Kissin’ the week of June 8th-13th Goodbye

06.08.15

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: Kelly’s interview with Dani Harper & Justine Eyre + a giveaway

Natasha reviews Spiraled by Kendra Elliot

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Brokedown Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Collared For Murder by Annie Knox

06.09.15

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents:  Kelly’s Top 5 reason to love Audiobook

Kimberly reviews Kiss The Bride by Rachael Johns

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Truffled To Death by Kathy Aarons

06.10.15

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: A Gift idea’s for the Book Lover:  Featuring Donna’s Dragons

Kelly reviews Adored by Lexi Blake

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Death of A Chocolate Cheater by Penny Pike

06.11.15

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents:  Kelly’s interview with Johanna Parker

Kelly reviews Protective Instinct by Katie Reus

06.12.15

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: Kelly’s interview with Angela Dawe

Kelly reviews Retribution by Katie Reus

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Sea Glass Sunrise by Donna Kauffman

06.13.15

SINsational Saturday Series

Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Series

SINsational Saturday Series: Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Series

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Millennium #1

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by Stieg LarssonReg Keeland (Translator)
Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch—and there’s always a catch—is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson’s novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don’t want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo.

*****

The Girl Who Played with Fire

Millennium #2

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byStieg LarssonReg Keeland(Translator)
Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.

But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.

As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.

*****

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Millennium #3

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by Stieg LarssonReg Keeland (Translator)
The stunning third and final novel in Stieg Larsson’s internationally best-selling trilogy.

Lisbeth Salander – the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels – lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge – against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back.

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: Kelly’s interview with Angela Dawe + a giveaway

Viviana, from Enchantress of Books and I am so excited to have Angela Dawe our Audio Book Lovin’ Series today. 

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Angela DaweAngela Dawe is an audiobook narrator and actress living and working in Chicago, Illinois.  Winner of several Earphones Awards from Audiofile Magazine and narrator of two Audie-nominated audiobooks, Angela is also an accomplished improviser/sketch comedian, and has worked with such theaters as Second City, iO (formerly improvOlympic), and The Annoyance.  You can reach Angela at angela.dawe.voice@gmail.com or learn more about Angela and her body of work here: WebsiteGoodreadsTantor Audible

Kelly:  Now that we know a little about Angela let get to the good stuff. Angela, Welcome to our Audio Book Lovin’ series. I have to tell you that I am totally in love with you being the narrator of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series.  So I hope you don’t mind if we talk about how amazing you are 🙂

Wow, thank you!  I love doing that series.

For those of you who have not listened to or know about this series, this is one of my top 5 all time favorite series.  Here is a little sample from Slave to Sensation narrator by Angela.

Kelly: Can you tell us how does an author/narrator relationship begin?

In my years of narrating, there have only been a couple of times when I actually communicated directly with an author.  Usually that only happens when there’s a pronunciation question, generally when the word has been made up by the author.  If we do have to bother the author, we try to do it unobtrusively and politely, of course.

Kelly: Angela, what sort of information does Nalini provide to you prior to starting the narrating process of her book(s)?

Prior to starting the narration, I read the book in its entirety, but beyond that, I’m on my own.

Kelly: How do you go about selecting how each of the character are going to sound like?

Characters tend to jump off the page and into my imagination with a voice unto themselves. I hear it in my head and then do my best to bring it to the microphone. And of course things like gender, age, background, etc. come into play, too. But with authors like Nalini, the characters are so well developed that the vocal choice seems obvious to me after I’ve read the book.  I’m not creating Hawke’s voice, for example, becuse Nalini’s wonderful writing did it for me – I’m just doing my best impression of the Hawke I see and hear in my imagination.

Kelly: Along the lines of the previous question, how do you manage or what is your process of remember what the character from a previous book sounds like when they reappear in a new book?

Some characters are so memorable to me that it’s easy remember how to voice them from book to book.  I’ve already mentioned Hawke, whose voice is very distinct in my mind (and one of my favorites to do).  But I am only human, and there are a lot of characters to keep track of, so I keep files of previous recordings on my computer and will occasionally go and listen back to how I voiced a particular character to make sure I’m staying consistent.

Let’s take a moment to bask in all things Hawke for a moment.  Here is a clip from Kiss of Snow.

Kelly: Angela, tell us about the narrating process (i.e. do you read the book before narrating it? How long are the recording sessions per day? How long does it take for you to narrator a book?  If you make a mistake while recording, what happens?)

Different narrators have very different processes, so I can only speak for myself here. I do read the books ahead of narrating them. For me, that helps me get a handle on the tone the author is going for in the narrative sections, and of course it helps me decide how to voice different characters. Does one character have an accent? Is a character the shy, quiet type, or more brash and bold? How will the characters relate to each other based on their history?

 My daily routine depends on whether I’m in a publisher’s studio, such as the Brilliance Audio studio in Michigan, where I’ve recorded some great series (a favorite: the Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow). When I go into a studio like Brilliance, I work with an engineer and director, and we work from about 8:30 to 5 like most folks do.  Most books on that schedule take an average of three days to record, roughly.  However, for some publishers I record from my home studio, and my schedule is more flexible on those projects because I’m not messing with anyone else’s schedule – I’m flying solo.  So I might record for a few hours in the morning, then do some recording in the evening, rather than putting in eight hours straight.

