Blog Tour & Giveaway: Shadow of Asphodel by Karen Kincy

Today, I have Karen Kincy to promote her new book, Shadows of Asphodel, courtesy of CBB Book Promotions. This is an action-packed novel filled with mercenaries, necromancers and sword play.

Top Ten
by Karen Kincy

What makes me fall in love with a book? My top ten reasons a story makes me swoon:

1. Characters. If I meet a charming character the moment I open a book, I’m hooked. I also love vulnerable badasses. On the outside they look confident and tough, but on the inside they have flaws and fears that you only glimpse at first glance. I’m a sucker for sexy heroes, especially in romance, though I also love a heroine who’s awesome enough to take the lead in the story. There need to be more female characters who inspire admiration and adoration.

2. Romance. If I’m reading a romance novel, I want the relationship between the characters to drag me through the emotional wringer. Bonus points if a book can make me blush or cry, both of which are quite hard to do. I absolutely love watching characters fall for each other, particularly when it isn’t love or lust at first sight, and they have to navigate all that angst. For genres other than romance, I’ll admit to crossing my fingers for a romantic subplot.

3. Tension. It can be the breathless suspense that makes you race between scenes, or the kind of slow build that makes you bite your nails. Tension between characters who haven’t admitted their attraction, or tension as a sandstorm rolls in, or tension constructed out of hidden secrets. What can I say? I don’t like to be strung along in real life, but I’ll pay for an author to do it.

4. Prose. It can be ornate and lush, or stark and bold, but knowing I’m in the hands of a confident storyteller always makes me clutch my book a little closer. I have a special weakness for gorgeous descriptions. Right now I’m reading The Night Circus and the sensory metaphors alone make me weak at the knees.

5. Action. Confession: I love fight scenes with intricate choreographies, and fight scenes with swords, and fight scenes where things explode and the characters walk away without looking back. I don’t shy away from a certain quantity of gore, so long as it’s central to the story.

6. World. I’m such a research geek that I have a special place in my heart for historical stories, particularly historical fantasies. I want to know all the little details that make a world tick. I want to imagine that I could open a door and step right inside, and I wouldn’t want to leave.

7. Wit. As an author, I happen to think that humor is one of the hardest things to pull off in a story. When a book makes me laugh, I love it even more. Witty banter between characters is one of my favorite things to read.

8. Steam. A romance can be sweet or steamy and I’ll read it, but I do like it when an author takes the heat and turns it up to eleven. Sometimes, when I’m riding the bus, I’ll read steamy books on my Kindle and hope nobody looks over my shoulder!

9. Magic. I write paranormal and fantasy novels since that’s what I love to read. I have tried to write straight contemporary books before, but some magic always creeps back into the story. As a reader, I’ll go for anything from witches to werewolves.

10. Ending. What can make or break my undying devotion for a book? The ending. I think the best kind of endings are the bittersweet ones that make you sigh with satisfaction but also leave you with a little bit of angst. It helps if there’s a sequel, so I don’t have to angst too long.

What makes you fall in love with a book?

About the Author:

Karen Kincy (Redmond, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College.

Find the author:
Website | Twitter | Facebook

When Ardis discovers a man bleeding to death on the battlefield, she knows she has to walk away. In her work as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary, Ardis has killed many men without hesitation. One more man shouldn’t matter, even if he manages to be a charming bastard while he stands dying in the snow.
But when he raises the dead to fight for him, she realizes she must save his life.
If a necromancer like Wendel dies, he will return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Ardis decides to play it safe and rescues him. What she doesn’t expect is Wendel falling to one knee and swearing fealty. Ardis never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer, but it’s too late now.
Ardis and Wendel forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Can Ardis stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him?

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Shadows of Asphodel

Review (4 Stars): One of the things that I loved about this book was the main character, Ardis. She was a young woman on her own in a time where that was frowned upon by society and she could wield a sword better than her male counterparts. She was tough, smart and deadly and killed men without thinking twice about the consequences. That is what I loved about her and Shadows of Asphodel. She never planned to get involved with Wendel, the necromancer, but together they just seemed to fit. They had great chemistry together and very hot sex scenes but I wish they had just a little bit more sexual tension before they finally got together.

I thought this novel was action-packed and Ms. Kincy does a great job creating this alternate steampunk yet magical world for Ardis and Wendel. Shadow of Asphodel was a fascinating read and I would love to see more of Ardis and Wendel in the future.

Giveaway

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December 11, 2013December 2, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Sylvain Reynard

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Sylvain Reynard to the blog today.

Sylvain, can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hello Books n Kisses. It’s a pleasure to be with you and your readers. I’m a fairly new novelist. The Gabriel trilogy is my first series and the third and final novel is releasing December 3^rd. It’s entitled “Gabriel’s Redemption.”

Currently, I’m writing a new novel, “The Raven,” which will be the first in a series.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I never expected to become an author. I’m very grateful to my readers from around the world for my success.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Many authors seem to write to music. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. I enjoy music, but I find that I can’t write while listening to it because I need to hear how dialogue and descriptions sound. Music distracts me. But I often mention music in my writing because my characters enjoy music as well and I find that a specific song or piece of music can add to a scene.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

With pleasure. My newest book is “Gabriel’s Redemption,” and it releases December 3^rd from Berkley press. It’s the third book in the Gabriel series and here is its description:

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father.

