July 2013 – Read-Love-Blog

ARC Review….Outside the Lines by Kimberly Kincaid

Outside the Lines releases TODAY!

Book links:

Synopsis:

As an ivy-league ER doctor who eats double shifts for breakfast (and lunch…and dinner), Blake Fisher has little appetite for anything other than work. Being on the staff at Brenstville Hospital means taking care of people, a need Blake understands all too well from losing his brother to cystic fibrosis eight years ago. When he’s asked to coordinate a carnival fundraiser for the cause, he jumps at the chance to help others with the disease…until it lands him side by side with the one woman he never thought he’d see again: his ex-fiancée.

Streetwise and rough around the edges, Jules Shaw is no stranger to earning a living through hard work. But when her job as the restaurant manager of Mac’s Diner puts her shoulder to really broad shoulder with Blake Fisher, she nearly balks. She’d rather dodge and deflect than admit the real reason she broke things off, but the catering contract for the carnival means big business for Mac’s, and feeding people is Jules’s lifeblood.

As Blake and Jules join reluctant forces, they quickly rediscover the spark between them. But the possibility of a future together hinges on coming clean about the past, with potentially devastating consequences. Can Blake and Jules overcome their drastically different backgrounds and learn to love again, or will they always be outside the lines?

My Review:

Outside the Lines is the newest piece from Kimberly Kincaid and follows her novella, Drawing the Line, a story I really enjoyed. Well, Kimberly has worked her magic again! Outside the Lines was wonderful!

Jules Shaw, the manager at Mac’s Diner, has faced her share of hardships in her past and is finally feeling like she’s overcome them. She feels at home running the restaurant and feels like she’s doing some good in the world making and feeding people with foods she loves. So, you’d think she knows her way around the kitchen but when she burns her arm and heads to the hospital the last person she expects to have treat her wound is the ex-fiancé she left behind eight years ago. Adding insult to injury, after being treated and thinking she could outrun her past again, she finds out she will be working with the good doctor for a charity event she has busted her chops to land the catering contract for. The fates really do have it in for her, it seems.

Blake Fisher must have worked entirely too many shifts in a row…because surely his eyes are playing tricks on him. The woman who took his heart with her when she left him eight years earlier cannot be sitting in his ER. He never would have thought he’d run into her when he moved away from the city and back to his roots and this hospital. But sure enough, here she is, and his reaction to her is exactly as strong as it was back then. Can he be lucky enough to have a second chance with the beautiful, strong and talented woman he hasn’t been able to get out of his mind for all this time?

Will Blake and Jules find out what went wrong and what caused her to leave him with nothing more than a Dear John letter? Having to work together for the next six weeks planning the hospital’s annual charity event will give them plenty of time spent in each other’s company….and will make it damn hard to ignore the spark that still lingers between them.

Well, let me say that for just 109 pages, this novella packs a punch! I sat down to start this, and before I knew it, I had ignored a whole afternoon worth of responsibility because I was so into this story. Jules is a gal I really enjoyed. She’s overcome many obstacles and never forgot where she came from. She is always baking or cooking and making sure the people she cares for have what they need. Blake is just as enjoyable. He’s an honest to goodness, all around good guy wrapped in a handsome package. He’s got a great big heart that shows when he’s caring for his patients and when he’s with Jules. Together, their relationship is just very honest to me. They realize their attraction and are simply two people trying to figure out how to make it work. What I liked best about this novella was that there had been a history between the characters before the story picked up, which made the story really easy to get in to, and a pleasure to read. The back-story and current situations both were balanced out really well and I didn’t feel I was missing anything or that I was getting too much of somthing. I imagine that’s hard to do with a shorter story, but Kimberly does is flawlessly here!

Thank you, Kimberly, for another delicious read! I cannot wait to see what treats she has in store for us in the future (…and I’m hoping it involves a sexy fireman named Aaron!)

Five Loves

About the author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Play Me by Diane Alberts Release Day Blitz

Happy Release Day to Diane Alberts and Play Me!

Exciting things happening today! I’ve got a fabulous excerpt for you below and Diane is having a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card giveaway (rafflecopter to enter is also below)!

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job.

Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.

Excerpt:

Three months, two weeks, one day, and nineteen hours.

That’s how long it had been since Garrett walked away from Kiersten. She barely even spoke to him anymore, other than a soft hello as they passed on the court after practices. It was probably better that way. Anything more than a brief encounter hurt too much. He’d spent most of his life pretending not to care about her. Pretending he was fine without her. But now that he’d had one night in her arms, he knew he wasn’t.

And he wanted her more than he could ever possibly describe.

Oh well. Tough shit. He wasn’t going to get her on his terms. And he wouldn’t accept hers.

He needed a drink. Or three.

He unlocked the door to his apartment and froze. Pots clanged in the kitchen. Dropping his gym bag to the carpet, he walked around the corner. Only his buddy Mike had a copy of his key, and that was just in case of an emergency or if he somehow lost his own set. But why would Mike let himself in and then cook? To the best of his knowledge, Mike didn’t even know how to cook.

“Mike?” he called out.

“Uh, no,” Kiersten replied. “It’s me.”

He tensed and walked slowly into his kitchen, his heart beating rapidly in his ears. “How did you get in here?”

She flushed. “I asked Mike for the key. Told him I needed something for Chris to practice at home.” She waved a hand. “He didn’t question me, thank God. My story was weak.”

He studied her. “Why are you here? You could have just knocked.”

“I was worried you wouldn’t let me in,” she said softly, averting her eyes. “So I took matters into my own hands.”

“And the dinner?”

“A way to try to make up for what I did. It’s pathetic and not big enough, I know, but I had to do something.”

He raised his brows. “You could give me space, like I asked. Why cook for me? What do you want?”

She looked at him. “I thought you might like to eat some food. Last time I checked, you were human.”

“It’s been over three months since we talked or hung out.” He crossed his arms over his chest, not sure what her sudden reemergence in his life meant. What game did she play? “And last time I checked, we weren’t really on speaking terms. Yet here you are. Cooking me dinner.”

“Yep.” She set down the spoon she was stirring the sauce with, shoulders tight as she leaned on the counter. “Pretty much.”

He looked away from her and swallowed hard. Did she realize how much it hurt him just to see her face or to hear her voice? Probably not, since he’d been the only idiot who had wanted more. Every woman paled in comparison to her. No matter how hard he tried to move on, to be attracted to another woman, there was only one person on his mind. Kiersten. But if she was here…

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Have you changed your mind about us?”

She paled and he cursed himself for jumping to foolish, optimistic conclusions. “I—no, not yet. But—”

“Then you need to leave,” he said. He raised his head and met her eyes, unwilling to back down. “I haven’t changed my mind, either. I need space.”

“It’s been three months. Isn’t that enough space?”

“No.” He drew in a ragged breath. “It’s not. Now please leave.”

She bit her lip. “No.”

“Yes.” He stalked toward her, picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder, and headed for the door. He tired not to remember that the last time he’d carried her like this, they’d been going up to her bedroom. “If you won’t walk out on your own, then I’ll carry you out.”

She punched his back and squirmed. “Let me down. We need to talk.”

“The time for talking is over. I need distance right now. Eventually we can be friends again. But for now?” He opened the door, set her in the hallway, and closed the door in her face. “Please go home.”

He turned away and stomped into the kitchen. Damn it, he wasn’t doing this anymore. He may have played the part of the lovesick friend for months—hell, years—now, but he was done with being a benchwarmer she pulled out when it suited her mood.

From now on, it needed to be a starting position for him…or nothing at all.

Shutting off the stove, he picked up the pot and peeked inside. She’d made his favorite meal. Cheese ravioli. Vodka sauce bubbled away in a different pot and he could smell the garlic bread in the oven.

“Listen, Garrett, we need to talk,” Kiersten said.

Garrett jumped and faced her with a glare. “What are you doing in here—again?”

“I have a key.” She waved a gold key under his nose, her nose tilted up in the air stubbornly. “And I know how to open a door on my own. I’ve been doing it since I was three.”

“Congratulations.” He snatched the key out of her hand and reached for her, determined to put her right back where he had left her. “But you need to go. I’m serious.”

She jumped out of his reach and sprinted behind the relative safety of his favorite chair. “Not until you listen to me. Sit down and shut up for a second, will you?”

He pursued her, ready to stick her back out in the hallway, sans key this time. “All I asked for was a break. Can’t you respect that?”

He bolted around the chair, reaching for her arm. Her eyes widened and she darted to the side when he feinted left and ran right, hoping to fool her into his arms. “I can’t leave until we talk,” she replied.

“Why not?” he asked in exasperation, holding his hands up. “What could possibly be so damn important?”

She blinked at him, wringing her hands. “I’m pregnant.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. ON ONE CONDITION hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. CAPTIVATED BY YOU hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name. She also writes New Adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Website ~ Facebook Fan Page ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer…..Selene’s Review of Branded As Trouble by Lorelei James

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer continues with Selene’s review of Branded As Trouble by Lorelei James

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

…It’s hard to trust the future when you’ve been branded by the past

As a walking advertisement for the tattoo shop she’s set up in a small Wyoming town, India Ellison is well acquainted with preconceived notions. Despite the odd looks and off-color comments about her off-color hair, life is good. She’s clean and sober, dotes on her sister’s kids and, best of all, spends most of her free time with her best buddy, cowboy Colt McKay.

Reformed bad boy Colt never expected three years of sobriety to lead to three years of abstinence. Curbing his craving for booze and random sexual encounters is nothing compared to the ever-increasing craving for his hot-tempered, hot-bodied best friend, India. Too bad she’s his A.A. sponsor. Too bad she hasn’t a clue that Colt’s been head-over-bootheels in love with her from day one.

After an unexpected, steamy interlude, all India can think about is riding the sexy cowboy instead of her motorcycle, even when Colt is determined to show her a slower ride is worth the wait.

Or are they risking their friendship for a fling that could burn them both?

Selene’s Review:

A [personally] highly anticipated book… that did not let down.

From the outside perspective, India, a tattooed, hot-tempered, and impossibly stubborn beauty, and Colton, an only-in-dreams-is-someone-this-beautiful former-bad boy cowboy, could not be more of opposites if they tried. But their experiences, both internal and external, have made them…well, absolutely perfect for each other. Too bad it took them so long to see it for themselves!

What author Lorelei James does best is delayed gratification. Her building up of Colt and India’s tension and their breaking point is just as delectable as when the two experienced lovers come together. And I definitely couldn’t get enough of their sexual moments; it left a brand on the reader like nothing else.

Another thing I had been waiting for besides the long-awaited couple’s union was the acceptance of Colt’s hard work throughout the years by his McKay family, specifically his older brothers. It took younger brother and war hero Cameron McKay to initiate this and it was absolutely tear-jerking. And it was wonderful to see Colt reformed and be the strong man that he is…with an equally strong woman backing him up, of course. It took India awhile to own up to her faults, but when she did, damn it was romantic.

I highly recommend this book for those readers that believe that friendship first can turn into the greatest of loves.

Four-and-a-Half Loves

From author website:

A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles.

Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.

Book Birthday & GIVEAWAY…The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers

Happy 1st Birthday to The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers!

Omnific is celebrating in a BIG way for this very special first birthday!

There will be fun quotes and pictures on the blogs celebrating and an AMAZING giveaway with great prizes so be sure to enter to win (rafflecopter link is below) and if you haven’t already read The Winemaker’s Dinner Series, what are you waiting for?

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Facebook

(yep….that’s me, Jilly, and the dreamy Dr. Ivan….squeeee!)

**psssst….in case you missed it, I got the opportunity to interview Dr. Ivan and you can read all the fun HERE

Synopsis:

Recently named executive chef at one of Miami Beach’s hottest restaurants, Jaden Thorne is determined to make her culinary mark and fulfill her professional dreams. When Jaden is given highly coveted tickets to the ultra-exclusive Winemaker’s Dinner, she jumps at the opportunity to meet South Florida’s wealthiest and most influential food and wine enthusiasts.

Jaden’s eyes are drawn to the VIP section even before the appetizers appear, but she soon finds herself thinking less about networking and more about the intriguingly sexy stranger eying her from across the room. After dinner, what begins as a light-hearted flirtation unexpectedly catapults into a night of explosive passion. But when morning dawns, Jaden leaves her sleeping Mr. Oh So Sexy behind, sure they’ll never see each other again.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, a handsome, young physician, boasts an extensive resume’ and a well-established position on Miami Beach’s social scene. But despite his success and glamour, he’s routinely had to suffer uninspiring dates and doomed relationships. With a romantic heart, Ivan’s not the love-‘em-and-leave-‘em type. But when he awakens to find that the girl in the red dress has done exactly that, he resolves to find her–only if it’s just to ask why she left without even a kiss goodbye.

The Winemaker’s Dinner is a fictionalized erotic memoir inspired by the romantic triumphs and tragedies of Dr. Ivan Rusilko’s real life. Weaving fact with fantasy, authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have gifted readers with a swoon-worthy flesh-and-blood romantic hero and the intoxicating bouquet only a heartfelt tale of passionate love can create.

About the authors:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, DO, CSN, PT, is an accomplished weight loss, wellness, physical enhancement and sexual health physician in Miami, Florida. A certified sports nutritionist, champion bodybuilder, international male fitness model, and former Mr. USA 2008 & 2010, Dr. Ivan graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010 and sits as the national media and public relations expert and spokesperson on diet, exercise and sports nutrition for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Dr. Ivan has been a feature health writer and lifestyle coach for numerous magazines and online publications including The Washington Times and Quarter Life Health.

In addition to health and wellness, he has a variety of interests and activities including event coordination, photography, writing, and politics.

With his debut novel, “The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers,” book one of a planned three book series due out in the summer of 2012, Dr. Rusilko is excited to offer a male voice in a predominantly female authored genre. Always one with a story to tell, he hopes to continue writing, exploring new genres and projects, as well as field future entertainment opportunities.

He is proud to bring two of his passions, his medical wellness and sexual health background and writing together in this unique project. He hopes that the “The Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy” will help spark an enthusiasm and liberation among women, inspiring them to bring their sexual health into focus and achieve a better quality of life.

“The best cosmetic procedure is adding a smile.” – Dr Rusilko

Everly Drummond:

As a student of the Centennial College Social Service Worker program, and the Trent University Biology program, Everly Drummond had a previous life in administration and transportation before launching her career as a writer. Everly’s other writing projects include City of the Damned, a paranormal romance series, and Blood of the Ancients, a YA paranormal romance. All four novellas in the City of the Damned series have appeared on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Everly resides in Toronto, Ontario,where she is currently working on the full length Inked novel, which is scheduled to be released Spring 2013.

Enter to win the amazing contest with prizes that include:

$50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (winner’s choice)

Custom Silver TWD-centric charm bracelet

Custom Silver TWD charm book mark

Mollydooker Baseball Cap like Ivan wears

Set (3) of signed print books

5 complete series ePack

5 Swag Packs

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review….Play Me by Diane Alberts

Play Me releases July 29

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Even the best-laid plans can go awry.

My review:

Play Me is the third story in the Take a Chance Series by Diane Alberts. I have read, and enjoyed, the first two and was really looking forward to this story after just looking at the cover. Well, Diane has done it again…..this story rocked!

Kiersten Worth was not supposed to be spending this day alone. It was supposed to be her wedding day, but thanks to a cheating fiancé, there will be no wedding bells for her. Luckily, she has been spending time with Garrett, a childhood friend of her and her brother and her son’s basketball coach. She’s looking forward to seeing him tonight for one of their casual chill-on-the-couch-with-a-movie nights when she decides to hatch a plan to get her ex out of her head, even if just for one night. She knows Garrett has had a crush on her for years and tonight she plans on taking advantage of that. Yep, hot and sexy Garrett is just the man to get the job done. After her itch is scratched, surely they will be able to go back to their carefree relationship as friends….until the unexpected happens.

Garrett has watched Kiersten from across the gym floor at basketball games and dreamed of what it would be like to have more with her….more than just a close friend. But he knows that’s just a fantasy. He’s best friends with her brother and her son’s basketball coach and that’s all he will ever be to her. Imagine his surprise when he heads to her house for a typical night in and gets way more than what he’s ever imagined.

Here’s the thing with those friendly hook-ups….most of the time they just don’t work. The awkwardness that follows can ruin the best of friendships and it just may ruin Garrett and Kiersten’s. Fate won’t let that happen though and when Kiersten finds out she’s pregnant, Garrett comes up with a plan to make things work for all of them…..hopefully.

What a great read this was. High emotion and intense at times but with such caring and love interspersed throughout it gave the story great balance. Kiersten has been hurt and just can’t shake it. I can’t blame her, really. She doesn’t want to want Garrett and tries to push him away at every turn because she thinks it’s the best way to keep what’s left of her heart safe. Lucky for her Garrett is focused and headstrong and won’t give up without a fight! Damn, I do love me some Garrett! He’s loyal, trustworthy, reliable and damn sexy with a huge heart. He’s not ready to give up on Kiersten or their growing family. They have a rough go of things and have to really work through some major issues. I will admit I wanted to shake Kiersten a few times while reading and tell her to grab Garrett before it’s too late but if you know me, you know I love characters that get me to feel! Oh, and the chemistry between them and their schmexy scenes are positively delicious! I was fanning myself more than a few times…..yum!

If you’re looking for a yummy, heartwarming and entertaining read, I say get Play Me on your to-read list! This is a series I will always look forward to seeing more from. Thank you, Diane, for another fabulous story!

Four Loves

About the author:

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review….All My Life by Rucy Ban

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Kari meets Neil Mars. “Neil as in Armstrong and Mars…as in Bruno.” A boy who beats every vampire, werewolf, highlander fantasy Kari has ever had. But she knows she can’t get close to him. Not ever. Because that would mean telling him everything. Coming clean. And Kari can’t bear the idea of changing the way Neil looks at her. Like she’s the only girl in the world. His reverence is something too precious to lose. Perhaps even at the cost of losing him.

But Kari doesn’t know why Neil calls her his ‘Angel’ and when she finds out, she realizes what love is all about. Boundless joy, unending longing and a fuckload of heartache.

My Review:

All My Life is the debut from author Rucy Ban and the first in the First Things Series. As I sit here and begin this review I have to say….this was one hell of a kick ass debut!

Kari hasn’t exactly had what you’d call the best of luck when it comes to boyfriends. She’d fallen for the wrong guy in high school and has been paying for it since. Now, in college, she’s happy for the anonymity college life brings. Even if she can’t shake the regret her high school ex-loser boyfriend brings, no one else had to know about it on this campus. It was without a doubt a story she never wanted to share with anyone. Now, with school going well, she’s longing for more and that comes in the form of a chance part-time job offer at the tattoo parlor opening up right down the street. Seems interesting enough, and she had always done well in art class, so why not! Maybe this is just what Kari needs to breathe some life into her miserable, regretful life. What she doesn’t need is the distraction of the positively lickable hottie that has just walked into the shop. Not making things better is his relationship to the shop owner and the fact that he’s around a whole lot more than Kari would like. His panty dropping looks and kind and polite personality is a combo she is finding hard to resist and starts breaking down the walls she’s built around her heart.

Neil Mars is a young guy with a whole lot on his plate. Heartbreaking issues that a young guy shouldn’t have to be dealing with. But as he walks into the tattoo parlor, he meets Kari. Kari, the one who ends up representing all that is good in love and life and turns out to be the lifeline he needs. His angel.

Where to begin?! This story rocked. Seriously rocked. Keri is full of snark and had me laughing out loud too many times to count. Her life kinda sucks when we meet her and she totally knows it. The cynical outlook she has on things is justified and she weaves that cynicism with sarcasm and a dash of innocence that turns it into a combo that is awesome to read! She’s written in a way that I could see her in my mind’s eye and imagine how she would be behaving at that moment and is someone I would totally love hanging out with. Neil is such a swoon worthy hero. The bad boy looks with the big heart, soft-spoken demeanor and unwavering strength in the face of adversity is a package that’s hard to beat. These two have a whole lot to deal with during this book, and reading some other reviews, some may think too much but I really enjoyed how the whole story played out. I felt that it kept the story going and never left the reader with a dull moment. The cast along with Keri and Neil are also some amazing characters. Spunky and heartwarming people who complimented the story at every turn and added to the moments whether they were the laugh out loud or grab me a tissue kind.

All in all, I really REALLY loved this book and am so happy I got a chance to read it. I absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for a witty, snarky, sexy, heartwarming read with a few “whoa” moments peppered throughout. Thank you, Rucy, for a fantastic story!

Four Loves

About the author:

Rucy Ban was born in 1978 and still continues to thrive. Ever since she first met Francine (the protagonist of her favorite novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), Rucy fell in love with the written word. Rucy has a B-school degree in Marketing which she now puts to good use teaching lovable rowdy rogues and negotiating with her equally belligerent adolescent. In her previous avatar, she handled corporate communications for companies. At present, Rucy lives in Sao Paulo, travels often, speaks decent, if not quite fluent, Portuguese and really hates talking about herself in third person.

Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter

Blog Tour & Giveaway….Blood Entangled by Amber Belldene

Title: Blood Entangled (Blood Vine #2)

Author: Amber Belldene

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publication Date: July 23, 2013 by Omnific Publishing

Event organized by: Literati Author Services

Purchase links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Omnific

Synopsis:

Book Two in the Blood Vine series:

KOS MARAS’s orderly life is in shambles—he must distribute Blood Vine to a population of ailing vampires, but Hunters block him at every turn. To make matters worse, each night he watches over a temptingly beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He is convinced love cannot last a vampire-long lifetime and an entanglement will only cause them grief, but he doesn’t have the heart to send her away.

From a long line of blood servants, LENA ISAAKSON is destined to serve a vampire, but a string of humiliating rejections thwarts her pleasure. When Kos shows her kindness, she hopes he will claim her. Instead he proves himself a coward in the face of love and sends her to serve another.

Will the dark seduction of a rakish new vampire finally bring Lena the pleasure she desires or deliver her into the hands of Hunters who want to destroy everything the Maras family has worked for?

My review:

Blood Entangled is the second book in Amber Belldene’s Blood Vine Series. After falling in love with this series while reading the first book, I was so excited to get my hands on Blood Entangled….and Amber rocked the vampire world once again with this story!

Still reeling and embarrassed from Andre’s rejection, Lena Isaakson is talking solace in the comfort given to her from Andre’s son, Kos. Staying in Kos’s home after leaving the Kastle Estate Winery, and place she’s called home, she has to decide what to do with her life. Lena knows she was born to serve a vampire household as her grandmother had done before her and she thought the estate was that household. While contemplating her next move she starts to realize that her feelings for Kos run far deeper than she expected and thinks he may be the vampire she truly wants to serve.

Kos has more than enough on his plate. Hunters trying to take down his family and their winery and trying to distribute life-saving blood vine wine to dying vampires should be plenty to keep his mind occupied but Lena is all he can think about. She has always held a place in his heart and now, after he offers to take care of her until she decides what to do next, he starts to think there’s no way he can let her leave. Unfortunately, the nagging memories of his mother and Andre’s disastrous love affair can never be erased and he believes love can never last. Looks like the only solution is to find a new household and new vampire for Lena to serve…it may prove to be that hardest thing he’s ever had to do.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but old memories and too many emotions and hurt will lead to many twists in the road for Lena and Kos. Add Ethan Bennett and his hunter’s insatiable appetite for their demise and destruction and the odds are certainly stacked against them. Will what they’ve found between them prove to be worth fighting for and taking a chance?

It was SO great to get back into the Kastle Estate Winery and see where things are headed! Predictable is NOT a word I would use to describe this book, that’s for sure. I wasn’t sure how I would like Lena when I started this book, but by the end of the first chapter I loved her. She is a passionate gal with a wit about her that was unexpected and totally enjoyable. She called Andre a “big mean jerk”…..I’m still laughing at that! She was written so well that I could feel her emotions when she felt rejected and defeated. I was really pulling for her happy ending because she truly deserved it (of course, I can’t tell you if she got it – mwahaha!). Kos is so loyal and focused. He is driven and wants nothing more than to help his father, his race and Lena. He broke my heart every time he would swear off love. Men, vampire or not, can be so stubborn!

There were more than a few surprises in this book and damn, if I didn’t love them! The hunters are still relentless and there was an addition to Ethan’s crew that I’m sure we will be learning more and more about as the series continues because she’s quite a mystery. The last half of this book was packed with *gasp* moments for me. We meet someone who helps solve some old family mysteries and gives hope to Kos and Lena when they need it most but the very last fight with the hunters in this story was the biggest *gasp* moment of them all! Not gonna spoil it for you but I will say I really, REALLY, didn’t think it would play out the way it did. I love that from a book! Again, predictable is NOT a word I’d use.

Thank you, Amber, for another amazing look into the vampire world at Kastle Estate Winery. I will be looking forward to more and more from Andre, Zoey, Kos, Lena, Bel and the whole awesome cast of characters!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Enter the amazing tour wide giveaway for a chance to win some fabulous prizes!

Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more Blood Entangled reviews!

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About the Author

Amber Belldene grew up on the Florida panhandle, swimming with alligators, climbing oak trees and diving for scallops…when she could pull herself away from a book. As a child, she hid her Nancy Drew novels inside the church bulletin and read mysteries during sermons—an irony that is not lost on her when she preaches these days.

Amber is an Episcopal Priest and student of religion. She believes stories are the best way to explore human truths. Some people think it is strange for a minister to write romance, but it is perfectly natural to her, because the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire. She lives with her husband and two children in San Francisco.

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Brazen’s First Birthday Bash

Happy first birthday, Brazen!

Read-Love-Blog is happy to celebrate with you!

I’ve loved so many books from the Brazen line (Tessa Bailey and Laura Kaye YAY!) and hopefully this fun celebration will introduce you guys to some new favorites!

Brazen Books, who brought us Wrong Bed Right Guy, Officer Off Limits, Seducing Cinderella, and Tempting the Player – to name just a few – is turning 1 this month, and they’re celebrating in a big way. They’ve got a ton of great things going on this week, including Twitter parties, FB events, and even a huge sale! Full deets below:

Epic Giveaways – Don’t miss the Brazen Bash on Thursday, July 25th from 7 to 10 pm EST where you can comment to win a $50 prize pack, $75 prize pack, or $125 prize pack. Prize packs will be a combination of Gift cards from Amazon/B&N, Adam & Eve, and Sephora! You can find out more details on the Brazen Facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/BrazenBooks The link for the Facebook Brazen Bash is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/173847339463075/
Q&A’s with NYT bestselling authors – Twitter Chat with Laura Kaye @laurakayeauthor Tuesday, July 23rd from 9 to 10 pm EST. Twitter Chat with Katee Robert @katee_robert Wednesday, July 24th from 6 to 7 pm PST. They’ll be using the hashtag #BrazenBash so you can easily join in the conversation.
Photo contest – Be sure to check out Brazen’s Tumblr page to share your favourite pictures of swoon-worthy men that remind you of the heroes in Brazen books! Either post your picture to your own tumblr using the tag “brazenbash” Or you can submit your photo directly to the Brazen tumblr page here http://brazenbooks.tumblr.com/submit. Make sure to tweet your tumblr posts as well using #BrazenBash
Surprise 99 cent sale! – They’ve dropped the price of 8 of their top-selling titles for 1 week only – and it could happen at any moment this week. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled! Tell your mom, your sisters, your co-workers! Sale runs from July 21st to July 28th!

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer…..Selene’s Review of Tied Up, Tied Down by Lorelei James

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer continues with Selene’s review of Tied Up, Tied Down by Lorelei James

Book Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

…The strongest bonds are the ones unseen.

Businesswoman Skylar Ellison is firmly in control of her life. So getting tangled up with a sexy Wyoming cowboy—and conceiving a baby in the parking lot of a honky-tonk—wasn’t in her plan. Since it appears the daddy has taken off for greener pastures, the only thing to do is pull up her bootstraps and carry on alone.

Cattle rancher Kade McKay returns home after a year on the range, and is knocked for a loop when he learns he’s the father of a three-month-old baby girl. When Skylar refuses to marry him, Kade grits his teeth, moves in and plays house by her rules to prove he’s a man in for the long haul.

Despite Skylar’s insistence they are to remain strictly parenting partners, their old passions flare hot as a brush fire, spurring Kade to demand absolute sexual surrender from the headstrong woman. Skylar willingly submits her body to the hot-blooded cowboy but she’s leery of handing Kade the reins to her heart.

Can Kade convince Skylar the wicked sex games aren’t a temporary distraction? Or will he have to bust out the ropes to show her he wants to be tied to her…forever?

Selene’s Review:

FAVORITE. BOOK. OF THE SERIES.

Kade McKay. What can I possibly say about him? All I know is if he were a real man, I would stomp every woman in my way to get at him. He is, quiet simply, the perfect man. A 6 foot, 3 inch hunk of a man with icy blue eyes and almost jet black hair. Oh and he has a killer body, too. I said perfect man, right?

As a fairly tall woman myself, I love to see authors write about other big, tall women instead of those cute, petite little things you could fit in a Barbie box. Not judging, just saying. Skylar Ellison is a force to be reckoned with –a woman always in control… until dreamboat Kade McKay comes along. Well, at first she actually goes out on a date with Kade’s twin brother Kane, but since that didn’t pan out, Kade thought he’d take out the beautiful Skylar while impersonating his brother Kane so that he could save the McKay reputation. This does cause a major rift between Kade and Skylar – she finds out not long after they have sex for the one and only time that he is really Kade and not Kane and she breaks it off. This devastates Kade and he needs time to clear his head so he travels up north for a year. Meanwhile, Sklyar is busy with her company… and busy having Kade’s baby.

Upon finding out about one Miz Eliza Belle, the first girl McKay born since Keely McKay, Kade takes ownership and immediately moves in with his baby girl and her mama. And as soon as he sees Skylar again, and she sees him, the sparks fly anew and they can’t deny their attraction… lucky for us! And I have to say that the sex between them is equal parts hot and sweet, something Lorelei James does so very well.

Another great thing about this book is the many subplots and set-ups for future stories. It adds variety but in no way takes away from the main story.

And last but not least, the many proposals Kade makes to Skylar – NGH! They are unbelievably swoon-worthy! *le sigh*

All books in series were bought by the reviewer through Amazon.

10 million Loves…or maybe just 5.0 Loves since that is all that’s possible.

Five Loves

From author website:

Blog Tour stop & Giveaway….The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst

How fun is this? For Read-Love-Blog’s stop on Jennifer Probst’s blog tour for her latest release, The Marriage Merger, she gives us the playlist she listened to while writing Sawyer and Julietta’s story……

I also have a paperback copy of The Marriage Merger to giveaway to one lucky winner! Enter in the rafflecopter below!

Oh, and my review for The Marriage Merger can be found HERE

Enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

From Jennifer:

PLAYLIST FOR THE MARRIAGE MERGER!

Everyone who knows me realizes I’m a huge music lover. I adore a big variety across all genres, and music is key to creating certain characters depending on the book I’m currently working on.

The Marriage Merger was no exception.

The music I listed to over and over on my Ipod made a huge difference as I wrote and developed scenes. The kick ass metal of Guns n Roses. The gorgeous richness of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The emotional intensity and husky drawl of Daughtry, Rob Thomas, and Bruno Mars. The seductive, sultry beat of Rhianna and Beyonce.

God, I love my job.

Writing my stories with music pounding in my ears helps me get to that magic place where the words flow and the images pop and I lose myself. Lose yourself in the music. A little Eminem there lol!

So, I’m going to share all the songs I had on loop while writing the Marriage Merger. Each means something special to me and helped create a scene or a mood. Enjoy!

1. The Start of Something Good by Daughtry

2. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N Roses

3. Mockingbird – Rob Thomas

4. You and Me (We Wanted It All)– Frank Sinatra

5. Lose Yourself – Eminem

6. Someone Like You – Adele

7. Aint That A Kick in The Head – Dean Martin

8. I Love You – Climax Blues Band

9. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) – Fall Out Boy

10. Master of Puppets – Metallica

11. Overjoyed – Matchbox Twenty

12. Barely Breathing – Lifehouse

13. I Want To F**k You Like An Animal – Nine Inch Nails

14. Never Gonna Leave This Bed – Maroon 5

The Marriage Merger synopsis:

Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy, wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She’s stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family’s corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.

Julietta’s been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law’s friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?
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About the author:

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. At twelve, I took a pen in hand and wrote my first love story. I haven’t stopped since. Those heroines taught me valuable lessons that served me well. I learned to keep my head up high and surge forward when I was afraid; I learned to demand respect in a relationship; I learned about compromise and dreams and independence. Those are the stories I want to write, and I can only hope I give back some of the joy I received over the years.

I live in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. I’ve traveled to many places but always seem to be drawn back to the mountains. I graduated with a business degree, worked for Mercy College, and now spend most days dedicated to my family and my characters. I’ve pursued many career paths such as travel agent, yoga teacher and insurance salesperson. I’ve wanted to be an airline pilot, a dancer, an archaeologist, and a vineyard owner. I have been all of the above through romance novels, and intend to explore many more.

One of my turning points in my career was when I joined Romance Writers of America and met the wonderful people in my local chapter, The Hudson Valley RWA. Through supportive critique sessions, I learned how to develop my raw skills to get a publishable manuscript. I discovered my tendency for wordy prologues and passive phrases that all new writers work through, and now try to help others on their journey.

My “leisure time” is spent writing, reading, and raising two active boys. I believe animals are the other children in this world, and enjoy spending time at the local animal shelter, where I got my first “baby” Bella, a shepherd hound mix who gets into as much trouble as my son! I rescued my second dog from an abusive home, a beagle, basset hound who is the peacemaker in the household.

I met the love of my life when I had finally given up on my own romantic journey. The first time he asked me out he promised to buy my book if he could buy me dinner. We had dinner and fell in love over sushi and haven’t been apart since. We married and settled into domestic bliss. That’s when I learned it wasn’t about happy endings. It was about happy beginnings.

Visit her website

Follow Jennifer on Twitter: @jenniferprobst

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Blog Hop….In Too Deep by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

The day he said, “I love you” should have been the day she said, “Goodbye.”

I am so happy to be a part of Michelle Kemper Brownlow’s Blog Hop for her debut novel, In Too Deep!

I read this book a little bit ago and you can find my FOUR LOVES review below and I have a great excerpt for you!

So, thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Gracie has just finished her freshman year of college in Memphis when she takes a job at a local pizza joint in her home town of McKenzie, Tennessee. She is the epitome of innocence when she meets Noah. Noah is unabashedly handsome, intriguingly reckless and just cocky enough to be sexy. Gracie’s instincts tell her to stay far away from him and based on the stories she hears from her co-workers he leaves broken hearts in his wake. But still, she can’t explain her fascination with him.

Noah puts aside his bad boy ways when what he thought was a summer crush has him unexpectedly falling in love. But soon after Gracie transfers to UT Knoxville to be with Noah, their unexpected love becomes riddled with anger, deceit and humiliation.

Jake, Noah’s former roommate and Gracie’s best friend, can no longer be a bystander. Gracie’s world falls out from beneath her and when she breaks she turns to Jake for strength. As Jake talks her through a decision she’s not yet strong enough to make, together they uncover a truth so ugly neither of them is prepared for its fallout. Will Jake pull her to the surface or is Gracie Jordan finally In Too Deep?

Excerpt:

My phone buzzed.

Jake: Gracie?

I turned off my phone. The doorbell rang before I even had a chance to feel guilty for not answering. I threw the covers over my head and lay there, eyes wide open. It rang again.Can someone please get the door? I’m too busy feeling sorry for myself to get up.

Ding dong.

I groaned as I pulled myself from under the covers and flung my legs off the edge of my bed. The UPS man was going to get an eyeful because I didn’t even have the energy to pull my sleep pants on. The super huge t-shirt I wore to bed was longer than some skirts I had. I would just have to reach around the opened door, sign something on his little clipboard and throw the package on the hall table before jumping right back into bed. No one was home. I could have slept all day. Stupid delivery guy.

But when I rounded the corner into the foyer, I could see Noah through the side window to the right of the door. My heart slammed its next beat so hard I was sure someone standing in front of me would have seen my ribcage lunge forward.

“What do you want?” I said the words on my side of the window. He didn’t need to hear me, he had to be expecting something like that. He knew I wouldn’t be happy to see him. I was pissed that he was at my door. Flashes of my birthday night coursed through my mind one by one. I winced and squeezed my eyes closed hoping to wring the images from my head.

“Gracie, I know you don’t want to open the door, but I need you to listen to what I have to say.” He was talking louder than he needed to for me to hear him. I was instantly annoyed. I shuddered.

“So talk.” If I kept a locked door between us, I could walk away whenever I’d had enough.

“Can I please come in?”

“No.”

“Okay, I’ll talk through a window if that’s the only way you’ll listen.” He waited a couple seconds like he thought I’d have a change of heart and open the door. When he saw that was not in his cards, he started talking. I leaned my forehead against the cool glass and watched his lips form words that proved introspection, self-awareness and a level of thought so deep I could do nothing but hold my breath and wish he wasn’t doing this to me.

“Gracie. I haven’t had a solid example of how to show love or how to accept it. At least not the depth of love you are willing to give. I don’t know how to reciprocate that without feeling terrified. I never expected to fall so hard for you. I never thought I could love someone so hard it hurt. But I can. I do.

“Gracie. When you look at me and I know you can see all the way into my soul, my first instinct is self-preservation. I instinctively push you away so you won’t climb deeper into me. Your heart is so big, Gracie, it could swallow me whole, and that scares the shit out of me because I shouldn’t be worthy of that kind of love. I don’t deserve you. I guess in a twisted sort of way, I push you away to save you.”

The window steamed from the warm breath escaping between my lips. I remembered the conversation I had with my mom. She said only if it was of their own volition could someone truly make a change. I couldn’t believe what was happening in front of me. A huge part of me didn’t want it to be happening because Noah and I proved to be a disaster. I knew I couldn’t handle one more blow from him. My sanity was already climbing the walls. But, as if they had minds of their own, one hand turned the deadbolt and the other opened the door. Cool air across my thighs reminded me I was still only in a t-shirt. I motioned for Noah to follow me back to my room. I needed to put more clothes on so he didn’t ruin his heart-felt apology by making a move on me. He sat on my bed and I pulled sweats off the hook on the back of my door and slid myself inside them. I sat down next to him. He took my hands in his.

“I am head over heels in love with you, Gracie. I have been since the night you kissed me after the fireworks. I’ve always thought that shock between our lips was a sign that you were the one. I’m terrified of that. If I let myself truly feel the level of love I know we are capable of, then what happens if you leave me? I don’t know how to handle that kind of pain. I am sure I’ve never felt something that severe.”

“Noah, you just described what you have done to me, over and over and over. You have split my heart wide open so many times because, unlike you, I don’t know how to guard my heart. I opened it to you almost two years ago, and I’ve been giving you all I have ever since. I can’t turn it off, I don’t know how. So, when you pierce me with your hateful words, the pain is palpable. It takes me to my knees.” There was no holding back the tears. I didn’t even try to. I was done walking on eggshells. Again.

That’s when he did something I never thought I’d see. He fell into my lap and cried like a baby. I had taken all the pain he had inflicted on me and threw it straight to his heart before he had the chance to get that wall back up.

My Review:

I am beyond lucky to have received an advance copy of In Too Deep, the debut work from Michelle Brownlow. This was a story that pulled me in and didn’t let go….and I loved it!

Gracie is a happy, innocent, southern good girl with a great life, a great boyfriend with her whole college career, and life, ahead of her. Everything is going well in her life until she meets Noah, the typical handsome, rugged bad boy with a reputation that screams: STAY AWAY. As much as Gracie knows all about Noah, and his frat-boy ways, she also knows he shows her a softer side of himself that no one has ever had the honor of seeing. It’s a rare glimpse into his soul she knows she can’t resist and isn’t willing to run from, no matter how bad his reputation is.

Noah has had his fair share of girls…but there’s something about Gracie. She makes him want to be a better person. He realizes he’s fallen for her….hard and fast. The problem is, he’s been the bad boy for so long, it’s all he knows. The revolving door of girls, the parties, the booze and the cocky attitude that comes with it. Hell bent on getting Gracie, he’s willing to do whatever it takes. But when Gracie transfers to his college, even the best laid plans can crumble….and soon Noah’s ability in excelling at being a bad boy prick outshines his efforts to be the kind of guy she needs and deserves.

Gracie and Noah have a road ahead that will end up taking a toll on emotions, friendships and will end up crushing each of them in very different ways.

As I has said earlier in this review, this book pulled me in and didn’t let go until I read the very last word on the very last page….even as I write this review, Gracie and Noah’s story is with me. This was a high emotion, gut wrenching, beautifully bittersweet love story…one that I’m sure many of us can relate to. It’s a story about being so in love with a person that no matter what their faults are, the want and need to believe in that person trumps all reason…even if you know deep down inside what you are fighting for simply isn’t worth it. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to scream at Noah, and Gracie, while reading. Michelle has done such an amazing job at transporting the reader into Gracie and Noah’s world and feeling all of the twisted emotions in this story. I audibly gasped and was actually talking to Gracie while I was reading….I’m not sure if I have ever done that before with a book! I was so utterly conflicted while reading Gracie and Noah’s relationship and the up’s and down’s that came with it. And let me say, they were some great up’s and dismal down’s…but I loved it and I felt it. I felt the hurt and the pain and the happiness. Gracie grew up before our eyes, thanks to some amazing friends, and I was cheering for her to become the woman she had the potential to be from the very first chapter. Noah is a sad soul, who I was also cheering for…but there are some things that he did that I had to put my megaphone away for. The back and forth between them took a toll on me, but in my opinion, that’s the sign of a good book. I want to feel something in the hours after I’ve finished reading, and Michelle has done that with In Too Deep.

I was a nervous wreck for the ending. Noah had pulled my back into his corner many, many times throughout the story that I was truly conflicted with if I wanted them together or not. Well, I won’t spoil it, but I will say I was relieved and delighted with how it played out. Perfect, if you ask me.

Thank you, Michelle, for an amazing story. I look forward to reading more from you and I know you have a bright future bringing us your amazing writing talent!

Four Loves

About the author:

Michelle Kemper Brownlow has been a storyteller her entire life. Her debut was on the high school cheerleading bus granting requests to re-tell her most embarrassing moments for a gaggle of hysterical squadmates.
Earning her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Art Education and then marrying her very own “Jake,” she moved to Binghamton, NY where she taught high school. After having two children she quit work and finished her Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Binghamton University.

The Brownlow family of four moved to Michelle’s hometown of Morgantown, PA while the children were still quite young. A few years after moving, her family grew by one when they welcomed a baby into their home through the gift of adoption. The family still resides in PA, just miles from where that high school cheer bus was parked.

Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.

“Writing is my way of making sense of the world. When I give my characters life on the pages I write, it frees up space in my mind to welcome in new stories that are begging to be told,” says Brownlow.

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