It's Monday! What are you Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.
Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I Choose You Book Blast

I Choose You

Up until now, Nicole's life has been mapped out for her. She'd go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister's wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals.

Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learned by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard?


Book Excerpt

Kent stretched languidly as he drifted out of sleep the next morning. He’d gone out with Rich for a few more beers after they’d dropped off Roni’s stuff, but he didn’t feel any worse for it.

            He slowly opened one eye, happy for the blackout curtains he’d hung in his bedroom.

            He was not a morning person.

            He glanced over at the clock, his forearm brushing against the empty sheets next to him, and he wondered how long it had been since he’d had a woman in his bed.

            Shit, at least since Roni had come to town and squatted in his house. Well, now that she had moved out and he had his space back, he would have to remedy that.

            His mind wandered to Briana, and he wondered how she was doing in Austin. He couldn’t help but smile.

            Although he was sad that she’d taken Colin back and had moved away, he couldn’t help but be proud that she’d followed her dreams.

            He could think of her now without feeling sad. He knew that she’d never really been his to lose, but he’d still felt bereft when she’d told him she didn’t want to see him anymore.

            He wasn’t naïve enough to think that he’d loved her, but he knew that he could have, if she’d given him the chance.

            “Oh, well,” he thought as he pushed himself up in the bed and threw his legs over the side. “No use wishing for something that was never going to happen. Time to move on.”

            He sat still for a moment, allowing himself time to wake up, before standing up and heading into the bathroom to take a shower. 

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About the author:

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories About Melissa. Ta Ta for Now!, xoxoxo, and Ciao are available now. Bethany is currently working on a Contemporary Fantasy YA and a Contemporary New Adult Trilogy.

Author social media links:

IAN - http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/bethany-lopez.html

Webpage - www.bethanylopez.blogspot.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/BethanyLopez2

Facebook - http://on.fb.me/LypEaO

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/bethanylopez2/

Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop

Hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer.

This year has been a year of bests for me.. there were so many books that I fell in love with, so many that made me cry, laugh, and swoon. It's my first year in this blogging/reading/reviewing world and I can't go a day without it! Its soo hard to pick a book that was the best, there were so many amazing books! My giveaway to you is an e-book of your choice from the pile of read books in 2012.

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Ashley's read book montage

Ashley Williams's favorite books »

The Winemaker's Dinner: Entree Tour, Review, and Giveaway

Dr. Ivan Rusilko has got it bad. He’s in love—with life, his work, and his baby girl, Jaden Thorne. The nearly 3000 miles between Miami and L.A. that once threatened their happily-ever-after now seem nothing more than a mere geographical challenge—nothing a few hours on a plane and a sexy weekend rendezvous can’t trump. No time apart is too long to keep him from wanting her in his arms and in his bed. He’s absolutely sure Jaden is his dream come true.

Jaden Thorne is living the life she’s always wanted. She’s got her one-in-a-million job on a TV cooking show, she’s achieved celebrity chef status, and she’s in a committed relationship with her perfect guy… Then the network’s surprise decision to add a co-host to her show takes a bite out of her perfectly balanced life and career. With a new man in the mix, living the dream gets a whole lot more complicated both personally and professionally.

When the emotional, mental, and physical paths of true love’s course collide with frustration, secrets, and assumptions, will Ivan and Jaden pay the price? Does their dream-come-true cost something neither can afford?

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée is a decadent meal of passion, sex, and secrets, inspired by the real romantic life of Dr. Ivan Rusilko. Authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have turned up the heat in this emotional follow up to The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers, expertly executing their unique recipe for blending fact and fantasy, with more than a dash of passion and sex.

My Review

I quite enjoyed the Entree! I have to admit that I'm not used to a good guy love interest, but I have to applaud Rusilko and Drummond for this character that is both a gentleman and kinky.. for a character who finds strength, not weakness in wearing his heart on his sleeve. It's so easy to love a bad boy and want to change him.. but why not look for that perfect man, that is kind and considerate, one that puts your needs, wants, and desires first. That is Dr. Ivan.

