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LIVE CHAT & GIVEAWAY TODAY
Mystery Author Rhys Bowen
ON FACEBOOK
8:30 pm East Coast --- 5:30 pm West Coast
Join Best Selling Author Rhys Bowen on her FaceBook Page where she will be discussing how she approaches writing a Mystery Novel and creating a strong Heroine in a Series. Come and leave your questions on her wall and she will respond live to all questions, or as many as she can.If you can not make the Chat and Giveaway live make sure to drop in afterward and check out the discussion anytime. One lucky commenter between now and Sunday will win a copy of Royal Blood, A Royal Spyness Mystery. Comment on Fan Rhys's FaceBook Page between now and November 15th and be entered to win the newest book in the Royal Spyness Series, Naughty in Nice.
Find out more about Rhys Bowen Online
FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY:
Royal Blood By Rhys Bowen
(A Royal Spyness Mystery #4)
Penniless and thirty-fourth in line to the throne, Lady Georgiana Rannoch finds herself in a truly draining state of affairs. To escape her hateful brother, Georgie accepts an invitation from the Queen to represent the royals at a wedding in Transylvania. But at the macabre-looking castle, Georgie finds the bride with blood running down her chin, and a wedding guest is poisoned. Now it’s up to Georgie to save the nuptial festivities before the couple’s vows become “to love and to cherish, till ‘undeath’ do them part...”
Amazon Kindle* Paperback * Audio
About Rhys Bowen
Rhys Bowen is the Bestselling Author of the Royal Spyness Series, Molly Murphy Mysteries, and Constable Evans. Awarded the Agatha Best Novel Award and nominated for the Edgar Best Novel Rhys’s titles have received rave reviews around the globe.
Rhys Bowen is a transplanted Brit who now divides her time between California and Arizona. She currently writes two mystery series, the Molly Murphy novels, about an Irish immigrant in 1900s New York City and the lighter Royal Spyness mysteries about a penniless minor royal in 1930s Britain. Her books made bestseller lists, garnered many awards, nominations, and starred reviews.
Throwback Book Review: A Perfect Darkness by Jamie Rush
By: Jamie Rush
Paranormal Romance
Published By: Avon Books
5 Heart Review
Before I posted L.A.'s review of this book I wanted to include part of the email she sent me with it because I thought it added to the great review she did:
Hey Sabrina,
Here is the review for Jaime Rush's A Perfect Darkness. It get 5 hearts. OMG I loved this book. I read it in 4 1/2 hours, one sitting. (Cute right?)
Book Blurb:
They live ordinary lives, but they are extraordinary. They are the Offspring, children of a mysterious experiment gone awry – and they are in terrible danger.
A sexy stranger awakens Amy Shane in the dead of night. Lucas Vanderwyck barely has time to whisper a few words before three men burst into her bedroom and drag him away. But what Lucas reveals shatters Amy’s safe little world forever.
Lucas and Amy share a psychic gift – a fight that could put them in mortal danger. And as they share night after night of savage passion, as a shadowy government conspiracy tracks their every move, they will fight to save each other. But only with their powers of second sight can they escape the terror of a perfect darkness.
This book took off from the very first chapter and left me glued to the page until the last word. It was fast and exciting with just the right amounts of romance and suspense. I devoured A Perfect Darkness in one sitting, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.The main plot was simple enough to be resolved in one book, but had so many possibilities and open-ended questions that I can see this easily being a hit series. I was a little taken aback when the action started right away. Actually I found myself feeling a lot like Amy was at the time, like the world had spun and suddenly I wasn’t sure I knew the truth of anything anymore.
Jaime, the author, achieved what every paranormal writer strives for – believability. The paranormal aspects of this book have a solid background and believable origins, all set within the world we live in. That being said, they are also open for growth. The characters themselves are learning the extent of what they can do, and I have a feeling there’s a lot more to come.
The characters in this book aren’t perfect, and that’s just how I like them. Most of them have to make hard decisions on what is right and wrong, and they don’t always do the right thing. I immediately liked Lucas, even though part of me wished he could have played a larger role in general. Amy was also likable and I loved watching her surprise herself with how strong she really can be. I was impressed that Petra and Eric got part of their story told in this first book – it isn’t always that way for side characters– and I have a feeling their stories are only going to grow throughout the series. I also want to see more of Ozzie, Amy’s neighbor. His role was small in this book, but he has a lot of potential.
