Minding Spot

Thursday, October 6, 2011

This Devil's Dice by Jackson Spence

Olivia works as a hostess at a restaurant owned by Vladimar Medvedkov, a powerful man who craves more. When her boss calls her boyfriend Ethan for a meeting, Olivia is excited. She believes only good things will happen with the Baron involved and wants Ethan to impress him.

Ethan is a scientist who has been working in his lab for years on human genetics. What he believes is possible he cannot prove. He doesn't have the finances to put his theories into practice. However, Vladimar offers him his dream and more.

Olivia is thrilled that her boss and Ethan are working together, even though she isn't sure what it's about. She's confident she will find out though, she and Ethan are very close. When Ethan has a stroke, though, things change between them. She isn't the Olivia he fell in love with and is an imposter - he begins to hate her.

When there are some weird murders in the area, Ethan's life becomes endangered. He just wants to find his one true love, Olivia, but will he find her in time? Ethan has no idea that it is brilliant science that is linked to the murders, and he will be an accessory, along with his Professor and the Baron. But if he can't find Olivia, what will it matter?

The Devil's Dice is a compelling, clever and thrilling novel that will keep you on your toes. There are essentially two main storylines that weave together in and out. The characters are impeccably developed and the dialogue is very sharp and clever. The problem I had with this novel is that I wasn't sure what was going on until I was over a hundred pages in. I kept with it because the writing really caught my attention, but I think I would have liked a bit more character backstory so I knew what I could anticipate. That said, I loved the last half of the novel and at that point, the beginning began to take shape in my mind and the puzzle pieces fell into place. I will definitely be looking for future works from this author team Michelle Jackson & Stuart Spence.

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/This-Devils-Dice/132200856876722

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/iamjacksonspence

And occasionally a twit if you are too: @jackson_spence

Interview with Author Inara Scott and Giveaway of Radiant Desire!

Thanks so much Inara for visiting today!
Thank you for having me!

Please tell us a little bit about your book, Radiant Desire.

Because I'm not very good at summaries, I hope you don't mind if I give you the back cover blurb. It's pretty awesome:

The object of every man's fantasy just lost her wings

Kaia Verde is one of the four Faerie Handmaids of Zafira, Queen of the Fey. To redress an ancient wrong done to Zafira by a human king, the Handmaids make sport of mortal men, seducing and humiliating them. When Kaia sets out to seduce Garrett Jameson, but ends up being the one surrendering to pleasure, Zafira is furious. Kaia's punishment is simple: make Garrett fall in love with her by the summer solstice, then break his heart, or face eternity without her wingsor her soul. To make the task harder, Zafira tells Kaia she cannot use her faerie magic or charm to lure Garrett into her bed.
and now she's losing her heart.

Kaia thinks her task will be relatively easyas a faerie, she understands lust, and can love be much different? But once she is living among the humans, Kaia discovers the race she once disparaged is far more complex and beautiful than she imagined. She learns before she can break Garrett's heart, she must find a way to heal it. And eventually, discovers that losing her wings may be a far easier price to pay than losing her heart.

How long did it take you to write it?

About 6-8 months. I always have a few projects going on at the same time, so it's hard to say for sure. But that's pretty standard for me.

Is there anything about Kaia and Garrett that only you know? Can you share anything with us?

Oh my. Well, I guess I can say that what happens between the covers of the book is NOTHING compared to the stuff they do when no one's watching. *blush*

If you could see Radiant Desire on the big screen, who would you like to see play Kaia and Garrett?

You know, I'm pretty dreadful at this game because I don't get out to see movies very often, but I'll give it a shot. Kaia would have to be some really extraordinary beauty, who somehow manages to feel real. I'm going to say Scarlett Johansson. And for Garrett, it would have to be Ryan Reynolds. I adore him.

What books are you currently reading?

Oh, so many! I always have about 6-8 in various stages of reading. They range from vaguely embarrassing (Buddha, by Deepak Chopra) to pretentious (Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate About the Nature of Reality, by Manjit Kumar), to sexy (The Perfect Mistress, Victoria Alexander) all out fun (The Emerald Atlas, John Stephens). But my most active books are a couple of YA manuscripts I'm reading for blurbs for the authors. I love getting sneak peaks at novels that won't be out for another year!

Are you currently working on another novel? If so, can you tell us anything about it?

I'm working on Book 2 of the Handmaid Seduction series, which is Mina's story. All I can say right now is that Mina's going to have quite a challenge ahead of her!

For those struggling to write that first book, do you have any words of wisdom to share?

You do have the time. You think you don't, but you can always find twenty minutes before bed to write 100 words. Just start with 100. Little by little, you'll end up with a book.

Thanks so much Inara!

Buy Radiant Desire at Barnes & Noble

Buy Radiant Desire at Amazon

ABOUT INARA SCOTT

Inara Scott grew up in the winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, she spent much of

her childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world her whining, she fled the cold

climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW. She loves it there — they get occasional

snow, tons of rain in the winter, and lots of sun in the summer. The forests are huge, and the old Douglas Fir trees and thick ferns make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. She would be surprised if there weren’t fairies and elves living there. Seriously. She loves to hike, canoe, and play outside. She is addicted to yoga. She has a deep affinity for water (she used to believe she could learn to breathe underwater, if she stayed down there long enough).

