FALL GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!

After getting all of the entries numbered, I used Random.org to pick the winner for the Welcoming the Fall Giveaway! So the lucky winner is:

JoAnna Becker

Congratulations!!!!!

I will be emailing you shortly and you will have 48 hours to respond! If I don't hear from you within 48 hours, I will pass the prize onto another winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a BIG THANK YOU to Good Choice Reading for hosting!!

Dinner and a Movie Mini Challenge

Princess Bookie is having a mini challenge to go along with Contest Craze right now!  I finally got a chance to sit down and play one!

Here is the info:

This Mini Challenge Consists Of:

Date A Celebrity!

-Close Your Eyes!

-Imagine You Just Won A Contest Consisting Of A Date (Dinner And A Movie)

-You Get To Choose Any Celebrity/Singer/Sports Star To Go On A Date With
-FYI:Cartoon characters are exempt.

-Mission

-Write A Blog Post Telling Me Who You Would Choose

-Explain Why You Choose Them

-Be Creative In Your Post (maybe include a picture of said person or tell me what you would order for dinner)

Here is my choice:

Jared Padalecki

AKA Sam Winchester

Reason for choosing: Need you ask? Look at him! Watch the show! HOT! He has a touch of evil with angel like beauty! Oh all right! He is just plain sexy as hell! I don't care what he orders for us to eat because I would be to busy drooling over him to be able to eat the meal!!
*SWOON*

(ARC Review) Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning

BACKSTAGE PASS
Author: Olivia Cunning
Source: Sourcebooks
* I received this book free 
of charge in exchange for
an honest review*

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402244428
• ISBN-13: 978-1402244421

SUMMARY:

Five stunning guys, one hot woman, and a feverish romance…

For him, life is all music and no play…
When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius…

She’s the one to call the tune…
When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on…
Then the two lovers’ wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory…and sin…

MY THOUGHTS:

What I want to say about this book can't be summed up that easily.  The words I want to use, I will refrain from using so you will get this--SMOKING HOT JALAPENOS!

I was wary of reading a book focused on a band.  Every book I have read about rock and roll stars have been a little corny.  I thought that this was going to be another one of those with just a little hubba-hubba mixed in.  Boy was I wrong!

The Sinners rock guitarist, Brian Sinclair, meets psychologist Myrna Evans in a hotel bar.  After a weekend fling together, Myrna decides to join the band on tour to find out more about the behavior of groupies.  They both have many obstacles to overcome if they want a relationship to work.  Now that we have the main part of the plot mapped out, lets get to the main attraction of the book!

Can I just say that the images of the hot foreplay and sex are permanently seared into my brain. It was so hot and sensual that my brain nearly fried with each sexy scene.  The author did an amazing job of making the attraction hot and sexy, without going overboard that you find in most erotica books.  Thank goodness I read this book in the comforts of my own home to where people could not see the always obvious flush on my cheeks.

What is even more exciting is the fact that each band member is going to get their own book! I can't wait to read about the rest of them in future installments of the series.  If I had to describe this book in one line, it would be this-- A plot that rocks with sexy romps that keep on rolling! 

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf For Rereading! 5 STARS

(ARC Review) Once In A Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

ONCE IN A FULL MOON
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Source: Around The World Tours

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (December 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006198650X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061986505

SUMMARY:

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run. 

MY THOUGHTS:

This is one of those books that you get so excited about to read, not only because the cover is awesome, but is written from a well known and liked author.  When this book was offered as an ARC tour, I jumped on the chance to sign up for it.  While there were parts I really enjoyed, there were also parts that just didn't do it for me.


In the town were Celeste and her friends live, it is divided in two sections of Westside and Eastside. When Celeste is rescued from a wolf attack by a new boy from school, she finds herself drawn to him.  Brandon is everything she is wanting in a boyfriend.  He is caring, loving and sweet.  She has just broken up with Nash, who is the high school jock, and never really felt like Nash was a great boyfriend. Brandon and Celeste start seeing each other in secret since they are from opposite sides of town.  Ever since Brandon rescued Celeste from the wolf attack, and being injured in the process, he finds himself turning into a werewolf on the nights of a full moon.  


First of all, when I think of a werewolf, I think of big and hairy wolves! In the book, the only thing that really physically changes in Brandon is a new goatee and hair on his hands. He isn't described as scary at all. In fact, he is described as even more handsome in Celeste's eyes. Nash was a typical jock jerk, that couldn't handle being dumped by his girlfriend, even though Celeste has found him with another girl from school sitting on his lap at a party. Ivy and Abbey, Celeste's friends, were stuck up and snobby.  I couldn't stand the parts of them in the book. 


The book had parts that just left me shaking my head because it didn't make sense.  Celeste was naive so many times in the story that their were times I wondered if she even had a brain! Brandon was the saving grace of this book.  I feel the book is more geared for pre-teens than for teens and adults.  The ending is also left open for another story that hopefully will answer some of the unfinished parts of the story that needed to be finished up.


MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

Winner of the Lara Adrian contest!

The contest for the book by Lara Adrian is now closed.  Using Random.org, the winner is:

Donna S

Thank you to everyone who entered! I will be contacting the winner shortly!

BLOG TOUR: Poisoned Kisses by Stephanie Draven

Today on My Overstuffed Bookshelf, I have the pleasure of joining in on the blog tour for author Stephanie Draven.  Let's give her a warm welcome and read what she has to say as a guest posting author today!

Oh Romeo, Romeo, Who Art Thou, Romeo?: Identity as a Theme in the Paranormal Romance Genre 

The Westermarck effect is an observed biological phenomenon demonstrating that children raised in close proximity to one another may shy away from one another as romantic mates once they reach adulthood. This is apparently true whether or not the children are related by blood. This might be because, as the old adage goes, familiarity breeds contempt. Or it might be because part of adult sexual attraction is that our partner is, in some sense, a stranger.

If all the movie montages in romantic comedies are correct--and Hollywood would never lie--part of the pleasure in falling in love is turning a stranger into an intimate. All those romantic walks in the park, the games of strip poker, the cooking together in a kitchen that’s too small...they’re romantic encounters because they help us to know our mates, perhaps as they’ve never been known before.

People have been known to fall in love at first sight. Sometimes over the course of a weekend, or after a few weeks of dates. This seems like a remarkably short time to really get to know someone. Given the compressed nature of falling in love, a cynic might ask, how can any woman ever know her man as well as the family that raised him? How can she truly know him better than he’s ever been known before?

Quite simply, I would argue. Because on the day he falls in love with her, he isn’t the same man he was the day before. She too, is completely changed. Love is a transformative experience. An evolution of personality. At its best, it opens our minds to new experiences and ways of thinking we’ve never allowed before. At its worst, it can make us more insular and selfish. Either way, in subtle but real ways, lovers become strangers to everyone else, even as they become more transparent to the person they love. What’s more, they divulge secrets to one another--secrets they’ve hidden from others, or perhaps even from themselves.

No where is this issue of identity in romance addressed more effectively than in the genre of paranormal romance. The sense of otherness is almost immediately established. Lovers aren’t just different genders, or from different worlds; they might not even be the same species. Vampires, werewolves, animal shifters, angels, demons, and various immortals...they are fundamentally other, and that alone may account for their sexual appeal.

In spite of technology’s ability break down all social boundaries between what we would like to keep private and what the world must see, we all still wear different masks for different people. And for some of us, that can be quite isolating. Paranormal romance takes this idea and exaggerates it. Often, paranormal romance heroes and heroines have been hiding their otherness from the world. Being able to finally confess it--to be loved not for the facade they show the rest of the world, but for the very strangeness that would make them an outcast in society--those are some of the basic building blocks of true intimacy.

Another identity-based theme in paranormal romance is the acceptance of self, in order to find love with someone else. Most paranormal creatures labor under dark and angsty self-loathing. Oh, woe is me, I’m going to be beautiful, if pale, forever, and I have the desire to drink blood...

Then along comes a heroine (because let’s just admit it, it’s usually the heroine who comes to the emotional rescue) and she helps him to see who he really is. He isn’t just a brooding malcontent...he’s a fierce predator who can use his vampiric powers for good! Why, she makes him see his own inner god. And in turn, he helps acquaint her with her own inner goddess.

In my debut novel, Poisoned Kisses, I played with the issue of identity in an open and notorious way. My hero is a shape-shifting modern-day hydra who can wear the face of anyone who has ever hurt him. My heroine is a dark nymph of the underworld who can make mortals see whatever she wants them to see. When she meets our hero, she chooses to appear to him as a woman he once loved, and it’s a terrible deception. Throughout the book, the heroine and hero transform themselves into people of different coloring and races, all in an effort to shield their own hearts. When they finally kiss for the first time, without any masks, with their real selves exposed, it’s magic. I’m not sure I could have accomplished that in any other genre.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stephanie Draven is currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies. She lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books. 

Stephanie has always been a storyteller. In elementary school, she channeled Scheherazade, weaving a series of stories to charm children into sitting with her each day at the lunch table. When she was a little older, Stephanie scared all the girls at her sleepovers with ghost stories.  

She should have known she was born to hold an audience in her thrall, but Stephanie resisted her writerly urges and graduated from college with a B.A. in Government. Then she went to Law School, where she learned how to convincingly tell the tallest tales of all! 

A longtime lover of ancient lore, Stephanie enjoys re-imagining myths for the modern age. She doesn’t believe that true love is ever simple or without struggle so her work tends to explore the sacred within the profane, the light under the loss and the virtue hidden in vice. She counts it amongst her greatest pleasures when, from her books, her readers learn something new about the world or about themselves. Stephanie also writes historical fiction as Stephanie Dray and has a series of forthcoming novels from Berkley Books featuring Cleopatra’s daughter. 

