Babs Hightower's Blog, page 112
March 6, 2015
One Wish by Robyn Carr blog tour & Giveaway
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ROBYN CARR RETURNS
TO THUNDER POINT WITH ANOTHER CAPTIVATING AND TOUCHING TALE
ONE WISH
March 2015
Fans of Robyn Carr love the multi-award-winning
novelist’s distinctive and humorous voice,
people who populate her fictional small town of
WISH (MIRA Books, March 2015, $8.99 U.S./
to be like everyone else. She was still known then
that excluded her from any normal life while her
from fitting in with her athletic peers. So, when Izzy Banks, after winning Olympic gold at age
twenty-three, chose to walk away from it all (including her family fortune) to reinvent herself as
quiet, unassuming Grace Dillon, owner and operator of a thriving flower shop business in Thunder
Point, Oregon—where even her friends have yet to recognize her—she did so without regret.
Now, five years later and loving her new life, there’s only one thing keeping Grace from feeling
completely normal…having a real romantic relationship for the first time in her life.
High school teacher and weekend warrior Troy Headley may have a reputation as an easygoing,
carefree bachelor who prefers his romantic attachments to be brief and uncomplicated, but his
broken heart tells a different story. Still healing from the wounds of that failed romance, all Troy
wants for now is someone with whom to have some fun, no strings attached…and Grace Dillon
looks to Troy like someone who could use a good fun coach to show her how to enjoy life before it
passes by.
Grace knows what the score is with Troy—he’s still licking his wounds from his last relationship,
and he’s just reaching out to her as another lonely heart—so she needs to guard her heart because
it would be easy to lose it to him. For his part, Troy knows Grace is a bit of a mystery woman who
likes deflecting attention away from her past, which is a definite warning sign to him not to get
serious, but despite that, Troy finds himself wanting more with Grace than he ever has with anyone
else before.
When Grace’s former life finally catches up to her in Thunder Point, however, she knows things
are changing and getting more serious than anything Troy signed up for in this relationship. Grace
isn’t prepared to be completely real, though, with a guy who’s known to like his relationships
uncomplicated, but as long as she isn’t ready to open up to him, Troy can’t tell if she’s someone to
whom it’s worth giving his heart. Unless something gives between them, Grace’s wish for real love
will remain just that—a wish.
ONE WISH
ROBYN CARR
$8.99 U.S./$9.99 CAN.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-1772-2
ROBYN CARR
I’m ever going to get wearing pajamas,” she says of her writing career.
Originally from Minnesota, Robyn and her family have seen much of the country thanks to her
husband, Jim, and his career in aviation. After the two high school sweethearts married, Jim joined
the air force. They’ve lived in Texas—all four corners—Alabama, Florida, California, Utah,
Arizona and Nevada.
The couple moved to Henderson, Nevada, so Jim could explore a new business opportunity. “At
first, being a Midwest girl at heart, I said, ‘Oh, no, not another desert!’ It didn’t take me long to fall
in love with the beauty of Nevada—and the unrivaled spectacle of Las Vegas!”
Robyn well remembers how she began her career as an author over 25 years ago. “I was trained as
a nurse, but found it impossible to get work because my husband was constantly being transferred.
At the time, I was reading a lot of genre fiction for the sheer entertainment value, and I thought to
myself, ‘I can write this!’”
And how was her first foray into the world of literature received? “It was universally panned. I
thought I had written Gone with the Wind, but in actuality it was complete trash.” In fact, it was on
her third try that Robyn finally succeeded in becoming a published author.
Now that Robyn’s two children are grown—and finally out of the house—she has the luxury of
a little free time. “Until my kids grew up, I didn’t realize that a person could have hobbies other
than laundry,” she jokes. But it turns out not to be hobbies that keep Robyn busy when she isn’t
writing—she has found her niche in community service.
She has mentored a seniors’ memoir-writing group, attends book-club chats in and out of state
whenever possible and is working with her local library on the Carr Chat Series, a program centered
on fund-raising and visiting-author events that bring writers, their books and the community
together. “It is the people in my life that fill the well,” she says. “Especially the people who share
my love for books and writing.”
