Review and Giveaway: A Dance to Die For by Rebecca Lee Smith

A Dance to Die For
By:  Rebecca Lee Smith

File Size: 396 KB
Print Length: 294 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press; Crimson Rose edition (April 19, 2012)

About: Annabel Maitland believes in destiny and following her heart--Trent Sheffield realizes his destiny is to believe in her.

Annabel destroyed her dancing career trying to save her friend Quinn's life. Convinced Quinn's death was no accident, Annabel follows a clue to a North Carolina mountain inn and discovers that everyone who knew Quinn wanted her out of their lives--including the sexy innkeeper whose laid-back charm and megawatt grin take Annabel's breath away. But trusting her heart means ignoring evidence that plants him firmly on the suspect list.

The last person Trent needs working for him is an impossibly long-legged dancer whose sharp wit and silver eyes keep him scrambling. He's falling hard, but Annabel's connection to his ex-fiancée makes him question her motives. When mysterious accidents threaten Annabel's life, they must unearth Quinn's killer before it's too late. But what if Annabel was the target all along?

Excerpt:

Something zinged past Annabel.

It cut and ruffled the new growth of hickory leaves beside her shoulder, like a bird soaring through the trees at warp speed. Her head jerked around. Trent was running toward her with his arms airborne, his beige raincoat ballooned behind him like a cape.

He pushed her off the path, then hit the ground sideways. He slid into the underbrush, shoulder first, and roughly pulled her down on top of him.

Another high-pitched crack echoed across the meadow.

Trent’s hard body jolted beneath her.

He enveloped her in his arms and rolled her to the side, pressing her head into his broad chest. The musky scent of his aftershave mingled with the pungent tang of dried weeds and earth sent her senses into overload. The weight of his muscular thighs pushing against her equally muscular thighs sent a shudder pulsing through her. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

They lay motionless in the tall warm grass, side by side, for what seemed an eternity. Until the only sounds she could hear were the soft, protesting whir of insects and the rapid, steady thumping of his heart.

Annabel lifted her head and stared at the line of dark stubble along his chin. “What the hell was that?”

“Probably a poacher.”

“A poacher? Are you serious? Here?”

He loosened his grip on her shoulders. “The forest across the road belongs to the inn. There’s no fence. All we can do is post No Hunting signs and hope for the best.”

“So, how do your guests feel about dodging bullets? I bet this place stays packed.”

Review:  A Dance to Die For is romantic suspense at its best!  I absolutely loved each of the characters, their roll in the story - the push and pull with Annabel and Trent and the incredibly well plotted out mystery.

Though Annabel was not close friends with Quinn, she did promise to find her killer and find out what really happened to her, as she lay dying in Annabel's arms.  What Annabel learns and discovers in her quest for answers will surprise and stun.

Rebecca Lee Smith is a welcome addition to the romantic suspense genre.  Her talent for creating characters that are likable, yet flawed (aka - normal) and her ability to weave a tale that is seamless and edge-of-your-seat thrilling is magnificent.  I loved the romance, the suspense, the vividness of Ms. Smith's words and settings.  I truly cannot wait for more by this author!

About Rebecca Lee Smith:

Hello, world. I live with my husband in the beautiful, misty mountains of East Tennessee, where the people are charming, soulful, and just a little bit crazy. I’ve been everything from a tax collector to a stay-at-home-mom to a house painter to a professional actress and director. My two grown sons live nearby and still have the power to make me laugh until I cry. They are great friends, and will always be the best things I’ve given back to the world. It took me a lot of years to realize that writing is my true passion.When I’m not churning out sensual romantic mysteries with snappy dialogue and happy endings, I love to travel the world, go to the Outer Banks for my ocean fix, watch old movies, hang out at the local pub, and make my day complete by correctly answering the Final Jeopardy! question.

Giveaway!

Rebecca will be giving away a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host with the most comments (excluding the host's and the author's).

