Release Day! Meanwhile Back in Deadwood by Ann Charles and a Giveaway! #MeanwhileBackinDeadwood #AnnWCharles

Happy Release Day!

Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood

Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 6) by Ann Charles
Print and e-book, 419 pages
Publication date: July 31st 2015 by Ann Charles

Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood … the mystery and mayhem continue. Between the butchered body parts, creepy killers, dogged detectives, ghoulish ghosts, and ever-present TV cameras, Violet Parker’s purple boots are itching to skedaddle.

But there is no escaping another murder investigation or her new deadly reputation. Not even if both risk the lives of those she loves most.

I love this series! I have met Ann Charles a couple of times at the South Dakota book festivals and she is a hoot. She and my daughter instantly bonded over their love of purple ~ anything purple.

Ann's unique sense of humor comes out in this wonderful set of stories. She has created funny, quirky, loveable, and laughable characters that you are just going to love.

Gotta love Ann (and Violet) and their purple boots!

About the author

Ann Charles is an award-winning author who writes romantic mysteries that are splashed with humor. For her first book, Nearly Departed in Deadwood, she won the 2010 National Daphne du Maurier for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense award AND the 2011 National Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award. A member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America for many moons, she has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington.

She is currently toiling away on her next book while promoting the books already out and about. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is standing on her workshop soapbox, sharing what she has learned over the years about the craft and self-promotion.

You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll want more.

Connect with Ann

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Check out these titles.

They just make me laugh.

1. Nearly Departed in Deadwood

2. Optical Delusions in Deadwood

3. Dead Case in Deadwood

4. Better off Dead in Deadwood

5. An Ex to Grind in Deadwood

6. Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood

Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood

book #6 in this hilarious mystery series is out today!!

Yay!!

And I have a Kindle copy of Nearly Departed in Deadwood, book #1 to giveaway so one lucky person can get started on this series. Good luck! 

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The Best of Enemies by Jen Lancaster

The Best of Enemies

The Best of Enemies by Jen Lancaster

Hardcover and e-book, 320 pages
Expected publication: August 4th 2015 by NAL

Bridesmaids meets The In-Laws in a novel told from the alternating perspectives of two women who define the term frenemies—from New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster.

Jacqueline Jordan knows conflict. A fearless journalist, she’s spent the past decade embedded in the world’s hot spots, writing about the fall of nations and the rise of despots. But if you were to inquire about who topped Jack’s enemy list, she’d not hesitate to answer: Kitty Carricoe.

Kitty reigns supreme over the world of carpools and minivans. A SAHM, she spends her days caring for her dentist husband and three towheaded children, running the PTA, and hiding vegetables in deceptively delicious packed lunches.

Kitty and Jack haven’t a single thing in common—except for Sarabeth Chandler, their mutual bestie. Sarabeth and Jack can be tomboys with the best of them, while Sarabeth can get her girly-girl on with Kitty. In fact, the three of them were college friends until the notorious frat party incident, when Jack accidentally hooked up with Kitty’s boyfriend…

Yet both women drop everything and rush to Sarabeth’s side when they get the call that her fabulously wealthy husband has perished in a suspicious boating accident. To solve the mystery surrounding his death, Jack and Kitty must bury the hatchet and hit the road for a trip that just may bring them together—if it doesn’t kill them first.

My thoughts about The Best of Enemies ~~ 

What a hilarious look at friends and the lengths those friends will go for each other, even when they are nothing alike. Jacqueline and Kitty are complete opposites but they come together to support their mutual friend, Sarabeth, when her husband is killed in a boating accident.

The characters in The Best of Enemies are all wonderfully written. First there is Kitty, a mother of three, who is completely devoted to creating the best life for her family. She actually hides vegetables in everything she can think of, even broccoli in the chicken nuggets. Then there is Jacqueline, or Jack as she prefers to be called, who travels all over the world reporting on the conflicts and troubles she witnesses. She is the worldly one and the two of them are nothing alike and quite honestly, can't stand each other. But then there is Sarabeth, the one who draws them together. 

Watching Kitty and Jack try to get along, for Sarabeth's sake, is hilarious. I think the parts that I enjoyed the most where when Jack and Kitty were together and they threw their insults back and forth to each other. 

