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

Monday, April 28, 2014

Idolizing In: Unmasking Juliet by Teri Wilson

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 368; Kindle Edition - File Size: 483 KB | Expected Release Date: May 27, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin : HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Unmasking Juliet" by Teri Wilson

Author's Book Description : Ever since she was a little girl learning to make decadent truffles in her family's chocolate shop, Juliet Arabella has been aware of the bitter feud between the Arabellas and the Mezzanottes. With their rival chocolate boutiques on the same street in Napa Valley, these families never mix. Until one night, when Juliet anonymously attends the annual masquerade ball. In a moonlit vineyard, she finds herself falling for a gorgeous stranger, a man who reminds her what passion is like outside of the kitchen. But her bliss is short-lived when she discovers her masked prince is actually Leo Mezzanotte, newly returned from Paris and the heir to her archenemy's confection dynasty.

With her mind in a whirl, Juliet leaves for Italy to represent the Arabellas in a prestigious chocolate competition. The prize money will help her family's struggling business, and Juliet figures it's a perfect opportunity to forget Leo…only to find him already there and gunning for victory. As they compete head-to-head, Leo and Juliet's fervent attraction boils over. But Juliet's not sure whether to trust her adversary, or give up on the sweetest love she's ever tasted...

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars! Based off of a classic play this novel has turned into a classic for me! However, instead of being a tragedy like its predecessor it's an entertaining romantic contemporary comedy that allows you to root for Leo & Juliet while throwing you into the middle of a generational chocolate war. Together they overcome their own fears along with the rulings of their families to embrace the future they are yearning for.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who's fans of Ms. Wilson, who are fans of Romeo & Juliet, and/or who like contemporary romances!!

@fromjesstoyou Wow. We might be making Shakespeare himself jealous. Thank you so much. I'm delighted you enjoyed #UnmaskingJuliet. xoxo
— Teri Wilson (@TeriWilsonauthr) April 28, 2014

Purchase This Book Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: UNMASKING JULIET by Teri Wilson (Harlequin HQN, June 2014)

Book Teaser(s) :

Leo narrowed his gaze at Cocoa. "Is it my imagination, or does your dog bark every time she hears my last name?"
Juliet's cheeks flushed a stirring shade of pink. "Maybe."
Leo refused to believe it. There were already more than enough opinions about this heated flirtation he and Juliet had going on without adding her dog's into the mix.
He looked at Cocoa again. She'd slumped to her belly, and was resting calmly with her head on her shaggy, outstretched legs at Juliet's feet.
The only way to know for certain was to put his theory to the test. "Mezzanotte."
Cocoa's head popped up. Woof.
Leo slid his gaze to Juliet. Her flush intensified.
"Arabella," he said, doing his best to ignore the musical way the word rolled off his tongue.
Cocoa simply yawned.
"Butter."
Nothing. No reaction at all.
"Cream."
Still more silence.
"Mezzanotte."
Woof.
Leo shook his head. "Well, I'll be damned." ~ within Chapter 6

Quicker than she would have imagined, he was level with her balcony. His lips curved into a cocky smirk. "Hello there, Juliet."
God, he wasn't even out of breath. If she'd attempted such a feat, she no doubt would have ended up with a nice collection of broken bones. Of course, he wasn't actually on the balcony yet. He was still hanging on to the trellis.
"What now, Spider-Man?" she asked dryly. ~ within Chapter 20

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

Disappointmentville: Wolf Rock Shifters Series, Book 2

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 614 KB | Release Date: April 13, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Bearing Up In Wolf Rock" [Wolf Rock Shifters Series, Book 2] by Carina Wilder

Author's Book Description : "I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating salmon."

Kyla Greene is frustrated after a popular reality show put her pack--and all shifters--on the map. Not only are the residents of Wolf Rock getting more attention than they ever wanted; it's not the nice kind.

Enter Maddox, a half-Maori bear of a man. The quiet, extraordinarily beautiful, oddly mysterious stranger gets Kyla's juices flowing and causes a stir of his own in town.

Suddenly, things are looking up. And then down. And then up again, while disturbing incidents tear at the fabric of the shifters and of the community itself.

This 40,000+ word novel is intended for readers 18 years and over due to mature content of a sexual nature. It's the second in the Wolf Rock Shifters series after "Winning the Alpha," though it reads as a stand-alone novel.

My Book Review : 2 out of 5 stars. This is the first novel of this series that I've read, and while I could follow the plot fine it was just to damn slow to be enjoyable. I mean I made an effort to finish this novel in hopes that I'd like the characters and the plot better. Yet even though I tried, I found it really hard to appreciate Maddox as the hero, he was to softhearted and doesn't act like the type of strong/possessive alpha male that I'm used reading/enjoying.

Overall, I believe this series has potential which is why I rated it as I did even though I am not a fan of it.

I only recommend it to those who are fans of Ms. Wilder and/or like this series.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Book Teaser(s) :

She sat down hard, her bare skin on the cold stone at the cave’s entrance, and pondered her next move. Should she hunt on her own or inform the pack? They’d have more success in a group, and frankly, she was likely to castrate the bear with her teeth if she came upon him on her own. It would be best to search with the pack mates who were likely to calm her. Right, that was it.
Her course of action clear, Kyla pulled off the shirt, dropped it on the ground and began to run, shifting in mid-stride. ~ within Chapter 7

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

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Feasted On: Tweethearts by Nicole Haddow

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1299 KB | Expected Release Date: February 14, 2014 | Publisher: Penguin Books Australia: Destiny Romance | Obtained: NetGalley

"Tweethearts" by Nicole Haddow

Author's Book Description : Jemima Starler loathes her job writing for the pregnancy magazine Placenta Monthly. To break the monotony, she writes scandalous tweets about the magazine industry as her secret online identity, Maghag. Thankfully, she also has her cute and talented housemate, Samson, to keep life interesting.

When her editor stoops to a new ethical low, Jemima's reputation is suddenly on the line. She must find a way to carve out a new career, but it's hard to focus when Samson's mixed signals are driving her crazy. And when her handsome housemate is plucked from obscurity to star on a new reality TV show, everything changes. It's time for Jemima to trust her feelings instead of believing what she sees online, but has she missed her chance?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars -- two roommates suddenly realize their feelings for one another under extremely bad circumstances. Will they find a way to officially prove to each other how they feel or will they find they are better off apart?

This entertaining novel throws you into the world of pregnancy magazines and reality television while showing you the power of social media, all centered around Jemima (Jem) and Samsom's lives. At first glance, it seems that Jem and Samson are opposites. Yet as the novel progresses, you can tell that they even each other out in ways neither would have thought until they are forced to stay apart. This novel puts fun twists throughout to elevate the pressure that is put on Samson and Jem once they jump into the world of reality television. In addition, it was fun reading Jem's remarks as @MagHag while she was working at Placenta Monthly. =0)

Along with following Samson and Jem's lives, you also follow Evie's, a recently pregnant ex-girlfriend of an AFL footballer turned reality show host, who turns into one of Jem's good friends as the novel progresses. I really enjoyed her sweet romance with Connor.

Overall, I really liked the flow of this novel and how everything turned out. It gives you a great (sort of) behind-the-scenes look while keeping with the spirit of a contemporary romance. The only thing I wish was that it had an epilogue to show us where Samson and Jem are now if this is going to be the only book they'll have, if not then I can't wait to see where their lives will take them next!

I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys humorous contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book Here :

Book Teaser(s) :

My headstone shall read: 'She died choking on a tasty chunk of white bread. It was abundantly preferable to talking about property.' ~ within Chapter 7

Later, Odette strode back in and shoved Jemima's latte at her. She plonked herself on the couch and waited for the action to happen.
'This is going to take a while. You can go back to the office if it gets too boring,' Jemima suggested.
'Are you kidding? I want to see everything,' Odette argued.
Evie stared ahead in the mirror but couldn't stifle a grin.
Jemima knew this wasn't the time or place to have a debate with Odette, so instead she whipped out her phone and thoughtlessly vented her frustration on Twitter:
If you like a side of attitude with your morning coffee, get a personal assistant. ~ within Chapter 9

Naturally, Owen and Jemima were hiding out in the van taking bets on exactly when Grant might blow his top again.
'We should do a Facebook poll,' Owen suggested. 'When will our executive produce's head explode? Three p.m., six p.m. or ten p.m.? You decide!'
'I reckon six p.m.' Jemima laughed as she scrolled through the contestant Twitter accounts to see what they'd been up to lately. ~ within Chapter 32

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

Made the Grade: Stolen Kiss From a Prince by Teresa Carpenter

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 253; Paperback - Pages: 253; Kindle Edition - File Size: 306 KB | Expected Release Date: April 1, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin Romance | Obtained: NetGalley

"Stolen Kiss From a Prince" by Teresa Carpenter

Author's Book Description : When royal duty calls...

Charged with the care of the newly orphaned heir to the Kardana throne, nanny Katrina Vicente finds herself faced with an even more formidable task—working alongside the boy's uncle, the devastatingly handsome Prince Julian, the prince regent.

Desperate to keep the secrets of her past under lock and key, getting involved with a prince is the last thing Katrina needs, particularly with the world watching. But it's hard to ignore their instant chemistry—especially after one stolen kiss! Could her royal assignment be about to transform into the most magical of fairy tales?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars. This sweet romance brings together two people who are at the low points of their lives who turn to each other when it looks like no one else would understand/help them. In doing so it turns both of their worlds upside down. Together Julian & Katrina are a intriguing pair that you can't help but root for .... even through Julian's blunders.

My only wish was that the ending was a bit better and had an epilogue.

Overall, I recommend the novel to those who like soft sweet heartwarming contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Baby Under the Christmas Tree

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Book Teaser(s) :

"Unca Julie stupid." Sammy announced.
"Uncle Julian was helping you." She corrected the boy. ~ within Chapter 7

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

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Feasted On: Dante’s Circle Series, Book 4

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 1901 KB | Release Date: April 12, 2014 | Publisher: Fated Desires Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Tangled Innocence" [Dante’s Circle Series, Book 4] by Carrie Ann Ryan

Author's Book Description : Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

As one of the seven lightning struck women, Nadie Morgan has known for a while now that her fate would be forever changed…and revolve around a certain dragon. From the first time Dante Bell saw Nadie, he knew she was the one for him. There’s just one problem–there’s another in his life he’s waiting on as well.

When Jace Goodwin, a bear shifter and Mediator, finally comes back to the human realm after years away under circumstances out of his control, his first stop is to Dante’s Circle where he not only finds his dragon, but the woman they both have been waiting for.

Once secrets are told and the sparks fly, Nadie’s new life becomes something she never thought possible. However there’s another realm at play and Jace and Nadie’s dragon will have to fight harder than he’s ever fought before to keep the life he’s waited eons for.

Warning: Contains one not-so-innocent human, a bear known for his bear-hugs, a tattooed and pierced dragon with a fiery temper, and a connection so explosive, you’ll be fanning yourself from page one.

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars! Hit the ground running in this entertaining, thrilling, and heart-wrenching novel! In addition, to being a great addition to it's series this novel was one that I could not get enough of and did want to have end. Nevertheless, the series must continue so I guess that's okay. =0)

This trio, Nadie with her men, is a great match up from the very beginning. I especially liked how each of them handled each new "twist" that was thrown their way, as it seemed that even when one started to freak out the others were able to set them straight quickly, usually romantically, and move on to the next thing that came at them. It all made the flow of this novel work really well, which is one of the reasons I could not get enough of it!!

About the Main Characters:
• Nadie: Not as innocent as she appears to be. A virgin who doesn't want to be one anymore. Sick of Dante ignoring her. Ready to throw in the towel on the whole "mate thing" until Jace comes into her life. Will do anything and everything to protect her mates.

• Dante: One fierce dragon. Doesn't like conformity. Hates his family. Very old. Loves his bar, his mates, Jace's family, and his friends.

• Jace: A grizzly bear shifter who acts like a "teddy bear" when it comes to Nadie. A Mediator -- someone who goes to different realms to help solve any complications. Has known Dante for the past 80 years and has been actively searching for their third pairing (Nadie) throughout those years. Has a great family.

Together they prove just how inseparable they actually are and what they are willing to do to be sure they can stay together forever!

The only reason I didn't give this the full 5 stars that I wanted to, is because of the person who died. I know we only just met him (or at least I did since the only other book I've read in this series was book 2 and he wasn't in that one) yet as soon as we did I was hoping he'd be a mate with one of the other girls in the group. In the short time, you read about him in this novel you cannot help but like him, which is why I cried when he was killed. =0(

Overall, I highly recommend this novel and series to anyone who is a fan of Ms. Ryan and/or those who enjoy paranormal romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : April 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : I want a Werewolf Husband - March 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 2

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : A Taste For a Mate | Trinity Bound

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesdays: An Alpha’s Path | Teaser Tuesdays: A Taste for a Mate | Teaser Tuesdays: Trinity Bound | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014

She’d gone to sleep soon after Jace had left the night before, dreaming of dragons and bears and frolicking down a yellow brick road. Apparently her subconscious was a little illogical. ~ within Chapter 4

That was another thing she and her dragon would have to discuss.
He couldn’t keep treating her like fragile glass when it came to big decisions. Leaving her asleep while he went off to a group of paranormals that could hurt him classified as one of those things that he needed to at least mention to her.
Not just tell his messenger.
Apparently she was still a little peeved at that.
“Nadie, honey, I don’t know.” She winced at his honesty but didn’t interrupt him. “I have no idea what the Conclave wanted with him, and, fuck, I was so scared when Dante told me where he was going. I’m one huge-ass grizzly, and I wanted to cower under the table and hide the two of you away forever.”
She blinked at him. He needed to work on his whole don’t-freak-out-Nadie thing. ~ within Chapter 8

When had his life turned into a soap opera?
He used to be the nomadic hermit dragon with friends from other realms and no worries other than keeping others at bay. Now he had a potential war, two mates who he loved and didn’t want to leave, and now...this.
Dragon shit.
“Ready?” Jace asked from his side, his hand resting on the small of Dante’s back.
Dante relaxed for a moment, leaning into the other man. He closed his eyes, needing to regroup before they left. It wouldn’t do anyone any good for him to be a stressed-out basket case. He’d either end up throwing his mates in his hoard and hiding them from the outside or start growling and spitting fire at random dragons that dared enter his line of sight. ~ within Chapter 14

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

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/