When I’m recording, I make a LOT of mistakes! What I do in those cases is I go back a few lines in the recording and press play, and at a pause before where I messed up the first take, I “punch in” and re record it, going on from there. So if the line is, “She reached out to him, only to discover he’d already left,” and I mess up that second clause, I will go back, play my original take of the first clause, and then begin recording again with, “only to discover he’d already left.” And on from there (until I make another mistake).

Kelly: Authors have writer’s cave, do narrators have something similar?

Yes, they’re called booths! Booths are very cave-like, usually. Dark and quiet and sort of removed from the rest of the world because of the soundproofing. At home I have a prefabricated booth that’s three feet by three feet by seven feet, with a narrow door on one side. It’s where my equipment is and where I do the bulk of my work.

But I do my prepping everywhere I can bring my tablet. That’s one of the best things about my job – I can work on a book virtually anywhere as far as everything I need to do before getting into the booth. I love working at little coffee shops, or on my back porch in the summertime.

Kelly: Here’s a fun question for you Angela that both Viviana and I have been wondering… as a narrator, do you get “oh say it in ‘the voice’” question often?  Me personally I would want you to talk to me as Judd.  Judd is my favorite.

Hahaha, what a great question! You know, I have never been asked to do a specific character, but a lot of people ask me to talk in accents when they learn what I do for a living.  “Say something with a Scottish accent!”  “Do Australian!”  Come on, guys – I’m not your dancing monkey!  (Just kidding, I’m always flattered and happy to oblige.  I will talk like Judd to you whenever you please.)

And speaking of my man Judd (LOVE Judd) I have have pins to prove my love 10300103_10204036995305337_3157698608533914426_n


Kelly: Speaking of favorite do you have a favorite Character that you have narrated from this series?

Here’s what just happened in my brain:

Hawke. Oh, but what about Sienna… Oh Krychek, Krychek, Krychek! Oh but Ming LeBon is so fun… Who’s cooler than Mercy, though? Nikita Duncan, maybe…

So I guess my answer is: I have too many favorites!

Kelly:  I totally understand.  So many amazing characters… But I defer back to what I said before Judd is my favorite.

*sigh* Judd

Kelly: Sorry, was distracted for a minute… Angela, of all of Nalini’s books, which one has been your favorite to narrate and why?

51r4OE6oVqL._SL500_AA300_PIaudible,BottomRight,13,73_AA300_I thought about this question for a long time, and I have to say Kiss of Snow. The love story is sizzling, the action is incredible, it’s by turns sweet and terrifying. And I just love Hawke and Sienna!

Kelly: Angela, it was so great to have you on the blog.  And if I meet you person please just talk like Judd the whole time.   So one last questions before I let you go. If someone has not listened to any audio book before what would you tell them?

You’re missing out! Believe me, if they’re half as fun to listen to as they are to record, you’re missing out big-time. And I’d be happy to make recommendations. 🙂

 

Make sure to enter our giveaway today

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Make sure you swing over to Enchantress of Books for another fun Audio Book Lovin’ post and more chances to win!!!!EOB Post Button

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Sea Glass Sunrise by Donna Kauffman

TVTSeaglassSunrise_DonnaKauffman

Sea Glass Sunrise

In seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, friends are just another word for family, and big-city politics take a backseat to local pride. But the real treasure on these shores is always love…

When D.C. lawyer Hannah McCrae heads home for her brother’s wedding, she’s dragging a lot of baggage along with her—and she doesn’t mean suitcases. Betrayed personally, and humiliated professionally, the last thing she wants is a new man. That’s fine with square-jawed, rugged contractor Calder Blue. He and Hannah may be wildly attracted to one another, but all he wants is to build the town’s hotly contested new yacht club and mend a centuries-old family feud. Yet thanks to resentments old and new, day after day the pair wind up tangled in each other’s business—and maybe soon in each other’s arms.

Every bride needs something “blue”…

Amazon/B&N

Excerpt-Banner

She was taller than he’d initially thought when she’d been in the car. Somewhere around five-nine, maybe five-ten. He didn’t know what kind of heels she had on, but, regardless, she wasn’t much shorter than he was, and he came in at six-one. Lithe and lean, not much in the curves department, either. That much he’d accurately ascertained from his blouse assessment earlier.

She paused as she noted the sign on the side of his truck.

“Blue Harbor Farm.” She looked back at him. “I thought you said you were a contractor.”

“I am. Family business. Fourth generation.”

“And the farm?”

“First generation,” he said with a smile.

“You?”

He nodded.

“Sounds like a lot to juggle.”

“If you ask my father, it’s a waste of time and money. If you ask my brothers, a hobby that got a little out of control.”

“And if I asked you?”

He kept his smile in place, but his answer was serious and heartfelt. “The thing that kept me sane through a hellacious divorce.” His smile grew slightly. “Continues to keep me sane working with family.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “About the . . . hellacious part.”

