Lily Everett Interview and Giveaway

I’m so excited to have one of my favorite authors, Lily Everett aka Louisa Edwards, with us on Books-n-Kisses today. I have been waiting for her new series since I finished The Rising Star Chef series and I’m proud to introduce her new book, Sanctuary Island, as well as interview this fabulous author.

1. Tell me about your new release Sanctuary Island.

Sanctuary Island introduces readers to this beautiful, windswept small town off the coast of Virginia, where the close-knit community grew up in and around a wild horse sanctuary. In the first book, Ella Preston escorts her flighty, pregnant younger sister to Sanctuary Island to reconnect with the mother they haven’t seen in more than a decade–even though Ella’s not sure that’s a good idea. But when she gets to the island, she begins to see that the only way to move forward in her life is to let go of the past, and if she can do that…she’ll have a chance at true love and lasting happiness with Grady Wilkes, a local handyman with scars of his own.

2. Where did you come up with the idea?

I’ve loved horses since I was a little girl, and I grew up not far from Assateague Island, one of several real-life East Coast islands that are home to bands of wild horses. Assateague is a nature preserve, kept completely for the horses, but I thought…what if there were a cute, quirky town there, full of sexy men and smart women who all need to find love?

3. Do you plan to make this into a series?

Sanctuary Island is the first full-length novel of the series, but we’ve already released a trilogy of digital-only novellas set on the island, to welcome readers to the series! The novellas are not prequels to the book, they’re a self-contained trio of short romances with only a few cameos here and there. The next full-length book in the series will be Shoreline Drive, and it will be the story of Ella’s younger sister, new mom Merry Preston and the local veterinarian (and resident grump) Ben Fairfax. Shoreline Drive will be out on January 28, 2014, and it’ll be followed by Heartbreak Cove next summer!

4. Were there any challenges in writing a small-town romance compared to writing your Recipe for Love series? What kind of research did you have to do for Sanctuary Island?

I actually grew up in a small town in Virginia, so in some ways, there was even less research for me to get that setting, the pace and feel of it, to be authentic! And for the horse details, I have my sister and mother-in-law to thank. Both are dedicated, talented horsewomen, and were a great source of information and fun facts. My mother-in-law is an active volunteer with the Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Center, and I was very inspired by taking tours, watching classes, and interviewing the other volunteers, clients, and employees there.

5. Did you have any particular actors in mind when writing your characters?

I always have actors in mind! If anyone made a movie of Sanctuary Island, I’d love for Emily Blunt to play Ella. And for Grady Wilkes, my rough and tumble handyman with the troubled past, I pictured a scruffy Chris Hemsworth every single day as I wrote. I know, poor little me, right?

6. What is the one thing that you have to when you are writing (food, drink, work space)?

I’ve actually tried to cultivate an ability to work anywhere, anytime, even if I only have a twenty minutes or so–but what that requires is focus. When all else fails, I use Write or Die, an amazing program that keeps track of time and how fast you produce words, and if you pause for too long, the screen flashes red and jerks you back into line! It sounds scary, but it’s been amazing to me how productive I can be if I just focus.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

My biggest advice is to write through to The End without a ton of self-editing along the way, at least until you get a couple of completed manuscripts under your belt. What I wish I’d known when I first started is that every single book (at least for me) hits a snag somewhere in the middle where I hate it, am convinced it’s terrible, and want to throw it aside and start something else. But whatever new thing you start will have its own problems! So push through the hard part and get to The End. The first time you finish a manuscript is a huge accomplishment and a major step forward. I don’t want to lie and say every manuscript after that first one will be easier (that hasn’t been true for me!) but you’ll have more tools and skills at your disposal.

8. What are you working on next?

The follow-up to Sanctuary Island, Shoreline Drive, is already revised, so now I’m writing Heartbreak Cove! It’s early days so I don’t want to say too much about it yet, but I know the hero is Sam Brennan, a man who empathizes with, rescues, and rehabilitates abused and neglected horses. I’m already crushing on him pretty hard!

Thank you so much for being here on Books-n-Kisses today and I just want to say how much I love your books!!!

Thank you for having me! I loved doing this interview.

About the Author:

Lily Everett grew up in a small town in central Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Although she’s lived many other places since, from college in Philadelphia to her first publishing job in New York City and her current home in Austin, Texas, she never forgot the beauty and warmth of her little hometown. She is thrilled to be writing the Sanctuary Island series full time because it allows her to combine her longstanding love of romance with the memories of her childhood home.

Lily’s alter ego is Louisa Edwards. Under that name, she is the author of the Recipe for Love series, sexy contemporary romances with hot chef heroes set in the high-stakes, fast-paced world of professional restaurants.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a signed copy of Sanctuary Island. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by August 1st, answer me this question in the comments:

If you could visit any island in the world, where would you travel to?

Jennifer’s Review of Sanctuary Island

TITLE: Sanctuary Island

CHARACTERS: Ella Preston and Grady Wilkes

AUTHOR: Lily Everett

PUBLICATION DATE: 07/30/13

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: When Ella’s sister decides to reunite with their estranged mother, Ella goes along for the ride–it’s always been the two Preston girls against the world. But Sanctuary Island, a tiny refuge for wild horses tucked off the Atlantic coast, is more inviting than she ever imagined. And it holds more than one last opportunity to repair her broken family–if Ella can open her carefully guarded heart, there is also the chance for new beginnings.

