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Erin's Mini Review Corner : Meet ERIN

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Hi my name is Erin Ashcraft. I have 2 kids, daughter that is 15 ( going on 30) Kelli and a son that is 12 Austin. When I'm not busy working or doing my motherly/ wife duties I love to read!!!!! ( that is my guilty pleasure) . My crazy, awesome, hyper friend Melannie White decided that since I loved to read as much as her( also I love her blog she's doing ) that I should write a mini reviews! So hope you enjoy!

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ERIN'S Mini Book Review: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

Amazon Book Description:

When Keri Daniels's boss finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town—and looking for him. He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping trip, Keri can ask one question.

The chemistry between Joe and Keri is as potent as the bug spray, but Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart, and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever?

********************************************************************************

Book Review

This books gets 5 gold stars from me! This is the first book I read of hers and lets just say after reading this one I have downloaded three more!

This book was REAL! It talked about what happens in everyday life, which HEY everyone can relate to....BUT it showed you what can happen when two high-school sweethearts(Keri and Joe) that were meant to be,fell apart! Of course they get pushed back together and try to at least just be around each other....As this story unfolds we see Joe/Keri not only try to tolerate being around each other BUT also try to rekindle that old high school flame. This book really had me thinking sometimes what the crap is Keri thinking BUT.......

Rating: 5 Stars

http://www.amazon.com/Exclusively-Yours-The-Kowalskis-ebook/dp/B006IIWY0M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1359237326&sr=1-1&keywords=exclusively+yours

http://shannonstacey.com/books/exclusivelyyours/

http://www.facebook.com/shannonstacey.authorpage

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ONE on ONE with Kaitlyn Davis (Midnight Fire Series)

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

ONE on ONE with Kaitlyn Davis author of the Midnight Fire Series

1. Where Were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Westchester, New York and now I live in The Big Apple! But my heart will always belong to South Carolina where I spent every summer growing up!

2. Tell us about something that has just/recently happened in your life that you would like to share?

I bought a couch! It's the first piece of non-TARGET furniture I've ever owned! I finally feel like my career is taking off and I allowed myself one splurge—and what better splurge than a comfortable sofa to sit and write on. The old lumpy piece of junk I'm chilling on now is going curbside :)

3. If you had to sum up The Midnight Fire series in 30 or less words, what would you say?
Heart-pumping action. Heart-stopping romance. Characters you will fall in love with and scenes that will keep you reading until dawn. What else could you want in a series?

4. If you gave Kira, Tristan and Luke an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
Hm, that's a tough one because they're all so opinionated! It would definitely depend on the topic. Here are some love angles, my favorite:

Tristan on Kira: Love of my life but always just a little out of reach.
Luke on Kira: Pain in the ass… but hopefully my pain in the ass.

More than anything, I hope they would say that I'm doing their story justice!

5. If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters? Please Send me pics lol!!!
I'm so bad at this… so I'm cheating and deferring to my fans! I ran a giveaway about this on my blog a little while ago, and these were some of the top choices:

Kira – Emma Watson, Hayden Panetierre, Emma Stone
Tristan – Ian Somerhalder, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson
Luke – Alex Pettyfer, Lucas Till, Robert Hoffman

Here's a link to the post if you want to see photos! http://kaitlyndavisbooks.blogspot.com/2012/09/blaze-giveaway-winners.html

6. List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend to readers?
Easy by Tammara Webber – Fantastic contemporary romance that seamlessly weaves together hard struggles and swoon-worthy romance.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green – An amazing story about a girl with terminal cancer who still finds it within herself to fall hopelessly in love.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – Ridiculously unputdownable romance! I fell in love with Jase, the male lead.

(Clearly I've been on a bit of a contemporary romance kick! The only magical world I've wanted to think about while writing Scorch is the one I created!)

7. What is Your Favorite Wine?

Anything white and mildly fruity! Recently, I've been enjoying an inexpensive but crazy-tasty chardonnay from the Chateau San Michele Winery.

8. Is there an Author that you would really like to meet in person?
In a dream world, I would DIE to meet J.K. Rowling. I am a total Harry Potter nut—I've reread the entire series more times than I can count and I gobble down any extras I can find! And with The Casual Vacancy out, I would especially love to ask her how she was able to move on from Harry and bring new characters to life.

