Blog Tour: Wild Iris Ridge by RaeAnne Thayne (Review)

Welcome to my stop on the Wild Iris Ridge blog tour! Be sure to check out the Tour Page at CBB Book Promotions for all the other stops.

Title: Wild Iris Ridge
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Series: Hope's Crossing, #7
Published: June 24, 2014 (Harlqeuin HQN)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Egalley provided by publisher as part of the book tour.

Summary: Lucy Drake and Brendan Caine have only one thing in common, and it's likely to tear them apart. Because it was Brendan's late wife, Jessie—and Lucy's best friend—who'd brought them together in the first place. And since Jesse's passing, Brendan's been distracted by his two little ones…and the memory of an explosive kiss with Lucy years before his marriage. Still, he'll steer clear of her. She's always been trouble with a capital T.

Lucy couldn't wait to shed her small-town roots for the big city. But now that she's back in Hope's Crossing to take care of the Queen Anne home her late aunt has left her, she figures seeing Brendan Caine again is no big deal. After all, she'd managed to resist the handsome fire chief once before, but clearly the embers of their attraction are still smoldering…

Even though I'd never read any of the Hope's Crossing books, I jumped at the chance to read this one. Why, you ask? Because of the story. I mentioned in a recent Lit Ladies video just how much I adore the storyline where a widower and his love interest are only connected by his late wife. It all started years ago with Sarah's Child, so I guess I'll blame Linda Howard. But I love stories that rip my heart out of my chest before providing the HEA, and this is obviously a storyline that can do that. However, interestingly enough, Wild Iris Ridge didn't capitalize on that too much. It had been two years since Jessie, Brendan's late wife, had passed, and though grief was obviously a factor, it was handled tastefully, and the book wasn't an angst-fest (like, say, Within Reach *clutches heart*), which I know a lot of readers will appreciate.

Having never read anything by RaeAnne Thayne before, I was definitely pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Wild Iris Ridge. I finished it in less than 24 hours. I would have finished it in one sitting, but I had to do the whole sleeping thing in order to do the whole work thing the next day. But I finished it at the next possible opportunity. The story unfolded at a leisurely pace, - though the I-love-you-HEA was a little rushed - but I couldn't put it down!

The hero, Brendan, was a fire chief with two small children, and the heroine, Lucy, was a marketing director who had just been fired from her job (basically as a scapegoat, since the fiasco wasn't her fault). She had temporarily returned to the mansion in Hope's Crossing she had inherited from her great aunt to turn it into a B&B, which had been a dream of her great aunt as well as Jessie, who had been her cousin and best friend. As she lived less than a block away from Brendan, they interacted frequently for a variety of reasons, and there was obvious chemistry between them from the start.

I liked both Brendan and Lucy! They were very different but compatible, once they got past their original dynamic where each thought the other didn't like them, leaving them in a perpetually awkward state. Also, Brendan's kids were absolutely adorable, and he had a large, messy, wonderful family as well. Clearly, you could open up a copy of Wild Iris Ridge alongside a list of my weaknesses and check them off one after the other.

My one real issue with this book stemmed from a tiny source, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine: a puppy. I'm not a dog person by any stretch of the imagination, but I've been around them enough to know that puppies are not magical, sparkling little balls of sunshine that miraculously cure all evils with which they come into contact. But that's what happened in this book. The energetic boy with no attention span settled down, the introverted bookworm became more outgoing, and the rebellious teenager suddenly became totally friendly and helpful with only a mild dose of sarcasm. I mean, seriously? No. Just no.

Beyond this, though, I didn't have any serious issues. I liked how the Career vs. Small Town dilemma was handled. I loved the family atmosphere and the characters. Plus, the hero had a brother who was totally geeky cute and pushed all my nerd girl buttons. I will definitely be on the lookout for his book! And in the meantime, I will probably investigate some of the earlier books in the series. If my feelings for this book are any indication, they will probably be a hit!

First:This was, without question, the craziest thing she had ever done.

---

Favorite:An object in constant motion eventually had to run out of steam. She didn’t know if that was an actual physics principle, but it definitely applied to five-year-old boys.

---

Teaser:Don’t make the mistake of thinking because a place is small, nothing of significance happens there. The smallest moments in a person’s life can be life-changing.

*All quotes from a review copy and may differ from the published version.

USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne loves words. This led her to a fifteen-year career in journalism as a newspaper reporter and editor. But through it all, she dreamed of writing the kind of stories she loved best, romance, and has since published more than 40 titles. RaeAnne finds inspiration in the rugged northern Utah mountains, where she lives with her hero of a husband and their children. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website, RaeAnneThayne.com.

Don't run away just yet, because now it's time for the giveaway! TWO WINNERS GET: 1 book from the Hope's Crossing series, 1 beaded HOPE bracelet, 1 Iris necklace (US/CA)

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(Blog Tour) Suddenly Last Summer by Sarah Morgan: Interview, Review, and Giveaway!

Title: Suddenly Last Summer
Author: Sarah Morgan
Series: O'Neil Brothers, #2
Published: June 24, 2014 (Harlequin)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital review copy provided as part of the blog tour. (Thanks!)

Summary: USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan introduces another irresistible O'Neil brother who's more tempting than dessert and twice as sinful!

Fiery French chef Élise Philippe is having a seriously bad day. Not only have the grand opening plans for her beloved café fallen apart, but Sean O'Neil is back in town and looking more delectable than ever. Memories of the electrifying night they shared last summer leave Élise very tempted, but she knows all too well that eventually Sean will be leaving…again.

Being back in Vermont—even temporarily—is surgeon Sean O'Neil's worst nightmare. Returning home to the Snow Crystal Resort means confronting the guilt he feels about rejecting his family's lifestyle years ago. But discovering that Élise is still in Vermont and still sets his blood racing is a very welcome distraction! Remembering last summer and how good they were together is going to make walking away more difficult than he could imagine….

I was so, so excited to take part in this tour! My introduction to Sarah Morgan was when I read the first book in this trilogy, Sleigh Bells in the Snow, in December, and I couldn't sing its praises highly enough. Obviously I was ecstatic to return to Snow Crystal and read Sean and Élise's story.

Sean and Élise had one previous smoking night together after which they'd never really interacted, and that was fine with them. It was refreshing to see both parties with a modern attitude about sex and what it entailed, and that it had actually worked for them. Had being the keyword there. But then circumstances changed. Sean came back for an extended period of time, and that just blew the plan out of the water. As two complete commitment-phobes, Sean and Élise weren't prepared for a full-out relationship, and for their own reasons, neither wanted one. Watching them fumbling their way into love and a relationship and all those wonderful things was by turns amusing and touching.

Now, I know I talk chemistry a lot, because that happens when you focus on romance novels and YA books with a strong romantic element. But you guys, Sean and Élise brought it to a whole new level! (And spoiler alert: There was outdoors!sex involved at some point. You're welcome.) They also delivered some hilariously awesome banter. Observe:

“You said you wanted a man to perform heroics. I was planning on finding something heroic to do on the walk.” He let go of her arm and adjusted his pace to match hers. “You might want to stick around. You’re about to see a tough, macho man of the forest in action.”

“Does a tough, macho man of the forest always choose to dress in a suit?”

“A bear tore my loincloth when we were wrestling.”

I also really liked both Sean and Élise individually. They were both damaged, ambitious, successful, and a host of other things. They were complicated. They were real. Sean had problems with his family. Élise had problems from her past. But I empathized with both of them even when I was frustrated (with Sean especially), and I could always understand their motivation.

I can't review an O'Neil book without mentioning the O'Neil-and-friends clan, because that's still one of my favorite elements about these books (as you will see in the interview below). The close-knit community feel continued in Suddenly Last Summer, and I loved every scene where the family interacted.

While it didn't quite top Sleigh Bells in the Snow as my thus-far favorite of the trilogy, Suddenly Last Summer definitely held its own! It was a beautiful story set against a breathtaking backdrop of Vermont in the summer, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Now, if only I could build a time machine and get my hands on Tyler and Brenna's story, I'd be a completely happy camper.

Now, it's time to learn more about the fabulous Sarah and this awesome book she's written! She has graciously stopped by for an interview.

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes hot, happy contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. She has been nominated three years in succession for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and has won the award twice, in 2012 and 2013. RT Book Reviews has called her 'a magician with words' and she has made numerous appearances in their 'Top Pick' slot. Sarah lives near London, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors, preferably on vacation so she can forget the house needs tidying. She loves chatting with readers by email and on Facebook and Twitter. More information can be found on her website.

