I've been tagged!

Okay, so I was tagged several days ago by Tilly Greene... whose latest release, The Leather Bride, is out at Phaze.

So, instead of doing a Thursday Thirteen today, here are 8 random facts about me:

1. I tend to start a book by reading the ending first and then starting over... I think I have this need to make sure it ends Happily Ever After :)

2. I tend to get cravings for certain things, and must have my fill of that said item. For example, I crave were stories and Starbucks iced green tea latte ;) So , just about every day I've been going to Starbucks, lol

3. I'm a procrastina---... lol, okay, so everyone may already know that about me ;)

4. I love seafood. While I love eating just about anything, and will try anything once, my favorite food right now is seafood.

5. I love the fact that my parents are from different parts of the world. My father is from Mexico and my mother from Korea.

6. I actually have a long-lost sister and brother. And I made it my job to find them with a help of a police officer. How cool is that?

7. I wish I were a speed reader so I could start to make a dent in my tbr pile, lol

8. I love classic movies :)

Who am I pressing the tag badges on to?
1. Ann Cory
2. Sabrina Luna
3. Linda H. (readingissomuchfun)
4. Darragha Foster
5. Tempest Knight was tagged here
6. Bianca D'Arc was tagged here
7. Sherrill Quinn was tagged here
8. Paige Tyler was tagged here

For those I've tagged, here are the details:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

~Ali

Ali's Review: Dreamscape I: Perchance to Dream

Dreamscape I: Perchance to Dream

By: Kai Andersen

Published By: StarDust Press

Length: 149 pgs in ebook, Category, available in ebook formats

Ali's Report Card: A

Genre: Paranormal Heat: Hot and Spicy

Erica Langdon comes from a very well known family and has lived her whole life for them and their business. Attending a masquerade ball, though, Erica gets a chance to meet a masked stranger and create a little sizzle for herself. Unfortunately, an emergency seperates them before they're able to reveal their true identities.

Heath Sullivan can't get the masked princess out of his mind. A chance meeting two days later ends his search. Now, if they could just finish what they started. There's only one problem...

The Langdons and Sullivans have been rival families for generation. And, while Heath is willing to give up everything to give himself and Erica a chance, Erica doesn't think she can give up family loyalty to see where things with her and Heath may lead. Will Heath be able to show Erica that he's the only man of and in her dreams?

Dreamscape I: Perchance to Dream is a modern day Romeo and Juliet with a fascinating paranormal twist, as the Sullivan family have the ability to walk in dreams. This ability gives Heath the upper hand in trying to get Erica to come around and see him in reality. Heath has a definite alpha quality to him as he is caring yet very dominant in their love making. Erica is a strong independant heroine who is likewise loyal to her family and works hard to prove herself to them.

Kai Andersen has dreamt up another enchanting series you'll fall in love with. This romance is both heated with sensuality and loving as Heath tries to convince Erica to give them a chance. Perchance to Dream has other great characters as well, especially with Erica's brothers, who were as real as most brothers in their overprotectiveness. Like most her stories, Kai, will have you falling in love with every character and begging for their story.

To read about this and other Kai Andersen stories, be sure to visit her website at www.kai-andersen.com. There you can check out her other series; Woolf Series (my personal favorite :)), Mind Games, and Tales of Enchantment. There is also a link for a couple free short stories by Kai to get a taste of her work. Kai's latest release was Love Cure, published by Loose Id in their Collector Series.

Don't forget to stop by Friday for my interview with Kai and for a great giveaway!

~Ali

Yikes!... and Contest Winner...

Okay... so I haven't done anything that I was supposed to do, ugh. While I was out of town I was hopping that I would get a chance to get online to do my posts. Unfortunately, the cost of internet at the hotel was too high. I'll have to play catch up now. Let me start with this weeks winner of the Cajun Nights anthology:

LittleLambLost

YAY, for LLL :) Just shoot me an e-mail to simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com and I'll get it out to you.