9. What authors have inspired your work?

So so many! Everything I read inspires me in some way, good or bad, helping me decide what sort of books, characters and plots I love the best. Some of my favorite authors include J.K. Rowling, Tamora Pierce, Cassandra Clare, Robert Fiest, and Lynne Ewing.

10. Ebook, Paperback or Hardcover?

Paperback! I love reading paperbacks on the beach during the summertime. But recently I've been reading eBooks almost exclusively because there are so many great self-published authors I want to try out. Self-publishing opened me up to this whole other book-world and I've found some great reads that way. Helps save some travel space and money too :)

11. Are you currently working on any upcoming projects?

Right now, I'm just concentrating on Scorch! I don't want anything to distract me from writing the perfect ending my Midnight Fire Series deserves! But, like all authors I'm sure, there are some new ideas percolating in the back of my mind, just waiting to be typed.

Come May, I'll have some more information for all of my readers!

12.What can readers expect from Scorch?

A mind-blowing, completely unpredictable, but hopefully satisfying end to my series! I'm sure everyone will love it. And hopefully my Team Tristan AND Team Luke fans will be happy with how the love triangle turns out! If not…I'm a little nervous about getting some hate mail :)

Thanks so much for this fun interview! I hope you enjoyed getting to know me better! It's been wonderful working with you!

Thanks for stopping by Mrs. Davis!!!

CHEERS,
Dr. Books

https://www.facebook.com/KaitlynDavisBooks

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Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman BOOK REVIEW

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman

Amazon Description:

Rory Hendrix is the least likely of Girl Scouts. She hasn’t got a troop or even a badge to call her own. But she’s checked the Handbook out from the elementary school library so many times that her name fills all the lines on the card, and she pores over its surreal advice (Uniforms, disposing of outgrown; The Right Use of Your Body; Finding Your Way When Lost) for tips to get off the Calle: that is, the Calle de las Flores, the Reno trailer park where she lives with her mother, Jo, the sweet-faced, hard-luck bartender at the Truck Stop.

Rory’s been told that she is one of the “third-generation bastards surely on the road to whoredom.” But she’s determined to prove the county and her own family wrong. Brash, sassy, vulnerable, wise, and terrified, she struggles with her mother’s habit of trusting the wrong men, and the mixed blessing of being too smart for her own good. From diary entries, social workers’ reports, half-recalled memories, arrest records, family lore, Supreme Court opinions, and her grandmother’s letters, Rory crafts a devastating collage that shows us her world even as she searches for the way out of it.

Tupelo Hassman’s Girlchild is a heart-stopping and original debut.

*********************************************************************************
Book Review:
I actually got this book recommendation from one of my favorite blogs BOOKS ON THE NIGHTSTAND. As so many of there recommendations are AWESOME, this one was right up there with the rest of them. If I had to think of one word to describe this Debut novel it would be UNIQUE. Not going to lie the writing style kind of threw me for a loop in the beginning.......BUT as the book continued with its insane circles/riddles, I fiurged out that's what kept me drawn in to keep reading.

This story is the tale of Rory Dawn Hendrix a young girl raised in a trailer park (the Calle) who society has deemed White Trash. Rory tells us her story from a small child to about 15 years old and GEEZ what a story. The way this book reads was almost like a diary/snippets into her life (Which was very fustrating at times!!). In the beginning I thought ok I've heard/read this type of story before etc.....BUT trust me not the way Mrs. Hassman tells it (unique).

As we follow Rory's life in this book, we see she comes from a family of "feebleminded" women (Remember this word!!!) or at least that's what the state/world has deemed them.

“In the recent past, however, feebleminded was considered scientific and used to describe the congenital deficit of stupidity." ---Rory

The women in her family are typically knocked up at fifteen, toothless ( yup you heard me right), and high school drop outs. Rory's different, the women in her family see it, neighbors, teachers etc. ( Her IQ is through the roof). Despite her circumstances, we see Rory struggle in the book for self identity. Can she be more than what the world has deemed her a "febbleminded" Hendrix woman? My mom (a teacher) once told me if a person calls a child for example stupid enough, how long will it take before that child believes it? My heart seriously hurt for Rory in this book.

