From Me to You ... Video, Photography and Book Reviews

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Interview with Stacey Espino

Stacey Espino resides in beautiful Ontario, Canada where she is busy raising her five school-aged children. She loves being a Canadian but could do without the brutal winters.

When she’s not escaping into the romantic settings she creates on her laptop, she’s reading one of the many books threatening to overtake her bedroom.

She also writes M/M Erotic Romance under the penname, Winona Wilder. [Find out more about Stacey & her books HERE!]

My Q&A with Stacey Espino :

Jess : Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Stacey : I'm in my mid-thirties, married with 5 children. I'm a romantic at heart, always planning out my next novel from every day situations.

Jess : When and why did you begin writing?

Stacey : I've loved writing every since I was a pre-teen. It was an emotional and creative outlet for me. I only started writing for publication just over a year ago, and now I'm writing full-time and couldn't be happier about it.

Jess : Do you have a specific writing style?

Stacey : Hmm. I'm not sure, but I suppose my readers would recognize my writing. I tend to add a heaping of angst in many of my novels to keep things real. I do like variety, whether in genre or the mood of the book I write.

Jess : What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

Stacey : Well, I've had several unsatisfying jobs in the past. Being an author truly is my dream job, but if I had to pick another I'd probably say a teacher.

Jess : Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, from which book and why?

Stacey : Most: I'd probably invite Wyatt Carson from Hardcore Cowboys because he's a gentleman with that darker side to keep things interesting.

Least: Javen from Fearless Love can be a handful with his mood swings and suspicious nature.

Jess : What sparked the idea for your series, Pack Seduction?

Stacey : Like many of my books, the initial idea came to me in a dream. It revolved around the history of how my shifters came to be and I began to develop a hierarchy from that original source of dna. The royal sisters were born. The final book, The Last Princess, will be the last book in the trilogy and out soon. The second book, Freya's Mates is out now.

Jess : Which usually comes first for you, the character(s) story or the idea for the novel?

Stacey : I just need an idea. My DH often helps out with this. An idea and that opening scene is all I need to get rolling. I let the story and characters take it from there.

Jess : How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Stacey : I have written over 19 books between Stacey Espino and my penname Winona Wilder. A few are not out just yet. I love my Immortal Love series, and I plan to write the third book soon. Damaged Cowboys has a soft spot in my heart, too.

Jess : What is your latest published book? And if you could write it all over again, would you change anything about it?

Stacey : My latest published book is Hardcore Cowboys. It will be out August 17th 2011. If I could write it all over, I would cut the beginning down a bit. It was important for me to flesh out the heroine before she met her men to show the contrast of her life before and after, but I may have gone a tad overboard. Live and learn :)

Jess : Do you have any other projects in the works? If so, can you share a little of your current work with us?

Stacey : I'm always working on several projects. I'm just about to sub the third book in Winona's Coming Out series. I'm working on my first vampire menage, the third Ride 'em Hard book, the last Pack Seduction book, and about half a dozen others. LOL.

Jess : Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Stacey : Kresley Cole! I love her humor and the richness of her plots.

Jess : What book are you reading now? How do you like it so far?

Stacey : Right now I'm reading Friday Night Bites By Chloe Neill. I loved the first one and so far this one is great, too.

Jess : Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?? =0)

Stacey : LOL. Maybe 'why' I became I writer. I don't think it's a choice, it's a part of who you are and it's unnatural to stifle it.

