TBR Thursday

This meme was based off TBR Thursday orginally hosted by Book Love Blog where they announce the books in all forms and from all sources that they received/bought/picked up to read.  I didn't see a reason to change a good thing, so here is my version!   Leave a link to your TBR in comments...

Surrender The Dark by L.A. Banks

Celeste Jackson has fought all her life against a fog of hallucination and substance abuse, but it’s not until she meets her protector, Azrael, an angel who has left the safety of the Light, that she learns of the evil forces that have been trying to ruin her, and why. A fierce battle for control of the mortal realm is brewing, and only Celeste—with the help of the Remnant, her half-human, half-angel brethren—can stand in the way. Together, Celeste and Azrael must gather an army of sensitives to defeat the dark powers that have ruled humanity for centuries, but time is running out. If Azrael surrenders to his growing desire for Celeste, he risks being trapped among humanity forever. But the longer he stays, the harder she is to resist. To save the world, Celeste must draw on her own dark experiences with addiction to help Azrael overcome the one temptation that could possibly make him an eternal prisoner—his obsession with her.

Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware By Cristyn West
From Glenn Skinner:
Plain Jane is a roller coaster ride full of twists and turns that keep you second guessing everything you’ll read and perceive. The story revolves around Kent Harbinger a brilliant FBI profiler who for lack of a better description, teetered the fine line between genius and insanity a little too long, falling long ago onto what side of it, even he doesn’t know. With the help of Detective Nicole Usher and hindrance of her partner Ruben Torres. You are taken into the mind and world of a serial killer in a race against time to find and apprehend him before he kills again. The Author skillfully manipulates the reader through a never-ending series of heightening suspense and misdirection. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, you find you were totally wrong. The past triangle of relationships between Kent, Nicole and Ruben only heighten the tension and complexity of the story.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

Indian Moon By Carolyn McCray

  

Regina could feel her cheeks turn red, but there was nothing she could do about it.  Quinton had used the cheesiest line in the universe, yet somehow it worked.  Of course, cheesy was better than nothing.  Every man in town either did not want to give her a compliment or were to scared to do it. This man, however, was either stupid or had balls to match Wayne's. 

From Amazon:

Despite tragedy and heartbreak, under an Indian Moon, anything seems possible... even love.

While set in the lush and misty Pacific Northwest, Indian Moon doesn't contain any vampires or teeny boppers.

Just real romance... for the rest of us.
Dead Barchetta by Katherine Lively

 

At any other place, on a weekend night in some club at the beach, I might have seen this pretty auburn haired girl in her tight pants and peek-a-boo top and mustered the courage to make conversation.  Left-brain logic nagged at me to pin her to the ground and screaming until somebody called the cops but somehow my inner compassion had overpowered that.  Besides, anybody checking the picture window might see me on top on her and give me the thumbs up rather than assist in her apprehension.

From Amazon:


Music tutor by day and tribute band guitarist by night, Matt “Lerxst” Johnston doesn’t have an enemy in the world…so he thinks. One night a pretty young woman tries to smother him in his sleep, and it’s not for the usual reasons a woman would have for wanting to inflict harm upon him! The dream he enjoyed at the time quickly spirals into a nightmare of mistaken identities and nosy investigators who threaten Lerxst’s freedom, to say nothing of coming close to discovering his grandmother’s secret “herb garden.” Armed only with a guitar and endless questions, Lerxst escapes the discomfort of his beach home and hides out in New York City to learn the true identity of his would-be assailant. Instead he learns more about himself and what he needs to do to survive the next attempt on his life. And what a long, strange trip it is…

18 & Over Book Blogger Tag

Hosted by Bitten by Paranormal Romance  

18 and over book blogger tag along is for a specific group of book bloggers. You have to primary review adult books. Yes, I know some of you still read teen and adult, so if you do both your welcome to join in. You can read any genre paranormal, suspense, historical, contemporary or mystery and of course, erotica books. And if you blog has a few extra hot male pictures, well, that’s an added bonus! LOL. So if you have a book blog like this and would like to find others please join in the tag along.