Inara is a geek through and through. She fears deep, intellectual books and loves romance and

fantasies. She listens to cheesy, happy music. When she was in high school, her friends considered having a clothing intervention for her because she insisted on making her ownclothes and shopping at thrift stores. Somehow, she survived.

GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will win an ebook of Radiant Desire!

INTERNATIONAL

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Smiley Cookie Product Review

My family loves cookies even though I don't make them very often. When my kids were little though, we had a blast making and decorating cookies together. It was quality family time that we will always cherish. Now, getting them to smile fills me with joy and Smiley Cookies do just that. This time of year, well anytime really, but October is filled with yummy things to eat, like Halloween cookies!

These aren't small cookies - they are very generously sized and taste divine! I was worried they would be too sweet with the icing, but they aren't. The faces are bright and colorful and you can really tell that they care about what they make by the details in the icing. That is alot of patience!

Smiley Cookies are also a great party snack. Or if you're going to a halloween party, why not present the hostess with a lovely Halloween Gift Basket? Whether it is halloween or any occasion, you won't go wrong with Smiley Cookies!!

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

Like Smiley Cookie on Facebook and you automatically will receive 20% Off!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Primacy Winner

Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Thanks to the sponsor!

Jessica - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Rafflecopter Giveaway Hop!

Everyone is invited for our new exciting Rafflecopter Giveaway Hop each week. MindingSpot and Tracers Coupon Affair have teamed up to bring you a weekly hop to link up your rafflecopter giveaways. So if you have a giveaway and you are using Rafflecopter for it link up your giveaway below. Feel free to add our button to your site to help spread the word so others can join in!

This Bird Flew Away Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest! It really is an excellent book, so if you get the chance, pick it up! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

Nikki @ For the Love of Books - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

Radiant Desire, A Handmaid’s Seduction, Book One by Inara Scott

Kaia is a faerie handmaid, a light faery of grace and light. Given a command by Queen Zafira to seduce mortal Garrett James, capture his heart and then leave him wanting, Kaia makes haste to accomplish her task. Such an ordinary task that should be easy to complete, it astounds Kaia when she still hasn’t completed it after a few days.

Garrett is immune to her beauty or he just doesn’t like her. Actually, she looks so beautiful, Garrett assumes she’s a prostitute or out to get what she can. He has no patience for anyone like that. However, something about Kaia draws him and the two begin a flirty romance.

Garrett questions everything and Kaia tries to spin her tales to appease him but it doesn’t take long before Garrett doesn’t believe her. Even though he cares for her and she cares him, he isn’t looking for a long relationship and he can’t abide liars. She loves him but with a broken heart, she leaves him. She knows she has failed her task for the queen and will be punished by either losing her wings or her soul.

Garrett realizes his loss after she is gone and spends much time looking for Kaia but to no avail. When he finds her through a fairy ring, he confesses his true love but will it be enough? When the Queen shows up at their reconciliation, will she let them go or will she banish them away forever and apart?

Radiant Desire is a compelling and lively romance with supernatural elements of the fae. With great dialogue, unique and delightful characters and an entertaining and clever plot, Inara Scott pens a remarkable tale about the power of love. I loved it! Don’t miss this one!!

Inara will be here on the 6th for an interview and giveaway! Make sure to stop in!!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon

Tea is your normal teenager, but unlike most teens, her chores include riding lessons and going to tournaments for jumping. She adores her horse Blaze and loves to show off when she is riding him. However, Tea is stubborn, rebellious and not afraid to speak her mind. These antics get her into hot water with her step-dad Dec quite a bit. Her brother, Seth, and she get along very well and are very close, especially with the death of their mother.
When Dec's nephew comes to visit, Tea and Seth don't really know him so they welcome him back with open arms. Jaden is a polo player who is well-known but he has decided to take a break from the tournaments and go to law school. What Tea doesn't count on is Jaden telling Dec on her when she gets caught exercising horses for a race track. Her punishment is severe and she decides she hates Jaden.

But over time, she forgives him and they are getting along amicably when her life is turned upside down. An accident costs Tea her pride and joy and she sinks into a depressed state. With help from Jaden and her friends, she begins to live her life again, but decides she really is crushing on Jaden. She knows she can't act upon it- he's her cousin. But trying to keep her emotions to herself is a day's work in itself, especially when he begins to teach her Polo.

When he catches her at a party with drugs, he goes ballistic. They try again to keep their emotions intact but their desire for one another is too strong to ignore. However, their actions have consequences. They may not be related by blood, but they are still family and the guilt the two suffer is almost enough to tear them apart.

