Saturday, May 26, 2012

Two #FREE kindle romance books available today!

There are two books available for FREE today on Amazon kindle.  Both are from pretty prolific LDS author's.  I own one of them,  I LOVE it!  It's the Anita Stansfield book and I own several of Rachel Nunnes books.  I would grab them now.  They will make for some great summer reading.






Friday, May 25, 2012

The Guardian Duke~ Review

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley

Book Description: The Guardian Dukeis award-winning novelist Jamie Carie's most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.


Gabriel,the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King's ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.


When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.


Colleen's Thoughts: The Duke of St. Easton is awarded guardianship of Lady Alexandria Featherstone when her parents are announced missing and presumed dead.  The relationship between the two begins and develops through correspondence, but even without physically meeting, it is obvious they are beginning to fall in love with each other.  The Duke is ordered by the King to bring her back to London for her safety.  However, Alexandria is determined to find her parents at any cost.  She tricks the Duke many times and misleads him in his pursuit of her.  They both war with the inner struggles of spiritual and self discovery.  A fine example of life's consistent quest to teach us who we are and what we believe.  The cliff hanger ending leaves me frustrated that I have to wait to hear the rest of the story.  I can't wait for the next book!

Jamie Carie's writing style is elegant and easy to read.  The character descriptions are vibrant, making it easy to picture them in your imagination.  The plot development is exciting, clear, and written with such finesse. I enjoyed this novel very much.  It is Christian romance, and thus very tasteful.  No content warning is necessary.




Thursday, May 24, 2012

Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (Intl)

Thanks I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Page Turners Blog for hosting this giveaway.

Today is the last day of school.  Since I work for the school district it is also the start of my summer.  I GET to have three months at home with my kids.  (Not sure if it's a blessing or a curse!)

To start the summer, I will be letting the winner choose the book that they want to read this summer.  There will be one winner who will win a choice of an Amazon Gift Code or a book from the Book Depository up to $15.00 (US currency).

Use the rafflecopter to enter.  You must be 13 or older to enter and live in an area where you can receive one of the prizes.  Please see my full giveaway policy in the right side bar.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Guest post from "The Most Important Catch" author - Jaclyn M. Hawkes ~ Blog Tour and a US G!veaway!



Today I am very excited to host a guest post by Jaclyn M. Hawkes.  She has a new novel that I just finished and that I really enjoyed.    Here's what she has to say.


The fun side of being an author and getting published
Guest post by Jaclyn M. Hawkes, author of The Outer Edge of Heaven, The Most Important Catch, and Journey of Honor  a love story

Doing this post is perfect for me right now, because if I was honest, I’d say that I’ve gotten a bit bogged down in the thick of marketing, (bleck) and needed a reminder that being an author truly is a fun profession.   Especially a romance novelist.   After all, what other field of work can you be in where you get paid to fantasize about the perfect heroic male meeting the ultimate gracious woman in a romantic setting?

Okay, so maybe everything can’t always be perfect and ultimate and best, but you get my point.  We get money for this!  Occasionally a lot of it!  And we do our best work in our warm-ups, with a nice cup of cocoa with some whipped cream on top and a lovely storm outside.  This is a good gig!

Joking aside, being an author is awesome!  I could give you a whole slew of positives, like low start up capital, no office politics, and short commute time, etc., but in all honesty, what I love best about writing is that I can make people’s lives better.

Whether it’s just a way to give Mom a time out with a clean happy read, casually teaching a success principle, subtly testifying of God and Jesus Christ, or just giving a good belly laugh, I love to be a rising tide.  That’s why I do this.  

And because there’s just something so darn fantastic about holding your new book for the first time and turning in circle as you shout, “I Am A Novelist!”

Live like you believe, Jaclyn M. Hawkes
You can find Jaclyn at: 





The Most Important CatchThe Most Important Catch by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to review as part of a blog tour
Genre: Contemporary Romance (It's clean romance too!)

Description from Goodreads: Run or die!
She knew too much, and she’d seen too much.
And the police refused to help.
Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life.
When the weather turned cold, she turned south.
She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe with him. 
Or was she?
His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn’t nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and protected. All except for her heart.


My thoughts: I had fun reading this book. Kelly is running. She was a witness to pharmaceutical shortcuts in a psychiatric hospital that lead to the death of patients. Wearing leathers and a helmet she makes her way cross country on a motorcycle. She runs out of gas in a small town in South Carolina.

Robby is visiting his newly purchased property when he comes across someone pushing a motorcycle on the side of the road. He finds compassion and brings the biker some gas. He doesn't realize that fate is tipping it's hand and he has just found the girl of his dreams.

The background behind the story is complicated. She is in hiding and he is professional football player. It's hard to remain low key when constantly in the spotlight.

