BLOG TOUR: The Winemaker’s Dinner: Desserts Reviews

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Desserts

Left on bended knee, with nothing but a ring in his hand and a gaping hole in his chest, Ivan Rusilko lost everything when Jaden Thorne said, “I can’t.”
Now, six months later and despite her endless attempts to reach him, finding forgiveness for Jaden’s indiscretion is last on his list of things to do. Dr. Ivan is married to his career now, and his professional success is taking him places he’s never been before. But even the glow of accomplishment can’t heal his devastated heart. Determined to recover, to move forward at any cost, he now finds moments of respite in distractions that leave him emotionally bankrupt. He’s empty, a shadow of his former vibrant, life-loving self. On the outside, he may seem to be the man he always was. But inside, a terrible desire threatens to rip him apart and ruin him forever.
Meanwhile Jaden is haunted by the memory of the moment she saw the light wither and die in Ivan’s eyes. She knows it died at her hand. After months of trying to explain herself, of begging for mercy, she takes herself back to Miami, back into Ivan’s path, for one last chance at redemption. Can she entice him back into her arms? Convince him to give her a second chance? She’s determined to do whatever

 it takes to find forgiveness—even if
all that’s left is forgiving herself.
Pamela’s Review:

Everything you were told about Desserts is absolutely correct! Ivan’s words pour onto the pages with sinful delight! As you dive into this decadent treat you are reminded of why you fell in love with this series in the first place. In Desserts we find Ivan lost and broken. The battle between good and evil has encompassed Ivan’s life. Now Ivan’s story, this time around, is all about choices. The powerful hold of love is undeniable! Men have fought wars and killed for it causing even the strongest to crumble in its wake and Ivan soon learns that he is no different.

“The loneliness that engulfed him every day was now his companion. Jaden was gone forever, never to lie by his side again.”

Both Ivan and Jaden are at a crossroad. Jaden looking for forgiveness and Ivan learning if forgiveness is a dish he is willing to stomach. Ivan has created a world of darkness. Mindless sex has him questioning who is in control of his life, him or the monster inside. Try as he may the darkness isn’t enough to close out the light of a world that includes his baby girl.

“As the sensation diminished, so did the guard he’d meticulously maintained to protect himself. He could feel his heart flickering to life. Perhaps…”

Jaden finds herself where it all started. Returning home to take stock of her life and the disorder it has created. The life she so coveted has proven that what you want in life isn’t always what you need. As the wheels touch down at Miami International Jaden knows that she has to fight. Fight for love. Fight for the man that completes her world and makes her whole. Jaden soon learns that the road to finding forgiveness starts with forgiving yourself. Can Ivan forgive as well?

“She turned in his arms and met his eyes, silently pleading for what her mind, body, and soul craved.”

The Winemaker’s Dinner trilogy not only temps the taste buds it devours every single craving your heart may desires. Starting with an appetizer of fresh attraction that grows into a full course entrée of love your palate aches for more. No meal is ever complete with out dessert. Desserts are not always sweet then can be bitter or even cold but the end results are always the same…satisfaction! Taking the reins in the last book of The Winemaker’s Trilogy, Dr Ivan Rusilko has proven that one mans reality is capable of entertaining the masses. We have all become enchanted with the idea of finding our own good doctor and why not? Ivan is the hope that every woman is looking for. Loving, caring, successful, passionate and dominate…the total package. Ivan has allowed the world a peek into his own reality and has us all cheering for his happily ever after along with our own. Life presents us with choices and what we do with those choices allows us to create our own decadent meal. Opting for dessert is one choice you will not regret.

“The only advice that I can give you about love is this: When you find that one little thing about someone you can’t find in anyone else – no matter how small it is – that thing that completely shuts down whatever else you are doing. She’s the one.”

Jennifer’s Review:

The very definition of the word dessert is “the unusually sweet course that concludes a meal.” That statement epitomizes the final accompaniment of The Winemakers Feast in more ways than one. The decadent conclusion to this series serves up not only the finale of an amazing love story between Jaden and Ivan, but it is also the bittersweet ending to a trilogy that has affected me on a deeply personal level. With the simple introduction of Appetizers I had no idea the smorgasbord of emotions and feelings that were about to bombard me, and stay in my heart long after reading “The End” of the final page.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko has become the perfect sommelier. The paring of fiction with reality, the blending of conscious and subconscious, the melding of light with dark and good with evil, left me salivating for more. In this serving of the banquet we are served a side of the good Doctor that is foreign to the connoisseur , and possibly a bit uncomfortable for some. For me, it was beautifully and perfectly plated. The raw emotion depicted throughout these pages had me feeling like I had just had the wind knocked out of me, and left my heart palpating in my chest. I honestly hurt for him. I believe the words that Ivan chose to use on these pages came from a place deep within his soul. When humans are betrayed it is natural to act out and repress emotions. The culmination of heartache and angst left my soul aching. Only when my fingers started to cramp did I realize how tightly I had been gripping my iPad, clenching it so hard that my knuckles were white. I couldn’t read fast enough but was leery to flip to the next page, not knowing what was on the horizon. Kudos to you Ivan. You did and amazing job showing us the pain that can take a person right to the edge, and bringing us right dead smack into the middle of your ‘world.’

It has been said that music is the window to the soul, and considering myself a novice music aficionado the choosing of the score was not lost on me. I devoured the title chapters, and found myself lost in the melodies. I loved the emotions that each song evoked. I loved that each of the songs set the perfect ambiance to the meal being served. I hope that all readers took the time to research the lyrics and to understand their relevance. Each of these songs was carefully chosen to add to the depth to the unveiling plot. The words to these tunes were morsels of insight, giving an additional glimpse of just where Ivan’s head and heart where at each moment of the story being shared with us. Each of them providing an additional element to the story and revealing another layer of Ivan’s feelings and emotions. These songs connected me to further to an amazingly powerful memoir.

“Love with out reason is true love.” In a genre where so many hearts are drawn to the Will’s, Kellan’s, Travis’, and Christian’s looking for their proverbial fairy-tale ending, Ivan has delectably shown us that sometimes it’s not about the ending at all, but it’s actually about the journey. “Love IS beautiful,” and although “hope may be a narcotic,” destiny is ours for the making. I know that I share the sentiment of many, and I personally hope that this isn’t the end of your career as a writer. So with that, I wonder… maybe someday in the future you’d like to sit back and pour a glass of Sauternes, and share with us the many secrets to the questions that you’ve (perhaps purposely) left unanswered? (Like what in the heck was inscribed on the inside of that engagement ring?!?! Uff!!!) So I raise my glass to you Ivan. I want thank you for taking us all on a magically beautiful ride. This has been a journey that has touched many, and left each of us in a better place having been given the opportunity to get to know you, and each other. **Cheers** XoXo ~ Jennifer

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Desserts
Available Now
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RAINE MILLER BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY AT THE AVENUE

WE ARE SUCH BIG FANS!!!
In honor of Raine Miller’s birthday, whom we love soooo much, we are giving away ebook copies of The Blackstone Affair Series to 2 winners which will run today till May 3rd, 11:59pm.
Enter the rafflecopter below. Goodluck!

The first book in the bestselling Blackstone Affair series

Naked desire. Secret satisfaction. An affair you’ll never forget.

Brynne Bennett has left scandal in her past and is living the good life. An American grad student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s getting back on track with lots of hard work and focus on a career in art conservation. When London businessman Ethan Blackstone buys her nude portrait, he wants to possess more than just her image. He wants Brynne in his bed, serving him in every way possible. He has no trouble voicing his desires, and he isn’t taking no for an answer.

At first his dominant nature captivates her, but it isn’t clear if the force of his powerful desire will ultimately awaken or dispel the demons Brynne is carrying inside. There are secrets on both sides of this relationship—huge ones. Can Ethan erase the scars of Brynne’s past so that she can reveal her true self to him? Or will the shadows cast by Ethan’s own mysterious former life destroy their chance at happiness?

Naked is the sizzling, unforgettable story of what happens when a strong woman meets the one man powerful enough to strip away all her defenses, leaving her standing naked and perfect before him.

Ethan Blackstone has a problem on his hands. He’s broken Brynne’s trust and she’s left him. He’s unwilling to live without her and isn’t giving up—he’s dead-set on getting his beautiful American girl back. The passion between them was explosive, but the secrets they hid from each other are dark and chilling and are powerful enough to destroy their shot at a life together. With political threats now directed at Brynne, Ethan is running out of time and will need to gather all his strength and agility to protect her from the dangers that could take her away from him forever. Will Ethan be able to save Brynne from a past that keeps her locked in fear? Will he ever feel the warmth of her touch, the solidity of her trust again? This is a lovestruck man who is willing to do whatever it takes to possess the heart of the woman he loves. He’ll go to any lengths to protect her. He’ll go all in. Here is the fiery story of what happens when two people surrender to a love so great it can heal the scars of the past and give way to a life of pure, rapturous ecstasy.

Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?

Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested and what the heart can accomplish despite danger and adversity.

A New York Times bestselling author who has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too. Granted, Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. Ever! Writing books pretty much fills her days now and she’s always busy. Raine has a prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. She loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books. You can connect with her on Facebook or visit her blog at http://www.RaineMiller.com to find out what she’s working on now.

More about Raine Miller

Q. What inspires your writing?

A. So many things. Art, a photograph, a portrait, poetry, movies, songs, books, historical events, notable people, a friend, a colleague…and the list is never-ending.

Q. Why do you like to write historicals?

A. I guess mostly because of the nostalgia of the past. It is an escape for me to think in a world where communication existed only in real face-to-face time or in a letter. Social graces were not only an art, but a survival skill. Interaction with another person was downright intimate in a way it can never be today. I also find great joy in writing my stories. It is as entertaining to write them as it is to be lost in a book you can’t set down.

Q. What is your favorite quote?

A. “I almost wish we were butterflies, and liv’d but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.” JOHN KEATS…1819 (sigh) Need I elaborate?

Q. How do you plot out your stories?

A. I picture the scenes like a movie in my mind. I go on long walks with my ipod and just process through storylines in my head. As soon as I get home I run up to my computer and jot down my ideas so I don’t forget. I’ve worked through many a troublesome plotline while on a walk. Solitude works for me.

Q. Who are some of your favorite authors?

A. JR Ward, Megan Hart, Elizabeth Hoyt, Ken Follett, John Grisham, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, John Keats, Robert Herrick…What I wouldn’t give to have all of those writers together in a room.

Q. What has becoming a writer taught you?

A. A healthy respect. That’s: R – E – S – P – E – C – T! I am humbled by anyone who wrote before the word processor and Google were invented. There’s no denying that writing is hard work, but to imagine how Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice with a feather quill pen makes my brain hurt.

Q. Any pearls of wisdom for aspiring writers?

A. Write what you love–your voice will come through. Write every day–your creative mind needs exercise. Never give up your dream of becoming a writer. Everyone loves a good story and if you can write one, people will always want to read it
.

(special thanks to Amazon for the blurbs,  Author BIO and  Q&A; visit   http://www.amazon.com for details)




BLOG TOUR: The Winemaker’s Dinner Desserts: The Jaden Interview

Jaden Thorne Interview

How lucky am I that I was able to snag the famous Jaden Thorne while on hiatus from One Hot Kitchen. Jaden has traveled back to Miami for some well-deserved R&R but something tells me that this trip back “home”has little to do with relaxation and a lot to do winning back the love of her life. Jaden and I are meeting at the kitchen she once called home at Bianca’s.





TBA: Jaden thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me for this interview.

