tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47192942562138174892021-08-20T12:45:25.725-04:00Jessie's Book PlaceJessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.comBlogger504125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-50605181252676302732014-11-05T16:01:00.001-05:002014-11-05T16:01:33.798-05:00It's been a really long time!Five months, actually. I've been really bad. But I think, at this point, sadly, it's time to put an end to Jessie's Book Place. June was a terrible month for me, though I had so many plans for the middle of the summer. I lost someone very important to me, and though those around me tell me to get on with it, it's incredibly hard. I actually haven't picked up a book properly since the end of June, though I have been slowly trying to get myself back into reading. <div><br /></div><div>I promise that I will wrap up the Quick Fix Challenge for those who are currently participating. Unfortunately the giveaway I had been planing for it will have to be cut a bit short and I'll simply do one for those participating in the challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>It would have been Jessie's Book Place 4th Blogoversary this December but I find personal reasons keep me from being interested. Though I miss book blogging, and had tried much harder these past two years to do my best this year I went on two unofficial hiatus (this one lasting FIVE MONTHS). I'll be keeping a tumblr (<a href="http://jessiesrandomplace.tumblr.com/">Jessie's Random Place</a>) as something much more casual and not just for book blogging. So feel free to visit me there! </div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-27378967835265397562014-07-10T06:00:00.000-04:002014-07-10T06:00:00.939-04:00Blog Tour: Marry Me For Money by Mia Kayla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7v-6gmgUmU/U73xynGovfI/AAAAAAAAFv8/8Qa1sJn0m30/s1600/MarryMeForMoneyTourBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7v-6gmgUmU/U73xynGovfI/AAAAAAAAFv8/8Qa1sJn0m30/s1600/MarryMeForMoneyTourBanner.png" height="145" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Marry Me For Money</i> by Mia Kayla</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcBpBWbT4Eo/U73xwlKrRtI/AAAAAAAAFv0/YgqEEpb3dGY/s1600/MarryMeForMoney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcBpBWbT4Eo/U73xwlKrRtI/AAAAAAAAFv0/YgqEEpb3dGY/s1600/MarryMeForMoney.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div><b>Publication date:</b> May 4th 2014<br /><b>Genres:</b> Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br /><br /><b>Synopsis:</b><br />Leaving her small town behind, Bethany Casse moves to Chicago in search of a new life. Working at a top financial bank brings her into contact with two men who are as different as night and day. <br /><br />Kent Plack, heir to Plack Industries, has no interest in being with a woman for longer than one night. A spoiled and lazy man-whore, he is completely content with his playboy lifestyle, and Beth is surprised when they form an unlikely friendship. <br /><br />Brian Burcham, a finance banker, is gorgeous and respectful. A man plucked from Beth’s dreams, he is definite husband material. Unfortunately, Beth has a hard rule against dating coworkers, but Brian is determined to change her mind. <br /><br />When a deadbeat mother and money problems follow her to Chicago, Beth is offered a solution that could fix everything. Marrying for money seems simple enough, but when lines become blurred, Beth faces difficult choices, making her realize that the easy way out just made her life even harder than before.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18777683-marry-me-for-money?ac=1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Purchase</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marry-Me-Money-Mia-Kayla-ebook/dp/B00K5AEN7Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403630437&sr=8-1&keywords=Marry+Me+for+Money">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marry-me-for-money-mia-kayla/1119437164?ean=9781497310599">B&N</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Review</span></h2></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The Prologue starts off as a "how did I get here" wedding set up scene. For me it sucked me in a bit, but after that the first couple of chapters lost me. What I thought could have been a good contemporary romance was just an okay one. This was a reminder of why I'm on the fence with this genre. <br /><br />Things I hate about contemporary romance: They don't have much family/lost family. This is actually something I half liked, as she was raised by her grandmother because her mother couldn't handle it. (It's something I don't usually see, usually the girl simply lost her parents for X reason.) And, the "wholesome good-girl" is so cliche. Seriously.<br /><br />Other problems I had were: why would you talk to a guy you basically just met about when you lost your virginity and refer to it as your V-card like you are a high school student? It's one thing that he asked about if she was dating and she mentioned her high school boyfriend and that they broke up, but I really feel that mentioning that she lost her "V-card" to him was completely unnecessary to add. (Yes I just ranted about that.)<br /><br />I was also rather annoyed with how Beth would throw Kent's lifestyle in his face. Personally, I work full-time, I don't party or anything, but I could relate more to Kent than I could to Beth. She acts like a kid, along with the inability to use the word virginity she sticks her tongue out a lot, she did stupid stuff prior to the beginning/during the duration of the book. Honestly there was a number of times I wanted to slap her. <br /><br />Okay, so I probably can rant a little more. I know it doesn't sound good. But honestly, I did like the story, and the characters (other than Beth, but even she grew on me about halfway through). Plus I wanted to know how it ended. Overall it wasn't bad. I did like it I promise. I would give it a 3 out of 5, but not more than that. I think my main problem was that I didn't give myself more time to read it and I read it during a bad time for myself personally. I would probably pick it up again and give it a go. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3/5</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></h2></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lteETG_GC0U/U73xwh1_MUI/AAAAAAAAFv4/AIjIVOzi1bA/s1600/Mia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lteETG_GC0U/U73xwh1_MUI/AAAAAAAAFv4/AIjIVOzi1bA/s1600/Mia.jpg" /></a>Mia Kayla is a New Adult/Contemporary Romance writer who lives in Illinois.<br /><br />On the weekdays, she can be caught wearing a suit, commuting to her corporate job in downtown Chicago and raising three beautiful munchkins in the suburbs, four if you count the husband.<br /><br />In her free time she loves reading romance novels, jamming to boy bands, catching up on celebrity gossip and designing flowers for weddings. <br /><br />Most of the time, she can be caught on the train with her nose in a book sporting a cheeky grin because the main characters finally get their happily-ever-after at the end. <br /><br />She loves reading about happy endings but has more fun writing them. <br /><br />To find out more about her upcoming release, sign up for her newsletter. Click here to sign up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Author Links: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.miakayla.blogspot.ca/">Blog</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7382805.Mia_Kayla">GoodReads</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authormiakayla">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/authormiakayla">Twitter</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tour Wide Giveaway</span></h2><br /></div>Info:<br /><br /><ul><li>Open US/Canada </li><li>Ends 7/15</li></ul><br /><br /><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251460/" id="rc-d04251460" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-83551858566687524332014-06-28T10:39:00.001-04:002014-06-28T10:39:37.560-04:00Book Blitz: Guarding Angel by S. L. Saboviec<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://xpressobooktours.com/2014/05/20/blitz-sign-up-guarding-angel-by-s-l-saboviec/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ekWS8_nehs/U67S4zv2ulI/AAAAAAAAFvM/vjuzn8-CEVg/s1600/GuardingAngelBlitzBanner1.png" height="147" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Guarding Angel</i> by S. L. Saboviec</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1ZXUgwvdeI/U67S34Z2HUI/AAAAAAAAFvI/N7Uzrvkl9TU/s1600/Guarding+Angel+-+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1ZXUgwvdeI/U67S34Z2HUI/AAAAAAAAFvI/N7Uzrvkl9TU/s1600/Guarding+Angel+-+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div><b>Series:</b> Fallen Redemption #1<br /><b>Publication date:</b> May 19th 2014 <br /><b>Genres:</b> Adult, Fantasy<br /><br /><b>Synopsis:</b><br />Guardian angel Enael can’t seem to keep her human Wards in check. They’re the ones who choose their paths before reincarnating—she’s just there to help make sure they stay on track. But it’s not as easy as it might look. <br /><br />When she meets and falls in love with charismatic Kaspen, a fellow Guardian, Enael’s feelings about Heaven, Hell, demons, and the life she’s known are turned upside down. Worse, angel-turned-demon Yasva, Kaspen’s former love, still holds him in her clutches. Even as Yasva works toward obtaining complete control of Earth, she taunts and haunts Kaspen’s and Enael’s lives.<br /><br />Now Enael is forced to face her past (which is centuries long and bursting with secrets), her present (which is terribly unfulfilling and full of questions), and her future (which becomes more uncertain as time passes). Armed with a newfound love and fear of losing it all, she must figure out how to save the world—-and the angel she loves. Which side will win? Who will Kaspen choose? Will Heaven and Earth continue to exist, or will everything go to Hell? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20452254-guarding-angel"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Purchase:</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guarding-Angel-Fallen-Redemption-Volume/dp/0993744516/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403196401&sr=8-1&keywords=Saboviec">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guarding-angel-s-l-saboviec/1119467162?ean=9780993744518">B&N</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/guarding-angel/SvLvXgholE-3_p6IOb82sg?MixID=SvLvXgholE-3_p6IOb82sg&PageNumber=1">Kobo</a></div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></h2><br />Yasva tipped her head back. “No more. I revoke my place in Heaven.”<br /><br />Her amethyst eyes went wide and the air shimmered around her. I cringed but couldn’t look away. She screamed as she clamped her hands to her ears. Her wings quivered. <i>No...</i> They flared above her and burst apart in a spray of royal purple. The droplets hung in the air before they contracted into nothingness.<br /><br />I backed away but bumped into a bush. <i>It’s happening again.</i><br /><br />Shrieking, Yasva pressed her hands to her eyes and doubled over. Deep purple blood soaked the back of her robe where her wings had been. She wrenched her hands down and stared at me. I willed myself to move but couldn’t. Her eyes were pits, stark black and seething. She regarded me with a hatred I had seen but once before.<br /><br />My stomach lurched in fear. Beside me, Kaspen gripped his hair, eyes wide. I’d nearly forgotten he was there.