January Kindle Fire HD Giveaway

20 Amazing Authors plus more than 100 of the Best Bloggers have joined together to bring you 1 Amazing Giveaway!

The winner will have the option of receiving a Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

This giveaway is sponsored by these Awesome Authors:</ b>




The Essence by Kimberly Derting
Alaina Claiborne by MK McClintock
Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos
Uncontrollable by S.R. Johannes
Hunted by Ednah Walters
Cliffhanger by Amy Saunders
I Was Here - Before You Came by Camelia Miron Skiba
Everlost by Brenda Pandos
Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke
Reaper's Novice by Cecilia Robert
Bulletproof by Jeff LaFerney
Lancaster House by Taylor Dean
Two Halves by Marta Szemik
Murder on Potrero Hill by M.L. Hamilton
Bellyache by Crystal Marcos
Kill Shot by Anne Patrick
Skid Out by Ann Marie Frohoff
Between by Mary Ting
Dragon Stones Saga by Kristian Alva
Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett


Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends 1/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Chance of a Lifetime by Jodi Thomas

Chance of a Lifetime by Jodi Thomas
Release date: December 31, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Paperback, 336 pages
ISBN: 9780425250525
Harmony, Texas #5


My Review:
As we re-visit Harmony, Texas in book five of this wonderful series, I am reminded in Chance of a Lifetime that each book doesn't tell just one story but interweaves multiple stories. Sometimes it finishes those stories off and sometimes it leaves them open to continue somewhere else along the way in the series. But no matter what the journey in the story will be enjoyable. And it continues here in Chance of a Lifetime.

Two couples are the star of this book, Emily and Tannon, who were best friends growing up but grew apart and Rick and Trace who find themselves thrown together by the suspense thread that Ms. Thomas weaves in Chance of a Lifetime. I enjoyed both couples and getting to know them in this book. Rick is the only one I really remember from earlier books, Trace is new to the story as an outsider to the town, but if Tannon and Emily had any roles before they were just cursory roles. So it was really four new characters to get to know. I felt I got to know Emily and Tannon the best and I really enjoyed their story. They are both scarred people trying to come to term with the problems they face so they can come together. A theme that is often used, but I really like how it is used with these two.

As far as Rick and Trace, I felt their story (as in romance and character development) was secondary to the suspense element that Ms. Thomas built up around them. With Emily and Tannon it was all about the romance and character development. With Rick and Trace it was suspense and then character development which was great. It was kind of like getting two stories all in one, yet they meshed together perfectly. The suspense was good, I figured out about 2/3 of the way through who it was but that was okay, I think the reader was meant to, because there was still the element of catching and stopping the person. It was a good suspense plot and I cared about Rick enough to want the person caught. I liked Trace and learning about her as well. She was definitely an interesting addition to the story and I hope to see more of her in the future.

There were some other storylines in the book that I hope will continue in future books, but you'll have to read to see what those are. Of course there are appearances by previous book characters as they are major people in Harmony. All-in-all it's like going back to your hometown and seeing all the people you know and love and some you don't. A visit to Harmony is like seeing your old friends and being enveloped in a warm hug. I love my visits to Harmony and can't wait for the next installment later this Spring. Ms. Thomas continues to hold my attention, bring me interesting characters and great suspense plots with each novel and that will keep bringing me back for more.

My rating: 5.0/5.0

And as a wonderful bonus, Jodi Thomas' Chance of a Lifetime hit #20 on the NY Times Bestseller list! Congrats Jodi!

About Chance of a Lifetime
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas takes us back to Harmony, Texas, in CHANCE OF A LIFETIME. The fifth book in her popular Harmony series presents a story where big dreams are brewing—and anything and everything is possible…

Emily, the local librarian, has started a writing group, but as the group stumbles through both the fiction and reality of their lives, they’re learning much more than how to write. But Emily suddenly has other things on her mind when a friend from her past shows up in Hamony's
library. Now she must deal with a secret she’s kept for fifteen years—a secret that changed her life and threatens to shatter her future.

