Finding You trailer

I am over the moon thrilled with how my book trailer turned out. Let me know what you think.

Thank you!

Happy Monday Book Trailer

I'm super excited to bring my first #NA to life with Finding You, releases March 26th. To get the excitement rolling, I created this trailer. Let me know what you think.

Cover Art: Finding You

It's here! Please come and marvel in my new beauty!

8 Small Town Charm Authors

Welcome to Honey Creek, Ohio!

Take a walk around town, where there is only one stoplight, one gas station, one grocery story, many churches and one lake. But, oh man, what a lake.

Honey Creek Lake is where a lot of the magic and drama happens in the sweet, little town. Maybe take a dip in our man-made waters. Walk along the edge and watch the boaters zip by sending waves a water to lap the shores. Have a lazy day, cast out a line and wait for the fish to bite. Or maybe, grab the hand of your loved one and step inside our new gazebo. Slip under our famous Weeping Willow and steel a kiss from your sweetie. Every corner of our lake holds a story. When you’re there, create your own.

Head five miles back into town from the lake, stop by our White Cottage Restaurant, and have a slice of strawberry pie, although I’m partial to the lemon meringue. The pie display case and red-topped tables only add to the incredible yummies filling every plate. Catch 22 Pizza sets off the perfect Italian mood with soft lighting and scents of garlic, warm bread and spicy sauce. Grab a slice or an entire pizza pie. Is doesn’t matter because after one bite, you’ll be back for more.

If you’re only here for a short while, maybe plan a trip back during our summer months. We host a Strawberry Festival with music and booths full of berry fare. July plays host to a Fourth of July celebration with a parade and fireworks at the lake. Rent a cabin and stay awhile. You’re sure to find whatever you’re looking for in our charming town and rural county.

Honey Creek sets the stage for a sweet Young Adult novella, Ice Princess. In it, Mya wants to shake things up in her small town. But once she’s given what she wants, will she change her mind and crave for normalcy.

Here’s an excerpt from Ice Princess, Honey Creek Royalty Book 1:

“Okay. Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A farmer and a pig….”

“Stop,” I yelled without looking up.

“I already told you that one?”

“No, but any joke starting with a farmer and pig can’t be good.” I rolled over on the large towel we’d spread across the sand. It was the last day of summer vacation, and Michael and I agreed to spend the day together doing nothing but enjoying the sun. Living in Ohio, we weren’t sure how many more days we had left. Soon the leaves would fall showing off snow-covered cornfields.

“Can you toss me a Dr. Pepper?”

“Sure.” Without looking, I reached into the small red Igloo cooler we brought and produced a cold dripping can. I knew it was for him since I preferred bottled water to soda. Not Michael. The kid lived on caffeine and sugar. Which made the lack of fat on his body hard to explain. Not that I’d ever noticed. Michael Graves was my best friend. And nothing more.

“So, you ready for tomorrow?”

“Sure, I guess,” I answered. “How’s it any different than the last three years at Fayette County High? Really, we’ve known the same people and gone to school with them for the past twelve years. We all know who we’re gonna eat lunch with or who we’re gonna sit with at opening assembly. Boring.” I wasn’t a pessimist or a Debbie Downer, but Honey Creek needed some excitement and I didn’t think our senior year would prove to be any different unless something unusual happened.

“Ok. So why don’t we spice it up a bit.”

“Like what?”

“Let’s start a nasty rumor or sit at a different table at lunch.”

“Ooh, Michael, you’re so scandalous! Have I been rubbing off on you?”

“Hardly. I think the most daring thing you’ve ever done was streak across my yard when we were five because you’d heard wearing your bathing suit gave you tan lines. Even though you had no idea what tan lines were, I might add,” he said with a smirk. The afternoon sun danced across his blonde moppy hair, intensifying his golden highlights. He sat next to me in a short beach chair staring out at the water. Everyone we knew was out enjoying the last weekend of August. All of the rental cottages were empty from the few Honey Creek vacationers that came to visit the lake. It was a manmade watering hole, but that didn’t take away from the fun had there. Boats skidded across the water pulling skiers or tubers in their wake. The sand was dressed with towels and blankets full of half-clothed bodies soaking up the sun like Michael and me.

