Exciting News! Giveaway in the New Year!

I requested to review the book Model Undercover: New York though Net Galley. As you probably know I review books through Net Galley. I request books and publishers have to approve me to read them. I got an email from a very nice lady who is representing Carina Axelsson. I read her previous book called Model Undercover: Paris. It was quite a memorable book and I really enjoyed reading it. So when the opportunity came to read book two in the series, I said: Yes ma'am!

Because this nice lady emailed me, her name is Kathryn Lynch at Sourcebooks, they are letting me giveaway a digital copy of Model Undercover: New York.

Awesome, eh?

The giveaway isn't open until 1/6/15 and it goes until 1/31/15. It will be conducted by Rafflecopter.com . So, come back on 1/6/15 and sign up to win this fabulous book. I am already in the process of reading it.

Here is a bit more about the book, Model Undercover: New York and book one in the series, Model Undercover: Paris, too:

Model Undercover: New York

By Carina Axelsson

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

January 6, 2014

Book Info:

Axelle Anderson is an ace at two things: solving mysteries and modeling. So when the world’s most famous black diamond is stolen from a cover shoot in New York City, it’s no surprise that Axelle is called in to work her skills as an undercover model. But with a witness who won’t talk, a blackmailing thief, and an agent intent on filling Axelle’s schedule with interviews and photo shoots, will she be able to crack the case?

Carina Axelsson is a writer, illustrator, and former model. She grew up in California with her Swedish father and Mexican mother. After high school, Carina moved to New York City to model, then on to Paris where she published her first book. She currently lives in in the forests of Germany with four dogs and a very large aquarium full of fish.

 

Also by Carina Axelsson:

Model Undercover: Paris

Book Info: Axelle travels to Paris to find missing fashion designer Belle La Lune in another fabulous fashion mystery!

Rafflecopter HTML (Open 1/6-1/31) – 1 Print Copy of Model Undercover New York

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK REVIEW: The Red Queen's Run by Bourne Morris

The Red Queen's Run (Red Solaris #1)

by Bourne Morris (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, First, 301 pages

Published December 9th 2014 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: A famous journalism dean is found dead at the bottom of a stairwell. The police suspect members of the faculty who had been engaged in a fierce quarrel with the dean -- distinguished scholars who behaved like schoolyard bullies. When Meredith "Red" Solaris is appointed interim dean, the faculty suspects are furious. Will the beautiful red-haired professor be next? The case detective tries to protect her as he heads the investigation,but new threats lead him to believe that Red is the next target for death.

When I first picked up this novel I was not exactly sure what it would be about. My only clues were journalism and mystery. And I will put that in the heck yeah pile any time. I am a graphic artist at a daily newspaper and have a minor in journalism.

I found the background antics quite similar to what goes on around my work abode. It was funny yet scary yet ironic. And I really wanted to read on to figure out exactly how to deal with all those hostile personalities that come to light when the murder of the dean is discovered. Red is the assistant dean and gets shoved into the interim position once the body is discovered.

I enjoyed her cat and mouse antics with the dashing detective named Joe. He really liked her but she is considered a suspect and detectives dating suspects are high on the no no, not appropriate  list.

There was a bit of the mystery left hanging at the end so I assume that there will be a book two in this series. It was a fast read, and I enjoyed it greatly. I do indeed look forward to book two. The Red Queen's Run starts off at a hectic pace and it doesn't let up. The story did cover quite a span of time which I found unusual in a book of this type. So the mystery was more difficult to figure out than most. But if you decide to dig into this one, you won't be disappointed.

4 Stars

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank Net Galley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: Hard Knocks by Lori Foster

Hard Knocks (Ultimate 0.5)

by Lori Foster (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 61 pages

Published August 4th 2014 by Harlequin HQN (first published August 1st 2014)

Goodreads synopsis: In the stunning prequel novella to her new mixed martial arts series, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster brings together an elite fighter and the woman he’s determined to win.

   Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

   Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

In this 61 page novella you just get a glimpse into the Ultimate MMA world that Lori Foster is beginning to craft with her new series entitled "Ultimate." This novella comes before the first novel called "No Limits" featuring the characters of Cannon and Yvette. This novella features how Gage "Savage"  Ringer and Harper Gates finally get together after a long time apart. 

This is just a short and sweet, sweat-filled story that pretty much gets the reader onto page one with the other MMA characters that comprise most of the background characters in the No Limits novel.

This novella is not much more than one hookup between the two but it is a good intro to the series.