She waved a hand briefly, but said no more. She held his gaze, then looked at the sign again, more, he thought, for somewhere else to look. Other than at him. He wasn’t sure what she’d seen in his expression, but banged up or not, she seemed a pretty sharp sort. So probably . . . too much.

He saw her eyebrows lift. “Calais?” she said. “You’re a long way from home.”

“Not that far. Hour and fifteen to the company office, hour-forty-five to the farm.”

“Unique town, Calais. Sort of umbilically attached to Saint Stephen across the border in New Brunswick, right? Interesting blend of cultures.”

“Mais oui, bien sur.”

She smiled a little at that. “I guess you grew up speaking French and English, living so close.”

“It’s predominantly English on both sides of the border. I speak French because my mother is French Canadian. I grew up with both languages.” He opened the passenger door to his truck.

“You didn’t have to do this,” she said, as he helped her up to the passenger seat.

She levered herself into the truck with a natural, graceful ease, making him wonder if she was a dancer, or some other thing that elegant women did with elegant bodies like the one she had. She required only a little assistance from him, which was just as well, he thought. Putting his hands on any more of that elegant body wouldn’t be wise. She was the kind of distraction he never needed in general, and definitely didn’t need right now.

She pulled on her own seat belt, wincing a little as she did, then immediately leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “But I’m very grateful you did.”

“Not a problem,” he said, palming the door, intending to close it.

“Hannah,” she said, quietly now, so he knew she was in more pain than she’d been showing, making him pause.

“I’m Hannah. McCrae.”

“Calder Blue,” he responded.

“Ah. Blue Harbor Farm,” she added, as if recalling the sign on his door. “Any relation to Jonah Blue?” she asked through barely moving bruised lips, eyes still closed.

“Great-nephew.”

“I thought I’d met all the Blues.”

“Different branch of the family.”

She opened her eyes then, and turned all that dark blue on him. Despite whatever pain she was in, and whatever worries she might have, her eyes were still surprisingly sharp, and quickly assessing. “You mean—as in Jedediah Blue’s branch?”

“The very same.”

“Your branches don’t talk to each other. For like . . . a hundred years.”

“A little longer, but that is true, yes.”

“How long have you been in Blueberry?”

“Just heading in, actually

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes again, but her lips curved upward just a hair and stayed that way, even when she winced at the pain.

“Something amusing about that?”

“Not at all. It’s . . . I just realized that your bombshell is going to be a lot bigger than mine.”

About the Author:

DonnaUSA Today bestselling author of the Cupcake Club Romance series, Donna Kauffman has seen her books reviewed in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives just outside of DC in the lovely Virginia countryside, where she is presently trying to makeover her newly empty nest into something that doesn’t have to accommodate piles of sports equipment falling out of her coat closet (okay, out of every closet…and under every bed….), size 13 cleats and sweaty uniforms cluttering her foyer (and stairwell, and laundry room, and…), and a kitchen that should have come with a traffic light. And a pantry monitor. (Anyone with a clever idea on how to repurpose lacrosse sticks into matching reading lamps, she’s all ears!) When she’s not stripping paint, varnishing an old auction house find, or trying to avoid bodily injury with her latest power tool purchase, she loves to hear from readers!

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Sea Glass Sunrise

Review (4 Stars): Hannah and Calder were a great couple together and you could see the instant chemistry between the two characters even when they tried to pretend that they didn’t.  They seemed as though they would be exact opposites and would have nothing in common but sometimes exact opposites make the best couples.  Sea Glass Sunrise is a smart, charming, small-town romance that will keep readers coming back for more in this delightful new series.  I enjoyed every moment of Hannah and Calder’s love story and I can’t wait to see what couple finds love next in the second book of the series.

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Kelly reviews Retribution by Katie Reus

retributionTITLE: Retribution
SERIES #: Currently a stand alone
CHARACTERS: Delcan Gallagher & Nika Brennan
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: May 12, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She sees brief glimpses of the future…

Nika and Alena Brennan will do anything to kill a vicious Russian crime boss and they’re using his only son to get to him. Yet when the time comes to execute their plan, psychic Nika hesitates due to an unexpected entanglement with sexy security expert Declan Gallagher. When her sister is kidnapped and all their carefully laid plans go awry, Nika must depend on Declan and her mortal enemy’s son to get her sister back.

He invades her dreams and teases her with sensual pleasures…

As a dream walker, Declan is capable of seeing anyone’s innermost thoughts as they sleep. With Nika, however, he finds himself playing a deadly, seductive game. He knows she’s not who she says she is and he’s determined to find out the real reason she’s in Miami before she gets herself or someone else killed.

Time is running out…

Nika’s window of opportunity is closing to save her sister and find a way to protect their secrets without landing them both in jail. With innocent lives at stake, Nika must decide if the retribution she’s waited a lifetime for is worth losing the man who has won her heart.

Length: Novel (81,000 words)
Author note: This is a stand-alone novel.

