Guest post by Gloria Schumann author of Called Home–Two Hearts Answer

 

The past. Our story. The handful of pieces that help form the person we are today.

Is it good? Is it bad? Is it somewhere in between? Has is turned you optimistic? Or pessimistic? Has it opened doors or slammed them in your face? Would you change it or not? How much a part of you is it today? How much do you let it drive the direction you go?

Emma Benson, the heroine in Called Home: Two Hearts Answer , is a creature carrying around her past like a Plexiglas shield. Any attempts at closeness from the opposite sex, especially David Schlosser, are deftly deflected and kept a safe distance away, where they can't penetrate her tough exterior and hurt her, yet again.

She snips, she snaps, she shuns, and still, David persists in his friendliness. She makes fun, she turns the smart aleck phrase, she avoids, but David sees right through the protective shield to her true nature—the loyalty to her family, her bouts of civility toward him, her care and concern of others. Emma is a sweet, smart, self-sufficient woman forging through life with the wounds of her past leading the way.

I love Emma because, in the beginning, she is strong and uses it to hinder her growth, her fulfilment, her happiness, but through very real and impressive events, the strength she wields is, instead of cutting off the world, used to enhance her chunk of it. Her outlook on life has turned the corner. She is now open to the vast and glorious wonders life can offer. If, like Emma, you're aware of them, if you allow them into your reality, the possibilities of joy, love and hope are endless. They're sublime.

Emma is an excellent example of perseverance through the storms of life, eventually learning to cope with the past, without giving into her insecurities. One, I myself, would like to emulate. In the end, the choices she makes puts her exactly where she belongs—in control of her life making healthy decisions toward her dreams, instead of out of fear. We should all be lucky enough to be in such a beautiful place in our lives.

Find out how Emma does it in "Called Home – Two Hearts Answer" and may you lead your life in hope and joy of the future.

About the author:

I grew up in the midst of car country in the suburbs of Detroit in a loving, Christian family. Through the school years, I hesitated to light on one area of interest due to a love of a wide range of activities and interests. During the formative years they were music and sports—mainly, track and basketball. Not able to parlay any of those into a career, I headed for college.

At the University of Tennessee, I not only discovered a major, but also my husband of many loving years. The major was Logistics, the husband was and is, Paul Schumann.

From Knoxville, TN, after graduating with honors, my journey took me to the outlying area of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. I worked in a pharmacy for a couple of years until the blessed beginning of our family came along. We—Paul, our five-week old daughter and I, left the cold of Minnesota for the heat of Austin, TX where the three of us still live with the addition of a son and a daughter.

Outside of faith and family, I have never been as engrossed and thrilled about anything as I am about writing. It is truly a passion.

Author of Called Home-Two Hearts Answer
Available on Amazon
By Savant

I want to be the girl burning the pretty candles . . .

I just read an awesome post on one of my favourite blogs Books Devoured and it hit me, I am turning into that girl Shannon mentioned – the one one that don’t want to use the expensive china or burn the pretty candles  :) When did that happen?  Why am I saving the popular books and not reading them as soon as I get them?

 

Kiss of Snow was one of my most anticipated reads of 2011 and I was gushing about it since I knew Hawke and Sienna would at last get their story.  So why did I not immediately read it when I got my hands on it?  It was waiting around for me for nearly two weeks before I dove in.

 

And so it has gone with quite a few of the new releases.  I click around the blogosphere, reading reviews from bloggers lucky enough to have received ARC’s and just wish the time would pass to release date.  When the publication date finally arrives and I have the book in my possession, it gets added to my TBR pile and the race is on for the next book.  Maybe I am just afraid that the book will not live up to all the hype.  (I hate it when that happens.)  But if I don’t read it, I will never know, will I?  I wish I could just always remember that there are no rules that I SHOULD love all the books my fellow bloggers love.  How boring would that be!

 

I read Raziel (The Fallen) a week or so ago (after saving it too) and absolutely loved it.  Now I have also gotten book two, Demon (The Fallen) in the series which I am dying to read.  Had it for almost a week and still have not read it.  Maybe this could be my book to change my ways . . . :)

Anyone else have this problem?

