Review - Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis - Blog Tour

Title: Lucky in Love
Series: Lucky Harbor #4
Author: Jill Shalvis | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reading Level: Adult










Synopsis via Goodreads:


Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she's expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she'd like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he's only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he's gone...

For the first time in his life, Ty can't bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn't -- including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all...anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.


Quotable Quotes:


"He felt his heart roll, exposing its underbelly. Nothing he could do about that. He was equipped to eliminate threats, protect and serve.
Not to love.
Never to love."

*****

"He knew he had no right to touch her, crave her like air, but he did both. And when he put his mouth on hers, he recognized the taste of her, like she'd been made just for him."


My thoughts:


It was so nice to get back to Lucky Harbor and catch up with the town and people I've grown to love so much. I admit I was hesitant at first. I couldn't imagine loving these new characters as much as I did the three sisters the series was initially about. How wrong was I! Mallory is crazy lovable. And Ty! Holy hotness! That man is all damaged and sexy and impossible not to love. 


Mallory is Lucky Harbor's good girl who desperately needs a little fun in her life. Ty is the mysterious stranger who moved to Lucky Harbor while recovering from an accident he'd prefer not to talk about. When Mallory is challenged by her friends to give a Mr. Wrong a try, Ty seems like the perfect candidate. Ty and Mallory have a chemistry that is tangible from the moment they meet. The scenes between them reach an off the charts level of steamy. This book is seriously HOT, HOT, HOT! 


Lucky in Love is bursting with the humor, emotion and sexual tension I've come to associate with the very talented Jill Shalvis. She has created a one of a kind setting, and a cast of characters with so many layers. The Lucky Harbor series is unrelenting in its addictiveness. I can't wait for more.

I'll admit contemporary romance is not a genre I frequent because it rarely works for me. Yet, every Jill Shalvis title I've read has just blown me away. She is now an auto buy author for me. I don't want to miss a single book she writes. It think it is a testament to her talent that she has turned one very fickle contemporary romance reader (me) into a huge fan.

The Lucky Harbor series does not have to be read in order, but I highly recommend you do. I promise you don't want to miss a single moment this quirky little town has to offer.

Source: Received from publisher in exchange for my review

Feature - The Fairy Tale Bride by Kelly McClymer

Title: The Fairy Tale Bride

Series: Once Upon A Wedding #1

Author: Kelly McClymer

Available: Now

Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis via Goodreads:

The Fensters were like many other proper Victorian families—in every way but one. Ignorning the grim convention that one married for wealth and title, these spirited siblings followed their hearts...and vowed to wed only for love.

Happily-ever-after is all she ever wanted...Even though society thinks her all but unmarriageable, Miranda Fenster still believes in true love. She'll do anything to advance its cause, even confront the man whose disapproval is all that keeps her dear brother from making a romantic match. But Miranda's impetuous meeting with the Duke of Kerstone has a far different outcome than she intended. For when the cynical nobleman realizes she's been compromised by their tryst, he insists on nothing less than marriage. Now suddenly, the champion of fairy tale endings finds herself a most unlikely bride!

Kelly McClymer on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

The Fairy Tale Bride is available for your Kindle on Amazon!

Also available at Barnes & Noble for your Nook!

Author Guest Post - Carl Alves - Two For Eternity Blog Tour

Please welcome Carl Alves to the blog! 

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Outlining is something that certain writers tend to be passionate about, both pro and con.  I’m of the opinion that there is no right or wrong answer as to whether or not a writer should outline before they write.  It’s all about the way your mind works.  Highly organized individuals will probably want to extensively outline.  More free-flowing thinkers will probably not outline.

I never outline other than perhaps a two or three sentence high level overview.  Instead what I do is constantly work out the story in my head.  Usually I'm looking at the next two or three chapters, figuring out the plot details, the dialogue, action scenes.  I try to play out the scenes in my head as if I were watching a movie, which probably lends to the visual style I use in my writing.  I also look at what will happen in the story long term.  I usually start off with two or three characters and then create additional ones as I move along.   For me this allows the story to evolve.  There are many times where the plot turns in a way that I had not expected when I first started writing, or a minor character gets a larger role as the story progresses.  Sometimes I will even spare a character that I had planned on killing off or conversely kill a character unexpectedly.  It allows me the flexibility to give the story some life of its own.

By the time I sit in front of my laptop, the writing tends to flow easily because I know what I want to write, what style I want to use, and even what the characters are going to say.  This may be a method that wouldn't work for other writers.  I couldn’t imagine how my stories would turn out like if I outlined, but I need to let the story develop and guide me to where it ultimately needs to go. 

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing this info with all of us!

Carl's novel, Two For Eternity, is available now!

Carl Alves on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Add Two For Eternity on Goodreads!

Review: 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook - Launch Tour & an AMAZING contest!

Title: The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook
Compiled by: Christy Dorrity
Available: Now!












Synopsis via Goodreads:


Great books, bloggers, and recipes meet in this second volume of a fresh and unique cookbook that helps you experience books, not just read them. This year's volume features even more tasty reads, recipes and book bloggers.

Books were selected from the author’s book review blog and paired with delectable recipes like “Caramel Crack” from Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi, "Everliving Soup" from Brodi Ashton's Everneath, and "Jagged Ham" from Elana Johnson's Possession.
Mouthwatering photos complement every recipe.

The 2012 Book Blogger’s Cookbook includes a foreword by David Farland, award winning, New York Times Bestselling author, and showcases more than one hundred reviews with links to book review blogs and author websites.

Whether you're a food lover, an avid reader or a book blogger, there’s something for you in The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook.