“So word around town is there’s a new kid coming to school.”

4 Star LASR Review: Great Read!

“It is a wonderfully emotional short story with just the right balance of sweetness and sadness. I recommend it to anyone who relishes a charming story of love and friendship.”

"The emotional scenes in the hospital and day of funeral are great - I know I cried when I reviewed initially, and I cried again in both read throughs this week - I'm such a sap :-)" -Wendy on GoodReads

Blurb:

Mya Newman never minded the routine or quiet that came with living in Honey Creek, Ohio. For her senior year, she craves something exciting to happen instead of it melting into a cookie cutter routine like the previous years.

When a new girl, Audrey Moore, moves to town, Mya finds herself caught in a triangle. She discovers hidden feelings for her best friend, Michael Graves, but he seems to have eyes for the new girl.

After Mya's father becomes ill and eventually passes, she turns to her best friend, Michael. He never leaves her side, but she wonders if he'd rather be elsewhere. With fear of rejection and loss of friendship, Mya decides she can't confess her recently discovered feelings.

When Michael and Mya share a dance at the Winter Formal, does she open her heart to him? Or does she shy away, forever longing to be the princess who finds her prince?

Thank you for having me *wink wink*. Small Town Charm, Love & Mystery is available wherever e-books are sold.

Amazon   Barnes&Noble   iBooks   TMP Bookstore  Smashwords   ARe   

Sweet but Sexy to me...

I’ve been married, to the same man for 14 1/2 years and we have 3 great, but active, children. He works full-time and I work from home part-time as well as write when time allows. As you can imagine, I usually fall into bed or crash on the couch after a long day. Yet, there is a dinner that needs to be made and dishes to be washed and probably clothes that need folding. And don’t get me started on the bathrooms!

Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and would battle a bear for them, but I hate all of these chores...with a passion. I don’t mind cooking the food and washing the clothes, it’s the follow through I can’t stand.

So to this working housewife, nothing is sweeter than when my husband handles it all. When he’s washing dishes, all soapy and hot, ain’t nothing sexier than a man taking care of his family and his wife’s needs. 

Sure, I’d love a foot rub, but iron the clothes and I’ll purr like a kitten. Scratch my back or filling me with chocolate doesn’t make my motor run like watching him vacuum. Don’t buy me flowers because I’d rather watch you bent over the tub working the grout clean.

If there are any men reading this blog, which you all should, take my advice. Flowers and candies will only work so much. You want to flip your lady’s switch, get your hands wet and start scrubbing!

To find out what else can be sweet and sexy, grab a $.99 copy of the Sweet But Sexy boxed set, available at all e-book retailers.

My Brother’s Wedding

Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home to attend her brother’s wedding. Bombarded with memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, her reason for leaving and forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining a fake romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and Allison struggles to remember what’s real.

Excerpt:

“Adam, this is George Fitzepatrick. He’s my…”

 “Boyfriend.” George stepped forward and thrust his hand in Adam’s direction.

Adam looked back at Allison’s guilty smile. “A boyfriend? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

“Yeah,” Allison replied, fighting to find better words. She stepped back from her brother’s hold, feeling his arm fall from her shoulders. “Surprise. Your sister is dating someone.” She shrugged hoping he’d interrogate her later.

“Since we work together, we’ve kept our relationship a secret. Although, now that we’ve both taken off at the same time, I’m sure everyone will know,” George offered.

Allison was grateful for George’s quick words. She hadn’t rehearsed her part well. In fact, she arrived in St. Louis unprepared for any sort of questioning about her relationship with George. Rooky move on her part. Her mother listed off questions when she called a few weeks prior to announce her plus one. Then, Allison offered simple, short answers not giving up many details. She’d hoped her mother relayed her answers to Adam. Obviously not.

Adam released George’s hand and looked back over his shoulder at his sister. Allison swore his eyes reflected hurt. She couldn’t risk telling Adam the truth. She needed to get through the week and George, her pretend boyfriend, was the only way. Once she was safely sitting in her lonely apartment in Chicago, she’d confess to her brother. She’d tell him how George was her only friend in Chicago. That her long hours at work kept her out of the dating scene and the highlight of her day was sharing lunch with a hot guy who couldn’t careless how she looked naked. She’d also add how George preferred, rather insisted, on dating men.