 

Website: http://www.stephaniedraven.com

COVER REVEAL: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

WOW! Same artist who did the first two in the series, just in a deep red this time. Love it!

Book 1: Shiver

Book 2: Linger

Book 3: Forever

Under the Weather today....

I had some wonderful reviews to write up today, but it seems our local movie theater decided to not only charge outrageous prices for their popcorn, but they also decided to give us a dose of food poisoning as well.  My whole family is sick with it.  So, please forgive me for not posting today!! If I feel a little better later, I might cruise around some blogs and comment. 

Just a few reminders:

Be sure to check out my contest page! The contest for the Lara Adrian book ends tonight and only a few more days before my Fall Giveaway ends as well.

Don't forget that Princess Bookie is having her Contest Craze begin today! Tons of great prizes and fun challenges to join in!

Her Best Friend by Sarah Mayberry

HER BEST FRIEND
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Source: Harlequin Ambassadors
* I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an 
honest review*

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (April 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373716265
• ISBN-13: 978-0373716265

SUMMARY:

What's a girl to do when she's secretly in love with a friend and he's married to someone else? She gets over it. That's what Amy Parker has done. Rather than lose her best bud Quinn Whitfield with an ill-timed, crazy confession of affection, she's taken the smart route. She's eased away from him. Just enough to get past the unrequited bits. And you know, it's working.

Until the day Quinn announces he's now single. That's right. He's single. And he wants to hang out. With her.

Oh, this is so not good for Amy's equilibrium. Daily doses of Quinn remind her of everything she loves about him. But if he's free...and she's free...well, maybe the time has come for one of those crazy confessions.  Get reconnected the way they used to be.

MY THOUGHTS:

As a lover of sweet and romantic reads, Harlequin is one of my favorite escapes when I am in the mood for a category read mood.  They always have the best short reads that fill in the time between review books. 

Amy Parker lived next door to her childhood best friend, Quinn Whitfield.  They were two peas in a pod and rarely apart.  They shared secrets, adventures and even a teething ring when they were babies.  Then at age 14, things change for Amy.  She harbors a secret crush on her best friend.  Unfortunately, Lisa who is their newest addition to the friendship, has decided to set her sights on Quinn.  Amy keeps her secret attraction to Quinn to herself and lets her two best buds have a chance at a relationship.  Lisa and Quinn eventually marry, with Amy standing in as Best Person, and tries to never show how she really feels toward Quinn.  She feels that her friendship with Quinn and Lisa is far more important than the secret crush she has kept to herself for more than 16 years. 

When Amy finally buys the Grand Theater, she is finally moving on and fulfilling her dreams.  When she has a few legal troubles during the purchase though, she knows she must make contact with Lisa and Quinn once again and seek their legal advice.  Quinn and Lisa are both successful lawyers, but have failed on the marriage front.  Lisa has an affair and Quinn files for divorce.  To Amy's surprise Quinn comes to her rescue in court and also agrees to stay a few weeks to help with the remodel of the Grand Theater.  During this time, their love for each other blossoms into more than friendship. Neither one wants to make the first move in fear of losing the friendship the both have together.  Amy also doesn't want to hurt Lisa, who is still her friend as well, since the divorce is still pending.

Through it all, the author had witty and laugh out loud moments that had me smiling the entire time.  I liked the whole friends before lovers theme and the love that Amy and Quinn had for each other.  Harlequin was even on the money for a cover that represents the story for a change! The couple on the cover is actually how they are described by the author and it features a scene from the book as well! Yes, it is a predictable theme and story, but you can't help but read about first crushes, long time friendships and happily ever afters.

Author Sarah Mayberry delivers a sweet contemporary romance guaranteed to make you swoon!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

(ARC Review) Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

CRESCENDO
Hush, Hush #2
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free 
of charge in exchange for 
an honest review*

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416989439
• ISBN-13: 978-1416989431

SUMMARY:

The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home. 

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine? 

MY THOUGHTS:

Where can I start with this book without spoiling not only this story, but the previous book in the series? I will say that since it has been awhile since I read Hush, Hush, I had to sit and think about some things as I was reading Crescendo.  That is one of the drawbacks about books that are part of a series and the long wait between them.  After a bit though, everything started clicking back in place for me.

In Crescendo, Nora seemed a little whiny and needy.  She even bordered on stalker behavior at one point.  Patch was....Patch.  He still had the bad boy persona and the mouthy dialogue we loved about him in the first book.  He is still acting mysterious and frankly, it got to a point of making me want to jump in the book and slap the crap out of him!  You will get to see some familiar faces in this installment, including Rixon, Marcie, Vee and Detective Basso.