Next, I'll be working on posting Tilly's review and interview :) Don't forget to stop by to read her interview because there will be a very special giveaway, *g*

Until then, I thought I'd share a few vacation pics:

This is me and my youngest sister, Nilda, aka The Brat, lol, or NiCe

Here's my step-mother, Siquia, and my father, Nahum :)

Picture courtesy of The Brat, lol

The four of us at SeaWorld :)

Until Next Time,

~Ali

Updates :)

Okay, since I'm not able to check in to my blog during the day *sniff* I haven't been able to check out other blogs either... dang the internet blocker, lol

So, I'll be trying to check it all in the evening :)

Now, this weekend I'll be out of town *whoo-hoo* and spending it at San Antonio. My baby sister just graduated from pre-k, so the family's headed out to Sea World :)

That's not to say I won't be posting over the weekend :)



**Tomorrow, I'll post a review of Kai Andersen's Perchance to Dream, and I hope to have my interview with her up on Sunday *Yay* Be sure to stop by because there will be a giveaway!! I'm so excited about that :)

**Sunday, I'll also be posting the winner of the Ellora's Cave Cajun Nights anthology.

**Oooh, and I just found out I've been tagged by Tilly Greene, so look for that on Monday's post at the latest :)

**I hope to be sharing the lastest addition to my bookshelf, too. *sigh* I don't think I'll ever be able to hold back from buying a new book, lol

~Ali

#7 Thursday Thirteen: Thirteen Blogs I like to visit

Thirteen Blogs Ali likes to visit Want to know one thing that keeps me from updating my blog sometimes? Visiting other blogs, lol. Here are thirteen of the many blogs I like to visit in no particular order: 1. Readingissomuchfun's Library and TBR List - Linda has a great TBR list she likes to post and has guest authors at times :) 2. Allie's Musings - This blog belongs to author Allie Boniface, and I love her Writers' Wednesday posts... she gives some really great tips. 3. Romance Reader at Heart 4. Bianca D'Arc 5. Write Minded Blog - A great group of authors, including Maya Banks/Sharon Long. 6.The Dynamic Trio - Featuring three great authors, Lauren Dane, TJ Michaels, and Shelley Munro. 7. Hunks'N'Hussies - Another great group of authors. 8. Love is an Exploding Cigar 9. Dee and dee Dish... About Books 10. Carnal Comedy- Dakota Cassidy is a hoot ;) 11. Michelle's Musings- Blog of author Michelle Hasker 12. Fiction with Friction 13. Wicked Whispers Authors- Another great group of authors So... if you have the time, or, you're trying to procrastinate like me, be sure to visit these other blogs ;) Just click on the name and the blog should pop up :) ~Ali Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Book of the Week & Giveaway

Book of the Week:
Dreamscape 1:

Perchance to Dream

By: Kai Andersen

Published By: StarDust Press

Length: Category

Genre: Paranormal

Blurb from StarDustPress.com:

There is no denying the chemistry in the air when Heath Sullivan and Erica Langdon first meet at a masquerade ball. But before their identities could be revealed, Erica has to leave for an emergency and Heath is left wondering who the captivating lady was. Two days later, they meet again and discover that they belonged to two feuding families who have an intense rivalry going on for generations. Heath, a well-known black sheep of the Sullivans, is willing to give up his family for a chance at love and passion. But Erica is hesitant to follow her heart, unwilling to risk her father’s health. The plot thickens when Erica’s family uncovers confidential information being leaked out and starts suspecting Heath. Divided by family loyalties, there seems no way for them to be together, until the night he bridged the chasm and came to her…in her dreams.

***

This weeks Giveaway

Here we go again :) This week, I'll give you more chances to win. For each post you comment on, you'll get your name in the drawing once. For example, post on today's post and tomorrow's post, you'll get your name in twice. Post once on today's post and twice on tomorrow's post, and you still just get in twice. Capice? ;)

This week I'll be giving away an Ellora's Cave Paranormal Erotic Romance Anthology:

Cajun Nights

By: Annie Windsor

Samantha Winston

&

Patrice Michelle

Published By: Ellora's Cave

Blurb can be found here

***

If you get a chance, stop by Kai's site at www.kai-andersen.com, check out her books and let me know which one interests you. Personally, I love her book Heart of the Woolf. It was the first book I ever read of Kai's and had me buying all her back list, lol. Although, her recent release from Loose Id's Collector series, Love Cure looks great ;)

~Ali

Drawing Winners and Update....