Through the struggles of growing up in the Calle, Rory has her handbook of life along for the ride (Non other then the GIRLSCOUT HANDBOOK). I'm just going to stop here and say I was a girlscout when I was younger and how this child applied her situations in life in relation to the handbook is mind boggling (
Again good job Mrs. Hassman).

“I hold on to my Handbook because nothing else makes promises like that around here, promises with these words burning inside them: honor, duty, and try”--- Rory

The big situations in this book that stood out to me where RAPE and NEGLECT (trust me there were plenty more). There were so many times in this book I just wanted to ring her mothers neck. However, as I kept reading I had to ask myself if the mother was raised the same way (Experiencing some of the SAME SITUATIONS Rory went through) when will this vicious cycle stop ( Me frustrated and shaking my head).

The highlight of this book came for me in the form of a history lesson! One of supporting characters in this book was Rory's best friend Vivian Buck. Viv was just like Rory in so many ways. Viv moved away from the Calle and later in life Rory finds out she died not soon after. Rory always knew she would see Viv again(Her mother's words of wisdom) and she does in the form of a class project based on the AMENDMENTS.I don't want to give to much away but lets just say combine "feeble minded with Supreme Court decision BUCK vs BELL (Seriously mind boggling!!!)Watching Rory fight for all the third generation "febbleminded" young women through her class paper had me screaming you Go Girl!

As this book plays out we see Rory struggle to figure out her place in this world. Does she belong to the Hendrix class of women the state/world had classified as "febbleminded" or is she the one to exceed expectations/prove everyone wrong? As the book ended I was reminded of something Rory's grandmother said:

“These stones are like the women in our family, some disconnected, some lost, but each part of a greater chain and each beautiful in its own way. There were once many strands, but here are all that remain. It will be up to you to keep them together”--- Rory's Grandma

This book was a difficult read for me. Difficult in the sense of how the story was told, UNIQUE. At certain points in this book I felt like circles were being run around the topics at hand. With that being said, I also feel that because of the uniqueness Mrs. Hassman used to tell this story that's what made it memorable.

Good job Mrs. Hassman!

CHEERS,
Dr. Books

Book rating: A/4.5 stars

http://tupelohassman.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Tupelo.Hassman
http://www.facebook.com/BooksOnTheNightstand

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SIMMER (midnight fire series book #2) by Kaitlyn Davis BOOK REVIEW

Saturday, January 19, 2013

AMAZON Book Description

"Slowly, like a whisper almost blown away in the wind, two words streaked across her mind: 'Kiss me.'"

Kira may have survived the eclipse, but her troubles are far from over. She's headed to Sonnyville with one goal in mind: to learn more about her parents. But with Luke and Tristan competing for her heart and Diana gunning for her head, time is running out on the search for her mother. And the closer Kira gets to answers, the more terrified she becomes. The conduits fear her, the vampires fear her, and Kira is starting to wonder if maybe they're right...

Simmer is the second book in the thrilling Midnight Fire Series. It is approximately 65,000 words.

Book Review

IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IGNITE (Book #1) STOP READING NOW!!!

Well as we now know book #1 ended with Kira waking up from a Coma after saving Luke’s life (yup SACRIFICE…..thank goodness for the epilogue…geez) and Diana telling her that her MOTHER IS ALIVE. This book starts out with us seeing Kira packing to go to Sonnyville. Sonnyville is Luke’s home town of Protectors; the council has finally decided that its time for Kira’s training to move forward. Well Kira gets a surprise in Sonnyville; her grandparents are amongst the towns people (her mother’s parents and her grandfather is actually on the COUNCIL itself).

Some things definitely stand out in this book, one of them is the changes in LUKE and Kira’s relationship. Since she saved his life she senses him now and can even hear his thoughts without him speaking……yup its gets even weirder because LUKE wants to be more then friends (FIST PUMPS in the AIR….you guys know how much I love a good LOVE TRIANGLE). As this story continues we see Kira struggle to process all the new emotions she begins to feel.

Well you might ask were Tristan is when all this is happening….He’s still being the hot bad boy vampire but just IN LOVE NOW (sigh). He is own a mission to find DIANA and help located Kira’s mom. I’m just going to say this man has some serious PATIENCE he’s very aware something is different between Luke and Kira. He never pushes her, he waits in hope she will come clean with him. OH but LUKE has made it clear to him may the best MAN win (nope not giving it away).