The ending wraps some parts of the story up, but be prepared for a new shocking ending that makes me desperately hoping the next book in the series will release a lot sooner!  Heartbreaking and an emotional roller coaster that will keep your emotions all over the place!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

COVER REVEAL: Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

As an official Splash Team Member, I have the great joy of sharing with everyone the new cover and blurb for the sequel to Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs.  I give you the wonderful and beautiful cover for  
Fins Are Forever!!

FINS ARE FOREVER

Author: Tera Lynn Childs

Release Date: June 28th, 2011

On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.

Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up. Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her dreams?

In Memory of author Jennifer Rardin

I just wanted to share with my readers the shocking news I just stumbled upon.  Author Jennifer Rardin, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 20th, 2010.  She is the author of the Jaz Park series. You can visit her blog found HERE to see which books I am referring to.

I want to send my deepest sympathies to the family.  May she sing beside the Angels and watch over you from above. She will be deeply missed by her fans as well.

 Jennifer Rardin

April 28, 1965 - September 20, 2010

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.

Shadow Hills available in ebook!

I am running late posting this due to my email eating the original notice about this! LOL
So I guess my post will serve as a reminder to all the Young Adult readers out there!

Did you know that Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus is now available in ebook format?

You can now purchase it in ebook at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online!!

 The official release date for ebook purchase was August 24th. What are you waiting for?

Welcoming the Fall Giveaway!!

 I am so excited to be a part of the Fall Giveaway hosted by Good Choice Reading!  

I bet you are wondering what I am offering for the giveaway?  Well I have 2 ARCs to share with one lucky person!

One winner will receive an ARC copy of Torment by Lauren Kate and an ARC copy of The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller.  I will also be adding some swag to the box of misc. bookmarks and such!

Be sure to check out the main list at Good Choice Reading for all of the blogs participating!

RULES:

1. USA only. Sorry, but limited funds this month!

2. FILL OUT THIS FORM!

3.You must at least be a follower to enter!

4. Contest will end on 9/29/2010 with the winner being announced on 9/30/2010

Interview and Contest with Author Lara Adrian!!

Today I have a very wonderful author interview for everyone! Lara Adrian decided to stop by my blog for a quick chat and contest!! If you are unfamiliar with who this author is, what rock have you been hiding under??

Lara Adrian is well known for her Midnight Breed books.  I urge you to check out her website if you are not familiar with her books. Her site can be found HERE. Let's all give her a warm welcome and enjoy the interview!  The contest will follow at the end of the post!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

To start off, welcome and can you tell the readers a little about yourself? 

Hi! Thanks for inviting me to be part of your website today. I’m Lara Adrian, author of the Midnight Breed vampire romance series from BantamDell Books. Before turning the dark side of romance (and loving it, I might add) I wrote seven medieval romances under the name Tina St. John. I live in New Hampshire with my husband and three former stray cats. I’ve been married for nearly 17 years, but I met my husband when I was 20 and we’ve pretty much been inseparable best friends ever since. Is it any wonder I write romance novels? 

Can you tell us a little about your upcoming or latest release? 

TAKEN BY MIDNIGHT, which releases in the U.S. on September 28, 2010, is the eighth book in my Midnight Breed series. This story centers on a vampire warrior named Brock, a member of the Order in Boston (think modern-day dark knights, with fangs and high-caliber weaponry) and a former Alaska state trooper named Jenna Darrow. After Jenna survives a brutal encounter with the oldest vampire in existence--a creature not of this Earth--she emerges from the ordeal with changes none of the Breed has ever witnessed in a human. With the Order embroiled in a mounting war with an enemy who grows more powerful every day, they are forced to take Jenna into their protection until they can understand exactly what’s happening to her, and whether the tenacious, but damaged young woman poses a threat to their missions. What begins as a no-strings attraction between Brock and his unwilling ward soon erupts into a passion neither of them can deny. And while Brock and Jenna struggle not to fall into an impossible love, the warriors’ ruthless enemy makes a bold move, intent to strike at the very heart of the Order. 

I am a fly on your wall.  What would I report back to my master of the daily grind of Lara? 

Lots of staring out the window, daydreaming, and scribbling. An occasional bout of giggling or cursing, frequent moments of talking to myself or imaginary people. Random episodes of high-volume Lady Gaga or Evanescence tunes, and me singing along (horribly, but not without great enthusiasm). Basically the same things I used to do as a kid, except no one yells for me to keep the noise down, and now I share my scribbles and daydreams with everyone who reads my books! 

When you are not writing, what kind of books do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors, that are must reads? 

I’ve always been a voracious reader, and my tastes run the gamut--everything from romance (of course!) to thrillers and mysteries, as well as biographies, memoirs, true crime, politics, and other nonfiction. I basically read anything that catches my interest in the moment. 

