Made the Grade: Fool’s Gold Series, Book 7

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 384; Paperback - Pages: 384; Kindle Edition - File Size: 548 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: May 29, 2012 | Publisher: HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Summer Days" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 7] by Susan Mallery

My Book Summary : Heidi hasn't been living in Fool's Gold that long but for someone who has grown up as being a part of a carnival being able to settle down in Fool's Gold with her grandfather and take care of her goats is a piece of heaven she never knew before. However, the security she has made for herself is about to be destroyed after her grandfather scams Rafe's mother into thinking she's buying Heidi's ranch. In the end, while Heidi, Rafe, Glen (Heidi's grandfather), and May (Rafe's mother) wait to see what the judge decides to do about their legal situation, May and Rafe move onto the ranch with Heidi and Glen. Throughout the time that they try living together, they learn about each other’s pasts and presents while sharing what they hope for the future. They all grow closer only with the knowledge that soon they'll find out what the judge has planned soon, which means only one of them can win between them especially since Rafe doesn't seem to know the meaning of compromise. However, what will happen after Heidi and Rafe's feelings involved? Will they be able to reconcile their difference and problems? Or will everything implode between them, making it so the town will have to take sides?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! This novel is all about the meaning of love and what the main characters willing to give up or do to make sure everything works out for the best. I loved Rafe and his family!! I can't wait to see where they will go from here. Plus, ever since reading more about Heidi, Charlie, & Annabelle in "Only His" I was so happy to read about them again in this book!!

Rafe is a man who had to grow up quickly when he was a kid after his father past away, and now he has based his life around making sure everyone he loves is protected. Heidi has built a life for herself that she loves and is willing to do just about anything to protect it and her grandfather. Together they make a wonderful couple, if they can only get over the complication that Glen (Heidi's grandfather) put them in. It's very sweet how they are able to turn their situation around and be there for each other!

I recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of the Fool's Gold series!!! Also, this is the perfect contemporary romance to put you in a good mood!

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series

Author Book/Series Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

Annabelle and Charlie exchanged a look.
"That's quite a list," Annabelle said.
"Most of it was about Rafe and she's drinking more than usual," Charlie added. "You know what that means."
"Trouble." Annabelle shook her head. "Big trouble."
"Man trouble."
"There's no man trouble," Heidi announced. "None. Zero. Zip. I'm not attracted to Rafe."
"But you've kissed him," Annabelle said smoothly.
"Yes, but it was---" Heidi slapped her hand over her mouth. She wasn't going to mention the kiss. She dropped her arm to her side. "It's not what you think."
"Was there tongue?" Charlie asked.
Prepared now, Heidi pressed her lips together and didn't speak.
"That's a yes," Annabelle said with a sigh. "I miss tongue. Or any kind of kissing. I miss sex and men and orgasms." She sighed again. "I'm sorry. What was the question?"
"Tongue is exactly what I think," Charlie said. ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her website. To find out more about the town of Fools Gold then click here.

Made the Grade: Wild Pleasures Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 306 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: April 2, 2012 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Consent to Love" [Wild Pleasures Series, Book 2] by Abby Wood

My Book Summary : Ana is a small town girl with big dreams, but knows her limitations (or at least believes she does) that she'll probably live in Pochuk (aka Podunk) for the rest of her life. And she's okay with that, for the most part. Ana has her "hobby" of painting these beautiful creations. In addition, she has hopes to advance from serving beer at the local bar to being their head chef soon. As long as she gets through the day-to-day of it all, she'll be fine.

Howahkan (Kane) has been dealt some hardships throughout his life, especially being a Native American, but he's content with who he is and his life. Nevertheless, when he meets Ana, even though he knows no relationship can last between them, he immediately wants her. Therefore, after Kane convinces Ana to call him they make plans to get together. But will they be able to handle walking away from each other after sharing only a red-hot weekend full of passion?? Or can they try to make something more??

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, this intense, dramatic, and erotic romance is one that keeps you on your toes! Ana and Kane make a good couple and explored quite a bit of sex scenes that I would never have thought of! The plot was unique because it took on the Native American culture in a way I was not use to reading before and thoroughly enjoyed.

