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On Tour: Diner Impossible by Terri L. Austin

Terri will be on tour November 11-18 with her novel Diner Impossible After shunning her overbearing parents’ wealthy lifestyle, waitress and part-time college student, Rose Strickland,…

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Won’t Last Long by …

Heidi Joy Tretheway is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Won’t Last Long
Summary:
Can two people who are totally wrong for each other ever be right?

She’s a feisty, sly marketing exec intent on hiding her small-town roots. He’s a laid-back engineer with a shaggy mutt and a pushy ex.

When Joshua asks Melina out, she asks what kind of car he drives. She’ll do drinks, not dinner. She’s always in control. But with Joshua’s easy confidence and sharp wit, Melina is soon breaking the dating rules she made for herself.

Opposites attract—but friends think Melina and Joshua can’t possibly last. When crisis throws their world off its axis, Melina must confront her childhood family, the people she’s come to care about, and the destruction of her pristine image.
Review:
I was a tad worried when I first started this story, because it started slow for me. I think one thing that was distracting me from the book was the overuse of the character’s name. For example, in one short paragraph Melina was used three times, and with that writing style it can make the book in a more of a telling mode than showing. I was relieved as the plot started to pick up the pace, and during the meat of the story I actually didn’t want to put it down. I didn’t love the second half, particularly the last few chapters, as much, because the characters were going on top speed and there was one section in particular that made me kind of scratch my head and wonder where in the world the story was taking us (when Richard re-enters briefly). So you can see my review is a touch all over the place, but for the most part I did like the book, because I enjoyed the characters and watching their love story play out. And I’m in love with the cover. There were aspects that I thought could have been tightened up, but if you enjoy sweet romantic stories, check this one out!
3.5 stars
Author bio:

Heidi Joy lives in Happy Valley off Sunnyside Road. She swears she did not make that up.

Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.

You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.

She loves to hear from readers via messages at facebook.com/author.heidi.

Find Heidi here:

• Website: heidijoytretheway.com
• Facebook.com/author.heidi
• Amazon.com/author/heidi
• Goodreads.com/heidi.tretheway

• Twitter.com/heiditretheway

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Tiara Trouble by Lane Buckman

Lane Buckman is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Tiara Trouble
Summary:
What happens when Dynasty meets Honey BooBoo, they have a baby, and that baby is raised by Charlie’s Angels? You get TIARA TROUBLE, a bedazzled cozy mystery full of gritty glitz.

One foreign policy question five years ago sent Destinee Faith Miller’s dreams of being Miss American Universe up in flames and landed her back in her hometown of Phenix City, Alabama, with her tail between her legs. But like the mythological bird that her hometown is misspelled after, she rose from the ashes to create Destinee’s Dolls, a thriving pageant consulting business knee-deep in pink, prints and tulle.

A death at the local level of a national event lands her the job of pageant emcee, and Destinee dares to dream of bigger things—maybe even a reality TV show! But when judges start dropping like flies, she has her hands full keeping herself alive long enough to see those dreams come true. Contending with catfights, car bombs, and the camouflage-colored funeral of a redneck’s dream, Destinee gets a little help from her friends, family, and a pit bull named Clarabelle.
Review:
Oh my, oh my. What a hilarious book! I’m not one to normally shout out books while I’m reading them, but I had to with this one. I laughed my way through the story, and my urge to visit the South only grew. I loved the beauty pageant storyline (and as someone who used to compete in pageants, I’ve seen first-hand the weirdness that goes on with them) and of course – I’m such a mystery junkie as well! I was reading parts of the story aloud to my friends so we could get a good giggle, and this book is definitely being added to my Favorites List! If you like a light-hearted mystery and a good laugh, check this one out!
5 stars
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Tiara Trouble before November 18 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:

Lane Buckman is a former beauty queen from Phenix City, Alabama. Growing up, she wanted to be Miss America, a criminal lawyer, a super model, the President, a Bond girl, a brain surgeon, a journalist, a back-up singer for Duran Duran, and a college professor of Medieval Literature. In order to fulfill those dreams, she became a writer. She lives in Texas with her family, and enjoys every miserably hot second of it.

Connect with Lane!
www.lanebuckman.com
www.facebook.com/lanebuckmanauthor

www.twitter.com/lanelese
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18430826-tiara-trouble?from_search=true

Buy the Book!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TROUBLE-Destine-Miller-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00EWSB3GG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382403186&sr=8-1&keywords=tiara+trouble
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tiara-trouble-lane-buckman/1116793010?ean=9781939816160

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Everybody’s Got a Story …

Heather Wardell is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Everybody’s Got a Story
Summary:
Both personally and professionally, Alexa knows all too well the power of words. Two years after her boyfriend Christophe’s vicious attack, she’s still trying to see herself as more than simply ‘his victim’, still trying to figure out her own story.

After his trial, she moves from New York City to Toronto in an attempt to start over, but his words cling to her and even in a new country she can’t see how to move into relationships with the new people in her life while hiding the secret of Christophe’s worst offense.

She can’t hide that secret from her coworker Jake, though, because the news buff has recognized her from the coverage of the assault and trial and knows every word she can’t bring herself to say about her ordeal.

With Jake’s help, can Alexa reclaim her story and her life?
Review:
Heather Wardell is an author that tops my lists. Whenever she has a new book out (which is often, girl is good) I can’t wait to get it on my Kindle. I know her stories are going to be well-written, unique, and always leave me thinking about the characters. So I wasn’t shocked at all that my mind was made up at page 3 that this book would be going on my Favorites List. Everybody’s Got a Story is a deep story, one that you really almost need a strong stomach to read. There are only a few parts that deal with graphic abuse, but my mind kept wondering to Alexa and her story and how one moves on from what she had to endure – by a boyfriend no less. Her move to Toronto to essentially start her life over fascinated me, and it’s impossible not to cheer for her and want her to lead a happy life. This is such a good story with a good message, and I really hope women will take the time to read this story. Highly recommend.
5 stars
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Everybody’s Got a Story before November 4 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Growing up, I was an avid (rabid?) reader. I am a natural speed reader, regularly clocked at about 1200 wpm (I read Harry Potter 5 in just under three hours), and always have several books on the go, nearly all in e-book form on my Kindle.
I have always made up stories in my head, but never considered becoming a writer. Instead, I intended to be a high school music teacher. I was sidetracked by my enjoyment of my psychology courses in university, and ended up with a psychology degree with a concentration in computer science.
This took me to a major Canadian bank as a software developer. I stayed there for just over four years, and then went back to school to become an elementary school teacher. After four years teaching elementary school computer science, I took up the National Novel Writing Month challenge and attempted to write a novel in a month.
I succeeded, and the first draft of “Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo” was the result. I realized I love writing. I left teaching, and I haven’t looked back since!

In my non-writing time, I read, run, swim, crochet, take care of my 55 gallon aquarium and my cat Trinity, and play drums and clarinet. Generally not all at once.

Connect with Heather!
http://www.facebook.com/heather.wardell.author
http://www.twitter.com/heatherwardell
http://www.heatherwardell.com/

Buy the Book!

Amazon.com (Kindle)
Apple’s iBookstore
Barnes and Noble (for their nook reader)
Google Play
Kobo (ePub format)
Smashwords.com (variety of formats)
Sony (for their ebook readers)
If you prefer print, you can get “Everybody’s Got a Story” at:
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Barnes and Noble
CreateSpace.com

Blog Tour Sign Up: Of Dreams and Shadow: Forget Me …

We live. We die. Is there anything more? Jenna Barton is about to find out. After moving to the coastal North Carolina town of Parson’s Cove, Jenna has unwittingly stepped into the middle of a mystery involving a missing child. Unfortunately, the predator is still on the loose and Jenna has become his new obsession. With a little luck and a bit of paranormal help, Jenna might survive.

In My Mailbox: Week of November 3

Title: Driving Me to You
Author: Julie Farrell
Received: CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: When Sam meets her sister’s sexy mechanic, Verlaine, she instantly falls for those gorgeous brown eyes and rugged charms, and a secret romance begins. Unfortunately, there’s unfinished business between Sam and her monstrous childhood nemesis. No, not her sister Gemma, but her late-father’s beloved Bentley.
Gemma is struggling to save the family vintage-car business, and it doesn’t help that little sis has just swanned back home, with no intention of helping. Gemma knows the only solution is to involve Sam’s old flame, the charismatic venture capitalist, Marcus Priestley. But Marcus is compelled to win Sam back, and he certainly won’t let the hired help muscle-in.
Verlaine is Gemma’s sexy mechanic, who’s trying to blag it as a chauffeur. But he’s so bad at tying his necktie, he looks like a stripper at a hen night. Working with Gemma’s vintage cars is his dream job, but things get complicated when he falls for the boss’s sister and sets himself up as rival to Marcus. Then the road trip adventure from London to Brighton beach begins!
Who will Sam choose in the love triangle? The penniless new love or the wealthy ex? And how will she tame the Bentley, to become the strong and powerful woman that she’s always known she could be?
This charming comedy covers modern issues for modern women, such as dating, relationships, careers, friendship, and, of course, love.

Title: White Lies
Author: Emily Harper
Received: Emily Harper
Synopsis: Imagine standing in line at Harvey Nichols waiting to buy the most gorgeous silk Gucci dress. The only minor problem? You can’t afford it, it’s a size smaller than you are, and you have absolutely no place to wear it.
Meet Natalie Flemming: a twenty-something woman working in London for a fabulous shoe-designing firm, but the only thing they let her touch is the company’s tax forms. She has decided to give fate a vacation and takes the task of finding the man of her dreams (or Johnny Depp if he would just return her calls…) into her own hands.
She craves adventure, spontaneity, passion- or will just settle for a decent date.

Title: Love & Limoncello
Author: Alexandra Sage
Received: Alexandra Sage
Synopsis: Disgruntled City lawyer Alessia Vincenzi is bullied at work by the boss from hell and increasingly frustrated with her volatile love life revolving around commitment-phobe Matt and reserved workaholic Josh.

When Alessia is made redundant following a drunken email rant at her bosses, she quickly takes up her cousin Luca’s offer to spend the summer at his luxury villa in Sorrento, and attend the high-profile opening of his new restaurant, ‘Decadenza’.

Disappointed when work prevents Josh from spending a week at the villa with three other friends – Sophie, Charles and Giles – Alessia soon meets hard-up but hunky gardener Antonio, and handsome but intense artist Giancarlo, and tries her hand at making limoncello as a money-making scheme to help Antonio.

Following a disastrous date with Giancarlo, things get increasingly complicated when Josh unexpectedly flies out to Sorrento, and it soon becomes clear that a disturbing secret ties Alessia’s family with Giancarlo’s, threatening Alessia’s chances with Josh, and leading to potentially fatal consequences.

Title: Broken
Author: CJ Lyons
Received: Sourcebooks
Synopsis: For Scarlet Killian, every day is a game of Russian roulette—she has a 1 in 5 chance of dying…

New York Times bestselling author CJ Lyons makes her YA debut with a fast-paced thriller sure to keep readers guessing to the very last page.

Fifteen-year-old Scarlet Killian has one chance for a normal life. Only problem? It just might kill her. Diagnosed with a rare and untreatable heart condition, Scarlet has never taken the school bus. Or giggled with friends during lunch. Or spied on a crush out of the corner of her eye. Scarlet has come to terms with the fact that despite the best efforts of her doctors and parents, she’s going to die. Literally of a broken heart. So when her parents offer her a week to prove she can survive high school, Scarlet knows her time is now… or never.

Scarlet can feel her heart beating out of control with every slammed locker and every sideways glance in the hallway. But for the first time in her life she makes real friends. She also makes new discoveries about the truth behind her illness… a truth that might just kill her before her heart does.

Title: Dangled Carat
Author: Hilary Grossman
Received: Hilary Grossman
Synopsis: Hilary had gotten used to dating the commitment-phobic Marc, thirteen years her senior. They had a great relationship—why rush into things? She saw no need to pressure him for marriage, believing that when the time was right, he would propose. But after they had been together for four years, their friends decided to take matters into their own hands, pushing Marc to propose and making Hilary realize how much she really did want to marry the man that she loved. Unfortunately, Marc still wasn’t ready—and their friends’ meddling in the form of a faux engagement party led to a disastrous New Year’s Eve that brought their relationship to an inevitable turning point.

In this relatable, lighthearted, and playful memoir, Hilary reminisces about her life before Marc—from the insecure and awkward teenage years she spent in a back brace and dealing with the loss of her father, to her early relationships and, finally, to the day she met Marc and realized that she really wanted to see him again. Through their first date—even though Hilary was technically seeing someone else at the time—and the ease of their early time together until Marc first decided that they were moving too quickly, up until that fateful New Year’s Eve, Hilary shares the details of their relationship and how Marc’s inability to commit led her to find an inner strength and confidence she didn’t know she possessed.

For anyone who has ever dated a commitment-phobe, who has found their patience wearing thin with the one they love, or who has sat around wondering if he is ever going to pop the question while trying to remain the very picture of patience and grace, Hilary’s humorous and honest story will hit home.

Title: Christmas Bliss
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Received: Tandem Literary
Synopsis: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and Savannah was breezy
But there’s trouble afoot – and it’s heading toward Weezie.
Seems BeBe’s been holding a big secret back
that would make Santa’s reindeer stop dead in their tracks.
Can these two best friends wriggle out of these twists?
Will they do it in time to ensure CHRISTMAS BLISS?

Return to the wonderful world of Mary Kay Andrews’ Savannah with Christmas Bliss.

Future Tour: Driving Me To You by Julie Farrell

Julie will be on tour December 30 – January 6 with her contemporary romance novel Driving Me To You When Sam meets her sister’s sexy mechanic,…

The Grief of Glee

Contributor: Allie The Grief of Glee Watching Glee has always put me in a good.  How can you not smile at the joy the cast…

Book Review: Spirits of Christmas by Nicky Wells

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
At one time, up-and-coming rock singer Jude had it all: a great band, a platinum record, a loving girlfriend. This Christmas, however, he is well down the road towards spontaneous self-destruction.

Unwitting at first, Jude has progressively alienated his band and driven away the love of his life. Tonight, the night before Christmas Eve, he has broken the final taboo during a disastrous gig. Yet Jude doesn’t see how badly his life has derailed, not until a ghostly procession of legends passes through his bedroom with a series of vivid and powerful wake-up calls.

Will the Spirits help Jude put the friendship, love, and rock music back into his Christmas?

Spirits of Christmas is a modern-day rock’n’roll adaption of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. This novella will enchant romance readers, rock lovers, fans of ghost stories, and everybody who adores the festive season.
Review:
I’m just a big ole fan of Nicky Wells, and her latest story is a short and sweet treat. It’s also a classic Wells book, with the main man being in a band and hoping to reach rockstar-dom. I loved the addition of Dan Hunter popping up, and if you haven’t read the Rock Star Romance trilogy novels, you really should! I loved the modern take on a classic tale, and this cute novella took me just a day to read and really got me in the Christmas spirit. If you’re looking for something quick and festive, check this one out!
4 stars
Buy the Book!
Amazon.co.uk Kindle | Amazon.co.uk Paperback
Amazon.com Kindle | Amazon.com Paperback
About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!

Hi! I’m Nicky Wells, your ultimate rock chick author. My books offer glitzy, glamorous contemporary romance with a rock theme ~ imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity ~ rock, pop, movie or other ~ you’ll connect with my heroes and my leading ladies!

Like my first leading lady, Sophie, I love listening to rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters. When I’m not writing, I’m a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor to The Midweek Drive show on Lincoln’s Siren 107.3 FM. Rock on!

My books: Sophie’s Turn | Sophie’s Run | Sophie’s Encore | Spirits of Christmas

Join me: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Romantic Novelists’ Association | Sapphire Star Publishing | Amazon | Goodreads | Pinterest
EXCERPT

‘Hiya, Jude!’
The voice emerged from the door, and Jude’s head whipped round as if drawn by a string.
‘Hiya, Jude,’ the voice repeated cheerfully. Unexpectedly, it launched into the first line of one of Jude’s most favourite songs. Jude once again sank onto the bed, his legs refusing to carry him with the shock of this second apparition.
‘Is this really you?’
For a moment, Jude’s second otherworldly visitor abandoned his song and remained silent, motionless, allowing Jude to take a good, long look. The sideburns, the nose, the defined chin, the round glasses were clearly visible despite the spirit’s transparent appearance. Everything about this figure was familiar, yet nothing was quite as it should have been. It was as though Jude was looking at a hologram, a distorted, stretched vision where nothing quite fitted together.
Nonetheless, Jude found his voice. ‘Oh my God, it is you!’
Excitement made his exclamation strong and clear. The figure flinched at the sudden burst of noise, but Jude ploughed on. ‘This is…this is totally unreal. I mean, imagine this—here’s me in my bedroom, and there’s you, come to visit me.’
‘I’m not who you think you see,’ the apparition interrupted. ‘I’m the Ghost of Christmas Past.’
Connect with Nicky!
http://nickywells.com/

https://twitter.com/WellsNicky

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicky-Wells-Author/240322162658246

http://www.amazon.com/Nicky-Wells/e/B005CGMAY6/

http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/about/author/nicky_wells

http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/nickywells

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5047973.Nicky_Wells

http://pinterest.com/nickywellsrocks/