Mrs. Daughtry shook her towel at the small group forming in her kitchen. “You three go sit down and I will make you a plate.” Her mother moved to the stove and stopped. “Where’s Sarah? I’m sure she’s hungry, too.”

“She got dragged into the dining room by Crazy Aunt Phyliss. Something about wedding hair or I don’t know. Girl stuff.”

“You just left her alone with those people.” Allison stared at her brother in disbelief and concern.

“Excuse me,” their mother interrupted. “Those people are family.”

“Yes, Mom, but they’re crazy.” Allison turned back to her brother. “You have to save her.”

Adam waived at his sister. “Nah. She’s tough. Plus, she likes them all, for some reason.”

Allison gagged. “Maybe you should get her checked out. She’s sounds like she’s getting a little nutty. You don’t want to have babies with a nut job.”

“That’s enough you two. Now,” Mrs. Daughtry grabbed her son’s arm and pulled him toward the small kitchen table. “Sit, eat and I’ll bring Sarah a plate.” Their mom slid plates in front of Allison and George loaded with steaming beef, potatoes and carrots. “There’s plenty on the stove.”

“Yes mom,” they both offered. Adam hunched over his plate with both elbows rested at his side. Allison snuck a peek at George and watched him push the food around with his fork. His usual lunch consisted of a diet soda, salad or a piece of fruit. In fact, her lunch had consisted of mainly the same due to the limited funds and lack of time to eat. George caught her watching, smiled and shoved a piece of roast in his mouth.

After fifteen minutes of being hunched over a plate, Adam sat back, rubbed his belly and grunted in approval. “Mmm. Good.”

“What’s good?” A new voice asked from the kitchen door.

Almost in slow motion, Allison turned her head, sending her ponytail flying. Her eyes began their feast. Dark jeans sat low on a slim waste followed by a pale blue button-up shirt with a v of a white T-shirt winking at her. His teeth almost shined like a prince in a cartoon with a sparkle from the track lighting fixture dancing in his dark eyes. A hand ran through the slight curl in his brown hair, tousling the locks before they fell against his temples.

A gasp escaped her lips.

Ryan Johnson.

Meet Ryan Johnson from My Brother's Wedding

I'm on a roll and thought you needed more than just coffee to wake you up this morning! Enjoy!.

Like what you see? You can get more of Ryan in My Brother's Wedding offered now in the #SweetButSexy boxed set for only $.99!

Meet Michael from Ice Princess

In honor of a new boxed set I'm in releasing shortly, I was feeling creative. What do you think?

I'm pretty happy with him...I meant it! 

8 Authors in 2 Weeks

Have you heard the one about how a sweet romance became a book? No? Well, hunker down and I'll tell you a little story...

My Brother’s Wedding wasn’t a story I was dying to write. In fact, I didn’t have a clue it lingered in my head until I was attending a TMP meeting. Our boss was describing changes with our new category romance lines and she explained how all the books within each line would have similar covers. For example, Next Door covers would be a blue wavy design with the title at the top and the author’s name at the bottom but the middle pictures were customized for each book. She shared mock-ups and used me for one of them. And she titled this fictitious book My Brother’s Wedding.

The more I stared at the cover and enjoyed seeing my name and title on the cover, the more I hashed out a story in my head. As you might know from my Honey Creek stories, I’m a huge fan of the boy next door type of stories. High school loves. People who share a past. Maybe it stems from my own relationship with my high school sweetheart or maybe I’m just a romantic who likes to keep it close to home! Who knows. But as I began writing the story, I knew I wanted to feature St. Louis. In fact, the coffee house, MoKaBe’s, Ryan and Allison share lunch at is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. And the bridal shop is the very location I purchased my own wedding gown many years ago.

Originally, the story evolved into more of a women’s fiction book, which never felt complete to me. I want romance. I want my characters to have a HEA ending. So with some cutting and deleting, I finally arrived at the sweet story we have today.

It’s funny where we find inspiration. For My Brother’s Wedding, it all started with a cover!