I recommend this to anyone who likes contemporary erotic romances!!

Book Teaser(s) :

Her body trembled. Relief turned her muscles to putty, and she flopped back on the bed in complete exhaustion. Kane removed her legs from around his waist and sank down beside her, out of breath.
"You're crazy." She laughed softly, stroking his face.
He arched his eyebrow. "And you've got a filthy mouth."
"Only with you." She grew serious. "With you, I'm safe. You give me power I had no idea I had." ~ within Chapter 8

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

Idolizing In: Greystone Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 359 KB | Release Date: July 2011 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Smashwords

"Valor" [Greystone Series, Book 1] by Taylor Longford

My Book Summary : MacKenzie has a typical life. She lives in Colorado, mostly by herself, with her mom (who travels a lot for her job), step-person Greg (who she doesn't like but thankfully he travels a lot too), and brother (who's away at college). Nevertheless, she has two wonderful best friends, Mim and Whitney, and a protective dog named Hooligan. Along with a lot of unruly red hair.

Yet, one day after she waited at home for one of her step-person's important shipments to arrive at their house her life changed forever. Since the shipment that step-person thought was of an antique statue of a young male actually turns out to be Valor a gargoyle who, along with his two brothers and six cousins, was trapped in his "statue form" for the past 800 yrs until MacKenzie opened his box. Now MacKenzie is thrust into Valor's world and honor bound to keep his and his families secret while helping them out to fit into her world. In addition, Valor and his family are honor bound to protect MacKenzie too. However, Valor and MacKenzie are drawn to each other in a way that is stronger than just pure attraction, but with all of the risks, secrets, and mystery that surround both of them could anything good really happen between them? Will they find out the truth before it's too late??

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! This series is one I bet you have never read about (or any type like it) before and will keep you just as captivated as I was!!! I LOVE THIS NOVEL!! The plot was awesome, intense, dynamic, funny, and very fast-paced! Also -- I could NOT get enough of the characters!!!

About the Characters:
• MacKenzie: Human, 16 yrs old. Maybe a witch...? Protective of those she loves. Pretty much lives on her own. Helps out Valor and his family with everything they need. Has a crush on Valor.

• Valor: Gargoyle, about 18 yrs old. Meets MacKenzie first and tells her about who and what he and his family are. Instantly and intensely drawn to MacKenzie. Likes to hunt.

• Havoc: Gargoyle. Valor's brother. Charming and funny. Loves to cook.

• Reason: Gargoyle. Valor's cousin. Victor's brother. Annoys MacKenzie a lot, and never sure if he likes her or not. He's a good guy though. The second oldest of Valor's pack.

• Defiance: Gargoyle. Valor's cousin. Likes MacKenzie's friend Whitney.

• Dare: Gargoyle. Valor's older brother. Had a bad experience with a harpy a long time ago that changed him and his hair. Likes MacKenzie's friend Mim.

• Victor: Gargoyle. Valor's cousin. Reason's brother. The oldest of Valor's pack and therefore he's their leader. Very charming. Known as the "golden one" amongst his pack.

I can't wait to see where this series will go next!! To find out if everything is okay with Reason, since he was, suppose to have returned already. Also, to see what happened to Valor's other cousins Chaos, Force, and Trust. If they are all written, like this novel and will keep me up to date with all of the characters ..... then I'll be very happy to read this series!!!

I HIGHLY recommend reading this novel and series to anyone who wants to read a paranormal romance that has a very unique plotline!!

Author's Novel Extras : Excerpt from "Valor"

Book Teaser(s) :

When I opened the mudroom door, I could smell food cooking. Havoc was in the kitchen with my mother's striped apron pulled over his head and tied around his waist. He looked utterly adorable in a lean, dreadlocky sort of way. He'd already started dinner---something he called dead bird stew. At first I freaked, until he told me he'd found the bird in the freezer above the refrigerator.
It was chicken. And the stew was really good. Way better than it sounds. ~ within Chapter 14

Victor gave Valor a considering look then moved his gaze to me. "Would you mind giving it a try, MacKenzie?"
I shrugged. "Just don't get your hopes up," I warned him.
They set me down at the dining room table.
"First you need some glass," Defiance stated.
"Or a bowl of water," Havoc added.
"Glass works better," Defiance immediately argued.
There didn't seem to be much agreement on how the scrying should be done. It seemed as if each of the gargoyles had his opinion on how the procedure should be performed. In the end, I tried everything. We found some glass in the garage that had fallen out of a double-paned window. I tried the glass and water and mirrors but nothing worked. I even tried laying the piece of glass over a map on the table and hanging a needle above it on a long piece of thread.
I saw that in a movie a few years ago. It worked spectacularly on film. ~ within Chapter 19

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

Blog Tour - Made the Grade: Seized by Lynne Cantwell | Review, & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Lynne Cantwell, with a review of her latest novel "Seized!!"

ALSO -- Be sure to comment on this post to be able to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAYs (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from May 21 - 25, 2012]

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- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 345 KB | Expected Release Date: March 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Seized" [Pipe Woman Chronicles, Book 1] by Lynne Cantwell

My Book Summary : Will the Mayan's "Doomsday," December 21, 2012, actually happen?? Find out through the eyes of Naomi...

A woman who believes she has everything she needs. A great job. She's happy with everything she's accomplished. Recently she became engaged to her longtime boyfriend!

However, as December 21st comes up her life begins to change. In her dreams, she recalls a white buffalo bowing to her when she was a little girl. Then she is invited to a sweat lodge on the Winter Solstice (on December 21st) with her best friend who convinces her to go. Soon Naomi will come to realize that everything in her life is about to change...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this is an interesting book that puts an interesting spin on what would happen when "the beginning of end" happens, or when "doomsday" sort of arrives, only you get to find out about it from the "key players" point-of-view. It puts a fascinating (and highly debatable) spin on what is going on between our gods or with our main "God." When reading it I thought it was a unique mix of Children of the Goddess Series, House of Night Series, and Mercy Thompson Series only set in a contemporary-type of setting with a completely different plot (of course).

The characters are entertaining, intense, funny, and quirky (or as Naomi would say, "woo-woo"). It'll be interesting to see where the author is going to take the story from here since it's lined up that it can really go anywhere!

I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal mystery that has a little bit of romance in it!

Author's Series Extras : How the Pipe Woman Chronicles Came Together

Book Teaser(s) :

“Corporate work pays a lot better than nonprofit work does. I feel like such a heel.”
“You’re not a heel,” she said. “If you were a heel, none of this would even occur to you. I bet Brock never even thinks twice about it.”
“And that’s another thing,” I said. “Joseph’s going all big brother on me, worrying about my being around Brock, that Brock might hurt me. Where did that come from?” I looked up from my plate – somehow, a second scone had disappeared while I talked. “Is Joseph crazy, or what? Any clues from your vaunted empathy?”
Shannon paused in folding a towel and considered the question for a moment. “Brock’s definitely icky, I’ll give Joseph that much. I’d have to see him again, now that the new software’s installed” – a corner of her mouth quirked – “to know whether there’s anything more to it.
“But what about this: what if Joseph’s interest in you is more than brotherly?”
“Wow. That never occurred to me.” I sipped my tea and considered the possibility. “He’s never come on to me, unless you count that wink through the mail slot when he was sixteen and I was twelve.” ~ within Chapter 5

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

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About the Author :

Lynne Cantwell has been writing fiction since the second grade, when the kid who sat in front of her showed her a book he had written, and she thought, "I could do that." The result was "Susie and the Talking Doll," a picture book illustrated by the author about a girl who owned a doll that not only could talk, but could carry on conversations. The book had dialogue but no paragraph breaks. Today, after a twenty-year career in broadcast journalism and a master's degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University (or perhaps despite the master's degree), Lynne is still writing fantasy. Her third novel and her first urban fantasy, "Seized": Book One of the Pipe Woman Chronicles, was released in March 2012.

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Book Excerpt :

No sooner had my head hit the pillow than I started to dream. Or at least it seemed like a dream.

I was about twelve. I was wearing a fluffy white coat that Mom had bought for me when I was in sixth grade, and my hair hung in braided pigtails behind my ears. I could hear someone droning on about some Indian legend. I turned away from the voice, and came face to face with a small, white buffalo. His withers came even with my eyes, and he didn’t have any horns. I reached out to touch his fur – I think I intended to pet him, like you would a dog – but his front half dropped to the ground, his skinny legs stuck out straight in front of him, while his back half stayed up in the air. The droning voice stopped, and then cried, “He bowed to her! The white buffalo calf bowed to her!” I heard more voices then, murmuring behind me. The little buffalo’s rump then sank to the ground, and as I bent to try to touch his head once more, I looked up.

Behind the buffalo stood a woman. Her dress was made of white buckskin, elaborately fringed along the seams of the bodice and sleeves. Her hair – long, straight, and black as night – fell around her shoulders like a cloak. Her skin was deeply tanned; her eyes were black and kind, and their depths went on forever. And she was smiling at me, and nodding. She seemed to be encouraging me to touch the little buffalo calf, which still lay motionless at my feet.

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Giveaway!! :

• A $10 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour

To Enter : Please leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address included at the end of it.

Soo .... COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites! Commenting on the other stops on the tour will also increase your chance of winning!

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Find Lynne Cantwell :

• Lynne Cantwell - Website & Blog
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Amazon author page
• Smashwords author page

Feasted On: The Fake Boyfriend Experiment by Stephanie Rowe

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 313 KB | Release Date: May 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"The Fake Boyfriend Experiment" by Stephanie Rowe (aka Stephie Davis)

My Book Summary : Lily is a piano prodigy, or at least she was until recently when all the fun in playing the piano got drained out of her. She cannot seem to get her gift back until she meets Rafe one day during her practice session. He's cool, a talented drummer, has a tattoo running down the length of his arm, and is in a band!

So, when she spies his band practicing and complaining about having to wait for their keyboard player she steps in saying she can play it and instantly finds her life changing. Everyone in the band is so different (and loose) then what she used when playing the piano. She starting to get her groove back, a bit, but mostly she just feels more comfortable playing with them then she has in a long time. Nevertheless, she's determined giving up professionally playing piano. Yet her mother and her piano teacher (nicknamed by Lily as Old Crusty) feel differently, so they decide that Lily has to keep practicing with the teacher or with Rafe's band. Lily chooses Rafe, and his band, who opens her eyes to the she's been missing when it comes to playing the piano.

However, when Lily's heart comes into play is another story .... especially when she finds out that Rafe already has a girlfriend. What is a girl to do about her hurt pride? Why make up a fake boyfriend, or two, of course! Now hopefully her secrets won't come out...

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars, this is a great YA book about the joys of growing up and coming into your own, which is exactly what Lily tries to do throughout this whole book while trying to win the guy along the way! I loved the innocent romance between Lily and Rafe. It was sweet and charming while still being humorous with all of the banter that they share.

I related to Lily when it came to feeling like the dork in her group of friends, at times, and having to resort to the fibs to make sure you stay cool. Thankfully, I never took it as far as she does when I was her age but I feel it's something all teenage girls do so this novel is definitely relatable in that way.

I recommend this book to anyone who would like a quick read of a YA romance!

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Putting Boys On The Ledge

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1 ~ within Chapter 1

He flicked me a surprised look. "You're---"
"A terrible singer. I know." I turned it up to drown me out more. "Good thing I can play an instrument, huh?" I started signing again.
After a second, Rafe started singing too. His voice was like the sound of a jack hammer at three in the morning when you were trying to sleep.
I immediately whooped and hit him on the shoulder. "You're awful, too!"
He grinned at me, his dimples completely adorable and out of character with his full-arm tattoo and leather jacket. "Good thing I can play an instrument, huh?"
I giggled, a warm bubbly feeling exploding through me. "I think you're even worse singing than I am, and that's nothing to be proud of." ~ within Chapter 4

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