BBAW 2012 :: Blogs I Like

Today's BBAW Posting by myfriendamy - click here

Today is the beginning of Book Blogger Appreciation Week!!! So to start it off today's post is all about the blogs I like ... aka the ones I Appreciate!

Here we go ... (just so you know these are not listed in any particular order and aren't all of the ones that I follow)

• Samantha R. Else ~ a digital portfolio :: She is one of my oldest friends which is why I love her blog so I can keep up-to-date with all of the artsy things she has going on!
• Confessions of a Bookaholic :: To tell you the truth I really like her interviews & giveaways. But I'm also a fan of the setup of her posts.
• Judi's Discovery Zone :: It's a local blog (if you live in the Northeastern North Carolina area) that I enjoy. The posts are by Judi Stuart, a retired teacher who is now the Visitor Services Manager at Port Discover, who writes has this blog to show how science impacts our daily lives.
• Elizabeth Scott's Blog :: This author got me into reading the YA genre and therefore I love keeping up-to-date with the latest things going on with her!!
• So Many Books, So Little Time :: She was one of my first blog followers, so I returned the favor! Plus, it helps that I enjoy her reviews too! =0)
• Smutketeers :: I'm a fan of the authors who came together to create this blog ... R.G. Alexander, Rachel Grace, Eden Bradley, Eve Berlin, Crystal Jordan, & Robin L. Rotham!
• The Compulsive Reader :: She posts an eclectic mix of reviews so I enjoy seeing what she recommends.

Thanks for visiting!! -- Jess

Feasted On: The Boys Back Home by Sierra Dafoe

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 110 KB | Release Date: August 19, 2008 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"The Boys Back Home" by Sierra Dafoe (aka Natasha Moore)

My Book Summary : Years ago Cassie left her hometown after she witnessed her two best friends (and longtime crushes), Kyle & Alan, hooking up in the parking lot of their local bar because she naive, scared, and believed that because of their relationship they wouldn't want her in their lives anymore. Now she's returning home to make sure that she is over her feeling for them before she commits herself to a marriage with the man she's been with for during the time she was away. However, when Kyle & Alan see Cassie again they have other plans of their own, plans that if accomplished, Cassie will be staying permanently with them forever...

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! This is an erotic feast that spices you up with a plot keeps you wanting more. Even though this is a short story, it is filled with love and passion. So much so, that I didn't want to put it down. Cassie, Kyle & Alan were a great pairing.

I recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys M/M/F romances!!

Book Teaser(s) :

You like her.
It had been Alan who'd spoken first, his gaze fixed on the muddy water. Kyle had glanced at him sidelong, feeling a sudden blush heat his cheeks. You like her too, he'd retorted, expecting---or hoping, maybe---Alan to flare up in loud denial.
He hadn't. His silence had been all the answer needed. ~ within Chapter 3

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Sierra, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Speed Series, Book 2

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 290 KB | Release Date: July 24, 2012 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Colors Of Love" [Speed Series, Book 2] by Jess Dee

My Book Summary : Seth, the youngest member and the guitarist of the rock band Speed, has been the lover to Luke, Speed's manager, for the past five years. He is so in love with Luke, and feels that Luke loves him just as much, that he wants to turn their relationship into a committed monogamous one. However, Luke is still dealing with demons from his past that he has always been afraid will come up and break them apart. Therefore, Luke decides that it's time to break off the relationship that he has with Seth. To do so Luke would like to find the perfect person for Seth so that when Luke walks away Seth will already have someone else he's in love with to turn too.

Hence, when Luke meets Karen (Kaz) at one of Speed's concerts he immediately thinks that she is perfect for Seth. So, he brings Kaz into a threesome with him and Seth. Their sexual encounters are hot and steamy, leaving them all very happy, up until Luke makes his plan to break off from the group. Will Kaz be able to help these two men she's come to care about heal old wounds and complete their relationship? Or will Luke get away with his plans after all?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, it's about what it takes to be truthful to yourself while coming to terms with what is holding you back. This is the first time I've read a ménage romance where only two-people end up together by the end of the novel where all three of the people involved are happy about it. Which was a surprise to read, and I was a bit disappointed since I wanted them all to work out together, yet I enjoyed that everyone was pleased with the circumstances that took place and everything ended. I really liked Kaz, Luke, and Seth, especially since all their mixed personalities equaled them all out.

I recommend this novel to anyone who has read "See You In My Dreams," to anyone who enjoys ménage and/or M/M romances, and to those who like reading erotic romances about rock stars!!

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1

Author's Novel Extras : A once in a lifetime review

Author's Series Extras : The Next Best Thing Challenge

Book Teaser(s) :

Besides, she couldn’t seem to drag her feet away from him. Plus, she wanted answers.
“Later?” she asked him.
He drew back to look at her in confusion.
“You said you’d answer my question later.”
The twinkle was back in his eye. “I will. I’ll answer all your questions. Because believe me, by then you’re going to have more than just one.”
What the...? What else was there to ask? “Mate, the concert’s about to begin. There isn’t going to be a later.”
He looked at her with eyes as liquid and enticing as melted chocolate. “Yeah, there will be. After the concert.” ~ within Chapter 3

For now, she wanted only to feel. To escape. Her life outside of this suite was complicated, needed fixing. Just for tonight, she didn’t want to think about that. Didn’t want to work on her problems. Just for tonight she wanted to take the escape route Jordan and Luke so generously offered.
“Jordan,” Luke said. “We may have a problem.”
Kaz’s heart stuttered.
“What’s that?” Jordan asked.
Luke let his gaze sweep over her body and catch on the jeans that perched on her thighs. “The woman has too many clothes on.”
With a soft laugh, Jordan stood behind her once again and finished undressing her. ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Jess, then please check out her website.

