Review of Ambrosia by David-Matthew Barnes

Welcome to the book tour for Ambrosia by David-Matthew Barnes. I call this one a perfect read for those who love "reality TV." Read my full book review and an excerpt below. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Ambrosia 

David-Matthew Barnes

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press 

Date of Publication: April 7, 2021 

ISBN: 9798732649086

ASIN: B091WFG8B8

Number of pages: 217

Word Count: 56,400

Cover Artist: Kingwood Creations

Book Description: 

On the night of her 30th birthday, Tina Duncan is dumped by her musician boyfriend and left with nothing. When her best friend dares her to accept every date she’s asked out on for the next year, Tina accepts the challenge only to confirm her theory that the perfect man no longer exists. 

Tina’s life soon becomes one terrible date after another until she accidentally meets Oliver, a beautiful stranger who arrives at her front door to return her purse he’s found in a cab. Before realizing Oliver might be the man to prove her theory wrong – and is indeed the perfect man for her – he slips away and disappears. 

Convinced she’s lost her one shot at true love, Tina embarks on a city-wide search for a man she hardly knows but is quickly falling in love with.

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Excerpt:

Sex was an evil, dirty thing and because I had so much of it with Geoffrey the Waiter, I knew I was going straight to hell. To make matters worse, Geoffrey was only nineteen, a sophomore at DePaul University (a Catholic school at that) and lived in a dorm room, which is where the immoral act took place. Of course I didn't know any of this when I left work and jumped on a bus taking me south on Michigan Avenue.

As promised, I met Geoffrey at five o'clock. He walked out of the restaurant through the revolving door. To his misfortune, he saw me standing on the corner beneath the yellow blast of a street lamp. I stood there, surrounded by a buzzing swarm of hungry and overstuffed Christmas shoppers who continued to flow in and out of the restaurant like cattle. Despite the fact he was wearing a thick winter parka, a cow-patterned scarf, a knitted black hat, and matching gloves, he was still sexier than I’d remembered. He stood there for a second, just staring. It was at that moment I realized I was still wearing the ridiculous Santa hat.

"Merry Christmas." I felt my chest tighten. I sounded way too enthusiastic. My loathing self-critic began its usual mantra in my head: Oh God, he thinks I'm desperate.

He took a long deep breath, as if he were standing on the edge of a pool and had no idea how to swim. He moved toward me slowly through the crowd. I could see his hesitation. There was dreaded fear in each step. His cheeks were flushed pink from the cold. His hazel eyes held reflections of streetlights and neon signs.

"I didn't think you'd show up," he said.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

He offered me a soft smile. "No, I didn't mean it like that."

Nervous, I looked away. A woman with blonde hair was dragging her crying child down the street by the arm, swearing profusely. I turned back to Geoffrey and strands of my hair flew into my mouth, nearly gagging me. I brushed them away and tried to smile. "I made a horrible first impression on you and I'm sorry."

"It's okay,” he decided. “I forgive you." He smiled again. His dimples practically radiated, warming a frozen spot inside of me. He brushed at a few flakes of snow that had fallen on my cheek, stuck there like wet pieces of tissue paper. He wiped them away with his left index finger. I shivered when the knitted fingertip of his glove made contact with my almost frostbitten skin. "You're cute."

I knew I was blushing. “You don't have to lie."

"Why would I? I hardly even know you."

"We don’t have to do this. I mean, if you want out...” I shifted in my heavy black snow boots. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my old winter coat that was missing a button.

He looked at the top of my head. "Nice hat."

"I was forced to wear this and I'm having a bad hair day."

"Where do you wanna go?"

I shrugged. Then, like an idiot, I giggled. "I don't know."

"Are you hungry?"

"A little."

"You want to get a drink?"

"I'd settle for some hot chocolate."

"I think I can arrange that. I have some hot chocolate back at my place." He reached for my hand, which was numb from the cold, and he held it in his. The softness of his glove rubbed against my palm.

He signaled for a cab. We were on the curb, directly across the street from the massive Art Institute. Beyond that I could see the cold, silver surface of Lake Michigan. "You have beautiful eyes," he said. His words and breath fell onto my lips in a small blast of warm air.

"Thanks," I replied. My teeth began to chatter but I knew it wasn't due to the temperature. I was filled with a sudden flash of anticipation.

