Review: Kroger's Rice Bitz Cereal

In the end of October, I received a free sample of Kroger’s cereal, Rice Bitz from My Magazine Sharing Network for review. I was pleasantly surprised by the great taste. The taste is comparable to other well-known toasted rice cereals. And I am impressed by the fact that it has no high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It’s a good cereal to have with almond milk and a serving of fruit. Some of my family members even added a dash of cinnamon to their bowl of cereal. I also enjoyed Rice Bitz as a midmorning snack mixed with nuts and raisins.  Overall, I simply love this cereal and will definitely buy it as well as other Kroger’s brand products in the future! I received a free box of Rice Bitz from My Magazine Sharing Network for this Review!

Blog Tour, Excerpt: Cajun Crazy by Sandra Hill

ABOUT SANDRA HILL Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than ten years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. Connect with Sandra Website Facebook: @SandraHillAuthor Twitter: @SandraHillAuth GoodReads Title: Cajun Crazy Author: Sandra Hill Publisher/Publication Date: Avon Books; November 28, 2017 Format/Source: Paperback, Publisher Genre: Contemporary Romance ABOUT CAJUN CRAZY Welcome back to New York Times bestseller Sandra Hill’s Cajun country, where love heats up the Louisiana bayou . . . Former Chicago cop Simone LeDeux is back home in the bayou, sharing a double wide in the Pearly Gates trailer park to help her mama recover from surgery. Her one rule: no Cajun men. Loved and left by too many double-crossing Cajuns, Simone puts bad experience to good use by opening Legal Belles: an agency that uncovers cheating spouses. Suddenly she’s confronting a two-timer about to swindle his wife out of millions and antagonizing New Orleans bigwigs over an illegal sex club. Adam Lanier learns of the dangerous game Simone is playing . . . and the sexy single dad comes to her aid. Known as a rogue in the courtroom and a player in the bedroom, the ragin’ Cajun has Simone triply on guard. With their crazy chemistry, danger on their trail, and infamous LeDeux relative Tante Lulu working her magical matchmaking, the bayou has never been this steamy.    BUY LINKS Amazon     IndieBound     Barnes & Noble     iBooks     GooglePlay EXCERPT “I’ve been attracted to you from the first moment we met.” “I’m surprised that you would admit that. Kind of lessens your odds.” “You’re assuming this is a game. I’m too old to play games. Actually, they never interested memuch. How about you?” “Oh, games can be fun sometimes.” “Tease!” Adam said with a chuckle and nipped her on the chin with his teeth. It wasn’t a kiss or a bite, but she felt it all the way down to “Red-dy and Willing,” the color of her toenail polish. Simone remembered her bad history with Cajun men and her resolution to avoid them in the future. “Um, I think it’s time to cut this flower in the bud. I am not going to do this again.” “Do what, darlin’?” That damn “darlin’ ” again! “Get involved with another Cajun man.” “You’re going to give me the boot just because I’m Cajun?” She nodded. “Well, lucky you, babe, because I’m only half Cajun.” ***************************

Romance Awareness Month! Sale Blast & Spotlight! Tempting Mr. Wrong by Kerri Carpenter

August is Romance Awareness Month and what better way to celebrate than to put some of our favorite romances from different genres on sale! Whether you are already a romance lover or new to romance reading you are sure to find something to fall in love with.

Everyone can use a romance that not only makes your heart happy but will make you laugh as well! So be sure to pick up the romantic comedy, Tempting Mr. Wrong by Kerri Carpenter for just $.99!

Readers are raving about Tempting Mr. Wrong...

"This was a book I could lose myself in, easy to read and it made me feel,something that's important to me when I read a book." -Lovinghotbooks

"I loved this story. Carly and Lance have some definite chemistry and Icouldn't put the book down until I saw how it would all unfold." -LauraF., Reader review

"It's a beautiful book and shouldn't be missed." -Urvashi H., Reader review

Synopsis

A little temptation never hurt anyone…
Lance Townsend craves freedom after years living a structured existence in the Army. But just as he’s about to start on his bucket list, Lance receives an unexpected request: check in on his goddaughter. The problem? The adorable little girl’s aunt is the one woman he’s never been able to forget.

Carly Quigley can’t believe her brother’s best friend, the man who jilted her years ago, is at her door. He claims her brother asked him to check in on her niece and their fixer-upper, but all either of them can focus on is their undeniable attraction. Carly knows Lance is counting down the hours to leave, which makes him the wrong man for her. Unfortunately, the wrong man has become oh-so-tempting.

Buy it for just 99¢!

Find it Online

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Other books in the series:

Kissing Mr. Wrong, Book 1

About the Author

Award-winning romance author Kerri Carpenter writes contemporary romances that are sweet, sexy, and sparkly. When she’s not writing, Kerri enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) rescued poodle mix, Harry. Visit Kerri at her website, on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to her newsletter.

Find Kerri Online

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Romance Awareness Month! Sale Blast & Spotlight! The Beast of Aros Castle by Heather McCollum

August is Romance Awareness Month and what better way to celebrate than to put some of our favorite romances from different genres on sale! Whether you are already a romance lover or new to romance reading you are sure to find something to fall in love with.

If you haven't fallen for a Highlander yet, you don't wan to miss this steal! The Beast of Aros Castle by Heather McCollum is on sale for just 99¢.  PLUS, as an added bonus you can also pick up the latest book in the series, The Wolf of Kismul Castle is also on sale for 99.

Readers are raving about The Beast of Aros Castle...

“There is SO much to love about this book!... It's passionate and steamy and I loved every passage and word. Tor is a magnificent lover and with Ava, they literally set the pages on fire.” – Kilts and Swords

“I was glued to the pages of this fascinating dramatic romance. Ms. McCollum did not disappoint me with her vivid descriptions, her captivating characters and the storyline was intriguing and masterfully written.” – April, My Book Addiction and More

“One of those books that keep me reading till all hours of the night (morning!) because I couldn't put it down… Tor and Ava's romance is so beautifully written.” – Linda, Goodreads.com review

Synopsis

Ava Sutton is on the run from a dangerous man and makes her way safely to Scotland. Masquerading as a titled, English lady, she must convince the darkly handsome chief of the Macleans of Aros to wed her before she is tracked down.

Tor Maclean, the new chief of Aros Castle, has sworn off marriage. Despite his efforts to scare away the Englishwoman his father arranged for him to wed, Tor is nonetheless drawn to her passion and beauty. But he doesn't know if he can forgive the untruths that have come to light for a chance at a once in a lifetime love...

Buy it for just 99¢!

Find it Online

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Other books in the series:

The Rogue of IslayIsle, Book 2

The Wolf of KismulCastle, Book 3

About the Author
Heather McCollum is an award winning, historical paranormal and YA romance writer. She earned her B.A. in Biology, much to her English professor's dismay. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood of 2009 Golden Heart finalists. The ancient magic and lush beauty of Great Britain entrances Ms. McCollum's heart and imagination every time she visits. The country's history and landscape have been a backdrop for her writing ever since her first journey across the pond. When she is not creating vibrant characters & magical adventures on the page, she is roaring her own battle cry in the war against ovarian cancer. Ms. McCollum recently slayed the cancer beast and resides with her very own Highland hero, rescued golden retriever & 3 kids in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast.

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Romance Awareness Month! Spotlight & Sale! Viable Threat by Julie Rowe

August is Romance Awareness Month and what better way to celebrate than to put some of our favorite romances from different genres on sale! Whether you are already a romance lover or new to romance reading you are sure to find something to fall in love with.

If you love romance, a man in uniform combined with a thrilling story line, then don't miss this romantic suspense!  Viable Threat by Julie Rowe is on sale for just 99¢! 

See what readers are saying about Viable Threat...

"When it comes to heart-pounding suspense, no one does it quite like Ms. Rowe!" -Deanna's World

"A great plot with brilliant characters make this one captivating read that will have you absorbed from beginning to end." -Summer's Eve Reads

"Viable Threat started out with a bang, and IT NEVER SLOWED DOWN, which kept my heart racing cover to cover." -The Power of Three Readers

Synopsis

Special Forces soldier and medic Walter River would give anything to snatch more than a few seconds of down time to see if he can rattle the no-nonsense and incredibly hot Dr. Lloyd he's protecting, but dodging explosions, snipers, and student radicals who've unleashed a lethal bio-engineered microorganism have made that almost impossible. Maybe he'll get a chance—if he can figure out how to keep them both alive.

CDC microbiologist Ava Lloyd races to find a cure for a bio-terrorism organism sweeping El Paso. The few stolen moments with her very hunky bodyguard River have been explosive, but no matter how alluring he is, she can't afford to get distracted. The clock is ticking, people are dying by the hundreds, and once this crisis is solved, they'll both be off on their next assignment, thousands of miles apart.

Buy it for just 99¢!

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About the Author

Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “Fiction has to be believable”. Julie writes romantic suspense and romantic military thrillers. Her most recent titles include Viable Threat, the first book in the Disease Control and Enforcement series, and Viral Justice, book three of the Biological Response Team series. You can find her at www.julieroweauthor.com , on Twitter @julieroweauthor or at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JulieRoweAuthor.

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Sale Alert! A Risk Worth Taking by Victoria James

August is Romance Awareness Month and what better way to celebrate than to put some of our favorite romances from different genres on sale! Whether you are already a romance lover or new to romance reading you are sure to find something to fall in love with.

This week dive into a sweet contemporary romance from NY Times Best Selling author, Victoria James! Her books never fail to make you laugh, cry and deliver a happily ever after that has you anxious to read her next book.  A Risk Worth Taking by Victoria James is on sale for just 99¢! 

Readers are raving about A Risk Worth Taking...

"A Risk Worth Taking has everything and more you could expect and want from a contemporary romance, with her captivating writing style, engaging characterization, witty humour and steamy scenes, Victoria James gifts us with another keeper. Readers, you'd better put A Risk Worth Taking on your to-be-read lists, trust me, you don't want to miss this series!" -Ex Libris

"LOVED, LOVED, LOVED...Clever, witty dialogue that actually had me laughing out loud." -Lori, Amazon review

"The chemistry between Quinn and Holly is undeniable...I found A Risk Worth Taking to be a wonderful contemporary romance that is funny, sexy, fast paced, with some sad moments,and some really heartwarming ones. If you are a contemporary romance fan, then A Risk Worth Taking is something you should definitely check out." -Always YA at Heart

Synopsis

Holly Carrington is a rising star at a successful interior design firm. Everything she has worked for is coming to fruition. But when tragedy strikes and Holly returns to her hometown to secure her orphaned niece’s future, she finds herself in over her head—in more ways than one.

Quinn Manning can’t believe Holly asked him to help her renovate the house she grew up in. The last time they saw each other Holly confessed she loved him. He walked away, even though all he wanted to do was kiss her. The chemistry between them now can’t be denied. But can Quinn convince Holly to give up her big-city dreams and risk her heart, or are they destined for heartbreak…again?

Buy it for just 99¢!

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Other Books in the Series: 

The Best Man’s Baby

The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee

The Rebel’s Return

About the author: 

Victoria James is a romance writer living near Toronto. She is a mother to two young children, one very disorderly feline, and wife to her very own hero. Victoria attended Queen’s University and graduated with a degree in English Literature. She then earned a degree in Interior Design. After the birth of her first child she began pursuing her life-long passion of writing. Her dream of being a published romance author was realized by Entangled in 2012. Victoria is living her dream— staying home with her children and conjuring up happy endings for her characters. Victoria would love to hear from her readers! You can visit her at www.victoriajames.ca or Twitter @vicjames101 or send her an email at Victoria@victoriajames.ca. 

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August Entangled Scorched Release Day Blast

 

Get Scorched with sexy new releases from Lorna James, Tina Donahue, and Laura Jardine!

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About TWO DUKES AND A LADY

Charles Ashdown, Duke of Densmore, and his closest friend William Kenwood, Duke of Tennison, love gambling and womanizing too much to ever be ensnared by a debutante. Certainly, no decent wife would allow the debauchery they enjoy. But the only woman they’ve ever loved has returned. Unfortunately, Society, and likely darling Lily, will never accept the sharing relationship they’d like to propose. Lillian Drew returns to England after her husband’s mysterious death and finds solace with her girlhood crushes, Charles and William. Sure, they’re as unapologetically crass and self-centered as always, but she loves them both. When her dead husband’s creditors come after her, she has no choice but to remarry, though she can’t make up her mind which duke she’ll propose to. With a toss of one of the few coins she has left to her name, she hopes the loser will understand.

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About WICKED TAKEOVER

She’s just inherited a tattoo parlor…and the hunk who comes with it. Lauren’s in a helluva mess. Not only has she lost her corporate HR job, she’s just inherited Wicked Brand, a struggling West Palm Beach tattoo parlor…along with the virile dude who runs it. Lauren’s full-figured, sorta pretty, and wanting him badly. Dream on. She’s here to sell the place as quickly as possible for some much-needed cash and score a new position in the corporate world. Dante’s sinfully hot with a killer smile and beautifully inked biceps. He sees the heat in Lauren’s eyes despite her conservative appearance, recognizing the dynamite woman she could be if she’d just loosen up and have some wicked fun. Dominance and submission. Making love in a public place. Having her lush body always accessible to and ready for his. Unwilling and unable to keep their hands to themselves, Lauren and Dante turn to carnal games and seduction. Until lust turns to surprising need and friendship to something deeper that might just change their futures.  

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***

   

About SEDUCING HIS TRUE LOVE

Blaine Richards didn’t believe in love at first sight, even when he met the perfect woman. They had an intense, passionate interlude sixteen months ago…and then it was over. Even after all this time, Blaine can’t forget Cassie Monroe. Now, he’s desperate to get her back. It’s taken more than a year for Cassie's broken heart to heal, but she’s finally ready to move on…when Blaine comes back to town, claiming she belongs with him. He challenges her to spend a weekend with him, betting she won’t be able to walk away at the end of it. Cassie finally agrees, determined to prove there’s nothing between them but hot sex. Only, the erotic, no-holds-barred weekend Blaine has planned for her is enough to make a girl change her mind… Disclaimer: Contains the following possible trigger: consensual rape fantasy.

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ARC Review: Impossible Views of the World by Lucy Ives

Title: Impossible Views of the World
Author: Lucy Ives
Publisher/Publication Date: Penguin Press; August 1, 2017
Genre: Contemporary
Source/Format: First to Read; eARC

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

A witty, urbane, and sometimes shocking debut novel, set in a hallowed New York museum, in which a co-worker's disappearance and a mysterious map change a life forever...

Stella Krakus, a curator at Manhattan's renowned Central Museum of Art, is having the roughest week in approximately ever. Her soon-to-be ex-husband (the perfectly awful Whit Ghiscolmbe) is stalking her, a workplace romance with "a fascinating, hyper-rational narcissist" is in freefall, and a beloved colleague, Paul, has gone missing. Strange things are afoot: CeMArt's current exhibit is sponsored by a Belgian multinational that wants to take over the world's water supply, she unwittingly stars in a viral video that's making the rounds, and her mother--the imperious, impossibly glamorous Caro--wants to have lunch. It's almost more than she can overanalyze. But the appearance of a mysterious map, depicting a 19th-century utopian settlement, sends Stella--a dogged expert in American graphics and fluidomanie (don't ask)--on an all-consuming research mission. As she teases out the links between a haunting poem, several unusual novels, a counterfeiting scheme, and one of the museum's colorful early benefactors, she discovers the unbearable secret that Paul's been keeping, and charts a course out of the chaos of her own life. Pulsing with neurotic humor and dagger-sharp prose, Impossible Views of the World is a dazzling debut novel about how to make it through your early thirties with your brain and heart intact.

My Thoughts:

I started this book not once but twice, and it took the second attempt to really get past the first couple of chapters. Normally, when I DNF a book, I leave it at that unless there’s something about the story that’s got my interest, or I want to know what happens at the end. Both of those things can apply as my reason for returning to Impossible Views of the World by Lucy Ives. So, with the last couple of hours I had with the eARC, I read this book in full. And, I was left feeling a little disappointed because Impossible Views of the World had a lot of potential. 

There were some really great moments in the story, and I actually liked the fact that the main character, Stella, worked at a museum, which is an occupation I rarely come across in fiction. In a lot of ways, Impossible Views of the World kind of felt like a character study with Stella being the primary narrator and subject. So, this book was driven by the happenings in the lives of the characters. There was a literary quality to the story, as well as a little bit of a mystery. But, I feel conflicted about it because there were parts that I enjoyed and others that I didn’t. 

I think my main complaint was that Impossible Views of the World was a very wordy book. I like long books. I don’t mind long stretches of exposition in the name of establishing the characters and the world of the novel. However, Stella’s internal dialogue had a habit of running on for long paragraphs or entire pages. She nit-picked almost every little detail. Some of it was difficult to get through because it was just one idea that was seemingly thought about for a while. This might have been to give a quirk to Stella’s perspective, but it just wasn’t for me.

Impossible Views of the World was just okay. I don’t really know how to rate this one, so I’m just going to leave it alone for now.

Rating n/a

This copy of the book was provided by First to Read (Publisher) for this review.

ARC Review: Wired by Julie Garwood

Title: Wired
Author: Julie Garwood
Publisher/Publication Date: Berkley; July 4, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Source/Format: First to Read; eARC

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

A beautiful computer hacker and a bad-boy FBI agent must collaborate—in more ways than one—in the sizzling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood...

Allison Trent doesn’t look like a hacker. In fact, when she’s not in college working on her degree, she models on the side. But behind her gorgeous face is a brilliant mind for computers and her real love is writing—and hacking—code. Her dream is to write a new security program that could revolutionize the tech industry. Hotshot FBI agent Liam Scott has a problem: a leak deep within his own department. He needs the skills of a top-notch hacker to work on a highly sensitive project: to secretly break into the FBI servers and find out who the traitor is. But he can’t use one of his own. He finds the perfect candidate in Allison. Only, there’s one problem—she wants nothing to do with his job and turns him down flat. What Liam doesn’t know is that Allison is hiding secrets that she doesn’t want the FBI to uncover. But Liam will do nearly anything to persuade her to join his team, even break a few rules if that’s what it takes. A temptation that could put his job—and both of their futures—on the line and longing for more . . .

My Thoughts:

When I first saw the synopsis for Wired, I was immediately interested because it sounded like a good story. Despite my high hopes for this one, Wired turned out to be just okay.

Wired tells the story of Allison Trent who was a model, college student, and hacker with secrets. She gets involved in case after being approached by the FBI. At times, this story seemed a little busy. Some of the conflicts were resolved almost too quickly, just as I was getting into that part of the story. There was the plotline with the leaks, as well as another that directly stemmed from Allison’s genius level accomplishments/creations. However, I wish that the story would have found its focus and spent more time on the first conflict. Despite that, Allison’s being a hacker was a highlight of Wired. For the most part, I liked the way Garwood portrayed her character. I particularly liked the scenes when Allison was in the zone, because she displayed a clear confidence in her abilities.

Wired was more of an average read, but I would be open to checking out other books by Julie Garwood.

Rating 3/5

This copy of the book was provided by First to Read (publisher) for this review, thank you!

About the author...

Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood. She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL. Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel...

ARC Review: A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal by Jen Waite

Title: A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal

Author: Jen Waite

Publisher/Publication Date: Plume Books; July 11, 2017

Format/Source: E-ARC, First to Read

Genre: Autobiography, Memoir

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Book Summary from Goodreads

What do you do when you discover that the person you've built your life around never existed? When "it could never happen to me" does happen to you?

These are the questions facing Jen Waite when she begins to realize that her loving husband--the father of her infant daughter, her best friend, the love of her life--fits the textbook definition of psychopath. In a raw, first-person account, Waite recounts each heartbreaking discovery, every life-destroying lie, and reveals what happens once the dust finally settles on her demolished marriage.  Read More

My Thoughts     

A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal is Jen Waite’s emotionally raw story of love, betrayal and the process of healing. It’s the classic story of what the other woman endures when she is faced with the other woman. Waite includes a discussion of early indications that problems were brewing in her marriage—signs that she had overlooked. The story alternates between the beginning of Jen and Marco’s relationship and the period after she found out what he was really like. This style of storytelling was effective. It drew me in as I began to understand how she got involved with Marco and struggled to break free of his influence. Waite’s memoir sends a strong message. It serves as a prime example of the fact that when someone is faced with a difficult situation, it is possible to muster the strength to rise to the occasion and carry on.

So, yes, I would definitely recommend Jen Waite's memoir to those who want to read a candid and heartfelt story.

Rating 5/5

***I received an E-ARC of this book from First to Read for this review.***

ARC Review: Lost Boy by Christina Henry

Title: Lost Boy
Author: Christine Henry
Publisher/Publication Date: Berkley Books; July 4, 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Source/Format: First to Read; eARC

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a familiar story with a dark hook—a tale about Peter Pan and the friend who became his nemesis, a nemesis who may not be the blackhearted villain Peter says he is…

There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. This is how it happened. How I went from being Peter Pan’s first—and favorite—lost boy to his greatest enemy. Peter brought me to his island because there were no rules and no grownups to make us mind. He brought boys from the Other Place to join in the fun, but Peter's idea of fun is sharper than a pirate’s sword. Because it’s never been all fun and games on the island. Our neighbors are pirates and monsters. Our toys are knife and stick and rock—the kinds of playthings that bite. Peter promised we would all be young and happy forever...

My Thoughts:

Lost Boy by Christina Henry was probably one of the darkest retellings of Peter Pan that I’ve read—not to say that I’ve read many altogether, but what I said still stands. This was a dark and gritty story filled with morally gray or just downright evil characters operating under the guise of naivety. By far, Lost Boy wasn’t a bad book. However, I had a hard time deciding about how much I liked this book.

Lost Boy was easy to read after I got past the beginning. I honestly wasn’t sure if I would finish this one, but once I got farther in the book I found that I couldn’t put it down. There was something engrossing about this story. Henry presented an interesting take on Peter and Hook’s story, including a setting that was fraught with danger. The island was isolated, but there were also monsters and pirates, which added more danger to a story already filled with it.

That brings me to the plot. Lost Boy was a story about the lost boy who would eventually become Peter Pan’s greatest enemy, Captain Hook. So, right off the bat, I was interested in what Henry could do with that concept, and the result was, well, interesting. Like I said above, Lost Boy was a dark book and it dealt with characters that actually willingly did cruel things all in the name of Peter’s idea of fun. The situation on the island had such a skewed perspective. On one breath I could see how Jamie cared for his fellow lost boys, but even he wasn’t above following the rules made and partaking in activities directed by Peter. While this was really Jamie’s story, Lost Boy was also about Peter, a boy who never grew up. Peter knew how to sell his version of paradise to the lost boys who were otherwise unwanted in the “Other Place”, but his idea of fun was skewed. He was a monster. However, from what I know about the original Peter from J.M. Berry’s work, this portrayal is more in line with his actual personality.

So, yeah, Lost Boy was a total surprise. There were a lot of things I liked about the story. There were a few details that I didn’t totally agree with, but otherwise Lost Boy was good. This is the first book I've read by Christina Henry and it certainly won't be the last.

Rating 4/5

This Copy of the book was provided by First to Read (Publisher) for this review, thank you!

About the author...

CHRISTINA HENRY is the author of the CHRONICLES OF ALICE duology, ALICE and RED QUEEN, a dark and twisted take on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, as well as LOST BOY: THE TRUE STORY OF CAPTAIN HOOK, an origin story of Captain Hook from Peter Pan. She is also the author of the national bestselling BLACK WINGS series (BLACK WINGS, BLACK NIGHT, BLACK HOWL, BLACK LAMENT, BLACK CITY, BLACK HEART and BLACK SPRING) featuring Agent of Death Madeline Black and her popcorn-loving gargoyle Beezle. She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

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My Thoughts: Lipton Mango Flavored Iced Tea

An Enjoyable Tropical Flavor

As I mentioned before, I’m a member of My Magazine^TM Sharing Network. Over the past month, I had the opportunity to try a 12 pack of Lipton Mango Flavored Iced Tea for free.  The tea was available at my local Ralphs grocery store. When I buy Lipton’s tea, I usually select the lemon flavor. And I usually avoid teas sweetened with sucralose. I feel that it leaves a bad after taste, and it's not my sweetener of choice. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Lipton’s Mango Flavored Iced Tea. It had an enjoyable tropical flavor without the after taste that I dislike. So, even though Lipton’s Mango Flavored Iced Tea wouldn’t be my first choice, it definitely wouldn’t be my last.

Click the link to find out more about Lipton Mango Flavored Iced Tea.

Please Note: ***In exchange for my unbiased review, I received coupons from My Magazine^TM Sharing Network to try the Lipton Mango Flavored Iced Tea for free.***

July Entangled Indulgence Release Day Blast

Indulge in brand new romances from Jenna Bayley-Burke and Sonya Weiss! Choose your favorite sexy seduction...and fall in love today!

***

   

About THE BILLIONAIRE'S PRIVATE SCANDAL

Megan Carlton’s secret affair with financier Brandon Knight ended when he pulled off a hostile takeover of her family’s hotel empire and then kissed another woman. Broke and alone, Megan starts a new life and learns to stand on her own, then Brandon finds her serving coffee and surviving on tips and tries to pull her back into her old life and his arms. She thought she was over him, and she certainly can’t ever trust him again. But what her head knows and her heart feels are two different things. 

Brandon was used to always getting what he wanted, then the woman he loves disappeared without a word. When he finds her months later working as a barista, he wonders if she’s suffering from amnesia. Getting a scalding Americano to the chest proves she recognizes him, but she’s got the situation—and him—all wrong. Now all he has to do is prove it

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About Jenna Bayley-Burke

Jenna Bayley-Burke is known for her fun, sexy romance novels, baking banana bread and over-volunteering. She thinks she has the best jobs in the world—mother, wife and author. When she’s not lost in her latest story, she can be found pursuing whatever hobby her characters are enamored with—photography, yoga, shoes, gardening, crafts and cooking up a storm.

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About THE MILLIONAIRE'S TEMPTATION

Holly Campbell is trying to turn her life around. But, to protect her younger brother, she has one last job to complete. All she needs to do is use her unique skills to break into the safe on a yacht—millionaire Jake Lawson’s yacht—a man Holly had a one-night stand with before she knew his true identity. 

Jake knows Holly can’t be trusted. He believes she used the one night stand as a decoy to steal from his company and he knows she’s up to something again. Jake’s determined to figure out what and stop her. He won’t let her take anything from him, least of all his heart.  

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About Sonya Weiss

From the time she was a child, Sonya knew she was destined to be a writer. If she didn’t like the ending of a book or movie, she would write her own ending. When her children were young, she often wrote stories to entertain them. At the urging of one of her daughters, she submitted a short story and to her surprise and delight, it sold. Sonya loves writing all things romance whether it’s writing contemporary adult or teen fiction and still hasn’t lost the wonder that she gets to do what she loves. She enjoys reading, movies, chocolate, and laughter and credits her daughters as being the sweetest blessings in her life.  

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ARC Review: The Windfall by Diksha Basu

Title: The Windfall
Author: Diksha Basu
Publisher/Publication Date: Crown Publishing Group; June 27, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source/Format: First to Read; eARC

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

A heartfelt comedy of manners for readers of Seating Arrangements and Crazy Rich Asians, Diksha Basu's debut novel unfolds the story of a family discovering what it means to be nouveau riche in modern India...

For the past thirty years, Mr. and Mrs. Jha’s lives have been defined by cramped spaces, cut corners, gossipy neighbors, and the small dramas of stolen yoga pants and stale marriages. They thought they’d settled comfortably into their golden years, pleased with their son’s acceptance into an American business school. But then Mr. Jha comes into an enormous and unexpected sum of money, and moves his wife from their housing complex in East Delhi to the super-rich side of town, where he becomes eager to fit in as a man of status: skinny ties, hired guards, shoe-polishing machines, and all. The move sets off a chain of events that rock their neighbors, their marriage, and their son, who is struggling to keep a lid on his romantic dilemmas and slipping grades, and brings unintended consequences, ultimately forcing the Jha family to reckon with what really matters.

Hilarious and wise, The Windfall illuminates with warmth and charm the precariousness of social status, the fragility of pride, and, above all, the human drive to build and share a home. Even the rich, it turns out, need to belong somewhere...

My Thoughts:

I have read exactly two books this year that were named windfall and both of them have been great. The latest one is The Windfall by Diksha Basu, which was just one of those books that I happen to find incredibly enjoyable. It focused on the everyday lives of the characters and how a stroke of good luck can affect one family and potentially those around them in ways perceived to be both negative and good. And guys, this book was a whole lot of fun.

Given the title of this book, I knew that a large sum of money—or some other good luck—would be involved even before I read the synopsis. From the start, I had moderately high hopes for this story and wasn’t disappointed. Truly, the characters were kind of awesome, especially the Jha family and their close-knit group of friends. The Jha family was delightful to read about. I felt like Basu approached the worries felt by the characters in a realistic way that was thoroughly engrossing. I think that was my favorite part of The Windfall: how the unexpected good fortune wasn’t just something that was superficially added as an afterthought, but affected the characters in good, bad, and emotional ways.

Point blank: the story was just a good one. There was something so simple and refreshing about The Windfall and how it explored the complexities of life, love, family, and change. I was thoroughly impressed by this book. Now, I’ll just sit over here and patiently wait for Basu’s next novel.

Rating 4/5

Disclaimer: copy of the book was provided by First to Read (Publisher) for this review, thank you!

About the author...

Diksha Basu is a writer and occasional actor. Originally from New Delhi, India, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University and now divides her time between New York City and Mumbai...