-- Thanks, Stacey!! Be sure to check out Hardcore Cowboys, coming soon!! --

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Claiming Their Mate

Find Stacey Espino :

** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts.
All of these affiliate links are obvious as to which ones they are. **

Related Posts :

Made the Grade: Pack Seduction Series, Book 1	Made the Grade: Pack Seduction Series, Book 2	Blog Tour - One More Taste by Melissa Cutler \| Interview & Spreading the Word	Interview with Sandra Edwards

Friday, August 12, 2011

Feasted On: Eternal Guardians Series, Book 1

Format: Paperback | Pages: 321 | Release Date: May 2010 | Publisher: Love Spell

"Marked" [Eternal Guardians Series, Book 1] by Elisabeth Naughton

My Book Summary : Acacia’s (Casey) life and everything she knew herself to be completely changes when Theron, the leader of the Argonauts (an elite group of guardians that defend the immortal realm against the threats of the Underworld), comes into her life in the most unexpected way. Now she has to deal with the fact that she has a heritage that she wasn’t originally aware of, the fact that she doesn’t have long left to live, and a ‘man’ who she just can’t get out of her mind.

Theron never expected Casey was the girl he needs to turn over for the prophesy to come true. Casey is also someone he never expects, as she has and is all of the things he would ever want in a female. But duty and honor to his people must come first! However, will his honor and duty come first ... even if that means giving up the one woman who might just happen to be his soul mate?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! This story takes myths to a whole new level!! Casey is a feisty, opinionated, kind-hearted woman, while Theron is an arrogant, strong-willed, passionate man. Reading about the two of them together it’s like you can see the sparks flying off of the page! The twists in this book are really unexpected and even when the book leaves you hanging in some instances you still aren’t disappointed! Plus, the side stories about the other characters lure you in and make you sooo very curious as to what will happen next in this series!

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a non-typical fantasy drama!!

Book Teaser(s) :

The man turned toward Acacia, who'd somehow managed to scramble back onto the counter. "Casey, come down."
"Oh, my God. Nick. Jesus Christ, what the hell---?"
The blond's big hands plucked Acacia right off the counter before Theron had a chance to stop him, and he set her on her feet in the middle of the store. The man grasped her shoulders and held firm. "Take a breath, Casey. More will be coming."
"More? What do you---?"
Then, almost as if she'd just realized the two of them weren't alone, her eyes flashed to Theron, understanding dawning in their violet depths. And for the first time since he'd met her, he realized how similar those eyes were to the king's.
"Those things," she said. "I saw them that night with you. Outside XScream."
The man she'd called Nick glanced up sharply. "You brought them here? To her?"
"No," Theron said, shoving his weapon back into its scabbard at his back. Now he was the bad guy? Fuck that. "I was sent to protect her." ~ within Chapter 12

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Elisabeth, then please check out her Amazon Page.

Related Posts :

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Enraptured	Disappointmentville: Eternal Mates Series, Book 1	Made the Grade: Alpha Marked Series, Book 3	Made the Grade: Children of the Goddess Series, Book 4.5	My Book Reviews & Book Index: ~ N ~ Authors

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Burning Rubber

Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"Burning Rubber" [Extreme Racing Series, Book 2] by Pamela Britton
Publication Released Date: October 18, 2011

Author's Book Description:

In racing, you’re in or you’re out. Sometimes both at the same time...

Go ahead, call Callie Monroe the queen of fools. She already does. After NASCAR slammed its doors in her face, she came up with the idea for the X-TREME Racing League. Now she’s all but relegated to pit row while her business partner—aka XRL’s bankroll—takes the credit.

One look at NASCAR champion Derrick Derringer red-lines Callie’s fantasy gauge. And when he actually notices her next to her Playboy-hot boss, he makes her sweat.

Derrick has always been attracted to the studious type, but Callie’s got the cherry on top of her beauty and brains: she’s a gear head. She’s also scared to death of him. He’s never had to work hard to get a woman in his bed, but with Callie, he finds himself changing tactics for a prize he never expected. Her heart.

Callie has no intention of being Derrick’s next “checkered flag”, but if she’s to lure him over to XRL, she’ll play the game. A dangerous one. Not only because his kiss sends her focus sliding out of control. There’s a saboteur who seems intent on putting XRL into the wall—no matter how many people have to die.

Product Warnings:
The author doesn’t guarantee this book will help you “get lucky”, but does have documented proof that the love, laughter, naughtiness and hot, hot, hot sex in this book will leave you gasping for air. Dangerous curves ahead!

