Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Beautiful Imposter by Alex Shippe



                          Beautiful Imposter by Alex Shippe





Book Blurb:

 

Hardworking, devoted wife Jessica races home from her hectic corporate schedule to spend an unexpected take-five the boss gave her with none other than her loving husband Byron. But the gut-wrenching scene she finds on the bedroom floor knocks the wind out of her. Betrayed, angry, wounded, it’s all she can do not to drag Byron to the nearest lawyer and demand divorce. As the evening unfolds Jessica opens her heart to the man she thought she once knew, and takes a chance on love. Can they work through his infidelity? And if so, what will it take for her to forgive him? Time, it is said, can heal all wounds. Can it really . . . heal all wounds?


Beautiful Imposter is an adult contemporary short story with mature language and scenes.



                    Review of Beautiful Imposter.

 

  I really love being a beta - reader :). I get to read all sorts of lovely books before they are published... Like this gem :) 


Beautiful Imposter is a comterporary romance with a definite twist. Alex Shippe has written a beautiful, tragic, bitter sweet love story. Involving 3 characters, Jessica, Byron and David. How does someone get over infidelity and tragic loss? How would you cope? Could anyone ever over come both and love again? These were the questions going through my mind while reading Beautiful Imposter. Without giving too much of this story away. I can say honestly, that this was an amazing read. And for a short story, this book truly does stick with the reader.

 

  I had a very brief Q & A with Alex Shippe (even book nerds get busy) about Beautiful Imposter.



1. What inspired you to write this short story?


Forgiveness.
Can a married couple ever truly come back together after a spouse commits the most unforgivable breech of trust?
I don’t know.
Most people would say: No. The person crossed the line. Period. Cheating is more than a sign of insecurity. Although it can be a sign of boredom or neglect, cheating is a sign that there is something preventing the person who has cheated—in this case him—from honoring his love for his wife. Obviously, Jessica finds out. Byron confesses. But, why couldn’t he have said something earlier? The lies, the betrayal, it all comes out.

So, as I started to write the story, I kept asking myself: How much time does it take to heal that kind of wound?
Infidelity strikes at the very heart of our humanity. It is the worst kind of rejection. Psychologists argue that a woman marries the kind of man who either most resembles her father or who least resembles him. I never explore this directly; I only knew that Jessica and Byron truly and deeply loved each other. They would do anything for each other.

So, what happened?
Where did all that love go?
That kind of love just doesn’t disappear. Presumably, that kind of love gets stronger. It becomes more secure, open to forgiveness, unbreakable. If their love was as strong as I had intended it to be, what challenged it? I explored this question throughout the whole story. And yet, even at the very end, when Jessica takes her first step into this new future, and takes her life back into her own hands, she still doesn’t know what she’s going to do. Byron was the love of her life. She was madly in love with him. So deeply in love with him she couldn’t see herself with another man. She’s lost her way.

It’s a tough story. At first it appears to be a simple story about infidelity but as the story unfolds there’s more to it than just the infidelity. There’s the chemistry between Jessica and her boss, David. There’s Jessica’s intern, Meredith. And there’s the twist, and the turn on the twist. Readers comments most on the initial bang, which is really only just the beginning of the story.




2. Without giving too much away Jessica and David have chemistry. Is there more for them?


Absolutely!
David has loved Jessica for a very long time, from the sidelines. He’s had plenty of opportunities to make a move but he respects her and her marriage not to do that. When he appears, David is a knight in shining, snowy white, armor. He’s a bit like Lancelot in that regard, except for all that secret love between them. Neither Jessica nor David acted on their feelings for each other. They could have, but David’s loss of his wife has sent him into a cave. He dives into work to drown his sorrow. It works, until his visit with Jessica. It’s then that they begin to heal.

The sequel to Beautiful Imposter story will be about how they grow together in love. There’s history so I’m not sure what’s going to happen yet.
I was originally going to release that story first, but there has been so much interest in a prequel story about how Jessica and Byron met that I decided to write that story first.

I may write a second sequel, about Byron, but I’m not quite sure yet. It will depend on how the prequel shakes out. That’s in the works. I’ve already started it.
And I have a title for it, which is always a good feeling.
Someone Like You takes them back to their college days, before they got married, before Jessica’s corporate job, before Byron’s flooring business, before the events of Beautiful Imposter. It focuses on her and her struggles, as well as Byron’s pressures; how they fell in love, and what they do for it, because true love is not without its struggles. If it’s true then that love has to be defended, no matter the consequences, no matter who gets in the way, whether that’s a jealous friend or the high hopes of family.


I’m targeting for a holiday release. This will be my first full-length novel. I’m very excited. That may not be coming across right now but so many people have really enjoyed Beautiful Imposter. I’ve gotten great reviews and great responses from readers who want more. It’s the highest compliment when people say don’t stop, keep writing, we want to revisit these characters again. I am truly grateful.



                                    Alex Shippe's Bio


 

Here’s my bio. It’s cheeky in some areas. I couldn’t resist . . . Why not?

I'm a husband and father of three. My wife of 10 years has gone back to school while I’m at home trying to be . . . loads superhero theme music, stands akimbo, head turned—wait for it—Domestic Dad. By day I’m juggling kids, cooking, cleaning, errands, breathing, hitting the weights and general merriment while my wife is juggling school and her internship. By night, after I hang up the cape and cowl, I leap into a world of fantasies and heroes. I write supernatural, paranormal, adult contemporary and erotica. Needless to say, my life isn’t boring. It’s crazy. Now, if I could finish every story idea in my head that would be the ticket.