The Best of Enemies is the first Jen Lancaster book that I have read. I am familiar with her and know that she has a great sense of humor and now I 'get it' as to why she is such a popular author. She is a hoot and it comes out in the characters she writes about. I am definitely going to be reading more of her books and I will be anticipating her new releases.   

Thank you to First to Read for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

About the author 

Jen Lancaster is the author of her own memoirs including: Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such A Pretty Fat, Pretty in Plaid, My Fair Lazy, and the newest: Jeneration X. 

She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.

If you want to read a really funny bio - in Jen's own words - check out the bio page on her website. click here.]

Connect with Jen

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

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Release Day! Up To I Do by Samantha March and a Giveaway!

Happy Release Day!

Up To I Do

Emerson Sinclair, twenty-seven year old hotel heiress, has said yes. With just over a year to plan her extravagant, over the top nuptials to Logan Worthington, it’s all hands on deck with the wedding plans. A Sinclair marrying into the Worthington family is the talk of their small New Hampshire town, and ideas include filming the wedding for a TV segment. 

But as the items get checked off the list, plans start to go ... not as planned. From not getting a designer dress to a selfish bridesmaid and unaccountable best man, Emerson is afraid her wedding will be more a joke than anything. 

When both her mother and sister seemingly begin to lose interest in her wedding plans in favor of their own personal lives, Emerson fears her big day will turn into the forgotten wedding. With the pressure to pull off a beautiful and elegant event that everyone expects from their respectable families, Emerson starts to forget the reason why she is saying I Do in the first place.

Book Links 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

About the author

Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all-around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus, which keeps her bookshelf stocked with the latest reads and up-to-date on all things health, fitness, fashion, and beauty related. 

In 2011, she launched her independent publishing company, Marching Ink, and has four published novels—Destined to Fail, The Green Ticket, A Questionable Friendship, and Up To I Do. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you can find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers. Samantha lives in Iowa with her husband and Vizsla puppy.

Connect with Samantha

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

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On Tour: Bad Uncle by Gillian Felix, an Excerpt and a Giveaway!

Bad Uncle

Book 5 in The Family Portrait Series

Who needs enemies when you’ve got family?

The stars are aligned in Adriana’s favor, but secrets have a way of exposing themselves just when everything is perfect. As Adriana and Haze’s relationship heads south, Carys is ready to pounce. Will Adriana’s lies drive the man she loves into the arms of another?

Meanwhile Zax is finally with his dream girl, but why can’t he get his best friend’s girl out of his mind? When she turns to him for advice on how to be a better girlfriend, can he put his selfish desires aside, or will he follow his siblings and take what he wants despite the consequences?

When Kevin’s lifestyle puts innocent L’Wren in danger, his retaliation brings his ruthless uncle back to Los Angeles and into the lives of his family. In Bad Uncle you’ll get to know the man who has the power to change the legacy of the Banovic family forever.

Suitable for adults 18+

Excerpt

Haze sat in his car outside of the high school that Adriana attended. He was early and classes were still in session. It made sense to him why she didn’t want to tell her parents about them. He’d also sensed that she was hiding something, and now he knew. All those months she’d played him for a fool. She made him fall in love with her. What kind of sick game was she playing?

He went over their times together and wondered if she had been honest with him but he heard what he wanted. Was he so desperate that he imagined that she was older than she really was? The bell rang and the girls came out in their uniforms. He saw them scatter off in different directions; then he spotted Adriana. She was in uniform, her raven hair was in a single long braid down to her waist, and her blue eyes shone as she talked and laughed with one of the girls. Haze looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. She looked fifteen; why didn’t he see it before?

Her smile disappeared when she spotted his Toyota Rav4.

“Haze.” She looked in through the passenger window.

“Get in. Your dad sent me to pick you up,” Haze said icily without looking at her.

Adriana got in and sat quietly. She placed her books on her lap and buckled her seatbelt. Haze drove off without saying a word.

The tension in the air was so thick that Adriana felt that she couldn’t breathe.

“My love, I can explain,” Adriana said quietly.

“Don’t call me that.” Haze gritted his teeth. “Don’t EVER call me that!”

“I’m sorry, Haze.” Adriana felt her heart ripping out of her chest. She had never seen him so angry.

