Running on Empty (Mending Hearts, #1) by L.B. Simmons @LBSimmons33


Running On Empty

I love a fluffy romance, this was not fluffy. It was like nothing I have read. One minute I am laughing at Alex and her BFF Harlow and then poof I am sad. Poor Alex she has been miserable for 3 years since her husband died in a tragic car accident. Alex and Derek were together since they were in High School and when he is gone she has to try to pick up the pieces. Day by day it is a struggle. The best friend who ever walked the earth is Harlow. She took care of Alex, her 3 girls and ran a business. Just like Derek, Harlow was her best friend since they were kids and they have done everything together. Harlow is a free spirit with a great sense of humor and a passion for not committing.

While Alex had the perfect life, she never really lived it thinking that maybe tomorrow wouldn’t be the same. Life is a constant struggle and then Blake shows up. Blake was her best friend from childhood. The had their first day of school together and every day in between. Blake moved to Colorado and return to Waco saying his Dad was going to retire and he may take over the business. Blake discovers Alex on the side of the road out of gas and gives her a ride. There is so much anger between the two of them it is painful. It seems that they hate each other because life got in the way. 

That is all I will say about the plot. There are two very angst filled chapters that may require ice cream. I tweeted the author because I was struggling and it was after midnight and I had to have ice cream to get through the chapter.

Well I loved this book from beginning to end. When the characters are so real that you need ice cream, the author had effectively communicated the message. Sometimes the messages are really really hard to take. I made a few clipping and they have nothing to do with plot or spoilers.

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My Clippings:

-You see, Harlow and I started our own staffing firm right out of college – Prestige Staffing. We started our own business so that we could smoke in our office all day long, consume adult beverages during work hours, and do nothing but giggle and gossip all day.

Like the hook-handed truck driver from Adventures in Babysitting! I am, however, pleasantly surprised by the delicious mirage that appears before me.

“Alex, if I have to pick you up, put you over my shoulder, and physically place you on my bike, I will. So yes, it’s gonna happen. You can either do so with dignity, or we can do it my way. Your choice.”

How much life you still have in you. Don’t let your fear rob you of the happiness that you deserve.”

 I look over at Blake and watch his lips as he silently mouths Guaca-mole. Damn you, Austin Powers. Stop it, I mouth back at him.

The tears washing my soul with a peace I had no idea I would ever feel again.

I guess that’s the sign of a true friend; you can literally go years without speaking, but when you meet again you just pick up right where you left off, never skipping a beat.

But you’ll never have your happy ending unless you’re brave enough to open the book and start your story.Which is unfortunate because you aren’t here. Am I crazy for waiting for you to give me the okay?

Authors Kindle Fire HD Giveaway @toobusyreading


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20 Amazing Authors plus more than 100 of the Best Bloggers have joined together to bring you 1 Amazing Giveaway!

The winner will have the option of receiving a Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

This giveaway is sponsored by these Awesome Authors:

The Essence (The Pledge, #2)Alaina Claiborne (British Agent Novel #1)Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped OutUncontrollable (#2, Nature of Grace series)Hunted (The Guardian Legacy, #3)Cliffhanger (The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries, Book 1)I Was Here—Before You CameEverlostBlood OathReaper's Novice (Soul Collector  #1)BulletproofLancaster HouseTwo HalvesMurder on Potrero Hill (A Peyton Brooks' Mystery, #1)Bellyache: A Delicious TaleKill ShotSkid Out (Heavy Influence Trilogy, #0.5)Between (Crossroads Saga, #2)Dragon Stones: Book One of the Dragon Stone Saga (Dragon Stone Saga, #1)Rapunzel Untangled 

The Essence by Kimberly Derting
Alaina Claiborne by MK McClintock
Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos
Uncontrollable by S.R. Johannes
Hunted by Ednah Walters
Cliffhanger by Amy Saunders
I Was Here – Before You Came by Camelia Miron Skiba
Everlost by Brenda Pandos
Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke
Reaper’s Novice by Cecilia Robert
Bulletproof by Jeff LaFerney
Lancaster House by Taylor Dean
Two Halves by Marta Szemik
Murder on Potrero Hill by M.L. Hamilton
Bellyache by Crystal Marcos
Kill Shot by Anne Patrick
Skid Out by Ann Marie Frohoff
Between by Mary Ting
Dragon Stones Saga by Kristian Alva
Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett

*Authors & Bloggers – Sign Up to take part in my next event:
http://www.iamareader.com/2012/12/february-authors-only-kindle-fire.html

Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (Internaitonal).
Ends 1/31/13

Link for the rafflecopter:

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

List of Books on Goodreads:

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Manipulating the List (The Immortal Companion Series)
This is out of my usual reading genre, but I loved the cover and the romance tag too. I was into it by the first chapter. I won’t go on about the plot because it will have to be read to feel it. The main character is Katherine, and she is the only one who can see Jonathan, aka the Collector. When she is only six she witnessed her fatally ill Aunt be lead to heaven by him. It is explained as in a way that is not scary, not dark, but very intriguing. This quote got me to gasp and it was on page #6 “I had no idea that I was the only one who could watch him collect souls, converse with him, or see the final transitions of their souls into the afterlife.”

As the years go on Katherine is really the only friend that Jonathan has…

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