For My Christian Friends...http://www.favoritechristianbooks.com/

With days that are filled with an abundance of obligations and hurried moments, you may find yourself longing to sit, relax and temporarily lose yourself in a world that is different from your own. One of the best ways to escape to a new destination is with a good book. When Christian material is what you are seeking, you can eliminate the extensive search through books that you would find inappropriate, by concentrating your search for reading material at a site such as Favorite Christian Books. You can click here and find enjoyable fiction books that are appropriate for a variety of age groups. While you're browsing around for books for your own leisurely reading experience, you may find titles that you know a friend, your spouse, or your kids would like. Books make a great gift for any occasion.

In addition to having a selection of Christian fiction on your bookshelf at home, you can add some educational books such as Bible commentaries and a variety of books that help you deal with some of life's difficult issues and circumstances. You can find comfort and solutions to problems in books written by Christian authors who have been in a situation similar to yours.

Setting aside time to get lost in a good book or to expand your knowledge of the Bible can relieve stress and provide encouragement in trying times. Everyone needs some quiet time each day for rest and relaxation and books are ideal companions for those moments.

Spotlight: The Wolf's Tiger

                                                          Title: The Wolf’s Tiger
                                                      Release Date: Dec. 23, 2013
                                                Genre: Male/Male paranormal, shifter, Pack Mates #3

Blurb:
All Grayson Mitchell, a wolf shifter, wants to do is raise his nieces in peace and maybe get a full night’s sleep while he’s at it. But between his job as an emergency room nurse and the demands of the three little girls, sleep seems far off. He needs someone who can help him out with the girls, and a nanny seems like the ideal solution.

Shannon Cho is a tiger shifter who was banished from his pride for being too powerful. But he doesn’t want to lead. He wants to devote his life to children. Answering an ad for a nanny is the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

But what happens when the two men cross the line between employer and employee? Will love flourish? Or will the secret that’s been kept from the Smooth Rock Falls pack tear everything apart?

Buy Links:

Liquid Silver:  http://www.lsbooks.com/the-wolfs-tiger-p865.php

Amazon link: HERE

All Romance E-books: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewolf039stiger-1382961-145.html

Author's Info:Lynn Tyler, erotic romance author, has been writing since she was young. An Amazon bestseller and a strong believer in happily ever after, Lynn writes predominantly male/male paranormal romance.

Find her at lynntylerbooks.com.

