Made the Grade: Spikes & Spurs Series, Book 6

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 324; Kindle Edition - File Size: 573 KB | Expected Release Date: December 1, 2012 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"Just a Cowboy and His Baby" [Spikes & Spurs Series, Book 6] by Carolyn Brown

My Book Summary : Gemma recently decided to lease her salon and go on the rodeo circuit as a bronc rider (the only woman in a "man's" sport) in hopes of becoming the second woman to win the Million Dollar PRCA saddle bronc-riding event at the end of the year. That is if Trace, her biggest competition and a man who she completely attracted to, doesn't get in her way during the process. However, once they officially meet they seem to run into each other everywhere, which only increases the combustible attraction running between them. Then when unforeseen circumstances bring them together more permanently it'll take everything they have to see if their growing relationship will work while they are in a continuous 8 second fight of their lives to this bronc riding competition...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! Follow two stubborn, tough, goal seeking people who happen to fall in love during a time in their lives when they weren't looking for it. Admittedly, this was the first novel that I've read by Ms. Brown and though I didn't love this novel as I would have liked (because the description, title, and beginning held such promise), and I didn't hated it at all either. This novel fell into the in between for me because it had my emotions going crazy from happy at the beginning (I loved how Trace & Gemma meet and get together) to confused and a bit upset in the middle (the way that Gemma keeps referencing her past yet doesn't really explain why and how she gets a bit wishy-washy when it came to her feelings) to being thrilled to seeing everything come into place the way I wanted it to.

Overall, I loved Trace & Gemma together! My one wish, for me to like this novel more, was to have the baby be in this novel more than closer to the end of it. That was disappointing.

However, with all that being said, I recommend this novel to anyone who fans of Carolyn Brown and to those who like cowboy romance novels!!

Author's Novel Extras : Guest Post – Just a Cowboy and His Baby by Carolyn Brown | ARC Review – Just a Cowboy and His Baby (Spikes & Spurs #6) by Carolyn Brown | Just A Cowboy and His Baby! | Jingle Bells & Holiday Tales – Carolyn Brown | Carolyn Brown | Just a Cowboy and His Baby | Carolyn Brown is Back with Romance for Christmas!

Author's Series Extras : Lookin' back! | Everyone Loves Cowboys!!! Great Prices | Two-Fer Review – One Hot Cowboy Wedding (Spikes and Spurs #4) by Carolyn Brown | Carolyn Brown | Why do Girls Need a Cowboy? | Cowboy Christmas Round-Up ~ Carolyn Brown | ARC Review – Mistletoe Cowboy (Spikes & Spurs #5) by Carolyn Brown | Guest post by Carolyn Brown + Giveaway | Review: 'Mistletoe Cowboy' by Carolyn Brown | Interview & Contest: Carolyn Brown

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1 ~ within Chapter 1

"Dammit to hell on a rusty poker," she exclaimed. ~ within Chapter 4

"Okay," Trace drew out the word to four syllables long. "I bet you still believe in Santa Claus if you believe that fairy tale."
She cocked her head to one side. "You don't? Didn't you ever sit on his knee?"
"Every year, and Mother has the pictures to prove it. What'd you ask for when you sat on his knee?"
She flashed him a brilliant smile. "Depends on what year."
"How old were you the last time you sat on his knee?"
"You mean last year?"
Trace smiled. "You really did?"
"Momma has the picture to prove it, but I'm not telling you what I wished for. It's between me and Santa. He said he couldn't get it on such short notice, but he'd work on it for this year. We'll see if he's really magic or just a man in a suit."
"Come on, what was it?" Trace asked. ~ within Chapter 5

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

Guest Post :: Who is Mr. Carbunkle? by Debora M. Coty | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

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 "Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith," "Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace" or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls™.

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"Who is Mr. Carbunkle?" by Debora M. Coty

In a dream this November, I was playing Clue (remember that board game from your childhood?) with three friendly strangers. We were each moving our pieces from room to room in the mysterious mansion trying to figure out who-done-it.

So far we knew it wasn’t Miss Scarlet in the parlor with a candlestick . . . or Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a wrench.

With a voice bursting with sudden enlightenment, the player to my right announced, “Why, it’s Mr. Carbunkle!*”

My other two opponents and I looked at one another in bewilderment. Everyone knew there was no such character in this game.

It seemed my lot to state the obvious. “Who is Mr. Carbunkle?”

The words continued to ring in my head as I sat straight up in bed. I must have spoken the question aloud to jerk me awake so.

Who is Mr. Carbunkle?

And then I knew. I knew just as surely as if the Almighty had sent me an e-mail titled, “Hey, Deb, here’s your answer.”