The secondary characters in this book made this story flow so well. These characters gave us sneak peaks into some important information from the past. Let’s just say Kira’s mom is REALLY STILL ALIVE and the person that has her ROCKS Kira/Tristan’s world (nope not giving it away).

In this book Kira showed more maturity, strength and if you can believe it more self sacrifice then the last. I liked this book better than book 1 (ignite). The book flowed well from the beginning and didn't slow down. Again Good JOB MRS. DAVIS!

Off to read book #3 Blaze

Rating: A-/4.5 stars

Cheers,

Dr. Books

http://www.amazon.com/Simmer-Midnight-Fire-Series-ebook/dp/B007R82KLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1358644366&sr=1-1&keywords=simmer

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Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley BOOK REVIEW

Thursday, January 17, 2013

AMAZON Book Description:

After making a bad decision when she was very young, Kia Clementine finds herself in hell. Then, suddenly, within the time it takes for a shotgun to blast, her hell changes. Completely. Then out-of-the-blue she sees Sampson Cooper, her celebrity crush. A man the whole world knows is decent. A man the world knows is loyal. A man the world knows is good. All of these very unlike her now dead husband.

He’s sitting at a table right next to hers. And she catches his eye.

Terrified of the interest Sam shows in her, Kia finds the courage to go out with him. Not long after, she shares her dark secrets and Sam shares that he’ll stop at nothing to gain her trust.

As Sam leads Kia to heaven, Kia realizes that Sam is living his own hell. But although he gives her beauty and she gives him everything, he withholds his trust.

Even with all the beauty Sam shows her, Kia wants it all. But Sam forces Kia to make a heartbreaking decision and only she can decide. It’s all or nothing.

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Book Review:

This book was AMAZING. Kristen Ashley is one of my FAVORITE authors and as always she didn't disappoint this time. This book touched on a little of everything. We see mental/physical abuse,trust issues, NEW BEGINNINGS, and of course LOVE.

Kia married her high school sweetheart. Instead of a life full of wonderful memories with her husband (Cooter, yes that's really his name) she was living a nightmare, that leaves her a BROKEN woman. Until one day the police arrives on her door step to inform her that Cooter has been murdered.....AND not just murdered by anyone but by the husband of her arch nemesis from high school (yes Cooter was sleeping with the enemy). Well finally free of his fists and steel toe boots she gets another SHOCK from a life insurance company. She is now millions of dollars richer, her loser husband took out a life insurance policy on himself (OR so she thought, nope not giving it away). With her world spinning out of control Kia gets away by traveling to ITALY for her dream vacation. Little does she know that over breakfast, she will set eyes on the man of her dreams, SAMPSON COOPER!

Sam Cooper is the the hot ex colts quarterback and military bad boy! After an unexpected sharing of a table at breakfast, let the FIREWORKS begin. As this book progresses we see Kia and SAM's relationship go from great moments to down right heart breaking ones! Though Kia has a lot of baggage, Sam also has his own demons that add to the strain on their relationship.

As if there personal lives and trust issues etc aren't enough to deal with, they find out that Kia's dead husband/dead husband's lover put a hit out on her life. OH NO it gets better....AND the hit man is still looking to finish the job (yes Cooter is still screwing with her from the grave).

This action packed romance kept me on the edge of my seat. One of the great things I loved about this story was the supporting cast. Luci is the widow of Sam's best friend. Through Lucy this book touches on the topics GRIEF, true friendship and unexpected love.

I LOVED everything about this book! Don't get me wrong the chemistry between Sam and Kia was off the charts but it didn't overshadowed the deeper story Mrs. Ashley was trying to tell. We see two people literally living in hell due to the circumstances life has thrown there way..... BUT they do find a piece of Heaven with each other!

"Everywhere I've been since he's been gone, I thought was heaven."--Kia

"Anywhere is heaven as long as it's anywhere with you."--Kia

"Heaven is you too,baby."--Sam

Please read this book you want regret it! Great job Mrs. Ashley!