My thoughts:


I can't say I love to cook nearly as much as I love to read, but I love browsing cookbooks and compiling a list of recipes I hope to someday make for my family. The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook combines recipes, book highlights and quotes from a variety of book bloggers (including me!). This is not your average cookbook. I had so much fun exploring every page.


I was so impressed by the variety of delicious recipes. My favorites include On the Go Caramel Ice Cream Topping, Primeval Berries and Cream, Golden Curry Soup and Beignet Chess Squares (Yes, please!). I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! All the recipes feature appetite inducing color photos and easy to follow directions. I can't wait to give them a try! 


I was even more impressed by the variety of books. There is something for everyone, and I discovered several new books that need to be added to the to read list ASAP. The blogger quotes are just the icing on the cake ;) I loved picking up a book that let me not only discover new recipes, but also new book bloggers. This is such a clever idea, and I'm so glad Christy Dorrity decided to tackle the task. Stellar job!

My Rating:

Giveaway Details:

Every person who comments on one of the blogs during the tour will be entered to win a grand prize: a copy of every book featured in The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook (22 in all, over $200 value). 

Follow the 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook launch tour for your chance to win!

More info and links to all the stops can be found on Christy Dorrity's website!

Good luck!

Review & Giveaway - Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire - Blog Tour

Title: Barefoot in the Sand
Series: Barefoot Bay #1
Author: Roxanne St. Claire | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reading Level: Adult










Synopsis via Goodreads:


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:

Barefoot in the Sand starts a new contemporary romance by well-known author Roxanne St. Claire. Having enjoyed her romantic suspense novels. I was eager to pick this one up as well.

In this series debut we meet single mother, Lacey Armstrong. After having her home destroyed by a devastating hurricane, she decides to embrace her dream of building a B&B. This brings architect Clay Walker into her life.  It is pretty evident Clay isn’t being straightforward from the get go, but Lacey is blinded by his impressive plans for her property and his impressive physique. When her long absent baby daddy, David now known as “Fox”, shows up things become even more complicated. Add in a group of well-meaning long time girlfriends and you have quite a crazy ride.

I really enjoyed reading Barefoot in the Sand. I did find Lacey’s naiveté and indecisiveness a little frustrating over the course of the novel. Poor thing was seriously lacking a backbone (thanks to her overbearing mother). I was torn between wanting to shake her and hug her. Clay wasn’t really my type, but I could see why he rocked Lacey’s socks.  I didn’t like how quick she was to give David the benefit of the doubt, but not Clay. David had proved his lack of character for over 14 years and she barely knew Clay, but was so quick to push him right out of her life. Even with her serious lack of good judgment I still liked her. I especially enjoyed the interaction between her and her teen daughter. I am pretty sure that is what won me over in the end.

Loved the setting for this one, a beautiful sandy Florida locale. Great secondary characters as well. I love books that take place in a small town packed with eccentric characters. I’d consider Barefoot in the Sand a nice start to what I imagine is a new series. A cute, quick read. I’m not a big contemporary romance reader, but I really enjoyed this one. I look forward to continuing this series and getting to know all the characters more.

My Rating:

Giveaway Details:

3 copies of Barefoot in the Sand are up for grabs!

Open to the US & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Winners are subject to Hachette’s 1 copy per household rule

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter

Waiting On Wednesday - May 2nd

This week I’m waiting on -

The Unnaturalists 

by Tiffany Trent

Available - August 2012

Synopsis via Goodreads

In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

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Why I’m waiting on The Unnaturalists? I was hooked at “alternate London”. London is one of my most favorite settings & I’m eager to see it in its alternate state :) & that dress! I wish I had an excuse to dress like that!

What are you waiting on?

Meme details: Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. Don’t forget to stop by her blog and share your WOW pick for this week.

This or That with Karen Schreck - While He Was Away Blog Tour

Please help me in welcoming Karen Schreck, author of While He Was Away, to the blog today!

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Puppies or kittens?

Kittens.  Until they grow into cats.  Then give me a loyal, unconditionally loving, rollicking-good-time-and-yet-wouldn’t-hurt-a-fly dog, any day. 

Heels or flats?

Comfortable, chunky heels for special dates (I don’t do stilettos, a la Barbie).  Doc Marten’s for work.  Flats and sandals for everything else.

          But really, barefoot is the best.

Coffee or tea?

          Strong coffee, perfectly doctored.

Pancakes or waffles?

At home, I like making shapes out of pancake batter.  So pancakes for their creative potential.

Winter or Summer?

          Winter.  And fall.  And spring.  Come summer, he’s away.

Shorts or capris?

          Shorts.  Preferably well-worn cut-offs, washed to silky softness.

Pink or purple?

          PURPLE.  I don’t do pink. 

Stay up late or wake up early?

          Stay up late.  Wake up late. 

Go to the theater or wait for the DVD?

Wait for the dvd.  The closest theater is a dive.  Plus, the film quality is always awful—dirty, and covered with little flecks and scratches.  Or the film breaks and guy in the projection room takes forever, taping it back together, or whatever.  Or I get distracted by the annoying stains on the screen from where idiots have thrown their Cokes and ice.

         

Desktop or laptop?

If we could afford a laptop, I’d get one in a heartbeat.  For now, I’m stuck with my desktop.

Bad boy or boy next door?

Boy next door.  I’m over the whole bad boy delusion.  Been there, done that.  Lesson learned.

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Thanks for stopping by, Karen!


Karen Schreck on the web:
Website | Twitter

While He Was Away is available today!

Follow the While He Was Away Blog Tour

Add While He Was Away on Goodreads