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront Julianne about the subject of her presentation—research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

A few locations proved inspiring for the story: Umbria, Florence, Oxford, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. But I was also inspired by the overall theme of redemption and how finding one’s soul mate brings with it challenges along with extraordinary rewards.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m working on a new novel that will be the first in a series set in contemporary Florence. I’m fortunate in that my publisher has included an excerpt from it at the end of “Gabriel’s Redemption,” so readers will have a sneak peek at it.

The book is entitled “The Raven” and it will be a paranormal love story. You can read the cover copy and find out more about it here:http://www.sylvainreynard.com/2013/11/my-next-novel-revealed.html

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

To be honest, most of the authors I’d like to meet are deceased. I’d have given almost anything to meet Dante, for example.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

I have two suggestions. First, write every day. This develops the habit of writing. Second, find someone whom you trust and ask him/her to read your work and to give you constructive criticism. Every writer needs an editor and it’s important to listen to criticism.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to see Mount Everest. I don’t want to climb it, I just want to look at it and take pictures.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’ve tweeted with Deborah Harkness, who is a friend of EL James, whom we both know, but I’ve never had the pleasure of reading “A Discovery of Witches.” It’s on my reading list and I hope I’ll be able to read it and it’s sequels.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

There’s a special giveaway to commemorate the release of “Gabriel’s Redemption,” which I’ll be hosting on my website. www.sylvainreynard.com

Website | Facebook | Twitter @Sylvainreynard| Goodreads

*****

From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Gabriel’s Rapture and Gabriel’s Inferno comes the epic conclusion to the captivating romantic trilogy.

Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of Gabriel’s Redemption HERE

Bio: I’m interested in the way literature can help us explore aspects of the human condition – particularly suffering, sex, love, faith, and redemption. My favourite stories are those in which a character takes a journey, either a physical journey to a new and exciting place, or a personal journey in which he or she learns something about himself/herself.

I’m also interested in how aesthetic elements such as art, architecture, and music can be used to tell a story or to illuminate the traits of a particular character. In my writing, I combine all of these elements with the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of goodness.

I try to use my platform as an author to raise awareness about the following charities: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, WorldVision, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Covenant House. For more information, see my Twitter account

Social Media Accounts : Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Louboutin winner will be gifted a Neiman Marcus gift card with shipping included. All prizes are international.

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December 11, 2013December 4, 2013

Kelly’s review of Gabriel’s Redemption

TITLE: Gabriel’s Redemption
SERIES #:Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy #3
CHARACTERS: Gabriel & Julianne Emerson
AUTHOR: Sylvain Reynard
PUBLICATION DATE: December 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
REVIEW:
This is final book in the Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy. I will start off saying that you really have to read this trilogy in order. There is way too much that happens in book 1 and book 2 to just read book 3. So if you have not read I would suggest you stop here, unless you would like a bit of a spoiler.

A love found, a love lost, a love tested and a love that will stand the test of time that is how I would describe not only this book but the whole series. If you have read book 1 & 2 you will know the bumpy road that Gabriel & Julianne have to travel. In Gabriel’s Redemption the Emersons will have to keep fighting for their future. Friends and foes from the past come back and are trying to stir up trouble for them. Gabriel & Julianne learn quickly that they have to have each others back even when they have to let the other stand on their own.

This was a great way to end the series and I am so happy that I pick up Gabriel’s Inferno. I have loved Gabriel and Julianne from day one and have been so excited to see them grow as individuals and as a couple. I am sad that this is the end of the series, but I hope that Sylvain will give us a glimpse at The Emerson’s some time in the future.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 10, 2013December 9, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Kathryne Kennedy

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Kathryne Kennedy to the blog for the first time.

Kathryne, can you please share with us a little about yourself
KK: I’ve been married for over thirty years, have two sons, and currently, three dogs. I have an old Chihuahua named Baggins, and two new puppies. Champagne is a tiny Yorkie, and Pikachu is a small Chihuahua mix. I grew up in the Air Force, so I have lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S. I currently live in the desert state of Arizona.

Have you always wanted to be an author?
KK: Not until my mother became a published author, and I realized it was possible. But I have always been an avid reader.