“You lied to me, Adriana! For months you fucked with my feelings for your own personal enjoyment.”

“I love you,” she cried.

“Shut up! You don’t know what love is! I fucking loved you, Adriana!” A tear rolled down his cheek. “I wanted a life with you! I wanted a future with you!” He slammed his fist on the steering wheel.

Adriana saw his knuckles turn white as he gripped the steering wheel.

“Did you laugh at me? Did you tell your little friends what you were doing to me? Did you tell them that I almost fucked you?”

“Don’t say it like that! You make it sound dirty!” Adriana wept openly.

“I’m a pervert or pedophile.” More tears rolled down Haze’s cheeks.

“I lied because I love you, and I was afraid that if you knew the truth, you’d leave me.”

“Yeah? Well, I guess you’re right about something.”

“Haze, please.”

“I don’t ever want to see you again, Adriana. When you get home, tell your parents I quit. Tell them why I quit; tell them YOU BROKE ME.” Haze pulled up to the curb in front of the gates of the manor.

“Haze, this can’t be over. Please, Haze, please try to understand,” Adriana pleaded. She tried to touch him, but he flinched.

“Get out.”

“I can’t, I don’t want this to be over. You have to believe that I love you. I love you more than anything.”

“GET OUT, Adriana!” he shouted.

“NO! I’m not leaving. I don’t care who knows.”

Haze got out of his car and started walking down the street. Adriana got out and ran after him.

“I love you, Haze, please!” she cried and Haze turned away.

She stepped in front of him and forced him to look at her. “I know you love me. I know what we have is real.”

“It was all a lie.”

She held on to him. “No, baby, it wasn’t. I promise I’ll be good. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll never keep anything from you. I promise.”

Haze pried her away from him. “I have to go.” He walked back to his car and Adriana watched him drive away. She sank to the sidewalk and sobbed.

**********************************

Get introduced to the characters in Changes Book 1 FREE on Amazon and everywhere digital books are sold in the US. If you are located internationally and would like to review, email Gillian for a digital copy at gillianfelix23 AT Gmail.com. Books 3 to 5 can be read as standalones.

Books in the series

For information on other novels in the series go to 

Amazon or Family PortraitMedia site.

People are talking about the series

These characters will forge a place in your heart and mind as they fall into three categories, the good, the bad and the ones who must straddle the line with great care. – Dii Bylo, Tome Tender Book Reviewer

The endless drama is still here and I can’t seem to get enough of it. The plot gets even more complicated and every characters receives even more depth and complexity. – Jola, Book reviewer

I absolutely loved this story written at a very high standard very talented one not to be overlooked. Highly recommend 5 mind blowing stars! My playlist for this book would be The Killers – Direct Hits 2013. – Nikki, Book reviewer
Changes gets an overall rating of 9 on 10 for the excellent storytelling, smart characterization and interesting plot. The story is good enough to be made into a TV series. - Ondrilla De, Book reviewer

About the author

Gillian Felix was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. She grew up watching prime-time soap operas by Aaron Spelling with her mother. That’s where her obsession with rich, powerful and devious characters were born. After repeatedly seeing Mr. Spelling’s name on the screen night after night, Gillian knew she wanted to be an Aaron Spelling, before she knew that Aaron Spelling was actually a person.

Gillian has been involved in the entertainment industry for over ten years. She is an entrepreneur and advocate for women and children’s rights. She enjoys hiking and volunteering.

Connect with Gillian

Newsletter | Media page | Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

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Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? July 27, 2015

Hello! Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This weekly meme, hosted by Book Journey, is where we share what we have read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and to discover books to add to your own To Be Read list. You never know where that next great read may come from!

Click on the book image to read more on Goodreads. 

What I'm currently reading/listening to

Up To I Do

by Samantha March

A great chick-lit story. 

Dead Case in Deadwood (Deadwood #3)

by Ann Charles (audio book)

The continuing saga of Violet Parker - love it! 

What I recently finished reading

Second Helpings at the Serve You Right Café

by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs 

Wonderful story! My thoughts will be posted later this week.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

by Jamie Ford

 Great story about the Japanese internment camps during the war.

What I am going to read next

Her Sister's Shoes

by Ashley Farley 

I have a ton of review books coming up so I might get started on this one. So many books.... So little time!