You can find your copy of Sweet But Sexy at the following retailers:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS

Sweet But Sexy boxed set for $.99!

Sweet, But Sexy 
Sweet Contemporary Romance Boxed Set
Sweet can still be sexy!
Turquoise Morning Press presents eight sweet contemporary romance stories that will convince you
that sweet, can still be sexy! We’ve selected stories from some of our most popular romance authors to
showcase in this set – stories that will take you from the beach to Christmas, from small town to big city,
from keeping secrets to building dreams.

After all, sweet and sexy romance, comes in all shapes and sizes, right?

Blue Bottle Beach by Amie Denman – Mitchell finds Jackie irresistible as he romances her on
Blue Bottle Beach, but he has no idea she should be in her cubicle in Chicago balancing the
sheets for one of his many companies. Amie is an Amazon bestselling author (Unforgettable
Heroes).

All That’s Unspoken by Constance Phillips – The only thing standing in Nate’s way is Hailey,
the woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye. Constance is a TMP 2013
Reader’s Choice Award nominee (All That’s Unspoken).

Secrets by Jan Scarbrough -- How was she going to keep her secret? It had been with her like a
living thing for twenty-one years. Jan is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town)

Crossroads by Janet Eaves – Desperation has a way of changing everything…. Janet is an
Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Unforgettable Heroes).

My Brother’s Wedding by Jennifer Anderson – Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life
when she returns to her childhood home to attend her brother’s wedding. My Brother’s Wedding
received a StoryFinds.com cover award.

Double Dog Dare by Jennifer Johnson – When Cheris McDowell wakes up in a hotel room
next to the husband she doesn’t remember meeting, she decides the only practical solution is a
quiet divorce. Jennifer is an Amazon bestselling author (Unforgettable Heroes).

Hard Candy Kisses by Maddie James – New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Patti Jo
Baker has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The
Lodge. Maddie James is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Falling for
Grace, The Heartbreaker, and more).

Building a Dream by Magdalena Scott – Chloe McClain is an artist, so she’s used to creating
something from nothing. This time, though, the project is bigger than her usual canvas.
Magdalena is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Unforgettable Heroes).

Plus, we’ve added two additional stories from Janet Eaves and Magdalena Scott (that’s ten
stories in all!).

Release Date: July 17, 2014
Category: Fiction > Romance > Contemporary
Heat Level: Sweet Romance
Length: 5 full-length novels, 3 long novellas, plus
two bonus stories!
ISBN: 978-1-62237-318-5
Price: Promotional Price, $0.99 (limited time);
Retail $5.99 (October, 2014)

Format: Digital only (no print)

My Brother's Wedding on StoryFinds.com Summer Reads

Hey guys! Long time no write. Sorry. With the summer on us and school out, I'm swamped with diapers, kids and activities.

Oh, and I'm writing a new NA!

Anyway, My Brother's Wedding is getting some serious attention in the next couple of weeks and I'd love for you to play along. In fact, you can enter to win a copy on StoryFinds.com but if I notice many clicks and follows on there, I'll even throw in a free copy to my followers on here. So grab a friend and let's get reading.

Starting June 22, My Brother's Wedding will be included in StoryFinds Summer Reads.

June 24-25, My Brother's Wedding will be part of StoryFinds Summer Reads Themed Week.
June 29-July 5, Come vote for My Brother's Wedding as the best cover! Click the Book Cover Poll at the top of the website to enter.

If you've entered in their contests and voted on their polls, leave me a comment and I'll get you entered in my own give-away!

All on the Same Page book signing and you!

First off, I'd like to thank Holly Gilliatt for joining me and Robin Tidwell from All on the Same Page for her support. Holly and I had a great time and feel we've made a friend with this indie bookstore.

Do you have a book releasing soon and not sure how to schedule book signings? I'm not sure how it works with agents or even big publishing houses but for indie, small and self pubs, the process is pretty much the same.

Create a list of all the bookstores in your area. Then think outside the box. Gift shops, coffee shops or even cafes with possible wine nights. And then start making calls. Keep in mind, most of your guests will be family and friends so don't schedule one every week for a month. Most of the big name authors do one per city on their book tours. And while I'm sure your book is great, your family might get tired of attending. Make sure to book the event far enough in advance so you can gather some PR from local agencies.

Next, create a press release announcing your signing and send that baby out to local press. TV, radio, on-line and print (yes, there is still print out there). Wait a week and then follow-up. I suggest, if you have a connection with a smaller area, personalize your release. For example, I graduated from high school about 25 minutes from my house now, so when I contacted those papers, I made sure to include that fact. Smaller papers like to give props to a townie.

Holly and I were lucky enough to video a spot for a local cable station. If you get a chance to do a live interview, remember to bring a copy or two of your book. They make great thank you gifts and you can use them as props.

A week or two prior to your event, contact the venue. Make sure all your ducks are in a row. If they ordered your books, are they in? If you ordered then, are they in?!

Plan to bring candy or something beside promo material to your signing. Holly brought mint chocolates because her book had a St. Patrick's Day theme and I brought plastic jeweled rings for my Honey Creek Royalty series. Although, I did wear a precious spider sparkly ring for Spider.

Make sure you bring plenty of pens. You don't want to assume the venue will provide any.

When the day arrives, make sure you have your smiley face on. Author friends of mine always suggest bringing support staff who can walk the store and talk up customers. I've never done this but its not a bad idea. If you have a mailing list, bring a sign up sheet.

If you have any tips to share, please leave a comment and happy signing!

Dare You To Review: 5 Nuts!

From GoodReads:
Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all.



Did you read that line? How could you not fall in love with this book! I've said this before but I'm a HUGE fan and love Katie McGarry! Met her, loved her, wanna write like her!

I thought after Echo and Noah that she couldn't possible write about two more characters that I'd like but I was wrong. We are introduced to Beth in Pushing the Limits and McGarry rewards us for our patience with Ryan. We know the type. Jock, blessed with great skin, hair and all the girls love him and the guys wanna be him. But looks can be deceiving, which happens to be the theme of this book.

I fell in love instantly and couldn't put the book down and then was sad when it was over. Love these characters and if McGarry writes about Logan, I'd love to see these two again.

My Brother's Wedding is here!

Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home to attend her brother’s wedding. Bombarded with memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, her reason for leaving and forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining a fake romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and Allison struggles to remember what’s real.

My Brother's Wedding is a contemporary sweet romance set in the Midwest. Follow Allison as she maneuvers her family and a long lost love. But watch out for the grandmother, she's a spitfire!

It's here! It's here! I'm so excited about this release. TMP was able to offer my new book as a pre-order but now she's alive and well (of course my book is a girl and like most females, she likes to be a caressed with your eyes!)

My Brother's Wedding is set in one of my favorite cities...St. Louis! So grab your toasted ravs, gooey butter cake and they's get our Lou on.

Here are your linkie poohs for this $2.99 DEAL:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Smashwords
ARe  All Romance eBooks


If you can't find it where you normally purchase your ebooks, please let me know.

Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this new step with me!

Tasty Summer Reads Blog Hop

My dear friend Ruth J. Hartman invited me to participate in this hop. I have to admit. I'm still new to hopping!

But here is how it goes.

Then give a short description of your WIP/Release including the date of release. Then answer these five questions:

My Brother’s Wedding, August 2013

Contemporary Romance, Sweet

Next Door Category line

Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home to attend 4 her brother’s wedding. Bombarded with memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, 5 her reason for leaving and forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining 6 a fake romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and Allison 7 struggles to remember what’s real.

For all release information, you can check out the bookstore at TMP (http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/collections/latest-releases) or visit my website at jenandersonauthor.com (http://jenandersonauthor.com/books.php). I blog about releases and do reviews at musingsfromthepeanutgallery.blogspot.com (http://musingsfromthepeanutgallery.blogspot.com/).

1)When writing are you a snacker?  Let’s put it this way, even as I’m writing this, I’m snacking on Nut-Thins.  If so, sweet or salty? I’m an equal opportunity snacker. My favorite, trail mix has both.

2) Are you an outliner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants? When I first started out, I was all about writing and the story would come to me. Well, as I’ve matured and developed better writing habits, I find that I plan more. Not really an outline but bullet points and form some sort of structure. I have a friend that will write a 10 page outline. Cripes! That’s a lot of words! Are they real pants or jammies? Neither. I kid! Usually real pants but I’m more creative with no pants.