I enjoy traveling. Seeing new sights and sites. Eating new foods. Sometimes torturing myself with something that’s so heinous that I might regret it later, especially if there’s a record of it on someone’s cell phone. I enjoy reading a wide variety of books, from Kahlil Gibran to Hemingway to Tolkien to Gibson. I can handle just about any song. And on the not so rare occasion I’ll add it to my constantly growing music library.

I’ve been a graphic artist, art director, newspaper designer, and in the near future I’ll be starting a new career as a therapist. School first!

And,†I’m well hung. No, you filthy head. I have reproductions all over the house. I like art and cultural artifacts. Monet. Renoir. Remington. Behrens. Kumeyaay. Italian.

 

Beautiful Imposter is available on Amazon for Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Imposter-ebook/dp/B00EEQKQFK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378169772&sr=8-1&keywords=beautiful+imposter+by+alex+shippe 

 

 Beautiful Imposter is a lovely afternoon read and I am very eager to read the sequel... (Hint, hint, Alex)  

Tea with the Book Nerd gives Beautiful Imposter an Iced Chai rating for being a refreshing twist to comtemporary romance :)

I hope you all will enjoy Beautiful Imposter as much as I did. As always, happy reading.

Love, The Book Nerd...


 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Color Blind by Tina Hammond Cover Reveal












                           Color Blind By Tina Hammond

                                            Cover Reveal










Blinded and scarred in a freak accident a year ago, Teresa has finally found love and a new career with the help of her companion dog, Red. Red appears to be a typical German shepherd, but he shares a mental communication link with his owner that is anything but ordinary. He’s articulate, sassy and opinionated- he’s also scary smart, and has a talent for tracking.
Teresa and Red, have partnered with ex-Navy men, David, and Bastian, to form Team Red. This unique Team helps the local police department sift through evidence to find forensic clues that only a Red's sensitive nose, and Teresa's ability to ask the right questions can uncover. A twist of fate brings Team Red to the attention of the Military, and the Team gets ready for their first undercover mission (we can only divulge at this point that Red looks adorable in his tux).







                     Here is a little taste of Color Blind.....



Color Blind (Red Zone)

Team Red – Book 2
 
By T. Hammond
 
Copyright © 2013 by T. Hammond
Chapter One

"Banzai!
" I heard the scratch of dog claws scramble across the deck and straight off the edge. "What the…?"
Ken’s laughter started indoors and got louder as he rolled the screen door open so he could step outside to stand by me on the back deck. "Teresa, your dog is totally wicked. He must have launched himself eight feet out to catch that."
"Catch what?" I needed a clue here. Maybe I could ask for a vowel? "All I heard was him yelling ‘Banzai’ as he dashed past me out from his dog door."
"Damn it! Red!" David’s voice shouted from the kitchen area as he stormed through the house and joined us outside. "Where did he go?"
Oh, oh, someone’s in trouble. In my mind I heard what sounded like "Mwah ha ha." A very satisfied, doggy version of maniacal laughter.
"I hear evil chuckles emanating from under the deck," I tattled.
"Red!" David yelled again, stomping down the six steps leading to the back lawn. "You promised you’d leave them alone."
"What?" I asked. Sometimes being blind is so frustrating. "What did he promise to leave alone? What’s happening?"
"Red just took out one of the mini-drones," Ken explained. "He leapt right off the deck and caught one in mid-air. It was totally awesome!"
"Not so awesome, Ken," I replied with the Voice of Reason. "Do you have any idea how much those things cost?"
A voice interrupted from under the deck: "According to the Rules of Engagement, it was flying over the DMZ. Per our contract, I’m allowed to take out anything in the red zone."
"What contract? You’re a one-year old, you’re too young to contract with anyone." I sighed, shaking my head, "Geez, what am I saying? You’re a dog, who would be crazy enough to make a contract with you in the first place? And, what are you talking about? Rules of Engagement and Demilitarized Zones?"

Ken figured out the conversation based on my replies to the dog. "David and Bas are testing the mini-drone maneuverability portion of the program they’re developing," Ken explained. "Red promised to stop snatching them out of the air as long as David kept them away from the deck area, henceforth to be known as the demilitarized zone."
Henceforth, huh? I think that’s the first time I’ve heard a real person say that word in a conversation. I kept my snarky thoughts to myself.
"Geez Red," I heard David’s muffled grumble from under the deck below my feet. "Just how many of these do you have down here?" There was a short pause. "Eight? You caught eight drones?"
I joined Ken in another peal of laughter. "What do you expect David? He’s a dog, he’s going to chase them," I reasoned. "Isn’t that why you started having them made of hard rubber, instead of metal?" Personally, I thought he was fortunate Red only collected drones and didn’t feel an urge to bury them too.
"I caught most of them before we set up the Rules of Engagement," Red rebutted. "The other two were within jumping distance of the deck, so I’m allowed to catch them." I repeated Red’s words for David’s benefit.
"We were flying a pattern ten feet away from the deck rail," David protested.
"Ah, I underestimated his jump by two feet," Ken confided in me, sounding like a proud parent. In a louder voice, "That was a ten foot leap Red. Most excellent!"
I jabbed a playful elbow in Ken’s side. "Stop encouraging him. What if he accidentally swallows one?"
Secretly, I agreed with Ken. The drones David used to refine his software were vaguely shaped like helicopters for maneuverability. Not much larger than golf balls with two inch tails, they measured three to three and a half inches in total length. I could hear them constantly buzzing around our property as the guys ran their simulations. While we had established speed limits around the house, some of the drones were capable of moving very fast, depending on the program being tested. It was impressive that Red, from a running leap, could take one out of the air.
David’s booted footsteps were heavy as he clomped up the steps. He stopped in front of me. "Here hold on to these," he requested. I heard a clacking sound as he, presumably, dropped the retrieved hardware in Ken’s hands. Then he speared fingers through my hair tilting my face up for a warm kiss. "Good morning, Beautiful."

"Hey, Gorgeous," I replied, melting into the sexiest mouth in the Inland Northwest, sliding my free arm behind his neck to deepen the contact; I mustn’t spill the coffee held in my other hand. David tasted faintly of Columbian roast and… was that a donut? No one offered Me a donut this morning.
"Oh, Puh-leeze. Get a room for goodness sakes," Ken complained, sounding mock-disgusted. "Here, let me grab your mug before you spill this last swallow down David’s back. I’m making a fresh pot so I’ll refresh your coffee when it’s ready. I need to check on the chicken I’m marinating for lunch." The mug was pried from my surprisingly firm grip (I am serious about my java), leaving me free to slide the second arm completely around David’s wide back as Ken wandered back to his kitchen.







EXCERPT : RED TEASING TERESA ABOUT KISS
     My face was cupped in two large hands and drawn upward to meet his lips in a warm, ravenous, sucking kiss that melted me into boneless mush. "I love you," he said brushing another softer kiss over my mouth. He was gone before I could function enough to form a response. I was left standing in the dining room, with my lips half-parted and tingling. The taste of David and lust flavoring my mouth. Wow, the man had mad oral skills.
     "Earth to Teresa," Red said as he brushed a shoulder against my leg. "Geez, the goofy look on your face is embarrassing. Snap out of it already, where’s your pride woman!"
 









About the Author 
     T. Hammond lives in Spokane, WA with her goofy, neurotic, long-coat German shepherd, Dexter; he's noble and brave, until someone turns on the microwave, then she has 100lbs of quivering dog trying to hide behind her chair or bury his head under a pillow (Little known fact: a 100lb German Shepherd CAN fit under a coffee table).
     T. writes two concurrent versions of the Team Red series for both the Adult and New Adult audiences. Blind Seduction and Color Blind are part of the Blind series - featuring adult-themed erotic romance combined with a humorous paranormal storyline. The Red series featuring Red Rover and Red Zone (release date Aug 23rd) is a funny paranormal romance series with a lighter PG13 type storyline. While both series contain the same character names and a lot of shared dialogue, the Red series is stripped of sexual content and language.
     T feels that writing is not a calling so much as it is a compulsion. No one is more surprised than she is when characters take over the plot and dialog, and (re)direct stories in directions she had not (consciously) intended. She is fully convinced that the writer is the tool a story uses to tell its tale. Some tools, of course, are more appropriate for the job than others. Here's hoping, you feel she did her stories proud.
     T. has a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management from Whitworth University, and a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and before becoming a writer she was a bookkeeper, technical/manual writer, Call Center Manager and the owner of a freshwater aquarium store, Guppy Tales.




Color Blind is set for release on the July 26 :) I am very excited for this next installment in the Blind Seduction series. :) 

Tea with the Book Nerd gives Color Blind a Mayan Hot Chocolate rating

Happy Reading. 

Love, Book Nerd <3


Here are some links:



Visit me on Amazon.com : http://www.amazon.com/T.-Hammond/e/B00BS93JK0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 Visit Me on GoodReads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6981922.T_Hammond Friend me on facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/T-Hammond-Author-Team-Red-Series/324413914346772?ref=hl

RaffleCopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3c6c755


Saturday, June 29, 2013

War of the Reversing Worlds Trilogy Part 2 by J.T. Brown


Tea with the Book Nerd









                                   War of the Reversing Worlds

                                                       By

                                                J.T. Brown

Summer is Saved!!! Well at least in my opinion it is :) J.T. Brown has written another exciting installment of her tween fantasy trilogy The Legend Harper and the Reversing Worlds.

 

                    War of the Reversing Worlds Part 2


This is an epic and exciting summer read for tweens and any one else who likes to read Y.A. or Childrens literature. And like I keep saying, how this series has not been discovered by a major publishing house still remains a mystery... (Hello Simon&Schuster, Peguin and Scholastic are you reading this!!!) J.T. Brown is an amazing story teller and author among the likes of Karen Paterson and Ric Riordon.  

 War of the Reversing Worlds is AMAZING!!! I'm excited to see whats to come for Harper. But... then again I'm kinda not because that would be the end of the series....:( I am a FanGirl ;)

                                     Here is the book synopsis



War of the Reversing World's - Harper needs to find her warrior within, and face not only Tide’s Ghost, the darkness, but Wizard Argon. Who has stripped the land of Pasmaqon of its beauty and power, only to strengthen his own land of Thurrobia.
Nothing has been left behind – only the ghost spirits that has surrendered themselves to the powerful force of Wizard Argon. Pasmaqon is left powerless with only the spirits of the past.
The mysteries bleed its phenomenon off on the pages of Mystical Book, as the terror and the ghost dance with a mysterious tune. Sending Harper into a whirl wind spin, tossing her to learn the truth behind the cover of the storm.
Is war the only answer?
But…..How can you fight something that is already dead, how can you weaken the weak, and how can you save a land that is already in silence.
Harper can now trust no one or anything, for she may never know who is watching from behind. Harper’s powers mean nothing to the unseen.
Let the mysterious unfold, as Harper battles the unknown.


