BookHounds

Giveaway MORE by CLARE JAMES @clarejamesbooks #NerdBlast Win $25

2013-06-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

One summer.
One chance to forget the past.
One opportunity to make things right.

There’s no denying the heat between Jules Taylor and Foster Sutton. They are two wild souls with a fire burning inside. Together, they create a hot and dangerous mix of emotion and lust.

But after a terrible accident leaves one friend dead, Foster is bound by a secret that keeps him from getting closer to Jules. And he’s left with only one thing to offer her – friendship.

For Jules, her relationship with Foster is getting old. He falls down and she picks him up, but they never move forward. Their occasional hook-ups are no longer enough, and Jules vows that this is her summer to forget Foster and find love. If it were only that easy.

It seems fate is pushing Jules and Foster together at every turn. And it’s only a matter of time before they give up and give in.

MORE is the highly anticipated companion story to BEFORE YOU GO. It can also be read as a stand-alone book.

About Clare James:

Social Media
Website

Clare James spent her childhood writing, reading, and dancing. Not much has changed since then, except she can no longer get up on toe shoes like she once could. And don’t even ask her to go into the splits because she may never get back up.

A new adult and contemporary romance writer, Clare loves a happy ending. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son. BEFORE YOU GO is her debut new adult novel.

GIVEAWAY is International

7 Winners will receive an E-Copy of More by Clare James.
1 Winner will receive a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
Must be 13+ to Enter
International Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway MEET ME AT THE CUPCAKE CAFE by JENNY COLGAN @JennyColgan @Sourcebooks

2013-06-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

The Meet Me at the Cupcake Café Sugary Sweet Spotlight!

It is no wonder that the flirty and frothy food-themed novel, Meet Me at the Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan is an international success: with relatable characters and scrumptious recipes at the start of each chapter, Meet Me at the Cupcake Café is pure delight to women’s fiction readers everywhere. This summer, Colgan is bringing her hilarious and heartfelt stories—with a dash of deliciousness—to the United States! To celebrate, Sourcebooks is giving away copies of this book ALL MONTH LONG!

Each day this month, look for opportunities to win a print copy of Meet Me at the Cupcake Café with bloggers all over the book blogging community. Additionally, there will be a few guest blogs and interviews with Jenny sprinkled throughout—a great way to get to know a new author!

Meet Me at the Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan

July 2013

Baking is in Issy Randall’s blood. Growing up above her grandfather’s bakery taught Issy that a delicious pastry could make any day better. So when she’s laid off from her desk job—by the man she thought was her boyfriend, no less—Issy knows now is the time to start her own little café.

Armed with her grandfather’s tried and true recipes, as well as her own new dishes, Issy’s new dream job should be a piece-of-cake, right? But managing a café, delivering products on time and trying to have a new love life aren’t exactly going as Issy planned. And when her ex comes back into the picture, perhaps with his own motives, Issy’s search for the perfect pastry and a groundbreaking idea to save her café are much more than she bargained for…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jenny Colgan was a fussy eater as a child and didn’t even begin to learn to cook until she was 21, when her then boyfriend tried to teach her a few basics purely out of exasperation. While she is now able to make a variety of good, wholesome food for her family, she still can’t make scones. A former columnist for The Guardian, Jenny contributes regularly to national BBC radio and is the bestselling author of more than eleven novels, including The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris (coming out in the US in early 2014). She is married with three children and lives in London and France. For more information, please visit http://www.jennycolgan.com/ and follow her on Twitter, @JennyColgan.

Follow along all month long for a chance to win a copy of this highly-anticipated and deliciously delightful new novel!

7/1 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

7/2 Celtic Lady’s Reviews

7/3 Books-N-Kisses

7/3 Chick Lit Central INTERVIEW

7/4 A Bookworm's World

7/5 Delighted Reader

Weekend

7/8 Beth Fish Reads

7/9 Booking Mama

7/9 The Bookish Dame INTERVIEW

7/10 The Book Binge

7/11 Simply Ali

7/12 Debbie's Book Bag

Weekend

7/15 The Bookish Babe

7/16 The Reading Café

7/17 Book Hounds

7/17 Cocktails and Books INTERVIEW

7/18 Peeking Between the Pages

7/18 Fresh Fiction GUEST BLOG

7/19 Jenny Loves to Read

7/19 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Weekend

7/22 Anna's Book Blog

7/23 Ramblings from This Chick

7/24 Books and Quilts

7/24 A Bookish Affair

7/25 Broken TeePee

7/26 Thoughts in Progress

Weekend

7/29 Books and Needlepoint

7/30 The Reading Reviewer

7/31 Reading Between the Wines

BONUS GIVEAWAYS IN AUGUST!!!

8/1 Book of Secrets

8/2 Luxury Reading

Weekend

8/5 Radiant Light

8/6 Ruby’s Reads

8/7 Caffeinated Book Review

8/8 The Romance Dish

8/9 My Book Addiction and More

Want to win this NEW book?

Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address. (sorry, No po boxes)

Contest ends on 7.30.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher and ONE book is available.

To Enter:

Please leave a comment with your favorite baked good and a way to contact you, either twitter or email.

Giveaway * Interview DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HEELS by KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT @Dark_Passages

2013-06-19T13:31:00.003-07:00

Book Description

Release date: March 26, 2013

From brunch in Bel Air to homeless in Hollywood…

Former actress Meg Barnes used to have it all: tony Beverly Hills address, Amex Black card, Manolos for every day of the month. Not to mention a career as a popular TV detective that made her glittering life possible. But her lifestyle of the rich and famous has turned into a reality show for d-listed starlets. Lost in her Louboutins, she has one man to thank: her con man of a husband.

Handsome FBI agent Jack Mitchell knows a suspect when he sees one—even if she’s as beautiful and gutsy as Meg. Meg’s ex “made off” with half of Hollywood’s wealth in an epic real estate scam. And Jack thinks Meg may have been involved.

Determined to prove her innocence Meg teams up with her quirky, movie-mad best friend to track down her fugitive husband and exact justice. But getting her life, and her career, back on track is harder than auditioning for Spielberg. Especially when her life is threatened. Meg has to trust Jack, the man who may want her behind bars…or as his leading lady for life.

About the Author
Kathryn Leigh Scott starred as the doomed fiancée of vampire Barnabas Collins in the original Gothic daytime drama series Dark Shadows, and in the 1971 film House of Dark Shadows. She also appears in a cameo role in Dark Shadows, starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collis, directed by Tim Burton. She is the author of several books about the series, including Dark Shadows Memories. Katherine is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and launched Pomegranate Press, which publishes books about the entertainment industry. She is the author of The Bunny Years: The Surprising Inside Story of the Playboy Clubs: The Women Who Worked as Bunnies, and Where They Are Now. Katherine lives in Los Angeles, California.

Goodreads * Website * Twitter

PLEASE WELCOME KATHRYN TO BOOKHOUNDS!

1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

Heide, the enchanting story about the Swiss orphan girl and her grandfather. I adored my grandfather and read the book over and over. I also loved fairy tales . . . and when I was in Second grade, I was introduced to the Betsy, Tacy and Tib books by Maude Hart Lovelace. I don’t know that the series is popular anymore, but these stories about three girls growing up in the early years of the 20th Century were so inspiring to me. Betsy became a journalist and that’s what I set as my own goal.

2. What are you reading right now?

I have three books on my bedside table that I have read: “Paris: The Novel” by Edward Rutherford. “I’ll Be Seeing you” by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

3. How does your garden grow?

Thank you for asking! I’m a farmer’s daughter and couldn’t live without digging my hands in soil. I love to arrange flowers for the house, so I always manage to have something in bloom: roses, hydrangea, freesia, various lilies, daisies, iris, gardenias, gladiolas, etc. Today, I have a bowl of colorful nasturtiums on my desk. I have the most amazing brilliant red amaryllis that blooms every year. I also have a lemon and apricot trees. Unfortunately, the climate in Southern California isn’t suitable for lilac, peonies or rhododendron, but I shouldn’t complain when I can grow an abundance of other flowers throughout the year.

4. What is the last thing you Googled?

The spelling for “rhododendron.” Before that, I was working on the last chapter of the sequel to “Down and Out in Beverly Heels” and needed to know how the mechanism works on a magician’s collapsible top hat . . . is there anything you can’t find on Google?

5. What makes you cringe?

Raunchy language will do it… and bullying behavior.

Kathryn Leigh Scott, author of Down and Out in Beverly Heels , is probably best known for her star turn as Josette Du Pres, ingénue bride of reluctant vampire Barnabas Collins in the TV cult classic “Dark Shadows.” This is her second work of fiction, following her debut novel last year, Dark Passages. While continuing her acting career, Kathryn launched Pomegranate Press to publish books about the entertainment industry, “Dark Shadows” fan books, and other nonfiction and fiction titles.

Want to win this NEW book?

Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address. Your choice of print or ebook. International winner will receive an ebook. (sorry, No po boxes)

Contest ends on 6.29.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

This giveaway is sponsored by the author and ONE book is available.