**My thoughts**

Tina is not an easy person to like. We meet her when her life is falling apart. Her boyfriend abruptly leaves her for another woman and takes everything with him. She is 30 years old and has basically never worked and her parents can totally spoil her rotten (though she tries to avoid doing that). So she gets a seasonal job selling shoes that she compares to working in a concentration camp [to a Jewish coworker]. Oh, and she had dressed up like a Native American to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a local shelter and then stole some of the food to eat.

Her best friend Darla isn't much better. She has a high-paying job and lives in a posh Chicago apartment rent-free because she is sleeping with the landlord. She adds to Tina's dysfunction by loaning her several thousand dollars to start over and then tells Tina that she has to accept every single date that comes her way, no matter who it is, as a part of her quest to find the perfect man.

Yet as Tina stumbles through the next several weeks, with one disaster after another, many of which are literally on the national stage, I started to almost feel sorry for her. She knows that she is a complete disaster area, and yet seems clueless about how to change this for herself.

For some unknown reason, Fate seems to take pity on her. I even had brief moments of almost being jealous. But I will say that I would prefer to not follow her path to get there.

She's like a lesson in the idea of keeping the faith that everything will work out in the end and to try to learn from your mistakes.

It wasn't my favorite book. I fully admit that. I had a hard time getting through the first third. But then I had an absolute need to find out what kind of trouble she would find herself in next and how she would get out of it. The last 2/3 went by quickly. I did want more with Oliver, though. 

I consider this book perfect for anyone who loves the drama of "reality TV."

Thank you to the author and Bewitching Book Tours for my requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

David-Matthew Barnes is an award-winning author, playwright, poet, and screenwriter. He writes in multiple genres, primarily young adult, romance, thriller, and horror. He is the bestselling author of twelve novels, five produced screenplays, three collections of poetry, seven short stories, and more than sixty stage plays. He graduated with honors from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English. He earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He attended the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA. David-Matthew divides his time between Denver and Los Angeles. He is represented by Hoop Earrings Entertainment.

Website: http://www.dmatthewb.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmatthewbarnes

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmatthewbarnes/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Matthew-Barnes/e/B003YJ87IG

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Chick Lit Book Blast and $10 Sephora Giveaway

"Sassy, sexy, endlessly entertaining, and full of laughs (as well as some heart-wrenching moments), Blogger Girl is one of those books that keeps you up at night because you can't wait to see what happens next." - Tracie Banister, Author of Mixing It Up

What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out.

A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones's Diary, Kim, with her blog, Pastel is the New Black, has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that "chick lit is dead" once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim's day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that's turning heads--and pages--across the land. It's also popped into Kim's inbox--for review.

With their ten-year reunion drawing near, Kim's coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah's book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a "blogger girl" makes the grade in her offline life.

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“A great chick lit book: a strong and confident heroine, a sexy boyfriend you can crush on, supportive friends, and plenty of conflict leading to comical results, culminating in a very satisfying ending.” – Erin Brady, Bestselling Author of The Shopping Swap

Feisty New Yorker Kimberly Long runs the most popular chick lit book blog on the web, loves playing house with her sexy lawyer boyfriend, Nicholas, and is finally pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. At first glance, her life is worthy of five pink champagne flutes. But is there more to the story than meets the eye? After hearing the phrase “chick lit is dead” more times than she’s read The Devil Wears Prada, Kim is driven to desperate measures, seeking advice from up-and-coming chick lit author, Hannah Marshak, her high school nemesis and resident “mean girl.”

As if Kim doesn’t have enough on her plate balancing her secretarial duties with her blog, Pastel is the New Black, shrugging off the growing pile of agent rejections, and keeping her best friend from turning green over Kim’s budding friendship with Hannah, Nicholas is so blinded by his career ambitions, he doesn’t see that their home sweet home could use more than a dash of sugar.

This is the year when all of Kim’s dreams—professional and romantic—are supposed to come true, but will her story have a happily ever after or will Kim end up unpublished and all alone?

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About the author

A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to. After trying her hand penning children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing chick lit and contemporary women’s fiction. She secures much inspiration from her day job as a hard-working trademark paralegal and her still single (but looking) status. Meredith is also the co-founder of BookBuzz, a live author/reader event held annually. She is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner. Novelista Girl is her fifth novel.

