Teaser Tuesdays: Face the Music

Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"Face the Music" by Andrea K. Robbins

Book Teaser:

My eyes were drawn to his mouth. A dark soul patch served well in accentuating his full, kissable lips. Lips I couldn’t take my eyes off of.
“Um, yeah, of course,” I stuttered after finding my voice.
I couldn’t believe myself. Here I was, a college graduate student, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl. My heart was up in my throat. ~ within Chapter 1

Made the Grade: The Other Soldier by Kathy Altman

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 288; Kindle Edition - File Size: 549 KB | Expected Release Date: June 26, 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin SuperRomance | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Other Soldier" by Kathy Altman

My Book Summary : The day that Sergeant First Class Dean (Tim) died changed the lives of not only Parker (his wife) and their daughter Natalie (Nat) but also the life of Corporal Reid Macfarland (the man who accidentally killed Tim). In effort to make amends, try to ask forgiveness, and forgive himself for the death of Tim, Reid decides to take a month of leave, meet Parker, tell her he's sorry, and find out if there is anything he can do during his month of leave to help Tim's family out.

After Parker meets and finds out who Reid is, she immediately wants nothing to do with him. However, trying to establish a struggling gardening business is hard to do when there are no extra funds to deal with. So, after Parker's friend and employee, Harris, persuades her into thinking that Reid helping them out during his leave would be valuable she reluctantly agrees.

Soon though Reid finds himself wanting more then forgiveness from Parker & Nat, he wants something he hasn't had in a long time .... a family, with them. Can Parker, Nat, & Reid be able to get over what happened between them enough to think about their possible futures or is the heartache and loss to great?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars. This is a sweet novel about love, friendship, and finding out how to forgive. The plot was elegantly written in a way that you could understand what the characters were going through while keeping the storyline light and fun. Also, I liked how Parker's role was written in a way that she always stayed truthful to herself and her love for Tim (her dead husband).

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read military romances.

Author's Novel Extras : Characters and Setting Collage | Playlist | Parker Dean’s Famous Castle Creek Carrot Cake

Book Teaser(s) :

He's shut Chance inside the greenhouse.
Shit. How the hell had the dog gotten in without Reid noticing?
He yanked open the door and startled the Lab just as he was lifting his leg in the corner. "Whoa! Hold on there, boy." Her hustled over and bent down to grab hold of the collar and caught air instead. Chance dove under the nearest table. Damned dog wanted to play. Reid grabbed for the Lab's tail and missed. Chance scampered halfway down the concrete path, looked back at Reid and pissed on the nearest table leg. "All right," Reid growled. "Game on." ~ within Chapter 6

Rough, expectant laughter. Then Noble Johnson pushed his way to the front of the crowd and Reid rolled his shoulders up and back. Here we go.
The pale-haired giant set aside a half-empty mug of beer, licked his thumb and bounced twice on the balls of his feet.
"Too bad I never collected on that keg," Gallahan muttered.
"We survive this and I'll throw in an autographed poster of Halle Berry."
"In her James Bond bikini?"
"Nothing but."
"Deal." ~ within Chapter 13

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

Disappointmentville: Good Girl Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 304; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1027 KB | Expected Release Date: May 1, 2012 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"Where There's Smoke" [Good Girl Series, Book 1] by Karen Kelley

My Book Summary : Destiny is a demon-in-training who only needs to catch/sign-up one more soul before she'll be able to become a demon and have everything she desires, or at least this is what she was told and believes. She now has one week and one day back on Earth to be able to find a person who's willing to give their soul up to her, and she thinks she has found the perfect person in Chance.

But little does she know that Chance knows who and what Destiny is and has his own agenda. As being, a nephilim (a immortal who has a mortal for a mother and an angel for a father) he and his "brothers" work to answer prayers and save the souls of the mortals on Earth as much as they can. Destiny being Chance's latest "project" is going to be tougher then anything Chance has ever dealt with before, because they have an instant chemistry and a strong attraction between them that sparks every time that they are around each other.

Then because of their budding relationship, will either of them be willing to follow through with their plans?? Will Destiny really want to condemn Chance to hell for eternity? Can Chance save Destiny's soul for the price of never to be able to be with her again??

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars, good vs. evil in it's most extreme but can love concur all? This is an intriguing start to this series!! I loved the characters! Destiny and Chance were a wonderful match that I couldn't get enough of!! Plus, Ryder, Dillon, and Hunter were hilarious in their antics---I cannot wait to read their books.