I love my reading world!
What's going on in your reading world this week?

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Book Spotlight Giveaway! Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I have sooooo many books! I have a ton of print books and probably even more e-books. The Book Spotlight feature that I post every Saturday is a way for me to clear my shelves and to share some of the books I have. There are a lot of different reasons that I might be letting some of my books go, the biggest one is that when we moved I discovered just how many books I really do have. This feature is a way for my to cull my collection and to give someone else the opportunity to enjoy them.

This week, I have the CD audio book of Water for Elephants that I am giving away. I read this book and also saw the movie. I loved them both! I was able to snag ttitle through Audible so I'll let someone enjoy my CD version of this wonderful book. Have you read it or seen the movie?

Good luck and be sure to stop back next week!

Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Audio CD, Unabridged, 12 discs
Published May 24th 2006 by Highbridge Audio

Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It’s the Depression Era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. There he meets the freaks, grifters, and misfits that populate this world. He introduces us to Marlena, beautiful star of the equestrian act; to August, her charismatic but twisted husband (and the circus’s animal trainer); and to Rosie, the seemingly untrainable elephant Jacob cares for.

Beautifully written, with a luminous sense of time and place, Water for Elephants tells of love in a world in which love’s a luxury few can afford.

About the author

Sara Gruen is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Water for Elephants, Ape House, Riding Lessons, and Flying Changes. Her works have been translated into forty-three languages, and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Rob Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz in 2011.

She lives in Western North Carolina with her husband and three sons, along with their dogs, cats, horses, birds, and the world’s fussiest goat.

Connect with Sara

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Those Secrets We Keep by Emily Liebert

Those Secrets We Keep

Those Secrets We Keep by Emily Liebert

Print and e-book, 336 pages

Published June 2nd 2015 by NAL

From the author of  You Knew Me When  and  When We Fall.

Three women. Three lives. Three secrets.

On the surface, Sloane has the perfect life—an adoring husband, a precocious daughter, and enough financial security to be a stay-at-home mom. Still, she can’t help but feel as though something—or someone—is missing....

Hillary has a successful career and a solid marriage. The only problem is her inability to conceive. And there’s a very specific reason why....

As the wild-child daughter of old family money, Georgina has never had to accept responsibility for anything. So when she realizes an unexpected life change could tie her down forever, she does exactly what she’s always done: escape.

When these three women unite for a three-week-long summer vacation in beautiful Lake George, New York, even with the idyllic location as their backdrop, the tensions begin to mount. And they quickly discover that no secret can be kept forever.... 

My thoughts about Those Secrets We Keep ~~ 

Emily's books are always such a treat to read. This one was no different. I truly love reading stories about women friends who come together to help and support each other. In most of these kinds of stories, they all have some sort of issue to work through and their friends are there for them. Or maybe they discover they need to pound some sense into each other's heads. Either way, the different relationships are the parts that I love reading about. 

In Those Secrets We Keep, Slone has a chance to get away with her friend, Hillary. Sloane is not sure she wants to be in her marriage and figures this little getaway will give her the chance to clear her head. Hillary goes along but she has her own problems to work through. But then, when Georgina, Sloane's long-time friend, gets wind of this little vacation she invites herself to join in the fun. 

What everyone doesn't know is that all of the others have secrets that they have been keeping. As they spend time together, things sort of implode and friendships are put to the test. And then, after two weeks, the men folk show up, walking into what they think is going to be a fun week at the beach house. They are so wrong! 

There were some twists and turns in the story that I wasn't expecting, just like real life can be when dealing with real friends. And .... the best part is Emily leaves the ending somewhat up in the air, saying she's a 'firm believer of not tying up endings with a pretty bow. That's not real life.' So, you know what that means .... there could be a sequel where we get to visit with these same wonderful characters again. I know I am looking forward to it! 

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. 

About the author

Emily Liebert is an award-winning author and TV personality. Her new novel, Those Secrets We Keep, published on June 2, 2015.

She's currently putting the final touches on her fifth book, Some Women, set to release on April 5, 2016.

Emily's first book, Facebook Fairytales, is available across the globe. Her debut novel, You Knew Me When (Penguin), published on 9/3/13 to rave reviews! And her second novel, When We Fall (Penguin Random House), published on September 2, 2014!