Cover love and writing
I like the covers, but wish the cover was an actual picture.. more contemporary. It seems slightly cartoonish and God knows that we'd all love to see some Dr. Ivan!! Maybe a beach picture ;) The writing is in third person POV, and very well done. I wasn't all over the place and found the characters more endearing this way.

Main Character
There was a point where I just wanted to shake Jaden. She literally has my dream life.. but that's not the main reason I wanted to shake her. Grrr.. she got herself in a conundrum. It all happens, but she had never been given any doubt as to Ivan's intentions. My heart was aching for her at the end.

Swoonworthy points: 9
HOLY COW! So, this book is the perfect mix of emotions.. but *wipes forehead from all the heat* that examination.. I'll take two please!!!! But seriously I was trolling Ivan and oh my lord, how could you not swoon at his feet?! He's the total package!

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

I know right!!! But seriously, I have a soft spot in my heart for this series. I would recommend this series and CANT wait for dessert!!

To buy TWD: APPETIZERS (Book #1)

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Giveaway!!

(1)    Kindle Fire Pre-loaded with APPETIZERS, ENTRÉE, RSVP, and NO RESERVATION

(2)    Signed Print copies of APPETIZERS and ENTRÉE

(1)    Signed 18X24 Poster of Dr. Ivan

(10) Signed Winemaker’s Swag Packs

(2) Miama Beach Sea Turtle Key Chains

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About the authors

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, DO, CSN, PT, is an accomplished weight loss, wellness, physical enhancement and sexual health physician in Miami, Florida. A certified sports nutritionist, champion bodybuilder, international male fitness model, and former Mr. USA 2008 & 2010, Dr. Ivan graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010 and sits as the national media and public relations expert and spokesperson on diet, exercise and sports nutrition for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Dr. Ivan has been a feature health writer and lifestyle coach for numerous magazines and online publications including The Washington Times and Quarter Life Health.

In addition to health and wellness, he has a variety of interests and activities including event coordination, photography, writing, and politics.

With his debut novel, "The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers," book one of a planned three book series due out in the summer of 2012, Dr. Rusilko is excited to offer a male voice in a predominantly female authored genre. Always one with a story to tell, he hopes to continue writing, exploring new genres and projects, as well as field future entertainment opportunities.

He is proud to bring two of his passions, his medical wellness and sexual health background and writing together in this unique project. He hopes that the "The Winemakers Feast Trilogy" will help spark an enthusiasm and liberation among women, inspiring them to bring their sexual health into focus and achieve a better quality of life.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko | Twitter | Facebook

As a student of the Centennial College Social Service Worker program, and the Trent University Biology program, Everly Drummond had a previous life in administration and transportation before launching her career as a writer. Everly's other writing projects include City of the Damned, a paranormal romance series, and Blood of the Ancients, a YA paranormal romance. All four novellas in the City of the Damned series have appeared on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Everly resides in Toronto, Ontario, where she is currently working on the third installment to The Winemaker’s Dinner with co-author, Ivan Rusilko.

Everly Drummond | Twitter | Facebook

Beautiful Bastard Review

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other. Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

Boys of Summer Book Blitz

The Boys of Summer (Book 1 Summer Series)

by CJ Duggan

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison. 

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins. 

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets. 

How did she let her friends talk her into working? 

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos. 

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget. 

It will be a summer she will always remember. 

Warning: sexual references, and occasional course language. 

Goodreads link

Author Bio:

C.J is an up and coming Australian Author. Her debut novel, a YA Romance 'The Boys of Summer’ is a coming of age love story set in a mythical small Australian Town in the mid 90's. 

Whether juggling the pressures of a stressful day job, or be it the many realms of mundane reality? C.J has earned a name for her ballistic imagination and witty banter in her blog. Offering an honest, refreshing account with her daily rants of the world and her personal journey in being an Aspiring Author.

To find out more about C.J Duggan and her debut YA Romance
“The Boys of Summer” visit http://can-duu.blogspot.com/

Author Links:

• WEB: http://cjduggan.weebly.com/ 
• BLOG: http://can-duu.blogspot.com.au/ 
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/CJ_Duggan 
• FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002387829530 
• GOOD READS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5779034.C_J_Duggan 
• FACEBOOK (The Boys of Summer) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cj-Duggan-The-Boys-of-Summer/207724915934429 

Book Highlight: Tidal by Emily Snow

 

 

Now Available on

Amazon.com  & Smashwords  

EMILY SNOW

I'm the 26-year-old author of
the forthcoming
DEVOURED series (2012, 2013) and TIDAL (2012). I love books, sexy bad
boys, and really loud rock music, so naturally, I write stories about
all three.

Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Book Highlight Hosted by

Feature and Follow Friday

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I will follow back, just leave your link in the comment box! Have an awesometastic weekend! Make sure to check out my giveaway page for lots of awesome giveaways!

Swoon Thursday

A HAWT meme sponsored by YA Bound. From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Altered Souls Promo and Giveaway

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

Excerpt

As our lips met, the search for our security began. Neither of us wanted to believe that we could lose this. Running my fingers through his hair, I gripped his neck with my other hand. I didn’t want this closeness to end. The firmness of his body stretched along mine as he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, not wanting to detach from his kisses as they led away from my mouth down my neck. Feeling his breath dance across my skin as he kissed my collarbone brought a shivery delight to my senses. The softness of his lips was such a contrast to the firmness of his grasp as he guided his hands down my back.

He spun around, pinning me up against the tree with his weight, as I let my mind wander to what might be waiting for me next. My breathing got faster with each second of anticipation. He slowly brought my chin up and his lips began exploring mine once more. With every kiss, his mouth pressed harder along mine, and my heart exploded with curiosity. I let my hands find their way back to his neck up to his hair, twisting and pulling him closer to me with all of my strength.

He pulled away slightly, and I opened my eyes to see him searching my expression for something. For what, I wasn’t sure.

“I don’t ever want to lose you, Triss.” Logan shook his head. “I couldn’t—”

“Shh.” I placed my index finger to his lips. “You won’t.”

My hand trailed down his chest to the first button that I attempted to unfasten.

About the author:

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Karice Bolton | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway


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INFO

Title: Altered Souls (Witch Avenue #2)

Author: Karice Bolton

Release date: Oct.31^st, 2012

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Age Group: Young Adult

Links to find the book:

Goodreads

Amazon

Nook

Pulse by Kailin Gow Promo

PULSE, was the Award-Winning Finalist in two categories - "Fiction: Romance" and "Fiction: Multicultural" of the
2011 International Book Awards, where Pulse's author Kailin Gow won first place overall in Fiction Horror, joining winners from St. Martin's Press, Simon & Shuster, Zondervan, and Random House.
She joins other winners such as Bishop Desmond Tutu and Rick Warren in the 2011 International Book Awards.

17 year-old Kalina didn't know her boyfriend was a vampire until the night he died of a freak accident. She didn't know he came from a long line of vampires until the night she was visited by his half-brothers Jaegar and Stuart Greystone. There were a lot of secrets her boyfriend didn't tell her. Now she must discover them in order to keep alive. But having two half-brothers vampires around had just gotten interesting.



Teasers

"Kalina wasn't quite sure what to think of Jaegar just yet. There was something disturbing about him, something that made her feel that he was watching her, that he knew more than he let on. It annoyed her; it almost infuriated her. He sauntered through the grapevines with an arrogance she had never seen before. He owned this place, and he knew it, and he wanted her to know it too."

"The stillness in the air was uncomfortable. Kalina almost found herself wishing that he would go back to teasing her again- that they could go back to the pleasant normalcy of their rivalry and banter.
'Do you love me?' she asked him.
'Don't be ridiculous,' said Jaegar, a beat too quickly. 'Vampires do not love'
'Do you want me?'
'Yes.'"

Holy-hot-vampire-babies! I am looking forward to reading this book!!!