Are you a plotter or a panster or combo of both? Can you explain the difference?
KK: I use a combination of both. I have a general outline of the plot before I get started. And of course, I have the world built. But then there’s the characters…they are always doing something or heading off in a direction I never thought of, and yes, they do occasionally alter the plot and I have to do some major juggling to keep up.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?
KK: I giggle to myself when I’m writing something I consider funny. I suppose it would look strange if anyone was watching me.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?view
KK: Everlasting Enchantment is the brand new fourth book in the Relics of Merlin series. It takes place in a magical Victorian London, where powers determine rank. My heroine, Millicent Pantere, is a shapeshifter caught up in a scheme to use one of Merlin’s relics to overthrow the Crown. When she steals a bracelet and it wraps around her arm and won’t come off, she meets Gareth Solimere, once a Knight of the Round Table, and since, trapped within the relic until he finds his one true love. Millicent is sure she isn’t the one to break the curse. Gareth thinks otherwise, and using all the experience garnered through centuries of lovemaking, sets out to seduce her.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?
KK: This is so hard to answer, because I usually start out with a germ of an idea, and build on it until it’s something tangible. In Everlasting Enchantment, I knew I wanted to switch it around a bit, so that this time the shapeshifter is the heroine. And then I knew she had to be a black panther, because it spoke of sleek and sexy to me, and this started creating her character. Then I knew she had to have grown up in the Underground, the dark city beneath London that Magic Users created to experiment with black magic. And this created all sorts of insecurities and strengths in her character. And then I knew I had to have a hero who was completely opposite of her, a man who was goodness and honor and…chivalry. Which made me think of the most chivalrous men in mythology (or history, depending on who you are talking to) King Arthur’s knights. I kept going on from here, the plot unfolding as I went.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
KK: Right now, I’m brainstorming another book in The Elven Lord’s series, and also fiddling with an idea for a young adult series.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
KK: Andre Norton, because she introduced me to the world of fantasy and science fiction…worlds that fully captured my imagination. Unfortunately, she passed away, so that’s one wish that won’t be fulfilled.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
KK: Learn the craft, and then write what you want to read, not what’s selling or popular at the moment. You have to know the rules before you can bend them.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
KK: Funny you should ask. There’s a restaurant here in Arizona that is 24 floors up and revolves. I always wanted to have dinner there, and just did, a few weekends ago. Yep, it’s off my bucket list, but can’t say I enjoyed it. Who would think it would revolve so fast? Who knew it would make me so dizzy I could barely eat my dinner? But there’s one strike off my list, anyway.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
KK: I’m currently reading Erin Quinn’s “The Five Deaths of Roxanne Love.” She’s my beta reader, and although I’ve already read the book in its manuscript stages, it’s an entirely different experience to read it bound and published. Sometimes, she puts words together like poetry, so I’m actually marking the pages and am going to highlight those sentences on my blog…so it’s taking me a bit longer to read it.

What is one book everyone should read before they die?
KK: Goodness, that’s a tall order. I suppose the bible.

What is your favorite time of year & why?
KK: Winter. Because there’s Christmas, my most happiest time of year. I love giving gifts. I love being with the family all warm and snug. I love sparklies and Christmas music and lights twinkling on otherwise ordinary houses. I love magic, and I think it’s the one time of year where it abounds.

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet him or her?
KK: I think I get more of a crush on the character they are playing, not the actual man…so it’s still Legolas played by Orlando Bloom in the Lord of the Rings movie.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
KK: Yes. I have some fabulous readers, and I would like to thank them for their loyalty and support of my work.

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*****

IN STORES DECEMBER 2013

Powerful Magic is Afoot …

Millicent Pantere has lived her entire life in the notorious London Underground. She cares nothing for the problems of the crown or the intrigues of society. But the ladies of the realm are acting strangely, and Millicent is coerced into tracking down the rumors of a mysterious man—a magic man who comes in the night and disappears at dawn.

And So the Hunt Begins…

Millicent’s search leads her to one of Merlin’s legendary relics and the seductive knight whose fate is bound up with it. Centuries ago, Sir Gareth Solimere made the mistake of seducing the wrong woman, and he has been trapped ever since by a diabolical curse. He’s looking for the one who can break the enchantment—but in this world, there is no love without betrayal…

December 9, 2013November 23, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Jamie Wyman

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I’m Jamie. I’m a total geek who loves fire, circus history and chai. I live in Arizona with my husband, our 8 year old daughter and two feline overlords. When I’m not writing, I’m probably gaming with friends. Some of the more random things about me: I have 7 tattoos. I can read/write in Circular Gallifreyan (the language of the Time Lords in Doctor Who). I auditioned for Blue Man Group in 2004 and almost made it.

Learn more about Jamie here: Website Blog Twitter Facebook | Goodreads

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I’ve always loved telling stories, but it took me a while to get the hint about being an author. I only started seeking publication 5 years ago.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Hrm. Probably that I cast almost all of my characters. I have a folder for each character and I through pictures into it of actors that resemble them, or props, or symbols or whatever. It helps in those murkier moments.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

WILD CARD is a romp through Vegas featuring trickster gods and technomancers. Catherine Sharp is stuck in a rut. She’s working a dead-end job as a code monkey and barely scrapes by. To make it worse, her soul belongs to Eris, the Greek goddess of Discord. So in her not-so-free time, Cat does little jobs for Eris in the hopes of balancing their books. When another deity claims to have won her soul, Cat has to think fast and get in on the game if she ever hopes to be free. The only person who can help her is Marius, a satyr with his own debt to Discord. He’s insatiable, sexy and snarky as hell. Their relationship has been rocky disdain at best, but now they have to work together. If they play their cards right, they might both win their freedom.

This book was crazy fun to write and I think that comes through for the reader.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

There were two separate ideas that came crashing together. I knew I wanted to write an urban fantasy with a heroine named C. Sharp. I wanted her to be a working class geek rather than a detective or vigilante type. But, I didn’t have much of a plot for her. I also had this idea for a story that had to do with the Trickster gods of various pantheons playing a game of poker. When I put the two together, magic started happening.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Right now I’m working on Book 3 of Cat Sharp’s story. That’s the main focus. Beyond that, there are a few novels that I’m outlining and hoping to fit into the schedule. I’ve also got a couple of stories brewing that you might see in anthologies soon.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Neil Gaiman. He’s one of my influences and I would love to thank him for his work.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

RUN AWAY! No, not really. Best advice I can give…don’t be afraid. There’s so much to be afraid of in writing: am I doing it right? Will people like it? Fear of rejection. Fear of success. Fear of markets and trends and the nebulous world of publishing. Do I self-publish? Fear of writing from a place of truth and being vulnerable to the reader. And about a million other things.