Emily is featured often in the press, by outlets such as: Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Anderson Cooper, FOX News, Good Day New York, The Couch, Oprah Radio, Martha Stewart Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, InStyle, OK!, Nylon, Ladies’ Home Journal, Woman’s World, WWD, Woman’s Day, The New York Post, The Washington Post, The New York Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, and The Huffington Post.

She has also served as a spokesperson for Microsoft, appearing on TV and radio stations nationwide.

Connect with Emily

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

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Two for the Road (Stories in Pairs Book 3) by Ekta R Garg and a Thank You Gift from Ekta!

Two for the Road

Two for the Road by Ekta R Garg

Series: Stories in Pairs Book 3

Kindle Edition, 60 pages

Published July 7th 2015 by Prairie Sky Publishing

Ah, summer. Long days full of warm sunshine and one of the most popular times to travel. But what happens when something throws your travel plans off course?

The First Story, "Excess Baggage": Allison has just come home from a grueling business trip. All she wants to do is spend a quiet weekend at home parked in front of the TV or maybe curled up with a blanket. When a friend calls to ask her for a favor, though, all of Allison’s plans hit rough air.

The Second Story, "Wrong Way": With one daughter married and another in college, Rachel and Jim should be enjoying their time as a couple again. But Jim’s worries about his widowed mother force Rachel into a spur-of-the-moment road trip to check on the old bat. When Jim catches Rachel complaining to a friend, tension will ride with them in the car. Can Rachel make an apology stick?

My thoughts about Two for the Road ~~

Ekta has come up with an interesting concept for her short stories; she writes in pairs. We get two sets of stories, this pair deals with traveling and road trips, Two for the Road. The next set, More from the Road, will be connected to the first one and we will learn a little bit more about the characters and their lives.

The first story is full of great characters, people we have all run across in our lives. Allison's weekend doesn't go as planned when she has to deal with some unexpected guests. She handles it as best she can, even though all she wanted to do was to spend the weekend alone and relax. With this story ending the way it did, I can't wait to see where the next set takes us.

The second story is about a couple who have been married for twenty-seven years. Their idea of how to spend some free time together is not the same, which leads to an argument and lots of tension on their road trip. Again, I can't wait to see where this story is going to go.

I also read Ekta's first set of stories which deal with the heart and I loved them. I love getting to know her characters and then getting a little bit more of the backstory to find out why they are thinking and acting the way they are.

Read my thoughts about the first set of stories.

Two for the Heart - book 1
More for the Heart - book 2

Read the 'why' behind Stories in Pairs

http://prairieskypublishing.com/stories-in-pairs-what-why/

Two to Say Thank You 
(Stories in Pairs, Bonus Set)
by Ekta R. Garg

Ekta has made Two to Say Thank You available to download for free! It's a way for you to get a feel for the series. It's available now on Goodreads and is coming soon to Smashwords. The book is called Two to Say Thank You. If you do a Goodreads search for the book with her name and then click Download eBook you'll get it in PDF form. 

Here's your chance to experience Stories in Pairs for free! Read this pair of stories to find out exactly how Stories in Pairs work and to get to know characters you'll love!

About the author

Since the start of her publishing career in 2005 Ekta has edited and written about everything from health care to home improvement to Hindi films. She has worked for: The Portland Physician Scribe, Portland, Oregon's premier medical newspaper; show magazines for home tours organized by the Portland Home Builders Association; ABCDlady.com; The Bollywood Ticket; The International Indian; and the annual anthologies published by the Avondale Inkslingers, based in Avondale, Arizona.

In 2011 Ekta stepped off the ledge and became a freelancer. She edits short stories and novels for other writers, contributing to their writing dreams. She is also a part-time editor for aois21, and she reviews books for her own book review blog as well as NetGalley, TypeReel, and Bookpleasures.com.

Prairie Sky Publishing serves as the publishing arm of Ekta's professional writing blog, The Write Edge (thewriteedge.wordpress.com). When she's not writing, Ekta is a domestic engineer--known in the vernacular as "a housewife." She's married, has two energetic daughters who keep her running, and she divides her time between keeping house and fulfilling her writing dreams.

Connect with Ekta

Website |Goodreads | Amazon

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