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'Diary of a Single Wedding Planner (Tales Behind the Veils Volume 1)' by Violet Howe #Blast & #Giveaway

Wedding planner Tyler Warren left heartbreak behind when she ran away from her small Southern hometown and started a new life in a big city. Years later, she wants to believe in the fairy-tale endings her job promotes, but the clients she meets day after day seem to be more “Crazily Ever After” than “Happily Ever After.”

Meanwhile, her own attempts at romance play out as bizarre comedies rather than love stories, and she’s starting to think Prince Charming either fell off his horse or got eaten by a dragon. When unresolved issues from Tyler’s past complicate things even further, she discovers she may yet have some things to figure out before she can find her own happy ending.

This delightful first book in the Tales Behind the Veils series chronicles Tyler’s wacky misadventures, both personal and professional. Whether she’s getting insane requests from brides or outlandish requests on dates, you’re sure to be charmed and entertained by the Diary of a Single Wedding Planner.

Buy on Amazon

 

About the author:

Violet Howe enjoys writing romance with humor. She lives in Florida with her husband, who is her knight in shining armor, and their two handsome sons. They share their home with three adorable but spoiled dogs. When she’s not writing, Violet is usually watching movies, reading, or planning her next travel adventure. You can follow Violet’s ramblings on her blog, The Goddess Howe.

Find Violet: Website | Facebook | Twitter 

The Goddess Howe: Blog | Facebook | Twitter

 

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Becky Monson, author of 'Speak Now, Or Forever Hold Your Peace' shares her playlist

My Playlist

Before I became an author, I wanted to become a famous singer. It was my dream. Me and Jordan from New Kids on The Block were going to get married and tour together and have babies that grew up on the road with their musical parents. It was so meant to be.

It wasn’t until around the age of twenty six—after a very small jaunt with a record label and an album—that I realized, it wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t devastated. It was a long and somewhat tiring journey to get to that point, and so it was not that hard to walk away from it all.

Music is and always will be a part of my life. These days I sing concerts for my children as they plug their ears and ask me to stop. They’ll warm up to me … someday.

So when asked if I listen to music while I write, the answer is a big, resounding, DUH! Of course I do. It’s like the joining up of two things I love dearly. I make playlists for all my books. Sometimes they go along with the story, sometimes I just like the tone of a song and it gives me all the feels when I’m writing.

I thought I might share one of my playlists for Speak Now (there were a few playlists for this book). This one is called “Ian & Bridgette”:

• Little Things – One Direction (Don’t judge me, I love me some boy bands.)

• Not a Bad Thing – Justin Timberlake (He used to be part of a boy band.)

• Chandelier (Piano Version) – Sia (Download this version immediately. It’s amazing.)

• One Last Time – Ariana Grande (I’m totally being judged for my love of pop music, aren’t I…) 

• Night Changes – One Direction (Yep. More boy bands.) 

• The Heart Wants What it Wants – Selena Gomez (Love the lyrics on this one.)

• Mirrors – Justin Timberlake (This is by far my favorite song from him.

• Still Into You – Paramore (Love these lyrics.)

• How You Get the Girl – Taylor Swift (Can’t have a playlist without some T-Swift in it.)

• Begin Again – Taylor Swift (The lyrics of this song are so poetic and really wonderful.) 

And there you have it. If you haven’t read Speak Now, don’t read into these lyrics too much, or it might be a little spoiler-y. ;) I’m definitely inspired by the music I listen to.

(PS I won’t apologize for my love of music that should only be listened to by teenagers. Although, if asked in a public forum, I might lie.)

If there’s one thing that Bridgette Reynolds has learned recently, it’s that the perfect shoes, the perfect hair, and the perfect dress do not make for the perfect proposal. In fact, sometimes they make for the not-so-perfect breakup.

Now, Bridgette must do everything in her power to win Adam back. She knows they are meant to be. And nothing will stand in her way—not her friends, not her grandmother, not even the fact that Adam is now engaged to Serene after a whirlwind romance.

Focused on her plan to win Adam back, Bridgette isn’t expecting Ian—her college best friend, her love, her big regret—to come back into her life. They sink back into their comfortable friendship as if no time has passed at all, making Bridgette start to question her feelings for Adam. But Ian has a few secrets of his own . . . secrets that could shatter their friendship once and for all.