REVIEW:
Declan is an awesome mix of total badass ex agent turned security expert and totally softy romantic dream boat. Declan always knows that the job comes first but when he meets Nika everything that he knows goes out the window.
Nika and her sister have been set on a path of revenge. With one more mark to go they are so close to the finish line. There is a reason this one is the last, for he is the hardest to get to. But when Declanan and his men get involved the ladies may have finally met their match. But the question is how far and how much are they willing to risk?

Retribution was a great read, Katie outdid herself again. I loved the world that Katie built in this story. There are so many different things happening, yet they all merge together perfectly. I want to tell you so much about the story. But I don’t want to spoil it. So, let’s go with if you have loved any of Katie’s romantic suspense books in the past and love a paranormal twist, with a villain who is a real asshat then I think you will enjoy this book. I do hope that this is not the last that we have seen of Delcan and he crew.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & KR Press LLC in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: Kelly’s interview with Johanna Parker

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Viviana, from Enchantress of Books and I am so excited to have the wonderful Johanna Parker our Audio Book Lovin’ Series. 

Please let me introduce you to Johanna.

JP_Headshot no name (1)Johanna Parker is an Audie Award Winning, Earphone Award Winning actress living and working in San Francisco. Since narrating her first audiobook for Recorded Books in 2002, Johanna has received high praise for her work in all genres, including the young adult Mediator series by Meg Cabot, Earlene Fowler’s Bennie Harper Mysteries, and her portrayal of Sookie Stackhouse in Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire books of which Audiofile has said, “Parker personifies Harris’s perky Southern heroine, Sookie Stackhouse. Her splendid pacing allows listeners time to absorb the action and emotions…listeners will be enthralled.”

Johanna received her BFA in Acting from Boston University and studied Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. She has performed on stages in

London, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York and has numerous film and television credits. Now a sought after voiceover actress, Johanna has voiced commercials, video games, documentaries and web sites.

Johanna writes: “I love books. I loved them long before I could read them myself and I will love them long past the time I can only listen to them. Telling stories, in whatever way, has always been my passion, and audiobook narration has become the unexpected niche where my love of books and my love of storytelling come together in an incredible, inevitable fusion. I get to play all the parts. I get to truly utilize my training. And my hair can look like #@$%&!”

Website | Facebook TwitterGoodreads.

So now that we know a little about Johanna what do you say we get started? 

Johanna, Thank you so much for joining us on our Audio Book Lovin’ series *looks down and realized I forgot to hit record.OOPS!!!  Hits record really quick* 

 

Here is a look at Maplecroft

Make sure to watch for my post with Roger Wayne on June 25th to find out what he has to say narrating Maplecroft with Johanna and listen to another clip narrated by Roger.

Another popular novel narrated by Johanna:  Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris

And don’t forget to enter our giveaway

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Kelly reviews Protective Instinct by Katie Reus

protective instinctTITLE: Protective Instinct
SERIES #: Moon Shifter #5.5
CHARACTERS: Ryan & Teresa
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: May 19, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A woman worth fighting for…

Wolf shifter Teresa is blown away by her packmate Ryan’s honesty about his past and his rare empathic powers. She wants him in her bed—and her life. The only problem: Ryan insists they wait, because the last thing he wants is to recreate the hellish family he grew up in. Frustrated, Teresa jumps at the chance to assist a packmate off the ranch—far away from Ryan.

On the way, their vehicle is run off the road—and it wasn’t an accident. Ryan rushes to Teresa’s side, determined to protect her. But there’s a dangerous enemy lurking in the shadows, and if Ryan doesn’t break out of his old thinking and put his faith in his and Teresa’s love—and their ability to overcome obstacles together—it will be too late.

Length: 27,000 words
Author note: This novella is part of the Moon Shifter Series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

REVIEW:
As with all of Ms. Reus’ Moon Shifter series we have pain in the butt males, being well pain in the butt, drama, attempted murder and very nice sexy time. I love this series. Love this world. And loved finally learning more about Teresa and Ryan. This was a novella so it was a really quick read. If you are a Moon Shifter series fan you will love this novella. I so can’t wait for the next book in this series. I am hoping that it Aldric!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & KR Press LLC, in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Death of A Chocolate Cheater by Penny Pike

9780451467829

Nine Reasons Why Chocolate is Better than Romance…
By Penny Pike AKA Penny Warner

Darcy Burnett, the amateur sleuth in my new mystery, DEATH OF A CHOCOLATE CHEATER, has had her share of unhappy romances. After breaking up with her cheating boyfriend.losing her position as a restaurant critic at the San Francisco Chronicle, and taking a job working in a food truck for her Aunt Abby, Darcy thinks life is pretty much doomed.
So when she meets Jake Miller, the dream puff from the nearby cream puff food truck, she’s reluctant to get involved too quickly, not wanting to get burned, chewed up, and spit out again. And like many women, she’s finding chocolate almost as satisfying as relationship.
Here are nine reasons Darcy claims chocolate is better than romance—that is, until Jake Miller melts her heart and turns her insides into liquid chocolate.

You don’t have to wait for chocolate to call. It’s always there for you.

Chocolate doesn’t care if you haven’t washed your hair or shaved your legs – it will still melt in your mouth.
You don’t have to be exclusive with chocolate. Feel free to shop around.

