Dancing Naked in Dixie Book Review

I loved this book. I think it's one of the books that I've read the most quickly recently. Everywhere I would go, I'd bring the book with me, in hopes that I would have a moment or two to read another chapter.

Lauren's writing is very solid, and she makes her characters realistic and approachable. The story flowed very well and even though I'm not sure if the plot was something that would actually happen, she made me believe that it could and did.

I've read previous work by Lauren and I have to say, I'm very much looking forward to next year and her next book release!

Lauren Clark is the author of Stay Tuned and Dancing Naked in Dixie. She writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.

A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Herbig loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

Find more about Lauren here:

Lauren Clark Books Website

GoodReadsLauren Clark

Twitter Lauren Clark

FacebookLauren Clark

Finding Felicity Book Review

Finding Felicity was a book I very much enjoyed as it was written from the heart and that was obvious. The way the family dynamics were described to the realistic portrayal of one of my favourite countries, Italy, this book was a literary gem.
The way that the author described the characters' feelings definitely hit the mark. I never felt like anything was contrived or unrealistic and that is rare for me in literature. She really wove a fantastic story about some difficult topics.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story and perhaps not one that they were expecting.

Monica Marlowe was born in Toronto and later moved to Los Angeles. While in LA, Monica studied the craft of novel writing and participated in the Noel Hynd Workshop. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Spiritual Psychology. Now, Monica makes her home in North Carolina and divides her time between the East and West Coasts. Monica is currently writing a memoir, The Gift Horse, about acquiring her first horse and finding herself on a most unexpected path. Monica writes stories about heroes and heroines who follow their heart, wherever the path may lead, knowing that the heart has reasons of its own. 

Connect with Monica

http://www.monicamarlowe.blogspot.com/p/links.html

www.monicamarlowe.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/monicamarlowe

www.twitter.com/authormonica

Unlocked Review

Unlocked was definitely a book with a theme. A theme of unhappiness and having been too giving in a world that will take advantage of it, which I've also experienced in my life. I felt bad for the central character though as repeatedly she seemed to be getting taken advantage of by people who played on her desire to be loved.

I am glad that the author added a note at the end to explain that a lot of it was based on her personal experiences and that she used writing as a type of therapy as it helped clarify exactly what I had already started wondering.

Perhaps we should all write a cathartic book of this type as I'm sure we all have our past hurts to work through and if it seems to have worked as well as she says it did, then why not?

 Rachael O'Bryan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended college at Temple University. After college she pursued her law degree, starting off at Tulane University and then graduating at American University. Rachael is a lawyer, but pursues writing in her free time. Besides writing Unlocked, she keeps a blog at http://rachaelsnewyork.blogspot.com. Also, on June 1st she launched her own business - an online women's magazine. The magazine is operated under RachaelMagazine LLC. The self-titled magazine is geared towards professional women in their 20s and 30s that want it all. You can subscribe at http://rachaelmagazine.com. When Rachael isn't working, writing, or running her own business she enjoys reading, traveling, watching The New York Mets. and following the University of Louisville basketball team. She currently resides in New York City.

Buy the Book!

LULU 

AMAZON 

B&N

Connect with Rachael!

Blog: 

http://rachaelsnewyork.blogspot.com/

Magazine: 

http://rachaelmagazine.com/

Willow Pond Review

I've always loved the prohibition era, so I found this book interesting due to the detail it provided about what I find as a fascinating period of time. The book frustrated me in some ways though because the characters seemed to be quite conflicted internally and therefore were having trouble managing their lives and emotions.

I loved that the power of family shone through in this book as it's something I personally have deemed quite important. And not to give the ending away, but as the saying goes, "All's Well that Ends Well."

Carol Tibaldi was born and raised in Bayside, New York and attended Queens College of the City University of New York. She loves to travel and has lived in London and Los Angeles. For twenty five years she worked as a newspaper reporter and covered the crime beat. She is a history buff and loves to research different time periods having a special affinity of the prohibition era and the Civil War. Willow Pond is her first novel and she is hard at work on the sequel.

