Review: Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

Title: Happy Ever After
Series: The Bride Quartet
Author: Nora Roberts
Pages: 336
Buy Links: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

Parker Brown turned the quartet’s childhood game of Wedding Day into their dream jobs. And now she’s the face of Vows—the one who meets every bride’s demands; keeps every event on schedule; and brings Emma’s romantic flowers, Laurel’s delicious treats, and Mac’s stunning photography together in one glorious package. She knows how to make dreams come true…

Mechanic Malcolm Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker’s business risks have always paid off, but now she’ll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

Review

Yet another masterpiece from the legendary Nora Roberts.

Every time I read a book written by Ms. Roberts, I wish I was in love, I wish I had someone like the man in her stories. This story, especially, was special.

Parker seemed to be like a very strict, organized woman. She planned and followed through step-by-step. If there were things that didn't go as planned, she would fix it and everything would be alright. However, when things in her life weren't going as planned, she was thrown off. She felt irritated, upset, maybe even "slightly pissed off." On the other hand, her friends thought it was a good thing that she was being caught off guard.

"She's happy, and she's confused. A lot of things make Parker happy. Spreadsheets, for instance, and for mysterious reasons. But very little confuses her."

Malcolm was a man who had a rough past and didn't really want to open up to anyone about it. Parker piqued his curiosity. Eventually, he started telling her things about himself that he's told no one else. He was forced to open up and let her in, even when it was very difficult for him to do so.

Both of them did not expect to fall for each other, but who could control fate? It was a tricky little bugger!

If you haven't checked out this series, I suggest you get right on it. You're missing out otherwise.

Check out these two scenes I enjoyed!

Del: "Just what the hell are your intentions?"
Malcolm: "Jesus. That's a serious question? My intentions are to be with her as often as I can, in bed and out. She's beautiful and she's smart and she's funny even when she doesn't mean to be. And goddamn it, she's got me by the throat."

Parker: "You just show up, look gorgeous, and direct a few people to their seats. It's going to be a beautiful wedding. The cake's amazing. Chocolate marble with a marbleized fondant over buttercream. Laurel's serving it in pools of caramel sauce."
Malcolm: "You think I can be bribed with cake?"
Parker: "It's exceptional cake. And I bet I can confiscate some extra caramel sauce for... later."
Malcolm: "Now you're bribing me with caramel-sauce sex?"
Parker: "I am."
Malcolm: "You're freaking diabolical, Legs."
Parker: "Thanks."
Malcolm: "And the wake-up call? That was to prime me for all this?"
Parker: "Absolutely."
Malcolm: "It was good thinking."
Parker: "You'll do it?"
Malcolm: "I'd like to meet the man who can hold out against caramel sauce."

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Promo: Nancy Straight

Title: Meeting Destiny
Author: Nancy Straight
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
FREE from ALL bookstores
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Book Description:

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.

A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.

Nancy Straight | Facebook | Twitter

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Inspiration in Unexpected Places

Lately I've been doing some "online stalking." It started as a fascination. Now, however, it's grown to something...more. Now I "stalk" to be inspired. It's a weird place to find inspiration, given that I don't particularly like such things. However, after getting through the smoke and mirrors and see the real meaning of this person's art, it's become very inspiring.

Given it is dark, twisted, even sick at times. We all have that part inside of us. The way this person exploits that side and explodes with such passion and such intelligence - it is simply mind-blowing.

Silent in a crowd, observing, wheels turning. It's interesting to watch. It's even more interesting when it's put into words. The complex way his mind works; the maze inside his brain - it is all fascinating to me.

Obviously, I've been influenced enough that you can see it in the way I write this post. Weird, isn't it? Yet, it's strangely liberating, refreshing even. To discover and explore that side of myself that has been lying dormant, suppressed by the never-ending battle for utopia... Yes, it's time to break free...even just for a day.

Let's celebrate each other's creativity. Celebrate freedom and passion. Celebrate opinion and differences. Celebrate us.

Wow.

Til next time lovers...

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Small Town vs. Big City

If you're one of my avid followers, you know I've been working in Los Angeles, CA for the past three weeks. In that short amount of time, I've come to appreciate my small town so much more. So, I decided that today, I will list the pros and cons of a small town and a big city.

Small Town

Pros:

• Easy to get around
• People are nice
• Close to everything
• Close to family
• Feel secure/safer
• Cheaper cost of living

Cons:

• Not enough opportunities
• Not enough events happening
• Sometimes there's a feeling of being stuck

Big City

Pros:

• Lots of opportunities
• Lots of people to network with
• Almost never sleep
• The sky is the limit

Cons:

• Potential for corruption
• More rude people
• Far from family
• Less secure/less safe
• Expensive
• Travel a lot to get to the next city
• Traffic jams

So, which do you think I prefer? If you said Small Town, then you're correct. I don't know how I will stay sane if I had to live in a big city away from everyone I know. Alas, I might have to go and do it anyway. Hopefully I will keep my contacts and sanity intact.

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Review: Maze Runner by James Dashner

I finally read this book! It took me a few days. It was a dystopian story like no other.

Title: Maze Runner
Series: Maze Runner, #1
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 400
Buy Link: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

Everything is going to change...

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Review

I don't know where I stand with this book. It was a great book, that's for sure. However, I don't know whether I enjoyed it as much as the Hunger Games. The beginning of the story felt a little slow for me. Although I did enjoy the short chapters. It made me feel like the story was going faster than it really was.

Thomas was the boy who changed everything. When he arrived, everything changed - for the worse. The writing in this book was somehow very vivid, even though basic words were used. The author did something I can't put my finger on that allowed me to picture every single brutal scene in the Glade. It was as if I could see it clearly in a television monitor. It was weird and awesome at the same time.

References to the second and third book was also great. I appreciated the subtlety of it. Even though this was a dystopian story, the Gladers seemed to have had a good life in two years. Yes, there was the fear of dying, but they lived comfortably with good food and good weather in the Glade. Of course, all of that changed when Thomas arrived.

The whole idea of the maze was sick. The people behind it was sick. To think that adults would do such a thing to children was a scary thought. This book kind of reminded me of the Lord of the Flies in the beginning. Not sure why, especially because the Gladers didn't go and kill each other for survival. I think it was the all boys plot with an exception of the girl that arrived after Thomas.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm not in a hurry to get the second book, though. My mind needs a break from the intense world of the maze.

Have you read Maze Runner? What did you think of it?

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Promo: Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass

Title: Seal of Destiny
Series: Seven Seals, #1
Author: Traci Douglass
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Release Date: January 21, 2013
Pages: 236
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Love conquers all… but can it stop the Apocalypse?

Mira Herald is having the worst life ever.  Not only is she plagued by horrific nightmares starring the Devil himself, she’s now the target of a power-hungry, rogue minion, freshly sprung from Hell and bent on her destruction.  To complicate matters further, she’s acquired a stalker. One who insists he’s a divine warrior sent for her protection because she houses an ancient relic with the power to unleash Armageddon. Last time Mira checked, she wasn’t insane. Still, all this celestial mayhem is enough to drive a girl crazy.

Kagan is a member of the Scion, an elite team of immortal warriors selected by Divinity to aid mankind and save the world. After a century alone, Kagan is summoned for a new mission. He’s eager to begin. Eager until he’s informed his mission consists of protecting a woman with no clue to the power she wields. Plus, his briefing fails to prepare him for his new target’s cosmic-sized attitude problem.  As Divinity’s sworn servant, he’s required to fulfill his duty. His oath, however, does not require him to be enthusiastic about his new assignment or warm-and-fuzzy toward his new compatriot. He plans a wham-bam rescue and a quick return to solitude.

