Thursday, March 21, 2013

A Fallow Heart Review


About A Fallow Heart by Linda Kage


Ten years ago, an oil tycoon’s daughter and a farmer’s son shared a moment neither would ever forget. When she left town in disgrace, a piece of her stayed locked deep within his soul. And like the ground he tended, his emotions lay fallow for years. Cooper Gerhardt’s deeply buried feelings for Jo Ellen Rawlings grew more fertile over time, just waiting for the day she would return to release his deepest desires.


When she strolls back into Tommy Creek, Texas for her ten-year class reunion, Cooper shows her farm boy style exactly what she missed by leaving. Starting a short-term affair is simply unavoidable. But when the week is over, can either of them let go of the responsibilities and apprehensions keeping them apart? Or will their fallow hearts learn to flourish together?

Stephanie's Review of A Fallow Heart

What can I say? I absolutely loved A Fallow Heart! It’s one of those books that will keep you up late at night waiting to see what will happen next. One of those books that you can so easily relate to that it keeps you on the edge hoping it will never end but, so desperately wanting to know what happens at the end. You know the kind I’m talking about…. The ones that make your pulse rise and your eyes water.  Yeah… it’s that kind of book!


I absolutely fell in love with Cooper- the well-mannered, good looking and an all-out gentleman who was just a well-raised farm boy. Sometimes, so much of a gentleman that he gets his heart broke in fear of holding back his true love from her own dreams. With that said, Jo Ellen was just as much a lady. Never wanting to get in the way of anyone else, never wanting to leave loose ends unraveled and not wanting to risk getting her own heart broke, she stayed away from the one person she knew would love her like no one else could.

Throughout the story, my hear broke a dozen times. Watching fate turn to good, then bad, then good again… and well, the moment when he walked into the high school for their 10 year reunion, I just knew it would be fireworks. Sadly enough, she would never know that he was there. Never know because when he found her the dark hallway with Travis, his heart shattered and he walked away without saying a word.

Needless, to say- keep a box of tissues handy because this one is a real tear-jerker.

A Fallow Heart was a great read- so much so that it will go down on my list of forever favorites. I can’t help but wonder if there will be a second book to the story. While A Fallow Heart was well-written and had a great ending, I can’t help but wonder what might happen next. Hmm, I wonder if the author, Linda Kage might consider writing a sequel and treat us to what happens next for Jo Ellen and Cooper. I know I would be excited to reading it! 

Where to Buy A Fallow Heart

BUY: Amazon              
BUY: Barnes & Noble 
BUY:  Publisher           
BUY: AllRomance       



Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Review: Paula's Place - The Collection (BDSM/Erotica)

About Paula's Place 

I am no longer the innocent girl; I am blissful, complete, and knowing.


This is Paula's story, the entire three books of Paula's Place complete in one edition. It includes Seduction: A steamy, explicit erotic romance of sexual fantasies come real. Fate brings Paula back to her hometown, where she meets her dark handsome neighbor. Surrender: Paula is drawn into her lover's world of domination and submission, where sensation and lust commingle with intimacy and trust. As Paula surrenders her body to pleasure, she knows she is losing her heart. Submission: Paula struggles to reconcile her feelings with her concern that things are going too fast. As her slide towards bliss only gathers pace, how will their love affair end? Does she even have a choice, or is her submission complete?

This is the entire work of the Paula's Place trilogy and includes the unabridged texts of SeductionSurrender, and Submission, all previously released individually by 1001 Nights Press. It is a graphic and explicit work of erotic D/s fiction intended for adults only. { Blurb from Amazon.com}

Stephanie's Review of Paula's Place - The Collection

 Paula’s Place, The Collection, is a compilation of three BDSM short stories; Paula’s Seduction, Paula’s Surrender and Paula Submission, by James Wood. These three short stories feature the deep, dark hidden fantasies of Paula.

 Paula’s Place is a hot little series of BDSM short stories written by author James Wood; an obviously imaginative author with a few kinky fantasies of his own. I mean really, how can one be expected to write about such things in great detail if they haven’t pondered on it a few times themselves, right? 

 Paula’s Seduction is the ‘beginning’ of the story and sets the stage for a hot and kinky session of BDSM 101 in the short versionPaula's Seduction doesn't include as much erotica as the next two books but, keep in mind- it's only of the beginning of the story. I do feel that it a must-read if you are going to read the entire series. Plus, it's available to download for free so that you can get a taste of the series. ( I have included the free links below.)

