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

Friday, May 11, 2012

Made the Grade: Amoveo Legend Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 320; Kindle Edition - File Size: 935 KB | Expected Release Date: April 3, 2012 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"Untouched" [Amoveo Legend Series, Book 2] by Sara Humphreys

My Book Summary : Kerry was born with a disabling gift, she's a strong psychic, making it so every time she touches someone she is overcome with pain and visions (usually scary ones). Because of this, Kerry has built her life around being able to NOT touch anyone, even if the people are related to her. She even found a job where not touching people isn't that weird of thing, becoming a world-renowned model. Even though she's felt alone for most of her life, she thankfully has always had her best friend, Samantha (the heroine from "Unleashed"), to help her through it all.

However, Samantha just married Malcolm and now Kerry thinks it's time to get back to her own life by taking a modeling gig in New Orleans. Because of the recent troubles Kerry, Samantha and Malcolm had to deal with Kerry's friend wants to make sure she's safe so they "hire" Dante (who owns Inferno Securities and is Malcolm cousin/best friend). What Kerry doesn't know yet though is that Dante is also her mate and will do whatever he can to protect her. Once Kerry arrives in New Orleans, her world is going to be turned upside-down! Will she take to the changes with open arms or will Dante have to protect her from herself?? Especially when it seems that, her secret heritage is coming out into the open and into the wrong hands. Soon Kerry will find herself fighting more than her own desire from Dante. She'll be fighting for her life.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this is one series that once you read a book from it you'll be hooked and wanting to read them all!! Plus, if you decide to read the second book (this book) before the first DON'T WORRY as you won't get lost within the plot!! The characters really make this series .... especially this novel!!! I thoroughly enjoyed Kerry and Dante as a couple!! They both are strong lead characters with intense and intriguing personalities!

Then top off the secondary characters! Samantha and Malcolm are sweet in their newlywed bliss. William (or as his friends teasingly call him: Willie) is very old fashioned and "stiff" compared to his friends. Steven is a laid-back doctor who always has an easy smile. In addition, with the way the plot ran in this novel the build-up to "what could be" for the next novels in this series is very intriguing! I especially can't wait to see what will happen between William and Layla in "Untamed," or what will become of Steven and Boris!

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who wants to read a new take on shapeshifter romances!! Also, this novel is perfect for anyone who likes to read paranormal mysterious romances!

Author's Series Extras : Amoveo Legend Series Playlists

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

William hated being wrong. Dante was tempted to let him squirm but decided to let him off the hook.
"She's a powerful psychic, William. She has built and maintained an incredibly strong shield around herself." He shrugged one shoulder. "I don't even think she knows she's doing it, but it's been very effective in keeping her hidden all these years."
"That must be one hell of a shield." Steven leaned forward and rested his elbows on his wide spread legs. "She's in pictures all over the world. I can't believe none of us picked up on it."
"Especially you, Dante." William nodded toward him. "If she's really your mate," he added offhandedly.
Dante's eyes shifted and flared brightly. His gaze landed harshly on William. "She is my mate." His voice stayed just barely above a whisper. "You would do well to remember that."
William cocked his head and raised one eyebrow. ~ within Chapter 6

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

Guest Post :: Stepping Out On Faith by Bonnie St. John | Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl & Giveaway

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl!

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series - a week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Sheila Walsh, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Bonnie St. John and more)! I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs May 6th - May 13th and the winner will on May 14th. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of "Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace" or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there, Happy Mother's Day!

"Stepping Out On Faith" by Bonnie St. John

“Darcy . . .”

“Yeah, Mom?”

I momentarily held the undivided attention of my teenage daughter. Her thumbs, free of their ubiquitous texting keypad, quietly dangled by her side. Her computer and its omnipresent Facebook page were completely out of sight. I had almost forgotten what she looked like without all these adolescent accoutrements. As we sat down together on the burgundy leather sofa in our living room, I realized this fleeting state of electronic dislocation was my chance to hatch a plan I had been formulating for the past several weeks. Carpe diem.

“How would you like to write a book together?”

“About what?” I asked my mom. Write a book? This was a real surprise. I felt a bit suspicious, but still curious. I love to write, and Mom kept telling me I was really good at it. I like writing poetry, fantasy, and sci-fi, though. The books Mom wrote were all nonfiction. I wondered what we could possibly do together.