So are any of you fellow readers like me and LOVE book trailers?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ezR68fsqG8


Like getting to know the characters?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81kJgL5V5s0


And did you know that the Reversing Falls is a real place in Maine? Pretty awesome, right?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeEiw7xdh6I








J.T. Brown was born and raised in Downeast, Maine, growing up in a family of fisherman and loggers. Many of her stories are inspired from the ocean which, she had created in her mind as a child. One particular land mark in Pembroke, Maine called the Reversing Falls, which is a unique natural phenomenon that is pulled by many currents that creates a churning whirlpool took her full interest.
J.T. Brown remembers the many trips that she took over the "Reversing Falls," on her father's fishing vessel, and remembers being full of fear of the currents engulfing them onto the bottom of the Falls. She used to look at the fierce cover of the sea's current in wonders what was on the bottom of the whirlpools. She created a story in her mind and thought about her thoughts often.
She put her thoughts on the back burner, as she grew into her life as a wife, a mother, and a business owner. She continued writing many stories in her own trade of comfort. A day on the ocean reminded her of the love for her ocean's tales. The story about Reversing Falls pulled its way back in her mind. She went home and started writing the first of the Trilogy "Reversing Worlds."
She chose not to tell a soul what she was working on, not even her husband that couldn't figure out the late nights of typing on the computer. Where as, she knew that the ones closest to her knew that she suffered with dyslexia, and what she thought would be a laughing matter, turned out as shocked of her many imaginable sense of the ocean.
J.T knew that writing this book would prove to herself that she could share her stories, even if it did take a bit longer to do. Her loved ones was stunned to learn that she published her story. J.T looked at it in a way of self discovery, in hopes to encourage many others to stride towards their dreams. J.T didn't stop there, she continued on with the Trilogy series in hopes to finish the Trilogy in 2013.
J.T's love for equines traveled along with her life as she continued sharing her love for horses with her daughter. When her daughter was a little girl, J.T faced a tough loss within her barn family, her mare from childhood, she called "Gypsy" had passed on though old age. Devastated she put her pain into creating a children's book called "Gypsy's Meadow." She put it away in plans on never reading it again. Her daughter found herself in the same pain in loosing her equine friend "Bambi."
J.T was familiar with the pain that her daughter was going through and shared the story with her in hopes that it would help with her grieving process. Shortly after, they visited a local equine shelter "First Light Farm Equine Shelter." Listening to the horses stories reminded them both of their horses. J.T's daughter suggested for them to finish the book and donate the proceeds to the shelter so that the shelter was able to help more horses find rightful homes. J.T jumped on the board, knowing that her daughter's heart was in the right place, and had comfort knowing that their story would help many other horses fighting for life.
They finished the Children's story in February of 2012, as they are sharing the proceeds with the farm in hopes that some day the proceeds will grow enough to reach out to other shelters. "Maybe someday the book will bring peace to the horse's that face killpens." J.T shares.
In the mean time J.T. Brown is in hopes of publishing "Trilogy Two, Part II" of the Reversing Worlds Series by the Summer of 2012.
She carries on a blog of short stories and updates on http://www.authorjtbrown.blogspot.com/
You can also find more information about "First Light Farm Equine Shelter" at:
http://www.firstlightfarm.org/
http://www.facebook.com/firstlightfarm 

A message from J.T. about Gypsy's Meadow:

"My daughter and I wrote a book a year ago to help out with a local shelter, the book is dear to my heart and I still can't read it all the way through- the editing process contained of mixing up the pages and such. We have been able to save two horses with this book so far, one is at our farm now, she adopted us and has become my daughters best friend. 

 

They bring tears to my eyes everyday, the connection that they have is so deserved on both parts. I am going to include this book as a thank you for taking the time with me, I have no expectation from you with this, just a gift. It is a small children's picture book and it has made a huge impact on my daughters and I's life. :)" 

 

 

 

I'm asking once again readers :) to Please be awesome and generous by not only purchasing War of the Reversing Worlds, but also Gypsy's Meadow. It's a beautiful touching story and reflects a lot of love our animals and ourselves have for each other. All the proceeds go to First Light Farm Equine Shelter. Literally, when you buy this book you are helping a horse in need <3

 

War of the Reversing Worlds is available now on Amazon in Paper back and Kindle edition:  http://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Worlds-Trilogy-Part-ebook/dp/B00DOYB6JI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372572288&sr=8-2&keywords=war+of+the+reversing+worlds


Gypsy's Meadow is available in Paper back and Kindle edition:  http://www.amazon.com/Gypsys-Meadow-ebook/dp/B0076SV24C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372572443&sr=1-1&keywords=Gypsy%27s+Meadow


Tea with the Book Nerd gives War of the Reversing Worlds an Iced Chai rating :)

And as always, Happy Reading Everyone <3

Love, The Book Nerd

  




 

 


 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Lost and Found by Bernadette Marie

Tea with the Book Nerd





Lost and Found by Bernadette Marie

Cover Reveal and RELEASE DAY!!!!


Keller Family Series Fans!!! Today is the day you've been anxiously awaiting for!!!!

Lost and Found is Released and ready to be read :)

Book Link: www.5princebooks.com/buy.htm



Blurb:

Darcy McCary came to Nashville with some big
expectations--to find her birth parents. She had no plans of making a life
in Tennessee. But when her sources lead her to Eduardo Keller, her heart
took over, and plans changed.

Eduardo Keller is a man who goes after what he wants and he doesn't have
time for playing games. Darcy is exactly the woman he's been looking for
to assist him in business and be his partner in life.

Because he loves Darcy, Ed promises to help her find the answers she
seeks. What he doesn't know is that if Darcy finds the secret to her past
it might mend her curiosity; however, it might also tear apart a branch of
the Keller family.
Excerpt

Ed  Keller  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  kicked  his  feet up on his desk. The view from his office would never cease to  amaze  him.  The  view  from  his  uncle’s  office  was  much more spectacular, but he had no reason to complain.

Who would have thought, nearly twenty years ago when he’d  asked  for  an  after-school  job  to  afford  a  limo  ride  to take  a  girl  to  prom, that he’d  end  up  with  the  title  Vice President on his business cards.

He  laughed.  He  couldn’t  even  think  of  the  girl’s  name that  had  squeezed  at  his  heart.  She’d  been  older. That  he remembered. But he’d never done well with older women.

Now he sat atop an empire that his uncle’s grandfather had started and his uncle’s father had carried on. But it was Zach Benson who made it what it was today.

Benson,  Benson,  and  Hart  built  big—built  on  time—and built under budget. Nothing had changed.

Ed  didn’t  have  a  foreman  like  Zach  had.  His  other uncle,  John  Forrester,  had  been  the  best  foreman  any company could have asked for. A loyal employee until Ed’s Aunt  Arianna  made  him  retire  only  two  years  earlier.  But another would come along. Right now he had to focus on a new assistant.

Interviewing  people  for  a  position  shouldn’t  be  an issue. He’d been doing it for years. But a personal assistant had to be in your business, and he didn’t like that.

He’d fought it for years. Temps were good. They came, did the work, and left. He figured it was kind of like dating the  wrong  girl.  There  weren’t  any  he  wanted  to  spend  his life with.

Perhaps  his  expectations  were  too high.  After  all,  his Aunt Regan had been Zach’s assistant. They’d been married nearly  twenty-five  years, and  she  still  took  care  of  him.  It wouldn’t  be  long  before  Tyler  and  Spencer,  their  sons, would be sitting in Ed’s seat.

Ed  dropped  his  feet  to  the  floor  and  pushed  up  from his chair. When the time was right, he’d find the assistant of his dreams. He’d given up on the woman of his dreams, so an assistant would have to do.

He walked to the elevator and pressed the button to go down  to  the  lobby.  There  was  a  Starbucks  there  now, and he’d grown very fond of caramel lattes, thanks to his Aunt Arianna,  though  he  didn’t  go  for  the  skinny  version.  His Uncle  John  would  say  it  was  a  bit  too  frilly  a  drink  for  a man  in  the  construction  business.  His Uncle  Zach, on  the other hand, would argue that it was a good stress reliever.

Ed  laughed  at  himself.  What  an  eclectic  bunch  of people  he  had  in  his  family. And  even  without  them  there with him, he still enjoyed them.

The  gathering  of  the  masses  in  the  Starbucks  also entertained  him, almost as  much  as  the  thoughts  of  his family and their differences.

Ed  ordered  his  drink  and  stood  at  the  counter  waiting for it to be handed to him.
As he looked around the store, he mentally spotted and named each  kind  of  person.  There was  the  tourist,  the executive,  and  the  assistant.  There  was a couple,  obviously just downtown for the day and…hmmm, one that stumped him.

She was professional, probably interviewing by the way she  was  dressed,  but  she  wasn’t  comfortable  with  the  big building  and  the  mass  of  people.  She  was  using  Starbucks as  a  common  ground,  something  familiar,  to  ease  her nerves.
He   listened   as   she   ordered   her   drink—decaf   and nonfat. What fun was in that, he wondered.

She  tucked  her  change  back  into  her  purse, walked  to the end of the counter, and stood behind to Ed to wait for her drink.

Flowery perfume filled his nose. She had a sweet side.

The  lady  behind  the  counter  handed  Ed  his  iced caramel latte. He  turned  to  leave and, he’d  say  so  himself, that was when things got interesting.

The   woman   who   had   been   standing   behind   him, searching  in  her  bag  for  something, looked  up  just  as  Ed turned  around.  She  shifted  to  move  out  of  his  way,  but instead she moved right into him.

Ed’s  hands  slipped  from  the  condensation  on  the  cup, and  the  entire,  cold  drink  poured  down  the  front  of  the woman.

She let out a stifled scream, and her hands went into the air. “Oh-my-God!”

“I’m very sorry.”

Ed turned toward the counter and grabbed a handful of napkins. He would have helped to mop up her clothes, but he noticed that the white, silk shirt clung to her and decided it just wasn’t a good idea to try.

“Look what you did!” She ripped the napkins from his hand and began to blot away the coffee, which had already stained the shirt.

“Sorry, but I think you ran into me.”

She  snapped  her  head  up  again.  “Oh,  men.  You’re  not always right, you know. Sometimes you do make mistakes.”

Not only was she not as sweet as her flowery perfume, she was jaded. Bad news.

“Again,  I’m  very  sorry.  How  can  I  help  you?”  He turned and reached for more napkins, but when she pulled them from his hand, he noticed she was crying.

“I think you’ve done enough.”

“I still think I can help in some way.”

“Listen. My suit is ruined. This is the only one I have. I  was  searching  for a  job, and  I  can’t  do  that  now.  I  can’t hand out resumes looking like this.”

Ed  watched  as  the  woman  continued  to  wipe  off  her blouse,  but  to  no  avail. It  was  ruined,  but  he  still  wasn’t going to take the blame.

