Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Bout of Books Read-a-thon May 2016

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 9th and runs through Sunday, May 15th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 16 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Bout of Books
Time Devoted to Reading

  • I want to read at least 1 hour a day and about 2-3 hours each day of the weekend! 

My Goals


  • My goal is to read at least four complete books in the next week!

Books to Read

    • How to Be Cool by Annie Carr
    • Anything You Want by Geoff Herbach


      Updates

      Monday 5/6/16
      Books Started:  How to Be Cool by Annie Carr
      Books Finished:  None
      Pages Read: HTBC 5% 
      Thoughts:  I didn't get much reading done on Monday.  I was hoping to get more reading in, but work got in the way. 
      Challenges
      Introduce Yourself #insixwords -- HERE!
      The challenge is simple: introduce yourself on Twitter, Instagram, or on this post using six words, no more, no less. Use the hashtags #boutofbooks and #insixwords



      Tuesday 5/10/16

      Books Started:  Anything You Want by Geoff Herbach
      Books Finished:  How to Be Cool by Annie Carr
      Pages Read:HTBC 5%/95% AYW 45%
      Thoughts: I got tons of reading done yesterday it was very productive now I need to work on my blog posts!
      Challenges:  
      Show Off Your Shelves Photo Challenge -- HERE!
      Share a picture of your books/shelves/nightstand/e-library/wherever you keep your books on Twitter, Instagram, or on this post. Use the hashtags #boutofbooks and #shelfie4boutofbooks


      Wednesday 5/11/16
      Books Started: None
      Books Finished: None
      Pages Read: AYW 45%/65%
      Thoughts: I need to pick up my reading again, work keeps getting in the way!!! 
      Challenges:  
      5 Favorites -- HERE
      Everybody loves sharing favorites and now we're giving you free rein to do just that. Pick the topic of your choice and share your 5 favorite books that fit. Topics could be a favorite genre, a favorite trope, book boyfriends, or ANYTHING. There's no limit to where you can take this!

      Favorite Book Genres:
      Mystery
      Memoir
      YA Fiction
      Fantasy 
      Romance


      Thursday 5/12/16 
      Books Started: None
      Books Finished: None
      Pages Read: AYW 65%/85%
      Thoughts: Same as yesterday I need to pick my reading up this weekend!
      Challenges:
      If You Like This, Try This -- HERE
      Since we all love recommending books, here's your chance to share the love.
      Example: If you like paranormal romance with bloodthirsty vikings, try Shelly Laurenston's Call of Crows series.
      Make sure you use the hashtag #boutofbooks on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, so we can see your recs.



      Friday 5/13/16
      Books Started:
      Books Finished:
      Pages Read:

      Saturday 5/14/16
      Books Started:
      Books Finished:
      Pages Read:

      Sunday 5/15/16
      Books Started:
      Books Finished:
      Pages Read:

      Monday, April 25, 2016

      How To Make A Guy Realize You Are The One For Him - Titania Hudson (Book Review)

      How To Make A Guy Realize You Are The One For Him (Love Matters Series Book 1)How To Make A Guy Realize You Are The One for Him by Titania Hudson
      Series Love Matters Series # 1
      Genres: Nonfiction, Relationship
      Publication date:
      January 23, 2015

      Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
      Format: ebook, 108 pages
      How I got it: Titania Hudson for an honest review
      Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble
      My rating: 5/5
       

      Flaunt your feminine wiles to make him fall in love with you!

      Chances are, you’ve heard the common advice – “Forget about dolling yourself up! Just be natural and make him accept you for who you are!” These words of wisdom ring true for those women, who happen to fall into the category of natural beauties, but face up to the truth, don’t you wish to accentuate the more outstanding features of your appearance and downplay the flaws? After all, the first shot at love is always about appearance before men pay attention to the other positive qualities inherent in your character and body language.
      The key strategy to stop the “ATTRACTION” between a couple from fading, is also centred on “COMMUNICATION” and a deeper “UNDERSTANDING” of what the opposite sexes want, in order to make a relationship last for an eternity.

      If you’re interested in learning how to talk to a man so that he opens up to you, listens to you, and willingly gives you what you want without a fuss, this book will help you to communicate with men more effectively and make him highly attracted to you!

      Here’s what you’re going to learn inside:

      WHAT WOMEN WANT VERSUS WHAT MEN WANT:

      • How to get him to fall in love with you after meeting you on the FIRST DATE.
      • Discover how to tell him clearly what’s on your mind without challenging his ego and earn his TRUST cum RESPECT.
      • Learn how to communicate what you want in a relationship and make him want to do meaningful favours of his own accord to keep you HAPPY, ATTRACTED and COMMITTED.
      • Find out FOURTEEN AMAZING SECRETS to getting good men to COMMIT to an exclusive dating relationship with you.
      • Discover how to have interesting conversations with him without making him feel like a wimp or pushover.
      • Learn how to be a respected and captivating girlfriend by being more assertive with your guy without appearing manipulative or domineering.
      • How to understand the male psyche and communicate in his lingo so that he KNOWS exactly how to treat a worthy girlfriend like you.
      • Unlock the secret FANTASIES he wants in bed when the time is ripe for both of you to engage in sexual intimacy.
      • And much, much more…

      Would You Like to Know More?

      Get started right away and learn how to UNDERSTAND and COMMUNICATE with the single men out there, paying special attention to the one, who is willing to listen to you, open up to you, and fits your bill of Mr Right.

      ..............................................................................
        

      My thoughts:
      I think this is the perfect book to read when you are in between relationships. It gives great pointers on taking the first step and listing out a set of qualities that you want in your next man.  I love this idea because having what you are looking for written down in front of you helps to keep you focused.  I think coming up with qualities that you are looking for will help you to narrow down maybe men who don't fit into those categories quickly.

      I loved the idea of taking care of yourself and always looking your best.  The book did a great job with tips on how to get this done and also outfit suggestions.  I completely agree a men wants a women he can show off to his family and friends and with new outfits and looking your best these are things that are easy to achieve.   Sometimes new clothes really do change your outlook on life you just feel better in your own skin.

      The book gives a lot of solid advice that you can use in your everyday life.  It is a great resource for people who might not have had luck in the past with relationships.  It takes a lot to look back at what didn't work and what you can do better to make the relationship last.  I love the idea that each relationship is a journey that is always evolving and you must evolve too.  

      Also, I love the first date advice for going out with someone you met online.  I know online dating is a big thing for a few of my friends now and I think the helpful tips in this book are key. Your own safety must be your number one priority.    

      I received this book from Titania Hudson for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

      Quotes I love:
      "Nevertheless, make sure to tread on the path to true love with care, so just treat the process of dating and marriage as a continuous learning journey."

      "The way you look should matter to you because it only takes a fraction of a second to create a positive first impression on a person and once someone has formed a negative opinion of you, the changes of you rectifying it is indeed slim." 

       ..............................................................................

      About the Author 
      Titania Hudson is a veteran dating counselor residing in Los Angeles with her husband and three children. Now, a self-published author, she aspires to develop a series of dating books to help others cruise along their dating journeys.

      With a specialized degree in Psychology and years of experience under her belt, she is familiar with the crises in dating and adept at highlighting the troubling issues that can crop up within the dating and marriage mart. Nothing pleases her more than having the chance to publish her relationship guides as a form of giving back to society, and she gains much satisfaction from knowing that her readers are faring well in their love pursuits.

      While working as a dating counselor in her earlier days, she came across a varied mix of couples, who upheld different values, beliefs and aspirations in life. Some couples were vexed over their seemingly irreconcilable differences, but they were determined to make their relationship work; others had it easier with their other half, except that they wanted to be mentally prepared to face any trials that may surface in the course of their courtship and/or marriage.

      Seeing couples split up was definitely something she hated to see while doing her job, and she felt that couples needed to have a clear understanding of what they want in a partner and not force themselves to accept one another 'blindly' in spite of the apparent faults and differences present in both individuals. That belief led her to start thinking about writing a series of dating books to encourage all couples to adopt a practical yet healthy perspective of what love actually means to them.

      Till to-date, she has published a series of dating books under her name. They are none other than: How To Make A Guy Believe You're The One For Him, Get Him To Propose In 80 Days, Go Getter Guy Secrets To Successful Dates and Red Flag: Is Distrust Tearing Your Marriage Apart?

      Author Links:
        photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png 

      Friday, April 22, 2016

      {Blog Tour} Fulfillment Series - Erin Rhew (Spotlight & Giveaway)

      For those that don't know, Erin is a young adult fantasy author who is married to adult thriller author, Deek Rhew. Together, they are "the Rhews," and their street team is the Rhewination!

      Deek and Erin-- Join the Rhewination! ;) 


      The Prophecy (Fulfillment Series Book 1)


      Title: The Prophecy
      Author: Erin Rhew
      Publisher: BookFish Books
      Cover Design: Anita at Race-Point
      Available Now! Amazon Buy Link 

      Synopsis: 

      Growing up on a small farm in the kingdom of Vanguard, seventeen-year-old Layla Givens lives a deceptively tranquil existence. But her carefully constructed life quickly falls apart when she's abducted by a religious zealot who proclaims her The Fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and whisks her away to marry her greatest enemy.

      Wilhelm, Prince of the Ethereals, is reluctant to meet his new bride. He's grown up believing Vanguards are evil, an enemy to fight and fear...not love. Can he set aside his prejudices and work alongside Layla to bring lasting peace after centuries of war? 

      Nash, a loner who has never fit in, carries a huge secret, one big enough to destroy both kingdoms. When he accidently meets Layla, he's no longer content to live in the shadows, but he must resist his growing attraction--for her safety and for the longevity of the two kingdoms. 

      When Nash's secret is revealed, a firestorm sweeps through both realms, with Layla at the center. Now she must choose between duty and desire while the fate of two nations hangs in the balance.


      The Outlanders (Fulfillment Series Book 2) 


      Title: The Outlanders
      Author: Erin Rhew
      Publisher: BookFish Books
      Cover Design: Anita at Race-Point
      Available Now! Amazon Buy Link 

      The Fulfillment (Fulfillment Series Book 3)



      Title: The Fulfillment
      Author: Erin Rhew
      Publisher: BookFish Books
      Cover Design: Anita at Race-Point
      Available Now! Amazon Buy Link 

      About Erin Rhew

      Erin Rhew


      Erin Rhew is an editor, a running coach, and the author of The Fulfillment Series. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written
      word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police."

      A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin now lives in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest with the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) writer Deek Rhew and their “overly fluffy,” patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. She and Deek enjoy reading aloud to one another, running, lifting, boxing, eating chocolate, and writing side-by- side.



      Connect with Erin Online!



      For the latest and greatest, visit her web page:


      About Deek Rhew


      Deek Rhew
      Deek lives in a rainy pocket in the Pacific Northwest with the stunning YA author bride, Erin Rhew, and their writing assistant, a fat tabby named Trinity. They enjoy lingering in the mornings, and often late into the night, caught up Erin’s fantastic fantasy worlds of noble princes and knights and entwined in Deek’s dark underworld of the FBI and drug lords.

      He and Erin love to share books by reading aloud to one another. In addition, they enjoy spending time with friends, running, boxing, lifting weights, and exploring the little town--with antique shops and bakeries--they call home.


      Connect with Deek Online!




      For the latest and greatest, visit his web page:

      Find Deek's Novels Online!






      Random Fun With Deek and Erin

      Always laughing together

      Celebrating their anniversary in style! ;) 

      Enjoying every moment!

      Their cat and literary assistant, Trinity--leader of Rhewination!

      Sharing every secret and every facet of life with each other! 

      Rafflecopter Giveaway

      Want a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card?

      Thursday, April 21, 2016

      Those We Fear - Victoria Griffith (Book Review)

      26783374Those We Fear by Victoria Griffith
      Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Suspense, Mystery
      Publication date:
      April 1, 2016

      Publisher:  Astor+Blue Editions
      Format: ebook, 225pages
      How I got it: 
      Astor+Blue Editions
      Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble
      | IPG
      My rating: 4/5
       

      When a dangerous situation forces 18-year-old Maria to leave her Boston home, she’s swept away to Scotland as part of the Witness Protection Program. In a strange land, with a new name, Maria hides out as an au pair to the Carlisle family at the mysterious Harley Estate. Already known as an “over-feeler”—and paranoid for good reason—Maria is spooked by the mysterious behavior of the Harley residents: from the oddly eccentric kids in her care, to the miserly nurse with the sheet-white skin, to the attractive yet broody eldest son, Jonathan. As the days pass, the vanishing portraits, cloaked figures, and mysterious humming in the dead of night could perhaps be explained away, but it’s the discovery of the Harley’s macabre and deadly family history that confirms Maria's growing fears and suspicions are more than just over-sensitive nerves; that she may have fallen into something even more horrifying and threatening than what she left behind—something perhaps not even of this world. Written with lush Scottish imagery, chilling suspense, and an addicting intensity, Griffith brings a vibrant, young contemporary edge to the classic gothic mystery. And make no mistake, skin will crawl.
      ..............................................................................
        

      My thoughts:

      I had no idea what was going to happen at the end of the book and I love when a book keeps you on your toes! The book took so many twists and turns I had no idea who could be causing all the issues at the estate.  I started to believe in ghosts during the course of the book because I needed something to explain all the happenings at Harley.  I am a reader who always needs answers!

      Things I loved about the book was the scenery the characters were seeing.  The author did a great job describing what was going on with different locations and it was easy as a reader to imagine what Harley looked like, felt life, and even smelled like.  The author really was able to make the reader feel like they were there right along the characters.  Most of the book takes place around Harley which is in a more rural area of Scotland.  The house is in rough shape and not all areas are used.  They don't have a lot of money to be able to maintain such a large house.   Also, the property has a lake that two people died at in the book.

      I really loved the suspense the author built up with this book.  I don't want to give to much away with the book, but from the beginning you are questioning what happened to Maria to get her into witness protection and then what is going on at Harley.   A book that can keep me on the edge of my seat while reading is one of my favorite reads. 

      Another thing I loved was the side characters that all became suspect to me while reading.  Maria was there to take  care of the two children who lost their mother at a young age.  At one point I thought maybe the two small children could be causing all the havoc.  Also, there was Jean the aid for Lady Sophie who all where acting pretty crazy during the book.  I also considered at one point Maria herself was crazy and this all could be in her imagination.  So many twists and turns!

      I would suggest this is more of a weekend read.  I read it at night and had a lot of issues because I just couldn't find a good stopping point in between the chapters.  It is a quick read that could be done over the weekend.  Since there is a lot of action and a lot of questions as a reader you want answered it would be great to read when you have more time to sit down and focus.
       
      I was received this from Astor+Blue Editions for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


       ..............................................................................

      About the Author



      Victoria GriffithVictoria Griffith is the author of the highly praised new adult adventure, Amazon Burning (Astor+Blue Editions, 2014) and the non-fiction picture book, The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont (Abrams, 2011), which won numerous awards, including the prestigious Parents' Choice. Before becoming a full-time author, Victoria spent twenty years as an international journalist, fifteen of which were spent as a foreign correspondent for the UK's Financial Times. During that time, she had fun writing on a wide range of topics, including Brazil's Yanomami Indians, architecture, space exploration, the human genome, and the growth of the Internet. She even managed to fit in some children's book reviews. Victoria lives in Boston with her husband and three daughters.
      Author Links:
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      {Blog Tour} Make Me Crave - Katee Robert (Review)

      Have you Pre-ordered MAKE ME CRAVE Yet? In MAKE ME CRAVE by NYT Bestselling Author, Katee Robert, Roman Bassani will do anything to ...