I like the interactions between Kelly and Robby. The life that they are leading. She is the caretaker and making renovations on his run down home he purchased. He loves it that he can be himself when he is with her. Their relationship is relaxed and I was glad that a large portion of the book dealt with them learning to trust each other.

This book has LDS (Mormon) references but isn't overly preachy. I think anyone of any religion could appreciate the story and the love that develops.

This is clean romance.  I can recommend this book to anyone, even teens.
To see the full blog tour ~ go to this link! http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/p/blog-tours.html

About Jaclyn: Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets.  (It was never boring!)  She received a Bachelor’s degree, had a career, and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children.  She loves shellfish, the outdoors, the youth, and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.



Would you like a copy? 
You must be 13 or older to enter.
This is for a US address winner only.
This giveaway is sponsored by the author.
See my full giveaway policy in the right sidebar.
Entry is through the rafflecopter form.

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The kindle version is only $3.99!

Having a Book Blast with "Masters of the Veil" guest post! (with a GC/Giveaway)

MAGIC FAQ + A SHORT LESSON FROM BARIV THE CONDUIT

Congratulations! You can do magic!

Here’s what you need to know about your exciting new ability:

Q: WHAT IS MAGIC? AND WHY CAN I DO IT?

This can be a very thrilling, confusing, and even frightening time for a young sorcerer, so let’s start with the basics. Magic is just another way of saying, “Connecting with the Veil.” As you may already know, the Veil is an ancient energy that lies all around us that some fortunate few (YOU!) can even use.

The Veil gives the sorcerer communities everything we need to survive. The more the Veil is used, the more She gives us. All sort of wonderful plants, animals, food, clothing, and shelter… they’re all there, waiting to spring forth.

There is no conclusive evidence explaining why some people can use the Veil and some people cannot. Some speculate it’s genetic, while others believe it’s spiritual. Alas, we will probably never be sure, so just be thankful that you are one of the lucky ones.

Q: HOW DO I DO MAGIC?

There are two methods of doing magic: A “grip” and a “drape”
A Grip: Connecting with the Veil to perform a specific feat.
A Drape: Essentially it’s wrapping the Veil around an object to give it extraordinary properties.
As you may have seen from the older sorcerers in your magical community, we use something called a “Second-Skin” to access the Veil.  A second-skin is a covering for your hand that allows you to grip the Veil. Second-skins must be made from materials that have sprung from the Veil in order to work. One of the first things that you will be instructed to do is create your own second-skin in order to create the deepest connection. You can use anything from dried aansi leaves to the bark from a zigzag tree, just know that attempting to do magic that is beyond your reach with break your second-skin.

Q: HOW SOON WILL I BECOME A MASTER SORCERER?

Whoa there! Don’t get ahead of yourself. Magic is extremely difficult and it’s going to take some time for you to become proficient at it. You have a magnificent, bumpy road ahead of you.


Q: BUT WHO IS GOING TO TEACH ME?

The sorcerer community doesn’t take your new ability lightly. We will provide you with the finest teachers available. Train hard enough and you might even get to be in Rona’s group (but don’t get your hopes up)!!! You will be matched up by your skill level and organized by the type of magic you’ll be pursuing.


Q: IS MAGIC DANGEROUS?

It can be if used wrong. To avoid causing unnecessary pain, make sure you study hard, respect your clan elders, and eat your vegetables.

Q: VEGETABLES?

Yes, vegetables.

Q: WILL I HAVE TO LEAVE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY?

For a short time, yes. Whether you’re from the flathand (those who can’t grip the Veil) world or a magical community, you will be brought to Atlas Crown to study with Bariv. Bariv is the conduit to the Veil, and he will be the first—and probably the most influential—teacher you will have. After learning about your ability from Bariv, you will have the choice of returning home or staying in Atlas Crown.

*Special note for those who come from the flathand world. In the rare occurrence that you choose to return to the non-magicworld, you will be draped with the inability to speak of our world or perform magic outside of a magical community. Sorry. The good news is that if you choose to join a magical community, your immediate family will be invited to come with you and will be provided for.




