Friday, September 27, 2013

The Moppets Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Introducing S.T. Anthony's The Moppets...
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Genre: YA Family Drama, Contemporary, Humor


BOOK DESCRIPTION:

One awkward girl combined with four rebellious kids on their own reality show creates the recipe for disaster.

When Spinelli’s mother inherits a mansion from a billionaire, four orphaned children are found living in the basement. The family adopts them. They look like precious angels, but brooding within them are mini devils who turn Spinelli’s life upside down. The family becomes the main focus of the town and experience instant fame. Spinelli’s wacktastic summer break before her freshman year of high school will be filled with funny shenanigans from the residents of Faircrest Falls.


About the Author:
Shirena Anthony has had a crazy imagination since the old kindergarten days and excited to finally put it down on paper. She is currently in college and loving every moment so far. Aside from being True Blood and Shameless obsessed, Shirena's love to pursue medicine and to write is her passion in life!



Rafflecopter Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Direct Link: Giveaway

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of The Moppets.

What's Left of Me Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Introducing Amanda Maxlyn's What's Left of Me...


Book Title: What’s Left of Me
Author: Amanda Maxlyn
Release date: December 13, 2013

Book Summary: Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.
 I refuse to cry.
And I refuse to give in.
A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me. 
He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.
But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him. 
What if it changes everything? 
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen. 
Love found me when I was twenty-one.
My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.  



About Amanda:


I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.
Facebook - On Facebook
And check out this Blog Tour Event on Facebook here


Cover Designer: Mae I Design and Photography



Teaser:
I’m grateful when I reach the door to the ladies room that there isn’t anyone around. I reach for the handle when I hear from behind me, “Not going to use the men’s room again?” I know that sexy voice. It’s the same one as earlier this evening in this same area. 
With my heart picking up pace, I turn around smiling sweetly, “No, I’m going to sit down and pee this time.” My smile spreads a little wider and I say a silent thanks to sweet baby Jesus for letting me find my voice this time.
He doesn’t respond. He just steps closer to me with the corner of his lips spreading upward.
I don’t breathe.
I can’t breathe. Not when he is this close.
God he smells amazing. Like a mixture of spice and mint. Maybe a hint of beer too. It's the type of scent that would awaken a primal desire within any female, and good God do I feel awakened. 
“You ran off before I could thank you for the dance earlier.” No, thank you. His voice is a faint whisper and his face is now so close that our noses are almost touching. I glance down at his very attractive red lips just as the corners of his mouth move up into the most beautiful smile. Shit. He knows I’m looking at his lips. 
I’m transfixed by him. In this very moment, I would do whatever he said or answer to any name he called; even if it was one of those fluffy names like baby or princess. All I can think about is the desire flowing through my body for those lips to be on mine. I would take him in this hallway. There I said it. Or, did I think it?
Do something.
Anything!
I look back at his lips. 
I lick my own.
I can’t think about anything but wanting to feel his lips against mine. All thoughts go out the window of me not being able to pick up a man at a bar. I don’t care, but I will say any cheesy pick up line if it means I get to go home with him.
I know he’s watching me. He has to be thinking about my lips too because just then his tongue comes out licking his own. I try to think of something else to do, but nothing comes to mind. I feel him close the distance between us. He puts a finger under my chin for the second time tonight lifting my face so I’m looking right into his eyes. Without taking his eyes off mine he speaks in a quiet, low, raspy whisper, “I’m going to kiss you now.”
Without waiting for my permission, his lips crash down against mine. He takes my top lip into his mouth tugging ever so gently. I let out a soft moan as his tongue lightly traces my lips- tasting me. I can smell the fresh mint and beer off his breath and all I can think about is tasting it. I grab his neck brining him closer -opening my mouth- inviting him in. He groans as I wrap my arms around his neck running my hands through his hair. 
Shit, if I die tomorrow, I can die a happy woman knowing this was my last kiss.
His tongue enters my mouth and I meet it with my own. He reaches down to lift me up and I let him. I wrap my legs around his waist just as he slams my back against the wall in the corner of the hallway. There’s a rush of pain that shoots down my legs causing me to cry out. He must take that as a cry of pleasure because he kisses me harder.
I feel my dress rise all the way to my waist exposing myself for anyone that walks by. My head falls back against the wall and he immediately starts kissing down my chin to my neck, then up to my earlobe bringing it into his mouth biting down. “Do you want to get out of here?” He whispers so softly into my ear I almost don’t think I hear him correctly. When he asks me again I just nod in agreement. Afraid if I were to say anything it wouldn’t be yes, and I really want it to be yes.
Setting me down, he runs his hands over my dress laying it back into place, then grabs my hand and starts speed walking away heading towards the red exit sign.
What’s Left of Me. Copyright 2013. Amanda Maxlyn. Unedited and Subject to Change. 