My thoughts of the book:
A great new edition to her stories. Mrs Carr knows how to make the characters work to drag you into the book and not stop turning the page. This is book 6 in the series and I have skipped around the series you do not need to start from book 1, Now it does help but you won’t be lost in read this story,
Mini Q&A with Robyn Carr, author of ONE WISH
Q: With your new trilogy that’s coming out in 2015—One Wish, A New Hope, and Wildest Dreams—you are taking readers back to Thunder Point, Oregon. One Wish is the 6th book in the series. What would you tell someone who is coming to Thunder Point for the first time? What do you want them to know about the town before they jump into One Wish? Because after all, even though this is a series, the brilliant thing is that you don’t have to read them in order. You really can just jump in and fall in love with any book.
A: One Wish is the 7th book in the series. Thunder Point is a small coastal town, an uncomplicated group of villagers who have known each other forever. And while each of them is working hard to make a living they are not ignorant of their neighbors’ needs or troubles and they’re welcoming to newcomers. It’s a simple place sitting on a sometimes harsh coastline. Once a person becomes a part of this community they have found a family of friends and they have to stay in balance with the town. There’s a lot of give and take going on. Both the giving and the taking is going to feel good.
Q: We love the new book titles. How do you come up with your book titles? Do you have an idea before you start writing or is it one of the last things you do after your manuscript is done and ready to be turned into your publisher?
A: All of the above. Sometimes I have a title I love first, sometimes that title never makes it after the book is done, sometimes the titles are decided on very early in the game, before the novel writing is even finished. All this being said, the title can be so important in one type of book, rather generic in another. For example, Never Too Late is women’s fiction and the theme of the book is that it’s never too late to start over, to start anew. The title and cover should illustrate this. It should also be clear it’s not a part of a series. On the other hand, A New Hope—A Thunder Point Novel should do two things. The most important thing is to identify it as part of the Thunder Point series and the second, identify a story arc – a new hope will arise for characters in the story.
Q: One Wish is about Grace Dillon, a champion figure skater who is hiding her identity. The skating scenes are fantastic—as are the flashbacks of her life when she was still competing. How did you research the world of competitive figure skating?
A: There is so much literature available on competitive figure skating I found I was almost drowning in it, right down to the actual skating moves! But in addition to reading, watching videos and studying the figure skating configurations, I interviewed the mother of a young figure skater. That’s where I was able to really get into the guts of the matter – how challenging the life of a contender can be, how expensive and difficult and exhausting. These young skaters have to be driven!
Q: Grace has a complicated relationship with her mother and has to come to terms with her past in order to have move forward and have her in her life. (We don’t want to spoil anything by saying more!) How is it different to write about a mother-daughter relationship than a friendship or even a romantic relationship?
A: Oh my, I’ve done it before. Mother-daughter relationships are fraught with emotion, with control issues, with jockeying for position in the family, power struggles galore – and also with fierce loyalty, deep love, friendship and feuds – the relationships are as individual as the women involved – deeply personal, intense and complex. There is a saying, a son is a son until he takes a wife but a daughter is a daughter all your life. Mother’s and daughters – how many books have been written about that unique and beautiful relationship? Hundreds? Thousands? Since my books are read by mostly women and all women have mothers and many are mothers, I wanted to plumb the depths of one complex and meaningful “couple.” I love the way they cha-cha through the story. Talk about two pig headed women!
Giveaway
Comment to be entered into the drawing for 1 copy giveaway 1 copy of One Wish (US only)
The post One Wish by Robyn Carr blog tour & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
March 5, 2015
Finger Foods by Joyce Tanner Whiting Review & Blog Tour
About the book:
Taste your way to deliciousness, one little bite at a time. These scrumptious and sensational finger foods are the perfect way to impress your guests for parties, receptions, and more. Try the Coconut Butterflied Shrimp, Orange and Honey Meatballs, and Lemon Tassies. Packed with recipes and tips from an expert caterer, this book is sure to make your next party a giant hit from the first little bite.
My thoughts:
I am very impressed with this cook book. You can not go wrong. The pictures and directions are easy to follow and taste as good as they look. I warn you, you will get hungry looking at the pictures and you will be tempted to make anything in the book. The authors makes it look so easy. The behind the scenes of the recipes are great with all the tips. You can not go wrong with this cook book rather you have a big party or a family dinner this book rocks.
About the author:
Joyce has spent the last 40+ years catering weddings and events as a part-time hobby. She does the cooking while her daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters help with everything else. Catering events range from family dinners under the locust tree to 500 guest events. Events include wedding breakfasts, dinners, and receptions, anniversary parties, prom dinners, class and family reunions, church suppers, and business luncheons.
