Thursday, January 30, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson


come to me quietly
SynopsisFrom the acclaimed bestselling author of Lost to You and When We Collide comes a new adult novel of one woman’s obsession: a man who’s as passionate as he is elusive—and as tempting as he is trouble.… Aleena Moore is haunted by Jared Holt. It’s been six years since she’s seen her brother’s best friend, the self-destructive bad boy she secretly loved in high school. As the years pass, she knows it’s time to move on. Time to decide between a practical nursing degree and her true dream as an artist. Time to get over Jared and give another guy a chance… Just when she opens her heart to her friend Gabe, Aly returns home to find Jared sleeping on her couch. The teenage boy she loved has grown into a man she can’t resist. Covered in tattoos and lost in rage, he’s begging to be saved from his demons—the memories of the day he destroyed his family. As the two reconnect, their passion is hot enough to torch Aly’s judgment. But can she risk her future for a man who lives on the edge of destruction?
CTMQ Pic1
Trailer

Laura's Review
If I had to sum up Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson in one word it would be: Heart-wrenching. Okay, I know that is technically two words, but it's exactly what I felt reading this beautiful book. It pulled me in and made me feel such real emotions for these fictional characters - especially Jared, who I just wanted to cry for and give big hugs to. At times, it seemed just a little too drawn out, but I think it was almost necessary to show the entire depth of story that Ms. Jackson tells so well. She takes the girl-in-love-with-her-older-brother's-best-friend trope to a whole new, and oh-so-angsty level. I loved it and could not put it down.

Come to Me Quietly: 4.5/5 stars.


AboutTheAuthor AL Jackson2A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled and When We Collide.
She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
 
BUY LINKS
Amazon B&NIndieBound

Monday, January 27, 2014

Review Tour & Giveaway: The Opposite of Wild by Kylie Gilmore






The Opposite of Wild
Book One Clover Park Series
By: Kylie Gilmore
Released Jan 16th, 2014

Blurb

Unleash the wild woman…?
 Ex-cop Ryan O'Hare takes one look at buttoned-up control freak Liz Garner and just itches to loosen the woman up. Not that he’s into her. Because a woman like that comes with way too many expectations. Not to mention, she practically works for him, and he didn’t hire Liz to watch after his beloved Harley-stealing Gran so he could turn Liz loose in his bed. Still, there’s something about her, a hidden wild side, that makes him wonder what it would take.
 Liz must be crazy to work for the insensitive, arrogant, horribly…hot man she's avoided for years. Unfortunately, she needs the money and Ryan's grandmother needs a keeper. (Midnight tango lessons and ziplines with Gran, anyone?) Ryan's rare smile and swaggering confidence have Liz torn between throwing her favorite pinot grigio at his head or throwing herself at him. Can this control freak find a way to let loose with the tough, no-strings guy who once broke her heart?


Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/KgQMv2

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/12/now-booking-tasty-review-tour-for_4.html

Laura's Review: 
I loved this first book in Kylie Gilmore's Clover Park series - it was the first I've read by her, but I was connected to and immersed in her writing immediately. It was comfortable (although sometimes awkward too), easy and fun, exactly what I love in my romance novels! There was something very reminiscent of Jill Shalvis here -  the eccentric secondary characters - especially Ryan's quirky free-spirited Gran and the sometimes funny, sometimes bumpy, but definitely romantic love between Liz and Ryan. I can definitely see Clover Park turning into another Lucky Harbor, but who wouldn't love that? Can't wait to see what Ms. Gilmore has in store for us next!

The Opposite of Wild: 4/5 stars


Author Info
Kylie Gilmore was lucky enough to discover romance novels at a young age as they were strewn all over the house (thanks, Mom!). She writes quirky, tender romance with a solid dose of humor. Her first book in the Clover Park series, The Opposite of Wild, will launch in January 2014 featuring the oldest of three brothers and his lady love. The next two books in the series give each brother his dream girl (eventually).
Kylie lives in New York with her family, two cats, and a nutso dog. When she's not writing, wrangling kids, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her flexing her muscles all the way to the high cabinet for her secret chocolate stash.

Author Links

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Mix-It-Up Monday: Review of The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening

January 28, 2014

Blurb:
Growing vegetables requires regionally specific information what to plant, when to plant it, and when to harvest are based on climate, weather, and first frost. The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Northeast tackles this need head on, with regionally specific growing information written by local gardening expert, Marie Iannotti. This region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The southernmost parts of Ontario, New Brunswick, Novia Scotia, and Quebec are also included. Monthly planting guides show exactly what you can do in the garden from January through December. The skill sets go beyond the basics with tutorials on seed saving, worm bins, and more. This book also includes a comprehensive gardening primer and an A to Z of edibles a detailed, invaluable source for the region s tried-and-tested varieties.