I’m super excited to see where this series goes. I can tell more and more characters are going to be introduced in future books…this is only the beginning. If you’re looking for a fast paced, original story that keeps you on your metaphorical toes, you can’t go wrong with A Perfect Darkness.
My advice: get real comfortable before you open this one…you may not be getting up again until you’ve read it all.
Happy Reading!
Cheeky Girl L.A.
Welcome Guest Author Misty Evans!
Hi Readers!
I'm Misty Evans, one of the eleven authors who contributed a short story to Entangled, a Paranormal Anthology, which features vamps, weres, ghosts and more for Halloween. All of the stories, cover art, and foreword by Stacia Kane, were donated to the anthology, and all of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). My story, “Sweet Demon”, is the prequel to my new demon series. The first book, Revenge is Sweet, will be out later this fall.
I'm excited to be part of this project because breast cancer has touched my family and friends. One of my aunts died from breast cancer, and one of my childhood friends recently underwent a double mastectomy. I’ve felt helpless at times, watching these brave women battle this disease, and I want to find a cure.
One of the fun parts of working on Entangled is getting to be in a book with my friend (and best-selling author) Nancy Haddock. Her vamp books rock! Cesca, the heroine in the Oldest City Vampire series, is addicted to HGTV just like I am. And besides the fact that Nancy can write a kickass heroine, she’s one of the most gracious ladies I know.
Hear from Nancy Haddock tomorrow at Romance in the Backseat.
Want to know more about my short story in Entangled? Here's the “Sweet Demon” blurb and the link to an excerpt!
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.
Read the excerpt! http://bit.ly/rcCV2n
Want to know more about my books or tell me what you think about “Sweet Demon”? Find me at all these places:
website: http://www.readmistyevans.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/mnoJz6
I'm Misty Evans, one of the eleven authors who contributed a short story to Entangled, a Paranormal Anthology, which features vamps, weres, ghosts and more for Halloween. All of the stories, cover art, and foreword by Stacia Kane, were donated to the anthology, and all of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). My story, “Sweet Demon”, is the prequel to my new demon series. The first book, Revenge is Sweet, will be out later this fall.
I'm excited to be part of this project because breast cancer has touched my family and friends. One of my aunts died from breast cancer, and one of my childhood friends recently underwent a double mastectomy. I’ve felt helpless at times, watching these brave women battle this disease, and I want to find a cure.
One of the fun parts of working on Entangled is getting to be in a book with my friend (and best-selling author) Nancy Haddock. Her vamp books rock! Cesca, the heroine in the Oldest City Vampire series, is addicted to HGTV just like I am. And besides the fact that Nancy can write a kickass heroine, she’s one of the most gracious ladies I know.
Hear from Nancy Haddock tomorrow at Romance in the Backseat.
Want to know more about my short story in Entangled? Here's the “Sweet Demon” blurb and the link to an excerpt!
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.
Read the excerpt! http://bit.ly/rcCV2n
Want to know more about my books or tell me what you think about “Sweet Demon”? Find me at all these places:
website: http://www.readmistyevans.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/mnoJz6
WINNERS!
New Release & Giveaway! Cat O'Nine Tails by Patricia Leever
New Book Release: Cat O'Nine Tails
By: Patricia Leever
Historical Romance
Omnific Publishing
When pirate hunter Orrin and his brother Kale are hired by Queen Winifred to hunt down Aeron and her band of miscreants, Orrin never dreamed he’d fall in love with the beautiful she-pirate nor the kind, accepting people of her island hideaway. As Orrin learns of Aeron’s jaded past with the Queen, he allies himself with the pirate captain and her crew. Joining forces on the high seas to bring Winifred’s evil reign to an end, Aeron and Orrin soon discover that the strongest weapon in their combined arsenal is the love they have for each other.
Check out the Book Trailer:
Check out the latest review at a Tale of Many Reviews.
There's a fun interview with some of the characters over at Readaholics Anoynomous.
GIVEAWAY at Kelsey's Book Corner & review here.