Okay, after using my scientific method of choosing a winner (eenie, meenie, minie, mo... just kidding, lol) I've picked two winners :)
I've picked two because I found that I actually have two extra copies of Promise Me Forever by Lorraine Heath.
So, my winners are:

Saveypiratecat

&

Peggy

So, if these winners would please contact me at simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com with your address', I'll get those book out to you this week :)

Please come back tomorrow, when I'll announce my next book of the week and a new drawing. This time for an Ellora's Cave anthology :)

***

I'm sorry for the one day delay in this post... since I wasn't feeling so well this weekend, everything is a day behind, *sigh*

If you get the chance, please look at yesterday's post where I put up my review of Michelle Hasker's The Bodyguard :)

~Ali

Ali's Review: The Bodyguard

The Bodyguard

By: Michelle Hasker

Published by: Loose Id

Length: 53 pgs in ebook, Novella, available in ebook formats
Ali's Report Card: A

Genre: Paranormal Vampire

Elena Fortescu has been through hell and back, and now she's ready for revenge. With danger nearby she no longer allows anyone to get close, not even her bodyguard, Nicolas Dupree. Her resolve quickly falls apart when things start to heat up between her and Nicolas. Though, she's not so sure that he'll be able to accept her when he finds out she's a vampire. But, will she be able to accept that he already knows and has a few secrets of his own? Including the fact that he's already in love with her.

The Bodyguard will have you glued to every page with its great plot and intriguing characters. There is enough heat between Elena and Nicolas to make you sweat. The chemistry between the two has definitely been simmering and starts to light up from the very first scene.

Nicolas is an alpha, who, while strong and powerful, knows how to help Elena without being overbearing and controlling. While she may put up a tough front, Nicolas is able to see past that to a vulnerability she hides. He helps chase away a few of her demons with some sexual healing.

Elena has learned to trust Nicolas with her life and now must decide if she can trust him with her heart.

Michelle Hasker is definitely an author to watch out for. Her writing will pull you in and have you craving more. With both great main and supporting characters, you'll have your fingers crossed for an upcoming sequel with either Nicolas' or Elena's brother.

Get more information on this and other great reads by Michelle Hasker at www.michellehasker.com. There you can find out about Michelle's backlist and where to buy them... because trust me, after reading this, you will want to read more of her stories :) You can also click on the Free Reads links and get a taste of Michelle's work with several short stories she offers. Don't forget to sign up for Michelle's newsletter here to find out about her upcoming releases and read her author interviews. And, if you want to read Michelle's Musings be sure to visit her blog at http://michellehasker.blogspot.com/