Facebook: facebook.com/lynntylerbooks Twitter: @lynntylerbooks

Excerpt:
Shannon stood on the doorstep and rang the bell for the third time. It was starting to get uncomfortable out here. There were at least three wolves staring at him from various vantage points near the house, and he was really starting to squirm. Finally, a very faint come in was yelled from somewhere inside the house. He jiggled the knob, poked his head in and was met with total chaos. A little girl that looked about five years old stood stark naked in the kitchen, sobbing her eyes out. The sound of a flushing toilet floated down the stairs, and a baby was screaming somewhere. A very stressed looking man appeared at the top of the stairs. He was wearing a pair of wrinkled green scrubs, and his brown hair was sticking up everywhere as if he’d been carding his fingers through it. “Shannon?” Shannon nodded and waved a little. The brunette gave him a small smile even as another wail split the air. “Just give me a few minutes,” he called. “I think the baby’s diaper exploded.” With that, he turned around and jogged back the way he came, leaving him alone with a sobbing little girl. “Hey, sweetie,” he said as he knelt down in front of her. “What’s with the tears?” “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers,” she said between heaving breaths. “Well, my name is Shannon, and I’m here to talk to your uncle about taking care of you,” he responded, holding out his hand so she could shake it. She looked at him through wide, teary eyes but she took his hand. “I’m Honor. I live here.” “I see,” he said seriously. “Do you think you could tell me why you’re so upset?” Her lower lip trembled. “I spilled juice on my dress. Uncle Gray said it was okay, but I needed to put on my pajamas now.” Oh, Shannon could see where this was going. “And you wanted to put on a different dress?” Her little face screwed up again and he rushed to intervene. “Do you have a nightgown?” Honor looked at him with suspicion and nodded. “Well, let’s put that on then. It’s almost like wearing a dress.” She stuck her thumb in her mouth and took his hand again. He stood up and let her tug him along. They mounted the stairs and entered one of the bedrooms. It was clearly meant for little girls. The walls were painted a bubble gum pink, with a lime green border painted about four inches wide from the ceiling down. Two twin beds were pushed up against opposite walls and there was a small white chest at the end of each. Teal and lime butterflies decorated the walls and the window was covered by a blackout shade and gauzy white curtains. Honor started rummaging around in a dresser under the window and extracted a long, pink nightgown. She held it out to him with a hopeful smile. Laughing, Shannon took the nightgown from her and slipped it over her head, helping her to push her arms through the arm holes. “Will you braid my hair?” she asked. “Uncle Gray doesn’t know how and no matter how many times Trina tries to show him, he just can’t get it.” It was a good thing he’d grown up with three sisters. They’d forced him to braid their hair, paint their nails and even sit still while they gave him makeovers. He grabbed a brush from the dresser but paused when the toilet flushed for the fifth time in a row. Either someone was having stomach troubles, or they were trying to flush something they shouldn’t. He could hear Gray cooing to the still crying baby, and he knew there were three kids, so process of elimination could only mean that the other little girl was the one in the bathroom. “Honor, honey? What’s your other sister’s name?” “Hope. She’s in the bathroom.” Ah. “Let’s go check on her, okay?” Shannon said. Honor nodded solemnly and pointed the way. Shannon pushed the bathroom door open a little and had to clap his hand over his mouth to stop the laughter. The toddler was busy sticking a doll in the toilet and giving it a swirly. “Whirlpool!” she shouted gleefully. “Oh, no,” Shannon said dramatically once he’d gotten his laughter under control. “I think your dolly is drowning!” The little girl looked up at him with big brown eyes. “Then we gots to save her,” she answered. Shannon nodded and scooped the naked doll out of the toilet. “I’m not giving her mouth to mouth,” he said as he peered into the toilet. “Did you put anything else down there?” “Just my pees and poops,” Hope said with a shrug. “I’m not a baby like Faith.” Hmm. Maybe this dolly needed to take a field trip to the dump for a couple of hours. Or forever. “Oh, thank you so much,” Gray said as he walked into the bathroom with a still sniffling baby. “Honor, honey, you look beautiful. Hope, remember we talked about putting dollies in the toilet?” Hope flashed him a big smile and batted her long lashes. “Yes Uncle Gray. But my dolly wanted a bath.” Gray sighed and hefted the baby up to his shoulder. “Are we ready for dinner?” The two older girls immediately started jumping around and shrieking. “Hot dogs!” “Again?” Gray asked. The baby started whimpering again and Gray started swaying from side to side. “Okay. Hot dogs it is. Again. Hope, wash your hands please.” Shannon watched as the toddler used a liberal amount of bright purple soap and rinsed her hands off before drying them on a white towel. Of course, faint purple streaks were left behind on the terry. Clearly, these little girls hadn’t lived here long because not many parents would have white towels hanging around. At least, not in the family bathroom. He followed the little family down the stairs and into the kitchen, where he’d first seen Honor in her birthday suit. “Do you mind holding the baby while I get her bottle going?” Before Shannon could respond, he found himself with an armful of baby girl. He didn’t mind though. Gray measured out the powered formula and put the kettle on to warm the water a little. Gray crossed the kitchen, opened a drawer and pulled out a