Sunday, June 28, 2015

It's Time for LIP SERVICE by Adele Downs ... Yeah!!!

So here we are all gathered around again and most likely with a least one book or two close at hand. I got a couple of questions for you to ponder.



Do you continue to look around to find new reading material or new authors? For that sweet summer read that you want to share with every other bookworm that you know?
Yeah... me too!!!
When I found Bewitching Book Tours -- I knew I found a new friend and source for some summer reading. I have been able to pack a few of them under my literal belt in a very short time span. And I can see that it was take a bomb to separate us any time soon.
I have tell ya if you haven't gone over to BBT yet, I got to tell ya your missing out on some great paranormal, exotic and steamy stories folks. Witches, Werewolves, and Ghosts oh my!! Tell Roxanne Hi & that I sent ya to check her out. Well let me tell about this new book from BBT that is in the Spotlight right now!
 
I have a review mixed in and at the end you will find the names of those also on this book tour with me. And guess what? We have prizes with this newest give-a-way. I know that I to win some great book swag. How about you?
Ready ... Set... GO!!!!



Lip Service by Adele Downs

Print Length: 116 pages

Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Release Date: April 27, 2015

ASIN: B00WT1EA2W

Genre: Hot contemporary romance Book


Description: 

Getting Between Jack… Orphaned at a young age, Legs Anderson owes her Aunt Ada everything. The stoic old lady raised her, and Ada’s warnings about men—and the Harris boys in particular—have stuck, even after her death.
Of course, that could be because Ada stuck around, too.
…And His Legs
Patience is not one of Jack Harris’ virtues, and he’s waited too long to start a life with the woman he’s loved since childhood instead of them just knocking boots.

Now Ada is interfering from beyond the grave, haunting the old Victorian house she bequeathed to her niece and reinforcing Legs’s fears of commitment. But Jack won’t give up. No matter what trouble may follow, the house will be renovated, Ada will learn to let go, Legs will put her money where her mouth is… then Jack’ll put his lips everywhere else.

Available at:  Boroughs Publishing     ARe    Amazon    BN   Kobo    Smashwords

Excerpt:

"Move in with me, dammit. You’re the most stubborn woman I ever knew.” Legs topped his coffee cup with fresh brew, easy as you please.

“No more stubborn than you, since you keep askin’ the same old question. I have my own place.”
Jack frowned and stabbed his egg yolks, making them run. “Then let me live with you.”

“In my aunt’s house?” Legs asked like he was crazy. “It’s your house now.”

“I’m trying to fix it up. I have to patch and paint. There’s no room for your things.”

“I’ll help you and then you’ll have plenty of space for me. And my stuff.” Her ponytail shook with her reply. “Ada won’t like it. She’ll think it’s immoral.”

Jack leaned forward. “You talk about her like she’s still with us. She’s been gone over a year, sweetheart.” His voice dropped an octave and his brow creased. “Don’t you think she’d give in after all this time?”

Legs wrinkled her nose. “No. She thinks you’re a wanderer.”

Jack tossed down his fork. “I own a sporting goods store! I go fishing!” He touched her hand when she got close enough and drew little circles around her wrist bone with a fingertip. The preschool teachers from Let’s Explore stifled sighs at the next table.

“It’s time to let go, darlin’.” His expression turned earnest. “She raised you, I know. But I want to be with you now. It’s time to let me in.”

“Not if it means letting her go. I’m sorry, Jack. I just can’t do that to her.”

Jack sighed and returned to his breakfast. “We’ll talk about this again tomorrow.”



Here is a list of the rest of the stops on this tour. Be sure to stop by & look them up. They love comments as much as I do!

June 8 Guest Blog @ Roxanne’s Realm

June 8 Spotlight @ Literary Musings

June 9 Review @ Romantic Fanatic

June 10 Spotlight @ Share My Destiny

June 11 Spotlight @ Houston Havens

June 12 Review @ Rockin' and Reviewing

June 15 Spotlight @ All I Want and More Books
 https://alliwantandmorebooks.wordpress.com/

June 15 Interview @ Bewitching Book Tours Magazine

June 16 Spotlight @ Fang-tastic Books

June 17 Guest blog @ Preternatura

June 18 Guest Blog @ The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com

June 19 Spotlight @ Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog

June 22 Spotlight @ Sapphyria's Steamy Books

June 22 Review @ The Booksnake Etc.