Bridgette has to make some major decisions—should she speak now? Or forever hold her peace?

Buy on Amazon

About the author:
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.

Follow Becky:

Website: http://www.beckymonson.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmonsonauthor

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Becky-Monson/e/B00DMB4HYY

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/BeckyMonson

Literary Addicts: http://literaryaddicts.ning.com/profile/BeckyMonson

     

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Review of 'Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace' by Becky Monson

If there’s one thing that Bridgette Reynolds has learned recently, it’s that the perfect shoes, the perfect hair, and the perfect dress do not make for the perfect proposal. In fact, sometimes they make for the not-so-perfect breakup.

Now, Bridgette must do everything in her power to win Adam back. She knows they are meant to be. And nothing will stand in her way—not her friends, not her grandmother, not even the fact that Adam is now engaged to Serene after a whirlwind romance.

Focused on her plan to win Adam back, Bridgette isn’t expecting Ian—her college best friend, her love, her big regret—to come back into her life. They sink back into their comfortable friendship as if no time has passed at all, making Bridgette start to question her feelings for Adam. But Ian has a few secrets of his own . . . secrets that could shatter their friendship once and for all.

Bridgette has to make some major decisions—should she speak now? Or forever hold her peace?

**My thoughts**

It's official. Becky Monson is my favorite contemporary chick lit author. This is her third book, and the second one that I have read. (I swear I am going to get to that other one soon!) Reading her books is like reading about myself in a parallel universe.

Bridgette is slowly trying to get herself put together. Her world came crashing down when Adam dumped her. She is determined to fight her way back into his life. She holds onto his family by still hanging out with his mom (something I may or may not have done). She has these fantasies of how they will end up back together. She tries to make him jealous. Come on, how many of us have *not* done something like that? Maybe we haven't gone to the same extremes, but we have at least entertained the thoughts.

And then there is the Ian wrinkle. How many of us have that unrequited love from the past? The One That Got Away. What would you do if he suddenly reappeared in your life? Would you go for it, or would you keep on with your life as it is? 

I found myself pondering my own situations while reading this book. I reminsced about similar men and similar situations in my past. I found myself melding with Brigette, and some of those past loves of my life blending with Adam and Ian. Isn't that the mark of a great book? Feeling like you are one with the characters?

You also get the hints of Bridget Jones moments (or insert your favorite Brit chick lit character here) that keep you laughing and also hanging your head in embarassment. (Is the name an homage to everyone's favorite chick lit character that started this wave?) You cherish her triumphs and mourn her losses. You may think you know exactly how this book is going to pan out, but I promise you there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing all along the way. 

I just loved this book, and I can't wait for the next one!

Buy on Amazon

About the author:

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.

Follow Becky:

Website: http://www.beckymonson.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmonsonauthor

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Becky-Monson/e/B00DMB4HYY

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/BeckyMonson

Literary Addicts: http://literaryaddicts.ning.com/profile/BeckyMonson

     

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Check out a deleted scene from 'Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem' by D.E. Haggerty

A Deleted Scene

Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem

by D.E. Haggerty

I barge into the police station at full speed nearly running into the desk. “Where are my old ladies?” I ask in between gasps. The sergeant behind the desk raises an eyebrow at me but doesn’t say anything.

Jack almost crashes into me from behind. “Man you’re fast,” he pants. “Where are they?” He asks as his eyes search the area.

I shrug and point to the desk sergeant. She stares at us but doesn’t respond. “Ma’am? We’re here to bail out our friends?”

“Bail out?” Ah, it speaks.

“Yeah,” I nod. Isn’t that what you do when someone gets picked up by the police? Fortunately, I’m not an expert.

“We don’t do that here,” she finally says after a long silence.

“Oh, um, can we see them?”

The woman sighs. “I don’t even know who you’re talking about.”

I tilt my head at her confused. I’m sure I saw a police car with the quirky quintet in it. I take a deep breath and rattle off the names of the ladies. “I saw them in a police car coming this way.”

“Have a seat” is her only response.

