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Blog Tour Sign Up: Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel

After being fired from her job in Los Angeles, Charlene “Charley” Thomas moves to sizzling Miami and begins working as a news director at a local television station. While getting used to her new gig, Charley wakes up to the fact that her station manager, Jonathan Lefton, is the boss from hell who will do anything for a story no matter who gets hurt in the process.

When nude photos of noon anchor, Miranda Andrews, are discovered in the men’s room of a Key West bar, all hell breaks loose. They end up on Lefton’s desk and soon he promotes her over the main anchor, sparking off a firestorm. Miranda’s quickly thrown into the mix and assigned special reports. Charley finds herself overseeing an investigation that could shine light on the guilt of a dirty cop. Real life begins to mimic the drama of broadcast news when station personalities face life and death all for ratings and Emmys!

Novel Spotlight: Vivid by Andrea Murray

When Vivian Cartwright was five years old, she witnessed her mother’s death.

Now, sixteen-year-old Vivian only wants a normal life—hard to accomplish when you possess the power to control energy. Her entire life she has feared her power and its connection to her mother’s murder. She has kept her ability a secret from everyone except her guardian, Charlotte, who has hidden Vivian from the man responsible for her mother’s murder.

Her secret is safe until Vivian subconsciously defends herself at school using her power. After this first use of her gift in many years, Vivian’s power seems to take on a mind of its own, increasing in strength and demanding to be used. This increase in power also brings dreams of her mother’s death and the mysterious man connected with it. When she is assigned to tutor the would-be boyfriend of Trista Parmer (a.k.a. the biggest diva in school), Vivian cannot deny the electrifying connection that she feels for the boy, Easton Garrett. In her desire to get Easton away from Vivian, Trista doubles her efforts to humiliate Vivian, forcing Vivian to use her supernatural gift over and over. With each use, Vivian fears she is losing control and discovers her powers are growing—maybe too much—bringing her unknowingly closer to the man who murdered her mother.

Challenge 2012:Post Reviews:May

May Reviews

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April Reviews

Please note this is not the sign up page. To sign up, click here

To see what challengers are reading, click here

Only signed up challengers are eligible to win

Prize for April: Six (6) winners will be chosen at random and will win an either an eBook or print copy of MOMNESIA by Lori Verni-Fogarsi. In order to qualify, you must post the link to your review in the Mister Linky below. This can be to your blog, GoodReads page, or other sources such as Amazon.

The Way by Kristen Wolf

The strikingly thought provoking debut novel, The Way by Kristen Wolf, follows young Anna, a fiery tomboy with a curious appearance. Her father uses this and sells Anna disguised as a boy to a band of shepherds when tragedy strikes her family. Once in their company, she is then captured by a mystical and secret group of women hiding in the desert- and it is there that she learns “The Way”, an ancient philosophy that unleashes an unknown power within her. She uses the power to heal, but mainly for other purposes once the sisters cave becomes threatened. Left with no choice, Anna leaves the caves on a mission and shares her new found knowledge and wisdom of “The Way” with everyone she meets along the way.

This book is absolutely unforgettable. Inside, author Kristen Wolf, uses her imaginative and beautifully descriptive story telling to weave a tale so engrossing that it leaves you breathless and wanting more. Anna is faced with many trials throughout the book, some more shocking than others, but through it all, you witness one of literature’s noblest transformations and a shocking revelation that will leave you thinking well after you’ve finished the book. I absolutely loved the suspense, as well as the enchanting mix of history and fantasy that are weaved throughout the tale. Overall, a fantastic read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good piece of literature. I don’t think I could rave anymore about this book … truly one of a kind.

Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite & Giveaway

Charming Tuesday Product Of The Week: Lip Product

Samantha’s Must-Have:

I don’t wear a lot of lipsticks, because I actually realized years ago I have very sensitive lips. Many times after wearing a lipstick I will break out around my lips. Lip gloss and chapstick luckily don’t have the same affect on me, but I still minimize what I put on just in case. One product that I have recently fallen for and am happy to report has yet to cause me to break out is the Jouer Lip Enhancer. I received a sample of this in my November Birchbox, and recently purchased a full-size. I had used lip plumper’s before, but couldn’t get over the sting that would come along with use. The burning and tingling sensation was so bad I quit using them all together. But there is no discomfort with Jouer, and it still gives me a lips a noticeable boost. It also moisturizes the lips and makes them silky soft, and I love the light pink color to it. Just enough color but not overpowering. One of my favorite beauty products!

Sara’s Must-Have:

I am a self-obsessed lip gloss junkie and on most days, I have at least eight in my purse. My go-to brand for lip gloss has always been MAC because I love the color selection and the quality of product … but the MAC Clear LipGlass beats them all hands down. With the perfect amount of shine, this product plump’s lips easily and can be worn by itself, over a colored lip gloss or lip stick, or even just a liner. My preferred method is when it is worn by itself. I have never found another product that works as well, offers a glassy-shine, and hydrates all in one. This is my go-to lip product when dressing up.

Now, when dressing down, I am an avid chapstick user. I have one in my purse at all times and also one on my desk at work. I just love having hydrated lips … some people actually think that I may be addicted, but if it’s wrong, then I don’t want to be right. I used to keep things simple and use Aveeno or a basic Blistex on my lips, but a few months ago, Maybelline introduced their new Baby Lips collection. I am obsessed with the hydration that they offer and the subtle selection of colors. My favorites are the clear and calming Peppermint and the pink-hued Cherry Me!

Blog Tour Sign Up: Paula Takes a Risk by Randi …

Randi will be on tour in July/August with her women’s fiction novel Paula Takes a Risk. Print and PDF copies will be available worldwide. Please…

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project follows Gretchen Rubin as she dives into making her life an actively “happier” place to be. Rubin is not an unhappy woman: she has a loving husband, two healthy kiddos, a thriving writing career in New York City, family nearby, and financial success. Yet, one day, whilst on a city bus, Rubin discovers that she spends most of her days just going through the motions, never doing the things that she really wants to … and decides that she could be happier. This train of thought leads her down a path that spawns the idea for The Happiness Project. In one year, she will spend each month focusing on different tasks that she believes will lead her to a more fulfilled and overall happier life, and in doing so, she becomes a more internally fulfilled and happier.

I honestly loved The Happiness Project. At first, I was hesitant because I honestly loathe most self-help books, but this one is very, very different. Rubin takes the genre and spins it on its head, creating a fresh, well-researched, in depth look at the steps she takes toward the pursuit her happiness. A refreshingly honest portrayal of a woman pursuing change. Overall, a fantastic read that will leave you thinking about ways to incorporate some of her tips into your own life.

[Rating: 5/5]

Future Tour: BaSatai: Outside In by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour June 4-25 with her novel BaSatai: Outside In Seventeen year old, Armani Radnelaq a full blooded BaSatai is plagued by…

In My Mailbox: Week of April 29

In My Mailbox: Week of April 29

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues
Author: Trisha Ashley
Received: Unsolicited, Harper Collins UK
Synopsis: When Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond, ‘Cinderella’s Slippers’ is born — providing the footwear to make any fairytale wedding come true! Carrying everything a bride would want to walk down the aisle in, Tansy’s shop soon expands to carry shoe-themed wedding favours, bridesmaid gifts and even delicious chocolate shoes. It’s the dream destination for any shoe-lover! If only everything in her personal life could be as heavenly — but with a fiance trying to make her fit into a size 8 wedding dress, not to mention the recent discovery of disturbing family revelations, Tansy takes refuge in the shop’s success. But one man isn’t thrilled by the stream of customers hot-footing it to Cinderella’s Slippers! Actor Ivo Hawksley, resident of the cottage next to the shop, is troubled by a dark secret in his past and has come to Sticklepond to nurse his own broken heart. However, Ivo realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past and soon, they both find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed! Forget the Jimmy Choos, Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues is the only accessory you need for spring 2012!

Title: Summer of Secrets
Author: Alison Lucy
Received: Emily @ Constable & Robinson
Synopsis: One heady summer. Three big secrets.

1989: Newlyweds Danny and Harriet arrive at their honeymoon paradise in the Caribbean. Days later Harriet returns home. Danny is left distraught but finds comfort in the arms of two women. Nine months later, three baby girls are born…

2010: Megan leaves her childhood sweetheart behind in the UK to go in search of her long-lost father. Miles from home and temptation is at every corner – not least in the arms of the gorgeous Ray…

Esmé, a Mexican beauty, married Miguel at fifteen. In unlocking the secrets of her past, can she shed the shackles of her enforced marriage?

Claudia has led a life of privilege but she’s never really known what it feels like to be loved. Could David be the answer? Or will he disappoint her, just like her mother always did?

Three women set off on an adventure to uncover the secrets surrounding their missing father. It may be the only way to lay their demons to rest but seeking out the truth could tear their lives apart.

Title: Confessions of a Cake Addict
Author: Emma Kaufmann
Received: Emma Kaufmann
Synopsis: Londoner Kate Pickles has hit rock bottom. She’s funny, kind, and talented but totally unaware about all the great things she has going for her. Day in and day out, she sits back and whines to her sister Laurie in Sydney, Australia, as her boss walks all over her and her best friend Eva bags the hot guys while Kate ends up dating whack jobs and comfort eating cake. Pouring out her heart to Laurie in a series of letters and emails, Kate longs for her sister to confirm she really is the loser in love she fears she is.

Abruptly, Kate’s life is turned upside down when, on a trip to Vienna with her glamorous pal, Eva, Kate falls for a sexy Austrian and gets sucked into making a Bollywood film.