3)When cooking or baking, do you follow the recipe exactly or wing it? It depends. Baking, I follow the recipe. I’m not the best when it comes to baking, even cookies. But when I’m cooking something new, I’ll scan the recipe to get the idea and then head out on my own. I LOVE to cook and watch countless hours of Food Network and can memorize a recipe just by watching a show.

4) What is next for you after this book? For the first time in a long time, I don’t have a deadline to meet or a release to prepare. Besides working my part-time day job, I’m currently working on a New Adult. I love reading the genre and since I normally write Young Adult, except for My Brother’s Wedding, I thought I’d give the genre a try since it isn’t too far of a stretch from my norm.

5) Last Question...on a level of one being slightly naughty to ten being whoo whoo steamy, where does your book land? I haven’t made that jump into steamy romance or YA. Not that I oppose of it at all. In fact, some of my favorite books are pretty dirty (wink, wink). My Brother’s Wedding would fall around a 1. More than hand holding but the kisses don’t lead to the bedroom.

And then your summer recipe!

In the summer, I’m all about making homemade salsa and the summer time lends itself some great vegetables.

Throw into either a food processor or an electric chopper, 1 jalapeño (seeds will make it hotter so you need to decide if you want mild or spicy), 1 clove of garlic, ½ of an onion, 4-5 medium size tomatoes cut into chunks (remember to remove the core), a handful of cilantro, a generous sprinkle of sea salt (I like course salt), and the juice of a fresh lime. Serve and enjoy!

I’ve also made this trying out different types of peppers. It’s all about finding what tastes you like. Also, make sure the tomatoes are ripe. If you can’t find good beefsteaks, try roma or even cherry (obviously increase the amount). I also make a batch without cilantro because my family isn’t a fan.

To check out my friend Ruth, visit her blog.   To read about this hop, visit Avon.

If you're a blogger and writer and would like to participate, please let me know and I'll add a link to your post.

4 Nuts for Scarlet

Blurb from GoodReads: 

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

First off, why in the heck did I wait so long to read this sequel? In fact, I think I might have enjoyed it more than Cinder. The introduction of Scarlet, her grandmother and Wolf were very clever. I love a good play off a fairy tale. But what is great about this series is your not just hearing someone else's idea of how the tale should be told but how relatable the beloved stories are.

And does anybody else picture Levana like the Witch from the Narnia movies? 

If you haven't started this series, you still have time to catch up. The next book, Cress, doesn't come out until 2014 and I just noticed there are two novella's (.5 and 1.5) that I haven't read yet. There is plenty from Marissa Meyer to keep yourself busy.

And if you, like me, enjoy a flare of nursery rhyme or fairytale in your stories, check out my book, Spider. 

5 Peanut review for Clockwork Princess

I know I said I'd post peanuts, but honestly, they were too flipping big. I'll find more.

Like most, I started reading The Mortal Instruments series before I started The Infernal Devices and that's okay. Some characters are the same but you don't need one before the other. 

I'm sad to see this series end. I loved it from Book 1 to Book 3. Clare, like in her other series, does a wonderful job of creating this world and describing every piece making you feel like you are right there along for the ride. Every tender touch, every kiss. I felt them. 

Before starting the final book, I heard rumblings of a death and sadness and to be honest, I was hesitant to start the book. I know it sounds silly, but I was content to go on thinking the three characters were stuck in a never ending triangle and Mortmain was off hiding, never to be seen again. 

But I put my big girl panties on and read the book, never wanting to put it down even though I knew I was getting closer to the end and not wanting it to be over.

All story lines were neatly tied up, giving everyone the ending they deserved. 

Now, all I want is some sort of family tree encompassing all the Shadowhunter family lines along with secondary characters and how long they've lived. 

Could we dare hope she'll add another leg to this series? Book is available everywhere.

Fun Summer Read

Here's a book I stumbled across today that looks very interesting.

Emma has always tried to be perfect in her almost eighteen years of existence, but it has never been good enough for her mother and stepfather. As she finds herself counting the days until she’s officially free from her parents’ reins, her stepfather hands her a plane ticket explaining that she must attend the Re-Boot Camp in the wilds of Alaska. 