“Are you looking for a job in this building?”

She let out a grunt. “Why else would I be here?”

“I was just asking. I know most of the businesses in the building. Perhaps I can help you out.”

The   woman   pursed   her   lips.   “I   don’t   need   your charity.”

“It’s not charity. You seem to be in need of a job, and

I’m sure I can help you find one.”

“What, do you own this place?” She waved her arms in the air.

“Let me see your resume.”

The woman stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. That wasn’t new. You didn’t run a multi-million dollar company in your mid-thirties without people giving you a shifty eye.

Her coffee was set on the counter. He moved in to grab it,  but  she  moved  quicker.  “I’ll  get  this.  I  can’t  afford  to waste a sip of this. It’s my breakfast and lunch.”

She  picked  up  the  coffee  and  moved  to  a  table where she  set  down  the  cup  and  pulled  a  resume  from  her  bag.

She  handed  it  to  Ed.  “Here  it  is.  I  hate  to  say  it,  but  I’m desperate.  If  I  don’t  find  a  job  in  three  days, I  have  to  go home.”

“Why?  Does  that  suit  turn  back  into  a  pumpkin  and your glass slipper breaks?”

“Have  you  ever  been  desperate  for  anything  in  your life?”

~*~









                                  About Bernadette Marie:
Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends.  Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter.  At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years.

In 2007 – after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children – Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published.  That year she wrote 12 books.  In 2009  she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born.  In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and began the process of taking on other authors in other genres.

In 2012 Bernadette Marie found herself on the bestsellers lists of iTunes and Amazon to name a few.  Her office wall is lined with colorful PostIt notes with the titles of books she will be releasing in the very near future, with hope that they too will grace the bestsellers lists.

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events.  She is also an accomplished martial artist who will earn her conditional second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do in October 2012.  An avid reader, she enjoys most, the works of Nora Roberts, Karen White, Megan Hart, to name a few. She loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

Author Contact Info:


 

Happy Reading Everyone <3

Love, The Book Nerd






 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Read this Saga for a 100 Dollhairs ;)


Tea with Book Nerd





The Discern Saga by Samantha Shakespeare

 



 I believe the deal to reading this Saga was, if you (the reader) were dissatisfied then the Author would give you a 100 dollhairs....



Well I've never been one to pass up such a deal. I mean I could really use those dollhairs ;) No... Not really... I actually hate dolls... With a fiery passion... However, the Author's catch phrase definately caught my eye and had me purchasing all 3 books and I am currently anxiously awaiting #4.


The Discern Saga is anything but your "run of the mill" Tutti-fruiti NA paranormal romance. Samantha kept the storyline fast paced, with the scenes and plot lines ever changing so the reader is never bored or dulled out by this story. In fact before I even started reading this Saga I was told to "Brace myself." If you are a lover of Greek Mythology, you're going to love every page of these books. Just like I did. 




I briefly interviewed Samantha Shakespeare on her inspiration for the Discern Saga as well as any teaser or hints regarding book #4 Dissent.


             So what was your inspiration for this Saga?


S.S: 

I love history! And I always wondered what if there had been people who posed as these Gods, obviously there wasn't, but it was just a thought, and then that thought led to what if mankind had been duped by these immortal creatures that enjoyed watching us suffer and loved the power they had over us.

 

          Any little hints or teasers you are willing to share about book 4?

 

S.S: 

Book 4 definitely has more adult content, and my mother is one of my editors and having the book read out loud while editing with her was a little uncomfortable! LOL. I know the readers are ready for Haley to finally have some fun. There are quite a few moments when you find out things arent always as they seem....

 

 

         

      Does Andrew and Alec have any opinions or insight they'd like to share?

 

 

S.S:

Andrew always has something to say, especially in Dissent! And Alec as always, does his best to be nice. Andrew is not at all happy with how things have played out, and Alec is a little more accepting, but even he doesn't like how Caden orchestrated the whole mission.

 

 

 

 

Summer is upon us and if you're looking for an EPIC summer read, then may I suggest The Discern Saga.  You won't be disapointed and incase you are... There is still a 100 dollhairs up for grabs ;) 



Here are the overviews for each book in this Saga so far:



Discern


Discern takes you on the journey of a young woman named Haley Helms. After her heart is shattered by love's betrayal, she is compelled to return home where her widowed father resides.

After a chance meeting with an alluring passenger on the plane ride back home, Haley's life will never be the same. She is thrust into a once-believed mythical world as she finds out that this stranger is no ordinary man.

Andrew Alexander is a six thousand year old immortal, called a Parevite, who becomes hell-bent on winning her heart. With the fate of humanity in Haley's unknowing fingertips, will there be time for their love to blossom or will the depraved past and choatic future of Andrew and his nefarious family throw more heartache her way?

Discern will keep you captivated throughout this electrifying tale with epic discoveries, heart wrenching moments, and an eternal love destined to be.

 

Discord


The saga continues as Haley Helms accepts the plight of her new found life with Andrew Alexander. Andrew is determined to ensure their wedded bliss, but Haley isn't so sure they'll ever walk down the aisle. Not only will her strength be tested when she meets the rest of Andrew's nefarious family of Parevites, but her love for Andrew will, too.

As the life Haley once knew further unravels, she will be forced to make a decision between following her true destiny or becoming immortal and forever damning her soul. Mankind's fate is still in the hands of the Parevites, but will the eight children unite in time or will ancient rivalries and past loves prevent their unification?