Finally, I'm doing an ebook giveway of Cat O'Nine Tails too! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment letting us know who your favorite pirate is or if you'd like to have sailed the high seas yourself! Open Internationally. I'll randomly draw a winner on Friday the 14th. Happy Reading!
5 Heart Review: Rising Freestyle by Vivian Arend
By: Vivian Arend
Contemporary Romance
Published by: Samhain
Rating: 5 Heart Review
Stuck between a rock-solid man and a hard place…
Melanie Dixon’s body may have recovered from a horrific climbing accident, but her nerve is long gone. So is the natural enthusiasm for life she took for granted. Tired of being scared, beyond ready to conquer her fears, she pulls up stakes and moves to her brother’s new hometown to start over. Her first step is the most terrifying—to tackle the wall at the local climbing center.
Derrick James is mesmerized by Melanie’s dark beauty, and equally impressed with her climbing abilities and determination. Watching her retune rusty skills spurs a desire to partner with her—on and off the ropes. Melanie’s a compelling mix of wit, sensuality and vulnerability, and it’s his delicious task to convince her the scars on her body are no match for the heat rising between them.
Then a man from Melanie’s past shows up, pushing their relationship to the edge. Nathan King wants photographs for a “where are they now” series, but his side agenda is more personal in nature. A proposal that brings her out of her sensual shell and onto a precarious sexual ledge. Where trust is crucial…and too easily shattered.
Rising, Freestyle is a novella about a woman, Melanie, trying to find and be happy with herself again. She had a rock-climbing accident and was hurt and scarred. She had a lover reject her for her scars and she is not happy with herself anymore. That is until she meets Derrick who is teaching her to rock climb again. Then, enter Melanie’s childhood crush, Nathan King. He is totally into Melanie, but she’s with Derrick.
The story is about Derrick and Nathan healing Melanie. She needs to feel better about her body. She needs to feel beautiful again. Derrick has healed her most of the way, but she needs another man to show her that she is attractive as well. Nathan is that man.
The book has quite a few very well written and steamy sex scenes (of course, it’s Vivian Arend!) I found myself loving the voyeurism scenes; you can feel the passion between all of the characters. There are quite a few scenes leading up to the actual voyeurism, due to Nathan’s photography.
Vivian Arend has a way of telling the story from differing viewpoints so that you don’t dislike Nathan for his role, and so that you understand why he acts the way he does. You certainly won’t feel creeped out by the voyeurism. I think Vivian does a great job of writing voyeurism so that it can appeal to everyone, even people that are not typically into scenes or scenarios that contain it.
Read An ExcerptHappy Reading!
Cheeky Girl Meagan
Monday Morning Cuteness!
We are finally getting some Fall-esqe weather in Florida and it's made me so happy! Now if the rain would go away and it would drop another 10 degrees it would be prefect. Here's to an awesome Fall!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
Smart Bitches Live Chat Today!
This Thursday, October 6, you can chat with Sarah Wendell, author of Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels on the Sony eReader Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ReaderStore. The chat will begin at 3:30 pm EST and last about an hour.
Sarah will be chatting about her new book, Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels, in stores this month! Come with your questions about romance fiction, relationships, or anything you’ve always wanted to ask Sarah.
For more information, you can follow us on Twitter:
Danielle @SourcebooksCasa
Sarah @SmartBitches
Sony @SonyReaderStore
And check out the Sony Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ReaderStore, Sarah’s page http://www.facebook.com/TrashyBooks and the Everything I Know About Love… page http://www.facebook.com/EverythingIKnow.
Seriously Romance Peeps - I'm sure this is going to be a hilarious and fun chat with Sarah! Be sure to join in. :)
Happy Chatting!
Cheeky Girl Sabrina
3 Heart Book Review - Sasha's Calling by T.C. Archer
By: T.C. Archer
Sci Fi/Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Loose ID
3 Heart Review
Nothing can stop freelance thief Sasha Smirnov from saving her planet -- except, Dirk, the gorgeous ambassador with polychrome eyes. Is it lust or designer pheromones? He is hot, too hot to resist -- or forget. A single, sizzling kiss burns him into her memory, and her body, but she can't afford to stop for passion, let alone love.
Sasha needs to get as far away from Dirk as possible and take the classified data she stole with her. So she stows away on a ship outward bound, only to discover Dirk's the pilot. Now she can't get away from him, or the system, but he will let her into his bed...