May 14: Novel Reflections
May 15: Reviews by Molly
May 16: Ramblings From This Chick
May 17: Lynnette Labelle
May 18: Adventure Into Romance
May 21: Live To Read
May 22: Bodice Ripper Novels
May 22: STOP #2 Novel Natterings
May 23: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
May 24: Queen of the Night Reviews
May 25: Reader Girls
May 28: Indie Designz
May 29: REVIEW ONLY Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
May 30: Books Are Magic
May 31: Megan Johns Invites
June 1: Books Reviewed by Bunny
June 4:  REVIEW ONLY A Case of Reading Insomnia
June 5: SexyReads
June 6: Kacey's Konnections
June 7: Romance With Attitude
June 8: Writers and Authors

Happy Memorial Day

Remember them.  Bless them.  

To each and every person who gave up bits and pieces of their lives - in some cases their entire lives - for all that we have in the name of freedom.  The small things many of us take for granted would be nothing but dust in the wind if it were not for our heroes who have served, are serving and will serve to protect us and our freedom.

God bless you as He holds you each in the palm of his hand and thank you from all of us.

Review: Summer Fit 4th - 5th Grade

Summer Fit 4th - 5th Grade

Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Summer Fit Learning; Workbook edition (April 1, 2011)

About:  Summer Fit contains grade appropriate, basic skill activities in reading, writing, math and language arts. The daily fitness component is a fun and easy-to-use exercise routine that gets children moving on a daily basis and is designed to help children build healthy exercise habits while away from school. Children choose from Aerobic, Strength and Sport activities using a Fitness Index developed by professional trainers, school coaches and parents. Exercises are reinforced online with videos that show children performing each of the different exercises.

Weekly core value activities and exercises are a resource for parents and guardians to use in talking about and teaching good character and values. Each week a different value is introduced and reinforced using real world examples of a person who represents that value.

Summer Fit is the most comprehensive summer workbook available and provides parents with the tools and the motivation to develop the physical and social well being of their child as well as the academic.

Summer Fit includes online games to reinforce basic skills in reading, writing and language arts.

Review:  Summer Fit is a set of workbooks that focus on three very important factors:  Mind, Body and Values.  There are a total of 6 separate books in all, each focusing on a certain grade range.  There is P-K, K-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5.  Each book has age-appropriate activities for children that will stimulate and educate your child mentally, physically and socially for the school year ahead, while re-enforcing those things learned in the present or previous year.

The books are split into weeks and days, giving an activity to complete each day, as well as a choice of physical activities to do including "Chop and Squat", "Leg Scissors", "Dancing Shoes", "Hill Run or Jog" and tons more.  There is also a link included that will take you to the main website where you can watch exercise videos.  That covers Mind and Body, now the Value lesson is included at the end of each week with a quick overview at the beginning of each week.  An example is "Trust in Action":  I am being trustworthy when I: am honest, keep my promises, am a good friend and have the courage to stand up for what is right.  At the end of that week, there is a page section which addresses trustworthiness even further by defining what the word means and telling about Harriet Tubman and why/how she represents this important value.

There is also an incentive contract at the beginning of each week that can be agreed upon by parent and child.  This is an excellent and fun idea - as parents all know that giving an incentive for a job well done always gives a child a little extra boost!

The book that I received this year was aimed at 4th-5th Grade.  My 10 year-old-daughter is finishing up 4th Grade this year and will be going in to 5th Grade in the Fall.  This book is perfect for her to go over things that she has already learned, as well as showcase what will be coming up in the next year.  Honestly, when I showed her this book, she was so excited!  We had one last year and she loved it, so when this newest one came she couldn't wait to get started.

As a parent, it is wonderful to be able to find constructive activities for your child to do that they will both learn from and have fun doing.  I always call this "sneaky learning" - having your child learn, while having so much fun that they do not even realize they are doing so.  This set of books is definitely that!  Now, most children love to play computer games as well.  With that in mind, there are also online games, activities and trivia.  Another thing that I love about these books is that there are booklists in each weekly section as well as value activities and a "Let's Talk About It" section.  Yes, these books cover it all!  Also of note, there is an answer key in the back, so in case you get stuck on a question, you can double check your answer.