Forget all of that. Write honestly and fearlessly.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Write an episode of Doctor Who.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

My to read pile is about as tall as Everest at this point. I finally finished reading CARNIEPUNK (an anthology) and that turned me on to several new-to-me writers. I really want to start Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series. I also want to dig into the Cherry St. Croix Chronicles by Karina Cooper. Oh, and the new Gail Carriger series. See what I mean? Not enough time to read all of these books!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for giving me some time here on Books n Kisses to talk. I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy WILD CARD and meet these characters that have had me laughing for a while now.

*****

WILD CARD

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Release Date: 11/25

Genre: Urban Fantasy

It was bad enough that gods gambled with human souls, but Catherine Sharp’s soul just had to be won by the Greek goddess of Discord, Eris. As if working a dead-end tech support job didn’t suck the life out of her as it was. Now, Cat finds herself performing random tasks for the goddess in her free time.

But when Coyote, the Native American trickster himself, claims to have won her own soul in Mayhem’s weekly poker game, Cat wants in on the action. With five sneaky gods upping the ante, Cat needs to find a way to collect the winning chips that could save her soul.

Marius, a handsome yet irritating satyr with his own debt to Eris, might finally come in handy for something. If they play their cards right and work together, Cat and Marius may just get their freedom back. If they don’t kill each other or fall in love first.

A little about Jamie:

After a misspent adulthood pursuing a Music Education degree, JAMIE WYMAN fostered several interests before discovering that being an author means never having to get out of pajamas. (However, she can eat/spin fire, tell you a lot about auditioning to be a Blue Man, and read/write in Circular Gallifreyan.) As an author, Jamie’s favorite playgrounds are urban fantasy, horror and creepy carnival settings. When she’s not traipsing about with her imaginary friends, she lives in Phoenix with two hobbits and two cats. She is proud to say she has a deeply disturbed following at her blog.

Jamie’s debut novel, WILD CARD, will be coming to an e-reader near you November 2013 thanks to Entangled Publishing. You can also find her short story “The Clever One” in the anthology WHEN THE HERO COMES HOME 2 (Dragon Moon Press, August ’13).

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Info: $25 ThinkGeek Gift Card

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Follow the whole tour here

11/25: Guest blog – Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews

11/26: Guest blog – Romantic Reads and Such

11/26: Spotlight – Sizzling Hot Book Reviews

11/27: Interview – Lusty Penguin Reviews

11/28: Interview – A Passion for Romance

11/29: Guest Blog – Bea’s Book Nook

12/3: Interview – You Gotta Read Reviews

12/4: Spotlight – In Shadows

12/5: Spotlight – Becky on Books

12/6: Spotlight – Melissa Stevens

12/9: Interview – Books-n-Kisses

12/10: Spotlight – Must Read Faster

12/11: Spotlight – Book Reviews and More by Kathy

12/12: Interview – Diane’s Book Blog

12/12: Spotlight – Snifferwalk Books

12/13: Spotlight – My Erotic Notions

12/13: Spotlight – Books to Get Lost In

December 9, 2013December 8, 2013

Entangled Embrace December Launch Party

Today we’re celebrating the release of two New Adult books from Entangled Embrace!

Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe

He’s waited more than 900 years to love her…

Being the Gatekeeper to Hades is no small feat, and waiting almost a millennia to meet your mate is damn near impossible. But Theo Bradford’s mark has finally surfaced on his intended. Now all he has to do is find her and convince her to embrace her supernatural heritage.

Young genius, Sadie Nowland, has got life figured out. Graduating college at the age of eighteen and accepting a six-figure job is just what she needs to prove she’s made something of herself. But when a strange tattoo mysteriously appears on her shoulder and Theo starts talking about Mates, it catapults her neatly laid out life into chaos.

Targeted by a vicious demon escaped from Hades, Sadie is thrust into the volatile world of Shomrei warriors and a connection to Theo her brain can’t comprehend and her body can’t deny. That primal bond proves more imperative to their survival than either could have ever imagined—and just may be the key to the world’s survival.

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Originally from Minnesota, Reese Monroe currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband of seventeen years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Monroe holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training to run her first marathon.

Reese Monroe is a contributing blogger at the widely popular site New Adult Alley and has been part of the New Adult revolution for years having penned over twenty-five novels in the exciting new category.

To celebrate her release, Reese is giving away a $25 Amazon giftcard! Play along for a chance to win. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

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Sneaking Candy by Lisa Burstein

All I ever wanted was to make a name for myself as Candice Salinas, creative writing grad student at the University of Miami. Of course, secretly I already have made a name for myself: as Candy Sloane, self-published erotic romance writer. Though thrilled that my books are selling and I have actual fans, if anyone at UM found out, I could lose my scholarship…and the respect of my faculty advisor, grade-A-asshole Professor Dylan.

Enter James Walker, super-hot local barista and—surprise!—my student. Even though I know a relationship is totally off-limits, I can’t stop myself from sneaking around with James, taking a few cues from my own erotic writing…if you catch my drift. Candy’s showing her stripes for the first time in my real life, and I’ve never had so much fun. But when the sugar high fades, can my secrets stay under wraps?

