Win a Custom Manicure Set and a $20 Ulta Gift Card

Sara Daniel, author of Construction Beauty Queen, which I reviewed and gave away a few weeks ago is having a great giveaway to continue promote her book. Below is Sara's Rafflecopter and all you have to do is enter :)  It's a great prize, I love the beautiful custom manicure set (I really need one) and a $20 Ulta Gift Card (who couldn't use that?)  Good Luck and make sure you check out Construction Beauty Queen - it's a perfect weekend read!


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Note: this is a giveaway hosted by Sara Daniel not by My Reading Room.

Cover Reveal: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin

Release: December 27th

Blurb:

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.

My grandma once told me that I can do anything I want, so I am.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in picturesque Vermont, with my husband and two daughters. Also renting space in our home is an overhyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day you'll find me behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, I'm writing one of the many stories I plan to release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

I'm also an active reviewer on The Readiacs - a site I own with my best friend and uber special beta, Yvette.

Website † Facebook † GoodReads † Twitter


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GIVEAWAY
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This giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL.

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Book Review: The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Publish Date: September 1, 2012
Hardcover, 169 pages
ISBN: 9780800719272 



My Review:
I have come to think of reading Ms. Carlson's Christmas books as a tradition and while I have to read them a little early for me in the season, they never fail to bring me good cheer and warm feelings when I read one of them. The Christmas Pony is no exception, in fact I think it's one of her best of the last three years that I have been reading.

The story focuses around a young girl who's family is making it for their small town after the great depression in 1937. All Lucy really wants for Christmas is the pony that is down the road that is for sale of trade, but she knows she probably won't get it. But that doesn't stop her for praying for it. Lucy lives with her Grandmother and widowed Mother and they take in boarders to make extra money so Lucy thinks it's magical when she happens to run into a beautiful woman and a well-dressed man in town that need a place to stay. And that's where the story and the magic start. Getting to know Lucy, George, Miriam and even annoying Veronica make the magic of this book. I adored George and his quiet wisdom and sweet ways with Lucy and Miriam.

Once you start reading this you won't want to put it down, and it's easy to read in an hour or so since it's under 200 pages. The magic of the Christmas season in the book will enthrall you and even though life isn't perfect for this little family you will learn to enjoy the little things right along with them. When I finished the book, I wanted to hug my little family, tell them I love them and carry the magic of The Christmas Pony with us right through Thanksgiving and into Advent and the Christmas season. Ms. Carlson captures the magic of the simple life, love and the spirit of giving so perfectly that you can't help closing this book with a smile on your face even if you are facing troubles in your life.

So I encourage you to grab this book, it's a quick read. It's uplifting, it's romantic, it's sweet. It's nice to see life through the eyes of a child and appreciate things that way. The Christmas Pony is a lovely book that I may just have to read again before Christmas.

My rating: 5.0/5.0

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Book:
Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all. 

The queen of the Christmas novel, Melody Carlson pens another magical tale of expectation and excitement as one little girl dreams big and the impossible becomes possible.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books in 2010 and 2011. She and her husband live in central Oregon. 

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***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.  ***

Book Review: Double Time by Olivia Cunning

Double Time by Olivia Cunning
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pub Date: November 6, 2012
Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 9781402271519 
Romance, Erotica 
Sinners on Tour



My Review:
This is one of those books you are dying to finish and don't want to finish at the same time. You want to know what happens, but you don't want it to be over. It was my first Sinners on Tour book, I had great plans to read the first two books in the series before reading this one, but as usual, I didn't get to it before the deadline loomed for the review of Double Time. So I dove into this book which I later found out is supposed to be the last book in the series, but is being released third for some reason that I don't know and don't really care because I was able to read about Trey now.

Another confession, I had not read m/m/f before, was not even sure I would like it, but had heard such wonderful things about the series that I knew I had to try it. I knew I wouldn't judge the overall book on whether the sex scenes were for me or not. Well they were for me. I think Ms. Cunning does a wonderful job with them. But I'll get to that in a moment, I just needed to get my confessions out of the way.

The characters, anyone who reads my blog, knows I'm big on characters, and since this is a romance, it needs to have great characters. I did not know Trey or any of the band members of The Sinners or Exodus End before Double Time, but that's okay. I think Ms. Cunning does a great job getting you up-to-speed on the characters. And even the happily-ever-afters of the two books between Rock Hard and Double Time are a given and nothing essential was given away to spoil them in my opinion. So back to Trey, Reagan and Ethan. Oh my gosh, they are amazing. Reagan was so cool, love the tomboy, rock goddess image, love that she still squeals at seeing the members of Exodus End and The Sinners and doesn't take her position for granted. Love that she also seems to know what she's getting into and knows she'll probably get hurt, but still allows herself to fall for Trey. Her feelings are amazing and I love how they are shown in the book. Trey is tortured by his love for Brian and wants to get over it with Reagan, and the crazy thing is he finds he really has feelings for her. I loved watching that develop. He is such a teddy bear while still being incredibly sexy. And the banter between the two of them, just amazing, he truly has met his match in Reagan. Then add Ethan in and wow, do the three of them soar off the charts! Not as much is known about Ethan, the constraints of the book limited that I believe, but I felt like I knew him enough I was comfortable with his place in the relationship and how he grew into it. I liked Trey and Reagan the best, but probably because I was able to get to know them the best.

The plot was mainly moved along by the relationship and Trey's secret for the first half of the book and then their experimentation for the next quarter of the book. Then the suspense plot that was in the background through about half of the book ramped up for the last quarter and made things even more interesting. And it finishes out with more relationship happenings. I felt the plot moved very well, never dragged and kept me turning pages. I easily read the first 250 pages in one sitting and would have read more had my family not demanded supper. Of course I could not wait to get back to it.

One of my favorite things as I finished up Double Time was that the characters and plot will stay with me for some time. Yes the sex was hot and I enjoyed it, but there was deeper relationship meaning in the book as most of us women expect. It's erotica done the way it should be, a healthy dose of steamy sex with a great story and a happy ending. Just know it has m/m and m/m/f along with m/f sex in it, so if you know it's not your thing, then don't read it. If you haven't tried reading it and aren't sure, I can heartily recommend trying this one. :)

My rating: 5.0/5.0

About the Book:
Olivia Cunning delivers the perfect blend of steamy sex, heartwarming romance, and a wicked sense of humor in this menage story featuring the hottest guy in the Sinners band.

Trey Mills, the notoriously sexy Sinners rhythm guitarist, gives up his bisexual lifestyle and is swept into a hot, heady romance with Reagan Elliot, a female rock star sensation. But when Trey encounters Reagan's sexy bisexual roommate, Ethan Conner, he can no longer deny who he is or what he wants. Reagan heartily agrees to a solution that opens up a hot new world of sexual experience--and love--with the two men she wants the most.


About the Author (from Goodreads.com):
Combining her love for romantic fiction and rock ‘n roll, Olivia Cunning writes erotic romance centered around rock musicians. Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, she attended her first Styx concert at age six and fell instantly in love with live music. She's been known to travel over a thousand miles just to see a favorite band in concert. As a teen, she discovered her second love, romantic fiction -- first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own. Growing up as the daughter of a career soldier, she's lived all over the country and overseas. She recently moved to Galveston, Texas.

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***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.  ***

Book Review: Placebo by Steven James

Placebo: A Jevin Banks Novel by Steven James
Publisher: Revell
Publish Date: Nov. 1, 2012
Softcover, 416 pages
ISBN: 9780800719340
Suspense


My Review:

Placebo is a great introduction to a new series featuring Jevin Banks and his cohorts Charlene, Xavier and Fionna. It also offers something different from Stephen James other series and most other suspense novels I've read, Jevin is an escape artist and illusionist. It definitely makes things interesting and lends a new feel to the suspense genre which usually revolves around PIs, FBI agents, police officers and the like.