<br /><br />Yasva thrust out a hand as though to steady herself. “This isn’t...” She wobbled, reaching for Kaspen, who backed away. “... the end...” She coughed and staggered. “... of me! I will have my revenge!” She went to a knee before fading and disappearing into Hell.<br /><br />Where all angels who renounce their connections to the Source go.<br /><br />Where they live as demons.<br /><br />The stench of sulfur washed over me, and I quashed the urge to gag.<br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">About S.L. Saboviec </h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI3QgrqiSzs/U67S2d2kccI/AAAAAAAAFvA/VxKUOvLpZbA/s1600/SL+Saboviec+-+Head+Shot+-+Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI3QgrqiSzs/U67S2d2kccI/AAAAAAAAFvA/VxKUOvLpZbA/s1600/SL+Saboviec+-+Head+Shot+-+Small.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div>Samantha grew up in a small town in Iowa but now lives in the suburbs of Toronto with her Canadian husband and expatriate cat. In her spare time, she reads, writes, and thinks about reading and writing—along with playing the occasional video game or eight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Author links:</u> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.saboviec.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Saboviec">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7740723.S_L_Saboviec">GoodReads</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Sabovie">Twitter</a></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-60047920629392332932014-06-14T10:18:00.000-04:002014-06-14T10:18:00.250-04:00Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VopZOTmoeYM/UsSkr1m62-I/AAAAAAAAFZY/LkuflJtEpls/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VopZOTmoeYM/UsSkr1m62-I/AAAAAAAAFZY/LkuflJtEpls/s1600/storm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Darkness never dies.</b><br /><br />Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.<br /><br />The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14061955-siege-and-storm"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" /></a></div><br />As excited as I was about this book (for reasons unknown), I held it off long enough. I think I was worried I would like it less than the first (and then I would have wasted money on it). However, I liked <i>Siege and Storm</i> a lot more than I liked <i>Shadow and Bone</i>. <br /><br />We were introduced to a number of new characters. All of them I liked. Nikolai had to grow on me a bit, however, by the end I just loved him. I was originally excited to see more of Mal, I think part of the reason I didn't like him so much in the first book was because we didn't see much of him. That excitement was short-lived. I found him incredibly annoying. Alina, throughout the book, was insecure about her relationship with him, and instead of making her feel better about it, on most occasions he was a complete jerk who wouldn't open up to her. And, I really wished we got to see more of the Darkling.<br /><br />I think my main problem with this book was that it felt a little slow in the beginning. Where I liked the daily life of Alina in the Little Palace in <i>Shadow and Bone</i>, I really didn't care about it in the first third (?) of the book. After that, I felt like things were happening rather quickly. I also liked the ending better than I did in the first book (which made me angry). Plus, the farther away I get from this book, the more I like it which is a nice change from getting mad every time I thought of the first book.<br /><div><br />I gave it a 4/5 only because I didn't feel like it deserved anything less.<ul></ul></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4/5</span></div><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-VopZOTmoeYM%2FUsSkr1m62-I%2FAAAAAAAAFZY%2FLkuflJtEpls%2Fs1600%2Fstorm.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VopZOTmoeYM/UsSkr1m62-I/AAAAAAAAFZY/LkuflJtEpls/s1600/storm.jpg" -->Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-34615974001012495882014-06-14T00:38:00.000-04:002014-06-14T00:38:18.524-04:00Cover Reveal: Time Shifters by Laura N. Anile<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ahh! I don't know how this wasn't put up earlier! Well lets pretend it went up on time...</span><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Time Shifters by Laura N. Anile</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoIoj1lfpTg/U5vRY4ubeqI/AAAAAAAAFuY/6FVfDgiS37U/s1600/Time_Shifters_Book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoIoj1lfpTg/U5vRY4ubeqI/AAAAAAAAFuY/6FVfDgiS37U/s1600/Time_Shifters_Book1.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div><b>Series:</b> Beyond Time #1<br /><b>Publication date: </b>June 2014<br /><b>Genres: </b>Dystopia, Young Adult<br /><br /><b>Synopsis:</b><br />‘My blood runs cold, and I see the horror etched in the boy’s reflection. Anxiety seeps into my chest, making my heart hammer. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know how I got here. But what worries me most is: I don't know who the hell is looking back at me in the mirror."<br /><br />When you wake up in the wrong body within a futuristic world, being yourself can get you killed.<br /><br />17-year-old Ryder is on his way to school when he experiences a pain like he has never felt before. He awakes in a mysterious lab to discover that, as a victim of an unauthorized transfer, he has been pulled into the year 2127.<br /><br />Now Ryder’s life depends on him succeeding in making everyone believe that he is Ziron, the boy that swapped places with him in 2015. If he fails, he will be captured, imprisoned, or worse. Ryder only has to survive two weeks in this futuristic world he doesn’t understand. But two weeks is a long time when you don’t know who to trust, and when you have to keep away from a girl you have sworn to protect.<br /><br />Kira refuses to stay away, so how can he prevent her from discovering his secret? And how can he be with her when she thinks he’s someone else?<br /><br />Time is running out for Ryder to unravel the conspiracy and uncover the answer to the biggest question of all: Just why did Ziron risk everything to change places with him? And what exactly has Ryder been pulled into?<br /><br />In a desperate quest to find his way home, Ryder will stop at nothing to protect the girl of his dreams, and the secret that could destroy everything.<br /><br />The expected release date is June 16 (Amazon), with iTunes, Kobo and B&N to follow. For further information, please go to <a href="http://www.lauraanile.com/">www.LauraAnile.com</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lauraanile.com/trailer.html">View the book trailer</a> | <a href="http://www.lauraanile.com/sneakpeek.html">Read the first chapter</a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></h2><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67YJviE2aG4/U5vRXpzYP9I/AAAAAAAAFuU/PpvvJOcOsss/s1600/Laura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67YJviE2aG4/U5vRXpzYP9I/AAAAAAAAFuU/PpvvJOcOsss/s1600/Laura.jpg" /></a>Laura has had a lifelong love of writing, which she explored in a successful marketing career before penning her first novel. She is fascinated by the ideas of fate and interconnectedness, central themes in her story. She loves all things humorous, laughs too loudly and finds her own jokes amusing. She has a passion for traveling and exploring the world but has a phobia of suspect hotel rooms with questionable hygiene. And, oh yeah, she isn't clairvoyant and doesn't own any crystal balls.<br />In addition to 'Visions', she has also written a collection of short stories, entitled 'Unmasked Secrets'.<br /><br />For more information, please go to www.lauraanile.com.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Author Links</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lauraanile.com/index.html">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/LauraAnile">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-N-Anile-Author/145897772283260">Facebook</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/" title="Xpresso Book Tours"><img alt="Xpresso Book Tours" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12m5zO1UQSM/Uct5ELoi77I/AAAAAAAAwGs/wvMgtGpRdMw/s1600/XBTHostButton2.png" height="100" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-78090585403833188992014-06-04T13:37:00.000-04:002014-06-04T13:37:54.987-04:00Catch Up June!You know, at the end of the year, I try to wrap everything up so that I can start anew for the new year. But I have to say that's stressful. So, I have decided that I'm going to reduce that stress (or possibly double it), by giving myself a halfway point.<br /><div><br /></div><div>June is going to be all about reading whatever I couldn't in the first half of the year and getting to those reviews I should have already written. You won't believe how many half-written reviews I have, some even from late last year! I also have to go through all those challenges I signed up for at the beginning of the year and seeing where I stand with everything. So I'm really excited for this month! I plan on having a relatively large TBR list.</div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Upcoming Reviews:</span></h2><br /><i>Horde</i> by Ann Aguirre<br /><i>The Fairy Godmother</i> by Mercedes Lackey<br /><i>The Hunger Games</i> by Suzanne Collins<br /><i>Catching Fire</i> by Suzanne Collins<br /><i>Mockingjay</i> by Suzanne Collins<br /><i>Siege and Storm</i> by Leigh Bardugo<br /><i>The Magician's Guild</i> by Trudi Canavan<br /><i>Divergent</i> by Veronica Roth</div><div><i>The Assassin's Curse</i> by Cassandra Rose Clarke<br /><i>The Pirate's Wish</i> by Cassandra Rose Clarke<br /><i>Hush</i> by Donna Jo Napoli<br /><i>Fangirl</i> by Rainbow Rowell<br /><i>Vampire Academy</i> by Richelle Mead<br /><br /><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My June TBR</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hBjhv6l4xzU/UW1XeyE77cI/AAAAAAAAEtA/2Ajk47ZrgFs/s1600/gravemercy.jpg" height="200" width="131" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iw7vpiCgtIk/UXhmNVzbKnI/AAAAAAAAEvo/UsaFPHLd46Y/s1600/stop.jpg" height="200" width="132" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90owgbrjxoo/UY0AK2r8kkI/AAAAAAAAEzM/D3A-yny52vk/s1600/last.jpg" height="200" width="121" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RC7hpB0nJYI/UiNarFcGpDI/AAAAAAAAFFs/cc00PBGR3DY/s1600/toads.jpg" height="200" width="134" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--97BwqHltos/UsSkqO8s_yI/AAAAAAAAFY8/hEfuQd5vpD4/s1600/maid.jpg" height="200" width="131" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMGFmEE7yH0/Usjfight8eI/AAAAAAAAFaY/N-fUJljvrQ8/s1600/glass.jpg" height="200" width="133" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lWcAGGCmls/U1VTjENhFAI/AAAAAAAAFjI/oboVZwgeWPQ/s1600/white.jpg" height="200" width="123" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL2Je__b1ek/U3wwWlrC7eI/AAAAAAAAFrk/Ur1ZmEOAvaM/s1600/hired.jpg" height="200" width="132" /> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DN9n5BUBUL8/U3wwV_AQfuI/AAAAAAAAFrg/6Y9AIGdJdRY/s1600/Betting.jpg" height="200" width="133" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5rY80X7ct4/U3wp0GJko1I/AAAAAAAAFq4/Q9h-4aJlXTU/s1600/austenland.jpg" height="200" width="132" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWj5OBuRnak/U3wptxszamI/AAAAAAAAFqE/BVZTs3NWUM8/s1600/icons.jpg" height="200" width="133" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sr0Cb5fdi0I/UgF8OoA-JJI/AAAAAAAAE_M/UkH2UqjEPBo/s1600/slippers.jpg" height="200" width="133" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrYiD_Yktn4/T-aM15esprI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/qGnJBD9FU9s/s1600/eon.jpg" height="200" width="133" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sam3oPxD6k0/ULPUjmTwYsI/AAAAAAAACFQ/3og3T0A5PmQ/s1600/wayfarer.jpg" height="200" width="122" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUyVZgTwy5A/URSSPM0UHeI/AAAAAAAAD7c/DNPySwXV3eU/s1600/throne.jpg" height="200" width="132" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--L5WX_0lVKg/US97gnqoueI/AAAAAAAAEOg/iJpCUibLbOc/s1600/storm.jpg" height="200" width="131" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KnFyj2D1Qw/U49Kg_0sfuI/AAAAAAAAFto/eZahmRVQ1kk/s1600/academy.jpg" height="200" width="128" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0tt14p9js/U49KhcjxiHI/AAAAAAAAFts/hji6F6USQCQ/s1600/school.jpg" height="200" width="131" /> </div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Other</span></h2><br />On the 13 - Time Shifters by Laura N. Anile (Cover Reveal)<br />On the 24th - Guarding Angel by S. L. Saboviec (Book Blitz)<br /><br /><br /></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-60664708358472370262014-05-31T16:44:00.004-04:002014-05-31T16:44:57.650-04:00Armchair BEA 2014 Wrap-Up<div a="" class="separator" gt="" href="http://www.armchairbea.com/" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w60Qnbpqk1k/U4LAdNr8p5I/AAAAAAAAFs8/K_3E7EGodak/s1600/acbea.jpg" height="106" width="400" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ninareads.com/">Design by Nina of Nina Reads</a></span></div><br /><br />Wow, so this week went by really fast for me! And, even though I had loads of fun, I wish that I had had more time. I hate my job for getting in the way of all the fun! I did, however, get to post most days, I just wish I had more time to stop by more people's blogs.