Complete the below form
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(I am at my limit of friends!)

Extra Entries for Kathryn Leigh Scott

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WoW: THE BOOKSTORE by DEBORAH MEYLER @deborahmeyler @GalleryBooks

2013-06-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

There is a Goodreads giveaway going on for this right now....HERE

A witty, sharply observed debut novel about a young woman who finds unexpected salvation while working in a quirky used bookstore in Manhattan.Impressionable and idealistic, Esme Garland is a young British woman who finds herself studying art history in New York. She loves her apartment and is passionate about the city and her boyfriend; her future couldn’t look brighter. Until she finds out that she’s pregnant.

Esme’s boyfriend, Mitchell van Leuven, is old-money rich, handsome, successful, and irretrievably damaged. When he dumps Esme—just before she tries to tell him about the baby—she resolves to manage alone. She will keep the child and her scholarship, while finding a part-time job to make ends meet. But that is easier said than done, especially on a student visa.

The Owl is a shabby, second-hand bookstore on the Upper West Side, an all-day, all-night haven for a colorful crew of characters: handsome and taciturn guitar player Luke; Chester, who hyperventilates at the mention of Lolita; George, the owner, who lives on protein shakes and idealism; and a motley company of the timeless, the tactless, and the homeless. The Owl becomes a nexus of good in a difficult world for Esme—but will it be enough to sustain her? Even when Mitchell, repentant and charming, comes back on the scene?

A rousing celebration of books, of the shops where they are sold, and of the people who work, read, and live in them, The Bookstore is also a story about emotional discovery, the complex choices we all face, and the accidental inspirations that make a life worth the reading.(less)

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: August 20th 2013 by Gallery Books

Review THE CHAOS OF STARS by KIERSTEN WHITE

2013-06-18T20:19:00.004-07:00

Book Description

Release date: September 10, 2013

Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of Paranormalcy, is back with The Chaos of Stars—an enchanting novel set in Egypt and San Diego that captures the magic of first love and the eternally complicated truth about family.

Isadora's family is seriously screwed up—which comes with the territory when you're the human daughter of the ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Isadora is tired of living with crazy relatives who think she's only worthy of a passing glance—so when she gets the chance to move to California with her brother, she jumps on it. But her new life comes with plenty of its own dramatic—and dangerous—complications . . . and Isadora quickly learns there's no such thing as a clean break from family.

Blending Ally Carter's humor and the romance of Cynthia Hand's Unearthly, The Chaos of Stars takes readers on an unforgettable journey halfway across the world and back, and proves there's no place like home.

From the Back Cover

Isadora's family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, when you're the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that comes with the territory.

Isadora's sick of living a life where she's only worthy of a passing glance, and when she's offered the chance to move thousands of miles away, she jumps on it. But as much as Isadora tries to keep her new world and old world apart, she quickly realizes there's no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family.

About the Author

Kiersten White is the New York Times bestselling author of the Paranormalcy trilogy, as well as the psychological thriller Mind Games. She has one tall husband and two small children, and lives near the ocean in San Diego, California, where her days are perfectly normal. This abundance of normal led her to a fascination with all things paranormal, including but not limited to faeries, vampires, and pop culture.

SOURCE: AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

So what do you do when your mother, Isis is THE goddess of life and your father, Osiris, is THE god of death? As a sixteen year old, Isadora wants nothing more than for her parents that she literally worships, to pay attention to her. She also has epic family issues that make a soap opera look like child's play. Her aunt slept with her father and she has a half-brother, Anubis, who is all evil from that union. Her oldest brother is married to a drunken slut. Oh, and her mother has tried to kill the sun god, father of them all and has somewhat succeeded. When Isadora discovers that the room she has been decorating is actually her tomb, she freaks and has a major melt down when she realizes she is not immortal like her parents. Added to this, she has been having horrible dreams and her mother is also having them.

When her mother decides that she must go away, Isadora gets her unspoken wish and she is sent to her closest brother, Sirius, in San Diego. Her mother has also arranged a job for her at the local museum to display some of her mother's things, that Isadora describes as cast-offs, but in reality are priceless artifacts. There she meets Tyler, a girl who turns out to be something she never thought she would ever have: a BFF. Yes, Isadora is up on all the latest trends but has never experiences any of them in person. She also meets a sullen poet, Ry, short for Orion, the constellation she was born under. Ry quickly becomes the focus of all of her thoughts but since she feels that nothing is permanent, why should she ever fall in love? Even if the boy is handsome as a Greek god and makes her melt inside?

This is such a wonderful retelling of Egyptian mythology mixed with a bit of Greek. There is such a humorous undertone to White's writing that I just adore. Even though the background of the story revolves around ancient myths this is really a contemporary romance. There is also a mystery going on around Isadora and her family's power struggles. This just has the right balance of both to keep your interest and make this a super fast read. Parents: this is really acceptable for even pre-teens since there is no language issues, only a few kisses and a few instances of violence, which is less that what is on cartoons these days.

Disclosure I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!

GIVEAWAY HOP SIGN UPS Freedom to Read Hop July 2nd to July 9th

2013-06-16T20:10:00.002-07:00

Since Kathy over at I am a reader is taking a break this summer, I am going to host a few of her normal hops. Please be a bit patient with me since this first one will be a learning experience!

I am following her guidelines HERE

Giveaway Hops

What is a giveaway hop?

Simple – Each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another.

For followers that means lots of chances to win free books.

For host blogs it means lots of new visitors and followers.

It’s a win-win.

Of course if you host a giveaway on your blog you can also enter all the giveaways on the other blogs.

Co Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

July 2nd to July 9th

You must host a giveaway on your site, you are responsible for obtaining a prize for giveaway and taking care of the shipping charges.
You must giveaway something a reader, author or blogger would enjoy.
Your giveaway post must include the hop image & linky (or links to the host’s sites if you can’t get the linky to work).
Please only 1 mandatory entry – all others must be optional – Keep It Simple! No long lists of things for people to do. If you have dozens of things for people to do I will delete your blog from the linky.
Your post must be live by 12:01 EST on July 2nd (That is 9 pm July1st if you live in California)
The giveaway must be specifically for this hop.
Your site must be family friendly – no erotica or 18+ sites. Your site & giveaway must be free of steamy images and book covers. If it would embarrass me to have my teenagers see it, it can’t be on your site.
It is your responsibility to check the linky on July 2nd to be sure you are still on the linky and that your link is accurate. Please send me a direct link to your post when it goes live to BOOKHOUNDS@HOTMAIL.COM
If you are using Rafflecopter set it to begin on JULY 1st and to end on JULY 10th. Do not use the Point Values +4, +5, +10 or +25.

To sign up to host a giveaway add your blog to the linky. Please include your shipping info in parenthesis following your blog name (US) (US/Can) (INT) – if you don’t include shipping info I will assume you are shipping to US only and edit the linky for you.

Kindle Giveaway Review THE WISDOM OF HAIR by KIM BOYKIN @AuthorKimBoykin @PenguinUSA #NerdTour

2013-06-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Tour Schedule

Life can be beautiful, but it takes a little work...

“The problem with cutting your own hair is that once you start, you just keep cutting, trying to fix it, and the truth is, some things can never be fixed. The day of my daddy’s funeral, I cut my bangs until they were the length of those little paintbrushes that come with dime-store watercolor sets. I was nine years old. People asked me why I did it, but I was too young then to know I was changing my hair because I wanted to change my life.”

In 1983, on her nineteenth birthday, Zora Adams finally says goodbye to her alcoholic mother and their tiny town in the mountains of South Carolina. Living with a woman who dresses like Judy Garland and brings home a different man each night is not a pretty existence, and Zora is ready for life to be beautiful.With the help of a beloved teacher, she moves to a coastal town and enrolls in the Davenport School of Beauty. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Cathcart, she learns the art of fixing hair, and becomes fast friends with the lively Sara Jane Farquhar, a natural hair stylist. She also falls hard for handsome young widower Winston Sawyer, who is drowning his grief in bourbon. She couldn’t save Mama, but maybe she can save him.As Zora practices finger waves, updos, and spit curls, she also comes to learn that few things are permanent in this life—except real love, lasting friendship, and, ultimately… forgiveness.

Kim Boykin
I was born in Augusta, Georgia, but raised in South Carolina in a home with two girly sisters and great parents. So when you read my stuff if there is ever some deranged mama or daddy terrorizing the protagonist, I want to make it clear, it’s not them.

I had a happy, boring childhood, which sucks if you’re a writer because you have to create your own crazy. PLUS after you’re published and you’re being interviewed, for some reason, it’s very appealing that the author actually lived in Crazy Town or somewhere in the general vicinity.

What I did have going for me was two things. One, my grandfather, Bryan Standridge, was an amazing storyteller. He held court under an old mimosa tree on the side of his yard, and people used to come by in droves just to hear him tell stories. He told tales about growing up in rural Georgia and shared his unique take on the world. As a child, I was enthralled, but when I started to write, really write, I realized what a master teacher of pacing and sensory detail he was.