~Ali

Simply Interviewed: Michelle Hasker

This weeks interview vict--, ahem, author is Michelle Hasker :) Michelle Hasker is the author of my Book of the Week, The Bodyguard, which can be found at Loose Id's website. I'd like to thank Michelle for taking the time to do this mini Friday interview with me... when I first e-mailed her I swear I had butterflies in my stomach and was sure she'd say, "Heck no." lol. Lucky for me, though, she said yes. *Ali: Can you tell us a little about yourself, Michelle? Michelle Hasker: I am a stay at home mother of four, active in volunteering. I have a bunny, a dog, two turtles, one is a box turtle and the other a water turtle (red eared slider) who is like my best friend. He sits next to my desk and talks to me, listens, etc. I think he might be my familiar or maybe a spirit guide. LOL. I love old detectives and mysteries like Columbo, Clue, Murder By Death, Murder She Wrote, I could go on LOL. I love dark chocolate and reading paranormal romance. I also love to walk but I don't get to do the speed walking I really enjoy. Too many kids, not enough time. *Ali: Care to share a bit about The Bodyguard? MH: My Favorite Scene in The Bodyguard is when Nic tells Elena to bite him and she gets all physical with him. *Ali: What inspired the story? MH: Bite me. I know how goofy, but I was just thinking how funny it would be if someone told a vampire to bite them. How corny, I know but I'm easily amused. I actually wrote the whole first love scene before I realized what the plot was, so I ended up having to edit the plot in. LOL *Ali: I see that you have five books published right now. What difference do you notice in your writing from your first published book to your recent writings? MH: I started out writing romance, but with each book I've published I've gotten more and more naughty. I had a one love scene story that had so many scenes added to it I can't tell you what the current count is. I've also broadened my horizons from just vampires to include Wiccans and Celts and Witches and Weres, and well I could just go on and on. I've given up writing anything that isn't paranormal. I um... also noticed that love scenes that used to last one or two pages now last as long as ten or more depending on the circumstances :) *Ali: Which of your books was the hardest to write about and why? MH: Midnight Rendezvous. It was my first published book and is the one that had one love scene originally. Me write one love scene...hard to believe. *Ali: Do you have an upcoming release or something in the works you'd like to share with us? MH: I don't have release dates for Bunny Love or Mountain Rendezvous, but my Tarot Card Anthology with Tina Bendoni comes out September and December of 07 and March 08. My Witchy Woes series comes out starting Feb 08 and will be every other month. Bunny Love is about love found on a Wiccan retreat while a vet is helping a fellow camper care for a tiny bunny. Mountain Rendezvous is the sequel to Midnight Rendezvous. Meredith's story. They thought they'd been victorious, but things aren't always what they seem... hehehe I'm evil. *Ali: And when you find time to read, what are some of your favorite or most recent reads? MH: I've been working on reading all the Nocturnes and I like to read lots of ebooks. Gotta support my other authors :) Ali: Thanks again, Michelle, for taking the time to be interviewed. *gush* Even if her book hadn't already made me a fan, how could you not like someone who watches Columbo, Murder She Wrote, and loves dark chocolate to boot? Plus, she writes one heck of a hot story, with equally hot alphas *yummy* ;) Find out more about Michelle Hasker by visiting her website at www.michellehasker.com. There you can read excerpts from Michelle's current releases and get a chance at some free reads she offers. You can also find Michelle on her blog or her my space. Be sure to come back tomorrow when I share my review of The Bodyguard... until then, read an excerpt here. ****** Don't forget, you have until Saturday night to enter a drawing for Promise Me Forever by Lorraine Heath. Read the post by clicking here. ~Ali

#6 Thursday Thirteen: Books I received from the RT Convention

Thirteen Books Ali got from the Romantic Times Convention Well, you must know that I received more than thirteen books during the RT Convention, a lot more ;), but I picked thirteen to blog about. I figured, since they were nice enough to give them away, I should at least tell others about them :) So, I picked thirteen books all from different authors, genres, and publishers: 1. Dark Dreamers, two book anthology by Christine Feehan and Marjorie M. Liu, Published by Dorchester Publishing 2. Secrets, Volume 18: Dark Passions, anthology by Rae Monet, Larissa Ione, Cynthia Eden, and Linda Gayle, Published by Red Sage Publishing 3. The Strangeling by Saskia Walker, Published by Juno 4. Stone Maiden by Tina Gerow, Published by Triskelion Publishing 5. Captive by Heather Graham, Published by Topaz Books 6. Blood Secrets by Vivi Anna, Published by Silhouette Nocturne 7. Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley, from Love Spell 8. Hung Up on You by Holly Jacobs, Published by Harlequin Flipside 9. Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot, Published by Avon Trade 10. A Hero Betrayed by Jan Springer, Published by Ellora's Cave 11. Every Fear by Rick Mofina, Published by Pinnacle Fiction 12. Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter, Published by Dell 13. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning, From Delacorte Press So there you have it, thirteen more books I get to add to my TBR pile :) I just love books ;) Ooh, and don't forget that there's still time to enter my drawing to win Promise Me Forever by Lorraine Heath. Just go to my post here. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Becka 2.(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Bookshelf:

Yeah, yeah... I keep saying I won't be buying any more books... and though my tbr pile keeps growing, I don't know what makes me keep on buying book which I have no idea when I'll get to, lol.
Although, I must mention that a couple of these books were won :)
Man... I really need to take a speed reading class, lol

So, for this week, here are the books I'm adding to my bookshelf:

Yesterday, I went to the mall, and as usual, I parked outside the bookstore, he-he. I held myself back, though, and bought one book:


*Wild, Wicked, & Wanton by Jaci Burton, Published by Penguin

This single author anthology looks very promising to say the least ;)

On Friday I got a package in the mail... books I had ordered from eHarlequin.com :)

I must first mention that I fell in love with books by Day Leclaire when I was a teen, so when I checked online and found she had some recent releases I just had to buy... just had to, lol

*The Royals: The Forbidden Princess by Day Leclaire, Silhouette Desire

*The Royals: The Prince's Mistress by Day Leclaire, Silhouette Desire

*The Royals: The Royal Wedding Night by Day Leclaire, Silhouette Desire

*Harlequin Pink: Jinxed by Day Leclaire, Harlequin Ginger Blossom

Harlequin Pink: Jinxed is actually a manga romance. If you don't know what manga is, it's a Japanese comic. So, Jinxed is a romance comic... and it's so cool :) I read Jinxed long ago, and seeing pictures to go along with it is so different and great.

Now, to mention the couple books I won and received this week:

Last month I headed over to Tessa Radley's blog party at her blog, Tessalations, to celebrate her first release, Black Widow Bride, from Silhouette Desire. There I won Kate Walker's book, Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride.

I was also pleasantly surprised when I received Tessa's book in the mail. So be sure to check out:

*Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride by Kate Walker, Harlequin Presents

*Black Widow Bride by Tessa Radley, Silhouette Desire

Be sure to stop by her blog and congratulate her on her first release if you can :) Her next release, Rich Man's Revenge, will be out next month with Silhouette Desire.

And, let me not forget that last week I won a book from Marie-Nicole Ryan during a Romance Junkies chat :)

*To Good to Be True by Marie-Nicole Ryan, Published by Samhain Publishing

*******

Don't forget my last post where you can enter to win Promise Me Forever by Lorraine Heath. Just click here.

~Ali

Book of the Week & Giveaway

Book of the Week:

The Bodyguard

By: Michelle Hasker

Published By: Loose Id

Length: Novella

Genre: Vampire Paranormal

Blurb from Loose-Id.com:

Elena Fortescu has been through hell and wants revenge. She doesn’t need or want to get close to anyone, but Nicolas has other plans. Her bodyguard has fallen in love with her and he’s not going to let the fact that she’s a vampire keep them apart. Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: ménage, anal sex, violence.

*********************

This weeks Giveaway

Okay, even I must admit that having two or three copies of one book can be too much... sometimes, lol. During last month's Romantic Times Convention I picked up a lot of free books. Some are doubles, and a few I already own, so I decided that I'd start to give them away. (Decision partly made by the fact that my father looks like he's ready to just throw out all my books *shudder*, the horror, lol)

So, this week, I'll be giving away a Historical Romance:

Promise Me Forever

By: Lorraine Heath

Published By: Avon

Blurb from LorraineHeath.com:

The long-awaited story of Tom and Lauren.
He didn't realize he was lost until destiny knocked on his door and turned a cowboy at heart into an English lord.
She was searching for the love she'd lost. But will helping him face his destiny take him farther away from her or allow them to keep their promise of forever?

Now, all you need to do is visit either Michelle's or Lorraine's website and post here about something you found of interest. Is there a book that caught your eye? Something interesting your found out about the author? Even if all you liked was the look of the site, let me know :) I'll draw a winner on Sunday :)

~Ali

Ali's Review: Cover Me

Cover Me

By: Sharona Nelson

Published by: Amber Quill Press

Length: 194 pgs in print, Available in ebook and print.

Ali's Report Card: B

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Single mom Sunny Montgomery is starting to realize that it's true what they say, "When it rains, it pours." After moving in to a new apartment, the last thing she needs is to lose her job, car, health insurace, life savings, and being close to losing her sanity. Unfortunately, that's just about what happens. On the upside, the new landlord she's lusting for, Ben Hart, has proposed to her. The downside, it's a marraige-of-convenience, and, she's still wondering if he's gay or not.

Add in a pair of hippie parents, mobsters, and a strange new boss and you'll wonder how Sunny gets through her day. Of course, it does help to have a best-friend like Dulcie, her sweet daughter, Libbie, and kind neighbor, Ray.