Rating: A/5 stars

Cheers,
Dr. Books

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-and-Hell-ebook/dp/B006R6JVH4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358469464&sr=8-1&keywords=heaven+and+hell

http://www.kristenashley.net/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristen-Ashley/83283039199

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ONE on ONE with Author Suzanne Wright: Wicked Cravings (The Phoenix Pack Series #2)

ONE on ONE with Author Suzanne Wright:

Wicked Cravings (The Phoenix Pack Series #2)

1.Where Were you born and where do you call home?

I was born and raised in Liverpool, England where I still live with my husband and two children.

2. Tell us about something that has just/recently happened in your life that you would like to share?

So many things have been happening that still have me pinching myself: the books doing well, the publishing deal, the kind reviews. I’ve no idea why I’m getting so much good luck – I’ve got so much karma to burn off it isn’t even funny.

3. If you had to sum up Wicked Cravings in 30 or less words, what would you say?

I am so bad at this. Pitching a 125,000 word in one line is hard for me. Um…Pack Beta Dante Garcea always kept a distance from rebellious Jaime Farrow, but then a secret forces them to confront the danger within their pack—and the cravings taunting them both. See, bad at it.

4. If you gave Dante and Jamie an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Dante would probably complain that Jaime persists in being messy, and she would probably snort at him and suggest he stop being a neat freak – not sure whether that would be before or after she destroyed his shoe rack that she hates.

5. If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters? Please Send me pics lol!!!

Wow, I’ve no idea. I already have pictures of these people in my head so it would be kind of hard to imagine someone else being them. I know who I’d love to play Greta, though – Trey’s antisocial and mostly evil grandmother. Comedian Catherine Tate often does a character, ‘Nan’, who is absolutely vile yet hilarious.

6. List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend to readers?

I haven’t read that many recently because I’ve been concentrating so hard on finishing my own. Um…Silver Tongue by Marie Harte, Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh, and (though I don’t think this was recently released but I recently read it) The Bunny and The Bear by Eve Langlais.

7. What is Your Favorite Wine?

I don’t actually drink alcohol – it doesn't get along very well with my epilepsy medication – but I’d imagine I’d be a big fan of any red wine.

8. Is there an Author that you would really like to meet in person?

Well, I know he doesn't really consider himself as a writer as such, and I know he’s known for way more stuff than writing, but I’d really like to meet Quentin Tarantino. I love his imagination. And I want it.

9. What authors have inspired your work?

All authors inspire me because there is so much more to writing than to actually come up with a story, and the process is hard and time-consuming, and anyone who sticks with it shows a dedication that I admire.

10. Ebook, Paperback or Hardcover?

That’s actually a hard one. I love ebooks – particularly since I wouldn't have room in my house for the amount of books that are on my Kindle – but I’ll always love paperbacks. That new book smell always makes me smile.

11.Are you currently working on any upcoming projects?

Yes, I’m just starting the third book of The Phoenix Pack series, which is Shaya and Nick’s story.

12.Have we heard the last of Dante and Jamie?

Definitely not. They’ll be in the background in most, if not every one, of the following books in the series.

***********************************************************************

Thank You Mrs. Wright for taking the time to Chat!

Please check out her blog for updates.

http://suzannewrightsblog.blogspot.com/

Also for those who haven't read Feral Sins.... READ IT you wont be disappointed!

http://www.amazon.com/FERAL-SINS-Phoenix-Pack-ebook/dp/B007GR28XC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358466718&sr=8-1&keywords=feral+sins

Wicked Cravings is set to release 4/16/13....You can pre-order now on amazon!!

http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Cravings-Phoenix-Series-ebook/dp/B009XDDVMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1358466798&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+cravings

CHEERS,

Dr. Books

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Wine Relaxation and MY Kindle

Erin's Mini Review Corner : Meet ERIN

Saturday, January 26, 2013

ERIN'S Mini Book Review: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

ONE on ONE with Kaitlyn Davis (Midnight Fire Series)

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman BOOK REVIEW

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

SIMMER (midnight fire series book #2) by Kaitlyn Davis BOOK REVIEW

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley BOOK REVIEW

Thursday, January 17, 2013

ONE on ONE with Author Suzanne Wright: Wicked Cravings (The Phoenix Pack Series #2)

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