Saturday, January 15, 2011

Weekly Wrap Up (01/15/11)


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Books Reviewed:
My Posts This Week:
My Week In Review:

Well, my week has been pretty boring! Well, except for the blogging and trying to get caught up 
after my 5 month hiatus. But I have read some great books, My Guilty Pleasures is lucky enough
to be hosting a giveaway from CSN Stores. I did have my group therapy session (and let me tell ya, it's ain't nothin' like Bob Newhart!) and I am thankful I only have 2 more to go! Matt, my youngest, donated blood today at school and passed out for a couple of minutes. Lucky for him he doesn't have a Mama that panics over stuff. LOL! Well, that's it for my week, how was yours? 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill Ins is hosted by Friday Fill Ins!


1. Right now I need to read.

2. Diet Dr. Pepper is what's in my glass.

3. A copy of this letter is here.

4. Ice Cream is best with a spoon.

5. The best movie I've seen lately is The A-Team.

6. From like; To love.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with my sweetheart, tomorrow my plans include my grand daughter's 10th birthday party and Sunday, I want to watch Season 1 & 2 of True Blood!

Friday's Fabulous Find (2)...

from rachelvincent.com

SOUL SCREAMERS PREQUEL NOVELLA
Kaylee Cavanaugh's trip to the mall ends with a brutal panic attack and a brainscrambling shriek she can't stop. Her secret fear is exposed. It's the worst day of her life.
Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.
But the hospital isn't a safe place for Kaylee, and getting out won't be easy because everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, who has a secret of her own...

This prequel novella is free to download from Rachel Vincents website. But if you go anywhere else, it's going to cost $2.99!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dining With The Dollar Diva by Elizabeth Fisher

About the book:
(from Amazon.com)
This cookbook contains "divalicious" recipes created with ingredients that cost one dollar or less. Author Elizabeth Fisher is a regular mom who is a wiz at creating exquisite menus and dining experiences at economical prices. Each recipe is accompanied by an interesting story about how that recipe came to be created. Most ingredients can be found at your local dollar store or in the dollar section in your local supermarket. This is the first book in the Dollar Diva series.
  • Perfect Paperback: 200 pages
  • Publisher: The Elevator Group (March 15, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982528248
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982528242


About the Author:
Elizabeth Fisher is a single mother of two adult sons, Marques, and her “adopted” son, Harold. She loves to cook and eat, and she prays that everyone enjoys this book as much as she enjoyed writing it.She is known for her annual July 4th get together, which she has hosted for over twenty years. The party has grown from grilling a few burgers to a neighborhood block party event entertaining up to 100 people. Visit The Dollar Diva  on her blog at www.dollardivameals.blogspot.com.

My thoughts:
Ok, when I read that this was a cookbook and all the items could be bought at the Dollar Store, I thought, Oh Yes, this is for me! Ms. Fisher has created a cookbook with some fantastic recipes with items that can be found at the Dollar Store! I ran out and bought the items (yes! at the dollar tree) for the Butterfinger Brownies. They were a HUGE hit in my household! I can't wait to try some of the other recipes... How does Pepperoni & Swiss Knots sound? Delicious, right? Yummy. So if your like me and your shopping at the Dollar Tree, swing by the book section and pick up a copy of Dining With The Dollar Diva by Elizabeth Fisher. It's only a $1!
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Awakened by P.C. & Kristin Cast


Zoey has returned from the Otherworld to her rightful place as High Priestess at the House of Night. Her friends are just glad to have her back, but after losing her human consort, Heath, will Zoey--or her relationship with her super-hot Warrior, Stark--ever be the same?
“My love, speak to me.  Tell me everything.”  Neferet went to Kalona, kneeling before him, stroking the soft, dark wings that unfurled loosely around the immortal.
“What would you have me say?”  He didn’t meet her eyes. 
 “Zoey lives.” Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.
“She does.”
“Then you owe me the subservience of your immortal soul.”  She started to walk away from him.
“Where are you going?  What will happen next?”
 “It is quite simple.  I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma.  There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.”
Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey.  Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z.  But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there.  Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it?  Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…
And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim?  The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship?  Does he betray his father or his heart?
In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

 
My thoughts:
WOW! So much happened in this book! I couldn't believe some of the twists that happened for Zoey and the gang. A couple of times I was left utterly speechless (and anyone who knows me, knows that does NOT happen often!). Choices were made that would (in my opinion) change the House of Night forever. I don't know how P.C. & Kristin Cast do it, but every House of Night book is better than last! My one objection with this book? The way it ended. I thought it was too obvious of a cliff hanger. But as far as cliff hangers go, it was an awesome one!
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Yes, I'm back...well maybe... no really I am!