Grady Wilkes is a handyman who can fix anything…except the scars of his own past. When he accepts the task of showing Ella the simple beauties of the island that healed him, he discovers a deep sense of comfort he thought he’d lost. But now he must convince the woman who never intended to stay that on Sanctuary Island, anything is possible–forgiving past mistakes, rediscovering the simple joys of life, and maybe even falling in love.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars

REVIEW: I thought Sanctuary Island was a tender-hearted love story between two people that were plagued with emotional baggage and heartbreak, that worked together to slowly repair the emotional damage in their lives. Ella was such a strong character in this book, who came to Sanctuary Island with her sister, Merry, for emotional support to visit their estranged mother. She hid behind an personal wall to protect herself from feeling anything in regards to her mother after she abandoned them due to alcoholism when they were young. This emotional wall also protected her from romantic relationships and as a result, she became a workaholic on the verge of a nervous breakdown before arriving to Sanctuary Island.

Grady Wilkes was a handyman on Sanctuary Island who did odd jobs around the island and met Ella on her mother’s ranch. Grady had seen how much Jo Ellen had changed after battling alcoholism years ago and was afraid that Ella was only here to get Jo’s money. Grady was once a hot shot member of a search and rescue team that was hiding out after a mission left him physically and emotionally scarred. Meeting Ella was the first light of hope that had entered his dark world in a long time and he approached his relationship with her carefully, afraid that she would be frightened away from his physical scars. Ella wasn’t afraid of anything and being with Grady made her finally realize that she needed to try to make amends with her mother and start to build a relationship based on the present and not the mistakes of the past.

I loved Lily’s style of writing and I couldn’t help but fall in love with Sanctuary Island and want to move there myself. This was a enchanting romance that swept me away with its story and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Shoreline Drive.

July 26, 2013July 24, 2013

Cathy Ace Blog Tour and Interview

I’m excited today for Books-n-Kisses to be having the wonderful Cathy Ace with us, promoting her new mystery, The Corpse With The Golden Nose. I hope that everyone will check out this great mystery series.

1. Tell me about your new release The Corpse With The Golden Nose.

Cait’s a bit of a foodie, so she cannot resist the chance to attend an exclusive, invitation only, event she’s heard about, in Kelowna, BC – the heart of BC’s biggest wine region. The fact that there’s a possible murder to investigate doesn’t worry her – she’s used to dealing with “academic” cases, because she’s a professor of criminology. The titular corpse is that of a vintner whose “nose” has won many gold awards, and Cait finds out she needs to apply her skills to a greater level than she’d thought to solve the mystery surrounding the woman’s death. A closed circle of suspects, some of them with slightly whacky lifestyles, plenty of delectable food, and a fair few glasses of local wines to wash it all down – Cait’s in heaven…until there’s a hellish turn of events. This book is very much in the traditional vein – as all Cait’s mysteries will be. We also meet the corpse in question on the first page – something I’ll be doing in every one of Cait’s books…I like my corpses to be up front!

2. Where did you come up with the idea for this book and how did this series come about?

Cait appeared in three short stories and a novella before her debut novel appeared, and, by then, her trademark eidetic memory, her ability to read people, and her background in criminal psychology had all been put to the test. In general terms the series (always THE CORPSE WITH THE….something precious and some body part) will see Cait solve closed-circle mysteries using her Mensan brain, and her determination. She has a deeply engrained sense of justice – even if that ends up being delivered in unusual ways. Cait’s always on the move: I decided to have her travel to some of my favorite destinations, so I could, more reasonably, introduce new characters in each book. Having read my earlier two volumes (of short stories and novella) my publisher asked for a novel-length manuscript featuring Cait, as well as a proposal for a series. That proposal was for nine books in total – the third will be published in spring 2014, the fourth in the fall of the same year, and two more are planned for 2015…of course I’m hoping that Cait proves popular enough for her to continue to her ninth mystery – and maybe beyond!

3. This is the second book in the series and has there been any challenges that you’ve had to overcome when writing this series?

Because I’d planned the series before I started the first novel, THE CORPSE WITH THE SILVER TONGUE, I had already plotted Cait’s “arc”. The first four books take place over about eighteen months in Cait’s life, so she won’t be changing a great deal within that time…but she’s already facing a challenge she didn’t expect – a relationship that’s grown from respect to love…and responsibility. She might be middle-aged, but she’s had a previous relationship go bad on her, so she’s buried herself in her work. She’ll be developing, aging, dieting, and gaining it all back again, as the books come out, but she’ll still remain the feisty, bossy little Welsh Canadian that she is!

4. What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working with the copy editor at my publishing house on the final copy edits for Cait’s third adventure, THE CORPSE WITH THE EMERALD THUMB, which sees her on holiday, with her significant other, at a tequila-making resort on the Pacific coast of Mexico – it’s being published next spring, in 2014. I’m also writing Cait’s fourth mystery, the title of which is a bit of a secret for now, though, if people check out my Cathy Ace – Author page on Facebook, they’ll find some clues to its location. The manuscript needs to be finished by mid-August to be sent off to my publisher, and will see the light of day in the fall of 2014. Then she’s off to two other, very different parts of the world, for her fifth and sixth mysteries.

5. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Read the genre you want to write, and write! Seriously. I know it’s tempting to read about writing, and to talk about writing, but reading what you’ll be up against in the marketplace (because that’s what it is) will help you hear the voices of others, and writing will help you find your own. If you’re taking the self-publishing route, or if you’re sending your work for consideration, if there’s any way you can afford to have your work professionally edited, by someone who has a wealth of experience that you can check out in your genre, then it will be the best investment you can make.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and it has been a pleasure having you on Books-n-Kisses.

You’re very welcome – thank you so much for having me.

About the Author:

Welsh Canadian mystery author Cathy Ace is the creator of the Cait Morgan Mysteries, which include The Corpse with the Silver Tongue and The Corpse with the Golden Nose. Born, raised, and educated in Wales, Cathy enjoyed a successful career in marketing and training across Europe, before immigrating to Vancouver, Canada, where she taught on MBA and undergraduate marketing programs at various universities. Her eclectic tastes in art, music, food, and drink have been developed during her decades of extensive travel, which she continues whenever possible. Now a full-time author, Cathy’s short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, as well as on BBC Radio 4. She and her husband are keen gardeners, who enjoy being helped out around their acreage by their green-pawed Labradors.

Website: cathyace.com

Cathy Reads From Corpse With The Golden Nose.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.ace.author?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AceCathy

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3913679.Cathy_Ace

Purchase From Amazon B&N Book World Powell’s Books Book Depository

Jennifer’s Review of The Corpse With The Golden Nose

TITLE: The Corpse With The Golden Nose

SERIES #: Cait Morgan Series #2

CHARACTERS: Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson

AUTHOR: Cathy Ace

PUBLICATION DATE: 03/12/13

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: A heartfelt plea to look into the death of a world-famous vintner goes hand in hand with the opportunity to attend an exclusive gourmet event in British Columbia’s stunning wine country. How can overindulgent foodie and criminologist Cait Morgan resist?

Sure that the award-winning owner of a family-run vineyard was murdered, Cait shares her findings with Bud Anderson, a retired homicide cop. But he is convinced that the woman took her own life, whatever her grief-stricken sister might say. That is, until death strikes once again, in the neat rows of grapevines that clamber up the banks of magnificent Lake Okanagan. Uncovering obsessions that might have fueled murderous thoughts among the victim’s wacky neighbors is a start, but as Cait unravels the clues. She realizes that more lives are at stake. Can she think, and act, quickly enough to thwart the killer?

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars

REVIEW: This was my first mystery from Cathy Ace and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Cait Morgan is a criminal psychologist that is invited to spend the weekend with her boyfriend, Bud Anderson, at a prestigious culinary event in British Columbia. Besides enjoying the wonderful food and atmosphere, they are on a mission to determine if a vintner’s untimely death is the result of suicide or murder. What she finds there is not what she expected and each one of the invited guests are capable of murder.

I liked this book with its quirky characters and great descriptions of food and wine at the Moveable Feast that Cait was invited to. Cait Morgan was a very interesting character and I’m looking forward to learning more about her in future books. The murder mystery was intriguing and I had a difficult time putting together all the pieces of the murder before the great reveal of the true killer. I can’t wait to read the first book in the series, The Corpse With The Silver Tongue, because I have a difficult time reading books out of order and I want to experience another great mystery with Cait Morgan.

July 24, 2013July 7, 2013

Kimberly reviews Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips

TITLE: Perfect Fling
SERIES #: Serendipity #5/Finest #2
CHARACTERS: Erin & Cole
AUTHOR: Carly Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Erin … The Good Girl
Assistant District Attorney, Erin Marsden, is Serendipity’s quintessential good girl. The only daughter of the ex-police chief, she has never made a misstep, content with her quiet, predictable life … or so she thinks. Until Cole Sanders returns to town with heated interest in his eyes and shadows in his past.

Cole … The Bad Boy
After seven years of deep undercover work in New York City, Cole returns to Serendipity to help his aging father and to find his moral compass once more. Not to get involved with wholesome Erin Marsden. Even as a rebellious teen, he knew a girl like Erin was off limits and that hasn’t changed. But neither one of them can resist their off-the-charts chemistry and a one night stand brings complications neither Erin nor Cole expected.

The Attraction … Off the Charts!
Then Erin’s current case plunges her into a killer’s crosshairs. With more at stake than anyone knows, Erin succumbs to Cole’s take-charge attitude. As a bodyguard, he’s the best. As a lover, he’s even better. But there’s more than the matter of Erin’s safety at stake. And Cole must forgive the sins of his past and prove to himself – and to Erin – that he’s capable of the love and the forever she – and their baby – desperately need.

REVIEW:
What a great way to spend my 4th of July. Just reading this book from cover to cover (can you say that still with a ebook?). I received this early through NetGalley and couldn’t wait to read it.

I love the connection of Erin and Cole. Cole is the bad boy with a good heart. Erin is the good girl who went bad (for one night) and while so totally different they seem to fit perfectly together. I was looking forward to reading Erin’s story after spending time with her big brother Mike in the last book (and I can not wait for Sam’s story) and I was not disappointed.