The rogue minion attacks—with the backing of a mysterious organization—and all Hades erupts, putting a fast end to any whirlwind escapes. Accustomed to staunch independence, Mira’s survival now requires full cooperation and an unwavering belief in Kagan. The battle-hardened warrior is also forced to chose: between duty and desire. Amidst the turmoil, Kagan and Mira’s undeniable passion draws them closer to each other and down a path neither expected but both yearn for, more than they ever knew.

Will love save the day? The world’s fate depends on the answer.

Excerpt

“Basta!” Kagan grabbed her by the arm and twisted slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to let her know he meant business as he directed her to a corner booth. He ignored the half-full beverages and coats scattered on the seats and shoved Mira into the confined space. When the booth’s original owners took issue with his hostile takeover, Kagan dispatched them with a lethal glare. He wasn’t sure where the girl had gotten the idea his mind was damaged, but he was damn sure he didn’t like it. He moved in behind her to block her escape. “Oh, hell, no!” After several unsuccessful strikes to his muscled physique, Mira tried to slide out beneath the table. The angle proved too awkward. Defeated, she shoved as far away as she could into the corner and propped those killer boots on the seat in front of her in warning. “You better let me out of here, asshole, before I call the cops! I caught you stalking me, pervert!” Kagan took a deep breath. He never lost his cool in battle, and he wasn’t about to start now. “Pervert? You’re of age, si?” Mira glared. Kagan ticked through their earlier interactions, searching for a reason behind her intense hostility. His preternatural instincts sensed her intention before her hand reached his carotid. He blocked her quickly, locking her small hand within his and forcing it to the table beneath his own. Her pulse raced against his palm. He took another swig of beer then flashed his most endearing grin. “Let’s start over.” He released his bottle and extended his hand. “I’m Kagan.” She refused to acquiesce. Kagan spoke in quiet tones meant to calm, to reassure. “I know I’m a stranger, but we have things to discuss.” He glanced around the crowded club, at the bodies packed tight. “We can’t do it here, though—no privacy. My apartment is close. Why don’t we go there and talk?” Mira kicked him hard in the thigh. “Merda!” Kagan grabbed his throbbing leg. “What’s in those damn boots? Marble?” “Let me out of here, jackass, before I sideline your baby-maker!” Mira struggled within the tight confines of the booth. As she squirmed, the spicy scent of her shampoo wafted, and he was overcome with the strangest urge to plunge his hands into the riotous mass of her hair, to feel it curl around his fingers. She tugged on the hand pinned beneath his, and his thumb traced over her thudding veins. His heart pounding along with hers. The odd tingle sped through his torso, and his mouth turned to cotton. Her gaze blazed up at him, a swirling mix of green and golden brown. He noted the dark smudges below and wondered what kept her from slumber. Dolce Cristo! Kagan looked away, fought for control. This was getting way out of hand. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d bedded a woman, but apparently it had been far too long.

About the Author:

Traci is the author of paranormal/urban fantasy and contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.

A storyteller since childhood, she began putting her tales down on paper in November 2011 after the idea for the Seven Seals Series occurred to her in a dream. She finished the first draft of what was to become Seal of Destiny in one month and decided to pursue a full-time writing career in January of 2012. Life has now been a rollercoaster, crash course in pursuing your dreams.

Traci is an active member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the 2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of Seal of Destiny won the paranormal category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Other current projects include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series and a new futuristic detective series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.

Website: http://www.tracidouglass.net   

FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/TraciDouglassAuthor  

Twitter: @Traci_Douglass     

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8112113-traci-douglass 

Publisher: www.crimsonromance.com

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White Collar S4.5 Premieres Tonight!

Who's excited?!!! I'm so glad White Collar is coming back tonight!!!

I'm excited to see what kind of issues and trouble Neal with have to deal with in this second half of the season!

Are you a White Collar fan? If not, why aren't you?!!!

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