Family, Books and Food!: March 2016

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Holding Fast by Jeanine Binder

My review of Playing the Game by Shawnte Borris

Derek Backhard has always loved Liz Edison since they were kids growing up but when her husband, Brad, passes away he wants to step up and help her raise her newborn son Ryder. Yet as a professional hockey player much of his life will be on the road.

Liz wants to give Derek a chance yet at the same time she knows that he still has his own goals and didn't ask for an instant family. She is also very worried about moving on so quickly after Brad's death and what the reaction from all of their friends and family.

Will Liz give Derek the chance he's been always looking for or will the pressure of being away so much cause her to doubt his love for her?

This is the long awaited sequel to The Game! After the last book I really wanted and needed everyone to get a happy ever after! This book still brings in the great humor from the first one and again deals with the serious issues of moving on after losing someone that you love. I thought the author handled it well and spoke that everyone heals differently and when you are moving on with someone that has already been such a huge part of your life it's really not such a big deal.

I loved that the girls were still able to get out and party like they did in the first book and that the book really still centered around the family and how important it is.

I loved the part with Cougar Claudia and it is so unfortunate that you have the press in any industry able to skew things to how they want.

Derek was such an amazing guy to step up and help Liz out and even though he always had feelings for her that was not his motivation in doing so! He knew what he wanted in life and he attained it and the epilogue was awesome with where the next book was headed!

I love that gradually Liz was able to put herself first and do what she felt was right for herself and for Ryder. I could never imagine going through what she did but she did such a great job.

Can't wait for the next book with Adam and Caroline!!

4.5 Stars!

Playing the Game by Shawnte Borris

Playing the Game, Derek Backhard

(Book 2 in the Game Series)

Synopsis:

Since being drafted by the NHL to play for his home team at age nineteen, Derek Backhard has had everything he's ever dreamed of - unrivaled MVP mentions, countless goals and assists, even being compared to the great one. Holding the power to control his future in the palm of his hands, nothing stood in his way.

Until the unthinkable happened, and everything about his life shifted. Past priorities fell away the moment he held baby Ryder in his arms mere moments after losing his close friend, and Ryder's father, Brad.

After weeks of watching Liz fall apart over the loss of her husband as she struggled to adjust to life as a single parent, Derek vows to give her and Ryder everything they deserve, creating a life he never knew he always wanted.

Rocked to her core by her changing feelings for him, Liz doesn’t know what to do with Derek or his offer. Uncertainty swirls within her as she leans on her lifelong friend during the hard times, but how much of his attention is real, and how much is pity?

Is she strong enough to let him in and let him take care of her, or will she force him away and back into the life she thinks he really wants?

Purchase Links:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/playing-the-game/id1011992776?mt=11

Author Bio:

Shawnté lives in central Alberta, with her husband Ricky of 10 amazing years and together they have two beautiful children. Somehow her husband has managed to trick her into running a cow/calf operation. As much as she fusses about it, she loves it.

When Shawnté is not sitting at her kitchen table hammering away on her laptop while watching the moose chase her cows across the yard, yes this really happens. Then she is busy attend school activities, community events and chauffeuring children here and there. She is big on playing softball and watching hockey.

When the time comes to relax, you will find her snuggled underneath her down comforter reading on her Ipad. Wait…who are we kidding, if the dishes, vacuuming, laundry or the bathrooms needs a hose down, you’ll always hear her say, “Just after this chapter.” She doesn’t have a favorite author or best story because everyday she falls in love with someone new.

Shawnté is technology challenged so with the help of Lacy you can find her anywhere. Please go like her page and leave a review/star rating on the books she’s wrote.

Ways to stay connected with Shawnte Borris:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/shawnteborrisauthor
Website: www.authorshawnteborris.com
Email: author.shawnteborris@gmail.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6870599.Shawnte_Borris?from_search=true

Twitter: @shawnte_author

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Cover reveal for Take Two by Traci Hayden

Cover reveal for Corralling Kenzie by Joanne Jaytanie

My review of Voices Carry by Diane Rinella

Brandon Wayne is having trouble moving on after the death of his fiance Amber over 10 years ago. He doesn't want to move on from what they had but lately he has been hearing voices and images which seem to link him to memories of others from the past and he's pretty sure he is going crazy.

Katherine Miller is a celebrity and the star of a TV show and seems to haunt Brandon's dreams and daydreams. Her voice seems to haunt him and he is not sure what connection he has with her. Yet when he goes to see a psychic named Jennifer she seems to help him put together some missing pieces.

Will Brandon be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure out his connection to Katherine? Will his memories put him more at ease or make him have more guilt towards Amber's death?

I enjoyed this book and I liked how everything linked together but I must admit that at times I was a little lost over figuring out what was really happening and keeping the past separate from the present. I admit that was me and I probably would have felt different if I read it all in one sitting or in one day.

I did really enjoy Jennifer, the psychic and how she led Brandon to clues that he had to figure out himself for what was going on with his life. Brandon seemed so caught up in his guilt from the past that he had such a had time moving on and was super quick to jump to conclusions with Katherine through social media.

I really like Katherine and how she realized that she was having trouble with her relationship with Jason and where she really needed to be to be happy.

I think my favorite characters were probably sisters Darla and Bailey as they were the rocks for Brandon and Katherine, linking the two unknowingly.

I look forward to reading more in this series.

3.5 Stars

Voices Carry by Diane Rinella

My review of Claimed by Love by Melissa Foster

Duke Ryder is a real estate investor with his eye on the island of Elpitha. He has big ideas of casinos and large hotels until he meets Gabriella Liakos, whose grandfather is looking to sell the property. Immediately the two are attracted to each other but both know that the other has different ideas about the island.

Will Duke be able to do what is right for the struggling island without losing Gabriella? Will Gabriella allow herself to trust that Duke will do the right thing and give their relationship a chance?

This was my first Melissa Foster book and I was so excited to get the chance to read it as I have heard so many great reviews from other authors. I was definitely not disappointed and I really loved getting to know Duke and Gabriella.

Duke was absolutely amazing start to finish and I loved how authentic he was to himself and those around him. He was definitely a perfect guy and I loved the things he did to gain Gabriella's trust and how much he truly listened to what he said.

I definitely understood the hesitancy with Gabriella towards Duke. She wanted the island to stay authentic and hated the idea of it being destroyed by big businesses/investors. She was such a important part of her family and I loved how she finally understood why her grandpa did what he did (avoiding spoiler!).

This was a great book and I look forward to getting to know the rest of these characters in upcoming books!

4.5 Stars

Claimed by Love by Melissa Foster

Body, Ink, and Soul by Jude Ouvrard

Macaroni and Cheese

http://www.shugarysweets.com/2014/03/copycat-panera-macaroni-cheese

Thursday, March 17, 2016

My review of The Founders by Holly Barbo

Disaster strikes Ose and the planet is in need of healing. Their is much fear on the planet due to a few groups of outlaws who are trying to take peoples food and animals and cause conflicts.

Marisily has been living with her father, Jed, until the death of her mother when she knows she must leave if she is wanting to survive. Yet she still may not be safe from him. She finds a place to live, and learns about who she really is and with the help of others like her they may be able to get everything back to normal, although the cost may be high.

I was a little hesitant going into this book as I normally do not read fantasy generally but I got a little into this one and couldn't stop reading it. I found I almost forgot that it was fantasy as the author has you so involved with everything that's going on.

I absolutely loved the character of Marisily and how she evolved into herself through the book with the knowledge that she gained through reading the ancient books. Her relationship with Sombra and Halcon was awesome and I loved how they protected her.

I enjoyed getting to know all of the Sage's and all of their different skills and how they were able to all work together to help each other and everyone around them.

This is the beginning of a great series and I can't wait to read more about all the Sage's and the new characters that are introduced!

4 Stars

The Founders by Holly Barbo

My review of Deadly Dunes by E. Michael Helms

Mac McClellan is an ex-Marine and newly licensed Private Investigator. He receives a call from Jessie Lofton who believes that her brother did not commit suicide but was murdered and asks Mac to take the job. When Jessie herself turns up murdered Mac knows that he must solve the case on his own in respect to Jessie's daughter.

Yet it seems as though everyone involved as ghosts in their closets and no one is who you think they are. Will Mac figure it out in time or will he be next on the list to die?

I really enjoyed this book as there were so many twists and turns that I kept engaged the whole time and really wasn't sure who was going to end up guilty. I loved Mac's association with deputy Dakota Owens as their relationship was super interesting and I wondered what would come about from it, even though Mac was in a relationship with Kate.

This was a great book and I definitely look forward to more from the author!

4.5 Stars

Deadly Dunes by E. Michael Helms

Reese's Popcorn

I love popcorn but I love peanut butter even more! So in this recipe they come together in an amazing way that left me kind of speechless.

So I don't know how to explain this but saying you need to try it if you love peanut butter and chocolate! The best part is that one of my kids is somehow determined that they don't like peanut butter and the other scared to try it but it was their loss and yes I did share with others and didn't eat it all by myself.

So you've got Reese's cereal, mini Reese's chocolates and Reese's pieces mixed together with melted peanut butter chips, white chocolate and milk chocolate. How could you not love this??

I can't wait to try more recipes from this site after this one!

Pure perfection!!

The link to find it is:
http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2011/12/reeses-popcorn-munch/

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Melissa Foster!!

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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A Tribute for <i>New York Times</i> & <i>USA Today</i> bestseller Melissa Foster</b></span></div>

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Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event. </div>

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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm so excited to welcome all of these fab authors to the Remington Kindle World--and to welcome back the five who have previously written in the World! Readers who love the Remington world I've created are now able to read many more stories with new, fun, characters, set in that world. I hope you love these new, exciting stories! </b></span></div>

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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~ Melissa</b></span></div>

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<b>What is the Remington Kindle World?</b></div>

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Authors are given permission to write their own story in my Remington series “world.” They can use my setting, my characters, and my Remington “world” to write their own story. Fans can bring new characters into the world, and write about existing characters. There are all kinds of exciting ways for these worlds to grow, and we're having so much fun bringing these stories to fans!</div>

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<b>Will the characters appear in the real Remington series or change the Remington’s current story lines?</b></div>

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No. The stories written in the Kindle World do not change the original Remington stories, characters, or world. Even if an author writes a story that changes the original characters in that particular fan fiction story, that only affects their Kindle World story, and not the original characters or series. Characters written into Remington Kindle World will remain in the fan fiction world (kind of like "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas").</div>

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</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">COMING MARCH 23, 2016</span>

</span> <a href="http://amzn.to/1nv4Pkq" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order today</span></a></div>

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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10UxTu0unY2FUVPr3pTSbUuTe-slfSALSSiTZQCmdw4A/pubhtml" target="_blank">BLOGGER PARTICIPATION LIST FOR THIS TOUR</a></span></div>

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Family, Books and Food!

Pages

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Holding Fast by Jeanine Binder

The Voices of Angels by Peggy Jaeger

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

My review of Playing the Game by Shawnte Borris

Playing the Game by Shawnte Borris

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Cover reveal for Take Two by Traci Hayden

Monday, March 28, 2016

Cover reveal for Corralling Kenzie by Joanne Jaytanie

Friday, March 25, 2016

Cover reveal for Offbeat by Nikki Lynn Barrett

3 day release blast for Assassin P.I. by Elizabeth Janette

Thursday, March 24, 2016

My review of Voices Carry by Diane Rinella

Voices Carry by Diane Rinella

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

My review of Claimed by Love by Melissa Foster

Claimed by Love by Melissa Foster

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Body, Ink, and Soul by Jude Ouvrard

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday, March 17, 2016

My review of The Founders by Holly Barbo

The Founders by Holly Barbo

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

My review of Deadly Dunes by E. Michael Helms

Deadly Dunes by E. Michael Helms

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Reese's Popcorn

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Melissa Foster!!