Review: Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade

Something Witchy This Way Comes
By: Veronica Blade

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Crush Publishing (September 15, 2011)

Veronica Blade easily bewitches readers with her phenomenal young adult novel Something Witchy This Way Comes!

To put it simply, I loved this book.  The main character, Tessa is sassy, brave, smart and completely unsuspecting of what is about to come her way.  Imagine being 17 years old and suddenly learning that you are a witch with fantastic powers and that there are two groups vying for you to join them.  If you just happen to choose the wrong one, death may always lurk around the corner for you.  Add to that the fact that you only have 2 months until your 18th birthday, which is "D" day and there just may be a bit of stress to endure.  Did I mention that the hottest boy in school, who happens to be a huge womanizer, has been given the job of protecting you?  Yeah, not so much your average day in a teenage life.  However, it certainly brings some pizzazz and excitement to your life!

Hayden, who is the womanizer given the job to protect Tessa, is part of the "in" crowd and hangs around some not-so-nice people.  Not so overly thrilled with his "job", he has little choice if he wants to get a glowing recommendation from the Principal and get a second chance to bring up his grades.

Two opposites with absolutely nothing in common....

It doesn't take long for the chemistry to explode between Tessa and Hayden, no matter how much they try to deny it.  Spending day after day together, they both make unexpected discoveries and Hayden soon realizes that he will do anything to protect Tessa and keep her from harm's way.

Something Witchy This Way Comes is full of paranormal twists and turns, self-discoveries, courage, loyalty, trust and surprises.  I thoroughly enjoyed each and every aspect of this book.  Veronica Blade has an incredible talent for story telling and bringing characters to life vividly, to really allow the reader to invest themselves within both Tessa and Hayden, as well as the secondary characters.

I truly cannot wait for the next release from Veronica Blade.  I highly recommend Something Witchy This Way Comes to any lover of paranormal stories!

About Something Witchy This Way Comes:

Brainiac Tessa McClean’s newly discovered magical powers give her an escape from her self-absorbed parents. But the thrill of being a witch fades when she learns of a rival coven and begins to suspect her own coven’s motives. Evidence tells Tessa to trust one side, but instinct drives her toward the other. When the school’s scrumptious delinquent, Hayden Anders, offers Tessa self-defense lessons in exchange for tutoring, his timing couldn’t be better. Although hanging out with him is a necessary evil in Tessa’s fight to stay alive, resisting a bad-boy she secretly yearns for might be more than she can manage. Together, Tessa and Hayden work to unravel the mysteries behind the two covens to discover why they’ll stop at nothing to lure Tessa to their side. She must form an alliance with one of the covens before it’s too late. But the wrong decision could cost Tessa the lives of all who she holds dear — including Hayden.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Hayden

Principal Linton had to be kidding.
“You want to use a seventeen-year-old boy to guard someone?” I much preferred to think of myself as a man but that wouldn’t get me out of doing what he wanted.
“I’m not any happier about this than you, Hayden.”
I doubted that. The new principal had signed on only a couple weeks ago and already he knew how to throw his meager weight around. Linton probably read my file and decided to make me pay for all the crap I’d pulled in high school. I’d been better this year. We were two months into the first semester and I hadn’t even been in one fight. Not that I’d get any gold stars or merit badges.
I rolled my eyes. “Who’s the girl?”
“You probably know her. She’s a senior here — Tessa McClean.” He leaned back in his seat and steepled his fingers.
Tessa… I couldn’t match a face to the name. If she turned out to be a dog, it could hurt my rep. But my curiosity was piqued. I sat higher in my chair, which brought the top of Linton’s thinning hair into view. “I’m supposed to shadow some girl because you ask me to?”
Mr. Linton glanced at Agent Phillips standing rigid by the door, then back to me. When he’d introduced her to me, I figured she might be FBI. She hadn’t flashed a badge though. They probably thought I hadn’t noticed or maybe they expected me to take them at their word. But I didn’t care who she was. She could’ve been the first lady and my answer would still be no.
By Agent Phillips’s steely glare, it was obvious she’d rather be anywhere else than in a room with an uncooperative teenager. “While she’s on school grounds, we want you close enough to smell her perfume.”
“Seriously?” Something didn’t ring true in the whole scenario. No way would anyone trust a high schooler with a job so important, much less depend on anyone with a rap sheet like mine. I slouched in the hardwood chair and let my gaze drift to the dull off-white walls of his office. “Wouldn’t an FBI agent be better qualified for the job?”
The principal tapped a pencil on the desk. “They don’t have anyone local who looks young enough to blend in with the other students.”
Yep. Payback. But not if I could help it. “Ship him in from somewhere else.”
Agent Phillips straightened her suit jacket. “We’ve put in a request. Now we wait.”
“In the meantime, we think you might prove useful,” Mr. Linton said.
If the girl needed a bodyguard, she was obviously in trouble. That kind of thing was catchy at close range. “It’s gratifying to know you have no problem putting me in danger.” I kept my tone flat, one brow raised. “Why not keep her home? Then you don’t have to worry about your agents blending in.”
“It’s unlikely anyone will try anything around a bunch of kids. Even if they did, they’d be easily spotted. We’re only asking you to keep an eye on her and alert us if you see anything unusual. It’s just a precaution, Hayden.”
I grunted, not quite buying it.
Mr. Linton eyed me then flipped through papers on his desk. “Some of these notes indicate you’ve successfully defended yourself under difficult circumstances. Last year, three boys jumped you and everyone required first aid — except you. I suppose those guys were lucky to walk away, eh?” His gaze met mine again. I didn’t rise to the bait and he continued. “You’ve got some valuable fighting skills. It’s time to use them for good instead of evil,” he said with a straight face.
Yeah, I needed those skills to defend myself against my alcoholic stepfather. It had been a while since he’d laid a hand on me or my mom though. He still limped from the last time. “Is this some kind of joke?” I asked.
Agent Phillips glided across the carpet to stand next to Principal Linton. She looped a thumb in her waistband, nudging the front of her black suit jacket aside to expose a gun. If it weren’t for her butch clothing, she’d be attractive — slim build and dark auburn hair. I imagined what she’d look like in a short skirt and high heels. Maybe later I’d get a chance to see if she was open to younger men. If I seemed eager to help, she might be more receptive… I shook off the thought. A semi-hot woman didn’t catch enough of my interest to make me want to keep company with the school principal.
I opened my mouth to speak but she beat me to it.
“Not a joke, Mr. Anders.” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “A fellow student needs help.”
Tap-tap-tap.
Linton nodded at Agent Philips who opened the door and stepped aside. A blond girl beamed from the doorway, including everyone in her sunshine. Was this her? Tessa Mc-whatever? Okay… definitely not a dog.



About Veronica Blade:

Veronica Blade is married with children and living in Southern California. By day she runs the family business, but each night she slips away to spin her tales. She writes stories about young adults to relive her own childhood and to live vicariously through her characters. Except her heroes and heroines lead far more interesting lives — and they are always way hotter.

Her latest book is Something Witchy This Way Comes.

Visit her website  Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter

Review: The Marsburg Diary by Chris White

The Marsburg Diary
By: Chris White

Format: Kindle Edition (Nook)
File Size: 720 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: C. P. White Media, Limited Company; 1 edition (September 16, 2011)

In The Marsburg Diary, Chris White manages to seamlessly blend together a present day story with a past story reminiscent of the writing of Sir Conan Doyle or Charles Dickens. A delightful combination that makes for an incredibly enjoyable read.

A bit of a spin-off from the novel Airel, penned by Aaron Patterson and Chris White, The Marsburg Diary delves deeper into this mysterious diary to answer a few questions brought forth within Airel, as well as arising several additional questions that enthusiastically will force the reader to continue to search for answers. If you have not yet indulged in the deliciousness of Airel, however, this novella will still hold enormous intrigue and viable reading power. Though, on a side note, I do highly recommend grabbing a copy of Airel - it is a fabulous read for Adults and Young Adults alike!

The Marsburg Diary alternates between the diary entries of William Marsburg, during the time of 1897, and the present day of his son, Harvey, reading this diary and living his life. Harvey had never held much faith and understanding of his father, however after gaining possession of his deceased father's diary and a couple of other books that are enclosed with it in a locked chest, new light is quickly shed on this life he had known nothing about. This life is full of unforgiving evil that will stop at nothing until it gets what it wants. This evil transcends time and is relentless in its hunt.

The book of Kreios - exactly what is it and why do so many horrendous and torturous murders surround it? This is just one of the questions that William must answer, as well as how to keep himself from going utterly mad in his journey. When strange and explainable things begin to occur to Harvey, he must figure out how and why before it is too late.

I want to mention that Chris White displays an enormous talent is his storytelling ability. The thing that blew me away was his ability to truly throw the reader back into the time period of 1896 - 1902 through his writing. The context and language used reminded me amazingly of works by such brilliant authors as Sir Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens. The telling was vivid and all-encompassing and screamed of the "old world classic" mysteries and tales of explainable intrigue. Mr. White's ability to transfer from this time period to write in present day form was very well done, adding great depth and dimension to the story.

The Marsburg Diary is sure to raise more than a few hairs as the evil within resounds through the reader's mind. This is a perfect tale for a dark and dreary night - perhaps with a few rumbles of thunder for background music. I greatly look forward to the next installment in this collection of diaries titled The Wagner Diary coming in 2012!

Here is a taste to whet the appetite for The Marsburg Diary:

What mine eyes have beheld is not quantifiable.  I cannot say much else when I have encountered the impossible made real:  the horrors that dwell inside the mind have chilled me deeply because they have come out and paraded before me in the flesh.  Either I have seen evidence that man is indeed a god, as the scriptures say, or I have been in the company of those great unknowns - the Angels - both light and dark.  But mostly dark. 

It must be said here that I, William Marsburg, am of sound mind; I insist.  Whether the reader may decide to ascertain truth from my record is of no consequence to me - I ultimately care not.  I have seen too much to care about it.  Be it known, though, that I have lost everything dear to me in the pursuit of the thing...and I have recorded all of it for posterity.  My only remaining hope is that my record here is a deterrent.  God help the man who has ventured so far indeed as to read this.

About The Marsburg Diary:

Harvey Marsburg, son of the late William Marsburg, is reading through his deceased father's long-lost diary. At first, Harv is annoyed at the peculiarities of his father, irritated that he has to uncover old wounds by reading this old book. But he finds to his amazement that his father might not actually have been mad. In fact it appears that William may have been nearly 150 years old when he died in 1977. Now his body lies decomposing in a Yorkshire mausoleum, but his legacy lives on. Harvey reads cryptic notes from the executor: "May your father rest in peace. He deserves it." Something watches him from the darknesses of his house as he reads the diary with growing interest. Plus, there are two other books in that old trunk that the foundation sent. One of them, he could swear it, is calling to him...


About Chris White:

Chris White grew up living on an old San Francisco city bus that was converted to an RV, living in almost every state of the Union. He spent most of childhood learning how to make fast friends, reading books and doing heroic skids on his coaster-brake bike. He spent most of adolescence playing the trumpet and being a total nerd, building lots and lots of plastic models. He tried college for a couple years, but interrupted that with four years of service as an infantryman in the U.S. Marines. He finished college later, but the Marines taught him far more. He met his wife in Idaho and then spent six months in South Africa with her shortly after they were married. He’s tried being a truck driver, bicycle mechanic, executive recruiter, drummer in a rock band and call center robot, but he’s always, always been a writer—which he only just realized a few years ago. He has two boys and lives with his family in Idaho.

A Month of Thanks - Day 11

I am thankful today and always for those who have the courage, generosity and unselfishness to put themselves in harms way to protect each and every one of us so that we may know life as we do. We know freedom, while they know danger and blinding horror. We know comfort as they know misery and sorrow. To disrespect a Veteran is to disrespect yourself, friends, neighbors and Country. Once a Veteran steps into duty, their lives are forever changed and yet they persevere.

Veterans, I cannot claim to know a speck of the horrors that you have been through or will endure, however know that you always have my deepest thanks and gratitude. Continue to serve as God's Angels and the Angels of the people...

Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. You are all God's Angels. Respect, gratitude and thankfulness are forever yours.

Review: Broken by David H. Burton

Broken
By: David H. Burton

Paperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Stonehenge Press (June 15, 2011)

David H. Burton’s talent for weaving an intriguing, engrossing and magnificent tale explodes in Broken.

When I had first read about this novel, I was instantly intrigued. I love a great paranormal story and even though Broken is sub-titled as a paranormal romance, there is not an excessive amount of romance. So those who may be looking for gushy love, no need to apply here. However, there is a bit of a love triangle twisted throughout the story, as well as some steamy scenes which leave the pages sizzling.

The main character, Katherine Gregory, has always felt as though she was different. Beginning as a young child, she had strange visions; complete with that a little green guy trying to communicate with her. Her mother was never the loving, caring type (though doting endlessly on her brother) and she just never felt as though she completely “fit”. After a doctor prescribed her medication, the hallucinations fled and life was a bit more normal, or at least as much as it could be for Katherine.

It is when she runs out of her prescription and shortly after her mother dies that the visions once again begin. Add to this a cryptic note left within a lockbox at the bank and Katherine is about to make an unnerving and horribly frightful discovery.

A pawn in an unthinkable scheme by her mother, Katherine learns that her life will end anytime within the year, from the day that she turns 24. Her birthday is only 3 short days away and time is quickly running out.

With the help of a long-time friend/recently turned lover, Katherine embarks on a journey to uncover truths, save her life and break a long standing faery curse that has blanketed her family in a shroud of darkness and death for generations.

In Broken, I truly felt myself sinking into the story; the descriptions and characters are incredibly vivid and captivating. David H. Burton presents his readers with a world of faeries, paranormal, darkness and intrigue. He uses his words seamlessly to paint images and scenes upon the reader’s minds which leave a lasting impression, even after the last word is read. The love triangle between Katherine, her current lover and a long-lost first love brings sizzle and heat to the novel as well. The fight against time and meeting the maker of her death adds excellent intrigue and suspense. I truly loved the characters within this tale and felt that the character development was wonderfully done.

Full of twists and turns, highs and lows and plenty of surprises, Broken is a story that will appeal to many readers, male and female alike. Anyone looking for an entertaining and multi-dimensional read will do well to pick up a copy of Broken by David H. Burton.

Favorite Quote: James continued dancing around the room, kissing my nine-month-old head and cheeks.

I remembered that of my mother, she never touched me unless she needed to. She had never fawned over me like she had Geoffrey.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I realized someone had loved me after all. I didn’t think a ghost could cry. I wiped my tears.

*Disclosure: My review of Broken originally was published at Romancing the Book.

About Broken:

Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, Katherine Gregory receives a letter from her deceased mother. It details a faery curse in which the eldest child in each generation will die in their twenty-fifth year. Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, a new love interest comes knocking, and her first love has returned – neither men are what they seem, and Katherine may have to choose between them. Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, Katherine must decide if this is all real, or if the strange visions she’s been having are just a figment of her imagination. The race to unravel the mystery begins, and Katherine must solve it – for any day after her birthday could be her last.

A Month of Thanks - Day 10

I am thankful for the gift of smiles. They are priceless and cost nothing, but can mean the world to anyone you meet.

A Month of Thanks - Day 9

I am thankful for music. It has gotten me through the toughest of times and always makes things brighter and easier to handle!

A Month of Thanks - Day 8

I am thankful for honest and caring people. Those who do not see the need to lie, cheat and manipulate.

Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

Get in Front of Top YA Editors and Agents with

ONLY the First 250 Words of Your YA Novel!

No query? No pitch? No problem!

Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its Third Annual Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents! 

If you've written a novel for young adults—or have an idea for one that you would like to write—we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel.  http://bit.ly/YAContest

GREAT PRIZES

The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop, plus a collection of gourmet teas from Possibiliteas.co.

The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at Scholastic, Disney, Harlequin Teen, Random House, Viking, Roaring Brook Press, Sourcebooks, and Kimani Tru and receive a one-year subscription to The Writermagazine.

The First 50 Entrants will receive a copy of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks.

Enter to win at  http://bit.ly/YAContest   Hurry contest ends November 30, 2011

 

A Month of Thanks - Day 7

Today I am thankful for open-minded people. There should be many more in the world!

Review: Absolute Obsession by C. Elizabeth

Absolute Obsession
By: C. Elizabeth

Paperback: 476 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Wings ePress (2011)

A fairy tale for adults, Absolute Obsession is an amazing read that will make one believe in true and soul fulfilling love once again.

To begin with, I must mention that, though this book is close to 500 pages long, I began it at 2 in the afternoon and could not put it down until I finished at 1:30 the next morning.  Okay, yes, I had to take time out for supper and a few things here and there, but when I did, I could not wait to get back to the story.  For me this hardly ever happens, especially with a book this long.  I was truly enraptured with the story of Rose and Michael and their soul searing love and devotion.

It all began with a letter....

Though it is a bit out of the realm of true possibility in real life, Michael, a hunky and well-known and desired actor calls Rose after receiving a letter from her.  The letter that she writes is not that of a star-struck woman, but of someone who is wise and can see him for who he really is.  This begins a budding relationship of constant phone conversations and deep feelings quicly begin to develop.  Thinking she is doing what is right, Rose tells Michael that she no longer wants him to call her and that it wasn't being fair to her husband and family, nor to him.  She wants him to build a life of his own, one where he can meet a wonderful woman, fall in love and have a family of his own with.  The news crushes Michael and his life spirals out of control.

Two souls, miserable and lonely...

Rose's life settles back into what seems normal, until a horrific and devastating turn of events takes hold and rips apart everything that she has ever known and scatters the pieces far and out of reach.

Emptiness becomes a constant for both Rose and Michael, their lives directionless, their souls empty.

It is when a call of desperation is made to Rose that life changes, once again, for everyone.  This time, however, the change brings hope and a glimpse of a beautiful future.

Exactly how likely is it for a worldly famous movie star to reach out to a "common" person and one that is several years older?  Not so much, however, C. Elizabeth takes this fantasy/idea and flies with it and creates an unforgettable story that will last a very long time within reader's minds.  Absolute Obsession is a fantasy come true, complete with its ups and downs and moments of yearning.

There truly are so many things to love about this book.  The story itself is amazing, the sensuality is hot and steamy, the love and devotion is mind-blowing, the characterization is out of this world and I have to mention that the quotes that begin each chapter are excellent.  Absolute Obsession is storytelling, romanticism and escapism at the level of perfection.  I am going to have to add this book to my list of favorite reads of 2011, without hesitation.  I am incredibly eager to read more work by C. Elizabeth and commend her on her amazing talent.

About Absolute Obsession:

Triggering an intervention of fate, 42 year old Rose Gerbaldi, discovers her heart and soul has been forever united with beautiful, 30 year old, British movie star, Michael Terrance. A discovery that compels her reality to firmly reclaim her – consequently devastating the very lives fate had so lovingly entwined.

Forsaken by a woman he’s never met, unable to control the debilitating agony, Michael seeks solace on the darker side of Hollywood. Meanwhile in Western Canada, having been doubly devastated, Rose relinquishes to a life of loneliness. Both are certain they’ll never again find that for which they long for – each other.

Foolish people – fate is infallible.

Excerpt:

"Hello,” I answered.
“Is Rose Gerbaldi in?” the male voice asked.
“Speaking.”
“Is this the same Rose Gerbaldi that wrote Michael Terrance a letter?”
My stomach lunged into my throat, cutting off my air, and my hands started shaking. Was I really hearing that voice, even though I had never heard it outside of the movie? The English accent was a dead give away. It was him! Maybe it wasn’t, but what if it was? What were the chances of him reading my letter? What was he doing? Why would he be phoning me? It was just a simple letter written by a temporarily insane woman who had made a simple observation. The question he asked wasn’t a hard question to answer, but my brain terminated the use of my voice; struggling...my breath finally broke free. “Well...um...I...gue-guess...th-that...would...depend on...um...who’s asking.” As I lost control of my tongue, words stuttering out; surely he thought I had a speech impediment. All I could hear was his breathing... That was good—at least he hadn’t hung up on me at my disastrous attempt to talk.
“Michael Terrance, actually,” he responded, confirming my assumption.
There was a hint of apprehension in his voice, which led me to believe he wished he hadn’t called. All the while my fantasy world was bursting to the forefront of my mind, like a locomotive, whistles blowing, and me not being able to get control of it, it pushed its way through, in a garbled mess of instant flashes in certain parts. It was like watching a movie on fast forward and slow motion for the clearer parts. Not sure what to say, I managed to utter, “You seem a little unsure that I was the one who wrote it. Why don’t you ask me about it?” A cackle escaped my lips, but at least I’d found my tongue. My hands were shaking so hard, my teeth were going to hit the end of the receiver; I held the phone away from my mouth.
“All right... What...movie did you refer to?” he asked with a crackle in the words.
“Only Her.” I confirmed it for him.
He laughed, relieved. It was a beautiful laugh, deep and buoyant, coming from deep within his chest. “Well, I
suppose you are the one.”
“How are you?” I quickly asked.
“I.. I’m all right.” He faltered. “How...are you?”
“I’m good, thanks. So...what do I owe the pleasure?” I knew I wouldn’t remember the conversation.
“Well...” He wavered. “Your letter was interesting.”
“Ohh...thanks.” I waited for him to continue.
“You know you didn’t put a return address on it, not even on the envelope,” he said, avoiding my interesting letter.
I laughed. “I know.”
“May I ask why?”
“Well, there are two reasons actually. The first being that I didn’t need a reply—I was just making an observation, which I’m sure was way off base. Secondly,and the most important reason, I really, really didn’t want an autographed, eight by ten glossy of you showing up in my mail box!” He started laughing; he sounded more relaxed. Laughing along with him I continued, “Sorry, but that’s a fact.”
His voice evened out, it was no longer crackly and he seemed more in control. “Really? Are you sure? If you give me your address I’ll send you one myself, and I’ll even sign it for real,” he teased.
Giggling, I replied. “No, that’s okay...but thanks anyway.” He was laughing again. His voice was just as beautiful as his laugh, but I was biased when it came to British accents—they always made me weak in the knees.

About C. Elizabeth:

C. Elizabeth lives in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. She stumbled upon writing, it found her, she finds writing a peaceful escape and is very excited to have her characters come alive in her readers’ minds. Her contemporary romance novel, Absolute Obsession, is about 42 year old Rose Gerbaldi who by an intervention of fate unites her heart and soul with 30 year old British movie star, Michael Terrance.

Please visit and blog with her at www.celizabeth.ca.

Connect with her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/search/users/CElizabeth4 and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1567713637.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

Join C. Elizabeth at the Pump Up Your Book Live! November Author Chat / Book Giveaway Party on Friday, November 18 starting at 8 p.m. eastern!

Char will be giving away a copy of her book! You could win a beautiful copy of Absolute Obsession simply by attending the chat and asking her a question. All there is to it!

For details on chat, visit the official chat page for the November authors at Pump Up Your Book Live!

A Month of Thanks - Day 6

I am incredibly thankful for all of the creative minds in the world.  Through their words and storytelling in books, vividness and ability to transport people to another time and another place through artwork and the ability to transform emotions through music, these creative minds are a true blessing to everyone.  Creative minds touch each and every person in one way or another and I am so thankful to have had my life touched in this way.

Review: Double Crossing by Meg Mims

Double Crossing
By: Meg Mims

Paperback: 264 pages (Kindle)(Nook)
Publisher: CreateSpace (September 1, 2011)

Vivid historical fiction mixed with murder, suspense and a lovely dash of romance makes Double Crossing by Meg Mims an out of the ballpark hit.

I have to admit that for me, Double Crossing is a bit different than the books that I normally read. However, I was curious to give it a try and can honestly say that I would have missed out on an amazing book if I had not! Author Meg Mims delivers a story that is not only amazingly vivid, clear and engrossing, but she takes readers into a another time and place with her details.

It truly never ceases to amaze me to read what life was like centuries ago for women. They were to be “looked after” by a man (or a chaperone) and to become learned was out of the ordinary. In short, women were to be obedient and more or less a puppet of sorts. The main character in Double Crossing, however, is nothing like this. Lily Granville is an incredibly intelligent and strong willed woman, whose courage and perseverance is highly admirable.

When Lily’s father is murdered, she happens to catch a glimpse of his murderers as they flee from the house. It is her desire and heartfelt duty to find and confront the killer. This, however, is anything but simple and Lily quickly learns that she can trust very few people.

As I mentioned before, Meg Mims does an outstanding job in her descriptions. As I crossed the countryside with Lily and her friends (and unknown foes), I was thrilled to learn and read what the land once looked like. The fact that peppermints and fruits were such an amazing treat made me stop and think how different things were in that time compared to now. The way the lifestyle of that era was brought to life sucked me into the book deeply.

The majority of the story takes place on train and during its stops. This was another aspect that I found interesting and fascinating. The suspense was drawn out throughout Double Crossing perfectly and the blossoming romance between the “bad boy”, Ace (who Lily hired to help her get to her destination and keep her safe), was enthralling. I truly cannot think of a single aspect of this story that I would change. It is perfect and wonderful. The ending was also written in an excellent manner that leads the reader to believe that a sequel is on its way (fingers crossed very tightly!). I highly recommend Double Crossing by Meg Mims to anyone looking for a superb story – whether a lover of historical fiction or not!

*Disclosure:  My review of Double Crossing by Meg Mims was originally published at Romancing the Book and was reprinted, with permission, for my personal use on my blog.

About Double Crossing:

A murder arranged as a suicide … a missing deed … and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered. August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by her father’s murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California gold mine deed -- both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly opened transcontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizes she is no longer the hunter but the prey. As things progress from bad to worse, Lily is uncertain who to trust—the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, or the wandering Texan who offers to protect her … for a price. Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?

A Month of Thanks - Day 5

A month of Thanks - Day 5 -- I am thankful for the changing seasons. They remind me of the delicate cycle of life and they always come around the time I am sick of the current season, lol. Variety, after all, is the spice of life, lol!

A Month of Thanks - Day 4

I am thankful for my mom-in-law, Liz, because she is the most amazing woman in the world with a heart made of gold.

How Cool is This?!

Dear Customers,

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A Month of Thanks - Day 3

Day 3

I am forever thankful to be blessed with wonderful and beautiful friends and family. God truly blessed the world with each and every one of you.

Those Dang Book Fairs!

My daughter had her conference last night at school.  They also had the Scholastic Book Fair and this is what we came away with:

             

A Month of Thanks

Each day this month, I am going to share something that I am thankful for.  Next year, I should do a Year of Thanks - 365 things I am thankful for... Hmmmm.....

In any case, since this is Nov. 2nd, I will share Day 1 and Day 2 today and go on from there tomorrow.  Please feel free to join in!

Day 1 - I am thankful for my children. They are the light, breath and soul of my world

Day 2 - I am thankful for all of the mountains that I have had to climb and all the struggles that I have had to endure so far in life. Without them, the gifts and goodness that I have would not shine nearly as bright.

Review: The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts

The Nine Lives of Christmas
By: Sheila Roberts

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (October 25, 2011)

The Nine Lives of Christmas is the absolute perfect way to begin the holiday season!  I have been in love with Sheila Roberts' work since reading Angel Lane.  Each of her stories are unique, heartwarming and incredible.  For me, the holiday season doesn't begin until I have gifted myself with one of Ms. Roberts' holiday reads and The Nine Lives of Christmas is the most excellent kick off for this year!

With this story, Sheila Roberts takes the view of Ambrose, the mangy kitty on his ninth and final life, throughout, as well as with the main characters of Zach and Merilee (how much more of a holiday name can you get than that?!  I absolutely love these different perspectives and feel that they truly allow the reader to become even more engrossed within the story and feel a deeper connection to the characters.

In the beginning, Ambrose makes a deal with his maker that if he is spared his final life, he will do whatever it takes to perform a good deed.  The good deed comes in the form of a hottie firefighter, Zach, who has closed his heart to love.  Making his way into Zach's house and heart, he is determined to open Zach up to happiness and love, bringing joy to both Zach and Merilee.  A matchmaking cat?  Oh yes, and a rather good one at that.

Merilee has had a very low self-esteem since childhood.  Viewing herself as pretty or attractive has never been a speck within her mind.  When Zach lays eyes on Merilee, however, he finds himself drawn deeply into her beauty that is not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.  After many negative episodes with exposing his heart, however, Zach cannot see himself giving Merilee the committed life that she deserves.  It's a good thing that he has a determined cat by the name of Ambrose in his corner looking out for him!

The Nine Lives of Christmas is such a sweet, fun and engaging story that is sure to lighten any reader's heart.  I fell in love with Ambrose immediately and found Zach and Merilee to be enduring.  This is the perfect story to begin the holiday season and would make the perfect gift for anyone - including treating yourself!  I adored The Nine Lives of Christmas and eagerly await the next work by the wonderfully talented and always delightful Sheila Roberts!

About The Nine Lives of Christmas:

Bestselling author Sheila Roberts brings us a humorous, heartwarming Christmas novel about a matchmaking cat who brings a couple together just in time for the holidays. When a guy is in trouble, he starts making deals with his Creator…and Ambrose the cat is no exception. In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose makes a desperate plea. He’ll do anything—anything!—if he can just survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when a stranger comes along and saves him, and now it looks like he has to hold up his end of the bargain.

The stranger turns out to be a fire fighter named Zach, the quintessential commitment- phobe who’s in need of some serious romantic help. If Ambrose can just bring Zach together with Merilee, the nice lady who works at Pet Palace, it’s bound to earn him a healthy ninth life. Unfortunately for Ambrose, his mission is a lot harder than he ever anticipated. Now it’s going to take all his feline wiles—and a healthy dose of Christmas magic—to bring them alltogether in time for the holidays.

Excerpt:

When a guy is in trouble he starts making deals with his Creator, and Ambrose was dealing like crazy. Vicious teeth snapped at him and his whole life (actually, all nine of them) flashed before his eyes. If this dog got him it was all over.
Becoming dog food looked like a distinct possibility since the tree Ambrose had chosen was small and the particular branch he was perched on was a flimsy twig barely capable of holding a kitten let alone a mature cat. And the big, black beast below seemed to have springs on his paws.
I’ll do anything, Ambrose yowled. Anything! Please, let me live a little longer.
This was life number nine. He knew he wouldn’t get any more but he’d settle for a longer one where he could finish his days in comfort. Under the circumstances, it would be a miracle if he survived to see that happen. But he’d seen people stringing up colored lights on their houses just the other day, which meant Christmas season was about to begin, and wasn’t Christmas supposed to be a season of miracles? Not that Christmas had ever been good to Ambrose. That was when he usually managed to meet his end.
So he wasn’t surprised at what was happening to him now. That didn’t mean he had to like it though. What a horrible way to go! Pulled from a tree and brutally murdered by a bloodthirsty mongrel. All these houses and there was not a single human around to help him on this cold, gray morning. No surprise, really. Humans bought houses and then rarely stayed in them … until they got old, and by then, like Ambrose, their days were numbered.
Below him the dog showed his fangs and growled. Needing a miracle here. Soon!
Not that he deserved one. He thought of little Robbie, who he’d scratched many a time in his seventh life, and poor Snoopy the beagle that he had tortured in his eighth life. He shouldn’t have made the dog’s life so miserable but he’d been getting bitter by then. How he had enjoyed driving old Snoopy crazy by jumping on him and riding him around the house with his claws dug into the dog’s back. Hee-hee. That had been…
Bad, very bad. He would never do anything like that again.
Why, oh, why hadn’t he picked a tall, sturdy tree to climb instead of this immature maple? What had he been thinking? The answer to that was easy enough. He’d been thinking, Run!
It started to rain, fat, freezing pellets that dug under his fur, and an angry winter wind pushed the tree, making its branches sway. Nooo. Ambrose dug his claws deeper into the bark. I’ll be a good cat and earn my keep here on Earth. Just send me some help and I’ll prove it.
Now the dog was on his hind legs, pushing against the tree and reaching for Ambrose like he was some kind of doggy chew toy. Determined not to go down without a fight, Ambrose hissed at him and took a swipe with claws unsheathed. That only made the beast more berserk.
Where was a dogcatcher when you needed one? Help! Is anybody listening?
Out of nowhere, appearing as suddenly as the rain had come, Ambrose saw a man wearing what humans called jogging clothes. He ran up to the dog and yelled, “Go on, get out of here.”
Between the man’s aggressive clap and that big dog growl of his, he not only scared away the dog he almost gave Ambrose a heart attack.
The beast loped off down the street and the man said, “Okay, guy, looks like you’re safe.”
Safe, the best word in the world. Ambrose peered down at his rescuer. The fur on top of the man’s head was what humans called blond – not as handsome as Ambrose’s orange coat, but a shade that humans admired greatly and his eyes were as blue as a Siamese kitten’s. He was large, which meant he probably had a spacious, comfy lap. The friendly smile he wore showed the man was a kind person. Something about the face looked familiar. Where had he seen this man before?
“You’re on your own now,” he said to Ambrose, who was still clinging to his branch. “I know you can get down anyway. You aren’t going to want to stay out in this any longer than me,” he added, and then jogged off down the street.
Ambrose could hardly believe he was safe. Wet and uncomfortable and hungry, but safe. The freezing rain was letting up now and the angry clouds began to drift away, ashamed of all the misery they’d caused. It was going to be a good day after all. He settled down to give his racing heart a chance to calm.
One last gust of wind woodshed past him with a whisper. Remember what you promised.
Of course Ambrose remembered. And he would be a better cat. When the opportunity presented itself. There was no hurry, really.
He made his way down the tree and was halfway across the lawn when he caught sight of the same dog loitering on the corner. The dog saw him, too.
Yikes! Time to scat. Ambrose darted into the street.
A screech of brakes, a spray of water and an angry honk of a horn made all of his lives flash before his eyes once again as Ambrose barely dodged the huge metal monster. Once more the wind whispered. This time it said, Last chance.
Okay, okay, he got it. The time to atone for his wicked past was now. But how, exactly, was he supposed to do that? Where to start, and with whom? The storm had pretty much scrubbed the street of living creatures. Except for the murderous dog and that big man.
Helping the dog with anything was out of the question. That left the man, which made sense. A life for a life.
He set off at a run. His rescuer had a head start but Ambrose had four legs, which evened things considerably. He caught up with the man in time to see him enter a house on a quiet street. It was a large house, much the same as Ambrose’s old home, freshly painted and blue as a robin’s egg, and it had a chimney. That meant a warm fire on a cold day. Not a bad place to land.
It took patient camping under the bushes by the porch but finally Ambrose was rewarded and the door opened to reveal the same man, this time wearing different clothes. He stepped out of the door and Ambrose rushed in. Oh, delicious warmth.
“Whoa,” said the man, “what’s this?”
What? He couldn’t tell? Ambrose refused to dignify such a silly question with a response. Instead he began to prowl the front hall of his new home. Interesting. Wood floors, a stairway on one side, and off to the other an arch opening onto what humans referred to as a living room. The house felt old and hummed with memories, like the one his last owner, Adelaide had lived in.
That had been such a cozy home. Her horrible offspring hadn’t cared about the memories though. All they’d cared about was putting the place up for sale.
Put it up for sale, indeed! Just where had they thought Ambrose would live if they sold the house? Of course, he’d soon found out and that was why he’d run away.
“Whoa there, Tom,” said the man, scooping Ambrose off his feet.
Tom? What an insult! Did he look like a common cat? His name had never been Tom. Never! He was Cupcake-Tiger-Morris-Muffin-Macavity-Blackie-Toby-Claus-Ambrose, Ambrose, of course, being his latest moniker.
“This isn’t a hotel for cats,” the man informed Ambrose as he opened the door. He stepped back outside and shut the door behind him, then plopped Ambrose on the porch. Back out in the cold. Of all the nerve!
Ambrose watched, tail twitching, as the man strode down his front walk, got in a shiny black car and drove away. If this inhospitable human is the key to keeping my ninth life I am in the doghouse.
He could almost hear Adelaide saying, “Be patient, Ambrose dear.” (Something she always told him when he was half starving and rubbing against her legs while she poked around opening his cat food can.) Good advice now though. He could be patient.
The man would be back. Humans went away to work, whatever that was, but they eventually returned, and when this one did they’d settle this misunderstanding. Ambrose crawled back under the bushes and settled in to wait.

About Sheila Roberts:

Writing since 1989, Sheila Roberts has had 26 books published, both fiction and nonfiction, under different names. Her books have been chosen for book clubs, Readers Digest Condensed books, and her popular novel ON STRIKE FOR CHRISTMAS was made into a movie and appeared on the Lifetime Movie Network. Her novel ANGEL LANE was named one of Amazon’s Top Ten Romances for 2009.
However, before she settled into her writing career, she did lots of other things, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Writing and helping others to find ways to better themselves are her greatest passions and her popular newsletter SUPER YOU, is dedicated to helping women improve their lives.

When she’s not making public appearances or playing with her friends, she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate. Drop in for a visit at her website: http://www.sheilasplace.com or connect with her at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/pages/Sheila-Roberts/76502579853?ref=ts and Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/_Sheila_Roberts.


In honor of Ambrose the Cat, Sheila is having a fun contest over at her blog!

Leave a comment telling Sheila in 25 words or less about the coolest cat you have ever owned and she will pick the best entry on November 30 and announce the winner on December 1.

Sheila says, “If you have the coolest cat of all we’ll send you a Sheila holiday reading package, consisting of my three Christmas novels, ON STRIKE FOR CHRISTMAS, THE SNOW GLOBE, and THE NINE LIVES OF CHRISTMAS. Contest ends November 30th and we’ll announce our winner on December 1st. Can hardly wait to hear about your awesome kitties!”

One entry per household.
Void where prohibited.
U.S. Residents Only.
Leave your comment about your coolest cat at her blog here!