When I started writing The New Pioneers, I knew that I had solid stories for The Smartest Girl in the Room and The Family You Choose. However, I was very nervous about The China Doll. I've been working on that one almost as long as TFYC (in other words, decades), and that's the one title I always knew I'd use. And while Miranda, Emily and Zainab are integral to Jessie's story, this is...different.
I was, therefore, very happy last week when my beta-reader gave the story line a thumbs up (with some suggested tweaks)- and ecstatic to get an email from my editor this morning telling me she really liked it. Woo hoo!
All in all, not a bad way to start a Monday morning.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Green Illusions : The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism (Our Sustainable Future) by Ozzie Zehner
Two decades ago, I took a class called Environment and Society. Required reading for that class was State of The World 1990. What that book clearly laid out was that technology was not the answer to our problems with energy; to solve the problem, we'd have to rethink our systems, not just create new technology. There was a place for renewables, but ultimately the answer was using energy more intelligently.
Unfortunately, that's not what we we've been told. Many of us have been dreaming of a day when a combination of solar, wind and hydro power can replace coal and oil for all of our energy needs. That is, if we haven't been convinced that hydrogen, nuclear power or (non-existent) carbon capture are the keys to solving our energy problems.
The first part of Zehner's book slams down those arguments. While he points out many of the drawbacks inherent in renewable technologies (I'm not likely to look at photovoltaic panels again and not think about the waste associated with them), the most damning pieces are his exploration of how hydrogen and "clean" coal came to dominate the energy discussion in the last decade, reaching its most intense pitch during the 2008 election cycle.
The technology, however, is not the real problem and it never was. While our energy delivery systems need to be made more efficient- over half of what is generated is lost before it reaches consumers- the real roots of the problem are population and consumption. Zehner is sensitive to the fact that many population-control measures have been ham-handed at best and draconian at worst (read Mara Hvistendahl's Unnatural Selection for more on that); what he argues for (as many others have for decades) is a comprehensive program that improves women's rights and education. Once empowered, women tend to choose to have fewer children. That's easier- and less tragic- than forcing couples to reproduce at certain levels.
Perhaps because I'm a mother of younger children and teenagers I found the exploration of marketing to children to be particularly disturbing, but I suspect others will too. Anyone who wants to argue that consumption should be the engine of our economy should read about the way children are stalked so that advertisers can figure out the best ways to market to them, or the way poorer city children are exploited so their tastes and habits can be sanitized and marketed to more affluent youth as a safe form of rebellion. And why is that relevant to a discussion about adult buying habits? Because children become adults- and advertisers want to make sure that they are socialized as early as possible to become consumers.
While the picture many paint is bleak (and rightfully so), Green Illusions points to places where energy is being used more efficiently. Zehner notes many of the efficiencies available in the Netherlands- and big cities like New York City. While this may fly in the face of the DIY model of self-sufficiency that asks us to envision ourselves on rural homesteads, city-dwellers are among the most energy-efficient in the world. The reason that isn't touted more? Because there is nothing sexy (or salable) about small apartments, public transportation or shared furnaces. However, those are the things that consistently work.
Highly recommended for anyone concerned about energy use.
Unfortunately, that's not what we we've been told. Many of us have been dreaming of a day when a combination of solar, wind and hydro power can replace coal and oil for all of our energy needs. That is, if we haven't been convinced that hydrogen, nuclear power or (non-existent) carbon capture are the keys to solving our energy problems.
The first part of Zehner's book slams down those arguments. While he points out many of the drawbacks inherent in renewable technologies (I'm not likely to look at photovoltaic panels again and not think about the waste associated with them), the most damning pieces are his exploration of how hydrogen and "clean" coal came to dominate the energy discussion in the last decade, reaching its most intense pitch during the 2008 election cycle.
