Book review: Head over Heels by author Jill Shalvis

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
out in stores and online now.

Breaking rules and breaking hearts

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?

This is the third book in the Lucky Harbor series by author Jill Shalvis. Chloe, Maddie and Tara are step sisters who inherited a dilapidated old bed and breakfast from their mother. In book one they decide they want to fix it up and run it. Chloe is the baby of the sisters and the one with the free spirit.Sawyer is the big bad sheriff of Lucky Harbor and Chloe seems to be always ticking him off. In reality both Chloe and Sawyer have personal demons driving them. Chloe never knew her dad. Doesn't even know his name and her mother was a flighty woman who dragged her all over living a life where you she never had a home. Top that with the fact that she has life threatening asthma and her life is not as much fun as people seem to think. Sawyer was raised by his dad and he was a wild kid who couldn't be tamed and over the years there grew a distance between him and his dad that he thinks can never be filled.  Through the first two books you got small glimpses at Sawyer and Chloe but you were left to wonder what they were really like. What was really going on with Chloe. She acted nonchalant about everything like she really didn't care much. Then there is a whole asthma thing. She has such severe asthma she can't even have sex or so she thinks she can't. Sawyer breaks through her barriers as much ans she breaks through his. The man is so sweet you can't help but love him even if he is hard on himself about everything.  Head over Heels is another great read from Jill Shalvis. Another one you can sit down and enjoy with a small smile on your face with a laugh or two thrown in for good measure. If you haven't read this series what are you waiting for? Read a excerpt here and find out more about her other books. JillShalvis-excerpt Head over Heels . 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Picks stars for Head over Heels by Jill Shalvis.

Other books in the series
Simply Irrisitable amazon.com
The Sweetest Thing amazon.com
Head over Heels amazon.com
2 in 1 reissue of Simply Irristible and the Sweetest thing amazon.com

Secret Santa A Secret Queen novella by author Sierra Dean

Secret Santa


A Secret McQueen Novella
Sierra Dean
Available today  November 29, 2011
ebook only

’Tis the season for ho-ho-homicide.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The season for mistletoe, Christmas lights…and a killing spree. When Secret’s friend, Detective Mercedes Castilla, asks for help to solve a series of murders longer than a string of lights, Secret resigns herself to the fact her holidays will be anything but peaceful.

It seems someone is killing New Yorkers in an unusually gruesome way, and as the bodies pile up faster than presents under the tree, the police are no closer to finding the killer than Secret is to finding the perfect present for one of her boyfriends, Lucas.

Tracking down a monster in Manhattan the week before Christmas is almost as difficult as shopping for her ever-expanding collection of loved ones. When tragedy strikes close to home, Secret must do everything in her power to put an end to the horror in time for Santa to come down the chimney.

Warning: Contains a less than merry McQueen with a sword and a reason to use it; a festive new use for mistletoe; and a promise that will haunt Secret like the Ghost of Christmas Future.


Sigh i love this series. I think Sierra Dean tries to torture me with these novella's lol. I love em but they are never long enough. She gives you some great story then leaves you hanging. If you've read this series then you know all about Secret McQueen hunter extraordinaire. Secret has a complicated life. She is soul bonded to the wolf King of New York  Lucas Rain and his second in command Desmond. Then there is her super sexy vampire friend and Vampire council Sentry Holden Chancery who has the hots for her. Talk about a confusing love life. In Secret Santa you don't get to see Lucas at all as he is away visiting family. You do get a nice dose of Desmond and Holden though.  I can totally see the confusion Secret has for all these men. Secret Santa is a sexy little Christmas read with a twist. A monster is on the loose in New York City. Bodies keep showing up or at least parts of them and Secret is asked to try and figure out what's going on. It gets close to home when someone close gets snatched. Will Secret save the day and get to enjoy Christmas with her newly made up family? Another exciting Secret read that of course leaves you waiting for more. The only thing missing was Lucas Rain but you can't have everything in a short novella. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Secret Santa by Sierra Dean. Find out more about Sierra Dean here and find out all about this novella and all the Secret McQueen books. www.sierradean.com

Mancandy Monday! Easy on the eyes.