Sharon: First of all, Snow Crystal has quickly jumped up onto my List of Top Fictional Places. Do you have a real-place inspiration, or is this magical mecca of snow and nature a creature of your imagination?

Sarah Morgan: It’s a mixture of real and fictional. I’ve always loved mountains, snow, lakes and forest and I took certain aspects of places I’ve travelled to, combined them and created Snow Crystal. One of the many benefits of being an author is that you are in charge of the setting. Although Snow Crystal itself isn’t real, certain elements are real. I like to think this place exists somewhere. If anyone finds it, please email me!

Sharon: I think my favorite thing about the O'Neil books is just that: The O'Neils. I love how much importance you place on family - and that family does not only mean those related to you by blood. Is this a dynamic you intended to explore with these books?

Sarah: I wanted to write about a close-knit family and the rest of it just happened. I’ve always been fascinated by how family impacts on a person, how it can produce both conflict and support. The dynamics within the close-knit O’Neil family certainly influences the choices of all three O’Neil Brothers. You know that the women they fall in love with will have a lifetime of big, noisy, possibly exasperating family gatherings ahead!

One of the great things about writing longer novels is having the opportunity to explore not just the close up relationship of the hero and heroine, but the interaction with other family members and friends. It’s about showing how they fit into the wider community. For me, that makes the story more real and part of the focus of each of these stories is showing the family welcoming new members.

Sharon: Élise, our heroine, is a French chef who can whip up anything from a madeline to an eight course dinner without batting an eye. Did you do any research on cooking or recipes for this book? If so, did you discover any new favorites?

Sarah:Writing this book made me so HUNGRY. Truly. Although Élise is French, I wanted her cooking to reflect the local area and the produce she’d be likely to favor, so I did plenty of research. As a result of that I now have at least four brand new cookery books from Vermont on my bookshelves. That is one area of research where my family was keen to take part!

Sharon: I must say that it was a delight watching two such startlingly resolute commitment-phobes as Sean and Élise fall for each other despite their best efforts. Their chemistry was smokin'! How did you write such an interesting dynamic?

Sarah:I loved the idea that Sean and Élise had spent one steamy night together but never taken it further. Both of them think they have their feelings under control but of course that belief has never been challenged because Sean’s work is in Boston and he has his own reasons for spending as little time as possible in Snow Crystal. The fun came in throwing them together so they no longer had distance as a protective barrier. I loved seeing their relationship develop and watching two very independent people gradually relinquishing some of that control.

Sharon: Thank you so much for stopping by today and answering my questions. It was a pleasure having you! (And may I say...I am so excited for Tyler and Brenna's book! October cannot come quickly enough, and not only because I'm already sick of weather over 85 degrees. ;) )

Sarah: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see Tyler and Brenna’s story, Maybe This Christmas, on the shelves too. This story has the same snowy, wintery feel as the first book, Sleigh Bells in the Snow, and an ending I’ve been dying to write ever since I started this series.

Now, don't go away quite yet! Last but definitely not least, we have a giveaway!

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Fortnight of Festivities 2013: Books for Everyone on Your List

Welcome to the second annual Fortnight of Festivities! Fourteen days of Christmas fun, books, movies, music, and a giveaway! First up, I wanted to do a gift-giving guide. I've seen several over the past couple years, and they're always so fun! So I decided to make one. I tried to cover lots of possibilities, from fathers to hipsters to Janeites. Enjoy!

Along Came a Spider by James Patterson
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Ulysses by James Joyce
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn

All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release by Philippe Margotin
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Pride and Prejudice (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions) by Jane Austen
Among the Janeites by Deborah Yaffe

George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution by Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Doctor Who: The Vault: Treasures from the First 50 Years by Marcus Hearn
The Hobbit: Deluxe Pocket Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean
Now, for the giveaway!

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I showed you what books I would treat myself to for Christmas, but what about you? What book would YOU choose to buy for yourself? Or, even better, what book would you like to win from the giveaway? Bonus question: Are there any difficult gift recipients you'd like to see on next year's list? Let me know!