4 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: Shadow of Doubt by Nancy Cole Silverman

Shadow of Doubt (A Carol Child Mystery #1)

by Nancy Cole Silverman (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, First , 276 pages

Published December 2nd 2014 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: When a top Hollywood Agent is found poisoned in the bathtub of her home, suspicion quickly turns to one of her two nieces. But Carol Childs, a reporter for a local talk radio station, doesn’t believe it. The suspect is her neighbor and friend, and also her primary source for insider industry news. After a media frenzy pits one niece against the other—and the body count starts to rise—Carol knows she must save her friend from being tried in the court of public opinion.

    But even the most seasoned reporter can be surprised, and when a Hollywood psychic shows up in Carol’s studio one night and warns her there will be more deaths, things take an unexpected turn. Suddenly nobody is above suspicion. Carol must challenge both her friendship and the facts, and the only thing she knows for certain is that the killer is still out there. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger she’s in.

I enjoyed seeing the radio aspect to this book. I work in the newspaper industry so to me it was very resonating. I had a good time trying to figure out who the killer was. And the dang lady fooled me. I fell for all her red herrings. I should know better. I did have a brief inkling that character was the bad guy but I quickly moved to who I thought was the culprit.

This book was crafted so well I felt like I was reading reality television. Having the inside view of the action was really cool. Carol was just in the perfect spot to get all the juicy details about what was going in the lives of the dead Hollywood agent, her two twin daughters and starlet client with the the mysterious past. Even the addition of Mystic Misty was quite the hoot. I wouldn't mind seeing her in future books. If you love Hollywood and mysteries, then this book is definitely for you.

4 Stars

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank Net Galley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: No Limits (Ultimate #1) by Lori Foster

No Limits (Ultimate #1)

by Lori Foster (Goodreads Author)

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages

Published August 26th 2014 by Harlequin HQN (first published January 1st 2014)

Goodreads synopsis: Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He's also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she's older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon. 

   Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather's legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette's scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he'll break all the rules to do it…

I truly enjoyed this book. I know I started it in September and finished it in December but it wasn't for lack of trying. I was just busy during that time. Plus, I went through a pretty severe reading slump. Busy and unmotivated. I needed some of that Cannon oomph!

I got stuck at the bar in the beginning of the story and when I finally got past that part I just flew through the book. I loved how Cannon was so noble, loyal, honorable and willing to help Yvette get past what she thought of as her brokenness. Not many men would be willing to do this. I also liked how the author portrayed Cannon and shows us how he saw in his own mind what Yvette was doing and how it affected him. I thought that was very enlightening on a personal level. Sometimes you don't think how your off-handed remarks can effect others.

This book was well put together, sexy as all get out and just a fantastic read. I look forward to meeting the other guys in this series. I loved how they all looked out for the ladies in the story and made it a point to act like a family unit. So exciting. I recommend it highly. 

4 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: Fatal Brushstroke by Sybil Johnson

Fatal Brushstroke (Aurora Anderson Mystery #1)

by Sybil Johnson (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, First, 280 pages

Published November 18th 2014 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: A dead body in her garden and a homicide detective on her doorstep…

     Computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Aurora (Rory) Anderson doesn’t envision finding either when she steps outside to investigate the frenzied yipping coming from her own backyard. After all, she lives in Vista Beach, a quiet California beach community where violent crime is rare and murder even rarer.

     Suspicion falls on Rory when the body buried in her flowerbed turns out to be someone she knows—her tole painting teacher, Hester Bouquet. Just two weekends before, Rory attended one of Hester’s weekend painting seminars, an unpleasant experience she vowed never to repeat. As evidence piles up against Rory, she embarks on a quest to identify the killer and clear her name. Can Rory unearth the truth before she encounters her own brush with death?

I have to admit that I had a hard time getting through this book. I am not sure if it is because I was really busy at the end of November or because it was just hard to get into. By the time the reporter/blogger gal made her appearance, I had finally found my pace and was off to the races. I was a bit disappointed Rory didn't find any romantic-ness with the Dashing Detective Green. But I will hold out hope for future books with such a storyline. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

The mystery was a little hard to follow. I think it would have been easier if it had been made into a tv show. The author really does a great job of description but sometimes I forget things I should remember, clues and such that are only mentioned once. I guess I am more visual. And this would have made a great tv show. I know this is an introduction book to these characters and getting to know them is part of the process.

I definitely would like to know more about the mystery surrounding what happened between Aurora and the Chief of Police that made him hate her so much. I know it is explained in this book, but I am seeing "Prequel" in lights. We definitely need a book about that.

All in all, I found this a good book. The mystery was decent. I did have my eye on the ultimate villain for most of the book but not enough was presented  to really lead the reader to making us guess that person as the killer. I did laugh at the Scooby-Doo moment at the end of the book when the villain said they would have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for Rory and Liz. lol. Too funny.

If you love reading mystery, then this book is definitely one you want to check out. 4 Stars!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley. I thank Net Galley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.