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and perhaps made a dent in their Christmas shopping. I'm back this week and starting with this handsome young man. Felipe Flores

There will be no blog posts this week. I'll be back next Monday Nov 28th.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Hope you have a great week!

Free ebook Friday Angel Be Good by Kathy Carmichael

Miracles still happen in modern day New York when “Scrooge” (Nathaniel Danvers) meets “Heaven Can Wait” (Daphne), who has been sent to give him one last chance at redemption. ANGEL BE GOOD captures the essence of the classic Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and offers a touch of humor and romance. A perfect holiday feel-good read.


Find out more about this book and Cathy Carmichael by clicking here www.kathycarmichael.com

Buy for free from Amazon for Kindle Angel-Be-Good

Book review: Love Rescued Me by Debra Kayn

Love Rescued Me by Debra Kayn Nov. 4, 2011

What's small-town veterinary doctor Samantha James to do when the one person she trusts and shares her secret with isn’t who she thought?


Samantha James moves to small-town Skamania, Washington to escape the crooked cops who framed her younger brother, Parker, and sent him to prison for a crime he didn't commit. With the goal of setting up her veterinary practice and making a home for Parker when he's released, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the local forest ranger.

Undercover officer Bobby Thorn is only in Skamania posing as a forest ranger to apprehend the scumbag who killed his partner. He doesn't have time for romance. But, when he goes to town seeking help for the injured wolf he finds, he can't help but be drawn to the fiery veterinarian. Caught between sharing sizzling nights with Samantha and doing his job, he finds himself torn. Will he be able to keep from blowing his cover, catch a killer, and keep the woman he loves safe all at the same time.

There is something dirty in Skamania. Under cover officer is Bobby Thorn is masquerading as a park ranger to catch a killer. He is also distracted by the new veterinarian Samantha James. Samantha has just moved into town and opened a new veterinarian clinic. A fresh start she hopes. For a short book only 138 pages there is plenty going on. There is a killer on the loose a dirty sheriff, Samantha's brother in prison for something he didn't do while she is harassed by police and then there is Bobby Thorn is not who he says he is either.  Take a quick little ride through this book for action pack romantic suspense in a small package.  4 out of 5 Modokker Book pick stars for Love Rescued me by Debra Kayn. Find out more about this book, read a excerpt and Debra Kayn's other books by clicking here. www.debrakayn.com

Book review: Warrior Agent by Dana Marton (Book 3 Agents under fire trilogy)

Available now
Warrior Agent -Dana Marton
Agents under fire trilogy

Troy Hill has been tirelessly working for months to bring down a corrupt congressman. When the man’s goons capture him and lock him up, he knows they can’t afford to leave him alive. His only chance at escape is the congressman’s new security guard, Claire Montgomery. He expects he’ll have to either manipulate her into setting him free or kill her. He doesn’t expect to fall in love with her.

This is the last book in the Agents Under Fire trilogy by Dana Marton. I've been lucky enough to read and review all three. This series has been packed with sexy capable men as well as sexy capable take charge women. I think in this one Troy meets his match in Claire. I was excited to see a ex military woman who can kick butt and does so. You don't see many of these kinds of books and i was cheering Claire on through the whole book. Warrior agent wraps up the thread on the dirty congressman and his brother and you get  Gabe and Jake from the two previous two books in this trilogy when they come and help Troy.  Action packed right to the end. Dana Marton really know her romantic suspense and you get a big dose of that in this book. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. This was one of those one sitting books. I think it took about 2 hours to sit and read and i was wishing for more in the end. lol
Find out more about Dana Marton and  this series and read chapter 1 of this book by clicking here.
www.danamarton.com/

Book review: The Next Always (book 1 The Inn Boonsboro trilogy) by Nora Roberts

The Next Always - Nora Roberts

Berkley Trade
978-0-425-24321-3
On sale November 1, 2011
America's favorite writer" (The New Yorker) begins an all-new trilogy-inspired by the inn she owns and the town she loves.