 Well, it's been about 5 months since I've posted. I've been really neglectful and I'm sorry! I had to take a break and try to get my life back on track. At the beginning of June, my son (mini me) left for Basic Training for the Army Reserves. The day he leaves, my daughter & I got into a tiff and she moved OUT. I mean just left. I thought she would be coming back home. NOPE. She stayed with her friend until she could be moved into her dorm. Unfortunately, she didn't make it a semester. She decided Florida, yes, you heard me, Florida had better forensic schools, so she withdrew from classes (oh did I mention that she had a full ride to a private college? No, well she did) and moved to Florida and now lives with her boyfriend, his parents and his grandparents. Hopefully she can get into summer classes and get into the swing of things. Needless to say, even mini me coming home from Basic Training wasn't enough to pull me out of the dumps I was feeling. So, I went to a dr. asked for some handy dandy anti-depressant and voile! I am reading again! So here is where the maybe comes in. I received a Kobo ereader for Christmas! Woohoo! And I had the bright fabulous idea to start another blog. My lavender Kobo. BUT. I'm thinking I like it here. So the few posts I have made there, I will try to import them here! But I will tell you this: I will NOT be having as many giveaways. It was starting to cause me to much stress. Fortunately our friends at CSN just emailed me about a giveaway! So I think that is the perfect way to start the new year! Be looking! Details to come soon!!

Waiting On Wednesday (1)...

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted each week by

My pick this week is: 
The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship by Lisa Verge Higgins
Rachel Braun was the inspiration to her group of friends, the one who 
lived each day to the fullest--and the one whose life was cut tragically short. Upon her untimely death, Rachel leaves letters for her three closest friends challenging them to face their biggest fears.What makes a wife a lover?
For Kate, the spark went out of her marriage long ago but her husband doesn't seem to notice. Their role as parents consumes their lives so they need to rekindle the romance they once shared.
What makes a woman a mother?
For Jo, a high-powered career has led her to believe that she doesn't have a single maternal instinct. When an orphan unexpectedly enters her life, she is forced to confront her own unhappy childhood and the walls it has built around her heart.
What makes a man the love of your life?
For Sarah, home is the steamy jungles of Africa while the man of her dreams waits in the air-conditioned confines of Los Angeles. Her longing for this man from the past is blinding her to a new love standing right in front of her.

What these women all have in common is a friend with a generous soul, an irrepressible spirit- and a serious illness. In her final letters, Rachel raises one last question: 

What makes a friend live in our hearts forever?

The Proper Car and Maintenance of Friendship will be released January 26, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

2011 Stephen King Reading Challenge!

The 2011 Stephen King Challenge
Hosted by Book Chick City

I haven't read any of Stephen King's books but I have heard many great things about them from my son and a couple of friends so I think it's about time I read a few!



Challenge Details
  • Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011
  • Rules - There are two levels: Read either SIX (6) or TWELVE (12) Stephen King novels in 2011 (6 is the minimum but you can read more than 12 if you wish!)
  • You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
  • You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
For the rest of the details click here!

Go to the challenge page HERE

My goal is to read at least six (6) Stephen King books!

Books I Have Chosen

- Cell
- The Running Man
- Carrie
- Full Dark, No Stars
- It
- Salem's Lot

Friday, January 07, 2011

Friday's Fabulous Find (1)...

Every Friday (I hope every Friday) I am going to post what I think is a fabulous ebook find!

This Friday's Fabulous Find is:









Available at kobobooks.com

All 15 books cost 0.89 cents! What a great deal! Make this your New Years Resolution. Sit down and read at least The Wizard of Oz (with or without your kid!).