Review:
This book is everything a backyard gardener could want in an instructional guide. It's laid out in a fun and easy to follow formula, literally going month-to-month and A-to-Z in vegetable gardening know how. The book is specific to each locale (I read the one for the Northeast since I'm in Upstate NY), and goes through planning and prepping to planting and harvesting of each vegetable. There are easy to follow plans, as well as graphs, charts and lists. Whether you are a newbie gardener or a gardening veteran, there will be something to learn with this book. I cannot wait to get started!

The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening: 5/5 stars



Thursday, January 23, 2014

Review Tour and Giveaway: Sea of Love by Melissa Foster



Sea of Love
The Bradens Series Book Four
By: Melissa Foster



Blurb
Lacy Snow wasn’t looking for love when she met strikingly handsome and seductive Dane Braden. But how could she ignore the six-foot-three darkly handsome god who tagged and researched sharks for a living—and made every nerve in her body tangle into an overly sensitive knot? Even her fear of sharks could not suppress their intense attraction.

As founder of the Brave Foundation, Dane Braden travels from port to port, educating and advocating on behalf of the mammals he adores—and spends his nights finding solace in the arms of strangers. The last thing Dane was looking for when he met Lacy Snow was a relationship, and the last thing he expected was to fall in love.

Fifteen months—and hundreds of flirty emails, steamy phone calls, and sensual video chats—later, they reunite and take passion to a whole new level. But as Lacy’s phobia meets Dane’s past love life, their steamy romance is upended, and when tragedy strikes, Dane and Lacy are forced to face their deepest fears head-on as they try to navigate their own sea of love.

Laura's Review:

I haven't read all the previous books in these series, but I've read enough of Melissa Foster's books to know what to expect from her. Great unique characters, great story arcs, and wonderful romance. Sea of Love fits right into that mold while still being a light and refreshing read. Dane Braden is strong, sexy, and sensitive. I couldn't help falling in love with him and his whole Braden-family clan. Some of the back and forth tension got a bit frustrating and probably could have been edited just a bit, but overall I loved it. 

Sea of Love: 4/5 stars

Buy Links





Author Info
"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"-- Bestselling Author Jennie Shortridge
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This  is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked."  International bestseller, M.J. Rose 
Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Author Links
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor  (Fanpage)




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Monday, January 20, 2014

Facebook Romance Author Giveaway Hop!!


Welcome to the FACEBOOK AUTHOR ROMANCE HOP!

Do you love discovering new authors? Well, this is a great way!

Over 30 authors have come together and are each hosting a giveaway on their facebook pages for readers!

Below you will find a linky list of author names. You can ENTER every contest!!!

Please read the links carefully. Some giveaways are US ONLY, US/CANADA, and INTERNATIONAL (INT). Also, the ones that are young adult are labeled (YA). Some are New Adult, and some are strictly for the older crowd. :)

This is a romance giveaway, so no matter that genre each book has some form of romance in it.

The giveaways are a mix of ebooks, paperbacks, ARCs, and gift cards.

Are you ready to have fun???

Get clicking!!!

Good luck!





Saturday, January 18, 2014

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: One to Keep by Tia Louise


ONE TO KEEP Synopsis (Book 2):

WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!

There’s a new guy in town...

“Patrick Knight, single, retired Guard-turned private investigator. I was a closer. A deal maker. I looked clients in the eye and told them I’d get their shit done. And I did...”

Patrick doesn’t do “nice.”
At least, not anymore.

After his fiancée cheats, he follows up with a one-night stand and a disastrous office hook-up. His business partner (Derek Alexander) sends him to the desert to get his head straight—and clean up the mess.

While there, Patrick meets Elaine, and blistering sparks fly, but she’s not looking for any guy. Or a long-distance relationship.

Patrick’s ready to do anything to keep her, but just when it seems he’s changed her mind, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.

(Standalone, M/F, HEA)


Laura's Review: 
Book one in this series was the first Tia Louise I had read, and I just adored it. Super steamy romance with enough tension and twists to keep me interested all the way to the end. Of course, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Lainey and Patrick's story. I haven't read a lot of male POV novels that weren't a retelling of a previously written novel, so at the beginning I wasn't sure how well I'd relate to this one. But, not to worry, I was immediately engrossed and didn't have trouble connecting with the characters at all. Patrick is jaded and broken, and Lainey is the absolute perfect person to help fix him. I loved their story just as much as Derek and Melissa's from One to Hold!

One to Keep: 4/5 stars.


ONE TO HOLD Synopsis (Book 1):



"HOT! FUN! ENJOYABLE! 5 STARS!!! I highly recommend this story and can't wait to read more from Tia Louise!" --Aleatha Roming, NYT & USA Today bestselling author of the Consequences series

***WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!***




Derek Alexander is a retired Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.

Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.

(Standalone, M/F, HEA)

★★★ ONE TO KEEP 99 CENT SALE-EBRATION!!! ★★★
 ONE TO KEEP (Patrick & Elaine) is LIVE!
 Get ONE TO HOLD (Melissa & Derek) for ONLY 99 CENTS TODAY!




