angel-on-a-move

30th birthady... + giveaway

2012-01-30T20:37:00.002+01:00

Well it's my 30th birthday - happy birthday to me! - and where did the time go? I don't feel 30 I feel the same way I did when I turned 25. So I guess time doesn't measure one's age :) or maturity :) :)

Anyway, I know I have been away from my blog a lot for the past year. I can give you a lot of excuses like to much work, MBA to finish, etc. But instead of all this nagging I'll give you my promise that I'll try to dedicate my free time more to my blog. Also I will give you a contest!!!

If you are interested in brend new copy of Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon (hardcover) leave a comment on this post. I am going away on a business trip to London (Yay!!!) and I am coming back on Saturday 4th - I'll pick winner on Sunday 5th of February 2012, randomly of course. You get extra points for spreading the word about the contest; just leave a link in the comments.

Speaking of London - does anyone have any advice what to visit in the afternoons and where to eat (for a reasonable price) since I am going away on a business and won't have much time for sightseeing.

I promise I'll post the pictures from London and will write about my adventures as soon as I come back.
I hope that wherever you are that you are warm and healthy!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T11:51:00.000+01:00

Have a blessed and merry Christmas!

Interesting story about romance novels...

2011-12-13T17:54:00.002+01:00

Great review and contest at Carolina Valdez Miller's blog

2011-12-08T20:19:00.001+01:00

Ms Carolina Valdez Miller managed to write a review of Here by Denise Grover Swank that really made me want to buy the book at this moment. But I will be patient since I could win a signed copy at Ms Miller's blog. So hop over there and try yor luck - the book sounds very interesting :) And I love the cover!

Great young musicians

2011-11-22T21:14:00.000+01:00

I love her voice, and the video is great! :)

The new Gena Showalter's book

2011-11-02T13:50:00.001+01:00

I can't wait for Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter to come out, but June 26 2012 is a long wait :) In the meantime here is the fabulous cover and the back cover blurb (both form Ms Showalter's webpage).

From the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld comes a dark, seductive new series featuring angels poised at the brink of destruction…
Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed too dangerous, too ruthless, and if he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred . . . until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he’s never before known.
Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation—or her ultimate damnation?

Looking forward to Breaking Dawn movie...

2011-10-27T22:30:00.002+02:00

A Day Made of Glass

2011-10-17T13:37:00.000+02:00

I love all these possibilities! And that e-book looks fantastic!

Have a great day!

I am looking forward to reading...

2011-10-12T13:45:00.000+02:00

...The Storm That Is Sterling by Lisa Renee Jones. Here is a little bit about it:

Award-winning, bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is breaking out of series romance success into single title with her fast-paced, paranormal romantic suspense series full of dark danger and sizzling hot passion.

Sterling Jeter, Renegade Super Soldier, is fearless, powerful, and wildly unpredictable. His life-threatening mission is to save the beautiful, brilliant astrobiologist Rebecca Burns from ruthless villain Adam Rain. But their immutable mutual attraction threatens to put them in the path of death... or worse...

To find out more about the book and the author please visit http://www.lisareneejones.com

Book Lovers contest!

2011-10-10T15:37:00.001+02:00

Book Lovers are having a great giveaway to celebrate the fact that they have reached 1000 followers. So stop by and choose your gift :) (click the buton above)

RIP

2011-10-07T19:01:00.000+02:00

I was on a business trip when I heard the news. He was a really great man with an inspiring life story. Rest in peace!

"Your ...time on this earth is limited, don’t live someone else's life, live by your vision." - Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011

iSource: http://jmak.tumblr.com/post/9377189056 (Steve Jobs tribute logo created by Jonathan Mak, a 19-year old in Hong Kong)

I am looking forward to...

2011-10-05T11:23:00.001+02:00

...reading HAUNTING EMBRACE by Erin Quinn, the fourth book in the Mists of Ireland series, released Oct 4 2011. This book will tie up the series and answer all the questions.

New in the breathtaking series of sorcery, Irish lore, time travel, and exquisite romance.

Within Meaghan Ballagh surges the blood of a sorceress whose ancient love for a druid ended in treachery. When Meaghan is thrust into the past, she feels the desire between the sorceress and the handsome druid once again rise inside her. To survive, she must piece together the history of the woman who haunts her and the man who needs her.

I haven't read any of the books in this series; I was waiting for the series to end so I can savour all the books in one read (without all that waiting and wondering) :) I'll be starting soon! How about you?

For more info about the books and the author go to http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/

I am looking forward to...

2011-09-30T13:41:00.000+02:00

.. reading A Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day :)

The story goes like this (got it from http://www.sylviaday.com/):

An angel with immense power and insatiable desire, Adrian Mitchell leads an elite Special Ops unit of the seraphim. His task is to punish the Fallen--angels who have become vampires--and command a restless pack of indentured lycans.

But Adrian has suffered his own punishment for becoming involved with mortals--losing the woman he loves again and again. Now, after nearly two hundred years, he has found her: Shadoe, her soul once more inhabiting a new body that doesn’t remember him. This time he won't let her go.

With no memory of her past as Shadoe, Lindsay Gibson knows only that she can't help being fiercely attracted to the smoldering, seductive male who crosses her path. Swept into a dangerous world of tumultuous passion and preternatural conflict, Lindsay is soon caught between her angel lover, her vampire father, and a full-blown lycan revolt. There’s more at stake than her love and her life--she could lose her very soul...

Sounds interesting, doesn't it? And I absolutely love the cover :) It seems to me that angels are fast becoming my favourite kind of paranormal species. I keep looking for new books about angels. What say you?

Have a great weekend!

Beautiful...

2011-09-20T13:26:00.002+02:00

Have a great day!

The Darkest Surrender hits the stores on September 27th, 2011

2011-09-15T15:03:00.000+02:00

The Lords of the Underworld return in this enthralling tale of an immortal warrior determined to win and the beautiful seductress he can’t resist.

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.
Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he as an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…

I can't wait for this book! I love LOTU SERIES :)

Contest - at Carolina Valdez Miller's blog

2011-09-15T12:32:00.001+02:00

At Ms Miller's blog you could win an ARC of GLOW. Here is a little about the book:

Goodreads summary: What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside

Sounds great, doesn't it? So what are you waiting - go to Ms Miller's blog and read the review. The giveaway is international and ends Sunday, September 18, midnight EST.

Giveaways?

2011-09-13T12:14:00.003+02:00

I planned to have a series of giveaways on my blog through September. It started with Ms Falbe's guest post and giveaway. I gave one week for interested to post a comment on my blog for a chance to be entered into the giveaway. But then nobody commented. This got me thinking about the reasons. I came with two:

1 - Nobody is reading my blog
2 - You aren't interested in giveaways (this I find highly unlikely)

SO, before doing anymore giveaways, I ask you to tell me if you are interested in giveaways or not?

If there is nobody, well.... I'll just keep posting reviews and some other interesting stuff for my own enjoyment :)

Have a great day!

Author Tracy Falbe - guest post + giveaway

2011-08-30T12:00:00.034+02:00

Building a good hero
By Tracy Falbe

I've never been a writer interested in creating a hero or heroine that is purely good and of unstained character. I don't have much patience for the hero who is selfless, never tempted, and remembers to write his mother thank you notes. I want to build stories with characters who have to willfully struggle to be good because it's frequently harder to do the good and honorable thing than to be bad or indifferent.

I am fascinated by the struggle to be good in a bad world. Societies can inflict many harsh requirements on people and condone oppressive injustices, and people can just play along by the wicked rules and be considered a solid citizen.

When I wrote my epic fantasy series The Rys Chronicles I wanted to create a hero who had deeds in his past that he was not proud of. I wanted him through the course of the story to gradually become a better person. I feel that such a path for a character will be relatable to some readers. It is easy to be misguided onto the path of wickedness. To defy a society's expectations and struggle toward better personal goals are difficult. One result of my reflections on such matters was Dreibrand Veta, the main human male character in the epic.

In the beginning, he is focused solely on his own grandiose ambitions. His position in society is threatened, and he's willing to kill, conquer, and enslave people to get ahead. While serving on a campaign of military conquest, he is immersed in a heartless and exploitative culture. But when he realizes that the men above him are not going to share true power and prestige despite his exemplary service, he is transformed by the deep rages of rebellious epiphany.