Connect with Carol!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/AthqHg

Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/KOfH3w

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/cat5149

FB: http://on.fb.me/H9e2VW

Website: www.caroltibaldi.com

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/H595Aj

Taking Shots Book Review

What a fantastic book. So descriptive and of course, being from Montreal, I do love my hockey so I could relate to a lot of the book. Especially the part about not feeling good enough. It's something I've struggled with my entire life, so I can definitely relate. The fact that the main character was so approachable in this way really made me enjoy this book an awful lot.

I have a few friends who are woman working in the professional sports field and I'm definitely going to recommend this book to them as I think they will really enjoy it and so will you!

My name is Toni Aleo!
I am a wife, mother, and hopeless romantic.
I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughters dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, and reading the latest romance novel.
I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, and did I mention I love hockey?
I hope to hear from you on here, my Facebook, or my twitter! Thank you so much!

Connect with Toni : WEB / FACEBOOK / TWITTER

TAKING SHOTS : AMAZON / B&N / LULU

TRYING TO SCORE : AMAZON / B&N / LULU

Interview with a Jewish Vampire Review

This book was an easy read and would definitely be a big draw due to the current vampire craze. I liked it a lot because I've always been fascinated with all things Jewish and therefore already knew some Yiddish. I did find myself a bit lost at time and having to look a few things up so perhaps a glossary of Yiddish terms could help out to make this appealing to a broader audience.

I liked how the story flowed and definitely got some great entertainment out of this book, so Erica, MAZEL TOV!

Erica Manfred is a freelance journalist, humorous essayist, and author.   Her most recent book is the novel,  Interview with a Jewish Vampire.  She’s also authored two non-fiction self-help books, including most recently He’s History You’re Not; Surviving Divorce After Forty.     Her articles and essays have appeared in Cosmopolitan, The New York Times Magazine, Ms., New Age Journal, Village Voice, Woman’s Day, SELF, Ladies Home Journal, and many other publications.  Erica lives in Woodstock, New York with her Chihuahua, Shadow, and her daughter, Freda. Brought up by Jewish parents who spoke Yiddish but avoided religion, she got her Jewish education at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation which welcomes Jews from all backgrounds, from atheist to Orthodox, to vampire.    Her website is www.ericamanfred.com, or visitwww.jewishvampire.com

Love by Design Excerpt

Today we'll be doing something a little bit different. An author has generously given us a tiny peek at her book, Love by Design. I hope it will tempt you!

Victoria stood outside the Johnson’s Staten Island home and unwisely took another sip of coffee. Already a hot mess of nerves, caffeine was the last thing she needed, but due to lack of sleep she had no choice. Normally anxious on the first day of taping an episode, the perils of breaking in a new co-host only added to the long list of what could go wrong. Especially when Russ was playing a starring role in her nighttime fantasies. As long as he didn’t sneak into her daydreams, she’d be fine. She brought the cup to her lips for another hit.

     “G’day, luv.”

     Victoria jumped and coffee spilt on her outfit. Damn. Putting a mental check mark on the list next to ‘wardrobe change,’ she refused to ask the universe what could go wrong next. She turned, trying to brush off her blouse, unprepared for the full impact of seeing Russ in the flesh again.

     The morning sun bounced off his tousled hair, picking up every highlight. His thumbs were hooked into the belt loops of his tight jeans, a grey t-shirt clung to his chest and he didn't even try to pretend he wasn't staring at her breasts.

     She shifted her gaze down. The cream silk was soaked through like a spring break wet t-shirt contest. The lacy, barely-there bra offered no coverage. She brought up her arms to cover herself.

     His stance stayed perfectly relaxed like he practiced it in front of a mirror, but his stare was lethal as his gaze met hers. She knew she was supposed to say something. She blurted the first thing that came to her mind. “You’re early.”

     “I would say I arrived just in time.”

Liz Matis is a mild manner accountant by day and by night a writer of fun, flirty, and fiery romps! She is a Kindle Best Seller and winner of the NECRWA First Kiss Contest. Married 26 years and counting she believes in happy ever afters.

Visit her website / Buy the book