Review of Find Me by Laurelin Paige

iPad throwing Five Star Book!!! ✶✶✶✶✶

Completely. Blown. Away. 

Find Me was hotter and more angst filled than I ever expected. I wanted to throw my iPad about 75% into the book and curse Laurelin’s name. She shredded my heart and emotions, pieced them back together then ripped them out again! In the next breath I was crying over her awesome story, the intense love between the characters and the twists and turns that made this book amazing.

Gwen became a much stronger woman throughout the chapters. I enjoyed watching her character mature, encounter difficult situations and handle them in ways that made her grow as a person. And JC. Swoon! I fell more in love with him. He changed his life for her and worshipped the ground she walked on. He was the perfect book boyfriend (except for the moment I wanted to strangle him, but I forgave him by the end of the book). And the added bonus of more Hudson and Laynie was the best!

What a ride! Find Me was just firmly placed on my favorite book list!

Find Me
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PrQspQ
iBooks: http://apple.co/1CABCel
B&N: http://bit.ly/1HdraJ7
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1bhZHus
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1gKRnpy

Miss E Chronicles #6

9/16/11, Age 5
Excellent scenario of learning by example. A little boy came up to me and said Miss E wiped a booger on his face. Yes it was still there. Naturally I asked if she did it and why. Miss E replied yes because he was "flicking his boogers at her." Then said she wiped it because she didn't want to miss like he did. Well, at least it's logical.

9/2/10, Age 4
On the way to school today, Miss E asked me if I used to beat up bad people. I said yes because I was a police officer and police protect people. She then informed me that when she grows up, she is going to kill all the bad guys by running them over in a giant truck.

9/12/13, Age 7
I picked Miss E up from school today and noticed she didn't eat her Oreo cookie at lunch. It was broken into three pieces so I ate it. Afterward she said she didn't eat it because it was broken and she wanted to show me how she put it back together. I asked how she did it. She said she licked and spit on it to get the pieces to stick to each other. Never again.

9/3/12, Age 6
Miss E sat with me and we watched "E.T." almost in its entirety. Now, she is scared and refuses to go to bed. Talk about quality time backfiring. And yes, she liked the movie.

The Gambler by Denise Grover Swank releases September 1st!!!

The Gambler by Denise Grover Swank​ is out Tuesday, September 1st! I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of the book. IT IS AMAZING!!! Best book in The Wedding Pact series, in my opinion.

Summary

Libby St. Clair believes in fate—so much so, she’s willing to pin everything on a curse a fortune teller placed on her and her two best friends when they were kids. The curse, that each of them will marry before thirty, have a disaster of a wedding, and end up with a man other than her original fiancé, has come to fruition for both of her friends, who are now deliriously happy. But Libby’s attempt to quick-start the curse by proposing to her wrong-for-her boyfriend ends in a wild dash from the altar. She’s rescued by her friend Noah, the only person who understands her impulsive decisions–because he’s the same way.

Having spent most of his adulthood fleeing responsibility and commitment, Noah McMillan is finally ready to grow up. Of course, figuring out how is still a work in progress. When he realizes he’s in love with Libby, he flies to Kansas City to put a stop to her wedding. But Libby’s already pulled a runaway bride. Eager to cheer her up and prove that he can be the man she deserves, he takes her on a madcap car trip that will bring them all the way to the City of Sin.
In Vegas, those who risk it all either win big or lose everything, so what will happen if Libby and Noah take a gamble on love?

Right now you can read the first two chapters on Denise's website!
http://denisegroverswank.com/the-gambler-chapters-one-and-two/

iBooks: http://apple.co/1K9M7Vy
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1gbw9Rx
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1K7JwNV
Nook: http://bit.ly/1VQZ7qw
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1DdS2dz
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1JBRD5v
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Gi2FNB

Author swag for a good cause!!!

**Fan girl squealing**

Arrived home from the Travel Vortex to find this! The mouse pad scribbled on by Jodi Ellen Malpas​. I won an auction on eBay from the Literary Epic Charity Book Blog​ with the proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer UK. A great charity and I got JEM swag! Whoo-hoo!!!

Check out Literary Epic Charity Book Blog​ and Jodi's websites!

http://www.literaryepic.com

http://www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk

Sale on The Wedding Pact series by Denise Grover Swank

Denise Grover Swank posted this info about The Wedding Pact. the Player and The Substitute are only $0.99 right now. The Gambler comes out on Sept. 1st!!!