You don’t have to brush your teeth before you eat chocolate. (But you probably should afterward to avoid cavities.)
You can eat two pieces of chocolate at the same time and not worry about your reputation.

No matter how many wrinkles you have or gray hair you’re hiding, you never age-out of chocolate.
With chocolate, size doesn’t matter (although most agree, more is better.)

Chocolate doesn’t make you pregnant. (You can diet those extra pounds away, if absolutely necessary.)

Even if you’re allergic to chocolate, you can read a good mystery novel like DEATH OF A CHOCOLATE CHEATER and get almost the same effects.
So take heart, if your heart has been broken, and get yourself a box of Sees dark chocolates, a bag of Ghirardelli chocolate squares or a pillowcase full of leftover Halloween chocolate, then curl up with a cat, a book, and a glass of red wine. As Darcy will tell you, chocolate fixes just about everything. Until a dream puff like Jake Miller enters your life….

About the Author:

Penny Warner, columnist for Bay Area News Group. Photographed in Pleasanton, Calif. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013.  (Jim Stevens/Bay Area News Group)
Penny Warner

Penny Pike aka Penny Warner is the author of the food truck mystery series, including DEATH OF A CRABBY BOOK and DEATH OF A CHOCOLATE CHEATER, based in San Francisco, and featuring amateur sleuth and chocolate lover, Darcy Burnett. Coming soon: DEATH OF A BAD APPLE…

Website/Twitter/Facebook

 

 

 

 

9780451467829At this year’s chocolate festival, Darcy and her Aunt Abby hope to win the $10,000 prize in the chocolate contest with Aunt Abby’s taste sensation: the chocolate raspberry whoopee pie. A little friendly competition from Darcy’s sometime-beau Jake Miller, who plans to enter with his chocolate cream puff delight, only sweetens the deal. But things get sticky when one of the judges, Polly Montgomery, is taken out of commission—permanently.

The suspects include every contestant with reason to believe Polly wasn’t too sweet on their sweets, including Aunt Abby’s high school friend. Now Darcy must pick through an assortment of secrets to catch a killer before someone else gets a bittersweet finish.

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Jennifer’s Review of Death of A Chocolate Cheater

Review (4 Stars): What a yummy mystery!  Death of a Chocolate Cheater has it all with a spunky heroine, delicious chocolate treats and a delightfully fun mystery that is sure to entertain.  Darcy is just so adorable and you can instantly connect with this wonderful character as she navigates her way through another mystery.  I love Aunt Abby’s comfort food recipes and I want so desperately to visit her food truck and sample some of these amazing culinary delights.  This mystery was fast-paced and entertaining and I found myself lost in this story until the very end.  Looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what trouble Darcy finds herself into next.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Death of A Chocolate Cheater. This giveaway is for US Residents only.  To be entered in the drawing by June 18th, please leave me a comment below:

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: A Gift idea’s for the Book Lover: Featuring Donna’s Dragons

Viviana, Enchantress of Books and I are celebrating AudioBook Month and hosting Audio Book Lovin!  It’s the Second Wednesday of the month and that means we’re focusing all Gift Ideas on a Series we LOVE!!  We thought you all would enjoy some Scots that happen to be Dragon Kings. What do you think? Yeah… we thought so. 

Soul Scorched (Dark Kings #6) by Donna Grant is set to release on June 30, 2015 and we can’t wait!!!  

*****

Temporary Tattoo Dragon Tribal Waterproof Ultra Thin Realistic Fake Tattoos

$10.95 (plus S&H)
 
Temporary Tattoo Dragon Spiral Fake Tattoo
You will receive 1 tattoo and full instructions.
Size: 6″ H x 4″ W
 
Unreal inks will last at least a week.
 
Ultra-Thin (25 microns), durable, quality waterslide tattoos.
All tattoos are printed with a LaserJet printer using top quality paper.
*****
4 welsh dragon pint glasses customized personalized wedding favors gift wales
$30.00 (plus S&H)
 
This listing is for a set of four 16 ounce pint glasses sandblasted with the Welsh dragon as shown.
 
The back of these can be personalized with a name/date for no additional cost. Use the as a question button if you have any questions if your personalization request will fit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
*****
Glow in the dark Dragon Surrounding the Moon
$27.95 (plus S&H)
Legends of the Dragon
 
The myriad legends of the Chinese Dragon permeate ancient Chinese civilization and shaped their culture even today. Its benevolence signifies greatness, goodness and blessings. Instead of being feared and hated the Chinese dragons are highly respected creatures of good fortune that bring ultimate abundance, prosperity and good fortune. Chinese mythology says dragons control the rain, rivers, lakes, and seas. Many Chinese cities have pagodas where people used to burn incense to ask the dragons to favor their crops or change the weather. Dragons are referred to as the divine mythical creature.
 
As an animal possessed of magical abilities the Chinese dragon is able to shrink to the size of a silk worm; and then swell up to fill the entire space between heaven and earth. It can make itself visible or invisible, as it so chooses. It can take on human form or that of another animal to carry out some secret mission.
 