I've read some of this author's novels before ... and even though I haven't liked them all ... I always seem to want to read what she'll be putting out next!! Plus .. even if I'm not a big racing fan I definitely enjoy reading about racing romance books!! This once sounds like a hit! I can't wait to start reading it!

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : In the Groove

Related Posts :

Disappointmentville: NASCAR Series, Book 2	"Waiting On" Wednesday: Jacked Up	Garlic Rubbed Roasted Cabbage Steaks	Contest Craze: Mini Challenge - Top 5 "Waiting On" YA Books in 2012

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Made the Grade: Pack Seduction Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 141 KB | Release Date: April 2011 | Publisher: Evernight Publishing

"Claiming Their Mate" [Pack Seduction Series, Book 1] by Stacey Espino

My Book Summary : Carna and her sisters are all royalty amongst their kind. And by being royalty, their blood helps make sure that the breeds of whoever they mate won't die out. Because of that responsibility and because of the fact that when she became of mature age all male shifter thought they could just have her and she'd be theirs, her sisters and her ran away, split up, and went into hiding so they could possibly find lives and men of their own.

Since then Carna's life hasn't been so great but it has been hers.

However, one night four men (friends) find and kidnap her with plans of seducing and mating her. But Carna will have none of their games. She'll never mate a kidnapper or someone who only want her for her heritage. And that's all they want ... right?

The guys will go to great lengths just to prove how wrong she is!!

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! HOT, SWEET, and SEXY!! This book pulls you in and doesn't let go! Who wouldn't want to read about four alpha males who will do anything in their power for their mate!

My only complaints it was too short and rushed through everything. Plus, the ending could of had more.

Book Teaser(s) :

The natural desire to mate, to bond, pulled her under its spell, but she had to resist the call.
"Touch me. Please." The need in her voice surprised her. Close to the point of no return, her control snapped back to attention when a new male voice replied.
"You don't have to beg, darlin'."
"Back already?" asked Blue, not shifting his position, only turning his head to the entrance of the cave. "Your timing is impeccable."
"Good thing, too. I don't want you starting without me." ~ within Chapter 4

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Stacey, then please check out her Amazon Page.

Related Posts :

Made the Grade: Pack Seduction Series, Book 2	Interview with Stacey Espino	Giveaway - Claiming Their Mate by Stacey Espino	Made the Grade: The Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series, Book 10	My Book Reviews & Book Index: ~ E ~ Authors

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Made the Grade: ParaRealm Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 447 KB | Release Date: March 2011 | Publisher: Tholden Press

"Fierce Dawn" [ParaRealm Series, Book 1] by Amber Scott

My Book Summary : When they were younger Sadie and her little sister, Heather, had to be the ones to make sure that everything was okay with their mother. Especially with her ramblings, non-legible journals, and antics that some days made them wonder if she should be in a loony bin or not. It also didn't help that there was no one who would voluntarily help them out.

Now years later, they've both have grown up and their lives have definitely changed ... or at least Sadie's has. Two years ago, after their mother past away, Sadie did somethings that were like her mother's antics, so much so that Heather now asks like a mother hen to Sadie now, controlling her every move. Sadie understands her sister's concern but things are getting better for her. She has a good job (even if it doesn't pay), a sweet friend, and she is agreeing to therapy. Plus, there is this really hot guy who visits her job a lot that she would love to meet. Things are good ... now if only Heather would see that.

However, Sadie is keeping a secret ..... she keeps having dreams of that hot guy that visits her job. And not only romantic ones either. Could this mean she is becoming more like her mother then ever before? Is she going to go crazy at any moment now?

And right when Sadie thinks she just might have gone crazy ... her world and everything she thought she knew gets turned upside down.

My Book Review : 3.8 out of 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!! This is an intriguing new series with a storyline that hooked me from the beginning. This series seems like a mixture of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, the X-Men, and R. G. Alexander's Children of the Goddess series all wrapped up in a new different and exciting way!!