I really have too many favorite authors (and friends) in the romance genre, so at the risk of leaving anyone out, I’ll give you a short list of other novelists I enjoy: Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Dan Brown, Harlan Coben, John Grisham . . . whoa, never realized how many men I read! Right now, I’m reading my first Lisa Unger book, and I feel a major glom coming on with her. 

What are 3 things that are \"must haves\" for you when you sit down to write a new book? 

 

1. My story outline. 2. My computer, which has WriteWay on it (the software application my husband wrote for me based on my design input). 3. Total silence in a room free of distractions. 

Do you have a blog or website that your readers can keep up with you and your books?  Twitter? 

Readers can keep up with me in a number of places online! Please visit me, friend me, and follow me via the links below: 

Website: www.LaraAdrian.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midnight-Breed-Series/116635052964

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lara_adrian
 

Now for some fun stuff: 

1. What came first--the chicken or the egg? 

The chicken of course. No, wait. The egg would have to be first, wouldn’t it? Except . . . there had to be a chicken in order to lay the egg. But without an egg, there could be no chicken in the first place, so, that brings us back to the egg . . . oh, crap! :::brainexplodes::: 

2. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? 

Because every bottle of glue comes with a minuscule (I daresay invisible) fairy trapped inside it whose sole purpose in life is to squeegee the glue off the insides of the bottle to make sure it never sticks. Sheesh, I thought *everyone* knew that! 

3. If you choke a Smurf, what color do they turn? 

I don’t know. Show me a Smurf and we can try it ourselves to find out! 

4. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him? 

Because at the time that song was written, folks had nothing better to do than watch Jimmy crack his corn. It was boring and no one cared, but since they couldn’t Twitter about it, or put it on YouTube, someone decided to write a song. It actually went viral the first week it was out and Jimmy landed his own reality show as a result. True story.
 

Favorite perfume: Ginger Ciao by YOSHI (among countless others – I adore perfume!) 

Favorite TV show: I don’t watch much TV, but I do like Survivor and True Blood 

Favorite Movie: I can’t possibly list just one! Here’s my top 5 that I never tire of watching: The Shawshank Redemption. The War of the Roses. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Far and Away. Jaws.  

Favorite Drink: non-alcoholic favorite is a tie between coffee and water (I’d call these daily essentials, more than favorites); favorite cocktail is vodka and tonic or rum punch. I like frou-frou martinis too. And margaritas. Oh, fine--serve me anything but gin or beer and I’m happy. 

Favorite Dessert: used to be NY-style cheesecake, but now I’m allergic to it, so I’ll have to say half-baked chocolate cake (or chocolate lava cake, as it’s sometimes called)

CONTEST/GIVEAWAY!

I am offering to one lucky person, either the first book in the series OR the newest release that comes out Sept. 28th.  If you have never read the series you can pick the first book or if you have read the series you can pick the newest release!

BOOK ONE: Kiss of Midnight

OR

BOOK EIGHT: Taken By Midnight

Book will be ordered through Book Depository and is open to anywhere that Book Depository will ship to!

RULES:

1. No need to be a follower, but I would love it if you would join my site!

2.  Open to any country where Book Depository will ship to.

3.  Just fill out the form below to be entered. Comments on the post will not enter you into the contest, but I would love to have you say hi to the author!

4. Contest will run until September 27th.  Winner will be announced on release day, Sept. 28th!

To enter: FILL OUT THIS FORM! 

(ARC Review) Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

DESIRES OF THE DEAD
(A Body Finder Novel #2)
Author: Kimberly Derting
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free 
of charge in exchange for 
an honest review*

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061779849
• ISBN-13: 978-0061779848

SUMMARY:

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life. 

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger. 

MY THOUGHTS:

If you have read my previous review for the first book, The Body Finder, you are well aware that my family suffered during my reading of that novel.  Well, needless to say, my family suffered twice as much while reading the latest in the series, Desires of the Dead!  I did not want to put this book down at all!  My children starved at lunch time and was forced to fend for themselves.  My husband felt neglected as I ignored him while reading this book,  only glancing up to kiss him goodbye before work and before bed.

In the latest installment, we are again reading from Violet's point of view.  Violet and Jay are still a couple with just as much sweet and tender moments that we experienced in the first book.  Her family is still involved with her life including her Uncle Stephen who was a major person in The Body Finder.  Her friends are just as fun and goofy--if not more--along with new friends that move to town and play an important role in the story.

When Violet starts to receive threatening gifts and phone calls, Violet starts to pull away from Jay though.  She feels like her secret of what she can do is her secret alone and tries to deal with it without involving Jay and her family.  When she also comes across an echo of a kidnapped boy, she is pulled into a bigger group involving the FBI.  She finds herself being interrogated by Sara, an FBI specialist, and another boy around her age named Rafe who works with Sara.  Along the way, we learn that Sara and Rafe have secrets of their own and are just as reluctant to tell Violet their stories as Violet was to tell hers. Violet must learn who to trust and who to turn to when her stalker starts to take more drastic measures against her.

