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Sunday, June 30, 2013

Blog Tour and Giveaway for Karmic Connection with Libby Mercer


Title: The Karmic Connection
Author: Libby Mercer
Release date: April 24, 2013
Genre: Chick Lit/Romance hybrid
Age Group: Adult (although it might appeal to some YA and NA fans)
Event organized  by: AToMR Tours
Links:
 
Book Description:

What is the universe up to?

Guilty of nothing more than working too much - or so they say - Adam Stowe is dumped at a "wellness center" in the middle of nowhere by a couple of concerned colleagues. When he meets
Lorraine, the beautiful and bewitching yoga instructor, his spirits start to lift, but once he discovers what a flighty fruitcake she is, they drop back down to subterranean levels.

For Lorraine Jameson, Luna Wellness Center was a beacon of solace when her life was falling apart, and she can't stand the way Adam's toxic energy is poisoning the peace. He embodies everything negative about the life she discarded eighteen months ago. Despite being fiercely attracted to the arrogant man, she's determined not to let Adam Stowe anywhere near her heart.

Adam and Lorraine couldn't be more unsuitable as a potential couple... so why is the universe so dead set on uniting these two?


The Karmic Connection is a different kind of love story with a cast of quirky characters and a mystical, magical New Age-y flavor.

About the Author

Born and raised in the Midwest, Libby Mercer’s adventurous spirit kicked in after graduating from high school, and she’s since lived in Boston, NYC and London. For several years, Libby worked in fashion – first as a journalist and then as a shopkeeper, and for a while she dabbled in design. Libby has been a writer for as long as she can remember. She penned her first book at age seven – a picture book entitled BIG and small. Countless numbers of stories later, her first book, Fashioning a Romance, was published in May 2012, followed by Unmasking Maya and The Karmic Connection. Libby lives in San Francisco.



EXCERPT 1



She walked over and knelt down beside him. “Adam?” she murmured. She touched his shoulder and he lifted his head with a wince. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll be all right.” He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, he gave her a wry smile. “I just sat up too fast.”

She nodded in understanding. “How many cups of coffee do you drink each day?”

“Usually about seven. Or eight.” He lowered his head back to his knees. “I don’t suppose you guys have any aspirin?”

“I’m afraid not.” Lorraine bit down on her bottom lip. He looked so miserable. Her hands burned to stroke his cheek, to kiss away his pain, and she was mortified by her inappropriate desire. In order to prevent herself from doing something unacceptable, she kept talking. “But I can make you a special tea that will help.”

“Tea. Great.” He closed his eyes again.

Serena looked over from where she was rolling up her yoga mat, concern written all over her wise, old face. “Is he okay?” she mouthed.

Lorraine shrugged and then nodded. He would be okay, although she knew how gruesome he must have been feeling at that moment. She’d been there once.

She felt torn. There was something she could do to help (in addition to the special tea) but it would probably complicate her feelings further.

Stop being a baby, Jameson.

In truth, Lorraine really had no choice in the matter, being bound by oath and all…

“Give me your hand, Adam,” she instructed, sitting back on her feet.

He opened his eyes in surprise and then promptly narrowed them in bemusement. “What for?”

Now it was Lorraine’s turn to close her eyes in irritation, but only for a brief moment. She reopened them and said, “Pressure points. Just do it.”

He gave her a sceptical look, but he relented and offered her a hand.

Lorraine did her best not to notice the perfect shape of Adam’s hand, and she tried to ignore the thrilling sensation that shot through her body as she took that smooth, warm hand in hers. She did her best not to notice the way the candlelight gave Adam’s hand a delicious golden glow, as if it had been lightly glazed in butterscotch sauce, and she tried desperately not to fantasize about licking the sweetness off.

Honestly! She needed to get a hold of herself. She took one deep, cleansing breath after another, and then she balled her hand into a fist, jammed it under Adam’s palm, found the fleshy bit between his thumb and forefinger, and she pressed down as hard as she could with her thumb.

One, two, three, four.

“Yikes, Lorraine. You’ve got really strong thumbs,” he said quietly.

“Mm hmm.” She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. Why wasn’t he being rude? It really helped her when he was being rude. Where was that negative energy when she needed it? He was so close. He was too close. The scent of him was intoxicating. Most of the men she came across these days smelled like patchouli and sandalwood. Adam just smelled clean. Like rain.

Goddess, forgive me. I just want him so much…

Focus, Jameson! Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen.

She tried to slow her breathing, but it was no use. Her body was out of control. It felt like each and every one of her nerve endings was waving a sparkler around and a marching band had set up camp inside her heart. As for her belly, it felt like there were two or maybe two-hundred trapeze artists swinging through the air down there.

What was going on?! Lorraine shook her head and peeled her gaze away from Adam’s hand. The studio buzzed with activity. Frank rolled up his yoga mat. Naomi pulled on a pair of warm, woolen socks. Joel waved to Lorraine before he left the studio, and she nodded back at him, smiling goodbye.

Breathe in… and breathe out. Breathe in… and breathe out.

The deep breathing helped. And it also helped to avoid looking at Adam and his hand. She locked her gaze on the candles flickering from the low wooden bench against the wall and focused on her breathing.

Lorraine was so preoccupied with maintaining control that she completely lost sight of the matter at hand. She tried to figure out how many seconds had gone by. Forty-seven? Sixty-two? Seventy-eight? She had no idea.

Author social media links:





The giveaway will end July 14th.


1.      A $20 gift certificate for Lush Cosmetics (This will be an e-gift certificate and international.)
2. A  wellness care package (ex. eye mask, scented candles, Rescue Remedy, etc.)  - US Only





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Book Review Bear Meets Girl Pride #7 By Shelly Laurenston


Bear Meets Girl 
Pride #7
By Shelly Laurenston

 stars
Reviewed by:Angels
Format:Kindle
Published: Brava 
Source:Purchased Gene:Romance,Contemporary Romance


About Book

He's big, burly, and way smarter than your average shape-shifting bear. He's also about to get trapped by own his game. . .
Lou Crushek is a reasonable, mellow, easygoing kind of guy. But once someone starts killing the scumbags he works so hard to bust, that really gets under his fur. Especially when that someone is a curvy she-tiger with a skill set that's turning Crush's lone-bear world upside down--and bringing his passion out of hibernation. . .
As a member of an elite feline protection unit, Marcella Malone has no problem body-dropping anyone who hunts her kind. But Crush is proving one major pain in her gorgeous tail. The only reason she's joined forces with him is to track down the wealthy human who's got her entire species in his ruthless sights. It sure isn't because Crush's stubborn and contrary attitude is rubbing Cella in all the right ways. .



My Thoughts


Let me start of by saying that is one of my favorite authors her books are always steamy and make me laugh.Just love her books!


I have to say that I really enjoyed this story.I was constantly smiling throughout the entire story.There were so many parts that made we laugh.This was a slow budding romance that started out with just a pretend boyfriend developing into a much deeper growing relationship.

I normally only have one favorite character I rave about but, I have to rave about two this time around. Cella and Crush.Cella was just way to comical with a really big personality not only did she work for a government agency doing a very dangerous job but, was a single mother playing on a hockey team with a bunch of other shape-shifters both men and women.She was always upbeat and funny.Her friendships were very interesting and the way she communicated and dealt with her friends both male and female. She did not have your typical girlfriend relationship.And you will understand after reading this story. LOL Just loved her.Crush was a bear after my own heart.He was not what you would expect for a shifter polar bear.He had the looks and a dangerous aura that surrounded him and a scowl that would scare anyone off but, he was really nothing but a giant teddy bear (don't tell him I said that ) lol.He was uptight and reserved and down right honest with those he dealt with.He needed someone like Cella to loosen him up and so she did with her taunting antics and just that big personality she had.He was just a really nice guy all around you could not help but fall for him.

All and all this was amazing read for me.Loved the characters all of them .The all played a part in making this story a really fun read.I have been reading this series so I love that most of the characters in these stories grace the pages of each and everyone of the current novels in the series.The character's are all so different and no all of them get along making them done right interesting and funny and some dangerous.The story had all the things I love romance fun characters and a bit of mystery.I do have to say that Cella really made this book really entertaining for me. This story was more of a slow budding romance for this couple neither looking for anything to come about from the whole pretend boyfriend thing.But, Cella was the type of individual who you could not keep from getting under your skin or letting into your heart...

This one goes into the keeper pile to be read and a later date again when I am depressed and need a fun read and some hardy laughs.A recommend read to all.Be sure to check out the other books in this series as the all have been really good reads and I have enjoyed them all !










Book Review for Tethered By Fate The Alyx Rayer Chronicles Book # 2 by S.J. Pierce



Tethered By Fate

The Alyx Rayer Chronicles Book #2
by S.J. Pierce

 4stars
Reviewed by:Tonya
Format:Kindle
Published:S.J. Pierce
Source:Purchased Gene:Adult Paranormal Romance, Urban, Fantasy


About Book

Where fate would take the both of them now, Isaac wasn’t sure, but either way their paths were irrevocably tethered.”
Hurled into the midst of a holy war between the sinister fallen Angel of War and their beloved Creator, gifted humans, Angels, and Spirit Guides unite to create a formidable, ethereal army. With the imminent battle only days away, continue to follow the story that captivated your hearts as a Protector Angel named Alyx struggles with her own inner conflicts between right and wrong, love and honor.
Passionate, engaging, and filled with surprising twists and turns — see which path fate will lead our beloved Angel down next in this second book of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles.



My Thoughts


Tethered by Fate starts right where Marked for Vengeance ends, which I liked very much, no empty time in-between. Alex, Isaac and many others are all joined in another dimension and finally learn why they are there and what happened, and just how they are connected. But Alyx feels different and senses that some things are not completely as they seem or how they should be.
Isaac is still recovering from what the evil did while he and Alyx ran for the gateway – I have to say it is so awesome to see a strong woman. Even though she would doubt herself from time to time she never gave up and was willing to give everything for Isaac’s safety. I really loved that about her. But then again I would give anything for Isaac myself – lol, that is one hot Irish man right there. Isaac blames Alyx for what has happened to him, thinking she brought this upon them. Can you just say “WAKE UP YOU FOOL – THEY WERE ALREADY THERE.” Ugh!!! Men
Right from the start I could tell I was not going to like Christineth and her flock of groupies. She is the typical snotty cheerleader school girl type thinking she is superior and better than everyone else, always looking down her nose at everyone else, especially Alex.
Oh have I said “I WANNA BE A PROTECTOR.” I would love to have one of those gorgeous warrior angels that all these girls get. Samuel OMG I think I drooled all over when he flew into the camp and walked up to Alyx, my knees were wobbling way before hers were. LOL I mean can we say COLD SHOWER!!!!!
I give Alyx so much credit, she is different, yet she does a really good job hiding it from everyone, or well almost everyone, there is one that knows her secret, but he is cool and doesn’t tell, even goes out of his way to help her. And when he word is out, the one she worried the most about losing over it, stands strong by her side. I was like OMG seeee “CAN I HAVE SAMUEL” – PLEASE!!!!!. Oh Prolificent – you old fart I do not like you one bit you need a good ole fashioned redneck butt kicking mister. Oh wait he does get put into his place and so does Christeneth (I won’t say how but you so have to read OMG perfect)
I just want to say there is one scene between Alyx and Cristineth that had me jumping and whooping and saying “HECK YA GIRL – THAT’S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!” LOL
The ending, not how I saw this going, my heart was soaring for Isaac and Alyx one minute and then crashing and burning the next. Talk about a cliff hanger but oh man that is going to make reading the next book that much sweeter.




Book Review for Marked For Vengeance The Alyx Rayer Chronicles Book #1 by S.J. Pierce




Marked For Vengeance

The Alyx Rayer Chronicles Book #1
by S.J. Pierce

 4stars
Reviewed by:Tonya
Format:Kindle
Published:S.J. Pierce
Source:Purchased Gene:Adult Paranormal Romance, Urban, Fantasy



About Book

Alyx Rayer’s existence in Atlanta, the eternally bustling capital of Georgia, is one of routine and blending in among the worker bees. But her ‘normal’ life is actually a façade for a higher calling; she’s a three hundred year old soul, encased in a human vessel and sent from the darkness between heaven and Earth to capture her Marked when summoned by her superiors.
During the initial, routine stake-out of her Marked, a dream prophet named Isaac Walsh, Alyx is thrown for an emotional loop when his allure captivates her heart from two rooftops away. The event marks the very instance when her sense of what’s right and what’s wrong is brutally challenged as her contact with him is strictly forbidden.
While already trapped between honor and desire, her emotional struggles are further challenged by a man in a black suit who continually pops up when she least expects it, his presence evoking a strange response from the scar she was branded with at birth. The scar tingles like a warning beacon, alerting her that something is amiss. Because her superiors never told her what this would mean, or much of anything except what to do when they summon, she can only conclude to try and keep her sanity, and her life, from completely shattering to pieces.
This engaging first book of the series is a Paranormal Romance


My Thoughts

First let me say the note to the reader – that gets your mind thinking even before starting the book. And I love the bible verse the author mentions “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)” I have always been a firm believer that there are angels among us. I hold true to the “Random Acts of Kindness” way of thinking and living as well.
Like the author, my mother taught me how important being kind and courteous to others is. For we do not know the paths of others and should never be a stumbling block in their way. For one day that very person may be the one to lend us a helping hand.
I always wondered what it was like for angels when they were created. Were they born like us or did God just create them like he did Adam and Eve? Well for Alyx she is born and her birth is torturous to say the least “OUCH” is an understatement and angel or human wouldn’t wish that kind of birth or creation on anyone. Thank you for the agonizingly detailed and painful description. I could actual feel what she was going through while reading that. And to be born with only one purpose now that is different.
Alyx boss Frederick aka “Casanova” is a real charmer and I have worked for guys like him and she does a great job handling him where as her friend Cindra would be all over him like water to a mop. LOL That girl is too funny I love her attitude she is a true spit fire. Now as far as coworkers go I have had my fair share of the coworker from hell and Mona fits into that category. Anyone who causes employees to cringe or go out of their way to avoid them, yeah coworker from hell – lol. And Benjamin, Alyx boyfriend oh hot doctor can we say “YES RIGHT HERE – I AM SINGLE & AVAILABLE” – LOL hot, intelligent and successful all rolled up into one – are there any of those left out there. Then there is Isaac and his son Micah, oh that boy is such a cutie I really liked him and his dad Isaac too. LOL I mean I am Irish and what girl doesn’t love a built, sexy, strong, Irish man with a sexy Irish lilt to go with it, that’s just melt in your mouth delicious right there. A single dad and an artist yeah I think I fell in love after reading that. Then of course there is Alyx, brunette, tall, perfect figure, amazing at juggling and has a purpose – her marked.
Isaac paints these images he keeps dreaming, vivid images of a beautiful woman with dark haunting eyes, and of angels and demons at war but he can’t figure out who she is or what the dreams are about – yet. His son Micah has these visions of demons that scare him quiet a lot and Isaac has to constantly calm him and try to push away his fears. Little do either of them know they are both very special and they too have a purpose.
I love the pull, the forbidden pull that Alyx has to Isaac. She just can’t seem to follow those black and white rules, instead finding ways to make them grey so she can get her “fix”. Little does she know she is being watched. Alyx has this tattoo on her back, a mark and it has a purpose as well, she has always known it but always hit it, suddenly it starts to react in a way she has never felt before she doesn’t know what to do or what is causing it. I want to yell “Wake Up, Follow your gut instinct, you know that the creepy feeling you have is telling you something bad is going on – follow that and get the heck out of dodge.”






Book Review for Going Home Green Bayou Series (Book #1) by Rhonda R. Dennis



Going Home
Green Bayou Series (Book #1)

by Rhonda R. Dennis

 4stars
Reviewed by:Tonya
Format:Kindle
Published:Rhonda R. Dennis
Source:Purchased Gene:Romance, Mystery, Thriller


About Book

Paramedic Emily Boudreaux believes New Orleans is the perfect place for a young trauma junkie to see some action. Things start out fine enough, but years pass, and the job brings nothing but strife. Emily decides to make a fresh start by returning to her roots. She moves to the small town of Green Bayou, Louisiana. Thinking she will find peace and tranquility, Emily quickly learns that her imagination steered her wrong. Small town life offers far more tumult than she remembered! Mystery, excitement, deceit, and passion run rampant along the murky waters of Bayou Assumption. She struggles with the decision of which man to love: her amazing, new Paramedic partner, Jacob Templet or her handsome, former high school sweetheart, Deputy Pete Bergeron. Her ultimate struggle won’t involve the decision of which man to be with. It is a quest for her personal survival! Praying to get out of a disastrous situation alive, Emily hopes that going home won’t be the wrong decision.



My Thoughts

I’ve got to say this book grabbed me right at the start. Pretty female EMS, yep made me think of myself lol no I am not bragging but I was very pretty and spent 8 years in the US Army as a combat medic driving an ambulance so I sorta had a connection right away with Emily.
Emily is a strong independent woman who stands her ground against a partner who is out of control. Though it gets her the raw end of the deal for doing the right thing she bounces right back, heading home and getting a new job doing what she loves thanks to an old time friend. I applaud her for doing what was right even with the outcome in the end. And like I said the outcome was in her favor anyway. Fate always has a way of working things out in the end. And come on “PETE” hello yeah I would move to Green Bayou for that too. He made my heart flutter and my knees wobble.
Some of the calls that Emily and her partner Jacob would get called on were pretty bad but I don’t think any were near as bad as the one they get called out for on Halloween. That one would leave me with nightmares for sure. Phew let’s just say Emily handles herself rather well but man what a mess that was. Kudos girl.
And Jacob her partner and this “thing” between them, *phew* that man is steamy hot, I mean down right southern Louisiana hotness right there and sweet. Mmmmm could eat that right up like jambalaya and po-boys – lol. Unlike Emily I couldn’t have said no I would have been “Yes, Yes, Yes.” Just another reason I loved Emily thought her very strong character and morals even when her body was so telling her “you know you want to do this.” She did not listen and did what was right. But man you know she was thinking about it…..
And Pete, oh make my heart flip flop, my knees wobble and the butterflies go crazy in your stomach Pete. A man in uniform well you can’t get any hotter or better than that and sweet. And his proposal to Emily had me tearing right up. So sweet and wow I didn’t see it coming but so glad it did.
Then there is Kent, what he did during the Christmas dinner had my gears spinning and then again at New Year’s Eve. I am just feeling it in my gut there is something not right with him. There is something there, something more than everyone else sees. He’s a bad one, real bad, I could feel it in my bones and it wasn’t going to be good.
“Green Bean – String Bean – Red Bean” – **Roaring in Laughter** OMG my sides hurt so much after reading that part (get the book to find out and you will be laughing too). LOL
This book had me laughing one minute and tearing up the next. From Alphonse and his goofy self, to the banter between Emily and Jacob, to the friendships between Emily and Pete and Connie and Bert. To the twisted minds of Bart and Kent and the funny and sweet relationship of Emily’s parents oh man I loved them. From the EMS call outs to a funny dispatcher, the bimbo store clerk, sleazy sheriff to the horrible events and the amazing outcomes. Laughter & tears, loss and gain. This book rocked and I cannot wait to read the next book in the Green Bayou Series.