<br /><br />My post:<br /><a href="http://xjessiexbellex.blogspot.com/2014/05/armchair-bea-2014-introduction.html">Introduction Post</a><br /><a href="http://xjessiexbellex.blogspot.com/2014/05/armchair-bea-day-2-more-than-just-words.html">More Than Just Words</a><br /><a href="http://xjessiexbellex.blogspot.com/2014/05/armchair-bea-day-3-expanding-blogging.html">Expanding Blogging Horizons</a><br /><a href="http://xjessiexbellex.blogspot.com/2014/05/armchair-bea-day-4-beyond-borders.html">Beyond the Borders</a><br /><br /><br />Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-21368702953485597572014-05-29T20:12:00.000-04:002014-06-01T09:59:41.998-04:00Armchair BEA (Day 4: Beyond the Borders)<div a="" class="separator" gt="" href="http://www.armchairbea.com/" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w60Qnbpqk1k/U4LAdNr8p5I/AAAAAAAAFs8/K_3E7EGodak/s1600/acbea.jpg" height="106" width="400" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ninareads.com/">Design by Nina of Nina Reads</a></span></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">It’s time to step outside your comfort zone, outside your borders, or outside of your own country or culture. Tell us about the books that transported you to a different world, taught you about a different culture, and/or helped you step into the shoes of someone different from you. What impacted you the most about this book? What books would you recommend to others who are ready or not ready to step over the line? In essence, let’s start the conversation about diversity and keep it going! </blockquote><br />So I know that this discussion was supposed to be about books outside of the comfort zone/other cultures, however, it somehow became about my finding books about characters I could relate to. Oh well.<br /><br />Outside my comfort zone, honestly, I have to admit that I'm a bit hesitant to read contemporary books. Why? Because they aren't very diverse, and since I read a lot of YA I can only take so many cute blonde girls doing things. Seriously. When I was younger I used to get super excited when I would pick up a book and it would be about a character with some name like "Lashana" or "Maria" (and you know, other stereotypical and overused names. I don't even think I've even met a "Maria" in my life). Of course, I could only take so many contemporary (no matter how few and far between they were) about African American or Hispanic characters having to deal with racism. Especially when half the time I would originally think it was about double dutch or again something as stereotypical, blonde girls have all the fun in fiction too. Honestly, growing up I could probably count the times I've dealt with racism (and it was because the other person was a complete moron), I use to relate to those characters as much as I could relate to those blonde, blue eyed ones. However, every now and then, I would find diverse books that I loved. Sometimes they did deal with racism, which I learned I had to deal with. And, when I'm lucky I find some diversity in fantasy, which you wouldn't think would be that hard, but since it is...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cOquFihdtQ/T3NKTEhvToI/AAAAAAAAAUI/XQms5CgaoC8/s1600/sywbw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cOquFihdtQ/T3NKTEhvToI/AAAAAAAAAUI/XQms5CgaoC8/s1600/sywbw.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a>First thing I'm sharing is the Young Wizard series by Diane Duane. I first started this series when I was thirteen and during that time while YA was becoming a big thing, there really weren't many Hispanic characters anywhere. Yet, here in this series (and a fantasy nonetheless!) we were given Kit and his sister Carmela, both characters were ones that I could relate to on some level. Which, was a nice change from dealing with a generic "Maria" whose life was a mess and had to deal with racism.<br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4C1QxJ8-UVQ/UiwYVDpu0uI/AAAAAAAAFHw/-Y2Ima2rIjU/s1600/song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4C1QxJ8-UVQ/UiwYVDpu0uI/AAAAAAAAFHw/-Y2Ima2rIjU/s1600/song.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a>The next book I'm sharing is <i>A Song For Bijou</i> by Josh Farrar. I actually read this one not too long ago (about a year go). Part of the reason I love this one (other than the fact that it's as cute as the cover makes it out to be), is that the characters are as diverse as they should be. I hate reading things or watching things on TV, and the setting is NYC, but everyone is Caucasian... what?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What about you? How have you stepped out of your comfort zone? (Or found it?)Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-34611407810484698572014-05-28T11:12:00.000-04:002014-05-28T11:12:02.707-04:00Armchair BEA (Day 3: Expanding Blogging Horizons)<div a="" class="separator" gt="" href="http://www.armchairbea.com/" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w60Qnbpqk1k/U4LAdNr8p5I/AAAAAAAAFs8/K_3E7EGodak/s1600/acbea.jpg" height="106" width="400" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ninareads.com/">Design by Nina of Nina Reads</a></span></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">What do you think about when you think about going beyond blogging or expanding your horizons? Is it a redesign of your blog? Have you branched out into freelance writing or even published a novel of your very own? Or, have you moved into a different venue like podcasts or vlogging? This is the day to tell us about how you have expanded on blogging in your own unique way. </blockquote><br />Honestly, I'm always trying to think of things to do. Not anything like podcast or vlogging. And, I do write outside of my blog, I don't talk about it here. Which is kind of funny, since in my personal life most people don't really know about my blog and I don't talk about my other writing on my blog. I have at least three different writing projects.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm always trying to come up with different things to do here, but I find I'm just really bad at it. I do change the design around every now and then because I get a little bored with it after a while. But every month I always tell myself I'm going to try to push myself a little harder. Again, usually it doesn't work, but I try.<br /><br />Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-36217879607364563212014-05-28T00:45:00.001-04:002014-05-28T00:45:35.124-04:00Armchair BEA (Day 2: More than just words)<div a="" class="separator" gt="" href="http://www.armchairbea.com/" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w60Qnbpqk1k/U4LAdNr8p5I/AAAAAAAAFs8/K_3E7EGodak/s1600/acbea.jpg" height="106" width="400" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ninareads.com/">Design by Nina of Nina Reads</a></span></div><br /><br />I know, I know, it's technically day 3. Well, I worked all day so it's still day 2 until I go to sleep!<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">There are so many mediums that feature more than just words and enhance a story in a multitude of ways. Examples may include graphic novels and comics, audiobooks, or even multimedia novels. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just the words and use other ways to experience a story. Which books stand out to you in these different formats? </blockquote>I'm not really sure how I want to say whatever I want to say. I know for some people, things like graphic novels or audiobooks "don't count". Personally, I had a bit of that mentality myself. I wouldn't add the number of graphic novels I had read to my yearly goals. Finally, I realized that was silly, and that if I said reading a graphic novel counted as reading, then it should count toward my yearly goals. I think comic books are the only kind of books my brother will go near, honestly I think as long as he's reading it counts.<br /><br />I was first introduced to graphic novels/manga when I was about fourteen/fifteen, my first was Vampire Game. It remains to be a favorite of mine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8eRGNt701fY/U4VpW9yKLzI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/g-svm1ce4Zo/s1600/vg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8eRGNt701fY/U4VpW9yKLzI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/g-svm1ce4Zo/s1600/vg.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><br />And there is an all time favorite of mine Ouran High School Host Club.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vK2B4SPBIQA/T-ht2wFmV6I/AAAAAAAABB8/lexhBKl6jxM/s1600/host.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vK2B4SPBIQA/T-ht2wFmV6I/AAAAAAAABB8/lexhBKl6jxM/s1600/host.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br />Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-68910728820637611312014-05-26T01:04:00.002-04:002014-05-26T01:04:53.418-04:00Armchair BEA 2014 Introduction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.armchairbea.com/"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w60Qnbpqk1k/U4LAdNr8p5I/AAAAAAAAFs8/K_3E7EGodak/s1600/acbea.jpg" height="106" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ninareads.com/">Design by Nina of Nina Reads</a></span></div><br /><br />Yay! I'm so excited to say that this year I'm participating in the <a href="http://www.armchairbea.com/">2014 Armchair BEA</a>! Of course, I'll be working for the next two days. But I'm still super excited! This is my first year participating. The past two years I was a bit hesitated to join, but I figured if I didn't just sign up and do it, I never will, so here I am!<br /><br /><div><b><b>My Introduction: </b></b><br /><b><b><br /></b></b></div><b>Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?</b><br /><div><ul style="text-align: justify;">I'm Jessie, I've been blogging... I don't know, three and a half years. (More, possibly, but Jessie's Book Place has been running that long so I'll go with that.) I'm not really sure why I started to be honest, or how I even discovered book blogging.