Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 112

Freaks & Freebies with Hayley Lawson-Smith

Years ago a distant relative researched our family tree. Scattered on the various branches were the

usual 'Ten Pound Poms', farmers and sheep-stealers; people many Aussie families can boast about.

But there was also a gentleman with a more unique claim to fame. He was a Londoner named

Charles, born with no arms, double-jointed legs and six toes on each foot. Times being what they

were, poor Chuck didn't have a whole lot of prospects, so his older brother placed him in what was

politely called a 'side-show' once he was in his teens. Despite being stuck in a cruel situation, my

ancestor became successful, performing tricks such as pouring tea with his toes, even playing the

piano, and I couldn't help being fascinated, and fairly proud, that there was a 'freak' in our family.

Particularly when I went on to read that Charles married young and fathered twelve healthy

children. Not a bad effort.

Being a theatre person myself, I’ve always loved the arts, artists, extroverts and performers. I was

intrigued by the idea of being part of a world of colourful characters; a romanticised story of life in

a freak-show formed in my head and it was a story I wrote for myself. It's a trick I’ve done since

being a kid; creating a character I can live through, someone who has outlandish adventures,

meeting eccentric and off-the-wall folk. For this story, I chose a bearded girl. I took the idea of a

child running away to join the circus and twisted it a little; it occurred to me that my ancient relative

hadn't so much 'run away', but he was 'given away'. The Julius Romeros Extravaganza, Part 1

covers Abigail’s childhood, into her teens and young adulthood. Basically, I had a lot of fun writing

this book, always with the goal of writing Parts 2 and 3, where things grow a little darker and

grittier. My fondest wish is that my audience enjoys reading this novel as much as I’ve enjoyed

writing it.
The book Hayley speaks of is at the moment FREE on Kindle! Download your copy today from Amazon.
Blurb: Abigail has been born into a wealthy, upper-class family. Good breeding is essential to her upbringing. But Abigail has been born with a beard and the prudish housekeeper, Mrs Hiffeltrimp, along with her stuffy butler husband, aim to veil this whiskery problem from the rest of the world. While Abigail's mother hides herself in an expensive health spa and the master of the house is away at war, Mrs Hiffeltrimp will go to any lengths to be rid of the offending whiskers. Even if it means being rid of the little girl from whose chin they sprout.

The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff

This was a very unique read. I'm surprised by what happened within its pages and I'm surprised by the ending.


I walk away from this novel very enlightened on the Treaty of Versailles. WWI and its consequences sadly seem to go largely unnoticed in history and in school. Ms. Jenoff does a remarkable job educating while entertaining.

The setting is France. A young woman who'd been rather...coerced into agreeing to marry a man when war hit is trying to postpone her impending marriage by staying with her ambassador father for the conducting of the treaty. She's German in a country that at the moment, hates Germans.

There's so much going on here... there's duty. Does she do her duty because it's the right thing to do or does she follow her heart? Is it wrong to just want to LIVE for a while before typing oneself down? When does doing the right thing really become doing the wrong thing? There's information falling into the wrong hands. Betrayal: the act of committing and the act of being betrayed. There's the after effects of war, how people are treated. There's politics. And above all it's the story of how lies...no matter how small...often have the most dire of consequences.

There's spying, intrigue, romance, and history.

I really enjoyed it thought at times I struggled with the heroine and her decisions. I'd like to have seen her handle some things differently, namely her fiance Stephan, but had t his story not gone the way it did, the moral would not have been as strong.

Wonderful writing. It really planted me in France during the signing of the Treaty. I didn't find the love was all that passionate as in a previous book I read by Jenoff, but I could feel the heroine's guilt and turmoil just pop off the page.

Four stars. Brace yourself for lots of surprises. And that's hard to do nowadays, what with every plotline being done over and over and over. Ms. Jenoff really pulled this off. I received this from netgalley.

Tip from Tara: It's Not Alright.

It's never alright. Nope. It's so not. It will never be alright.

What the heck am I talking about???

Alright is not a word. It's something else I'm tired of seeing. It's honestly not a legit word, at least not yet. Rumor has it that it's slowly earning acceptance, but in the meantime, it's not alright, it's all right.

It turned out alright. Incorrect.

It turned out all right. Correct.

'Nuff said.

So, go back and put a space between that L and R and an extra L to AL so he's not too lonely.