couple of coloring books and two packs of crayons. “Here, girls. Why don’t you do some coloring while we wait for supper?” “But Uncle Gray, I’m hungry,” Hope whined. Gray pulled out a plastic tub of sliced vegetables and put it in the middle of the table. “You can munch on those while I get your hot dogs ready.” Soon, the kitchen was filled with the smells of frying mystery meat. Shannon wrinkled his nose at the food but didn’t say anything. If he got this job, he would be asking to cook an entirely different menu. He was an excellent cook and his last employer often told him that he was a genius at making kid friendly, super nutritious food. Finally, the hot dogs were done and the bottle was ready. The wolf served the two older girls first, handing out cups of water and dispensing small amounts of ketchup before taking the baby back and giving her the bottle. “Hi,” he said with a tired smile. “Sorry about the chaos.” Shannon had seen much worse. “No problem. Nice to meet you, Uncle Gray.” He flashed Gray a smile since the guy’s hands were full of formula-guzzling baby. The wolf laughed, the sound low and rich. Goosebumps rose along his skin. What a gorgeous sound. Shannon wondered what the guy sounded like in bed. He shook his head, trying to free himself of the tempting thought. He really shouldn’t be lusting after his employer. And if he remembered correctly, wolves had a very sensitive sense of smell. If he didn’t get his errant thoughts under control, he would become aroused and Gray would no doubt scent that. Instead, he focused on the man’s lips. Bad idea. Finally, he settled on looking at the baby while he forced himself to listen to the guy’s words. “Actually, it’s Grayson Mitchell. But most people just call me Gray.” “Nice to meet you. I’m Shannon Cho.” Gray nodded at the table and the two of them sat down. “I called your references last night, and they were excellent,” Gray said. Shannon had to suppress a sigh of relief. Thankfully, his last employer hadn’t been forbidden from sabotaging his attempt at getting a new job. “I’m glad. Things didn’t end well with my pride, and I wasn’t sure if my old Alpha would let her give me a good reference or not.” Gray cocked his head even as he placed the now empty bottle on the table. He lifted the baby to his shoulder and patted her back. “Pride? You’re a cat? I know you’re not a wolf, but I can’t place what kind of shifter you are.” He nodded. “Tiger. And I guess you’re wondering why I’m no longer with my pride?” The baby burped and snuggled sleepily into the wolf’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t be doing a good job as the girls’ guardian if I didn’t ask why,” Gray responded. This was it. Steeling himself for a quick thanks but no thanks, Shannon gave him the run down. Gray was silent for a minute before speaking to the girls. “Honor, Hope, I’m going to put Faith to bed. Stay here and color for a few more minutes. Shannon, you wanna come with me?” “Sure.” He pushed back his chair and followed Gray to the baby’s room. Gray laid the baby in the crib and popped a pacifier into her mouth when she started to fuss. “So, you’re a dominant tiger then?” “Well, my cat is exceptionally strong, but I don’t actually have any driving need to lead. My Alpha wasn’t exactly comfortable with the fact that I could beat him in a fight if I needed to. But since I’d never challenged him, he didn’t have a reason to banish me from the pride.” The older girls were still absorbed in their pictures, and Gray paused to kiss each of them on the head. “Uncle Gray and Shannon are going to just go into my office for a few more minutes. Come and get me if you need me, okay?” Honor looked up and nodded. Hope didn’t say anything. She simply stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth while she concentrated on her scribbling. Gray’s office was neat and clearly off limits to the three girls although their photos were displayed prominently. “I was impressed with your references, especially the ones from your child psychology professor. And the girls don’t often take to new people the same way that they took to you, which tells me lots. My Alpha will want to run a background check on you but, given that it comes back clean, I would like to hire you. When can you start? And do you have any questions for me?” “Your Alpha will only find one parking ticket. I can start tomorrow. And, yes, I do have a couple of questions for you…” Shannon trailed off, not sure how to broach the subject. When he was met with nothing but silence, Shannon decided to just come out with it. “It doesn’t seem like the girls have been here very long. How is it you became their guardian?” The scent of grief permeated the air and Shannon had a sudden urge to wrap the wolf up in his arms and hold him close. Gray cleared his throat a few times before he answered. “My sister and her husband were killed in a freak car accident about a month ago. I was actually babysitting the girls for the week. I’ll be honest, the girls don’t seem to even realize what’s going on, and the fact that your degree is in child psychology was very appealing to me.” Shannon didn’t know the wolf well enough to actually hug him, but he did reach out and squeeze his hand. There was one more question he needed answered, and it wasn’t nearly as upsetting as the last one. “What do you do for a living?” Gray took a deep breath, clearly grateful for the change of subject. “I’m an emergency room nurse. I work two weeks days, off for a couple of days and then two weeks nights. Seven to seven, both shifts, assuming someone hasn’t called in sick. We’re often short staffed, so I tend to run a little late most shifts. Quinn, the Alpha’s mate, runs a daycare, and he’s been watching the girls for me.” God, Shannon was needed here. The house wasn’t even child proofed. And he couldn’t help but wonder if it wasn’t just the girls that needed him.

Last Minute Read-a-thon Wrap Up

 
Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner & A Night's Dream Of Books

I finished Dead Plains by Angela Scott! I know that's just one book, but it was soo good! I had a lot of distractions keeping me from reading, but I still got one book done!

thanks for the fun! here have a bashful misha collins!

Last Minute 2013: Rainbow Book Spine Challenge

Last Minute 2013: Rainbow Book Spine Challenge

 

Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner & A Night's Dream Of Books

Red Book: Battle Royale

Orange Book: Blood Orange

Yellow Book: Benjamin Franklin's Bastard

Green Book: The Roots of the Olive Treet

Blue Book: Arcane Circle

Violet Book: The Sword of Shannara

    

Spotlight: Summertime Dream

Summertime Dream
Babette James

Blurb:  

The Fourth of July is over, but for these summer lovers the fireworks have just begun.

An unexpected inheritance brings business consultant Christopher Gordon from Los Angeles to quaint Falk’s Bend. He’s carved a week from his demanding schedule to list his great-grandparents’ house for sale and explore his roots. However, disturbing family secrets and the sweet temptation of writer Margie Olsson derail his plans, challenging him to seize the elusive dream missing from his hectic life— love.

A recent brush with death shook Margie’s life, but not her dreams and she’s ready to move forward. Only, standing up to her loving, over-protective family isn’t easy. Helping Christopher explore the derelict mansion and unravel his grandmother’s mysterious past should be a harmless fun taste of independence. But when her experimental summer fling ignites into unexpected love, how can her small town dreams work with his big city life?

Authors Bio: 

Babette James writes sweetly scorching contemporary romance and loves reading nail-biting tales with a satisfying happily ever after. When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints. Babette is a member of New Jersey Romance Writers, where she has served on the Board. She is also a Pro member of Romance Writers of America, and the Celtic Hearts, and Contemporary Romance Chapters of RWA, and Liberty States Fiction Writers. As a teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! Born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California, she’s had a life-long love of the desert and going down the shore. Babette now lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and extremely spoiled cats.

Author of Sweetly Scorching Contemporary Romance

Website/ Twitter/ Facebook Fan Page/ Facebook/Amazon Author Page

Google Plus/ Goodreads/ Pinterest

Excerpt:

Beautiful, isn’t it? I fell so in love with this place when I was little and dreamed I’d live in a house like this someday.” Margie laughed. “Of course, in my dreams it was a bit less rundown.”

“I’d imagine so. Interested in buying?”

“Oh, if only I could, I would in an instant. I’m sure the property alone is worth far more than I can afford. It’s a huge piece of land. And the repairs and restoration...” Longing swelled. She sighed. Someone else would buy and live in her dream home.

Quiet fell between them for a while. Bees buzzed in the clover. Birds sang, chirped, and flitted. A hummingbird whizzed past. Two more ducks joined the first amid quiet bickering quacks. Dandelion fluff drifted by on an unfelt breeze.

A truck rattled down the lane, breaking the moment.

“Suppose we ought to head back...” Christopher turned, so close their arms brushed, but instead of retreating, he hesitated. Their eyes locked. Where dismay and frustration had filled his green eyes, want simmered. The heavy air electrified.

You need a change.

On a surge of bewildering crazy courage, she stretched up and kissed him. The brief brush of lips to lips left her shaken and her heart pounding, like she had just come up for air.

His eyes widened in his serious, craggy face.

No, oh, no. Blowing out an unsteady breath, she pressed a hand to her stomach. She’d carried her day’s adventure one impetuous step too far. Her heroines were the daring part of her. She’d never even kissed on a first date before, and this wasn’t even a date.

Before the apology fluttering in her mind could break free, he cupped her cheek and touched his mouth down on hers.

Last Minute Read-a-Thon!

Maria over at A Night's Dream of Books and Vonnie over at Vonnie's Reading Corner (two new blogs to me! HEEEY!)  Last Minute Read-a-Thon of 2013! I have today off (26th) and the rest of the weekend is gonna be kind of light on the work parts. WOOT! So what better way to spend my time, than to read!? Screw cleaning and stuff...I'm nerding out! (okay I will HAVE to clean sometime but that will be kept to a minimum!)

For this read-a-thon, I'm hoping to finish at least 2 books!

I'm starting with
Dead Plains book 3 in the Zombie West series by Angela Scott! I LURVE this series!

I'm Doing that Weekly Thing Again!

This meme is hosted by Sheila over at Book Journey! I haven't done one of these is friggen forever, but I thought it would be fun! Plus a little motivation to get me back in the habit of reading FOR FUN :)

So last week was a mess. Not much in the way of reading anything so this week, even with the holidays coming up I hope to read at least 1 book.

For my Classics Blog (here) I'm hoping to finish up Lord of the Flies and write out my thoughts.

For this blog:

This giant brick of a book that my husband claims is awesomeballs!



I think since this has like an elevenitybillionity pages, this will be a good one to just focus on. :)

What are you reading?

Promo and Excerpt: Tragic Love

New Adult Romance

Date Published: 11/6/2013

“From the moment I locked eyes with hers, we've had this undeniable connection that was and will always be wicked. A love that would literally kill me if it didn't survive, but lately, could kill me if it did.” ~Drake Evans.

For Drake and Presley, life has handed them more challenges than any one person should ever face in a lifetime. Together, they've survived Presley’s captivity from her deranged uncle, but now they must learn how to live with the events that surrounded her time spent with him, while keeping the details of her rescue a secret. 

For Presley Quinn, living the last two years has been practically unbearable, constantly drowning in nightmares put there by a man responsible for the violent imagines continually playing in her mind. She keeps moving forward, but is barely clinging onto the edge when she’s faced with another obstacle from her past that is so unavoidable, so tragic, it threatens to break her apart—herself.

Drake will do anything to protect Presley from ever feeling pain again. His love is irrefutable. He walks side by side with her, vowing he will never let anyone harm her again. However, when an unexpected event turns Presley against everyone she’s ever loved, Drake is faced with trying to save the only woman he’s ever loved or severing the only lifeline she’s ever had—himself.

**Mature Content Warning** 17 years and older for language and sexual content.**

Excerpt:

“Don’t! Don’t you dare act like you know nothing about this.” I begin to walk toward Delilah and at any moment I can feel my body start to really lose it.  Her eyes are drenched and she's starting to tremble as she quickly picks up on how angry I am. The sickest feeling is growing in my gut as my mind's telling me where Presley could be, but my heart doesn't want to believe it. Closing the gap between us, I grab a hold of Delilah’s arms and lightly shake her. I know she knows, but I need to hear it from her. “Where is she?” I scream in her face.  

~Drake Evans, Tragic Love

M.S. Brannon

M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MS-Brannon/361712440596820?notif_t=page_new_likes

Blog: 

http://msbrannon.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @MSBrannonAuthor

Email: MBrannon16@gmail.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7103293.M_S_Brannon

 

Spotlight: Toying With Temptation

Toying With Temptation  

Genre: Romance/Contemporary, Romance/ Adult

Blurb:
Driven, business savvy Hailey Burton, Vice President of Tryton Financial Institute, has been put in charge of running what could be her first ever failure: the company’s Christmas Eve toy drive. Toys and Christmas are beyond Hailey’s expertise, but when she's offered the chance for the promotion she's been waiting for if she succeeds, her competitive spirit kicks into high gear. When every company in Los Angeles turns her down, desperation leads her to Quinn Matheson. Ten years ago, Hailey chose a prosperous career over Quinn, but as she falls for him all over again, she can’t deny that they make a good team in business…and more. This second time around, is she finally ready to make the leap and become his partner in love?

Buy Links: 

Amazon: HERE

 

Barnes & Noble: HERE

 

AllRomanceEbooks.com: HERE

I've been writing for as long as I can remember...I still have my first "book" - scribbled in pencil in a 1-subject notebook in sixth grade. When my mom taught me how to type (on an electric typewriter!) there was no going back. I'm crazy about stories in every form - movies, novels, poems, songs, etc. and love making up my own. I live in the Washington, D.C. area and when I'm not writing I like exploring the sites, going for long walks, and listening to every bit of music I can get my ears on. But most of all I love writing stories...my goal is to make a reader's day a little lighter and brighter!

Author's website address: www.madisonmartinbooks.com

Excerpt:

She couldn’t wait any longer. She unzipped his pants and pulled them down with such force that she almost knocked both of them to the floor. He pulled her down along with him until they landed together in a heap on the carpet.

He gave out a deep laugh.

Years and years of seamless business deals, and somehow she was managing to screw this up. Always with the personal stuff, she was there to make a mess of it. “You’re laughing at my ravaging you?” she asked sheepishly, feeling her cheeks burning. “I know, I know…being with me is kind of like being in a French farce, right?”

“I’m not complaining.” Still seeming to be enjoying himself, he drew her up beside him on the carpet and kissed her. 
“You gotta admit that was kind of funny. It’s okay to laugh at yourself sometimes.”
Instead of taking offense, she lightened up. “Help me, then.”
Together they managed to get his pants all the way off.
Pushing him flat onto his back, she settled herself on top and pressed her hands against the delineated muscles of his chest. He was all hers. She raised up onto her knees, and a little jab of pain made her wince.
With a harsh breath, he leaned up, a worried look on his face. “Your knee…”

“No, it’s all right.” She adjusted her astride position, settling comfortably. “There. That’s better.”
 
“No, this won’t work. We’ll hurt it.”
 
“It’s fine,” she insisted.
 
Unconvinced, he leaned up and grasped her thigh with one hand. “That scab still looks bad.”
 
“It’s all right. I promise.”
 
He leaned back, giving in. With a gruff sigh, he said through gritted teeth, “I should have known you’d want to be on top.”
 
She grinned, shifting her silky underwear along the hard length covered by his boxers. “You used to like it.”
 
He gritted his teeth and grasped her hips. “Sure. Use and abuse me,” he croaked out.
 
She examined the look on his face and bit her lower lip. Was she really torturing him? “You don’t sound too happy about it.”
 
“I’m not going to be able to handle much of your teasing tonight.”
 
All right, so she admitted she liked teasing him. He was too fun to tease, only because he took it so well. “Are you mad about—?”
 
In a split second, he had her flat on her back. She laughed as Quinn moved on top of her, pressing his body against hers.
 
“How about we do it like this?” he asked with a triumphant smile, his dark eyes exploring her face.

Feature: Nothing Personal

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 10/18/2013

The Kincaids Book #2

By the author of the bestselling Escape to New Zealand series--
When you wish upon a star . . . 


Alec Kincaid has never met the obstacle he couldn’t overcome—or the woman who could resist him. And it’s not going to happen now, not with his star shining more brightly than ever in the high-stakes arena of San Francisco’s software industry.


Desiree Harlin doesn’t believe in fairy tales, and she doesn’t waste time wishing. She’s learned the hard way that dreams don’t come true. And with her reputation and hard-won security on the line, succumbing to temptation isn’t an option. 


But things aren’t always what they seem. And even stars sometimes fall.

Rosalind James

Author Bio:

Rosalind James is the author of the Kindle-bestselling "Escape to New Zealand" series (currently five titles strong), as well as the new U.S.-based "Kincaids" series. Her first book,"Just This Once," has sold tens of thousands of copies in the year since it was published, eventually reaching #85 in the Amazon store. A marketing professional and publishing industry veteran, Rosalind has lived all over the United States and in a number of other countries, traveling with her civil engineer husband. Most recently, she spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries. She loves trying new things in her writing, most recently the mystery and suspense in "Nothing Personal."

Rosalind credits her rapid success to the fact that “lots of people would like to escape to New Zealand! I know I did!” 

Website: http://www.rosalindjames.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosalindjamesbooks

Twitter: @rosalindjames5

Excerpt:

She’d spooned up every bit of the rich broth, the chunks of beef and vegetables, had dipped a second and then a third piece of bread in olive oil. Alec had watched it all without comment, while dispatching his own dinner with an alacrity that confirmed to Desiree that he really hadn’t had dinner yet tonight.

And when they’d finished, he’d insisted, together with Giuseppe—of course the waiter’s name was Giuseppe, because this wasn’t romantic enough, the white tablecloth and the single red rose and the candle and the worn brick against her shoulder—he’d insisted that she order cannoli for dessert.

“Just one,” he coaxed. “If you don’t want it, you don’t have to eat a single bite. But I think you need to taste whipped cream tonight.”

“Don’t you think she needs some whipped cream?” he demanded of the waiter, who smiled back at him, sensing, Desiree thought through a satisfied haze of red wine, succulent beef, and way too much potent testosterone, a truly magnificent tip.

“Definitely, the signorina needs whipped cream,” Giuseppe agreed. “And we have the best.”

She wasn’t sure how you had better whipped cream than anyone else, but when the dessert arrived, she had to concede that this was the best.

Amaretto, one still-sane corner of her practical brain suggested, but that sensible voice was drowned out, oh so rapidly, by the sensation on her tongue, the silky smoothness of cream, the almond sweetness of the liqueur, the delicate drift of pastry and the deep dark pleasure of chocolate. And Alec, watching her as she allowed the rich concoction to drift between her lips, over her tongue, down her throat. Watching her, enjoying the sight of her enjoying herself, as if it were his tongue. His throat.

By the time he’d slapped a hand against the door of the cab that had again been waiting when they’d stepped out of the restaurant’s front door, leaped back onto the sidewalk and raised that same hand in farewell, she’d been so lost in fatigue, wine, and lust that she could only sit back against the scarred leather and thank heaven that she hadn’t actually kissed him. Or begged him.

BUY LINK

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Personal-Kincaids-Rosalind-James-ebook/dp/B00FYTHXMA/

Spotlight: A Taste of Gold

Blurb:

 Psychic twins with special talents meet two thieves, two Taniwha, and one pretty reporter as they experience the adventure of a lifetime…

On a prospecting holiday, brothers Jason and Levi discover an ancient supernatural creature, a Taniwha named Otanewainuku, who gives them ‘humming stones’ in exchange for their silence about its treasure. They also cross paths with two thieves. Their supernatural abilities to find hidden gems and precious metals help them find the stolen goods and turn them in to the police—twice. But when they meet reporter Abby Hennessy, her story on their good deed attracts the wrong kind of attention.

When the thieves capture Jason to use his talents, Levi has to rely on their psychic link to guide the police while not revealing their powers. Abby wants to help, and she and Levi search for the thieves, not knowing that Jason is going to use the ‘humming stones’ to call on another Taniwha for help…

Author Bio:

A taste of Gold is Deryn Pittar’s first Young Adult novella. She loved creating the characters in this story, especially the Taniwha (pronounced tanny-far) from Maori mythology. This story has inspired her to write more stories for teenagers in the future.

Deryn, writing as Virginnia De Parte, also pens futuristic fiction, spiced with romance and adventure. She has four novellas published as e-books. Setting her stories in the future allows her imagination to run free, creating characters with unheard-of talents. She also has the pleasure of watching science and technology catch up with her imagination.

She is a published poet. She lives in the aptly named Bay of Plenty, New Zealand; along with four million people and a number of hobbits.

Website: www.derynpittar.tumblr.com

Blog Tour: The League of Skull and Bones

Date Published: 10/15/2013

New Adult Paranormal / Steampunk

Jess Grimm has the ability to travel to any dimension in the multiverse. There’s only one problem… it’s killing her. 
Jess is in a race against time to find a device that can slow the progression of the power inside her, but she isn’t alone. Others want her power, and they don’t care how they get it, or if she is dead or alive when they do. 
The only person willing to help her is the mysterious Ronan Sparrow a member of the League of Skull & Bones, one of the very groups that want her power. But what does Ronan want in return? Can Jess trust him or will she find herself alone with enemies on all sides? 
The League of Skull & Bones, Book 1 of The Grimm Chronicles

My Review:
My review for this will be short and sweet! So here goes!
I love strong female characters, so this was definitely a book for me! Jess is such a great character! Strong, able, and capable of kicking major butt! I loved it! This book kept my attention from start to finish! The writing was strong and flowed quite smoothly! The plot was strong and intriguing! A great read! Loved it!

M.J. Fletcher

MJ Fletcher was born in New Jersey and now lives by the beach with his beautiful wife and daughter. He has been writing since he first stapled pages together as a child and called them a book. He finally realized his ambitions when his comic book series Adam Zero The Last Man of Earth was published by Ronin Studios. His other comic book work includes Digital Webbing Presents and The Hero Initiative. His first novel The Doorknob Society released in 2012 was nominated for a Cybil award in the young adult category. He has continued writing the Doorknob Society Saga his rollicking steampunk adventure series as well as working on numerous other writing projects.

Website: www.mjfletcher.net

Facebook: /doorknobsociety

Twitter: fletch125

BUY LINKS

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/League-Skull-Bones-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00FVW7JPQ/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/league-of-skull-bones-mj-fletcher/1117165124?ean=2940148531104

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/league-of-skull-bones

Blog Tour: The Spirit Keeper

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Plume (September 24, 2013)

In 1747 Pennsylvania, a trading post on the American frontier was an unsettling place, allowing little opportunity for a woman’s happiness.  This is truest perhaps for seventeen-year-old Katie O’Toole, the thirteenth child of an unhappy Irish immigrant family.   Yet, Katie dreams of a different life, unaware that someone far away was dreaming of her.  Evocative of Geraldine Brook’s Caleb’s Crossing, K.B. Laugheed’s extraordinary debut novel, The Spirit Keeper (Plume Original / October 2013 / $16.00) is Katie’s engrossing first-person account, as she leaves behind her painful past in order to accept a new identity and the great love that comes with it.

When savages raid the O’Toole home, Katie is taken captive by two strange Indians who claim they have been searching for her.  Protected by his companion Hector, Syawa is a gifted holyman who can see the future through dreams.  Syawa claims he has seen Katie in his vision: a Creature of Fire and Ice who will bring a great gift to his people.
Despite her flaming red hair and ice-blue eyes, Katie looks upon him incredulously, but faced with the alternative of returning to her abusive family, she agrees to join them.  Soon, their travel westward takes an irreversible turn.  Katie discovers that to fulfill Syawa’s vision, she must become his Spirit Keeper, embarking on an epic journey that will change her life—and heart—forever.
The Spirit Keeper captures the soul of a young woman on a quest to discover herself during a remarkable adventure across the New World.


My Review:

This book started out kind of slow for me. The lack of a common language between Katie and Syawa and Hector kind of made things slow going. Once it starts to get going and Katie learns how to communicate, it picks up nicely! It was pretty interesting to get a good idea about where Katie came from. Her family was detestable! I was not at all sad to see them go! I loved the wild emotional ride this book took me on! Make sure to section off at least an afternoon to devote to this book! It's such a great story!


I really loved this book!

About K. B. Laugheed

K.B. Laugheed is an organic gardener and master naturalist who has spent a lifetime feeding the earth.  Her efforts have culminated in The Spirit Keeper, her first novel and largest contribution to the potluck so far.

For more info on K. B. Laugheed and her work, visit her website, kblaugheed.com.