Blaze of Glory is a wonderful young adult romance with horses, teen angst, drama, and more. I really enjoyed Tea and Jaden's characters but thought the relationship between Tea and Seth was too perfect. Brothers and sisters do not get along that well, in my opinion. The romance is light, but there is one sexual encounter that is not vanilla. I found myself caught up in Tea's world, the horses and her friends and was completely engrossed. A well-written and enthralling novel - I can't wait to see what rising star M. Garzon has in store next!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fair Wind to Bahia, Darmon Mysteries, Book Four by Thomas Thorpe Review & Giveaway

William and Elizabeth received news that their uncle had died, they decided to go to Brazil and help save the coffee farm. The bank was about to foreclose on their manor and they weren't sure what else to do. Elizabeth's sister Victoria and her husband decide to tag-along and have a grand vacation at Rio de Janeiro. On their journey though, most of the passengers and crew come down with Cholera, a deadly disease. After a brutal journey, they approach land but are turned away because of the Cholera. Eventually, they are stopped by pirates and their boat sunk. They wash up ashore on a Brazilian beach.

However, William looks far and wide for his wife and his companions and fortunately finds Charles. Charles informs William that the women have been taken. Looking for help, they come upon a plantation but after drinking something the owner gave them, they pass out. When William comes to, he finds the owner dead, with William's own knife in his back. He knows they need help desperately, and it comes but not without a price.

The young prince, Dom Pedro II, has acquired the dreaded Cholera. Although many would like the eight year old dead, many would like him to live. To grant William immunity for the death of the plantation owner, he and his family will have to succumb to medical testing and see if any of their blood carries immunity for Cholera. If it does, they will try and transfuse the prince to save him. But there are risks, namely being that they could come down with the deadly disease.

But only one has the immunity and he will have to choose between his life, his wife’s and the prince. But there are landowners, Indians and escaped slaves who would rather see the prince dead and conspire to assassinate him, and will bring down the State of Bahia. Anyone who stands in their way is just a nuisance easily dismantled.

Fair Wind to Bahia is the fourth in a mystery series about a couple from Kent who solve international crimes. This is the first book in the series I have read, but I was pleasantly surprised that it read as a stand-alone. I did not feel I was missing much backstory as the author filled everything in wonderfully. A passionate, fascinating story packed with action, history and suspense! I really enjoyed it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas Thorpe was the Project Manager of NASA's highly successful Mars Global Surveyor Mission- a spacecraft that orbited Mars for nine years, returning two hundred thousand images of the planet and relaying pictures from the Mars Rovers. Mr. Thorpe has published six historical mystery thrillers of the Darmon Mystery series about a couple from Kent that solves international crimes during the 1830's. These novels include: Message of the Pendant, The Fourth Contention, Patriote Peril, Fair Wind to Bahia, Desperate Crossing and Without Redemption.

http://www.thomasthorpe.com/

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win their own copy of Fair Wind to Bahia!

MANDATORY ENTRY

Friday, September 30, 2011

Goddess of Vengeance Winner

Thanks so much to the sponsor for this contest! If you didn't win, there is still a chance to win the audiobook! Check the right side of this blog for the link to enter! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected.

flychild7 - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

Flushy, Trashy and Sinky Product Review & Giveaway

I love the smell of clean and there is nothing worse than knowing you just scoured, scrubbed and elbow greased something and an hour later it doesn't smell clean anymore. It's like mopping the floor and ten minutes later the kids come running in from outside and all of your hard work is kaput. Natural House is a probiotic revolutionary way of cleaning your home. I'm absolutely in love with their products and I'll tell you why. They are plant-based, non-toxic, biodegradable and eco-friendly. But what I love about this product the most is that it keeps working for you, even after you are finished! It works for a week, until you clean it again! How awesome is that?

SINKY -

You just toss a packet in the sink and run water for a few seconds. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the packet break open and seeing all of the foam, the probiotics going to work immediately. I feel better knowing that it's cleaning my sink and my drains and pipes, breaking down all the yuck stuff.

FLUSHY -

Toss a packet in the bowl and watch the probiotics get to work. Foaming and bright blue, just a swish or two of the brush and flush and your bowl is sparkling clean! We have hard water so I was worried it would have trouble with lime and hard water deposits, but it was no contest for Flushy. Again, it will continue to work for a week, eating waste and whatnot in your pipes and septic system.

TRASHY -

This one is probably my favorite. There is no fun foam but I noticed this one the best. You just spray in your garbage cans, let sit a moment and wipe out. No odors! It continues to work until your next treatment. I've used it in all of our garbage cans in the house, but I've also used it in our outdoor ones. There's nothing worse than raccoons trying to gain access to a garbage can, and if they do, the messes are ugly and frustrating. Since I've been using this, I've not seen a coon yet, and living near the woods, we see them all the time!

If you want your cleaners to work FOR YOU, then you will definitely want to give Natural House a try. Fabulous products that will save you time, money and your sense of smell.

WHERE TO BUY You can also Purchase Natural House on Amazon

You can Purchase Natural House at their website

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win a 30 day supply of Sinky, Flushy & Trashy!

Fill out the Rafflecopter Widget to enter!

His Country Girl Winners

Thanks to the Harlequin Ambassador program for sponsoring this giveaway! Winners have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected.

Raven in a Blue Room - CONFIRMED

Diane52 - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!!