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...


This is the first book in a new trilogy by Nora Roberts. I feels similar to her Bride quartet series to me so far. The book itself is packaged beautifully similarly to the Bride Quartet books. The series is about 3 brothers, the Montgomery's. Beckett, Owen and Ryder listed as youngest to oldest. I love love the names she chose for these guys. This book is Beckett's. He is the architect of the family although all 3 have things to bring to the table. Beckett's had a crush on book seller and widower Clare Brewster since she was 15. She's back in Boonsboro now widowed by her military husband with 3 little boys to raise.

A big part of this book is spent on getting the trilogy started and on details. Lots and lots of details about the restoration on the inn. That's expected i guess somewhat in the first book. You have to get all the players in place. There are quite a few. I could do with less construction talk though and hope there isn't as much in book two and three. Bride Quartet books were similar. Problem is when you have to much you tend to start skipping parts and sometimes miss important stuff. I didn't skip anything but i thought about it more than once. There is a bit of paranormal in this book with a ghost of a woman in the inn. It's kind of fun and makes sense with it being a old building. There is also some suspense when Clare finds she has stalker. I enjoyed the book and getting to know all the characters. I wish there had been a little more back story on Beckett and Clare from school but i had the feeling that there wasn't much there since she was high school sweethearts with her now deceased husband. Now that the intro to the series is done I'm hoping for more romance in book 2 that comes out in May of 2012. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Nora Roberts The Next Always.  Read a excerpt and find out more about this book and Nora Roberts other books here. Nora Roberts

Mancandy Monday A trio of sexy men!

I went to see Immortals this weekend and so then of course had to go look up some of the sexy men in this film. Here is a trio of them. Henry Cavill, Luke Evans and Kellan Lutz.

Veterans Day and SEAL of my Dreams with help from Roxanne St Claire

November 11th, today is Veteran's Day. Do you know a veteran? Have a family member serving right now? It was about 20 years ago i spent the first 6 month of my time in the Army in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. I was young. Only 20 and i look back now and i realize i didn't know a thing about life. I didn't know a lot about anything. I did a lot of growing up in those months. I was only afraid a few time in my months in the desert. To young to know better i guess. I made some fast friends that some i still have. A few of my fellow soldiers are still in the Army and have spent time in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past years. Many have retired or gotten out over the years as well. I was in 24th trans. and drove a M915 truck and trailer combo. It was the most exciting and awesome feeling to drive one of those rigs. My husband that i met when i got attached to 24th trans still drives a truck.



There is a wonderful book put together by a huge group of to my thinking wonderful authors and all it's profits going to awesome veterans charity. The name of the book is "Seal of my Dreams". All proceeds are pledged to the Veterans Research Corporation a non-profit foundation supporting veterans medical research. I hope you'll support this charity buying the book.

I asked one of the authors and a wonderful lady to talk a little about the book and she gave me permission to use some of her post from her blog Murder She Writes.

A PICTURE WORTH 100,000 words

A few months ago, the New York Times ran this photo of U.S. Navy SEALs as they prepare for a night mission to capture Iraqi insurgent leaders near Fallujah, Iraq. My guess is there were a lot of newspapers dampened with drool that morning. I know mine was. In a matter of hours, the photo had hit Twitter, courtesy of a few romance writers who no doubt stared at that shot and invented that hero’s goal, motivation, conflict, heroine, backstory, and probably an entire new SEAL series. Can’t you just see him on a cover? As a matter of fact, someone did!

The original tweeters, Christie Ridgway and Alison Kent, started chatting about how inspired they were by the photo. That man is the essence of a hero — fearless, loyal, honorable, and willing to die for what he knows is right. The tat, scar, and physique spell sexy, but it’s where he is and what he’s about to do that takes my breath away. That online admiration led to the SEAL of My Dreams anthology for charity.