Joyce and her husband currently live in Springville, Utah, where she cooks, gardens, and hugs grandkids.
The post Finger Foods by Joyce Tanner Whiting Review & Blog Tour appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Awakening Fire Release Blast & Giveaway
Awakening Fire
by Larissa Emerald
Series: The Divine Tree Guardians
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Cover Designer: Robin Ludwig
Publisher: Castle Oak Publishing LLC
Release Date: March 5, 2015
The return of sculptor Emma Grant to her Georgia home town sparks the return of the visions she tries to deny and rekindles a centuries-old feud between shape shifters Venn Hearst, guardian of the Divine Tree (The Tree Of Knowledge) and his nemesis. Emma is determined to place and dedicate the statue honoring her beloved grandmother despite Venn’s opposition; despite the fact she is in love with Venn, despite his sacred duty not to permit it. Will she overcome a test of evil or shatter Venn’s world?
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU
Larissa Emerald writes paranormal, futuristic and contemporary romances. She is a Romance Writers of America 2013 Golden Heart Finalist for her romantic suspense, RAMPANT PERFECTION which will be available in the fall of 2015.
A combination of her love of reading and her vivid imagination―plus a strong desire to rewrite the endings of movies that just didn’t end right―lead Larissa into the world of writing.
Larissa has lived in Florida for her entire life. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching baton twirling and dance, traveling with her husband of 41 years, baking and cooking―usually altering the recipe―and playing dress up with the brightest lights in her life, her four grandchildren.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Tsu
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~ Newsletter
Email: larissaemerald@gmail.com
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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March 4, 2015
No More Regrets release day & Giveaway
No More Regrets
by: Tamra Lassiter
Publication Date: March 4, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Amazon – B&N – iBooks
Synopsis: Don’t let yesterday’s regrets control your future.
Rocked by her husband’s infidelity and subsequent divorce, Emmy Bennett is doing her best to keep her children’s lives steady and not repeat the mistakes of her past. Selling her jewelry to pay the mortgage seems like a great idea until she finds herself face-to-face with a gun.
Retired Navy SEAL, Ed Jackson, is captivated by Emmy the first moment he sees her. Her nervous mannerisms get his attention, but when he saves Emmy from an attempted robbery, he discovers that maybe he’s pulled to her for reasons other than his curiosity.
About Tamra Lassiter
I live outside Washington, D.C. with my wonderfully supportive husband and two daughters, one of which is approaching her teenage years. Help us all! If that isn’t enough, we have a Great Dane and an English Bulldog to keep us on our toes. It’s crazy around here and I love every minute of it!
Writing is my third career. I didn’t set out to be a writer, it was just meant to be. My Mechanical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech prepared me well for my first career as an Engineer/Program Manager. My second career was in Human Resources. Long story, but I figured it out. I believe the best start for a writing career is to be a reader first and I’ve been an avid reader my whole life. I’ve loved to read ever since I picked up my first Nancy Drew mystery in the fourth grade. Now I love reading just about everything, but I don’t read sad books and I don’t watch sad movies either for that matter, no matter how many awards they’ve won. Life’s too short and who needs all that strife to bring us down?
Many of my words have been penned late into the evening, which explains why I’ve never viewed whatever television show you recommend to me. I would, however, love to hear your recommendations for a great read!
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads
The post No More Regrets release day & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
SUSPENDERED SENTENCE blog tour, review & giveaway
Suspendered Sentence
by Laura Bradford
This is such a well written Amish mystery that I actually read it in one sitting… On a scale of one to five I would easily give this book a six because it’s just that good!
~WV Stitcher
Suspendered Sentence (An Amish Mystery)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (March 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425273029
E-Book ASIN: B00LMGK6L4
Synopsis:
The national bestselling author of Shunned and Dangerous returns to the Amish community of Heavenly, Pennsylvania, where shop owner Claire Weatherly has come to appreciate a simpler, more peaceful way of life. But dark secrets are about to complicate things—and lead to murder…
After the Stoltzfus barn catches fire, Claire is awed by the response of the community. Hundreds of Amish men gather together to raise a new barn for the family in a matter of days. But in the midst of the work, a human skeleton is unearthed. Found with the remains is half of a friendship bracelet last seen on Sadie Lehman, an Amish teen long believed to have left her strict upbringing for the allure of English ways.