<b> </b></ul><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>Where in the world are you blogging from?</b> <b>Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online.</b> </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: justify;">I'm from Southern New England. Ugh... I'm really bad a describing things, but you can find my Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/thejessiebelle">here</a> and my GoodReads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5269013-jessie">here</a>. My Facebook is for personal family use and I have a Pinterest and maybe an Instagram, but I don't understand how to use them or what they are for. </ul><br /><b>What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ .</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><ul style="text-align: justify;">Fantasy, for the obvious reasons.Yes, I know I'm no fun. </ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year?</b> </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: justify;">Honestly, I'm not really sure what my favorite I read last year was, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7137327-enclave"><i>Enclave</i> by Ann Aguirre</a> probably. This year, I think I'll go with <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286849-fangirl"><i>Fangirl</i> by Rainbow Rowell</a>.</ul><b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>What is your favorite blogging resource?</b> </span></div><div><ul>When I remember Google Calender!</ul><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></span></div>If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why?</b> </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: justify;">Books: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6294.Howl_s_Moving_Castle">Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3342764-the-magician-s-apprentice">The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1268479.Warbreaker">Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson</a> ... why? Because those are three books I could read and never get tired of. Non-book related items: My cat and maybe a bucket with a supply of unlimited cat food? My third item I have no idea. <strike>I can't live without my cat so</strike>. </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So who else is participating in Armchair BEA this year?</div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-43900828619335637662014-05-25T01:23:00.000-04:002014-05-25T01:23:24.104-04:00Showcase Sunday (32)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sPrmYEkUtQ/UOmb9uvCEII/AAAAAAAADgM/p-IMDkalMtk/s400/ShowcaseSunday2013.png" height="246" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at <a href="http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/">Books Biscuits and Tea</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know, I know... what happened to being good? However, these were mostly my birthday gift to myself. It's all good now. I plan on not buying myself any more books for awhile... if I can manage. </div><a name='more'></a><br /><b>Bought:</b><br /><b><br /></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15769838-the-earl-is-mine"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5gOJp3dygw/U3wpsqMbEPI/AAAAAAAAFpg/zqGEyfEv8PU/s1600/earl.jpg" height="200" width="122" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8752893-stormlord-s-exile"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hM0S5LF9SjI/U3wprYcYY9I/AAAAAAAAFpI/FDFKSH01Wl0/s1600/Exile.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10695787-if-you-give-a-girl-a-viscount"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIneaHavypw/U3wptC4WVJI/AAAAAAAAFps/jDtLBLNPHqA/s1600/girl.jpg" height="200" width="122" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/764637.The_Girls_Guide_to_Hunting_and_Fishing"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ9KMUWjnnA/U3wptAiGtSI/AAAAAAAAFpk/3SN_o4G4M3U/s1600/guide.jpg" height="200" width="124" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8706098-chu-ju-s-house"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ow1Zuf2I9RQ/U3wptmKmqkI/AAAAAAAAFp0/ZPcmut6wF_Y/s1600/house.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11861715-icons"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWj5OBuRnak/U3wptxszamI/AAAAAAAAFp4/vqyVsGoFGyE/s1600/icons.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6581303-mistress-of-rome"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEqC1HNwl0g/U3wpuclY05I/AAAAAAAAFqI/z122gANp_qY/s1600/mistress.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3233381-parties-potions"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kH9vR3h2cA/U3wpuljXt0I/AAAAAAAAFqQ/ut5ywx5eqZo/s1600/potions.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18172465-a-world-without-princes"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCuunHm3Gmg/U3wprwcaZ1I/AAAAAAAAFpU/SJJ0-zDDdpw/s1600/Princes.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/706553.The_Princetta"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LiQBzMFPow/U3wpvG8ucHI/AAAAAAAAFqM/2Cr7P-O89rU/s1600/princetta.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11983951-shooting-stars"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTT-d6G652I/U3wpsNJ-VKI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/jAUPByfHrjE/s1600/Stars.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8100422-timeless"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DtJUwDJRWcQ/U3wpwJts1CI/AAAAAAAAFqg/JwhSOgzpm_Y/s1600/timeless.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNF2faG06co/U3wp0Dno_eI/AAAAAAAAFqo/dvYLPkgDY4k/s1600/5th.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2004362.Austenland"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5rY80X7ct4/U3wp0GJko1I/AAAAAAAAFqs/WVF0V8vhAfE/s1600/austenland.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12084278-city-of-a-thousand-dolls"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSnscbj8Dfk/U3wp0VmRZdI/AAAAAAAAFqw/EkyTic_zk0Y/s1600/dolls.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17237351-the-witch-s-betrayal"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lESFgrlpwW8/U3wwVrjvmgI/AAAAAAAAFrI/LSQRjAi0Gq8/s1600/betrayal.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17883659-the-automaton-s-treasure?from_search=true"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58DxTyQXJEc/U3wwXl1keHI/AAAAAAAAFr0/9SwaoIBSuMU/s1600/trasure.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Free Ebooks:</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18623306-betting-on-you"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DN9n5BUBUL8/U3wwV_AQfuI/AAAAAAAAFrU/nrrm0HIml8E/s1600/Betting.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12145659-city-of-the-falling-sky"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZfaDr9qjz4/U3wwV5stqxI/AAAAAAAAFrM/S034eYFURFk/s1600/city.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22010850-his-hired-girlfriend"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GL2Je__b1ek/U3wwWlrC7eI/AAAAAAAAFrc/l93oWymQc0M/s1600/hired.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13327199-her-husband-s-harlot"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc-TBMVXPcU/U3wwXFPAASI/AAAAAAAAFro/w9m1gETyCz0/s1600/husband.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17911920-some-like-it-charming"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7SZ1UhLCj4/U3wwXWHCAWI/AAAAAAAAFrs/r7wFJjp-mUk/s1600/like.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17932772-twice-a-rake"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VunBJatCPLw/U3wwXw4_9CI/AAAAAAAAFr4/dGDE-xBz61g/s1600/twice.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div><br />Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-15294347845996147402014-05-23T10:00:00.000-04:002014-05-23T10:00:00.161-04:00Book Blast: Essence by Mackenzie Lucas<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Essence by Mackenzie Lucas</span></h2><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg6x48mE__k/U37OVVEaBVI/AAAAAAAAFsc/Lg_QiVJWNJI/s1600/Essence+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg6x48mE__k/U37OVVEaBVI/AAAAAAAAFsc/Lg_QiVJWNJI/s1600/Essence+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br /><b>Publisher:</b> Soul Mate Publishing<br /><b>Publication Date:</b> January 1, 2014<br /><b>Available Formats: </b>e-Book & audio available; print available in late June<br /><br />All Haven Jameson ever wanted was to own a little piece of paradise. Now, she does, having established a successful luxury spa in St. Augustine, Florida. But when the property next door is sold to a mega developer and his pro-golf celebrity brother, who design trendy, bustling playgrounds for the rich and famous, she fears her dream could slip away. Confronted by her late husband’s infidelity, Haven learns everything she believed about her marriage was a lie. She finally sets aside her grief and opens her heart to loving the widowed pro-golfer. Haven discovers that living a safe, loveless life is far worse than embracing passion and taking a chance on a man who’s vowed never to love again. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amzn.com/B00HMS0PO4">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://amzn.com/B00JDVX2I4">Audiobooks</a><br /><br /><br /><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></h2></div><br />“I will not let some greedy land developer ruin everything I’ve worked so hard to build.” Haven Jameson slapped the palm of her hand flat onto her desk with a loud thwack. “Owww.”<br /><br />She rubbed her stinging hand.<br /><br />Failure wasn’t an option. Sure, it was always a present danger as she forged her way to the top, struggling to establish Essence here in St. Augustine. She’d had plenty of sleepless nights while trying to make a success of her upscale boutique spa chain.<br /><br />A month ago, the St. Augustine location opened to a raging success and received accolades from the highest society clients who’d she’d given complimentary stays during opening week.<br /><br />“Unfortunately, Haven, I don’t think you’ll have much say over who buys the land,” Sally, Haven’s business partner and best friend, said, sitting across the desk from her. “Imogen Carmichael will have the last word. She usually does. She sold you this plot of land. And for some reason, I sure as heck can’t figure out, she held on to the adjacent tract. She could have sold you the whole parcel at the same time, but she didn’t. I don’t know what goes on in that woman’s mind. She seems a little off-kilter to me.”<br /><br />“Don’t be mean, Sally. She’s a little eccentric for a woman in her late fifties, but not crazy.”<br /><br />“Me? Mean? Never. I’m not the one who waits for a successful, luxury, full-service spa to open next door before I announce I’m offering a prime piece of real estate adjoining it for sale. She could ruin us. We’ve sunk so much time and money into this location. What happens if she sells to a developer who wants to put in a boardwalk and a Ferris wheel? Or she decides the offer from Joe’s Wacky Used Car World is right?” <br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Facebook Party</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piEPe6oewd4/U37OWHe6PYI/AAAAAAAAFso/vkYRobnufhs/s1600/ESSENCE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piEPe6oewd4/U37OWHe6PYI/AAAAAAAAFso/vkYRobnufhs/s1600/ESSENCE.png" height="211" width="320" /></a></div><br />Come join Mackenzie Lucas and guest authors for a 2 hour Facebook Party. There will be Trivia Games, Giveaways, a Q&A with Mackenzie and many more giveaways from the guest authors! It will be LOTS of fun so come and join us! EARLY BIRD PRIZES: RSVP Now to be entered to win random prizes up until the day before the party starts (5/23).