Within days, Christie and Alison had arranged to obtain the rights for the picture and contacted a group of authors known for their love of a good military hero, asking if we would write short stories with a Navy SEAL hero and donate the proceeds to a military charity.

I was honored and humbled to participate in this remarkable project, one of nineteen authors who contributed eighteen short stories and one tear-jerking forward by Robyn Carr. When I first heard the ambitious schedule and the quality and quantity of the authors (oh, the deadlines!) I admit I was skeptical that this concept could fly. Lesson to me: never doubt the power of a Navy SEAL.

SEAL of My Dreams releases on 11/11/11, with eighteen glorious Navy SEAL heroes. Click here for sneak peaks of stories written by Jami Alden, Stephanie Bond, Kylie Brant, Helen Brenna, HelenKay Dimon, Cindy Gerard, Tara Janzen, Leslie Kelly, Elle Kennedy, Allison Kent, Gennita Low, Jo Leigh, Marliss Melton, Christie Ridgway, Barbara Samuel, Stephanie Tyler, Loreth Anne White, and yours truly. Wow, that is some incredible company to be in!

And very special thanks to awesome Bell Bridge Books for publishing the paperback and ebook versions of SEAL of my Dreams, with all proceeds pledged to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit foundation supporting veterans’ medical research.

Many of these authors don’t just write about military heroes, we also have a few special ones in our hearts and lives. My nephew, an Army Ranger I’ve mentioned here a few times, spent fifteen months in Baghdad and while he returned home to us healthy and whole, his health care costs and issues can be daunting. I was thrilled to give my time and talent for a program that I know will help thousands of heroes just like my nephew.

My story, “Whirlwind,” is set on the shores of Barefoot Bay, giving readers their first snapshot of the island location that will be front and center in my upcoming contemporary romance series. I’ve read through the whole anthology and I can assure you this collection is power-packed with romance, passion, danger, action, emotion, and eighteen breathtaking Navy SEALs.



You can buy the book today!
Buy from Amazon www.amazon.com/SEAL-of-My-Dreams
Buy from Barnes and Noble www.barnesandnoble.com/seal-of-my-dreams
Find out more about Roxanne St Claire here www.roxannestclaire.com
You can also check out the Seal of My Dreams website here sealofmydreams.com

I hope you'll support veterans everywhere by checking out this book and buying it. I've read it myself and enjoyed it immensely. There is such a array of different stories. Your emotions will run the gamut and in the end you'll feel different from when you started. If you are a romance reader it's also a chance to read some authors you probably haven't before and perhaps become a new fan of a few of them.

Please remember the veterans in your life and the ones you don't even know this Veterans Day.

Book review: SEAL of my Dreams by various authors

eARC provided by netgalley


Available  Veteran's Day - 11/11/11

All proceeds pledged to the Veterans Research Corporation a non-profit foundation supporting veterans medical research
SEAL of My Dreams is now available digitally at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as in print from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bell Bridge Books.

Table of Contents
Foreword by Robyn Carr
Coming Home by Jami Alden
Baby, I’m Back by Stephanie Bond
SEALed Fates by Kylie Brant
Going Dark by Helen Brenna
Finding Home by HelenKay Dimon
SEALed With A Kiss (A Black Ops., Inc. story) by Cindy Gerard
Panama Jack by Tara Janzen
Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly
Worth the Risk by Elle Kennedy
Twenty-One Hours by Alison Kent
Not Waving But Drowning by Jo Leigh
Her Secret Pirate by Gennita Low
SEALed By Fate by Marliss Melton
Signed, SEALed, Delivered…I’m Yours by Christie Ridgway
Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel
Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire
Holding On by Stephanie Tyler
Letters To Ellie by Loreth Anne White

This book is a book put together by almost 20 authors. They all donated their efforts for free for a cause they feel is worthy. Some from what i read at the end of the book have family members in the military or previous military. You don't need a military connection though to want to support Veterans and our nations soldiers. If you're out today and see a veteran be sure to say thank you for their service. Tell them you appreciate them. Just say hello! As a veteran myself I was touched that a group of authors would get together and do this. I was excited to read the book because i love military heroes. Love to read about them. There were also a couple authors offering up stories that went with their on going series that i love and wanted to see what they were about.  The stories were all well written some short some longer all in some way showing  bits and  pieces of what many veterans lives might be like. All riveting and gut wrenching at times. There's lots and lots of love in this book too though. I've never read a book like this but thoroughly enjoyed it and in the process found several new to me authors to check out.  5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. Get this book. You can support veteran find new authors and get all those awesome military guys right at your fingertips.