Question of the week: Where is you favorite place to buy or swap books?

I love the fact that so many good ebooks are now free in a lot of places.  I also have good friends who buy books so we trade off frequently.  There is also an used book shop that has them for like $1!  You can't beat a deal like that!! 

Follow Friday

Today's Follow Friday Question:

Q.  Inspired by the inane twitter trend of #100factsaboutme, give us five BOOK RELATED silly facts about you.

1.  I just got my new Kindle.  I've been reading ebooks on computer which makes reading in bed really, really hard! 

2.  My TBR pile of ebooks and real books is growing out of control.  There aren't enough hours in the day to read all the books I would love to read!

3.  I would really love to write a paranormal romance but urban fantasy is so hot in my mind right now!

4.  I keep thinking I like romance novels but I'd rather have a lot of mayhem with some romance (or at least hot sex) tossed in the mix! :)

5.  I wish I could go and knock on Charlaine Harris' door and beg for the new Sookie Stackhouse book!  I love True Blood but the books make the story so much better!

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://readingwithrebecca.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow, Follow, Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the Follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

My teasers:


I'm actually humming.  I am walking through the food store, collecting the rest of the ingredients for the angel food cake I'm finally going to tackle this afternoon.  My first true excursion into the terrfying world of baking and yet, I'm humming.  This is the hum of woman who is in that zone where it is probable that the man she gave her number to will call her.


The Book: 


Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford


Book Description:  

Her life's a mess. And so is her kitchen. Divorced, heartbroken and living in a lonely New York apartment with a tiny kitchen, Rachel Goldman realizes she doesn't even know how to cook the simplest meal for herself. Can learning to fry an egg help her understand where her life went wrong? She dives into the culinary basics. Then she launches a blog to vent her misery about life, love and her goal of an unburnt casserole.To her amazement, the blog's a hit. She becomes a minor celebrity. Next, a sexy Spaniard enters her life. Will her souffles stop falling? Will she finally forget about the husband she still loves? And how can she explain to her readers that she still hasn't learned how to cook up a happy life from scratch?

Follow Friday

If you are interested in more details about Follow Friday, check it all out here!

This week's Follow Friday question:

Q. How did you come up with your blog name?

For me, reading is a way to let go of the tensions in daily life, a place where I can get lost for a little while and come back refreshed.  This blog is a way for me to let out the tension and find my happy place in the written word (Release) and a way for me to share what I read with someone who is interested (Notes).  There you have it, Release Notes!

Make sure you comment and leave a link!  I love to check out new blogs and I follow back!!

Book Blogger Hop

Hosted by Crazy-For-Books.com

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! 

 If you are interested in all the details, click here for more information!

This week's question comes from Somer who blogs at A Bird's Eye Review (her blog design is ADORABLE - check it out!):

 "Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"

My answer:  I usually have one at a time unless I'm reading something that's really not holding my attention then I'll put it to the side and come back to it later.  I really like to digest one before moving on to the next one! 

TBR Thursday

This meme was based off TBR Thursday orginally hosted by Book Love Blog where they announce the books in all forms and from all sources that they received/bought/picked up to read.  I didn't see a reason to change a good thing, so here is my version!   Leave a link to your TBR in comments...

 
So what if he's a bit older and usually regards a human female as dinner, not a dinner date? Yes, Roman Draganesti is a vampire, but a vampire who lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn't have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop–sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren't going well for Shanna Whelan either...After witnessing a gruesome murder by the Russian mafia, she's next on their hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral because she's afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she's found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman's fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her...






In this police procedural, Detectives Nicole Usher and Ruben Torres must work with FBI profiler Kent Harbinger, recently released from a mental institution, to catch a serial killer targeting brunettes and claiming a gruesome trophy . Usher and Harbinger have a past together which interferes in their working relationship as well as the stalled relationship between partners Usher and Torres.