Once she lands in the middle of nowhere, she realizes the camp is nothing like she imagined, and she wants out immediately. 

That is until she meets Liam. 

The camp is full of teens with dark pasts, but she finds herself drawn to Liam’s ability to see who she really is and who she wants to become. While Emma and Liam begin adjusting to a place neither wants to be, frightening events begin to unfold. When people begin disappearing, it becomes apparent they can only trust one another as they fight for survival.

To make it even better, it's on sale for $.99 on both Amazon and B&N. PLUS, the author is doing a giveaway on her site. Visit her at http://blog.karicebolton.com/ to enter.

Show an author a little love. Visit her site today!

Oh, and while you're buying her book, add a few more to your cart ;-)

Men in Uniform

Ice Princess

Prince Charming

Queen Mean

King of the Lake

The Collector review

I discovered this book from an email sent out by BookBub. I believe it was free.

Here's the blurb from GoodReads:
He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

My thoughts:
I love this book and had a hard time putting it down in order to feed my family! The hero, if you can call him that, is snarky, smooth and confident and I couldn't get enough of him. And I really enjoyed watching him change throughout the story. 

I haven't read many books from a male's perspective and I have to say I felt most of the feelings and dialogue were spot on. Guys are dorks!

I'm eager to continue this series but am bummed I have to wait until August 2013!

King of the Lake.

The conclusion to my Honey Creek Royalty series is here. I'm a little sad to see the series end but thankful for the journey. Honey Creek holds a special place in my heart. I love writing stories about this little town and I hope to continue when times allows. 

If you haven't stopped by Honey Creek, you don't know what your missing. So far, we have 11 books released within the last year from this line. Each one different with a common thread...the people of Honey Creek.

Thank you for being with me on this journey. 



Living in a small town, everybody knows your business. Unfortunately for Allison Carver, some people can’t forget.
When a lapse in good judgment lands her in the public eye, her parents force her to seek guidance from the local minister. After several months, she begins to forgive herself while her parents seem to keep her mistakes front and center.Allison escapes to Honey Creek Lake where she gets a waitressing job at Honey Creek Lodge’s restaurant. Lack of identity among the summer tourists offers relief, allowing her to feel normal. Taking the order of a summer guest launches her into a dilemma. Does she follow her heart and allow her feelings to mature for a guy she just met? Or risk the wrath of her father while he sits on his throne overlooking the lake.

To finish or not to finish

Have you ever read a book and decided after a few pages, heck a few paragraphs, to put it aside? The writing or story either didn't grab you or was riddled with typos? What did you do afterwards? Did you write a review giving the person 0 stars? Or did you do nothing. Set it aside and grab the next book to read?

I was faced with this same decision last week. Except, I didn't stop reading. And on the first page alone I read many, many typos and then later found blaring inconsistencies with the story. I even stopped reading, deciding not to finish only to pick it back up, hoping it got better.

It didn't and the mistakes continued until the last page.

I'm not a reviewer. I'm a writer and a reader. I can usually read about anything (fiction) or at least try to read anything. And I think as a writer, I'd hoped it got better as I went. We all have a shaky start. Those first few pages are what will make or break you. If you can't grab someone's attention by then, stick a fork in it. It's done.

After I finished, I felt I needed to do something. I still do. Do I write the author and say, listen, you really need to edit this baby again. Even though I think the book is self pubbed, which shouldn't matter, maybe she doesn't have people around her to say, "hey, that's not right" or isn't backed by a publishing house that will take her under their wing and make her book better. The story line was cute enough to make me purchase the book.

I'm not going to tell you what book it was, that wouldn't be nice. I'm not going to leave a review on GoodReads with one star for effort and 2 for courage because I know what it's like to read a bad review of my own books. Not nice at all. Me not mentioning the title is review enough.

Even not doing all this to avoid hurting anyone's feelings, I'm compelled to do something. Wouldn't you want to know if there were mistakes?

Are you published? Self or otherwise. Would you appreciate a note from someone in your field offering some advice? Or are we too proud to accept? I'd love to know what you think.