WWW.SealofmyDreams.com

Book review: The Heart of Killer ( Book 1 The Killer series) by author Jaci Burton

ARC provided through netgalley.com



The Heart of a Killer

Book One in The Killer Series
Available now at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, Chapters, The Book Depository.

No one said coming home would be easy. But for Dante Renaldi, it's murder.

Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.

The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault Anna only survived thanks to him.

More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?

This is a brand new series by Jaci Burton called The Killer series. The heart of a Killer is book one. On her website she doesn't have any info on the next book so I'm not sure how this series will go. If the characters from book one will be in book two and so on. Time will tell. For this book  I have to say I have not read anything like this from Jaci before. I am only familiar with some of her contemporary books. This one was good but here and there i got kind of bored. Just a smidge though. In the beginning of the book starts with a prologue that explains how the main characters know each other as teenagers first, bonded as friends that ends with a terrifying ordeal and a death. Anna and Dante are a item and he just picks up and leaves it seems after the ordeal.  The book picks up after that 12 years later with Dante coming back after being gone for those 12 years and another murder. This book is heavy on thrilling suspense and light on romance.  It definitely leans more to the suspense. There are several murders that surprised me and the killer was a surprise as well. I had a suspect in mind but then he ended up dead so when i thought i had it maybe figured out i was wrong. lol This is a good sign in a book. If you can figure it out before your halfway through where's the fun? I can honestly say i was surprised and a bit shocked by who the killer was. You start liking your characters it sucks when they are not what you thought. I am excited to see where Ms. Burton goes with this series.  Aside from being bored a few times it was a great read with well written characters and a good plot. Certainly kept me guessing. 3 1/2 Modokker Book Pick Stars for Heart of a Killer. You can find out more about this book and Jaci Burton's other works by check out her website here. www.jaciburton.com/

Giveaway!! Blog tour guest post by Lisa Renee Jones author of The Zodious series and the Storm that is Sterling.

THE STORM THAT IS STERLING

In the Storm that is Sterling I get to visit a place I love. VEGAS BABY!

I started going to Vegas a couple times a year back in my corporate days. For the first few years, I did a lot of just seeing everything and very little gambling. Then one night I stopped at a roulette table and the rest is history. I LOVE roulette. It’s exciting, wild and crazy – just like Sterling!

In the Zodius series the Renegades have an inner city headquarters beneath NEONOPOLIS which is a real place.

Neonopolis, a 250,000 sq ft shopping mall, is a $100 million entertainment complex in Las Vegas, Nevada located on top of a $15 million city parking garage. It is located on the Fremont Street Experience, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard. In keeping with the complex's name, it contains three miles of neon lights.



Ironically its one of the few places in Vegas I’ve never been!



Probably because I was HERE:


 Like I said – roullette is a wild exciting ride just like Sterling!

And who is Sterling? This is the picture I used to motivated me while I was writing Sterling:




About THE STORM THAT IS STERLING:



Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself

to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca

Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so

much more…

But she can see that deep down,

he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted,

but years later the heat between them flares back to life.

Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s

impossible to resist picking up right where they left off…



Read an excerpt HERE:

the-storm-that-is-sterling/sterling-excerpt


Now to win any of my backlist ebooks of your choice –

Comment here and for an extra entry -- do something to tell the world about Sterling!

Blog Sterling, Tweet Sterling, LIKE Sterling on Amazon or Barnes and Noble or both.



And to win a copy of SANTA BABY’S UK release - guess what I am going to do in Vegas next July!!!