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/715496168493888">CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND JOIN THE PARTY!</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></h2></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ULyQeEh7NRQ/U37OT4e5HUI/AAAAAAAAFsY/06M5paoTNWA/s1600/Candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ULyQeEh7NRQ/U37OT4e5HUI/AAAAAAAAFsY/06M5paoTNWA/s1600/Candy.jpg" height="200" width="93" /></a></div>Mackenzie Lucas is an avid reader of genre fiction. She writes contemporary and paranormal romance, and listens to an eclectic mix of music. She loves a good story, whether it’s an erotic short, a full-length romance novel, or the narrative slice-of-life found in country music. In any story, emotional integrity and authenticity are most important to her as well as a big dose of romping hot sexual tension. She enjoys smart-mouthed, sexy heroines, hunky alpha heroes who know how to take care of their women, and plot twists that surprise her, but most of all, she just wants to experience the satisfying emotional arc of a character falling in love and finding what he or she needs most in life.<br /><br />Mac is a small-town country girl with a world-traveler’s heart. She grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and she’s lived in Dublin, Ireland, within throwing distance of New York City in Long Island, and now in the Washington, D.C. area. She obtained her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Dickinson College and received her M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She’s currently an author, a writing coach, a mother, and a wife.<br /><br />With Mackenzie Lucas—whether you’re reading her light paranormal romance or her small-town-based contemporary romance—you’ll always find a heart-warming love story about connectedness, community, and emotional authenticity. And, no, it doesn’t hurt that all her heroes are panty-melting gorgeous alphas and all their sexy, sensually aware heroines know how to stand up to them, give no quarter, and love them just as they are.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Author Links: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mackenzielucas.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieLucasFanPage">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MacLucas_writer">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6915570.Mackenzie_Lucas">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.mackenzielucas.com/newsletter/">Newsletter</a></div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tour Giveaway</span></h2><br />Giveaway Info: Grand prize - $10.00 gift card to Amazon; Runner Up (x2) - eBook of ESSENCE <br /><br /><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4974a5309/" id="rc-4974a5309" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-3802611225534658492014-05-20T22:13:00.002-04:002014-05-20T22:13:43.466-04:00Bout of Books 10 Wrap-Up<div align="center"><a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Bout of Books"><img alt="Bout of Books" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4mzGxItMx-I/UtQehblk1bI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/i3MAbWKL6sQ/s200-no/BoB10-200x200.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the <a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/">Bout of Books blog</a>. - From the Bout of Books team</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br />It's late, I know. My week was busier than I had expected it to be. That being said, my goal, which was to finish two books... was only halfway met. I finished What's Your Number, and only made it a little ways in The Final Empire. Ugh... well better luck next time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68428.Mistborn"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BILbBB07DFU/TsfW0ZJL_OI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Lf1uUmHHgtU/s1600/mistborn.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10196337-what-s-your-number"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irAjSX8G1-w/UohOYWE98rI/AAAAAAAAFPM/VFBGaXNlhH4/s1600/number.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-30997383995314138042014-05-15T09:49:00.003-04:002014-05-15T09:49:48.116-04:00Cover Reveal: Sticks and Stones by Shawn McGuire<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Sticks and Stones</i> by Shawn McGuire</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1JHpmXBb4/U3TFyWrLdCI/AAAAAAAAFnU/661dLmuLKaQ/s1600/SticksandStones_ebook_Final_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1JHpmXBb4/U3TFyWrLdCI/AAAAAAAAFnU/661dLmuLKaQ/s1600/SticksandStones_ebook_Final_small.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div><b>Series: </b>The Wish Makers #1<br /><b>Publication date:</b> June 15th 2014 <br /><b>Genres:</b> Fantasy, Young Adult<br /><br /><b>Synopsis:</b><br />Everyone has a dark side. Mandy’s just moved in with her.<br /><br />The last time sixteen-year-old Mandy Matteo broke a rule, her sister died. Since that day she has done only what is expected of her, but life as a goody-goody has made Mandy so boring her friends have all but abandoned her. And she’s given up on ever getting Ethan, the boy she’s liked forever, to notice her. Desperate, Mandy makes a wish to simply be happy.<br /><br />Her wish is granted and happiness arrives in the form of Lexi, her childhood imaginary friend come to life. Magical wishes have conditions though: Once started, the wish cannot be altered or stopped. And once Mandy is truly content with her life again, Lexi must go back to where she came from. But Lexi loves being alive and she’ll do whatever it takes to stay that way.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22023086-sticks-and-stones"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fz55YFPi28c/U3TFuVj7mSI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/5A4OLZ6FhPA/s1600/Shawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fz55YFPi28c/U3TFuVj7mSI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/5A4OLZ6FhPA/s1600/Shawn.jpg" /></a></div>Shawn McGuire started writing after seeing the first Star Wars movie (that’s episode IV) as a kid; she couldn’t wait for the next one so wrote her own episodes. Sadly, those notebooks are long lost. STICKS AND STONES is her debut and is the first in the planned five-book YA fantasy series, THE WISH MAKERS. She grew up in the beautiful Mississippi River town of Winona, Minnesota and after graduating college moved to the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin where she lived for many years. She and her family now call Colorado home and when not writing or reading, Shawn enjoys cooking and baking, crafts, interior decorating, and spending time hiking and camping in the spectacular Rocky Mountains. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Author Links</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shawn.mcguire1">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Shawn_McGuire">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/shawnmcguire1/">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3231214.Shawn_McGuire">GoodReads</a></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-83868957424754329762014-05-12T20:41:00.003-04:002014-05-12T20:41:27.044-04:00Cover Reveal: Calling California by J.P. Grider<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Calling California</i> by J.P. Grider</span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkVdreUzcN4/U3Foa16I38I/AAAAAAAAFm0/J7oocDRtmJg/s1600/Calling+California+Final+LARGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkVdreUzcN4/U3Foa16I38I/AAAAAAAAFm0/J7oocDRtmJg/s1600/Calling+California+Final+LARGE.jpg" height="400" width="271" /></a></div><b>Publication date:</b> June 2014<br /><b>Genres:</b> New Adult, Romance<br /><br /><b>Synopsis:</b><br />Cali Parker is poor. She has a lot on her plate – her father is dying, she’s working to help pay the rent, and she’s two-years behind in college.<br /><br />Griffin Brooks is rich. He has not a care in the world – he’s acing his engineering courses, his hobby is restoring his fifty-thousand dollar classic car, and he has a different girl on his arm every week.<br /><br />When Cali sees Griffin on her first day of class, she’s immediately smitten and thinks she’s found the perfect guy. When Griffin sees Cali at the bank, he immediately forgets the blonde he was with that morning. Then they meet, and their worlds collide.<br /><br />Cali doesn’t belong in Griffin’s world, and he doesn’t understand hers. But just when Griffin convinces Cali that their two different worlds can blend, a secret is revealed that tears them apart.<br /><br />Is their love strong enough to bring them back together, or will their worlds drift further apart?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22010375-calling-california"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-CcfZ3cCU/UVO74kf5J9I/AAAAAAAAEj0/Geggt7x_Ulg/s1600/goodreadsadd.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></h2><br />J.P. Grider is a Young Adult and New Adult author. She is the author of six novels. Her young adult series The Honor Trilogy consists of A Touch of Honor, A Man of Honor, and A Heart of Honor, while her first two novels - Unplugged (A Portrait of a Rock Star) and Maybe This Life - are standalone adult contemporary novels. Her most recent release is the new adult romance Calling California, which is the first in her Hunter Hill University series. The next book in the series – Mending Mick – will be released in October, 2014. All the books in the Hunter Hill University series will be standalone books and can be read in any order.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Author Links</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jpgrider.com/">Blog</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JPGrider">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JPGRIDER1">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321310.J_P_Grider">GoodReads</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/" title="Xpresso Book Tours"><img alt="Xpresso Book Tours" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12m5zO1UQSM/Uct5ELoi77I/AAAAAAAAwGs/wvMgtGpRdMw/s1600/XBTHostButton2.png" height="100" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-8331850891816531972014-05-11T23:39:00.000-04:002014-05-11T23:39:20.540-04:00Bout of Books 10 Goals<div align="center"><a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Bout of Books"><img alt="Bout of Books" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4mzGxItMx-I/UtQehblk1bI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/i3MAbWKL6sQ/s200-no/BoB10-200x200.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the <a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/">Bout of Books blog</a>. - From the Bout of Books team</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Unfortunately because of some work scheduling problems, my goals for this read-a-thon is going to be a little different from what I usually do. I'm hoping to finish at least two books, and read at least an hour a day, on the days I work, and at least two on my days off. So here's some books I'll be picking me two from:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68428.Mistborn"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BILbBB07DFU/TsfW0ZJL_OI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Lf1uUmHHgtU/s1600/mistborn.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10445208-touch-of-power"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g8Eb38V2R3M/T-aELRv90qI/AAAAAAAAA9w/2VM9tUfoyYU/s1600/touch.