Saturday, November 29, 2014

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves
Stacking The Shelves November 29th 2014
Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tynga Reviews that let's bloggers share their new books and swag, whether they are physical or virtual. I'll include books I've been sent, emailed, purchased, won and for review.

I picked up way to many to list kindle freebies. However only purchased a few books this week trying hard to be good before Christmas

Reviews
No review books this week. Trying to catch up on my review pile.


Purchased
eBooks 
Deviants by Maureen McGowan (Goodreads)
Stray Souls by Kate Griffin (Goodreads)
The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel (Goodreads)
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Goodreads)

What did you get this week?

Friday, November 28, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday November 28th 2014
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. In my case not so patiently waiting for the new releases, which I lack.

With Turkey day yesterday I'm running behind all week. This is my first chance to catch up on my blog and reading. I haven't read any of Colleen's books yet but I do have her's on my TBR list. This one sounds like by my kind of book and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Reawakened
by Colleen Houck
(Goodreads)
Expected Publication - August 2015


Synopsis
And she really can't imagine being chosen to aid him in an epic quest that will lead them across the globe to find his brothers and complete a grand ceremony that will save mankind.

But fate has taken hold of Lily, and she, along with her sun prince, Amon, must travel to the Valley of the Kings, raise his brothers, and stop an evil, shape-shifting god named Seth from taking over the world.

From New York Times bestselling author Colleen Houck comes an epic adventure about two star-crossed teens who must battle mythical forces and ancient curses on a journey with more twists and turns than the Nile itself.
 


What are you waiting on?

Book Blitz: Love, Laughter, and Merrily Ever After Collection

Title - Love, Laughter, and Merrily Ever After Collections
Genres - Romance
Publication Date - November 25th 2014

Synopsis
TEN fun, romantic holiday novellas by ten New York Times & USA Today bestselling author

An all-star gathering of some of today's most popular NYT and USA Today bestselling romance authors in a fun-filled collection...holiday style! With the overwhelming response to the chart-topping summer boxed set, we've brought together even MORE of your favorite authors for a winter compilation, and this time, we've giftwrapped TEN stories for you all. From the funny & sweet, to the STEAMY & heartfelt, each novella is packed with a whole lot of romance, and hand-picked to infuse perfectly-portioned holiday cheer into your busy days this season...along with hot bursts of holiday steam for those winter nights. 


And at just ***99 CENTS USD*** that's a huge savings of over 95% off retail for the individual books sold separately! This is an extremely limited edition bundle available for just 5 weeks so get your copy today! 
THE BOXED SET INCLUDES:
IF I RETURN -- by USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett 

WILD IRISH CHRISTMAS -- by New York Times bestselling author Mari Carr 
SEDUCING SANTA -- by New York Times bestselling author Janelle Denison (aka Erika Wilde) 
DECKING DREW -- by New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke 
FAIRIES & WISHES -- by USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson (aka Monica Murphy) 
TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS -- by New York Times bestselling author Jessie Evans (aka J. Evans) 
UNWRAPPED -- by New York Times bestselling author Melody Grace 
A CHRISTMAS HEAT WAVE -- by New York Times bestselling author Alannah Lynne 
HIS CHRISTMAS WISH -- by New York Times bestselling author Marquita Valentine

Synopsis
IF I RETURN by Sawyer Bennett Hope Camden is relentlessly serious, awkwardly shy, and in complete need of a walk on the wilder side. At least, that's what her sister tells her when she drags her off on an impromptu Christmas getaway in the mountains, where Hope meets gorgeous, enigmatic Army helicopter pilot Jack Freeman...who's headed off to war in a week. 

SEDUCING SANTA by Janelle Denison (aka Erika Wilde) All Faith Roberts wants for Christmas is one sexy night with Matthew Carlton, the hot, gorgeous pediatric surgeon posing as Santa for a visit to the children's ward where she volunteers. While Matthew is more than willing to fulfill her naughty wishes, he's determined to show Faith that he's the kind of gift that keeps on giving. 

TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS by Jessie Evans (aka J. Evans) When Lula Jo refused Carter's proposal one dark December night--unwilling to abandon her hometown to live the dangerous life of a treasure hunter's wife--the holiday lights went out in her heart. She vowed to keep her distance from dangerous men and untamed cowboys. But now Carter is back and hoping for a holiday miracle to reunite him with his first and only love. 
DECKING DREW by Violet Duke If anyone can make Drew Lawson believe in the magic of Christmas, of course the universe would pick the addictively sweet, mind-wreckingly beautiful Skylar Sullivan to try. She's only the girl-next-door of his dreams he'd classified as completely off-limits two years ago...the same one now standing on his doorstep on Christmas eve. 

FAIRIES & WISHES by Karen Erickson (aka Monica Murphy) Lily the holiday fairy is given a new assignment this Christmas season--teach a lonely doctor how to love again. But all Lily knows how to do is gently coerce people into embracing the Christmas spirit; she doesn't have a clue what love really is. So imagine her surprise when she falls madly in love--and lust--with the good doctor in the process. 

WILD IRISH CHRISTMAS by Mari Carr It's Christmas Eve, and all seven of the Collins siblings have gathered together to give their father Patrick a precious gift. Gather 'round the tree and join the Collins family as they pass a bottle of Jameson, and Patrick shares the story of how he won the heart of Sunday, his true love, his soul mate...and the mother of his seven Wild Irish. 

UNWRAPPED by Melody Grace Lacey James is wild, spontaneous, and up for anything. Daniel Sullivan is careful, sensible, and mending his broken heart. When the unlikely pair get stranded together on the way home for the holidays, Lacey finds her long-term crush impossible to ignore. And as a game of truth or dare spins out of control, Daniel discovers the one girl he truly wants is the last person he expected. 

HIS CHRISTMAS WISH by Marquita Valentine War hero Joaquin Morales is back in Holland Springs for the first time in years. His mission? To convince his wife that they have a future together. But falling in love with her husband for the second time is not a part of Sage Caswell's plans this holiday Season. With the help of a little Christmas magic (and a well-timed snowstorm), can Joaquin and Sage's dreams come true? 

HOLIDAY SPIRIT by Cathryn Fox What's a girl to do when she finds herself held captive in a bedroom--with the man she's been lusting after for months--by a voyeuristic spirit on Christmas Eve? Give it what it wants, of course. If a holiday romp with her sexy co-worker is what it'll take for Elly Watson to solve her latest Paranormal Task Force case, she's up for the challenge...over and over again if need be. 

A CHRISTMAS HEAT WAVE by Alannah Lynne All Samantha Mazze wants for Christmas is to create the perfect Christmas Eve celebration for her friends and family. The house is decorated, the meal has been prepared, the guests are arriving...what could possibly go wrong? Come spend the holidays with your friends from the Heat Wave series, and meet a few new additions.


A yummy recipe for the holiday
Marquita’s Favorite Holiday Recipe
So, I’m not much of a cook, but Hot Builder (my husband) is and he makes the most delicious chocolate tarts.  Every one loves them, especially me!

Chocolate Tarts

Ingredients:
8 ounces of semi-sweet dark chocolate, chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup of milk
¾ cup of heavy whipping cream
1 package of individual small pie shells
1 tub of cool whip

Instructions:
                       Preheat oven to 350
                       Place pie shells on baking sheet
                       Combine heavy whipping cream and milk in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until hot. Don’t forget to stir! Add chocolate, stirring until blended. Let stand for about 5  minutes. Whisk in egg. Pour mixture into pie shells and bake for about 23 minutes. Allow to cool for fifteen minutes. Place tarts upside down on plate and add dollop (or two or three) of cool whip on top. Serves six, unless you like to share. I don’t.

Sawyer Bennett
USA Today Best-Selling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Links

Violet Duke
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education who is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romance novels. Her books have been Top 10 bestsellers on Amazon, iTunes, and Barnes & Noble, as well as NYT, USA Today, and international bestsellers. When she's not writing or feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, Violet enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools, trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first, and cooking 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. She lives in Hawai'i with her two cute kids (daughter Violet & son Duke) and similarly adorable husband. 
Melody Grace
Melody Grace is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time she wrote one herself. She loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-afters, and lusting after fictional menfolk. 
Links

Marquita Valentine
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She's the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man--and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.
LINKS

Mari Carr
Writing a book was number one on Mari's bucket list and on her thirty-fourth birthday, she set out to see that goal achieved. Now her computer is jammed full of stories -- novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends. A New York Times and USA Today bestseller as well as winner of the Passionate Plume, Mari found time for writing by squeezing it into the hours between 3 a.m. and daybreak when her family is asleep and the house is quiet. 
Links

Karen Erickson
Karen Erickson lives in central California with her husband, three kids, one dog and too many cats. Being a romance writer and bringing her characters to life is her greatest dream come true.

She's also known as New York Times and USA Today bestselling new adult author Monica Murphy, the name under which she does all her social media (leading a double life is tough!).
LINKS

Jessie Evans
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary romances she loves to read.

She's married to the man of her dreams, and together they're raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more. 

When she's not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.
LINKS

Janelle Denison
Janelle Denison is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over fifty contemporary romance novels. She is a two time recipient of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and has also been nominated for the prestigious RITA award.  Janelle is a California native who now calls Oregon home.  She resides in the Portland area with her husband and daughters, and can’t imagine a more beautiful place to live. When not writing, she can be found exploring the great Northwest, from the gorgeous beaches to the amazing waterfalls and lush mountains.  Janelle also writes as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Erika Wilde.  
LINKS


Cathryn Fox
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cathryn can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.

