Month in Review ~ May 2015

Hey, Everyone! It's time to look back and see what my May looked like! Month in Review is a monthly meme hosted by Kathryn @ Book Date! 


Books Read:

Twin Piques by Tracie Banister
Alive by Scott Sigler
This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Steampunk Darcy by Monica Fairview
Worth the Fall by Caitie Quinn

Reviews:

Twin Piques by Tracie Banister



Newly Acquired Books:

The Geography of YOU and ME by Jennifer E. Smith
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Dead & the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams
Blackout by Robison Wells
Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
The Rule of Thre3 by Eric Walters
Slated by Teri Terry
Fractured by Teri Terry
Shattered by Teri Terry


My TBR pile just keeps growing!! lol!

Books for Review:

Suddenly Mrs. Darcy by Jenetta James
Inspired by Grace by Jeanna Ellsworth

Noteworthy Shows Watched:

The Gilmore Girls ~ watched season 6


Sewing Project:

I made this Plaid Skirt for my daughter's dance performance.

My May seemed to fly by! How about you? How was your May?

What are you Reading? ~ May 27, 2015

What are you Reading? is my weekly Wednesday meme! You are welcome to join me, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll be reading next?

What am I currently reading? I'm currently reading Hearts Stolen (Texas Romance Series Book 2) by Caryl McAdoo. It's pretty good. I was in the mood for a western. :)







What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Alive: Book One of the Generations Trilogy by Scott Sigler. I loved it! I'm looking forward to the next in the series! I was glad that it didn't end in a cliffhanger.







I also finished reading  Worth the Fall (Brew Ha Ha #2) by Caitie Quinn. It was a super cute, clean, romantic comedy! I loved it, and I plan on reading more books by Caitie Quinn!







What do I think I'll be reading next? I hope to start Forever Yours: Yours by Design, Book 3 by Robin M. Helm. I'm looking forward to reading this!






FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided I will receive a small commission. Thanks!


So... What are you reading?

What are you Reading? ~ May 20, 2015

What are you Reading? is my weekly Wednesday meme! You are welcome to join me, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll be reading next?

What am I currently reading? I'm currently reading Alive: Book One of the Generations Trilogy by Scott Sigler. I'm loving this! It has a Maze Runner feel to it to me. I'm reading it pretty fast, too.

What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. I really like this! It was a cute, sweet story. I like Jennifer's writing style; it's easy to read, flows well, and keeps me engaged. 

What do I think I'll be reading next? I plan on reading Worth the Fall (Brew Ha Ha #2) by Caitie Quinn. Actually, I already started reading this. Only a few pages though. Seems like it will be cute! This was a Kindle freebie. :)






FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

So... What are you reading?

Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer Cover Reveal

Hey Everyone! A while back I posted about a short story contest that Meryton Press was putting on. Well, today I'm happy to say the winners have been chosen and a book is going to be released sometime in June!

Here it is!!

“So each had a private little sun for her soul to bask in…” —Thomas Hardy

If you desire a little heat, a summer flirtation, or an escape to bask in your own private sun, this whimsical collection of original short stories is inspired by all things summer. In collaboration with some of Meryton Press’s most popular and award-winning authors, this anthology debuts other promising and emerging talent.

• In KaraLynne Mackrory’s “Shades of Pemberley,” Mr. Darcy, with some fantastic assistance, discovers Elizabeth Bennet in a most unlikely place.
• Karen M. Cox’s “Northanger Revisited” modernizes Northanger Abbey at a fictionalized Georgia seaside.
• Linda Beutler takes us to Paris as a young gentleman is schooled in the ways of amour in “The Incomplete Education of Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
• In “Spyglasses and Sunburns,” J. Marie Croft takes the Miss Bennets to the seaside where they chance upon handsome acquaintances.
• In Abigail Bok’s “A Summer in Sanditon,” a little sea bathing seems just the thing to cure what ails Anne de Bourgh.
• In Natalie Richards’ “Midsummer Madness,” an honest confession and a promise between strangers at a masque ball mend a misunderstanding.
• Sophia Rose reimagines a modern-day Persuasion in “Second Chance at Sunset Beach.”
• In Morgan K Wyatt’s “Dream Spinner,” a near-death car accident and an unlikely trucker bring new perspective to a young co-ed’s life and love.

Contemporary and Regency alike, each romance was dreamt as a perfect summer refreshment to bring a smile to your own sun-kissed face.

Stories by:

KaraLynne Mackrory ● Karen M. Cox ● Linda Beutler ● J. Marie Croft

Abigail Bok ● Natalie Richards ● Sophia Rose ● Morgan K Wyatt

Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer will be on sale sometime in June! 

BIOS for Sun-kissed: Effusions of Summer

Karen M Cox writes stories with romantic and historic elements. Her novels have garnered awards from the independent publishing industry, including two IPPY awards: a Bronze in Romance for 1932 (2010) and a Gold in Romance for Find Wonder in All Things (2012), which was also a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2013. Her third novel, At the Edge of the Sea (2013), won the Romance and Chick Lit categories in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Her favorite part of writing is readers saying her stories made them smile, or think, or remember. 

KaraLynne Mackrory is better known for her hilarious and ready wit than for her books, though they aren't too bad either.  She has published three books with Meryton Press: Falling For Mr. Darcy (2012), Bluebells in the Mourning (2013) and the 2015 Romance Bronze medal IPPY winner, Haunting Mr. Darcy (2014). In her spare time she likes to pretend she does not have chip crumbs down her shirt from when her kids ate their snack on her.

Linda Beutler has published three novels of Austenesque romance through Meryton Press: A Will of Iron (June 2015), Longbourn to London (July 2014), and the Silver IPPY Award-winning The Red Chrysanthemum (September 2013). She is also a garden writer, publishing through Timber Press, including the forthcoming Plant Lover's Guide to Clematis (March 2016), Garden to Vase (2007), and Gardening with Clematis (2004).

J. Marie Croft is a self-proclaimed word nerd and adherent of Jane Austen’s quote “Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery.” Her lighthearted novel, Love at First Slight (Meryton Press, 2013), bears witness to Joanne’s fondness for Pride and Prejudice, wordplay, and laughter. 

Sophia Rose, a northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes region of the U.S., is a quiet yet curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening, and is encouraged in her pursuits by an incredible man and loving family. Writing has been a compelling need of Sophia’s since childhood, and being a published author is a dream come true. 

Morgan K Wyatt is an author, mother, former special needs teacher, and avid gardener. She’s published seventeen books with four more coming out this summer 2015. She’s active on the blogosphere at Writer Wonderland, Lowcarb Believer, and Dating After Fortyeight--the last she started writing when dating her husband. While mainly a romance writer, she’s also working on a new cozy mystery series with her beloved husband.

Natalie Richards is a blogger, singer and writer. She started her book review blog, Songs & Stories, in late 2010 after falling in love with Jane Austen fanfiction. Her writing can also be found on Figment, the Darcy & Lizzy Forum and in TeenInk magazine. Midsummer Madness is her first published short story. She resides with her family in the Oregon countryside and currently works as a professional babysitter.

Abigail Bok is the author of a contemporary Austenesque novel, An Obstinate, Headstrong Girl, and of "A Dictionary of Jane Austen's Life and Works," published as part of The Jane Austen Companion. She is currently at work on a series, called Darking Hundred, set in England in the year 1800.

Christina Boyd wears many hats as she is an editor at Meryton Press, a contributor to Austenprose, and a ceramicist for the Made in Washington stores under her own banner, Stir Crazy Mama’s Artworks. A life member of Jane Austen Society of North America, Christina lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her dear Mr. B, two busy teenagers, and a retriever named BiBi. Visiting Jane Austen's England remains on her bucket list.

 Congratulations to Abigail Bok, Natalie Richards, Sophia Rose, and Morgan K Wyatt the short story contest winners!! 

Again, Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer should be released sometime in June. For more information and the latest news, you can head over to Meryton Press and sign up for their newsletter! 

Twin Piques by Tracie Banister

Twin Piques by Tracie Banister 

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2015 
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 
Pages: 462 
Received: e-copy from the author for my honest review 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Twin Piques is a mixture of sweet and spicy! This fun Chick-lit is about twins who are complete opposites. Written from both POVs, both girls have such different personalities and lead such different lives, it’s like reading two different stories! 

Willa is sweet, compassionate, a bit whimsical, and always optimistic. Her heart yearns to find love, and she believes that someday that will happen. She also has the unique ability to communicate with animals; more specifically, dogs and cats. Working as a dog psychic, Willa helps people out with their pet problems. 

Sloane is serious, hard working and fierce! She is determined to become a partner in the firm she works for as a forensic accountant. She doesn’t have time for love. It’s sex without commitment for her. She keeps her heart protected because she feels they only one she can depend on is herself. 

I love the difference between Willa and Sloane! Their chapters read so differently too. It was interesting going from fun, bubbly chick-lit to a more mature contemporary romance, but at the same time I did have a hard time getting into this story. I think the switching back and forth between storylines kept me from being hooked - breaking the flow of the story. It wasn’t until they two started overlapping did I get sucked in. Then I loved it! 

One of my favorite characters is Gavin, who lives next door to Sloane. Willa and Sloane have known him all their lives. The three of them are best friends. Gavin is the author of a very popular graphic novel series that feature two twin superheroes. Of course, they are modeled after Willa and Sloane!  

Twin Piques is a cute and humorous read, with a little spice thrown in the mix! This is the second story I’ve read by Tracie Banister, and I enjoyed both! 

For Mature Audiences.

FTC Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book from the author for my honest review.

Buy: Amazon
Add to goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

You can read my review for In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister here.

Connect with Tracie Banister

twitter • facebook • website

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

What are you Reading? ~ May 13, 2015

What are you Reading? is my weekly Wednesday meme! You are welcome to join me, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll be reading next?

What am I currently reading? I just started This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. Love the Prologue! It's a series of emails. That's how they meet - when one sends an email to the wrong address. Looks like it's going to be cute!!






What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Steampunk Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Spoof by Monica Fairview. I loved it! I hope to write a review soon! This is also the 3rd book I've read for my Austenesque TBR Challenge. Yay!






What do I think I'll be reading next? The plan is to read Alive (The Generations Trilogy) by Scott Sigler. I'm so looking forward to this! This is a new dystopian series! I requested it from NetGalley. 

FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

So... What are you reading?

What are you Reading? ~ May 6, 2015

What are you Reading? is my weekly Wednesday meme! You are welcome to join me, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll be reading next?

What am I currently reading? I'm just starting  Steampunk Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Spoof by Monica Fairview. I think it's going to be fun to read this post-apocalyptic Pride and Prejudice retelling! 








What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Twin Piques by Tracie Banister. It really enjoyed it. It took me a while to get hooked though. 







What do I think I'll be reading next? I was thinking about something from my TBR pile; maybe This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith. 

FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

So... What are you reading?

Winner of the Suddenly Mrs. Darcy Giveaway!

Hey Everyone! It's time to announce the winner of the Suddenly Mrs. Darcy giveaway! 

Many thanks to Jakki at Leatherbound Reviews, Meryton Press and Jenetta James for including me in this Blog Tour! 

Without further ado, Rafflecopter has picked a winner!

Congratulations to:

Arjanne!

You've won a paperback of Suddenly Mrs. Darcy!

I have emailed the winner. (Winners have 72 hours to respond to this post or an email or another winner will be picked. Thank you.)

Thank you to all who entered and took the time to comment! I appreciate all of you!

Suddenly Mrs. Darcy is now on sale at Amazon or B&N.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!