The characters are great to read, I loved the back stories and the twists that came along the way! I'm really curious as to what will happen next ... to Elijah's friends (new and old) and to Sadie's family. Also .... to see how/if Sadie's powers will grow!! I do hope that even though in the coming books in this series Sadie & Elijah will be secondary characters, I hope that they will still have decent size rolls in the series. Since my only problem with this novel was even though it ended really good, I still thought it ended too soon ... plus the cliff hanger (of sorts) in the epilogue really doesn't help much at all. =0/

Book Teaser(s) :

Elijah took in her visage and pulled back. "Sadie, I cannot keep kissing you."
"Wow. Um, you sure know how to make a girl feel special, Elijah." Sadie sat up, the pain gone. Embarrassed over her reaction, she tried to pretend she didn't know he saw her lust for him. "I didn't think we'd really practice playing boyfriend girlfriend. I mean, between being chased by immortals and watched by human haters, I think I can actually manage my family wondering who you are." ~ within Chapter 15

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Amber, then please check out her Amazon Page.

Related Posts :

Made the Grade: Soul Search by Amber Scott	Disappointmentville: Mystique Antiques Series, Novella 1	IBC's Bestseller for a Day [November 30th]: Soul Search by Amber Scott	Let it slide, let your troubles fall behind you. Let it shine, until you feel it all around you. And I don't mind, if it's me you need to turn to.	My Book Reviews & Book Index: ~ S ~ Authors

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Feasted On: Tova Gallagher Series, First Entry

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 197 KB | Release Date: July 2011 | Publisher: Self-Published

"Ecstatic Evil" [Tova Gallagher Series, First Entry] by Amanda McNeil

My Book Summary : Growing up Tova knew all about the fight between good versus evil. She would have to as she's half-demon (also known as a halvesie) and has been told over the years (by her demon cousin and a fairy) that at some point she'd have to choose a side. Just recently though she gets informed that she has two weeks to give her final decision about which side she chooses. However, when a mysterious stranger comes into her life thinking about her future is the last thing on her mind.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! This is a great start to what seems to be a compelling series! Tova is a girl who knows who she is but not really what she wants. Also, she is tough and a bad-ass too everyone she doesn't know but as soon as she's around Greg her demeanor completely changes. Basically she's a great character to read about! I can't wait to see where this series will go next!

Book Teaser(s) :

"You led me to believe you were really interested in me, but apparently you just wanted someone to hook up with."
"Where the hell did you get that idea?"
She snaps her eyes back to him, standing there looking dangerous and powerful, even in his underwear. "You won't talk to me about yourself! That screams 'Hi, I'm Greg, and I don't want anything that could even possibly lead to a relationship.'"
"Maybe I don't want to tell you because I don't think you're ready to hear it. Maybe I'm worried that if you hear it now you're the one who won't give me a chance, did you ever think about that?"
"Well that's just insulting. You're making it sound like I'm some sort of sleazy, judgmental type." She throws her right hand out to emphasize "sleazy," and the blanket nearly falls off. She quickly grasps it, feeling painfully naked in front of him even with the swaddling benefit of the blanket.

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Amanda, then please check out her Amazon Page.

Related Posts :

Blog Tour - Feasted On: Waiting For Daybreak by Amanda McNeil \| Interview & Review	Feasted On: Half-Breed Shifter Series, Book 4	Fangirling Ms. Stephanie "Number 1" \| What's in a genre?? Let's Talk #Romance by @Stef_uncensored	Made the Grade: The Halfling's Lust by Tanilen	My Book Reviews & Book Index: ~ M ~ Authors

Disappointmentville: Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 561 KB | Release Date: July 2011 | Publisher: Forever

"Black Ties and Lullabies" by Jane Graves

My Book Summary : Bernadette (Bernie) has been Jeremy's bodyguard for the past 3 years, watching him pick up one blond bimbo after another, dealing with his casual attitude, flirty demeanor, and his ruthless business sense for way to long. So, after one attempt on his life that Jeremy doesn't take seriously (by her warnings before it happens) she takes her frustrations out on him right after she tells him that she quits. Well that just spikes Jeremy's frustrations too, since no one walks away from him without his say so. And it all leads to a powerful erotic encounter that neither of them expected, but right afterwards Bernie still walks away from him.