I am not usually one for Sci Fi based books or TV shows, (I mean, really what is a parsec?!) which this book defiantly is, but surprisingly enough, I really liked it.
I can proudly say that I read every single word of this book, which is unusual for me as I have been known to scan over extra words, such as overly long descriptions of things. This book doesn’t have that problem, yes it describes things, such as Sasha and the other characters etc but it doesn’t go on about it for so long that I lose attention and skip over it.
Yes, okay, the books plot is not the strongest or the most complex, but it gets the job done. The story is set out in a way that isn’t confusing, you always know what’s happening but can still be surprised by twists and turns.
Plus this book has some a fair few steamy sex scenes that will blow your metaphorical socks off. Although be warned, if graphic, very minutely explained sex scenes aren’t for you then give this book a miss. I do have to say, they are very good!
All in all, I’m a big fan of the book, and of Sasha, it’s nice to have a kickass female lead for a change instead of some airy fairy girl that constantly runs away screaming. Yeah, the plot is not overly complex or mentally taxing, but if you’re after something fun, interesting, well written and rude, then pick up this.
Happy Reading
Cheeky Girl Kerrie4 Heart Book Review: Enemy Lover By Karin Harlow
By: Karen Harlow
Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Pocket Star
Rating: 4 Hearts
When you have no alternative, then you call in L.O.S.T. Because with the Last Option Special Team, it’s do or die…
It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T. – one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross…eliminate him…then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator.
Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, Special Ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right-hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice – her death or his.
I was a little skeptical about this book after reading the cover. The concept of Marcus being a vampire was unexpected, and I wasn’t sure how it would fit into the premise of the story. On the other hand, I knew this book would be mixing my two favorite types of stories – urban fantasy and secret agent. I was either going to love it or hate it. Let’s just say I’m really glad I didn’t miss this one.From the first chapter, I knew I was going to like Jax. She is strong, resourceful, and a smart-ass. However, she isn’t without her vulnerabilities – but that’s what makes her realistic. The author, Karin Harlow, certainly didn’t pull punches with Jax. She is a heroine who has had a tough life, and it’s about to get tougher from the moment she sets eyes on Marcus.
Marcus is all kinds of yummy. He’s controlled, focused, and determined to be on the side of right. This man has a tighter hold on his emotions than most women keep on their purses. And yes, he is a vampire…not that he needs the heightened senses or special skill-set that comes with being an undead considering he would be a force to be reckoned with as a plain human.
Watching these two spar words and rough each other up – in more ways than one – was a lot of fun. Especially since Karin didn’t make this just a book about two enemies falling for each other. The plot is intricate and fast-paced. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing all the way to the end. The one thing I wish Karin would have paid more attention to is the vampire aspect. I didn’t really get to connect with the world that Marcus lives in, because I didn’t really get to see it. It’s there…but its background noise. I would have liked a more in-depth look at the paranormal world and the rules that govern those who live in it. I felt a little taken aback by how rationally everyone seemed to accept there being vampires. It was so fast and easy for L.O.S.T. to figure out how to handle them – I’ve read a million vampire books, but if I ever ran across one in real life I’m still not sure if my best bet is wood, silver, perhaps a cross and some sunshine.
I also felt a little sorry for Gage. He appears to be a central character at first, getting some page time at the beginning, but sort of disappears through a lot of action. He obviously has a thing for Jax, and if it weren’t for Marcus, I would say they’d make a great pair. I guess all I can hope for is that Karin will write another L.O.S.T. book and Gage gets to find himself in his own sticky situation. I’ve definitely got my fingers crossed.
If you like urban fantasy, suspense, and SEAL-like men, you’re going to love Enemy Lover. It’s like a s’more…all your favorites in one place and hot! Happy Reading!
Cheeky Girl L.A.
Welcome Guest Author Cate Lord & Enter to Win Lucky Girl!
Here's the lowdown on the story:
Jessica Devlin isn’t looking for love. Heartbroken after being dumped by her unfaithful ex-fiancé, she’s determined to have a fabulous time during her vacation in England where she’ll be maid-of-honor at her cousin’s wedding. After working overtime as beauty editor of Orlando’s O Tart magazine, avoiding dating, and putting on ten pounds, Jess is ready to toss her past like an empty lipstick tube and party like a single gal.