Meanwhile, new lawyer Rick Matheson thinks he’s in charge of his world until accidents start happening all around him. Just when he realizes someone is trying to kill him, he meets a beautiful U.S. Marshal named Trace Adam. Now that the marshal has given him an even stronger reason to go on living, he must learn to take a chance on life to dream bigger—and love better—than
he ever has before...




About Jodi Thomas:
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 36 novels and 11 short story colections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY, the first book in the Harmony series, won a RITA, the highest award for women’s fiction. Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas
A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

www.jodithomas.com
www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor
www.twitter.com/jodithomas

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

2013 New Adult Reading Challenge

I have fallen in love with the New Adult genre in the past couple of months. It all started with Thoughtless, but it may have started with something before that, but I will blame Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens. Then I moved on to Fall from Grace and Saving Grace by Christine Zolendz{swoon}.  I am hooked so I typed "new adult reading challenge" into my google search and I found it.  I am so excited.  It's hosted by Danya at A Tapestry of Words, Victoria from Confessions of a Twenty Something Fiction Writer (she is also a member of the NA Alley blog), Tara from Tater's Tall Tails, and Barbara from Basia's Bookshelf.  Go and check out these wonderful blogs!

Then after you have checked out the blogs, go find out the details and sign up for the challenge here.

I am signing up for the "Living on Your Own" level which is reading 20 or more books.  I think I can handle that and I've already read my first one :)  I'll list my books here and link to my reviews.  If you have any suggestions of great New Adult books to check out, let me know in the comments, I'm always on the lookout for more great books to read!

1. Saving Grace by Christine Zolendz
2. The Next Forever by Amy Burstein
3. Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Book Review: Vanished by Irene Hannon

Vanished by Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
Publish Date: January 1, 2013
Paperback, 328 pages
ISBN: 9780800721237
Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Christian
Private Justice #1



My Review:
Irene Hannon continues to shine in my book. Vanished starts a new series and as soon as I finished I was already eager for the next story in the series.

The Private Justice series introduces us to three Private Investigators in the Phoenix Inc. firm. This is not your everyday PI firm, they are upscale and they are dedicated to finding justice for their clients. Which is just what Moira needs. She was on the road one dark, rainy night and knows she hit a woman, but there is no proof and the police think she just imagined it. But when she meets Cal at Phoenix and talks it through with him and they start investigating things start falling into place and show her hunch was right.

Right from the start Vanished is a great thrill ride. I like how you get the story from both sides once Moira has a good feel for who the mystery helper might be. It makes the story exciting to see what he is doing and what Moira and Cal are doing too and how it will all culminate together. I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book. And even knowing who the bad guy was, Ms. Hannon still managed to throw quite a few surprises my way.

Not only is Vanished a great suspense book, there is also great character development. Getting to know Moira and Cal was wonderful and watching them grow together was even better. I liked seeing their romance bloom and surprise them. Ms. Hannon is a master at weaving the romance into the story and really making it work.

I love Irene Hannon's romantic suspense and always know when I pick one up I will not be disappointed. Vanished has amazing suspense and a wonderful romance. It has two great main characters who I enjoyed getting to know and also two supporting characters who I can't wait to get to know in future books and who I hope will also get their happily ever afters. I also love Nikki, their receptionist/helper, and can't wait to see more of her as well. Vanished is a great book and if you enjoy romantic suspense and are looking for a book to jump start your new year (or any time of the year) this is just the book to do it. I read it in one day and had a hard time putting it down when the kids needed to eat. Yes it was that good. So go grab it and see what you think.

My rating: 5.0/5.0

Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About Vanished:
Reporter Moira Harrisons is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road. 

A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case. 

From the very first page, readers will be hooked into this fast-paced story full of shocking secrets from fan-favorite Irene Hannon. "Vanished" is the exciting first book in the Private Justice series: Three justice seekers who got burned playing by the rules now have a second chance to make things right.


About the Author (from Goodreads.com):
Irene Hannon, who writes both romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 40 novels. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), a National Readers' Choice Award, a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier Award, a Retailers Choice Award and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, long walks, cooking, gardening, traveling and spending time with family. She and her husband make their home in Missouri.

Website
Twitter
Facebook

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Come Chat with Author Mary Jane Clark (1/16)

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: Yours At Midnight by Robin Bielman

My Review:
Yours at Midnight has everything a romance novella should have and it packs a punch for a short format.  I fell in love with both Lyric and Quinn, loved the secret, enjoyed the conflict and loved watching them fall in love with each other.  I felt Ms. Bielman did an excellent job with character development in a short 161 pages.  And it's a perfect book to start the New Year's with. In fact it was my first finish of the New Year's, it left me with a big smile and wishing for more from Quinn and Lyric (even though I will admit her name drove me crazy to begin with, I grew to really like it).

If you are looking for a delightful not too light romance (it does have angst and conflict) to start the year with, then this is just the book for you.  Yours at Midnight has love and laughter but enough realism too to make it more like real life. But enough escapism to make you still enjoy it too.  It's definitely a quick read with great characters that I dare you not to fall in love with.  Make it your New Year's resolution to enjoy a good novella this year and give it a start with Yours at Midnight.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0


About Yours At Midnight:

Lyric Whetsone only had eyes for Quinn Sobel's brother Oliver, until a car crash took Oliver's life on New Year's Eve. Then, a moment of shared grief between Quinn and Lyric became something more impassioned, something that frightened Quinn so much he ran from Lyric's bed and her life, disappearing for four long years.

Now Quinn's back for another New Year's Eve, struggling for closure, desperate to leave his grief in the past and make amends with the girl of his dreams.

But Lyric has a secret--one that could drive Quinn from her life
forever. Will Quinn run away from the love and acceptance he's always wanted...or will he claim his New Year's kiss and make her his at midnight?

A bit about Robin Bielman:

Robin Bielman lives in Southern California, a bike ride away from the ocean if she's feeling really adventurous. She loves books and baking and running on the treadmill while watching her favorite TV shows. When she's not reading or writing her next story, she's spending time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons. She is addicted to cafe mocha's and if every day were Cupcake Day, she'd be a happy camper! She loves to connect with readers.

You can find her on-line here:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Yours at Midnight can be purchased here:

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/yours-at-midnight/

Giveaway:

Robin Bielman is hosting a $50 Giftcard giveaway during the tour and to make it easy, you can enter using the Rafflecopter on this site.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge

One of my favorite challenges is the Young Adult Reading Challenge.  I have loved YA books for years now and they make up a large part of my reading even though I am way out of the YA age bracket. I blame it on the fact that there weren't a lot of YA books when I was a YA and the books are that good now :)

So I'm in this year, and you can be too, just go to My Overstuffed Bookshelf and sign up and read all the rules.  I won't recount them here.  Mainly it's to read YA books.

I'm signing up for the Mega Size which is reading 50+ YA books, which should be easy to do.  I have that many on my TBR and that doesn't include all the great new ones coming out this year and the wonderful series I still haven't read from the past few years.  I'll list the books as I finish them and plan on linking to the reviews as well.

1. Mind Games by Kiersten White
2. Hidden by P.C. Cast
3. Hysteria by Megan Miranda
4. Vixen by Jillian Larkin
5. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
6. The Prince by Kiera Cass
7. Neverfall by Ashton Brodi
8. Everbound by Ashton Brodi
9. Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz
10. Dream Dark by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
11. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
12. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
13. Gates of Paradise by Melissa de la Cruz
14. With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent
15. Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick
16. Sketchy by Olivia Samms
17. The Program by Suzanne Young
18. Tempestuous by Kim Askew
19. Pulse by Patrick Carman
20. Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon
21. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
22. Panic by Shannon M. Draper