Hope that's all right with ya'll. :)

Spotlight: Player by Laura DeLuca

PlayerLaura DeLuca
Joshua Handover had it all. He was handsome, rich, athletic, and had always been popular with the ladies. Yet, until he gets paired up with his beautiful but shy lab partner, Rosa, he never allowed himself to fall in love. As the chemistry between them grows, Josh realizes that his player days have come to end. But it seems his change of heart has come too late. Not only is Rosa leery of his bad boy reputation, he has four vindictive ex-girlfriends who are on a rampage. At first he doesn’t take their threats seriously, but then his tires are slashed, someone tries to poison him, and one of the girls turns up dead. Josh doesn’t know who to trust, but one thing is certain. It definitely isn’t worth the price he’s paying to be a player.Buy links: Amazon/ Smashwords

Excerpt:Someone else came over to offer Nadine their congratulations, so Josh said goodbye and went to his locker to get his backpack. He figured he would meet up with Andrea and Rosa in the parking lot. He fumbled with the combination before finally getting the door to swing open. Something glittered on the top shelf and caught his eye. He reached for it, and a small scrap of paper fluttered to the floor. At first he wasn’t sure what he was holding. It was a pink plastic tiara with some big gaudy plastic jewels. It was the type of thing he had seen in dollar stores for little girls’ birthday parties. It was practically broken in half, and the edges were sharp. Josh pricked his finger on the jagged point, and a few drops of blood welled from the small wound. He put his finger in his mouth as he bent to pick up the paper that had fallen. When he read it, the broken crown suddenly made sense and he wondered how he could have been so naïve. He should have realized from the instant he saw it what it meant.
“Josh decided to play aroundNow one of his girls is under the ground.Another has a big bump on her head.And by the end of the dance, the queen will be dead.”

About the Author:Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.  Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan and Player. Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Bloggers Wanted!

Seeking bloggers to post a huge and fun announcement on Feb 12th. Announcement includes a giveaway and participating bloggers will have either their FB Page, their blog, or their Twitter account listed as an entry option. So in exchange for hosting me, you pick up some new fans. One lucky host will also receive a $5 Amazon gift card. I will randomly choose a name. If interested in being a host, please email me at tchevrestt(at)yahoo.com
**Blog announcement does not contain any sexual content or excerpt. It is rated PG.**

The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow

At first this book felt like a coming of age story, then it became a love story and a tale of war, prejudice, and how it can destroy people. Then it began to feel like a moral...karma gets you. Retribution. Guilt. And finally, letting go and forgiveness.

I went on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with this. As the story changed, so did my emotions. I had feelings of anger and disgust. Sometimes I hated the heroine, wanted to slap her silly, sometimes I gasped. By the end, I had tears on my cheeks.

It's a silk factory in a time of war. They make silk for parachutes. The entire factory was an educational read for me. I learned a lot and was intrigued. When they take in German refugees to help, the heroine falls in love with one, but the town begins to show animosity toward the Germans in light of the war. (WWII) Stefan is deported to prison in Australia, merely because of his nationality. Lily is forced to take over the running of the silk factory, a task she is and yet, isn't quite ready for as we see when she makes a very poor decision in a stressful moment. All the while she pines for Stefan and their moments together are all the sweeter for there being so few. Their love radiates off the page.


As a mechanic, I know how deadly some choices can be and could not forgive Lily for something she does. But can Lily forgive herself? Can she forgive herself for how she treats another woman, Gwen? Sometimes we use people and don't realize it until it's too late.

There are tons of morals within the pages. Tell your parents you love them. Don't let yourself be bullied. Take care not to use others. Make choices you know you can live with. I got a lot more than I expected. It truly surpasses majority of WWII novels I've read.

I was riveted to this book. There's forbidden love, teen angst, growing up, war, jealousy, using people, living with guilt. There's death, sadness, heartache, and joy.

Five stars. I received this from netgalley.

Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Eloise

Book: Eternal Envy
Author: Paloma Beck
Heroine: Eloise



Eloise has been cursed to live her life with the soul sin of Envy. With six sisters, she suffered dreaming to be more like them, to have the things they had and even to look like them. Despite the obstacle, she carved out a life for herself. She turned her envy of beautiful things into a successful business designing high-end women's shoes. When finally she meets Caedon and her sin is cast aside by her mate, Eloise is free to reach her true potential. And she doesn't waste a minute allowing anyone else to take care of her. Instead, she insists on helping in the search for Caedon's missing parents. Learning to use her new-found powers, Eloise reigns in her magic to provide the final healing. Her magic is powerful but its her spirit -and her strength- that are sexy to Caedon. Eloise is his perfect equal despite Caedon being used to calling the shots.
Watch out, world, Eloise has come into her powers!
BLURB:
Seven sisters are entwined in a legacy, one originating back from the time of the Italian Wars in the 1500s. One by one, they will find their mates from the immortal Valendite Breeds and secure their place in history. Eloise has lived with bitter envy her entire life until the moment she fell into the arms of Caedon. Once claimed by her mate, she will covet nothing more for eternity, especially now that she has it all. Caedon plans to fulfill her every need if he can just keep her safe. With their secret so close to being exposed and a mate who finds herself in the midst of the drama, Caedon has enough to keep his hands full. Then Caedon’s parents, believed dead for a century, come across the Terrorist Elimination Unit’s (TEU) radar. Can he save his parents while protecting his new-found mate?

Unexpected Top by Cassandra Carr

Now, THIS is what I call the ultimate female fantasy. Finally a BDSM book featuring a male and female relationship I can dig. Nice change.


Cissy and Len are married and they are at the point their marriage has...gone stale. I think we all know what's that like. They love each other, but something's missing.

Len doesn't help around the house, is rude, doesn't strive to please his wife in bed. He's gotten lazy. Cizzy decides to take him in hand. She makes a set of chores for him to do and once he does them, he gets rewarded with hot sexual acts. But this way, Cissy gets something out of it too. She gets help around the house, gets the dishes done right...

And emotionally, this begins to affect Len. He starts to realize what a jerk he's been, that he NEEDS to be taken in hand.

Ultimate women's wet dream. *sigh* She even gets to spank him when he's bad, and I confess at first I was turned off by it because it made him seem like a child, but then we get into Len's head and he tells us how he feels about and why it's good for him and it made total sense. He needed punishment and forgiveness.

I especially love a part where Len suggests doing something and Cissy turns it around on him..."YOU do it first."

If you won't do it yourself, why should she?

Five star, fabulous, naughty, but totally full of female empowerment read. I'd love more of these.

I was given a copy of this by Sizzling PR in exchange for an honest review.

Spotlight & Giveaway on Laura DeLuca's Destiny Series

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. 
Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabriella and Darron at odds.
There is more to the story than Gabriella and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabriella and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.
Destiny Unveiled Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.
About the Author:Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Visit her on her websites at http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com or  http://newagemama.blogspot.com . Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Destiny Excerpt: Her eyes scanned the room, from the pale blue sofa to the bloody dent in the wall. But she didn’t need her eyes to know Darron was there. Her heart sensed his presence before her eyes saw him lying in a heap on the ground. His body shuttered with occasional spasms, and even though he wasn’t fully conscious, his lips were twisted in a grimace of pain.
Uttering a gasp of surprise, Gabriella flew to his side. She knelt beside him, and choked back a sob as she took his hand in her own. She saw his chest rise and fall and was glad to know was alive, but she felt helpless as she watched his face contort in pain. She noticed something wet and sticky on her fingertips. She gently titled his head and saw a large gash that looked like it needed medical attention.  The skin around the gash was so deeply bruised it looked almost black.
 “Darron, what happened to you?”
He didn’t move or reply. Gabriella moved her hand from the cut on his forehead, and her fingers dripped with blood. She bit her lower lip with fear. She knew enough about head injuries to know that the wound could be serious. She grabbed a few tissues from a box on the coffee table, and tried to apply pressure to the wound, but it was useless. The tissues were soaked through in seconds.
 “Darron?” She squeezed his hand, and fought back tears of fear and frustration.  “Darron, please open your eyes. Please be all right!”
He squirmed and groaned a little in response. Looking at his contorted features, Gabriella felt incompetent and useless. She didn’t know what to do to help him. The cut must need stitches. The blood was gushing through her fingertips, and she was sure his life was slipping away just as quickly.
More than anything, Gabriella wanted to help Darron, to end his suffering. Her thoughts, her desperation, caused something deep inside of her to stir. Something that had long been napping was awoken. The power she had fought so hard to deny was forcing its way to the surface. This time she didn’t struggle against that power. Her instinct to hide from it was finally overcome by the thought of losing someone else she cared about.
Gabriella was pulling strength and warmth from the earth, as though her legs were tree roots taking nourishment from the element. A tingling sensation began in the tips of her toes and spread slowly though her body as she breathed in the essence of the element of air.  Her blood flowed and grew warm, the element of water, bringing the power to the surface. She was overcome by a vigorous strength as she envisioned her spirit encircled by the element of fire. She felt so powerful that she thought she could stop the world from churning if that was what she wished. Gabriella focused the power, remembering for a moment her mother’s lessons. She looked down at her battered friend. She willed him to open his eyes and look at her. She demanded it of him.
Gabriella would have thought it was impossible, but she felt herself grow warmer. Her face dripped with perspiration. The power within her reached a climax. Then finally, when she thought she might burst, she felt the energy release. It seeped through her fingers, and shined with an illumination that only she could see. She heard herself chanting unfamiliar words, and scarcely recognized her own voice.
 “By the power of earth, water, fire and air,Heal this man who’s in my care.Goddess, hear your daughter’s plea. As I will it, so mote it be!”
Gabriella repeated the words three times. Three was the number of power. Then she watched as the wound on Darron’s forehead healed before her eyes, becoming smaller and smaller, until finally it was gone. The blood was still warm and sticky, but beneath the blood, the skin was smooth and unmarred. Even the horrible bruise had vanished. Gabriella stared in open astonishment, marveling at the work she had done.
Destiny Unveiled Excerpt: After collecting the offering from his followers, the leader returned to the center of the circle and the waiting initiate. With one quick motion, he sliced open his own palm. He held his hand over the cup, letting his blood drip slowly into the chalice, until the wound miraculously healed before Darron's startled eyes. When the chalice was full, he carried it to the eager initiate who took the cup firmly into his hands and tilted it towards his lips.
"As this blood makes you one with our flesh, so your soul follows to become one with the darkness," the English voice intoned.
As the initiate drained the last of the liquid in the chalice, his hood fell away, revealing a blonde ponytail pulled back over a pale white face, made even paler by the outline of bright red blood around his lips. Darron watched in stunned, horrified silence as his own face turned to meet his gaze. Eyes turned as black as coals stared back at Darron with a grim smile of satisfaction.

"Rise Darron," the leader commanded. And as he spoke, he lifted the hood from his head. Rise brother of the Dark Coven."



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seconds to Disaster by Ray Ronan & Glenn Meade

Wow! What a read. It's going to be hard for me to get on any more MD-80s, 737s, or an Airbus every again. Even though I LOVE airplanes. This book was incredibly insightful. Perfect for an aviation buff such as myself. Having had an "insider view" into some aspects of these things in my career as a mechanic, I felt as though I was getting the full 411 for a change.


I love Air Emergency. I have this sick obsession with airplane crashes. What causes them? Was it mechanical? I think that's partly because in all my aviation career, that possibility was always in the back of my mind, ensuring I did my job carefully. This book brings up many air crashes and disasters, some I watched on that show, some that were new to me. My one and only quibble is the book leads with introducing a flight crew and telling us they crashed, but never do they tell us why. Urgh! I felt teased. If it did reveal the reason, it was so far later, I didn't make the connection.

But...things I learned that blew me away:

Your baby and your child under 7 are NOT safe on commercial planes. Babies on the lap: not safe. The likelihood of your baby surviving in severe turbulence or a rapid brake landing: nil. Seatbelts are made for adults, not children, as it can severely damage their pelvises and abdominal area in a crash. Talk your airline about a "car seat" and NEVER use loop belts. Incredible data was revealed in this.

Fatigue: bad problem. 

Counterfeit parts: Yikes! 

Boeing and their 737 NGs. Wow. This chapter talks about a major scandal and cover up regarding parts Boeing bought from a company... The company claimed they were computer made when in reality, they were man made with sharpie markers and hand saws and you have aircraft flying around that shouldn't be. This chapter was my favorite. Very revealing.

It talked about how the big airlines to save money are not really hiring mechanics, but people off the street with one mechanic supervising, training them for a mere specialty.....Been there. *nods*

And oh, also, how the engine air is circulating through the aircraft with oil fumes in it so we breathe that stuff in. Flight crews often have a high rate of cancer because of this.

A very eye-opening book. The last chapter is about how YOU can make flying safe for yourself.

Four stars. Wish the crashes had been better explained. I bought this on Amazon. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in aviation or those who fly often.