Cuban Sun (Sofia Koury) (Volume 1) by Ann Bauer Bryn Bauer #review


Review:

The main characters are a professor a Alexander Quintis and law student Sofia Koury. She is approaching summer break and looking for an internship. While she seems set on a not-for-profit, professor Quintis intrigues her enough to talk about his friends and their offer. It is a very nice yacht and a very different type of job. Good premise here. There is a first hand view of the internal working of classic cars. So you get a little about the scamming part and how black market automobiles work. 

What I did enjoy was the surveillance and hi tech gadgets. I really wanted and need more of a relationship between Quint and Sofia.  If there was a buildup it would have been better, this is only my opinion. I felt like if there was a spark, it would have been better to accept her going to meet his associates in Florida. Sofia finds herself caught up in a strange interview with Joe and Helena. It seems like there is a lot unspoken in this interview. This was where Sofia who seems low key turns into a spy girl. They give her an offer and then things happen rather quickly, throwing her into this elaborate scheme.  

There is a back story on Sofia which involves her parents. Her Dad was mentioned and he would have been a great add on or sub plot. I would like to see him in book 2.Overall it was a good book. I think if you like espionage and surveillance type reads this is for you. 


Just on a side note ..I feel there is a little deception with this:

 

I received this book through winning a Goodreads Giveaway. I loved this book. It’s not the same old story line you see from this genre and it moves quickly. It’s basically a spy novel with some mystery and a tad bit of romance. Here is what I liked:
1. The main character Sofia evolves throughout the book. Her skill, her confidence in her instincts and her acceptance of her past. She ends up being a pretty kick-ass woman.
2. I really liked two of the supporting characters: Helena and Mr. Winston- they’e funny, and help move Sofia through her journey.
3. The setting is fantastic. It takes place in a few cities tha I would love to visit and the novel takes place on a yacht. I mean, hello! Where else do I want to be in the summer?

I have seen a couple of other reviews mention that the Sofia’s father should have been more involved in the novel. I think the authors were setting us up for the next book here rather than neglecting to write about him. The Goodreads entry says it’s the #1 book in the series so…I agree that I’d like to see more of him but I figured that would come out in the next book which I’m definitely going to read

This is not the winner of a Goodreads contest or someone who got an ARC, it is the author’s actual name. I for one am a little annoyed that an author can’t step up and review her/his own work with their name. Why do we have to go to these measures. I was debating whether I should even post the review. I did buy the book myself and I fell I am entitled. Far too many people get unknown’s and friends to write reviews on Goodreads and I see they have one review, no bio pic and no friends, that is deceptive. Your work doesn’t stand on your own merits doing that. RETHINK something like this in the future it is wrong!

About the Authors

Ann Bauer has worked as an educational consultant, college professor and child wrangler to her young son and daughter. She is grateful to have a husband who can sleep with the lights on while she gets “just one more page” written. She can often be found travelling with her husband and kids.

Bryn Bauer is a trained historian and former history professor with a love of Latin America. She loves all education, learning and teaching. She is a lover of life and lives with her spunky cat Don Frijole. She can most often be found travelling, reading and researching. Ann and Bryn are sisters, living in North Carolina.

 

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I Am Yours (Heartbeat #3) by Faith Sullivan @_faithsullivan_ #giveaway #cover #reveal


I Am Yours (Heartbeat #3)
Release Date: October 8, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Summary from Goodreads:


Adam is at a crossroads.


He has Katie on his mind and Jada in his bed.


Now with the ultimate choice before him, he must decide between fantasy and reality. 


Katie’s his dream girl, but Jada’s his best friend, his partner. As a paramedic, he’s supposed to save lives, not wreck them. Yet his failure to commit leaves a trail of heartache in his wake.


Things come to a head at his brother’s wedding when a surprise announcement leaves Adam scrambling to pick up the pieces. Sure, women find his shaggy blond hair and aquamarine eyes irresistible. But to him, sex is nothing but a means of escape … until it turns into a psychological trap.

His mind is telling him one thing, while his heart is beating another. He’s not sure what he wants when it comes to a serious relationship. Sorting out his feelings, he finally comes to a startling realization. 


He is capable of love. But what if it’s too late?



Books in this trilogy:
(linked to Goodreads)

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About the Author:

Faith Sullivan is an author of New Adult contemporary romances including the HEARTBEAT trilogy, the TAKE ME NOW series and the 9/11 novel, UNEXPECTED.



Where to find Faith Sullivan:


 

IT’S A CRIME BOOK SPOTLIGHT


I love it when a wonderful blogger shares a promo TY Dawn!

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Check out this stunning debut from C.E. Hansen.  This is a very sexy crime read and should be on everyone’s TBR list.

                                17999725

Wealthy New York socialite Grace Preston uses men for amusement, holding her heart inside an ice fortress for protection. Spurned by a sociopathic male model, Grace picks up a new man with all the right moves; smooth as bourbon, Cole slides under her wall and touches her in places she thought were well-guarded. But after a weekend of fiery passion, he leaves, devastating her.
Cole Grayson has spent ten years building his commercial real estate firm and chasing the arsonist who killed his family when he was a boy. Women are a dalliance, and have no place in his personal quest. Then Grace rocks his world—not only sexually, but in her arms…

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Skipping Stones by JB McGee @j_b_mcgee


Blurb:
 
They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It’s during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.

Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That’s the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn’t left you?

Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she’s made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex’s own form of therapy, or so she thinks.

When faced with her world being turned upside down, Alex may just find that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her.
 
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Bio:
 

J.B. McGee was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. After graduating from South Aiken High School, she toured Europe as a member of the 1999 International Bands of America Tour, playing the clarinet. While attending Converse College, an all-girls school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she visited Charleston often. It quickly became one of her favorite vacation spots. She met her husband, Chad, during Christmas break her freshman year, and they married in 2001 and she moved back to her home town. 

In 2005, the couple welcomed their first son, Noah. J.B. finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children’s literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.

In 2007, she welcomed their second child, Jonah, and she became a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. In 2009, the found out their two children and J.B. have Mitochondrial Disease. In 2011, a diagnosis also was given to Chad. Please take a moment and learn more about Mitochondrial Disease. Awareness is key to this disease that has no cure or treatments.

J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia, to be closer to their children’s medical team. After a passion for reading had been re-ignited, J.B. decided to finally give writing a shot. Broken (This Series), is her first book and first series. 
 
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Running From Forever by Ashley Wilcox #TuesdayTease @ashleywilcox55 #TuesdayTeaser


The fifth book in The Forever series by Ashley Wilcox – Running From Forever – will be released in two weeks’ time and today I have another delicious teaser for you!

 

This book can be read as a standalone novel, as all the previous books in the series. DONT cheat yourself and read one. My advice is to scroll down, check the reading order and grab them all. This is a series that you do not want to miss. 

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Expected release date: September 22, 2013

 

Recent college graduate, Kayla Reynolds was ready to leave the university, sorority life behind. Leaving her boyfriend of over three years, she packed her bags and moved four hours south to the big city…New York City.  Bright lights, streets that never sleep, and a business lifestyle that she yearned to have were all at her fingertips. Kayla Reynolds was chasing her dream.

 

Determined and eager to make it in the corporate world, Kayla changed everything- her image, lifestyle, and outlook on life, putting her career first and her personal life second. That was until her first day, the first time she got a glimpse of Miles Blackwell. Corporate CEO and part owner of ETV, and not to mention, incredibly handsome, Miles Blackwell took Kayla by surprise, stealing her heart as he did.

 

But nothing had ever come that easy for Kayla. Life had always seemed to have a personal vendetta against her, stepping in when everything seemed too good to be true, reminding herself of whom she really was. It wasn’t until she met Merrick Drake that she realized when to stop; when running was no longer an option. For the first time in her life she had someone she could relate to; someone who wouldn’t judge- who saw the person she was inside. She and Merrick connected…on more levels than one.

 

When life was too much to handle, they ran. But there was only one person that could make Kayla stop for good. Only one man that made her want to stay. Would Kayla finally stop running or would it all be too much to handle?

 

Excerpt

 

“Ahh, make it stop!” Kayla shouted, throwing her pillow over her head. “That’s the worst frickin’ noise I have ever heard!”