I look at Jack and raise my eyebrows but he just shrugs. We move to the plastic chairs set against the wall and sit down. Only a few minutes pass before Noel comes out. He swaggers towards us with a huge grin on his face. I collapse in relief against Jack. Noel grabs my hand and pulls me out of the seat. He gives me a hard closed mouth kiss and then rests his forehead against mine. “Those ladies are beyond crazy,” he whispers.

“You’re telling us.” I can practically hear Jack roll his eyes as he responds.

“Please tell me you didn’t arrest them.” I whisper to Noel. He chuckles as he pulls away from me. “Come see for yourself.”

I look at Jack but he just shrugs in response. He stands and we follow Noel to an interrogation room. The ladies are sitting around the table gabbing away looking for all the world as if they’re having a coffee klatch. They don’t even notice us arrive. I clear my throat and wait.

“Oh hi Izzy,” Betty says and then turns to Ally who is sitting next to her. “And did you see the blonde one? I tried to pinch his bottom but he ran away.”

I feel my face heat as I turn to Noel. “What exactly happened?”

Noel leans against the wall and crosses his arms across his chest. He’s back into detective mode. “These ladies decided to check out the mining company. They were demanding to see the CEO and harassing the poor receptionist. Security came and tried to get them to leave but of course they wouldn’t.”

“We had every right to be there,” Betty butts in. The other ladies nod and grunt their agreement.

Noel shakes his head but doesn’t contradict them. “The police were called and they were asked to leave.”

“It doesn’t sound like they did anything bad enough to have them hauled to the police station.” I say and cross my arms, worried that my old lady gang is being targeted because of their relationship with me.

Noel looks at me quickly before turning to the ladies. “Didn’t they?” He raises an eyebrow at them.

The ladies look down at their hands and squirm in their seats. “Oh god, what did they do?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Ally whispers.

“Shush,” Betty says, but Martha speaks anyway. “It’s not our fault. They were just so scrumptious.”

Noel shakes his head and looks to me. “According to the two arresting officers, they were sexually harassed.”

The ladies harrumph. “Everything is sexual harassment these days. Look at us. How could we ever harass anyone.” Betty now looks the picture of innocent. Yeah right.

Jack grabs a seat. “Which officers are we talking about? What did they look like?”

I sigh and bang me head against the wall. Why me? Noel grabs me and pulls me out of the room. He leans his forehead and against mine and whispers. “It’s okay. They’re not under arrest. The officers just thought they’d teach the lady crew a lesson.” He shakes his head. “They have no clue.”

I smile and give Noel a quick kiss. “So I can take them home?”

“Yeah, baby,” he sighs. “Please get them out of here.”

Humorous Chick Lit with a Dash of Murder/Mystery
Date Published: March 1, 2015

Blurb:

My name is Izzy. I drink too much, am clumsier than a newborn foal, and my brain-to-mouth filter often malfunctions. My daredevil husband killed himself in a parachuting accident five years ago and my best friend Jack has decided it’s time I jump back in the dating pool. He’s perfectly happy to throw me in if I don’t listen. Just when things in the dating world start to heat up, my grandma dies. Only her knitting group of Jessica Fletcher wannabes is sure it’s murder. I’m not convinced but I’m always up for a bit of excitement as long as it doesn’t lead to a night in jail. Well, more than one night anyway. Will I miss my chance at love because I’m chasing imaginary killers? Did someone really kill grandma or am I and my merry band of geriatric thieves imagining things?

Read an excerpt:

“Excuse me,” I say as I try to catch the bartender’s attention. The bartender, however, is more interested in the young girls prancing around than in me. I sigh and lean onto the bar ensuring that the girls are visible. “Excuse me,” I say again, but this time I use a sultry voice – or at least that’s what I’m going for. The bartender finally looks my way and I smile when I see his eyes immediately lured to my cleavage. Gotcha! “Tequila shot with a beer chaser, please.” He jumps to fulfill my order, but nearly trips as he attempts to maintain eye contact with my bosom and reach for the tequila bottle at the same time.

I hear someone chuckle beside me and turn to see a hotter than hot piece of male specimen staring at me. I immediately feel my face burn. The bartender saves me by slamming my drinks down in front of me. I grab the tequila shot and quickly down it before latching onto the beer to soothe my burning esophagus. Good thing I have lots of practice or I would probably spit the beer out like a college freshman during rush week, although I may have coughed just a teensy bit. 