There is a lot I can say about this book but in all honesty it gives some of the plot away that the synopsis doesn’t so I will keep it to myself but I really enjoyed the twist and turns of this story. This is the perfect fast read romance. Now bring on Sam!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 23, 2013July 7, 2013

Kelly reviews Sharpshooter by Cynthia Eden

TITLE: Sharpshooter
SERIES #: Shadow Agents #3
CHARACTERS: Gunner Ortez & Sydney Sloan
AUTHOR: Cynthia Eden
PUBLICATION DATE: July 23, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Heart-pounding action meets smoldering desire in USA TODAY bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s Shadow Agents miniseries! Two years ago Gunner Ortez saved Sydney Sloan’s life on a mission gone wrong. And ever since then, he’s been watching her back. Now a hostage-rescue mission is about to blow the Elite Ops agents’ lives apart once again.

Working side by side back in the jungles of Peru, the heat between Sydney and Gunner is hotter than ever-and so are the threats to their lives. With the danger escalating, Sydney knows Gunner is her only hope at successfully completing their assignment. But the ex-SEAL who arouses passion she’d only dreamed about also poses the greatest risk to the secret she carries in her heart…and in her belly.

REVIEW:
Gunner & Sydney have a past that they both wish they could forget, forgive and be able to move on. But ghost of the past keep coming back to remind them of their mistakes. But the question is love more powerful than hate? Gunner & Sydney will have to trust each other more than ever or they could lose everything in a blink of the eye.

I was not aware that this was part of a series when I started. There was so much tension, strain and emotional trauma happening with the main characters I didn’t really wonder about the past characters until I was almost done with the book. That was when I released that this was part of a series. I do plan on getting books 1 & 2 and reading soon.

This was another really good story by Cynthia Eden. This was a sit down and read in one sitting book. If you are looking for a good read I would suggest picking up a copy of Sharpshooter

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

July 22, 2013July 7, 2013

Jennifer reviews Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

TITLE: Obsession
CHARACTERS: Serena and Hunter
AUTHOR: Jennifer L. Armentrout
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: He’s arrogant, domineering and…To.Die.For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something…unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable–breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?

REVIEW: I have been a huge fan of Jennifer’s Lux series and I was excited to read more about the Luxen and Arum war. Hunter is a very different character than the Arum we’ve seen in the Lux series and I’m glad to finally learn that there are good and evil people on both sides. Hunter is a handsome, brooding and dangerous type of guy that is sent by the DOD to protect Serena after she had learned that the Senator’s sons are Luxen and they have placed a hit on her life. Her best friend died because of these secrets and now, Serena is on the run with Hunter with the Luxen close behind them trying to eliminate Serena before she talks to anyone else.

Serena is a strong character because she has lost everything and she seems to keep fighting back. Her relationship with Hunter is caustic because they seem to get on each other’s nerves but the sexual chemistry between them is electrifying. Very hot and steamy sex scenes in this book and it had me hoping that everything would work out for Serena and Hunter in the end.

Jennifer L. Armentrout is a very talented author and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Luxen-Arum war from the other side. This is a great companion book to the Lux series and I would love to learn more about these characters in the future. Obsession was a fun read that was action-packed and very entertaining and each of us need a little more of Hunter in their lives.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 19, 2013July 7, 2013

Kelly reviews Conceal by Juliana Stone

TITLE: Conceal
SERIES #: The Baker Triplets #3
CHARACTERS: Beau Simon & Betty Jo Baker
AUTHOR: Juliana Stone
PUBLICATION DATE: June 15 , 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No one said going home would be easy…

Black sheep and all around troublemaker, Betty Jo Barker is back home and hoping for a do-over. Things are finally looking up until Beau Simon comes to town. The man pushes every button she owns and manages to awaken long dead emotions she’d rather leave buried. Beneath the surface she knows she’s a wreck–her scars run deep–and she can’t help but wonder, is Beau Simon the one who can fix her?

Beau Simon, the brightest star in Hollywood has come to New Waterford for one reason only. He’s determined to have Betty Jo Barker star in his next film. He knows she’s perfect for the part, but a past encounter might prove more than a little difficult to overcome. As Beau turns on the charm, hoping to win over this complicated woman, he realizes it won’t be easy.

Only time will tell if what lies beneath can ever be overcome. Or if love can heal all

REVIEW:
Loved this book. I have always been Betty Jo’s fan. I have always rooted for her. I knew from day one that there was more to her than just the partying pain in the but girl that she acts like. And I was very right. Betty Jo has endured more than even her sisters know about. But Betty is a very strong, brave and ultimately sweet person it has just taken her longer than her sister to realize that.

Beau Simon, the yummy Hollywood superstar that hurt Betty a few years ago is back in town for one reason and one reason only. Betty. But he doesn’t know how much that reason will change until it is almost too late.

Like I said before I loved this book. Loved Betty & Beau together. Totally loved that Beau is an Oregon State Beavers fan (GO BEAVS!!!). Just plain loved this trilogy!!! I so can’t wait to see what Juliana has in store next for us.