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10196337-what-s-your-number"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irAjSX8G1-w/UohOYWE98rI/AAAAAAAAFPM/VFBGaXNlhH4/s1600/number.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7736182-the-lost-hero"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PEUwYPksNBE/U2GW-YLvhFI/AAAAAAAAFkE/-shU1pjHbmg/s1600/hero.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28248.Priestess_of_the_White"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GCfaHnzaUg/UsSkrDqgU7I/AAAAAAAAFZM/yr5eKRpkF_k/s1600/white.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6294.Howl_s_Moving_Castle"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3XKw0LwPd0/UiNbItFEtxI/AAAAAAAAFF8/hgTqyzzuzhQ/s1600/moving.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-73469602971253564432014-05-10T23:03:00.001-04:002014-05-10T23:03:33.702-04:00Jessie's Non-book Obsessions (2)Alright, so I have decided that this month, I would share some of my non-book obsessions.<br /><br />Okay so this is going up a little (a lot) later than I had intended for it to go up. Though in my defense, I decided to change what I was going to share. I'll share what I originally wanted to share next week. So what's one of my non-book obsessions? That's not Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcEJbQwT-kA/U27nDwMdAbI/AAAAAAAAFmc/UhtLO1LME5I/s1600/americans.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcEJbQwT-kA/U27nDwMdAbI/AAAAAAAAFmc/UhtLO1LME5I/s1600/americans.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br />That's right, The Americans. Now, unlike the Barbie web series. This is not kid friendly. In fact, this really surprised me the first time I had seen it. I knew it was an adult show, just I didn't know how mature it was. This show is rated TV MA LSV for a reason. If you don't know what the show is about, it's about a married Russian KGB couple pretending to be Americans during the 80's. There's just so much I'm not sure I can explain it, without giving too much away, or not giving enough of it away. As long as the sexual content doesn't bother you/you can get past it, I think it's worth a look.<br /><br />I know that when I started the first season last spring it took me an episode or two to really get into it. I know people who were hooked right away. The second season started amazingly. I like to record everything on my DVR and wait a few weeks so I can see a few episodes at a time, so I'm still a bit behind, but I can't wait to see what happens next. And, I'm so glad to know that there will be a season three.Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-15554127439662939502014-05-04T09:22:00.001-04:002014-05-04T09:22:46.965-04:00Showcase Sunday (31)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sPrmYEkUtQ/UOmb9uvCEII/AAAAAAAADgM/p-IMDkalMtk/s400/ShowcaseSunday2013.png" height="246" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at <a href="http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/">Books Biscuits and Tea</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been pretty good the past few months! And by good I might mean buying my books on clearance.</div><a name='more'></a><br /><b>Bought:</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10893214-the-cavendish-home-for-boys-and-girls"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nM3ZlYqB60/U2USkRf2SxI/AAAAAAAAFkg/oSx-ehVX3aY/s1600/cavendish.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15808242-city-of-dark-magic"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaOcqlg-oTQ/U2USkfTpgoI/AAAAAAAAFks/0uUxxyLZu2c/s1600/dark.jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6186357-the-maze-runner"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGcD2eOpbUc/U2USkt4TJmI/AAAAAAAAFkk/brJEPdP25t0/s1600/maze.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10222362-mila-2-0"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2A8QsuLBDoY/U2USlPNEWJI/AAAAAAAAFkw/Tc7KjtijG_k/s1600/mila.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13089710-the-kill-order"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KP6zm-RAQ00/U2USliMwBoI/AAAAAAAAFk0/zh9c6LZwljw/s1600/order.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12476820-partials"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGEDi5cXJvU/U2USjKIL8cI/AAAAAAAAFkY/1N1GsXZKsvQ/s1600/Partials.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11366397-the-program"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr9K5sE3xDQ/U2USmLwr-lI/AAAAAAAAFk8/d7Lrx_fWYWQ/s1600/program.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332261-revelations"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geZ-lT-aHtU/U2USmIhcDPI/AAAAAAAAFlA/YYelLEuCHjo/s1600/revelations.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10137823-the-rithmatist"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cohv2A50PG4/U2USmhBpFnI/AAAAAAAAFlM/EPtCph_bBRg/s1600/rithmatist.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12358349-ruby-red"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHMI8nhX8ZA/U2USnMxgGUI/AAAAAAAAFlU/lxhzUHvn4Hs/s1600/ruby.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12027429-scent-of-magic"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTzmG0IWiFg/U2USng-aUqI/AAAAAAAAFlk/9AszpKSNQRI/s1600/scent.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10594356-going-vintage"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLf9-c7Jm5Y/U2USoE7pZWI/AAAAAAAAFlo/kHA58SmE7HQ/s1600/vintage.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15714476-the-pirate-s-wish"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZALB-DSozM/U2USoXOsWkI/AAAAAAAAFls/15RWWXDjdyE/s1600/wish.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div><br />Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-51211390703938271532014-05-03T10:07:00.001-04:002014-05-03T10:07:59.652-04:00Jessie's Non-book ObsessionsAlright, so I have decided that this month, I would share some of my non-book obsessions.<br /><br />The first I'm sharing, is a little hard for me to explain.... It's Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse web series. I was introduced to the series only about a month ago, but I've been crazy about it ever since. I can rewatch them and I never seem to get bored, I'm like a little kid.<br /><br />Anyway, if you don't know anything about the series, I say look it up. Though intentionally you might think "Barbie, but Barbie dolls are for little girls." The series seems to be directed toward pre-teens and young teens who have just grown out of Barbie. So the humor can be a bit more... mature, I guess I would say sometimes. My mom was surprised to find that she too enjoyed the show, as it wasn't something she was expecting.<br /><br />Really it's just a fun little show, and here's my favorite episode staring the amazing Ken (because we all need a Ken).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4ZaYh-uF0Ok" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-12272359519298552472014-05-01T18:53:00.000-04:002014-05-01T18:53:04.336-04:00May's Schedule May is my birthday month! So for this month I'm going to be revisiting some favorite books and some unread books by favorite authors.<br /><br /><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">TBR:</span></h2>Here's just a few books I could get to this month:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4268273-the-accidental-sorcerer"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kjC7pFkUng/UhDps4GWLRI/AAAAAAAAFAY/ci-Lw_XlQNM/s1600/sorcerer.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6294.Howl_s_Moving_Castle"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3XKw0LwPd0/UiNbItFEtxI/AAAAAAAAFF8/hgTqyzzuzhQ/s1600/moving.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182126-steelheart"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckmhwPnvJ9Y/UohOZaew-xI/AAAAAAAAFPg/Juy9XMzgS4M/s1600/steel.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28248.Priestess_of_the_White"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GCfaHnzaUg/UsSkrDqgU7I/AAAAAAAAFZM/yr5eKRpkF_k/s1600/white.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68428.Mistborn"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BILbBB07DFU/TsfW0ZJL_OI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Lf1uUmHHgtU/s1600/mistborn.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10445208-touch-of-power"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8w2Cdr76iU/TzabaWxd24I/AAAAAAAAASQ/HbbqAMYK4mA/s1600/touchofpower.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9361589-the-night-circus"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce0h6Fgox84/UNChMTHiqmI/AAAAAAAACvU/tmIflvEZCRA/s1600/night.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7736182-the-lost-hero"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PEUwYPksNBE/U2GW-YLvhFI/AAAAAAAAFj4/I0udHdiAyRY/s1600/hero.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60510.Poison_Study"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6n195S1GKo/U2GW9xo5-qI/AAAAAAAAFj0/ZhFEUSsOR9w/s1600/Poison.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/420415.The_Seer_and_the_Sword"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuQIKEuLnS8/U2GW-QXB18I/AAAAAAAAFkA/alAttOLvZ2w/s1600/seer.jpg" height="200" width="118" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">Other</span></h2><a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/">Bout of books Read-a-Thon</a> starts May 12 and ends the 18th. (I'm even all signed up!)<br /><a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/2014/04/2014-book-blogger-summer-reading-program.html">The Book Blogger Summer Reading Program</a> hosted at <a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/">Katie's Book Blog</a>, which begins today!<br /><br />Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-63339129118329394502014-04-30T19:37:00.004-04:002014-04-30T19:37:35.442-04:00Summer Reading Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/2014/04/2014-book-blogger-summer-reading-program.html"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0hFz3N-Fwg/U2GI-yq3DjI/AAAAAAAAFjk/FiWJDLjW29c/s1600/summer-reading.png" height="173" width="200" /></a></div><br />So this is pretty cool. Katie over at <a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/">Katie's Book Blog</a> is hosting T<a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/2014/04/2014-book-blogger-summer-reading-program.html">he 2014 Summer Book Blogger Reading Program</a>. Honestly, my schools have never really done much for summer reading. They'd tell us about the summer reading program but wouldn't follow up with it in the fall.<br /><br />Anyway, the Summer Reading Program starts in May and ends in September. My goal for this summer is to read at least <b>20 books</b>.Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-67233665169611921512014-04-28T10:15:00.000-04:002014-04-28T10:15:01.084-04:00Bout of Books 10 Sign-Up<div align="center"><a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Bout of Books"><img alt="Bout of Books" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4mzGxItMx-I/UtQehblk1bI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/i3MAbWKL6sQ/s200-no/BoB10-200x200.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the <a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/">Bout of Books blog</a>. - From the Bout of Books team</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Alright so another Bout of Books Read-a-Thon is coming up! I was getting super excited about this, however, I don't know what it is, but my life for the past year seems to spiral out of control around read-a-thon times. However all in all I have been doing a decent job with the whole reading thing it's the whole blogging/reviewing thing I've been terrible at lately. But hey, this is the first time I've put up a sign up post that wasn't on the day before/the day the read-a-thon started! I'll get my goals up once I know what figure things out for that week.