Marie Force's Blog, page 18

Book Club: With No Remorse by Cindy Gerard

By: Brooke Hren
Black Ops, Inc. operative Luke – Doc Holliday – Colter istaking some much needed down-time, making his way across the Peruvian Andes viarail, when banditos attack the moving train in the midnight hours.  Itsoon becomes apparent that robbery is not their intent but the abduction ofsuper model Valentina, who is traveling incognito while recovering from apublic scandal involving her ex-husband, high profile US Senator, MarcusChamberlin.  Luke whisks Valentina off the train in a daring escape butthe two of them become the targets of a relentless manhunt.  Enlisting theaid of Luke's BOI teammates, they soon discover that Val's intended abductionis linked to a plot put in play by an international gun smugglingalliance.  The BOI team led by Luke, with Val along as a necessarypawn, must race halfway around the world to thwart a ruthless attack that wouldnot only result in a devastating loss of life but destroy a tenuous peace theUS and her allies have established in a vastly unstable part of the world.
This was my first book I'd read in the Black Ops Series andI admit to downloading the rest to my Nook by the end of the day.  
"Luke Colter's number one rule of self preservation: Don'tignore the itch." 
With No Remorse starts with a bang and keeps on going. It begins with both characters on a traintraveling thru the Andes Mountains of Peru.  Luke is returningfrom vacation when his train is stopped and group of heavily armed men stormthe train.  It looks like a robbery but Luke quickly realizes it's anattempted abduction and Luke flees with the young boy the bad guys are after. Oh, but the young boy turns out to be Luke's adolescent crush,Valentina.  Valentina, or Val, is also on her way back to the states aftertaking some time off to escape the media circus that her life had become. 
I have to admit that I've had a long time crush on HarrisonFord and to have Luke referred to as "Indy" and the mention of thefedora, *swoon*.  I really liked Luke.  Not having read any of theprevious books it was my first time getting to know him.  I'd like to gushover Luke like he was gushing over Val.  He's my ideal military hero; he'sstrong, funny, and a little tortured by his past, but a good woman helps himthrough it.   I also liked Val- most of the time.  But I understandwhere she's coming from.  She's a woman who wants to stand on her own feetafter feeling like she's had no control over her life for a long time. And having her marriage end the way it had didn't help her either. She did pull herself up when Luke needed her and followed his directives. I did want to go "Why?!" when she called her ex-husband forhelp when Luke stepped out.
I was thrilled when the rest of the Black Ops team showed upas well.  I was drawn right into their tight family and didn't feel likeanyone was a stranger.  Their joking back and forth made me laugh out loudseveral times.  Val summed it up best when she thought, 
Good Lord. Doesn't Luke have any ugly friends?
The sub-plot weaved in very nicely and didn't overshadow thegrowing relationship of Luke and Val; it enhanced it.  There were timesthat the hesitation between Luke and Val drove me crazy.  Theyeach had their own hangups but Luke's strong but gentle personality was justwhat Val needed.  His knowledge of her from entertainment magazines workedfor me and brought tension relief at times. The Epilogue brought everything together for me and it was niceto see Luke and Val in a everyday setting.  After all, they "hadme at potato."
Overall it was a wonderful book and Iwill definitely be checking out the rest of the Black Ops series. Cindy Gerard grabs you right from the beginning and holds you until thevery end.  
*RECIPE*
Potato Soup(my grandmothers recipe)
Val and Luke spend some quality time with potatoes so Ithought this was appropriate.
Ingredients10 whole Potatoes1 whole Onion, Diced8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese1 can Cream Of Celery Soup (10 Ounce Can)1 can Cream Of Mushroom Soup (10 Ounce Can)1 teaspoon Garlic Powder1 teaspoon Salt½ teaspoons PepperMilk (optional, For Desired Thickness)1 bunch Green Onions (diced, For Garnish, If Desired)1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded, For Garnish, IfDesired)
Preparation InstructionsPeel and dice Russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes and placeinto a Dutch oven or a large saucepan. Cover with water and boil potatoes andonions til fork-tender. Add cubes of cream cheese to the mixture and stir untilthe cheese melts. To this mixture, add creamy soups and mix. Add garlic powder,salt, pepper, and milk (if desired).  Serve up the bowls, and garnish withcheddar cheese and green onion.