I truly cannot think of a better way to help your children keep their brains and bodies sharp while adding so many important values to their everyday living than through these books.  I love them and my child loves them - what more can one ask for?!

*Please be sure to visit the Summer Fit Learning for Kids Website as well as the Facebook Page!

Review & Giveaway: Anything You Want by Erin Nicholas

Anything You Want
By:  Erin Nicholas

File Size: 484 KB
Print Length: 280 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (March 15, 2011)

Blurb: Suppose the solution to all your problems is the one thing you never wanted…

It figures the one time Sabrina Cassidy is determined to do the responsible thing, karma kicks in. After four years on the road chasing her musical dream, she’s stranded six hours from home with no money, a ruined credit history—and morning sickness.

Out of options, she swallows her legendary independent streak and calls the only person who won’t hang up on her. Luke, the man she left behind.

Marc Sterling’s first instinct is to protect his business partner and best friend from another broken heart. That means letting her think she’s talking to Luke, then finding a way to send her in the opposite direction.

When he shows up at her hotel room, there’s something in the air beside their customary insults. Sure, her rebellious attitude, smart mouth—and purple panties—still drive him crazy, but now it’s a different kind of crazy. The kind that has him driving her home instead of to the nearest airport.

And when Luke offers to solve all her problems if she’ll only say “I do”, Marc realizes he’s just crazy enough—about her—to forget whose heart he wanted to protect.

Warning: Contains two people who don’t like each other very much, a Toyota that can’t quite handle the road trip home, and a spontaneous proposal. Or two. Or three. And foreplay with—what else—pie filling.

Review:  Anything You Want is the first book by Erin Nicholas that I have read and I promise you it will not be my last.  I am so excited and thrilled to have discovered this amazing and entertaining author!

What did I love about Anything You Want?  Simple - everything!  It was such a fun read that hooked me from the very beginning.  I loved Sabrina and Marc, the conflicts, the steaminess, the humor, the situations that popped up between these two characters - everything.  I am always a sucker for that conflicted/constantly bumping heads type of relationship developments and this definitely has that in spades.

Life does not always work out as one expects, however those twists, turns and mountains in the road can bring about the biggest and best rewards as proven in this story.

Ms. Nicholas has bestowed upon readers the perfect book to curl up with on a blanket under a shade tree or curled up within a favorite chair and lose themselves in for an afternoon.  Once you begin reading, within a blink of an eye you will find yourself reading the final words of Anything You Want with a sigh and blinking around in wonderment as you escape from the lives of these characters and back to reality.  Yes, it is that encompassing and engrossing!  I truly cannot wait to delve into more works by this author.

Do I recommend Anything You Want?  Absolutely, without a doubt!!  Grab it for your Kindle, Nook, a print copy or any way that you can - you will be thrilled that you did!

Excerpt:

Samhain Publishing
March 2011
© copyright Erin Nicholas, 2011

Sabrina couldn't describe exactly how she was feeling.

She always felt energized after performing, but tonight it was different. The hum in her veins didn't dissipate once she was off stage. In fact, it seemed to grow stronger as she'd searched for and finally found Marc.

Maybe the problem was that she'd felt his eyes on her the entire time she was performing. Maybe it was that she'd seen him ask three different women, who were quite clearly wallflowers, to dance. He hadn't gone for the flashy, flirty ones. He'd asked the ones who were sitting and hadn't been dancing. They'd all said yes. With big smiles. Maybe it was that—how happy he made them, how sweet that was, how he'd smiled and held them and twirled them.

But he'd still kept his eyes on her throughout her performance. And she'd loved it. She almost never noticed specific people in the crowd, but it seemed that she couldn't avoid watching Marc.

They hadn't touched. She resisted the urge to touch his arm or even brush against him. It was like she wound so tight that one touch would release...something. She was too afraid to find out what it was.

Or was she?