After weeks of calling Bernie's boss to get her to come back to work for him (even after offering more money) and getting turned down over and over, Jeremy is surprised to walk into his office and see Bernie there waiting for him with an unexpected surprise of her own ......... she's pregnant! She expects him to hand over all of his rights to the baby, as she believes she and the baby would cramp his style and he wouldn't want anything to do with them. Now Jeremy plans on doing anything in his power to prove to her how wrong she is....

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. A sweet story about what love and family means to those who believe they would never have that for themselves. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance books about a couple who ordinarily you would not think they would work out together but in someways they are perfect together.

The reason I gave this book such a low rating was because even though I liked the main characters, I got really annoyed with how Bernie really doesn't try to put any effort in asking Jeremy to help her out. I mean some things I understood but even after he proves himself a little bit she still keeps him out of her life and any/all things to do with setting up the place for the baby. I mean it's like she never got a clue. Or even gave Jeremy a shot in seeing where things could be. Very annoying.

What saved this book from getting an even lower score was the last three chapters were GREAT!! I loved how this book turned out.

Another thing I did LOVE about this book was the banter between the main characters! ♥

Book Teaser(s) :

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she said.
"Nothing you haven't been asking me to do."
"Asking you to do? Are you out of your freakin' mind?"
"If I am," he said breathlessly, "then stop me."
He smothered her lips with another kiss. He moved forward, one step, then another, until he'd backed her against the wall. She made a halfhearted move to shudder away, but he held on, kissing her until the room spun around her.
Stop him, stop him, stop him...
The words swirled around in her mind but never took hold. ~ within Chapter 3

"I can't believe this," he said, dropping the sack on the floorboard. "You laid a guilt trip on me for making you miss your date with a man who doesn't even exist?"
"But you didn't know he didn't exist!"
"That's not the point. You're the one who started all this by lying to me in the first place!"
"And you would have never known I lied if you hadn't tried to get in the middle of things!"
"Your fictitious boyfriend was obviously for my benefit," Jeremy said, "so what were you trying to do? Make me jealous?"
"If I was trying to make you jealous, then why did I tell you I thought Madeline was perfect for you? Wouldn't I want you not to leave with her?" ~ within Chapter 19

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jane, then please check out her website.

Related Posts :

Spreading the Word: BLACK WINGS by Iryna K. Combs	Disappointmentville: Pregnancy & Passion Series, Book 3	Made the Grade: Love Is... by 40+ authors from the Romance Divas writing community	Disappointmentville: While She Was Sleeping... by Isabel Sharpe	My Book Reviews & Book Index: ~ G ~ Authors

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Drink Deep

Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"Drink Deep" [Chicagoland Vampires Series, Book 5] by Chloe Neill
Publication Released Date: November 1, 2011

Author's Book Description:

"A strong-minded, sharp-witted heroine who will appeal to fans of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series and Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake." (Library Journal)

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and Merit the vampire can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn, or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times have never been more precarious for the vampires. If only they could lay low for a bit...

Then magic rears its ugly head when Lake Michigan turns black. The mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows a panic is coming. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for both the vampires and humans.

I am ADDICTED to this series and Merit ever since I read the first novel ("Some Girls Bite") about 7 months ago when I still was pregnant. Especially after what happen to Ethan in the last book (link to the review below) I'm really curious as to see what will happen next!! =0)

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Hard Bitten

Related Posts :

Idolizing In: Chicagoland Vampires Series, Book 4	Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2012	"Waiting On" Wednesday: Dead in the Family	Top 5 Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2011

Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )

This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
You can check out Rakuten Marketing's privacy policy here: https://rakutenmarketing.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy/