Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door- Televisions' Iconic Women from the 50's, 60's, and 70's by Herbie J. Pilato

 

 

Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door is the latest creation from entertainment biographer and pop culture consultant Herbie J Pilato. Based on exclusive celebrity interviews, this book runs the gamut of female television legends, from Donna Douglas (who played Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies) to the stars of the original Charlie s Angels. According to Pilato, There are so many charismatic women who have made their beauty-mark in television. I wanted to celebrate their contributions, not only with regard to aesthetic appeal but to honor the intelligence, individual wit, and unique talent and style that each of them have contributed to television and how that great medium in particular was utilized to introduce and showcase so many amazing and wonderful women to the world. Suffice it to say, for exclusive and key information on TV s top leading ladies who shattered expectations and paved the way for successive generations, this book is the number one resource and go-to guide

 

 

Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door:
Television's Iconic Women from the 50s, 60s, and 70s by Herbie J Pilato
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door: Television's Iconic Women from the 50's, 60's, and 70's by Herbie J. Pilato is a 2014 Taylor Trade Publishing release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a pop culture enthusiast or someone you know is, then you will not want to pass up this wonderful, fully illustrated book. I love pop culture so this one appealed to me instantly. This hardcover edition is not as large as many “coffee table” books in length and width, but it's fairly hefty. I have already spent hours thumbing through this book, and my family has also passed it around, completely absorbed in the trivia and other interesting facts about television in this era and the many roles women played.

Broken into segments this book features women who could do a little of everything like Cher or Marie Osmond, who could sing, dance, act, and worked in both television and movies.
Teen angels, such as Patty Duke and Valerie Bertinelli- Country girls, like Donna Douglas ( Beverly Hillbillies) and the ladies from Petticoat Junction, all the way through to the women who played roles as spies, ( The Avengers, Mission Impossible) to the glamor girls like the trio from Charlie's Angel's, to super heroes like Wonder Woman ,to the ladies who brought the women's liberation movement to prime time television.
Each featured actress is profiled with a brief biography, their best known roles, iconic facts and best known quotes, plus beautiful photographs of the ladies, mostly in color but a few black and white pictures too.

The book is chock full of little bits of trivia and information about household names we still remember vividly to those who may have flown under our radar. There are a few “honorable mentions” in the back as well as an appendix, Bibliography and sources section, notes with added websites so the reader can check out the webpages for some the stars featured.
This is a wonderful idea to feature the ladies who paved the way for all the television actresses in the future. Many of the roles were traditional, some were incredibly groundbreaking and even controversial, some of these actresses would go on to massive fame and become movie stars, while others chose to work on the stage or in numerous guest starring roles. Either way, this is a very well organized, informative, and highly entertaining book. It would also be a very nice gift as well. 5 stars!








ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Writer/producer/actor Herbie J Pilato is the author of several books on media and celebrities, including The Bionic Book, The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom, Bewitched Forever, The Bewitched Book and most notably, Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery. He has served as a consultant on "Bewitched: The E! True Hollywood Story," the Elizabeth Montgomery episode of A&E's Biography, Bravo's hit five-part series The 100 Greatest TV Characters, and countless other productions. From 2010 to 2013, Pilato served as founder and executive director of The Classic TV Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization that helped to close the gap between popular culture and education. Today, Pilato presides over Television, Ink, an entertainment company located in Burbank, California, where he resides. For more information, visit www.herbiejpilato.com.

 

THE WIZARD OF OZ FAQ - BY DAVID J. HOGAN

(FAQ). The Wizard of Oz FAQ is a fact-filled celebration of the beloved 1939 fantasy masterpiece starring Judy Garland. It's all here from L. Frank Baum and his Oz novels to the complete background story of the movie's conception, development, and shoot, with special attention given to the little-known parade of uncredited directors, casting difficulties, and on-set accidents and gaffes, as well as more than 75 sidebars devoted to key cast members, directors, and other behind-the-scenes personnel. You'll find a wealth of fun facts: How MGM overworked Judy Garland before, during, and after Oz; why director Victor Fleming had his hands full with the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy's other friends; what it was about Toto that really bothered Judy; the physical horrors of filming in Technicolor; the racial Oz gag that was scripted but never shot; when the Wicked Witch was going to be beautiful; why The Wizard of Oz owes a lot to silent-screen star Mary Pickford; the story of deleted scenes, and a full two weeks of shooting that had to be scrapped; why MGM star Mickey Rooney was part of the movie's traveling publicity blitz; how the Wicked Witch was literally blown off her broomstick one day; the place where lions, tigers, and bears really do live together; singers you hear but never see; the day MGM fired Judy Garland; and much more. Just follow the yellow brick road!  

 

The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All That's Left to Know about Life, According to Oz by David J Hogan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Wizard of Oz FAQ, All That's Left to Know About Life, According to Oz by David J. Hogan is a 2014 Applause and Theatre & Cinema Book Publishers release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by the publisher and Netgalley.

“There's no place like home”

“If I ever go looking for heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard, because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with.”

Like the other books in the FAQ line, this one explores little known facts and is much more than a trivia book. It is not a book of list, although there are a few list toward the end of the book, nor is it a biography. Each section is organized and puts the spotlight on the screenplay, it's writers, the set design, the costumes, the make up, the musical scores, a brief history of Frank L. Baum, a brief history of the MGM studios, the director, The Munchkins, mishaps on the set, and the now infamous aluminum poisoning of Buddy Ebsen due to the make up he wore as the Tin Woodman. There is a brief bio of each main cast member, even the dog who played “Toto”.
While most everyone I know has seen this treasured movie many, many times in their lives, most have not filled their heads with every single detail of the film, albeit there are no doubt many out there who are officiandos on the subject, most of us have a basic knowledge of the actors, the soundtrack, and perhaps have believed a few odd ball rumors here and there. It was very interesting to read about the cast, how they obtained the role, what other parts they played and what direction their lives took after the Wizard of Oz. The fact that the movie only Oscars in the music category, but did receive several nominations, the differences between the books and the script, how the music was incorporated into the movie, the revolving door of directors, the imaginative creation of the “twister”, which you have to remember, was done way before computer generation, and was so costly it was used in other films as well, and the list of what each actor was paid for a week's work, “Toto” being paid more than some people, and countless other pieces of information on how this movie all came into being.
The only problem I had with this book was the author's tendency to go off topic on occasion. While explaining the academy award nominations and OZ's competition, he went into great detail about the other films. He also went into too much detail regarding behind the scenes crew members and what other films they worked on. It is always a fine line when writing this type of book because the author certainly doesn't want to rehash information we have all heard countless times before, but at the same time he wants to keep obscure facts from being too boring or going off in a direction away from your main topic. Occasionally, the chapters and subjects overlapped and information was repeated more than once.
However, I found most of the discussions about the psychology of the story interesting, and I will readily admit that although I am a huge fan of both the books and the movie, I really didn't know all that much about how the movie was made, the detail that went into the costumes and make up, and countless other very interesting details about the actor and actress in the movie.
In what other countries was the movie released in and when? How many reissues have there been? What is the psychology behind story? What other Oz inspired movies and television programs have been made throughout the years? What about all those rumors of a suicide on the set?
The list of bloopers was also fun and made me want to take out my DVD and watch it with this list in hand to see if I could catch the mistakes.
Overall, this is an interesting collection of facts regarding one of the most beloved movies of all time. The author did a great deal of work and research on the book and brought up some interesting food for thought. There are some photographs sprinkled through out the book, some are color and some are black and white. If you think you know everything there is to know about the movie, then I challenge you read this book. I am positive you will discover some things you didn't know before. If you are like me and have enjoyed the movie, mostly taking it at face value, and have never considered delving into the many facets of the film, you will certainly find this book of interest. 4 stars

DESERT BOUND BY ELIZABETH HUNTER- A BOOK REVIEW

Book Information

Book: Desert Bound

Author: Elizabeth Hunter

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Summary

Can you turn the clock back on your first love? Would you even want to try?

Alex McCann and Teodora "Ted" Vasquez left Cambio Springs together. Ted came back. Alex didn't.

Now, years later, the future alpha of the McCann wolves has returned with plans to bring new life to the dying desert community. Plans that could change everything for the isolated enclave of shapeshifters in the California desert. Some love the plan. Others hate it.

As the town's doctor and one of the strongest daughters in the cat clan, Ted has her own concerns about exposing her community to outsiders. The two former lovers are at each other's throats. And everyone is watching to see what happens.

But when murder once again strikes Cambio Springs, can they overcome their past to help the community they both call home? And can the love they shared once burn again when so many stand against it?

 

Goodreads Link

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22913793-desert-bound

 

Buy Links

Amazon: http://bit.ly/AmazonDesertBound

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/BNDesertBound

iBooks: http://bit.ly/AppleDesertBound

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/SmashwordsDesertBound

 

Author Biography

Elizabeth Hunter is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance writer. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening. Thankfully, people now pay her to write books and eighth-graders everywhere rejoice.

She currently lives in Central California with her son, two dogs, many plants, and a sadly dwindling fish tank. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries and Elemental World series, the Cambio Springs series, the Irin Chronicles, and other works of fiction.

 

Social Networking Links

Website: http://elizabethhunterwrites.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5251202.Elizabeth_Hunter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethHunterWrites

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E__Hunter

Desert Bound by Elizabeth Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Desert Bound by Elizabeth Hunter is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Cambio Springs series, but can be read as a stand alone.

I have not read an Urban Fantasy novel like this one in a good long while. I found myself absorbed in the story right way. Alex and Ted (Teadora) are not your traditional gooey, sentimental type couple and run hot/cold all the way from start to finish and by all accounts will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I couldn't help but like them.
But, this is not just a romance novel. The Cambio Springs community is made up of mostly people who are shifters, from cats like Ted and Wolves like Alex, to bears, snakes and so on. There are some humans who lurk on the fringes but most not.
However, a man is found murdered and although Alex and Ted are not in any way officially in law enforcement they still have ties to the investigation. So, while the case heats up, so does the relationship between Ted and Alex.. and it's one wild emotional roller coaster ride, so fasten your seat belts!!
Alex and Ted have a very long history together and deep down they know they are meant to be together, but now Ted is holding back to keep her heart from being broken again. Alex is going to have to really ratchet it up a notch to convince Ted he is home to stay for good and they are meant to be. Their complicated history is not the only thing standing in their way though. Neither of them have support from their parents and if they were to get back together it could cause trouble within the various group of shifters. It could be a long hard road they travel on but will it be worth it in the end?

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the banter between Alex and Ted and how they argued all the time and then made up. Each was dominant and would have to learn how to work that out with each other, but when it's meant to be, it's meant to be. The mystery was a real whodunit and was very tense at times, with a lot of action thrown into the mix. The secondary characters are very significant to the storyline and add multiple layers and threads which gives the story more depth. So, over all, if you like Urban Fantasy/ shifter romance, and a good mystery to boot, then this series is one you will want to add to your TBR!! 4.5 rounded to 5

A LEAGUE OF HER OWN BY KAREN ROCK SPOTLIGHT- PRE - ORDER NOW!

He was attractive, talented…and way off limits. 

Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between them—including their troubled pasts—even as Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's there to catch her…

PRE-ORDER

“What else do you want?” The question came from a part of her she didn’t recognize. Asking a man like Garrett a flirtatious question was playing with fire.

Garrett groaned, longing sharpening his features. “You.”

Without waiting for her response, his lips captured hers. She knew she should push him away, but instead her head fell back, her pulse leaping in her throat. The pressure was exquisite as he nibbled and explored. Soft. Warm. Gentle. His lips moved slowly, gradually exerting more pressure.

This felt incredible. Better than the last time. She had to stop this, but need seized her, shoving aside her good intentions.

Her body hummed and a fuzzy sensation filled her head, making it hard to focus on anything but the feel of him, the evergreen scent of the forest and his aftershave heightening her senses.

His hands gripped her waist as she swayed against him, holding her as his mouth sampled her lower lip, then put pressure on the top. Nerves sent small shock waves through her chest, and her hand rose to stroke the back of his neck, making him tremble against her.

Suddenly his kiss intensified, growing fierce and demanding. His lips moved fast against hers, their tongues tangling, causing warmth to explode in her body, melting every piece of her.

She moaned and Garrett’s arms tightened, bringing her closer still. Her lips maneuvered against his in response, loving his sweet taste. Garrett shuddered, curling his fist into her hair with a groan. She loved how her touch affected him, how it affected her.

At last his lips let her go, and he looked down at her tenderly, pleasure in his eyes, his chest rising and falling hard.

“I wasn’t getting involved with anyone. Planned to focus only on baseball,” he said when his breath came easier. “But I can’t stay away from you. You follow me, even in my sleep. Your eyes.” He kissed each lid. “Your smile.” He pressed his lips to each corner. “These freckles.” His warm mouth brushed her cheeks.

Her chest expanded, taking in his beautiful words. This incredible moment. And then it hit her, reality a cold shower.

She opened her eyes and scooted away. “Garrett. I don’t know.”

His eyes moved out over the falls, tracking the sprays of water as they hit the jutting rocks and tumbled to earth. “You don’t trust me.”

Her mouth opened and closed. He was right. While he touched a chord inside that’d never sounded for anyone else, she still couldn’t put her heart in harm’s way again. And she knew without a doubt that if Garrett let her down, he’d devastate her as much as her mother had. Even more. She’d loved and lost too many times to try again, especially with her father gone so recently.

“I’m sorry,” she said inadequately as he stood and helped her to her feet.

His blank expression gave little away. She wondered if, deep down, a part of him was relieved they weren’t taking things further. He’d said he hadn’t wanted distractions. And now she wouldn’t be one.

“I can’t make you believe in me, Heather.” His voice was steady and strong. “I need someone who’ll give me a chance to earn her trust.”

Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author.  With her co-author, Joanne Rock, she’s penned the CAMP BOYFRIEND series with Spencer Hill Press under the pseudonym J.K. Rock. She also writes contemporary romance for Harlequin Enterprises. Her wholesome romance, Heartwarming novels have won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the 2014 Golden Quill Contest. When she's not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of "fetch" though they know a lot about love. To find out about her upcoming releases, appearance and latest news, visit http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5!
She’d love to connect with you!

WEBSITE ☆ FACEBOOK ☆  TWITTER ☆  GOODREADS ☆  PINTEREST


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THE ACADEMY: THIEF BY C.L. STONE SUPER BOOK BLAST + GIVEAWAY

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly drawn commenter will run a $25 Amazon/BN gift card via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Kayli Winchester is a dirt-poor girl living out of a hotel, forced to be the parent for a drunken father and teenage brother who she’s desperate to keep in school. The only way she scrapes by is to utilize her one skill: pickpocketing. But even though she’s a thief she has a moral code: no kids or old ladies, only targets who can defend themselves. Not that they see her coming…

Thinking she’s been working under the radar, Kayli has no idea The Academy has been watching and taking notice. Now a team that needs her skill has offered her a way out of her predicament and it’s her last chance: work with them, or face jail time. Kayli resists at first, but slowly the boys reveal they can be trusted. With Marc, the straight man, Raven, the bad-boy Russian, Corey and Brandon the twins as different as night and day, and Axel their stoic leader, there’s a lot Kayli can learn from these Academy guys about living on the edge of the law. If only she can stay on the good side instead of the bad.

Especially when the job they offer her is more than any of them bargained for. After it’s done, the hunters have become the hunted and their target is now after Kayli. The Academy boys do their best to keep her hidden, but a thief like Kayli will never sit still for long.

Meet an all-new Academy team in Thief, the beginning of the Scarab Beetle series.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Men are brilliantly stupid.

For one thing, guys carry the most cash with them anywhere. Didn’t anyone ever tell them cash was dead?

I nestled myself in one of the side branches of Citadel Mall. I picked my way through a Claire’s but the lights were too bright reflecting off the sparkling plastic and crystals of the teeny bopper jewelry and handbags. I ducked into a shoe store where the lighting was dimmer and the window wasn’t as obstructed. Waiting was the hardest part.

My favorite place to find dumb guys with lots of cash was the mall. Always fairly crowded on a weekend; I could count on at least a couple of twenties for every wallet I temporarily borrowed.

I never kept all of it. Forty to sixty dollars at the most. Not enough to bother reporting to the cops. I didn’t mess with credit cards, or bother with selling ID cards. That’s the kind of crazy stuff that gets you sent to prison. I always left the wallets and the rest of the leftovers tucked away in the food court and on benches where management would see it and find the owner. That way, the people wouldn’t have to get new ID, which is a huge hassle.

And they never suspected a thing. All they saw when I accidentally bumped into them was batting eyelashes and as much cleavage as I could muster the absurdity to expose without dry heaving.

About the Author: C. L. Stone once lived in Charleston, SC, and currently lives among Cajuns. She writes about cute boys and uncomfortable situations, usually mixed together. You can email her at clstone@arcatopublishing.com. Sign up for email updates, get exclusive info on upcoming release dates, get notified when freebies are offered, and sometimes sneak peeks!

http://clstonebooks.com/
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Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Google, or All Romance eBooks.

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Operation Proof of Life- A Super Agent Novel- by Misty Evans

CIA Deputy Director Michael Stone is a decisive force in the war on terror. After surviving a harrowing terrorist attack that nearly killed him, he has also become an overwhelming force, putting nothing above his job in order to keep his country safe.

When his niece, the daughter of the Republican candidate for President, is kidnapped just days from the election, Michael vows to do whatever it takes to get her back safely and bring the kidnapper to justice.

Dr. Brigit Kent, a consultant for Homeland Security, knows the kidnapper well. Exposing him, however, will also expose her sister’s secret ties to a terrorist group. The only way to keep her sister safe is to cut a deal with the sexy and rock-solid deputy director, but blackmailing him can only lead to political and professional suicide.

With the clock ticking on his niece’s life, Michael has no choice but to accept Brigit’s offer. She’s beautiful, brilliant, and cunning, but is she friend or foe? The answer could break his personal code of honor—and his heart.

MY REVIEW:

Proof of Life by Misty Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Operation Proof of Life by Misty Evans is a 2014 Beach Path Publishing release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in the Super Agent Romantic Suspense series.

This was a another solid installment of the Super Agent series by Misty Evans. This one starts off at a quick pace and stays there.

Dr. Briget Kent is on the periphery of several top secret agencies like SIS and is officially with Homeland Security. She has a very troubled past and is constantly on high alert. Sadly, the two people on her radar are her sister, and her half brother. When the daughter of a high profile politician is kidnapped, Briget fears she knows who is responsible and begins to insinuate herself into the investigation.

Briget's sudden involvement catches the attention of Michael Stone, a CIA deputy and the missing girl's uncle. Michael is suspicious of her and starts digging into her background, which initially turns up very little information. But, despite that, Michael finds himself attracted to Briget, the first woman he has noticed since losing Julia to Conrad.. who are now married.
But what are Briget's reasons for involving herself in this case? Michael never dreamed he would uncover an IRA terrorist group, blackmail, and find himself dodging bullets. But, the biggest shock is finding himself falling in love with the beautiful and complicated Briget.

This chapter in the series is more tense than the previous installments, although there are some humorous moments too. Kidnapping, terrorist, complicated family ties, blackmail, and intrigue all unfolding at a pretty fast clip, had me turning pages and blowing off my “to do list”. I did wonder how on earth a romance was going to develop since Michael was just starting to get Julia out of his system and well, Briget was trying to protect her sister as all cost and that put them at odds. But, the chemistry between them gradually increased and the timing worked out very well. These romantic suspense novels are very entertaining, usually with a little bit of a lighter tone, but I thought this one was the best one I've read so far.
4 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today Bestselling Author Misty Evans writes the award-winning Super Agent series as well as urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She likes her coffee black, her conspiracy theories juicy, and her wicked characters dressed in couture. When her muse lets her on the internet to play, she’s on Facebook and Twitter. Read more about her stories at www.readmistyevans.com.

website: http://www.readmistyevans.com
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Yahoo! Group: http://yhoo.it/kZcB2e

DIAMONDS AND DUST BY JESSIE EVANS EXCERPT AND RELEASE DAY BLITZ

DIAMONDS AND DUST by Jessie Evans released yesterday - if you're in need of a swoonworthy cowboy (and who isn't?), you've got to meet Pike! Check out this excerpt below!

About DIAMONDS AND DUST

A sexy second chance romance from NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans The home run neither of them expected… Pike Sherman is a legend in Lonesome Point, a hometown boy who made it to the big leagues. Literally. Professional baseball acquired one hell of a pitching arm and its latest celebrity bad boy when the gifted Pike was drafted seven years ago. Pike’s broken heart came along for the ride, too, but he kept that private, and since leaving Lonesome Point has kept his distance from his hometown. But when Pike’s little sister, Mia, begs him to be the Dude of Honor at her wedding, he can’t refuse. He takes advantage of a break in the season and returns home to find himself thrown together with the one woman he never wanted to see again. Tulsi Hearst is on the verge of losing her Equine Therapy business, and letting down all the kids she’s come to love. After a mix-up with the grant board, she needs to concentrate on finding more funding, not dealing with Pike Sherman, the boy she sacrificed so much for, and the one person she’s ever lied to. And what a lie it is… Pike would hate her if he found out. She knows she should stay far away from the brooding man her summer love has become, but Tulsi can’t resist a slow dance with the only boy who ever made her blood rush. After just a few days back in Lonesome Point, Pike can’t imagine life without the girl he left behind, but when Tulsi’s secret is revealed, his heart is broken all over again. The only thing worse than losing Tulsi, is losing six years with the daughter he didn’t know he had. Add it to Goodreads here! Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Excerpt

Under normal circumstances, Tulsi would have still been reeling from the nightmarish meeting with Chad. But with Pike’s arm around her, gluing her to his muscled body as he practically carried her across the street, all she could think about was how incredible it felt to be close to him. It was almost too much to wrap her head around.