“Well . . .” I hesitated. If I wanted her to commit to any extra work out- side her busy schedule at school—not to mention work alongside her mother—I had to make this really great. “It would be about women as leaders,” I continued, “a mother-daughter investigation into leadership styles and structures.”

“Leadership?” I blurted. It came out as if I had a bad taste in my mouth—which I did. I couldn’t imagine a more boring topic to write about. What is there to say about leadership anyway? When you’re in charge, you just get things done, right? Who wants to talk about that?

Her furrowed brow told me I was losing her fast. “Um . . . we could find women leaders all around the world!” I said impulsively, frantically casting the ultimate bait.

“Really? Would we get to travel a lot?” I hadn’t thought about that. Heck, I’d write about the mating habits of tsetse flies if I got to go to Africa to do it!

But this project wasn’t just about the influence it would have on Darcy. I wanted to do something that could have a potent impact on an alarming trend I had witnessed in workplaces across the country: far too many women appeared to be making a choice not to apply for top leadership positions when presented with the opportunities to do so.

This project, then, was a bit of a Trojan horse. On the one hand, the saga of a mother-daughter journey could seduce female readers, who might never bother to read the Harvard Business School dissertations on the subject, into a meaningful conversation about leadership. At the same time, if Darcy met a series of brilliant, accomplished women—people even a cynical teen would be in awe of—perhaps they could tell her all the things I’d like her to know—and more.

And she just might listen.

But where to start? How would we make it work? I suggested we do most of our research by phone, as I did for How Strong Women Pray. My telephone interviews with a governor, some CEOs, actors, sports figures, a college president, and others yielded great stories and information. I promised my intrepid co-author, though, that we could punctuate these conversations with a few visits in person to exciting and exotic places—all with reasonably priced airfares.

“Why don’t we follow each subject as she goes about her daily life? That way our readers get to come along with us and get a behind- the-scenes look at what happens to them. Instead of just a boring interview, we—and our readers—get to hang around with these women, see them in their natural habitat, and even see how other people treat them.”

Although I agreed it was a wonderful approach, this idea of “job- shadowing” each featured subject wasn’t going to be easy. Would these high-powered, important women deign to allow us that kind of access? Would they be able to impart the kind of wisdom that would resonate with our readers and truly make a difference in their lives? We looked at each other, both of us hooked on a crazy idea that we weren’t sure we could pull off.

“It sounds impossible, Darcy,” I said. “We might as well get started.”

And so, we stepped out . . . on faith.

About the Author :

Bonnie is a 1984 Paralympics silver medal winner in ski racing. Her education includes a degree with honors from Harvard, a Rhodes scholarship, and an M. Litt in Economics from Oxford. Her career includes positions as an award-winning sales rep for IBM and a Clinton White House member of staff. She now is a much-in-demand speaker, who makes nearly 100 speeches each year to corporations and civic groups. You can visit her on the Web at www.bonniestjohn.com.

Re-printed with permission from How Great Women Lead by Bonnie St. John and Darcy Deane

Exciting News – the latest Pearl Girls book, "Mother of Pearl: Luminous Legacies and Iridescent Faith" will be released this month! Please visit the Pearl Girls™ Facebook Page (and LIKE us!) for more information! Thanks so much for your support!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Guest Post :: What I Am Not by Tricia Goyer | Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl & Giveaway

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl!

"What I Am Not" by Tricia Goyer

Becoming a mother is a complicated thing. Not only am I trying to negotiate a relationship with my child, I am trying to negotiate a relationship with myself as I attempt to determine how I mother, how I feel about mothering, how I want to mother and how I wish I was mothered.
— Andrea J. Buchanan, in Mother Shock3

Sometimes the easiest way to discover who we are is to know who we are not.

• We are not our children. We all know mothers who go overboard trying to make themselves look good by making their children look great. I saw one woman on the Oprah television show who had bought her preschool daughter more than twelve pairs of black shoes just so the girl could have different styles to go with her numerous outfits! Just as we - don’t get report cards for mothering, we also - don’t get graded on our child’s looks or accomplishments. While you want your children to do their best and succeed in life, your self-esteem - shouldn’t be wrapped up in your child.

Life as I See It :

My individuality will never end. There will be no one exactly like me, not even my child. She will be like me in some ways, but not at all in others. I - wouldn’t have it any other way.
— Desiree, Texas

• We are not our mothers. I remember the first time I heard my mother’s voice coming out of my mouth. The words “because I told you so . . .” escaped before I had a chance to squelch them.

It’s not until we have kids that we truly understand our mothers — all their frets, their nagging, and their worries.

It’s also then that we truly understand their love.

Since you are now a mother, it’s good to think back on how you were raised. If there were traditions or habits that now seem wise and useful, incorporate them into your parenting. You also have permission to sift out things you now know - weren’t good. Just because you’re a product of your mother, that - doesn’t mean you have to turn out just like her. Repeat after me, “I am not my mother.”

• We are not like any other mother out there. Sometimes you may feel like the world’s worst mother. After all, your friend never yells at her son — and sometimes you do. Then again, your friend may feel bad because you have a wonderful bedtime routine that includes stories and songs. In many cases, the moms you feel inferior to only look like they have it together. All moms feel they - don’t “measure up.” Instead of feeling unworthy, we should realize that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The key is where we place our focus.

The Bible says, “Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without . . . comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we - aren’t” (Romans 12:5 – 6, MESSAGE).

The problem with comparison is, we always measure our weaknesses against the strengths of others.

Instead, we need to thank God for our strengths. We can also ask God to help us overcome our weaknesses — not because we want to compare ourselves, or look good in someone else’s eyes, but because we want to be the best mom out there.

About the Author :

Tricia Goyer is a CBA best-selling author and the winner of two American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Awards (Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights). She co-wrote "3:16 Teen Edition" with Max Lucado and contributed to the "Women of Faith Study Bible." Also a noted marriage and parenting writer, she lives with her husband and children in Arkansas. You can find her online at www.triciagoyer.com or at her weekly radio show, Living Inspired.

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : Family Traditions: A Glimpse into Christmas Future - December 2011

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Feasted On: The Werewolf Society Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 212 KB | Release Date: December 2011 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Wicked Werewolf Night" [The Werewolf Society Series, Book 1] by Lisa Renee Jones

My Book Summary : This story starts in the middle of a scene within "Hot Vampire Touch" only from Nico and Aylia's point-of-view...

Nico and Aylia had a passionate relationship over a year ago, that turned to rubbish when Nico kicked Aylia out of his life and accused her of being in leagues with the "bad guys." However, Aylia always knew that her being a witch and Nico being a werewolf (the leader of The Werewolf Society’s elite Royal Guard no less) they could never be mates and would have to break up at some point, no matter how much she didn't want too. Therefore, now, when they meet up again with the purpose of saving Nico's brother-in-law, Troy, they have to deal with the passion that still runs deeply between them even though Nico keeps stealing Aylia's necklaces from her.

When Nico sees Aylia, again he becomes even more determined to mate her and never let her go .... no matter the consequences. Nevertheless, proving himself to Aylia after some pretty bad betrayals will be hard to overcome, even though he was only doing those things to protect her in the first place.

Will they be able to mate? Will they be able to get over their past hurts? Hopefully before their common enemy decides to take them both down...

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Nico & Aylia are a vibrant duo that made me wish this was a longer story so I could just keep reading about them!!! This being the first time I've read anything from this author, didn't deter me from thoroughly enjoying this novel!

About the Characters:
• Nico: Leader of The Werewolf Society’s elite Royal Guard. A 200+ year old alpha werewolf who is set in his ways but plans to shake up his society by mating Aylia, tradition be damned.

• Aylia: Is a witch. Owns a powerful necklace that she needs to keep on her because by the time her next birthday arrives if it's not on her at all times she will die. Still loves Nico after everything they've been through.

• Marcus: A vampire, who is very protective of Aylia and treats her like a sister. Ariel's twin brother.

• Kole: A playboy werewolf. Nico's best friend and his second-in-command.

• Ariel: A Benedanti. Marcus' twin brother.

If you are unfamiliar with the author's Werewolf Society Series or Vampire Wardens Series then you'll want to read them afterwards since this novel really pulls you into their world. It's a very intriguing read. However, I wish it didn't just drop off and stop the way it does...I wish there was MORE to read about Nico and Aylia. So, I hope they'll have secondary parts throughout these series'.

I recommend it to everyone who loves to read a HOT romance that is wrapped within a paranormal world!!

Author's Series Extras : The Werewolf Society's World

Book Teaser(s) :

Her gaze swept over Kole, who wasn't just Nico's second-in-charge, but his most trusted friend, trying to read his expression. Instead, her eyes fell on Serena Edwards, the beautiful blond wolf who had always wanted Nico, and was now trying to kill Aylia with a look of pure hatred; Serena, who had been there with Nico this past year when Aylia had not. Who had most likely filled Aylia's place in Nico's bed.
Aylia told herself that it didn't matter, that she didn't care what Nico had done or with who, despite the knots forming in her stomach. ~ within Chapter 4 - titled 'A wicked wolf's secret...'

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

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Something Like Normal

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

"Something Like Normal" by Trish Doller
Expected Publication Released Date: June 19, 2012

Author's Book Description:

Guest Post :: She’s...My Everything by Suzanne Woods Fisher | Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl & Giveaway

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl!

"She’s...My Everything" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

“A mother is one who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take.”
--Cardinal Mermillod

Just a few more months. My mother was hoping Dad would hang on long enough so they could celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary in April. But on January 1st, as the sun rose on the new year, my dad’s worn out heart beat its last. Dad had battled Alzheimer’s Disease for ten years. As many of you know, AD is a long, hard journey. Hard on the one afflicted with the disease, hard on the caregivers.

But not without its blessings.

Four years ago, as I began researching stories for Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, my path crossed with a handful of Plain families who were coping with Alzheimer’s. It was just about the point when Dad’s illness was shifting from early to mid stages AD and the timing was a divine accident. I learned so much as I observed the calm acceptance of these families. Rather than waste time shaking a fist at God for allowing this disease to take their loved one, they put their energy into trusting God’s sovereignty. They didn’t deny the difficulties and complications and sadness of Alzheimer’s, but they didn’t dwell on them. “God has a plan,” one woman told me. “He always has a plan.”

Something else I noticed was how privileged my Amish friends felt about caring for their loved one. Caring for the elderly, they believe, is the time to give back to them.

Those encounters shaped my perspective of Dad’s illness. I started to pay attention to how God provided answers to new wrinkles created by Alzheimer’s, just in time. God may be slow, but He is never late.
I started to cherish special moments or good days with Dad—just as he was at each point in his illness. Not mourning the past, not dreading the future.

I really miss my dad. I miss his scratchy whiskers and the way his eyebrows would wiggle at us, even as words failed him. Yet I have such peace in my heart that he was well loved and well cared for, right to the very end. And as hard as Dad’s end of life has been, it isn’t the end. We will meet again. As the saying goes, “Some may see a hopeless end, but as believers we rejoice in an endless hope.”

There’s a beautiful story that illustrates my parents’ 59-year marriage. This event happened about a year or two ago. My sister had accompanied our mother to the doctor appointment for Dad at the Stanford Memory Clinic.

Dad had declined quite a bit that month. He was weak and lethargic, even to the point of whispering, as if it took too much energy to project his voice. During the doctor's appointment, the doctor told my mother and sister that Dad was now in late stages of Alzheimer's. Dad didn’t have much vocabulary left, but when the doctor asked him who mom was, he whispered something back. The doctor looked at Mom and asked, "Did you hear what he just said?"

Mom shook her head.

"When I asked him who you were, he whispered, 'She's...my everything.'"

About the Author :

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a writer of bestselling fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish. Her interest in the Plain People began with her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne is the host of Amish Wisdom, a weekly radio program on toginet.com, and writes a bi-monthly column for Christian Post. Suzanne can be found on-line at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Re-printed with permission by Cooking & Such, www.sherrygorebooks.com.

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : A Christmas of Kindness - December 2011

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Teaser Tuesdays: Tegan's Blood

Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"Tegan's Blood" [The Ultimate Power Series, Book 1] by L. H. Cosway

Book Teaser:

“All I need you to do is stare into my eyes and concentrate on what I say to you.”
Weirder and weirder, but if it gets me out of this odd situation then I suppose I should do it. “Okay.”
He places a hand on either one of my shoulders and then gazes straight into my eyes. His are stone grey and mesmerising like Delilah’s. He continues to gaze at me for at least thirty seconds and then quite outrageously he demands, “Take off your dress.”
I can’t answer, and for a moment almost completely against my will I feel like I’m actually going to do it. But then I snap myself out of it.
“No chance.” I tell him. “What is with you people?”
“Quite amazing,” he says looking gob smacked. “How do you do that?”
“Well excuse me, but I don’t strip off at the command of strangers. Can I go now?”
“That was the deal.” ~ within Chapter 1

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/