The technology, however, is not the real problem and it never was. While our energy delivery systems need to be made more efficient- over half of what is generated is lost before it reaches consumers- the real roots of the problem are population and consumption. Zehner is sensitive to the fact that many population-control measures have been ham-handed at best and draconian at worst (read Mara Hvistendahl's Unnatural Selection for more on that); what he argues for (as many others have for decades) is a comprehensive program that improves women's rights and education. Once empowered, women tend to choose to have fewer children. That's easier- and less tragic- than forcing couples to reproduce at certain levels.
While the picture many paint is bleak (and rightfully so), Green Illusions points to places where energy is being used more efficiently. Zehner notes many of the efficiencies available in the Netherlands- and big cities like New York City. While this may fly in the face of the DIY model of self-sufficiency that asks us to envision ourselves on rural homesteads, city-dwellers are among the most energy-efficient in the world. The reason that isn't touted more? Because there is nothing sexy (or salable) about small apartments, public transportation or shared furnaces. However, those are the things that consistently work.
Highly recommended for anyone concerned about energy use.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
This Could Have Been Our Song! (Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series - #1) by Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
This Could Have Been Our Song! A coulda
woulda shoulda ballad…
Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series - #1
©
Author – Danielle-Claude
Ngontang Mba
©
Genre – Contemporary
Romance
©
Publication Date – January 18th 2013
©
Publisher – Ever After Edition
©
Cover Artist – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
Book one:
Love can be such a “coulda, woulda, shoulda” song
sometimes…
Lucia Mpobo-Riddell could have been a dancer like the
rest of women of her family but instead she chose music. Marcus Grant could
have been a doctor like the rest of his family but instead he chose music. She
also could have not fallen for Marcus on her birthday but she did. And Marcus,
he could have told Lucia the truth about his real reason for being in Toronto
that night, but he didn’t. Now they have to deal with big reveals and
consequences: Marcus almost stealing her job and being force to work on an
album together. Marcus, because he couldn’t swallow his pride, leaves Toronto
and goes home to London. Lucia, because she just couldn’t give up on her first
amazing opportunity to produce a whole album. And to complicate the situation
further, the band they’re working for is not the easiest one. Mary Gillis,
Marcus’ on and off flame, still has a hold on him. Greg McMullen, Lucia’s close
friend and former dance partner is back in town and has been in love with her
for years. Then there’s Marcus and Lucia, in the middle of their own a
professional and personal tug-of- war with each over and the rest of the world.
But maybe things could still work out… All things considered, this could have
been one heck of a love song!
Buy links:
Excerpt
LUCIA
I’m almost halfway down my
Frappuccino when I see Greg coming out of the theatre. He’s late and he isn’t
wearing his workout outfit but a loose pair of jeans and a dark, thin hoodie.
By the time he reaches me across the street, he’s made at least ten heads
turned, men and women alike.
“Hi, handsome specimen.” I
hand him his drink.
“Hi, yourself,” Greg answers
and sit down next time. “Sorry I took a shower after rehearsal.” He eagerly
starts to drink his Frappuccino. “Delicious…just like you, beolkku.” He’s kissing my neck.
“You shouldn’t have. I’m just
walking you home.” I get off the bench and stretch. Today is a perfect day for
a walk downtown. “I almost forgot what happens each time I’m outside with you.”
“What does
happen?” Greg asks, putting his arm around my hips and lightly pushing me.
“Umm…let’s see,” I say,
staring back, and another woman is smiling at him. “The entire city, straight
and gay combined, are ogling you.”
“Oh…that,” he laughs. “I
could say the same about you, Lulu.”
“So how are rehearsals
going?” I ask. I’m taking his hand while walking west on King Street. His condo
is just off Tecumseth Street.
“Well, it does help that
we’re in our fourth month. But our stage here is smaller so I had to make a few
adjustments,” he says, finishing his drink. Greg was already famous worldwide
for his choreographies and own performances. But with a show of this magnitude,
he raised his own stake.
“I’m so proud of you, Greg,”
I tell him.
“I’m proud of you too.
Getting out there on your own wasn’t an easy decision but you made it and I’m
sure only good thing will come out of it,” he says before we cross the street.
The happy hour crowd is not out just yet but the King West restaurants are
getting ready.