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Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. She is the author of Pretty Amy, The Next Forever and Dear Cassie. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats.

Twitter | Facebook | Website | Goodreads | Blog

To celebrate the release of Sneaking Candy, Lisa is giving away several prizes. Play along for a chance to win. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

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December 7, 2013October 4, 2013

Kara Gillian Series by Diane Rowland

Mark of the Demon

Kara Gillian #1

Cop and conjurer of demons, she’s a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill….

Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives—and souls—of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore.

Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head.

*****

Blood of the Demon

Kara Gillian #2

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL, MAN AND DEMON, SHE’S ABOUT TO FACE THE ONE THING SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

Welcome to the world of Kara Gillian, a cop with a gift. Not only does she have the power of “othersight” to see what most people can’t even imagine, but she’s become the exclusive summoner of a demon lord. Or maybe it’s the other way around. The fact is, with two troublesome cases on her docket and a handsome FBI agent under her skin, Kara needs the help of sexy, insatiable Lord Rhyzkahl more than he needs her. Because these two victims, linked by suspicious coincidence, haven’t just been murdered. Something has eaten their souls.

It’s a case with roots in the arcane, but whose evil has flowered among the rich, powerful, and corrupt in Beaulac, Louisiana. And as the killings continue, Kara soon realizes how much there’s still to learn about demons, men, and things that kill in the night—and how little time she has to learn it.

*****

Secrets of the Demon

Kara Gillian #3

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the “arcane” in our world, and there’s quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She’s also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they’re not summoners, and they’re not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.

TO make things worse, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons-a Demon Lord-who helped save her partner’s life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she’s trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and…mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she’s not even sure who-or what-her partners are?

*****

Sins of the Demon

Kara Gillian #4

The homicide beat in Louisiana isn’t just terrifying, it’s demonic. Detective Kara Gilligan of the supernatural task force has the ability to summon demons to her aid, but she herself is pledged to serve a demonic lord. And now, people who’ve hurt Kara in the past are dropping dead for no apparent reason. To clear her name and save both the demon and human worlds, she’s in a race against the clock and in a battle for her life that just may take her to hell and back.

*****

Touch of the Demon

Kara Gillian #5

Kara Gillian is in some seriously deep trouble.

She’s used to summoning supernatural creatures from the demon realm to our world, but now the tables have been turned and she’s the one who’s been summoned. Kara is the prisoner of yet another demonic lord, but she quickly discovers that she’s far more than a mere hostage. Yet waiting for rescue has never been her style, and Kara has no intention of being a pawn in someone else’s game.

There’s intrigue to spare as she digs into the origin of the demonic lords and discovers the machinations of humans and demons alike. Kara is shocked to discover that she has her own history in the demon realm, and that the ties between her and the demonic lords Rhyzkahl and Szerain go back farther than she could have ever imagined. But treachery runs rampant among all the lords, and she’s going to have to stay sharp in order to keep from being used to further their own agendas. The lords have a secret that dates back to earth’s ancient history, and it could have devastating repercussions for both worlds.

Yet more than anything else, Kara’s abilities as a homicide detective will be put to the test—because this time the murder she has to solve is her own.

*****

Fury of the Demon

Kara Gillian #6

Release Date January 7, 2014

Demon summoner Kara Gillian bears the scars of Rhyzkahl’s treachery, but she refuses to let them slow her down. She and the demonic lord Mzatal have not rested in their efforts to recover Idris—Mzatal’s summoner protégé who was kidnapped by enemy lords—but now their search has brought them back to Earth.

With the help of FBI agents Ryan Kristoff and Zack Garner, they begin to track down summoners who are working with Rhyzkahl. However, Kara knows Ryan’s true identity, and questions of loyalty threaten to tear apart this group of allies. When Kara intervenes to help a brilliant young computer expert and his bodyguard after an accidental shooting, she quickly learns that Rhyzkahl’s machinations run deeper than she could have ever imagined. The search for Idris takes on a desperate edge as their enemies increase in number, and Kara realizes that an old homicide case may hold the key to their success—or their doom.

With the very fabric of the universe at stake, Kara must rely on her skills, wit, and luck to save her friends and her world, yet ancient vows will have to be broken if she is to have any hope.

But the price of breaking those vows may be her own blood.

December 6, 2013November 23, 2013

Review of Better Date Than Never Series by Susan Hatler + a giveaway

Susan Hatler Bio:

Susan Hatler is an international bestselling author who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too. You can visit her website at www.susanhatler.com.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter @SusanHatler | Goodreads

*****

Love at First Date

SERIES #: Better Date than Never #1
CHARACTERS: Henry & Ellen
AUTHOR: Susan Hatler
PUBLICATION DATE: October 31, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | All Romance | iTunes

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she’s signed up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. Learning men’s preferences up front, plus a few weeks of email correspondence, has resulted in two candidates she’s excited to meet in person.

When Ellen’s best friend asks her to baby-sit her beloved pooch, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t stop thinking about. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but Ellen suddenly finds herself signing up for a week-long doggy class to spend more time with him.

Now, Ellen has a choice: Go with one of the logical choices or let herself fall for the one man her heart seems to want.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3 3/4
REVIEW:
Ellen has sworn that she will find the perfect man for her. She plans on doing this via the internet dating sight and a long list of qualifications. But you know what they say about best made plans…….