Now Detective Jakob Fisher—once a member of the Amish community himself—is determined to solve the young woman’s murder. With Claire’s help, he must dig into the past and bring to light long-buried secrets—secrets that someone is willing to kill to protect…
My thoughts:
This is the first read for me in this series and by this author. I love Amish reads and mysteries and I had no clue about this series. I am so glad I got to join this tour and review this wonderful book. I am going to have to go back and read the first three. I understood I could read this as a stand alone and I felt that was right. Now to go back and get the other 3 and really fall in love more.
In hopes of starting over after a divorce, Claire left city life behind and moved to Pennsylvania and into her Aunt Diane’s bed-and-breakfast, Sleep Heavenly. I can tell she has a crush on the local detective and former Amish Jakob Fisher.
I don’t want to giveaway anything but this author does an excellent job in the story telling and the setting. I felt right at home in the B&B. The characters mesh well together and it makes you want to turn the pages over and over again.
About The Author
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend’s house more than thirty-five years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil. From that moment forward, she never wanted to do anything else.
Today, Laura is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime(Penguin/Random House). In addition to her Amish Mysteries (latest release: SUSPENDERED SENTENCE), Laura also pens the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries under the pen name, Elizabeth Lynn Casey. The ninth book in that series, TAKEN IN, released in August. Finally, Laura has just finalized a contract for a third cozy mystery series that will debut in June 2016. She now lives in New York with her family.
Author Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurabradfordauthor?ref=hl
Twitter: @bradfordauthor
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Book Depository
The post SUSPENDERED SENTENCE blog tour, review & giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
March 3, 2015
RUNAWAY COWBOY T.J.Kline Blog Tour / Review & Giveaway
Runaway Cowboy
Rodeo #3.5
By: T.J. Kline
Releasing February 3rd, 2015
Avon Impulse
Blurb
”You had your chance, and you threw it away…“
Five years ago, Jen woke up with a ring on her finger and her fiancé nowhere to be found. She swore she’d gotten over the betrayal, but when Clay unexpectedly hires on with the rodeo for a week, she finds herself torn between passion and regret.
Clay left intending never to see Jen again. He’s been running from his troubled past for far too long, and it’s not a life he wants for her. But it’s hard to run from the past when the past is your own family, and Clay finds himself thrown back into the chaos he thought he’d finally left behind.
Will the truth drive Jen away, or is there a second chance at happily ever after for this runaway cowboy?
My thoughts:
Clay proposed to Jen one night the next morning he was gone. Hightailed it out of town. Five years later he shows up at a rodeo where Jen and her brothers are. Imagine the shock on Jen’s face when she see’s clay. All she can see is red and all Clay can see is a pretty woman.
Clay’s past has come back to haunt him and thought it was best to leave Jen before the past could catch up to them all and drag them down. It takes a while for Jen to warm up to Clay and his sister who comes crashing in one day.
The story gets interesting when she arrives and the green monster takes over Jen. The author does a great job with the setting, characters, scenes heck the whole package. I did not want to put this book down when I started it. You really feel for both Jen and Clay. You can see yourself in the story watching the characters go back and forth.
I will be looking for more books by this author as she was new to me and I like her writing style.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/01/runaway-cowboy-by-tj-kline.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23587127-runaway-cowboy?from_search=true
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/runaway-cowboy-t-j-kline/1120791594?ean=9780062370112
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/runaway-cowboy/id942666863?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/runaway-cowboy-1
Author Info
T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Website: http://tinaklinesmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TKlinesmith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaKlinesmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7558685.T_J_Kline
Rafflecopter Giveaway (Digital Bundle Including: RODEO QUEEN, THE COWBOY & THE ANGEL and LEARNING THE ROPES)
Excerpts
Excerpt #1
“Mind if I get a refill?”
Jennifer rolled her eyes at Clay but slid the pitcher toward him. “Be my guest.” She turned to leave. The less time she spent near him, the easier it would be to get through the next week.
“Do you realize everyone is making bets on how long it will take before you slap me?”
She arched a brow at him and leaned her hip against the table. “Really? Who has five minutes?”
“I think that would be me.” A smile curved his lips. It made him look younger and less cynical. He was always so damn handsome when he smiled.
She forced herself to look away, busying herself with shifting the food on the table and stacking empty bowls. “Then I’ll wait a few more minutes so someone I like wins the money.” She gripped the edge of a half-empty bowl of potato salad.