**Paperbacks on:
CreateSpace: http://bit.ly/1i4sxiz

About Tia Louise:

Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire all of her stories... wink)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

She lives in the center of the U.S.A. with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations…

It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction.



Books by Tia Louise:
One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014

Links:

Connect with Tia:

Don't miss a single new release or announcement! Sign up for Tia's Book News: http://eepurl.com/Lcmv1



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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Book Tour, Review, & Giveaway: Destined for Love by Melissa Foster



Destined for Love
The Bradens Series Book Two
By: Melissa Foster


Blurb
Rex Braden is wealthy, hard working, and fiercely loyal. Sweat at his brow, he works the family ranch by day, then kicks back at night with part time lovers who require nothing more than his physical presence a few times each week. But that was before. Before Jade Johnson, the daughter of the man his father has been feuding with for over forty years, moves back into town.

After ditching a horrific relationship—and her veterinary practice in the process—Jade Johnson returns to the safety of her small hometown and finally finds her footing. That is...until her horse is injured and Rex Braden comes to her rescue. The last thing she needs is a bull-headed, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Braden complicating her life.

Despite the angry family history, sparks fly between Rex and Jade, and attitudes follow. Fifteen years of stifled, forbidden love stirs a surge of passion too strong for either to deny—and the rebel in each of them rears its powerful head. Loyalties are tested, and relationships are strained. Rex and Jade are about to find out if true love really can conquer all.



Buy Links


Laura's Review: 

I absolutely loved the first half of this book - after the first couple chapters, it drew me in with unbelievable sexual tension that was ready to set the pages ablaze. I loved Rex and Ms. Foster does such a wonderful job showing his vulnerability without emasculating him one bit. The family feud aspect was frustrating which might have been addressed with more depth to the background of the story, but I sort of forgot about it after a while. The second half of the book fizzled out for me just a bit, and I missed the tension that ate up the earlier pages, but overall a very enjoyable and sexy read.

Destined for Love: 4/5 stars


Author Info
"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"-- Bestselling Author Jennie Shortridge
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This  is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked."  International bestseller, M.J. Rose 
Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Author Links
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor  (Fanpage)


Giveaway: 
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Release Day Launch & Giveaway: One to Keep by Tia Louise


ONE TO KEEP Synopsis (Book 2):

WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!

There’s a new guy in town...

“Patrick Knight, single, retired Guard-turned private investigator. I was a closer. A deal maker. I looked clients in the eye and told them I’d get their shit done. And I did...”

Patrick doesn’t do “nice.”
At least, not anymore.

After his fiancée cheats, he follows up with a one-night stand and a disastrous office hook-up. His business partner (Derek Alexander) sends him to the desert to get his head straight—and clean up the mess.

While there, Patrick meets Elaine, and blistering sparks fly, but she’s not looking for any guy. Or a long-distance relationship.

Patrick’s ready to do anything to keep her, but just when it seems he’s changed her mind, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.

(Standalone, M/F, HEA)

ONE TO HOLD Synopsis (Book 1):



"HOT! FUN! ENJOYABLE! 5 STARS!!! I highly recommend this story and can't wait to read more from Tia Louise!" --Aleatha Roming, NYT & USA Today bestselling author of the Consequences series

***WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!***




Derek Alexander is a retired Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.

Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.

(Standalone, M/F, HEA)

★★★ ONE TO KEEP 99 CENT SALE-EBRATION!!! ★★★
 ONE TO KEEP (Patrick & Elaine) is LIVE!
 Get ONE TO HOLD (Melissa & Derek) for ONLY 99 CENTS TODAY!



**Paperbacks on:
CreateSpace: http://bit.ly/1i4sxiz

About Tia Louise:

Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire all of her stories... wink)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

She lives in the center of the U.S.A. with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations…

It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction.



Books by Tia Louise:
One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014

Links:

Connect with Tia:

Don't miss a single new release or announcement! Sign up for Tia's Book News: http://eepurl.com/Lcmv1



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, January 10, 2014

Review Tour & Giveaway: Best Fake Day by Tracey Rogers



Best Fake Day
By: Tracey Rogers
Releasing December 16th, 2013
Beachwalk Press

Blurb
Faking it never felt so good.
Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn’t want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.
Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn’t a little girl anymore. She’s definitely all woman, and there’s an attraction between them that’s hard to ignore.
Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can’t deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can’t refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.
Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language




Laura's Review:

This was one of those great stay in and read, curled up on the couch all day while there is a snowstorm outside, type books. Which is exactly what I did, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a short, light, romantic book that didn't have a whole lot of drama, but enough to keep me interested.
I felt like the plot and chemistry felt a bit forced and I didn't always understand the motivation of the characters, but overall it was an enjoyable read. I'll definitely read whatever Ms. Rogers offers up next!

Best Fake Day: 3.5/5 Stars.


Buy Links:
AmazonUKAmazon.com | Nook  | Beachwalk Press

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/10/now-booking-tasty-review-tour-for-best.html

Author Info
A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn't searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana's books. I'm still in that world and refuse to leave.
I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around.

Author Links


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