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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Twisted by Laura Griffin

Book Description:
Motive, opportunity, and no alibi—it seems close to a slam-dunk. But while rookie detective Allison Doyle’s department has ID’d a suspect in a young woman’s vicious murder, she is uneasy. Then legendary FBI profiler Mark Wolfe shows up with a startling theory: if he’s right, the real murderer is an elusive psychopath just days away from another kill.

Using Allison’s contacts at the Delphi Center crime lab, Wolfe is finally in striking distance of the monster he’s pursued for ten years. Except that as they work together, Wolfe finds the ambitious, stubborn woman a tempting distraction. And with this brutal predator, every thread of evidence can make the difference between being the hunter . . . and the prey.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book.  Allison is the one female detective in her little town's department.  She has to prove to everyone that she can do the job as well as the men can.  Then comes Mark Wolfe and saves her life...and brings theories on a case that rock the whole department.  Their investigation heats up and so does the chemistry between the two of them.  Now to solve a case that has been haunting Wolfe for years and may just put the woman he's grown to care deeply for in danger.
I liked all the characters in this book.  Allison's stubbornness and pride were great as the female lead.  Wolfe got on my nerves occasionally because he seems to be a know it all but that was just his character and it went perfectly.  He has a huge protective streak.  The Delphi Center was interesting and all the characters from there were intriguing.  The whole police department was well written and I liked the plot. 
I rate this a 4/5.  I enjoyed it and look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire Review & Giveaway!

Book Description:
When all you hold dear is taken away . . .
When a hurricane roars through Lacey Armstrong's home on the coast of Barefoot Bay, she decides all that remains in the rubble is opportunity. A new hotel is just what Mimosa Key needs, and Lacey and her teenage daughter are due for a fresh start. And nothing, especially not a hot, younger architect, is going to distract Lacey from finally making her dreams a reality.
A second chance is the only thing you have left.
Love has already cost Clay Walker everything. And if he's going to have any chance of picking up the pieces of his life, he needs the job as Lacey Armstrong's architect. What's not in the plans is falling for the headstrong beauty. Her vision of the future is more appealing than anything he could have ever drafted for himself. Will Clay's designs on Lacey's heart be more than she can handle, or will she trust him to build something that will last forever?

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book!  Lacey is a single mom whose daughter is just that, hers, and now her dream is a possibility.  Clay needs Lacey's dream to be bigger and to see the potential that he sees for her.  The job as her architect wouldn't hurt him either.  The chemistry between the two of them is instant and they may just build something together.
I like that Lacey is a mom and the 'older woman'.  Clay is just super hot, and smart...a great combination.  Her three friends and daughter are great.  I love the individual characters and the back stories that all of them have and I can't wait to explore in future books.  The island's 'small town' feel is great but it has the small town politics too and you just feel the whole experience.
I rate this a 4/5.  It was a good book and I can't wait to see more of the series!
Thank you to Hachette for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.


Thanks to the wonderful folks at Hachette, I have 2 copies of this book to giveaway! Here are the rules:



  • You must be a follower to participate
  • Leave Me a Comment on THIS post with your e-mail (no e-mail you can't win)
  • US & Canadian Residents only
  • No PO Boxes
  • Hachette Book Group will be sending the copies to the winners
  • You have 24 hours to respond if you are contacted as a winner, if you miss the deadline, a new winner will be chosen and contacted.
  • Contest is open until May 10, 2012
  • Winners will be chosen using a randomizer
  • Directly from Hachette: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Katie Salidas Swag Giveaway!

Hey everyone!  The generous and talented author Katie Salidas has given swag packages for me to giveaway to my readers :)  There are 4 of them up for grabs.  Just comment below and let me know if you've read any/all of her books....if you haven't, you need to!  These are for her first 3 books in the Immortals Series, there are trading cards, book marks, and cards.  My picture doesn't do them justice but they are gorgeous sets of swag!  I'm going to put links to her Amazon ebooks below so check them out.  Giveaway ends May 5 so be sure to leave an email addy in your comment so I can contact you if you are one of the winners!


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Inteeview of Author Nicholas L. Maze

 

Writing Innovations Interview Questions


Your interview will be placed on our blog at the above address, and it will also be placed in our digital magazine which is also offered as print through MagCloud. We will let you know when your interview will be in the Magazine.

Interview:

WI:  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I have been writing since about the age of 12 and I have always had a great imagination. When I began to write my first book (White Collar Woman), I was at a security job. I had no plans to pursue a writing career, but I wanted to see what I could put on paper. After finishing my story, I received a prophecy from a visiting prophet at our Church. Although I had been writing for years, the prophecy was my confirmation.

WI:  What inspired you to pen this particular novel/book?

I received a prophecy. A prophet visited our Church and told me that he saw me writing books dealing with finance. At the time, I had just completed my previous book (White Collar Woman), which was a romance/fiction. I began to research and was amazed at the information I was coming across and discovering. I knew that majority of Americans did not have this information and felt I had to write this book.

WI:  What road blocks did you come across while writing this story?

The number one culprit is writer’s block. This is common for most writers, if not all. Outside of writer’s block, I would say finding a balance. When I speak of balance, I mean holding a reader’s attention and teaching, at the same time. It is a difficult task. It is rare to find a person buying a book, because they miss going to class. So, I couldn’t give a class assignment. I had to present the book in a way that an 80-year old scholar can read and smile, while a 20-year old waitress can understand and grow. Balance.

WI:  What do you do if a story just doesn't seem to flow the way you were hoping it would?