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast

About Burned:
Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person – vamp or fledgling – that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead.
Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own . . . 

My Thoughts:
I bought Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast (House of Night book 7) earlier this week for My Lavender Kobo. I have read all of the House of Night books and had big hopes for Burned. And boy did it live up to them! I imagine it would be hard to keep all those details straight! The story begins where Tempted ends. Zoey's spirit is shattered when she witnesses Kalona killing her human Consort, Heath. Zoey, Stark, Stevie Rae, Aphrodite and even Kalona tell their parts of the story, and I must admit that I found it a little distracting. Why change? The first 4 or 5 books were told from Zoeys point of view. BUT I did find by the end of the book that I liked knowing what Stark and the others thought and felt. Over all I was pleased with the book. And I can't wait to start Awakened!

eBooks Read in 2011...

For 2011 I have decided to join the goodreads.com challenge and read (at least) 100 books! So here is a list of books that I have read so far in 2011. Yes, I am counting re-reads! These may be printed books or ebooks. I am an equal opportunity reader!

 1. Marked by P.C. & Kristin Cast (re-read)
 2. Betrayed by P.C. & Kristin Cast (re-read)
 3. Chosen by P.C. & Kristin Cast (re-read)
 4. Untamed by P.C. & Kristin Cast(re-read)
 5. Hunted by P.C. & Kristin Cast
 6. Tempted by P.C. & Kristin Cast
 7. Burned by P.C. & Kristin Cast
 8. Awakened by P.C. & Kristin Cast
 9. Halo Hunter by Michele Hauf
10. Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evens and Rachel Hauck
11. Crime Scene At The Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels
12. Dining with the Dollar Store Diva by Elizabeth Fisher
13. Cell by Stephen King
14. Father Mine: Zsadist & Bella's Story
15. Eternal Prey by Nina Bangs
16. Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine
17. Fade Out by Rachel Caine
18. My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent
19. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
20. Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa
21. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The rest of this list will be on goodreads.com!

Monday, January 03, 2011

My Lavender Kobo...


 Now that the holidays are behind me, it's time that I start sharing with the world the love that I feel for My Lavender Kobo! I received that Kobo as an early Christmas present and have completely fallen in love with it!

The Kobo comes with the Border app already installed, but I quickly switched to Kobo Books and love it so much more! No particular reason, I'm not computer savvy, not really computer illiterate. I know the basics.  I haven't figured out how to unregister my computer on ADE so I can register my Kobo. So until I figure out how that works, I will not be renting ebooks from the library. LOL!
I have read blog entries where people have deleted the 100 books that come pre-installed on each Kobo and I wonder why? They are all classics that everyone should read at least once in their lives. Ok, so the truth is, I haven't read any of them YET, but some great movies have been made from these classics.
I was so excited about my Kobo, that I immediately sat down and crocheted (yes, I am a woman of many talents!) a little fuzzy pink sleeve that it slips into, to protect it from "stuff" floating around my purse. It works well for me, and it didn't cost $39.99 like most of the ereader covers (that I liked) cost.


I love how small the Kobo is. It's 4.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches, it has built in WiFi and a slot for a 4 GB SD memory card! When I'm reading it is so easy to "turn the pages" and the pages! Oh, they look REAL! I wish I had a camera that wasn't attached to my crappy cell phone just so I could show you how great the pages look!
So my goal for this blog will be to keep track of the books that I read on my ereader, and also about any tips or tricks that I come across (if I come across any!). 

Sunday, June 27, 2010

In My Mailbox~ 06/27/2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.
If you haven't visited her blog, you should!

In the last 2 weeks I've bought EVERY Sookie Stackhouse book (except the current hardcover, Dead In The Family) and they are:


Dead and Gone (book 9)

From Dead To Worse (book 8)

All Together Dead (book 7)

Definitely Dead (book 6)

Dead as a Doornail (book 5)

Dead to the World (book 4)

Club Dead (book 3)

Living Dead in Dallas (book 2)

Dead Until Dark (book 1)

Let me say: I love them! I have read all of them and they are great! I have also started watching True Blood from Netflicks. And the current season on HBO!


 

Saturday, June 26, 2010

AND THE WINNERS ARE...


And the winners for
KNIGHT OF PASSION BY MARGARET MALLORY
are:

tetewa
Armenia
throuthehaze
chey
Jane

Check your email! You have until Monday to reply back with your mailing address!

.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Blog Tour & Giveaway~ Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

The Legend Hunters . . .
The Men of Solomon's meet in secret, their very existence only a rumor among the best of Victorian society. They are treasure hunters, men of wealth and title, seekers of myths and legends. And no legend is as mystifying as the lost city of Atlantis . . .
DESIRE ME
Years ago, Maxwell Barrett found a map to Atlantis and dedicated his life to the search for the mystical lost continent. But when an alluring woman makes a wager for the priceless artifact, he may have discovered an even greater treasure.
A descendant of Atlantis, Sabine Tobias needs the map to decipher an ancient prophecy. What she doesn't need are the sparks flying between her and Max. He's too devilishly charming to be trusted: The fate of her people is at stake as well as her heart. Yet a ruthless killer also covets the map. Now Max and Sabine must race to decode the prophecy's riddle before this criminal fulfills his deadly mission.

about the author~ from the authors website
I'm one of those writers who always knew that she wanted to be a writer. It took me a while, however, to figure out precisely what I wanted to write. Reading Kathleen Woodiwiss' "A Rose in Winter" sealed the deal for me and I've been reading and writing romance ever since. I should have known I was destined for this when my Barbies insisted on hosting elaborate masquerade parties, complete with stolen kisses in the moonlight.
I'm the youngest of three children, so of course I'm the favorite. I was raised in central Texas, in the beautiful Hill Country, right smack-dab between Austin and San Antonio. My parents were high school sweethearts and married a week after my mother graduated – they both needed their parents' permission to marry since they were so young. So I blame them and their amazing marriage for the fact that I'm a hopeless romantic.
Somewhere along the line, I graduated from college with a degree in Sociology, only after completing an internship with none other than award-winning author, Pamela Morsi. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life and I learned more about the writing business than I could have hoped.
After college I worked a myriad of jobs: Computer Software Trainer, Recruiter, Administrative Assistant. But no matter what my day job, I come home to my real job and click, click, click away on my computer and get lost in my imaginary world where justice always prevails and the girl always gets her guy! It's the coolest job in the world.
I'm married to the most amazingly supportive man who makes me laugh every day. He's so proud of my career, and loves to tell people, "My wife is a romance novelist." We live in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, where my husband is a university professor.
We have two very spoiled cats who are of no help at all when it comes to my writing, although they sometimes nap in the same room where I sit diligently working.
After writing for seven years I sold my first book to Avon in 2004 and Courting Claudia was released in 2005. I had three other releases with Avon and have recently moved to Grand Central Publishing and am awaiting my first release with them. I love to hear from readers, so feel free to send me an email or you can find me online at my group blog, or at on my Facebook or MySpace pages.
Robyn on Twitter
Robyn on Facebook
Legend Hunters on Facebook


about the giveaway~
Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group

Five winners will be choosen
The Contest ends at midnight on June 24th
Open to US & Canadian addresses.
No PO Boxes please.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of this book.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Blog Tour Stop & Giveaway ~ Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory





HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT... 

Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever.

about the author~

Margaret Mallory started out as a Midwest girl. Except for two years in Africa, she grew up in small towns in northern Michigan, where her dad was a county extension agent. She received degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan Law School, and then headed to Washington, DC to save the world. When that failed, she packed up and moved to the Pacific Northwest for no reason except that it was beautiful and far from her last jobs and boyfriends. She admits to having a vague notion of finding herself a park ranger with a dog. The man she met was not a park ranger, but he was willing to get the dog. Marriage and children soon followed.
Margaret spent many rewarding—but rather wearing—years in jobs devoted to improving services for abused children and care for the elderly. Not long ago, she surprised (shocked?) her friends and family by abandoning her legal career—and steady job—to write novels. She is thrilled to spend her days writing stories of love and adventure, instead of going to endless meetings. After all, she has always loved romantic tales, heroic deeds, and happy endings. And, at long last, she can satisfy her passion for justice by punishing the bad and rewarding the worthy—in the pages of her novels.
With her two children off to college, Margaret spends most of her time working on her next books. She loves to hear from readers.

my thoughts~

YUMMY! This book is just YUMMY! Once I started reading Knight of Passion, I did not put it down! I love Jamie, or rather, Sir James Rayburn! And his strong minded, stronger willed woman, Lady Linnet! Oh what a joy she was to read!I could go on & on, but then it would be filled with spoilers, but I will say this:
trying to have a life with Lady Linnet is not easy for Jamie!

about the giveaway~
Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group
Five winners will be choosen
The Contest ends at midnight on June 17th
Open to US & Canadian addresses.
No PO Boxes please.
to win~
Your first comment should be your name & email address (1 entry)
Your second comment should be that you are a follower (but only if you are!) (1 entry)
Your third comment, should you choose to do so, should be a link where you have posted about the giveaway (this will count for 2 entries)

Good Luck!



I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of this book.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Tasty Tuesday~ Healthier Stuffed Peppers

As I said last week, I belong to allrecipes.com and I have started eating healthier. I found this recipe and wanted to share! It sounds fantastic!



Servings


6

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef 1
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1 cup water
6 bell peppers, assorted colors
2 (8 ounce) cans natural tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 45 minutes. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef, garlic and onion until meat is evenly browned and onion is softened.

Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. (Slice the bottoms of the peppers if necessary so that they will stand upright.)

In a bowl, mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers.

Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender. Sprinkle the peppers with grated parmesan cheese after baking, if desired.



Sunday, June 06, 2010

In My Mailbox~06/06/2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.
If you haven't visited her blog, you should!

Fortunate Harbor by Emilie Richards
Five women are connected only by their growing friendships and the road that runs like a lifeline between their cottages in a rundown Florida development called Happiness Key.


Homcoming by Jason Garrett
On a perfect autumn night in the coastal village of Wicker Bay, a young couple was attacked and a life was forever changed. When teenager Nickel Warren awoke she learned her boyfriend, Eric, had mysteriously vanished. Seemingly the only person on Bishop's Island eager to find him, Nickel devoted her life to learning what happened to her first love on that tragic night. Though the years provided no clues or comfort, she never allowed herself to stop believing Eric was alive. Now, after an eighteen year absence Eric Kade has resurfaced on Bishop's Island under circumstances as unsettling as his disappearance. Though reunited, Nickel's search for answers is sidelined by another horrific event more deeply connected to her childhood sweetheart than she can imagine. Living as a preacher, Eric has traveled the world for nearly two decades hunting demons in a sect named The Progeny. But a chilling prophecy has named him as a threat and turned his fellow hunters against him. With a sense of urgency, Eric has come back to the island not to rekindle the past but to protect the home he loves from an oncoming war. Relying on the help of a rare group of locals, he builds a network of his own to defend the unknowing against a world he has come to know too well. As he works to prepare a haven, Eric will strengthen his bond with Nickel and introduce her to a world of miraculous events and unholy terror.

Virginia by Susan Hughes
Fourteen-year-old Ivy is flabbergasted when her childhood friend Virginia claims that she has been visited by an angel who has asked her to bear the child of God. As Ivy struggles to understand and help her friend, she uncovers more secrets, including an apocalyptic plot being devised by Virginia s weird brother, Paul. Ivy suspects Paul s activities must connect in some way to Virginia s claim but she s uncertain how. Soon Ivy finds herself caught up in a chain of events she has no control over.

Paul Is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion by Alan Goldsher
It’s October 9, 1940, and an undead man haunts the underground sewers of Liverpool, England. Starving and covered with filth, the lone zombie slithers out of a loo located on the ground floor of Liverpool Maternity Hospital. Shuffling from room to room, the hungry being tracks down his prey: a wailing infant whose ripe, fresh brain will fill the raging emptiness in his belly and soul.

That infant’s name? John Lennon.
Fast forward fifteen years, when zombie Lennon, now a burgeoning musician, meets, kills, and reanimates fellow Liverpudlian wannabe-rocker Paul McCartney, creating an unstoppable partnership, and moving one step closer to realizing his dream of global domination. After welcoming newly zombie’d guitarist George Harrison and drummer/Seventh Level Ninja Lord Ringo Starr into the fold, Lennon and McCartney’s band cuts a swath of bloody good music and bloody violent mayhem across Europe, stealing the hearts, minds, ears, and brains of their adoring audiences.
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to really meet the Beatles. In Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion, Alan Goldsher’s horror/comedy/rock ‘n’ roll mash-up, we find out the whens, whats, and whys of how the zombified Fab Four took over the world.
After conquering the charts, the Liverpudlian quartet conquers America, all while managing to escape eternal death at the hands of zombie hunter Mick Jagger, an assassination attempt by the most potent Ninja hate group in the United States, and the violent affections of New York City’s most smitten undead girls. The band returns to Europe, where, after some unsuccessful drug experimentation—who knew that LSD caused zombie leprosy?—and the speedy dismemberment of spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Eighth Level Ninja Lord Yoko Ono enters the fray, and the band spins out of control.
Yes, the Beatles still want to take over the world, but can the lovable, horrifying moptops sublimate their own zombie nature, remain atop the charts, and stay together for all eternity? Nah: they go through a brutal break up, almost destroying Abbey Road Studios in the process. But is this breakup permanent? After all, three of the Fab Four are zombies, and zombies live forever...

Marked by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon
She doesn't know what bit her...

Seemingly overnight, Claire Morgan has transformed: the normally mousy schoolteacher is now bold, and her behavior is truly wild. Her eyes gleam silver. Suddenly she's a self-confident femme fatale with a libido that just won't quit. After an impulsive makeover, she's even...dare she say it?...sexy. Is Claire going insane?
Then brutally handsome stranger Gideon March tells her she was bitten by a werewolf, and Claire figures he's the insane one. Sure, she was attacked by a nasty dog in a back alley, but this guy stalking her says he's a member of an underground society of lycan hunters -- and his mission is to kill her immediately.
When Claire finally realizes she really is a lycan, there's no turning back -- because by now Claire and Gideon are bound by a hungry passion. If they can't break the curse by the next full moon, Claire's soul will be lost forever and Gideon will be forced to terminate his prey -- a woman dangerously close to devouring him, heart and soul.



Saturday, June 05, 2010

My Son, US Army Soldier...In Training

Matt left Wednesday for 10 weeks of Basic Training and he's been able to call me every night. It's so hard to not cry when I know the call is almost over (cause they never last more than a couple of minutes) and when he tells me he misses me too. I know that tomorrow they are taking his cell phone away and I can't help but wonder when will I get to talk to him again. Tonight he even asked me not to cry. This is the longest we've been apart in 17 1/2 years. He doesn't even like being away from home to go to his Dads! 10 weeks seems like forever to me right now!
He has been able to send a couple of pictures from his phone, here they are:






Isn't he so handsome? He is truly a joy to have in my life! I don't think I could've asked for a better son!

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Oh these CraZY, cRAzY times!

Wow these last week or two have been awesomely hectic!
 Name an emotion and I bet I've felt it: happy, sad, angry, joy, fear. AWE.
And so much more!
 First, there was Brittni's graduation.
 Last we heard she was ranked #87 out of almost 800!

Warren Central's Graduating Class of 2010!

And here she is!

My baby!

Then we had her graduation party 2 days later (can you say BUSY?)


Britt, Matt, itty bitty Kaylee, and some of Britt's friends

Brittni & her best friend Courtney!
Love 'em!

Then once that was over, I had to get ready to ship Matt off to Basic Training!
Of course, I was so upset that I wasn't going to see my baby for 10weeks, that I did not take any pictures. Sigh. Bad Mama! And I forgot to borrow Britt's camera. For some reason, when I take pictures with my camera, they are all squiggly. So I am going to have to buy a new one. And soon!
But. I do have a picture that Matt took last night, his first night at Basic Training:

His first Army made bed! LOL!

I have several blog tours coming up, along with a couple of contests and hopefully,
 I have a month or so before I have to get busy with Britt, getting ready to go to College!
Thanks for your patience while I'm living my hectic, wonderful life!

The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter

For weeks, the immortal warrior Aeron has sensed an invisible female presence. An angel--a demon-assassin--has been sent to kill him. Or has she? Olivia claims she fell from the heavens, giving up immortality because she couldn't bear to harm him. But trusting - and falling for - Olivia will endanger them all. So how has this 'mortal' with the huge blue eyes already unleashed Aeron's darkest passion?

Now, with an enemy hot on his trail and his faithful demon companion determined to remove Olivia from his life, Aeron is trapped between duty and consuming desire. Worse still, a new executioner has been sent to do the job Olivia wouldn't...

my thoughts~

Like all the LOTU books, The Darkest Passion was steamin' hot! Aeron is probably my favorite Lord (so far). And Livvie. Gosh, who wouldn't love an Angel, even if she is a fallen Angel? Well, besides Legion, but hey, she's a Demon!
Aeron & Olivia are, in my opinon, a great match. But really, who isn't?



 

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Shiva's Arms by Cheryl Snell

Is there a happy medium between Hindu tradition and American style, or does the battle of wills between a mother and daughter-in law for the love of the man caught in the middle trump all else? When Alice marries Ramesh, she is plunged into a battle of wills with her mother-in-law. Amma wreaks havoc over Alice's household until a family secret is revealed that costs the old woman everything. Now it is up to Alice to heal the rift. Shiva's Arms evolves into an exploration of cultural identity, the power of reconciliation, and the meaning of home.

about the author~
Cheryl Snell is the author of several books of fiction and poetry. She has published over four hundred poems, stories, and reviews online and in print. A multiple Best of the Net and Pushcart nominee, she won the Lopside Press competition for Prisoner's Dilemma, poetry inspired by game theory. Shiva's Arms is her first novel.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of this book.
 

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Tasty Tuesday~ Kiwi Strawberry Smoothie!

I belong to a recipe website: allrecipes.com and I found this great smoothie that was submitted by ANNIESSE. I just love it! It is so refreshing! And at 204 calories, you can't go wrong! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!



Ingredients

1 banana
6 strawberries
1 kiwi
1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
3/4 cup pineapple and orange juice blend

Directions

Place the banana, strawberries, kiwi, vanilla frozen yogurt, and pineapple and orange juice blend in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 204
Total Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 2mg

 

Sunday, May 30, 2010

In My Mailbox~ 05/30/2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.
If you haven't visited her blog, you should!

The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter
(review 06/03/2010)
For weeks, the immortal warrior Aeron has sensed an invisible female presence. An angel--a demon-assassin--has been sent to kill him. Or has she? Olivia claims she fell from the heavens, giving up immortality because she couldn't bear to harm him. But trusting - and falling for - Olivia will endanger them all. So how has this 'mortal' with the huge blue eyes already unleashed Aeron's darkest passion?

Now, with an enemy hot on his trail and his faithful demon companion determined to remove Olivia from his life, Aeron is trapped between duty and consuming desire. Worse still, a new executioner has been sent to do the job Olivia wouldn't...

Lover Unbound by JR Ward
(review  06/05/2010)
Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time- until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her.

The Pursuit by Steven Lourie
(review 06/11/2010)
All Adam Shepard wants is to get fame as a musician and the girl who lives down the hall. Or at least that's what he thinks. The story begins with Adam, the son of an insurance salesman and a woman whose only job is being a "mom," from a small town in Washington, recounting the story of his childhood, how he felt outcast and how he felt alive when he first picked up a guitar.

Adam goes through a life changing and belief changing journey to claim his dreams. This journey starts playing guitar in his bedroom with the door closed as a kid, distancing himself from his parents and their average lives, and takes him to the streets of Seattle as a street performer, while he was a student at the University of Washington, to the streets of San Francisco and Spokane, working crappy jobs to get by after flunking out of school, and eventually takes him to parts of the world he never imagined he would see, and teaches him things and challenges him in ways he could not possibly have imagined as a fourteen year old picking up a guitar.


 

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