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(Blog Tour) The Marquess of Cake by Heather Hiestand

Title: The Marquess of Cake
Author: Heather Hiestand
Series: Redcakes, #1
Published: July 4, 2013 (Kensington)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Format: Digital copy provided by Foreword Literary in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Scotch trifle fit for Queen Victoria, scones with clotted cream…Alys Redcake knows the way to a man’s heart. Yet she is unaware that with each morsel—and flash of ankle—she is seducing the handsome marquess frequenting her father’s tea shop. Unmarried at twenty-six, Alys’s first love is the family business. But thoughts of the gentleman’s touch are driving her to distraction…

With his weakness for sugar, the Marquess of Hatbrook can imagine no more desirable woman than one scented with cake and spice. Mistaking Alys for a mere waitress, he has no doubt she would make a most delicious mistress. And when he finds himself in need of an heir, he plans to make her his convenient bride. Yet as they satisfy their craving for one another, business and pleasure suddenly collide. Will Hatbrook’s passion for sweets—and for Alys—be his heart’s undoing?

There are few things in life I love more than a good historical romance, but baked goods rate right up there alongside those dashing cravat-induced swoons. So it's no surprise that Estelle thought of me when setting up the tour for Marquess of Cake.

I think the most interesting thing about this book might be that the hero, Michael, had hypoglycemia (or something along those lines, at least - I'm no medical professional). And as this was nineteenth century, the treatments were not known. He simply knew ways to self-medicate, including wholesome meals for longer stamina and sweets for a short-time high. But Michael loved sweets, something I could whole-heartedly identify with! Especially as Alys Redcake's sweets sounded divine.

Another thing I enjoyed about Marquess of Cake was that Michael and Alys were not victims of the all-powerful instalove. Although there was an immediate attraction, they first met when Alys waited on Michael's table in her family's bakery. They ran into each other a number of times after that, in various circumstances, some enjoyable, some not. While I would not say they had a slow burn relationship, I got to know the characters well before they truly acted on their attraction. And Alys was a character I truly enjoyed getting to know. She was not interested in marriage, preferring to pursue a career in business and baking. And she was always honest about this, from the very start. This was quite a change!

Surprisingly, there were quite a few more darker themes than I expected, since the title and cover seem to imply a lighter story. And while there was quite a bit of humor, it was balanced with real issues such as medical problems, death, family loyalty, and issues from Alys's past. But not to worry: it's a romance novel, so we still get our HEA!

I did have a few issues with Marquess of Cake. For one, the book seems to have a bit of an identity crisis, both looking and reading like a contemporary. And while this is not exactly bad, it was something that took a little getting used to. The plot did seem a little too contrived at times. The hero also had a couple moments of giant asshattery, which made it difficult for me to root for him.

I will say that I'm excited for the sequel, which comes out in December. It is about a character I was rather intrigued by, though we never really got to know him. I also hope that eventually, there will be a book about Alys's cousin, Lewis, too. He was one of my favorite side characters in Marquess of Cake. As a whole, while Marquess of Cake did have some flaws, it read quickly, and was sweet - in more ways than one, heh - and enjoyable!

Now, don't run off just yet! There is a giveaway! And be sure you check out the next stops on the tour:

November 08: Never Too Fond of Books
November 11: Zemfirka Blogs
November 12: The Reading Addict
November 13: Peace Love Books
November 14: Romantic Historical Lovers

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Blog Tour: Excerpt from Some Like It Spicy by Robbie Terman

Title: Some Like It Spicy
Author: Robbie Terman
Series: A Perfect Recipe, #1
Published: July 15, 2013 (Entangled: Edge)

Summary: Ashton Grey’s restaurant, Sweet Home, is in trouble. Months of empty tables have left her and her partners near bankruptcy, and her father’s prediction of her failure as a chef seems imminent. But a chance encounter could provide Ashton with the publicity she needs to save her restaurant—if the fiery chef is willing to compete on a reality cooking show. But in order to win, she needs to stay focused. No problem…until she meets the head judge.

Celebrity chef Ty Cates is ready to get away from the camera and back to the kitchen where he belongs. Performing as head judge on a reality show is just one more commitment he’d like to get out of, especially after he meets Ashton. Head judges dating contestants is about as taboo as putting ketchup on filet mignon, but from the moment they meet, there’s a simmering heat between them that neither can ignore.

As the competition heats up, they rely on sneaking around, stealing amazing night after amazing night together when the cameras aren’t rolling. When both realize what’s starting to feel like love could easily be a recipe for disaster, Ashton and Ty need to make a choice—get out of the kitchen or turn up the heat.