But when she steps into the church on her cousin’s wedding day, she sees the one man who could sabotage her plan—James-Bond-gorgeous Nick Mondinello. She’s never forgotten the London marketing exec who held her in his arms after her beloved grandfather’s funeral two years ago. Ambitious, and lusted after by women everywhere, Nick is completely wrong for guarded, Plain Jane Jess.
Could Spy Man Nick ever fall for her? Nope. Not unless Jess is one lucky girl.
This is your first Chick-Lit book, but it still has a strong romance storyline. Did you find it difficult to change genres or was it fun to blend the two? It was a lot of fun, actually! J I saw Lucky Girl as a healthy creative challenge. While the book is written in first person like most Chick Lit novels, and has a Chick Lit tone, I wanted the story to be a romance. The tricky part was to make the hero, Nick, multi-dimensional, when all we know about him is revealed through Jess and thus is highly subjective. Hopefully readers will get a good idea of Nick’s swoon-worthy character and will love the book as much as I adored writing it.
Characters really make the story for me. What 3 words would best describe your heroine & what about her called out to you to write her story?I’d describe Jess as insecure, quirky, and loyal. She represents all of the issues modern women deal with: weight, appearance, finances, dating, workplace politics, fashion disasters, family conflicts, and more. I love to write stories about wounded characters who are “healed” through love. Jess is one such character. The issues she confronts—usually in a funny, self-deprecating way—are part of her journey to overcoming heartbreak, regaining her self-worth, and finding true love. By the end of the book, she’s “whole” again.
Part of this story takes place in Orlando, FL and part takes place in England. Did you get to travel to England for research? Was it fun to write a contemporary story not totally set in the US?
I didn’t travel to England specifically to do research for Lucky Girl. I lived and studied in the UK for a year (when I met my husband), and I drew upon some of my personal experiences to write about Jess. Since my husband is British, and he and I have relatives in England, we travel there every year or two. I always thoroughly immerse myself in the local culture (it’s a great excuse to stuff my face with Cadbury chocolate, clotted cream and scones! Yum!)
Yes, it was fun to write a contemporary novel that was mostly set outside the US. That helped to provide humor for the story.
What else do you have in store for readers and where can they find you next? I’m mulling over the possibility of a follow-on book to Lucky Girl. Jess’s cousins were fun secondary characters, and I’d love them to be heroines in their own books. I’m also working on two paranormal novels—one contemporary and one historical. I encourage readers to visit my website for updates on my books and appearances: http://www.catelord.com
I think authors are the best people to ask this question - What have you read and loved lately? Any newbie authors or books you would recommend?
I haven’t done much reading lately; my schedule’s been too full. I have several books by friends published by Entangled Publishing, though, in my to-be-read pile, and can’t wait to have some free time to start reading them.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers about you, your books or even where to connect with you online?
I love interacting with readers. I really appreciate when they leave comments on my blog posts and I have a chance to connect with them. Readers, after all, are very special people to us authors. J Readers can also connect with me via Facebook and Goodreads.
Thanks so much for the interview! I enjoyed the questions.
Thank you Cate! Ok readers - what questions do you have for Cate? Leave a question or comment below and you'll be entered to win an ebook copy of Lucky Girl!
Monday Morning Cuteness!
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and here's to a great week! *Lifts Coffee Cup In Salute*
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
4 Heart Book Review: One Night In Boston By Allie Boniface
By: Allie Boniface
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Hearts
Book Blurb:
Can anything really change in 24 hours? Can everything? Maggie Doyle is about to lose her home, her business, and her last grip on sanity unless she comes up with fifteen thousand dollars to pay off the bank. Her only option? Forget the pain of one life-altering night, find the stepbrother she hasn't spoken to in years and ask him for help. Everything in Jack Major's life is going according to plan. He's rich, powerful, and about to marry Boston's most successful attorney. There's just one problem: he can't seem to forget his first love, the one who left him in college after a whirlwind trip to Vegas with a secret she couldn't trust him to keep.