Book review: The Storm that is Sterling (Zodious series book 2) author Lisa Renee Jones

Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 2011)

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Borders
IndieBound

Sterling Jeter, Renegade Super Soldier, is fearless, powerful, and wildly unpredictable. His life-threatening mission is to save the beautiful, brilliant astrobiologist Rebecca Burns from ruthless villain Adam Rain. But their immutable mutual attraction threatens to put them in the path of death… or worse…


Adam, the leader of the evil Zodius soldiers has developed a street drug from his newborn’s DNA that is so addictive that he could easily created a worldwide dependency on him as the only source, as withdrawal kills the user. This drug will give Adam the power to rule the entire population if his plan for mass distribution is achieved. Sterling, and a brilliant, cancer stricken scientist, must stop Adam before it’s too late. But can Sterling trust this woman when he discovers this drug might be her only way of surviving cancer?. Is he in bed, and in love, with the enemy?

He may be invincible to everyone else…


Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so much more…

But she can see that deep down, he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted, but years later the heat between them flares back to life. Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s impossible to resist picking up right where they left off


The Hero: Sterling
He was created, molded, formed from life, love, and misery…

Lethally daring. Ruthlessly passionate. He invites death to his door. Welcomes it with each breath he draws, each step he takes. And thus he is danger. A volatile storm that will sweep across the calm realms of humanity and shake it to the depths of its core. And that storm is…Sterling.


The Storm that is Sterling is the 2nd book in the Zodious series. Book one The Legend of Michael  came out in May of this year and i really enjoyed it. This series is a a romantic suspense with a twist. These are your military alphas that so many of us enjoy but hopped up on alien DNA later known as GTECH's. Government experiments on soldiers produced these super soldiers who is turn eventually went rogue in two different factions when the government sought to get rid of them. They are the Renegades and the Zodious soldiers ran by twin brothers, Caleb and Adam Rain. One good and one evil. Sterling is one of the Renegades. A good guy who had kind of a rough life until he found his niche in the Army. Sterling is leading the fight to get rid of ICE an addicting drug put on the streets by Adam Rain. He is assigned to pick up a scientist one Rebecca (Becca) Burns who they hope will help them counteract the drug. One problem. Becca has cancer and is dying and Sterling has a past with her. Before Sterling can get her stashed away though she is taken by one of Adam's Zodious soldiers along with him.  This is a fast paced story. You're left with some guessing as to what's going on and who is who and how's it all going to end up all right. Or is it going to be alright. Lisa Renee Jones gives you a bit of a thrill ride all the way through and leaves you guessing as to what's next at the end of the book. I am loving her characters and I especially can't wait for Caleb (leader of the Renegades) to get his story and meet his  lifebond. This series is still revving up i think. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for The Storm that is Sterling. Find out more about this series and the author Lisa Renee Jones by clicking here. www.lisareneejones.com

Swing back by this blog tomorrow and Lisa Renee Jones will be guest hosting and giving away a pretty cool Prize.

Mancandy Monday! Handsome devil isn't he?

This guy could easily be on a book cover. He's got the look don't think?

Free ebook Friday! Here to Stay by author Debra Webb

From what i've read this is the 3rd book Debra she wrote in her career.



Nathan Blackrope has never forgotten a single thing about Paige Weston. Not how much he loved her or the way she betrayed him, and not the plans they had once made. Plans that included marriage and children…things Nathan has never found—or wanted—with anyone else. Now Paige is back and Nathan is about to discover the shocking reason she left him…and why she has finally returned.


Getting intimately involved with Nathan again is the last thing Paige intends to allow when she returns to Trinity. She has never forgiven him for the way their relationship ended. In spite of her best efforts, she is still drawn to the proud Apache man who once stole her heart and gave her nothing in return. Nothing except her beloved child—a child whose father has no idea he exists…


Find out more about this books and Debra's other releases by checking out her website here www.debrawebb.com

Buy free for kindle from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Here-to-Stay-ebook
Buy free for Nook from Barnes and Noble here http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-to-stay-debra-webb

Book review: Free Short Story!! The Day of the Dead by Karen Chance

Review by Sarah





Back of the Book Blurb: The Day of the Dead is a short story connected to the New York Times bestselling Cassandra Palmer series of urban fantasy novels. It was first published in the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (2008) and is now being offered as a free ebook. It features Tomas, a character from Touch the Dark (2006), the first Cassandra Palmer novel. Tomas has returned to an ancient village in South America to destroy his former master, a former Conquistador named Alejandro. Before he can locate Alejandro, Tomas runs into Sarah, a mysterious woman searching for her missing brother.



Review: At just 36 pages, this is truly a short story. That being said, it was free (yay!) and pretty darn good. And absolutely perfect to read while my son was in his karate lesson and my daughter was bouncing off the chair next to me, chattering nonstop. Which is why I normally can only read at night:-)

Tomas is over four hundred years old, and has not had the best vampire life. He was born to an Incan mother and a Spanish Conquistador father, turned into a vampire and made to collect human snacks for a real sadistic master vamp named Alejandro. He ends up slave to another master vamp, escapes him, and has returned to the small village in the mountains to try and kill Alejandro (gahhhh, I hear Lady Gaga every time I type his name). It is the Day of the Dead, and there are other strangers in this tiny village, one of whom is Sarah, a mysterious and capable woman searching for her missing journalist brother. Not everyone is fully human, though, and Sarah and Tomas end up joining forces. I won't go into further plot points because, hey, at 36 free pages you can read it yourself.

Tomas is a well-developed character - I really felt like I knew him about halfway through the story. His motivations for killing Alejandro are understandable, and his morality really shines through. Sarah's secret identity is a unique twist in the paranormal genre, and I enjoyed reading about her, although I wanted to know more about her history. Usually short stories are focused on either action or character development, but the author has done a nice job balancing the two. The story moves along nicely with lots of fights, suspense and surprises, and the beginnings of a sexy romance.

Good stuff!

4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars

For more information about the author and her books, check out her website at www.karenchance.com
This is also where you can find this free read.

Book review: Touch of Twilight (Anthology) Erin Quinn,Calista Fox and Mary Leo

A Chill at Twilight

By Calista Fox
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Best Friend Scorned…

With her country music career in a downward spiral, Rachel Holt returns to her hometown of Onyx, Texas. There, a sexy cowboy named Luc Winston and a ghost as ominous as the town’s namesake awaits her. Not only is the ghost of Rachel’s best friend, who died seven years ago, haunting the Whispering Willow Inn where Rachel is staying, she’s terrorizing Rachel.

Believing Peyton’s ghost feels slighted by her long absence and her sizzling, rekindled romance with too-hot-to-handle Luc, Rachel tries to make amends with the scorned spirit. Only to discover a web of secrets and lies that leave her questioning whether Peyton’s death was an accident, as reported…or murder.
But can she survive the ghost’s fury long enough to get to the truth?

A Shadow at Twilight
Mary Leo
When is love enough?

Hilly Thomson must once again give up her much-anticipated vacation in favor of her overbearing boss’s needs. Granted, her boss, Dillon Spencer, is now in a deep coma from a nasty car accident, but still…

To make matters worse, his spirit keeps appearing, mostly while she’s in the shower, asking questions and teasing her with his charm and sexy good looks. Before long this kinder, gentler Dillon has won her heart. But Dillon wasn’t alone in his car on that snowy road, and when he learns of the tragedy surrounding the accident his desire to return to his life is in question. Now Hilly, with the help of a few spunky, notoriously famous hotel ghosts, must convince Dillon that his life is worth fighting for, and nothing in this world or any other world can stop her from loving him, not even the threat of his returning to his old overbearing self.


A Shiver at Twilight
Erin Quinn
Destiny brings them together, but ghosts of the past try to tear them apart . . .

When Carly Ryan answers her friend's SOS on Halloween, she has no idea she'll end up stranded in a haunted house. But circumstances conspire against Carly and her rescue mission soon becomes a night of terror. Only the appearance of JD Dover helps her fight off the ghosts that lurk in every corner. Sexy, capable and undaunted, JD is more than happy to be Carly's knight in shining armor. Despite the creaking walls and eerie footsteps, despite the inexplicable ghostly happenings, Carly and JD can’t fight the attraction that consumes them and the passion that burns in their blood. Their coming together feels fated, but is it destiny or something more sinister that has drawn them to this haunted house? As they explore the attraction flaring between them, they fight to stay alive—but neither can guess the identity of the enemy they face or the lengths to which that enemy will go to cover up its sins.

All i can say is wow. I like anthology books i really do but it kills me when i read them and wish for more. It's a good sign but frustrating too. I find myself thinking man if this author had another 100 pages to work with to expand the story wouldn't it be awesome!?? Oh yeah. All three of these had that effect on me especially Calista and Erin's novella's. Mary's seemed much shorter than the other two but i could see her novella expanded to. These are ghost stories and i think that gives a author a liscense to have a little more fun. It felt like it anyway especially when you started reading about famous people as ghosts. I've got a say i am not much into thrillers and these all have a touch of thrill especially Erin Quinn's A Shiver at Twilight which she warns you about right before you start reading. I can definitely say i felt the chill she was going for but luckily the romantic bits were also there.  All three of these were really delighful romances if not a bit scary and creepy too. The perfect mix. I am not new to Erin Quinn's writing but this is different than her Mist of Ireland series. Far as i know I have never read Calista Fox or Mary Leo so it was a cool intro to their work as well.  4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Touch of Twilight. Find out more about these three authors by checking out their websites.
Erin Quinn
Mary Leo
Calista Fox

Update on me and my journey with Romance Biggest Winner!

Ok i meant to do this the first week of October which was the halfway point of Romance Biggest Winner. BUT like it happens sometimes i didn't get around to it and then forgot for a bit. We are heading into week 17 i think it is and more than halfway through the challenge. I have lost 22 lbs at this point. Feels good but my goal was 30 by January 5th which seemed crazy at the time but totally doable now. Fingers crossed!!!  Now that it's gotten colder I have pretty much given up outside exercise with one exception. Tell you about that in a minute. I primarily use my Wii for exercise. I use Zumba for Wii which i rent for $1 for 3 days at the library. Cheap way to try before you buy. I also use Wii's Gold's Gym too. They both give you a full body work out in dance form but Zumba seems to work my legs more and Gold's gym the arms more.  I also use My Fitness Pal online and for iPhone to track my calorie intake and exercise. It even keeps track of hip, thigh and waist measurements and exercise. I love it for iPhone i can take it with me anywhere and check calories etc.  Back to the one exception for outside exercise. I participated in my first 5 K in over 20 years this past Friday. Walking not running. I used to run in high school. I actually have not walked for exercise in a month so i was a bit leery BUT!!!! i ended up coming in first place in my age group with a time of 39 minutes and 36 seconds. I think i could've done better but i was figuring my way through the whole thing and it was dark. It was a Halloween walk. Pretty cool deal. I got a nifty medal for my trouble and bragging rights against my mom who does these all the time and was sure she'd beat me. She came in a couple minutes after me.  Anyway i am a bit worried about December. No one give me candy please. If you do it better be the really really good kind worth killing my calorie intake for the day. lol Lastly i want to share a couple before and after pictures. Well not the before one but you need it for impact. First one was taken July 5th or about and the 2nd Oct. 8th and that was at 18 lbs lost i believe. Follow along every Wednesday when results are posted on the Romance Biggest Winner blog to find out how everyone including me is doing. You can also search for the hashtag #RBW on twitter to find out what participants are saying. My cool team of authors and readers are called The Naughty Nine if you want to find us in particular. The Romance Biggest Winner blog is here http://romancebiggestwinner.blogspot.com/. Check there tomorrow to see how we all did with today's weigh in.

Lisa