June 23 Interview @ Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance

June 24 Spotlight @ happy tails and tales
 http://happytailsandtales.blogspot.com

June 25 Interview @ Dark Side of Romance

June 26 Spotlight @ Romantic Reads and Such
http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

June 29 Interview @ Eclipse Reviews

June 29 Review @ Ramblings of a Quilter

June 30 Character Interview @ Author Karen Swart

July 1 Guest blog @ Jeri's Book Attic

July 2 Spotlight and review @ Making it Happen blog

July 2 Review @ Books N Pearls

July 3 Spotlight and review @ Evelyn Shepherd

July 3 Review @ the reading head

July 6 Interview Deal Sharing Aunt

July 6 Spotlight @ Lisa’s World of Books

July 6 Review @ BoyMomLovesBooks

About the Author:
 

Adele Downs writes Contemporary Romance inside the office of her rural Pennsylvania home. She is a former journalist, published in newspapers and magazines in the USA, UK and Caribbean. Adele is an active member of Romance Writers of America and her local RWA chapter where she serves as past-president. She has written several articles for RWR magazine (Romance Writers Report), and she has presented workshops for writers. When Adele isn’t working on her current project, she can be found riding in her convertible or reading a book on the nearest beach.

Now for my Review:

I was lucky to receive a ARC so that I could read, exchange & share my humble review with you for this tour. Please know that this review is only from my personal view point. And has in no reflections of those whom made this book happen.
Hummm ... let's see first off - I found this book has a nice steady reading pace that one would hope for in a summer read. That plot line is interesting without feeling like a hundred other books that I just read not that long ago. Which is a good thing for me.
The characters were personable and kinds of reminds you of a couple you might know. I love that!!! I actually was a waitress in my slightly younger days and did meet a husband that way. See what I mean? Thanks Adele for the short trip down memory lane.
The story is given as a first person perception. It's really fun to see the banter between Legs and Jack. You can image your self sitting in the diner with a front row seat watching the inevitable unfold.
The little love triangle between Legs, Jack and Aunt Ada is also entertaining as well. Oh .... just in case you missed this little footnote - Aunt Ada isn't on the same realm as Legs & Jack - but she doesn't that hold her back from voicing her opinions. Not by a long shot!! LOL.
This book will have you giggling at times. Like when there is Jack, Legs & water-solvable paint. Want to hear more about that, you're going to have to read this great little book.
And that's all I'm saying on that matter. Well that and the fact I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars.
What is left...? Oh that's right!! That's right there a give-a-way. Scroll down and see the great goodies being offer this round.


 Tour Giveaway:
2 e-copies of Naturally Yours

2 e-copies of Kissing Her Cowboy

1 linen tea towel with a saying meant especially for readers $10 Amazon Gift Card


a Rafflecopter giveaway
I would like to say "Thank You" to Roxanne Rhoads @ BBT for allowing me to be apart of this books tour.


Now that the day has gone by, I think it's time to put this copy to bed. Until next time...

Toodles,
Tricia
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In The World Without A Modern Day Sewing Machine

These day in what we call the Modern age, we can't image what it would be like without all the wonderful gadgets we now use to make our quilts.  There is the rotary cutter and heavy duty plastic rulers of a variety of sizes to guide us along our most current pattern or quilt. 

The modern age of quilt is so much different than it was say 10 or 20 years ago. Much less when our own "more experienced" quilters were younger. When their mothers or even our grandmothers took to quilting.  

We recently had a bitter pill to swallow recently, as I have to look around on the situation i guess the silver lining is that I enjoyed hand work of any kind.  And that is a good thing.  If you remember back on the 14th  I mentioned that I was beginning a new hand project that I was inspired by my friend Gretchen Ann over there at her great blog! So this is where my Blue Radiance is at the moment. 

My Blue Radiance #1

She ain't much to look at yet, but as it is said " slow & steady win's the race".  I haven't given much thought to what I'm going to do with the piecing yet, but as you can see it's not going need to considered anytime quite yet.