Chuckling, I leaned over and turned the alarm clock sitting next to me off.  It’s a miracle, given the state I was in last night, or this morning, I guess, that I even remembered to set it.

“Why do you have an alarm clock set for twelve o’clock in the afternoon on a Saturday?”

“You see, most people use them to wake them up at a specific time. I figured I’d give it a try.”

“I’m well aware of their purpose, asshole.” She rolled over to face me. “But normal people don’t use them on the weekends…in the middle of the day…after drinking their face off the night before.”

“Some people work two jobs, princess,” I joked, throwing my pillow at her face as I sat up and hung my legs over the side of the bed, my back facing her. “Ones that require you to work even on a Saturday.” I rubbed my face

“So what’s your second job?” she asked.

I felt the bed shift as she changed position and looked over my shoulder, turning slightly with one eyebrow raised.

“Wanna come find out?”

I wasn’t ready for her to leave, but I knew I had to get going. My only option was to ask her to come with me.

“Are you going to get in trouble for bringing me?”

“Uh…no.” Not that I gave a f*ck anyway.

“I don’t have anything to wear.”

I looked her up and down and raised a questioning eyebrow.  “I believe you have clothes on right now, sunshine.”

“I can’t wear this!”

I walked over to my dresser, pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a tee that were a little small on me, then threw them to where she was still sitting on my bed. I grabbed the flip flops from the bar’s lost and found box in my closet.

“Better?”

“I guess a little.”

“No one’s going to give a f*ck. Trust me.”

***

“So, are you going to tell me where you work?” she asked, spitting out the toothpaste in her mouth while I brushed my teeth next to her.

“You’ll see.” I grinned before nudging her to the side so I could rinse my mouth out, too.

***

“Is it illegal?” she asked as we stepped off the train.

“What?!” I turned and looked at her like she was insane. Did she really think I was doing illegal stuff? I thought I looked like a pretty legit guy…

“What? I had to ask!”

“No, it’s not illegal!” I answered, annoyed. I squatted down in front of her.

“What’re you doing?”

“Taking a shit on the sidewalk—what does it look like I’m doing? Get on my frickin’ back.”

“You’re giving me a piggyback ride?” she asked as she climbed on.

“It’s a long walk and I don’t want to hear you whine,” I told her, standing up and starting to head in the direction we needed to go.

“You don’t have a car?”

“Jesus Christ, do you always ask this many f*cking questions? No, I don’t have a car, we live in the f*cking city.”

She laughed.  “K, I won’t ask another one,” she said, making me smile. “At least not until we get there,” she added, causing me to shake my head and her to chuckle again.

planningonforeverwaitingonforeverpromisingforeverGivingYouForeverrunningfromforever

 

 

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Planning on Forever

 

Waiting on Forever

 

About the Author
Some may consider me a jack of all trades, but I consider myself well rounded. I’ve waitressed, styled hair, answered phones and, most recently, worked full time as mom to my two beautiful little boys.
Then there was this book…
Everyone and their brother started talking about this book series titled Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James.  I didn’t really pay attention to the craze at first, since I wasn’t a big reader- okay, I didn’t read at all.  But curiosity got the best of me, so I downloaded it to my kindle. I was immediately hooked. I read the whole series in three days.  Yes, three books in three days. I kept finding all these great books that I HAD to read (just ask my credit card!).
Then I started hearing voices. Voices that turned into stories; stories that were begging to get out of my head.
I started writing them down on scraps of paper. Then I transferred them to my computer. Before I knew it,  Planning on Forever was born. The voices in my head are still talking, so I’m still writing.

For more information about me, and what I’m working on please follow me on:

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From a Dark Place by Lee Beck #spotlight


 

 

Synopsis:

 

The killings began in May when the body of a young teacher was discovered in the bedroom of her historic Society Hill home of Philadelphia. The second victim was found seven days later. The number of victims grew incrementally during the uncomfortably wet and humid spring and summer. Each of the victims was surgically mutilated by a madman possessing the skills of a surgeon.

In a city renowned for its medical institutions and thousands of medically-trained professionals, one among them was a killer. For Captain Leo Gromski, of the Special Homicide Unit the pursuit of a phantom leads to the most shocking revelation a persistent investigator could conceptualize.

The identity of the killer leads Gromski down the path to the Roach Motel of conspiracies: its tentacles stretching from Philadelphia’s City Hall to the United State’s State Department.

Clarion Review:

Killers don’t get more cold-blooded than the murderer Lee Beck draws in his grim psychological thriller, From a Dark Place. Beck explores the psychology of the serial killer, offering a portrait of a psychopath that is at least as compelling as the pursuit.

Gromski and Kelly are a likable pair, and one of Beck’s strengths is his ease with dialogue among the police department team members. The playful banter feels natural and highlights the family-like relationships that can develop on a police force.

Beck also creates a convincing setting, with his knowledge of Philadelphia’s streets and neighborhoods evident throughout the story and echoed on the book’s cover.

Blue Ink Review:

A hardened Philadelphia detective and a dexterous serial killer face off in this fictional police procedural from former pediatric psychologist Lee Beck.

Gromski is an aging pugilist in the vein of Ian Rankin’s dour Inspector Rebus. He’s a well-seasoned detective and his stubbornness and the relentless investigations are starting to take their toll. Gromski must bring his detective skills to bear when a serial killer begins dismembering local Catholics. With each new murder performed with the same gruesome precision, the close-knit community falls into full-blown panic.

The novel may remind genre readers of other labyrinth behemoths like James Ellroy’s L.A. Confidential or Vikram Chandra’s Sacred Games with its sprawling storyline and enormous cast of characters. With an abundant plot that reels in a medical conspiracy, the murky workings of the Catholic Church and its search for the slasher, From A Dark Place will give the reader more than enough to digest.  Also available.

About the Author

Baltimore native, Lee Beck is a former pediatric psychologist specializing in the care and treatment of chronically and terminally ill children and their families. This work is the second in a series, a third is currently being written. He and his wife Mary, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, reside in a Philadelphia suburb.

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Facebook Jeanie by Addison Westlake #cover #reveal @AddisonWestlake


Facebook Jeanie Cover

 

Blurb:

Ever wonder if you made the right choice? What if you could go back and find out?

31-year-old Clara is in a steady relationship—with Facebook. Every night after her depressing bureaucratic job (so much for saving the world), after coming home to her empty apartment Clara settles down with a pint of ice cream for some good, old-fashioned Facebook stalking. It’s her college boyfriend, The One Who Got Away. He now has a perfect marriage, perfect house, perfect life—everything she could have had if she hadn’t been so, so stupid. 

But, wait. Jeanie from Facebook shows up at Clara’s job. There’s a new app they’re beta-testing and Clara’s perfect for it. That night she clicks on it and… nothing happens. But the next morning when Clara wakes up at noon, hung over, listening to her roommate blow-drying her hair and singing “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”, she realizes she’s back in college. With the chance to do it all over again. 

Back in the world of frat parties, BFFs, and long-suffering, overlooked lab partners, join Clara as she discovers what it really means to hit the reset button on life. What could possibly go wrong? And, this time, can she get it right?

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About Me

 

I made my debut as an author at age 13 by rewriting the “Sweet Valley High” series. Despite copyright violations, I maintain that my rendition of Elisabeth and Jessica Wakefield as preteens in an British orphanage is a classic. Between then and now I went to some fancy schools, swapped out the East Coast for the West Coast, and had oodles of kids. Some of my favorite things in life include coffee, Aretha Franklin’s inauguration hat and the sleepwalking scene in “Step Brothers.”

My first romantic comedy, “Christmas in Wine Country,” won first prize in the single title division of the Romance Writers of America’s 2010 Stilletto Contest and spent six weeks on Amazon’s best seller list.

My next romantic comedy, “Facebook Jeanie,” will be released October 1, 2013.

  

 

 

 

Interview with C.E. Hansen Author of It’s A Crime @CynthiaEHansen


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A few quick, candid and very interesting questions with my friend and author of It’s A Crime, CE Hansen

Did you ever think you’d ever become an author? No. To this day I don’t believe it. I just can’t get over actually having such a profound dream of mine come true on such a personal level. I always wanted to write…I’m proud of myself for actually doing it. My house is littered with all the things I’ve started and never stuck with…My husband will tell you I’m certifiable, I guess he’s right. Smart people like authors for instance tend to be unorganized and eccentric. So, that is you, which in my book is awesome

If you could work with any author who would it be? Unfortunately, she died years ago, but I broke my ‘romance book’ cherry on Kathleen Woodiwiss. So I would have to say her. 

Who is your favorite author and is your writing style similar to theirs? Again, Kathleen Woodiwiss and no I wish I could write like that!  I’d be I heaven!

Who is your target readers/audience? Anyone who likes their sex hot and their men hotter! OK so no knitting ladies or Jessica Fletcher types.  

not her but her right?? Carla Bruni with a Book

 What’s your favorite part of a book? I really enjoyed writing the sex scenes and the suspense…for some reason, blood, murder and crazy hot sex go together in my mind…sounds a bit odd doesn’t it? (I will sum it up SEX, Cole, Grace and the shower) I agree but the first major scene with Cole and Grace in the bar was my favorite. She stood up and had confidence. I loved the way she was not just ok, sort of wandering around saying “I’m too short, too chubby, why would he be looking at me” NOPE Grace was like “Im sexy and I know it” So the major theme is?  Suspense, sex, and more sex.  I also love developing characters.

Any recent works that you admire? Tangled – by Emma Chase. I love her sense of humor. Me too I think you and her have a similar style in that regard. You are both gifted debut authors too!

 How have your personal experiences affected your writing? I was always told you have to live it to write it. So, yeah, I guess a lot of my personal experiences come out in my writing. That does not seem to be a denial nor admission. I think you have had a lot of sex in your life and use that to draw on your characters. I should have asked for a picture of your shower.

 

Do you use facts and/or events from your own life? Of course…as I said before, you can only write what you know…and add a teaspoon of imagination… and you get the picture. At least I try to give you the picture…(please tell me you had sex like that at some time)

What genre of books do you like to read?   Oh I have many. I’m reading Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes right now, SHIT can that woman write scary suspense.  I love when I’m so invested I’m yelling…or laughing at the characters. I was invested in Cole myself. I can hear him singing Suit and Tie to me

Were you always good at writing?  I wouldn’t say good. I always wrote, short stories, songs for my guitar, but I don’t think I was really any good until I got to High School and began reading…oh my did I read.

How do you get started with writing a story? The people in my head start talking and literally keep me awake. I grab my phone and quickly record what they say and try to get back to sleep.  Sometimes, they chatter away into the wee hours…I really got to do something about them.

When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning? None at all. I always did love the name Grace though, almost named my daughter that.  

Any advice for people who have writer’s block? Look around you…there is always something to write about. It doesn’t have to be a happy story…as long as your writing, the creative juices will start to flow.

How did you come up with the plot? Good question. I really don’t give it too much thought. I talk out loud a lot which could really be annoying to the people sitting next to me, but **** it. When an idea hits me I got to talk to myself about it. Must be interesting to see you walk the NYC street babbling to yourself, you really fit in well I guess LOL Get on the F going to Coney Island babbling about sex in the shower with Cole, clang clang Belleview!  

 

 

 

 

Forever Broken by Jessica Wood @jesswoodauthor #cover #reveal #spotlight


Forever Broken Cover

Forever Broken Blurb:

Don’t forget to add Forever Broken on Goodreads Black heart (cards):http://goo.gl/deOUJ0

★★★SYNOPSIS of Forever Broken – October 7, 2013★★★

Can you ever escape darkness once it has touched your soul?

Natalie made a devastating decision five years ago that has haunted her ever since. It has been the secret she has kept from her family and friends. It has been the darkness that has shaped her life. It has been the moment that defines who she sees herself to be. And because of that decision, she believes that she is forever broken and undeserving of true happiness or love.

Dylan is looking for a broken soul to fall in love with. He is looking for someone he can fix and heal. He believes that only by fixing someone just as broken as he is, he will be able to finally fix himself and forgive himself for a past tragedy he had put into action.

When Natalie’s and Dylan’s paths collide, will Dylan be able to break through Natalie’s walls and show her the love she undoubtedly deserve? And will Natalie be just the person Dylan was looking for to fix himself?

Jessica Wood
Available Books: http://goo.gl/VPhpC1
Blog: http://jessicawoodauthor.com
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