Today, we have an excerpt from Some Like It Spicy by Robbie Terman! As a self-proclaimed Chopped addict, I knew I needed to read this book - a romance set on a cooking reality show - as soon as I heard about it. So, obviously, I agreed to be part of the blog tour. Enjoy this little sneak peak! And don't miss the giveaway below!

It was well past ten when Ashton finally left the studio. Everyone had been exhausted, and as each chef had finished his or her interviews, first from Sally, and then by the police, they'd headed back to the brownstone.

Ashton had been the unlucky last person up, so she was the last to leave. Sally offered to have the van drop her back at the brownstone, but Ashton declined. The temperature outside was a lovely seventy-eight degrees, and she'd been stuck indoors all day.

She had just stepped onto the sidewalk when she heard her name called. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Ty jogging to her. "You're not walking home by yourself, are you?" he asked.

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|Review| The Program by Suzanne Young + Giveaway

Title: The Program

Author: Suzanne Young (Website | Twitter) 

Series: Program #1

Published April 30th 2013 by Simon Pulse

Genre: dystopian YA 
Rating: B-

Goodreads summary: 

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program. 
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

I've waited for The Program for a long long time now and I'm glad to say it did not disappoint! The book is split into 3 parts and the book got better as I further went into the book. I had my doubts during part 1 because it was full of cheesy "I'll save you" romance but I didn't mind it when I realized that it did play a part in the book and it was toned down later on. From the beginning, I was invested with the characters and yup, I had feels.

The dust jacket of The Program. The title on the front & on the spine in the final copy is white though.

The Program, both the book and the actual program, is well, scary. Imagine having your memories stripped away from you? Your past, lost? and all of this is LEGAL. Heck, your parents make you go thru this! Creepy. Some parts made me feel violated. I just wanted to hug my brain and my memories because what are we without those memories? This line really stuck with me and it sums the problem The Program creates:

He sounds frustrated, and I realize that he has the same conflicting feelings that I do. Emotions that are there, but without cause. Feelings that aren't attached to memories and therefore meaningless.

That's why I really enjoyed The Program. I haven't read many dystopian books but in my mind, I imagined The Program set in the future and everything is in lock down and the government doesn't allow anything and etc. but I was surprised when I realized that The Program is set in a world just like today's. Everything is the same except the Program exists. Which makes this book even more believable. This really could happen! Grieving parents would allow such a program to exist if it means their children could be happy and safe from themselves. However, I don't want to get to into that because the suicide issue isn't discussed thoroughly which was fine by me because this isn't an ISSUE book but I do believe it will be further explored.

This is how the book looks like without the dust jacket. I love it!

I was definitely rooting for the characters, they were trying their best, doing stupid things in the process but really trying to make the best out of living in a really harsh world for teenagers. Sloane is a great main character and I just wanted to jump into the book to protect her. She was a normal teenage girl but the Program makes hard for teens to be carefree. James is Sloane's boyfriend and I did like him. I do want to see more depth to him in the next book though. I also loved Realm, a boy Sloane meets while she's in the Program, but I fear Suzanne Young will go in a bad direction with him. I never got the vibe that he a was part of a love triangle (neither did Sloane, for that matter!) but some people have apparently been feeling that way. I want to see even more from him and I hope his character is even explored further. Plus, I wanted Sloane to start treating him right! He does everything to help her but Sloane doesn't get it. But oh how I liked-and-hated that. On one hand, it happens, on another, Sloane! Be smart!!!

Usually with dystopian and paranormal books, I get caught up with wanting more building and explanations and that distracts me from the story but since The Program is set in world like today's, for once I wasn't asking a million questions. But I definitely how questions that I hope will be answered sometime in the series otherwise I'll be really cheated. I also did want to see more personality from Sloane's parents. But this is a problem I have with most YA parents. They're usually cardboard cut out zombies. Bleh.

The Program had a cool twist that I didn't see coming but really enjoyed and I definitely can't wait for the next book since the end was GREAT. It wasn't a cliffhanger per se but it did leave me wanting the second book immdeiatly.

Rating: [B-] A good start to a series. I'll be waiting for the sequel!

First:

The air in the room tastes sterile.

Favorite:

"I'm just saying," James adds, walking back over to the couch and dropping down next to me. "If I didn't have this one"––he hikes his thumb at me––"I might be your new stepdad."

Teaser:

They're always watching. Never forget that.

Giveaway time! Thanks to the publisher, I'll be offering 2 finished, hardcover copies of 
The Program and this is U.S. only. Good luck! This is a book you want to read.

