Sunday Book Share #119

 

 I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews; and BouI ght Borrowed and Bagged, hosted by TalkSupe. All of these memes are about sharing the print and digital books received and/or posts and events on the blog.

Another week full of editing, teaching, and doing database work. No Habitat for Humanity this week, no time. I still have Christmas presents to wrap, cards to write, and shopping to do. I need more time before Christmas. I'm flying down to see my parents and all of the sibs and their spouses will be there. I'm looking forward to seeing them but I'm going to be all socialized out by the time I get home. DO you have any holiday plans this month?

ARC Review of The City on the Edge of Forever by Harlan Ellison, Scott Tipton, David Tipton, J.K. Woodward (Illustrations)

Publisher: IDW publishing
Format Read: eGalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 3, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

For the first time ever, a visual presentation of the much-discussed, unrevised, unadulterated version of Harlan Ellison's award-winning Star Trek teleplay script, "The City on the Edge of Forever!" See the story as Mr. Ellison originally intended!

Bea Reviews Tokyo Kill by Barry Lancet

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Series: Jim Brodie #2
Format Read: Hardcover
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

In the second thriller of this new series from “a fresh voice in crime fiction” (Kirkus Reviews), antiques dealer-turned-P.I. Jim Brodie matches wits with an elusive group of killers chasing a long-lost treasure that has a dangerous history.

When an elderly World War II veteran shows up unannounced at Brodie Security begging for protection, the staff thinks he’s just a paranoid old man. He offers up a story connected to the war and to Chinese Triads operating in present-day Tokyo, insisting that he and his few surviving army buddies are in danger.

Fresh off his involvement in solving San Francisco’s Japantown murders, antiques dealer Jim Brodie had returned to Tokyo for some R&R, and to hunt down a rare ink painting by the legendary Japanese Zen master Sengai for one of his clients—not to take on another case with his late father’s P.I. firm. But out of respect for the old soldier, Brodie agrees to provide a security detail, thinking it’ll be an easy job and end when the man comes to his senses.

Instead, an unexpected, brutal murder rocks Brodie and his crew, sending them deep into the realm of the Triads, Chinese spies, kendo warriors, and an elusive group of killers whose treachery spans centuries—and who will stop at nothing to complete their mission.

The Friday 56 Kitty in the Underworld by Carrie Vaughn

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join in the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

I just started reading an urban fantasy, "Kitty in the Underworld", by Carrie Vaughn. I have the newest one for review and realized I hadn't read this one yet so I got it from the library. The quote is from page 56  in the paperback.

You didn't drug and kidnap someone, then lock them into a dark room and leave them there for no reason.

What do you think,would you keep reading?

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway - Meow If It's Murder by T.C. LoTiempo

Publisher: Berkley
Series: Nick & Nora Mysteries #1
Format Read: PDF converted to Kindle
Source: Tour company in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: December 2, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

First in a new series!

Nora Charles doesn’t believe in fate, even if she is a crime reporter who shares a name with a character from The Thin Man. In fact, she’s moving back to Cruz, California, to have a quieter life. But after finding an online magazine eager for material, and a stray cat named Nick with a talent for detection, Nora’s not just reporting crimes again. She’s uncovering them…

Back in her hometown, Nora reconnects with old friends and makes some new ones, like Nick, the charming feline who seems determined to be her cat. But not everything about Cruz is friendly. Writing for a local online magazine, Nora investigates the curious death of socialite Lola Grainger. Though it was deemed an accident, Nora suspects foul play. And it seems that her cat does too.

Apparently, Nick used to belong to a P.I. who disappeared while investigating Lola Grainger’s death. The coincidence is spooky, but not as spooky as the clues Nick spells out for her with Scrabble letters—clues that lead her down an increasingly dangerous path. Whether fate put her on this case or not, solving it will take all of Nora’s wits, and maybe a few of Nick’s nine lives.blah

Cat Thursday - Cats and Stress

 Welcome to the weekly meme hosted by The True Book Addict that celebrates cats; their foibles and humorousness and the joy they bring. You can join in by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you made or came across, cat art or share with us pics of your own felines, then post your link up at The True Book Addict.

Yep, as much as a pain in the butt that they can be, for the most part cats are relaxing. The affection and company they provide is hard to beat. A warm cat on my lap, purring to beat the band, is one of the most calming sensations I know.As I type this, Goof is curled up next to me on my left and Claude is on my right, draped across my elbow, making it difficult to type but I'm happy to have them snuggling with me. When I have lived without a cat in the past, I've been more stressed and less happy. They are a wonderful mood relaxer. :D

Group Interview with Author David Baldacci

Recently, I had the good fortune to be part of a group phone conference interview with author David Baldacci. A number of bloggers were invited to participate and we each had a turn to ask a question. The call lasted about 30 minutes. I was delighted and flattered to be asked to be one of the bloggers in this interview. I've enjoyed David's books and enjoyed listening to him talk; he was funny and eloquent. I've tweaked the interview a bit but it's basically intact. It's a long one! So make yourself comfy and enjoy!