After the storm, Julian Fortier, a successful trumpeter, returns to look for his missing father and ends up dealing with drama: family land is threatened by developers; a past betrayal is dredged up; he's confronted with a failed romance. Amidst all this he navigates his devastated city, confronting the emotional and professional mess of his life both present and past and the more immediate problems left by the storm.

Hope you see something that interests you!  Now I'm going to read... Smooches!

Review - Irish Moon By Amber Scott

Title: Irish Moon

Author: Amber Scott

Found At:  Amazon

Format: Paperback and E-Book

Irish Moon by Amber Scott is a wonderful historical paranormal novel set in Ireland in the 1300’s.   We are introduced to Breanne, a fiery, headstrong princess who wants to live her life on her own terms.  In spite of her family’s apprehension, she is learning how use her druid powers.  After being tasked with caring for a wounded English knight the same night her mentor is mysteriously killed, the intrigue and passion bubbles to the surface and you cannot put the book down until you know what happens next.

The characters in the book really jump off the page.  Breanne is strong, smart and feisty.   She’s not willing to settle and the interactions between she and Ashlon (the knight) are wonderful.  The romance between them is hot but it’s not overly done.  The chemistry between the two is incredible and you couldn’t help but want them to be together.   I loved how noble he was and it didn’t hurt that he was hot!!   The biggest surprise and delight was the cursed cat.  He was funny but still provided wisdom and insight.  He is a great addition the cast of characters. 

The setting of the tale really made to entire story stand out.  The magic, the folklore and the romance all worked to keep the pages turning and I was engaged from the first page.  If you are a fan of historical, paranormal or just romance, this would be the story for you.

Irish Moon - The Movie? Guest Blog Post by Amber Scott

Irish Moon…as a movie?

We all dream it. Our book, there, in the bright lights, on the big screen, awing audiences the world over. The really fun thing about writing fiction? I’m practiced at ‘playing pretend.’ So why not do it BIG?

Okay, cut to scene. The camera sweeps over the stormy gray ocean at dawn. A skiff is being tossed about at sea, dangerously close to cliffs, so flat, so steep. Viewers feel it down in the pit of their guts, this can’t be good.

“Wake up!” the audience wants to scream. But the man in the boat doesn’t stir. He’s passed out, haggard looking (yet devastatingly handsome) and clutches a wooden chest. A flash of lightening pierces the sky making us notice an old man standing at the top of the cliffs, his arms raised to the heavens….

This is the image that came to me when I first imagined Irish Moon. It’s Tristan and Isolde meets The Mists of Avalon. I see magic and betrayal and passion that cannot be denied.

Oh! How I love this era. The beauty, the drama, the possibilities.

For Ashlon, I would cast Adrian Grenier (swoon!), for Breanne, I’d cast…hmmm. That one I might need help on. She’s fair, petite, blonde but strong-willed and not interested in frivolity. Finn might be the most fun to cast, particularly since his role would only be a voice. Whoever played him would need to be fluent in snark.

The special effects and beauty of Harry Potter, the music of Enya, and my book turned movie would feel complete. Well, almost.

I’d want you there, too, large butter drenched bucket of popcorn in lap and a grin on your face that practically screamed, “This is going to be so good!”

I’ll buy the popcorn.

:}Amber Scott

***

“Who are you?” the man asked, sounding so inspired that Breanne returned to his side and touched his cheek.

“Shhh. Rest now. You have a long journey ahead of you.” Then she bent forward and kissed his forehead, giving in to an urge to feel how soft his skin was. Part of her knew she shouldn’t be so intimate, tender. It took advantage of his vulnerability and compromised trust. A healer walked the fine line of trust with any charge.