Cover Me by Sharona Nelson is a lighthearted romantic comedy told in first person. With such a true-to-life heroine, who's just trying to make it through the day and be a good mom, you'll find yourself relating to Sunny in one way or another. This fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy will have you craving ice cream, comfort food, and your own hunky nerd.

This is such a refreshing read, filled with both drama and comedy, letting you see the brighter side of life.

I just wish I got to read more on Sunny and Ben... and just plain more Ben ;) If you ever thought you'd never find a nerd sexy, just pick this up.

Cover Me is a definite read for someone looking for something fresh, sweet and funny.

To read an excerpt from Cover Me and find out more on Sharona Nelson visit her website, www.sharonanelson.com . There you can get a sneak peek at Sharona's work in progress, tentatively titled, "Shirley Goodness and Mercy." You can also request a free autographed bookmark or magnetic calendar from her site. Get the latest news from Sharona by joining her yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SharonaNelson/

~Ali

#5 Thursday Thirteen: Tomorrow's Book Shopping List

Thirteen Books on Ali's top to buy book list , he-he :) Okay, okay... I know I said I wasn't going to be book shopping a while after RT, but hey, with so many great new releases I can't help it :) So, with Thursday Thirteen today, I decided to post the books I planned to buy, and just limit myself to that for a while.... *snort* yeah... right, lol 1. Undenied by Maya Banks, published by Samhain Publishing ...okay, so technically, I already bought this... but, I just bought it this week so I'm going to add it anyway, lol 2. The Lady and The Dragon by Shelley Bradley, published by Samhain Publishing 3. Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James, published by Samhain Publishing 4. The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schroeder, published by Samhain Publishing 5. Men In Love: Ben's Wildflower by Carol Lynne, published by Ellora's Cave ... this is book two in Carol's Men In Love series. 6. Bare Confessions by Lacey Thorn, published by Ellora's Cave ... this is book two in Lacey's Bare Love book series. 7. Desperate Seductions by Alyssa Brooks, published by Ellora's Cave 8. Brothers in Arms: Love's Strategy by Samantha Kane, published by Ellora's Cave ... this is a novella, part of Samantha's Brothers in Arms series. 9. Hunting Hawk by Jade James, published by Loose-Id 10. To the Rescue by Teri Thackston, published by Cerridwen Press 11. One Wicked Winter by Cassidy Kent, published by Amber Quill 12. Taboo: Taking on the Law by Cheyenne McCray, published by Ellora's Cave Wow, that's a lot of books, lol... and yes, I realize there's only twelve... but that's all my credit card can handle right now, ha-ha One things for sure, I'll never run out of books to read, lol ;) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Summer 2. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Bookshelf...

New on my ebookshelf is Too Good to be True by Marie-Nicole Ryan, published by Samhain Publishing. I was lucky enough to win this ebook from Marie-Nicole during a Romance Junkies chat :)

Blurb from www.samhainpublishing.com:

The sheriff has the hots for her prime suspect. What’s a girl to do?
Sheriff Rilla Devane has sworn to serve and protect, just as her father did before he was murdered. An influx of party drugs has killed two teenagers, but she has a suspect: handsome, rich newcomer Mackenzie Callahan, a published author seeking small-town atmosphere. To build her case, she moves closer to Mackenzie and his dangerous brand of seductive charm. She’ll risk everything for her investigation, even when it means letting her guard down and falling for her suspect.
Mac Callahan lives and breathes for undercover work. But his last mission ended in near disaster, and he has one last chance to prove his value to the DEA. Taking sexy Sheriff Rilla to bed might ruin his career—or lead him to the love of his life.


~Ali

Drawing winner...

roflol, okay, since there was only one person who entered... I really should have let more people know, ha-ha... the winner is obviously Linda! Linda, I already have your e-mail and will have that book sent to you right away :)
The prize was an ebook copy of Cover Me by Sharona Nelson from Amber Quill. I'll be putting up my thoughts on it shortly ;)


And, later on today, stop by to see my Thursday Thirteen, it'll be a list of books I'll be buying tomorrow.