Pike was touching her, holding her. Her body was pressed tight to his for the first time since he’d kissed her behind the barn at his parents’ house seven years ago, the afternoon everything had gone to hell, and her body was on the verge of a spontaneous meltdown. She tried to tell herself this didn’t mean anything and Pike would have responded the same way if it had been any of Mia’s friends being harassed by a creep. But she’d never heard him sound so angry and the possessive way he’d swept her out of the office had her stomach fluttering and her body aching to get even closer to him.

About Jessie Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read. She's married to the man of her dreams, and together they're raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more. When she's not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

DESIGNED FOR LOVE BY KELSEY BROWNING - A BOOK REVIEW

 

Ashton Davenport: Hot blonde. Old Money. Off-limits.

That’s how Mac McLaughlin sees her, anyway. And now that he’s enduring a temporary self-imposed exile in tiny Shelbyville, Texas, he’s seeing her way too often. Mac only wants to succeed as the contractor for the Lily Lake development in order to rebuild his reputation and return to Dallas, pronto. A sexy distraction like Ashton was not in the plans.

Mac McLaughlin: Hot builder. Cash poor. Hands-on.

Ashton kissed her trust fund goodbye and left her life as a society princess to prove she could make it on her own. Developing Lily Lake is her big chance, but it’s hard to stay focused working side-by-side with bossy, rough-around-the-edges Mac. Especially when he pulls off his shirt.

When the discovery of an endangered species derails the project, Mac can’t afford to stick around for a stalled job. His and Ashton’s explosive chemistry aside, he’s outta there…unless she can convince him that they just might be able to build something together.

 

My Review: 

Designed for Love by Kelsey Browning
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Designed for Love by Kelsey Browning is a 2014 Carina Press publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the fourth in the Texas Nights series. If you have been following along with the series, you will remember Ashton, the rich girl. She was not my favorite person at first, but I had the feeling we would meet her again and sure enough- here she is with her own story.
Having informed her family she did not need her trust fund, the over confident Ashton, a designer, now finds she she doesn't have two pennies to rub together. In desperate need of work, she convinces her grandmother she is the right person to run the Lily Lake Project. One thing she really needs though is a good contractor. .. and she know just who to ask...

Mac is in Shelbyville after leaving Houston because of some personal issues. He took his father's death hard and his life spiraled out of control. The Lily Lake Project could be just what he needs to work his way back into the plush jobs he once had in Houston. But, Ashton and that darned little dog, Napoleon just might be his undoing.

The chemistry between Ashton and Mac is immediate and hilarious at times. The attraction between them keeps on distracting them from the task at hand, but things might have gone smoothly, except when an overeager environmentalist decides to cause trouble. The project will test Ashton's resolve to live without her trust fund, but she is one determined lady, even when it seems no one has much faith in her. Will she get the project completed by the deadline? What happens after that? Will Mac go back to Houston or will Ashton and Shelbyville give him a change of heart?

There is nothing like small town romances and Shelbyville is as charming as they come. While all the books I have read in this series have been really good, this one has a love scene that should go down in the romance novel hall of fame. It was hot and funny at the same time. So, you know the romance is hot and steamy, but what I liked best was the change in Ashton and her never say die attitude,plus how the town folk have come to accept her into their community. Mac had to have his own epiphany before he really came around, but he too did a lot of changing and prioritizing. This was a super fun book but also has plenty of touching moments as well, making it well rounded and my favorite of the series so far.
5 stars!

Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ love stories and Southern cozy mysteries.

Originally from a small Texas town, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a former Canine Companions for Independence puppy. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Texas Nights contemporary romance series and The Granny Series cozy mysteries.

For info on her upcoming releases, subscribe to her Sass Kickin’ News or drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com.  

The Silent Girls by Eric Rickstad- A Book Review

 

BOOK BLURB:

 

 

With the dead of a bitter Vermont winter closing in, evil is alive and well …

Frank Rath thought he was done with murder when he turned in his detective's badge to become a private investigator and raise a daughter alone. Then the police in his remote rural community of Canaan find an '89 Monte Carlo abandoned by the side of the road, and the beautiful teenage girl who owned the car seems to have disappeared without a trace.

Soon Rath's investigation brings him face-to-face with the darkest abominations of the human soul.

With the consequences of his violent and painful past plaguing him, and young women with secrets vanishing one by one, he discovers once again that even in the smallest towns on the map, evil lurks everywhere-and no one is safe.

Morally complex, seething with wickedness and mystery, and rich in gritty atmosphere and electrifying plot turns, The Silent Girls marks the return of critically acclaimed author Eric Rickstad. Readers of Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbø, and Greg Iles will love this book and find themselves breathless at the incendiary, ambitious, and unforgettable story.  

 

 

MY REVIEW:

 

 

The Silent Girls by Eric Rickstad
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Silent Girls by Eric Rickstad is a 2014 Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

This is a slow paced thriller with several suspenseful threads and a whale of an ending that left me with my mouth hanging open.

Frank Rath's days as playboy cop came to a sudden halt seventeen years ago, when his sister and her husband were murdered, leaving their small daughter, Rachel, an orphan. The killer, a man dubbed “Preacher” is now up for parole. Frank became Rachel's father, and began work in the private sector as a detective. Now, Rachel is away at college and Frank is still fighting off his demons as it becomes clear that this is going to be a very cold and dark Vermont Winter.

When a young girl vanishes, Frank is called in to assist in the investigation. When a body is found, the evidence begins to tie in a string of missing persons cases, all of them young women. It takes a while for Frank to connect the dots as to what these women have in common, but when he does, he wants his daughter's help with the case. The problem is he can't seem to find her or make contact with her, leaving him to fear the worst.

Frank is a complex , no nonsense, no fun and games type of guy. He is a great detective, but his demons plague him almost non-stop. Rachel is the focus of his life and keeping her safe has led him to keep her parent's true cause of death a secret from her. But, now it looks as though circumstances beyond his control, will finally reveal the sad truth.
Meanwhile , Frank is set to speak at the “Preacher's” parole hearing, and he is dealing with some health issues all while working the missing girls case. Frank's investigation will him to a possible cult and to an unorthodox adoption clinic whose organization is adamantly opposed to abortion. Could this be what the girls had in common? Are all these cases related? Will the “Preacher” win his parole hearing? And where on earth is Rachel?

I really enjoyed the character study of Frank. I'm really curious to see how he will handle the stunning revelations that were tossed out at him in this book. The mystery itself was interesting, but for some reason, the outcome was anti-climatic after such a slow build up. So, this part of the story was just wee bit of a disappointment. However, the issues Frank faces in this book and will face in the future made up for any lukewarm areas of the book. I think choosing such a hot button issue as abortion to build a story around was a little risky, since the author had to make sure he kept a neutral stance with his main character. The idea of infiltrators is most likely a reality making the story more than plausible.
The story is a bit understated at times, and there are some interesting secondary characters, one of which I was happy to see the back of.
Overall this is a pretty solid mystery thriller, a little on the dark side, and it would serve well as a psychological thriller too if you like reading those types of stories. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eric Rickstad's taut, chilling literary crime novels strip back the bucolic veneer of rural America and root around in its tragic underbelly. His first novel Reap was a New York Times Noteworthy Book first published by Viking Penguin. His novel THE SILENT GIRLS, from HarperCollins, will published November 25, 2014.
His short stories and articles have appeared in many magazines and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He holds an MFA from the University of Virginia where he was a Hoyns Fellow and a Corse Fellow.
He lives in Vermont with his wife and daughter, and is represented by Philip Spitzer of the Philip G. Spitzer Literary Agency.

Untainted by Sarah Robinson - Book Blog Tour

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ღ Untainted ღ

The Final Book in The Photographer Trilogy

UNTAINTED IS THE CONCLUSION TO THE BESTSELLING SERIES, THE PHOTOGRAPHER TRILOGY, BASED ON A TRUE STORY BY AUTHOR SARAH ROBINSON.

ღ SYNOPSIS ღ

The infamous serial killer, known as the Photographer, is gone, but this time he has taken someone with him. Even though everyone finally knows his identity, he is still two steps ahead of them. Someone is dead. Someone is missing. Kate Jackson is one of those two. Derrick Kane finds himself teaming up with Annie, Kate's younger sister, in a desperate search for any clues that could lead them to the answers they need. Little did they realize that they would find a lot more than they had bargained for. Every dirty secret from the past comes to light, and they are faced with the ultimate test of true love, and true heartbreak. When an innocent life is on the line, the cost of justice could be more than love can afford. Not everyone makes it to the end of their love story. **Please note that there is no cliffhanger at the end of this series and everything is fully wrapped up. This series is loosely based on a true story. DISCLAIMER: Due to violent and dark subject matter, this book is intended for readers over the age of 18 years old.  

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Tainted Bodies

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Sarah Robinson is the four-time Amazon Bestselling Romance and Crime Thriller Author of the contemporary Rockstar romance series Sand & Clay, as well as the very popular romantic suspense trilogy, The Photographer Trilogy. All of her novels have reached Amazon's Bestseller Rank in Crime, Crime, Thriller, Contemporary Romance, and/or Romantic Suspense.

In regards to future publications, she is with the Seymour Literary Agency and has recently been contracted by Loveswept, a Random House Penguin imprint, to begin a new contemporary romance series in late 2015 about an Irish family living in the Bronx of alpha male, MMA fighters who own a gym called Legends.

Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in criminal psychology. She is newly married to a local police officer, Justin, who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiasts as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescues, as well as volunteering and fostering for multiple animal shelters.

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ღ Other Books by Sarah Robinson ღ

Logan's Story: A Sand & Clay Prequel

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Sand & Clay: Her Forbidden Rockstar

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COMING SOON...

The Photographer Trilogy Box Set *Add it to your TBR! Coming January 1, 2015. It will include a never before seen, deleted scene from The Photographer's childhood! All of Sarah's Books can be found in her Personal Amazon Kindle Store ➜ HERE   ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯  

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A SPY UNMASKED BY TINA GABRIELLE BOOK BLAST + GIVEAWAY

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Enter to win $15 Amazon giftcard and ebook of A SPY UNMASKED. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The mission did not go quite as Robert Ware--known in society as the new Earl of Kirkland--planned. A spy in the service of His Majesty, Robert is a "guest" at a masquerade party as he retrieves vital information for a murder investigation. Until he's quite unexpectedly interrupted by an exquisite, masked woman with glittering green eyes. And a pistol she has cocked and aimed right at him...

Lady Sophia Merrill has defiantly taken up justice's shining sword, determined to expose the brigand who murdered her eccentric but brilliant father, and stole his latest invention. Now she must masquerade as Robert's betrothed in order to infiltrate the Inventor's Society and find the killer. But the undeniable potent attraction between them not only imperils the investigation, but Sophia's reputation... and both of their lives.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Frustration roiled inside Sophia. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t like the idea of working together any more than you do.”

“I highly doubt it,” Robert said.

“It’s true,” she insisted.

“You appear quite eager to go along with Wendover’s plans.”

“I’m eager only to seek justice for my father’s murder.”

He hesitated, and his gaze roved and lazily appraised her. “You do realize we’ll attend the house party next week as an engaged couple.”

She felt her face grow warm, and she looked up at him with an effort. “In name only.”

“It makes no difference. We’ll have to socialize. Act as a loving couple. Sit beside each other during the evening meal and stare longingly into each other’s eyes. It’s not too late to change your mind.”

“I won’t.”

He flashed a smile, his teeth white against the bronzed perfection of his face. “Perhaps we should practice to be certain we can pull it off.”

He took a step closer and cupped her face with his hand. His palm was calloused, not as smooth as she would have expected of a lord’s hands. But then again, he wasn’t solely an earl.

He leaned close until she could see the specks of blue in his brilliant eyes. A strange fluttering began in the pit of her stomach as he lowered his head inch by inch until his breath fanned her lips.

About the Author:

Award-winning author Tina Gabrielle is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She often picked up a romance and let her fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies carry her away. After multi-publishing for a prestigious law journal, she fulfilled her dream of writing fiction. A Spy Unmasked is the first book In The Crown’s Secret Service series. The second book in the series, At The Spy’s Pleasure, is coming in April 2015 from Entangled Publishing. She is also the author of adventurous Regency historical romances, In The Barrister’s Bed, In The Barrister’s Chambers, Lady Of Scandal, and A Perfect Scandal from Kensington Books.

Publisher’s Weekly calls her Regency Barrister’s series, “Well-matched lovers…witty comradely repartee.” Tina’s books have been Barnes & Noble top picks, and her first book, Lady Of Scandal, was nominated as best first historical by Romantic Times Book Reviews.

Website: www.tinagabrielle.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinagabrielle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaGabrielle
Blog: http://thevioletfemmes.wordpress.com/

Buy the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

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