I literally could not put this book down.  I gripped the pages in suspense so hard that I bent the pages!  Just like in The Body Finder, you will think you have it figured out and then the author will send you in another direction.  Ms. Derting knows how to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and their heart racing with anticipation!  Just like the echo's call to Violet, you will find yourself drawn into this book and not letting go!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS!

Demon Princess: Reign Check by Michelle Rowen

DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK
Author: Michelle Rowen

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802795498
• ISBN-13: 978-0802795496

SUMMARY:

Nikki Donovan has had a lot to deal with since learning she was half human, half demon. But things take a darker turn when Rhys, a gorgeous -- but potentially dangerous -- faery king enrolls at her high school to investigate Nikki's potential for fulfilling an apocalyptic prophesy. Nikki knows she'd never turn violent, and she certainly couldn't destroy the world...could she?

Of course, all Nikki really wants is to be reunited with Michael, a Shadow creature whose status as her personal servant is further complicated by their undeniable attraction to each other. Even though the rules of the Shadowlands strictly forbid their romance, Nikki is determined not to let Michael go. But when she is summoned to the Underworld to appear before a demon council, it will take all her courage -- and perhaps a bit of demon-level strength -- to get herself out again.

MY THOUGHTS:

After enjoying the first book in the Demon Princess series, I knew I needed to purchase the second book.  After my Amazon order arrived, I quickly dived into the story of Nikki Donovan again!  

Rhys, King of the faery realm, has decided to join the human world for a short time and decides to enroll at Nikki's high school.  To say that Nikki is surprised, is an understatement.  She can't believe that he would enroll at her school just to keep an eye on her.  This book starts off a week after the last on finished, so Nikki is still trying to accept that she is half demon and half human.  Having Rhys around makes it even harder for her to focus on her human life. Rhys informs her that there is a prophesy regarding a Darkling, which he assumes is about Nikki.  The Underworld leaders are anxious to meet with her and decide just how much of a threat Nikki really is.  

This book was just as exciting as the first book.  The author keeps you enthralled with the supernatural, yet she can also leave you laughing out loud with her witty writing and characters.  I was glad to see familiar characters such as her fater, Desmond, along with Michael and her Aunt.  Even though the story can be a bit predictable, you will still enjoy the story so much, it won't matter.  

I feel that the second book in the series outshines the first book in so many ways.  I hope the publishers agree with the readers and decide to add more books to the delightful and captivating series.  I look forward to reading more about Demon Princess Nikki and her reign as a Darkling!!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

Harlequin Giveaway Winners!!!

The contest for the Harlequin books has now ended.  Using Random.org, 3 winners were chosen! The winners are:

Tabathia

Sarah

Kailia Sage

CONGRATS!! I need each of you to email me your mailing address at djsfoxylady @ gmail.com

You have 48 hours to respond, (I will email you as well), or I will have to pick new winners!
Thanks to everyone who entered and spreading the word!

IMM: IN MY MAILBOX

In My Mailbox is where we get to show what books we have gotten during the week. It is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren!

I had a great week!! Not only did my Husband surprise me with some books, I received some wonderful ARCs and signed books! I also went to my local Goodwill for their half price sale and found a TON of books!

From Around the World Tours: 

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball

From Kristi at The Story Siren: 

Blacklisted and Red Handed by Gena Showalter

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

For Review:

Star Crossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Blast from the Past by Meg Cabot

NOT PICTURED: Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting (currently reading)

Signed Copies for review:

Restored Hope by Brenda Youngerman

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine (Read my review HERE)

Lunarmorte by Sam Young

NOT PICTURED: A signed copy of Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian and a ton of bookmarks for the upcoming contest!

For Review:

All from Sourcebooks!

Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley

The Taming of the Wolf by Lydia Dare

Wolf Fever by Terry Spear

Honky Tonk Christmas by Carolyn Brown

HUGE haul from Goodwill!

Everything in there store was 50% off including the books.  There was over 4 huge bins of boxes! I dug through every single one of them!  A bunch of these I already own, but I got them for prizes, donations for my local library, and for our local woman's shelter for donation.  I only spent $6.25 total for all of these!

My Husband bought these for me at the store. He thought they looked like things I would read! He knows me so well! I have been wanting to buy these and he saved me a trip! Thank you hubby!!

What did everyone else get?

Heads Up on a HUGE book sale!!!

I just wanted to let my readers know about a huge sale that is going on right now.  You will have to check your local stores, but it is happening right now in my area.