Next on my reading list will be a book I won from eBookLove, The Bodyguard by Michelle Hasker published by Loose-Id. It's a Vampire Paranormal novella, that, if I hadn't won, I would have bought anyway :)




Here's a blurb from http://www.loose-id.com/




Elena Fortescu has been through hell and wants revenge. She doesn’t need or want to get close to anyone, but Nicolas has other plans. Her bodyguard has fallen in love with her and he’s not going to let the fact that she’s a vampire keep them apart.


Be back,
~Ali

#4 Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Pictures I Took At RT Yup, I'm back from RT and still trying to recover, lol... I'll be sure to take my vitamins next time... yup, I'm thinking of going again :) Once you go I think it can be addicting, lol. Today, I'd like to share some of the pics I was able to take :) I'll be sure to share the rest later... especially, the picture of me and the Ellora's Cave calendar models *drool* lol Oh, and ignore the dates on the pics... eek, I am so not computer literate, I don't know how to take it off, lol 1. Here's me at lunch with Julia/escondita, Nancy Lindquist, Sharona Nelson, and me. 2. Sharona Nelson, Nancy Lindquist, and myself at the Ellora's Cave Moulin Rouge Party. 3. This picture was from a writers panel I was sitting in. From left: Patrice Michelle, Mackenzie McKade, J.C. Wilder, Kate Douglas, Cheyenne McCray, and Ann Jacobs 4. Arianna Hart and myself... isn't she beautiful :) and a great writer to boot :) 5. Me and Catherine Stang 6. Caridad Pineiro and Myself 7. Ooh, three great authors... Sylvia Day, Sasha White, myself, and Vivi Anna 8. Me and new reader friend Kadesia 9. Me and Annmarie Ortega 10. Mackenzie McKade and Myself 11. Me and Kari Kincade 12. Me in the middle with two great sisters I met, Linda and Mary :) 13. OMG! and last, but definitely, definitely, not least, Me and Wonderful Maya Banks :) ***Ooh, and don't forget to see my previous post to enter into the drawing to win a ebook of Cover Me by Sharona Nelson :) ~Ali Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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Currently Reading...

Cover Me by Sharona Nelson
Published By: Amber Quill Press
Blurb from Sharona's website:

Single mom Sunny Montgomery survived a lousy childhood with hippie parents as well as a terrible marriage with the cheating Kirk Stanley (AKA Kirk the Jerk), so she figured she could deal with whatever life threw at her. In short order, however, Sunny loses her job, car, health insurance, and life's savings.

What's a single mother to do? Get married, of course—though not for love.

Sunny accepts a marriage-of-convenience offer from her landlord, Ben Hart, so that she and Libbie, her asthmatic daughter, will have health insurance. The only problem is, she's falling in love with him—despite the fact she thinks he's gay. And, while she sometimes craves more distance from the temptation known as Ben, heaven knows that good, affordable apartments in Boston are as rare as winters without snow.

Through it all, Sunny views her life through a comic lens. She succeeds when she takes chances, when she puts her heart on the line, and when she stops nursing old wounds and forgives. Whether beset by estranged hippie parents, money troubles, a creepy new boss, an is-he-or-isn't-he faux husband, or the Boston mob, Sunny sustains herself with her inner strength, her best friend Dulcie, odd-duck neighbor Ray, and lots of mac-and-cheese, hot dogs, and ice cream. Oddly enough, what Sunny's daughter, Libbie, wants—comfort food and plenty of SpongeBob SquarePants on the tube—aren't fundamentally different from what Sunny wants—happiness and love.

Sunny's struggles teach us that making lemonade from life's abundant supply of lemons isn't too difficult, as long as we follow our hearts...


**I'm now on Chapter 6 and can't wait to finish :) I'll be honest, I wasn't sure to read the book, since it is about a single mother... and the closest I've ever been to being a mother is watching my five year old sister, aka The Brat, lol... but the book has me hooked. With it's first person point of view, and witty sense of humor, I can't wait to see how this ends.
And now, I'd like to offer a contest :) For a chance to win a ebook copy of Cover Me by Sharona Nelson, go visit her website at www.sharonanelson.com, look around and tell me what caught your interest :) Just post here and I'll pick a winner on Sunday.

~Ali