He tried to hide the frown that furrowed his brow and turned his lips down again. It only lasted a second before he grinned and shot a glance at her brothers, still seated near Mike’s trailer. “Come on, Jen. How can you say you don’t like me?” He moved a step closer to her, his fingers toying at the side of the bowl, over hers.
Her gaze bounced from their hands to his green eyes. “It’s real easy. I. Don’t. Like. You.” She made sure to enunciate every word. Why couldn’t he get the hint? She didn’t want anything to do with him, not now, not ever again.
Jen pulled her hand from under his, but he took a step closer, his gaze holding her own. “You used to be friendlier,” he pointed out.
“And you used to be charming.”
Clay straightened his shoulders and took another step toward her as she backed away. “I’m still charming, with people who aren’t antagonistic.”
How dare he insinuate that she was being antagonistic? Okay, well, maybe she was, but he deserved every bit of resentment she directed at him. The man left her lying in his bed after proposing and never gave her any explanation for his departure. She narrowed her eyes for a moment before she allowed a sweet smile to curve her lips.
“I’m so sorry, Clay. I didn’t mean to be so hostile.” She reached again for the potato salad. “You’re right, I used to be friendlier. Let’s start again. I’m Jen,” she said, thrusting her right hand out.
He eyed her suspiciously but took the bait, curling his fingers around her hand. “I’m Clay. Jen, do you realize you have the most amazing eyes?” He flirted with her.
“Thank you.” She gave him her most engaging smile and leaned toward him. “Tell me, Clay, who had the bet that I’d dump potato salad on your head?”
“What?”
He barely opened his mouth before she upended the plastic bowl over him. Bits of mayonnaise, carrots, and potatoes dripped down his face, and she couldn’t stop herself from laughing out loud as she quickly moved from his reach. Clay swiped at the mess on his face, flinging it from his hands to the ground. She heard the laughter from her brothers behind her and looked over at them.
“Next time, don’t make bets about me.” She shoved the bowl into Clay’s chest. “And the three of you can clean up this mess. I’m leaving.”
The post RUNAWAY COWBOY T.J.Kline Blog Tour / Review & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
March 2, 2015
It Will Always Be You by Tina Ness
Book & Author details:
It Will Always Be You by Tina Ness
(You #1)
Publication date: October 26th 2014
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
It Will Always Be You can be read as a stand-alone
After surviving four years with a commitment-phobic boyfriend, Elizabeth wants nothing more than to settle down. Too bad the man she desires, Marshall Roderick, leaves her flustered, trembling, and unable to utter a single word when he’s near.
Assuming he’s the very definition of a womanizing bachelor, Elizabeth relegates him to fantasyland and makes no move to get to know him. That is, until a chance encounter along the shores of Lake Superior leads to drinks and a steamy romance.
Confident, successful, and freakishly handsome, Marshall is everything Elizabeth has been looking for. But when an unthinkable act of violence shakes them both to the core, she discovers that Marshall isn’t as carefree and put-together as he led her to believe.
Now it’s up to Marshall and Elizabeth to figure out if their love can heal the scars of the past and turn them into the people they’ve always wanted to be.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23002593-it-will-always-be-you?ac=1
Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Will-Always-Be-You-Contemporary/dp/194001445X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418926573&sr=8-1&keywords=it+will+always+be+you
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-will-always-be-you-tina-ness/1121128009
AUTHOR BIO:
Tina is a contemporary Romance Author from Minnesota where she was born and raised and still resides with her wonderful husband, two girls and two crazy boxer dogs. Tina ran her own photography business for eight years before finally deciding to pursue her dream of becoming an author and she hasn’t regretted that decision for a single second since. Tina’s a romance junkie with a love for food, wine, fitness, nutrition, photography, music, boating on Lake Minnetonka, cross-country skiing and anything that inspires her or makes her laugh. Her first novel It Will Always Be You launched on October 26, 2014 and I’m currently working on book two of three of my You Series. Book #1 can be read as a stand-alone however. To learn more about Tina visit www.tinaness.com.
Author links:
http://www.tinaness.com/p/about.html
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8471725.Tina_Ness
https://www.facebook.com/authortinaness
https://twitter.com/authortinaness
Guest post
What do I like to do when I get time off?