Sufficiently fortified, I turn to the man again and notice him watching me. He raises an eyebrow. “I tried that trick earlier,” he says, tilting his head towards the bar, “but the bartender didn’t seem impressed with my assets.” I look him up and down. “You look pretty hot to me,” I say and then slap my hand over my mouth when I realize my comment probably sounded like some lame pick-up line. “Sorry.” Is it possible for my face to spontaneously burst into flames? “Sometimes my mouth opens before my brain can stop it.”

The man laughs and shakes his head. He reaches out to shake my hand just as a loud, obnoxious bell rings. “That’s my cue,” I say as I jump off the barstool. I wobble a bit, and hottie reaches out to steady me with his hand on my elbow. I gasp as a current of pure electricity moves through my arm. I startle and nearly trip in my heels.

I manage to steady myself and smile at Mr. Dreamboat before going off to search for Jack. Before I can find him, I catch sight of another cocktail waitress. I grab a glass of red before locating Jack, who is surrounded by women who are obviously on the prowl. To the casual observer, he seems to be reveling in the attention, but I see his eyes frantically search the room before landing on me. I immediately stalk forward, grab his hand, and pull him away.

Buy links

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About D.E. Haggerty

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but think I’m a European. After spending my senior year of high school in Germany, I developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. My flying Dutch husband and I have lived in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands, Germany and now Istanbul. We still haven’t decided if we want to settle down somewhere – let alone where. Although I’ve been a military policewoman, a commercial lawyer, and a B&B owner, I think with writing I may have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. That’s assuming I ever grow up, of course. Between tennis, running, traveling, singing off tune, drinking entirely too many adult beverages, and reading books like they are going out of style, I write articles for a local expat magazine and various websites, review other indie authors’ books, write a blog about whatever comes to mind and am working on my fifth book.

Website: http://www.dehaggerty.com

Blog: http://www.dehaggerty.com/mymusings

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/denaehaggerty

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DEHaggerty/posts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty

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Review of 'Fairy Nuff' by Jane Killick

Fairy Nuff

by Jane Killick

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Stuck in a fairy costume with magical powers, Julie “Nuff” Nuffield wishes for anything she wants. But when magic turns mischievous, a dishy doctor literally sweeps her off her feet — with a broom! — and a million pound coins trap her in her house, she must find a way out of the chaos. All while contemplating sleeping with her ex again. Sound unfair for a single woman battling through life? Or is it Fairy Nuff?

A fun story of one woman’s quest for love and search for the right wish to bring her happiness. A light-hearted romantic comedy from the author of If Wishes Were Husbands.

Read an excerpt:

Julie “Nuff” Nuffield is talking to her struggling actress friend, Eileen, when the pantomime cast arrive, including the man who is playing Prince Charming…

I was only half listening to Eileen because most of my attention was focused on his bum. Something inside of me wanted to go up and take hold of both his buttocks and give them a good squeeze.

‘I think he’s sexy,’ I said.

‘Then you’ve clearly never met him,’ said Eileen. ‘He’s an arse.’

‘That’s the bit I like about him the best,’ I said, imagining what his beautiful bottom must look like without being covered by trousers.

Eileen gave me a stern look. ‘Forget it, Nuffy. He’s ten years younger than you and he treats women like he treats the daily paper — reads the bits he likes, then throws it away before having a new one delivered.’

‘Still…’ I said. And, as I watched him, talking animatedly with his fellow cast, dominating the conversation with exaggerated gestures and his tall stature, an idea was forming. ‘I wish…’ I said.

‘No!’ said Eileen, holding her hands up like a thief caught red-handed. ‘Don’t say it.’

But I knew what I was doing. This time, it wasn’t a slip of the tongue. This time I really meant it. ‘I wish I could go out with Prince Charming,’ I said.

Eileen stared at me in horror. ‘Nuff! What have you done?’

‘I suddenly thought, I’ve been given a gift. Why not have some fun with it?’

Buy links

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**My thoughts**

This book is cute! I am trying to imagine what I would do if I was suddenly thrust into being a fairy. Nuff is your classic modern British heroine, who stumbles over her own feet, making an arse out of herself as she makes her way through life. Adding to her hilarious antics are those moments where her wishes are taken quite literally, in an Amelia Bedelia sort of way. You can often guess what is about to happen as soon as the wish comes out of her mouth.