LINK TO THE GIVEAWAY for 
#1 $40 Amazon Gift Card 
#2 $15 Amazon Gift Card 
#3 $5 Amazon gift card.


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Sept. 27 Feature & Follow Friday



 Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This week's question: Activity!!: Reading Nook Tour!

My Answer: Currently I am away at college so I haven't really found myself a proper reading nook yet seeing as how I live in a dorm. But this is what my nook would look like if I had my way...


I know...a little unrealistic, but I love books and this would be perfect for me.



Please leave a comment and share your reading nooks. Happy Friday!!! :)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Hopeless for You Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Introducing Hayden Hill's Hopeless for You.


Title: Hopeless for You
Author: Hayden Hill
Publish Date: September 19, 2013
Tour Hosted By: Itching For Books
Purchase on: Amazon


About the Author:

Hayden Hill is a New Adult Romance author. Her debut novel, Hopeless for You will be released in September 2013.

Writing Hopeless for You was an emotional roller coaster for Hayden. It started out as a rosebud of an idea which grey into this all-consuming tree. She poured everything into the book, heart, and soul. It was a labor of love that's for sure. They say that great art comes from pain. Well then Hopeless for You is her greatest work yet.


Thanks for giving the book a chance!

Official Links: http://haydenhillbooks.com/ | https://twitter.com/haydenhillbooks
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Book Description:
"If I am more alive because love burns and chars me, as a fire, given wood or wind, feels new elation, it's that he who lays me low is my salvation, and invigorates the more, the more he scars me."
― Michelangelo

Ash Jensen, a squeaky-clean sophomore at the University of Tennessee, has a trail of baggage a mile long―she buried her fiancé only a year and a half ago. She swore she'd never love again but when she finds herself interned to a yummy Canadian conservation officer that promise is tested big-time. Kade Gyllenhahl sports wild tattoos, a rebellious attitude and a fohawk to die for. He's definitely the wrong man for her and she knows it. 

Kade doesn't have time for a girl like her. She's a pretentious, unreadable princess who lives her life by her parents' rules. Kade knows nothing about her past and he'd prefer to keep it that way. Besides, he'll lose his job if he sleeps with Ash. Now if only he could get his mind off her. 

When the two of them end up alone and isolated on a routine field trip in the woods, things get a little complicated... 

One man afraid of commitment.
One woman afraid to love again.
Two lives.
Two hearts.
One life-changing journey.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Excerpt"You like vodka?" Kade said.

"What?" I glanced at him uncertainly. "That's kind of an odd question. From way out in left field."

"You're half Russian." He was staring at me intensely. "You must like vodka."

"Oh, no." I returned his gaze with equal intensity. Had he felt that tingle when our hands touched, too? 

Our conversation was all innocent on the outside but I could sense the sexual tension seething on the inside. Neither of us broke eye contact. He wasn't sitting all that far from me. It wouldn't take much to close the gap and wrap my lips around his. "I had vodka once when I was in tenth grade. Almost threw up. Scotch is more my thing."

"Scotch? That's a man's drink."

I shrugged, but didn't break eye contact. "Not really."

"Any preferred brands?" His voice sounded deeper, more sexual. I was starting to lose myself in those eyes.

"I don't know." My voice sounded strange, too. A little breathy. "All kinds of brands. I don't like Jack Daniels, though."

"That's not even scotch. That's whiskey."

"Same thing."

Kade stood up now and edged a little closer. His eyes never left mine. "How can you not like Jack Daniels? That's, like, a Tennessee institution. They make it there, don't they?"

"They do." My heart was beating fast. "But Collier and McKeel is more my thing."

"How do you know so much about all these drinks, anyway?" he said in that deep, slow voice. "The legal age is twenty-one in Tennessee." 

I knew my eyes were broadcasting sheer want. He felt it. I'm sure he did, because his eyes fed that want right back at me. "I'm a delinquent."

"You are." He took another step closer. I could hear his breathing now. Deeper. Faster. "Collier and McKeel... remind me to let you try Seagram's 83 sometime. Canadians make the best whiskey. Perfect for a delinquent like you."

"I'm actually more of a wine person. At least I used to be." We were so close now, barely a hand-span away. Those green eyes never left mine, and consumed me.

"Wine? I can see that. I'd peg you as a fan of white. You speak Sauvignon Blanc?" The way he said those French words sounded so sexy.

"I speak champagne," I said huskily. "Dom Perignon makes the most amazing Cristal. White Gold is--" 

I choked off the words, feeling suddenly like I was drowning, and I turned away from Kade. I couldn't hold back the sudden tears.

After all this time, something so simple as the name of a drink still affected me. I almost hoped Kade would wrap his arms around me and carry me away from the horrors of the past and save me from the guilt, but when I looked at him I saw he'd retreated to the shade again. He was sitting on the log with his arms crossed, facing away from me, staring at the river.


Giveaway: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please leave a comment letting me know what you think of Hopeless for You.

An Element of Time Review

Title: An Element of Time

Author: Bebe Knight

Series: The Eternal Flame Series #1

Publish Date: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Solstice Publishing

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Length: 315 pages

Format: ebook

_________________________________________________________________

Description (From Goodreads.com):
"A vampire and a slayer walk into a bar... Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but for Veronica and Mackenzie, it's the beginning of the rest of their lives...

The world has seen its fair share of evil, but Veronica Chase had no idea such monsters truly existed. Werewolves, poltergeists, witches... even vampires. Ignorance was bliss. But her reality was crushed on that horrid day her family was taken away from her. Now, Veronica has devoted her entire life to hunting those very creatures, searching for the werewolf pack that murdered her parents in hopes of finding her abducted sister. Nothing will get in her way of settling the score for the hand she was unjustly dealt. That is until her newest assignment brings her to her knees.

After one hundred and eight years on earth, Mackenzie Jones thought he had seen it all. With the exception of daylight of course, but that's what comes with the territory being a vampire and all. Perpetually damned to live his life as a bartender in the shadows of the night, nothing has sparked his interest lately. Just once he wished something exciting would happen in his mundane life. Little did he know, his wish was about to come true. Walking through the door to his bar, and into his heart, Mackenzie allows love to take the wheel for the first time. There's just once slight problem. She's there to kill him."

My Review: I really loved An Element of Time. I had a feeling going into it that I would enjoy it because I love vampires and have always been interested in their slayer counterparts. I instantly fell in love with Veronica and understood why she decided to become a hunter. The loss of her family was a tragic one and I understand her need for vengeance and answers. The group of hunters that she joins: Van, Allen, and Michael, are an entertaining bunch and surprising.

When Veronica is sent on a solo mission to slay the group of vampires I knew instantly that she is going to fall in love with one. (She does start swooning and fanning herself looking at pictures of them.) So it is a little predictable but I was pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns that the author includes so that even when you think you know what will happen something else does.

The coven of vampires: Casper, Daniela, Noel, and Mackenzie are just a phenomenal group. I love every single one of them in their own way. Casper is the silent and genius of the group. He is intelligent enough to discover a way for vampires to survive off of their own blood. Daniela is the nurturing and bubbly mother of the group who makes it her business to take care of the others. Noel is the tough cop who is protective of his family. And Mack...oh Mack. I had insta-love for Mack as soon as he ran into the bar stool. As a mainly paranormal book blog I have read hundreds of vampire books and this is, perhaps, the first one with a clumsy vampire in it. I love him, he is so adorably sexy.

In addition to the vampires and slayers there are werewolves involved that shake everything up. Towards the end of the novel that are some major scenes that completely change the course of the novel and everything you thought would happen (those twists and turns I mentioned). Also in the final pages there is some information that leave me salivating (not in a weird way) for the next installment.

Excerpt: "Veronica took a seat on an empty stool in a deserted corner, far enough away from anyone to hear a conversation. He glanced her way and held up a finger to let her know he’d be right over. Mackenzie was currently busy talking with two girls, a blond and a brunette, who were both dressed to kill and definitely playing him up. The blond kept laughing louder than necessary, while the brunette playfully hit his arm. 
Veronica rolled her eyes. It was obvious to anyone with half a brain what they were after. However, his demeanor suggested that he was uninterested. Either that or just very naïve. Points for her if that were the case. When he was finally able to remove himself from the talkative twins, he made his was over to take her order.
“What can I get you?” Mackenzie asked with his back to her, ringing out another customer on the cash register. He had no clue that she held the fate of his life in her hands. 
“Make it a Bloody Mary,” she requested. Trying to see if she could get him to turn around, she hoisted her messenger bag onto the bar, making a loud thump in the process. 
He cocked his head toward her, and raised an eyebrow. “You sure you can handle it? I like mine extra hot.”
“Yeah, ninety-eight point six degrees,” she muttered under her breath. “Bring it on Mackenzie, I like a challenge.” He turned around at the mention of his name.
God, he’s gorgeous, Veronica thought. Shit, is he using mind control on me? She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Now was her chance-- all she had to do was hop over the bar and stake him. Easy enough, right? 
“Now that I have your undivided attention, let me introduce myself. I’m Veronica Chase and I’ll be your slayer tonight.” She took a stake out of her bag and placed it on the bar. “Any questions?”

Overall Opinion: My overall opinion is that An Element of Time is a great novel. The action and romance definitely do not disappoint and you will fall in love with all of the characters. I give this novel 4.5 stakes just shy of 5 because I think there were some similarities to other novels but this one is no less enjoyable.


Get to Know the Author (From Goodreads.com):

Bebe Knight is the author of The Eternal Flame Series, a series of paranormal romance novels. She lives in Upstate NY with her husband and son. She graduated from the State University of New York at Albany and holds a B.A. in Fine Arts and Art History. Her links: http://www.bebeknight.com


Where to Get Your CopyAmazon

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of An Element of Time.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Wild Hyacinthe Cover Reveal


Sex has always been deadly for incubus Asher Chain. How far will he go to spare the life of the woman he loves?
Wild Hyacinthe, the new, spicy Crimson Romance title by Nola Sarina and Emily Faith comes out November 4th.

 A deadly lover. His perfect mate. Asher is everything Aria's never dared to imagine: sexy, confident, and rich. But if she convinces him to take her to his bed... her first time may be her last.



Incubus Asher Chain seduces every woman he meets whether he wants to or not, and refuses to let anyone grow close to him. Until the alluring, tattooed waitress Aria Hyacinthe admits she’s been living in her car. Enthralled by her unusual beauty—and terrified he’ll succumb to his deadly, incubus needs—Asher offers her a place to stay.



Living in Asher's loft above his gym, Aria's desire for his body is growing more urgent with every touch. Used to being the backward, shy one, in his presence she becomes fierce, captivating, and breaks down Asher’s walls against all his attempts to keep his distance. She has no clue that if he gives in to her passionate pleas, she won't survive the night, just like all the other women who have fallen victim to his charms. 



But the deeper Asher and Aria fall in love, the harder he must fight the incubus in his soul, demanding her life.

WILD HYACINTHE is Nola Sarina & Emily Faith's spicy, paranormal romance title from Crimson Romance. Represented by Michelle Johnson of Inklings Literary Agency, Nola and Emily have been friends for years and appreciate all things music, art, and romance. Nola's VESPER titles are available on Amazon.

In WILD HYACINTHE, sexy incubus Asher Chain will sweep you off your feet, toss you in bed and leave you reeling for more.

Add WILD HYACINTHE to your to-read shelf on Goodreads here:
...And be sure to stalk the authors on Twitter @NolaSarina and @EmilyFaith2012

I absolutely love this cover and I can honestly say that I will be reading this when it comes out. I have read a couple of books by Nola Sarina now and I always love them so I am interested to see how this collaboration will turn out. Please let me know what you think of this cover. Have a great day :)

An Element of Time Teaser

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Title: An Element of Time
Author: Bebe Knight
Publish Date: September 24, 2013
Teaser: "Van, these vampires are worth a great deal. 
The Vampire Regime has a reward out for their heads."

Please share your teasers with me and let me know what you think of An Element of Time. My review for this book will be up tomorrow (9/25) so come back and check it out. Happy Tuesday. 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Musing Monday #6


Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week...
  • Describe one of your reading habits.
  • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you choose that/those book(s).
  • What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
  • Tell us what you're reading right now – what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren't) enjoying.
  • Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
  • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books – let's hear it, then!
My Reading Habits: 

Something I think is weird about the way that I read is that I cannot read a book slowly. I have tried many times to stretch out a book just so that I can savor it and enjoy it for a longer period of time but I just can't. I also get irritated if I cannot read a book from start to finish in one sitting. I usually will read books from beginning to end so I don't like it when I am interrupted or I have to go do something else. So this especially annoys me now because I am in college and I have to balance reading and blogging with studying and school work.

 I think it is strange that I cannot read a book slowly but I think it can also be a good thing because I become captivated by the story and cannot put it down. But I cannot do this for nonfiction or books that I have no interest in. Those take me a long time to finish. 

Please leave a comment about your Musing Monday or comment on mine. Happy Monday :)

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Sept. 20 F&F Friday



 Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This week's question: What were some of your favorite picture books as a kid? If you have kids, what are your favorites to read to them?

My Answer: My favorite picture books when I was younger were Where the Wild Things Are, When You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Corduroy, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.




In Love by Design Review & Excerpt



TitleIn Love by Design


Author: Tracy Ellen

Series: The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod #3

Genre: romance

Publish Date: September 8, 2013

Length: 328 pages

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Description (from Amazon): Anabel Axelrod returns...and she's madly in love with Luke Drake!
The sexy, blonde bookstore owner with a sassy attitude and a brain that never stops doesn't get to prove what a fabulous girlfriend she'll make for even one day before Luke disappears out of town...
...and the troubles begin!

Instead of getting to enjoy being a girl passionately in love, Anabel's shiny new feelings and trust in her boyfriend are immediately put to the test.

Who is the powerful and charismatic Luke Drake? What are his dark secrets? Does he really love Anabel, or has he been coldly manipulating her feelings to further an intricate design of diabolical revenge that has been in the making for years?

In this third volume of the series, we find the confident Anabel desperately beginning to wonder if she's wrong to believe in her incredibly hot, yet very tricky boyfriend.

Or is this one fairy tale where love cannot conquer all?

My Review: In this third installment of The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod Anabel returns with her usual sassy self. I was pleasantly surprised that this third installment has an ending unlike the other two. For this entire series I feel like I have been having a love/hate relationship with Luke. At one point I am happy with the love that he obviously has for Anabel and then the next minute I am upset by his disappearances and actions that just seem too weird and would be warning signs for me to leave him. I also really liked the action in this novel and felt that this one was much more fast paced and more enjoyable.

Excerpt: “Luke, before we continue to your house, I have a couple of more issues that we need to get squared away. Can we pull over after you exit?” Luke’s glance is quizzical, but he kept calmly stroking my hand while he exited. “Wasn’t I clear about my plan to abduct you tonight?” He looked my way again and his voice is cool. “I answered your questions about the bookstore only because there could be an issue Stella or Anna isn’t aware of that could impact your business, but that’s it.” In the revealing light from an oncoming car, Luke’s eyes gleamed and his face is set in uncompromising lines. He turned the truck west. “You are coming to my house, Anabel, and it’s not open to debate, your agreement, or any of your rules.” ‘Whoever said losing control is exciting should have their boneheaded, sex-starved brain examined.’  I counted to ten, and then twenty, while musing over why the love of my life seems so determined to think I want to run from him tonight, just like he did earlier when we were speaking of his two week hiatus. When my brother acts in this overbearing way, it’s a sure sign of defensiveness because he feels guilty about something he’s done.

Overall: Overall In Love by Design is a faster paced installment of The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod. I was happy that there is an actual ending to this novel because all of the others were cliff-hangers. I still do not think that this series is for me because I did not find it that interesting and I found it extremely hard to get into. Judging by other reviews of this series I am in the minority view so I hope others will like this more than I did. I give In Love by Design 3.5 stakes because it was enjoyable but I just don't think this series was my cup of tea.

About the Author (from Amazon): Meet Tracy Ellen...
About a year or so ago, a strange thing happened to me. It was like a switch turned off/on inside. All of a sudden instead of wanting to read about romance, I wanted to write my own romantic stories. So began my budding writing career. Soon I made another happy discovery; I absolutely loved writing! Since then, I've become a writing fiend. My self-published books include A Date with Fate, Courted by Karma, and In Love by Design in The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod series.
For those of you who may want to know some pertinent facts: I was born in Indiana, the third out of five hellions. I've always lived in the Midwest, except for six steamy months in Florida when I was nineteen. Currently, I reside in the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota with my family. The college town of Northfield featured in Anabel's Adventures is just down the road a jaunt.
I love connecting with readers. Comments, posts, reviews, and emails are always welcome. Follow my blog and like me on Facebook to be aware of events, giveaways, and new books I'm publishing.
@_TracyEllen01
www.tracyellen01.com
facebook.com/tracyellen01
tracy.ellen@aol.com

Get In Love by Design NowOn Amazon  On B&N

Others in this SeriesA Date with Fate and Courted by Karma

Courted by Karma Review


TitleCourted by Karma

Author: Tracy Ellen

Series: The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod #2

Genre: romance

Publish Date: March 7, 2013

Length: 298 pages

__________________________________________

Description (from Amazon): First it was her turn. Now it is his turn.
Anabel's life was sizzling before, but now it's red hot! Can she handle the heat?

Courted by Karma is the second volume in The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod. The story picks up where A Date with Fate left us hanging on Tuesday night at 11:59 pm.

After her last crazy few days, Anabel's hell bent on having nothing but a good time during the traditional upcoming Axelrod Women Weekend. Cousin Layla and some friends are flying in from Florida for a visit. Despite Chief Jack's warning not to call him this year if they end up in jail again, the women plan to rock the town!

But first our girl has to survive some Russian, some Mexicans, some parents, Thanksgiving, and her biggest challenge ever...Luke Drake.

And Mr. Secretive has plans of his own.

Will it ever be our turn for Luke and Anabel, or is it her karma to get burned but the smokin' hot flames?

My Review:  Courted by Karma begins exactly where A Date with Fate ended so I do appreciate that. Much like the first installment of this series I really liked the supporting characters, probably more than Anabel and Luke. I liked the influx of friends and relatives in this novel because they made the story more interesting. In this novel and the previous one I did like Anabel's sassiness and attitude; however, I feel like she acts without thinking in many instances. There is a lot of detail in this novel but I did appreciate it because I would rather have too much than not enough and be left guessing. I think in this novel the romance between Anabel and Luke is much more apparent as in the first one I was unconvinced with the underdeveloped romance.

Overall: I did like this novel better than A Date with Fate, however I just don't think that this series is for me and it is just not holding my interest. They seem disjointed in places and predictable. But overall they are enjoyable quick reads. I give Courted by Karma 3.5 stakes.

About the Author: Meet Tracy Ellen...
About a year or so ago, a strange thing happened to me. It was like a switch turned off/on inside. All of a sudden instead of wanting to read about romance, I wanted to write my own romantic stories. So began my budding writing career. Soon I made another happy discovery; I absolutely loved writing! Since then, I've become a writing fiend. My self-published books include A Date with Fate, Courted by Karma, and In Love by Design in The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod series.
For those of you who may want to know some pertinent facts: I was born in Indiana, the third out of five hellions. I've always lived in the Midwest, except for six steamy months in Florida when I was nineteen. Currently, I reside in the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota with my family. The college town of Northfield featured in Anabel's Adventures is just down the road a jaunt.
I love connecting with readers. Comments, posts, reviews, and emails are always welcome. Follow my blog and like me on Facebook to be aware of events, giveaways, and new books I'm publishing.
@_TracyEllen01
www.tracyellen01.com
facebook.com/tracyellen01
tracy.ellen@aol.com

Get Courted by Karma NowOn Amazon  On B&N

Others in this SeriesA Date with Fate and In Love By Design

A Date with Fate Review

Title: A Date with Fate

Author: Tracy Ellen

Series: The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod #1

Genre: romance

Publish Date: September 18, 2012

Length: 286 pages

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Description (from Amazon): Hot, Hilarious, and Heading for Trouble!
Meet Anabel Axelrod...
Smart, sassy, and sexy. Anabel's twenty-eight, owns a bookstore, and is one control freak of a determined woman. Determined to stay single.

Meet Luke Drake...
Brains, badass, and built. Luke's a mystery man that's enticing Anabel to break all her ironclad rules on dating in the most intriguing and tantalizing of ways. He's never met a woman he can't control.

Meet Anabel's family and friends...
Wonderful, wild, and whacky, they're all up for the plan when Anabel decided to take the entire weekend off from work to chill...

Except many strange things are happening in the town of Northfield, Minnesota. Anabel's perfectly uncomplicated life is suddenly turned chaotically upside down and beset with problems. Her biggest problem is the not too tall, deliciously dark, and definitely not handsome Luke Drake. He walks into her bookstore and sets her pink panties aflame with one long look. From twenty feet away!

But Anabel's never met the challenge she won't stare in the eye while daintily spitting sideways in the dirt.

Will Anabel learn to believe that life is never simple, some rules are meant to be broken, and a certain mesmerizing complication may be worth the trouble – even if it kills her?

My Review:  I am not sure how I felt about A Date with Fate because I had a lot of issues with it. In the description it says that Anabel is "a determined woman. Determined to stay single:;" however, she doesn't put up much of a fight when she meets Luke. In fact she is the one who initiates the relationship so I find it really hard to believe that she is woman determined to stay single.

Also, Luke's mysterious ways were a bit too much for me. I understand that they are supposed to make him see more appealing and sexy but if my boyfriend disappeared often for work I would be a little more suspicious, especially because Anabel doesn't even seem to know for sure what Luke does for a living.

Another thing is that for a book that is labeled romance there is not much romance. Anabel and Luke spend much of the novel apart and when they do come together Anabel becomes convinced that Luke is cheating on her with her cousin. I was confused for much of the novel because of the rapid shift in events but I was mostly confused about was the ending with Mike. I was completely confused about who Anabel was dating at the end of this novel because she seemed to be with both Mike and Luke.

Overall: Overall this novel is enjoyable but extremely confusing. There are rabid shifts in events that left me scratching my head. Luke's "sexy" mysterious ways were too mysterious for me. The little mystery of Anna's aunt was interesting and I did enjoy that. I give A Date with Fate 3 stakes.

About the Author: Meet Tracy Ellen...
About a year or so ago, a strange thing happened to me. It was like a switch turned off/on inside. All of a sudden instead of wanting to read about romance, I wanted to write my own romantic stories. So began my budding writing career. Soon I made another happy discovery; I absolutely loved writing! Since then, I've become a writing fiend. My self-published books include A Date with Fate, Courted by Karma, and In Love by Design in The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod series.
For those of you who may want to know some pertinent facts: I was born in Indiana, the third out of five hellions. I've always lived in the Midwest, except for six steamy months in Florida when I was nineteen. Currently, I reside in the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota with my family. The college town of Northfield featured in Anabel's Adventures is just down the road a jaunt.
I love connecting with readers. Comments, posts, reviews, and emails are always welcome. Follow my blog and like me on Facebook to be aware of events, giveaways, and new books I'm publishing.
@_TracyEllen01
www.tracyellen01.com
facebook.com/tracyellen01
tracy.ellen@aol.com

Get A Date with Fate NowOn Amazon On B&N

Others in this Series: Courted By Karma and In Love By Design


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Scarlet Teaser


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2

Teaser: "She rounded to the main entry hatch and saw that the seal 
of the American Republic had been hastily painted over with
 the silhouette of a lounging naked lady. 'Nice touch.' 'Thanks. Did it myself.'"



Share your teasers with me and let me know what you think of the Lunar Chronicles series. Happy Tuesday.


Monday, September 16, 2013

Musing Monday #5

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week...
  • Describe one of your reading habits.
  • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you choose that/those book(s).
  • What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
  • Tell us what you're reading right now – what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren't) enjoying.
  • Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
  • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books – let's hear it, then!

A book that I am about to begin is Scarlet. It is the second of the 
Lunar Chronicles. I absolutely loved Cinder so I am definitely looking forward to 
this novel and I hope that I enjoy it.


Share your Musing Mondays with me and let me know what you think of Scarlet and Cinder.