I’d love for my answer to be that I travel the globe trying new foods, sipping wine and exotic cocktails and giving my camera a serious workout while searching for new books inspiration and getting amazing book cover images in the most serine places imaginable. When I wasn’t off exploring I’d be spending the rest of my time making love and reading in a hammock by water. But that world isn’t quite ready for me yet, but I’m on my way and believe I will get there.
One of my favorite hobbies in the winter is cross-country skiing. Being that I’m from Minnesota it’s just a great way to keep busy in the winter and get some exercise. I am blessed with a wonderful large family and great group of friends in life. My mothers husband is from Two Harbors, MN and his parents own over 800 acres of land that they groom cross-country ski trails on and one of our friends has a cabin nearby, an old hunting cabin that we converted into a bunk house that sleeps twenty.
Our trips to Two Harbors are some of my favorite times. We spend hours skiing the trails; building bonfires and do our share of sipping adult beverages. The scenery is breathtaking, especially when we get that new snow that clings to the tree branches and surrounds you in a winter wonderland. The swish, swish of the ski’s is so peaceful that I sometimes have to stop and just take it all in. Most of our many circle times where we stop to drink will often times turn into snow fights where we are pushing each other into the deep snow. There is typically so much snow in Two Harbors that if you stepped off your skis and off the groomed trial, the snow would bury you waist or even neck deep, this is often a great source of our laughter watching each other struggle to get up after being buried. I come home with a sore stomach from laughing so hard all weekend every time.
In the summertime we spend much of our time out on our boat on Lake Minnetonka fishing, playing water games and of course driving around looking at all of the much much too large homes on the lake that have more space in them than anyone ever needs and that no one ever appears to be enjoying and dreaming of one day living in one of the much smaller homes on the lake someday.
Giveaway
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Bolt From The Blue by Tania Sparks blog tour.
Book Title: Bolt from the Blue – Oblivion on Tour
Author: Tania Sparks
Genre: Rock Star Erotic Romance
Release Date: February 27, 2015
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Nikki’s the flamboyant rhythm guitarist ofthe hard rock band Oblivion. He’s a sexy rock star man-whore who’s accustomed to a life of music, partying and a constant stream of girls that are ready, willing and able!
Trixie’s a feisty party girl who likes to have fun. She makes the most of her single lifestyle and happy-go-lucky attitude. But she’s also a hard-nosed business woman who knows what she wants and goes out and gets it. She lives her life by the motto ‘Work hard. Play hard’.
Neither of them ‘do relationships’. But when their frequent hook-ups start to develop into something more they realize that the connection and pull between themis undeniable. The prospect of wanting more than just mind-blowing sex from each other is a total shock to both of them and it hits them like a bolt from the blue.
Can they change their partying ways and give in to the irresistible chemistry that sizzles between them? Do they even want to? And will their past catch up with them to prevent them from giving the whole relationship thing a proper try?
Warning: This story is a rock star erotic romance. It contains hot rock stars, sizzling sexual encounters and language that you would expect from heavy rock musicians used to a life of sex, booze and rock and roll.
Bolt From The Blue contains graphic sex scenes and is strictly 18+ only.
This novel is Book 2 in the ‘Oblivion On Tour’ series. Each book in the series follows a different band member and their quests for love. Bolt From The Blue can be read as a stand-alone, but if you plan on reading the entire series, it would be best to read Heaven Sent (Book 1) first.
“I presume it’s okay with everyone if I just hang around here with you guys for a couple of days.”
Everyone responds with a “No problem.” I look across to Nikki and say, “Don’t worry rock star, I won’t cramp your style. I know where we stand. I won’t get all jealous if you hook up with groupies or whatever.”
Nikki looks at me, frowns angrily and mumbles back, “Trix, I know we’re not serious, but why the hell would I want to hook up with some random groupie when you’re here?”
“Oh I don’t know, I just don’t want you to feel that you’re obligated to me at all. I’m here visiting Eve and I’m just going to hang-out and have some fun. I don’t want you to think I’m here just to see you.”
As soon as I hear it coming out of my mouth I know it sounds really harsh.
Hansen chuckles, “Fuck that stings.”
As I look around the room the other guys all have raised eyebrows and cringes on their faces. I look at Nikki who just looks totally pissed.
Me and Nikki are moving way too quickly. I can feel myself getting too attached and that shit needs to stop now. This thing between us has supposed to be just a hook-up, nothing serious, just fun.
Nikki shakes his head, gets up and skulks off towards one of the bedrooms shutting the door behind him. Shit, what the hell! Now I’ve hurt his feelings?