When Maggie and Jack meet up at a high-profile charity ball, past collides with present and the sparks fly. But is it too late for a first love to ignite again? And if Maggie reveals the reason she left Jack all those years ago, will he be able to forgive her?
A single night in Boston takes Maggie and Jack from the glittering lights of the ballroom to the windswept city streets and back through the years to relive old memories. Will morning light bring new hope for their future together? Or are some secrets too deep to ever truly overcome?
I was a little dubious about whether I would enjoy a story set over 24 hours as I’ve never read anything like it before but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.Maggie is a very confused and desperate person who has one last chance to contact her step brother to see if he is willing to help her so she doesn’t lose everything. She has had a complicated life that never seems to go right for her.
Jack lost the love of his life when Maggie left him but he picked up the pieces and carried on, burying the heartache and concentrating on his career. He has done well for himself and has convinced himself that he is happy. But when he begins to remember the past he has buried he starts to question his current situation.
Maggie attends the ball in a last ditch effort to try to find her step brother who she hasn’t spoken to for years. When she unexpectedly bumps in to Jack it brings the past and the memories that have been plaguing her to the surface.
The relationship between Maggie and Jack is a complicated one but made me hope that they would find a way to work through their past problems and have their happily ever after.Maggie used to have a great relationship with her step brother, Dillon. But after one fateful night when they were younger their relationship became strained and eventually Maggie severed all contact.
The anger and pain that Maggie felt made her seem more real to me although I did question the depth and the reasons for this on occasion. I liked the strong friends that surrounded Maggie and provided her the support she so obviously needed. Eden and Neve were fantastic characters and seemed like true friends to Maggie.
I did struggle a bit with all the flashbacks from the different perspectives throughout the story but it did help develop an understanding of how and why the situation that the characters found themselves in at the present had been affected by the past.
Ms Boniface did a fantastic job of keeping this a fast paced story, with all the twists and turns to keep it interesting but still developed the characters so it felt like grew to know them.
I enjoyed this story and felt all the highs and lows right along with the characters. The twists kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next and I couldn’t put the book down. I was kept me guessing all the way through whether Maggie and Jack would get their HEA and also if there was a chance for Maggie to reconcile her relationship with Dillon.I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a complicated, angst filled love story.
Happy Reading!
Cheeky Girl Vicky
5 Heart Book Review: Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis
By: Dee Davis
Romantic Suspense
Grand Central Publishing
5 Heart Review
As the extractions expert for A-Tac, and elite CIA black ops unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college, Drake Flynn knows how to survive behind enemy lines. But he’s about to meet one adversary he can’t subdue…or resist.
Stranded in the Colombian jungle after a mission goes bad, Drake has only one objective: evade the mercenaries hot on his trail and deliver “the package” to US officials. But “the package” has a mind of her own, and she has no intention of trading one set of captors for another. Madeline Reynard is beautiful, headstrong, and hell-bent on escape after years as a crime lord’s pawn. She’ll risk everything for freedom, even if it means deceiving the dark, handsome operative who now holds her life in his hands.
Drake has been burned too many times to let a woman manipulate him, especially a secretive one like Madeline. Even so, they cannot deny the attraction between them. Now as enemy forces close in, Drake and Madeline must trust each other with their lives – or face certain death.It was immediately obvious to me that this book is part of a series, one of which I haven’t read. That being said – I was surprised that I didn’t get lost or feel like I didn’t get to know the characters. Sometimes with a series, the author relies on previous books to do the character building and doesn’t give enough in the current book for the story to really click with a reader who hasn’t read the previous book…kudos to Dee Davis for keeping this one a stand-alone within a series.
I loved Madeline and Drake…and I especially loved them together. There is nothing that draws me in more than two very strong characters. Madeline is one tough cookie. She doesn’t give in to anything that has happened in her life – and let’s just say she hasn’t exactly gotten it easy. She is a true survivor, doing whatever it takes and dealing with the emotional backfire later. Strong women need strong men – and Drake is all that and more. His attitude towards women is a bit suspicious at first, but the man has his reasons and he’s about to get a reality check on the integrity of the opposite sex. For such a tough guy, Drake has a sensitive side that is endearing and adds to the complexity of his character. He isn’t perfect, but neither is Madeline.