</div></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-66792808374606772892014-04-21T13:29:00.000-04:002014-04-21T13:29:07.198-04:00I LIVE! and It's Monday! What are you reading? (24)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fd4F8J-ri3Y/U1UqhIZeFmI/AAAAAAAAFhc/IGjXeE92WR4/s1600/mushu.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fd4F8J-ri3Y/U1UqhIZeFmI/AAAAAAAAFhc/IGjXeE92WR4/s1600/mushu.gif" height="190" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I'm not a big gif person, but how could I not use this right?)</span></div><div><br /></div>Okay... so I sort of took an unofficial hiatus. I've been trying to minimize my computer time as much as possible (also my laptop hates any charger I buy it). My hiatus was only supposed to be for March and not most of April. But you know what? All that time I wasn't on the computer, I was reading (or working, but I don't like to think about my job unless I'm at work so...).<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8A1jt6Hr5LU/T4LzapF36kI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/qCQ2LepbFuI/s1600/it'smondaywhatareyoureading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8A1jt6Hr5LU/T4LzapF36kI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/qCQ2LepbFuI/s200/it'smondaywhatareyoureading.jpg" height="192" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>. I've decided that I'll do this meme, every couple of weeks (or you know, something like that).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Past (I don't know) Three/Four Months (yeah it's been a long time): </b>January and February, where kind of bad months for me. I reread <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/44134-the-black-magician-trilogy">The Black Magician Trilogy</a> and it's sequel by Trudi Canavan. I also reread the manhwa <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/53405-legend">Legend</a>. Oh and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/53296-razorland">Razorland</a> series. I'm not going to bother show any them below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18660669-vampire-academy"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePI-JpLnDio/UiwYVAuCpeI/AAAAAAAAFHo/df3o8CtG0OY/s1600/vampire.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14061955-siege-and-storm"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VopZOTmoeYM/UsSkr1m62-I/AAAAAAAAFZY/LkuflJtEpls/s1600/storm.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaU43GonLtE/UohOXCylk-I/AAAAAAAAFOo/5gxXlhREvs0/s1600/fangirl.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3AcDKp3CsM/T6aiswrJ1pI/AAAAAAAAAgE/M3QRe_5c6Vo/s1600/Divergent.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19194602-shattered-veil"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d-QnGzzEAQ/Ux1DcZ_ZyUI/AAAAAAAAFf8/6yK8c3c0sro/s1600/ShatteredVeil_ebooksm.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1071297.Dancing_in_My_Nuddy_Pants"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8G-DKL927gQ/UXhmMjU5YxI/AAAAAAAAEvM/DdKoTw8O-Ec/s1600/nuddy.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/347577.Away_Laughing_on_a_Fast_Camel"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nmE2krE9Dw/UXhmK2Wa8MI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/KDz6dyRXNdY/s1600/camel.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/765584.Hush"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oQBRzGRsEKY/U1U5A2Hq3MI/AAAAAAAAFhs/rAUl-RsD8WI/s1600/hush.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112693._Then_He_Ate_My_Boy_Entrancers_"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-usQzxVRO-88/UXhmKpWbWAI/AAAAAAAAEuk/yp8oJIBhelk/s1600/entrancers.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112631.Startled_by_His_Furry_Shorts"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_M6qCG6l7gI/UXhmLGIKH2I/AAAAAAAAEuc/7jw67VUQeYQ/s1600/furry.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112628.Love_is_a_Many_Trousered_Thing"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7qowUj6it0/UXhmNnF5w6I/AAAAAAAAEvg/7M8cb7gfVAo/s1600/trousered.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357399.Red_River_Vol_1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bm3vhkqZ8Ks/UXhp23nzdoI/AAAAAAAAEwE/T-qLOSv36fM/s1600/redrak.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357403.Red_River_Vol_2"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8ucWPpmvc0/UXhmNMM56uI/AAAAAAAAEv0/-PfiJXDzQrg/s1600/red.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357556.Red_River_Vol_3"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y91HExK7guY/Uf88s7MbXxI/AAAAAAAAE-k/estHKxO0yes/s1600/red3.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357400.Red_River_Vol_4"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYLVs-VK5G0/Uf88s9L4JxI/AAAAAAAAE-o/b8ZDtf-wr_0/s1600/red4.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357559.Red_River_Vol_5"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlTNKg7l8is/U1VC_Q_K7sI/AAAAAAAAFh8/FJyxcyNCjts/s1600/red5.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357561.Red_River_Vol_6"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8bLRozgdss/U1VC_qkrYVI/AAAAAAAAFiA/tCdlws4mvlU/s1600/red6.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357563.Red_River_Vol_7"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRvfewKciwQ/U1VC_x7dFjI/AAAAAAAAFiI/ytQlqCG7vvg/s1600/red7.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357557.Red_River_Vol_8"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5VXC0s6wg4/U1VEjplYq4I/AAAAAAAAFio/Uv1fnL2W1IM/s1600/red8.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357401.Red_River_Vol_9"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_f59W1koo8/U1VEiqxh5FI/AAAAAAAAFig/iJvjrovHByY/s1600/red9.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357560.Red_River_Vol_10"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--T8fUVHMlfY/U1VEh57_BeI/AAAAAAAAFiY/zXc5FzSV37I/s1600/red10.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11496925-how-to-dance-with-a-duke?from_search=true"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRajuDujw4w/UhmcFJQK-FI/AAAAAAAAFCA/tTrgOWbxkoY/s1600/dance.jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18081620-reaper-s-rhythm"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzyPaci23BY/Uvua6PzeaXI/AAAAAAAAFeo/M9D5VVbpCnk/s1600/RR.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13533650-the-assassin-s-curse"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMzHVfDFLmM/USfUYurnBBI/AAAAAAAAEEw/NrfjplzATj8/s1600/curse.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a>'<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Currently Reading:</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10929432-the-archived"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLeEHBvExsw/URSSO7vmFDI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/MKjdGfShEPQ/s1600/thearchived.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Next: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15714476-the-pirate-s-wish"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdppMZdADVM/U1VRbGaQp6I/AAAAAAAAFi4/xEqTK0b0VUU/s1600/wish.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2246833.Stop_in_the_Name_of_Pants_"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iw7vpiCgtIk/UXhmNVzbKnI/AAAAAAAAEvo/UsaFPHLd46Y/s1600/stop.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/331920.Flipped"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttmf_DEziJE/UT-GXgqXUAI/AAAAAAAAEeM/cTQtZXeqDu4/s1600/flipped.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12378927-vision-in-white"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lWcAGGCmls/U1VTjENhFAI/AAAAAAAAFjE/GoCo-nRpJJA/s1600/white.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719294256213817489.post-58920926312259588972014-03-14T06:00:00.000-04:002014-03-14T06:00:13.421-04:00Blog Tour: His Hometown Girl by Karen Rock<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-book-tour-is-launching-for-his.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzfnV4UUsCw/UtdaXz9NOrI/AAAAAAAADaY/noQrTi5M-Ps/s1600/His+Hometown+Girl+Banner.png" height="140" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On tour with <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-book-tour-is-launching-for-his.html" target="_blank">Prism Book Tours</a>...<br /><br /><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-large;"><b>His Hometown Girl</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1389312180l/20501051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="His Hometown Girl" border="0" height="400" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1389312180l/20501051.jpg" width="252" /></span></a><b style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><i>His Hometown Girl</i></b><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;">by Karen Rock</b></span><br />Mass Market Paperback, Large Print, 331 pages<br />March 1st 2014 by Harlequin<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20501051-his-hometown-girl" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"></span></a><br /><br />He'd always managed to best her…<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><br />Jodi Chapman will do whatever it takes to get top care for her autistic son. If that means going home and convincing local farmers to sell their land, so be it. Even if her biggest opponent, childhood rival Daniel Gleason, is equally determined to convince farmers to buy into his co-op plan. And he's not playing fair. <br /><br />Facing off against Daniel is the last thing Jodi wants. The attraction that's always fueled their competitiveness is as strong as ever and just as distracting. But with both their futures on the line, and years of distrust between them, how can they ever be on the same side?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1eveD3C" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * </b><b style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1ktNqWq" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> * <a href="http://bit.ly/KaSxKm" target="_blank">eHarlequin</a></b><br /><b style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/HIS-HOMETOWN-GIRL-Karen-Rock/9780263244922" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></b><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Xu2l7H5_g/UR8aXYTs1MI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Gjx_RJ6Bvdc/s1600/Add+to+Goodreads+Button.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Xu2l7H5_g/UR8aXYTs1MI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Gjx_RJ6Bvdc/s1600/Add+to+Goodreads+Button.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She felt her joints loosen and she relaxed against him. “So you’re okay with us being together, just for this summer?”<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He tucked a curl behind her ear and the feel of his touch made her shiver. It was so quiet, she could hear every breath he took, felt it vibrate through him in the cramped bottom of the boat.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Let’s enjoy every moment together until it’s our last.”<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“But that moment isn’t today,” she said, so grateful that he’d agreed. She wanted to be with him until she couldn’t. It was that simple.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His hand smoothed the length of her hair as he gazed into her eyes, his expression tender and full of longing. “No. It’s not.” The words sounded so reverent they could have been a prayer.