Eve frowns at me and shakes her head with a scolding look on her face. The rest of the guys look a bit shocked and are glancing between each other awkwardly.
“What?” I screech. “This is ridiculous. Y’all are looking at me as if I’ve kicked a puppy or something.”
I hear Cody mumble, “Only if the puppy’s got black floppy hair, big brown eyes and its name is Nikki.”
I mutter under my breath, “Shit.”
There are a few minutes of awkward near-silence then everyone starts to chat casually again. After about half an hour Nikki comes back in and slinks down into a seat on the opposite side of the room to me, completely avoiding eye contact. Hell, this is precisely the reason why I said we should keep it casual, now it’s just awkward.
After a while Scott says his goodnights and heads off to his room. Hansen gets up and raises his chin to Cody. “Come on Sticks, let’s go out and find a club or something. I have a hankering for some loud music, whisky and loose women.”
Cody gets up and claps his hands enthusiastically, “Sounds like a fucking brilliant idea. This shit’s getting a bit too heavy and domesticated for my taste.”
Cody and Hansen head towards the door. Nikki jumps up and glances quickly at me, but avoids eye contact. “Hold up guys, I’m comin’ too. I could do with a bit of fun.” All three of them head out the door.
Alrighty then! I guess I’ve been well and truly put in my place. Eve looks at me with a ‘you-brought-this-on-yourself’ smirk as she shrugs her shoulders. Ash looks at me with pity.
Before this gets really awkward I jump up and put on a fake smile. “Right, I might just head down to the bar for a while to have some fun of my own. Don’t you kids stay up waiting for me.” I quickly grab my handbag, touch up my make-up and hair in the large mirror by the front door and head out of the suite.
The first thing you need to know about me is that I genuinely believe in true love and soul mates. I met my wonderful husband when we were still at school. I was sixteen, he was seventeen, we are high school sweethearts. Now more than twenty five years later, we are still very much in love and are happily married with two beautiful children. We live in picturesque New Zealand and I consider ourselves lucky to live in this magnificent part of the world.
I do have a full time job, but in my spare minutes I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and reading. I’m an avid reader and tend to chomp through a large volume of books, mainly in the romance genre. And of course my other major ‘hobby’ is writing steamy rock star erotic romances!
I started writing in early 2014. After spending many years writing business documentation, and constantly being inspired by numerous romance novels, I decided to try my hand at fictional writing. After penning my first scene I discovered that I enjoyed it immensely and so resolved to continue with the rest of the story that was swirling in my imagination. That story resulted in my first novel, Heaven Sent.
My Oblivion on Tour Series follows the five band members of the hard rock group Oblivion. Each book in the series follows a different band member and their quest for love.
Book 1 – Heaven Sent – Ash and Eve’s story
Book 2 – Bolt From The Blue – Nikki and Trixie’s story
Books 3, 4 & 5 will each tell Cody, Scott and Hansen’s stories.
The post Bolt From The Blue by Tania Sparks blog tour. appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Flamenco, Flan, & Fatalities / Review- Blog tour- Giveaway
Flamenco, Flan and Fatalities
by Mary McHugh
Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities
(A Happy Hoofers Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Kensington (February 24, 2015)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1617733611
E-Book ASIN: B00M4ASU8S
Synopsis
Murder is nothing to tap at. . .
The high-kicking Happy Hoofers–Tina, Janice, Pat, Mary Louise, and Gini–have been booked to flaunt their fabulous flamenco footwork on a luxury train ride through northern Spain. But when a blowhard talk show host is found deader than four-day-old flan–with Gini as suspect numero uno–the feisty friends waste no time stepping into their sleuthing shoes to protect one of their own.
The dynamite dancers will have to step up their game before a clever killer brings the curtain down on one of them . . . for good!
Includes Photo Tips And Tasty Recipes
My thoughts:
This is a first time read for me by this author and I adored her book. This is the second book in the A Happy Hoofers series. I did not feel like I was left out of anything. I understand this can be read as a stand alone and I believe it. The characters are a hoot now it was a bit slow going for me in the beginning then picked up. Gini is on a train ride and theaters to kill the a Talk show host. Things start to rev up then.
I like the characters are older they are in the 50 range and being 45 I can relate. I would love to have a group of girls I could go travel around the world with.
The author does a great job with everything and I look forward to the next book and going back to read the first one.