Throw in a bit of romance and dedicated friendship and you have a tremendously fun and quick read to quickly pass a summer afternoon. It could be fun to see what other trouble she can get into with later escapades!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

British author Jane Killick lives the single life in Buckinghamshire, England, drawing on her experience to write fun stories about trying to find the right man. Often with a magical twist, as in her novels Fairy Nuff and If Wishes Were Husbands.

She trained as a radio journalist and has worked from many radio stations, from the BBC to commercial companies. Her expertise also lies in science fiction and led to many years writing for science fiction magazines and books about television shows, such as her behind-the-scenes book about Red Dwarf, Stasis Leaked Complete.

More at: www.janekillick.com

Publisher site: http://windtreepress.com/pages/authors/jane-killick

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JaneKillick.writer

Twitter: www.twitter.com/janekillick

Jane will be awarding a paperback copy of her previous novel, If Wishes Were Husbands as well as a complimentary ebook of the same title in pdf, mobi for Kindle, or epub (international) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Review of 'I'm Still Here' by Kathryn R. Biel

I'm Still Here

It started out as an ordinary day for Esther Comely-Cox, if you consider simultaneously totaling your car, smashing a Ho Ho in your face and meeting a handsome doctor ordinary. Estranged from her family over her sister's mental illness and death, Esther can't help but feel alone. And when Esther hears the voice of her twin sister who committed suicide seven years ago, she begins to question her own sanity, leading her to wonder if anything is what it seems. Searching for answers, Esther must confront her past while looking towards a new future—one in which she is finally accepted. Through humor and heartbreak, Esther learns that blood does not mean family, that absence does not make the heart grow fonder and that silence can speak volumes.

Put I'm Still Here on your TBR list! 

**My thoughts**

This read was a rollercoaster of emotions, making me laugh out loud and then choking up from moment to moment. Esther is messed up, yet trying to figure out herself and what she wants out of life. When you read about her crazy family and antics, you almost want to say, "No way that happened!" Yet, it is completely believable at the same time. 

I like Esther, because she is witty and just real. I wish I could be as quick-tongued as she is, yet I wouldn't want to deal with her problems. I want to be her friend, but know that I would be shaking my head at half of her antics and stories.

And you've gotta love two hottie doctors! O.K. is well beyond okay. I think I developed a bit of a crush on him, myself.

I also loved the setting. I am familiar with Ohio and Upstate New York, so I felt at home while reading a lot of this book.

If you love crazy, laugh-out-loud, tug-at-your-heartstrings stories by women like Helen Fielding, Sophie Kinsella, Marion Keyes, you will love Esther and her story.

Buy on Amazon / B&N / Kobo

About the author:

Telling stories of resilient women, Kathryn Biel hails from upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients' needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather (kathrynbiel.blogspot.com). She is the author of Good Intentions (2013) and Hold Her Down (2014). Please feel free to follow on Twitter (@KRBiel) or on Facebook (Kathryn R. Biel: Author)

Follow Kathryn:

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads


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'Dee Lori's Table 42' by Jolie DeMarco

Blurb:

A young female Frommer’s writer on assignment of the consistency of food- eats at the same order by number restaurant with her goof ball mag -writer girlfriend. Both friends are aspiring to be “more” in writing. One is writing a book of intriguing short stories from her dreams and meditations- on the side of her real job as a dining blog critic. The other- scripting a psychic TV game show for a Californian mogul simultaneously writing for Miami’s hottest trash magazine called “BLAH”.

Both writers insanely determined –filling their voids in life by multi-tasking find their selves entering a fiction contest with Createspace for fifty grand. This contest is just one of their many competitions and quests for “more.”

These BFFs express their written shorts as they eat at the same place- 6 weeks in a row. They evaluate their non- existent love lives and decide to change monotony by betting substantial amounts of money on each other’s dates. How you ask? By using their newfound ability to psychically read auras and energy from their countless male coffee dates.

Both twenty something’s are crazy talented with dimensional outlooks of their abilities as “readers and writers.” They increase their high vibrations and truths through an intuition workshop at a local Mindful Center. This is a special place with the feel of an energy vortex that exceeds the norm of a retail crystal shop. It has an organic tea bar including the oddly normal looking psychic that teaches them telepathic mind skills. The friends find that there are no coincidences, but experience many lessons with outrageous outcomes.