As for the rest of the A-Tac team, the term “adrenaline junkie” comes up a lot, and I have a feeling this is a recurring theme throughout the books. Dee doesn’t delve into each character as thoroughly as I would expect from a stand-alone book, but since this is a series, the glimpses of each character’s personality makes me want to read more about each one. I haven’t yet looked up the first book in the series (this is the second), but I don’t think it would take you long to figure out which characters were the main ones. But that’s what I love about series, you get to visit the characters you fell in love with after their “happy ending” and see the continuation of their lives. The “bad guys” in this book are cunning, ruthless, and surprising. While Madeline and Drake are battling their own enemies, there is a much larger villain that appears to operate throughout the books. I’m a sucker for undercover operatives – give me a SEAL, or in this case CIA agent, any day and I’m a happy reader.
If you’re looking for a hot romance with lots of action and intrigue, don’t hesitate to grab Dangerous Desires. If you can’t wait to read this one, but like to start from the beginning, go ahead and do what I’m about to do – check out Dark Deceptions for the first book of the series. Either way, you won’t be disappointed with this Dee Davis book. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of this series has to offer.Happy Reading!
Cheeky Girl L.A.
BBAW: Blogging Tools & Tips
Today’s Topic:The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.
Out of all the topics this week, I find this one to be the hardest because I think that different tools and tips work differently for each blog and each book niche. I'll share what works for me and you can give it a try to see if it works for you too!
3 Essential Tried & True Practices:
1. Post Regularly - Yes, I'm horrible at this! BUT, when I do post regularly I see my traffic go up and my readers engage with my posts more.
2. Leave Em With A Question To Answer - Give readers a reason to respond to your post or review. Reviews get some of the lowest comments and it's usually because readers haven't read the book yet to comment on! Instead, come up with questions about the trope, what they like about X storyline or plot point, etc. Give them something that they can actually engage with.
3. Respond to Comments - Again, I'm not always the best with this and we are all busy bloggers, but when I do respond to comments I find that those readers are the ones who typically stop by more often and comment again.
My 3 Tips All Have 1 Thing In Common: ENGAGE YOUR READERS!
Now, for the 3 tools or trends I've found recently:
1. Klout - I'm still learning how to use this little bad boy, and it certainly give me credit for knowing about things I've never discussed, but so far I've been impressed with it's twitter tracking stats. What your true reach is with a tweet, how much you engage others on Twitter, etc.
2. TweetChat - I've known about this one for quite some time, but it's seriously awesome for following a #hashtag on twitter during an event or conversation. Plus, you'll see everyone in real time who's using that hashtag so you can connect with more people who are into the same topics as you are. Likewise, follow certain hashtags on twitter! I can't tell you how much I learn and how many readers and authors I connect with by doing this.
3. Good Old Fashioned Excel - Seriously, recently creating an organizational system for logging print books, ebooks and audiobooks is completely changing my blogging experience. It always me to not only keep track of what I have and haven't read, but what I've posted, if I've emailed the author/publicist, have I asked for an interview/guest post, etc. I'm still getting this all situated, but I can't stress enough how having a system that treats this like a real business is going to do wonders for your sanity.
Again, my best advice - ENGAGE, ENGAGE, ENGAGE.
What's yours? If you're a reader, what things do you think are most effective for bloggers to do to engage with you and keep you coming back and commenting?
BBAW: Book Blogging Community: Tips & Concerns
The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!
My best tips (and they aren't earth-shattering and are sometimes hard for me to follow!) are:
Twitter - Seriously get thee to Twitter and you will be amazed at how much goes on there and how easily it is to chat with other book bloggers in your book niche.
Follow & Comment On Other Blogs - This one is hard when we are all so busy. So, my tip is to pick your top ten that you check out and comment on maybe 1x a week or so. Then, check out new to you blogs say 1x a month and revise your top ten occassionally.
Start A Meme or Host A Blogger Event - This is something I haven't done yet, but I've seen how well it seems to work for other bloggers on creating a sense of personalization and community. I'm brainstorming ideas now!
