Thursday, April 26, 2012

D: Divert

I'm posting a day early because I'm heading to the internet-less boondocks tomorrow.
I'm also cheating with this post, but for good reason.

J. Taylor Publishing is releasing an anthology, TIDAL WHISPERS, in June of this year. I was lucky enough to meet each of the four contributing authors this past year on the best writer's forum on the face of the earth, Scribophile. Figured it's only right to help promote their work.

SO, I'm diverting you to my oldest (known time that is *wink*) beta bud, Kelly Said's, blog. She's released an excerpt from her story, Pearl of Pau'maa.



Enjoy!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Book Review: Spellbound Hearts

'The Beauty Within'
A romantic fae fantasy by Olivia Devereaux

I'll admit right off the bat that I didn't read the whole book. Having heard great things (and reading another short story by Ms. Devereaux which I really enjoyed & reviewed) I went straight to 'The Beauty Within'.

The MC, Princess Adele, is a spoiled rotten pixie who desperately needs taught a lesson. Vanity costs her the winged hottie she's always wanted, and lands her in the lower levels of the Mother Oak. Changed beyond recognition, Adele must come to terms with who she is, or remain forever separated from the only life she's known.

New friends and an unexpected meeting with a male sprite she had banished influence her attitude and change her heart. But, when he realizes who Adele really is, will love be enough? 

Read it to find out.

This was a fresh, clever little story of an age old lesson some must learn, and Ms. Devereaux transported me with such vivid sense-fulfilling words that I didn't want it to end.

If you're in the mood to dive into a fae romance, this is the short story for you! 

Olivia Devereaux can be found on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Friday, April 20, 2012

C: Chips (Middleswarth, That Is)



What?!?!?! You've never heard of Middleswarth chips? Never tasted their BBQ numminess? 
You've not lived.

Middleburg, Pennsylvania made, they're my ultimate favorite & bed drool inducing chips of all time.

While recently visiting my old stomping grounds, I aquired two large bags of BBQ along with a pack of Selter's Lebanon Bologna.


Never heard of that either??? Get a life.
Seriously.

So here I sit on this sunny Friday back home in good old MA with a lunch containing both of these yummy PA natives.


What's on your plate for lunch? What's your favorite chip?


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Cover Reveal: After Dark

WWWWWWWWeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  Congrats, Emi Gayle!!  Someday this will happen for me.  In the mean time...



In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she’ll be for the rest of her life.

She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it’s her birthright. To Mac, it’s a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.

Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists — which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out there’s more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.

In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.

Can't wait for this release from J. Taylor Publishing.  October???  Seriously?????  Sigh. 

Friday, April 13, 2012

Book Review: Mended Hearts

A sensual western by Olivia Devereaux
When Ella’s husband dies, she’s left to wonder what life in the rugged frontier has in store for her.  It’s not until a mysterious stranger comes along that she learns to love again.
The old western frontier came alive in this short, enjoyable read.  The scenes are rich—the visuals and style transported me to Ella’s homestead.  I heard the clucking chickens and howling coyotes, felt her calloused, cracked hands, and watched dust devils spin across the land.
There is a wealth of emotion in this little nugget that could have been better utilized to draw out my empathy.  While I was easily caught up with Ms. Devereaux’ easy writing style and spot-on voice, I wanted more.  I couldn’t imagine losing a husband on the frontier and being forced to buck up for the sake of my only child.  There is a ton of tension and internal conflict beneath this story’s layers that I would have loved to experience.
Fact is I just didn’t want this story to end.  I wanted to taste more.  Feel more of Ella’s heartache and the joy of finding love again with Travis.  He found redemption and she a mended heart, but it was just TOO quick for me, but in a good way.



Monday, April 9, 2012

B: 'Blue Moon' Cover Reveal!!


So excited to share in the cover release of Blue Moon by J.A. Belfield, one of my fav authors!

A Holloway Pack Story #2 by J.A. Belfield
Release Date: December 1, 2012

Back Cover:

Someone is watching the Holloway pack, and this time, the female isn’t the target.
Life with a group of seven male werewolves worries Jem Stonehouse not one bit. She is engaged to the Alpha’s son Sean Holloway after all. So what has Jem’s territorial instincts on high alert?
The pack’s latest addition. Both of them.
None of the men think there’s a problem with the new girlfriends. Jem’s intuition tells her otherwise—that and a nagging suspicion the new females aren’t there to partake.
Jem believes they’ve joined in to take.
The question is … What?
As the eve of the blue moon draws ever closer, Jem’s running out of time to find the answer and outwit a thief of the worst possible kind.
A woman who believes she can’t lose.

December???  Seriously???  Blah.  Check out the links for other books in this rockin' series!!

Darkness & Light (#1)
Instinct (#0)
Eternal (#0.5)

Friday, April 6, 2012

Book Review: Obsidian (Lux Series #1)

                by Jennifer L. Armentrout   

Forget the blurb. I'm just going to dive right in & say you MUST read this book. Paranormal / YA fan or not you'll be happy you did.

Katy, the MC, is my kind of girl. I found her saying and doing things exactly as I would. I couldn't help but fall in love with her. ;)  Her thoughts and emotions were so real throughout the book. Not once did I feel a situation or conversation was contrived or forced. A+ on the characterization.

And the chemistry. *fan face* Yeah. Daemon, the alien? Uh huh. Didn't know a ball of light could be so hot. Smokin'. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the bonus chapters at the end of my kindle edition in his PoV. They explained SO much about his arrogant, jerkish attitude toward Katy throughout most of the book.

Pacing? Excellent. Tension? ALL kinds, perfectly portrayed.

Really, what more can I say??? I loved this book. Can't wait for the next one.


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Accomplishment!!

I had planned on doing the whole A-Z blog fest for the next 36 days, or however long it's supposed to run, but decided a weekly A-Z would be a big accomplishment for me.  Planned on starting tomorrow & doing them every Wednesday.

Then I finished up 1st round edits on my current WIP.  Yes.  Finished.  As in D.O.N.E.

So there goes the whole 'A' blog I had scribbled on a sheet of paper for tomorrow.  This 'A' is for accomplishment.  One I'm damned proud of & couldn't wait to share.

:)  Done anything to be proud of lately?  Sent out a sub?  Finished a short or flash piece?  Tackled a new novel?