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His fingers trailed down her cheek to her lips, outlining the shape of her mouth. He bent down, his lips against her cheek, brushing it lightly. Shivers ran through her whole body, making her tremble. He brushed his mouth against the hollow of her temple then traced the line of her jawbone.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aching anticipation for his kiss was suddenly too much and she reached up and pulled his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently, carefully, but it wasn’t gentleness she wanted, not when time was fleeting. She knotted her fists in his shirt, and pulled him closer. He groaned softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circled her, gathering her against him as the boat rocked beneath them. The small possibility of falling into the water vanished as soon as it occurred to her.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All that existed was Daniel. She could feel his warmth burning through his clothes and hers. She ran her fingers along his arm—soft skin over lean muscle, a scar like a thin wire on his biceps. It was an imperfection that made him seem even more perfect. He fumbled as he pushed her heavy hair aside to kiss her ear. She didn’t think she’d ever seen his hands unsteady before. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She trailed her nose across his jaw, inhaling the clean smell of summer countryside, of him. He released a pent-up breath, the sound like music. Her pulse tapped a fast beat and her breath quickened with it. She stroked his cheek and kissed every inch of his neck until he moaned again. Or maybe she’d made the sound; they seemed to share each breath, each heartbeat. It felt as if the universe disappeared and all that remained was the two of them, holding each other close.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I forgot it was like this,” she said when Daniel pulled back and looked down at her. It seemed as if the stars hurtled down around her head like a rain of silver tinsel. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It wasn’t.” He kissed her nose, then traced the line of her cheek with his fingertip, a dreamlike intensity in his gaze. “This is better.” <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And she never wanted it to end. She felt feverishly alive, every nerve ending jangling as they watched the sky, enjoying the private moment.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I agree,” she sighed, nestling against his side. “I wish we could stay like this forever.” When he toyed with her earlobe, she tried, unsuccessfully, to settle her heart back in her body. She watched the stars shimmer above and it also felt as though they were celebrating. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Me, too,” he said softly in her ear. He captured her lips in a kiss so fierce and full of longing that it felt like a love song. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About Karen Rock</span></h2><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1purDWu9VFI/Uwe99-ZAccI/AAAAAAAAD10/kdHCYwbwREI/s1600/Karen+Rock+Head+Shot+(568x606).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1purDWu9VFI/Uwe99-ZAccI/AAAAAAAAD10/kdHCYwbwREI/s1600/Karen+Rock+Head+Shot+(568x606).jpg" height="200" width="186" /></span></a><b style="background-color: clear;"><span style="font-size: large;">Karen Rock</span></b><span style="background-color: clear;"> has adored romance since receiving Harlequin Presents books from her grandmother each summer. She formed her Young Adult writing partnership, J.K. Rock- pseudonym for the CAMP BOYFRIEND series, with her sister-in-law and Blaze author, Joanne Rock in 2011. When Karen heard of a call for submissions to Heartwarming, Harlequin’s latest line, she was inspired by the possibilities of writing unforgettable, deeply romantic, tender love stories that mothers would feel comfortable sharing with their daughters. When she’s not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes, hiking the ‘high peaks’, and redesigning her gardens. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch” though they know a lot about love. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: clear;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: clear;">For more information about Karen's upcoming books, check out her website, Facebook page, or follow her on twitter. She’d love to hear from you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.karenrock.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6761362.Karen_Rock" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Tour-Wide Giveaway</span></b></h2></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGrRNbQnO4k/UxPJ9_3BipI/AAAAAAAAD48/eI0n-w8qTlI/s1600/his+hometown+girl+Prizm+tour+grand+prize+pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGrRNbQnO4k/UxPJ9_3BipI/AAAAAAAAD48/eI0n-w8qTlI/s1600/his+hometown+girl+Prizm+tour+grand+prize+pic+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><b>Grand Prize:</b> H</span><span style="line-height: 22px;">and-stitched, authentic Amish quilt (uses their overlapping heart-stitching- pattern), with matching dust ruffle for a king-sized bed, signed copies of </span><i style="line-height: 22px;">Wish Me Tomorrow</i><span style="line-height: 22px;"> & </span><i style="line-height: 22px;">Camp Boyfriend</i><span style="line-height: 22px;">, and some surprise swag (US Only)</span><br /><div style="line-height: 22px;"><b>1 -</b> Paperback/ebook copies of <i>Wish Me Tomorrow</i> and <i>Camp Boyfriend</i> (format is winner's choice, paperback for US Only) and $20 Amazon gift card</div><div style="line-height: 22px;"><b>2 -</b> ebooks of <i>Wish Me Tomorrow</i> and <i>Camp Boyfriend</i> (INT)</div></div><div style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px;"><div align="left"><b>March 3 - 23</b><br /><b><br /></b><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b9a55d20/" id="rc-b9a55d20" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Follow the Tour!</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b>3/3 - </b><b><a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-book-tour-is-launching-for-his.html" target="_blank">Tour Launch & Excerpt</a></b></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>3/4</b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Katie's Clean Book Collection</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://justjeannniesbooksandbling.blogspot.com/?zx=23c6ae69f700fe7c" target="_blank"><b>Just Jeannies Books & Bling</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.firstpagetothelast.com/" target="_blank"><b>First Page to the Last</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/5</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lucypireel.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>All That's Written</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cinnamoncindy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Cinnamon Cindy's Book Blog</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/6</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank"><b>I Am A Reader, Not A Writer</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kellyatx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Kelly P's Blog</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.harliesbooks.com/" target="_blank"><b>Harlie's Books</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nannyfi71.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fiona's Book Reviews</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.com/" target="_blank"><b>Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/7</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.melsshelves.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Mel's Shelves</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shadow-libros.blogspot.mx/" target="_blank"><b>Read a Book</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://reviewsbymolly.com/" target="_blank"><b>Reviews By Molly</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/9</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mydevotionalthoughts.net/" target="_blank"><b>My Devotional Thoughts</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lauries-interviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tressaswishfulendings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tressa's Wishful Endings</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>3/10</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://crescentonivy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dalesittonrogers.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>That's the Way it Goes</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/11</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Getting Your Read On</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://copywrite1985.com/" target="_blank"><b>Copywrite1985</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bottlesandbooksreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Bottles & Books Reviews</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/12</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thewonderingsofoneperson.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Wonderings of One Person</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Letters from Annie Douglass Lima</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/13</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lolabookreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Lola's Reviews</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iwouldratherbereading.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>I Would Rather Be Reading...</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nataliecarrollthewrittenadventure.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Written Adventure</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joelle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Angels With Attitude Book Reviews</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3/14</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brookeblogs.com/" target="_blank"><b>Brooke Blogs</b></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://xjessiexbellex.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jessie's Book Place</a></b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://totalbookgeek.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Total Book Geek</b></a></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: start;"></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b>3/16 - Tour </b><b>Grand Finale</b></b></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: clear; clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Grab Our Button!" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkw2-7RNSAM/UvG3gkTcEUI/AAAAAAAADxs/1F9_JOOiSZ8/s320/ButtonFinalPosted.png" /></a></div><div style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/p/4-bloggers.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</div><div style="background-color: clear; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go <a href="http://prismbooktours.blogspot.com/p/in.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</div><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-w8Xu2l7H5_g%2FUR8aXYTs1MI%2FAAAAAAAAAJQ%2FGjx_RJ6Bvdc%2Fs1600%2FAdd%2Bto%2BGoodreads%2BButton.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Xu2l7H5_g/UR8aXYTs1MI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Gjx_RJ6Bvdc/s1600/Add+to+Goodreads+Button.png" -->Jessie @ Jessie's Random Placehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311942677432540293noreply@blogger.com0