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

July 18, 2013July 12, 2013

Kelly reviews Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones

Fifth Grave Past the Light
SERIES # Charley Davidson #5
CHARACTERS: Charley Davidson & Reyes Farrow
AUTHOR: Darynda Jones
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/09/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Never underestimate the power of a woman

on a double espresso with a mocha latte chaser high.

—T-shirt

Charley Davidson isn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper. She’s more of a paranormal private eye/grim reaper extraordinaire. However, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. To further complicate matters, Reyes is her main suspect in an arson case. Charley has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth…but then dead women start appearing in her apartment, one after another, each lost, confused, and terrified beyond reason. When it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer’s next target Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes’ help. Arsonist or not, he’s the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return. Charley. All of her, body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay.

Charley Davidson is at it again in Fifth Grave Past the Light, the sexy, suspenseful, and laugh-out-loud funny fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling series by Darynda Jones.

Review:

4,5 Stars
Two words: Reyes Farrow!!!

Do I really need to say more? I do? Okay fine.
Fifth Grave is another amazing story by Darynda Jones. It was so good to be back in Charley & Reyes’ world. I have loved this series since day one. Charley & Reyes are for sure going to go down as one of my all time favorite book couples. These two have had a very rocky road until the end of book 4 (which if you have not read book 1-4 you REALLY need to read in order). I just love the tension between these two. Oh and Ms. Jones I may never look at a kitchen table the same again.

This being said I don’t want to go into too much more of my review. I am afraid that I will give away something and you all know I try to live spoiler free. But let me leave you with this. Kitchen utilities will never be the same. Charley, as always, finds herself in danger, there is new real estate purchased, Cookie gets a black eye, and the ending will leave you dying for the next book.

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

Now for an Expert:

Ask me about life after death.

—T-shirt often seen on Charley Davidson,

a grim reaper with questionable morals

The dead guy at the end of the bar kept trying to buy me a drink. Which figured. No one else was even taking a second look and I’d dressed to the nines. Or, at the very least, the eight- and- a-halves. But the truly disturbing part of my evening was the fact that my mark, one Mr. Marvin Tidwell, blond real estate broker and suspected adulterer, actually turned down the drink I’d tried to buy him.

Turned it down! I felt violated.

I sat at the bar, sipping a margarita, lamenting the sad turn my life had taken. Especially to night. This case was not going as planned. Maybe I wasn’t Marv’s type. It happened. But I was oozing interest. And I wore makeup. And I had cleavage. Even with all that going for me, this investigation was firmly wedged between the cracks of no and where. At least I could tell my client, aka Mrs. Marvin Tidwell, that it would seem her husband was not cheating on her. Not randomly, anyway. The fact that he could’ve been meeting someone in particular kept me glued to my barstool.

“C-come here often?”

I looked over at the dead guy. He’d finally worked up the courage to approach and I got a better view of him. I figured him for the runt of the litter. He wore round- rimmed glasses and a tattered baseball cap that sat backwards on top of muddy brown hair. Add to that a faded blue T-shirt and loosely ripped jeans and he could’ve been a skater, a computer geek, or a backwoods moonshiner.

His cause of death was not immediately apparent. No stab wounds or gaping holes. No missing limbs or tire tracks across his face. He didn’t even look like a drug addict, so I couldn’t tell why he’d died at such a young age. Taking into account the fact that his baby- faced features would make him look younger than he probably was, I estimated him to be somewhere around my age when he’d passed.

He stood waiting for an answer. I thought “Come here often?” was rhetorical, but okay. Not wanting to be perceived as talking to myself in a room full of people, I responded by lifting one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug.

Sadly, I did. Come here often. This was my dad’s bar, and while I never set up stings here for fear of someone I knew blowing my cover, this just happened to be the very same bar Mr. Tidwell frequented. At least if it came to a knockdown drag- out, I might have some backup. I knew most of the regulars and all of the employees.

Dead Guy glanced toward the kitchen, seeming nervous before he refocused on me. I glanced that way as well. Saw a door.

“Y-you’re very shiny,” he said, drawing my attention back to him.

He had a stutter. Few things were more adorable than a grown man with boyish features and a stutter. I stirred my margarita and pasted on a fake smile. I couldn’t talk to him in a room full of living, breathing patrons. Especially when one was named Jessica Guinn, to my utter mortification. I hadn’t seen her fiery red hair since high school but there she sat, a few seats down from me, surrounded by a group of chattering socialites who looked almost as fake as her boobs.

But that could be my bitterness rearing its ugly head. Unfortunately, my forced smile only encouraged Dead Guy.

“Y-you are. You’re like the s-sun reflecting off the chrome bumper of a f-fifty- seven Chevy.”

He splayed his fingers in the air to demonstrate, and my heart was gone. Damn it. He was like all those lost puppies I tried to save as a child to no avail because I had an evil stepmother who believed all stray dogs were rabid and would try to rip out her jugular. A fact that had nothing to do with my desire to bring them into the house.

“Yeah,” I said under my breath, doing my best ventriloquist impersonation, “thanks.”

“I’m D-Duff ,” he said.

“I’m Charley.” I kept my hands wrapped around my drink lest he decide we needed to shake. Not many things looked stranger to the living world than a grown woman shaking air. You know those kids with invisible friends? Well, I was one of those. Only I wasn’t a kid, and my friends weren’t invisible. Not to me, anyway. And I could see them because I’d been born the grim reaper, which was not as bad as it sounded. I was basically a portal to heaven, and whenever someone was stuck on Earth, having chosen not to cross over immediately after death, they could cross to the other side through me. I was like a giant bug light, only what I lured was already dead.