 

Bea Discusses: What Should Be On An Author's Website

DISCUSSION POST

Every so often, the topic of expectations around author websites comes up. I've seen several authors complain about readers asking the same questions over and over. Well, do you have a FAQ on your site? Not all readers use them and that IS annoying but one author who was complaining about readers constantly asking didn't have a FAQ section on her site or her FB page. BZZZZ! Sympathy lost! I know that I get cranky when a site doesn't have the information I'm looking for, regardless of what type of site it is. When I'm looking at author sites, I have certain expectations. I'll share those with you today and then I hope you'll share yours. The differences in our expectations will make for some interesting discussions I'm sure!

Steph Reviews Sleeping with the Crawfish By D.J. Donaldson

Publisher: Astor & Blue Editions
Series: Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn Mystery
Format Read: Ebook
Source: From the publisher for an honest review
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | ARe*/OmniLit | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Strange lesions found in the brain of a dead man have forensic pathologist Andy Broussard stumped. Even more baffling are the corpse's fingerprints. They belong to Ronald Cicero, a lifer at Angola's State Prison, an inmate the warden insists is still there. Broussard needs criminal psychologist Kit Franklyn to find out who is locked up in Cicero's cell. But an astonishing discovery at the jail almost has the two sleeping with the crawfish in a bayou swamp.

EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: CURIOUS STORIES by Gregory Eaves

Today I have an excerpt for you from a collection of mystery short stories, "Curious Stories" by Gregory Eaves. Gregory was born October 18, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Speedway High School and Indiana University. In his twenties, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, with an eight year stay in San Diego, California, where he studied and practiced meditation.

Release Day Review of Addiction by Angela McPherson

Publisher: Untold Press
Series: Distraction #2
Format Read: Kindle book
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: 
Buying Links: Amazon* | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Despite denying their love for years, in the end no distraction could keep best friends Tristan and Elle apart. Passion and heat explode as the two finally discover what they’ve been missing, needing, wanting for so long.

When Tristan and Elle return home for Christmas break, the two are gifted with a few unexpected surprises. Heather, Elle’s sister, has come home and even better, she's now clean and sober. During this time, Tristan and his dad manage to work through their strained relationship, finding compromise and understanding. For the couple, everything is coming together—until circumstances change, threatening their newfound happiness.

Love is an addiction both craved, but when devastating secrets are revealed, Elle pushes Tristan away. He won't let go. She can't hold on. Is their love strong enough to keep them together? Falling in love was never an issue, but for Tristan and Elle, falling apart may be.

Release Day EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: Addiction by Angela McPherson

A New Adult/College Contemporary Romance

Addiction
 (Distraction, #2) By

Angela McPherson

November Challenge Wrap Up

Wrap Up

I went a bit nuts this year with challenges; I hope I can accomplish them all. The only one I'm not tracking is my goodreads reading challenge; all the rest I'll include in my monthly wrap up post.

November I had 4 challenges in addition to my year-long ones: the 30 Day Blog Ahead challenge, the Month of Giving Thanks, and NetGalley November. There was also the Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon which was 6 days long. I did well with that one. :)

Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready!

Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon - Goal - 7

On the Naughty List by Lori Foster, et al
Christmas with a SEAL by Tawny Weber
Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan 
The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak 
Christmas Gift That Keeps Wagging - review to come
Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey- review to come
I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper- review to come

Quote-Tastic And Review of A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks 
Series: Man of the Month #1
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 7, 2014 
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | ARe* | Barnes & Noble | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads ~

Women, men, stray dogs—everyone's looking for love this holiday season. Sometimes all it takes is a LITTLE CHRISTMAS JINGLE to get into the spirit. . . 

Kat Saunders doesn't believe in miracles—though she sure could use one. She's devoted to her veterinarian business, and all she wants for Christmas is for her practice to include a no-kill shelter. But amidst all the holiday hoopla she forgot about getting the required permits...and time is running out. Just when Kat fears her dream career is DOA, a to-die-for handsome detective shows up at the vet with a desperate puppy. Could it be that Jack Donovan—otherwise known as Mr. December on the Sexy Public Servants Charity Calendar—is the answer to her prayers? He agrees to help Kat with her legal needs, and she will do whatever it takes to express her appreciation. But could this Man of the Month also end up being Kat's true love for all days? A kiss beneath the mistletoe may be all it takes to find out.

Sunday Book Share #118

 

 I'm participating in The Sunday Post, hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer; Showcase Sunday hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea; Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews; and Bought Borrowed and Bagged, hosted by TalkSupe. All of these memes are about sharing the print and digital books received and/or posts and events on the blog.