As things tend to be this time of year, the pace picks up around the little cottage by the river.  This year I tidied up my little plot of dirt that I play in.  On the eve of Summer Solstice, I poked around and added some old seeds of sunflowers, cosmos, alyssum, lettuce, onions  and  bachelor buttons.  I had bee balms, parsley and sage that came back. I had wanted to do more but that just wasn't in the cards.  The chipmunk we have around sure didn't like the onions and it appears that he did like the sunflowers seeds as he dug them up and left me the hulls in a nice neat just like I had planted. Bloody cheeky of him for sure!

Let's see in the reading side of things, I'm currently reading:
  • The To Do List  by Jillian Stone
  • Inside the O'Briens  by Lisa Genova
  • Deadline (The Bayou Secrets Saga, #1) by Judy McDonough 
I recently got approved to read  two new books.  The  first one is an ARC from NetGallery in exchange of an honest review  called  The Perfect Bargain (Entangled Love struck) by Jessa McAdams and then I just received  Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason in the mail from Bethany House Publishing. 

 The "Girls" have been watching that cheeky chipmunk come right up to the deck screen and chirping at them like no body's business.  So... well... I decided that the Girls could do with some introducing to the outside and with a few strips of fabric I fashioned this quick & crude harness & leash for them. But isn't easy to get good pictures of cats big-eyed and thinking "OMG! I'm outside!!! LOL.  Go figure ... right? But I will get a better harness system together and get them back outside soon. 

 I dug out the Farmer's Wife supplies again and thought I would show those finished blocks. I have a journal with it that I added notes and I even have some bits of the fabrics that I used in the blocks with the name & number jotted down next to them as a fun bonus.  It would be like an "I Spy" to match the little fabric tidbits to the blocks in the quilt.


FWS Items Up Close
Those Finished FWS Blocks
Pretty Covers To Keep Everything Nice & Neat

If you happen to want to ask, those blocks are stored in a pillowcase packaging with a zipper on that is good to keep them all nice & neat, but also clean. What didn't make the picture is the spiral notebook that I have a running list of the blocks as they was assigned.  Once I catch up on those in it, I will start to flip the book open at random to pick the new block.  

I have several quilting projects that I'm working on depending on the "where's &when's" .  I have been doing some testing for The Quilt Pattern Magazine that is due on the 4th, and that baby quilt that is still in the floor hoop for my evening work. I have those travel projects that I rotate from Redwork, Cross-stitching and I'm getting re-familiar with the FWS items again.  So I'm never at a loss for things to do.  But then a quilter and needle artist never does.

Well I'm going to sign off now as it's time for that baby quilt for that special little one across the pond.  Until next time...

Toodles,
Tricia




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Thursday, June 25, 2015

Cover Reveal For BBT's Into the Mist by Judith Ingram

Html cover reveal code with puzzle





Into the Mist
Moonseed Trilogy
Book 3
Judith Ingram

Genre:  paranormal romance

Publisher: Vinspire Publishing, LLC
Date of Publication: July 30, 2015

Number of pages: 
Word Count:  91,500

Cover Artist:  Elaina Lee/
For the Muse Designs

Book Description: 

For the past six months, time-traveler Victoria Ashton has been living life as Katherine Kamarov on a ranch in rural California, circa 1890. A contrast to Katherine’s brash personality, shy and gentle Victoria has won the hearts of Katherine’s family and particularly her cousin Michael. Despite her deepening love for Michael, she has rejected his offer of marriage and sent him away, knowing that she must return to her own time on the night of the new spring moon.

In this third and final book of the series, sinister forces threaten Victoria’s new family, her property, and even her life, testing her for courage and ingenuity. A confident new self emerges, and when Michael unexpectedly walks back into her life, she questions whether she must remain a victim of fate or can find a way to determine her own future.

Meanwhile, Katherine has been living a parallel year of exchange in Victoria’s modern-day life, married to the handsome but remote Ryan Ashton. Hardened by her past, Katherine nevertheless falls for Ryan and, like Victoria, begins to search for a way to defy fate and keep the life she has come to cherish.

As the night of the new spring moon approaches, both women must search their hearts to discover how to hold onto what matters most, even if they should be forced back through the barrier of time.


