Sophia Winner! Was it YOU?

This interview and giveaway generated a lot of interest. I hope everyone will be able to get their hands on the book and enjoy it, but in the meantime, we have a winner.....mbreakfield!

Send me an email, Bea at beasbooknook AT gmail DOT com and give me your mailing address and what name you want DB to sign your book with.

Thanks for stopping by everyone!!

My Favorite Books of 2011 So Far

So today's Armchair BEA topic is our favorite books so far in 2011. Surprisingly, that wasn't easy to decide at first. But after thinking about it, I came up with some. So, in no particular order, my fave books so far in 2011:

"These Things Hidden" by Michelle Gudenkauf - It grabbed me from the first page and I didn't put it down until I finished it. By turns, agonizing, hopeful, emotional and coldly rational, it was a fascinating read about families, choices, and what we do in the name of love.

"Shackled" by Morgan Ashbury - A sweet mix of erotica and romance that's also a nice intro to the world of bandage and dominance and 
submission. Not perfect, but well done.

 "The Gathering" by Kelley Armstrong - Sigh. I wouldn't change a single thing about this book. Do you like YA? Do you like Urban Fantasy? Want a break from vamps and weres? READ THIS BOOK.

"How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf" by Molly Harper - Slightly misleading title, but fun story, well written. A light read but not silly or stupid and lots of likable characters.

"The Survivor" by Sean Slater - Grim, gritty, full of twists and turns and multi-layered, this is not your basic murder mystery or procedural (though it was fun me, a US citizen, to learn about Canadian police procedures), it's not a happy feel-good but it's smart, solid, and hard to put down.

Very good and very HAWT. This is a well written, engaging book. Cleansing, lots of yummy smex, solid, well written, and not a blind drunk monkey anywhere in sight, lol

Heh, I read this after I read an incredibly badly written romance that left me needing to cleanse my mind. This book sure fit the bill. :D













These aren't the only good ones this year, it's actually been a good year for books so far. I hope the rest of the year will be as good.

Welcome to Armchair BEA Week 2011!

This week I am participating in Armchair BEA. What is that you ask?

Well, it's an offshoot of BEA, Book Expo America, a huge annual event where publishers, editors, authors, reviewers. etc come together for a week. New and upcoming books are revealed, there are panels and workshops, book signings, and many many more book-related events. It's a big deal. But of course, not everyone who wants to attend is able to. This is where Armchair BEA comes in.

Armchair BEA was formed in 2010 by 5 bloggers who were disappointed to be missing BEA and decided to do something about it.They thought that with today's technology, that they, and we, could still experience BEA from the comfort of their own homes ... and Armchair BEA was created!


This year, 350+ bloggers signed up top participate, including myself. Each day this week, Monday through Friday, I will have a post related to Armchair BEA up. The Armchair BEA blog and site will also have posts up every day, giveaways, and opportunities to network.


So why did I sign up?

Well, since going to BEA wasn't a viable option due to work and finances, this seemed like a good way to participate and maybe meet some new people. I looked at the list of blogs and only a few were familiar to me so I hope that I will find new to me blogs and make new friends and acquaintances.


I'll be joining in this week on my laptop, after work. I'll have to pop in and out, due to other commitments but I'll be around as much as I'm able. If I were at the "live" BEA I'd be spending most of my time at the booths, checking out the books and talking to authors. Since I can't do that, I';; spend my Armchair time reading posts on other blogs, talking to other bloggers and reviewers and generally being social. That's not exactly one of my strengths but I'm going to try.


Now, for those of just stopping by, who don't know anything about me, the obligatory intro:

I have been reviewing books for about a year now. I started out doing some guest reviews at The Falcata Times; then, with advice from Has at The Book Pushers, I began doing some reviews that were posted at my personal blog and then I started this blog, just for reviews and other book-related items. I review pretty much anything that I read, I don't really have a specialty. Lately I've been reading a lot of fantasy, particularly urban and paranormal fantasy so that's been reflected in my reviews. Also, romances, eroticas, mysteries, and some childrens and non-fiction. Just about anything is fair game. :D I also review over at Book Lovers Inc under the name The Charmed Lover.

When I'm not reading or blogging, I teach two and three year olds at an early childhood center. I occasionally volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, am not as active as I should be in my church :P, and make and sell soaps and other body care products at Bea's Bubbles. I enjoy playing and snuggling with my cat, hanging out with my friends, watching movies, and being lazy. I also mod on a couple of author discussion boards.

I don't remember how old I was when I started reading but I can't remember NOT reading. My mother was an English teacher and both she and my father enjoyed reading. We had books all over the house and made regular trips to the library. Reading has always been both a hobby and a passion for me.

So, that's the story of me and my blogging and what I hope to get out of Armchair BEA. What about you? :)

Deadly Promises Anthology Giveaway!

With the Memorial Day holiday coming up here in the US, it seemed a good time to do this giveaway. Thanks to Ayelet at Gallery Books, I have one print copy of this anthology for giveaway. "Deadly Promises" contains 3 short stories about American military and government agents saving the world and getting the girl. The stories are by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love, Laura Griffin, and Cindy Gerard.