Jaden: It’s my pleasure. Really.
TBA: How about some fun questions? What drew you to the culinary arts?
Jaden: It was something that started as a hobby with my mother and grew into a passion from nowhere, really. I like to consider it my form of art… I’m no Picasso but I think foodcan be a masterpiece and at the very least you can eat it.
TBA: As a chef, if you could have dinner anywhere in the world where would it be and what would you have?
Jaden: Well I do consider myself pretty adventurous with good food and life in general but any kitchen worth its salt can turn out proper food. I would think someplace with a view and a story would make for a much more memorable experience. I hear the Keg in Niagara Falls has an amazing menu and a view to die for. But I would be happy eating street food in Mexico City as long as it was with the right company.
TBA: What song would you use to describe your life at this moment?
Jaden: Truth? Criminal by Fiona Apple.
 TBA: How does it feel to be back at Bianca’s?
Jaden: Terrifying and amazing all at once. This place really shaped the happiest moments of my life along with a few – well…never mind. Let’s just say it’s been special being back.
TBA: Will you be doing any promotions for the show while in Miami?
Jaden: I wish I knew that answer! I am at the will of the studio. I am guessing something will come up and I’ll look forward to it.
TBA: Speaking of One Hot Kitchen, how do you feel after wrapping the first season?
Jaden: The first season was great and I loved every minute of it. The second season was a bit challenging but… c’est la vie, I guess. Life always seems to throw you curve balls at the most inconvenient times.
TBA: Okay. Let’s get serious here. Landing the show and your sudden rise to the top hasn’t been easy. Now that you have the spotlight that you coveted, was it worth it?
Jaden: I guess that’s relative. Yes, a career savvy girl with a good business head couldn’t ask for anything more. I mean, I am living the dream I always imagined and hoped for. I just didn’t know that dreams can sometimes turn into nightmares.
TBA: Funny, when we get what we think we want, we quickly learn that what we wanted and what we needed were two totally different things.
Jaden: You’re preaching to the choir here, I assure you. The best things in life really do tend to be free and it’s a shame it cost so much to learn that
TBA: Adding Damien to the show caused you many problems that not only affected your career but also took hold of your personal life in ways you never imagined. Do you feel you should have taken a stand and demanded he be removed from the show? Because at this point in time, I am guessing, nothing is worth the loss of your true love.
Jaden: Damian was nothing but a mere catalyst with green eyes. I could have complained and thrown my seniority around but I knew he would be his own undoing. What is they say about being your own worst enemy? Yeah, I know a little bit about that – and he did, too. Hindsight is 20/20. I have to tell you though; there are some days that I wish I would have never gotten on the plane in the first place.
TBA: I feel that the fight to salvage what is left of your love story has just begun. Can you shed some light on what it is that you are fighting for? What is it about Ivan that you love? We see what he portrays on the surface, his looks, social ties, and a successful career, but what is it about the man inside that speaks to you?
Jaden: Simply put, I’m fighting for what I believe to be the most sincere, precious thing I’ve ever held in my hand and in my heart. He inspired so much in me – in my heart, in my mind, in my body and soul – than I ever thought possible. I never thought I could live up to his idea or perception of me… I think I might have always been competing with or jealous of the woman I saw reflected in his eyes when he looked at me. Now I know how stupid that was and right now, more than anything, I want to see that look in his eyes again someday.
TBA: Do you feel that you both can move past the events that took place in L.A? We all know that no one is perfect and it is safe to say that not all the blame falls on your shoulders. Between the pain you felt the morning after and your internal struggle with good and evil, this has not been an easy time for you, do you still believe that you and Ivan have a chance at a happy future together?
Jaden: I think I’ve always known that a happy future doesn’t always mean white picket fences and three children, each one more beautiful than the next. But if I’m being honest, my definition of happiness has really shifted in the last few months. I don’t hold the same things so dear. As long as we don’t end up as two people who used to know each other, I will be so happy. At least that’s what I’m telling myself today.
TBA: Ivan has been quoted as saying “Love is a progression,” in light of recent events what does this mean to you now?
Jaden: Progression is not always positive … He may say that but what love really is, is an experience that you have to give yourself over to without fear and without regret. Ivan also compared love and life to an education… *sigh* …I think I’ve taken the advance master class for dummies and can still only hope I’ve got enough figured out that I don’t miss out on what big love really is, or can be.
TBA: I am going to presume that the female population of Miami is ready to “thank you” for your moment of indiscretion. Fighting for your relationship won’t be easy because, lets face it anything worth having never is. If Ivan were sitting at this table with us what would you say to him?
Jaden: That I’m an idiot and I’m sorry. That I miss him…I miss everything about him and his ridiculous life – cabins and guns and beaches and mountains and Marie and John and giant dancing hearts and miniature golf and vineyards and airports and balconies and sea turtles. But most of all, I miss his laugh and laughing with him – not just because … I miss us.
TBA: After your time apart from Ivan, you have had the opportunity to step back and look at your circumstances in a different light,distance and time can truly be “dirty” words but they also allow for growth. What have you learned?
Jaden: That I don’t need Ivan to complete me, but I want him so that everything in my world is more fun and full. That I am responsible for my actions and that my insecurities aren’t anyone else’s problem to fix. And that I’d pretty much crawl across glass for another chance.
TBA: Jaden, I have to say that I am pulling for you and Ivan. We as beings are not meant to deal with pain alone, but sometimes we overlook that fact and end up causing ourselves greater damage in the process. My hope is that the two of you will be able to put the pieces back together and discover what it is that brought you both to one another in the first place.
Jaden: The thing is we will never discover what brought us together in Sarasota. Destiny is a random game of Russian roulette that worked the first time and it was beautiful. The second spin of the barrel may not be so beautiful. Thank you though. In the end if all ambitions, desires, and hopes crumble to the sea, I have learned one thing. Love is beautiful no matter what the outcome. I am still smiling here because WE happened. I hope he is, too.
TBA: Jaden thank you so much for taking this time with us! I look forward to learning how your story unfolds. You have a man worth fighting for and that alone is worth the pain, because what is love if not a progression.
The Winemaker’s Dinner: Desserts
Available Now
Amazon
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BLOG TOUR: the girl in 6E recap


Thank you to Alessandra Torre and all the blogger that joined the girl in 6E tour!  Here is a recap just in case you missed something…

http://tammyandkimreviews.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-tour-girl-in-6e-alessandra-torre.html

http://www.martinitimes.com/1/post/2013/04/book-review-the-girl-in-6e-by-alessandra-torre-readalessandra.html

http://littleblackbookbloggers.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-tour-promo-girl-in-6e-by.html

http://www.readlovelust.com/2013/04/blog-tour-girl-in-6e-by-alessandra-torre.html

http://http://www.bookaddictmumma.net/

http://bookaddictmumma.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/blog-stop-girl-in-6e/

http://smexybooks.com/j-r-ward-info

http://literatiliteraturelovers.com/

http://http://www.maryelizabethscrazybookobsession.com/2013/04/blog-tour-girl-in-6e.html

http://shhmomsreading.com/

http://drwrnmk.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-girl-in-6e-by-alessandra-torre-book.html

http://naughtyandnicebookblog.blogspot.com/?zx=aaada39fa843779a

http://bookbitchesblog.com/

http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogspot.com/

http://thebookenthusiast.net/the-girl-in-6e-by-alessandra-torre-blog-tour-sto

THANK YOU!!



REVIEW: The Last Hour by Charles Sheehan – Miles

                        The Last Hour
 
“Twenty-seven year old Carrie Thompson-Sherman has the life she always wanted: her PhD, a prestigious fellowship, and an amazing husband.

Her life begins to unravel as a jealous colleague puts her fellowship in jeopardy and a haunting secret Ray Sherman carried home from Afghanistan comes to light.

Hounded by a federal investigation and the ensuing media feeding frenzy, Carrie and Ray desperately lean on each other, until a disastrous accident puts both Ray and her sister’s lives at risk.

In the last hour, Carrie and Ray will each find themselves faced with a choice.

A choice that will change everything “



Book three in The Thompson Sisters Series pulls on your heart strings while playing a symphony of words that will touch the depths of your soul. This is truly a story like no other that I have read. It is original and different (in a good way). Charles Sheehan – Miles did and amazing job of writing a love story that gives you heart but also gives you gritty reality. Life is not peaches and cream 100% of the time and love is no different. 

 This is a different kind of love story.  Both Carrie and Ray touch each other’s life at the right moment and they both learn a little about themselves in the process.  The word soulmate was created for these two!  A devastating accident finds both characters evaluating the past to deal with the present.  I have to be honest I demanded a fellow blogger to tell me the end.  I don’t normally this but when I was well into chapter 3 I had to know because it was killing me because I was reading with a heavy heart.  Knowing allowed me to appreciate the book and keep an open mind while reading the rest of the story. 

Carrie was a wonderfully written character.  If I learned anything from the first two books I learned that the Thompson sisters are the epitome of strength.  The taste of Carrie in the first two books is nowhere near the remarkable woman presented in The Last Hour.  I look forward to seeing her grow throughout the rest of the series.  Ray’s character also spoke to me on a level like no other.  Know first hand the pain and pride that a military life creates I was able to relate to his struggle.  The courageousness that Ray encompassed was unlike anything I have read and make me want to call my father and thank him for being the solider in my life.   I found peace when I read the last words of The Last Hour.  Life is never easy but sometime you can find beauty in the pain.  This is a must read along with the first two books of the series.  Charles’ male perspective of female emotions allows a refreshing take on a modern day love story.  This story deserves a medal of honor but will have to make due with 5 stars.

About the author:




Charles has been a soldier, nonprofit executive, short order cook, IT manager and run a restaurant. He doesn’t believe in specialization. He currently works as a communications and outreach specialist for a law firm representing disabled veterans.

Charles lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife Veronica and their two children.


 
Where to find Charles:
 
 
 
 
 
Pick up the book:
 
Amazon
 
B&N




AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Theresa Rizzo featuring her novel He Belongs To Me

Theresa Rizzo is an award-winning author who writes emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials. 

Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she now lives outside of Boulder, Colorado with her husband of thirty years. She’s raised four wonderful children who are now scattered across the country.

Author Fast Five 

1. Can you describe your write style in one sentence?

I write emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials.

2. What are your top 5 books?

Harry Potter by JK Rowling, is simply brilliant.
Hunger Game by Suzanne Collins is wonderful writing and so clever.
The Winner by David Baldacci, is suspenseful and he’s crafted an amazing villain
Nobody combines quirky characters and suspense better than Harlan Coben
Jodi Picoult is the master of crafting books that really put me in her character’s shoes and make me think about issues. As for romance books—I simply can’t choose. There are too many amazing ones.

3. If you were not writing what would you be doing?

I’d be renovating/ building houses. I LOVE houses with character.

4. If you had to give up all but one of the following what would you keep. Facebook, Twitter, your phone or your laptop?

Give up for how long? I’m still figuring out twitter—so that would be no big loss. I would go through FB withdrawal . . . but that’s okay since it’s email that is my big addiction. My phone? Landline or cell? I’m assuming you mean both. I can go without a phone, but my laptop? Nope. I use my laptop for email, internet, Skyping and writing. It’s almost an appendage. Nope gotta have my laptop. A smaller one would be nice, though <G>.

5. Lastly, if you had to recommend one author other than yourself  who would it be and why?

I think it’d have to be Lisa Kleypas. I love her contemporary series with the Texas Travis family. The characters really appealed to me, her writing is great and the stories were compelling and entertaining. I hated it when the series ended—which makes me wonder if I would have tired of it if she’d continued. Can a series run on too long, do you think?

Twitter: Theresa_Rizzo
LibraryThing:  Theresa_Rizzo

Catherine Boyd will do anything to regain custody of her young son . . . Even reconcile with the husband accused of killing their son’s twin.

Catherine graduates from college, eager to start a new life with her six-year-old son, Drew. But when she tries to bring him home, her parents refuse to relinquish control of the grandson they’d raised.

Wrongly accused of a horrible crime, Thomas Boyd has buried himself in his career, determined to forget his painful past and the family he lost. But now, five years later, Catherine is back, requesting his help to regain custody of their son — custody he thought she had.

Though older and wiser, when courtroom battles reveal lies and secrets and generations of pain, will Thomas and Catherine find more tragedy and loss, or will old wounds finally heal?

Release Date –June 15, 2013
Available for pre-order on Kobo Books

Let’s hear what others have to say about the book…

“Theresa Rizzo offers up a story of a family torn apart by secrets and lies, and a woman’s courageous journey to reclaim the truth. This is a perfect blend of suspense and romance, for readers who can’t resist a page-turner.” —-Susan Wiggs–#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“This is a story that will command the attention of any parent, and probably everyone else, too. The courtroom battles are especially gripping, filled with twists and turns. Theresa Rizzo knows how to speak to the heart.” —–William Bernhardt-New York Times Bestselling Author

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE: Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller (May 20th -31st)

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for any questions, please feel free to contact us at 

Promo Blitz: (Re-release) Love at 11 by Mari Mancusi Excerpt and Giveaways

Title: Love at 11 
Author: Mari Mancusi 
Genre: Contemporary 
Age Group: New Adult 
Re-release date: April 24, 2013 
Event organized by: AToMR Tours

When Maddy graduated from Columbia University, she was ready to change the world. She’d get a job at Newsline, meet a nice guy, and live happily ever after with a real designer handbag on her arm. Five years later, she’s stuck producing puff pieces for News 9 San Diego–where “if it bleeds, it leads.” She’s still single, her family’s falling apart, and so is her knock-off Kate Spade.

Then Jamie Hayes walks through her newsroom door. The former filmmaker is everything Maddy has ever dreamed of. Creative, smart, sweet—and with eyes that could make a girl melt. The perfect guy…but perfectly unavailable. And the more Maddy tries to stay away—the further she starts to fall.

Now a secret scoop from her favorite knock-off purse guy has Maddy chasing a lead that could make her career. Or destroy it forever. How far is she willing to go to broadcast the truth? And will this breaking news lead to a happily ever after…or a broken heart?

Stay tuned…it’s the story of a lifetime.

Jamie grunted contentedly and snuggled in a bit closer. Was he conscious? Could he possibly know whom he was holding in his arms? Maybe he had been completely aware of his actions this whole time. Had he been as drunk as I? I couldn’t remember. Was he a good guy who made a mistake or a jerk who liked to cheat on his fiancée by taking stupid, drunk girls home and screwing them?

I suddenly felt disgustingly dirty. Why had I been so easy? Slut girl: give her a drink and watch her spread her legs. Except, that wasn’t me at all. Hell, I could count the guys I’d slept with on one hand and still have a thumb left over. What in the world had possessed me to drunkenly hook up with a guy I barely knew who was getting married in a few months?

I thought of Jen, sound asleep in LA, trusting that her fiancé was alone in his bed too and not curled up, buck naked, in another woman’s arms. She trusted him, and I’d helped him betray that trust. My stomach rolled, and not just from the hangover. I needed to get up. Now.

I squirmed out from under Jamie and vacated the bed. Scanning the room, I found a pair of boxer shorts and an old t-shirt strewn on the floor. After donning the ensemble, I walked to the bathroom.

Staring in the mirror wasn’t pretty. I looked like hell on toast. Black circles under my puffy eyes. Makeup smeared. Bleh.

I brushed my teeth and washed my face and then hit the kitchen to make eggs. What the hell, right? Even the “other woman” needed to eat a balanced Atkins breakfast, and maybe it would get my mind off things at the very least. I tried to swallow down the guilt, but it determinedly rose like bile to my throat. The smell of the scrambled eggs only served to nauseate me further.

“Maddy?” a sleepy voice behind me said a few minutes later. I whirled around. Jamie stood in the doorway, deliciously rumpled. He’d donned his blue jeans but no shirt. I scolded my eyes for straying a second too long on his perfectly sculpted chest. After all, I’d already done more than my share of sampling the forbidden goods already. Time to get my mind out of the gutter and behave like a responsible human being.

I realized my heart was pounding in my chest as I waited for what he’d say next. Then I remembered my manners.

“Do you want some eggs?”

“Maddy, I’ve got to ask you . . .” He raked a hand through his mussed hair in a way that made me pretty sure his question wasn’t whether the eggs came from cage-free chickens.

“Yes?” Cool, calm, collected. Whatever he wanted to ask me, I’d be okay with it.

“I had a lot to drink last night and I wasn’t sure . . . Well I woke up and . . .” He looked around the apartment. “Are we at your place?”

“Yeah, ” I said quietly. He didn’t even remember agreeing to come here. Guess that answered my question about his level of sobriety.

“Oh. Right. And I woke up in . . .” He pointed vaguely toward the bedroom. “. . . and I didn’t know . . .”

“You want to know if we had sex.” I spelled it out, shocked at how clear and cold my voice sounded.

“Y-yeah.” His face reddened at my bluntness. He hadn’t been so shy last night.

“I don’t know, Jamie. I don’t remember either. But I woke up in my bed naked. And you were naked next to me. So I’d say chances are pretty darn good.” I realized I sounded angry. Hurt. Don’t let him see that you care.

Mari Mancusi used to wish she could become a vampire back in high school. But she ended up in another blood sucking profession –journalism — instead. Today she works as a freelance TV producer and author of books for teens and adults. When not writing about creatures of the night, Mari enjoys traveling, cooking, goth clubbing, watching cheesy horror movies, and her favorite guilty pleasure–videogames. A graduate of Boston University and a two time Emmy Award winner, she lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Jacob, daughter Avalon and dog Mesquite.

Book Review: Walking Disaster by Jamie Mcguire


Cris: So what’s on tap for tonight?
Jenn: Well Pam said something about a movie night?
Cris: Great that means we are in for…
A loud banging on the front door stops them both
Both: Here we go…
Cris walking to the door lets Pam in
Pam: *bouncing around the living room giving her best Tyler Durden impression* you all ready to fight?
Cris: *looking at Jenn* has she lost her mind? I think all this reading has gone to her head!
Jenn: Pam could you fill us in on why you are bouncing around here?
Pam: *hold hands up* First rule of book club no one talks about book club! *Jenn and Cris just stare* Come on guys! Really! We all just finished Walking Disaster and what better way to celebrate then with a good dose of hot men fighting! I brought Fight Club, Warrior and The Fighter!
Jenn: Ok sounds fun but I thought we were talking about the book?
 
Cris: I guess we can do both? I will grab the snacks and you guys take a seat. Well that’s if you can stop Pam from running around here like a Jr. Travis!
Pam: *stops mid victory lap* What? It’s fun! Boo! You guys are no fun! *bows head and sighs*
Jenn: Oh stop! Pop in a DVD and let’s get this show on the road!
Cris: So let’s recap *snaps fingers at Pam and Jenn* Hello? Recap?
Jenn: Oh sorry! Can’t you just picture Travis all hot and sweaty like Tyler Duren? Bouncing around the underground fighting rings! *fans face*
Pam: Hey! Book chat! Focus!
Cris: I thought the first rule of book club was not to talk about book club? *pillow flies across the room and lands on Cris’s face* THANKS!!
All laugh till they are in tears
Jenn: Ok recap…
Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Pam: Can I just start off by saying that I read Beautiful Disaster like 6 times and I thought there was no way I could love Walking Disaster as much…well I was WAY off!!

Jenn:  I know! I can’t tell you how many times I read it, and I had the audio copy as well!! Beautiful Disaster was my absolute favorite book that is until Walking Disaster! Hearing the whole thing from his point of view? I didn’t think it was possible for me to fall any harder for Travis. I was WRONG!
Cris: The feeling is mutual. Beautiful Disaster was one of my first reads, one that really hooked me up in reading. Having a POV from the “hot bad ass boy” Travis was a really great idea. I know a lot of us crazy girls would like to take a glimpse of what’s in his crazy head.
Pam: I have to say that only a truly talented author that can make the same story yet still have it touch you in a way that still leaves you wanting more! I think I yelled EPILOGUE to everyone that would listen! Oh the epilogue was the best!
Jenn: Cris she just kept pm(ing) me on FB and the only word in the message was” EPILOGUE” *snickers*
Pam: Oh come on! I am so right! Cris?
Cris: Oh yes! I was all in tears when he said…

“I had never been in love before Abby, and no one had even piqued my interest since. My Life was the woman standing before me, and the family we’d made together.”

We’ve seen so much of the loving, responsible and caring side of Travis here. He has proven that behind the gorgeous face and MACHO image was a man who loves his family and wife genuinely.
Jenn: Ok I guess since we all know the story and what happens that reading this book was more about a feeling. We learn a lot more about Travis and his view of life and his feelings for Abby. Plus that prologue had me in tears!
Pam: We really needed that! It was like everything made sense after that. It all fell into place. *sigh* Poor Travis!
Jenn: Well when I read, “One of these days you’re going to fall in love, son. Don’t settle for just anyone. Choose the girl that doesn’t come easy; the one you have to fight for, and then never stop fighting. Never”, I was a goner!
Pam: That Jamie is sneaky! *laughs out loud* Cris what were you over all thoughts?
Cris: Jamie is amazing! It didn’t take long to find myself deeply drawn into the story. The heartwarming prologue did it! And I’m not ashamed to admit that I teared up a few times.

The push and pull relationship between the two still excites me, even though I know exactly what happened, I still felt the intensity of the love lost and love gained in the story. Travis and Abby’s extra ordinary love for each other is like a tug of war… so hard to hold on, but for some reason, they just can’t let it go. But that’s not the only one that excites me! I know it’s weird but seeing/ reading Travis fight again? Ohhhhh so SEXY!!!!
Pam: *bouncing in my seat* I LOVE FIGHTERS!!!!

Cris & Jenn: She’s lost it!
Pam: Now ladies to be honest I don’t think that any of us were playing with a full deck!
Cris: VEGAS!!! It didn’t matter whose point of view Vegas was hard!
Jenn: But so hot when Travis took down those men!
Pam: It was all very “I take care of what’smine” and very alpha male! Do you know what else I loved about this book? We got to see the connection between Travis and his dad.
Cris: Ditto! He has all this MACHO PERSONA, but when it comes to his family…its all the softer side of him. And I also loved how Abby connected with his family. The thanksgiving scene has always been one of my favorites and Jamie did not disappoint in pulling on my heartstrings again. That alone can really prove how much love Travis has for Abby. Awwww! (Grabs the tissue and start crying again!!!)
Jenn: Heck yeah! I loved seeing that part of him. It’s nice to see the love and respect for his father and family, especially from a hot alpha male!!! Kinda sexy in my opinion!
Pam: *gets up and changes Fight Club to Warrior* Ok ladies Tyler is done now time for Brendan Conlon! The only way to get over a book boyfriend is to fill that whole with a different fake boyfriend!
Jenn: I don’t think I will ever get over Travis!
Cris: (still sobbing) me, too! I think I need to read it all over again…
Pam: Ok ladies what have we learned from this book? *both look at each other* Anyone…Bueller? It is safe to say that fighters are hot! You can fall in love with the same stories twice and always bet on love!
Jenn: I am SO happy that we will get more of the Maddox clan soon enough and we can only that we will get more Travis and Abby to go along with that!
Cris: Let’s get back to the movie and skim our TBR list for some more fighter action!
Pam and Jen: AGREED!
 5 BLOODY STARS!
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New York Times best selling author Jamie McGuire has penned the Providence series and contemporary romance Beautiful Disaster. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three children. She is an RT(R), a graduate of Autry and Oklahoma Northern College, and a full time writer.