About the Author:

Judith Ingram weaves together her love of romance and mystery as well as her training as a counselor to create stories and characters for her novels. She is also the author of a Christian guide to forgiving and posts weekly devotionals on the role of forgiveness in healing relationships. She lives with her husband in the San Francisco East Bay and makes frequent trips to beautiful Sonoma County, where many of her fiction characters reside. She confesses a love for chocolate, cheesecake, romantic suspense novels, movies that require three hankies, and all things feline.

Website, blog and free weekly devotional: http://JudithIngram.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudithIngramAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@judithingram20

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/judith-ingram/a/122/62

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5356538.Judith_Ingram

Into the Mist Moonseed Trilogy Book 3 Judith Ingram

Genre: paranormal romance Publisher: Vinspire Publishing, LLC Date of Publication: July 30, 2015

Number of pages: Word Count: 91,500 Cover Artist: Elaina Lee/ For the Muse Designs

Book Description: For the past six months, time-traveler Victoria Ashton has been living life as Katherine Kamarov on a ranch in rural California, circa 1890. A contrast to Katherine’s brash personality, shy and gentle Victoria has won the hearts of Katherine’s family and particularly her cousin Michael. Despite her deepening love for Michael, she has rejected his offer of marriage and sent him away, knowing that she must return to her own time on the night of the new spring moon.

In this third and final book of the series, sinister forces threaten Victoria’s new family, her property, and even her life, testing her for courage and ingenuity. A confident new self emerges, and when Michael unexpectedly walks back into her life, she questions whether she must remain a victim of fate or can find a way to determine her own future.

Meanwhile, Katherine has been living a parallel year of exchange in Victoria’s modern-day life, married to the handsome but remote Ryan Ashton. Hardened by her past, Katherine nevertheless falls for Ryan and, like Victoria, begins to search for a way to defy fate and keep the life she has come to cherish.

As the night of the new spring moon approaches, both women must search their hearts to discover how to hold onto what matters most, even if they should be forced back through the barrier of time.


Excerpt: He didn’t hear her slide the door open and step out behind him. Her arms circled his waist, and the faint scent of ginger spice shot twin arrows of joy and pain through his body. Wordlessly, he turned and brought his mouth down on hers. Enveloped in the soft twilight hush, they shared a kiss that was deep and long and achingly sweet. When they pulled reluctantly apart, Ryan let his eyes linger over her, already naming the vision being etched in his memory. This is how my love looked in twilight.

She was wearing her white robe, and her blond hair curled softly, just brushing her shoulders. It’s gotten longer, Ryan thought. He suddenly wanted her to cut it again, as if keeping her hair short would somehow help her to keep her claim on this body—on this life—and prevent Vicki from coming back.

Tori moved to the rail and stared out over the city deepening into dusk. “It’s started, Ryan,” she said quietly.

He moved to stand beside her. “What’s started?”

She turned and leaned an elbow on the rail, holding him with a steady gaze. “What we’ve dreaded. I dreamed about the bridge.” She lifted a shoulder. “It’s only a week away. I should have expected it.” She drew in a breath that trembled. “She was already there, standing on the bridge. Waiting for me.”

At his look, she put out her hand and covered his. “Don’t hate her, Ryan. She didn’t ask for this to happen any more than I did.” She smiled faintly. “I would have, though, if I’d known you would be here. I wouldn’t have missed this time with you for anything. No matter what happens, I’ll carry you in my heart until the day I die.”

Ryan couldn’t speak. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. He could do nothing but stare at her in mute despair.

She turned her back on the glittering city and leaned both elbows on the rail, staring through the glass doors into their living room. The soft light of the table lamps was growing imperceptibly brighter as the dusk surrendered to night.

“Do you ever wonder, Ryan, what Victoria will be like when she comes back?” “She’s not coming back.” His voice cracked. “She’s had a whole year, Ryan, just like me. A lot can happen in a year. She may surprise you.”

“She won’t get the chance.” His jaw tightened. “I’m not letting you go, Tori. I can’t. Vicki doesn’t belong here anymore. This is your home, with Christina and me.” He covered the crack in his voice with harshness. “How can you stand there and calmly talk about Vicki coming back while you just up and vanish from our lives? Like it’s already decided, like it’s so easy for you—”

About the Author: Judith Ingram weaves together her love of romance and mystery as well as her training as a counselor to create stories and characters for her novels. She is also the author of a Christian guide to forgiving and posts weekly devotionals on the role of forgiveness in healing relationships. She lives with her husband in the San Francisco East Bay and makes frequent trips to beautiful Sonoma County, where many of her fiction characters reside. She confesses a love for chocolate, cheesecake, romantic suspense novels, movies that require three hankies, and all things feline.