 Paula's Surrender  is packed full of wild, erotic scenes as Paula learns about bondage, obedience and other roles of a BDSM submissive.

 Paula’s Submission comes as the grand finale and packs the most heat as Paula reaches the ultimate submission which weighs on her every desire and whether or not she can actually play the role of a submissive or if it will all be too much.

This steamy little collection consists of 160 pages. The perfect size for a quick read that cuts to the chase and for a hot and steamy story without being too much or too little. -- Picture something along the lines of Fifty Shades of Grey- minus all the ‘lovey- dovey, get to know you before I bang you,’ type of stuff. Take out all the normal mantra for a romance book and leave just the heated BDSM scenes… then you will have the equivalent to Paula’s Place.

*** I do think it’s worth noting, just in case it’s not obvious- this is a very graphic, erotica romance based on BDSM with bondage. If you are offended by graphic language or sex scenes then these are not the books for you. However, if you do enjoy these types of books, then Paula’s Place is a must-read!

Where to Buy Paula's Place





Paula's Place The Collection in paperback at
BUY: Amazon               
BUY: Barnes & Noble

~*~



Paula's Seduction - Part 1 - FREE ebook downloads at
FREE at: Amazon              
FREE at: Barnes & Noble  
FREE at:  Smashwords           

~*~



Paula's Surrender - Part 2 - is available in ebook at
BUY: Amazon              
BUY: Barnes & Noble  
BUY: Smashwords        

~*~


Paula's Submission - Part 3 - is available in ebook at
BUY: Amazon             
BUY: Barnes & Noble 
BUY: Smashwords       

FTC Disclosure: Please note that I did receive a copy of Paula's Place- The Collection in exchange for an honest review. The review above is my own honest opinion. Stephanie {Stephanie's Book Shelf} is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Smashwords.com.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Kid's Book Review Club

After pondering for quite sometime now, I have decided to start Kid's Book Review Club as a place to share my book reviews for kids. As a book reviewer and a mother of a wonderful little two year old, I have decided to branch out from my original book review blog,Stephanie's Book Shelfand create a blog just for kids and parents. 

By creating a separate blog just for children's book reviews I am hoping to reach a greater audience without having to worry about sensitizing my reviews on this blog in fear of children coming across adult book reviews. I figured this would be the safest, funnest way to blog about kids book reviews. 

In addition to book reviews, I will also be posting reading lists for children, kid's book giveaways and much more- all related to children's literature, of course! 

I welcome any and all ideas and even your own reviews of your favorite kids books. If you would like to share a review of your favorite book or have your book reviewed, email me at kidsbookreviewclub@gmail.com 

Monday, March 18, 2013

Review: Desert Flower by Angela Scott


About Desert Flower

Bodies have a canny way of finding Samantha Jean Haggert--the first, the dead body of her mama; the second, a naked man in the middle of the Arizona desert. For Sam, dealing with one dead body in her lifetime was more than unfair. Two is downright cruel.

Seven years after running from West Virginia, Sam's now a young woman of nineteen, trying to put the pieces of her life together with the help of her family—Jacob, Boone, and Laura. But the naked man in the desert spirals her world out of control, resurrecting past hurts and revealing old secrets. It also pits against one another the two men who vie for her heart: Carson, her friend, her first kiss, and the one man who knows everything about her past and loves her despite it; and Turner, the stranger who knows nothing, but who excites and frustrates her all at once.

When bad choices made as a child lead to more bad choices as a young adult, Sam finds herself at a crossroads, forced to face her demons head-on if she plans to have any future at all—with Carson, with Turner, or with anyone. But fixing the wrongs of the past takes time, and learning to forgive one's self is damn near impossible.

Stephanie's Review of Desert Flower

After reading and enjoying Desert Rice, by Angela Scott, I couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to review the sequel, Desert Flower. While I usually sway towards romance books, I can’t help but be a huge fan of author Angela Scott, along with little Sam and Jacob.