The Player
Book two in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling The Wedding Pact series.

Divorce attorney Blair Hansen is convinced that marriage should be based on practicality, not passion. But as her own wedding approaches, she finds herself remembering her law school boyfriend, the only man she's ever loved, and regretting what might have been. Then a twist of fate lands Garrett back in her life, and the man who loomed large in her past is suddenly casting a shadow over her wedding, making her question everything. To complicate matters further, the job she loves is in peril, and she can feel the ‘perfect’ life she’s fashioned for herself start to crumble under her feet. Could everything she's believed about life and love be wrong?

Garrett Lowry is a divorce attorney who's ready to settle down. The problem is that he can’t find a woman who suits him nearly as well as the one he loved and lost. He broke her heart by playing the field after their break up—something he’s always regretted. But after months of pining for Blair, Garrett stumbles across her in a freak coincidence—and then destiny keeps throwing them together, the coincidences becoming ever more unlikely. He’s convinced it's a sign they should give their love a second chance, but Blair is engaged to another man—a man who is absolutely wrong for her.

Can Garrett convince Blair that a player once isn’t a player forever, and that happy endings aren’t just for dreamers?

Standalone book in the The Wedding Pact series:
#1 The Substitute
#2 The Player
#3 The Gambler

iBooks: http://bit.ly/18U8C4s
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1wJxW7R
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1w703NN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Q2pwvE
Nook: http://bit.ly/1QO3Rtx
Google Play: http://bit.ly/19F9vhq

Review of The Gambler by Denise Grover Swank

The Perfect Conclusion to The Wedding Pact Series!

I loved all the books in this series by Denise Grover Swank, but The Gambler was by far my favorite. Who can resist carefree, spirited Libby and hunky Noah?! They fit so well together and I couldn’t help smile at their friendship and romantic chemistry. Their banter was hysterical! And the sexual tension was so thick a chainsaw was needed to cut it! Whew! I needed a fan and a cool drink! Throw in an off-the-wall wedding, a road trip full of odd-ball tourist attractions, two meddling grandmas, a whole bucket load of self discovery and it was the perfect story. I was sad to see the series come to a close, but the outcome was superb! It was a FIVE STAR awesome book!!!

**I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

You can read the first two chapters on Denise's website!
http://denisegroverswank.com/the-gambler-chapters-one-and-two/

Review of Free Me by Laurelin Paige

Hot and Combustable!!!

I am so glad I waited to finish Free Me two days before the second book Find Me comes out. Holy moly Laurelin, but you sucked me into another story! Initially, Gwen was difficult to warm up to. She was hard, icy and I wondered how she could be likable. But past hurt and abuse shaped her life and her reactions to relationships. Slowly I warmed to her and her inner strength. I liked JC instantly, because he was HOT! But I worried how he and Gwen would relate. Then I remembered how Laurelin weaves her novels. It’s like she says “wait for it, have patience, it’s coming later.” And oh did it! JC and Gwen were combustible together. I pulled for their relationship to be more than casual sex from the very beginning. I felt Gwen needed JC. What I didn’t expect was JC to need Gwen. That just made the story even better.

With somewhat of a cliffhanger, I am ready for Find Me to release on August 24th. I have to know if JC really is what he told Gwen, will Gwen move on as she promised JC, will her father show back up and is she in any danger from JC’s associates? No doubt Laurelin will deliver in the second book as she did in Free Me.

Utensils in the Travel Vortex

Look at my nifty little find. I was checking out at Eddie Bauer and happened across this gem for about $2. (Amazon also sells them.) Why did I buy it, you ask? I never remember to pack plastic spoons or forks in my suitcase or briefcase. Then I get food to my hotel room and am up a creek. Ever try to eat yogurt without a spoon? Not pretty and rather messy.

This spork from Light My Fire is relatively flat, packs easily and it is sturdy enough to withstand the pressure of items hitting against it while the baggage handlers throw the suitcase around.

Used it for the first time tonight. It's a keeper! 

#travelvortex

For Life by L. E. Chamberlin

For Life by L. E. Chamberlin.

Amazon summary below.