I pulled at my extra- tight sweater. “Is it just me, or is it really warm in here?”

His baby blues shot toward the kitchen again. “Hot is m-more like it. S-so, I— I couldn’t help but notice you t-tried to buy that guy over there a drink.”

I let my fake smile go. Freed it like a captured bird. If it came back to me, it would be mine. If not, it never was. “And?”

“You’re b-barking up the wrong tree with that one.”

Surprised, I put my drink down— the one I bought myself— and leaned in a little closer. “He’s gay?”

Duff snorted. “N-no. But he’s been in here a lot lately. He l-likes his women a little . . . l-looser.”

“Dude, how much sluttier can I get?” I indicated my attire with a sweep of my hand.

“N-no, I mean, well, you’re a l-little—” He let his gaze travel the length of me. “—t-tight.”

I gasped. “I look anal?”

He drew in a deep breath and tried again. “H-he only hits on women who are more s-substantial than you.”

Oh, that wasn’t offensive at all. “I have depth. I’ve read Proust. No, wait, that was Pooh. Winnie- the- Pooh. My bad.”

He shifted his non ex is tent weight, cleared his throat, and tried again. “More v-voluptuous.”

“I have curves,” I said through a clenched jaw. “Have you seen my ass?”

“Heavier!” he blurted out.

“I weigh— Oh, you mean he likes bigger women.”

“E-exactly, while I on the other hand—”

Duff ’s words faded into the background like elevator music. So Marv liked big women. A new plan formed in the darkest, most corrupt corners of Barbara. My brain.

Cookie, otherwise known as my receptionist during regular business hours and my best friend 24/7, was perfect. She was large and in charge. Or well, large and kind of bossy. I picked up my cell phone and called her.

“This better be good,” she said.

“It is. I need your assistance.”

“I’m watching the first season of Prison Break.”

“Cookie, you’re my assistant. I need assistance. With a case. You know those things we take on to make money?”

“Prison. Break. It’s about these brothers who—”

“I know what Prison Break is.”

“Then have you ever actually seen these boys? If you had, you would not expect me to abandon them in their time of need. I think there’s a shower scene coming up.”

“Do these brothers sign your paycheck?”

“No, but technically neither do you.”

Damn. She was right. It was much easier to just have her forge my name.

“I need you to come flirt with my mark.”

“Oh, okay. I can do that.”

Nice. The F-word always worked with her. I filled her in and told her the deal with Tidwell, then ordered her to hurry over.

“And dress sexy,” I said right before hanging up. But I regretted the sexy part instantly. The last time I told Cookie to dress sexy for a much- needed girls’ night out on the town, she wore a lace- up corset, fishnet stockings, and a feather boa. She looked like a dominatrix. I’d never been the same.

A little about Darynda:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Links To Author:

1 Autographed copy of Fifth Grave Past the Light to one lucky winner

a Rafflecopter giveaway

July 16, 2013July 12, 2013

Kelly reviews Dreams Of Ivory by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Dreams of Ivory
SERIES #: Holiday Montana #5
CHARACTERS: Jackson Cooper & Honor Bridges
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: July 16, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jackson Cooper hates magic. Even though his brothers are falling prey to the seductive draw of the paranormal world, Jackson wants nothing to do with it. He also wants nothing to do with marriage, babies, and all that comes with it. He’s content with being the stoic, but quiet Uncle Jacks. But when a woman from his past, one he’s been dodging for years, comes back to town, Jackson might have to reevaluate his plans.

Honor Bridges is the tooth fairy. Well, not the tooth fairy, but at least one of them. For the past eight years she’s been on her own, hiding from what she truly wants. Now she’s back in Holiday and ready to take over her duties…as well as deal with Jackson once and for all. But there’s another player in town who isn’t happy with the decisions she made all those years ago and Jackson might be the one who takes the brunt of that anger.

Warning: Contains a wickedly spicy tooth fairy–complete with sparkly wings, the most tortured of all the Cooper brothers in all his broodiness, and dreams that are sure to make you never want to wake up in this final Cooper Brother’s installment of the Holiday, Montana series.

REVIEW:
As the oldest of the Cooper boys, Jackson has tried his best to take care of all of them. He was the one who stepped up to care for the younger ones when their parents died. He is the one who had watch as each of his brothers came into their supernatural powers. Then watched each of them fall in love. But Jackson has no magical gifts nor will he find his true love and that is exactly how he wants it. Or is it?

Honor Bridges never wanted to be back in Holiday Montana, but duty and honor to her grandmother has forced her back. But coming back to Holiday means facing the only man who she has ever loved. Biting the bullet Honor walks into Jackson Cooper’s dental practice and announce she is back in town. Now she will have to face the repercussions of her actions.

Jackson & Honor are so cute together. It was great fun reading about the tough, stuffy, stiff and plain pain in the grumpy pants oldest Cooper brother go just a tad bit soft. I have enjoyed the journey through the Holiday series and am sad to see it go.
But never fear there will be a return trip to Holiday Montana soon.