Desert Flower picks up 7 years later from where Desert Rice left off. As with the first book in the series, Desert Flower is a heart-wrenching roller coaster full of ups and downs. The only difference is that now, little Sam is all grown up. At just 19, she faces more trials and tragedy, and yet- another dead body unexpectedly and unnerving.  After all, riding through the desert no one expects to stumble upon what she does. I mean really, no one expects to encounter their 2nd homicide in less than 8 years…

If finding another body isn’t enough, she has to live her life knowing how her mother truly died, knowing that her brother, Jacob, has a child that he knows nothing about, and now, her own love life hangs by a thread. I’ll stop there before I have to issue a spoiler alert, but you get the point.

Once again, author Angela Scott does a great job of keeping you on the edge with your own heart dangling on the line while reading about the Haggert’s. The characters are all so real, the scenarios so realistic, and the way the story is written- you can put yourself right there- center stage.  One of those books where when the character cries, you cry. When the character is happy, you find yourself smiling as you turn the pages. Truly heartfelt and captivating to say the least!

Desert Flower carried on the great suspense as expected from author Angela Scott and Desert Rice.  Another great read and another well-deserved 5 stars! 



Where to Buy Desert Rice and Desert Flower

Desert Rice and Desert Flower are both available in paperback and ebook formats at various book stores online. 

Desert Rice
BUY:Amazon                
BUY:  Kindle                 
BUY:  Barnes & Noble  
BUY:  Nook                    
BUY:  iTunes                 

Desert Flower
BUY: Amazon                
BUY: Kindle                  
BUY: Barnes & Noble 
BUY:  Nook                   
BUY:  iTunes                

      

About Author Angela Scott

I hear voices. Tiny fictional people sit on my shoulders and whisper their stories in my ear. Instead of medicating myself, I decided to pick up a pen, write down everything those voices tell me, and turn it into a book. I'm not crazy. I'm an author. For the most part, I write contemporary Young Adult novels. However, through a writing exercise that spiraled out of control, I found myself writing about zombies terrorizing the Wild Wild West--and loving it. My zombies don't sparkle, and they definitely don't cuddle. At least, I wouldn't suggest it.

I live on the benches of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with two lovely children, one teenager, and a very patient husband. I graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in English, not because of my love for the written word, but because it was the only major that didn't require math. I can't spell, and grammar is my arch nemesis. But they gave me the degree, and there are no take backs.

As a child, I never sucked on a pacifier; I chewed on a pencil. I've been writing that long. It has only been the past few years that I've pursued it professionally, forged relationships with other like-minded individuals, and determined to make a career out of it.

You can find me at my website, where I blog obsessively about my writing process and post updates on my current works. I'm also on Twitter and Facebook, but be forewarned, I tweet and post more than a normal person.

~ Connect with Angela Scott~ 



Sunday, March 17, 2013

GIVEAWAY: A Bride by Moonlight by Liz Carlyle


Welcome to the 

A Bride by Moonlight 

Book Tour and Giveaway!


About A Bride by Moonlight


Royden Napier, Baron Saint-Bryce, is tall, dark, and ruthless—and on the hunt for a dangerous beauty . . . On the eve of her escape to the Continent, bold, beautiful Lisette Colburne accepts a proposal she dare not refuse: masquerade as the future bride of the steely-eyed Royden Napier and help him solve his most dangerous case. Soon Lisette is in even greater danger—of losing her heart to the one man with the power to destroy her . . .

Estranged from his aristocratic family, the enigmatic Napier has forged a reputation as Scotland Yard's most relentless police commissioner. He's vowed to bring Lisette to justice—but with every forbidden kiss and every tantalizing touch, he finds himself becoming less convinced of her guilt . . . and more certain he must have her. But when danger touches Lisette, can he save her?


Where to Buy A Bride by Moonlight



Meet Liz Carlyle

A lifelong Anglophile, Liz Carlyle cut her teeth reading gothic novels under the bedcovers by flashlight. She is the author of over twenty historical romances, including several New York Times bestsellers. Liz travels incessantly, ever in search of the perfect setting for her next book. Along with her genuine romance-hero husband and four very fine felines, she makes her home in North Carolina.


Connect with Liz Carlyle




~ Giveaway ~

The author is giving away a copy of A Bride by Moonlight for each blog stop through out the tout. This means that one lucky winner from my blog will also Win a PRINT COPY of A Bride by Moonlight.  To enter, simply post at comment and be sure to add your email so that we I can contact the winner for their shipping address. GOOD LUCK!

Winner will be announced on March 31st. 


Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more chances to win, read reviews and check out great guest posts and interviews. 

You can find the entire schedule