Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne



Blackberry Summer (Hope's Crossing #1)
by RaeAnne Thayne
Published May 24th 2011 by Harlequin
ISBN:0373775938 (ISBN13: 9780373775934)
Series:Hope's Crossing #1


Claire Bradford needed a wake-up call.

What she didn't need was a tragic car accident. As a single mom and the owner of a successful bead shop, Claire leads a predictable life in Hope's Crossing, Colorado. So what if she has no time for romance? At least, that's what she tells herself, especially when her best friend's sexy younger brother comes back to town as the new chief of police.

But when the accident forces Claire to slow down and lean on others— especially Riley McKnight —she realizes, for the first time, that things need to change. And not just in her own life. The accident—and the string of robberies committed by teenagers that led up to it—is a wake-up call to the people of Hope's Crossing. The sense of community and togetherness had been lost during those tough years. But with a mysterious "Angel of Hope" working to inspire the town, Riley and Claire will find themselves opening up to love and other possibilities by the end of an extraordinary summer….
My Thoughts:
I knew from the first few pages, that I was going to love this book. Immediately the characters and the town surround you with a warm welcome, like coming home.

At Last by Jill Shalvis


At Last (Lucky Harbor #5)
by Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Forever
Published June 26th 2012
ISBN:1455503746 (ISBN13: 9781455503742)

review courtesy of netGalley

HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG . . .

Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she's looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she's tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won't make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn't let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can't deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it's up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

My Thoughts:

At Last, Amy and Matt's love has come along, their lonely days/ nights are over!! Their story ROCKED!!  This is the fifth book in the Lucky Harbor series. I could not get Etta James's song to stop playing in my head. :-)

In the Spotlight ~ Suspense Your Disbelief

Another edition of "In the Spotlight", this week we are being joined by Jenny from Suspense Your Disbelief, she is a literary suspense writer from New Jersey. Her debut novel comes out next February.


This is quite a honor to welcome author and blogger Jenny.

Thanks for stopping by.

Susan Mallery Speaks to Librarians about the Appeal of Romance



New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery was asked to speak this summer at the American Library Association national conference in Anaheim, California, on a panel called “Isn’t It Romantic?” Mallery’s latest book, SUMMER NIGHTS (Fool’s Gold book 8) is dedicated to librarians who have done so much to introduce readers to her books. This is the speech she prepared.


The appeal in romance is that our books offer readers a celebration of community. Romances are all about connecting. Sure the boy-meets-girl part is fun and exciting, but often what really brings a reader back again and again are the connections made within the novel.

Most romances happen in a larger context of relationships. Families and friends play an important role. We want to experience falling in love with a hunky guy, but we also want a sense of belonging. The most popular books feature a cast of usually likeable, sometimes annoying, generally realistic characters who are amazingly like people we know. Or people we get on an emotional level.

These other characters, sometimes seemingly unimportant, can be the glue that holds our books together. Our hero and heroine are revealed through their relationships with secondary characters. The gruff solitary man who unexpectedly cares for a wounded puppy wins our heart forever. The exhausted single mother staying up until midnight to frost cupcakes for her son's first grade class reminds us of ourselves. While the romance is central to the story and the reason we think we read "those kind of books" I believe the real truth is we love the sense of community a romance brings to the table. The sexy guy on the cover draws us in, but the heroine's relationship with her sarcastic best friend turns out to be just as satisfying and meaningful.

All Things Books.....

If you are an avid reader like myself, you probably have your share of books, either in a bookcase, on your nightstand or whereever you could find some room. So what do you do to keep them organized and displayed, many lovers of books will display them on shelves with the help of bookends.

Bookends can be use to support your books on a shelf, adding a touch of uniqueness to your home. Bookends can be whimsical or classy depending on your house decor.  I hope you enjoy a few pictures of unique bookends I have found...

Cupcake Bookends:


Owl Bookends


   


People Figure Bookends



  Superhero or Fictional Characters Bookends




Cartoon Character Bookends





Fishbowl Bookends



I think my favorite has to be the Cartoon Characters, I love Tigger and just look at Charlie Brown's face~ priceless.  Now you know which ones I like, love to hear which ones have caught your eye or do you have your own unique bookends?

And the Winners Are.....

Darcy Burke stopped by Forever Book Lover to chat about her books, and her writing. On her visit she offered a give away of Her Wicked Ways and His Wicked Heart ~one of each book to two commenters, so their will be two lucky winners.

I am happy to announce the following winners.... in a random selection...


BlackTulip with her comment.....    HER WICKED WAYS
When I read a historical romance book, I want to be touched one way or the other by the characters, I want a strong story with descriptions vivid enough to make me forget everything else. I want to feel, at one point, part of the story .... Sometimes there is magic between the lines and the wonderful thing is to be able to feel it yourself. That's exactly what I'm looking for ! Magic ...