At this point he is still focused on himself and his own unmet needs. It is not until he is saved by a young woman that he begins to care about someone beyond himself. Miranda is her name and she is an escaped slave with two small children, fleeing her war torn land. Dreibrand quickly realizes that she needs someone to help her, which is obvious, but he also is struck by the deeper realization that her desperate existence has resulted from a cruel society.

Just as Dreibrand is beginning to care for Miranda, they become embroiled in a power struggle among the rys, a rare super race of magical beings that rule many human kingdoms. Dreibrand chooses to support the rys Shan, and a classic struggle of good versus evil unfolds. Dreibrand fights on the side of good, but even a good cause does not make for good deeds. Rebellion and bloody wars are incited, and Dreibrand must accept that the violence and destruction are necessary steps to overthrow wickedness.

For me such complexities are essential in a hero. To be a rebel is both to be foolish and brave. A hero grappling intellectually with the concept of the end justifying the means adds emotional power to his struggles.

Although I explore the landscape between good and evil in my fiction, I am not without some idealism. Through the character of Dreibrand I also present a hero who is fearless in the defense of his family. To protect a mate and children is a fundamental purpose of male power, and in these instances Dreibrand is motivated by good reasons. His ambitions and pride never go away, but he develops beyond self-centered greed. He knows he is no saint, and he accepts that, but he also learns that he must try to do good by people. To cultivate a loyal follower is better than to conquer. To seek peace instead of war can be the more heroic act.

The Rys Chronicles fantasy series is comprised of four novels: Union of Renegades, The Goddess Queen, Judgment Rising, and The Borderlands of Power. I invite readers to sample my fiction by downloading Union of Renegades for free at my website http://www.falbepublishing.com/braveluck/free_ebook.html. You can also look for it at major ebook retailers worldwide.

THANK YOU MS FALBE!!!

Ms Falbe is providing great giveaway gifts: the whole Rys Chronicles fantasy series in e-format of your choice:

Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I
The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book II

Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III
The Borderlands of Power: The Rys Chronicles Book IV

Leave the comment describing your favourite kind of hero and your e-mail address to be entered. Also, spread the word about the contest and leave the comment at my review from yesterday for extra entries: http://angel-on-a-move.blogspot.com/2011/08/union-of-renegades-by-tracy-falbe.html. The contest is open until September 3rd 2011, and the winner will be selected randomly and announced on Sunday September the 4th 2011.

About Ms Falbe

I was born in Michigan in 1972 and grew up in Mount Pleasant. It's called the "Mountain Town" but there is no mountain and it's debatable about whether it's pleasant. They say it's a party town and based on extensive research as a young adult I can concur.

Because I always had the childhood fantasy of running away and joining the circus, I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995 and lived there until 1997. Those who only stay a week are wimps, but I will say that it's the second year in Vegas that wears you down. Then I realized the pioneers were trying to get to California, and Nevada was not the goal. So I moved to Chico, in Northern California and lived there until 2009. I miss Chico dearly and value greatly the experience of living in that enlightened realm (local government excluded). My wandering has circled back and I'm currently residing in Battle Creek, Michigan. I think I adore the place, but that doesn't make sense. I'm still California dreamin' and fantasize about my return to the Golden State, but for now my existence within the post-apocalyptic Rust Belt is suitably fascinating.

In 2000, I earned a journalism degree from California State University, Chico with the conscious ambition of becoming a fiction writer. With the rapid demise of the newspaper industry and journalism in general, novelist is not such a daft pursuit after all. It's not like I'm actually going to get a job that values my education. Luckily I'm cursed with the impulse to write in a popular yet competitive genre.

I consider writing a necessary activity that I enjoy. I have the most fun writing in the fantasy genre. I find inspiration in history and like to contemplate warfare before gunpowder and life without modern technology. Placing characters in an elder fantasy world fascinates me and allows me to explore age-old notions of bravery when combat was often done face-to-face. Magic is another story element that adds to the pleasure of writing in this genre.

Since learning to read and write as a child, I always knew that I wanted to write novels. The Rys Chronicles and Rys Rising represent the efforts of many adult years.

Union of Renegades by Tracy Falbe - review + giveaway

2011-08-29T15:12:00.004+02:00

Union of Renegades is the first book in The Rys Chronicles by Tracy Falbe. I got this book from the author and you will meet her tomorrow in her guest post on my blog. About the book from the author:

Dreibrand Veta has killed for his country. At the frontlines of imperial expansion, he seeks to rebuild the fortune of his noble family. In his daring travels he encounters the rys, a race far more powerful than the human empire that bred him. Dreibrand cannot defy the rys Queen Onja nor defend his companion, Miranda, and her children from the wicked tyrant Queen. Desperate for help, Dreibrand and Miranda join Shan, a rys with emerging powers who plans to challenge Onja. In Shan's pursuit of the rys throne, he exerts his magical powers, gathers his allies, and incites rebellion among Onja's human subjects. Great wealth and power will reward the kings, warriors, and spies that align themselves with the rys pretender, but defeat could mean worse than death. Onja can imprison souls and her genocidal rage is legendary. Everything is at risk for Shan's union of renegades.

Ms Falbe has created wonderful world which doesn't mean that all the creatures in it are lovely :) Most of them are not; but the whole story is well written and planned. The world is laid before you and all you have to do is enter it and you are immediately drawn into its power plays and adventures. The characters are well developed even though sometimes they do feel one dimensional. But as the story flows you get to know them better and their motivation and reactions become understandable and more realistic. At the times, I felt like the pace of the story should be faster but this is the sacrifice of creating complex world and wanting it to be described to the reader in detail.

If you enjoy good fantasy book, I recommend this story. Some parts of it reminded me of The Lord of the Rings adventures :)

The only thing I don't like (and this is designer in me talking) is the cover, but this has no effect on my opinion of the book - which is: I really did enjoy the story :)

Stop by my blog tomorrow when you’ll get to know MS Falbe. Also, comment today as well as tomorrow for a chance to be entered into the giveaway. The more you comment the greater are your chances of winning. Spread the word about the book and the giveaway for extra entry. You could win the whole series (4 books) in e-format:

Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I
The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book II
Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III
The Borderlands of Power: The Rys Chronicles Book IV

The contest is open until September 3rd 2011, and the winner will be selected randomly and announced on Sunday September the 4th 2011. More about the books and the author at http://www.braveluck.com/

Two way mirror - interesting stuff...

2011-08-26T14:48:00.000+02:00

Found this in my Inbox this morrning; maybe you'll find the information interesting.

Do you know the difference?

A Mirror or a 2-Way Glass?
How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel, etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?

Here's how!! I thought it was quite interesting!! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror. Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on. When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?

Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is GENUINE mirror. However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE!! IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!!

"No Space, Leave the Place." So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.

REMEMBER. No Space, Leave the Place!!

Dark Taste of Rapture - release

2011-08-25T11:44:00.001+02:00

If you haven't heard it Dark Taste of Rapture by Gena Showalter has been released on August 23rd. I can't wait to read this book; it sounds great.
Here is a little bit about it:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter captivates with a dark, tantalizing world of humans, otherworlders, and a powerful AIR agent consumed by his desire for a woman he can never have. . . .

With one caress, he can give unforgettable pleasure…or unending pain...

Hector Dean is shaved, tattooed, and totally ripped -- and he has a deadly secret. He is a walking weapon, capable of killing with a single brush of his fingertips. Little wonder he’s determined to remain on his own. But Noelle Tremain is a temptation like no other. She is beautiful and rich, with a party girl smile that hides a shocking vulnerability, and from the beginning his sizzling attraction to her is undeniable. For the first time, his stone-cold resistance is tested. But to be with her, he risks destroying her.

When a wealthy businessman is murdered in New Chicago’s seediest district, the two are partnered, and there’s no escaping what they both want: each other. Yet neither Hector nor Noelle knows what to fear more—the killer case, or their own lethal desires. . . .

You can find it in every bookstore, so what are you waiting for :)

I am still here...

2011-08-23T12:59:00.000+02:00

And I am, really :) These past months have been hectic due to all school and work obligations. Looks like the autumn will be the same. But I have missed my blogging and all of you. So I am determined to start blogging again. I have a few surprises in my bag for you. But I'll post about them when they are ready. Be sure to stop by my blog, because I'll have some interesting stuff for you soon (some contests, inteviews...).

In the meantime we are experiencing the hottest days and nights this summer here in Croatia. It is really hard to do anything except lie in the shade while drinking iced drinks. Unfortunately, I have to go to work, and it has been hell for the past two weeks.

I hope the weather has been nicer to you and that you are enjoying the last days of summer.

Helping an author

2011-06-17T09:29:00.001+02:00

I recieved this e-mail from The Romance Studio:
Gathering as we do in times of need...

It is with profound sadness that we have received news that, Leslie Esdaile, ("L.A. Banks") is most gravely ill. She is facing an uphill battle in her struggle with serious illness. Please know that as Leslie needs all of her energy in this fight, she is absolutely not able to receive visitors, answer emails, texts or phone calls, or receive flowers.

While your prayers and thoughts are most welcome and needed, a special support website, including an auction has been set up in order to help Leslie with the mounting medical expenses facing her and her family. We'd like to ask if you would consider helping us spread the word about this auction by placing this button on your website, blog, facebook and in your newsletters with a link to this website: http://www.labanksauction.org/ for the duration of the auction.

Share Your Heart Auction for Leslie On Ebay
June 21-July 1, 2011
Bids begin at : 9 AM EST (6/21)
Auctions end: 9 PM (7/1)
you must register with Ebay to place bids for the auction (if you are not registered)

Another way you can help:
*Contact coordinators, Jo Carol Jones (jocaroljones@gmail.com) or Anne Elizabeth (mail@anneelizabeth.com) before June 21 if you'd like to discuss your donation of an auction item.
We encourage you to offer the button graphic (above) to your subscribers as well, to help us get the word out;)
Our deepest thanks...

I am very sadened by this news. LA Banks is a really great person and author. My prayers are with her and her family...

No comment...

2011-06-07T12:13:00.000+02:00

Have a great day!

I am alive!!!

2011-06-05T19:25:00.000+02:00

If anyone was wondering, I am alive and well, but extremely busy. I know this sounds lame and that everybody has a busy life, but I just didn't have the energy to blog. I don't read, I don't watch TV I just study and go to work. At the moment I am very boring person. As such I don't have anything interesting to blog about. Hence this boring post :)

I'll be back to my normal blogging in July. I hope some of you will stop by :)

Have a great beginning of the week.
Thanks for being patient with me!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-04-28T16:55:00.000+02:00

Have a great end of the week!

Max

2011-04-25T19:34:00.000+02:00

This is my beautiful dog Max. He ia a freshly groomed shih-tzu :) It's his Easter look.

This is one of his finest moments, because he is usually out in the garden having some great adventures with birds and bugs, so when he comes into the house in the evenings he looks like a wild dog not purebred one :)
I hope you are having a great Monday wherever you might be...

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T19:24:00.000+02:00

I hope you are having a beautiful Easter Sunday!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Tuesdays...

2011-04-21T07:38:00.001+02:00

I feel like this today...

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays... + minireview

2011-04-14T18:48:00.001+02:00

I am in the mood for old stuff, so here it goes again...

Another thing is a review of Unsavory Delicacies by Russell Brooks

Russell Brooks is a new author to me so I haven't read his debut novel Pandora’s Succession. It got very good reviews so when author asked me if I would like to read an ARC of Unsavory Delicacies (his second book), I naturally said yes. It took me half an hour to read it; it's only 25 pages long after all. And I liked it. There are three fast paced stories about revenge and unusual way of getting it. The first story titled "Crème Brûlée" and the third one "Shashlyk and Morozhenoe" are connected with the revenge of the same character - Ridley Fox. The second one "To the Last Bite" is the one I liked the most - it felt like reading Edgar Alan Poe. Very interesting :)

I recommend these stories to anyone who likes a good suspense, laugh and morbid revenge :)

To find out about the author and his other books please visit author's website: http://www.russellparkway.com/

If you would like to read this book here are store links:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Pandoras-Succession-ebook/dp/B004XD66VW
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pandoras-Succession/dp/B004XD66VW/
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54675
B&N http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Pandoras-Succession/Russell-Brooks/e/9780986751325/
XinXii http://www.xinxii.com/en/unsavory-delicacies-p-327295.html

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-04-07T08:45:00.001+02:00

A little bit of Latin love....

Have a great weekend!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-03-31T08:08:00.003+02:00

I hope your weekend will be as beautiful as this song is!

Her Perfect Revenge by Anna Mara - review

2011-03-25T20:33:00.001+01:00

I was recently contacted by a new author Anna Mara with a request to review her book - HER PERFECT REVENGE. I accepted, of course, and took a journey 519 pages long. And it was very exciting I can promise you that. I’ve met three fabulous people there - Christina Matteo, Bill Havenwood and William Havenwood Sr. Oh, they made me laugh and I can tell you that I don’t remember the last time any book did this to me. They also made me feel and think about the concept of revenge.

But let’s start at the beginning when we meet young Christina, an insecure high school girl who has just been humiliated by a popular high school rich boy Bill. Fast forward 16 years after Christina is all grown up with not so great carrier as photojournalist and while on assignment she stumbles upon Bill. And that’s where all ruckus begins… Christina is determent to get her overdue revenge and Bill… well let’s just say he has many problems at the time and the latest is his father’s (William Havenwood Sr ) threat to throw his lazy drank ass out on the street. But things aren’t always what they look like from the outside.

I really enjoyed this story, although it has some weak parts and I didn’t always like Bill, but it has brought memories of those great love stories I used to read but can’t seem to find them on our bookshelves anymore. Bill and Christina are real people with faults and mistakes; I could relate to them. Bill’s father William gave me most of the laughs; he was a scheming old goat. Although somewhere around the last part of the book he started to get on my nerves – he was just too much. And I didn’t like Bill at first but he did become more likeable towards the end. He was the character that matured the most through the story.

Anyway… all I can say is that I did enjoy this story very much (I read it in one day) and I would recommend reading it to anyone who enjoys a good love story.

Her Perfect Revenge is currently being sold as a paperback and an ebook on Amazon’s Kindle Store and also at Barnes and Noble, Itunes, Google Ebooks and Sony. I’m going to buy the paperback issue because I believe this is the book that deserved the right to be exposed and admired on a bookshelf.

Since Ms Mara is a new author I asked her to tell us a little bit about herself. Here is her response:

As to information about myself… I live in Toronto, Canada and I’ve been writing for a few years now. I studied film writing at a well known film school in Toronto called The Canadian Film Centre which is an institution begun by Hollywood director, Norman Jewison. I’ve always loved writing romantic comedy stories and instead of screenplays, I decided to try writing a novel. I discovered that I loved that format of writing even more and my first novel HER PERFECT REVENGE was born. I’ve always been a true lover of romance novels, having read so many over the years and with my first book, I really wanted to write something that I would want to read myself and hopefully my readers would feel the same way. I’m a hopeless romantic and believe in happy endings; and when I write, I always try to write from my heart, hoping to bring love, joy, laughter, excitement and sometimes a few tears to my fans. HER PERFECT REVENGE has been picked up by a major publishing house in Japan and will be turned into a Japanese manga comic book novel for release next fall. I’m also currently working on my second contemporary romantic comedy novel titled WHY ROMEO HATES JULIET which I hope to release by early this summer.

To find out more about Her Perfect Revenge go to Ms Mara’s webpage http://www.annamara.com/

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-03-24T09:37:00.005+01:00

It's another busy Thursday in my world. I hope you are having a great day and some great plans for the weekend.

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-03-17T22:09:00.000+01:00

Happy St Patrick's Day!!!!

Isn't this song just beautiful?

Hope you are having great end of the week!

Do what you love, LOVE what you do!

2011-03-14T18:28:00.001+01:00

I've been really busy these past week. One business trip flollowed by another followed by two interns coming to my office... I've been just to tired to blog. Sorry! I hope you are doing fine, and that you'll stick with me through these hard times. Thanks!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-02-24T08:05:00.001+01:00

The old one... Enjoy!

I'm off to pack my luggage for Amsterdam :) , I'm leaving tomorrow, can't wait for it. I even got myself a new suitcase... Hope your weekend turns out great.

We have a winner!!!

2011-02-23T20:42:00.000+01:00

First of all I want to thank you all for joining me for my birthday!!!

And thank you Ms Moran for providing such a great prizes for the contest!!!!!

And Random org has picked the winner:
There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.Elaing8
2.Lea
3.Mariska
4.Cecile
5.Vivien
6.Colleen Turner
7.Cecile
8.Kulsuma
9.April
10.Blodeuedd
11.Elaing8
12.TheGirlOnFire
Timestamp: 2011-02-23 19:35:19 UTC

Elaing8 you are the winner!!!

You won a signed hardcover copy of MADAME TUSSAUD as well as a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings. You have to contact me in a week or I'll have to draw another winner (send me your snail mail addy before 02/03/2011). The prize will be mailed directly by Ms Moran!

Contest reminder!

2011-02-20T13:45:00.001+01:00

I just wanted to remind you that my b-day contest is about to end soon. So, if you are interested in winning a signed hardcover copy of MADAME TUSSAUD as well as a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings leave the comment. Contest is one internationally and ends February 22nd.
Hurry! For morw info, please click here.

I hope you are having a great Sunday!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-02-17T08:00:00.010+01:00

How about some beautiful music from Croatia? I give you "traditional boy bends" from Croatia called KLAPA! Here a little bit about KLAPA from Wiki: "The klapa music is a form of traditional Croatian a cappella singing . The word klapa translates as "a group of people" and traces its roots to littoral church singing. The motifs in general celebrate love, wine (grapes), country (homeland) and sea. Main elements of the music are harmony and melody, with rhythm very rarely being very important. A klapa group consists of a first tenor, a second tenor, a baritone, and a bass. It is possible to double all the voices apart from the first tenor. Although klapa is a cappella music, on occasion it is possible to add a gentle guitar and a mandolin (instrument similar in appearance and sound to tamburitzas).

Klapa tradition is still very much alive, with new songs composed and festivals are held . Many young people from Dalmatia treasure klapa and sing it regularly when going out eating or drinking. It is not unusual to hear amateur klapa singing on the streets in the evenings over some food and wine.

It is usually composed of up to a dozen male singers singing very harmonic tunes. In recent times, female vocal groups have been quite popular, but in general male and female groups do not mix."

Although I live in the hilly part of Croatia, my father was born and raised in Dalmatia which is the southern part of Croatia by the Adriatic Sea. We always listened klapas' singing. I remember original klapas singing in my childhood, my grandpa being one of the singers. Today, my grandpa isn't with us any longer but my brother in law was klapa singer.

Klapa is supposed to perform without any music, but modern day’s klapas include music in their performance. I am giving you both to enjoy!

First one is modern love song performed by klapa Iskon.

And more traditional way of singing; it is also a love song. I am so sorry you don't understand the beautiful lyrics.

I hope you enjoyed a little bit of Croatian tradition :)
Have a great day.

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-02-10T08:55:00.002+01:00

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

And keep your fingers crossed, please, because I have an exam today :)

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-02-03T07:00:00.004+01:00

How about little bit of Moby? I love this song and Bourne Identity isn't such a bad move :)

I hope you are having a great almost-end of week.
And don't forget about the contest - just click here and you'll find out more about the prizes and the rules!

Some pictures...

2011-02-02T07:12:00.003+01:00

First of all, I want to remind you of my bday contest - just click here and you'll find out more about the prizes and the rules!

I just remembered that I promised to post some pictures from my business trip to Vienna.
Well, this was my second visit to that beautiful Austrian city. It is really great. The people are very nice and helpful, and it is everywhere like that - in our hotel, at the fair, in museums and shops, just about everywhere. The only thing I found surprising is the fact that everything closes at 5 p.m. and I mean everything (the shops, the museums...) except for restaurants and cafes. It left me and my colleague a little time for sightseeing since during the day we had to work at the fair.

Here are some pictures.

In the plane (my coleague and I)

Schonbrunn castle

In Hundertwasser's Haus

Prater (the oldes amusement park in Europe)

At the fair

Those were four fabulous days:) I love Vienna and its people, its underground and its museums!

I am in Amsterdam during the last weekend in February, working at the fair. So if you are nearby please come and visit Croatian booth - I'll be there :)

Birthday cake and the contest reminder...

2011-02-01T17:04:00.001+01:00

Hello! I'm still in my cave studying for two exams I have - one is due tomorrow and the other one on Friday :(

Anyway, I wanted to share with you the picture of birthday cake my mother bought for me at this fancy confectioner. It was yummy - I'm so sorry you can't try it.

The other thing is my bday contest with some fabulous prizes - if you are interested just click here and you can enter just by commenting on my post.

The third thing is that today my copy of Perfect Play by Jaci Burton arrived and now is standing on my desk taunting me to stop studying and read it :) I hope I can resist the temptation.

Have a great day!

Birthday contest!!!

2011-01-30T01:00:00.025+01:00

Yes it's my birthday today!!! It's the last one that begins with number 2 - o la la! I'm officialy old! I'm just kidding :)

Anyway.... With the help of fabulous author Michelle Moran I have a surprise for you! It's a contest and you could win: a signed hardcover copy of MADAME TUSSAUD

as well as a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings (I'm so jealous of the winner - these earings look great!)

Ms Moran was kind enough to send me a little bit of information about this fabulous book:

MADAME TUSSAUD: The Woman

When most people hear the name Madame Tussaud, the first thing that comes to mind are the eerily lifelike waxworks which crowd her museums throughout the world. But who was the woman behind the name, and what was she like in the flesh?

Madame Tussaud’s story actually began in 18th century Paris. While most people know her from her famous museum in London, it was in France, on the humble Boulevard du Temple, where Marie first got her start as an apprentice in her uncle’s wax museum, the Salon de Cire. At the time, the Boulevard du Temple was crowded with exhibits of every kind. For just a few sous a passerby might attend the opera, watch a puppet show, or visit Henri Charles’ mystifying exhibition The Invisible Girl. The Boulevard was a difficult place to distinguish yourself as an artist, but as Marie’s talent grew for both sculpting and public relations, the Salon de Cire became one of the most popular attractions around. Suddenly, no one could compete with Marie or her uncle for ingenious publicity stunts, and when the royal family supposedly visited their museum, this only solidified what most showmen in Paris already knew — the Salon was an exhibition to watch out for.

But as the Salon’s popularity grew, so did the unusual requests. Noblemen came asking for wax sculptures of their mistresses, women wanted models of their newborn infants, and – most importantly – the king’s sister herself wanted Marie to come to Versailles to be her wax tutor. While this was, in many ways, a dream come true for Marie, it was also a dangerous time to be associated with the royal family. Men like Robespierre, Marat, and Desmoulins were meeting at Marie’s house to discuss the future of the monarchy, and when the Revolution began, Marie found herself in a precarious position. Ultimately, she was given a choice by France’s new leaders: to preserve the famous victims of Madame Guillotine in wax, or be guillotined herself.

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution is the story of Marie’s life during one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Her survival was nothing less than astonishing, and how she survived makes for what I hope is a compelling read.

I didn't read this book yet, but I did read Ms Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter and it was great. I have no doubt that Madame Tussaud will be the same or even better. If you'd like to read my review of Cleopatra's Daughter just click here.

The contest is International - it doesn't matter where you live, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment to this post. Contest ends February 22nd.

For extra entry post about this contest at your blog or facebook and leave link here in the comments. Be sure that I can see the post at your facebook page. The winner will be announced here on my blog on 23rd of February and he/she will have to contact me in a week or I'll have to draw another winner. The prize will be mailed directly by Ms Moran!

I want to say one big THANK YOU to Ms Moran for being so generous with the prize!

Visit MichelleMoran.com

Check out Michelle's blog at michellemoran.blogspot.com

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-01-27T07:00:00.003+01:00

The other day my two nieces asked me to borrow them the Dirty Dancing DVD. They watched it a few months ago at my place and wanted to see it again. It's nice to see that younger generations enjoy the same good movies as my generation did. I really enjoyed watching this move (for 100 times) and was saddened when I remembered that Patrick Swayze isn't with us any longer.

I hope you will enjoy his song.

Rest in peace, Patrick.

Cold...

2011-01-24T21:59:00.000+01:00

It is really cold in my part of the world. It's been snowing for couple of days and now it has stopped and everything is frozen. Luckily I am at home studying for my exams so I don't have to walk to work in this cold. I haven’t read any book since December, I just didn’t have time. It looks like I won’t be doing any reading until March, can you believe it? I have so many exams and a lot of work to do at my job, that I just don’t have the time or the energy to read, Sad...

So, how is the weather in your corner? Do you have any tips for a good book to read?

I hope you are warm wherever you are.

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-01-20T21:22:00.000+01:00

The old one but the great one!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-01-13T07:31:00.003+01:00

This is one of my favourite songs, I just can't get enough of it :)

While you are listening to this great song, I'll be in Vienna (Austria) on a business trip. Wish me luck! I'll be back on Saturday evening and will post some pictures on Sunday (I hope).

Have a great week!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2011-01-06T13:22:00.000+01:00

It's not exactly gloomy Thursday here beacuse we have a holiday today so we don't have to work :) Yay!
It was snowing yesterday but it's raining today - yuck! Before everything started to melt by b-friend took some beautiful pictures. Here are two of them:

Beautiful scenery

Max - my dog :) He just loves the snow.

And here is some nice music to keep you warm until the weekend.

It's a live version and I love it :)

I hope you are happy and healthy wherever you are!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-02T18:44:00.003+01:00

Happy 2011!

Wishing you and yours a fabulous new year!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2010-12-30T07:00:00.005+01:00

Are you ready for New Year? How will you celebrate it? My plans are still a little fuzzy - I'll be at home or at the big party :) We shall see... The first thing tomorrow morning is a doctor's appointment, though - I will have the results form my mole operation. Keep your fingers crossed.
Hope you will have a great time tomorrow!
Talk to you in the new year.

Official shelf date for My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent

2010-12-29T09:32:00.000+01:00

Official blurb:

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives. And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

I DON'T THINK SO.

Sounds very interesting :) and I just LOVE THAT TRAILER!
You can buy the book here with the free postage. So, what are you waiting for, hurry!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-25T08:18:00.001+01:00

I hope you are happy as a child!

Some beautiful music for Advent Thursdays...

2010-12-23T08:10:00.002+01:00

Do you recognise this one?

It's a Silent Night in Croatian.

The Christmas is almost here - are you ready? :)
Hope you are, and that you are happy and with your loved ones.

Some beautiful music for Advent Thursdays...

2010-12-16T08:25:00.007+01:00

I love Celine Dion's performance of this song!

Working weekend...

2010-12-13T14:56:00.000+01:00

My firm is the organiser of traditional Christmas fair in my Town for the last 4 years. The same was this year, and guess who had to do all the work - mou of course :)
It was very cold -10°C (14 F) and the whole event was held on the city square under the "heated" tent. The heating wasn't working properly, so I'm still defrosting :) I thought you would like to see some pictures?

Me with the man on the stilts

My colleague and I with Santa

The pub

Some jummy figs

And beautiful jewelry and ornaments

Have a great week!

Something funny before the weekend...

2010-12-10T07:00:00.013+01:00

Here are some Christmas themed funnies :) to cheer you (and me) up! While you are reading/looking this, I'll be on the town square getting the tent ready for this weekend's Christmas Fair (and freezing my butt). But it is all in the line of duty...

Have a great weekend!!!

Some beautiful music for Advent Thursdays...

2010-12-09T08:00:00.003+01:00

Another great Christmas song! Oh, I love Christmas songs... :)

Hope you are enjoying this time before Christmas and all the commercials, and crowd everywhere you go didn't ruin it for you.

It's St. Nicholas' Day

2010-12-06T07:38:00.001+01:00

Here in Croatia we celebrate St. Nicholas' Day. Last evening we shined our boots and put them at/by the window. This morning the presents were awaiting! Mine had a pretty good stuff: scarf, warm socks and some candy - all the appropriate things for this year's cold winter.

If you aren't familiar with St. Nicholas here's a little bit about him from Wiki:

" Saint Nicholas (270–6 December 346) is the canonical and most popular name for Nikolaos of Myra, a saint and Greek Bishop of Myra (Demre, in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas."

He's a patron saint of travelers and unmarried girls :) as well as children. I wrote about him and our customs last year in one of my posts - if you are interested you can read it here.

(picture borrowed from here )

I hope St. Nicholas brings you a great beginning of the week.

Some beautiful music for Advent Thursdays...

2010-12-02T08:48:00.005+01:00

Advent has started - it means only 4 weeks till Christmas - YAY!
For this period the Thursday music will be dedicated to Christmas :) to get us into the holiday spirit.
Enjoy!

One of my favourites! It's old, but great :) The hairstyle, the wardrobe....

The winter is here...

2010-11-29T11:58:00.000+01:00

We had our first snow blizzard on Friday. Of course I had to go to my class so I drove for 2,5 hours in one way, arrived to my class only to wait for two hours for professor to arrive. He never showed up - he was stuck in some kind of traffic jam. Then I drove for another 2,5 hours home. This trip usually takes me about 50 minutes, but it was snowing heavily and the motorway was jammed. I arrived home safely (thank God) but many people didn't - there were many car accidences on the way. The same weather continued through Saturday and Sunday morning with -10°C (14°F) but the evening ended with strong wind and rain. Today we have the flood :(

But all in all the winter has come. As you can see from the photo below. It was taken yesterday; you can see the river and the snow all around it.

And wherever you are I hope that you are warm and safe. Have a great week!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2010-11-25T08:27:00.003+01:00

Remember this one?

Have a great day!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2010-11-18T12:14:00.001+01:00

I hope you are having a great day. Mine is very good so far. I know you'll probably say that lately all I do is finding some interesting videos and put them to my blog. And you would be right, of course. But the thing is I'm really swamped under all the stuff I have to do for my job, school and lately I've been to the doctor's a lot. It's nothing major but it involves 2-3 times a week visit to his office in a town 200 km away. So forgive me for not being around, please.

Have a beautiful and funny day! And I hope you'll enjoy the music, too.

What a spirit!

2010-11-15T10:55:00.000+01:00

Janey Cutler - Britain's Got Talent 2010 - Auditions Week 4 @ Yahoo! Video

I want be like that when I'm 80! :)

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2010-11-11T08:00:00.002+01:00

Hope you are having a great day!

The story of my life...

2010-11-05T15:13:00.001+01:00

As you can read at the sidebar I am a web designer who does graphic design. And if you want to know how my day looks like I suggest you look at the video below :)

I hope you'll have a great weekend!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2010-11-04T08:00:00.010+01:00

Enjoy!!!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T19:31:00.001+01:00

Have a scary night :)

And we have a winner of a digital copy of Wolf Signs!

2010-10-29T11:34:00.000+02:00

it is AMYT865!!!

She was chosen randomly, of course:

List Randomizer
There were 3 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.3. amyt865

2.1. 3SpecialK

3.2. JoAnna

Timestamp: 2010-10-29 09:19:56 UTC

I have sent your e-mail address to Vivian Arend, and she will contact you with all the details.

Congrats!!!

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays...

2010-10-28T08:00:00.002+02:00

I thought to make this "Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursdays..." my weekly thing. It's something to lift your mood and make your week easier. And the weekend is just around the corner :)

Enjoy!

Giveaway at Sanna's new blog

2010-10-25T10:04:00.000+02:00

I love, love, love Christmas! And a fellow blogger Sanna is a fan too. She has started The Christmas Reading Challenge blog. Her aim is (in her own words): to read as many romances dealing with Christmas during the holiday season. I will start reading on November, 1st and from then on publish at least one review a week. Might be more. Plus, to make the season merrier, I will try some recipes and crafts from Christmas books and tell you all about my experiences.

Check out this interesting blog!

And now she has a giveaway too. She is a very crafty person and I own two of her bags - they are fabulous! For this giveaway she is giving away the book cover and one of her favourite romances. So go there, it ends November 1st.

Some beautiful music for gloomy Thursday...

2010-10-21T10:37:00.002+02:00

Look what human voice and hands can do:

Isn't this beautiful? I especially like "the drummer" (in the far right); he moves his hands like he has drums in front of him :)

Have a great day (and I hope it doesn't rain in your part of the world)!

Funny facts :)

2010-10-20T13:53:00.001+02:00

These aren't really facts, but they are funny, aren't they?

And don't forget to enter the contest where you could win a digital copy of Wolf Signs! Just leave a comment here. I'll choose a winner randomly on October 29th!

Is nobody interested in free book?

2010-10-19T19:22:00.001+02:00

It seems like it. I just wanted to remind you that you could win a digital copy of Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend. The contest is open until October 29th and all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog here.

Nothing special is happening in my life, the college has started again and the life is crazy - again :) I don't have time to read or do anything fun. But that's life. I hope you are having a great week.

Win a copy of A Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend - contest

2010-10-15T13:15:00.001+02:00

Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving. Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death.Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf. Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full. Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind...

Sounds great, doesn't it? I've heard a lot of great stuff about this book. Leave a comment to this post for a chance to win a digital copy of Wolf Signs! and you could found out for yourself :)

I'll choose a winner randomly on October 29th!

This contest is a part of Moira Rogers' & Vivian Arend's Fall Frenzy Event. For your chance to win books, gift certificates, ereaders and more, visit http://www.moirarogers.com/contests/%22%3Ehttp://www.moirarogers.com/contests/

15 Days to Embrace the Darkside

2010-10-07T15:19:00.003+02:00

Remember last week when I posted a trailer for His Darkest Embrace by Juliana Stone? Well besides having another great book published, Juliana is having a great contest, too. Here's about it from her blog:

I will be launching 15 Days to Embrace the Darkside on Monday, October 10th and this is the list of authors participating!
Jeaniene Frost, Pamela Palmer, Anya Bast, Elisabeth Naughton, Shelli Stevens, Sophie Jordan, Merrie Destefano, Suzanne Rock, Amanda Vyne,Tiffany Clare, Michelle Rowen,Eve Silver, Donna Grant, Kris Kennedy, Cynthia Eden, Maggie Robinson

Weeeeeeeeeeee! Isn’t this an impressive list! Each day you’ll get a chance to win a different featured book! I’ll also be awarding a grand prize of 50$$ worth of (your choice) books ordered through The Book Depository! This way, I can open this contest overseas as well!
The grand prize winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 26th! So mark this down on your calendar and make sure to visit!

Did you see that list of authors! I can't wait for this contest to start!!
And while we are waiting for the contest we can read the first 4 chapters of His Darkest Embrace for free.

HIS DARKEST EMBRACE by Juliana Stone

2010-10-01T15:36:00.000+02:00

I am really looking forward to reading this book. It sounds great, and Juliana is one of those authors I admire both as a professional and as great human being.
Here is the trailer:

His Darkets Embrace comes out officially, October 26th 2010. For more info visit Juliana's web

Being With Him by Jessica Inclan - review

2010-09-26T18:59:00.001+02:00

I got this book at Tote Bags and Blogs from a very generous author - Jessica Inclan. If you haven't been to this blog I urge you to go there; it is a very interesting and fun blog.

Here is a little bit about the book:

Mila Adams has always known she was different. It’s not just that she’s a Mission District bohemian artist in rarefied San Francisco society. No, it’s that for as long as she can remember, she has had the ability to shift time, and who would believe that? Certainly not the obnoxious blind dates her mother keeps foisting off on her. Mila can’t help feeling there’s someone out there for her, a soul mate who might understand her unique ability. And when she looks into the dark eyes of financial whiz Garrick McClellan, time feels as if it has opened up on its own—and this time, Mila has nothing to do with it.

Any man would lust after a beauty like Mila, but the moment Garrick touches her—feels her shifting time just as he can—he recognizes her as his partner in power. Their connection is immediate, passionate, raw, and beyond anything either has ever experienced. But who are they? What is this gift that joins them so intensely? Are there others like them? And why do they feel that time is running out?

This book is a first in a trilogy. I didn't do a lot of research on the Internet about it, I liked the sound of it (and the cover is pretty great). I thought it's another fantasy or paranormal story. Was I wrong :) It is actually SCI FI book. I was very surprised how things turned out in the end.

But to start from the beginning. I liked two main characters Mila (which is pretty common name in Croatia, btw) and Garrick. They sounded very believable and real. Their instant connection bothered me a little, but these things often do bother me in any book - I just don't believe in instant attraction :( sorry. Halfway through the book things started to become very interesting and intense. Who are Mila and Garrick, why do they have all those special powers etc? I got hooked. I love Sci-Fi books, movies ... name it. So I read the other half of the book in one evening or should I say night. At first there aren't many side characters beside nosy mother and aunt but later on we meet many interesting people who will be explored more in other two books.

The time travel always intrigued me, and I really enjoyed how Ms Inclane explored and explained it.

All in all I love this book, I love the style of writing - it was very smooth. I like how story involved and became more and more believable. I like the connection between.... ah, I can't say between whom because then I would ruin all the suspense :)

And I liked the cover, although I think that cover and back cover blurb should have given some kind of indication that this book is Sci-Fi not paranormal, so that people who are buying the book wouldn't be mislead.

If you want to find out more about the author and other books in this trilogy (INTIMATE BEINGS and THE BEAUTIFUL BEING) I suggest you visit author's page.

Waka Waka

2010-09-23T13:03:00.000+02:00

This is something to brighten your whole day :)

Isn't he perfect!?

Have a great day!!!

The Winner

2010-09-21T09:52:00.001+02:00

Thank you all for reading my reviews :)
And the randomly chosen winner of my contest is........

Blodeuedd

Congrats!!!

You have 5 days to contact me or I will have to choose another winner.

I hope all of you are having a great week.

The Gladiator - review and the last chance for entering the contest

2010-09-16T14:45:00.005+02:00

So I had a few rough weeks at work and at college. I was at the international fair (in another country) for five days and when I came back I had two exams to take. I passed one and I don't know the results for the second one - I wrote it yesterday. I had really good time during the fair. We had business dinners with interesting people, I met few younger colleagues with whom I had a great time, and we even had a field trip by train! We rode in an open wagon (very slowly of course :)) and saw magnificent nature all around us. We had great lunch in the country and all in all had great time. Here are a few pictures.

This was our wagon - we even had live music :)

The old town we saw from a distance

We passed through some tunnels (they were dark:))

We saw some magnificent waterfalls

Ate by the water

And took a few pictures. I forgot to mention I had no hat and since the train moves at about 8 mph it was a windy ride so I put my shawl around my head to protect my ears :)

But, this was the first time I had a chance to look at my blog. And I have one more review to write and then the contest is closed. So lets get to work.

The book is The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw (btw, this book is the prise in my contest). Here's a little bit about it from Ms Capshaw's website.

Set in ancient Rome, Caros Viriathos is an ex-gladiator who has everything except inner peace. When he buys Christian slave girl, Pelonia, on a whim, he never expects her or her faith to turn his life upside down and win his heart.

I heard about this book a few months ago and it had good reviews so I decided to buy it. I don't normally read too many books with religious thematic but in August I read the two of them - The Gladiator and Madman (you can find my review of Madman here) and I enjoyed both of them.

The Gladiator tells a story about early days of Christianity when it was forbidden to believe in Christ. I love the main character - the ex-gladiator Caros Viriathos. He was a real alpha hero. He wasn't all charm and beauty but a real man with real problems. He bought Pelonia who is in fact a noblewoman that was sold by her uncle into slavery. Caros threats her well and they become friends. Soon he finds out that she's no common woman and that she's a Christian - a fact that could cost them their lives if discovered. Caros is also very troubled by his past. He was a gladiator from very young age and he had to kill many Christians in arena to survive (hose days Christians were used as pawns in Gladiator games). He's afraid that Pelonia will hate him when she finds out about it. Pelonia is another strong character in this story; she's smart, witty and doesn't take her newfound situation permanent. She's certain that she will find a way out of it.

I won't go any dipper into the story since I don't wish to spoil the book for you. But don't think this is some book that preaches Christianity - it doesn't. The story is about love, faith and character. It questions what would one do for his believes and loved ones; how far would he go; and how strong your character is. It is truly inspirational historical book. I recommend reading it.

I really like Ms Capshaw's website, so if you want to find out more about her and her books please visit it (if for no reason than to see how beautiful it is).

And since I love this book so much I will give one commenter the brand new copy of The Gladiator. All you have to do is leave a comment here. For extra entries, just comment on my previous reviews here and here. Every comment you leave gets you an extra entry. The contest is open until Monday evening (09/20/2010), and I will announce the winner on Tuesday. So stay tuned. It will be the winner's responsibility to get in touch with me. Contest is open to all who can receive a book from The Book Depository.

This sums up my vacation read :)

"No Mercy" (Dark Hunter Series) By Sherrilyn Kenyon

2010-08-31T09:34:00.000+02:00

It's finally here - I'm really looking forward to reading it!

Don't forget, you can still enter my giveaway.

Wicked Enchantment by Anya Bast - review and another chance to enter the giveaway

2010-08-27T19:29:00.003+02:00

I bought this book after I read a lot of exellent things about it and a excerpt - I was hooked form the start. And I wasn't disappointed. Here's a little bit about it (from Ms Bast's webpage):

When you’re a half incubus, your reputation precedes you…

All eyes are on Gabriel Mac Braire the day he makes his first appearance in the Seelie Court, including those of Aislinn Finvarra. Despite deep bitterness over her last failed relationship, Aislinn cannot help but be curious about the half incubus who is known to possess dark magick, both lethal and sexual in nature. Rumors abound of the women who have become enslaved to his irresistible charms.

So when the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn herself to act as his guide in the court, she is understandably on guard. She’s fallen under the spell of far less persuasive men before. In addition, Gabriel might be more than he seems and his true mission is far from innocent.

This time, Aislinn must protect not only her heart, but her very life…

The story is set in the mythological land of Piefferburg where all Fae people have been imprisoned by humans. The world is broken into two main subgroups of Fae: The Summer Queen with her Seelie noble class and the Shadow King ruled in dark with the Unseelie class. Oh I love those powerful people and while I don't especially find incubus attractive Gabriel was something different. I liked him from the start and I cheered for him throughout the whole story. Aislinn is very believable character and I could relate to her angst and feeling of not belonging. And I must admit that I am a sucker for those stories about magic where heroine is not sure if she is involved or under a spell and then hero has to prove himself (in very enjoyable ways *wink*). The world building was amazing. The back-story, the city where all the Fae people now has to live, the villains - everything was beautifully described and believable. When starting a new paranormal or fantasy book I am always afraid I won't be able to grasp all the important facts about this new world whit its special rules. But here everything went smoothly and natural. I liked how court's dynamics were described and all those behind the curtain actions. The story is fast paced and loaded with action. In some places it takes turn in a direction I didn't expect.

And then there is that great cover...

All in all it was a good book and I am looking forward to reading Ms Bast's next instalment in this series called Cruel Enchantment that comes out on September 7, 2010.

I give it 4 feathers because the end was just too much for me; but I don't want to spoil it for you with my negative thoughts. Read it and judge it yourself.

Don't forget to comment on this post since it gives you an extra entry for my contest.

ARCs Galore…A NEW International Giveaway

2010-08-25T13:57:00.000+02:00

Check this out - ARCs Galore…A NEW International Giveaway at Carol's Prints!!!

As the name says there are a lot of ARCs available for winning. And the good news is that you don't have to do anything special, just fill out the form at Ms Carolina Valdez Miller's webpage

Giveaway ends September 6, 2010. So hurry and here are just a few of the ARCs available for winning

Madman by Tracy Groot - review

2010-08-24T10:26:00.001+02:00

I won this book at fabulous International Christian Fiction Writers blog somewhere back in June. Those days I have been overwhelmed by all the exams I had to take and I just didn't have time to concentrate on anything except college. I decided to read it while on vacation. And that was a good decision. The book is not a light read. It takes time and devotion. But, first let me tell you something about the story. Here's the blurb from the back cover:

If there is a way into madness, logic says there is a way out. Logic says.

Tallis, a philosopher’s servant, is sent to a Greek academy in Palestine only to discover that it has silently, ominously, disappeared. No one will tell him what happened, but he learns what has become of four of its scholars. One was murdered. One committed suicide. One worships in the temple of Dionysus. And one is a madman.

From the author of The Brother’s Keeper comes a tale of mystery, horror, and hope in the midst of unimaginable darkness, the story behind the Geresene demoniac of the gospels of Mark and Luke.

I am a Catholic who goes to mass more or less regularly, I took all the sacraments, I studied Bible and still read it from time to time but I've never registered a part of the story about Jesus on Galilee Lake speaking with the madman. I did remember him waking up in the boat and stopping the storm but not about him talking with the madman. I'm not sure why that is but as I mentioned before I was on vacation with limited access to the Internet and my Bible was at home. So I dove into the story and wasn't left wanting. My curious nature wanted to find out more about Geresene demoniac before the ending of the book but in the end it was a good thing that I couldn't remember this event - it made the story more interesting and I read every page with eagerness.

The story starts with Tallis, an Athenian servant, who has been sent to visit the Palestinian school his master has founded and has been supporting financially. Upon his arrival he found out that the school is no longer in existence and all the teacher are missing and one of them was even murdered. The teacher who went mad was the youngest of them and most promising one. The story grips your attention from the start and I had trouble putting the book down. You want to know what happened with the school and why nobody speaks about it. How is possible that three men disappeared and nobody saw a thing. Although the book is called Madman he is not the main character but the servant Tallis.

Another thing unknown to me was the cult of Dionysius and all the rituals associated; but I don't want to go into details because I don't want to spoil the story for you.

The landscape was beautifully described; I could see it and feel it all. The story gave very good picture about the customs from that time, about the Greeks and Palestinians, their differences and similarities. There were many characters and they were very well developed but the innkeeper's daughter Kes was a character that felt real and believable to me and I enjoyed reading about her.

After finishing the book, the one thing that kept popping up was the sentence that, for me, summarises the whole story: “Quandocumque impellunt, repelle. “ in English: "Whenever they push, push back.". It refers to the demons which posses your mind if you allow them. Demons are not necessarily some mystical creatures but they are real things like insecurity, boredom, egoism, conceit that come knocking at your door but can enter only if you allow them. I think this is the message. You have to push them out of your head because that is the only way to remain healthy both spiritually and physically. Also, it shows how easily one bad thought leads to another and that one to another and soon you are overwhelmed and can't push back anymore. Although the story is based on a gospels don't think this is the book for Christians only. It's not. It's a story about human mind, love and value of friendship. The Jesus is mentioned only on a few pages and not in a way that makes you feel like someone is trying to push you to believe something you don't want to or like you are being pushed toward the religion you don't know/want/need. Like I said it is all about how strong and good your heart/spirit is and do you want to be a good person. The other message is that when you are down and everything looks black there is a light and you can find it if you believe in it.

The thing that really delighted me was the cover. I mean look at it, it is pure perfection. I LOVE it.

I give this story 5 out of 5 feathers. I enjoyed it and loved it.

To learn more about Ms Groot please visit her webpage.

I'm off to order another of her praised books The Brother’s Keeper.

P.S. Don't forget to comment - it will give you an extra entry for my contest.

I'm back to work and contest

2010-08-23T12:22:00.005+02:00

I came back to work after 3 week vacation spent more or less by the seaside. I had a great time. I have been to some parts of Croatia I have never been to. It was really relaxing. I'll post some pictures after I get my hands on my boyfriend's camera where he's keeping them hostage. Now it's back to work and learning for two exams I have in September.

I did manage to read a few books. I'll be posting my review in a few days - after I clean my house :(

How was your summer? Tell me and you could win one of the books I'm planning to review

- The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw

Contest is open to all who can receive a book from The Book Depository. You can get an extra entry by commenting on my reviews for the next few days. When I post all the reviews the contest will be closed. So stay tuned :)

CSN Winner!!!

2010-08-04T22:00:00.000+02:00

Thank you all for taking part in this giveaway!!! And the random winner is

elaing8

Here's what random.org had to say:
There were 10 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.4. elaing8
2.1. CrystalGB
3.2. Mami2jcn
4.3. Cecile
5.8. Debbie
6.6. Domestic Diva
7.7. Debbie
8.10. edmontonjb
9.9. Stephanie
10.5. elaing8
Timestamp: 2010-08-04 19:49:58 UTC

The winner has 4 days to contact me, if not I will have to choose another winner.

Thank you CSN for this giveway!!!

Have a great day!

Just a quick hello

2010-07-30T20:28:00.000+02:00

from ferry!

See you soon! Don't forget to enter CSN giveaway (in the post below).

Of to the vacation

2010-07-25T08:37:00.000+02:00

I'm on the beach starting today! Yay!!!!

Pray for the good weather because weather forecast is not so good :(

Have a great week! See you in 7 days!

And don't forget to enter CSN giveaway.

I've been to a great concert

2010-07-23T18:29:00.001+02:00

last night by a famous Croatian singer Gibonni. It was really fun and he had other famous singers as his guests at the concert. The concert was held out in the open at the city square. And in the midnight we also had fireworks :)
Here is one of his more popular songs called Mirakul (eng Miracle). I hope you'll like it.
And don't forget to enter CSN giveaway.

Have a great weekend!

Giveaway!!!

2010-07-21T20:55:00.001+02:00

I was contacted by fabulous people at CSN and you know what that means, right? It’s G I V E A W A Y time :)

Don't you like dining room? I do - it's a place to enjoy and wouldn't you like to have a nice comfy bar stool to read on while having your breakfast?

Or even better - a nice breakfast nook to enjoy your meal and a book?

You can choose these (and many others) at DINNING ROOMS DIRECT and with a help of 60 $ gift certificate that will be so much easier.

Well, here’s the deal: leave a comment and you will be entered into giveaway. The prize is (as stated before) one-time-use $60 gift certificate (the card does not cover any shipping costs) for you to use as you wish at any of CSN Stores.

http://www.allmodern.com/ , http://www.luxebycsn.com/ , and http://www.alloutdoordining.com/ .

Rules:

+ 1 entry - leave a comment

+ 2 entries - post about the giveaway at your blog / facebook and leave the link in comments

Open only to US and Canada residents (sorry, CSN rules)

Ends - 2nd of August 2010

The winner will be responsible for contacting me and then I will send her/his information to CSN and gift certificate will be sent to winner by the store.

Good luck!

Cover alert!

2010-07-21T09:42:00.000+02:00

This is an official cover for the last book in Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead called Last Sacrifice. The book comes out December 7, 2010.
What do you think? I kind of like it :) Nothing spectacular but nice.

Stay tuned for my evening surprise!

The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter, review

2010-07-20T14:15:00.003+02:00

I bought this book after I read The Darkest Whisper and The Darkest Passion. I really enjoyed them and I decided to go forward with the books in the series and later read the previous ones. There are nine novels and novellas in this series and I started reading them in the middle, of course :)

About the series:

Long ago, twelve immortals warriors – each more dangerously seductive than the last -- stole and opened Pandora’s box, unleashing the evil from within. Now they carry that evil within themselves. Violence, Pain, Death, Disease, Disaster, Misery, Doubt, Promiscuity, Defeat, Lies, Secrets, and Wrath. When a powerful enemy returns, they will travel the world in search of a sacred relic of the gods – one that threatens to destroy them all.

Here's a little bit about The Darkest Lie:

Forced to his knees in agony whenever he speaks the truth, Gideon can recognize any lie—until he captures Scarlet, a demon-possessed immortal who claims to be his long-lost wife. He doesn’t remember the beautiful female, much less wedding — or bedding — her. But he wants to . . . almost as much as he wants her.

But Scarlet is keeper of Nightmares, too dangerous to roam free, and a future with her means risking everything. Especially as Gideon’s enemies draw closer . . . and the truth threatens to destroy all he’s come to love . . .

While waiting for my copy of this book to arrive from The Book Depository, I read some reviews and they were all mostly negative. These reviews spoiled my experience of the story. I had a hard time enjoying it, since all the time negative reviews were at the back of my head. But in the end I loved this story almost as much as the previous two.

I liked the main characters and found them to be believable (as much as two demon possessed people could be). The first 100 pages or so were standard get-to-know-you; and instant attraction was there too. But somewhere in the middle of the book, the story takes the turn in direction I really wasn't expecting. It was a surprise for me; and a pleasant one too. I don't want to spoil things for those who will read this book, so I won't tell what happens but it was a nice turn of events.

The things I didn’t like were Gideon and Scarlet's demons making out, yuck; and the stories about other Lord's adventures were lacking in details and explanations. I know that those are back stories, but they left me frustrated because only hints were made without further explanations of the reasons why things were happening and how they were resolved.

I give this story 3.5 feathers (of maximum 5).

And whatecer you do, never read a negative review if you are planning to read the book, it will spoil your experience and in the end ruin perfectly good book.

For more info, please visit Gena's webpage.

P.S. See my banner? This weekend starts my vacation and I'm planning to spend it sunbathing :) I have a surprise for you tomorrow and then I'm off to beach... Check back to see what I've been planning.

Under the Northern Lights - giveaway announcement

2010-07-15T09:47:00.000+02:00

ONE WEEK OF WOLVES - July 27- August 3 Ms Vivian Arend is holding an extended week of celebration to get ready for the release of Under the Northern Lights–the print anthology of the first two books in the popular Granite Lake series. There will be daily prizes from great authors like Lauren Dane, Lisa Hendrix, Ann Aguirre, Moira Rogers, Bianca D’Arc.

Just go to the http://vivianarend.com/blog/ for more details. It looks like a lot of FUN!!!

Funny :)

2010-07-14T09:33:00.000+02:00

It's like that in my corner of the world. It' been very hot and humidity is high. But it's summer, so I love it :)
How's the weather like in your part of the world?

Gena Showalter's The Bodyguard

2010-07-08T10:11:00.000+02:00

I'm not sure under which rock I've been living, but only recently I discovered wonderful books by Gena Showalter. I know, I know....I'm ashamed :(

But I'm reformed now...I'm reading all Lords of the Underworld books, and I really like them.

But there's another great story (among others) by Ms Showalter, it's The Bodyguard and it is now available, as well. Temptation in Shadows is a story by Ms Showalter in this anthology. Here's a little bit about it:

Tall, lean and muscular -- and definitely rough around the edges -- Sean Walker is not your typical nightclub bodyguard. He's a controller of shadows, able to wield darkness at will. But when a mysterious woman at the club turns out to have powers greater than his own, he has no choice but seduction...

SOUNDS GREAT! For more info, please visit author's webpage: http://genashowalter.com/

CAPTIVE SPIRIT by Liz Fichera

2010-07-01T13:51:00.000+02:00

I saw an interview with Liz Fichera, a new author for me, at Leah Braemel's website. It was a very interesting interview and the I really like the premises of Ms Fichera's book CAPTIVE SPIRIT. I tought that maybe others would be interested in this book, so I'm posting a trailer for the book as well as a little bit about it. For more info, please visit author's website: http://www.lizfichera.com/

CAPTIVE SPIRIT Back Cover:

Sonoran Desert. Dawn of the sixteenth century.

Aiyana isn’t like the other girls of the White Ant Clan. Instead of keeping house, she longs to compete on the Ball Court with her best friend Honovi and the other boys. Instead of marriage, she daydreams of traveling beyond the mountains that surround her small village. Only Honovi knows and shares her forbidden wish, though Aiyana doesn’t realize her friend has a secret wish of his own…

When Aiyana’s father arranges her marriage to a man she hardly knows, she takes the advice of a tribal elder: Run! In fleeing, she falls into the hands of Spanish raiders and finds herself being taken over the mountains against her will. Now Aiyana’s on a quest to return to the very place she once dreamed of escaping. And she’ll do whatever it takes to survive and find her way back to the people she loves.

HIS LADY MISTRESS by Elizabeth Rolls - review

2010-06-30T11:32:00.004+02:00

I downloaded this book a few months ago from Harlequin for free. I didn't get a chance to read it until yesterday. My exams are over (thank God) for the summer, so it was my first day off school (the job is still here, thank God :)) and I wanted something light to read. Here’s a little bit about the story:

Blurb

When Max, Earl Blakehurst, meets Verity he sees a downtrodden servant. He doesn't recognise her as the daughter of a colonel under whom he used to serve. The life Verity's now living is untenable, so he proposes to set her up as his mistress.

It's only once Verity's finally agreed, once Max is beginning to lose his heart to her, that he discovers her true identity. Max would never have suggested this lady become his mistress!

The book starts 5 years before the main story takes place. We meet Verity as a young girl hidden in the chimney in the middle of the night watching men loading her father's body to the carriage. She secretly follows them to the graveyard where she plans to plant bluebells so she can find her father's grave later. When men left, she goes to the grave. She was weak and it was raining heavily and suddenly one of the men returns and helps her, then takes her home.

Five years in the future the girl's name is Selina and she works as a servant at her uncle's home, when the same man who helped her arrives but doesn’t recognise her. He was told that she died soon after her father. But he takes interest in abused servant girl Selina and that's when the story begins...

I was confused at the beginning of the book; I didn’t know what's going on. Only later in the book did I found out that when one commits suicide he was buried in unmarked grave and all of his possessions were taken. So the beginning really bugged me. The other thing was how easily men in those times (19 ct.) took mistresses and nobody mind it. I guess I'm not a great historical reader and maybe these facts are common knowledge.

I liked the story because I'm a sucker for emotional read. You can say that through whole book the emotions are the main characters. It really did show how relationship can be ruined with nothing more than misunderstanding and lack of communication.

I recommend it to anyone who likes to read about turbulent relationships and redeemed Lords :)

For more info about the author, the book and the other books please visit author's website: http://www.elizabethrolls.com/

The Missing

2010-06-30T11:02:00.002+02:00

Great trailer, isn't it? And I like the story as well. The book is out in a few days (in paperback) and I can't wait to read it. For more info go to the author's webpage

Have a great day!