Book to Give Away: Signed Copy of SNAPPED by Laura Griffin

My friend Laura Griffin sent me a signed copy of her latest release, SNAPPED, to give away to one lucky commenter today.

Here's a brief summary of the book:

SOPHIE BARRETT THINKS SHE'S LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. SHE MAY BE DEAD WRONG.
On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people—plus the shooter—are dead and dozens more are injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn't the random, senseless act it appeared to be. No one wants to believe her—not the cops, not her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who's already saved her life once.

Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can't resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she's made herself the target of a killer without a conscience. And the real terror is only just beginning. . . .

To be entered into today's drawing, tell me what makes your heart beat fast when reading suspense. Drawing is open until noon EDT on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Next Up on Book Club: With No Remorse by Cindy Gerard

His quiet vacation in the Peruvian Andes turns deadly when a Black Ops, Inc. operative rescues a stunning stranger from a mysterious train robbery and discovers she's the target of a vengeful manhunt.
A DANGEROUS MAN
For Luke Colter, down time is an illusion. He should know better than to ever leave his gun behind. Especially since he risks his life to save world-famous supermodel Valentina.A REBELLIOUS WOMAN
Val thought traveling incognito through the mountains would be the perfect cure for her bruised heart . . . until someone tries to kill her. Without knowing who is after her—and why—does she dare trust her irresistible protector?A PERILOUS MISSION THAT COULD SEAL THEIR FATE
Luke's elite military training offers little defense against his feelings for Val. When his BOI team links her ruthless enemy to the cutthroat global weapons trade—and to a man from her troubled past—he'll do anything to save her.  So when Val offers herself as bait, will he make the right call . . . or surrender to the hold she has on his heart?
Join us on Thursday, September 15 for a discussion on With No Remorse.  Author Cindy Gerard will be joining us to answer questions!