The other major influence on my writing is my ADHDness. Of course when I was a kid, nobody knew what that was. Compared to my older sisters, I knew something was “wrong” with me, so I learned to multitask like crazy and excel at things I did well to make up for things I couldn’t do like math and sitting still.

Today, I’m an empty nester of two kids with a husband, three dogs, and 126 rose bushes. I write stories about strong southern women because that’s what I know. I’m an accomplished public speaker, which basically means I’m good at talking.

If this doesn’t tell you what you want to know, check out my blog for a few laughs and some good stuff on writing, gardening, food, and, of course, hair.

WEBSITE * GOODREADS * TWITTER * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST

Amazon * Barnes& Noble * Book Depository

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Zora Adams, with the encouragement and support of a high school teacher, gets a scholarship to beauty school in a town on the Carolina coast. Zora's mother is an alcoholic, Judy Garland-wanna-be, always looking for her next man. When Zora finally makes it out of the house, she never looks back. Once settled in an apartment in exchange for cooking with Winston Sawyer, a young widower, Zora also meets her first real best friend and natural stylist, Sara Jane Farquhar. As the two attend the Davenport School of Beauty under the tutelage of Mrs. Cathcart, Zora helps Sara Jane pass the book part of the school, while Sara Jane provide the family that Zora never had.

Zora's relationship with her landlord, Winston, is a bit of worship from afar and as Zora tries to unravel the mystery behind his now deceased wife, she finds little clues tucked around the apartment. She puts these clues together and with bits and pieces collected from the town, she learns some devastating facts about him and why he now drinks so much. In her heart, she wants to save Winston from the alcohol since she could never succeed with her own mother. Her relationship with Sara Jane is just magical and as she gets to know Sara Jane better, she learns more about herself. As the pair start to date and Zora moves in with Sara Jane's family, things get a little bumpy when it comes to boys.

This story is just beautifully written, the characters are all believable and you really want to root for Zora to succeed. The girls' friendship is one of those that you always wanted, someone who is there for you always. Even though Sara Jane's parents are very religious, you can feel the love that they extend to Zora and how her mother supported her when she needs it most. This is a wonderful summer read!

Disclosure I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FURday PhoDOGraphy @chetthedog

2013-06-14T19:29:00.002-07:00

Schatze really wants to be on the cover of a Chet and Bernie book.

Giveaway Review Interview THE POSSIBILITY DOGS by SUSANNAH CHARLESON @S_Charleson @HMHCo #possibilitydogs

2013-06-13T00:05:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Release date: June 4, 2013

An inspiring story that shows how dogs can be rescued, and can rescue in return.

With her critically acclaimed, bestselling first book, Scent of the Missing, Susannah Charleson was widely praised for her unique insight into the kinship between humans and dogs, as revealed through her work in canine search and rescue alongside her partner, golden retriever Puzzle.

Now, in The Possibility Dogs, Charleson journeys into the world of psychiatric service, where dogs aid humans with disabilities that may be unseen but are no less felt. This work had a profound effect on Charleson, perhaps because, for her, this journey began as a personal one: Charleson herself struggled with posttraumatic stress disorder for months after a particularly grisly search. Collaboration with her search dog partner made the surprising difference to her own healing. Inspired by that experience, Charleson learns to identify abandoned dogs with service potential, often plucking them from shelters at the last minute, and to train them for work beside hurting partners, to whom these second-chance dogs bring intelligence, comfort, and hope.

Along the way she comes to see canine potential everywhere, often where she least expects it – from Merlin the chocolate lab puppy with the broken tail once cast away in a garbage bag, who now stabilizes his partner’s panic attacks; to Ollie, the blind and deaf terrier, rescued moments before it was too late, who now soothes anxious children; to Jake Piper, the starving pit bull terrier mix with the wayward ears who is transformed into a working service dog and, who, for Charleson, goes from abandoned to irreplaceable.

SOURCE: Publisher

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Charleson has trained search and rescue dogs for years and when the stress of doing her job builds up that she begins experience panic attacks, she finds herself in need of some rescue. Her love of dogs and the fact that she notices how her search and rescue companions create calm in a horrible situations, leads her to discover their healing power. She embarks on training her own service dog to support her own invisible disability. To be honest, when I first saw the title of this book, I had misread it as The Possibility OF Dogs, but in some sense, this really is just as true a title since all dogs have a lot of possibility. I adored Charleson's first book, Scent of the Missing, and she does an amazing job with describing the work that goes into training a service dog and the fact that it doesn't matter whether the dog is young or old, pure-bred or mutt, almost any dog can be a helpful companion with a little work.

My heart dropped when I read about the two missing dachshunds and she relates that a recent rise in neighborhood crime is also feeding the need for bait dogs in fighting. I had no idea that pets could be stolen for such a use. As Charleson finds her perfect match in Jake Piper - you have to check out his facebook page - you can see how this one small bundle of love conquers and becomes the partner she needs to help her cope. There are short stories as well about other dogs that are helpful to seniors, autistic children and those first responders so devastated by the work they do.

She even mentions the frantic social media postings about rescue dogs that have reached the end of the line at shelters. One really caught my heart since it is in my hometown of Huntington Beach, CA, as she discusses Compassion fatigue. There are only so many rescue people to go around, not to mention the expense involved. I am glad Charleson was able to rescue the little dog from here but it makes me sad that there are not enough local people to help. This is such a wonderful read for any dog lover.

About the Author
Susannah Charleson is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Scent of the Missing, as well as a flight instructor, service dog trainer, and canine search-and-rescue team member, who most recently began a non-profit organization called The Possibility Dogs, which rescues, trains, and places dogs with people suffering "unseen" disabilities. She lives with her search partner, Puzzle, a golden retriever certified for the recovery of missing persons, her service dog partner-in-training, Jake Piper, a German shepherd-pit bull-poodle mix, as well as a rabble of pomeranians, a chihuahua-cairn terrier mix, and two cats.

Twitter * Facebook * Website * Jake Piper on Facebook

PLEASE WELCOME SUSANNAH TO BOOKHOUNDS

What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

I know I read very early – we have family pictures of me doing so, but none of the titles have stuck these fifty years later. My earliest true reading memory is of my second grade teacher sending a note to my parents about my reading Gone With the Wind during reading period in class (she wondered if that was acceptable to them). I also remember Susan Coolidge’s What Katy Did and What Katy Did Next. I know I loved the Noel Streatfeild’s Shoe books. Party Shoes was the first one I read.

What are you reading right now?

I am currently re-reading Patrick O’Brian’s brilliant Aubrey-Maturin naval series – this is my fourteenth voyage through the 20-book canon. I am also reading Natalie Serber’s Shout Her Lovely Name, Hallie Ephron’s There Was an Old Woman, and Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life.

How does your garden grow?

Xeriscaped! I live in Texas. Plus, I hover over a clutch of carefully-tended roses. The garden could use a little weeding, but hey! everything in moderation, even virtue.

What is the last thing you Googled?

Dyspraxia. I am working with a service dog handler now who has it. Next-to-the-last thing was dragonfruit. As in, how to prepare it.

What makes you cringe?

The sound of Styrofoam squeaking. When anything is said to have a “vibe.” When competing chefs serve Scott Conant raw red onions on Chopped.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address
(no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 6.23.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org and posted in comments.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by HMH and ONE copy is available.

Complete the below form
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+ Like Win A Book on Facebook HERE

+1 for each place you social network this giveaway and leave me a link once daily!

+1 Leave a comment with a way to contact you.

Extra Entries for SUSANNA CHARLESON

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Giveaway Interview ETERNALLY 21 by LINDA JOFFE HULL @MrsFrugalicious @midnightinkbook

2013-06-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2013

Series: A Mrs. Frugalicious Shopping Mystery (Book 1)

Coupon-clipping Mrs. Frugalicious gets more than she bargained for

After Mr. Frank “Finance” Michaels loses the family’s financial nest egg in a Ponzi scheme, his wife Maddie does whatever she can to help keep up the appearance that everything is financially fine. When she starts a bargain hunter’s blog under the alias Mrs. Frugalicious, her website becomes a viral hit with a growing “frugarmy” of budget advice seekers.

While Maddie is researching “frugasm”-worthy deals on holiday shopping for teens, Eternally 21 store manager Laila DeSimone mistakenly accuses her of shoplifting. Then her day goes from bad to worse when Laila expires on the floor. Since Laila was a universally disliked manager, the murder suspect list is longer than Maddie’s bargain spreadsheet. But when evidence points to Maddie as the prime suspect, she must track down the real culprit. Can she uncover the truth before police throw away her get-out-of-jail-free coupon for good?

Includes bargain shopping tips & techniques.
Find more money-saving advice at MrsFrugalicious.tumblr.com!

About the Author

That Linda Joffe Hull’s father thought it well advised to read Kafka in general, and THE METAMOPHOSIS in particular, to his then eight-year-old daughter is a question better left for the therapist’s couch. As a result however, Linda was bitten by the literary bug. Always an avid reader, she ignored the corresponding compulsion to write, receiving a B.A. in Economics from UCLA, embarking on a career in sales and diving headlong into the all-encompassing job of motherhood. Thanks to the encouragement of her long-suffering husband and the incredible support of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers she finally gave in to the unavoidable urge and finally sat down in front of the computer. The Big Bang (Tyrus Books) is her debut novel.