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Encore fun! Jamie @The Perpetual Page Turner has this AWESOME post about the The Program themed book club meeting she had. It's fun and true to the book. Plus she also has a giveaway!

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Giveaway: Running On Empty L.B. Simmons

Title: Running On Empty

Author: L.B. Simmons
Release date: Jan. 9, 2013
Age group + genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Buy book: Amazon | B&N
Goodreads summary:

I had the perfect life.

Beautiful and loving husband.
Three gorgeous little girls.
Successful career.
The only thing missing was the white picket fence. I really wanted that fence.

Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I’ve made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that’s all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse.

But then he came back into my life. On a freakin’ motorcycle.
There’s no way I’ll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way.

The question is…

How long can I keep pretending that I’m happy with my life being right-side up?

Racquel's thoughts:
I love the summary and cover of this adult contemporary romance so I was more than happy to join this event! I really can't wait to read it!

About the Author:
L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.
Find the author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter 

About Running on Empty:
I’m the mother of three adorable little girls. That’s where it all really started. I have so many ridiculous stories about these children…they make me laugh continuously. Never a dull moment. I’m constantly at the office telling stories about them and laughing. It was suggested to me that I should write them down. So I did. And when I did, I found myself writing a beautiful love story.
The situations that Alex finds herself in as a result of her children, yeah, they happened to me. First scene of the book…happened to me. Actually, almost everything in the first chapter happened to me. Pretty much everything in the book that revolves around the children is true. Whether it be their personalities, their actions, the conversations…all true. I love my girls more than anything. And I really wanted them to have a piece of their childhood to remember. So I wrote the book really for them and I figure if I have readers that enjoy the story, then that’s just a big cherry on top of everything else.

Running on Empty is not a true story. But it is what I would like to see happen for a woman who had the perfect life, but suddenly finds herself in a position of being a single mother. To me, it’s a story of learning to accept loss and let go of the fears that stand in the way of true happiness. I hope all readers can take something away from this story and that they love it as much as I do.
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Bout of Books Challenge: Scientific Discovery

Welcome to the first challenge of the #boutofbooks read-a-thon! We hope your first day of the read-a-thon is going splendidly so far and we're glad you dropped by. Enjoy our challenge, have fun, and good luck :D

You have made a scientific discovery (who knew you were so good at science?!) on how to bring fictional characters to life. The problem? The method still isn't *perfect,* so you can only bring two people to life, and they must return to the land of fiction in 30 days. Who will you choose as your bestie and your love interest for that one splendid month? (Feel free to add pictures if you like, but they are not required.)

Sharon's Answers:

Best Friend: Kristy Palmetto from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. I love Kristy! She's one of my favorite characters from The Truth About Forever (and I love pretty much EVERYONE in that book). She's just so genuine and straightforward and fun. We could totally be BFFs. I think we would have a blast but still be able to have deep and meaningful conversations. And when we're feeling more shallow, we could totally sa-woon over boys and then chat about our mutual love of romance novels. Hanging out with her for 30 days would be fantastic!

Boyfriend: Jamie Fraser from Outlander. This was SO HARD. There were so, so many possibilities to sort through. But when I really thought about it, I decided I probably wouldn't actually want to spend a month making out with a vampire or hanging out with a 38-year-old overprotective über-alpha male. Plus, I promised all our answers wouldn't be YA. So, that helped narrow it down. Ultimately, I decided on Jamie because I just absolutely loved him when I read Outlander last year. He's closer to my age than a lot of romance heroes, and he is just so sweet and strong and wonderful. Plus, I find it an amusing prospect for him to be the one with time-travel culture shock.

Racquel's Answers:

Friend- Chloe from Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell 
Chloe is a girl full of heart, she's fun and most importantly she's CONFIDENT. If I have 30 days with a character, I'm not going to pick someone who doesn't want to do anything and will spend most of the time sulking because they 1000 problems and while Chloe does have problems, she always looks at the bright side and I couldn't love her more because of this. (more YA characters with a backbone, please! and I don't mean in backbone in the "I'm gonna save the world" sense but in the "realistic and contemporary" sense! They do exist, ya know?)

Boyfriend- Beckett Rush from There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

It was hard to pick a boyfriend because A) There are A LOT of guys to choose from B) I have a definite list and I don't want to be cliche and mention a guy that I've mentioned a million times before-- Hardy Cates, Alex Fuentes, Owen Armstrong (sorry Sharon, he's better than Wes by .001)-- so I went with a relatively not old book and underdog jem that's sadly not appreciated enough. Beckett Rush is a "teen heartthrob" superstar, the teen version of Ian Somerhalder/Damon Salvatore. But he's sooooooo down to earth and has a heart the size of Texas. Beckett is a genuinely good person and makes me hug my Kindle every time I reread this book.

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So who are your picks? Leave a comment below with your answers or a link to your answers! And make sure to enter in the Rafflecopter for a chance to win your choice of one of the four books we mentioned!

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The Book Barbies' Fortnight of Christmas Festivities

Christmas is Sharon's favorite holiday by far. As this is her first Christmas with a blog, there was no way it was going to pass without a huge bash and giveaway. The Book Barbies' Fortnight of Festivities is a fourteen-day long (December 11-25) celebration during which Christmas-themed reviews, lists, features, and a giveaway will overtake the blog. Excited yet? Well, you should be! I mean, we used the term fortnight in the title. You know it's going to be awesome.

As Lisa Kleypas is a favorite of both the Barbies (as you have probably noticed), she was the logical choice for the penultimate giveaway. This is also a good choice because it will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Even if you don't like reading Christmas-themed books, you very well might still enjoy this one. Christmas is not nearly as heavily featured as the title implies, although it is obviously still there. Overall, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor is a cute and feel-good book that will undoubtedly make you smile.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas (Also known as Christmas with Holly, due to the Hallmark movie that just aired based off of it.)

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY
One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC…
Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home…

Even if you don't want to enter in the giveaway, feel free to participate in the festivities. The more, the merrier! If you do want to enter, though, you can do so below. Giveaway is international!

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Down To You by M. Leighton Promo + Giveaway!

Title: Down to You
Author: M. Leighton
Published: September 23rd 2012
Genre: ADULT contemporary
Goodreads summary:

The scorching tale of one girl, two brothers and a love triangle…that’s not.

Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white.

But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport. They’re brothers. Twins.

Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her.

Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together.

Black and white turns to shades of gray when Olivia discovers the boys are hiding something, something that should make her run as far and as fast as she can. But it’s too late to run. Olivia’s already involved. And in love. With both of them.

Both brothers make her heart tremble. Both brothers set her body on fire.

She wants them both.

And they want her.

How will she ever choose between them? 

Racquel's thoughts:

I NEED TO READ M. LEIGHTON'S BOOKS!!! I NEED TOO!! She keeps coming out with these awesome, hawt looking books and I still haven't read any thing of hers. WHY?

Excerpt:

“I like to use all my senses to get a good lay of the land.” 

“Lay of the land?” she asks, the corners of her mouth dimpling.

“Of course,” I reply. “So I can plan my attack.”

“Do tell.”

“First I start with touch.” I reach out and brush one dimple with my fingertip then slowly drag it inward, across her pouty bottom lip. “Touch is invaluable. The texture of the terrain tells me how…aggressive my attack needs to be. Some places require a much more delicate approach than others.”

“I see,” she says softly, her warm breath tickling my finger. “What else?”

“Smell,” I say, sliding my hand into her hair to hold it back as I bury my face in the lightly scented skin of her neck. “A certain scent can tell me if I’m heading in the right direction. Something sweet. Something…musky,” I murmur.

I hear her gasp when I gently bite the flesh beneath her ear. “And hearing,” I whisper. “Sometimes the softest sounds, even a moan can tell me a great deal about how close I am to my attaining my goal.”

I feel her hands latch onto my forearms. Her fingernails are biting into my skin through my shirt. All I can think about is how I want to feel them on the skin of my back instead.

Her breath is coming fast and shallow in my ear. “What else?” she pants.

I lean back and look down into her face. Her lids are heavy over her dazzling eyes and her cheeks are flushed with everything that’s happening between us. She doesn’t want to stop either. There’s no doubt in my mind.

“Taste.”

Her eyes flicker to my mouth and back again. “And what do you taste?”

“Everything. I want to taste everything.”
_______________________________________________________
Find the author: Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Buy the book: Amazon | B&N 

Now onto the giveaway, ONE lucky person will win an e-copy of The Wild Ones (NOT Down to You!) by M. Leighton. Good luck!!

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