The first part of the novel moves a little slow, but with good reason. In this first part Mr. James is taking the time to introduce the reader to the characters and give the reader a good feel for the characters and the situation he is about to put them in. While I state it's slow, I don't mean it's boring, I just mean it's not the breakneck pace that will come later. I found it to be interesting from the beginning because I enjoy getting to know characters, getting inside their heads and understanding their motivations. The reader definitely gets this in Placebo.

As the book continues the pace begins to ramp up and gets to the point that the only reason I put the book down is because I fell asleep and the book fell on my face (true story, I take a sleeping pill, so don't think the book bored me). I picked the book right back up the following morning and didn't set it down until I finished it.

I enjoyed Placebo, I really enjoyed the characters the most. The plot was a little confusing at times, but it was exciting enough I could get past it. My only other complaint was it was a bit rushed at the end, probably victim to the development in the beginning which I wouldn't have wanted to lose. But all-in-all I found Placebo to be an enjoyable book. I like Jevin and his friends and can't wait to read the next book in this series. Characters make books for me and these characters and their jobs are different, fun and make the book exciting and leave me wanting more of them. Placebo is a very enjoyable suspense read, Steven James has done it again and has a dedicated reader for life with me.

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

Available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
About the Book:
While covertly investigating a controversial neurological research program, expose filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms. After giving up his career as an escape artist and illusionist in the wake of his wife and sons' tragic death, Jevin is seeking not only answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program, but also answers to why his family suffered as they did. 

Rooted in ground-breaking science and inspired by actual research, "Placebo" explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. Readers will love this taut, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James.

***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.  ***

Audiobook Review: Bones Are Forever by Kathy Reichs

Bones Are Forever by Kathy Reichs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2012
Audio CD, Unabridged,
Temperance Brennan #15



My Review:


Another interesting installment in the Temperence Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. This one has Tempe back in Canada with Detective Ryan and also an old lover who she's not as thrilled to see. However her and Ryan have cooled it because of his relationship with his daughter so there's not much romance in this one. But that's okay there's enough suspense to keep this one moving. I like the Brennan/Ryan romance, but also was getting a little tired of the indecision which is still there, but I felt like the case is at the forefront of this book, with a little angst between the two of them still there. But the case is front and center so if that is what you come for in these books, then read it.

The plot was interesting. Dead babies are found and send Tempe, Ryan and Ollie Hasty (the old flame) across Canada looking for a missing woman who goes by different names. When they finally end up in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, the story really takes off. Lots of great twists and turns that Reichs is known for. Lots of trouble for Tempe to get into, she really never learns, but I still love to read about her and how her mind works as she solves the crimes and really gets to the heart of things. Tempe cares and that's what I really like about her. That part of her character shines through in this book and made it enjoyable for me even when I was a little lost in the details. The fact that she felt something would reel me back in and make me feel something and really care about the characters involved.

The setting was a little bland, but the mining history made things a little more interesting. Also some of the characters were a little so-so which is what brought my rating down a little, but again Tempe is the main character and she shines in this and that was what mattered in the end.

I listened to the audio and it's another winner. I love the reader, she does a wonderful job with the voices so I can tell the difference between the characters even when my mind is wandering a bit on some days (not the fault of the book, the fault of my busy life). I actually found this book held my attention pretty well most days. It had to, I would get a little confused by the different names and places if I didn't pay close attention. So if your mind wanders a lot when you listen to audios, the book version might be better.

I think the book worked overall. Was it one of the best in the series, probably not, but it's the 15th book, there are bound to be some that aren't as great as the others, but then again that is my opinion, you could read it and it might be your favorite. Yellowknife and it's residents may appeal to you more than they did to me. Is is still worth reading? Yes, it's a good book and if you enjoy the series then it's another good book in the series. Will I continue the series? Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I love Tempe Brennan and will continue to read the books about her as long as Kathy Reichs writes them. So she still has a follower in me and Bones Are Forever is a good book. It has Tempe at her best, solving a crime, getting in trouble and caring about people, what more can you ask for?

My rating: 4.0/5.0

About the Book:
Kathy Reichs, #1 New York Times bestselling author and producer of the FOX televison hit Bones, is at her brilliant best in a riveting novel featuring forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan—a story of infanticide, murder, and corruption, set in the high-stakes, high-danger world of diamond mining. A woman calling herself Amy Roberts checks into a Montreal hospital complaining of uncontrolled bleeding. Doctors see evidence of a recent birth, but before they can act, Roberts disappears. Dispatched to the address she gave at the hospital, police discover bloody towels outside in a Dumpster. Fearing the worst, they call Temperance Brennan to investigate.

In a run-down apartment Tempe makes a ghastly discovery: the decomposing bodies of three infants. According to the landlord, a woman named Alma Rogers lives there. Then a man shows up looking for Alva Rodriguez. Are Amy Roberts, Alma Rogers, and Alva Rodriguez the same person? Did she kill her own babies? And where is she now?

Heading up the investigation is Tempe’s old flame, homicide detective Andrew Ryan. His counterpart from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is sergeant Ollie Hasty, who happens to have a little history with Tempe himself, which she regrets. This unlikely trio follows the woman’s trail, first to Edmonton and then to Yellowknife, a remote diamond-mining city deep in the Northwest Territories. What they find in Yellowknife is more sinister than they ever could have imagined.

Crackling with sexual tension, whip-smart dialogue, and the startling plot twists Reichs delivers so well, Bones Are Forever is the fifteenth thrilling novel in Reichs’s “cleverly plotted and expertly maintained series” (The New York Times Book Review). With the FOX series Bones in its eighth season and her popularity at its broadest ever, Kathy Reichs has reached new heights in suspenseful storytelling.

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

Author Interview, Review & Giveaway: Construction Beauty Queen by Sara Daniels

Today I welcome Sara Daniel, author of Construction Beauty Queen, a delightful contemporary romance centered around the construction industry (one of my favorites since my own hubby is an electrician) :)  So grab your favorite cuppa and learn a little more about Sara and Construction Beauty Queen.  Then check out my review and you have a chance to win a copy of this charming novel.

Welcome Sara!

What three things do you need in order to write?

·         A keyboard -- I use a pen and paper for brainstorming, but for actual writing I need to type.

·         A window – If I can’t be outside, I need to stare at the trees and sky to really get my creative juices flowing.

·         Coffee -- self-explanatory!

What's your favorite season?

I love warm weather, so summer is my favorite season.  But I especially adore those warm fall days that still feel like summer, the leaves are in full color on the trees, and the ones on the ground crunch under my feet.

If you could write in any other genre besides romance what would it be?

To amuse myself (and my kids), I’ve been playing with some middle grade stories about quirky squirrels and also tween books about boys who go auto racing. Ultimately, I love to tell happily-ever-after stories about family and characters who long for a better life, regardless of the genre.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Living in a landlocked suburb, I am a complete sucker for the waves crashing on the sand or rocks, so Hawaii is my dream destination, but really any body of water that I can walk along in at least semi-warm weather will do. A perfect day would start with a morning stroll along the beach, hours writing in sight of the water, a nice long hike in the woods, more hours of writing, and then capped off with a sunset walk along the beach with my hubby. Ahh, perfection!

What's the first sentence of Construction Beauty Queen?

The checkered destination flag on the GPS screen waved over the entrance to the most desolate trailer park Veronica Jamison had ever seen.

Where did the idea for Construction Beauty Queen come from?

Growing up in a small town where my parents have a small business was a big inspiration for me. I love stories where everyone is always in everyone’s business, helping the hero and heroine get to happily-ever-after or stirring up to trouble to make the path more difficult. I love reading small-town stories, and I loved writing this one!

Tell us what is Construction Beauty Queen about.

Chicago socialite Veronica Jamison is determined to shake off her sheltered lifestyle and overbearing parents. She heads to her grandfather’s small town of Kortville, ready to roll up her sleeves and work for the family construction business. She’ll prove her worth, even if it means answering to the company’s ruggedly handsome co-owner, Matt.

Matt Shaw just wants to run his business, spend time with the niece he’s raising on his own, and give back to the townspeople who have stood by him. Managing a spoiled-rotten princess he knows he’ll never be good enough for? Not part of his plan. But as he gets to know Veronica, he learns there’s more to her than her beautiful looks and designer clothes. She’s got a heart as rich as her background.

With the quirky townspeople rallying against Veronica inheriting her grandfather’s business, it’s up to Matt to try to drive her out of town. But how can he, when instead she’s driving her way into his heart?

Dish, who’s your favorite character?

I really enjoyed writing the quirky townspeople. Barney, who runs the convenience store, was constantly plying Veronica with so-called “welcome” gifts. And Pauline, who owns the diner, has a serious espresso fetish—the more bizarre the flavor, the better! Of course, I love Veronica and Matt, but Barney and Pauline were so much fun to write.

How did you feel when you finished Construction Beauty Queen?

I felt a really strong sense of accomplishment. I made a lot of revisions on this story, and I’m so proud of the result. Construction Beauty Queen is lighter in tone and more humorous than any of my other books, and I’m looking forward to writing more books in this vein.

For all of us impatient readers, what is up next for you?

I’ve been spending a lot of time editing various “finished” projects this fall, and I am definitely looking forward to starting something new. I have an idea for a book with a couple characters who appeared in Construction Beauty Queen, so hopefully that will soon be my new project.

Thanks Sara!

Thanks for having me. I love to connect with my readers!

http://www.SaraDaniel.com

http://saradanielromance.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/SaraDanielSaraShafer

http://www.facebook.com/SaraShaferDaniel

http://www.twitter.com/SSaraDaniel

My Review:
Construction Beauty Queen is such a fun novel.  It has one of my favorite things in a contemporary romance, the small-town theme where the small-town becomes a character itself.  I fell in love with Kortville and it's residents right alongside of falling in love with Matt and Veronica.  Yes they are tough on Veronica in the beginning but it's very typical of small town so I understood, but as she worms her way into their hearts and Matt's heart, the real story starts.

The characters are great.  You have the spoiled rich girl who really wants to make it on her own.  Right there you have a character I like.  She traded her graduation present car in for an old beater to pay her school loans and while she still has the designer wardrobe she is a generous and sweet soul that you can't help but love.  And she has a spine.  Does she slink away when Kortville and it's residents throw every curveball her way.  Heck no!  Veronica is amazing.  The only place she is unsure is with her heart and with Matt.  She doesn't want to rely on anyone any more, she is sure she wants to do it on her own and I admire that about her.  But there is Matt who is oh so attractive and a good man to boot.  But Matt has his hang ups.  While he is firmly entrenched in the small town life now raising his niece.  He hasn't always been there in Kortville and he has been burned which makes him very wary of rich-girl Veronica.  I like Matt, he's loyal, he loves Kortville and his niece.  He's loyal to his brother's memory, but is it time to let go and really live his own life?  Veronica and Matt really need each other to grow and I love that.  The chemistry works, the romance grows and both of their hearts are good which makes the story and romance easy to believe.

As far as plot, the town and it's residents really helped push this along for me. At the beginning it was what would they do to Veronica next.  And then it was how would they react and grow to love her next.  I love how the various townfolk grow and change during the book as well.  Also I love how Veronica comes into her own with her business as the plot moves.  Then there is the romance, can't have a romance without that.  And Construction Beauty Queen has that.  From the first kiss to the end, the romance had me sighing in a good way.  And it left me smiling and happy.

Construction Beauty Queen is a great read for these cool fall days, it makes you feel all warm inside with the way that people can be good to each other. And that there are happy endings out there.  I loved Matt and Veronica and fully enjoyed this book.  I laughed and cried, it kept me entertained and it was hard to put down.  If you are looking for a quick romance read, then grab this one.  If you love small town romances, then this is right up your alley.  If you just love a good romance then rush and get it.  I can't say enough that this is one wonderful book.  Entangled Publishing you have done it again, please keep it up, you find wonderful authors with great stories to tell!

My Rating:  5.0/5.0

Giveaway:
Thanks to the publicist with Entangled Publishing I have one ebook copy (PDF or epub) available to one winner.  Open international, ends 11/6.

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***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.  ***