Even so, I really didn't like the plot that much. I mean I understood it and I enjoyed it right up until Destiny first says, "I love you," to Chance but then there were way to many misunderstandings and it all felt so rushed that I couldn't give this novel a higher rating then I did. I wish I could have liked and enjoyed it more but I just couldn't.

Yet I hope you to enjoy it and I recommend it to those who like reading about angels and sort-of demons getting together.

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

She sauntered strolled out of the room. He couldn't take his eyes off the seductive sway of her hips, and when there was nothing else to watch, her essence lingered. If he was that susceptible to her charms, what was it going to be like when he had her naked? His dick jerked at the image that created.
Deep breath.
He creathed in, then out, then in---
You're hyperventilating, idiot! He slowed his breathing down and the lights stopped dancing in front of his eyes.
Better.
He could do this. He only had to remember what was at stake. Chance wasn't about to let a damned demon torture Destiny for all eternity. ~ within Chapter 5

Something banged hard against the wall. "What the hell was that?" He paused.
"Demon," she gasped.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe. There was a demon nearby? That went in the bad column.
"Demon. Neighbor. Battle-axe," she panted. "Same thing. Please, go back to what you were doing," she begged.
Destiny was greedy. He liked that about her, and as long as she wasn't talking about a real demon, Chance was happy to oblige. ~ within Chapter 12

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

Disappointmentville: You & Me Trilogy, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 298 KB | Release Date: April 2012 | Publisher: The Edge | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Saving You Saving Me" [You & Me Trilogy, Book 1] by Kailin Gow

My Book Summary : For the last few years now Samantha (Sam) has had a rough time at home---her father always mad at her for one thing or another while her mother seems to always be drinking one alcoholic beverage or another. She just cannot wait for her senior year to get over with so she can go to Stanford University to get away from her parents. But to be able to get into Stanford Sam's guidance counselor suggests that since she wants to become a psychiatrist it would look good on her application to volunteer as a peer counselor at the Sawyer House.

Sam reluctantly agrees. However, she soon finds herself becoming close to a guy who calls the Sawyer House to talk to her saying his name is Daggers. Yet as things get more serious between her and Daggers, Sam's life seems to be falling apart and Daggers' the only person she feels comfortable confiding in. So, who's really being saved more Daggers or Sam?

My Book Review : 2 out of 5 stars, this novel was more serious and intense about the issues that the characters have then I originally thought it would. Not that that was a bad thing. Since it made the novel that much more dramatic and interesting.

With that being said, it also made this novel feel a bit drawn out. I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have because Sam doesn't stick to her guns and she lets everyone around her (Daggers included at times) run over her and make all of her decisions. Then to top it off, when she receives a steamy kiss from Derek (another peer counselor), after telling him repeatedly that she didn't want to be anything more than friends with him, she doesn't pull away from his kiss. It made me mad. As well as, made me not want to finish the novel even though I did. Then to top it off the ending sucks. =0P

I hope whoever decides to read it likes it more than I did. Yet, I don't recommend this book.

Author's Novel Extras : Playlist | The Saving YOU Saving ME Project | Excerpt | Is Saving You Saving Me a PG Shades of Gray? | Dream Cast for Saving You Saving Me

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

Daggers called me on Friday with some news. "Susan, I'm happy to say my shrink says I've made improvements with my abusive relationship issue."
"You have a shrink?" I asked.
"Had one for a few years," he said.
"Then why did you start called Sawyer House?" I asked. "Not that you're not welcome, but because we're usually the first person callers would call."
"I was looking for someone who worked there, and ended up talking to you." Daggers chuckled. "Good thing, too. You've helped me make significant improvements."
"Well, are you going to stop calling the Sawyer House now?" I asked, feeling like my heart would break if he did.
"I should so you can use the time you talk to me on someone else, but I don't want to," he said.
"I don't want you to, too," I added.
"Why?" Daggers asked. ~ within Chapter 12

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Kailin, then please check out her website. Check out this website to find out more about Kailin's Saving YOU Saving ME Project.

Blog Tour - Try Me by Diane Alberts | Interview & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Diane Alberts, who I interviewed about her latest novel "Try Me," which is the 1st book in her Take a Chance Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour will run from July 2 - 16, 2012]

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My Q&A with Diane Alberts :

Diane : Thanks for inviting me here today to talk about "Try Me," the first book in the Take a Chance series.

Jess : Your welcome!! I'm glad to have you!!

What books did you enjoy reading while growing up?

Diane : Well, ironically enough...romance books! I started reading them when I was twelve, and haven’t stopped since. My first romance books I read were written by Jude Deveraux, Johanna Lindsey, and Julie Garwood.

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

Diane : Most: Erica and Jeremy from "Try Me." And Jeremy would only be let in the door if he was shirtless. I mean, look at those abs!

Least: Johanna’s mother from "On One Condition." I don’t care much for her.

Jess : What sparked the idea for your Take a Chance Series?

Diane : The first scene, where Jeremy is alone and beaten in a desert, and feeling sorry for himself. That scene rose in my head, and I hurried to get it written. And when I discovered he was a Marine? It made him even hotter. Seriously.

Jess : Is there one particular scene in "Try Me" that you’re dying for readers to read? Can you tell us anything about it?

Diane : The epilogue! ~laughs~ I’ve heard from a lot of readers, and this seems to be their favorite part—minus Jeremy’s abs. And it just so happens to be mine, too. If you buy it and read it, feel free to contact me and let me know if you agree!

Jess : If "Try Me" were to be made into a film, who do you see playing the main characters and why?

Diane : Channing Tatum as Jeremy—he so looks the part. He’d be perfect. And Nina Dobrev for Erica. I think she could get that whole haunted, uncertain quality down pat.


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

Diane : It varies, really. But for "Try Me," it was the first scene with Jeremy that got the juices flowing.

Jess : Please describe your hero, from "Try Me," in one to two sentences.

Diane : He’s hot with tattoos and a pair of abs that can inspire lust in anyone. But deep down, he’s longing for love from the one person he can never have—and can never stop loving.

Jess : In regards to your most recent novel, if you could write it all over again, would you change anything about it?

Diane : Nope, I don’t think so. I loved the characters, and the book itself. I love Jeremy and Erica. I wouldn’t change a thing!

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

Diane : I’ve written fifteen novels and novellas. I think. There might be more. All of them are either published or with publishers being considered. I’m an addict, and I can’t stop! ~grin~

And I can’t pick a favorite! I love them all. And if they found out I picked a favorite, what would they think? LOL.

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

Diane : I’m currently working on a fun enemies to lovers story that is taking me for a ride. It’s so refreshing to write characters that hate each other.

Also, the second book in the Take a Chance series will be out in a little while, and it’s called "Love Me." It’s Tommy’s story.

Thank you for having me here today! I hope to come back to visit again, soon!

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About the Author :

Diane Alberts current contracted works with Entangled Publishing are: "ON ONE CONDITION" (February 2012, Ever After line), "DIVINELY RUINED" (Divine Temptations Trilogy #1, April 2012, Ever After line), and "TRY ME" (Take a Chance #1, May 2012, Ever After line). Her current works with Decadent Publishing are: "KILL ME TOMORROW" (October 2011, 1NightStand series), "RECLAIMED" (December 2011), "ABSOLUTION" (March 2012, Honor Guard series), "BROKEN" (March 2012, 1NightStand series), and "ESCAPE TO ME" (TBA, 1NightStand series).

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing and Decadent Publishing. She is repped by her fabulous agent, Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. She has, as of this date, two books with Entangled Publishing, and five books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, "ON ONE CONDITION," hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List. She has a lot of projects currently being shopped around by her fabulous agent, and her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name.

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"Try Me" [Take a Chance Series, Book 1] by Diane Alberts
My Book Summary :

It's been seven years since that terrible night when Jeremy lost the friendship of not only his best friend, but also the girl he has always loved (Erica) his best friend's little sister. All because of one lie that he didn't even tell.

However, when he thought about the day when he would see Erica again he never envisioned himself being dirty, bruised, and dehydrated on the side of the road outside of Las Vegas. He had hoped if they ever did see each other again he'd be painted in a better light then looking like he was following in his old man's footsteps. Nevertheless, here they are hanging out again and he's soon realizing that he is still completely in love with her, while she still seems unattainable to him.

Yet Erica has her own secrets .... one is that she has always loved Jeremy too! Also, her love for him hasn't seemed to lesson over the years. But her other secret might just scare him away for good if they ever get closer, like every other man, so she has to keep Jeremy at arms length no matter the cost. The only thing is will Jeremy allow her to do that?? [Click HERE to read my review of this novel!]

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Giveaway!! :

• An e-book copy of "Try Me"

The Fine Print -- To Enter :

1. This contest ends on July 16th 2012.
2. This contest is International!!
3. It's the author/publisher's responsibility to ensure that the winner gets the book, not mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


GOOD LUCK!! =0)

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Find Diane Alberts :

• Diane Alberts - Website/Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page
• Goodreads