About This Author
Mary McHugh graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, with a B.A. in English Literature and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. She is the author of nineteen nonfiction books and two novels. She was a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan, an articles editor at Woman’s World, Travel Holiday, and Bridal Guide, and has written articles for The New York Times, Good Housekeeping and Family Circle.
She loves to tap dance and to travel -two passions that inspired her to write the Happy Hoofers series.
She lives in the New York area. Visit her at http://marymchugh.org/index.html
Author Links
WebPage: http://marymchugh.org/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.mchugh.77
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Book Depository Kobo Google Play
Tour Participants
February 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Spotlight
February 23 – Back Porchervations – Review
February 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – Review
February 24 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Spotlight
February 24 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review
February 24 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review
February 25 – dru’s book musings – Booked by author
February 25 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
February 26 – Thoughts in Progress – Spotlight
February 26 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Spotlight
February 27 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
February 27 – Celticlady’s Reviews – Spotlight
February 27 – Lilac Reviews – Review
February 28 – Lisa Ks Book Review – Spotlight
February 28 – The Gal in the Blue Mask – Review
March 1 – Laura’s Interests – Review
March 2 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review
March 2 – Babs Book Bistro – Review
March 3 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Spotlight
March 3 – Community Bookstop – Review
March 4 – Jane Reads – Spotlight
March 4 – Brooke Blogs – Spotlight
March 5 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
March 6 – Marie’s Cozy Corner – Spotlight
March 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
March 7 – deal sharing aunt – Spotlight
March 8 – off
March 9 – Queen of All She Reads – Review
March 10 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s blog – Spotlight
March 11 – off
March 12- readalot – Review
March 17 – Reeca’s pieces – Spotlight
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
The post Flamenco, Flan, & Fatalities / Review- Blog tour- Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
The Wife Maker Blog Tour by Karey White & Giveaway
The Wife Maker by Karey White
Charlotte has spent years as the husband maker, sending every guy she dates off to enjoy marital bliss with the next girl he dates. But things have now changed, and she’s determined to use her husband-maker abilities one last time–on herself. And she finally knows exactly who she wants.
Angus has loved Charlotte since they were teenagers, but he’s tired of waiting for her to realize how good they could be. She’s broken his heart one too many times, and it’s time to move on with his life. Maybe a position halfway across the country will be just what he needs to get over her. But when Charlotte won’t let him go without a fight, Angus has to decide if he’s willing to let her in again or if she’s too late.
Excerpt 1
We walked in silence to the elevator. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Only eight days until you leave.” I kept my eyes anchored on the changing numbers above the door, pretending I didn’t know he was leaving sooner than he’d told me.
“Actually, I’m leaving Monday.”
“You are?”
“I had to pay rent for the whole month of August, so I decided I might as well go a little earlier and get settled in before I get so busy.”
“Oh. That makes sense.”
The elevator doors opened and a man with a bundle of perfectly behaved balloons stepped off.
“You haven’t forgotten dinner, I hope.” I pushed the button for the lobby.
“Charlotte, I just—”
“No, Angus.” I hoped my voice didn’t sound as desperate as I felt. “Please don’t say you can’t.” He didn’t say anything. “Please.”
Angus sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Tomorrow night?”
My heart broke a little at his response. He didn’t sound happy at all. He sounded like someone ready to plow through an unpleasant task to get it over with. My pride wanted to tell him to forget the whole thing, but I didn’t. How could I change his mind if I didn’t see him?
“Tomorrow’s great,” I said with enough enthusiasm for both of us.
“Luigi’s?”
“No way. Neither of us need therapy.” That was a lie. “Let’s go somewhere different. Since you’re leaving, let me surprise you. It’ll be fun.”
“I’ll drive. I don’t feel like contorting myself into your car.” Angus smiled. It was so lovely, I felt a clutch in my stomach.
We stepped out into the angled, evening sunshine and hesitated on the sidewalk. “Where’s your car?” Angus asked.
“It’s over there.”
“Do you want me to walk you?”
“That’s okay, it’s still light.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to take them back. I needed to take advantage of every minute I had with him.
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
Angus didn’t move when I started walking away. I crossed the road and found my car in the visitor parking lot. I glanced back to see which way Angus had gone, but he was still standing there watching me. It wasn’t until I waved that he turned and walked away.
Author Karey White
Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.
She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/22/15
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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The post The Wife Maker Blog Tour by Karey White & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