Cover blurb:

THESE HEROES ARE 100 PERCENT RAW, DANGEROUS, AND . . . UNDENIABLY SEXY. New York Times bestselling authors Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, and Cindy Gerard and rising romance star Laura Griffin mix seduction and suspense in three irresistible romantic adventures. From sultry international jungles to the rugged terrain of the American Southwest, join the larger-than-life, scorching-hot alpha heroes of the Bureau of American Defense, Black Ops, Inc., and the U.S. Navy SEALs for all the pulse-pounding, heart-racing, toe-curling excitement. They’re cool under pressure, steamy under the sheets, and when the enemy strikes, there’s not a lethal mission these gorgeous men can’t handle.

1. The contest runs through midnight EST of Monday May 30th, 2011. 
2. Sorry but it's only open to people in the US. Gallery Books will ship directly to the winner. 
3. To enter, leave a comment telling me why you think men in uniform are hot, or, why you don't, if you don't think that they are.

**********************************************************************************


And the winner is Brittany G! Congratulations!

Sex Winner!

hee, ok, really the winner of the Sierra Dean giveaway but hey, her guest post was about sex. :P

Anyway, there were only 2 entries so random,.org had an easy time picking the winner, which is jackie b central texas! Congrats!

Send me an email at bewasbook AT gmail DOT com and let me know what format you want the book in.

Review of Treats in a Plain Brown Wrapper by Cassandre Dayne

Publisher: Rebel Ink Press, LLC

Release Date: Nov. 2, 2010

Purchasing Info:  Amazon


Book Blurb:

It's fascinating how everything yummy seems to come in plain brown wrapping. Indistinguishable. Just like the naughty little toys that Trista Rogers orders for research for the erotic books she's writing. Hand delivered goodies brought right to her door from her fantasy lover in chocolate brown - the UPS man. The dark cocoa hunk, Al Weatherby, has been on Trista's hit list since he took over her route. Sometimes she orders from the internet just to tease him with her long red hair, creamy skin and naughty clothing. Sadly, she's never tried anything with him. Until one blustery fall day that is. Asking him to join her for a frosty drink, their afternoon together quickly turns erotic. They both know they want more. Or do they?

As Trista plans another sinfully delicious event, another driver appears. Nearly devastated, Trista has no idea what happened to her fantasy man in brown. Fortunately, she quickly learns that the best surprises come in six foot something discrete brown boxes delivered right to her doorstep. And Al has brought his own special basket of toys this time to help Trista round out her research. With copious rounds of hot sex, a little voyeurism, and bodacious amounts of experimentation, come see why the best treats always come in plain brown wrapping.

My Thoughts:

This is a steamy, quick erotic story that will change your view of the UPS driver in your neighborhood. I wish mine were so yummy! "Treats in a Plain Brown Wrapper" is spicy & hot; a story that couples should read together. There's some light bondage and they explore, oh boy do they explore!, some of the sex toys that Trista has bought over the years. Don't make the mistake that I did and read it in a coffee shop. I almost spit out my iced coffee a time or two and I will never, ever look at a chocolate cruller in the same way again. :D 

The story starts when Trista has finally worked up the courage to make a move on her hunky delivery man, Al. She's delightfully surprised to find that not only is he interested, he's very, VERY interested. He wastes no time taking control of the situation, to the enjoyment and pleasure of both of them. Though written primarily as an erotic story, its also sweet and romantic. The story ends on a hopeful noted that there may be a HEA in the future for the two of them. 

Dayne wrote likable characters and mostly credible story lines. There are some copy editing issues and in my experience, it's unlikely that she would have had the same UPS driver for 5 years. But, if you just want a quick, hot story and aren't concerned about accuracy, then this will fit the bill. One thing I really liked is that the story doesn't take itself seriously, it has some nice humorous bits.

"I know you're still on duty but how about a cock..a Coke?"

 And,

 "Trista licked her lips wanting to explore his yummy, thick chocolate stick."

While I smirked and laughed throughout the story at Trista and Al's antics (as well as needed a cold drink), the final line of the novel made me laugh out loud. Overall, she nicely captured the joys of attraction, love and affection while also producing some sensual scenes. "Treats in a Plain Brown Wrapper" was a fun, hot story.

I received the PDF from the author for review. The review first appeared at Book Lovers Inc.

"Still Missing" Book Release E-vent

Tribute Books is having an online party for the paperback release of "Still Missing" by Chevy Stevens (Bea will have a review up on Monday May 23rd). It has been nominated for an International Thriller Writers award for “Best First Novel.” Join them for a live chat with Chevy Stevens, where she will be answering reader questions and sharing stories about herself and her work.      

  
The Book:

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

There will be gift bags for 10 lucky winners. You can RSVP to:  stillmissing@booktrib.com.  See you there.

No Need to Feud, We Have a Winner!

The winner of "Range Feud" by JA Campbell is...........................Donna!

Send me an email at beasbooknook at gmail dot com and let me know what digital format you want, Nook, Kindle, etc; you can look here to see what your options are.