Waiting on Wednesday #9

Posted March 25, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 6 Comments

Print“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating… cannot wait to get our hands on… having hissy fits at having to wait… you know, waiting for the book is exhausting work!

I have made no secret of the fact that Nora Roberts is my favorite author.  Many come in at second place (it seems to rotate through all of my favorites) but I will be waiting in line, in the pouring rain to get my hands on a new release by Nora Roberts.  So my pick for this week should be no surprise.  Since I didn’t get my greedy hands on an ARC – The Liar will be available in a few weeks and I cannot wait.

 

The LiarShelby Foxworth lost her husband. Then she lost her illusions …

The man who took her from Tennessee to an exclusive Philadelphia suburb left her in crippling debt. He was an adulterer and a liar, and when Shelby tracks down his safe-deposit box, she finds multiple IDs. The man she loved wasn’t just dead. He never really existed.

Shelby takes her three-year-old daughter and heads south to seek comfort in her hometown, where she meets someone new: Griff Lott, a successful contractor. But her husband had secrets she has yet to discover. Even in this small town, surrounded by loved ones, danger is closer than she knows—and threatens Griff, as well. And an attempted murder is only the beginning …

My wait will be over on April 14, 2015.

What are you waiting for?

 

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Confessions of a Bookworm #2

Posted March 25, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 5 Comments

 

book confessionI love taking part in features and memes.  It brings us book lovers and book bloggers a bit closer together, if only in our shared love of reading great books.  So today I discovered something new.  :)

There is a new feature over at Parajunkee called Confessions of a Bookworm.  Here’s the link to this week’s post.   And the information about all of this is located at that link.

This week’s question is:  Would you rather go on vacation, or spend the money going to one of your favorite author’s book tour stops?

Hmmmm.

Well I can be quite devious in getting exactly what I want (but shhh.. don’t tell my family).  So what I would do is… search over every single detail of my favorite author’s book tour locations – pick one that I’ve always dreamed of visiting, or at least in an interesting location – and book my ideal vacation with a favorite author.  I get to meet a favorite author (and I’d have bags of their books for signing, just saying since I’m there 🙂  ) and take a fabulous vacation right there after the book tour visit.  Win-Win.

Okay, okay… If I must pick between the two options technically, then there really is no other answer than…going to my favorite author’s book tour stop.  I mean, come on it’s my favorite author!

On a side note.  Thank you Anila!  I actually “squee-ed” when I realized that I had a mention of my bookworm confession in this week’s post.  It made my day.  *huge grin*

An additional confession:  since reading that Vivien pets her books (there is nothing odd in that!) – I have been known to swoop down upon a stack of a new release of an anticipated book, grab one off the stack and tightly hug the book.  Yes, right there in the bookstore with people looking on.  But, they’re book lovers too so they at least “get” it.  🙂

Until next week – happy reading.

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How Have Book Tours or Cover Reveals Helped Your Blog?

Posted March 24, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

book pileNo, seriously, I’d really like to know.

While I’ve been blogging for several years, I’ve really only concentrated on reviews.  I’d like to take the next step and get involved in a Release Blitz or Book Tours or even just a Cover Reveal to start.

And I’m not ashamed to say that I’m still learning about these parts of book blogging.  But, I am starting to get offers and I really don’t want to fall flat on my face.  So, I’m asking anyone who wanders by my blog this simple question.  How have these things helped your book blogging?    And should you feel like giving some tips or additional information… I’m all ears.  🙂

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Cover Characteristic #2

Posted March 24, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 4 Comments

Cover Characteristic memeThe ladies at  Sugar and Snark  are hosting a Cover Characteristic meme.  Weekly a subject will be chosen and we search for book covers related to that week’s pick.  Why not?  I certainly have tons of book covers in my files (and I know how to find more *wink*) so this will be my first week joining in.

This week’s choice is Gardens.  Show off your favorite book covers with Hair…hmmm.  Follow the links above to join in too.

There are so many possibilities – and I toyed with the idea of searching out Fabio’s old book covers *whistles innocently with a wink* – but I was kind.

But I did indeed find some very beautiful covers featuring beautiful, flowing hair.  Check these out.

There are 2 covers here that are due out in April.  But I find it intriguing to see the beauty and artistry of how hair strands can be woven to create something quite beautiful… even fire hair.

hair 1hair 2firehair 3purple hair 4hair 5hair 6hair 7

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Review: Devil’s Moon by Amanda Scott

Posted March 24, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

Devil's MoonTitle:  Devil’s Moon
Series:  Border Nights (Book 2)
Author:  Amanda Scott
Genre:  Historical Romance
Published:  March 31, 2015
Publisher:  Forever
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Synopsis:

A Warrior’s Promise

The last place Sir David “Devil” Ormiston expected his moonlight chase of a horse thief to end was in a lady’s bedchamber. He is shocked to find that the raider he has pursued is no man, but a defiant beauty in disguise—and the woman he’s vowed to protect at all costs. Face to face with a girl Dev thought he knew, the ever confident, marriage-resistant knight may learn that he is defenseless against the desirable woman she has become.

A Lady’s Secret

Lady Robina Gledstanes will do anything to keep her family’s land out of the hands of her greedy kinsmen—except willingly submit to the handsome, cocksure Devil Ormiston. Dev’s help may be just as dangerous as the threats lurking outside her castle. But when enemies scheme to steal the castle’s treasure, Robina must risk losing something even more precious—her heart.

Read on for my thoughts on Devil’s Moon.  No true spoilers, promise.

Read More

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Review: A Kiss to Build a Dream on by Kim Amos

Posted March 24, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

A Kiss to Build a Dream OnTitle:  A Kiss To Build A Dream On
Series:  White Pine (Book 1)
Author:  Kim Amos
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  March 31, 2015
Publisher:  Forever
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Synopsis:

TROUBLE IN HIGH HEELS…

If pride goes before a fall, Willa Masterson’s trip back to White Pine, Minnesota, should be one heck of a tumble. The girl who left her hometown—and her first love, Burk Olmstead—in the rearview twelve years ago was spoiled and headstrong. But the woman who returns is determined to rebuild: first her family house; then her relationships with everyone in town . . . starting with a certain tall, dark, and sexy contractor.

MEETS HER MATCH

Burk has no reason to believe Willa has changed, and every reason to discourage her from converting the Masterson house into a B&B. He has plans of his own for that house, and they certainly don’t include a no-vacancy sign. But Burk didn’t count on how distracting Willa’s bright green eyes or her all-too-familiar touch would feel—or how impossible she will be to resist…

Read on for my thoughts on A Kiss To Build A Dream On.  No true spoilers, promise.

Read More

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Free Monday Pick ~ Doing Down by Elise Sax

Posted March 23, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Going Down WUAStud 1“Free Monday Pick” is a feature here at Keeper Bookshelf that showcases a novel I picked up for free.  This week’s pick was found at Amazon’s Free Kindle Books offerings.

Look for a “Free” novel to be picked each Monday and the review to appear on the following Monday.   There are some really good “free” novels available (and some not so great too).  Let’s weed them out.  If this sounds like something you’d like to take part in — awesome, just leave a link with your Free Monday Pick in the comment section and let us go check it out.

This week’s pick is:  Going Down by Elise Sax.

Synopsis:

Marion MacAlister wants to nail her audition, not get nailed. Truly. Honestly. All right…maybe she does want to get nailed, but that’s just because her hottie landlord and local diner owner Mack Ryan is confusing her with his mouth.

Can friends become lovers? Especially friends who might not even be friends in the first place?

Going Down is the sexy and hilarious first novella in the five-part Wish Upon A Stud series. Each novella is roughly 100 pages with no cliffhanger.

Wish Upon A Stud…A happy ending is just a coin toss away.

Wish Upon A Stud Series

Going Down is the first introductory novella in a series of 5 novellas in the Wish Upon A Stud series.  Today, March 23, 2015 begins the promotion blitz for this series.

I am NOT part of this blitz.  I might have been, but I discovered it a bit too late, oh well… next one.

But since this is a Blitz, and the first novel is free to download at Amazon (and I’m sure other retailers) — why not go with this one for the Free Monday Pick Feature?

This is the complete series… believe me, I have checked it out already.  Once I read Going Down I’ll decide if I’m going for the rest of the series (which is discounted until April 1, 2015 – I’ve read, so there is still a bit of time )

Wish Upon A Stud series all books

 

I’ll let you know what I think next Monday 😉

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Musing Monday #1

Posted March 23, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 10 Comments

open book and pink flowerI’ve taken part in Musing Monday hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm with another blog of mine.  I’ve decided to move some of these meme’s that I take part in around a bit and do a bit of a random blog of mine that takes part each week.  I don’t know that I could do it with each of the 3 book blogs I have.  But never say never, right?

Random Prompt:

I blogged about ____ this past week…

  1. various book reviews
  2. Bloggiesta
  3. meme’s that I love
  4. new meme’s to try out
  5. general thoughts and my own musings

One of the reasons I love book blogging is the amazing people and their blogs that I discover along the way.  Not one of us blogs exactly the same way – and isn’t that fantastic?  Each person sees the world and books differently, and I enjoy reading how others view this unique world of ours.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What is your favorite lesson learned, or quote, from a recent book you’ve read?

I get caught up in dealing with daily life.  I am mother to a young man who is a paraplegic due to spinal muscular atrophy.  He uses a ventilator to help his breathing and we have around the clock nursing.  To say that I am a 24/7/12/365 caregiver would be accurate.  I’m his mother, so in my mind, I am always going to be his main helper in life (please let a wife come into the picture one day 🙂 ).  It’s not a “feel bad for us” comment it is… our reality.  So at times I am very uptight.  Extremely might be a better word.  So while reading Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley I came upon this quote from Tack – it changed how I looked at each day.

”Life’s a roller coaster. Best damn ride in the park. You don’t close your eyes, hold on and wait for it to be over, babe. You keep your eyes open, lift your hands straight up in the air and enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.”

I work hard each and every day to find something I can enjoy like a roller coaster.  So far, it’s been a life changing experience.

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Bloggiesta Starts Now!

Posted March 23, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

bloggiesta start

Okay, I’m ready to start the spring clean up of my life.  *wink*  Or maybe just three blogs to start off with, but hey it’s a beginning!

Bloggiesta began today.  You can follow the conversations (and there are tons) at  @Bloggiesta and using the hashtag #bloggiesta – I am so excited to take part in this.  Alright, maybe just the learning and reading part, but hopefully I’ll get brave and try out chatting on Twitter (one of my to do list items).

Here is a link to the Mini-Challenges this year and man, there are some great ones for learning in this list.  MINI-CHALLENGES BLOGGIESTA 2015

Now I’m off to get one of my To Do List items taken care of… installing and understanding how to use TweetDeck.  Wish me luck.

Want to join in the fun?  Click on either graphic to be taken to the signup page and so much information.

Bloggiesta-mar 23-29

 

UPDATE:  Whoot!  I am now TWEETDECKed.  So cross off one item from my To-Do’s.  Understanding it, may take more than this week – but damn, I got one thing accomplished.  Go Me!   🙂

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