This was a really fun story, yet short. I enjoyed, if you are looking for a quick read think about picking up a copy of Love at First Date.

*****

Truth or Date

SERIES #:Better Date Than Never #2
CHARACTERS: Chris Bradley & Gina Hall
AUTHOR: Susan Hatler
PUBLICATION DATE: April 25, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Gina Hall is done with men who won’t commit. Ten years waiting for her ex to propose wasted her time. Never again. When her friend Kristen starts a game of Truth or Dare, she dares Gina to go on a date with Ethan, who’s amazing and total marriage material.

As Gina plans the going away party for office playboy Chris Bradley, she spontaneously initiates a game of Truth or Dare with him. When his turn comes around, he dares Gina to pose as his girlfriend to help get a flirty colleague off his back. Gina finds playing couple with Chris way too much fun.

Even though Gina and Chris are pretending, their relationship begins to feel painfully real. Fearing she might be falling for another fly-by man, Gina must focus on Ethan so she doesn’t make the same dating mistakes all over again.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
REVIEW:
This was another really fun, but short ready by Susan. I loved Chris & Gina. It was a little heart breaking knowing how much Chris has pined for Gina over the years. But now is his chance if he can only get Gina to see it.

*****

My Last Blind Date

SERIES #: Better Date Than Never#3
CHARACTERS: Noah Peterson & Rachel Price
AUTHOR: Susan Hatler
PUBLICATION DATE: Feb 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

BOOK SYNOPSIS: It’s Valentine’s Day and Rachel Price has a choice: Stay home and watch TV with her loveable doggy or let her best friend, Ellen, set her up on a blind date. What to do….

Ellen says the guy is a “10,” but the last guy she set her up with was a “–5.” Rachel’s been flirting with coworker Noah Peterson and she’s hoping he’s noticed. Then, she finds out Noah has big plans. Even worse, he advises Rachel to go on the blind date!

Should she play it safe and spend the Hallmark holiday with her loyal pooch, Chester, or risk another dating disaster by trying yet again for love?

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3
REVIEW:
This one was super short. But super sweet. I really enjoyed how Noah went after what he wanted. Rachel had no chance to win a battle she didn’t even know she was going to in.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of the books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Series

*****

Save the Date

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Kristen swears off men, but temptation swoops in when her sexy friend Ethan starts flirting with her.

Kristen knows men hide things. Case in point, her last boyfriend turned out to be married. Just like anyone else, Kristen is devastated. However, since Kristen evaluates people for a living, her ex’s duplicity has her searching for a new career as well as swearing off men.

Touring history museums with her sexy friend Ethan doesn’t count, because he has a girlfriend, and has only shown friendly interest in Kristen. He even helps with her career counseling tasks. Although Kristen has a secret crush on Ethan, spending time with him is safe. Until she discovers he’s actually single. Gasp. And now he’s flirting with her, too.

Suddenly, Ethan is way too dangerous. Not to mention tempting. Sure, he seems like sixty shades of perfect, but how’s a girl with bad judgment supposed to detect what skeletons he has in his closet?

*****

A Twist of Date

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Melanie Porter has been dumped—again. When others accuse her of “being in love with being in love,” she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life.

The Boyfriend Bylaws

Rule #1: No giving out your phone number until approved to do so.
Rule #2: Must obtain permission to accept any date invitation.
Rule #3: No bringing up marriage, kids or the future.
Rule #4: No going to first base without authorization.
Amended Rule #4: No going to first base, or any other base, without authorization.
Rule #5: No scribbling your first name with some guy’s last name. Ever.
Rule #6: New rules may be added as Patti Hartley deems necessary.
Memorize it, live by it, and happy dating!

*****

The Better Date than Never Series, Boxed Set Vol. #1

Amazon | B&N

Giveaway info:

Susan will be giving away the following:
• 2 $10 Amazon Gift Cards
• 5 Better Date than Never Box Set (Kindle copy)

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December 5, 2013December 3, 2013

Spotlight feature of Waking up Dead by Margo Bond Collins & tour wide giveaway

Walking Up Dead

by Margo Bond Collins

Amazon

When Callie Taylor died, she expected to go to heaven—or maybe hell. Instead, when she was murdered in Dallas by some jerk with a knife and a bad-mommy complex, she went to Alabama. Now she’s seen another murder, and she can’t just let it go; she must find a way to make sure the police figure out who really killed Molly McClatchy before an innocent man goes to prison, all the while trying to determine how and why she woke up dead in Alabama.

A little about Margo:

Margo Bond Collins is the author of the paranormal mystery “Waking up Dead,” forthcoming in 2013 from Solstice Publishing, and “Legally Undead,” first in an urban fantasy series coming in 2014 from World Weaver Press (http://worldweaverpress.com/). She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, several spoiled cats, and a ridiculous turtle. She teaches college English online. She loves paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters.

Website| Facebook | Twitter @MargoBondCollin | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway (5 copies of Waking Up Dead):

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December 5, 2013December 4, 2013

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Whips, Cuffs and Little Brown Boxes by Kathryn Long

Turning forty, menopausal and single mystery writer, Lilly M. needs a little excitement in her life now and then. So, when her aunt Fran turns up missing, Lilly decides playing amateur detective might do the trick. Of course, she would have to keep her snooping from Irene, her adopted mom. She thinks Lilly will snoop herself right into trouble. It doesn’t take a crystal ball or Irene to predict Lilly’s fate; most of the time, her life just turns out that way.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Kathryn Long is a recently retired school teacher who has enjoyed writing mysteries for several years. Credits include mystery shorts, “Betrayal in an Envelope” and “A Good Man”, both published by The Piker Press. Long has ventured into self-publishing the cozy Lilly M. mystery series with titles Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes and Gangs, Illegals, and a Rose Tattoo, as well as a series of YA novels, Cinderella Geek, Not So Snow White and Alice in Realityland under the pen name Jennkrist. Dying to Dream is her latest mystery gone to print with indie publisher, Mainly Murder Press. Future publications include a romantic suspense novel titled A Deadly Deed Grows, which will be coming out next year with The Wild Rose Press

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Whips, Cuffs and Little Brown Boxes

Review (4 Stars): This was such a cute little mystery for me. Lilly is a 40-year-old woman who is trying to finish her mystery novel while dating a police detective and has her family hounding her at every turn about when she is going to settle down and have a family. She discovers that her aunt Fran has disappeared and no one has a clue where she went to in this small town. Lilly decides to try to find clues on her aunt’s whereabouts and why she would just disappear without a word. What Lilly finds is more than she bargained for leaving her with more questions as to what aunt Fran got herself involved in before she disappeared.

The thing that I liked the most about this book was the characters. I liked Lilly because I could really relate to her situation as being a single woman who is just trying to make a living while your family keeps asking you when you are going to settle down. She had family everywhere and three women that she considered her “mom.” In a small town, everyone knows everyone else and that is what makes this book fun. Especially the old neighbor who believes that he is Davy Crockett and is always on the lookout for enemies which includes her little dog, Lou. The mystery was well-written and I liked how everything wrapped up nicely at the end. Looking forward to reading more about these characters in future installments of the series.

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December 4, 2013December 3, 2013

Spotlight feature of Hunger Moon by Melissa Snark & tour wide giveaway

HUNGER MOON

by Melissa Snark

Victoria Storm faces seemingly insurmountable odds to keep her dwindling pack of werewolves alive and together. She fights hunters- including the brother and father of her deceased lover-and the pack takes another devastating loss. When they seek sanctuary in a small town near Lake Tahoe, high in the secluded Sierra Nevada Mountains, Victoria discovers they are infringing on the territory of a vastly more powerful Alpha wolf. To save her pack, she uses her feminine wiles to seduce the Alpha. Nothing comes easily for Victoria. Her plans are complicated by the Alpha’s erratic son, a ghostly wife, and a vengeful witch. Not even her status as a Valkyrie or the favor of the Goddess Freya can change the course of destiny for Victoria or her packmates.

Hunger Moon Excerpt #5

She caught the scent of a male wolf behind her. Her hackles rose when his whiskey voice mocked her. “Fie, foh, and fum, I smell the blood of a tiny woman.”

Victoria spun to face the offending male wolf intruder. Her upper lip peeled back to reveal her canines and a rumbling snarl issued from her throat. He towered over her, standing at least a foot and a half taller, and had at least a hundred pounds of lean muscle on her. He wore a short-sleeve tan shirt featuring a Chinese dragon, faded blue jeans, and black Doc Martens.

She assumed a defensive stance, extending her right hand to reach for her dagger, when he caught her gaze. She found no threat in his amber eyes, only naked lust and wicked humor. His generous mouth twisted into a smirk. In her assessment, he did not present an immediate physical threat.

“Well, halloo, Blondie. Has daddy found himself a new playmate?”

She modified her snarl into a cold smile. They might be wolves, but they were also human. She was a guest in his home. Relaxing her guard, she assessed him with an appreciative glance.

“You must be Logan.”

“I must be.” He regarded her with a lascivious leer.

Victoria rolled her eyes. She had no doubt. The physical resemblance to Arik became apparent upon consideration. Father and son shared the same high forehead, strong thin-profiled nose, cheekbones and jaw. The boy wore his light-brown hair in a spiky style and lacked his father’s sturdy build. Broad shoulders, long limbs, and a narrow waist kept with his youth. In time, he would fill out. She could tell he’d be huge once he reached maturity.

A quick glance over her shoulder revealed that the woman among the trees had vanished. With a shrug, Victoria dismissed the incident.

“You have me at a disadvantage. What’s your name?” Logan stepped forward, invading her personal space even more. He tilted his head back, mocking the surrender of his throat.

She refused to give ground, so they were almost touching. “Victoria Storm.”

“Victoria—sounds like an old lady,” Logan said. “Can I call you Vicky?”

“Do so and die.” Victoria glared. She expected he got away with murder, thanks to an uncanny beauty that even a distinct lack of charm failed to eradicate.

Logan threw back his head and laughed, further exposing his throat. He oozed arrogance from every pore. “Are you always so defensive, Vic?”

Her fists clenched, and she reined in the impulse to pummel him. “Does that facile charm work with the little high school girls? Do they call you Wolverine and swoon when you walk by?”

“Ouch.” He smirked. “You know, they do. Swoon. But I’m long out of high school and good ol’ dad is to blame for my namesake. Is it my fault he’s a secret comic book fan boy?”

“Our parents’ literary tastes are never our fault.” She felt his heat on her skin and longed to wrap her mouth around the thick column of his throat. He smelled delicious.