Linda is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, but currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three children. She is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and a national board member of Mystery Writers of America. Linda is at work on a second novel as well as the Mrs. Frugalicious mystery series, available June 2013 from Midnight Ink.

Facebook * Tumblr * Twitter * Goodreads * Website

PLEASE WELCOME LINDA TO BOOKHOUNDS!

What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?
AMELIA BEDELIA. I absolutely loved that book!

What are you reading right now?
AS SHE LEFT IT by Catriona McPherson and HUSH MONEY by Chuck Greaves.

How does your garden grow?
I wish! I have an absolute black thumb and live in fear that my house looks like the Munster’s front yard from that old TV show.

What is the last thing you Googled?
Home sunburn remedies—my teenage son went hiking up in the mountains and neglected to put any sunscreen on his ears. I doubt he’ll ever make that mistake again.

What makes you cringe?
Other than my son’s ears (see above) a lot of things, I’m afraid. For starters--muscle shirts, mispronounced words, bad plastic surgery, and silly intolerance.

https://www.facebook.com/MrsFrugalicious

Want to win this NEW book?

Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US mailing address.
(sorry, No po boxes)

Contest ends on 6.21.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

This giveaway is sponsored by the author and ONE book is available.

Complete the below form
+1 Follow Me
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE

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+1 Follow my reviews on Goodreads HERE

(I am at my limit of friends!)

Extra Entries for Linda Joffe Hull

+1 Like on Facebook HERE

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+1 Fan on Goodreads HERE

JUNE MYSTERY BOX GIVEAWAY! Mysteries!

2013-06-09T19:51:00.001-07:00

Every Month, I gather up my books that have been sitting around and give them away, usually with a theme. This month, the spotlight is MYSTERY! These books are all advance reader paperbacks.

Here are the first line from the blurb on Amazon. Please don't post the titles in comments! Oh yeah, if there are characters involved, they are xxx'd out.

Book # 1

XXXXX XXXXXXX sets out to solve a long-forgotten mystery. In 1876, in a remote mining camp called Roaring Fork in the Colorado Rockies, several miners were killed in devastating grizzly bear attacks

This book will be released in November 2013! I picked it up at BEA and thought I should share!

Book # 2

Working on New York’s Upper East Side for phenomenally rich and frighteningly skinny women who are suffering from BBS (Birkin Bag Syndrome—a muscle ailment due to carrying heavy pocketbooks) has driven interior designer XXXXXX XXXX mad.

Book # 3

I have another book, but I can't find it, so this will be a surprise!

WANT TO WIN THESE BOOKS?
Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing address and ends 6.30.13
Winner will be chosen by Random.org - Void Where Prohibited.
Winner will be announced in the comments
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by ME!

Complete the form below!
+1 Follow Me
+1 Leave a comment with an email address
(you can do this daily for extra entries)
+1 Follow my reviews on GoodReads HERE
(I am at my limit of friends!)
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE

+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE

+1 Like Win A Book on Facebook HERE

+1 Post about this giveaway on your social networking site and leave me a link here. You can do this daily and receive an entry for each link you leave. One per day per site.

Please don't post the titles in the comments, you can post your guesses of the title HERE

Giveaway Interview THE LOCKET by AMANDA TRU @TruAmanda

2013-06-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

Tour Schedule

Yesterday

Her yesterday was five years ago. What will her tomorrow bring?

When HANNAH KRAEGER saves a family injured in a car accident, she has no idea she has changed events in the past. Waking the next morning, Hannah discovers her yesterday was really five years ago.

Each trip Hannah takes through time changes the timeline and her own life. With help from DR. SETH MCALLISTER, Hannah must unravel the mystery of why she time travels and who she actually is before the strange ability costs her future, the man she loves, and even her life.

YESTERDAY is a thrilling Christian Romantic Suspense filled with unexpected twists, mystery, and romance.

Amazon

The Locket

Hannah suddenly finds that she has time travelled once again, but this time is different. After helping save a woman's life, Hannah discovers that she has completely altered the timeline and thrown her very existence into jeopardy.

Facing life-threatening effects upon returning to her own time, Hannah is then given a death sentence: if she time travels again, she will die. Now, Hannah must solve the clues to her own identity and find a way to save her own life before she is once again sent spiraling through time.

Will her mother's locket hold the key to both her past and her future? Has she just found the love of her life only to lose him? Could God have a plan for Hannah amidst the chaos?

Amazon

Author Amanda Tru

Although I loved my job as an elementary school teacher, I am now very blessed to be mommy to three adorable little boys and living my dream of being an author.
I have a vivid imagination and have always been easily entertained by the stories in my head. Fortunately, I also love to paint those pictures with words. I like writing a wide variety of genres, and my current book list includes everything from a Christian time travel / romance series, to an action-packed suspense, to a romance involving a woman who likes to anonymously play matchmaker.

Although I enjoy historical, Christian, paranormal, suspense, and everything in between, my books all have one thing in common--I love to surprise my readers with the unexpected. I currently have 7 books available for kindle, nook, and paperback.

My family and I live in a small Idaho town where the number of cows outnumbers the number of people.

Blog * Google+ * Twitter

Facebook * Pinterest * Goodreads

PLEASE WELCOME AMANDA TO BOOKHOUNDS!

1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

“Round is a Pancake.” It’s a silly little rhyming book, but I remember being so proud that I could read it myself. I was born with an eye condition that required several surgeries. Because of that, doctors were concerned that I might have difficulty learning to read. My parents made a concerted effort to read to me and instill a love of books. I was reading before I entered kindergarten.

2. What are you reading right now?

Other than my Bible and a zillion children’s books that I read to my kids, I don’t get a lot of time to read anything but my own writing. I am currently reading a new release by my friend and author, Samantha Bayarr. At the top on my list of pleasure reading when I do have any relaxation time, is a few books by Julie Klassen and Karen Whitemeyer.

3. How does your garden grow?

With writing stories, and little boy glories, and curly heads all in a row.

(My life is filled by three, blond-curly headed little boys by day and writing by night.)

4. What is the last thing you Googled?

I googled coupon codes for a website I was purchasing summer crocs for my son. I’m a little OCD about online shopping and finding a good deal! I google everything!

5. What makes you cringe?

Spiders, snakes, the list of my most embarrassing moments that replays through my mind, grinding teeth (my baby is currently getting a full set), and a sappy ending to a book.

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/17/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bad Boys of Romance Hop WIN 2 by MIA MARLOWE

2013-06-06T19:56:00.001-07:00

Oh you know you love them. Those "bad boys" of romance.

And now we're celebrating them and all their naughty deliciousness.

Which "bad boy" revs your motor? Is he a hero? Villain? A secondary character?

Show those boys off June 7th-June 17th in the "Bad Boys" of Romance Giveaway Hop hosted by

herding cats & burning soup, Rantings of a Reading Addict and author Blue Remy!

GRAND PRIZE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:
(click on the covers for more information)

Want to win this set of NEW books?

Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a reliable mailing address within the free shipping areas of The Book Depository.

Contest ends on 6.17.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE set is available.

Complete the below form
Follow Me
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The Best Book Ever Hop WIN DARE YOU TO by KATIE McGARRY

2013-06-03T19:56:00.003-07:00

Welcome to the BEST BOOK EVER Giveaway Hop!

This hop is hosted by:

The Best Book Ever (HERE)

I Am a Reader, Not a Writer (HERE)

There are almost 100 blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one. This hop starts June 4th and and ends on June 10th, midnight.

My book best fits into the Contemporary YA section HERE.

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:
(click on the covers for more information)

Want to win this NEW book?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address within the free shipping areas of The Book Depository.

Contest ends on 6.10.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE book is available.

Complete the below form

That's it -- I just need your email address!
If you leave your twitter name, I will send you a tweet if you win!
If you want an extra entry, you can social network this and leave me a link ONCE. You must leave a way to contact you.

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THE LINKY LIST BELOW MY POST APPEARS TO BE BROKEN...

TRY THIS LIST INSTEAD....