“It’s not a hundred dancers
and three-hour shows but we’re getting there…or not,” I joke.
“You got my sister’s vote.
She and Michael really hit it off last week. I think they’re going on their
fifth date tonight.” he says. He turns and looks at me. “Should this bother
me?”
“You liked him, remember; you
sent me there,” I tease. I have no idea what brothers should feel. I only have
my sisters and we tend to encourage the naked policy.
“Yes, but not her!”
“He’s a good guy, Greg. I’m
sure he likes her at least as much as she so obviously likes him,” I giggle. Kathie
in love is always adorable. I wish her the best. “Axelle’s pregnant; she told
us yesterday. So next summer I’m going to be an aunt for the third time,” I
tell him with a big smile. We’re turning south on Tecumseth Street and the walk
is almost over. I’ll take the streetcar back to the subway station.
“Congratulation! That’s great
news! Which reminds me…” He takes an envelope out of his hoodie pocket. “I have
your tickets for the premiere.”
“We could have paid for them,
you know,” I tell him and check the tickets; six to be exact. Annie will be
able to come with us as well. “Those are great seats. Thank you, Greg.” I kiss
him on the cheek.
“You will pay; I expect you
there at least once a week,” he says, touching his cheek.
“Your show is here until late
January!” I’m completely shocked. I’ll be there, front row.
“You’ll be there…” he says.
We’re getting to his building.
“Singing and dancing my ass
off!” I say in his lobby. I haven’t been here this year yet. Have I been so out
of it this year? “It was a great walk. I’ve missed doing that with you,” I tell
him and I sincerely do.
“I just plain missed you, my yeppeun17 Lulu.” He’s
caressing my cheek and making me blush.
Making me blush? “Please!
You’re the handsome, perfect specimen,” I tell him. [17. Beautiful]
“That sounds like I’m
irresistible,” he says softly and it’s making me feel warm inside.
Making me feel warm inside?
“Duh…since the academy, no woman has ever been able to resist you,” I say.
“There has been at least one
woman immune all this time,” he murmurs before kissing me. I know this type of
kiss; I gave one for the first time on Noor’s wedding day. But this is the
first time that anyone’s given one to me.
“Greg…” I manage to mumble
when he finally releases my lips. I didn’t ask you to stop!
“Not that immune after all,
Lulu,” he says against my mouth.
No one could be immune after a kiss like that
given by a man who looks like Greg. When he starts kissing me again, I kiss him
back. I’m not leading him on; I really want to explore this. I’m not leading
him on…
The Book Official Soundtrack
Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series - Fictional Cast
Jessica Szohr asLucia Mpobo-Riddell and Garrett Hedlund as Marcus Grant
Daniel Henney as
Greg McMullen
The Sisters
Beesly&Matt Marsh Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper
For the rest of the cast click on the Pinterest logo...
My review (originally posted in May, 2013)
This novel made me wish I could live in Toronto, dance, produce music, play guitar and bake mouth-watering pastries in under an hour while surrounded by the coolest multi-ethnic cast I have ever read about. In other words, Lucia Mpobo-Riddell is my newest hero.
When we meet Lucia- Luce/Lucita/Lulu- she’s just embarked on what’s going to be a stormy relationship with London-based producer Marcus Grant. Taken together, they’re an interesting study in human potential: Lucia lost both of her parents when she was very young, but she’s taken her grief and channeled it into all of her creative outlets. Marcus, born with an equal amount of talent but blessed with loving parents, has achieved respect in his chosen profession but is still thisclose to being great. The reader quickly understands that it’s Marcus who can’t get out of his own way, but like Lucia- and his family and friends- we’re rooting for him to do the right thing.
Like Lucia’s sisters, I alternated between wanting to punch Marcus, wanting him to make Lucia happy, and wanting him to walk away because he just wasn’t good enough and he’d had his chance. Just when those feelings peaked, in walked the equally compelling (and more accomplished) Greg McMullen. He’s “all that”, and he treats Lucia like gold. But even though I’m squarely on Team Greg, I can understand why Lucia still isn’t entirely done with Marcus. (But here’s hoping she comes to her senses in the sequel!)
As much as I enjoyed Lucia, Marcus and Greg, I also appreciated the large supporting cast, particularly the close knit family members that are like best friends and the best friends who are so close that they're like family. But not everyone is milk and honey: the sins of Lucia's mother and grandmother loom large over the lives of their family members, and it's heartbreaking how much Lucia and especially her sister Noor still pine for their parents' love. While the tone of the novel is mostly adventurous and fun, these reminders ground the piece.
As much as I enjoyed Lucia, Marcus and Greg, I also appreciated the large supporting cast, particularly the close knit family members that are like best friends and the best friends who are so close that they're like family. But not everyone is milk and honey: the sins of Lucia's mother and grandmother loom large over the lives of their family members, and it's heartbreaking how much Lucia and especially her sister Noor still pine for their parents' love. While the tone of the novel is mostly adventurous and fun, these reminders ground the piece.
Plenty of humor here, but the funniest line is “I’m taller, my eyes are green and I too speak fluent Korean.” So take that!
Highly recommended.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Prophecy of the Solstice's End (Oracle of Delphi #3) by Diantha Jones (@dianthajones)
Disclaimer: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Another disclaimer: this is a long book. My copy came in at 408 pages, and I might have waited a few extra days to get into it because of that.
No worries: I more than made up for it when I found myself unable to put it down and staying up way past my bedtime to read just a little bit more. I read this on my laptop- on the train. When I say I couldn't put it down, I meant it.
Why? Because things come to a head when Chloe and her team answer Zeus' summons to attend the Olympic Games- the games her true love Strafford aka Solar aka The Sun Prince just happens to be competing in. Did you have some huge questions after the first two installments? Jones delivers on a lot of the answers, particularly those concerning Hermes' son Swindle, the all-seeing Thetans, that devilishly charming son of Zeus Torrent and- oh yeah- Chloe's father. (You'll want to say "apples don't fall far from trees"- but then you're going to start wondering which tree we're concerned with.)
Wouldn't it be nice if Chloe and her demigod friends could work out their family dramas in relative peace? Sadly, no. They still have the little matter of constellations falling out of the sky- and wait until you see the ones that fall out in this book- and Apollo and Zeus circling each other to see which one is going to throw down the gauntlet first. We learned in the last book that Apollo has help; don't worry- so does Zeus. No surprise that there are several attempted murders. What's more surprising is that not all of them are successful...yet another mystery for us to solve.
In the last book we saw Chloe come to accept her role as the Oracle; in this book we get to see her exercise her power, and it's awesome. It's about damn time someone reminded these obnoxious gods that they're not in charge, and she is just Oracle to do it. But maybe- just maybe- not all of the gods are as terrible as they seem.
Highly recommended for YA and mythology fans. Now if only Jones would hurry up and get Book Four out, we'd be all set!
Another disclaimer: this is a long book. My copy came in at 408 pages, and I might have waited a few extra days to get into it because of that.
No worries: I more than made up for it when I found myself unable to put it down and staying up way past my bedtime to read just a little bit more. I read this on my laptop- on the train. When I say I couldn't put it down, I meant it.
Why? Because things come to a head when Chloe and her team answer Zeus' summons to attend the Olympic Games- the games her true love Strafford aka Solar aka The Sun Prince just happens to be competing in. Did you have some huge questions after the first two installments? Jones delivers on a lot of the answers, particularly those concerning Hermes' son Swindle, the all-seeing Thetans, that devilishly charming son of Zeus Torrent and- oh yeah- Chloe's father. (You'll want to say "apples don't fall far from trees"- but then you're going to start wondering which tree we're concerned with.)
In the last book we saw Chloe come to accept her role as the Oracle; in this book we get to see her exercise her power, and it's awesome. It's about damn time someone reminded these obnoxious gods that they're not in charge, and she is just Oracle to do it. But maybe- just maybe- not all of the gods are as terrible as they seem.
Highly recommended for YA and mythology fans. Now if only Jones would hurry up and get Book Four out, we'd be all set!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
More love for The New Pioneers!
Today is the second-to-last day of The Smartest Girl in the Room blog tour those guys at Juniper Grove so nicely organized for me, and I couldn't be happier. And by "happy" I mean vegan vanilla ice cream-hot fudge-raspberry sauce sundae happy.
Since we last spoke, I've been reviewed by BookwormBridgette's World and Nikki Mahood. Please go read and you'll see why I'm pleased as punch.
On top of that, Kay's Novel Nook read and reviewed The Family You Choose. You know why I'm doing cartwheels over this one? If you've read it, you know that I took some risks with it (and as we've seen this week, literary risks can be dangerous). This story means a lot to me- it's older than two of my sisters, and it's been with me for more than half my life- so I am doubly appreciative that someone "got" it. (Here's hoping others will too!)
Below is the Rafflecopter Juniper Grove is running for me again, and again I am NOT running this so I can do anything other than tell you about the next releases. Writers who have time to stalk people...among other things, they're not people I want to hang out with, and certainly not people I want to emulate.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Since we last spoke, I've been reviewed by BookwormBridgette's World and Nikki Mahood. Please go read and you'll see why I'm pleased as punch.
 |
| Some of the other stuff happiness is made of |
On top of that, Kay's Novel Nook read and reviewed The Family You Choose. You know why I'm doing cartwheels over this one? If you've read it, you know that I took some risks with it (and as we've seen this week, literary risks can be dangerous). This story means a lot to me- it's older than two of my sisters, and it's been with me for more than half my life- so I am doubly appreciative that someone "got" it. (Here's hoping others will too!)
Below is the Rafflecopter Juniper Grove is running for me again, and again I am NOT running this so I can do anything other than tell you about the next releases. Writers who have time to stalk people...among other things, they're not people I want to hang out with, and certainly not people I want to emulate.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Bird of Prey by Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba is LIVE!
Bird Of Prey
Series: Sémya Slotin Mystery -
Book One
Mystery
Romance
By
Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
Release date: October 7th
(paperback)
Release date: October 15th (ebook)
Release date: October 15th (ebook)
Buy Links
This
was supposed to be an easy case…
Sémya
Slotin had spent the last three years living in London with her best friend
Polliannah Koch staying away from solving cases. After Hawaii, she was taking a
break from puzzles, cases and mysteries that could potentially get her killed.
Instead, she had been doing her second and third favorite things, drinking and
selling expensive vintage wines and having earthshattering sex with the
mysterious, sexy, beautiful but ever so secretive Josh Heinz. Life in London
was good….until her funds ran out. Too much wine drinking, not enough wine
selling!
What
Sémya didn’t see was her stumbling on the fresh corpse of supermodel Johanna
Cartier. She didn’t think that male model turned fashion designer Julian
Marais-Caldwin, who also happened to be Sémya’s ex, would be suspected of
brutally murdering her. Johanna was his girlfriend, his muse and he loved her.
Sémya didn’t see the dead bodies piling up or the conspiracy theories.
Sémya
was a little rusty. But then again, it was supposed to be an easy case and she
was going to solve it. One vintage wine at a time… Sémya Slotin was officially
back in business!
Prologue
Saint-Bruno-Des-Anges
September 1998 (South of France)
Jojo
crawled on the floor as fast as her weak body would allow. She had been sick
all day. She couldn’t keep anything she was eating down and she didn’t
understand why. Too late… she started to convulse in front of the bathroom door
and the entire content of her stomach came out. “Catherine!” she said after she
was done. “I’ve made a mess again.”
“Poor
child,” Catherine said and helped her back to her bed. Jojo smiled. She was
lucky to have Catherine with her. She was her best friend, an older sister and
her family. “Drink some tea. Your stomach will feel better soon.”
“Thank
you, Catherine. You’re a godsend.” She slowly drank the tea under Catherine’s
watchful stare. It tasted bitter but if Catherine said that it was good for
her, she had no reason to think otherwise. She then closed her eyes and fell
asleep.
Catherine
knew that she needed to act fast. The appointment was in less than an hour.
Jojo would not be waking up anytime soon, if ever again. She had been
hallucinating for days. Catherine was
convinced that Jojo didn’t even know how long she had been in bed. But her
suffering would be over soon. The tea she had given her should be
finishing the job.
She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair
was as black as Jojo’s now and the same length. They always had similar
sparkling green eyes and the same smile. Even people in the village thought
they were twin sisters. Catherine quickly put her hair up the silly way Jojo
always preferred before leaving their small cottage.
“Hello
Jojo,” her next-door neighbour said.
“Hello!”
Catherine replied. They had been living here for more than a year. Mrs.
Beauvais should have been able to recognize her. Her smile grew wider. That was
a good sign.
“How’s
Catherine today?”
“Still
in bed I’m afraid.” Catherine got into their car. “I have a meeting in Nice.
I’ll speak to you later.” She drove away happy to have fooled at least one
person so far.
“You’re
still alive!” Catherine exclaimed when she saw Jojo shaking on her bed.
Jojo
frowned back. “I’m seeing double, Catherine. You look just like me. And what
happened to your brown hair?” she asked. She tried to reach out for the other
her but lifting her arm was too hard. “What is happening to me?” she cried
but no tears came out. She was so thirsty. She was in so much pain and so
tired. “Maybe we should call for help?” she let out, her throat hurt and was
burning.
“You’re
hallucinating again, Jojo. It hasn’t even been more than a day. You will be
fine tomorrow. I’ll get you some tea,” Catherine told her.
But something in Catherine’s voice scared
Jojo. She was lying to her. She wasn’t getting better, she was getting worse.
How long had she been trapped in their home? She was supposed to go to Nice and
pick up her contract. Catherine came back and even through her haze, Jojo could
see that she had a big bruise of her face. “What happened?” she managed to
mutter while avoiding the tea.
“I
wasn’t convincing enough. Next time I’ll be more prepared,” Catherine gritted
back. She held Jojo by her hair and forced her to drink the tea. “It’s for your
own good.” Her eyes were cold. No trace of the nice gentle Catherine she had
been living with for the past year. That woman was a stranger. Maybe she had
always been one… what did she really know about Catherine Dubois?
“Why
are you doing this to me, Catherine?” Jojo asked as she shook so violently that
she ended up on the floor. She was alone…would this nightmare ever end? How
long had she been on the floor like this? Flames started to grow around her…
was it her imagination? She started to choke as heat was entering her lungs and
she felt her life leaving her body… I’m only sixteen… I’m only sixteen and
my life hasn’t even begun yet… It can’t be over yet…
AUTHOR BIO
Meet Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
The Author, The Blogger, The Cheeky Reviewer
 |
| Have you held an Olympic Torch before its departure to Athens? |
“My life journey is like my playlist, amazingly unique but full of contradictions with surprising joys with every song...”
I was born in Quebec City, Canada from Gabonese parents but grew up in Paris and Libreville the Gabonese capital until the age of 18. Are you yawning yet? I am...
I moved back to Canada in 1999 after high school in Libreville to study Cinematography and Digital movie production in Laval University in Quebec then The International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto. After graduating in 2003, I decided to sell my soul to the corporate world and worked in the Benefit Outsourcing Industry for seven in Toronto before reconnecting with her first passion writing.
"A teacher told me in high school that people didn't read anymore so I decided that I would make movies instead...so that didn't stick…"
I finally went back to school to study creative writing at Georges Brown College in 2010 and 2011. I started to write The Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series as an assignment and finished Book One in late 2011 before moving to London.
And the rest as they say is history... Almost two years later, I'm in London and wrote three novels: This Could Have Been Our Song! A coulda woulda shoulda ballad... (Book one) currently available on amazon and soon in iTunes, Kobo, Barnes and Nobles and Smashwords. The sequel This Would Have Been Our Song! Catchy tune and dancers tales will be release in January 2014. Bird Of Prey, my first mystery novel will be release in October 7th, 2013 on paperback before its wide release in November 25th, 2013. It will be followed by The Plot Thickens (a novella) in January 2014 and Polliannah Got Married! in April 2014 or earlier.
Authors Links:
Curves and The Rancher by Jenn Roseton - Book Blitz
♥ BOOK INFO ♥
♥ TITLE ~ Curves and the Rancher
♥ SERIES ~ Coldwater Springs - Book #3
♥ AUTHOR ~ Jenn Roseton
♥ GENRE ~ Sexy Contemporary Romance
♥ RELEASE DATE ~ October 16th, 2013
♥ PUBLISHER ~ Jenn Roseton
♥ BOOK DESCRIPTION ♥ When Cassie’s car breaks down in Coldwater Springs, Wyoming, she’s in a bind. On the run, she doesn’t know who she can trust. Until she meets Luke Jackson. The hunky rancher captures her heart and helps her face her fears. But can he convince her that he’s fallen in love with her, and her curves? This is a sexy contemporary romance novelette of approximately 12,700 words. ♥ Buy Book One Curves and the Cowboy Kindle Copy Here At AMAZON US LINK ♥ Buy Book Two Curves and the Sherif Kindle Copy Here At AMAZON ♥ Buy Book Three Curves and the Rancher Kindle Copy Here At AMAZON ♥ Add To Your GOODREADS LIST ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
“So now you've been here awhile, what do you think of Coldwater?” he enquired.
Quivers of excitement danced down her spine. Luke made her feel as if she were the only person in the world. “I like it here,” she murmured.
His lips curved in a slow smile. “Good.”
Bang! Bang! The hail had slowed down for a few minutes, but now it returned in full force. Luke reached out and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “You’d better stay here tonight. There’s no knowing how long this storm will go on for.”
Relief coursed through her. Although she’d been trying not to show it, she’d been worried about driving home in the storm. “Okay,” she agreed, leaning into him as his fingers caressed her hair.
His eyes snared hers and his mouth slowly descended. She held her breath, waiting for the moment when their lips would touch. He slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue coaxing her lips to open. Cassie parted her lips in surrender, her pulse beating erratically. Luke gathered her to him as if he was never going to let her go...
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Jenn Roseton believes that romance and happy endings go together. When she’s not writing, she indulges in delicious gourmet chocolate.
Although she’s spent time in Wyoming, unfortunately she didn't meet a sexy cowboy of her own.
♥ STALKER LINKS ♥
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS | SHELFARI
Friday, October 11, 2013
Bird of Prey by Danielle-Claude Ngotang Mba- paperback release and review
Bird Of Prey
Series: Sémya Slotin Mystery - Book One
Mystery Romance
By Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
Release date: October 7th
(paperback only)
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| Paperback Cover |
Buy Links
Only $4.99/₤4.29 until November 25th
Only $4.99/₤4.29 until November 25th
Blurb:
This
was supposed to be an easy case…
Sémya
Slotin had spent the last three years living in London with her best friend
Polliannah Koch staying away from solving cases. After Hawaii, she was taking a
break from puzzles, cases and mysteries that could potentially get her killed.
Instead, she had been doing her second and third favorite things, drinking and
selling expensive vintage wines and having earthshattering sex with the
mysterious, sexy, beautiful but ever so secretive Josh Heinz. Life in London
was good….until her funds ran out. Too much wine drinking, not enough wine
selling!
When
fashion designer and adoptive mother, Annika Slotin, summoned her back to Paris
to hire her for what Sémya considered being the easiest case of her amateur
sleuth career, all she could think of and see was money signs and a
well-deserved Cuban holiday once it was solved.
What
Sémya didn’t see was her stumbling on the fresh corpse of supermodel Johanna
Cartier. She didn’t think that male model turned fashion designer Julian
Marais-Caldwin, who also happened to be Sémya’s ex, would be suspected of
brutally murdering her. Johanna was his girlfriend, his muse and he loved her.
Sémya didn’t see the dead bodies piling up or the conspiracy theories.
Sémya
was a little rusty. But then again, it was supposed to be an easy case and she
was going to solve it. One vintage wine at a time… Sémya Slotin was officially
back in business!
My Review
I received an advanced review copy but this in no way affected my review.
I wasn't sure I was going to like something set in the fashion industry, but as it turned out I couldn't put this down. We get to see a little bit of how a haute couture house is run, but really, we get to see a lot more about how a brilliant detective thinks.
Semya Slotin may have a rough exterior- she seems to revel in dressing like an upscale tomboy, in spite of her mother's and adoptive mother's connection to the fashion world- but you will instantly recognize the powerful, glamorous and brilliant woman she is. You'll also wish she was your best friend: she's loyal, honest and compassionate. And while the circumstances of her childhood could have left her an emotional mess, she's instead someone who commands control in any situation she's in. Beware if you get a jab in; she only wants you to think you did. Really, she's analyzing whether you use a right hook or a left uppercut, and why.
She thinks she's being asked to solve a cream puff case that Nancy Drew could solve in ten minutes, but within the first few chapters she finds herself in the middle of two mysteries, and one of them is murder. All of that on top of the mysteries she's been embroiled in for years: who is her father, and what kind of game does her hot, mysterious boyfriend Josh think he's playing with her? And what the hell does her best friend Polli think she's going to get into while she's not looking?
You might be able to figure out "whodunnit" pretty quickly, but *why* is the question. When you realize the answer, you'll be able to see the little clues that were dribbled throughout the story. Well done.
Can't wait to read the rest in this series!
Ebook Release: November 25th, 2013
Pre-order
Links:
only $2.99
until November 25th
©
iTunes
©
Kobo
©
B&N
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| Ebook Cover |
Chapter
14
Camera
left…camera right…camera left…camera right…
Sémya had been staring at her board for the past three hours. Maybe she should
take a break and go work at the store today.
Or maybe she should give up all together and book their Cuban holiday.
London was so cold right now they should just go soak up some sun.
AUTHOR BIO
Meet Danielle-Claude Ngontang
Mba
The Author, The
Blogger, The Cheeky Reviewer
 |
| Have you ever been to The Champs Elysee in Paris? (overrated!!!) |
“My
life journey is like my playlist, amazingly unique but full of contradictions
with surprising joys with every song...”
I was
born in Quebec City, Canada from Gabonese parents but grew up in Paris and
Libreville the Gabonese capital until the age of 18. Are you yawning yet? I
am...
I
moved back to Canada in 1999 after high school in Libreville to study
Cinematography and Digital movie production in Laval University in Quebec then
The International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto. After graduating
in 2003, I decided to sell my soul to the corporate world and worked in the
Benefit Outsourcing Industry for seven in Toronto before reconnecting with her
first passion writing.
"A
teacher told me in high school that people didn't read anymore so I decided
that I would make movies instead...so that didn't stick…"
I
finally went back to school to study creative writing at Georges Brown College
in 2010 and 2011. I started to write The Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series
as an assignment and finished Book One in late 2011 before moving to London.
And
the rest as they say is history... Almost two years later, I'm in London and
wrote three novels: This Could Have Been Our Song! A coulda woulda shoulda
ballad... (Book one) currently available on amazon and soon in iTunes,
Kobo, Barnes and Nobles and Smashwords. The sequel This Would Have Been Our
Song! Catchy tune and dancers tales will be release in January 2014. Bird
Of Prey, my first mystery novel will be release in October 7th,
2013 on paperback before its wide release in November 25th, 2013. It
will be followed by The Plot Thickens (a novella) in January 2014 and Polliannah
Got Married! in April 2014 or earlier.
Authors
Links:
Bird Of Prey Paperback release Giveaway!
5 Ebooks of Bird Of Prey (Sémya
Slotin Mystery 1)
5 Ebooks Of This Could Have
Been Our Song! a coulda woulda shoulda ballad…
3 Ebooks of The Plot Thinkens
(Sémya Slotin Mystery 1.5)
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