Cathryn also writes New Adult Paranormal under Cat Kalen.
Links

Alannah Lynne
Alannah believes there’s nothing more magical than finding the other half of your soul, experiencing fiery passion, and knowing you’ve found happily-ever-after.
She loves going to work each day (in sweats and a T-shirt) and writing about hot heroes and feisty heroines who torment each other in the most delicious ways before finding their happy ending.
She lives in the coastal region of North Carolina with her husband, who also happens to be her best friend and biggest fan. They have two sons, a dog, Sadie, who is always causing trouble, and two cats.
Links

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway 
(Open to US/CA/AU/GB/UK)
1 Kindle Fire HD 6 Tablet AND 1 $100 Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: November Rain

Title - December Rain
Author - A.L. Goulden
Series - August Fog #2
Genres - Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
Publication date - November 25th 2014

Synopsis
Monica and Alex Waters have spent that last few months working to repair a broken marriage and rekindle their passion. Just as they start finding their spark, Quinn Matthews and his escalating career resurfaces, but this time Alex makes the decision to let Monica go.
The devastation of losing her high school sweetheart, her home, and even her dog twists Monica down a destructive path that alienates her from her closest friends and lands her on Quinn’s couch. Despite her efforts to resist jumping into his arms again, the spark between them reignites and sweeps her away on a whirlwind holiday adventure. She finds that falling in love with Quinn’s family and lifestyle is as easy as falling for his ocean colored eyes. The problem is that it’s all too easy, and when she sees that Quinn’s reinvented life has completely shifted towards her dreams, she starts to question whether he’s too good to be true.
Quinn has a secret that was never meant to be kept this long, but will Monica be able to trust another man who’s lied? And now that Quinn’s got his happily ever after in sight, he’s not about to let her go or share her with another man.
Book Trailer 


AUTHOR BIO
I'm a designer, author, wife and dog-lover living in the South Pasadena area of California. I got my BFA in Film Production from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, but my love of a good story came way before college. I remember writing my first full story in fifth grade on a typewriter. I cut and pasted it into a book, complete with cardboard cover and taped binding. Things have changed a lot since then. With the magnificent digital age I can produce books and give them to the world without a sticky mess.


In college numerous instructors and peers praised my dialogue pushed me to hone my storytelling skills. Of course the need to cut and paste was still there, so I went into the world of Production Design and Art Direction for films and television. It gave me the ability to connect design to storytelling in a way that no other career can. The past 18 years have spun a unique perspective on visually emotional tales of relationships and the thread that ties all things together. Now I'm shifting focus on the driving force that brought me here... stories. I hope that I can share a unique perspective on life, love and the pursuit in all of the above.

Author links

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)


2 signed copied of December Rain
2 signed copies of August Fog
2 August Fog bookmarks
Huge swag gift basket


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope those that celebrate enjoy your time with your family and friends. Make sure you eat lots of yummy food. Those that don't celebrate enjoy a good book. 

Today at my house we are having a friend and her daughter so it should be lots of excitement.  

I've gotten up early to bake lots of sugar cookies for the kids to frost. My new turkey day tradition is Christmas cookies. 

After all the cookies and food this is how I plan to spend most of my day.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday!
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Brookish. Who doesn't love lists. They make life easy! And fun!! It's always a never ending topic.

I'm playing around with my own graphic I'll be trying a few out of the next month. I want one unique to me. 


This week's topic:

Top ten books on my winter TBR list. 

I have a slightly  addiction to adding to my never ending TBR list. I do have a list of must reads for this winter. I decided to divide my list into two New releases and already out. 

New Releases
1. Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols (Goodreads) ~ This one sounds interesting I like the idea of the alternate reality and I'm planning on reading it as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.

2. Zodiac by Romina Russell (Goodreads) ~ I haven't been on a high fantasy kick for a while but this one sound like a must read. I plan to pick it up and read it when it comes out. The cover is beautiful. 

3. Suspicion by Alexandra Monir (Goodreads)~ I love the cover for this one, and the synopsis sound intriguing. 

4. Beautiful Curse by Jen McConnel (Goodreads) ~ I like the mythology concept it sounds really interesting. 

5. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman (Goodreads) ~ Loved the first one can't wait for the next one. 

The rest of these which may be more than 10 are on my shelf of kindle right now that I plan to get to in the near future. Some are newer and some have been for years. 

6. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads)
7. Landry Park by Bethany Hagen (Goodreads)
8. Avalon by Mindee Arnett (Goodreads)
9. Maplecroft by Cherie Priest (Goodreads)
10. Glimpse by Kendra Leighton (Goodreads)
11. Dark Days by Kate Ormand (Goodreads)
12. The Jewel by Amy Ewing (Goodreads)
13. Elusion by Claudia Gabel (Goodreads)
What's on your top ten list this week?