 
 
 
 
 
*****
Celtic Dragon Brooch Pin – Celtic Jewelry in Fine Pewter by Treasure Cast Pewter
$14.98 (plus S&H)
 
A Celtic Dragon brooch in fine pewter.
 
1 5/8 inches [44mm] wide 1 5/8 inches [44mm] high
 
Made with fine lead free pewter in Boise Idaho
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*****
Snow Dragon, Fantastical All White Stuffed Dragon, Fantasy Plush, Handcrafted of Eco Felt, Stuffed Animals, Eco Friendly Toy, Kids Gift
$38.00 (plus S&H)
Snow Dragon Fantasy Plush ~ Handmade to Order ~ Ships in 2 to 3 weeks via Priority Mail ~ PLEASE SEE THE SHIPPING TAB ON THIS PAGE TO FIND OUT WHEN THIS ITEM WILL SHIP! 
 
This majestic snow dragon is all white and blends in beautifully with winter. He is soft and silent like the gentle cushion of a blanket of snow. He is magnificently simple.
 
Our dragons are are all friendly dragons. They like to look majestic, perched atop a shelf or dresser, but also like to be played with and snuggled! 
 
This completely handcrafted stuffed dragon is made of Eco-felt. His wings are veined with silver thread, with a wingspan of 12 inches. 
 
He stands about 10 inches tall from the top of the head to the feet, and is approximately 13 inches from snout to tail tip. His plush body weighs approximately 5 ounces. The eyes are sewn-on wool, so there are no choking hazards.
 
The dragon pictured is an example of the dragon you will receive when purchasing. We will make your dragon with the exact color scheme described in this listing.
 
*****
Fantasy Dragon Motorcycle Pocket Knife
$25.00 (plus S&H)
Very cool dragon motorcycle pocket knife. New old stock, has never been used. Has a dragon on it with lots of character. Knife is all metal with a stainless blade. Total length of knife with blade is 7 1/4″ long. Length of blade itself is 3 1/4″ long. It is a locking blade. This is a very nice knife, does have a little weight to it. Pewter in color. Great collectible gift. I am not responsible for any accidents that may occur with this knife. Very Sharp and blade is tight!!!!!!
 
 
*****
Blue Wing Dragon Necklace Dragon Pendant Necklace or Dragon Keyring Dragon Jewelry Dragon Pendant Dragon Necklace
$7.95 (plus S&H)
 
Blue Wing Dragon pendant necklace. 
 
This listing is for a handmade pendant necklace! Orders ship within 1 to 3 business days.
 
Art print size is 1″ inch (about the size of a quarter coin), chain length is 24″ inches long. The art print is sealed under a clear glass cover. The glass gives the image a 3D look although it is flat. The image is printed on premium matte photo paper for the best clarity and color.
 
When you purchase this listing you will receive 1 pendant, 1 matching necklace (or key ring) and 1 organza bag. 
 
There are many color finish choices for the pendant tray and matching necklace. All necklaces are 24″ in length. Lead free / nickel free / cadmium free.
 
 
*****
Wedding Cake Topper – Two Dragons in Love Silhouette Cake Topper
$19.80 (plus S&H)
Two Dragons in Love Silhouette Wedding Cake Topper is made of 1/8″ black plastic 
 
with non reflecting pebbled surface on the front and smooth back.
 
ABS silhouette looks delicate and fragile but the material is very strong.
Size; 5.5″W x4″H
 
Topper is lightweight so it will not sink into your cake, yet sturdy, the perfect combination. 
 
It has a stake at the bottom so that it can be placed securely into the cake, the stake measure approx 1.75″, the sticks are non removable.
 
*****
ORIGINAL FANTASY hair clip – Dragon Hair Barrette/Pin
$30.00 (plus S&H)
Why put a bow in your hair when you can have a friend among your follicles? Who would want a normal pin their jacket? 
 
These dragons were hand sculpted, cast in resin, air brushed, hand-painted , and sealed. 
 
Don’t see a color you’d like? Message me, and I can paint you a one-of-a-kind dragon.
 
Each dragon is made to order and takes about 2 weeks to make and ship out. Rush orders are possible, please message me for details.

If items are no longer available, please contact the seller to request further information. 

 

We hope you liked this week’s gift ideas! 
Make sure to grab Donna’s Soul Scorched (Dark Kings #6) which releases June 30, 2015! You still have time to catch up on the series if you haven’t read them all! 
Now enter the giveaway! 
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Time to go visit Kelly & Viviana!!!

 

 

 
 
Click here to see more gift ideas!!
Visit us every Wednesdays for more awesome gift/present ideas for you or the 
Book Lover in your life!!! 


Kelly reviews Adored by Lexi Blake

adoredTITLE: Adored
SERIES #: Masters & Mercenaries #8.5
CHARACTERS: Mitch Bradford & Laurel Daley
AUTHOR: Lexi Blake
PUBLICATION DATE: May 12, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A man who gave up on love

Mitch Bradford is an intimidating man. In his professional life, he has a reputation for demolishing his opponents in the courtroom. At the exclusive BDSM club Sanctum, he prefers disciplining pretty submissives with no strings attached. In his line of work, there’s no time for a healthy relationship. After a few failed attempts, he knows he’s not good for any woman—especially not his best friend’s sister.

A woman who always gets what she wants

Laurel Daley knows what she wants, and her sights are set on Mitch. He’s smart and sexy, and it doesn’t matter that he’s a few years older and has a couple of bitter ex-wives. Watching him in action at work and at play, she knows he just needs a little polish to make some woman the perfect lover. She intends to be that woman, but first she has to show him how good it could be.

A killer lurking in the shadows

When an unexpected turn of events throws the two together, Mitch and Laurel are confronted with the perfect opportunity to explore their mutual desire. Night after night of being close breaks down Mitch’s defenses. The more he sees of Laurel, the more he knows he wants her. Unfortunately, someone else has their eyes on Laurel and they have murder in mind.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Laurel Daley has her heart set on the one man she can never have. So she has decided it is time for her to move on. But that doesn’t go over very well with Mitch.
Mitch is shocked that Laurel would go to such extremes to get his attention. But she has definitely success. But neither of them are prepared for the reality of the relationship they are about to start.

One thing I love about the 1001 Dark Night series is that we are able to sample stories from authors that we have never read before. This was my first Lexi Blake story. I now know why so many people have great things to say about Ms. Blake. I am going to have to go back and start this series from book 1. I really enjoyed Mitch and Laurel’s story. It was fun and heartbreaking all at the same time, with a dash of suspense added in.

I am looking forward to my next 1001 Dark Night adventure.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Truffled To Death by Kathy Aarons

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5 Things I Won’t Leave Home Without

by Kathy Aarons

My critique partner recommended this as a blog topic and my first thought was, “But I have only three.” And then I got it: I’m supposed to go a little deeper than “my purse, my keys and my cell phone. So here goes:

My family – Not my actual family. The idea of my family. My love of my family, both immediate and extended. My husband is most likely at work when I’m leaving the house, and my girls are away at college. I’m an empty nester who takes advantage of Skype, Facebook, and email to keep in touch with her kids. All of which I can do from my phone. Which is with me at all times. Just ask my family.
My friends – Living away from my family means I had to create my own little local family. My friends are very supportive of my writing, but they’d be supportive if I decided to take up knitting kitten-themed coasters and selling them on Etsy. They listen to my frustrations and then remind me that I’m living my dream, so knock off the whining. We text way too much, especially right before movies for some reason. Using my phone.
My music – I love listening to music when I walk and when I drive. I like to say that my music tastes stopped maturing in middle school. I love most of what’s on popular music stations and rarely listen to music from “back in the day.” And just like a preteen, I sometimes fall out of love with my music a few days after I buy it on iTunes. My music? Also on my phone.
Paper for observations – Whenever I get out of the house, I people watch. And 99% of the time, I have paper to write it down. I keep little notebooks in my purse, and larger ones in my car. If I get stuck somewhere, I notice things and write them down. In the rare times I’m stuck without paper, I type my notes into my phone.
Purse/keys/phone – I’m very particular about my purses, but probably not in the way you’d expect. They have to be crossover with a very long strap and must have easy access to my phone. I buy them cheap – usually under $20 at Target. My above-mentioned friends keep buying me “real” purses, which I grudgingly use for nice dinner or special events, but the next day I’m back to my cheapo casual purse, which holds my keys. And my phone.
Coffee – Or at least the buzz from it. I grind almost a cup of beans to make my French press coffee, and drink the whole thing before most people are awake. I made the mistake of trying Yemen pour-over coffee at Bird Rock Roasters – it brings coffee to a whole ‘nother level, like sipping expensive wine. The coffee is so smooth and non-bitter that you can taste the notes of berry and chocolate inside. It’s way too expensive, so I can only have it as a special reward. I have artistic photos of it on my phone.

So I guess I have more than five things!
Truffled to Death

Two best friends sell books and bonbons—and solve crimes—in this mystery from the author of Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates…

Hoping to sweeten sales for their shop, Chocolates and Chapters, Michelle and Erica host a reception highlighting a new museum display of ancient Mayan pottery curated by Erica’s former mentor, Professor Addison Moody. The evening has a few hiccups, but the ladies soon smooth things over with ample servings of wine and chocolate.

Yet with the sweet comes the bitter. The very next day, the antiquities from the reception are discovered missing. The professor accuses Erica of having sticky fingers, claiming she wants revenge on him. And she’s only in more trouble after he’s found stabbed to death with one of the artifacts. Now Michelle must help Erica track down the real killer before someone else finds themselves in less than mint condition…

About the Author:

kathyaaronKathy Aarons is the author of Truffled to Death, second in the CHOCOLATE COVERED MYSTERY series by Berkley Prime Crime. Her first book, Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates, was a national bestseller.

Research for the series was a hardship: sampling chocolate, making chocolate, sampling more chocolate, and hanging out in bookstores.

Kathy lives in San Diego with her husband and two daughters where she wakes up far too early and is currently obsessed with the Broadway Idiot documentary, finding the perfect cup of coffee, and Dallmann’s Sea Salt Caramels.

You can follow Kathy on Facebook or Twitter or visit her at: www.kathyaarons.com.

 

9780425267240(2)

Hoping to sweeten sales for their shop, Chocolates and Chapters, Michelle and Erica host a reception highlighting a new museum display of ancient Mayan pottery curated by Erica’s former mentor, Professor Addison Moody. The evening has a few hiccups, but the ladies soon smooth things over with ample servings of wine and chocolate.

Yet with the sweet comes the bitter. The very next day, the antiquities from the reception are discovered missing. The professor accuses Erica of having sticky fingers, claiming she wants revenge on him. And she’s only in more trouble after he’s found stabbed to death with one of the artifacts. Now Michelle must help Erica track down the real killer before someone else finds themselves in less than mint condition…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Truffled To Death

Review (3.5 Stars): This is the second book in the Chocolate Covered Mystery series and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Michelle and Erica are hosting their first event which highlights a new museum display of ancient Mayan pottery.  There are minor issues at the reception but is considered a success until the next day when the Mayan antiquities are discovered missing and Erica is blamed by her former mentor.  Things go from bad to worse when her mentor is found dead and everything points back at Erica as the killer.  It is up to Michelle to find the clues that will lead to the true killer before Erica is put away for a crime that she didn’t commit.

Truffled To Death is the perfect mixture of murder, books and chocolates that is sure to delight cozy readers.  I love Michelle and Erica’s relationship and how they will do anything to protect one another.  The mystery in this one was fun and entertaining and definitely a quick read.  Looking forward to book number three in the series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Truffled To Death. This giveaway is for US Residents only.  To be entered in the drawing by June 16th, please leave me a comment below:

Audio Book Lovin’ Presents: Kelly’s Top 5 reason to love Audiobook

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Did you know that June is Audio book month?

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If you didn’t now you do!!!

And I just love audiobooks so much.

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I will say that I was on the fence for a long time about audiobooks.  I can remember back in high school (way back when) we had books on tape.  Yes, for all you youngins cassette tapes.

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Then books moved to CD’s (which you can still order) and then on to the amazing download apps.

Here are my top 5 reasons…..

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#1-Audiobooks: Takes a novel to a whole different level for me.  There is nothing better then a well written story  and you have an amazing narrator.  Here is a great example.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstren, narrated by Jim Dale took me back to when I was a kid and my dad would read me stories.  I was totally engrossed and did what to stop listening.

https://soundcloud.com/penguin-audio/the-night-circus-by-erin
#2 Portable:  With the invent of Smartphones audiobooks are always at the read.  Yes, I do carry my kindle with me at all times, but the police frown on me reading and driving.  With audiobooks on my phone I can listen while I am commenting to and from work.  You can also take your audiobook with you to the gym, listen while you are doing housework, yard work or those relaxing moments of zin when we forgot our kindle and have a few extra minutes waiting for the kid to get out of school or while waiting at the doctor’s office.  (I would recommend headphones if you are in public, never know what is going to be next in a book)

#3 More details:  I don’t know about you.  But when I read I tend to skip over a word, a sentence and sometimes a whole paragraph.  With Audiobooks you are forced to listen to every word of the book.

#4 Impairment:  I love that audiobooks can give someone who may not be able to see or read for long periods of time a way to experience the world of books.  Audiobooks are also great for people who may have problems with actual reading.  I know a lot of people who don’t read because they are dyslexia.  Once the find audiobooks a whole new world is open to them.  And I have found that they are more willing to pick up a book and try to read.  Audiobooks are very powerful tools.

#5 Excessablity:  As with portable, it is so easy for people to get audio books now.  You can buy them through Amazon, Audible, Tantor Media, Brilliance Audio, Recorded Books and so many other amazing places.  And for those who say “Audiobooks are to expenses” did you know that many of your local libraries have audiobooks?  And a lot have ways to download them to your smart device.  OH and if they don’t have the book you are looking for request it, because you can’t be the only one who wants to listen to that story.

 

So those are just a few of the reasons why I love audio books.  If you want to know more reason make sure to stop by each day the rest of this month, because every post features an author/narrator duo that I am totally and utterly in love with.

But a word of caution:  Listen to audio clips before you buy your books.  Make sure you enjoy the narrator’s voice.  Because while I totally love my audio books and will never give them up.  There have been a few narrators that didn’t do it for me.   I ended up reading the book the old fashion way.
So I want to wet your appetite a little more.  I shared above Mr. Jim Dale reading part of Ms. Morgenstern’s The Night Circus , which I would HIGHLY recommend you listen too!!!  Below is another one of my favorite series on audio (and yes I think I am sharing all my favorites with you this month).

Diana Rowland’s White Trash Zombie series is so amazingly, funny and I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.  So please enjoy Ms. Rowland’s White Trash Zombie clips narrated by Allison McLemore

Book one My Life as a White Trash Zombie

Book Two:  Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues

Books Three:  White Trash Zombie Apocalypse

Book Four:  How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back

 

And don’t forget to enter our giveaway

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Make sure you swing over to Enchantress of Books for another fun Audio Book Lovin’ post and more chances to win!!!!
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