AND

Joanne with her comment....   HIS WICKED HEART
I love seeing how people lived in different time periods. I like to learn about their dress, mannerisms, etc, and see how they differ from ours .

Each winner has 48 hours to CONTACT ME, with their email address or another winner will be drawn. Thanks again for everyone who commented. If you didn't win, I recommend making some room in your TBR pile and add Darcy Burke to your collection.

In the Spotlight ~ Wolf Majick

Hi everyone.  Today's "In the Spotlight" Delia from Wolf Majick  is stopping by to answer some questions. She mostly reads sci-fi and urban fantasy style novels but enjoy thrillers and historical fiction as well. She is also a huge sci-fi tv fan and can't miss Doctor Who or Torchwood.

Welcome Delia!! Thank you for stopping by.



When and how did you decide to become a book blogger?
I started blogging officially in January. I had been on Goodreads since last summer and noticed a lot of people who were pretty active had blogs. I figured it would be a fun way to get my opinions out there
So far, what’s the hardest part of being a book blogger?

For me the hardest part is picking the books to post about. I prefer to only share books that I give a 3 or above star rating. If I read something that I feel deserves less than that I will usually email the review directly to the author.

What do you do when you are not blogging?
I work full time as a photographer and when I am not at work I am home with my 3 year old son and our 5 horses, 2 goats, and tons of chickens.

How many followers do you have? How often do you post to your blog? How can people follow you?
I have over 1200 followers on Twitter, 50+ on GFC, and 40+ on facebook. I try to post 3 days per week, sometimes more if I have a tour that week , or see a great deal on Amazon that I want to share. You can find me at my blog or on twitter at @wolfmajick and on facebook.

Which book genres do you typically read?  Which ones won't you read?  
I focus on Urban Fantasy and paranormal romance. I also enjoy the occasional thriller. I try to stay away from tear jerkers if at all possible.

I like your blog name, tell us how you came up with "Wolf Majick".
Its funny actually. I have had my email WolfMajick for years. It is actually the combination of my old farm name and the name of the farms Stallion (dad to one of my current horses) since I read a lot of Urban Fantasy I thought it was the perfect name. My banner (two wolves) was actually made by a friend of mine and to make the wolves have a more werewolf feel she used my eyes and my sons eyes. I think it came out pretty amazing.

Who are your three favorite authors?
 Patricia Briggs- Dean Koontz - Jack London

Which author would you most like to meet (dead or alive)?  Tell us more..
George R R Martins, but only if he'd tell me who Jon Snow's mom is and maybe his dad too… 

How big is your TBR pile?  How many books do you read/review in a month?
Huge, And I'm adding to it every day. On average I read a book every 3 days. When I'm reading YA it may be more like 3 or 4 a week. so maybe 12 or more a month.

Finally, if someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Say Cheese

On a Personal Note
As a reviewer I enjoy reading indy books. Authors are welcome to contact me via email or on my blog if they are looking for an honest review. As I said before if I feel the book has major issues I will contact the author and let them know. On a personal level I am partial to werewolves and other supernatural creatures especially when the author takes the time to craft them a believable world. Even though I have had horses most of my life I don't tend to pick up books focused on real animals. I like a little fantasy when I read!


Are you interested in being featured "In the Spotlight"? Please stop by and fill on contact form.


Interview and Giveaway with Author Darcy Burke

I am excited to welcome Darcy Burke to Forever Book Lover.  She just released her debut novel, Her Wicked Ways, and I had the pleasure of asking her just a few questions about herself, her books, and her writing.   Welcome, Darcy!!

When did you realize that you have a passion for writing?
I’ve been writing something (books, stories, newscasts, journaling, etc.) since I was a kid, but about six years ago I decided to get serious about it. My youngest was a toddler, and I decided if I was going to really focus on writing, I should try. And then I couldn’t stop!

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
It’s pretty much all imagination. I spend a lot of time daydreaming about stories and characters. When I’m alone in the car, I rarely listen to music because I’m too busy thinking about books and characters!

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I’m not sure I have a favorite part, but there are some scenes that were in my head fairly early on. There’s a scene in a brothel, ahem, that I’d conceived in the early stages. I really loved writing Miranda. Some of the things she says are just so funny and so unaware. She’s a blast.

How do you cope with writer’s block?
It varies, but usually I just try to write regardless, even if I think it’s garbage, LOL. It usually ends up not being garbage, which only underscores how mental writer’s block really is. Talking through things with my critique partners and writer friends helps a ton. I’m very blessed to have a wonderful support group.