But, she didn’t regret it when her lips pressed his skin, warm, moist with sweat. His hand covered hers on his cheek and then touched her cheek. His fingers trembled. Breanne inched back and lowered her gaze to his. What she saw there startled her. Never before had she seen such intensity, such heat in another’s eyes.

Breanne leaned her cheek into his palm and searched his eyes. His hot gaze trapped her, spellbound and unable to retreat or progress. She needed to do neither, as he did for her.

His hand slid back and into her hair. She covered his hand with hers, her touch intrigued by the change from stubble to smooth texture. He pulled her gently. His lips caressed hers, a whisper of touch, and his eyes closed. Breanne’s closed as well and the feel of his lips on hers magnified. A dizzying hunger for more took root in Breanne and she pressed her lips onto his, opening her mouth. The hunger grew, spreading through her limbs, down her belly, between her thighs.

A shockwave tingled there when his tongue met hers, soft and warm. He tasted sweet. His lips on hers were so firm but pliant. She gripped his hand and leaned in for more. His tongue swept into her mouth, jolting her with pleasure.

She reveled in this new experience and grew bold. All thought beyond the feel of it, of him, escaped her. She matched his sweep with her own, suckling his lower lip, letting her teeth drag against it, savoring the plump feel.

The tingle warmed, changed, into an ache unlike any she'd ever known. It made her heart beat harder, her breathing feel desperate. She needed something more, craved a satisfaction she could not name but sensed it there in his lips pressing hers, his tongue twining and tormenting her mouth.

His hand stroked her jaw and explored lower, brushing her throat, tickling her collarbone and all the while taking Breanne's hand with it. She couldn't let go and as it drew farther and farther down, a strange, wonderful beating of anticipation built in her.

Review - Sounds Of Murder By Patricia Rockwell

Title: FM For Murder
Author: Patricia Rockwell
Found At:  Amazon

Format: Paperback and E-Book

Book Description: When Psychology Professor Pamela Barnes discovers her department's star researcher strangled to death in the computer lab, she's determined to find out who did it. Will an accidental recording of the murder allow Pamela to use her expertise in acoustics to identify the killer? A unique cozy mystery--set in the world of academia and high-stakes research--full of excitement, humor, and romance.

In this first book from Patrica Rockwell, we meet Dr. Pamela Barnes.  I enjoyed the fact this book immediately immersed the reader into Dr. Barnes' life.  The academic politics came immediately into play and when a much-disliked colleague is killed, everyone becomes a suspect.  Patrica Rockwell made Pamela Barnes a delightful character.  Even with her being a professor, she  still was a very down to earth person.  She has a loving husband (who cooks!), a tense but loving relationship with her freshman daughter, friends who are her polar opposites and a job she loves.  

This book also shows the underside of the world of academia, with tenure issues, budget cutbacks and personality clashes.  After discovering the body, Dr. Barnes can't help but poke around to find out who killed the researcher.  The killer was never given away until the end and with so many possible suspects, the killer was truly a surprise.  This was an enjoyable read and I think the series potential for this will be outstanding.  Patrica Rockwell leaves you curious about what happens with Pamela Barnes next.  She seems to be a magnet for trouble and I really look forward to see her next adventure.

If your interested the 2nd book of the series is called FM For Murder .

My Review for FM For Murder is HERE.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

My Teaser:

Before being transformed into a vampire, Nikolaus had been a surgeon, a man who had witnessed many people survive incredible odds to recuperate and heal. But yes, sometimes they also died.

Experiencing recovery for himself had changed him. It had fixed a lust for vengeance into the scarred sinews of Nikolaus Drake’s soul.

The Book: 

Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf

Upcoming Guest Blog- Bestseller For A Day - March 16.

The Indie Book Collective's next "Bestseller For A Day" is scheduled for March 16.  The featured writer will be Amber Scott and the book will be "Irish Moon".   Also on  March 16, a guest blog by Amber will be posted here at Release Notes discussing her book and her movie vision for it!  The post is fun and exciting and so totally Amber.  On the 16th, buy the book from Amazon and let's make "Irish Moon" bestseller for a day!