In my Mailbox (20)

 

It’s Sunday again and I am joining another week of In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that lets everyone see what books you have received or bought that week.

I have just read the first in the series, Raziel, so just image my surprise when I saw the second book, Demon (The Fallen)in the Kindle Store already!  Yay!!

I received an ARC of Starcrossedby Josephine Angelini from PAN MACMILLIAN SOUTH AFRICA for  review – thank you guys!

What was in your mailbox?

On my wishlist #23

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready on Carolyn’s blog.  This is the books I am wishing for after I saw it in the blogosphere this week.

Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.
Undeniable: Dark Frontier, Book 1 by Delilah Devlin
Kate McKinnon’s Sanctuary is an island of refuge in a western frontier shrouded in post-apocalyptic chaos. Her only escape from her crushing responsibilities is occasional radio contact with other pockets of survivors. Especially one man whose deep, raspy voice cuts through her exhaustion, straight to her heart. A man whose face she has only imagined.
When she and her ranch hands are surrounded by renegades, she doesn’t recognize the leader of the militaristic band that rescues them, but knows that voice.
Ty Bennett is already half in love with the human woman whose voice haunts his dreams. His impulsive offer to add muscle to the Sanctuary’s defenses is dangerous to them both. Helping her may redeem some of his sins, but proximity only increases his hunger to possess her—body, soul…and blood.
Without hesitation, she welcomes Ty and his men into the Sanctuary…only to discover the reason why they only ride at night. Yet the survival instinct that screams at her to drive them off is no match for Ty’s seductive powers. Or the need for protection from the threat that howls at Sanctuary’s gates.
What is on your wish list?

Book Blogger Tag Along

18 and over book bloggers tag along is for adult book bloggers to get to know each other and hopefully gain more followers. It doesn't matter what sub-genre you read as long as you read and review adult books.  You can have a book blog that reads some teen books, but you have to have more adult books on your blog then YA. I know, I know I am a pain LOL.

How it works
*First make a post on your blog with this picture on top (just click on the picture to go to Laurie’s blog). That lets us know we are in the right place to make a comment so you can follow back. If you don’t do this I will have to take you off the tag along.
*Second place your name or blogs name in the first linky tool.  I want to add here, put in (paranormal romance) beside your blogs name what you mainly review. Then add your URL to the tag along post in the second Linky tool.
*Third visit blogs listed if you like what you see hit the follow button. Remember to leave a comment, so they can tag along back.
Now, if your new don't be shy most of these ladies are here every week and they are very, very friendly (I know because I follow most of them;)
Now, get out there and find some 18 and over bloggers!
Have a good weekend!

Guest post by author of VERITA, Tracy Rozzlynn

When I graduated from college, I put my creativity aside and focused on my career - it was the mature and responsible thing to do. After too many years stuck in a cubicle, something wonderful happened. My sister gave me her books from the Twilight Series. I used to love reading, but between work, being a mom to a small child and life in general, I had stopped. I had the rare weekend to myself because my daughter was away visiting relatives. So I cracked the first book open and started reading. I didn’t stop until I had finished all four books.

After that, I was hooked. I started reading voraciously again. Soon after that I began writing. My writing lead to the creation of Verita. My hope is that readers will be unable to place it down until they reach the very end.

Title: Verita (Verita Trilogy)
Author: Tracy Rozzlynn
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Publication date: 23 May 2011

Verita is the first book in a four volume series. It is a light science fiction novel for young adults with adventure, romance and more.

Brett Bradburry's parents died, her boyfriend cheated, and her best friend essentially dumped her. Truly alone in the world, Brett agrees to help colonize the newly discovered planet, Verita. Now she's on a strange new world. She has an overwhelming attraction to Brody, despite the fact that he's entirely not her type. Another boy Ryan, utterly hates her for reasons out of her control. And there are creatures in the forest that would like nothing more than to eat everyone for dinner. Brett's heart and mind are fighting with each other. She's constantly fighting with Ryan. Concentrating on her job is becoming more and more difficult. Plus she can’t ignore how strange it is that all her friends are falling head-over-heal in love. But, when Brett finds herself stranded in the wilderness, the only thing that matters is survival.

About the Author:

Tracy Rozzlynn is a science fiction and fantasy writer for young adults. She lives in New England with her young daughter and a various number of pets. Verita is her debut novel. Her second novel Fast-tracked is due out in early July.

Links:
Tracy Rozzlynn's Blog
Goodreads Page
Verita is availible at Smashwords and Amazon

Breaking Dawn (Twilight series)–Part 1

As you know, I thank Stephanie Meyer for giving me back my reading mojo.   I read Twilight and was hooked – read the four books in four days :)

Except for the first book off course, Breaking Dawn is my favourite of the series, so I am very excited to see that the first part of the movie will be released later this year.

Browsing book blogs this afternoon, I found this trailer  and thought I would share :)

Blog Hop - Follow Friday (Special 50th edition)

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - rhiannonpaille.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. LINKY TOOLS IS BACK! I paid for the subscription - finally so now you can add the links to your own post!!! To add the code to your own post click on GET THE CODE here under the list of names.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

I am so excited . . .

I just read one of my favorite author's newsletters today and I am still shaking . . . she quoted my review of BIG BAD BEAST in her newsletter - that's right, she quoted me!! 

I am still learning to write reviews and I know I have far to go but that my review even just got READ by the author is such a big honor!

RAK – Random Acts of Kindness

What a wonderful idea from the Book Soulmates! I decided that I would like to participate and have already contact my first RAK.  I am so excited about this idea!

If you are interested in learning more about this monthly meme, go to the Book Soulmates Blog here and join this growing group of great book bloggers.

Book Review: Big Bad Beast

Title: Big Bad Beast
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride Series
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Brava
Publication date: 26 April 2011
Author’s website: http://www.shellylaurenston.com
Source: My own copy

When it comes to following her instincts, former Marine Dee-Ann Smith never holds back. And this deadly member of a shifter protection group will do anything to prove one of her own kind is having hybrids captured for dogfights. Trouble is, her too-cute rich-boy boss Ric Van Holtz insists on helping out. And his crazy-like-a-fox smarts and charming persistence are making it real hard for Dee to keep her heart safe...
Ric can't believe his luck. He's wanted this fiercely independent she-wolf from day one, but he never expected teamwork as explosive as this. And now is his last chance to show Dee what she needs isn't some in-your-face Alpha male - but a wily, resourceful wolf who'll always have her back in a fight...and between the sheets.

- Goodreads

If you like your heroines headstrong and feisty and your heroes in the shifter variety, you will love this zany series by Shelly Laurenston.  The Pride series are filled with crazy shifter characters of all varieties and hot, exploding chemistry.  I finished this sizzling book in two sittings – I just couldn’t put it down! 

Dee-Ann has been a difficult character to like from the beginning of the series.  She has been a downright bitch for the most part but in this, her and Ric’s book, she shows him (and us) her softer side.  She is still true to herself and always ready for a fight but when it comes to Ric, she just melts (don’t tell her I said that!!). 

Ric is part of the rich Van Holtz family and they are not too keen on inviting this hillbilly into their lives but Ric will not be swayed. 

It was fun, seeing the male strategizing about ways to win his mate this time around.  Off course Ric did announce that Dee-Ann was the one for him when he first met her at age six, so he knew what he wanted.  He just needed to convince Dee-Ann to chase him (and she did!).

Most of the characters from the other books also make appearances in this book and it is great fun seeing them interact again.  I especially loved reading about the beloved bubblehead, Blayne, trying to help Ric win Dee-Ann.

Apart from the romance, there is also some tense moments while Dee-Ann and her team try to catch the ringleaders behind the shifter hybrid dogfights.  There’s never a dull moment with the team always just a second too late! 

The tense drama is balanced by laugh out loud humour.  You will be roaring with laughter while reading about Dee-Ann’s search for a formal dress.

I loved this book (as with the rest of the series) and you will not be disappointed.  You do not need to read the series in order (or at all) but you will be missing out if you do not read the other characters’ books.

This review was also published at The Romance Reviews – here.