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

July 15, 2013July 12, 2013

Kimberly reviews Ruby by Jeffe Kennedy

TITLE: Ruby
SERIES #: Facets Of Passion #3
CHARACTERS: Dani & Bobby
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Book three of Facets of Passion

Danielle Sosna has no problem denying herself in order to achieve her goals—after all, that attitude landed her a dream job at Vogue Paris. But in New Orleans for one last assignment before heading overseas, she’s faced with the most decadent of temptations. Seductive Cajun chef Bobby Prejean takes Dani’s strength of will as a challenge, and offers her a night of wild indulgence—if she will agree to obey his every command…

Dani can’t resist Prejean’s invitation to join him in a world of carnal desire, complete with fetish costumes and masks. Determined to keep her emotional distance, she gives Prejean everything but her name. A night becomes a week, as she spends Mardi Gras suspended…in the delicious space where pleasure meets pain.

Too late, she realizes the cloak of anonymity has not protected her—and that chasing her dream might come at the expense of her heart.

For more Facets of Passion, check out Sapphire and Platinum, available now!

REVIEW:
This is the third in the series and while I somehow missed the first one I loved the second (“Platinum”) so I was excited to read this story. And it did not disappoint. I will say it was not as good as Platinum but still a great erotic read.

The main characters have an instant connection and it flows through the whole story. The erotic scenes are creative and interesting. I was a little surprised at the way the main male character changed toward the end but it does not take away for the story. If you enjoy erotica with a BDSM theme then you will enjoy this book and the entire series. Hope there is more to come.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 9, 2013June 30, 2013

Kimberly reviews Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones

TITLE: Being Me
SERIES #: Inside Out Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Sara & Chris
AUTHOR: Lisa Renee Jones
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The sexy second installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy, following If I Were You—in the seductive tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Fascinated by the dark fantasies in the journals she’s discovered, and the two men who have now found a place in her life, Sara McMillan finds herself torn between her new life and her past. Now, more than ever, Sara identifies with the lost journal writer, Rebecca, and is certain that something sinister has happened.

In the arms of the sexy, tormented artist Chris Merit, Sara seeks answers about Rebecca and ends up discovering things about herself she never knew existed. Chris forces Sara to reconsider who she is and what she truly wants from life, but not before his dark desires threaten to tear them apart. Her boss, Mark Compton, offers her the shelter to understand just what those needs mean to her, and what they might have meant to Rebecca, but can she trust him to lead her to a final conclusion to Rebecca’s story?

REVIEW:
This is the second in a trilogy and the first thing you need to know is it does not stand alone. You must read the first to understand the second (and the third am sure). And the second thing you need to know is while it might be in the genre of erotica this book is not. And neither was the first for that matter. Sure it has a feel to it of erotica but honestly nothing happens in it that so many other books don’t have too.

Now I really enjoyed the first book but so it seems with so many trilogies the middle one just doesn’t stand up to the first (and usually the last) of the three books and I feel that way about this one. Something is off in it a bit. First it is too long. I say that because there is just a lot of “I must tell him my secret but he will never forgive me so I won’t tell him my secret”… it gets old kind of quick. And honestly the secret doesn’t end up having the big wow factor I think it is supposed to.
And there is something amount desperate and needy about this story that the first one I didn’t feel had.

But all of that being said it is a good story. It is one that makes me want to read the last in the trilogy (Revealing Us) to see how the story ends. Once again I am not one that compares books but seeing as the publisher/author itself seems to want to jump on the bandwagon saying “if you loved 50 Shades you will love this” I will say that if you loved 50 Shades you probably will enjoy this even though it is very different there is that underlying connection the books seems to have.

But again do not read this one as a stand alone. It needs the first to understand any of this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 8, 2013July 7, 2013

Guest Post with Daryl Wood Gerber & Giveaway

Daryl Wood Gerber is here today to talk about her new release, Final Sentence, and share one of her yummy recipes. I can’t wait to try this myself.

In all my culinary mysteries, I include recipes. I had no idea when I started writing mysteries that I would have to be a cook, too. Luckily, I was. I catered during college. I worked at restaurants. I even subbed for the chef at one restaurant. Now I offer up recipes every week on Mystery Lovers Kitchen with other author pals. All of us like to cook up crime.

In the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, I’ve included cookie recipes. Jenna, the protagonist in the series, loves her sweets. I’ll be sharing some of those recipes on Mystery Lovers Kitchen after the book’s release.

This Five-Cheese Mac and Cheese recipe is from the Cheese Shop Mysteries. It wasn’t included in the recipes at the back of the book, but a fan wrote me and begged for it. Sure, why not? Then a friend of hers posted the link (it’s on my website) and it went viral!

There is a tavern in town that Charlotte and her pals go to for girls’ night out. Tim, the fun-loving Irish owner, makes some of the best appetizers and sides. I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a macaroni and cheese to me. [This can be made gluten-free and it’s amazing.]

Five-Cheese Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

2 cups dried macaroni, cooked to tender (about 4-5 cups cooked) [You can use gluten-free macaroni]
3 cloves garlic chopped
8 tablespoons butter [a cube]
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup white wine
3 Tbs. rice flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
2 cups grated cheese (equal parts Cheddars, Smoked Gouda, Parmessan, Monterey Jack, Havarti)

Directions:

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside. May be made a day ahead. Note: Do not forget to drain and set aside. You do not want the pasta to be “wet.”