Available on Amazon

FREE through 5/24

About the author:

Jolie has had hardships like everyone; she has healed from mold poisoning, melanoma and cervical spine surgery all within 3 years. As a young child she was able to sense energies around her- later she had a near death experience that re-opened her spirit connection. She often says these experiences gave her ‘character”, and that she was “re-wired” to be a clearer channel of messages and conduit of healing energies.

Jolie is an advocate of high vibrational living (that means happily). She is an inspirational Speaker, Author, Certified Angel Messenger, Clairvoyant, and Medium and Empath. Jolie is a Reiki Master, Crystal healer and innovator of Light Tunnel Energy Healing TM. She refers herself as a pipeline or conduit for these healing modalities, which includes emotional, mental and physical and energetic body reading.

Jolie enjoys sharing her “gifts” with others. She has helped many people with “channeled messages;” special messages she receives through her 6th sense. Jolie’s mission is to share knowledge empowering people across the globe.

Contact

Jolie DeMarco 561-843-9222

Websites
JolieMFA@live.com
www.JolieDeMarco.com
www.Academyoftelepathy.com
www.PREHAB4TEENS.com
Facebook:My Flora Aura healing
YOUTUBE Jolie DeMarco

'Blunder Woman' by Tanya Eby

Blunder Woman - PROMO Blitz

By Tanya Eby

Contemporary Romance / Chick Lit / Women's Fiction / Romantic Comedy

Date Published: 1/15/2014

Chloe Knaggs is a bit of a nerd, a bit of a klutz, and all Blunder Woman, especially when it comes to love. Take the love of her life, Matt M. - or as she calls him - Mmm. He's her consummate unboyfriend, meaning, they have all the intimacy of a dating couple without any of the intimacy. Confused? So is Chloe. When Matt decides to elope with the very beautiful, svelte Amber, Chloe goes a little bit crazy and takes her hippy mom and best friend Megan right along with her.

Blunder Woman is a hilarious romp with bright characters through a series of misadventures including a derby party gone horribly wrong, a night of drinking Flaming Turtles, and a fundraising event where the biggest blunder of all occurs. Blunder Woman is funny, fresh, and above all real...in a truly awkward way.

WARNING: "Blunder Woman" will make you snort out loud so drinking while reading is not recommended.

EXCERPT

Two 

A Brief (but not brief enough) History About Matt 

I’ve done these things before.

I didn’t want to go to the stupid Employee Esteem Training but I had to. I’d just been hired part-time at the musical society to write grants and organize fundraisers and I had to show that I was part of the team, a real go-getter, a team player. (More on this musical society later. Work is important, but right now I’m talking about the love of my life.) So the team-building thing was mandatory. No go, no job, end of story. So I was very pleased to walk into the Wedgwood Center (a.k.a. The Happy Place) and see a very handsome and very male individual standing in the center of the room, arms open and smiling. Sex appeal came off of him in waves, the way the scent of Axe deodorant pours off high school boys.

We had uncoffee on Tuesday. Followed by unlunch (I was too nervous to eat) and an unwalk (we sat on a park bench and talked). I thought, I’ve found him. He’s the One, and leaned in to kiss him. He answered a call on his phone. It was his mom. At the end of our ‘date’ he hugged me to him, told me he loved spending time with me, that I was unlike anyone he’d ever met.

 I’ve loved him for two years. Two years of incredible conversations and ‘undates’. Of having dinner together, and movies, and celebrating each other’s birthday parties. Two years of meeting him for uncoffees and having unsex (meaning elaborate sex fantasies only in my mind), of being at his beck and call. Two years of celebrating holidays not on the holiday, but near it. Of talking about our daily lives on the phone or while curled up watching a movie. And when I stop to think about it, two years of never meeting his friends, never meeting his family, and never, not ever, meeting his penis.

I’ve loved him for two years. Two! I probably love him still. And I hate his guts for that. Really. I do.

Tanya Eby

Tanya Eby is an audiobook narrator and novelist living in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her tiki-obsessed husband and two quirky kids.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Email: Tanya@tanyaeby.com

Buy Links
Amazon | Smashwords | Audio Book

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