“The real question is whether it’s your fault that you’re a bitter disappointment to your father?” She delivered the final cut with a cruel smile.

A facial tick in his jaw showed she had scored a direct hit. His glib tongue formed a quick reply. “It’s always easier to slip under my father’s bar than to try to go over it.”

“A self-professed failure. I’m not surprised. After all, you’re still living at home, and let me guess, no job?”

Murderous anger drove the amusement from Logan’s eyes. He performed a pantomime of hurt, his hand pressed to his heart. “Wow, they really teach trailer trash how to be mean.”

Author BIO:

Melissa Snark is an erotic romance and paranormal fantasy author. She lives in Northern California with her husband, three children and a glaring of domestic house cats.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Email: melissasnark at gmail dot com

Make sure to check out book 1 in the Loki’s Wolves series

THE CHILD THIEF

by Melissa Snark

A Victoria Storm novella

#1 Loki’s Wolves series

Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | All Romance Ebooks | Smashwords

Valkyrie Victoria Storm has werewolf hunters hell bent on revenge trying to kill her. She can barely keep her own downtrodden pack alive, let alone respond to the pleas of a murdered mother. Can she set aside her differences and work with her sworn enemy to save a little boy from a Christmas nightmare?

*****

Melissa Snark is offering a tour wide giveaway:

(Giveaway is for the continental United States only.)

• (2) $15Amazon gift cards to Amazon

• (2)signed paperback copies of Hunger Moon.

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December 4, 2013December 3, 2013

Blog Tour: The Bitches of Brooklyn by Rosemary Harris

Today I have the wonderful Rosemary Harris talking about her new book, The Bitches of Brooklyn. This book is inspired by a classic Hollywood film, The Bitches of Brooklyn is for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Susan Isaacs and every woman who’s ever had a best friend and wondered…is she really??

The B Word

by Rosemary Harris

My new book, The Bitches of Brooklyn didn’t start out with that title. In its first incarnation it was a mystery entitled, The Fifth Woman. I loved that title. It was mysterious, intriguing.

And then I walked through an airport and saw Hennel Mankell’s book, The Fifth Woman. And then The Sixth Man came out. The Fourth Witness. Suddenly everything sounded too much like my title.

On top of that, my agent said she liked the book but thought I should consider taking the murder out. (Hunh?) It was really about friendships, she said. Marriages. And it was funny. She annointed me the next Susan Isaacs ( from her lips to you-know-who’s ears.) But the title would have to change.

At one point it was The Bitches of Bushwick (a neighborhood in Brooklyn and a nice riff on The Witches of Eastwick.) The location may have changed but they’ve always been bitches.

Back in the day, it was an epithet. Joan Crawford’s character doesn’t even utter it at the end of The Women. “There’s a name for you, ladies but it isn’t used in society – outside of a kennel!”

Nowadays, it is. Skinny Bitch. Stitch ‘n’ Bitch. Don’t trust the B*tch in 2B. Elton John sang that The Bitch is Back and The Stones thought love was a bitch. Miles Davis made a brew out of it. We’ve got Bitch Magazine, The Book Bitch, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. In many circles, including the one in my book, it’s a term of endearment.

And for goodness sake, we regularly kill, maim and otherwise abuse characters in our books. One would not think a simple one syllable word would be cause for censorship. (Facebook refused to run my ad. It kept popping up as The Of Brooklyn.)

I haven’t crossed the rubicon yet in terms of using the F word in my books (and may never) but I have embraced my inner – and some would say outer – Bitch. But to paraphrase Margaret Cho – “any time anyone has ever called me a bitch, I’ve taken it as a compliment.”

Are they really bitches? That depends who you ask…Rachel, Clare, Tina and Jane are four friends awaiting the arrival of a fifth at a secluded Cape Cod bungalow where they spend an all-girls weekend every summer. But this time the fifth woman doesn’t show. Instead she sends a note that reads – “I’ve run off with one of your men.”

Has she? Is it a prank? Do they run for the phone or try to enjoy the weekend without her?

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Rosemary Harris is a native Brooklynite, like some of the characters in The Bitches of Brooklyn. A former bookstore manager and television executive, she’s the author of the Dirty Business mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Paula Holliday. Her debut novel, the Agatha and Anthony-nominated, Pushing Up Daisies (Minotaur), was followed by The Big Dirt Nap, Dead Head and Slugfest. The Bitches of Brooklyn is the first in a new series. Rosemary is past president of Mystery Writers of America’s NY Chapter and Sisters in Crime’s New England Chapter.

She lives in New York City and Fairfield County, CT.

She blogs with seven other mystery writers at www.jungleredwriters.com.

Visit Rosemary at www.rosemaryharris.com

Like her on facebook at www.facebook.com/RosemaryHarriswriter

Jennifer’s Review of The Bitches of Brooklyn

Review (4 Stars): This was an enjoyable novel about a group of women that travel to Cape Cod for a girl’s weekend but soon receive a message from another woman in their group saying that she has run off with one of their men. As the women try to enjoy the rest of their weekend, while trying to determine who has run off with Abby, they each look back on their lives and the reasons why it could be their husband or boyfriend.

This was a delightfully charming book about four lifelong friends who have stood by each other through everything and I loved the humor that was laced throughout this book. Each of these characters were fun and entertaining and I loved how they truly cared about one another. The Bitches of Brooklyn was a great read and will have you wishing that you had good friends like these.