What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
Miranda’s other brother, Gideon. Some of his role was transferred to Jasper so I didn’t really “cut” the essence of the character, per se. But Gideon is a super awesome guy, and since I’d already started his book, I plan to finish it when I’m done with the Secrets & Scandals series. In fact, it will be book one of another series that will also feature a character who’s briefly mentioned in the epilogue of Her Wicked Ways.

I have read that you are character-driven, who did you meet first Miranda or Fox? Can you tell us about how about your first meeting?
The character of Fox came to me before Miranda, but not necessarily in his current form. I was originally going to write a nobleman who was acting as a highwayman, but that didn’t feel right. I brainstormed the orphanage angle with my critique partners and then Miranda sort of came from the question, “Who’s the perfect foil for a guy like that?” A Paris Hilton-esque Society snob seemed like just the woman to turn his world upside down.

When you started “Her Wicked Ways” did you know it was going to be part of a series? If so, do you predetermine how the stories will intertwine and what characters will be have their own story?
As I said, I had originally envisioned Fox in a different role. I’d loosely plotted a three book series starting with my book that finaled in the RWA Golden Heart in 2008®. In that series, a masked thief would appear in each story and then the third book was going to be about him. I ended up deleting the masked man from that GH book and so that series didn’t happen. But I couldn’t let go of the masked man idea and that’s how Her Wicked Ways was born. I didn’t necessarily plan to write a series, but when you have strong, interesting secondary characters, a series seems natural. Plus, I love reading series with intertwined characters, so it seemed natural for me to write it, too. And, actually, now that I’ve written a series, I can’t imagine writing a book that doesn’t have characters who appear in other books. It would be this weird vacuum!

What do you think is the greatest creative risk you've taken in this book?
Miranda’s character is a bit of a risk. She starts off very self-involved and can even be a bit bitchy at times. That’s what makes her arc so fun and satisfying—watching her grow and mature into this capable and caring young woman.

What would be your dream cast for a film adaption of your book?
I always sort of envisioned Fox as Matt Damon-esque. I don't usually cast characters in my head or use celebrities for inspiration, but it’s not unheard of. I had a picture of Clive Owen on my desk for a long time, LOL.

Can you give us a teaser from your upcoming book ~ His Wicked Heart?
Definitely! Anna Campbell called it “Cinderella meets Fight Club” which is the perfect description. At the end of Her Wicked Ways, makes a bargain with his devil of a father to marry a proper young lady. Instead, he gets sidetracked when he joins a fight club and becomes entangled with a sometimes actress, Olivia West, who is determined to improve her situation. Destitute and desperate, she agrees to one night with Jasper, hatching a scheme to take his money and keep her virtue. However, Jasper uncovers her deception and vows to claim what he's owed.

What a great teaser! It you want to read a longer excerpt, click here.



Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. An RWA Golden Heart® Finalist, Darcy loves all things British (except tomatoes for breakfast, or any other time of day, actually) and happy ever afters.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and three cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.


Find Darcy at her website. On Facebook. And on twitter.

Her Wicked Ways is currently available on Kindle and Nook.


Darcy will be giving away ebook copies of Her Wicked Ways and His Wicked Heart ~one of each book to two commenters, so their will be two lucky winners.

To Enter:
Leave a comment answering the question:  What do you like about historical romance books?

Due to Darcy's busy schedule she has asked that the winners be picked tomorrow, so listen up you historical romance book lovers you don't want to miss out !!   All you have to do is leave a comment, it is that easy.



Her Wicked Ways by Darcy Burke

Her Wicked Ways
by Darcy Burke
Publisher: Indie Pub/Intrepid Reads
Release date: May 6, 2012
ISBN 13: 978-0-9854558-0-4 / ISBN 10:0985455802


SHE WAS HIS SAVIOR

Banished from London for her reckless behavior, Lady Miranda Sinclair is robbed by a dashing highwayman en route to the country. By offering him a kiss in lieu of the jewels she had to leave behind, she commits the very type of act that caused her exile. When her dour guardians extend her punishment to performing charitable work at the local orphanage, she’s further tempted by the home’s owner, a provincial gentleman who stirs her passion in a most wicked way...

HE WAS HER DOWNFALL

Desperate to save his orphanage from financial catastrophe, Montgomery "Fox" Foxcroft leads a double life as a highwayman. The arrival of wealthy, well-connected Miranda, whose kiss he can’t forget, presents a lawful opportunity to increase his coffers. His problems seem solved—until she rejects his suit. Out of options and falling for the heiress, Fox must risk what principles he has left and take advantage of her wicked ways—even if it ruins them both.

My Thoughts:
What a wonderful debut! Darcy Burke has written a highly entertaining book. I honestly read this in less than 12 hours.  The story grabs you right from the start and it doesn't let you go.

My first impression of Miranda~ what a spoiled brat.  I wasn't sure if I would warm up to her. I did feel sorry for her as she was ignored and punished from equally self centered parents. I got the impression she acted out in her rebellious ways to gain their attention and their love, but in the end her parents exiled her to Wiltshire. She was also given strict instructions that she would not participate in any social gatherings as punishment. Her parents sent her there in order to better herself and return to London a regretful and rehabilitated young woman. On her way to the country, her entourage is stopped by a highwayman, bold as she is, when asked for her valuables she said she "had nothing, save a kiss.”  To pass the time, she helped her cousin, Beatrice, at Stipple's End, an orphanage.

Montgomery Foxcroft "Fox" is running low of money, he inherited a mortgaged estate and a nearly destitute orphanage, from a father who gambled it away. It was not easy for him, but he resorts to being a highwayman to raise the money for the orphanage which is desperately in needs of repairs. 

The match between Fox and Miranda couldn't have been more perfect. Him with his big heart and her with her rich society ways. It was enjoyable watching how Miranda grew to love the children in the orphanage. At first she was skittish of combing a young boys hair with lice, and soon she involved herself in chores and tasks without a second thought. She did what needed to be done, she rolled up her sleeves and pitched in. 

The pages sizzle with sexual tension, and the love scenes burn up the pages.  How can you not swoon when you read this....

“Miranda. I have loved you for so long. I can barely remember a time when I didn’t. Not for your money. Or your beauty. For you.”
I am so thankful that I found this author, what a talented writer, if you haven't read Darcy's historical novels you are missing out.  I can't wait to read Jasper's story, his selfless act that eventually leads to the happiness of Miranda and Fox. I think I am already a bit in love with Jasper..

Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this ebook!

My Rating:
                      
If you loved reading my review of  Her Wicked Ways, come back tomorrow  as Darcy Burke stops by Forever Book Lover for some Q & A's.. 


She will be giving away an ebook copy of Her Wicked Ways and His Wicked Heart to two lucky commenters.  Don't miss you chance!!


More from Darcy....

          

And the Winners Are.....

I love announcing winners... Last week I had a give away on Forever Book Lover. Lucky commenters had a chance to win Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Bookmarks and a temporary tattoo: “A Cowboy Stole My Heart.”


AND THE WINNERS ARE... 


Entry #11
Nicole L.
Entry #2Michele R.
Entry #14Shannon W.
Entry #5Beth D.

Take My Breath Away ~ #6

It has been awhile since I posted my beloved feature "Takes Your Breath Away". Sometimes life happens and you find yourself in a worldwind and all you can do is hold on and hope the ride slows down enough so you can catch your breath.  As I shared with many, I just relocated to a wonderful fulfilling job and I was lucky enough to sell my house in just 6 days. My guardian angel, My DADDY, is watching over me.  I Love you Daddy and I miss you everyday...

Remembering you is easy, I do it every day. Missing you is the heartache that never goes away.

I thought I would take today to share some quotes about Dad's.  Happy Father's Day!

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father! ~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836
The greatest gift I ever had Came from God; I call him Dad!
~Author Unknown
Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone
It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.~Anne Sexton
Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.~ Anne Geddes
Thanks for stopping by!!   I would love your comments, tell me a memory or a quote that your dad would say that stayed with you....

In the Spotlight ~ Possession of Books

What a busy week for me, but I wasn't going to miss out on this week's featured of "In the Spotlight".  Today Alex from Possession of Books is joining us.   Here's a little bit about Alex... I am in awe of his following GFC count ~338,  when he answered my Q & A he was at 155 and that was just the last month.  Wow, that wonderful!!   Alex mainly focuses on reviewing Young Adult novels..  


Alex,  welcome to Forever Book Lover....


It is quite rare finding a male blogger, when and how did you decide to become a book blogger?
Really? That’s sad to hear as there definitely should be more male book bloggers out there! I started my blog on the 19th of April of this year, so well not that long ago although in the short time I have been blogging I am thoroughly enjoying it! How I became a book blogger is simple: Well firstly I read a lot (duh!) and I was looking for a way to translate my enjoyment of books into a written and more practical form and I came across blogger and immediately the idea sparked “Why not make a book blog?”

So far what’s the hardest part of blogging?
Hmm...well I guess it’s the time management such as posting reviews at specific times, checking emails for review requests, replying back to each comment, Following arrays of different book blogs. Yet despite this I quite enjoy doing all these things and they definitely keep me busy.

Tell us more about the genres you read...Is there one that you won’t read?
I read almost anything that is Young Adult! Although I don’t really read much romance. I don’t read non-fiction with a slight exception of Greek Mythology because that stuff is really interesting! I especially love Historical Fiction, it’s just interesting learning about different civilizations

How many followers do you have? How often do you post to your blog? How can people follow you?
Well my blog’s pretty new but at this time current point of time 155 followers and 13 Facebook Likes! So, yea not much but have only been blogging for a very short amount of time. I hope to get more soon! I post about every 3-4 days but at minimum at least once in a week- whether that be a long review or an intriguing question. People can follow me through GFC (Google Friend Connect) and Facebook!


I like your blog name, tell us how you came up with "Possession of Books".
Thank you and glad you do. Well I actually spent a while thinking of names, jotting down a whole list until I crossed various ones off and well this one was the only one left! I tried to make it unique as possible but at the same time having the word ‘Books’ in it somewhere.

Who are your three favourite authors?
In no particular order:
1. Lauren Oliver- She’s brilliant writer and her words flow together so smoothly, I am constantly in awe in the way she writes
2. Veronica Roth- Her plots and writing are also magnificent and her characters are just so perfect!
3. Cassandra Clare- Her books make me read all through the morning and her novels have so many twists and turns that they keep me hooked!

Which author would you most like to meet (dead or alive)? Tell us more...
J.K Rowling! She shaped my childhood with Harry Potter and meeting her in person would be awesome. She’s just so inspirational and she allowed a whole new generation to enjoy her great books.

How big is your TBR pile? How many books do you read/review in a month?
Only about 40 novels and the amount of books I read change a lot depending on how busy I am but I try to read at least 5 per month and review them on my blog

Finally, if someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
That’s a really hard question. I’m not actually sure but maybe something like “The interesting yet boring life of Alex” Great question!

On A Personal Note
Here’s some quick facts about me:
- I live in Australia
- I play tennis and have been for quite awhile
- I’m one of those people who talk a lot even when someone says to be quiet

Thanks so much for having me on your blog and wish you all the best of luck and make sure you visit me here:  http://possessionofbooks.blogspot.com.au/



Are you interested in being featured "In the Spotlight"? Please stop by and fill on contact form.

Redeeming Vows (MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy #3) by Catherine Bybee

Redeeming Vows (MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy #3)
by Catherine Bybee
Publisher:  Wild Rose Press
Published December 17th 2010
ISBN 1601548710 (ISBN13: 9781601548719)

For her own safety, modern day, single mom, Lizzy McAllister is forced to bow to the medieval men who surround her when she's thrust back in time to the sixteenth century against her will. When Lizzie finds herself trapped in time with Fin, the one man she finds both irresistible and maddening, she agrees to combine forces with him to rid Scotland of the evil witch, Grainna. Finlay MacCoinnich's attraction to Lizzie sizzles the very air they breathe. Tearing down the solid walls the woman has built around her won't be easy, but he's willing to do anything to keep her by his side. When a spell cast by their deadliest foe throws them forward in time, will they manage to find their way back in time to save their family from peril? And will Lizzy willingly stay in his time, or abandon him altogether?

My Thoughts: 
Catherine Bybee knocked this series out of the park!!  This was an awesome ending for a wonderful series...   In Redeeming Vows, we find Fin and Lizzy's story finally!!  There was so much tension between them in the last book "Silent Vows", you knew these two were destined for each other.  Finlay and Lizzy were always were at odds with one another, but you knew when they finally had their showdown they were going to finally going to admit their love for one another.

I think I fell in love with Finlay by the way he accepted Simon, he immediately fell into a fatherly role and that endeared him to me. Lizzy is a single mom, left to take care of raising her son on her own, so it was a struggle for her to see and accept Finlay's good intentions.

After finally giving in to their lust for one another, Grainna, the evil witch, transports the couple to the 21st century.  As they try to find a way back, Lizzy comes to terms with her true feelings for Finlay and she knows that her home is not in the 21st century but with the family she has come to love and accept in Scotland.

There is a big showdown between Grainna and the MacCoinnich's, I was on the edge of my seat!

You will love this book.  I love each book and I honestly can't say I have a favorite. I fell in love with the entire family and I am anticipating Amber's and Cian's story.

My Rating:
                 
A Personal Note to the Author....

Dear Ms. Bybee,

As you know from my blog, I just adore the MacConnich's. If I may put in a request... I would love to travel further back in time and read the love story of Ian and Lora's. Just by reading of them in the last four books, I can tell they have an  everlasting love and I know there is a wonderful and wicked tale  waiting to be told.

Sincerely,

Kat
Forever Book Lover 

Kiss the Bride (Wedding Veil Wishes #1-2) by Lori Wilde

Kiss the Bride (Wedding Veil Wishes #1-2)
by Lori Wilde
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication: June 1st 2012
ISBN:1455512672 (ISBN13: 9781455512676)

Review courtesy of netGalley

Legend claims this antique Irish wedding veil can grant your heart's deepest desire. But be careful what you wish for . . .

THERE GOES THE BRIDE
The moment Texas socialite Delaney Cartwright touches the veil, she envisions a stranger's dark eyes and sexy lips. But she can't disappoint her family and call off her nuptials to her nice, predictable childhood friend. So instead she tries to spice things up by abducting her fiancé for a night of passion . . . only to grab the wrong guy! Now those oddly familiar eyes and lips inspire an even more outrageous plan . . .

ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY
Tish Gallagher is a wedding videographer whose business is about to go bust. Then she makes a wish on the lucky wedding veil . . . and sees the man she never stopped loving: her ex-husband, secret service agent Shane Tremont. When her dream job of recording the first daughter's wedding appears out of the blue, Tish knows it's her only shot to get out of the red. Just one teensy glitch: Shane is the groom.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed both these stories. I have never read Lori Wilde before but if I had to do a comparison her writing reminded me of both Debbie Macomber and Sherryl Woods, two of my favorite writers. So needless to say, I will be checking out more of Lori Wilde's books.

The first book, There Goes the Bride, was about Delaney Cartwright, a rich Texan who figured out maybe too late that she was marrying for all the wrong reasons, well everyone else's reasons except her own. She loved her groom (Evan), but there were no sparks no undying love. Did I fault her, I usually like heroines that aren't wishy washy and speaks her mind... not wait until the last minute and leave a note saying ... "no hard feelings"... I know, I just said I like the book, I did, the storyline was cute, the romance between the wounded detective (Nick) was great!!  If you like whimsical, this is a very fun and entertaining read.

The second book was Once Smitten, Twice Shy.  Be careful what you wish for... it may come true... literally.. This was also a good read, but it was not a believable story to me. Down and out Tish's life couldn't get any worse:  she is max'd out on her credit cards, her car is repo and she just got the break of her lifetime, the catch: be the videographer for the Presidents daughter who just happens to be marrying your ex-husband who you still are madly in love with.  Too many unrealistic events that made it a little far fetched.  I stil think you will enjoy it.

If you are looking for a cute, beach worthy read, try Kiss the Bride by Lori Wilde. I was a great weekend read for me when I could have been doing housework.  I will read the next books in the series, want to find out what Rachael and Jillian wish for!!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (combined): 
                                      


Author:

Lori Wilde can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to write. She even went to nursing school so she could have a schedule flexible enough to allow her to write on the side. She nursed for 20 years, working in a variety of settings from the newborn nursery to the recovery room, to dialysis. But she never lost her desire to write.

She sold her first book in 1994 to Silhouette Romance but later discovered she had a flair for comedy and branched out to Harlequin Duets and now, to Blaze.

Lori is an adventuresome soul who loves to travel. She’s taken flying lessons, completed two marathons, rode in a hot-air balloon, performed with a professional jazz band, traveled Europe as a teenager, hiked volcanoes in Hawaii, trod on glaciers in Alaska, shot white-water rapids, water-skied, snow-skied, raced all-terrain vehicles, bodysurfed in the Gulf of Mexico, and photographed grizzly bears in Yellowstone.

She lives in her native Texas, with her own real-life hero, Bill, her red heeler/Australian shepherd dog, Cinnamon, and four ducks, Quacker, Big Guy, Affleck, and Sheepidy.

In the Spotlight ~ Incandescent Enchantments


Welcome to "In the Spotlight", today we are joined by Celise and she has a beautiful blog.. I am very partial to purple and butterflies if her have not checked out her site, Incandescent Enchantments, please take a few moments and look around.

When and how did you decide to create a blog?
I decided to create a blog in June 2011. Really and truly, I owe my thanks to the indie author Patti Roberts. Through her, I discovered the blog system of Wordpress, but in the end, I fell in love with Blogger. Shortly thereafter, I looked at various tutorials and began Incandescent Enchantments.

So far, what’s the hardest part of being a book blogger?
 I would have to say my budget. I would love to spend hundreds of dollars in book giveaways, but unfortunately, I am not able to. And followers. I want to get my blog out there for the world to see, but it can be difficult.
What do you do when you are not blogging?Mostly, school work. I plan on going into the medical field, so I usually have a lot of homework. And, of course, I read.
How many followers do you have? How often do you post to your blog? How can people follow you?
Well, I have 251 GFC followers, 20 Linky followers, and 18 Networkedblogs followers. Besides those, I currently have 121 Facebook fans, and 334 Twitter followers.