Normally, I take a break. If things are not blending and there is too much confusion, I have to walk away. If I am questioning whether it is flowing for the reader, I will have people close to me review what I have written and give me their opinion.

WI:  What has been the hardest thing about marketing this story?

The invisible barrier. Most people read for entertainment, so it is difficult to market literature that will help someone versus entertain someone. Most people are hesitant and place more value on entertainment than knowledge.

 WI:  What is one thing you wished you knew before, that you now know about marketing?

Marketing expenses. When you are paying out of pocket, it is better to spend less. The best way to market is through guerilla marketing, not paying some marketing expert or marketing company. In reality, unless you have a name, no one knows you. So if you drove pass a billboard of someone you have never seen before, what draws you in? Instead, use your marketing dollars for fuel and go to local areas to sell and speak about your book. Call local businesses and ask to setup a table and speak to their customers about your latest book.

WI:  What is one piece of advice that you received to help your writing that you still carry with you today?

Build a background. Don’t just write from feeling, but build something to grow from. Whether it be fiction or non-fiction, you have to have something to build off of, a foundation. That is why you research in non-fiction or create a bio for a character in fiction. Your foundation.

WI:  Tell us what a day in your writing life is like, do you have any writing quirks?

Once I have a lot of information to put on paper, I limit myself. Instead of putting down everything at once, I save some for the next day. By doing this, I have something to build off of, when I begin to write the next day. This is my way of eliminating writer’s block.

WI:  Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

Film and television. I am preparing for a future film script. Having the opportunity to see my words come to life would be wonderful. So, I look forward to taking my writing to that next step.

WI:  Are you currently working on any new projects?

My current project is a book that will help restore Churches and restructure ministries. I discovered that Churches have been in need of this literature, for over 100 years, but it has never been written.

WI:  Do you have any upcoming events or special news you would like to share with our readers? (Any contests, giveaways, book signings, upcoming/new releases, or author appearances, please let us know.)

On April 22nd, I have a guest blog for Ashley’s Bookshelf. Also, a great friend of mine has begun hosting her own blog on my site (www.nicholasmaze.com).

WI:  Where can readers find you?


Also:


Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/whKpKF





WI:  Where can your book be purchased?



Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/whKpKF



We want to thank you for taking time to chat with us today and offering your writing & marketing experiences. We wish you much success in the future.

The Writing Innovations Team

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling

SCANDALOUS DESIRES . . .

Amy Hardwick has one last Season to shake off her wallflower image and make a love match. If she can't, she'll set aside her dreams of romance and return home to a suitor who can provide security-if little else. What she doesn't count on is the inappropriate-and irresistible-attention lavished on her in a darkened library by rake extraordinaire Will "The Devil" Darcett . . .

DEVILISH DELIGHT

When Will is caught in a tryst with the ton's shyest miss, he knows he must offer for her hand. Yet Amy is not the shrinking violet she seems to be. Passion lies beneath her prim exterior and Will is eager to release it. But winning Amy isn't simply a matter of seduction; first, Will must convince her that he's mended his wicked ways . . .

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book.  We met Amy in the earlier Rake books but she stands out in this one!  In her last season, Amy has decided she will no longer sit on wallflower row but will be one of the ladies out there dancing.  She designs her own gowns and is a big success.  Will is a Rake and known as the devil, when they are caught in a compromising position, he knows he must ask for Amy's hand.  Will he be able to become the man she wants and needs?
I loved that the characters were back in this book.  We catch up with all of them and find out what has happened in their lives.  Amy and Will's story quickly unfolds.  Neither of them think it would be a good match but society deems they must marry.  She doesn't have a high opinion of him at all and he would prefer to travel but they have wonderful chemistry.  I love that the author has kept the wonderful characters so vibrant!
I rate this a 4/5.  It was enjoyable and a great addition to the series!

Thank you to Hachette for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Trouble with Perfect by Christy Barritt

Book Description:
Since the death of her fiancĂ© two years ago, novelist Morgan Blake’s life has been in a holding pattern. She has a major case of writer’s block, and a book signing in the small mountain town of Perfect sounds like just the solution to help her clear her head.
Her trip takes a wrong turn when, on her way there, she’s involved in a hit and run—she’s hit a man, and he’s run from the scene. Before fleeing, he mouthed the word “help.” She plans to give him that help, but first she must find him.
In Perfect, she finds a town that offers everything she’s ever wanted. But is something sinister going on behind the town’s cheery exterior? Was she invited as a guest of honor simply to do a book signing? Or was she lured to town for another purpose—a deadly purpose?

My Thoughts:
I LOVED this book!  Morgan needs a vacation and when the writer's blocked author gets an invitation to a small town for a book signing, she can't resist.  Her dead fiance's partner who is also her best friend, Tyler, doesn't want her to go, something just feels off.  She starts on her vacation and right when she is getting to her destination, she hits a man in the middle of the road!  When he runs away, she is shaken and she hurries to report it.  She meets the town sheriff, mayor, deputies and they all seem to be good but is the town what it seems?  The more she sees, the more suspicious she becomes.
I loved Morgan.  She was a smart, hurt, loving, caring woman.  She has tried to close her heart off so she won't be hurt again but already Tyler is in there, she cares for the bed and breakfast owner's daughter completely!  Tyler is amazing.  Strong, stable, safe, protective...men like him are rare.  It isn't shocking that Morgan has issues with God after all that has happened, but yet she doesn't ever believe he doesn't exist and I thought that was great.  The town was Perfect, a bit surreal, creepy and strange and written perfectly. 
I rate this a 5/5.  It was a great book!
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.