The Best Books Ever(US/INT)	http://www.thebestbooksever.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-hop.html
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (Int)	http://www.iamareader.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Phantasmic Reads (INT)	http://www.phantasmicreads.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-hop-giveaway-int.html
Katie's Stories (US)	http://kjhstories.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Just a Booklover (INT)	http://justabooklover.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-hop.html
Booklovers LaceyCat (US)	bookloverslaceycat.wordpress.com
Forever 17 Books (INT)	http://forever17books.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-books-ever-giveaway-hop.html
BK Walker Books	http://bkwalkerbooks.com/the-best-book-ever-blog-hop-winners-choice/
Black Coffee, Brown Cow	http://blackcoffeebrowncow.blogspot.com/
Tifferz And Her Sisterz Book Review	http://www.tifferzandhersisterz.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-till.html
ai love books (INT)	http://ai-books.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-int.html
The reader lines (INT)	http://thereaderlines.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-books-ever-giveaway-hop.html
The Quiet Concert (US)	http://thequietconcert.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Lisa ~ MoonShineArtSpot	http://moonshineartspot.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-hop-best-book-ever-tons-of.html
Books Beside My Bed (US)	http://www.booksbesidemybed.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Geo Librarian (Int)	http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-books-ever-giveaway-hop.html
LDS and Lovin' it (INT)	http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-books-ever-giveaway-hop.html
BookHounds YA (Int)	http://foreveryoungadult.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-hop-win-siege-and.html
BookHounds (Int)	http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-expo-america-50-shades-of-cray.html
Always YA at Heart (INT)	http://www.alwaysyaatheart.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (INT)	http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-wonder-by-rj-palacio-20/
Mary @SweepingMe (INT)	http://sweepingme.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop/
Bookworm Lisa (INT)	http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-hop-int.html
Stacy Claflin, Author (Int)	http://stacyclaflin.com/2013/06/03/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop/
The Book Bag (INT)	http://susan-thebookbag.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Ketch's Book Nook	http://kelseyketch.com/2013/06/03/the-best-book-ever-hop/
Mythical Books (INT)	http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch	http://fromthebootheelcottonpatch.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Patchwork Press (INT)	http://www.patchwork-press.com/best-book-ever-hop/
Carti nemuritoare	cartinemuritoare.wordpress.com/
My Friends Are Fiction	http://www.myfriendsarefiction.com/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop
My Friends Are Fiction	http://www.myfriendsarefiction.com/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop
Reviews by Abby (INT)	http://www.by-abby.blogspot.com/2013/06/giveaway-goodies-best-book-ever.html

Reading In Twilight (Int)	http://readingintwilight.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-int.html
Fantasy Books List	bestfantasybookslist.com/
The Book Sphere (INT)	http://www.theebooksphere.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Another World Of Books (Int)	http://pagesofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Mia Fox	miafox.net/
Tressa's Wishful Endings (INT)	tressaswishfulendings.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-hop.html
The Rest Is Still Unwritten (INT)	rachybee-the-rest-is-still-unwritten.blogspot.com.au/
Insane About Books (US only)	http://insaneaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-books-ever-blog-hop.html
My Devotional Thoughts (International)	http://wp.me/p3wXhc-1xW
Awesome Nerd (INT)	http://imawesomenerd.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-int.html
Diane Estrella @ That's What I'm Here For.... (Int	http://dianeestrella.com/
Mandy @The Romance Bookie (US)	http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-us-only.html
eveREADthings (INT)	http://evereadthings.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway.html
Dee's Reads [US]	diamondlovestoread.blogspot.com
MoonShineArtSpot ~ Lisa	moonshineartspot.blogspot.com
Promiscuous Diva (INT)	promiscuousdiva.blogspot.com
Rusty Reads (INT)	rustyreads.blogspot.com
Bookish Outsider (INT)	bookishoutsider.blogspot.com/
Romance With A Book (US)	romancewithabook.com
Read Now Sleep Later (US)	www.readnowsleeplater.com/2013/05/the-best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Rolling with the Moments (INTL)	rollingwiththemoments.blogspot.com.au/
Laurie Here - Contemporary Fiction and MORE - INTL	www.lauriehere.com
Sabrina @ i heart y. a. fiction (US)	http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2013/06/giveaway-best-book-ever-hop.html
Literary Meanderings (INT)	www.literaryme.net/
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch	fromthebootheelcottonpatch.blogspot.com
YA Romantics (INT)	http://jenryland.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-books-ever-blog-hop.html
Rampant Readers (US)	http://rampant-readers.blogspot.com/2013/06/giveaway-hopthe-best-books-ever.html
Bibliophile Mystery (INT)	http://bibliophilemystery.blogspot.ro/2013/06/best-books-ever-giveaway-hop.html
Another World Of Books (Int)	pagesofbooks.blogspot.com/
A Family Friendly Blog (US and Canada)	lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com
Lara Lacombe - Romance Can Be Deadly (US)	laralacombe.blogspot.com
Thoughts About Life and Writing (International)	lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com
EM Castellan (INT)	emcastellan.com/
Savings in Seconds	savingsinseconds.com
The "I Love Books" Club	ilovebooksclub101.blogspot.com/
Runaway Bridal Planner	runawaybridalplanner.blogspot.com/
This Mommys Gonna Lose It	thismommysgonnaloseit.blogspot.com/
Victoria Pinder	www.victoriapinder.com
Cuzinlogic (Int)	cuzinlogic.com/
Snarky Bird, Uber Nerd	www.reviews.snarkybook.com
Books Beside My Bed (US)	www.booksbesidemybed.com
ST Bende -- Bende Books	http://stbende.blogspot.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop.html
JoAnne @ The Fairytale Nerd (INT)	www.thefairytalenerd.com/
Audios & More	audiosandmore.blogspot.ca/
Before Happily Ever After (int)	www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/Blog
My Seryniti	myseryniti.com/giveaway-best-books-ever/
Mug of Moxie (INT)	mugofmoxie.blogspot.com
Sassy @ My Never Ending Pile of Books	neverendingpileofbooks.blogspot.com/
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction (INT)	feedyourfictionaddiction.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Lane Books (INT)	jenniferlanebooks.blogspot.com
Dusty memories left behind	dianao95.blogspot.ro/
The Kids Did It	www.thekidsdidit.com
LazyDay.Ca (US/CAN)	www.LazyDay.Ca
Sonia Lal @ Story Treasury	storytreasury.wordpress.com
GlitterWriter's Blog	glitterwriterblog.wordpress.com/
I Love to Read and Review Books :) (INT)	ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-best-book-ever-hop.html
My Bookshelf Is Hungry	mybookshelfisneverfull.blogspot.com/
Jessabella Reads (US)	http://www.jessabellareads.com/2013/06/best-book-ever-giveaway-hop-win-choice.html

Book Expo America - 50 Shades of Cray #BEA13

2013-06-03T16:47:00.001-07:00

Yep - there was a lot of crazy at BEA and I really enjoyed myself! Upon entering the Javits Center, I got a sense that this is my kind of place. Huge banners announcing upcoming releases, displays of books and what surely is a reader's wonderland - free books! I met lots of awesome bloggers and found out about some really great books that will be released soon. Row upon row of publishers, large and small stretched for what seemed like a mile. I still think I missed quite a few booths even though I used the BEA app to check off each one that I went too.

Ahhh, the app - that didn't quite work for me. I really wish that once I marked something I wanted to check out, it would have gone straight to my agenda, but the only way I could figure out how to do that was to manually add it to the calendar. I messed up and completely missed one author I had arranged to meet. I still made it to several authors, some on purpose, some by complete accident. I just happened to walk by and found Lauren Myracle sitting by herself! I was also pulled into lines by other bloggers that said, "you have to read this author!"

I also attended the blogger con which had some useful information but overall, was geared towards new bloggers. There were several issues covered including expanding your blog to real life, ethics and which format to use. These were low on information and when there was information, it could have been covered in five minutes rather than the hour scheduled. Panelists - have a plan! There was only one panel, Extending Your Blog Reach Online, headed by Malle Vallik from Harlequin, that even approached a professional attitude. The other panel I enjoyed was the Ethics lunch, but even that didn't get into questions I had about using images. There was a lot of disagreement about the correct approach to the fair use of covers in your review posts. It was also extremely dry and not very coordinated. Jane Litte tried to keep things moving but the other two lawyers seemed more like undertakers.

What I wished they would have considered doing:

* Bring in those front line publicists that handle blogger outreach. I really wish I was able to meet some of the people I talk to weekly about upcoming releases that they would like me to review. Come on, bosses! Give those people the morning off to meet with us at a breakfast. I know they are busy but since you use the free service bloggers provide in publicizing your wares, let us at least meet these people face to face!

* Have one person in your booth that will address blogger concerns. Not all of us are outgoing or pushy enough to get invited to the "hot" parties. Since most of us book bloggers are really shy in person, a little outreach would be awesome! I was at least pushy enough to ask the people in the booths what they were excited about. I passed out a lot of cards and found some really exciting books I can't wait to share. Put a giant gold star or something on these people willing to talk to us bloggers.

*Split up those panels to provide more content to more established bloggers. Most of the things the panels covered could easily be found online. Some just seemed like giant advertisements to get more subscribers for the panelists. I think the majority of us already know the basics. I want the next step like how can you actually make money by advertising. I only found snippets at each panel that were remarkable. I want a panel that is professional and polished, not full of "look at me!" stuff.

Overall, the whole BEA experience is overwhelming and amazing. I did meet a lot of wonderful authors and bloggers. I don't know if I will ever be able to attend again because of the cost but it was worth going once. I think it will take me weeks to come down from the thrill of it all!