Book Club: Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

By: Kara Conrad
Welcome to HarmonyPopulation: LOTS ofunforgettable charactersSYNOPSIS from Jodi Thomas's website: Sixteen-year-oldrunaway Reagan has always wanted a place to belong. She's never had a real homeof her own, but perhaps she could borrow someone else's. Under an assumed nameand identity, she moves to Harmony, Texas, but keeps her distance from thewelcoming townsfolk. Until prairie fires threaten Harmony-and Reagan learns thetrue meaning of family, friends, and home.
When you first enter the town, you're sure to see peoplethat remind you of someone you'd like to meet, maybe even someone you've knownyour entire life. You will meet young children who can teach us all somethingabout life, teenagers from the local high school, including a rising rodeo star,slightly (maybe slightly more than slightly?) eccentric old folks, some quitecheerful, others down-right cranky. As Alex thinks about Jeremiah, "He'd beenold her whole life." Don't we all know someone who fits that bill? And I guessthat's the thing about Welcome to Harmony; there is an entire cast ofcharacters the reader will recognize. There are people who may appear one wayon the surface, but not too far below that surface have several layers mostnever get to see. Thanks to the brilliant writing of Jodi Thomas, we do.
If you like romance (and of course we all do), then there issomething for you in this book. In fact, there is more than ONE love story foryou. I dare you to read the scene when we first meet Alex and Hank and NOT beintrigued by their relationship. We've talked before about those books set insmall towns, and have featured some of them here at the club. This book hasthat too, which adds so much depth to the story. By the time you finish, youwill feel not only like you KNOW these people, but that you can't wait to learnmore. Lucky for all of us, this book is the first in a series! There's alsosuspense and a mystery to solve. This book has it all!
I really enjoy at least a bit of comedy in the stories Iread, maybe even a laugh out loud moment or two. How about Jeremiah, the oldman we hope will take Reagan in and give her a real home? One of his many,memorable lines is, "I welcome company about the same as I do black mold." J But this book alsooffers much more serious, deeper emotional scenes. For instance, on the samepage Jeremiah declares his 'fondness' for visitors, Reagan describes what shecalls reverse wishing. At sixteen, she has learned "I don't wish for goodthings to happen, I just wish the bad things would leave me alone for a while."That line stuck with me, as I know that to be the truth for many children.
If you've read the book already, then you know what I'msaying is true, and I'm looking forward to finding out your favorite charactersand storylines from Harmony. If you haven't read this book, believe me when Isay, this little write up barely scratches the surface of all you'll findwithin its pages.  And yes, I'm a bitbiased as I'm currently in my third reading of this book, but I'm not alone inmy praise for it. Welcome to Harmony has received many fantastic reviews and isa 2011 RITA winner! The second book in the series is Somewhere Along the Wayand is already out in bookstores. The next book, The Comforts of Home, is dueto be released November 1!
And finally, this is how I know Jodi Thomas is a writer forme (and anyone who knows me will get this): not only is she an amazing storyteller, but right there on page 72 of Welcome to Harmony, Tyler stops by SONIC! Jodi doesn't mention the drink he orders,but I'm quite certain it is a Coke, extra ice. J
Jodi is scheduled to visit with us today, so ask yourquestions! Also, for my own benefit, let's talk favorite characters, lines,etc. I will be dropping by as often as I can, but don't let my absence slow youdown. Step right up, start the party, and WELCOME TO HARMONY!
While I fully recommend a trip to Sonic, a la Tyler (p. 72),it is the tradition of book club to include recipes with our book talks. Sincethey are served up here by yours truly, you know it can't get any easier thanthis. You cooker ladies keep you laughter to a minimum.Certain to be hits at the Blue Moon Diner:Chili Cheese FriesIngredients:
1 (32 ounce) package French fries
1 (8 ounce) bag shredded Colby jack cheese
1 (15 ounce) can chili with no beans
2 green onions (sliced)

Step 1: Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat French fries according topackage directions. Drain on paper towels.  In a medium sauce pan overmedium heat the chili until it is heated through.
Step 2: Arrange fries on the bottom of an oven safe dish. Top with chili, thenshredded Colby jack cheese, and finally green onions. Bake for 8-10 minutes oruntil the cheese has melted (can also be done in the microwave on plates).


Yield: 8 servings
1 c Sugar
• 8 oz Commercial sour cream
• 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp Salt
• 4 c Fresh blueberries
• 1 Unbaked 9-inch pastry shell
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1/4 c Dried breadcrumbs; fine
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Butter or margarine; melted

Combine first 4 ingredients; stir well. Place blueberries in unbaked pastryshell; sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over berries. Spread sour cream mixture overberries. Combine breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar, and butter; sprinkle overtop. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until center is firm. Yield:one 9-inch pie.

Fatal Wedding Grand Prize Winners!

Before I announce the grand prize winners, a reminder to the 14-day winners. Some of these prizes are still unclaimed, so if you see your name, drop me an email at marie@marieforce.com. I've tried to notify everyone who gave email addresses, but some winners did not provide emails.

Here they are again:

Day 1: Stacey @ 9:53: $25 Amazon Gift Card

Day 2: Lisa Fillipe: $25 B&N Gift Card

Day 3: Alison Peterson: $25 to 1-800-FLOWERS

Day 4: Monika Michalek: $25 to Abercrombie & Fitch

Day 5: Catherine Bice: $25 to Amazon

Day 6: Anne Woodall: $25 to Zappos

Day 7: Jackie Conlon: Signed copy of Fatal Affair
Day 8: Stephanie JS: $25 to Amazon
Day 9: Lisa B: $25 to B&N
Day 10: Sarah (at 9:54 pm): $25 to Godiva
Day 11: Donna (@ 4:55 pm): $25 to Godiva
Day 12: Fedora: $30 to iTunes
Day 13: Jackie0668: $50 to the charity of her choice
Day 14: Hope Frost: Signed copy of Fatal Affair
And the GRAND PRIZES go to:
Kindle or Nook (or $100 to Amazon or BN if you already have one): Danielle West
Advance Fatal Books for the Life of the Series: Michelle McGinty
THANK YOU all once again for the wonderful show of support for Sam & Nick's wedding. I hope you're all enjoying Fatal Destiny. I apologize to Kindle users for the pricing snafu at Amazon. With everyone at Harlequin off for the holiday, I can't do anything about it today. Hopefully, we can get it resolved tomorrow and everyone will get their dollar back! Sony and Kobo users who've reported they can't find the book, you can get it at AllRomanceEbooks.com or Carina Press. I will also ask Harlequin to check on those two platforms. 

Going to the Chapel, and We're Gonna Get Married....

The big day is finally upon us! The Fatal Series wedding novella, Fatal Destiny, is available for free today, everywhere ebooks are sold! I thought it would be fun to list all the wedding details in one central spot to refresh your memory on what you chose for Sam and Nick.

First, a little about Fatal Destiny: 

With the week of their wedding finally upon them, Washington, D.C., Police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her fiancé, Senator Nick Cappuano, are at odds. In the aftermath of a tragic loss, they struggle to reconnect as the big day draws near, but their work keeps pulling them apart. When a new clue into a cold case surfaces, Nick asks Sam not to take any foolish chances before the wedding and to leave it alone for the time being. Sam agrees, but she can't let it go entirely and winds up trapped in an explosive situation. Then an unwelcome visitor from her past threatens her future happiness… With trouble at every turn, will Sam survive long enough to walk down the aisle?

And now for another look at the wedding of the year:

The ChurchSt. John's, the "Church of the Presidents," in Washington, D.C.

The ReceptionThe Hay Adams Hotel, Washington, D.C.


Invitations

Bridesmaid Dresses

Flowers





Nick's Suit

Don't be mad at me because I referred to a bowtie in the book. Woops!
Sam's Dress

Sam's Shoes

Sam's Hair

Nick's Ring

Sam's Ring

The Cake

The Groom's Cake

First Dance

Thank You For Loving Me, Bon JoviListen Here.
Wedding FavorsA Donation To:

Honeymoon





Thanks again for making the wedding planning so fun! Sam and Nick are eternally grateful for your good taste!

Fatal Wedding Big Reveal Day 14: Honeymoon!

**Make sure to check the sidebar to see if you've won any of the random prizes over the last 14 days!**
Sam and Nick are finally getting a week off together—granted, they had to get married to make it happen! We need to send this special couple to a place where they can recharge, regroup and reconnect after some crazy months. I'll let the photos do the talking... Remember to comment to be entered into the grand prize drawing for one of two prizes: A Kindle or a Nook (or $100 to Amazon or B&N if you already own a device) OR advance Fatal Books for the life of the series. Be the very first to know what's up next for Sam and Nick!
Honeymoon Destination 1The St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel, Tahiti, French Polynesia




Honeymoon Destination 2Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, Pacific Ocean



Honeymoon Destination 3Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives Islands, Indian Ocean



And the winner is....
Number 1: Bora Bora!
Phew! Well, that does it for the Fatal Wedding planning. I hope you've all had as much fun as I have planning Washington's Wedding of the Year. Sam and Nick asked me to tell you how very much they appreciate your input to their big day and how very much we ALL appreciate your enjoyment of their ongoing story. We'll release the results of your choices TOMORROW in the FREE Fatal wedding novella, Fatal Destiny.
Another very special thank you my dear friends Alyson Hackett and Ronlyn Howe, who came up with all the beautiful choices for Sam and Nick. About five minutes after I had the big idea to involve readers in Sam and Nick's wedding, it dawned on me that it would be an enormous amount of work to put together the variety of choices we've given you over the last 14 days. Aly and Ronlyn LITERALLY saved my life (and saved Sam and Nick's wedding) by stepping up to the plate and hitting a grand slam. Thank you both so much!
Okay, watch for two posts tomorrow. The first will put the whole thing together in one place, with all your winning choices highlighted. The second will reveal the two winners of the grand prizes.
For today's last prize, I'm offering another signed copy of the print version of Fatal Affair, the story that started the series. Comment here on the blog to be entered into the drawing.
Thank you all for making this so much fun! I really hope you enjoy Fatal Destiny!

Fatal Wedding Big Reveal Day 13: Wedding Favors

Sam and Nick want to thank you for helping to plan their wedding! They've given a lot of thought to a gift they could give their guests to remember their special day. In the course of their work as a police officer and as a U.S. senator, they see a lot of need in their local community. So in lieu of favors, they are going to make a donation in the name of each wedding guest to one of their three favorite charities. Nick left it up to Sam to decide what three charities to offer as choices, and she chose three organizations near and dear to her:

Charitable Organization 1

Washington D.C. Police Foundation

The Washington DC Police Foundation is a group of Washington area business and civic leaders who work with the D.C. Police Chief to promote better public safety across the District of Columbia.

The DC Police Foundation was formed in 2000 by Washington area business and civic leaders under the aegis of the Federal City Council to generate resources to support crime prevention programs and programs for at-risk youth.

The Washington DC Police Foundation works to support key unmet public safety needs identified by the Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police Department and other public safety leaders in the District of Columbia. We do this by giving support to MPD and by engaging directly on public safety policy initiatives in the city.

The Foundation relies on financial support and in-kind resources from our members who include the business and professional community, retailers, faith-based leaders, civic leaders, philanthropic foundations, and individuals who are interested in improving public safety in our Nation's Capital.

Charitable Organization 2

Big Brothers Big Sisters National Capital Area

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children through professionally supported long-term, One-To-One® mentoring relationships with carefully screened, caring and committed adults in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the Washington Region. We are the leader in One-To-One youth mentoring services. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children ages 6 through 18 in our community.

Charitable Organization 3

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

The Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) offer resources on spinal cord injury, paralysis and mobility related disabilities.

And the winner is...
Number 3! 
I was so glad you all chose that one in loving tribute to Sam's paralyzed father. In honor of all of you today, I'll make a $50 donation to the charity of the winner's choice in the winner's name, so go forth and comment on today's Big Reveal!
One more day, and then it all comes to fruition in Fatal Destiny! I posted a new excerpt on my Facebook fan page last night. "Like" the page and click on "Exclusive Fan Zone" for a little taste of what's to come in Destiny!

Fatal Wedding Big Reveal Day 12: The First Dance

Here's what I said about this one in February: Those of you who've read Fatal Justice may have a "leg up" so to speak when it comes to choosing the first song Sam and Nick will dance to as husband and wife. If you want to know Sam's favorite, hurry up and read Fatal Justice! :-) I love that Ronlyn and Aly included Bless the Broken Road, which is one of my favorites, and they didn't even know that! Which one will I vote for? My favorite or Sam's? Hmmmm....
Here are our choices:
Song 1: At Last, Etta James Listen Here
Song 2: Thank You For Loving Me, Bon JoviListen Here.
Song 3: Bless the Broken Road, Rascal FlattsListen Here
And the winner is (as if there was ever any question):
Number 2!!!!
While I managed to work one of the other songs into the story, I really love the first-dance scene in Fatal Destiny! Can't wait for you guys to read it on MONDAY! In case you missed it yesterday, the novella is now available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Carina Press site. 
Today's drawing is a $30 gift card to i-Tunes, so go forth and comment on Sam & Nick's first dance!

Next Up On Book Club: Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

Sixteen-year-old runaway Reagan has always wanted a place to belong. She's never had a real home of her own, but perhaps she could borrow someone else's. Under an assumed name and identity, she moves to Harmony, Texas, but keeps her distance from the welcoming townsfolk. Until prairie fires threaten Harmony-and Reagan learns the true meaning of family, friends, and home.

Join us on Thursday, September 8 for a discussion of Welcome to Harmony.  Author Jodi Thomas will be joining us :)