 

                                                   Dissever


  

Haley Helms denied her divinity to be with the one creature she vowed to love for eternity, but he defied her trust and broke her heart. Now she's left with yet another decision -- will she forgive Andrew for his heart-wrenching betrayal or will she run to the arms of another Parevite?

Or will it be that simple as the secrets of the divine world she has just discovered start to unfold and possibly lead her down yet another unexpected path -- a path that might dissever her ties with the Parevites and forever seal her fate.

The Parevites, the Agentti and Hadicieus all have their sights set on Haley, but there is another group of extraordinarily divine immortals that have yet to show their faces or strength until now. Their leader has a few secrets that he's been keeping and has no plans of confessing them, until he meets Miss Haley Helms--then the game changes, and thus, so does Haley's life...

 


Surpirise!!! June 18th Dissent Fourth and Final :'( Book in the Disern Saga...

                                       


A life without worries...
A life without sorrow...
A life without evil...
This was the world Caden imagined for mankind when he selflessly sacrificed his soul mate, Haley Helms.
Delivering her into the hands of soul-sucking immortals called Parevites.
Haley has battled through horrifying discoveries, unexpected deaths, and unimaginable destruction.
Haley's mission was clear--until the day she laid eyes on Caden.
Her love for the Parevites was strong, but her love for Caden was stronger.
And Caden realized the moment he touched Haley, he could no longer deny his love or desire to spend eternity with her.
But Haley and Caden may never get the chance to experience eternal bliss.
The threat of danger is greater now, and lives have been lost since heaven and hell joined forces.
Everyone's life depends on Haley's survival, even Caden's.
Haley's time to shine has come.
Hadar and Hadicieus must be stopped.
Ancient secrets will be revealed.
Unlikely alliances will be formed.
But will it be too late?
 


About the Author


Samantha Shakespeare Author of the Discern Saga Ms. Shakespeare was born in Tennessee and lived there for the first nineteen years of her life before relocating to the Kansas City, Missouri area, where she currently resides.  She is married and has one biological child and two step-children. She graduated college in 2008 and was inspired to start writing in late 2009.
Shakespeare is not a fictional writing name -  she comes from a long line of Shakespeares on her mother's side of the family. Her grandfather's name was William Shakespeare - no relation to the English poet and playwright.
Ms. Shakespeare wants to give a special thanks to her publisher, Buddy & Schwamples LLC, for without them all of this would not be possible. For all the late nights of editing, website creating, brainstorming, and even just the opportunity to get to this point - she thanks you.

I give this Saga a Peppermint Iced tea rating: It's a refreshing take on history and our beloved Greek Immortals.

Happy Readiing Everyone <3
Love, The Book Nerd

Book Links:

Discern:  http://www.amazon.com/Discern-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B005OS9ZZY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367966627&sr=8-3&keywords=Samantha+Shakespeare


Discord:  http://www.amazon.com/Discord-Samantha-Shakespeare/dp/0983984530/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367966627&sr=8-2&keywords=Samantha+Shakespeare


Dissever:  http://www.amazon.com/Dissever-Samantha-Shakespeare/dp/0983984557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367966627&sr=8-1&keywords=Samantha+Shakespeare


 



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Blind Seduction By Tina Hammond

                                Tea with Book Nerd


                           


                                 Blind Seduction by Tina Hammond



Thank goodness for computer issues and glitches :) Without my recent problems I would've missed out on this.



I recieved a message from Tina Hammond over a week ago about Red Rover. Here is what the message states:


Well, I have new news... so you may as well hold off on my review and jump ahead to someone else you need to get posted: its all on the blog-- you're welcome to cut and paste or ask additional questions for your blog entry if you'd like (sigh, life isn't complex enough?) ---- Tina Hammond


"This week, I will be pulling Red Rover (the original version) from Amazon and re-issuing it with a new title (some of you know that the original working title was Blind Seduction, but I changed it the week of the release due to my confusion over genre classification). Cripes! If I knew then, what I know now, life would be so much easier. 

When I wrote Red Rover, it was meant to be a Paranormal Romance / Adult Contemporary novel. It was tough to classify because we have a level-headed woman blinded in an accident who get's a German shepherd she finds she is able to mentally communicate with- paranormal, right? Sigh... it should be so easy. 

The book doesn't have the feel of a paranormal book because the book is completely taken over by the dog, Red, and his snarky, witty dialog, sans filter. So, humorous, right? Sigh... Nope." 
 From Tina Hammond's blog on Goodreads.



I have gotten to know Tina over the past couple of months and have read Red Rover and PG-13 version of Red Rover. I loved both versions and have shamelessly fallen in love with Red. So my first reaction to this news was.... WHAT!!!! *GASP*!!!! REALLY????  


Tina had to reassure me a bit, because I was really concerned about this series :)


Aww... its not bad news... just a little more work, that's all. Not looking forward to setting up and running an event, but its all part of the process (I'd rather be writing!) ----Tina Hammond



Tina reassured me (finally!) that it was the title not the story line that was changing (whew) :) So with the magic of a few edits (changing the title) I have a Q&A with Tina Hammond, Red and Teresa about Blind Seduction.


1. Blind Seduction is the first romance/mystery I've read that involves a service dog. What was your inspiration for this story and all your characters?



Ms T: Actually, a lot of the story wrote itself. The German shepherd dog (GSD) is based on my experiences at my local kennel where I bought my GSD. I started the story with no real direction, it was part of the 50K Word Challenge in November. I started to write about a blind woman, Teresa, getting through the trauma of a freak accident right after witnessing the birth of the GSD puppy she wanted. When Teresa is united with the GSD she selected on the day of the accident, it was natural for me to make him a service dog. I wanted Red to be her partner, as well as her friend.