I had been praying for several weeks about how Papa God would like me to use my writing tithe this year. It’s been my custom, for the nine years I’ve written professionally, to give away each December (anonymously, if possible) ten percent of that year’s income from my writing ministry to someone the Lord designates.

The sum isn’t really all that much in the grand scheme of things (contrary to popular belief, Christian writers don’t get rich), but it’s enough to bless somebody in their celebration of Christ’s birth with the knowledge that their Heavenly Father knows about their needs . . . and cares.

I thought about the only Mr. Carbunkle I knew—the one who attends our church, a quiet, unassuming man who’d been out of work for more than a year. I confess that I knew about his plight but hadn’t really given it much thought—or prayer—lately. Although he never complained, I knew his family must be struggling.

So Mr. Carbunkle it is.

You know, there are lots of Mr. Carbunkles out there who would be blessed mightily by a love-gift from you this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be help with yard work, or home repairs, or a loaf of banana bread, or best of all, a gift of your time. Thirty minutes of your undivided attention for a lonely soul who needs to know Papa God knows his or her needs ... and cares.

Who is your Mr. Carbunkle?

Don’t have a Clue? I know someone who does. Just ask Him.

*Name changed for privacy

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About the Author :

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." Look for "Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate: Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Life’s Worries" in February of 2013.

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : Inside Out Christmas - December 2011

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Find Debora M. Coty :

• Debora M. Coty - Website
• Debora M. Coty - Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page
• Goodreads

Guest Post :: An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition by Christy Fitzwater | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

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 "Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith," "Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace" or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls™.

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"An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition" by Christy Fitzwater

I was invited to play some Christmas carols on the piano for a senior-adult luncheon, but before I got up to play they had a time for the seniors to share what they remembered as their favorite Christmas gifts.

There was talk of new bicycles, a pony, and a new dress.

Then one elderly man took the microphone and said, “An orange.” When he was young, an orange was a rare treat. As he spoke, he got choked up and had to stop talking to collect himself. He explained that his Sunday School was giving an orange for anyone who memorized a Bible verse. He tearfully described earning that delicious orange and slowly savoring every bite. When he was done eating the orange, he put the peel on the furnace so it would dry, and then he chewed on the peel.

He said with conviction, “We just don’t know how rich we are in this country.”

Christmas is usually the time when I feel broke. I tuck away money for gifts all year long, but money doesn’t go very far these days. My husband and I love to spoil our kids and try to scheme how to get them a big-ticket item. We’ve enjoyed the Christmas mornings when we’ve been able to enjoy watching our kids open such gifts as an electric guitar or an iPad.

I stopped to imagine how our whole family would feel if, on Christmas morning, the only gift under the tree was a small basket cradling an orange for each of us. I think we would feel disappointment and great loss. What would we do the rest of the morning if not consumed by opening gift after gift? Where would the focus be?

Our years of wealth make thankfulness for an orange seem ludicrous.

As I processed this man’s story, I decided what we lack at Christmas isn’t money to buy nice gifts—it’s gratitude to relish the simple treasures we enjoy every day.

This Christmas I am going to begin a new tradition for my family, and I would invite your family to do the same. I am going to place a small basket with four oranges under the tree, along with a printed copy of the man’s story of the orange. We’re going to pause at some point in the morning and each hold an orange while we read the story. And then we’re going to hold those oranges up to our noses and breathe in the fragrance God built into it, peel it slowly, and enjoy each juicy bite. And while we eat it, we’ll each speak thankfulness to the Lord for the grace He has poured into our lives.

In that moment, we’ll know how rich we are.

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About the Author :

Christy Fitzwater is a writer and pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a daughter in college and a high-school boy. Read her personal blog at christyfitzwater.com.

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Find Christy Fitzwater :

• Christy Fitzwater - Website/Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page

Guest Post :: God with Us . . . And Us with Him by Susan May Warren | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

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 "Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith," "Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace" or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls™.

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"God with Us . . . And Us with Him" by Susan May Warren

Every year over labor day weekend, the Warren family has a MWE. Mandatory Warren Event. It’s a call to come home and enjoy the long weekend with our favorite people. Since my children have left for college, I relish every second of this weekend—the laughter in the kitchen, the long conversations in the family room, the frenzy of backyard football, the quietness of the morning as we drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise. I cherish these people, and when they are with me, I drink in their presence.

I’ve been reading the prophecies about Christ this season and came across Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

I am struck by the word Immanuel. God with us. The closest I get to comprehending this is reading about how Jesus’ loved his disciples. Surely they relished the time with him more profoundly after his resurrection, knowing he would soon leave.

Thankfully, he didn’t leave them for long and sent His Holy Spirit. God . . . still with them.

As I consider the magnitude of this God who would come to earth, who would abide with the disciples, and then with me, I have to wonder not only do I relish God’s presence in my life, but does God relish time with me? Am I committed to embracing His entrance into my life? Am I even making the effort to see Him?