Website, blog and free weekly devotional: http://JudithIngram.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudithIngramAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@judithingram20

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/judith-ingram/a/122/62

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5356538.               


Judith_Ingram Tour giveaway July 27- August 24

2 ebook (.pdf or .epub) bundles of trilogy Books 1 & 2

2 signed paperback copies of trilogy bundle Books 1 & 2 with bookmarks

2 ebook copies (.pdf or .epub) of Into the Mist 2 signed paperback copies of Into the Mist with bookmarks

4 $25 Amazon gift cards

4 purse charms featuring book cover and story theme charms

Well Y'all that is my Cover Reveal for the day.  Be sure to come back on the date mentioned above  for the chance to win some great swag!! Until next time ...

Toodles,
Tricia
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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Bethany House Reviews

The is nothing I like better than to curl up with some books in one fashion or another. I enjoy stalking my mailbox when I know there will be books arriving.  As I’m sure I have mentioned that in the past. And I bet you’re sitting there rolling your eyes and thinking “Good God woman - where is the quilting?” But if you look at the top of of my blog page, you might have noticed that I give fair warning by the statement “Quilter by Day and Book Lover by Night”. So having said that, you guessed it; another book review posting. 

I told you some weeks ago that I was reading “Finding Me” by Kathryn Cushman. This book is from Bethany House: a division of the Baker Publishing Group.

About

A Contemporary Drama of Family Lies and Forgotten Loves. 
After her father and stepmother's accidental death, Kelli Huddleston sorts through their belongings and learns a shocking secret. Years before, her father faked his death during a boat wreck at sea--and faked Kelli's as well. He'd run from a wife, a son, and a daughter back in Tennessee, meaning Kelli has a family she's never known.
She's already cashed the payout on her dad's life insurance check and looks at it as her ticket to a new life. The lure and puzzle of digging into this hidden past is too much to resist, and she soon finds herself in Tennessee. When the trip threatens to open doors to the past better left shut, and her plans for the future are threatened, Kelli must make an agonizing choice that will change her life forever.

What do you do when you find out everything you knew was a lie?  

Kelli makes a startling discover that has her reeling in a whirlwind of emotions as she makes her way through a journey of self-discovery as she begins to look for the truth about her family after the death of her Father & Step-Mother.  We follow her half way across the continent, from California to a little dot of the map called Shoal Creek, Tennessee.  Things are not what they seem on the outside. How nerve-racking it becomes for her.

We follow her half way across the continent from California to a little place called Shoal Creek, Tennessee. This book might have you doing a bit of soul searching as you read it.  I have to say that it had my thinking beyond on the normal amount that most books have on me.  It in it’s own way; would sneak back to the front of my mind long after I finished the book.  It can be intense at times and you could find yourself either relating with Kelli or know someone you how’s name pops in your head as you go further into the book.  

Kathryn’s characters are very relatable and for a Christian book, she doesn’t make it feel like you are getting thumped over the head with a 5” Bible. The story was smoothly written that allows for a pleasant reading pace and it is a “clean read” that even young adults would find interesting too.  In the back is a section for “questions for conversation”  that would be helpful at opening up dialogs across many different types group also.  

Over all I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars.

Please beware that I received this ARC from Bethany House in exchange of my honest opinions.  My words have no effects on the making of this book in any fashion.


Okay so now we have another book that I received from Bethany House.  

A Love Like Ours (Porter Family, #3)

About
Becky Wade Is the New Name to Know in Contemporary Romance
Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

This comes from the author Becky Wade. “A Love Like Ours” is book #3 in “The Porter Family Novels” but is capable of standing on it’s own. Which it did my case and I don’t feel like I was missing too much of the back story.  There is nothing worse than picking up a book to find out I’m missing some of the references made by the author.  

Becky has you looking at the story from both Jack’s and Lydie’s point of view. In the begin we get a sneak peek of Jake and Lyndie at a young age.  Then we come back to them twenty years later. I love their interaction between them and the rest of the cast.  Chances are you probably know someone like them in your own life.  It’s nice to see the characters as “real” people- warts and all. 

The subject matter that Becky uses to bring attention to plight of our troops as they are coming home.  We “see” a bit of what it is like for a returning Soldier from the War in Iraq and are dealing with PTSD -just ones our characters face.  There are others subjects brought up, such Mollie’s (Lyndie’s sister) disabilities from birth, to the perils of dating for Lyndie and her friend Amber, and let us not forget about Silver Leaf, the Casanova thoroughbred. Finding faith, dealing with unusual situations and healing (personal or otherwise) are dealt with gently lessons from the Bible.  

Over all I liked the book very much and think it deserves 4 out of 5 stars. I would be interested to know what you think of it.  I will be looking for the rest of the series next time I’m at my local library.

And for my final book, I read The Midwife’s Tale by Delia Parr.


From the Back Cover
Martha Cade comes from a long line of midwives who have served the families of Trinity, Pennsylvania, for generations. A widow with two grown children, she's hopeful that her daughter will follow in her footsteps, but when Victoria runs off, Martha's world is shattered.

Worse, a new doctor has arrived in town, threatening her job, and she can't remember a time when her faith has been tested more. Still determined to do the work she knows God intended for her, Martha is unprepared for all that waits ahead. Whether it's trying to stop a town scandal, mending broken relationships, or feeling the first whispers of an unexpected romance, she faces every trial and every opportunity with hope and faith.

This book is the first in the series: At Home in Trinity and Bethany House released it June 2, 2015. It is labeled as a Historical Romance.
One thing I liked about this book was the main female character was middle aged like myself.  I don’t know, but it seems like there isn’t a lot females in that age bracket in books.  Yes - she is a Widow, but in that time period the average person would live to only 40 years of age. I’m a lady in my 40’s, so I was able to relate to her in that sense. 

I like the fact the Martha was portrayed in a traditional role that was handed from one woman to the following generation but was shown to have some difficulties of her own when her daughter up & leaves while Martha was away with a patient.  We watch her interactions with those around around her as she learns to place her struggles in hands of her Faith. 

When I next visit the library, I want to check out series: Hearts Along the River and the Candlewood Trilogy. I would like to compare them to this book.  As I get older I have found that me taste in books has grown more towards the Christian themed books as they tend to be cleaner to read.  Don’t get me wrong I still read the other genres, but I do enjoy an easy read. 

And having said that, I deemed this book to also a 4 out of 5 stars.  Yea I know that a lot of 4’s this round but I think these books are worth it.

Well let’s wrap it up for this edition so until next time …

Toodles,
Tricia
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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Dragons & Morgons

Well here is to more book reviews.  I have several to share and will just jump right to it.

The first one is the The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books Published January 27, 2015 with it's 416 pages.

Description:

In the blockbuster and bestselling tradition of Jurassic Park comes the breakneck new adventure from the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Matthew Reilly whose imaginative, cinematic thrillers “make you feel like a kid again; [they’re] a blast” (Booklist).

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty years. They have proven the existence of dragons—a landmark discovery no one could ever believe is real, and a scientific revelation that will amaze the world. Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing findings within the greatest zoo ever constructed.

A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see these fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr. Cassandra Jane “CJ” Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles. The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that the dragons are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong.

Of course it can’t…

Ironically, when I started to read this book the previews for Jurassic World was all over the television. I did enjoy the first three movies and that ultimately I would say that it swayed my decision to read this book.   From the very beginning the book drew me in and held me in it's teeth quite literally.  It was like the love child of the Crichton's JP books and Tolkien's Smaug.

Matthew has a way of drawing in the the plot line and details he using to describe the scene around you.  With the similarities of the aforementioned books, I found that the pace of the book fast paced & intense. It even lend it's self to one of my favorite quotes from the book. You can see the character's in an glass elevator, where brother and sister - Hamish and Cassandra Jane (CJ) respectably are having a discussion when CJ ask her brother what he thought of the zoo so far and he replies with a shrug:

"It's all pretty cool and impressive ... if you never saw f...ing Jurassic Park."

Things move at such a pace that you go from the frying pan ... to the fire ... to a bigger fire to a ... well you get the gist of it.  I know that I became wide-eyed as I read some sections and held my breath.  If the book was able to do this, image what the movie would be like?  Actually we pretty much can figure it out from the movies.

I did like the book since it was the first one from this author that I have read, so having said that; I can't compare it to any of his earlier works. Yes - this a theme we have seen by other writers and yes - we could say that dragons and dinosaurs could be construed as the same creatures.  I still liked the book. The writing is strong and provides the reader to "see" the going-ons without much work.   I could give this one 3.5 of out 5 stars. 

This was an ARC from NetGallery for the exchange of my honest opinion and has no reflection on the book it's self and that my opinion is just that ... my thoughts.

I recently finished Waking The Dragon by Juliette Cross. This 248 page Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy was released on June 9, 2015 by Kensington Books, Lyrical Press and is the first in the Vale of Stars series.

 

Description

The Gladium Province is on the verge of civil unrest as humans and Morgons, the dragon-hybrid race, clash once more. But amid disorder can also arise passion…

When the bodies of three human women are discovered in Morgon territory—with the DNA of several Morgon men on the victims—it's just a matter of time before civil unrest hits the Province. But for ambitious reporter Moira Cade, it's more than just a story, and it may mean risking her own life.
Descending into the dark underworld of Morgon society, Moira is paired with Kol Moonring, Captain of the Morgon Guard, for her protection. Fiercely independent, Moira bristles at his dominance, and defies his will at every turn. Yet resistance proves futile when passion flares between them, awakening powerful emotions within both, body and soul. But as the killings continue, can their fiery newfound bond survive an even greater evil—one that threatens all of humanity, Morgonkind, and Moira's very soul?...

Again this is another new author that NetGallery has introduced me to.  The short of the long story?  I found the book interesting without feeling like I was missing something. The was a good amount of violence due to the race war that is raising.  The sex scenes are detailed and steaming. But I have so many words that I could use for the book:

Intense -  Hot - Steamy - Strong - Highly Readable - Interesting - WANTING!!!

The characters are as expected. Girl fights for independence for domineering  father who want to take on the task of being a serious hardcore journalist by going undercover.  But don't think Moira can't hold her own because you would be sadly mistaken.  When it comes to her life she know what she wants and a man isn't in the picture.  She is rather respectable in that way.  She doesn't want to be the cookie cutter type who stays home to take of home & hearth.

We have the dark and brooding alpha male - who wants to protect her without giving her his heart. The typical "have cake & wants ice cream too" philosophy. Lots ooh-la-la about him to go along with that sexual tension.

We have the violent & nasty bad-asses - who want to take over the world and make themselves the dominant race.  They have a had in brutal rapes, violence  killing and other adult subjects that makes this book PG 17 at the minimum.

Big plan happens, expected victory turns to betrayal, another battle to save the heroine from bad guys and of course the "happy" ending.

Even though it's another version of Girl meets Boy, Boy fights with in himself, Boy wins Girl that we see over & over in most romance books, I could not put this (e-reader) book down; even when my reading light died on me  and forcing me to take drastic measures.

The reason Wanting is on my list of words is because I WANT more by Juliette Cross!! She is on my "To Watch For" list beyond any doubts.  My favorite quote in the book was found on page 226.

"Huph. You'd best just keep your eye on the sky and your head out of gutter" -- says Moira to Kol

Let me tell ya I give this book a solid 4.5 stars!!

This is one ARC I was happy to receive from NetGallery for the exchange of my honest opinion on this book.  If you couldn't guess ... YES!!!  I'm telling EVERYONE about this book - so run and get your own copy.  You won't be disappointed!  But remember this is NOT a Young Adult book for under PG 13.

Well that's it for this addition.  Until next time ...

Toodles,
Tricia

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Sunday, June 14, 2015

Curtis & A Hand Project

Yup ... Summer is here!!

Now that my son is here - we have our own version of the unofficial start of summer in my household.  We will have a busy time of it with his Boy Scout's meeting, camp outs and fund-raising commitments.  In fact last week was super busy as I did a two day baking marathon for the boys at the Lilac Festival. I made so many bake goods it covered the top of my chest freezer and then some. I was told that the bake goods that I maybe went over so well that they would like me to make more of them for the Spaghetti Dinner and Auction Fund-raiser on the 13th.  Ummm ... yea. I guess those extra pair of hands will be handy since it's for his troop.  Here we are after a long day on the 6th.  He sure is getting tall. I happen to be wear a pair of 2" heels in this photo.  This August he becomes an official 'teen and I'm not sure on my feelings on the issue these days.  Although I did have someone tell they thought I was only 26 tops - so I guess it's even.

Me & Curtis
Curtis had asked me to learn some quilting skills this year. He says it's interesting to see how things come together and he did enjoy the Sashiko project that we did last year together.  He/we made it and he gave it to his father when he went home. I can not be happier that he is looking forward to learning a new skill when he comes up for the summer.  I firmly believe that it is good to learn some basic life skills that he can use later when he gets older.  He is learning life skills by either me or Boy Scout's.  Things like sewing buttons on, repair a seam or to sew on his badges on his scout sash.  As he gets older, he is already looking forward to do more complicated blocks; but now simple things like 4 or 9 patch blocks are holding his attention. 

We are exploring more recipes too.  He wants to learn how to cook more dishes, so we will make that beef & broccoli dish that I made a few weeks ago from the Pioneer Women's blog. It's nice that he has all of  the ingredients needed for that lesson later in the week. We are looking for other recipes that he might enjoy too.  Here is a photo of him at the stove, making some sausages and scrambled eggs for breakfast. 

Curtis Makes Breakfast
We will be learning how to cook a fish this month also for his fishing badge, and tie some fly fishing lures.  I was proud of the classes he wants to take while he is at the Big Boy Scout's camping trip in July. Classes are rifle shooting, chess, sculpture, archery (long bow - I believe), wood craving, nature and fly fishing. I'm so proud of his choices.

Today he was introduced to the weed whacker from Mr Steve and seems quite happy to learn a new power tool. Last year he learned how to use the push mower. And he also learned how to use the sander on the boat seats.

A New Power Tool Lesson
On the sewing front, things are moving the speed of ... umm .... let's see ... slower than a old turtle.  But seeing how I have been working on UFO's and such not I have allowed myself to work on a NewFO.  I have an hour and half to kill while Curtis is at his scout's meetings, so what I decided was that I would on a portable hand project.  And I have my friend, Gretchen Ann; to thank for this new project.  She is on another homesteading board with me and has her own blog. She has some wonderful photos of hers here.

I had been watching the progress that she was making on her "Red Radiance" Redwork project. I had asked if she would share the design name with me. Long story short ... she sent me the magazine that the pattern is from.  So today I spent some time tracing out the center basket on to bleached muslin and this what we ended up with.

Center Basket





BH&G American Patchwork & Quilting
For those who might interested, this is in the December 2009 issue.  This has some interesting articles on Redwork and "Red Radiance" is found on page 54. We all know how much I love the combination of stitchery and piecing so this is so up my alley.  Now I love that look of Gretchen's piece in red; but I had decided it might look pretty in Blue Redwork.  So off I go to see what I could find in my floss boxes. Yippee!! I was able to find two skeins of  DMC # 336. Which is an Indigo Blue/Medium Navy Blue according to what I could find online.

I am all set for next Thursday night. When I will go to one of the little restaurants in the village to sit in a/c with a cup of coffee, stitching my time away. I plan to make this a "Make-Do" project with the exception of buying more floss as I go along.  The bleached muslin was given to me and I'm sure I have plenty of blue and light fabrics scraps that I can use for this lovely piece.  I will share lots of pictures over the summer so that you can take the journey with me. 

Speaking of following along.I also decided that it was time to drag out my "Farmer's Wife Sampler" blocks again to work on during the day.  I had started it back in the beginning of  2013.  At the time we were doing a BOW over on Q&N.  As we all know - life has a way of getting in the way and I had only completed 16 blocks of the 34 blocks we were given before putting them away because Curtis had come for the summer. You might have seen some of the blocks in my postings around March, April 2013.


I'm still working on other WIP's and it is nice to switch them up every once in a while.  I have a assortment of different types too.  One that is in the floor hoop, two cross-stitch projects, and a few of the row by row 2014 projects also.  What's one more to add to the rotation ... right?  LOL. Well I think I'm going to hang it up for now.  I have a few book reviews come up this week and I am reviewing some for a new publishing house where there will be things like cover reveals, interviews and other interesting things to see.  Until next time ...

Toodles,
Tricia
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