2. Red's personality is very true to the point and very much what I would imagine if my dog were to be able to communicate as well. How were you able to capture/write this character's personality?



Ms T: I have owned GSDs continuously since the mid-80's. My last dog, Spencer was very intelligent (and the cover model for Red Rover). My current GSD, Dexter, is more the goofy type (the cover model for the NA/YA version that will soon be out). Red is a blend of their personalities combined with my sarcasm and, dare I say wit? When reading through their copies of the book, my sister and mom kept saying... OMG, this is so You! Red is how I personally see the world. Maybe I should have been born a dog?



3. How many books are going to be in this series and for us anticipating fans when is the next book going to out?



Ms T: Gosh, a bazillion? I will be writing dual books from this point forward, one for adults with the content I prefer. And a second PG-13-type book concurrently that is less sexually explicit with a slightly different story line to accommodate readers that don't want a sexual tone to their book. I was planning three books total, and I had each plotted, but Red (that rascal) threw me for a loop in the first four chapters of book 2, so I plan to complete at least 3 books - but the new twist opens up a lot more ideas for me.



Does Red have anything comments or hints that he'd like to make right now?

And can he give his opinion on why we should all be reading this series?

I have a steak and I'm not afraid to bribe with it 

I should mention that this steak is fresh, I have a farm



Red (with some help from Teresa): I am totally awesome. And I'm a Handsome Boy. (Teresa: Hey, Pal, just answer the questions... Geez, the first interview question she asks you, and you're already chasing the metaphorical squirrel). 

Red: Squirrel? (Teresa: Focus, Red). 

Red: Okay. Let's see, why should people read the series? This book has it all... the drama of clawing your way through adversity... (Teresa: Red, you were a puppy, tromping over your siblings to get breakfast, that doesn't count as 'clawing your way through adversity'). 

Red: Yeah, but my way sounds better. (Teresa: *sigh*)

Red: This book has crime solving, and intrigue, and a talking dog-- well, sorta, its more that Teresa can mentally hear what I'm saying. She completes me. (Teresa: Okay, Bonehead, cut it out... saying nice things will not get you steak for dinner tonight).

Red: Bummer. Okay, there's also Bastian and David. Teresa is under siege in the book and they sabotage each others' dates because... (Teresa: Hey now, Pal, don't go spilling the whole story here).

Red: But it's one of the best parts! You have to admit its a hoot when you're out on a date with David, then Bas shows up, and visa-versa. I especially liked reading the part... (Teresa: Who are you trying to fool? You can't read, and you can barely count to five).

Red: Ken has been reading the story to me. (Teresa: When did this start? He better be reading the Special Edition to you, you are too young for the original version. Its bad enough he's teaching you slang, I'll fire his butt if he's contributing to the delinquency of a minor. How about answering the question from the interviewer about comments or hints you'd like to make).

Red: First off, I want to hint to Hollywood that I would make a better movie star than Lassie. (Teresa: I think she meant hints about the book)

Red: Well, you can interpret the question in your own way when she asks YOU the questions. Back to Lassie... If Timmy had been MY boy, he would never have fallen down a well in the first place. And What's with the dialog? She had one line! One! "Bark", I mean, Really? And could people not really tell she used body doubles all the time? Then there's... (Teresa: Hey pay, look what I found in my pocket, I have an extra dog cookie)

Red: Cookie? Can I have it? It looks really tasty, and I'm swwwwinking. I'm soooo starving, I haven't eaten in days and days. (Teresa: Save it, you Marlon Brando wanna-be. You gobbled down your breakfast two hours ago. And at 90 pounds, people aren't going to believe you're shrinking).

Red: Oh man, that was so good. (Teresa: Why don't you talk about the next book?)

Red: Oh Gosh! Its great. We get to work with the police some more, and Team Red is being scouted by the military. Maybe we can go to strange and exotic locations? All I know is that I get my own Tuxedo... I'm such a handsome Boy!



Anything you'd like to add Teresa?

Don't be shy. Red's is really stealing your thunder 



Teresa: I have to ask you, who can compete with a talking dog? And one that has such a high degree of Smart-assery in every comment? (Red: I prefer to think of myself as clever. Besides, everyone wants to read about the ‘talking’ dog).

Teresa: He does have a point. It makes for an interesting read when you get unfiltered comments from Red, he pretty much says what’s on his mind. I find myself fortunate to have good friends in Janey, and Ken who really helped in the months after the accident. And then there are Sebastian, and his friend David who add a very nice touch to my story with their darned competitiveness and spirited pursuit. (Red: yeah, like you were really running hard, *snort*)


So here's the scoop:

Team Red ‘Blind’ series:

Blind Seduction, Book 1 (originally issued as Red Rover)

Color Blind, Book 2 (coming May 2013)

Team Red ‘Red’ Series:

Red Rover – Special Edition, Book 1

Red Zone, Book 2 (coming June 2013)

 


I look forward to the next installment of The Blind series and am counting down the days. Red really is a scene stealer, but how could you get mad at him when what he says is adorable, hilarious and very truthful.



Here is the book link:http://www.amazon.com/Blind-Seduction-Team-Red-ebook/dp/B00C8UB0JK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top



Tea with Book Nerd gives this Book a Chai Tea with honey rating:) Blind Seduction had just the right amount of sweetness and spice.

Happy Reading Everyone <3

Love, The Book Nerd