REVIEW The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING by Jen Lancaster @penguinusa @altgeldshrugged

2013-06-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Release date: June 4, 2013

One would think that with Jen Lancaster’s impressive list of bestselling self-improvement memoirs—Bitter Is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big Ass; Such a Pretty Fat; Pretty in Plaid;My Fair Lazy; and Jeneration X—that she would have it all together by now.

One would be wrong.

Jen’s still a little rough around the edges. Suffice it to say, she’s no Martha Stewart. And that is exactly why Jen is going to Martha up and live her life according to the advice of America’s overachieving older sister—the woman who turns lemons into lavender-infused lemonade.

By immersing herself in Martha’s media empire, Jen will embark on a yearlong quest to take herself, her house, her husband (and maybe even her pets) to the next level—from closet organization to craft making, from party planning to kitchen prep.

Maybe Jen can go four days without giving herself food poisoning if she follows Martha’s dictates on proper storage....Maybe she can grow closer to her girlfriends by taking up their boring-ass hobbies like knitting and sewing.…Maybe she can finally rid her workout clothes of meatball stains by using Martha’s laundry tips.… Maybe she can create a more meaningful anniversary celebration than just getting drunk in the pool with her husband....again. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll discover that the key to happiness does, in fact, lie in Martha’s perfectly arranged cupboards and artfully displayed charcuterie platters.

Or maybe not.

About the Author
Jen Lancaster is the New York Times bestselling author of eight books. She has appeared on Today, The Joy Behar Show, and NPR’s All Things Considered. She resides in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and their ever-expanding menagerie of ill-behaved pets.

SOURCE: AMAZON VINE

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

In Lancaster's latest memoir, we learn how the Thundercats came to be, the loss of Maisy (I got a bit misty at this part) and the abuse she doles out to poor Fletch. I did get the impression that Fletch laughs at her behind her back at times and it is so refreshing to read that this pair are truly in love. I am also glad to know that she didn't buy her house because of the gun cabinet. I do follow her blog, so some of these stories were hinted at there, but when you read the fully fleshed out version, they become more real, more humorous and a bit more touching. Yes, Jen gets a bit serious in this one and we get to see a more grown up look.

I am also a bit sad that she is being contained from her public Ambien frolics. Those were some seriously funny situations. If you are a fan of Lancaster's blog, you will never forget the Barbie Doll Head situation. In her year of Martha, she tries crafts and actually find she can do some of the decorating and cooking just like the big M. I always pick up a few cooking tips from her books when she gets on a self-improvement thread. I was also inspired to clean out a few drawers until I decided I could just continue to contain my messes in cabinets, much like Jen used to. I wonder exactly how many of these habits she actually stuck with.

I also always come away with a few new addictions like One Kings Road. I am done decorating my house, but a girl can dream. That is part of the joy of reading Jen...you can live vicariously through her addictions and never get dirty yourself. Well, all except her garden when her friend and landscaper discovers why her garden isn't growing, (hint -- water is involved). Oh MY GOSH, THAT was truly a funtacular moment to some like me who would live outside among my roses as much as possible. I admit I am a bit jealous that she has room for sixty bushes for her cutting garden.

#BEA Update for Thursday - Disclosures and the Bloggers' Conference

2013-05-30T16:28:00.002-07:00

Well, I had a really great picture to post, but I have limited internet, so this update will be all words.

I can't even get my pictures to post to facebook, so those updates will have to wait until I get home.

I took a bunch of notes at the Blogger Convention which was great if you were a new blogger. The only thing I really took away was the information from the Ethic's Lunch Forum. There were three lawyers discussing the new FTC regulations about disclosures by bloggers about the books they receive from publishers. It pretty much boils down to you need to make disclosure of any book you get for free. I have always disclosed my source before my review, but I have added a new box that runs below my review in the same size font below my Amazon link and review:

Disclosure If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways! I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.

You don't even need to write that much, just state that you got the book at no charge and it didn't influence your review in any way. The big catch to this is that you don't have to say anything if you bought, borrowed or checked it out from the library. I always put that in my source information anyway since it is in my review form. Oh and if you give the book a negative review, you don't have to say a word about where you got the book.

Jane Litte, from DearAuthor.com, Richard Newman and Professor Geanne Rosenberg were the legal team on the panel. Mr. Newman stated that it would take multiple complaints starting with the BBB and Consumer Affairs to get noticed by the FTC. I had a feeling that us little bloggers are small fish in a big pond.

Overall, I don't know if I could really recommend the blogging conference. I did meet a LOT of fellow bloggers but the topics didn't cover the next level for me. There is an overwhelming drive to convert everyone to WordPress because of ownership issues. Blogger pretty much owns your blog on Blogspot. I guess I will eventually have to make the switch but I have to figure in a budget for that since it does cost about $100 a year for hosting.

I spent most of my time walking around today and meeting a lot of the people I email with at publishers, so that was really exciting. I did get a bit of fan girlish and got to meet Rob Sheffield, Joshilyn Jackson, Chuck Klosterman, Jonathan Lethem and a LOT of others in my YA rounds which I will cover over at BookHounds YA.

Excerpt & Review WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS by VICKY DREILING @vickydreiling @ForeverRomance

2013-05-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

EXCERPT FROM: WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS

By Vicky Dreiling

Setting the scene: Bellingham’s friends prevail upon him to show Laura Davenport his special skill at billiards. Here is the scene.

“You have a trick?” Laura asked.

“It’s not really a trick,” Bell said.

“Do not let him fool you,” Harry said. “It’s quite impressive.”

“Then I insist upon a demonstration,” Laura said.

Bell set both of their glasses on a side table. Then he held out his hand to her. Once again, he was struck by her small hand. When she stood, the top of her head barely reached his chin. She was far more petite than most women. “I’ll do my best,” he said, “but occasionally it doesn’t work.”

“What is it?” she said.

“You’ll see,” Harry said. “Bell is a man of many talents.”

He said nothing as he lined the balls up in a perfect triangle and set the cue ball apart. Then he picked up the cue stick and sighted the white ball. He slid the stick over his hand and kept his eyes on the target. All of his concentration was on getting the right amount of force when he tapped the ball. He aligned his body with the cue ball, focused, and took the shot. The balls scattered over the green baize surface and dropped into the various six pockets.

Laura clapped her hands. “That was amazing.”

“Our friend is an amazing fellow,” Colin said from the sideboard, where he’d poured himself a brandy.

“However did you learn to do that?” she asked.

“I just experimented,” he said.

“You are too modest,” she said. “I doubt I could make even one land in a pocket.”

“Of course you could if you know what you’re doing.” Bell beckoned her. “I’ll show you.”

She looked a bit uneasy as she neared him.

“You’ll need to remove the gloves,” he said.

Her fingers fumbled a bit as she pulled on the tips.

“Harry, let’s go into the garden for a cheroot,” Colin said.

Bell kept his expression impassive, but inwardly he applauded his friends for their timely exit.

“Here, I’ll help you,” he said. “If you’ll allow it.”

She hesitated a moment, and then she nodded.

He pulled on the fingertips first to loosen the glove. Then he reached for her upper arm and encountered silky smooth skin. As he slowly rolled the long glove down her slender arm, he imagined doing the same with a stocking and kissing the soft flesh he revealed.

Her breathing was a bit faster now and so was his. He pulled on the fingers of the other kid glove to loosen it. Then he began to roll it inch by inch down her arm. As he removed the glove, he met her gaze and almost staggered at the sultry expression in her green eyes. He stood there, powerless to move. The tension was palpable and her rose scent was like a potion swirling inside him with every breath. But he could not just stand there forever. So he cupped her elbow and led her to the billiards table and handed her the cue stick.

“It’s heavier than I expected,” she said.

He stood behind her. “Put your right foot forward and your left one back.”

She followed his instructions. “Now what?” she said, her voice a bit breathless.

“Lay the cue stick atop your hand between your thumb and forefinger.”

“This is a bit awkward,” she said.

“You’ll grow accustomed,” he said. “Now, grip the end of the stick, and slide it back and forth over your hand.”

She tried and fumbled with the stick.

He drew closer and put his hand over hers. His breath stirred the curl by her ear. “The stick is a bit long for you, but I’m sure you can accommodate it. Relax and keep a steady back-and-forth rhythm.” Lord, he was getting hot just thinking of what he was describing.

“Like this?” she said, her voice a bit husky.

“Excellent,” he said. “You want to aim squarely for the white cue ball when you take the shot and knock the blue one.”

“I doubt I can hit it hard enough,” she said.

“I’ll show you.” Then he wrapped his hand over hers at the butt of the stick and helped her slide it fluidly over her hand. “On the count of three,” he said.

A little huff of laughter escaped her.

“Concentrate,” he said near her ear.

“Yes,” she said softly.

“One,” he whispered.

She inhaled on a ragged breath.

“Two.” His groin tightened again.

“Three.” He thrust the stick forward. The cue ball smacked the blue one, sending it spinning into the pocket.

He propped the cue stick against the table. “Well done.”

She gazed at him over her shoulder. “You made the shot.” Her mouth was so close, and he wanted her too much to hold back. When their lips met, he turned her in his arms and pulled her up on her toes. He leaned over her, supporting her back with his hands. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, he captured her lips. She made a soft feminine sound, and all he could think about was eliciting far more from her.

WILL A RAKE'S WICKED WAYS

Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it's fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for ...

LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?
It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar's daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura's good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ...

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the United Kingdom allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her Trouble.
When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

You can learn more at:
VickyDreiling.com
Twitter @vickydreiling
Facebook.com/vicky.dreiling

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Laura Davenport, the daughter of a vicar has married for love and even though he is twenty-four years her senior, she is really happy and adores his son, Justin. So when, mere months after they marry, he becomes ill and passes away. She has been Justin's mother in all ways and now that he is seventeen, he is starting to act out, carousing and drinking. The Earl of Bellingham, known as Bell, is a known rake and has an eye to bed the lovely widow. Bell show up on her doorstep to confront Laura about her problems with reigning Justin in. The uncle has also heard rumors of Justin's wild ways and sets off to assert his guardianship while Bell is there with Laura.

In a moment of panic, Laura tells the uncle that the two are engaged and he has nothing to worry about. Bell, a sworn bachelor, goes along with the plan, but soon finds his plans changing as well as he becomes more intrigued with Laura. Bell has lost his entire family and has no plans to ever be in the position to care about people again. As this pair become friends, a true romance builds even though both swear they never will marry. As Bell helps Justin, he develops a connection with the boy and with his step-mother. Yes, there are some really swoon worthy moments.

I adore how Dreiling really can create a scenario which rings true for the time period. You can actually imagine the scheming that women must take on during the Regency period since they are no more than property during this time period. The characters show a wonderful depth, especially with Bell, as he confides his loses to Laura. Even the secondary characters of Justin and Laura's friend Lady Atherton, are very noteworthy. She also has pinned evil on the deserving uncle. Now, I can't wait until the next one in this series!

Disclosure If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways! I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.

Excerpt & Review THE DUCHESS HUNT by JENNIFER HAYMORE @JenniferHaymore @ForeverRomance

2013-05-29T00:15:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from THE DUCHESS HUNT

by Jennifer Haymore

They stood there, in the center of the room, staring at each other. The depths of his dark green eyes held her in his thrall, so heavy with the weight of the world, and at that moment, she wanted to wipe it all away—the pressures of Parliament and government and his position. Worries about his sister... and his mother.

“I wished it had been me,” she said softly. “When you were dancing with Miss Stanley and the others. I wished you were dancing with me.”

He gazed at her unspeaking for a moment. Then he said, “I did, too.”

He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed his lips to hers.

The feel of him, of their lips gliding against each other, sent fireworks exploding through her. She dragged him harder against her, heard his ragged whisper, “Sarah.”

Their lips moved in a hot, sensual slide. His hand rubbed tight circles over her lower back . . . and lower, un- til he cupped her bottom, pulling her against him so the hard ridge of his arousal pressed against her abdomen. The feel of it, of that most primitive, masculine part of him, sent a carnal shudder racing through her.

His mouth moved down her chin, and she kissed his rough cheek, then tilted her neck as he moved her braid aside with his free hand to kiss her there.

His lips pressed against her jaw, then caressed the shell of her ear before kissing their way back to her mouth, seeking, exploring.

Sensation washed over her. Not only in the places his mouth touched, but all over and through her. Deep yearn- ing. Longing. Need.

She gave a small whimper, clutched him tighter, kissed his bare, warm skin wherever her mouth could reach him. She wanted more. So much more.

His arousal grew, pressed against her lower belly, so hard and so hot she could feel the heat between the layers of their clothes.

His hand moved from her neck to the opening in her robe, cupping her breast over her nightgown, his thumb running over her nipple, hardening it into a sensitized nub that strained against the fabric of her chemise.

She pressed her body tighter against him, blindly seek- ing his lips with her own.

She caught them, moving against him in a brazen kiss that she hadn’t known she was capable of. He tasted like man and desire. Cedar and spice. So delicious. She didn’t know how she’d ever get enough.

Suddenly his hands moved from her buttocks and breast to her upper arms. With a low groan, he pushed her back.

“Stop.”

She gazed at him, clawing through the haze of desire that had overcome her. “No, Simon.”

He blinked at the use of the familiar name and, from a part of her deep inside, she froze.

Reality crashed in. Forcing her frozen neck to move, she swung her head away.

“Sarah, look at me.” He cupped her hands in his palms, and warmth instantly flushed through her, combating the cold.

“I... Sarah, I want you. But I don’t want to hurt you. I’m not the kind of man who... uses women.”

“I know you’re not.” One of the reasons she adored him.

“So you see why we can’t, why I can’t... ?”

“I’m not a fool, Your Grace,” she said softly. Sarah knew that no matter what happened between them, no matter what power he had over her, Simon would never take advantage of her. “I know what I am doing. What I want.”

Simon flinched. “I don’t want to ruin you.”

“I know,” she whispered. “But sometimes I wish you did.”

With that, and with a huge force of will, she turned and left the room.

THE DUKE'S DESIRE
Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother's disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved-and the last woman he should desire . . .
Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon's touch. But dukes do not long for lady's maids-or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer's web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family's future or break Sarah's heart.

You can find Jennifer Haymore in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel.

You can learn more at:
JenniferHaymore.com
Twitter @jenniferhaymore
Facebook.com/jenniferhaymore-author

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Sarah, the gardener's daughter finds herself being educated along with Simon, the Earl of Trent after he rescues her from an attacking blackberry bush. With her mother recently deceased, the Dowager Duchess takes a shine to her and polishes her intelligence to train as a lady's maid and companion to her daughter, Esme. As Simon and Sarah grow older, there is a real connection between the pair, although Sarah realizes that he can never marry her since she is of a lower class and he needs to marry someone more suitable. As Simon begins his hunt for a wife, Sarah is a constant in his mind.

Of course, nothing is simple in Simon's life and his mother disappears, leaving the family to wonder what had happened to her since there is no sign of foul play. As his hunt continues, Lady Stanley has her eye on him for her daughter, Georgina and nothing will get in her way to see them married. When all her manipulations fail, she resorts to blackmail, claiming she knows several secrets about his family and his brothers' lineage. Through the story, Sarah and Simon meet in secret and the unthinkable happens when Sarah finds herself in a delicate position.

This is such a sweet story that balances perfect descriptions with well thought out dialogue. I really like Sarah and her relationships with everyone. She has spunk but not a mean bone in her body. The end of this didn't come quick enough for me since I really wanted to see this pair together. Since this is the start of a new series, I can only image that each of Simon's four brothers and his sister will be given their due. There is also just enough intrigue to keep you guessing!

Disclosure If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways! I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.

8 DAYS OF DESIRE with JENNIFER HAYMORE & VICKY DREILING @JenniferHaymore @VickyDreiling @ForeverRomance #Giveaway

2013-05-29T00:05:00.001-07:00

WILL A RAKE'S WICKED WAYS
Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it's fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for ...
LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?
It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar's daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura's good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ...

READ MY REVIEW HERE

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the United Kingdom allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her Trouble.
When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

You can learn more at:
VickyDreiling.com
Twitter @vickydreiling
Facebook.com/vicky.dreiling

THE DUKE'S DESIRE
Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother's disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved-and the last woman he should desire . . .
Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon's touch. But dukes do not long for lady's maids-or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer's web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family's future or break Sarah's heart.

READ MY REVIEW HERE

You can find Jennifer Haymore in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel.

You can learn more at:
JenniferHaymore.com
Twitter @jenniferhaymore
Facebook.com/jenniferhaymore-author

WANT TO WIN A SET OF THESE BOOKS?
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Contest ends on 6.8.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org and posted in comments.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by Forever Romance and ONE set will be available.

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BookHounds WOW The Sound and the Furry by Spencer Quinn @AtriaBooks @ChetTheDog

2013-05-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Book Description

Release date: September 10, 2013 | Series: Chet and Bernie Mysteries

Chet and Bernie head to Louisiana in the next installment in the New York Times bestselling mystery series featuring “a canine Sam Spade full of joie de vivre” (Stephen King) and his human private investigator companion.

Out for a drive, Chet and Bernie run into a prison work crew featuring an old criminal friend they helped send to prison, Frenchie Boutette. From an old Louisiana family full of black sheep, Frenchie needs Bernie and Chet’s help in locating his brother, Ralph, who has disappeared with his houseboat. But before they can head off to the bayou, Bernie is attacked by a member of a strange gang called the Queiros. And though he’s tempted to take another job (with a big payday) in Alaska, Bernie and Chet set course for Louisiana.

A reclusive inventor, Ralph is the sole law-abiding member of his family. Full of black sheep, the Boutette family has a long running feud with the no-good Robideaus and at first it seems as if Ralph’s disappearance is connected to a dispute over a load of heisted shrimp. But when Chet uncovers a buried clue, the investigation heads in a new and dangerous direction and what was a simple disappearance gets complicated as a conspiracy involving the oil business is uncovered. The more Chet and Bernie discover about Ralph, the more dangerous the job becomes and soon they’re fighting not only Big Oil, but also shadowy black ops figures, the Quieros, and Iko—a gator with an insatiable appetite.