All Goodwill stores in our area are having a Customer Appreciation Sale going on.  EVERYTHING in the store is 50 percent off!!!  We went to our local one this morning and the had HUGE pallets of books outside!  I found the entire Charlaine Harris series (some in hardback), Carrie Vaughn's Kitty series, the Vampire Diaries and Vampire Beach series, Need and Captivate, and many more!  My basket was packed with books. I will show them in my IMM tomorrow so you can see exactly what I got.  Some I already own, but I picked them up to donate to our local library and to use for giveaways because they are in new condition!

Are you curious to know how much I spent on all those books???

Ready????

$6.25 !!!!!!!!!

That is cheaper than ONE hardback and sometimes ONE paperback!!!!

Sleeping With The Lights On by Brenda Whiteside

SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON
Author: Brenda Whiteside
Source: Author Submission
* I received this ebook free of
charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (April 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601547242
• ISBN-13: 978-1601547248

SUMMARY:

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she's met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra's life, reigniting an attraction he can't deny. 

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again. Only this time, nothing's as it seems. A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth. As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on - or will she finally discover a way to turn them off? 

MY THOUGHTS:

First, I want to apologize to the author of this book.  I am running WAY behind on my ebook reviews and she was very patient and kind about it.  Then there was a mix up with the book in the mail, it never arrived, and she was gracious enough to send me the ebook version of it.  Thank you so much for your patience Brenda!

Sandra has lost her way. She thinks she has found love again, one that she believes can last, when she is thrown into a suspenseful turn of events.  She finds herself being stalked by a mysterious person and she does not know what to do or believe.

The suspense was great and kept my interest throughout the book.  The romance was great and the author knows exactly how to keep you guessing and wanting to know more.  When Sandra makes her choices you can't help but pretend to be right there with her and supporting her.  I loved how the author kept me guessing and not wanting to even step away to do anything until the last page was read.

A new debut book from a wonderful author who I will definitely be looking out for in the future.

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Website: 

www.brendawhiteside.com

Buy the book:

Amazon

Wild Rose Press

(ARC Review) Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

GHOST TOWN
Morganville Vampires #9
Author: Rachel Caine
Source: Author Submission
* I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an 
honest review*

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: NAL Hardcover (October 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451231619
• ISBN-13: 978-0451231611

SUMMARY:

While developing a new system to maintain Morganville's defenses, student Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers. Through this, she's able to re-establish the field around this vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders.

But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence: people inside the town begin to slowly forget who they are-even the vampires. Soon, the town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment- before she forgets how to save Morganville...

MY THOUGHTS:

First of all, I would like to thank the author, Rachel Caine, for sending me the book for review.  Everyone who talks to me on Twitter and reads my blog, knows that I am a HUGE fan of this series!  So, again, thank you Rachel Caine!

If you thought Morganville was crazy and scary before, you haven't seen anything yet!  In this installment of the series,  Claire and Myrnin are trying to create a new computer to control the memories and boundaries of Morganville.  After working days with Myrnin, they finally get a system going.  As days pass though, Claire and the rest of the gang, start to realize that something has gone wrong with it.  Humans and vampires start losing chunks of their memory.  Vampires start to forget about the rules--and at times, forgetting they are even a vampire--and destroying not only others, but themselves as well.  Humans start to forget about the latest events in Morganville as well.

I was so excited to see Myrnin again in this book.  He has to be one of my favorite characters in this series.  He is so crazy, you can't help buy laugh and sympathize for him.  You will find yourself on the fence about Oliver again--is he good or bad?--and wondering if he will help Claire fix the problem, or let it destroy everything Amelie has done to protect everyone. The laugh out loud moments were brilliant as expected, and the suspense and pace was spot on perfect!  True to the author's usual with the series, she will leave you with an unexpected twist at the end that will leave you with your jaw dropping and your heart racing for the next book.  You will even get to read about familiar faces that were in previous books that you thought you wouldn't see again.

The author knows how to write a book that is similar to riding a roller coaster!  One moment you are calm, the next you are gripping the pages with adrenaline and anticipation.  This is one ride I have enjoyed and will definitely be cheering for more books soon!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf For Rereading! 5 STARS!!

Harlequin Giveaway!!!

Thanks to Harlequin, I have three copies of the following book to giveaway! That means 3 winners!

What's a girl to do when she's secretly in love with a friend and he's married to someone else? She gets over it. That's what Amy Parker has done. Rather than lose her best bud Quinn Whitfield with an ill-timed, crazy confession of affection, she's taken the smart route. She's eased away from him. Just enough to get past the unrequited bits. And you know, it's working.

Until the day Quinn announces he's now single. That's right. He's single. And he wants to hang out. With her.

Oh, this is so not good for Amy's equilibrium. Daily doses of Quinn remind her of everything she loves about him. But if he's free...and she's free...well, maybe the time has come for one of those crazy confessions.  Get reconnected the way they used to be.

RULES:

1. Contest is open to the USA only due to limited funds for me to ship to.  Sorry!

2. No need to be a follower, but it would be great if you were!

3. Just comment with your name and email address (for me to contact you if you win).

Contest ends 9/19/2010 and the winner will be announced the following day!  Thanks and spread the word!