In a large sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook about 2 minutes. Add rice flour and stir. Cook 1 minute, let boil and thicken, stirring constantly.

Add milk and wine, stir and let boil to thicken.

Remove from heat and add cheeses and seasonings.

Pour sauce over drained macaroni.

Serve with a crisp salad.

QUESTION: Have you ever shared a recipe via twitter or the Internet or even via email with friends?

About the Author:

DARYL WOOD GERBER aka AVERY AAMES pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. As DARYL, she writes A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, featuring a culinary bookshop and café owner. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. As an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl & Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Check out her recipes on her blog www.mysteryloverskitchen.com And friend her on Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Final Sentence

TITLE: Final Sentence

SERIES #: A Cookbook Nook Mystery #1

CHARACTERS: Jenna Hart & Aunt Vera

AUTHOR: Daryl Wood Gerber

PUBLICATION DATE: 07/02/13

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: In need of a change, Jenna Hart leaves the high-pressure world of advertising to help her aunt Vera open a culinary bookshop and cafe. Back with her family in Crystal Cove, California, Jenna seems to have all the right ingredients for a fresh start–until someone adds a dash of murder.

As a marketing expert, Jenna wants to make sure the grand opening of the Cookbook Nook draws a crowd, and no one is better at getting attention than her old college roommate, celebrity chef Desiree Devine. But when Desiree arrives in quiet Crystal Cove to do a cookbook signing, the diva stirs up more trouble than business…especially when she turns up dead.

Known for stealing husbands and burning bridges, Desiree left behind plenty of suspects–including Jenna. Though the celebrity’s life always appeared to be an open book, Jenna will have to read between the lines in order to clear her name, and catch a killer before another body is served cold.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars

REVIEW: This is the first book in a new series and I believe that this series is off to a great start. Jenna Hart has returned home to Crystal Cove after the death of her husband to start a new life and help her Aunt Vera open a culinary bookstore and cafe. For the opening festivities, Jenna has asked her friend and famous chef, Desiree Devine, to hold a book-signing event to help bring in customers for their new store. Instead of a book-signing, Desiree ends up dead on the beach and Jenna is the prime suspect in her murder. Jenna is now out to clear her name before it is too late and the entire town believes she is responsible for the murder.

Daryl Wood Gerber creates a delightful cast of characters set in an inviting little coastal town that will charm anyone. I liked Jenna because she was trying to get back on her feet after the death of her husband and was hoping that returning home would help her start a new life. She was very smart and even though she wasn’t a great cook, she never let her short-comings get her down. I liked how her family and friends helped rally around her and it will be interesting to learn more about them in other books in the series. The mystery in Final Sentence will keep you guessing and I definitely enjoyed visiting Crystal Cove. I’m looking forward to reading more about Jenna and her adventures in the next installment of this delightful mystery series.

Giveaway

I have one copy of Daryl’s new release, Final Sentence, to give one lucky reader. Please leave a comment answering Daryl’s question or let us know your favorite recipe. A winner will be chosen on July 10th.

July 8, 2013June 30, 2013

Kelly reviews Claiming His Mate by Savannah Stuart

TITLE: Claiming His Mate
SERIES #: Crescent Moon #2
CHARACTERS: Max McCray & Lauren Hayes
AUTHOR: Savannah Stuart
PUBLICATION DATE: June 16, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She thought the house was empty when she broke in…

When jaguar shifter Lauren Hayes breaks into an alpha’s home to steal back what rightfully belongs to her pride, she doesn’t expect to be tackled by Max McCray, second-in-command of the Kincaid wolf pack. As punishment for her crime the sexy wolf shifter demands that she stay with him for one week. Knowing she’ll start a war between her pride and his pack if she doesn’t, she has no other choice but to agree, even if the thought of being near him 24/7 makes her scared that she won’t be able to hide her growing attraction to him.

Now he has a week to make her his…

Max has waited months to make a move on the sexy jaguar shifter and now that she’s broken shifter rules, he’s not letting her go. He doesn’t care that he’s a wolf and she’s a jaguar, claiming her forever is the only thing that matters. Unfortunately, not everyone likes the idea of him being with a feline shifter. Max is forced to choose sides between Lauren and members of the pack he’s sworn allegiance to in order to protect the woman he knows is his destined mate.

REVIEW:
It should have been a quick smash and grab, but oh no!!! It had to get all complicated the form of Max McCray, the uber sexy were that Lauren can’t stop thinking about. Now that he catch her breaking & entering her fear now is what her punishment will be.
She was back. Max was beside himself excited that she finally came back. But catching her breaking into the Alpha’s house was not the welcome home party he had in mind. But this gave him the perfect ideas for the perfect punishment for his perfect little mate.

This was a very quick, guilty Saturday afternoon read. I loved the tension between Max & Lauren. I didn’t read book 1, where Max & Lauren first crossed paths, but I didn’t feel lost at any time in the book. I do plan on going back and reading book 1 very soon.

And really who would have ever thought that dogs & cats would play so well together. I can’t wait to see what Savannah has in store for us next.

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