“Humorous and suspenseful” (Publishers Weekly), Spencer Quinn’s mysteries have delighted readers everywhere. Top-notch suspense, humor, and insight into the ways our canine companions think and behave—all set against a rollicking new Louisiana backdrop—make this the most entertaining book in the series yet.

Review TOWERING by ALEX FLINN @HarperTeen @EpicReads

2013-05-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Release date: May 14, 2013

New York Times #1 bestselling author Alex Flinn reimagined the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast in Beastly and gave a twist to the story of Sleeping Beauty in A Kiss in Time.

Now with her gothic and darkly romantic YA novel Towering, Alex Flinn retells the tale of Rapunzel.

When Rachel was taken to live in a tower by a woman she calls Mama, she was excited. She felt like a princess in a castle. But many years later, Rachel knows her palace is really a prison, and begins to plan her escape. She is encouraged by the speed that her golden hair has been growing. It’s gotten long enough to reach the ground. And she’s begun dreaming of a green-eyed man. Could he be out there in the world? Is he coming to save her? Or will she find a way to save herself?

About the Author

Alex Flinn loves fairy tales and is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Beastly, a spin on Beauty and the Beast that was named a VOYA Editor's Choice and an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Beastly is now a major motion picture starring Vanessa Hudgens. Alex also wrote A Kiss in Time, a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty; Cloaked, a humorous fairy-tale mash-up; and Bewitching, a reimagining of fairy-tale favorites, including Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, and The Little Mermaid, all told by Kendra—the witch from Beastly. Her other books for teens include Breathing Underwater, Breaking Point, Nothing to Lose, Fade to Black, and Diva. She lives in Miami with her family.

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Rachel's first few years were normal and then the woman she has called Mama takes her to a new home, where she is locked high into a tower. Rachel adjusts to this new place and reads her days away. Her hair grows freely, especially when she is stressed. Wrapped up in her world of literature, she wonders if she will ever have a first kiss or romance of her own. As her hair is growing more rapidly lately, she braids it and cuts it, making a rope, for what she is not yet sure.

Wyatt, is sent to stay with his mother's best friend, Mrs. Greenwood, in the mountains where there is no cell reception and only small town life. He mistakenly wanders into her deceased daughter, Danielle's room and discovers her diary. Now with Wyatt narrating the story, we see how all of these characters come together. There is a disturbing drug problem in this small town and quite a few local teens like Danielle, have disappeared. When Rachel happens to spy and then save Wyatt from a frozen lake, the story becomes increasingly ominous. All three characters collide in the end with a remarkable outcome.

This is a retelling of Rapunzel using a dark, Gothic mystery much like Wuthering Heights which is also one of Rachel's favorite reads. Although this one didn't grab me like Beastly and had no Kendra involvement, I really enjoy Flinn's writing and this story does work in the end. There are lots of interesting minor characters that add a unique small town flavor to the mix. Parents: this one has some kissing, mentions of drug use (in an evil light) and is pretty safe for teens. I am now looking forward to see what is next for this author.

Disclosure

If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways! I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.

Review SKY ON FIRE by EMMY LAYBOURNE @FierceReads @EmmyLaybourne

2013-05-27T00:05:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Release date: May 28, 2013 Series: Monument 14

Trapped in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, including a monster hailstorm and terrifying chemical weapons spill, brothers Dean and Alex learned how to survive and worked together with twelve other kids to build a refuge from the chaos. But then strangers appeared, destroying their fragile peace, and bringing both fresh disaster and a glimmer of hope.

Knowing that the chemical weapons saturating the air outside will turn him into a bloodthirsty rage monster, Dean decides to stay in the safety of the store with Astrid and some of the younger kids. But their sanctuary has already been breached once. . . .

Meanwhile, Alex, determined to find their parents, heads out into the darkness and devastation with Niko and some others in a recently repaired school bus. If they can get to Denver International Airport, they might be evacuated to safety. But the outside world is even worse than they expected. . . .

About the Author

EMMY LAYBOURNE, author of Monument 14, is a writer and actress. She has appeared in movies like Superstar and The In-Laws, and has performed original comedy on Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and with UCB and Chicago City Limits. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband and their two children. Visit her online at www.emmylaybourne.com.

SOURCE: AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

The group has survived intact so far with only minor injuries and have figured out how to counteract the chemical spill as well as fight off a few interlopers who would like to take over the superstore. Alex and Niko decide that they can't sit around in the store forever and repair the bus to get to Denver International Airport where evacuations are taking place. So with them, Batiste, Josie, Sahalia and Brayden who has been shot, all set off to get help in the bus. As they travel through the interstate, the true horror of the catastrophe is even more than they could have imagined. They are met by a group of marauding militia that tell them the airport is nothing more than a death sentence. Still the group plod on.

Back at the store, Astrid and Dean try to keep the three youngest children happy and comfortable and they think that they are safe, another refuge tries to break in and Jake reappears to save them. As Jake describes the devastation outside, they start to gather supplies to make their own trek to the airport. The air quality is deteriorating and they feel they have no other choice since everything seems to be getting worse.

The story again is full of action and perfect descriptions which make for a quick read. I admit I was a bit sad that it wasn't longer but I did get a lot of satisfaction for such a fast read. The characters are more developed and I needed a book that wasn't a tortured romance -- although there is a bit of that between Astrid and Dean. The ending left me hanging a bit and you do find out the fate of a few of them. I am not going to ruin the outcome of this one since I know you will want to pick this one up. Parents: There is a bit of language and some kissing in this one, as well as some violence but it was nothing like the first one.

Details

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (May 28, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312569041
ISBN-13: 978-0312569044

State of the Blog #BEA13

2013-05-26T19:23:00.002-07:00

I am going to Book Expo America! YAY!

I will be attending the Book Blogger Con on Wednesday and hope to hear all about the new books that will be released this summer and fall. I also hope to bring back lots of goodies for everyone!

The winners for some of the giveaways I have going on right now may be delayed a bit as far as winners and shipping go.

My son and husband will be taking care of Schatze and I am going to really miss her a lot! My son has promised to cuddle with her for at least one hour each day. I suggested he take her to work with him, but that idea didn't go over so well. Their office opens to a balcony that doesn't have dachshund safe rails.

Wish me luck on this adventure and if you are also going to BEA, please find me by sending me a tweet to @maryinhb

FURday PhoDOGraphy - The Dachshund and the Lion

2013-05-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today's photo is inspired by the below video! I think the second one is more accurate though!

BookHounds

Giveaway MORE by CLARE JAMES @clarejamesbooks #NerdBlast Win $25

Giveaway MEET ME AT THE CUPCAKE CAFE by JENNY COLGAN @JennyColgan @Sourcebooks

Giveaway * Interview DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HEELS by KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT @Dark_Passages

Book Description

WoW: THE BOOKSTORE by DEBORAH MEYLER @deborahmeyler @GalleryBooks

Review THE CHAOS OF STARS by KIERSTEN WHITE

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*GIVEAWAY HOP SIGN UPS* Freedom to Read Hop July 2nd to July 9th

Kindle Giveaway Review THE WISDOM OF HAIR by KIM BOYKIN @AuthorKimBoykin @PenguinUSA #NerdTour

FURday PhoDOGraphy @chetthedog

Giveaway Review Interview THE POSSIBILITY DOGS by SUSANNAH CHARLESON @S_Charleson @HMHCo #possibilitydogs

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Giveaway Interview ETERNALLY 21 by LINDA JOFFE HULL @MrsFrugalicious @midnightinkbook

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JUNE MYSTERY BOX GIVEAWAY! Mysteries!

Giveaway Interview THE LOCKET by AMANDA TRU @TruAmanda

Yesterday

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The Locket

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Author Amanda Tru

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Bad Boys of Romance Hop WIN 2 by MIA MARLOWE

The Best Book Ever Hop WIN DARE YOU TO by KATIE McGARRY

Book Expo America - 50 Shades of Cray #BEA13

REVIEW The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING by Jen Lancaster @penguinusa @altgeldshrugged

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#BEA Update for Thursday - Disclosures and the Bloggers' Conference

Excerpt & Review WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS by VICKY DREILING @vickydreiling @ForeverRomance

Excerpt & Review THE DUCHESS HUNT by JENNIFER HAYMORE @JenniferHaymore @ForeverRomance

8 DAYS OF DESIRE with JENNIFER HAYMORE & VICKY DREILING @JenniferHaymore @VickyDreiling @ForeverRomance #Giveaway

BookHounds WOW The Sound and the Furry by Spencer Quinn @AtriaBooks @ChetTheDog

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Review TOWERING by ALEX FLINN @HarperTeen @EpicReads

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Review SKY ON FIRE by EMMY LAYBOURNE @FierceReads @EmmyLaybourne

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State of the Blog #BEA13

FURday PhoDOGraphy - The Dachshund and the Lion

GIVEAWAY HOP SIGN UPS Freedom to Read Hop July 2nd to July 9th