She snuck a glance at him as he drove. He was chomping on a piece of gum and staring, almost angrily, out the windshield.

He was good—looking. That wasn't exactly a revelation. She'd known Marc for years and it was an established fact that he was a good—looking guy. But she'd never been attracted.

Or had she?

These questions were driving her crazy. She'd never felt this chemistry, never thought about kissing him, never wanted to kiss him—or anything else.

And now that she was thinking about it, she couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Knock it off," he growled, not looking at her.

"What?"

"You're staring at me."

"I was thinking."

He cleared his throat. "About what?"

"Why do you think there's sexual tension between us now when there hasn't been before?"

He looked at her quickly, then back to the road. "Just put that right out there why don't you?"

She'd gotten used to being bold growing up. Being direct and specific about what she wanted and needed and was thinking was necessary to be sure her dad heard her. When she left home, she'd learned that being vague got vague results. Bold and fearless. That's what got ahead in the world.

And he wasn't denying the tension.

"Is there a reason we shouldn't talk about it?"

"It's awkward, don't you think?" he asked, staring resolutely at the road in front of the car.

"It's awkward whether we talk about it or not."

"It's easier to ignore when we don't talk about it."

He had a point. On the other hand, ignoring things rarely made them better. "Why ignore it?"

"How many reasons do you want?"

"Four."

"One, Luke. Two, we don't like each other. Three, you're leaving in the morning never to return. Four, Luke."

That had been pretty easy for him. She frowned. "One, sexual tension between us has nothing to do with Luke. Two, as you said earlier, you don't have to like me to want to see me naked. Three is negotiable. Four, you don't want me to be involved with Luke anyway so I would think my being attracted to someone else would be a good thing."

He scowled at her. "One, sexual tension between us would upset Luke—to say the least. Two, wanting to see you naked and seeing you naked are different things. Three is not negotiable. Four, why can't you be attracted to someone who lives in Dublin or something? Why me?"

She laughed. She couldn't help it. "Dublin? Ireland? Why there?"

"It's far away."

"Ah. And why you? Hell if I know. I'm as surprised as you are."

He pulled into a motel parking lot. "It's probably hero worship."

She looked at him, waiting for the punch line. He parked the car and turned off the ignition then moved to open the door. "What's probably hero worship?"

"How you're feeling about me."

She snorted. "There are two words wrong with that. Hero and worship. You've been anything but a hero to me for as long as I've known you and I think you need to look up the definition of worship if you think that's how I feel."

He turned in his seat to face her, pinning her with a direct stare. "I haven't been a hero to you? You're in Laramie, Wyoming rather than Soggy Swamp. Who did that?"

"You brought me here to put me on a plane."

"I could have left you alongside the road."

"You came to save Luke, not me."

"I bought you dinner."

"I'm paying you back."

"You know, Seattle, you could be a little grateful."

She sat looking at him. This was Marc Sterling. He thought she was selfish and self—centered. And she'd often wondered if he was right. Like she wondered if Luke and her father were right about the fact that she couldn't make a good decision until she'd tried all the bad ones.

"You're right," she finally said softly. "I should be grateful. You came to get me when there was no one else."

Obviously her acquiescence surprised him.

"That's better."

He started to move to open the door again, but she put her hand on his arm. He froze.

"No, really, Marc. Thank you. You saved me. If you hadn't come I'd... Well, I don't know what I would have done." The reality of that hit her and she had to swallow past a thickness in her throat. "I was out of options."

The muscles in his arm under her hand bunched.

"Luke or Kat would have come eventually if I hadn't."

"But you did."

"I couldn't have just left you there."

"Because you're a good guy. We haven't always been the best of friends, but you still helped me out and I won't forget that. Maybe we can..."

He was watching her closely. "We can what?"

About Erin Nicholas

I've been reading romance since my mom first let me into her book cupboard when I was about fourteen. LaVyrle Spencer, Julie Garwood, Debbie Macomber... they took my 'happily ever after' ideas from animated princesses to real people in the real world.

I've been writing romance almost as long. Many a family car trip was spent with my head bent over a spiral notebook in the back seat. I'll confess that my very first attempts at fiction were fantasy and paranormals, influenced by my father's love of the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the original Alice in Wonderland. If Harry Potter had been around, I'm sure he would have been on the bedtime story shelf as well.

But it wasn't long until I started writing about true love and that's where I've been ever since.

I'm so thrilled to be able to share these stories with you! I hope that they make you smile, sigh, maybe even choke up a little. Most of all, I hope that they help you believe in magical things like first kisses, the spark of passion, and the power of true love.

*Erin will be awarding a grand prize of an Anything You Want Apple Pie Pack—red and white tote filled with red pot holders, a red & white apple apron and towel set, apple pie cookbook, gourmet apple pie filling and an apple pie scented candle to one randomly drawn commenter (US/Canada only please) and choice of an eBook from her backlist to one commenter at every stop.

May 14: Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance
May 15: Novel Moments
May 16: Seductive Musings
May 17: Amy's Book World
May 18: Queen of the Night Reviews
May 21: Novel Reflections
May 22: It's Raining Books
May 23: Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
May 24: Lynnette Labelle
May 25: My Odd Little World

Review: Seized by Lynne Cantwell

Seized
By:  Lynne Cantwell

Paperback: 166 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (March 25, 2012)

Blurb:  The winter solstice 2012 won't be the end of the world. It will be the beginning of the end....

Naomi has a pretty sweet life. Respected as a skilled mediator, she has an almost uncanny knack for getting people on both sides of a dispute to agree. And her handsome boyfriend Brock has just proposed to her. But a white buffalo calf is bowing to her in her dreams. And who is the Native American man who has been following her around?

My Review:  When I read the synopsis for Seized, I was instantly intrigued and couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy.  Though I wasn't completely sure what to expect with the story line, my interest was incredibly piqued and I was not disappointed.

The main character, Naomi, works at a law firm as a very successful mediator.  It is one day when she is sitting frustrated in traffic that she begins to realize that her skills go beyond what she even thought as talented skills.  It seems as though Naomi can now "persuade" people to do her bidding by giving them a slight mental nudge.  A gift or a curse?

As a child, during a field trip, Naomi had an incredible experience that brought her nationwide attention. Now, as an adult, it appears that experience is tied to a world saving mission that she learns about and will change her life forever.

Seized is a unique, entertaining and thought provoking read that draws the reader in with it's vividness, Native American myths, excellent character developments and ability to question everything that one with Christian upbringing has been taught.  I truly loved Ms. Cantwell's writing voice and her talent for weaving the story smoothly and bringing the characters to life in a way that really makes the reader care for them.  Naomi, Joseph, Shannon and Looks Far Guzman are all so full of life and people that I would love to know in real life.

Seized is book one in "The Pipe Woman Chronicles" and I greatly await the next in the series and each after that.  This is definitely a story that I recommend to anyone looking for a great read that will keep them hooked from beginning to end.  Very easy to read, easy to get into, fun, yet opens up a world of thoughts, Seized is definitely one not to miss!!

Favorite Quote:  The porch light was on, though, and it looked like a safe harbor in the storm my life had become.

About Lynne Cantwell: Lynne Cantwell has been writing fiction since the second grade, when the kid who sat in front of her showed her a book he had written, and she thought, "I could do that." The result was "Susie and the Talking Doll," a picture book illustrated by the author about a girl who owned a doll that not only could talk, but could carry on conversations. The book had dialogue but no paragraph breaks.

Today, after a twenty-year career in broadcast journalism and a master's degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University (or perhaps despite the master's degree), Lynne is still writing fantasy. Her first novel, "The Maidens' War," is available at calderwoodbooks.com, and now for the Kindle as well.

Naomi doesn’t know it, but things are about to change..

*Lynne will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter on the tour

May 21: A Case of Reading Insomnia
May 22: Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
May 23: From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews
May 24: Reading Reality
May 25: Stories of My Life