One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

ONE FINE COWBOY
Author: Joanne Kennedy
Source: Sourcebooks
* I received this book free
of charge in exchange for
an honest review*

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402236700
• ISBN-13: 978-1402236709

SUMMARY:

He's got a way with horses...and with women...

His heart is as wild as the horses he trained...
Nate Shawcross is perfectly content to spend his days training wild horses. So when a beautiful greenhorn unexpectedly shows up for a seminar from the famous "Horse Whisperer" of Wyoming, all Nate wants to do is send her packing...

The last thing she expects is a lesson in romance...
Graduate student Charlie Banks came to the ranch to learn about horse communication, but when she meets the ruggedly handsome cowboy, she starts to fantasize about another connection entirely...

Nate needs to stay focused if he's going to save his ranch from foreclosure, but he can't help being distracted by the brainy and breathtakingly sexy Charlie. Could it be that after all this time Nate has finally found the one woman who can tame his wild heart?

MY THOUGHTS:

Hubba-Hubba!  Author Joanne Kennedy sure can write the cowboy romance!

I loved this book so much that I didn't want it to end.  With strong and believable characters, the author has created a plot that will touch your heart and keep you turning the pages.  The romance was beautiful, the story and plot twists were amazing, and the pace of the story was great.  To top it off, the author created laugh out loud moments that kept you interested and devoted to the story.  Nate was a man who kept his feelings bottled up, and when he tried to express them, it was so funny to see him try to find the words.  Charlie was a great match for Nate and had me cheering for them both.

If you haven't discovered this author before, now is the time to pick up one of her books in this series and dive in.  I guarantee you will last more than the 8 seconds for this cowboy ride of a story!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

SEA CHANGE by Aimee Friedman

SEA CHANGE
Author: Aimee Friedman

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Point; 1 edition (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439922283
• ISBN-13: 978-0439922289

SUMMARY:

16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.



There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality. 



Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined? 

MY THOUGHTS:

Where do I begin with this review for this book?  There were some things that I enjoyed, but there were other things that were just not that great.

First the good of the book.  Leo, was by far, my favorite person in the book.  He was sweet, cute, and caring, yet he was also mysterious and intriguing.  I loved everything about him in this book.  The mysterious folk lore and beliefs of the island were also captivating.  I wanted to learn more about the legends of Selkie Island and  the people that live there.  The writing was good and seemed to flow at a good pace, even if there were some problems to it near the end.

Which, now brings me to the things I didn't enjoy about the book.  Miranda was suppose to be smart, yet she kind of flaked near the ending of the book.  Its like she lost her brain in the water and couldn't find it.  Her mother does a complete turn around after one day and now enjoys everything about the island.  One minute she is loathing the island and its people, the next she is buddies with everyone again.  The characters of TJ and his father were just too creepy for my liking and the rest of the girls Miranda tries to fit in with are just as annoying.  I also hated the ending to the story.  It left too many unanswered questions without the reader getting closure to Leo's mystery and the legends of the Island.  I can understand this if the author plans on a sequel to the book, but too many things were left unfinished to even make for a satisfied cliffhanger for the reader.

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS

(ARC Review) Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

OUT FOR BLOOD
Drake Chronicles #3
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free
of charge in exchange for
an honest review*

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (December 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802721680
• ISBN-13: 978-0802721686

SUMMARY:

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more.

 When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

MY THOUGHTS:

I have been waiting for a book about Quinn.  I was curious to see how the author was going to take Quinn off the dating market since he is basically the player of the family.  When the author introduced us to Hunter Wild at the end of the second book, Blood Feud, I knew this was going to be a great match.

I loved the story that the author brought to us this time.  We finally get to see the Vampire Coronation and so does Hunter. She is thrilled to witness the event even though she is technically a Helios-Ra Academy student.  She has been trained by her Grandfather that you kill all vampires.  If you have read the previous books in the series though, you know that not all vampires are evil and deserve to be killed.  The book literally picks up shortly after the previous book ended.  I loved Quinn, yet I wish the author would have had him more of the focus in this book than Hunter.  I didn't like reading all about the academy as much as I wanted to see Hunter and Quinn interact more.  I wanted a slow progression of a love story, with the suspense and action we had from the first two books, instead of rushing their relationship.

While I really enjoyed the book, to me it was more of a filler book.  A book to set the pace and arc for the next installment.  The book could be read as a stand alone, but I don't recommend it if you want the full effect of the personalities of each character involved.  I still can't wait for the next book in the series though to see what happens next.  It is my understanding that the next book is suppose to focus on Conner, who just so happens to be Quinn's twin brother.

What appealed to me the most about this series is not only the romance and action, but the witty dialogue, strong and determined females, and heart racing vampire Drake men! 

MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS