Dreamland Book Blog: February 2012

Hey guys,

Thought I post a quick post about my first time experience buying books online. I recently won a 50 $ Amazon Gift Card (Ohhh My Gawwwddd --- that was my first reaction) from the Bleedover blog tour hosted by Ritesh Kala (one of my favorite person), although I was disappointed because Amazon only offers kindle edition ebooks and I don't have a kindle (and the most frustrating thing is Kindle PC is not available in my country) but I had fun shopping for paperback copies!

So my point in this post is to express my gratitude towards Ritesh for hosting such a great giveaway and author Curtis Hox for giving away such an amazing gift! Thank you guys a bunch!

These are the two books I bought (I would've bought more if the shipping fee isn't so expensive)

I bought these books based on two things : The cover and the book trailer! (click on the titles to view them)

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

Grave Refrain : A Love/Ghost story by Sarah M. Glover

Andrew Hayes, a brilliant but troubled guitarist in an up-and-coming band, has been haunted since childhood by the presence of his muse. One night during a performance in San Francisco he spots her--but she vanishes before he can catch her. Desperate to find her, he accepts a curious offer to stay in the city, moving into a dilapidated Victorian undergoing renovations that stir up far more than dust. Andrew's life soon becomes even more chaotic with the arrival of martini-swilling ghosts and a troupe of flesh-and-blood stoner spiritualists bringing bad tidings from the Great Beyond.The dark side of his obsession creates visions both thrilling and menacing. As he struggles to solve the mysteries threatening the woman he loves, Andrew discovers his life is repeating a refrain more deadly than he'd ever imagined. Inspired by the sexy noirs and comedies of the past, Grave Refrain transports the reader to where the things that go bump in the night not only thrill you, but might just take your breath away for good

Looking forward to receive them!

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Monday, February 27, 2012 7 comments

Friday, February 24, 2012 7 comments

Good day everyone!

On the agenda today, I have Beth Ann Masarik, the author of Prince of Darkness doing a guest post on my stop for her The World Among Us Blog Tour I am so excited because I never did a guest post before! Without further delay.....

Writing vs. Role Playing

For those of you who have been following my tour, welcome back! We are on day 21, which means there are 11 days left! For those of you who are tuning in for the first time, welcome! My name is Beth Ann Masarik, and I am the author of a new, YA/Urban Fantasy saga called The World Among Us. The first book in the saga, Prince of Darkness was released on August 19, 2011, and I’ve had two short stories released since then as well. They are called Murderous Regrets & Moon Spirit, and are set in the same world as Prince of Darkness. I am presently writing the sequel, which is tentatively titled Stormy Nights. For more information about me and my books, please visit my website at www.bethannmasarik.com.

Some of you have noticed that I’ve mentioned in previous posts, that there is an online role playing group based off my debut novel. It is a new/old group that is being revived and will be open at the end of the tour. I am extremely excited about this, because it will give me a chance to watch my characters come to life right before my very eyes. Yes, I will have some interaction with it, but not as much as I have in the past. I’ve had this group before, but on other sites like Myspace, which aren’t as friendly and open to role players as I wish they would be.

What is role playing? Well, there are two types of role playing actually, both of which I participate it. For those who don’t know what role playing is, it is basically where you take on the role of a character from a book or a movie, and you either write the part or act it out.

If you are going to role play online, then you would write it out on whatever site is hosting your page or group. People create profiles for the characters, and they write from that character’s point of view. It’s really a lot of fun, and a great way to escape and help get past writer’s block. I like to think of online role playing as writing a short story with another person (or several other people.). There are role playing groups, such as mine, where we hold auditions for people to get in in order to get the part or character they want. It sounds more intimidating than it really is. BUT, if you are a writer, and are literate (IE, you know how to construct a coherent paragraph etc. etc.)

Actually, let me show you a sample audition that I wrote for an RPG a couple of years ago. This was my audition sample for a role I wanted by the name of Norah Oakley (and yes, I got the part). The role was set in the Harry Potter world by the way.

The moon’s light shone through Norah’s room on one hot evening in August. She and Luna were up late talking about sneaking out and catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights that were supposed to be putting on a spectacular show this evening. Unfortunately, neither of the girls had the guts to defy the laws, especially when a war was rapidly approaching. They did not want to run the risk of running into a Slytherin; they were vial and cruel, and almost always made fun of Norah and Luna.

Instead, Norah and Luna sat up on Norah’s bed studying for their next transfiguration exam. While it wasn’t one of her favorite classes, but it was one that she did well in. Norah had just managed to turn her cat into a backpack, when a yawn escaped her mouth. She looked at her watch, and noticed it was after midnight on a weeknight. She was going to regret not getting a full eight hours of sleep the next day. Norah finally turned her cat, Misty, back to normal, and proceeded to get ready for bed.

The next morning she woke up, got dressed and went about her daily routine, though was unusually sluggish thanks to the lack of sleep the night before. She and Luna walked out of their dorm together, and poor Norah nearly fell down the stairs, as she was still half-asleep. “I need a cup of tea,” Norah said as Luna steadied her on her feet. “I don’t think I can get through today if I don’t have any sugar.” “We can get some at breakfast,” Luna said with a smile as they headed to the Great Hall.

On their way to the Great Hall, Norah smiled and waved to several people whom she knew from her classes, and even to some she did not know. They managed somehow to dodge some rowdy Slytherin’s as they entered the Great Hall. Norah wasn’t very popular, and Luna was one of the few friends she had. Sander being the other one. As they approached the Ravenclaw table, Norah’s eyes scanned the room, and rested on Sander. Her heart skipped beats, and she couldn’t help but blush at the sight of him. They had been dating each other since the Yule Ball, and to this day she still got butterflies whenever she saw him.

“I’ll be back soon Luna,” Norah said as her short black hair bounced as she skipped over to greet Sander. “Hey handsome,” she said with a big grin. “Long time no see. How are you,” she asked while she wrapped her arms around him.

See? That wasn’t so difficult, was it? Role playing really is like writing a novel or even a fanfiction of sorts. Yes, there is often drama, but it can be easily avoided.

Here is the link to the new The World Among Us RPG, which is slowly being set up. Please follow it, and keep a look out for auditions. http://www.roleplayer.me/view_profile.php?member_id=193077

Thank you for having me today, Natasha! I hope you all will join me tomorrow on Morgan O’Reilly’s blog where I discuss wedding details! You can head on over to www.themorgandiaries.blogspot.com and make sure to bookmark the page.

THE GIVEAWAY:

I am giving away the following:

a signed paperback copy of The World Among Us: Prince of Darkness
a Fanclub t-shirt
an autographed poster
a bookmark
and a TWAU pin

To enter, please leave a comment here on Natasha’s blog to show her some love and fill out the rafflecopter. This contest will run through Feb. 24th, so you will have a couple of days to enter.
AND NOW, FOR THE SCAVENGER HUNT:

Tell me who your favorite character is in mythology and any kind of lore. It does not have to be Greek Mythology related. Send me your entries to contests@bethannmasarik.com with the subject scavenger hunt.

Thank you all for participating, and for following my tour. And thank you, Natasha for hosting me today!

For those of you who have won previous contests, you will receive your prizes next month. I’d like to send them all out at once so that I get one big postage bill as opposed to a lot of little ones :)

ALL of my contests are international, so please come on and enter!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 2 comments

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6 comments

She carries more than just elemental powers. In ‘Air’, the sequel to ‘Water’ of the Akasha Series, Kaitlyn has a secret. One she won’t be able to hide much longer. As the strongest Gaia the planet has ever seen, she must face mankind’s greatest enemy as he campaigns for ‘One Less: Depopulation’. Everything depends on Kaitlyn fully embracing her role as Gaia. Her family. The Seven. The Earth. Something has to give, and it won’t be Kaitlyn.

After experiencing through the jaw dropping cliffhanger in Water, I had my jaw reset and was too excited to continue where the story left off, only to have another cliffhanger that had me running to the doctors again.

If Water was amazing, Air pushed the boundaries of epic. I thought it was impossible to love the story and the characters even more, but Air proved me wrong. I learned to not expect anything when I'm reading Terra's books because she will completely blindside you! One thing I love about the characters, especially Kaitlyn and Micah, is how impulsive they could be. You could hardly figure out their next move and certainly not from the Queen of Spontaneity - Kaitlyn. I had numerous Oh-my-god moments throughout the book and the story was a book of unpredictable twists.

Originality, the prime reason why The Akasha series appeals to me so much. I was impressed by the new terms that was introduced in Water, I just couldn't understand how Terra could come up with the unthinkable . I mean, who installs GPS in trees? Terra Harmony raised environmental awareness in style! And that is what I liked about it.

Kaitlyn has officially become my idol. Impulsive, kickass and straightforward, Kaitlyn is what I am looking for in a heroine. I like her attitude of 'No Bullshitting' and 'Cutting straight to the point', she was not afraid to stand up for herself or take things into her own hand. After the shocking announcement that she was pregnant, Kaitlyn changed from a young lady becoming a Gaia to a mum. A transition that I never expected to see from Kaitlyn. I love the extreme measures that Kaitlyn would take for the safety of her baby.

And Terra ended the story with one of her signature style. CLIFFHANGER. I swear, someone should present an award to Terra with the title 'Queen of Cliffhangers'. If you hate cliffhanger endings, then I believe Terra could change your mind. I am not exaggerating.

Terra makes elemental powers sounds so cool. What's not to like about the book?

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Saturday, February 18, 2012 5 comments

Friday, February 17, 2012 15 comments

I have been book tagged!

Rules:

1. You must post the rules.

2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create ten new questions to ask the people that you have tagged.

3. Tag eleven people and link to them on your post.

4. Let them know you’ve tagged them!

My questions was given to me these amazing ladies : Karla, Martina and Cambria!

Juicy questions from Karla

1.- What is your Favorite book ever?
I can never pick favorites but if someone asks me that, the first series that came into my mind is the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine. It was one of the series which I wouldn't get bored of.

2.- if you had to choose a character of one book to meet in real life, who would it be?
I'm torn between Claire and Shane (the main characters from the Morganville Vampires Series) but I think I'll meet Claire (because Shane intimidates me - in a good way). I adore Claire because she has the brains, she is one of the reason why I love Physics!

3.- If a thief entered your house to steal your library, what book would you try to save and why?
Obviously, The Morganville Vampire Series. All 10 of them.

4.- If you were a character on a book what type of character would you be?
I used to be the awkward one in real life so I definitely wanted to be a daredevil in the book! The kind of character who is witty, doesn't give a crap and kick ass!

5.- have you found a book that made you cheer for the bad guy to win? wich book was it and why?
Hmm...tough question, but one book certainly did came to mind. It was Water by Terra Harmony. I love the bad guy for some reason and though I love the good guys too, I was torn between them both.

6.- who is the worst character you´ve found while reading a book?
Zoey from the House of Night series. I don't hate her but I am annoyed by the fact that she changes boyfriend like she changes her clothes.

7.- Do you choose your books by the cover or the blurb?

It's a little bit of both. The cover attracts my attention and the blurb sealed the deal.

8.- Do you have any strange reading habits? if so what are they?
I don't know if this is considered as strange, but I could only read at night. That is the time where I am really reading what I am reading.

9.- Hardback, Paperback or ebook?
All 3! I wouldn't mind people giving me hardcovers, I would buy paperbacks, and I receive ARCs in form of ebooks. I'm flexible.

10.- Give a list of your top 5 book boyfriends....

Shane (MVV), Four (Divergent), Patch (Hush Hush), Travis (Beautiful Disaster), Evan (Hushed)

Question from Martina

1. Which is your favorite book/ book series?
The Morganville Vampire Series!

2. How often do you read?
Every night! Even if I am dead tired, I'll force myself to read a couple of pages.

3. Who’s your favorite characters and why?
Shane from MVV because he's the kind of guy who you would call idiot but fall in love with him at the same time.

4. What’s your favorite subjet you like to read about?
ROMANCE.

5. For how long do you have a blog and why did you started?
I think around July last year? It was not active until last November. At first I reactivated my blog for the sake of getting ARCs, but now I realized blogging is more than that. I love the blogging community!

6. Where do you live at the moment and where do you want to life in the future?
I am living in Malaysia and I want to go overseas in the future! I want to explore the world before I die.

7. Which book you like has in your opinion the best film adaption?
Without a doubt, Harry Potter. (And I'm having high hopes for Hunger Games)

8. What’s your favorite quote of a book?

“You can’t tell me what to do anymore, Travis! I don’t belong to you!” In the second it took him to turn and face me, his expression had contorted into anger. He stomped toward me, planting his hands on the bed and leaning into my face. “WELL I BELONG TO YOU!” The veins in his neck bulged as he shouted, and I met his glare, refusing to even flinch. He looked at my lips, panting. “I belong to you." --- Beautiful Disaster.

I felt the urge to cry whenever I read this part.

9. If you could life in the universe of a book, which would it be?
Definitely not Hunger Games, but I would love to live in the world of Vampire Academy. School for vampires, what else could be cooler?

10. What is your favorite TV series or favorite song at the moment?
Favorite TV series : The Vampire Diaries
Favorite Song : To Plant A Seed by We Came as Romans

Questions from Cambria

1. Name your top 5 heroines in a book or book series.
Katniss (Hunger Games), Claire (MVV series), Mac (Fever series), Rose (VA), Tris (Divergent)

2. The one thing that can ruin a book for you is___________________________.
Not a single dose of romance. I live for romance!

3. If you were going to be trapped on a deserted island what is the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Pizza!

4. Who are your favorite authors?
Rachel Caine, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, J.K.Rowling, Kimberly Derting, Rachel Hawthorne and so many more!

5. What are your top 5 (or as many as you want to name) favorite book covers?
Masquerade by Cambria Hebert, Water and Air by Terra Harmony, Hushed by Kelley York, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

6. Do you prefer Ebook, Print book or audio book?
I am flexible with all 3, but print books are definitely the right way to read a book.

7. If you could meet one author who would it be and why?
Suzanne Collins. I need to ask her where she bought her brain, I want to get one too.

8. A successful blog is a blog that __________________________.
Everybody loves to visit!

9. What is the best book to movie you have ever seen?
Harry Potter.

10. (Stealing from Maghon) Tell us something about yourself that we don’t know (not book related).
I'm a big eater and I'm hungry 24/7?

Shooting 10 questions to my book tagged victims :

1. What do you find in a book?
2. Name your top 5 favorite characters, and your favorite book couple.
3. Name a book that made you cry, or felt the urge to tear.
4. Name the worst book you have ever read.
5. Who is your favorite author? Why?
6. Where do you normally get your books?
7. Which book turn movie you love the most?
8. What is your reading genre?
9. Name a book with the best cliffhanger.
10. If you have the choice to choose which supernatural being you want to be, what would you be?

And now I'm sinking my teeth into :

1. Alexia @ Alexia's Chronicle
2. Ritesh @ Ritesh Kala's Book Reviews
3. Jennifer @ Can't Put It Down Reviews
4. Alexandra @ Words of the Worlds
5. Suzanne @ Paranormal Book Fan
6. Kristina @ Ladybug Storytime
7. Unabridged Bookshelf
8. Lacey @ The Page Turner
9. Liliana @ Lili Lost in a book
10. Claire @ Claire Reads

Thank you Karla, Martina and Cambria for the book tag!

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Friday, February 17, 2012 2 comments

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Cambria Hebert. Check out her blog and join in the fun!

Tell Me Something.......

In honor of Valentine's Day I want to know : Who are your favorite book couples?

#1 : Shane & Claire

Hail from : The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine

One of the main reason why MVV is my favorite vampire series is because of Shane and Claire. Shane has this ignorant attitude and wittiest sense of humor, on the other hand, Claire is the polar opposite of Shane. She is smart and serious. However, they make a great team! My heart gets all fluttery whenever they are together because I get to see a side of Shane that he doesn't normally shows - tenderness. And Claire is a virgin when it comes to relationships, that is why it was so fascinating to read about them because they are real. Shane and Claire was so vulnerable when it comes to protecting each other. It was hard not to like them!

Best quote :

“Promise me you’ll marry me. Not now. Someday. Because I need to know.” Claire felt a flutter inside, like a bird trying to fly, and a rush of heat that made her dizzy. And something else, something fragile as a soap bubble, and just as beautiful. Joy, in the middle of all this horror and heartbreak. “Yes,” she whispered back. “I promise.” And she kissed him, and kissed him, and kissed him, while the sun came up and bathed Morganville in one last, shining day.” --- Shane (Last Breath)

#2 : Travis and Abby

Hail From : Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Dream cast : Alex Pettyfer as Travis / Emily Browning as Abby (after watching this video : Travis & Abby (Fanmade trailer) )

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

That blurb covered the entire reason why I adore Pidge and Travis. Beautiful Disaster is one of my favorite love story ever told!

Best quote :

“I know we're fucked up, alright? I'm impulsive, and hot tempered, and you get under my skin like no one else. You act like you hate me one minute, and then need me the next. I never get anything right, and I don't deserve you...but I fucking love you, Abby. I love you more than I loved anyone or anything ever. When you're around, I don't need booze, or money, or the fighting, or the one-night stands...” ---Travis Maddox

“You can’t tell me what to do anymore, Travis! I don’t belong to you!” In the second it took him to turn and face me, his expression had contorted into anger. He stomped toward me, planting his hands on the bed and leaning into my face. “WELL I BELONG TO YOU!” The veins in his neck bulged as he shouted, and I met his glare, refusing to even flinch. He looked at my lips, panting. “I belong to you.” ---Travis and Abby

# 3 : Jay and Violet

Hail From : The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting

Jay and Violet were best friends turn lovers, that is why I adore their relationship. After reading too many romance novels, a girl dumping her best friend for a new guy tends to get old. In most of the teen romance novels I read, the girl protagonists don't usually fall for their guy friend but instead for the mysteriously hot newcomer. Don't get me wrong, I love those stories too, but I value friendship and I would always be left wondering why can't they fall for their best friend instead? Jay and Violet was a very sweet couple, and I like how Jay was continually supportive and protective over Violet

Best quotes :

“I was just waiting for you to want me as much as I wanted you.” His words were quiet but carried one hell of an impact. “I knew we were going to be together; it was just a matter of time. I kept hoping that you would figure it out. But for a smart girl, you’re a little dense, Vi. I kept bringing up Lissie Adams, and showing you the notes she was leaving me, hoping that you’d get pissed enough to finally admit how you felt about me.” ---Jay

Wow, what a massive post. I'll stop with three! But before that, here are a few more that I love (and if I would elaborate on that, it will take a full page long)

#4 Tris and Four : Divergent by Veronica Roth
#5 Sam and Heven : Masquerade by Cambria Hebert
#6 Patch and Nora : Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
#7 Chris and Evan : Hushed by Kelley York
#8 Lissa and Christian : Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
#9 MacKayla and Barrons : Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
#10 Peeta and Katniss : Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

10 will never be enough, but I'll forced myself to stop with ten.

I am wishing all the singles, coupled and married a Happy Valentine's Day! What is your plan for today?

Me : Curl up with a good book (preferably with a cute romance) while listening to some screamo or sentimental song with a cup of ice latte.

Here's a couple a pictures just for laughs!

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012 6 comments

Friday, February 10, 2012 13 comments

Hello everyone,

Thank you for stopping by my blog! On the agenda today, I have Judy Serrano, the author of Easter's Lilly doing an author appearance as part of her blog tour.

Before we proceed to the interview, here's the blurb for Easter's Lilly:

Published December 16th 2010

It was Easter Sunday; the day Lilly's life went from safe and comfortable to dangerously unfamiliar. Her transformation takes her from a small town girl having an affair with a low ranked gangster in the Montiago crime syndicate, to a woman of grace and fortitude married to the head of the organization.Easter's Lilly is an inspired journey from the idyllic to the darker side of self-discovery. Read as the over-privileged brothers embark on their journey that twists and turns down the road of unbridled passion in this first book of the series. ---From Goodreads

Hello Judy, thank you for organizing this amazing blog tour! Before we start, can you tell us a bit of your writer's background?

Hi Natasha. Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog. I have always loved to write. My mother found a book I wrote when I was 10 years old that was titled, “I am an author.” We all got a kick out of that. I also write songs and have written lots of poetry.

What inspired you to write Easter's Lilly?

I started out with the intentions of writing a novel about my marriage. We’ve been married for quite a while and have certainly had our share of struggles. I was hoping to share some of the tricks to simply staying married. Somewhere along the way, Lilly was born and her series grew rapidly right before my eyes.

Which character do you like to write best in the story and why?

I must admit that I am very fond of Hector. He’s quirky, silly, handsome and dangerous all at the same time. His character twists and turns on so many levels that he is consistently leaving the reader (and me) waiting with bated breath for his next move. My husband, on the other hand… not so fond of Hector. (Smile)

Do you have a favorite scene from the book?

I think this follows suite with who my favorite character is. I really enjoyed the scene where Hector comforts Lilly after Max has been taken away from her. Smolderingly steamy, yet innocent and soothing. Only Hector could pull that off and still come out looking like the good guy.

What was the most extreme thing you have done when writing this book?

Lilly is not your typical heroine. She isn’t Wonder Woman, by any means. She is very real and identifiably vulnerable. Most books have very strong and fearless female leads. Personally, I do not love books where the woman is unnaturally courageous. I just wanted Lilly to be a normal young woman.

Did you do a research on mobsters and drug dealings?

I did a small amount of research on the book. Just enough to make it believable but not so much that it lost its fantasy appeal.

If you have a choice, which character would you want to be?

Lilly, most certainly, Lilly. Who wouldn’t want gorgeous men fussing over her all the time? Admittedly, I wouldn’t want the problems that she was forced to endure but handsome men, diamonds, limousines… I don’t know, it sounds like an exciting ride.

How about a shout out to your readers telling them what should they expect from Easter's Lilly?

There are many books to come in this series. Brother Number Three is book two and Relatively Close, which will be officially released on February 9th is book three. Book four is called Memoirs of a Mobster and is told from the point of view of a grown-up Diego Jr. It is very different from the other books and I think even more of a thriller. I also have a young adult spin-off of the series called The Lost Years. It will also be told by Junior Montiago but as a teenager.

She's such an awesome person eh? And for another good part, Judy has also agreed to give out a free e-book copy of Easter's Lilly to one lucky reader!

Rules

The Giveaway is international.
Submissions will be closed on 17th February 2012.
The winner will be announced on the 18th of February.
The winner will be contacted through email and have 3 days to respond or else his/her entry will be forfeited.

Friday, February 10, 2012 No comments

Wednesday, February 08, 2012 2 comments

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 2 comments

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7 comments

Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect.

Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it . .

With the exception of Cecelia Ahern and Jodi Picoult, I rarely read adult chick-lits, that is why this story plot came across as something witty, carefree and interesting. However, as much as I enjoyed the story plot, there were several things lacking.

Debatable plot:

1. The story was more focused on the budding romance between Nikki and Dallas than on the case itself. Yes I adore romance, however I do also enjoy a good thriller. In my opinion, the homicide case was not intriguing enough for me to find out who the real murderer was.

2. This was the first time I came across a book where I was more interested in the secondary love story. To me, the history between Tony, Dallas' brother and LeAnn held a much more significant meaning than Dallas and Nikki themselves. It was one of the reason that kept me going. Yet, I was slightly disappointed by how it played out, I was build with so much anticipation and I was unsatisfied by the ending. I do wish LeAnn and Tony will have their own story.

3. There were too many sub-stories that made the story seemed 'crammed'.

But I still enjoyed the book:

1. Nevertheless, I think this book deserved 4 stars because I like the characters. I like when Tony and Dallas are together, they make awesome brothers, eventhough they have diverse personalities. I also like LeAnn who buried so much hurt and Nikki who is strong and independent.

2. I give the romance an A-.

3. Dallas' history with his family was heartbreaking and that's what I value in a story.

4. I like the idea of ex-framed-convicts setting up a PI agency with such an awesome name -Don't Mess With Texas. It made me think of hunky cowboys with a bad boy image.

Despite the fact that the book could've been improved in so many ways, it was still a recommended read. Looking forward to the next one!

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