safe. Alec doesn't understand. He has it in his mind that this is all because she has some feelings for Tony. I'm sorry but Alec is a jerk. If he really knew his girlfriend ,the way he thought he did, then he would know that she would do anything to help others. Especially those she cares about. Tsk. Tsk. Alec. He breaks up with her. Yes! There is hope for Tony. But not so fast Tony fans. When she does find Tony something has happened that has changed him. At first you think is a Reaper because his eyes turn red. Willow heals him though, only temporarily. We find out later that it is all connected to Zack because of the shot he gave him. Is he Reaper? I don't think so but we won't know yet, not until future books. :(  Willow and Tony spend lots of time together trying to get the Hasting men. Tragedy strikes and Willows is left devastated. Luckily Tony is there to comfort her. They try to get revenge with the Hasting men. Willow finds out some information about Tony's condition. She is left having to make a tough decision and thus we are left with another cliffhanger.

Tony has been my favorite for Willow since he appeared on scene in Finding ELE. Willow is a strong female. She is independent, strong willed and stubborned. Someone sensitive like Alec will just leave her wondering if he was okay if there was a battle. Tony can fend for himself. So when Alec dumps Willow it is like opening a door for Tony and he takes his chance. But so far the odds are against them. :(

I found that this book is more of a turning point n the series. Willow has to take on more of a leadership role. We find out more about why Dr. Hastings wants Willow. We don't find out everything but we know more than when we started. I personally think out of everyone Willow is just special and that is why the shots reacted differently on her. So that leaves you wondering what is ELE. It think it has a lot to do with what Dr. Hastings is doing. Maybe he is trying to create a super human. Who knows. I look forward to finding out.

Well the dynamic duo of Gober and Nuckels has done it yet again. The story pulls you in and you find yourself sucked into the fictional world with the characters. You root them on, laugh with them and cry with them. Let me tell you, this book will have you crying. So grab your your tissues, you'll need them, especially for chapter 3.

Overall I loved this book and I can not wait for the next book. The only thing that I didn't like was that once again we were left with a cliffhanger. Grrrr.... But it's all good. This a definite recommend series but it should be read in order though.

Rating:

 

5 out of 5!!!

 

 

Purchase links

Amazon | Smashwords

 

Other Books in the Series:

 



                

Project ELE Available to download for FREE at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

 

Finding ELE Available to download for $2.99 at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

 

 

Author Links:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter(Rebecca) | Twitter(Courtney) | Goodreads(Rebecca) | Goodreads(Courtney)

 

 

FTC Disclaimer: All books on this site are either given to me by the author/publisher for the purpose of reviews only or books I have purchased myself. I do not receive money in exchange for reviews.

Cover Reveal: Extreme Measures by Rachel Carrington

 

Today I get to reveal the cover of another one of Rachel Carrington's books. This book is a Romantic Suspense. Looks like it will be a good one.

 

Here's the cover:

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Pretty isn't it. I love the color of the cover and that the hero and heroine are on it. Plus the hot guy's shirt is open. He is yummy.

 

Here is a blurb from the book:

Four years ago Erin’s life changed drastically. Her drug-addicted brother killed her parents, and her marriage disintegrated. Her husband, Matt, an FBI agent, had done his duty when he’d arrested Stuart, but she’d been too caught up in her own grief to allow him to help her move through the shadows of pain.

Now Matt is back, but it isn’t to attempt reconciliation. Her brother has escaped from Attica, and Erin is his next target. Matt will stop Stuart by any means necessary. But Stuart is a desperate man, and desperate men will do anything to get what they want.

Thrown together by treacherous circumstances, Matt and Erin fight a battle to stay alive and possibly figure out how to put the pieces of their destroyed lives back together again.

 

 



Where you can find Rachel:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Youtube | Goodreads

 

Book Promo VBT: The Awakening and Other Stories by Emma Meade

 

Thanks for dropping by my stop on the blog tour for The Awakening and Other Stoies by Emma Meade. This tour is presented by the author.

 

 

 

 

Title: The Awakening and Other Stories
Pub. Date: November 15, 2012
Publisher: Emma Meade
Genre: Paranormal
Format: eBook (69 pages)

Blurb:

Put on the kettle, close the curtains and curl up by the fire. Dive into 8 short tales, each with a slice of the paranormal.

Ghost Story - Who is the shadow in the window of the abandoned house, and what or who is he waiting for?

The Awakening - It's time for Sabrina to wake up and face the light.

End of the Line - Cassie wants to die. When midnight rolls around, she stands on the tracks, waiting for the train to come.

Milsa Loris - The once, magnificent kingdom of Milsa Loris comes alive one night each winter. The King's witch is brewing up a little magic, sure to make the soup all the tastier.

The Old Vampire - Hailey spent her life dreaming of a dark prince falling in love with her. He never showed up, until now.

The Knocking - Alison's grandfather has one eye on the next life. After all, he's heard a lot of rapping at his door lately.

The Boy on the Beach - Kate's grandmother warns her about the boy with the green eyes. Will she pay heed?

Snowglobes- It's busy at Calvin's Cabins this Christmas. Eddie and Maggie are a young couple in trouble. Not to fear, Calvin is always ready to lend a hand.
 

 

Excerpt: 

 

The Boy on the Beach

As a present for Kate's thirteenth birthday, her grandmother had read her tealeaves. But

she'd kept something back. She had been unable to look Kate in the eye and waved off her

questions with nervous laughter. Kate's curiosity burned, and on the pretence of doing the

washing up, she had taken the cup and sketched the pattern of tealeaves on a piece of paper.

Alone in her room later, she had opened up the giant book on fortune telling her

grandmother kept in the study, turning to the section on tealeaves. The pictures formed at the

bottom of Kate's cup offered three words: water, fate and union. Kate had been confounded

and determined to find out more from her grandmother, somehow. But she had shrugged off

Kate's pleas, and the years had passed by. Now she was gone, and it was too late for answers.

Then it came to her, a Ouija board. She could make one. Kate grabbed her A4

notebook and ripped out four, clean pages. She taped them together and got a pen, marking

down the alphabet. Finally, she ran into the kitchen and found a whiskey glass. Perfect.

She pulled the curtains and lit two candles. Next, she settled down on the wooden

floor, the makeshift board before her. She crossed her legs and touched the glass.

"Hello?" she said and felt stupid.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Smashwords

 

 

 

Author Bio:

Emma Meade lives in rainy Ireland. She loves vampires, slayers, witches, ghosts, aliens & shadow men (or at least the youngest of the Shadow Men), and regular people who live extraordinary lives (think Slayerettes and you’re on the right track).

Books, DVDS & TV show boxsets take up lots of space in her home, and she collects all the Point Horror books she can get her hands on.

Writing supernatural stories and watching marathon re-runs of Buffy are some of her favourite ways of escaping reality.

 

Author Links:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter