Jennifer Anderson's Blog, page 17

Laurie's Non-Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Ice Princess. It's easy, go here and enter. Easy, peasy!

Trying something new...

In case you haven't noticed, but I've added a Pregnancy Journal page to my blog. I'm still figuring out how to manipulate the page but my goal is to update it daily. This pregnancy has not been usual from day 1 and as I get older, I notice many things that didn't plague me in my previous pregnancies. If you have a comment or a story to share, I'd love to hear from you.

Book Nibbles

Today on Book Nibbles we have Cat Shaffer's No Safe Place .
Even small towns hide secrets…

When Lissa Williams loses both her job as editor of a hard-hitting news magazine, and her fiancé, in a one-two punch, she doesn’t plan to compound her troubles by first getting drunk and then into a sexy stranger’s bed. Nor does she expect to wind up in the tiny hamlet of Oslo, West Virginia, three months later, after her best friend is carjacked and left to die. Her shock at realizing that the first person she meets in Oslo is the same sexy stranger who had rocked her world in a single night, is softened by the realization he doesn’t remember her. But how long can she keep things that way when he insists on volunteering as her handyman at the wreck of a house she’s rented?

Folks in Oslo know Nat “Duke” O’Keefe as the man who’s taken over the town’s tow truck service. No one suspects his real job is undercover cop with an elite, multi-state task force investigating a sophisticated auto theft ring financing a global trade in illegal weapons. When a beautiful woman shows up in the two-bit town of Oslo, his boss orders him to cozy up to the town’s newest resident and figure out just what she’s up to. That suits him fine, until the sparks between them light a strange remembrance, a tinder of desire, and danger that may kill them both.


I haven't had the pleasure of reading No Safe Place yet but I have met the author and she's wonderful!



By Book CraZFormat:Kindle EditionNO SAFE PLACE is the kind of romantic suspense I enjoy. It has tension and mystery, but it isn't too dark or edgy. I read it in one day because I needed to know what happens next. If you enjoy the Harlequin Intrigue line, you'll want to read this story.
If you like romantic suspense, add No Safe Place to your TBR list this summer.

Writing Re-Start

Lately, I've felt a little blah about writing. Maybe a better word is unmotivated. I'm sure it all has to do with being pregnant and this new life is literally sucking the creative juice from me but I won't blame her yet! Several weeks ago, I finished a 40K word YA Honey Creek due out next year. I had a deadline and reached it with time to spare. My plans were then to begin edits and rewrites on another YA that is also due out next year but still needed some work. I've gotten until December to finish so I'm not worried. Yet I can't seem to find the motivation to get cranking. I mean, I love this story. It's a little suspenseful, not something I normally do. So instead, I've been a stay-at-home mom, cleaning, keeping the fam fed and making plans for this new little baby since she was a complete surprise and the lingering thought of working on my YA nags at me. But I haven't completely taken a break from my craft. Nope. I've been to the library, which has finally expanded their YA collection, and making my way through older YA titles hoping the reading would spark some typing from me. Nope. Then I attended a conference this weekend and WHAM I'm feeling the writing love! I'm not sure what did it. Was it being surrounded by other awesome writers, most way more popular than myself? Was it sitting and chatting with my fellow TMPers and sharing our thoughts about upcoming projects? Or was it sitting in on a presentation on how awesome YA is and what stories had influenced other authors. Yes. Yes. And yes. So while I took away awesome information from the conference, I also found my mojo! In fact, I've been home for 8 hours (most of those were me sitting on my butt while I watch my feel unswell) and I've written 2 blog posts for this week. In the morning, I hope to be up early, refreshed, coffee in hand and my YA pulled up on the screen in front of me. I want to have it edited, rewritten, and beta read before this baby comes since I might be out of commission for a few weeks afterwards. But once she knows her momma is a busy writer, I plan to begin working on another YA MS as well as a new Honey Creek. Follow me on Twitter (@JenniA8677), where I'll keep anybody who'll listen up to date. Thank you and good night!

Book Nibbles Round-Up

For awhile, I've been featuring titles here under the name Book Nibbles. Books I've either enjoyed or might enjoy. Today, I'd like to take a minute to run through these titles again and mention whether I have read since posting and what I thought. Who knows, maybe you'll find something you'll like as well.

Also, to find a listing of all the books I've read, check me out on GoodReads (I love that place!).
The books listed are in no particular order:
Raeliksen by Renee Vincent: Loved this book. A historical romance that kept my eyes glued to the pages. I cried, laughed and fell in love. Now, I just need to read Mac Liam, Book 2 in her trilogy.
Kentucky Blues by Cat Schaffer: I have not read but heard wonderful things. I can't wait to see Cat again at the Lori Foster Reader Writer Get Together in June.
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare: Devoured the second book in the series. The twists, turns and cliffhangers make me starved for the next installment. A YA must read.
Rescue Me by Jennifer Johnson: I fell in love with this book. I have the pleasure of working with JJ and her writing. We are both in the Men in Uniform anthology and I loved her story in there too. In fact, I loved Rescue Me so much, I immediately read Double Dog Dare which is another snarky, fun, sweet romance.
Late Harvest by Suzanne Barrett: I haven't read yet but a friend said she couldn't put it down. Gesh, my TBR list just keeps growing and growing.
Secrets by Jan Scarbrough: This is a re-release that I haven't had the pleasure yet.  A sweet Contemporary Romance that was nominated for a 2011 CAPA from the Romance Studio.
The Most Intimate Wish by FL Bicknell. This book is an erotic title and I haven't jumped in yet.



Purrfect Voyage by Ruth J. Hartman. I haven't had the pleasure yet but I always love a romantic comedy. Plus, some how I mixing cats and a big boat might be really funny.



Be Mine, Valentine. Krista Ames has a short story in this anthology that was so cute. In fact, I read the entire anthology and found the short doses of love to be just what I needed to get into the February 14th spirit.
Rebuild My World by Cheryl Norman. This contemporary romance with suspense is added to my TBR list. What about you?



According to Plan by Madison J. Edwards. Loved this book. It is a bit on the steamy side but the story is not covered up by the clothes flung in these naughty scenes.. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and cheer them on.
Two Brothers by Christina Wolfer. Again, I loved this story. To watch the Amanda and Jacob figure things out ( I mean fight each other) was told wonderfully.









Skeleton in a Dead Space by Judy Alter. First off, I love the author. I haven't read her book yet but she's gotten wonderful reviews and now with the second title out in the series, I really need to step it up.

Buried in Briny Bay by Bobbye Terry. Another mystery I haven't read yet. This is book one in her Briny Bay Mystery series.
Ariel by Gabriel Madison. I really enjoyed the is YA Paranormal. The action was intense and I couldn't put it down. Now if only the author had another book coming out soon. *taps foot*
Love's Long Shadow by Ciara Knight. This short novella precludes her Battle of Lost Souls series. You get a glimpse into the world of fallen angels and demons. Really enjoyed this read and waiting to read her next book, Rise From Darkness where the story continues.

There you have it. I hope my little insight helps. I tried to keep it clean with my selection. But for all my reviews, you can friend me on GoodReads.
Thank you!

Book Nibbles

A favorite historical fiction is on today, Mac Liam by Renee Vincent.


Get a copy from Amazon for only $2.99!

A tortured soul….

Breandán Mac Liam, the strapping young hunter from Ireland’s lush forests, is in love with Mara, an ineligible beautiful princess. For seven long years, he has been vividly haunted by her memory, taunted by the throes of his heartache. And not even the thought of her marriage to a Northman can extinguish the fierce, burning desire running rampant through his soul.

An innocent heart….

Mara, the spirited Connacht princess, has no idea she is the object of the Irishman’s longing. She is living out her days on Inis Mór, raising a troubled son and trying to endure the cruel loneliness that afflicts her heart.

A deadly secret….

Ordered by the king on his deathbed, Breandán must return to Mara and bring her through the perilous lands of Connacht to fulfill her father’s last dying wish. But as their worlds collide, Breandán not only finds himself wrapped in the arms of Mara’s embrace, but thrown into a struggle to defend his honor.

With Mara caught between the family she loves and the father she knows, can Breandán uncover the mystery of her past and still protect her from a secret that threatens them all?




OMG! I love this book! I have a special place in my heart for Irish Historical Romances and Book One in the Emerald Isle Trilogy does not disappoint!  Not only does Vincent have a fantastic way with the historical facts, language and terms, but she pulls you right in and holds you there. If this is not on TBR list, you need to add it!

Book Nibbles

This week, I'm sharing a fellow Creeker, Maggie Greene's Nursing Second Chances on Book Nibbles.
A Honey Creek Sweet Romance

Kiersten Hart left Honey Creek the minute she graduated high school and never looked back. When her sister Jeanine is widowed and left to raise two children alone, Kiersten moves back on a temporary basis. When Charles steps in and sweeps her off her feet, she has to decide if the wounds from her childhood can be mended.

After his wife died, Charles Webber swore he’d never love anyone again. He buried himself in his work and didn’t look up until he found out his son was sick. Moving to Honey Creek was supposed to make things easier. Kiersten does little to help keep things simple. Though he is taken with her, he soon realizes the casual relationship they agreed on is turning serious. As their expiration date approaches, Charles must decide if Kiersten is worth the risk.


Get your copy from Amazon today!


If you're a fan of the Honey Creek line and will be attending the Lori Foster event this weekend (June 1-3) I will be there with Julie Anne Lindsey and Maggie Greene and we'd love to meet you. 

I feel old

You know you've said it. Heck, I think it's my daily mantra. But lately, I'm really feeling it. Maybe it's my youngest turning 8 with my oldest on the brink of 11. Or I'm faced with a long, hot summer staying home with the kids (which I've never done). Or maybe it's being pregnant at 34 3/4 (I could round up but why?).

It's probably all 3.

Last night, I pulled myself from my chilly house and braved upper 90 degree temps to take a short walk (these days I'm lucky if I can move at all). While passing each house and huffing along, I couldn't help but think to myself, "I feel old." Like really old.

What am I going to do about it?

To start my day, I woke at 6:30 and dove into my part-time work. After more than 2 hours chugging away, I took a much needed reading break. I just glanced at the clock and noticed that I've been awake for 3 hours. My kids are fed, dressed and ready to go. My work is good for the day. I've done 2 loads of laundry, showered, primped and even found a minute to write this post. And through it all, not once have I thought how old I feel. Or tired. No. My remedy for the old lady blues is positive thoughts (since I can't drink myself into a stooper) and blind faith.

Maybe, if I don't acknowledge it, it won't feel so real.

What do you do to combat feeling old?

Organization Station

I'm still amazed how much technology I've surrounded myself with. I blame my husband and love him for it all at the same time. I'm by no means a tech savvy person. Far from it. Yet, I rely completely on my phone, my hands free in the car, my eReader and my DVR (girl loves her books and TV!) . Ask me how they work and I can't help but stare, trying to keep the drool from forming.

I can sit at my house and conduct business with just my phone. My phone! And I don't have to talk to anyone. Except myself. I rely so heavily on my smart phone I almost feel naked when I don't have it.

Even with all this technology at my fingertips, I can't help, lately, feel completely unorganized. Sure, I have 3 calendars feeding into my phone, apps to Twitter and Facebook on there but as for my day-to-day work contacts I fall short.

I may have mentioned how I do review and admin work for Turquoise Morning Press and a big part of my job is working with the authors directly. Constant contact. And when I'm out and about, I love being able to handle an issue from my phone with a simple email. But with all the authors we have I find I do not have hardly anyone in my phone or even stored in my address book through my email. Weird, I know but I think when I started I threw myself into my work, I didn't give myself enough time to add everybody. I probably figured I'd eventually add them.

So, in honor of some late spring, early summer cleaning and the fact I don't have a full-time day job anymore, I can proudly state I've added all of my authors' emails and some cell phone numbers into my phone. *bows* So while I'm at Target (my favorite place) I can easily send author So-and So an email without having to run home in front of my computer and search my excel files for my list of email addresses.

I may not understand how some devices work but now I know I moving in the right direction on how to correctly use it!

Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Book Nibbles

I don't wanna toot my own horn (toot, toot) but Ice Princess is up this week on Book Nibbles.  *throws confetti* *bangs the drum*

Mya Newman never minded the routine or quiet that came with living in Honey Creek, Ohio. For her senior year, she craves something exciting to happen instead of it melting into a cookie cutter routine like the previous years. When a new girl, Audrey Moore, moves to town, Mya finds herself caught in a triangle. She discovers hidden feelings for her best friend, Michael Graves, but he seems to have eyes for the new girl. After Mya’s father becomes ill and eventually passes, she turns to her best friend, Michael. He never leaves her side, but she wonders if he’d rather be elsewhere. With fear of rejection and loss of friendship, Mya decides she can’t confess her recently discovered feelings. When Michael and Mya share a dance at the Winter Formal, does she open her heart to him? Or does she shy away, forever longing to be the princess who finds her prince?
Where you can get your copy: Amazon; Smashwords.
I can't really give you my two cents but I will tell you to have a hankie handy when you read this sweet YA. 
Happy Reading!