Feature and Follow Friday

. 

It's Feature and Follow Friday over at Parajunkee's View!   The featured blogger is Ashley at Bookaholic Does Blogging.  Go over and check them both out! 





Today's Feature and Follow Friday question was:

Q. Just like Ashley said (love it) "Ashley the girl..." who are You the Boy/Girl, instead of You the Blogger?

 

I'm Karen the girl.  I am a high school science teacher and devoted auntie.  I am also a graduate student in the last year of my doctoral work.  I don't have any pets and I'm surrounded by a loving hubby who indulges me, a fantastic family and a newbie blogger, at least with books.  I have a personal blog - The Skinny Girl Inside - that follows the tales of my weight loss.  I'm an avid reader with a ton of books I need to catch up on and I want to share that love with everyone!   I hope everyone has a happy Friday!

TBR Thursdays

This meme was based off TBR Thursday orginally hosted by Book Love Blog where they announce the books in all forms and from all sources that they received/bought/picked up to read.  I didn't see a reason to change a good thing, so here is my version!   Leave a link to your TBR in comments...

 


"Sounds of Murder" tells a tale of academic intrigue and death. At Grace University, a small southern college, no one in the Psychology Department likes Charlotte Clark, so no one is particularly upset when she is found murdered in the department’s million-dollar computer lab. But because she discovered the body, Associate Professor Pamela Barnes feels obligated to find Charlotte’s killer. When she discovers a recording of the murder that was accidentally produced during Charlotte’s struggle with the killer, she begins her own investigation. Along the way, Pamela agonizes with her own conscience as she fights her growing fear. She attempts to understand her mysterious Department Chair, keep her curious colleagues informed, placate her protective husband, and avoid antagonizing a local rube detective who belittles her efforts--all while she struggles to make sense of the sounds on the recording. As she gets deeper and deeper into her analysis—trying to connect what she hears in the recording with sounds from people (and potential killers) around her--she gets closer and closer to the killer. However, the killer is observing Pamela’s efforts and resolving to stop her.

  


A woman of science.
A man of magic.
Hunted for their HeartsBlood.

Blood Magic.

Drawn into a world beyond her
comprehension and control, Dr. Salista Calon
must choose between science and magic.
Between her mind and her heart.

HeartsBlood...
A love taken to its dangerous conclusion

 

A dangerous cult has recently taken over the desert ghost town of Paradise, Arizona. Members worship at the feet--and in the bed--of its charismatic leader, Ethan Wycliff, and obey his orders blindly. They've already tried to murder one woman and they're implicated in the disappearance of another.
Nate Ferrentino, who works for private security contractor Department 6, has been assigned to infiltrate this group. It's a challenge he welcomes--until he learns that colleague Rachel Jessop will be going undercover with him. Thanks to their shared history, he'd much rather go alone....
The problem is, only married couples can participate in cult rituals. So, like it or not--and they don't--Rachel and Nate must pretend to be husband and wife. There's no choice. Because if Wycliff isn't exposed, if he isn't stopped, more people will die. And Rachel might be one of them.

In Banks's sexy ninth Vampire Huntress novel (after The Wicked), the first seal has been broken and Armageddon has begun. Lilith and her husband, the Unnamed One, are caught unawares while awaiting the birth of their angel-hybrid heir. Installed as Vampire Council chairwoman, Lilith calls on vampires, witches and warlocks (including Machiavelli, Jezebel, Genghis Khan and Medusa) to combat the forces of the Covenant, the Guardians, the Neterus and both Neteru Councils. She attacks her enemies Damali and Carlos Rivera where it hurts the most: their libidos. Soon the battle involves a Valkyrie, the Ark of the Covenant and bootleg music downloads. This end of days scenario is a wild amalgam of Christianity, vampire lore, world myth, functional morality, street philosophy and hot sex.