Idolizing In: Fool’s Gold Series, Book 9

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 376; Paperback - Pages: 376; Kindle Edition - File Size: 517 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: July 24, 2012 | Publisher: HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"All Summer Long" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 9] by Susan Mallery

My Book Summary : Chantal (Charlie) moved to Fool's Gold, a couple years ago, after visiting on vacation and fell in love with it. Now she is happy with her life, being a firefighter, her friends, and the community. The only thing she would like to change is her fear of men that she's had ever since the rape experience she went through years ago. She'd like to get over her fear because ever since her rape she hasn't been able to move on from the incident, meaning she hasn't had a relationship with any men at all, and she would love to be able to be emotional whole enough for her to have children sometime soon. However, she doesn't want to go through with years of possible therapy that it would involve to move on. Therefore, she comes up with the idea that she needs to find a man who could personally help her out to heal her scars and after looking around she thinks her best friends' brother-in-law, Clay, would be the perfect man for her.

A few years ago, Clay's wife, Diane, died in a car accident. Therefore, because she was the love of his life he doesn't expect to fall in love with anyone else, yet he likes and respects Charlie so he agrees to help seduce her in hopes to teach her the wonders that life has to offer while healing her.

However, will both their hearts be able to withstand each other's charms? Or will they stick to their friend’s only status no matter what their hearts tell them?

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! Ever since this year's three-part series from Fool's Gold came out, I have wanted to read more about Charlie's romance! Therefore, I'm so happy that it turned out even better than I expected!!! This is a novel about what the heart is able to overcome when faced with the opportunity to heal. I LOVED CHARLIE & CLAY!!! Together or apart Charlie and Clay were a great duo that I couldn't get enough of!! I loved the way this novel dealt with Charlie's fears, helping Clay with his ambitions, and bringing Charlie and her mother back together again. It was a charming book, which I could not put down!!

While this novel also gave me a little idea of what to expect within one of the next books in this series and I can't wait to see where it'll take us....Justice & Patience! *hahaa* Their names even sound great together!

I recommend this series and DEFINITELY this novel to anyone who loves contemporary romances that have just the right amount of drama! =0)

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : May 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : The Appeal of Romance - June 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2 | Book 7 | Book 8

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series


Author Book/Series Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

"What do you want?" she demanded, before she remembered that perhaps she might want to be nicer to the man she'd asked to sleep with her.
One corner of his mouth twitched. "Not a morning person?" he asked.
"It's two in the afternoon."
"I was giving you the benefit of the doubt."
She sighed. "I don't like yard work. I'm not good at it. Not the physical stuff---that's easy. But knowing what to do. I think my plants make fun of me behind my back."
"Because they respect you enough not to do it to your face?"
"Something like that." ~ within Chapter 5

"Have you noticed how damn happy everyone is here?" he asked. "It's not natural."
"It's small-town America," Clay reminded him. "What's not to like?"
"Everything. I miss the city."
"You don't want anyone to know your name?"
"Exactly. The woman who cleans my room at the hotel was telling me about her kid playing football. She invited me to the game."
Dante sounded outraged, as if the woman had suggested he violate laws of nature. ~ within Chapter 11

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her website. To find out more about the town of Fools Gold then click here.

Guest Post :: Conquer Your Fears and “Live to Give” Webcast

Thomas Nelson Author and Hoops of Hope founder, Austin Gutwein, to host September 6 online event to focusing on themes his latest release, Live to Give.

On September 6 at 8:00 pm EDT, Austin Gutwein will be hosting a live Facebook web event to encourage participants to conquer their fears and use their talents to help others. The webcast will center on the themes Gutwein writes about in his latest release “Live to Give: Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles” (Thomas Nelson/August, 2012). At the conclusion of the webcast, the winners of a month-long social media fueled “Get and Give” contest will be announced, including the winner of a Kindle Fire and $250 donated to the winner’s charity of choice.

Join Austin on the evening of Thursday, September 6th as he shares about his own experiences and encourages others to conquers their fears and “live to give”. Austin will also be taking audience questions and interacting with participants. PLUS – there will be several “Live to Give” giveaways – books, gift certificates and much more! RSVP today and tell your friends.

Based on the John 6 story of Jesus feeding the 5000, in “Live to Give” Gutwein challenges his readers that regardless of age and talent, God can use them to make a difference. Even though God could take care of everything Himself and doesn’t really need our help, He desperately WANTS us to help Him care for others. Gutwein walks young people through discovering and embracing their unique God-given strengths and abilities, then figuring out how to use those talents to help others. Sometimes doing that takes a leap of faith on our part, and often becoming fearless in the process.

More about Austin: At eighteen years old, Gutwein speaks with wisdom and has the experience to reinforce his message. When Austin was just nine years old, he watched a video that showed children in Africa who had lost their parents to AIDS. Gutwein realized these kids weren’t any different from him—except they were suffering. Feeling called to help, he took his love of basketball and decided to shoot free throws to raise money for orphans in Zambia. On World AIDS Day in 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Through sponsorship from parents and friends, Gutwein raised over $3,000 that day to give hope to eight orphans in Zambia.

Over the past eight years, Gutwein’s efforts have created Hoops of Hope, the largest free throw marathon in the world. With an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million to build schools, medical clinics, dormitories for orphanages, and the only computer lab in Zambia.

Enter to win a Kindle Fire and have $250 donated to your favorite charity. Click for the banner for details and entry or visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13528976/livetogive.



Learn more about Austin and Hoops of Hope at www.AustinGutwein.com and www.HoopsOfHope.org.