Imagine that during our MWE weekend, I ignored my children, and they, me? I would lose the joy of their presence.

It is not surprising to me that the Jewish people did not recognize their Savior. After all, who would guess that the Almighty might package himself as a baby and appear among them, fragile and dependent? But today, we know the story, we know the miracles, we know the truth, and God invites us into an abundant relationship, one that He wishes to relish, one that will change us. A relationship that will slake our thirsts and satisfy our hungers. One that reminds us that we are never alone.

Because every day we are a mandatory event to our Immanuel.

This season, look for the ways that God is your Immanuel, with you, every day.

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About the Author :

Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 novels. With over 750,000 books in print, her stories of family, romance and adventure have earned her acclaim and reader fans from around the world. Visit her website for upcoming books and sneak peeks!

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : Enjoy the Ride! - December 2011

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Find Susan May Warren :

• Susan May Warren - Website/Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page
• YouTube
• Goodreads

Blog Tour - Made the Grade: Lust After Death by Daisy Harris | Review & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Daisy Harris, with a review of her novel "Lust After Death," which is the 1st book in Love-Bots Series!!

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 on December 12, 2012]

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- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 200 KB | Release Date: July 2011 | Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Lust After Death" [Love-Bots Series, Book 1] by Daisy Harris

My Book Summary : Bane is an assassin on a mission save a new love-bot “stein,” a re-animate human who has to do whatever their “master” says, that the organization he works for, the Zombie Underground, recently heard about. However, after rescuing over 30 steins throughout the years he is still unprepared to deal with the one he's trying to save, Josie.

She's beyond attractive, bright, creative, strong in her own ways, and innocent to everything around her. Therefore, Bane knows he shouldn't be with her even though he wants to. Yet when he finds out that in Josie's programming she is required to have a husband for her to survive Bane steps up to the plate to play that role.

Together they learn more about themselves then they ever thought they knew, so much so that there might be hope for them together after all. If only they can protect each other from Josie's “master” and the evil company he works for...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! A zombie-ish love that holds no bounds! This is a sweetly erotic novel that takes the term "finding your soul-mate" to a whole new extreme. Josie and Bane are "free" steins, which to me sound kind of like the cyborgs on Star Trek only being more humanoid then what that show portrays, and they are perfect counterparts for one another! It's a novel full of intrigue and I LOVED the cute little epilogue at the end!

I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys sci-fi and futuristic romances!

Author's Novel Extras : New Cover LUST!! | Lust After Death: Sex...With Zombies!! (Not as Gross as it Sounds) | Six Sentence Sunday: LUST AFTER DEATH | Check out My Design SKILLZ | (Filthy) Six Sentence Sunday | Sunday Six: LUST AFTER DEATH | Because I Am Awesome... | New Review for Lust After Death! | Great New Review for Lust After Death

Author's Series Extras : About the Series | Freakin’ Awesome Friday: Sunshine Edition | Sunday Six: Studenstein | Six Sentence Sunday: STUDENSTEIN!! | Random Studenstein Excerpt | Excerpt: STUDENSTEIN First Scene | Final Stop: Lust After Death Blog Tour!! | Latest News: Love-Bots 4: One Night Steined is Done! | Built 4 It (Coming Soon Love-Bots) has a COVER! And it is HAWT! | *One Night Steined* haz a smokin’ hawt cover! | Latest Release: *One Night Steined*

Book Teaser(s) :

Josie scooted closer, until she nestled against the length of him. A little jolt of excitement shot through her to feel his firm backside against her hips, and she angled her body until those mounds pressed into the cradle of her groin. Of course, that necessitated her laying a hand on his upper arm for balance, and her face pressed between his shoulder blades.
“What are you doing?” The pillow muffled his voice.
Josie stopped shuffling, realizing she’d been pawing him. “Nothing, just getting comfortable.” Instinct told her to pull away and roll back to her side of the tent. Bane’s muscles felt stiff under her fingers. But she didn’t want to let go.
“I only have so much self-­control, babe.” ~ within Chapter 5

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

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About the Author :

Birkenstock-wearing glamour girl and mother of two by immaculate conception, Daisy Harris still isn't sure if she writes erotica. Her romances start out innocently enough. However, her characters behave like complete sluts. Much to Miss Harris's dismay the sex tends to get completely out of hand.

She writes about fantastical creatures and about young men getting their freak on, and she's never missed an episode of The Walking Dead.

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Book Excerpt :

Drizzling rain filled the air as Josie clamored up the trail after Bane. Her feet swam in the rain boots he’d given her and she considered that he hadn’t really thought through this plan very well in not bringing her clothes from Adam’s house.

The path curved up a hill, through tall trees whose branches overlapped and wide-spanning trunks that dropped leaves the size of her head.

He hitched his backpack higher on his shoulders and cinched the waistband tighter on his hips. The move drew her attention to the way the smooth and stretchy material of his trousers hung from his behind. Her fingers tingled to reach out and pinch the bunched muscles of his buttocks.

That brief glimpse of his thoughts echoed in her mind. Clearly he hadn’t meant to do her harm and now that the shock faded, she observed it from a different angle. Josie wondered at the snippet, curious about where it might have led.

She ran her hands through the brush that rose around her. Each branch was filled with droplets. Spikes pricked on some plants, others felt smooth. One felt soft and downy at first, then stung her curious fingers and Josie pulled her hand to her chest. Her legs ached as they summited the hilltop.

Bane led her a small ways down the other side and he pointed to a small clearing. “It won’t be the softest night’s sleep. But I’m so dead on my feet I won’t care.”

Josie cocked her head to the side and noticed the way his body slumped forward and his feet dragged. “This’ll be fine.”

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Giveaways!! :

• A $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card and a Walking Dead T-Shirt to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US & Canada Only)

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 Daisy Harris :

• Daisy Harris - Website/Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Lust After Death : Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Ellora’s Cave

Teaser Tuesdays: Just a Cowboy and His Baby

• Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"Just a Cowboy and His Baby" [Spikes & Spurs Series, Book 6] by Carolyn Brown

Book Teaser:

Evil shot from his dark eyes. The air around him crackled when he raised his head and glared at her. He'd been bred, born, and raised for that night and she didn't have a chance against his wiles. He was bigger than she was and he knew it. He was meaner and he'd prove it.
Gemma O'Donnell didn't give a damn how big or how mean he was. She intended to be in control from the minute she mounted him. The message from the set of his head and unwavering stare said that she was an idiot not to shake in her cowgirl boots. She glared right back, her dark green eyes meeting his near black ones and locking through the metal bars separating them.
He dared.
She challenged. ~ within Chapter 1

What was I thinking?: Barboza Brothers Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 403 KB | Release Date: November 8, 2012 | Publisher: Sugar Shack Press | Obtained: Smashwords

"Fresh Temptation" [Barboza Brothers Series, Book 1] by Reeni Austin

What was I thinking? : Well, I liked the cover--thought it was cute. And the author's description made it sound like it would be a keeper ... I just wished it was since it wasn't for me.

Author's Book Description : Victor Barboza is a man who has everything but a good woman.

Cara Green has a young son, three part-time jobs, and a few extra pounds.

Their worlds collide as Cara serves Victor at an upscale party in Manhattan, upsetting Victor's ex-fiancee, Alexis, in the process.

Victor pursues Cara, but Cara is not sure of his intentions: Is he using her to make Alexis jealous? Does he just want her for sex? Or is love Victor's true aim?

My Book Review : 1.5 out of 5 stars, this is a novel about finding love in unusual places. I liked the meaning that underlines the plot of this story. I also really liked Victor, or as little, Isaac called him "Big Toe" or "Bictow!"

However, even though I understand why Cara was so paranoid when it came to Victor coming into her life and getting close to Isaac, I didn't like how stubborn, rude, and willing give up on what was important in her life without putting up a fight so easily. It made me thoroughly annoyed with her throughout 90% of this novel.

Plus, I hated Alexis then even more so when everything just turned out fine at the very end with her. Gah! I wish she got mad about what was done to her instead of being so accepting. Which I know makes me seem like I'm being mean, but come ON that girl deserved something bad happening to her.

Then to top it off towards the end of the novel it seemed to go from one scene to start right up within the middle of the next scene, which left me a bit confused about how the hell that happened.

Overall, I just wished it was better. So, I don't recommend it. Yet on Amazon.com there are 27--or more by now--reviews with 4/5 stars and on Smashwords a majority of the reviews have 4/5 too, so who knows you might be like the majority and like it better than I did. *shrug*

Author's Novel Extras :

Book Teaser(s) :

Gary chuckled. “Believe me, rumors were flying when he hired me, too.”
“You mean, people thought...you and him?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Yes, they did. And it didn’t help that I made the mistake of telling someone how hot I thought he was.”
Cara laughed out loud. “Oh no.”
“Yes.” Gary let out an exasperated sigh. “I won’t make that mistake again. The rumors were already going but I sure didn’t help. That’s when I found out how much Mr. Barboza likes to stay out of the office gossip. He doesn’t care what people say until it affects him somehow, and one of the other partners mentioned it to him. That’s when he sat me down and told me he didn’t have time for drama and he expected me to keep everything private in this office.”
“He actually approached you about it?”
“Yes. But the odd thing is, he thought it was kind of funny that anyone thought he and I were an item.” He chuckled for a few moments then cleared his
throat. ~ within Chapter 8

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