Mind Your Manners - Seriously the book blogging community itself might be large, but your blogging niche is a place where if you act like an ass on twitter or constantly complain, etc about blogging, not getting books, etc. other bloggers take notice. And won't be as open to helping you or welcoming you to the community. This is a personal one for me - we should be here to help each other in the name of the love of books, not get catty and create drama. I've unfollowed some blogs and on twitter for feeling like everything that happened was something to rage about. Make sure if you do have a legitimate complaint that you are balancing those posts and tweets with other positive things. No one wants to sit next to negative Nancy.
Now for a few concerns (even those that last tip was also a disguised concern):
Not Every Review Needs To Feature The BIG Releases - Yes, I know this gets more traffic but if you are in it for the love of books then sing the praises of that unknown author or mid-list author who really could use the push. Stretch your reading out to more than just the best-seller list. Otherwise, all the blogs seem to be cookie cutter ads for the same books.
Don't Compete, Be Unique - There are so many books out there that there really is room for all of us and we should showcase each other year-round! I'd love to see bloggers hosting guest posts from other bloggers and Q&A's more than just 1x per year.
FOR PETE'S SAKE DON'T SELL ARCS - Seriously book lover. This is a no. Never. Give these away if you don't want to keep them, but respect what they are: a very special gift you shouldn't try to profit from.
So, if you're a blogger what are your favorite tips or concerns? Readers, what do you wish you saw more of on blogs and in the book blog community?
BBAW: Why I Adore Other Romance Book Bloggers
A few years ago I stumbled across an awesome blog called Smart Bitches Trashy Books and I fell in love. Here was a community of people talking about romance! Romance, the genre that the world likes to ignore and pretend it's helping to keep book publishers in business.
None of my friends were reading romance and I'd finally found *someone* to talk to about the books I loved. It helped that the reviews were written with such a fun and distinctive voice. :)
The only thing that Smart Bitches was missing was well...the books I was reading around that time. To be honest, I wasn't reading the latest releases or the same authors. So I would search for other blogs that had read and reviewed those books. I found some, but no where near the number of romance blogs that are out there today.
You can guess what happened right? I started Cheeky Reads so that I could talk about the books I was reading. Like my own personal community of friends to tell "Holy cow you will love this hero!" or "That heroine got on my last nerve."
After creating Cheeky Reads I was amazed at how welcoming all the other bloggers were, especially on Twitter. I follow and frequently RT other romance book bloggers that I admire all the time. They are a fantastic group and it's always so interesting to see if we agree/disagree on a book.
So, I thought I would share some of their Twitter names with you so you can follow them and check them out for yourself! In no particular order here are some awesome book bloggers on Twitter I highly recommend:
@SmartBitches
@Jane_L
@SmexyBooks
@FictionVxn
@Leotine1976
@Season4Romance
@Janga724
@booksmugglers
@JoyfullyReviewed
@BooksandWine
@Lynette2Cents
@booksilove
I hope you find some amazing new book blogs to follow and will stop back by again to talk romance books with me!
Kick Start Me: A Guest Post From Author Terry Kate
Get Involved Before the Book is Written?
It has always been hard being a starving artist. Finding the time and money to make your masterpiece. When it comes to film, which was my area of study, money to start was a must. Film is NOT cheap. So there were patrons of the arts. But come on, who can afford to be a patron now?Actually...
I was clued into a magical things by a filmmaker - KICKSTARTER - and not only do they do films, music, art, they also cover BOOKS. So now starting at $1 you can be patrons of the arts? The answer is yes.
It works like PBS and you pledge money to a project you believe in and get rewards - prizes - cool items and one of a kind things like acknowledgements in the books. So I said, "I have a project let's give it a go. Lets see what people think huh?"
So I put up The Sanction Chronicles on Kickstarter yesterday. What do you Cheeky readers think? Is this the way to go for artists? Are authors allowed, to ask for you to almost pay for the book before they write it? What do you think?
Why are we up there for the Sanction Chronicles? Well I go big when I do things so we are doing an entirely interactive project with our book series and creating a "real" town where our characters are online blogging and posting to talk about the daily actions of the series. So we post multiple times everyday and it takes a lot of people to make a town seem like it is more than 3 people. We follow the students of Wind Haven High School from September to June - 10 months - so we need a little help and are giving Kickstarter a try.
I am excited to talk about this as an option for readers and writers to get involved with the my project and discover other works in progress to help.
So what is the story readers?
Terry Kate
and the
Sanction Authors
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