I usually try to do at least one post a week. I’ve been trying to up my posts to more per week.

People can follow me by email, GFC, Linky followers, Networkedblogs, Facebook, and/or Twitter. Just take a look on my blogs right sidebar, and you’ll find all of my available ways to follow.

Tell us about the name of your blog, Incandescent Enchantments.
I owe my blog name in full to Rachel, from Goodreads. She came up with the title, and after asking for her permission, she let me use it.

I’m in love with my blog title, even though it is really long. I have always imagined a book as an enchantment, so my book blog title fits. In fact, this is how I describe it on Incandescent Enchantments “a book is a charm that captivates and glows brightly”.

Who are your three favorite authors?Definitely Rachel Caine and Cinda Williams Chima. They are my favorite authors right now. For third, I would say Cassandra Clare.
Which author would you like to meet (dead or alive)? Tell us more....
Stephen King. His stories are utterly terrifying, and I would love to meet Stephen King and see how he is, as a person. And how he is able to come up with such terrifying stories and still sleep at night.

I’ve already met Cinda Williams Chima and Rachel Caine, and I loved them. I would love to meet them again!

How big is your TBR pile? How many books do you read/review per month?
My TBR pile is 150+ and counting. For every book that I read, two more pop up. As for reading/reviewing, I will say that I am a slow reader, although I’m trying to pick up the pace. I average about four books per month, which boils down to one book per week. Currently, I’m trying to double my amount to eight books per month.

Finally, if someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
The Life of a Warped Book-Loving Teenager. The title is very much self-explanatory.

On A Personal Note:
I discovered the world of books when I was in third grade. It opened a new portal for me, I became even more in love with books when I discovered the genre of Young Adult in the fifth grade. Now, in ninth grade, I am still reading Young Adult. Since most of the characters in the books I read are close to my age, I can relate even more. As for my reality, I plan on being a cardiac surgeon. Let’s dissect some hearts(just kidding)!

Silent Vows (MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy #2) by Catherine Bybee

Silent Vows (MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy #2)
by Catherine Bybee
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Published September 3rd 2010
ISBN 1601548117 (ISBN13: 9781601548115)

Myra, a medieval virgin druidess, flees five hundred years into the future to escape death at the hands of a cursed witch and lands in the arms of a handsome but cynical twenty-first century cop. Officer Todd Blakely knows Myra is hiding something, but can't resist her innocent charms. Destiny throws them both into a world of intrigue and mysticism. Can Todd be the true white knight she needs? Or will magic and the winds of time tear them apart?

My thoughts:
Here is another wonderful book in the MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy, this time Myra is spotlighted.  In the last book, we were left with a cliffhanger... Myra travels back in time to hide from the evil witch, Grainna. Myra is given instructions from her new sister in law Tara on how to act when she arrives.  She has some explaining to do as she literally lands in the middle of a locked amusement park, but Myra claims amnesia. Officer Todd Blakely knows there is more to the story  and plans to keep near Myra. Danger and intrigue follow the pair. When faced with the truth Todd is skeptical of the time traveling Myra.

Myra tracks down Lizzie, Tara's sister from the first book "Binding Vows". Lizzie helps Myra travel back to her awaiting family. When the time comes for Myra to return, she takes with her Lizzie, Simon (Lizzie's son) along with Todd.  The romance for Todd and Myra simmers in the present time and ignites in the past. Catherine Bybee did a great job building up the intense fire between the two characters and wrote some sizzling love scenes.  This book is a page turner and like the other books in the series, I hardly put it down.

Have I told you I just LOVE this series!!!  If you love time travel, steamy romance, a bit of paranormal, and my beloved Highlanders, it is a must read!!  Be sure to read them in correct order, while I read Highland Shifter first before this trilogy, this series would be best read in the  order!

Once again Catherine Bybee left you wanting more.....the next book and final book in the trilogy is Redeeming Vows.  I actually have it waiting on my Kindle to begin reading...

My Rating:
                    

Q&A with Susan Mallery on SUMMER DAYS & Giveaway

Susan Mallery has put together a great Q&A on SUMMER DAYS (Fool’s Gold Book 7) to help fellow bloggers spread the word. 

Take a look at what she has to say about the three cowboy brothers coming to Land of Happy Endings, will the women of Fool's Gold ever be the same again? 




New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women and the relationships that move them. Publisher’s Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.



Tell us about SUMMER DAYS.
SUMMER DAYS is the perfect beach read. It’s funny, romantic, sexy, and it’s light both in tone and in actual weight – you can toss the paperback into your beach bag and go. (It’s also available wherever ebooks are sold.)