Wolf at the Door by MaryJanice Davidson

Rachael Velvela, accountant and werewolf, can't deny her cousin Michael, leader of the Wyndam Pack, when he wants a favor. The last werewolf that Michael sent to Minnesota to keep an eye on the vampire queen, Betsy, ended up dead within two years. He is hoping Rachael has better success.

Rachael isn't thrilled about moving from Cape Cod to St. Paul, but Michael assures her that he will take care of everything. When she arrives, she meets with another wolf who works at the Chamber of Commerce. She's given a list of potential clients and shown where she will live. She loves her apartment and begins to settle in.

Edward is a geek. He lives with a vampire and a vampire slayer but is afraid that if he leaves, they won't welcome him back, so he never leaves. But eventually, he realizes that he can't let his fear control him, so he leaves on a mission. A newsletter has arrived from the vampire queen Betsy and he is shocked that a vampire would be so obvious. He wants to check it out and if it pans out, he'll call the slayer in to take care of it.

When Edward bumps into Rachael at a bookstore, there is an instant connection. The two begin a whirlwind passionate fling and things are going well until Edward spies Rachael entering the vampire mansion. He confronts her about it and the fur flies, literally. When a series of murders occur, people listed on Rachael's client list, Rachael and Betsy both know something is fishy. Someone is trying to cause a rift between the vampires and the Pack, and they all put their heads together to try and sort it out. Someone isn't telling the truth, but who and why?

WOLF AT THE DOOR occurs after UNDEAD AND UNDERDMINED, BETSY TAYLOR and is a fun-filled romp of romance, murder and mayhem that only MaryJanice Davidson can write. Betsy and Sinclair are dealing with a pregnant Jessica and zombie Marc, Edward is confused and geeky cute, Rachael is trying to do the right thing even though her libido is telling her something else and the bodies just pile up but no one knows quite why. Brimming with spicy love scenes, hilarious smoothie moments, witty dialogue and memorable characters, WOLF AT THE DOOR is a wonderful addition to the Wyndam Werewolves and the Betsy Taylor series. I was thoroughly entertained!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Walking Marina by D. R. Hildebrand

Daniel 'Danny' Ward had a rough childhood and then went to work at the steel mills in Gary, Indiana. He had dreams of a bigger life but his path was unclear. So he went to work every day and brought home a paycheck not fit for a king but enough to live off of. One morning on the way to work, he hears a radio advertisement about model try-outs. Danny figures it couldn't hurt and cleans himself up and heads to the hotel where the head hunters are. He is one of a handful left standing and given an Edge Modeling contract.

He moves to New York, completely out of his element and moves in with other male models. He gets some shots done for his portfolio and waits for a client to book him. After a few weeks go by, he begins to get desperate for cash. He asks fellow model Remmy for some job prospects and learns how to bartend over a weekend at a party for Remmy, leading up to a job at a bar. He manages to make some money, while still waiting for a client to book him at the modeling agency. But, when a customer gets a bit personal with him, Danny punches him and loses his job.

Remmy comes through again and offers Danny a job for a wealthy client, Walking Marina. Every morning, Danny enters the lobby and waits for Marina and they walk. After their walk, she gives him an envelope. Marina chatters a lot and is very demanding. Danny finally gets a call from a client and is disappointed in what models really make for such a grueling day, but he doesn't give in so easily.

But Marina is demanding and she pays too well for Danny to quit. He even gets a call for a model job, but Marina doubles his pay if he comes to her instead. He doesn't think of the future, just the present. His modeling days are almost over before they started and he and Marina aren't agreeing on almost anything. He has learned a lot from her but he hasn't learned to stand up for himself. Will he find the strength and look into his heart to make the right decisions for his future?

Walking Marina is an in-depth look into the world of modeling. The character development is wonderful and dynamic. Danny's character really grows within the pages, from a small-town boy to a grown up in the city. He learns about different walks of life but also learns more about who he is. Entertaining, compelling and delicious, Walking Marina is an enthralling read!

http://www.drhildebrand.com/

The trailer is also right here on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xeGGwlCdTw

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Peaceful Housewife Winner - Redraw

One of the winner's hasn't responded, so I have drawn another winner. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected.

Alina - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

Spooky Buddies Winner!

Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

Beth Elderton - CONFIRMED*

Congratulations!!

Guest Post: Speed Dating in a haunted hotel + $10 GC Giveaway!

Speed Dating in a Haunted Hotel

By Scott Nicholson

www.hauntedcomputer.com

To enter for a $10 gift card, simply visit the page for Speed Dating with the Dead at Amazon or BN.com and hit Facebook “Like” to share with your friends, then enter your contact info below!

I’ve done much more ghost story collecting than I have ghost collecting, but my interest in spirituality naturally leads to afterlife curiosity. One of the recurring themes in my work is the exploration of the Big Question: Why are we here and what happens when we die?

I don’t really expect to bump into Aunt Mildred’s ghost and she will spill all the secrets of the universe over a cup of tea, but I do think the belief in ghosts is a fascinating social, philosophical, and psychological matter. Whether you don’t believe in anything and think we are here to consume candy and die, or whether you spend most of your day in prayer and meditation, you are probably as close to the “answer” as anyone else.

And people from all walks believe–and don’t believe–in ghosts. Some skeptics can be changed with one bizarre incident or encounter, while some curious folks can search for evidence of the afterlife for years before concluding there’s nothing out there.

As a newspaper reporter, I went on a ghost hunt at a local hotel with a group of paranormal investigators. While the old hotel was big and spooky, I was most fascinated by the personalities of the hunters, their expectations and their reactions to phenomena that I chalked up to the usual stuff of old hotels–cool drafts, distant elevator noises, and squeaky floors.

A year later, I hosted a paranormal conference at the hotel, gathering information that I used in Speed Dating with the Dead, when a paranormal conference goes haywire. In the novel, I had to accidentally invoke some demons, because “real” ghost hunting is incredibly dull. You sit in the dark all night with lots of equipment, and then spend several weeks poring through audio and video files to get a few seconds of suggestive information.

I’ve gone on several other hunts since, and even hosted another conference, and I still collect ghost stories, but I stopped short of investing in lots of gear. I do think there is potential for devices that correlate many different kinds of data, measuring time, temperature, and location with various other data (similar to the Multiple Anomaly Coordinator, or MAC Attack, the team uses in the book).

But even if you line up a bunch of coordinates and statistics and say, “This is a ghost,” what exactly have you proven? You still haven’t answered the Big Question.

The hunt continues.

Scott Nicholson is author of Speed Dating with the Dead, The Skull Ring, and 10 other novels, five story collections, four comics series, and six screenplays. A journalist and freelance editor in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, he often uses local legends in his work.

Ionshaker by Felix Timothy

A woman is murdered while her husband is at work. The police don't make much of the crime scene and the Feds are called in. Brett and his deputy, Nicole, head the case. They comb the entire crime scene but Brett is sure the husband did it. He should have been home from work hours ago and hasn't even called. He and Nicole start investigating, sure that Brooke was having a fling or the husband, Trey, was.

When Trey is found, he is driving fervently to get to a hospital. He knows nothing about his wife's death; he is on the way to intensive care where his ex is. He is listed as next of kin and must get their quickly, as Robin Ironside and her daughter were in a horrible vehicle accident.

Brett and Nicole follow up and find out that Robin indeed is in the hospital. They post guards and continue their investigation. Further look into the vehicle Robin was driving shows vandalism, and now they have two open cases, somehow related, but they aren't sure how.

When Robin disappears from the hospital, and Nicole's body is cremated within twenty-four hours, they realize that their clues are dwindling. They dig deeper and begin to unravel an international conspiracy. The Ionshaker is nuclear software and the country that controls it, controls the world. It's a huge power struggle and anyone who gets in the way will be marked for death.

Brimming with memorable characters, thrilling action shots, theories, titles, murder and more, Ironshaker is a quick-paced heart-thumping rollercoaster. Felix Timothy takes you on a ride from scene to scene, giving the reader glimpses to pull the clues from to determine who is responsible. If you enjoy reading mystery thrillers with a lot of chases, action and good detective work, give Ionshaker a try!!

Rafflecopter Giveaway Hop

Monday, September 26, 2011

A Clockwork Fairytale by Helen Scott Taylor

Melba was dropped off at the baker's house when she was only three years old. Maddox has raised her best he can, but raises her as one of the boys. So, Melba dressed like a boy, acts like a boy, and is very intelligent and one of the best thieves and pickpockets in the area.

When she is cornered one evening, her savior comes in the form of Turk, a man known as a master spymaster. Melba knows an opportunity when she sees it and asks Turk to pledge her and teach her how to be a master spy. He agrees, but once she takes a bath, he realizes it won't work. First, she is a girl and there are no female spies. Second, she has twelve toes and there is only one family he knows with that deformity, the Royal family. He does some research and is sure she is the missing princess.

Turk is a monk and he discusses Melba with his on master. They decide to teach Melba how to act and dress like a lady before they present her to her father, the king, and reap the rich reward. But there is something about Melba that enchants Turk and he tries really hard to be true to his vows.

Vittorio feels he was robbed of the throne. His father never claimed him as a son, and his father, the older brother of the king, never wanted the throne, so his younger brother, Melba's dad, took it. Now, he will do whatever it takes to acquire his seat at the throne, even if it means finding and marrying the princess.

Turk and Melba fall in love but Turk never tells her that he is a monk. He makes sure not to touch her person at all. When Melba learns she is the princess, she pleads for Turk to marry her. Then, they will never be apart, but Turk rejects her offer. First, he never told her he was a monk and second, her father would never allow it. Turk is not a prince. When she finds out he is a monk and was using her, she never wants to see him again.

However, Vittorio won't leave Melba's side and she isn't feeling well lately. Her father is dying and Vittorio wants Turk dead. Melba secretly meets with Turk and she forgives him but vows she will not marry Vittorio, no matter what. But Vittorio controls very powerful, dark and twisted magic and he will use it to his every advantage, even if it cost lives.

A Clockwork Fairytale is a refreshing romance with a twist of supernatural. Melba is a delightful character, Turk is dark and handsome and will make the girls swoon and Vittorio is dastardly. Helen builds each character carefully and cleverly, with the story spinning at a splendid rate, keeping this reader entranced. A satisfactory ending but alluding to another installment in the adventures of Melba and Turk that I can't wait to read! If you love fairytale romances with a splash of the supernatural, an evil spurned illegitimate child and the blush of first love, you won't want to miss A Clockwork Fairytale!!

Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins (Audiobook) Review + Giveaway

I've already raved about the book, Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins. But for a real treat, you'll want to pick up the audiobook as well. Read by Jackie Collins and Sidney Poitier, as well as others, on eleven wonderful cd's, Lucky is brought to life. From the sumptious bedrooms of Beverly Hills to the shocking club parties and the stretch limosines, you'll never look at Hollywood the same.

Prince Armand's determination to acquire Lucky's casino and hotel complex, The Keys, and what lengths he will go to achieve that is a powerful struggle. Lucky's son Bobby, who owns a chain of hot spot clubs and his less than clean dealings with the Russians as well as Lucky's daughter, Max, having a forbidden love affair with a movie star, are only sub-stories within the power struggle between Armand and Lucky.

With the talent of a great cast, the voices bring the characters to life and really capture the atmosphere for each scene for the listener. Captivating, shocking and entertaining, Goddess of Vengeance is dynomite!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win their own copy of the audiobook, Goddess of Vengeance!

MANDATORY ENTRY

Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Moon And The Tide by Derrolyn Anderson

Book two in Marina's Tale opens up about a week after book one, Between the Land and the Sea. Marina is still fighting to stay a human on land, even though the water calls to her. She and Ethan have grown closer than ever and she is really getting the hang of surfing.

Ethan has become a protector and he worries all the time about Marina. He is terrified something will happen to her or that she will decide to become a mermaid and leave him. Marina tries to pacify Ethan but she can't ignore the call of the sea. She goes surfing any chance she gets and she is excellent at it. The water talks to her and before long a world class surfer is wanting her to surf professionally.

When her dad desires her to spend time with him in Greece, she goes but she missed Ethan and the sea. But the helicopter crashes into the ocean and only Marina can save them. Unfortunately, the videos of the crash show Marina with a mermaid's tail and before long it's spread all over the internet.

Marina's Aunt Evie implores Marina to take to safety but Marina is determined to be with Ethan and surf. She takes to surfing at midnight, a very dangerous idea, but she feels comfortable doing so with her mermaid sister Lorelei. But when she and Lorelei are kidnapped by very bad men, she questions her choices. Without water, a mermaid will die.

As family secrets are revealed, love questioned and danger afloat, there is much to love in this thrilling second installment. The characters are modern and likable, the plot unfolds at a great pace and the writing is remarkable. I love this series and can't wait to read the final installment, The Fate of the Muse! A great fantasy young adult series I can't recommend highly enough!

Kashi ® TLC ® Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars Review & Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to try the new Kashi ® TLC ® Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars at a recent Moms Meet! I enjoy Kashi products but several of the moms had never tried them or if they heard of Kashi, they thought them to be a health food and not something we eat everyday.

Kashi does use whole grains, but these granola bars are amazing! Chock-ful of flavor and with the peanut chocolate marriage, the taste buds just go wow. It's great knowing you are eating something healthy, relatively inexpensive and it tastes great too. My kids always have one in their book bag and now some of the moms realize that it really is good food, not just for those eating organics. There were a few of the kids who didn't like the taste of the dark chocolate, they thought it too bitter, but hopefully Kashi comes out with a milk chocolate version. Definitely will be buying these again and again! Try them next time you go to the market.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will win five Kashi ® TLC ® Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars to try yourself!

FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET TO ENTER!

Liane Vinson is a veterinary technician in Pentalon, a big animal testing laboratory. After two years, she has been promoted to the primate lab. A pair of bonobo twins captures her interest, Bea and Isaac. They begin to mimic Liane and speak who at first is unclear what they are speaking but soon realizes it is not only their own form of dialect but is decipherable.

When testing is done on the twins, Liane knows that they are on the verge of a scientific breakthrough. But when one of the twins undergoes surgery, Liane questions her own boundaries and decides to escape with Bea and return her to Africa.

Her journey is tumultuous. While worrying about her mother, who desperately needs a kidney, to her new love interest, veterinarian Mickey Ferrone, Liane's life suddenly got rocky. Being chased by Pentalon security, the CEA of Pentalon, agents of the U.S. government, as well as Folks Against Lab Testing steers Liane and Mickey toward her old lover Corey, an eco-fanatic.

Spanning several continents, a vast array of eccentric and versatile characters and an important moral dilemma at the heart, Primacy is a heart-thumping scientific thriller. We know there are animal research labs, but what really goes on behind those closed doors? If it's anything like depicted in Primacy, it will haunt you. But what if it saved someone's life? There are many questions brought up in Primacy and much food for thought. Bea will capture your heart, and the pace is quick and the writing keen. Highly recommend!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. E. Fishman is the author of a new thriller, Primacy, which explores the significant themes of animal rights, the plight of endangered bonobos, and the welfare of animals in research labs.

Fishman’s literary background includes serving five years as a book editor at Doubleday, where he edited the works of NFL superstars Jim Kelly and Ronnie Lott. He founded The Bedford Book Works Literary Agency (later sold to Dystel & Goderich Literary Management), where he represented dozens of writers and personalities, including Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and Kweisi Mfume, then head of the NAACP. He was founder and CEO of subrights.com, which closed its doors in the dot-com crash. Early in his career, Fishman served as an associate editor at U.S. Business Press. He has also ghost written and edited a number of books.

He co-authored two non-fiction books, All I Need to Know I Learned From My Horse (Doubleday) and Life is a Series of Presentations (Simon & Schuster).

He published a mystery novel through online serialization, Cadaver Blues, on The Nervous Breakdown, a literary Website where he now contributes a weekly column.

Fishman, 49, a lifelong nature supporter, is a former trustee of the Eastern New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and the North Salem Open Land Foundation.

For more information, please consult www.verbitrage.com.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win their own copy of Primacy!

MANDATORY ENTRY

Sunrise on Cedar Key by Terri Dulong

The evening before her move back to Cedar Keys, Gracie gets a phone call that shocks her to her core. Her coffee house and apartment have burned down. Luckily, her Aunt Maude has just purchased property in Cedar Keys and implores Gracie to rent the second apartment on her property.

Maude has an idea about having knitting retreat weekends, and with the love of knitting the family has, Gracie jumps at the idea and offers to partner the small business. However, there's one clinch in their plans. Gracie's older sister, Chloe, is going through a divorce and needs a place to stay and of course Maude can't say no. Unfortunately, Gracie and Chloe don't get along well.

Monica is pregnant and kept very busy. Her yarn store is going to be important to the new knitting retreat business, but it's more than Monica can juggle right now, so Dora and Chloe decide to partner up to run the store.

A tight community of women who lean on one another when times are tough and embrace one another in times of joy, Sunrise on Cedar Key is a heart-warming read! From laughter to tears, heartbreak to falling in love, there is something to cherish with the friendships these women nurture and build their lives upon. Even when the times get tough, they dig deep and find the strength to carry on. Terri Dulong is a master storyteller and her Cedar Key series is page-turning and compelling with wonderful characters. You won't want to miss it!

www.terridulong.com (Author website)
www.islandwriter.net (Blog)

SPINNING FORWARD - Book 1 in the Cedar Key Series( Kensington Publishers Oct. 27, 2009)

CASTING ABOUT, Book #2 in the Cedar Key Series, and my Christmas novella, A CEDAR KEY CHRISTMAS, with Fern Michaels headlining the anthology, HOLIDAY MAGIC (Kensington - November 2010)

SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY - Book #3 in the Cedar Key Series (Kensington - October 25, 2011)

Friday, September 23, 2011

Dark Territory by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel

Ignacio 'Nass' Torrez is the new kid at Middleburg Middle School. His parents didn't want him to join the gangs like his cousins did in Los Angeles, so now they have moved to a small town in the Midwest. Unfortunately, Nass gets suspended on his first day of school after a fight breaks out in the lunch room. The good part is that he made a friend, Raphael Kain, the leader of a gang.

Aimee Banfield is excited to be going home, after being in a pretentious juvenile center for the past year. She looks different, with colored hair and darker eyes, and she doesn't act the same either. Before, she was snobbish and had an array of friends. Now, her first day back to school, no one will speak to her, except Raphael Kain.

Nass learns that there are two gangs in Middleburg. There are the flats, the poor kids, and there are the toppers, those with money. They have their own set of rules that they abide by, and most of the gang members are well versed in the martial arts. Nass has no desire to join a gang as he prefers to breakdance, but he does appreciate the new friends he has made.

Raphael really likes Aimee, and she him, but her dad just got his mom pregnant so things aren't looking so good. Also, Aimee's older brother is a Topper and Ralph is a Flat, enemy gangs that Aimee has no business being in the middle of.

Aimee is still having a hard time adapting to her life again and the stigma from her past continues to haunt her. A death of a friend that is supposedly her fault in the DARK TERRITORY, a stretch of tracks not controlled by the signals, that her therapist tells her was not her fault, continues to haunt her.

There's an old urban legend about ghosts haunting old abandoned rail cars and a mythical beast inhabiting the tunnels. Some of the teens see people who aren't there, or are they? When Aimee goes missing, Ralph is the first person who is suspected because of his hatred toward her brother and father. But will the authorities realize that Ralph isn't responsible and find Aimee before her life is in danger?

DARK TERRITORY is an exciting young adult thriller. With a diverse handful of realistic characters, a compelling plot, romance, friendship, intrigue and a splash of the paranormal, DARK TERRITORY is a must read!

The Peaceful Housewife Winners

Winners have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Enjoy these awesome money-saving recipes!!

~~Lillea~~ - no response/redrawn

Maryann - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Carry Yourself Back To Me by Deborah Reed

Annie Walsh is a heartbroken singer/songwriter who just turned forty. The love of her life, Owen, left her for a younger woman months ago and the coup de grace kick in the gut was the fact that her brother Calder was covering up for him. Now, months later, Calder pays Annie a visit to let her know he has finally found true love, but she's married. Annie wants nothing to do with Calder and wants to be left alone with her heartache and her old dog, Detour.

Owen is married and expecting a baby. He misses Annie and knows he made a mistake but there's no going back now. When he reads in the paper that Calder is arrested for murder, he is shocked. Calder supposedly beat to death the husband of the woman he was seeing. Calder has Tourettes, the disease that gives a person tics, and it will make the defense's job a lot easier.

Owen can't stand being away and wants to help, so he takes off for the jail that Calder is at. Unfortunately, he needs an appointment so he finds himself at Annie's house. At first, Annie wants an explanation why he left, but the more he tries to explain himself, the deeper a hole he digs himself.

Will Annie finally find peace and love? Will Owen get his act together and will the evidence point to another murderer or will Calder pay the price?

Romance, intrigue, heart-warming and tragic, Carry Yourself Back to Me is a complex and stellar novel with many depths. Flashing from present to past, the story is revealed in increments that enlighten the reader as the tale unfolds. The character development is fantastic, the plot tight and the pace absolutely perfect. Deborah Reed's written voice is profound and definitely can be heard. Highly recommend!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Claim of Innocence by Laura Caldwell

Izzy hasn't practiced law in quite a while, but with the call of help from her best friend, Maggie Bristol, Izzy was back in the courtroom. Maggie is defending Valerie Solara, a woman accused of poisoning her best friend. Valerie swears she is innocent, but Izzy feels she is hiding something.

Maggie's father, Martin, is the lead on the case but is feeling poorly. He decides to rest at home now that Izzy is on the case. Izzy wants to know if Valerie is innocent or guilty but Maggie states it doesn't matter, they have reasonable doubt. However, it matters to Izzy so she implores the help of a friend and her father to investigate and see what clues turn up.

Meanwhile, Izzy's old flame comes back. Sam left her a while ago on the verge of their wedding with no explanation. Now he's back and freshly engaged, but implores Izzy that he won't marry if she doesn't want him to. Izzy already has hot Theo in her bed, but wonders if Sam is the love of her life. Such a quandary and matters of the heart though have to take backstage until her client is judged by a jury of her peers.

As Izzy's investigation deepens and the prosecutor's witnesses fail to give the defendant a break, Izzy decides to visit with Martin, who is all too quiet lately and immersed in law books. His story, along with what Valerie finally reveals, may be just what they need to get Valerie released, until Valerie refuses to implicate someone. Her refusal could be her execution. With Izzy's love life, Valerie's sealed lips, Martin's secrets and a thrilling court-room drama, Claim of Innocence is a lip-biting suspense that will leave you guessing until the gripping climax. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Caldwell puts another spin in the testimony and it's back to the drawing board. Captivating, solid and full of eccentric and magnetic characters, Claim of Innocence is a must read for any mystery suspense fan!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tropical Traditions All-Purpose Cleaner Winner

Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Thanks to Tropical Traditions for sponsoring this giveaway! Prize sent direct from sponsor.

Les - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!

This Bird Flew Away by Lynda M. Martin Review & Giveaway

Bria has a sad life, but it wasn't always like that. Before her mom married Gerry, they spent time together and were happy. Now, Gerry is dead and Bria is still terrified of doing something wrong and getting beaten. Her pregnant mom is different and Bria hopes after the baby is born, things will go back like they were.

But she sends Bria to live with Aunt Peg, and soon as baby Tara arrives, she joins her. Bria really wants to live with Mary and Jack. She loves Jack because he listens to her and doesn't treat her like a baby. When Bria's mom takes off, and Aunt Peg can't afford to take care of the girls anymore, she sends them to Bria's Aunt Jess.

Life doesn't get better there. Tara is treated well, and Bria keeps a keen eye to make sure she is. But Bria is treated horribly and she is almost beaten down. She comes up with a clever plan to send a letter to Jack to come get her and Tara but Jess catches Bria doing something else she shouldn't and attacks her once again. Bria runs off and makes her way to Jack but is kidnapped before she can get to her destination.

Bria gets caught up, at only twelve years old, in sex trafficking. When she's sold, and then found, she is only a glimpse of who she used to be. It will be a lifelong battle for Bria to move past what she went through. All she wants is someone to love her for who she is, but so far her tragic young life and yielded almost none. She doesn't want to be nothing, she wants to be something. Jack steps in to try and protect Bria, but she has had her heart set on him for years, and doesn't understand why Jack pushes her away.

This Bird Flew Away is the tragic story of Bria and how she survives. She is opinionated, stubborn, lovable and a survivor. Her story wrapped itself around my heart and wouldn't let go. Martin writes with the right touch of warmth and sensitivity to bring this novel to life. A story of hope, inspiration, a topic all to real in our society, romance, drama and more will capture your attention from the first page and not let go until the satisfying ending. I look forward to reading more from this gifted author!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win their own copy of This Bird Flew Away!

HOW TO ENTER