NOW TAKE A SEAT AND ENJOY A QUICK LESSON FROM BARIV ON THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF MAGIC



Welcome. Please have a seat. Before you are three second-skins that I have created for choosing purposes. As you may already know, there are three disciplines of magic that come from the Veil.
First, there are natural magics, which are best gripped with the aid of plants. The green second-skin is made from the leaf of the grampith tree.
Natural magics are very useful. They feed, they clothe, they help us interact with the world around us. We would not survive without them. Nature is dough and you shape it to your desires—if you are skilled enough. Mountains can be leveled and water can fall upwards. Nature’s secrets will whisk you away to another plane where you can realize the awe-inspiring connections we hold with the world around us.
Next, there are the mystical magics. The metal second-skin you see on the left was mined from beneath Grus’ pass and made from silver-palladium mixed by my own hand. A mystical sorcerer would use this second-skin. The mystical magics keep true to their namesake. Even I don’t fully understand all that can be accomplished with this, and I have been close to the Veil for a very long time. Those who excel at the mystical arts can reach into the deepest, darkest parts of the mind and cast dreams into reality. They can navigate the vast and powerful river of time. Reap gold out of metals like a glorious harvest. Harness fear, and ride on its back until it tires.
 And last… there is the second-skin made from the hide of Sectus remisican, the skull-wolf. This is a tool of power magics. These tools work best if taken forcibly. In Atlas Crown, we do not kill when we do not have to; however, in this particular case we had to. The power sect is a dangerous one, yet it brings with it the ability to forge oneself into the greatest ruler and purveyor of dominance. Authority is a given. Supremacy is taken. The true power sect is scarcely found here. Those who have chosen it, or rather have been chosen, usually take the road down another path, a false path that can only lead to death and misery. However, when applied for good, the power sect can be the most useful of them all. An iron body has no need for a suit. That is what the Veil is at Her heart. She is power. She holds possibilities so grand, we can never understand, only observe.
Now why don’t you try one on?

See the trailer:



Enter to win a $100 gift code at Amazon. Use the rafflecopter form below!

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Author Daniel A. Cohen
Daniel A. Cohen was just your average business student. Microeconomics, finance, marketing… you name it, he had to do a PowerPoint presentation on it. One dark and stormy night, he was bitten by the radioactive realization that memorizing business jargon could possibly be the most boring activity known to man. 

After gaining eagle-eye vision, abs that could grate cheese, and a talent for imagining things (including his cheese-grating abs), he wrote his first novel and began his epic battle against the formidable business jargon. He continues to fight the good fight by playing saxophone and writing YA fantasy, forever hoping his Veil trilogy will help inspire others to join his cause.



Use the links to find more info!


BLOG

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

AMAZON LINK

BN LINK

TWITTER 





Wednesday, May 23, 2012

"Fateful" is #FREE today and tomorrow!

Cheri Schmidt is offering her book "Fateful" free on Amazon kindle for two days.  May 23 & 24.  I have read it and highly reccommend it.  Get your copy today! :)  The links are available below.

US Link:



Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fateful/dp/B0...

Amazon Germany:
http://www.amazon.de/Fateful-Book-Ser...

Amazon Italy:
http://www.amazon.it/Fateful-Book-Ser...

Amazon Spain:
http://www.amazon.es/Fateful-Book-Ser...

Amazon France:
http://www.amazon.fr/Fateful-Book-Ser...

"Witch Song" is FREE for 4 days only on Kindle!

I loved "Witch Song"!  I read an ARC copy before it came out and I think you may like it too! (Crossing my fingers anyway.)  I just received an email from Amber Argyle, the author, saying that it is free for four days only. (The offer ends on the 27th)  Hurry and use the widget below to get your copy before it isn't free anymore! The next book "Witch Born" will be released soon.


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Review of "Sunset Point" by Robyn Carr

Sunrise Point (Virgin River, #19)Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance

Book description from GoodreadsTom Cavanaugh may think he wants a traditional woman, but in Virgin River, the greatest tradition is falling in love unexpectedly....

Former Marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.

Nothing like Nora Crane. So why can’t he keep his eyes off the striking single mother?

Nora may not have a formal education, but she graduated with honors from the school of hard knocks. She’s been through tough times and she’ll do whatever it takes to support her family, including helping with harvest time at the Cavanaugh’s orchard. She’s always kept a single-minded focus on staying afloat...but suddenly her thoughts keep drifting back to rugged, opinionated Tom Cavanaugh.

Both Nora and Tom have their own ideas of what family means. But they’re about to prove each other completely wrong...



My thoughts: I really enjoyed that the story has very imperfect people as the main characters. Nora is a single mother of two adorable children, she has never been married and is destitute. In desperation she applies for a job at an apple orchard.

Tom doesn't want to hire her. She is too cute and doesn't look cut out for the demanding rigors of apple picking. His wonderful grandmother hires her instead. Let me just say, that his grandmother was one of the main highlights of the story. She is so spunky and wise that I couldn't help not liking her.

The story deals with preconceived notions and how often they get in the way of life. Tom doesn't want to fall for Nora because of her past. He thinks he needs someone sophisticated and classy, not down on her luck and just an all around good person. They both need to come to terms with the concept of self-worth and what truly makes a person worthy.

There were a few scenes that left me puzzled and I wasn't sure how they fit in the story. This is book #19 in a series dedicated Virgin River setting.  I am wondering if they are set up for another book in the series?

I liked this story. It doesn't fall within the "clean romance" that I usually read. Toward the end they both release some of their inhibitions. I only recommend this book to adults.

The kindle edition of this book is only $3.99!