Heidi Simpson had a vagabond childhood with her grandfather. The one thing she wanted most in the world was a home of her own. Now, in her late 20s, she finally has one, but her ranch is put on the line by a scam her grandfather pulled in order to pay for a friend’s surgery. Rafe Stryker is the son of the woman whose money was stolen, and the first of the Stryker brothers to move to Fool’s Gold. He’s on a tear when he arrives, determined to protect his mother’s interests at all costs.

Since possession is nine-tenths of the law, neither is willing to leave the ranch until a judge can decide the matter. Sparks fly right from page one between Heidi and Rafe! The people of Fool’s Gold take sides in a pretty hysterical way.

You can find SUMMER DAYS wherever books are sold – bookstores, online, even the grocery store check-out line. You can read a free excerpt on my website, www.susanmallery.com or in the free app for iPhone and Android (www.mobileroadie.com/apps/susanmallery).

Who are these Fool’s Gold cheerleaders I keep hearing about?
Oh, the cheerleaders are beyond fabulous! This year’s squad is made up of 60 Fool’s Gold super fans who are earning prizes all summer for telling other readers about Fool’s Gold. They’re driving around with Fool’s Gold car magnets, wearing Fool’s Gold T-shirts, handing out bookmarks like candy to everyone they meet.

Speaking about the cheerleaders, the bracelet was made by one of the Fool's Gold cheerleaders. It's just so creative and wonderful!

For those of my followers who have never read a Fool’s Gold book, tell us about the small town known as the Land of Happy Endings.
SUMMER DAYS is the seventh book in my series set in fictional Fool’s Gold, California. Fool’s Gold is a small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a quaint place where people truly support each other – mostly with casseroles. And margaritas. Women rule in Fool’s Gold. For many years, there was a man shortage, which is just now beginning to level out, thanks to the town’s efforts to bring in some pretty spectacular men.

Fool’s Gold is the most popular series I’ve ever written. In fact, last year, one of the Fool’s Gold books hit #3 on the New York Times and #8 on the USA Today bestsellers lists. Those were personal bests for me and very thrilling.

Each book is written as a standalone, which means that you can jump in and start with SUMMER DAYS, and you won’t feel lost or confused. While previous characters make an appearance, you don’t need to know their stories to understand this one.

Why did you decide to write about three cowboy brothers?
With each year’s Fool’s Gold books, I try to create heroes who represent iconic male archetypes. The men of Fool’s Gold have been athletes, businessmen, pilots, surgeons. Each is a leader, powerful in his own way. His strength goes deeper than the physical. He does what’s right even when it’s not easy. When he falls, he falls hard… and he loves forever.

This summer, three cowboy brothers will ride into Fool’s Gold on horseback in SUMMER DAYS, SUMMER NIGHTS, and ALL SUMMER LONG. The Stryker men represent everything I love about a cowboy hero. They are protective, honest, tall and strong. And wow, do they do nice things to a pair of blue jeans!

Since this is Fool’s Gold, these cowboys come with a special twist – humor. Rafe is undone by Heidi the Goat Girl. Shane has to teach the local librarian how to do the ancient Dance of the Happy Virgin – while riding a horse. And Clay, the youngest, made his fortune as a Hollywood butt double.

What’s next for Fool’s Gold?
In SUMMER NIGHTS (July), Shane Stryker will meet Annabelle who, oh my WORD, do I love! Annabelle is my gift to all the librarians who have supported me so wonderfully over the years, putting my books into readers’ hands with a fervent, “You’re going to love this!” Annabelle is a librarian who defies the stereotypes – she’s fashionable, modern… a dangerous, pint-sized sexpot, as far as Shane is concerned. He’s completely undone by her the first time they meet, so much so that he can’t even remember his own name.

Then comes Charlie, to be paired with Clay in ALL SUMMER LONG (August). Oh, Charlie. She’s so tough and oh, so wounded. She’s got that hard-as-nails firefighter exterior, but when it comes to matters of the heart, she is as vulnerable as they come. Something happened in Charlie’s past that has made her afraid of intimacy with a man. She’s the kind of person who tackles her problems head-on, much to Clay Stryker’s delight. She’s determined to learn how to be with a man, and she’s decided to ask Clay to teach her.


           


I am giving away Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Bookmarks to FIFTEEN lucky winners!  Yep, you heard me, I have 15 to giveaway.  (US only) And, if that is not enough to get you excited, all winners will also receive a temporary tattoo: “A Cowboy Stole My Heart.”

Leave a comment and tell me three (3) things you love about the Fool's Gold series or about Cowboys, to be eligible you must use Rafflecopter Widget to enter......

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