I had a busy, busy week with editing, beta reading, and promoting several of my author clients plus the day job. I got behind when I developed a multi-day stomach and intestinal bug, oh joy. The week ended on a high note with two Christmas parties on Saturday. In the afternoon, I went to author Penny Watson's holiday bash just outside of Boston. I got to meet her, Laura K. Curtis, and a bunch of new to me authors. In the evening my friend Elizabeth had her annual holiday get together. I am all partied out, lol. I iz old. :P Today, I have a ton of work to do for my other part-time job with BTSemag, and some reviews to write for the Nook.

SPOTLIGHT & EXCERPT: A Bluestocking's Christmas & Other Historical Romances by Lindsay Downs

Historical romances aren't my usual read but I know some of you are fans and the author of the books I'm spotlighting today is using some of his book proceeds to help a couple of authors who are battling cancer. Since fighting cancer is something I'm always help to with, I offered to host him and his books on the Nook. I met Lindsay through Astraea Press when I was an editor there and worked on one of his contemporary novels, "Emily Dahill CID Part Two".

Two AP authors are dealing with cancer currently. To assist them and their families during this difficult time Lindsay will give one of them the royalties for November from the sale of his Christmas regency, "A Bluestocking’s Christmas". The other will be given the royalties from his three self-published books; "The Masked Lady and The Murder", "The Guilty Countess" and "The Earl’s Spitfire".  He will be giving them the money, not donating it to a fund they might have set up.

How to Build Literacy, Support Community, & Make Magic Happen All in One Day by Jenny Milchman, A Guest Post

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day

A.K.A

How to Build Literacy, Support Community, & Make Magic Happen

All in One Day

In 2010 I had two young children whom I was bringing to story hour at our local bookstore almost every week. After all, what better activity to do with kids? It was enriching, fun, even relaxing. I didn’t have to feel guilty when I drank that 700 calorie butterscotch latte from the coffee bar. I was running back and forth between adult fiction and the flower-flocked children’s section—working off the calories for sure.

My kids probably didn’t realize it was as much of a treat for me as for them. Which started me thinking—were other parents in on this secret? How many children knew the pleasure of spending time in a bookstore?

The Friday 56 Night Shift by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin, and Milla Vane

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join in the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

I'm trying to decide what to read next; I just finished a couple of thrillers. I decided to grab the nearest unread book, and that was an urban fantasy/paranormal romance anthology,  "Night Shift". The quote is from page 56  in the paperback, which is the first story, "Secrets at Midnight"  by Nalini Singh.

"Frenchie, huh?" she said, once they were on their way again, the laughter in her tone welcome.
"I really need to strangle him. Surely, my folks wouldn't notice one less son."

GIVEAWAY AND EXCERPT from THE EYES OF VENGEANCE by Teri Riggs

Author Teri Riggs is back today with an excerpt from her newest romantic suspense, "The Eyes of Vengeance".  As a child, Teri made up her own bedtime stories. When her children came along, Teri always tweaked the fairy tales she told her daughters, giving them a bit more punch and better endings when needed.

Now she spends her days turning her ideas into books. She lives in Marietta, GA with her husband.

Find Teri Online:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Teri-Riggs/e/B00F2KYWHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teri-Riggs/329379907142621

Twitter: @TeriLRiggs

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/terilriggs

Steph Reviews Curves 'em Right by Milly Taiden

Publisher: Latin Goddess Press
Series: Paranormal Dating Agency #4
Format Read: Ebook
Source: From the publicist for an honest review
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble

* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

A BBW in search of love + two sexy wolf shifters ready to claim her as their mate = Sizzling Ménage Romance

Daniella Flores is looking for a good man. A man who will accept her as she is and go crazy for her curves. So far she’s had no luck in the romance department and is worried she might never find the right one. When Mrs. Wilder of the PDA offers to help, Dani is all for trying anything. Mrs. Wilder promises to find her love, romance and hot sex. What woman in her right mind would say no to that?

Kane and Blake have been searching for a mate to complete their Alpha triad. There’s just one problem: they’ve yet to find a woman they both want. Not to worry, Kane’s mother comes to the rescue and brings in the PDA. Unfortunately for them, Mrs. Wilder has something up her sleeve and it’s not a bra. When they meet their mysterious date, they know she’s the woman they need.

A masquerade ball brings Dani and the shifters together. The two men who are really good friends with Dani’s overprotective older brother. She’ll get one chance to finally live the fantasy night she’s always wanted with the wild wolves. Besides, it’s not like they could really want her for a mate. It will take some maneuvering for Kane and Blake to keep Dani, not lose their friend and their pack, and prove her curves are the only ones they want.

Reader Warning: This book contains panty-melting sex (the kind that makes you need fudge and a cold shower), adult language (we like some freaky dirty talk), and violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you like dirty, raunchy sex with two men on one curvy sarcastic girl, then this is right up your alley. Enjoy!