Cassie Daley found her soulmate at seventeen. Steadfast, sexy, and bold, Grady Mahoney walked into her world one night and claimed her for life. But after an unplanned college pregnancy and six years of struggling, their marriage fell apart. Now, despite sharing custody of their two children, they’ve barely spoken face-to-face in nearly eleven years.

She’s managed to keep both Grady and her emotions at bay for over a decade, but when a family tragedy throws the two together, Cassie must face both the man she fell in love with and the demons that drove them apart. Grady makes it clear that he wants their family back together, but can Cassie’s heart afford to take a second chance on first love?

Amazon US: http://ow.ly/R0Gzm

Find Me by Laurelin Paige

Find Me by Laurelin Page is out August 24th! This is the conclusion of Gwen and JC's story. The first book, Free Me, is amazing!

Below is the Goodreads summary for Find Me.

Gwen Anders came to The Sky Launch to begin fresh, away from the horrors of her past. She fit in quickly, becoming good friends with her co-manager, Alayna Withers and the owner of the club, Hudson Pierce. Though the circumstances that brought her here were not the best, she's never felt more at home.

But starting a new life means letting go. And there are some things she doesn't want to leave behind - like JC, the man who taught her how to let loose. The man she wasn't supposed to fall in love with. The man she doesn't want to lose.

Now, with the reason she ran still a threat, Gwen fears she'll never be able to move on completely. And if she does, can she still hold out hope that JC loves her enough to come and find her?

And some teasers to peek your interest!

Here are the links to both books!

Free Me
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NiMAbL

iBooks: http://apple.co/1ug824t
B&N: http://bit.ly/12iSnK7
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1vlTW0K

Find Me
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PrQspQ
iBooks: http://apple.co/1CABCel
B&N: http://bit.ly/1HdraJ7
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1bhZHus
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1gKRnpy

The Gambler by Denise Grover Swank

The Gambler by Denise Grover Swank comes out September 1st!!!

See the Amazon summary below.

Book three in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series by Denise Grover Swank.

Libby St. Clair believes in fate—so much so, she’s willing to pin everything on a curse a fortune teller placed on her and her two best friends when they were kids. The curse, that each of them will marry before thirty, have a disaster of a wedding, and end up with a man other than her original fiancé, has come to fruition for both of her friends, who are now deliriously happy. But Libby’s attempt to quick-start the curse by proposing to her wrong-for-her boyfriend ends in a wild dash from the altar. She’s rescued by her friend Noah, the only person who understands her impulsive decisions--because he’s the same way.

Having spent most of his adulthood fleeing responsibility and commitment, Noah McMillan is finally ready to grow up. Of course, figuring out how is still a work in progress. When he realizes he’s in love with Libby, he flies to Kansas City to put a stop to her wedding. But Libby’s already pulled a runaway bride. Eager to cheer her up and prove that he can be the man she deserves, he takes her on a madcap car trip that will bring them all the way to the City of Sin.

In Vegas, those who risk it all either win big or lose everything, so what will happen if Libby and Noah take a gamble on love?

The Wedding Pact Series:
#1 The Substitute (Megan)
#2 The Player (Blair)
#3 The Gambler (Libby)

http://www.amazon.com/Gambler-Wedding-Pact-3-ebook/dp/B00YPV0JT2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1440172605&sr=1-2

Miss E Chronicles #5

8/12/15, Age 9
Me: You need to try to eat venison.
Miss E: I am a vegetarian.
Me: You should try it.
Miss E: I don't eat meat.
Me: You ate a beef corn dog for dinner last night.
Miss E: Oh.

8/19/15, Age 9
Miss E: It's thundering and lightening. Do I have to go to school?
Me: Seriously?

8/2/15, Age 9
"Mom, I think Felony is allergic to dog hair."
(Note, Felony is a dog.)

8/21/12, Age 6
I took Miss E to Chick-Fil-A tonight for diner when we ran into some of my friends and their kiddos. She had a great idea and recruited two buddies to "clean the play land equipment" using a bunch of the hand sanitizer wipes. At least they meant well and had good intentions.

8/9/12, Age 6
Tonight Miss E was complaining about how her right foot was hurting from and earlier tumble. A few minutes later she was complaining again, almost crying, but holding her left foot. Once I told her she was holding the wrong foot, she stopped crying, sat there thinking about it for a second, and said, "Oh." That was the end of the conversation. This was one of those moments where her facial expression of being caught in the act was priceless.

Denise Grover Swank contest!!!

There is still time to enter the Denise Grover Swank EPIC contest! The celebration is over the release of Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes with the new cover! The details for the contest are on her website (link below).

http://denisegroverswank.com/win-a-trip-to-kansas-city-to-meet-denise/

How about the gorgeous new cover!?!

Below is the book summary from Goodreads.

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.

Stage Dive Series by Kylie Scott

Favorite Books!!!

Time for some favorite book love on this Saturday morning. Have you read the Stage Dive series from Kylie Scott? You NEED to read them! I fell in love with Kylie's writing and can't wait for her new series, Dive Bar. I have all the Stage Dive books signed in paper back, the e-books on my iPad and the audio books as well!

The first book is Lick. Guitar player Dave and sheltered Eve's "waking up in Vegas married" story is a funny ride. The second book, Play, is one of my all time favorite books and I've re-read it numerous times. You will love drummer Mal and his "fake" girlfriend Anne. Lead, the third book, is about Jimmy, the addict and hard-ass who meets his match when Lena is hired as his assistant. The last book, Deep, revolves around bassist Ben and Anne's little sister Lizzy and the repercussions of their one-night stand in Vegas.

Amazon links and summaries are below so you can check them out!

Lick
http://www.amazon.com/Lick-Stage-Dive-Kylie-Scott/dp/125005236X/ref=la_B009CJ8188_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404936064&sr=1-1

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas's plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man in her room, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.
In Kylie Scott's Lick, one thing is certain: being married to one of the hottest rock stars on the planet is sure to be a wild ride.


Play
http://www.amazon.com/Play-A-Stage-Dive-Novel/dp/1250052378/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y

Kylie Scott returns with the highly anticipated follow-up to international bestseller LICK

Mal Ericson, drummer for the world famous rock band Stage Dive, needs to clean up his image fast—at least for a little while. Having a good girl on his arm should do the job just fine. Mal doesn’t plan on this temporary fix becoming permanent, but he didn’t count on finding the one right girl.

Anne Rollins never thought she’d ever meet the rock god who plastered her teenage bedroom walls—especially not under these circumstances. Anne has money problems. Big ones. But being paid to play the pretend girlfriend to a wild life-of-the-party drummer couldn’t end well. No matter how hot he is. Or could it?


Lead
http://www.amazon.com/Lead-A-Stage-Dive-Novel/dp/1250052386/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_z

Stay up all night with the sexy rockers in Stage Dive, the epic New Adult series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, author of Lick and Play.

Can rock n’ roll’s most notorious bad boy be tamed by love?

As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it—now he’s caught up in a life of hard partying and fast women. When a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant hired to keep him out of trouble.

Lena's not willing to take any crap from her sexy boss and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far, he just might lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Can he convince his stubborn assistant to risk it all and let her heart take the lead?


Deep
http://www.amazon.com/Deep-A-Stage-Dive-Novel/dp/1250052394/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_z

Their one night stand wasn't supposed to end this way…

Positive. With two little lines on a pregnancy test, everything in Lizzy Rollins' ordinary life is about to change forever. And all because of one big mistake in Vegas with Ben Nicholson, the devastatingly sexy bass player for Stage Dive. So what if Ben's the only man who's ever made her feel out of control with desire? Lizzy knows the gorgeous rock star isn't looking for anything more permanent than a good time, no matter how much she wishes differently.

Ben knows Lizzy is off limits. Completely and utterly. She's his best friend's little sister, and no matter how hot the chemistry between them, no matter how sweet and sexy she is, he's not going to go there. But when Ben has a moment of weakness in Sin City, he learns that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there. Now he and Lizzie are connected in the deepest way possible...but will it lead to a true connection of the heart?

Miss E Chronicles #4

8/21/13, Age 7
Well there was is one disappointed bed-headed girl this morning. Although the Tooth Fairy thwarted Miss E's attempt to imprison her, she still got some coin. Evidently the Tooth Fairy was able to move the trap over to the edge of the table to get out.

8/19/12, Age 6
(Teary-eye and happy moment this morning!). Miss E and I were watching an old Porky Pig cartoon about the Pledge of Allegiance. She asked some questions about our country's history and I answered. At the end of the cartoon, Porky stands up, salutes our flag, and says the Pledge of Allegiance. Miss E got off the couch, put her hand over her heart, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance with him. I told her I was proud of her and she gave me a hug. In true Miss E form, she then said, "I have an itch in my butt." I love my baby girl!!!

8/11/12, Age 6
Miss E helped move some things into the new house this morning, when she discovered a visitor in her bedroom. A little ring neck snake. We released it back into the wilds of the front yard. We should have kept him as a pet. (Mom said no.)

Miss E Chronicles #3

8/20/13, Age 7

My snaggletooth baby has made a trap! Loose rope so no suspicions arise, candy to lure her in and the "vented" and "see through" cage so the Tooth Fairy can breath. We can see her without raising it up and chance her getting away. The final attractant, the tooth in the ropes lasso so she trips the trap. 

8/7/12, Age 6
Miss E loves the cartoon "Phineas and Ferb". This morning, I am in the kitchen making her breakfast and she is in her room waking up when I hear her yell, "Curse you Perry the... Wait a minute, is that Love Handle?"

8/18/12, Age 6
At lunch today, from out of an awkward silence, Miss E announced to all of Subway, "Dad, you sure would make a good ballerina!" I have no idea where that came from.

8/10/12, Age 6
Miss E fell asleep tonight in my lap. I don't care what anyone says, this never gets old. One day she'll say she's too big and I'm sure gonna miss this.

Happy National Book Lovers Day!

What better way to spend the day than with a good book! 

I plan to read as much as possible between loads of laundry and other domestic goddess chores.

Things Mr. O Says #2

Today is Mr. O's birthday so why not share a quote and picture. He is such a card. :)

"Who knew how hard it was to write on a sugar packet."

Miss E Chronicles #2

8/2/13, Age 7
Walmart shopping list for the night: glazed donuts, pineapple, and AA batteries. As Miss E and I checked out, she told the clerk "My Daddy is going to feed the bears in the morning in front of the camera so he can get pics of them." The clerk looked at Miss E and friendly, but sarcastically commented, "Sure he is," then looked at me. Daddy said, "Yes, yes he is."

8/5/12, Age 6

My lesson learned. Tonight we were wrestling on the carpet. We were on all fours, facing each other, and I had Miss E's hands pinned to the floor. Here's the lesson learned. I asked what are you going to do now? Well, without hesitation, she darted forward with a crushing head butt to my forehead. We are both recovering.

8/27/11, Age 5
I had an interesting conversation with Miss E this morning. The first words out of her mouth were not good morning. Instead she asked, "Daddy, why do boys and girls have boobies." Needless to say the answer "because that's how God made us" did not fly.

8/2/10, Age 4
Sarcasm is much more effective when you say it without giggling like my little four-year-old girl.

Fourth Debt by Pepper Winters

I am anxiously awaiting this book!!! I love, love, LOVE Pepper Winters and her dark tales!!! It goes live on August 11th!

Here is the summary from Amazon.

Fourth Debt by Pepper Winters

Fifth Book in the New York Times Bestselling Series.

“We’d won. We’d cut through the lies and treachery and promised an alliance that would free us both. But even as we won, we lost. We didn’t see what was coming. We didn’t know we had to plan a resurrection.”

Nila Weaver fell in love. She gifted her entire soul to a man she believed was worthy. And in the process, she destroyed herself. Three debts paid, the fourth only days away. The Debt Inheritance has almost claimed another victim.

Jethro Hawk fell in love. He let down his walls to a woman he believed was his cure. For a moment, he was free. But then he paid the ultimate price.

There is no more love. Only war. Hope is dead. Now, there is only death all around them.

**Only suitable for Dark Romance lovers.
Full length book. Six in series. Fourth Debt is 85,000 words.

http://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Debt-Indebted-Book-5-ebook/dp/B00W6BY24Q/ref=pd_sim_351_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=17MXNNKBZEVETSACAGVW

Things Mr. O Says #1

This is relevant considering Mr. O's buck fever is back.

8/4/12
For those who don't me, I'm a little bit country. Why did I remind everyone? This morning I had a chance to wave and simply say "hello" to some of our new neighbors. All four seemed a little shocked and didn't even give a courtesy wave back. Now, I feel like we're the "Redneck Vacation" family, because I can't wait to see their expressions when I hang a deer in the tree to clean it.