WHISPERS ON THE WIND by Dana Wayne – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

 

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WHISPERS ON THE WIND

by

DANA WAYNE

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Book Lift Off
Date of Publication: March 7, 2018
Number of Pages: 277

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Synopsis

yNictRNgYou didn’t stop him. He killed her.

Dire warnings from a voice only he can hear makes Sheriff Cooper Delaney doubt his sanity. When a body is found matching one from a recent nightmare, he believes he’s gone off the deep end. The dead do not talk to the living. Or do they? One body becomes two. Are there more?

Heart broken by betrayal, Dr. Samantha Fowler finds herself starting over at thirty-three. When she meets the local sheriff, the attraction is instant and fierce, threatening to crumble the defensive walls around her heart. Once burned, twice shy, she vows to stay far away from him for the duration of her stay at the quaint B & B they share. But when she finds one body, then another, avoiding the handsome Texan is impossible.

He’s not done.

Quarry in site, he watches and waits. “I am the master. I cannot be stopped. ”The clock is ticking…

Review_preview

 

Dana Wayne is a new-to-me author, but based on Whispers on the Wind, I’ll be reading more of her work from now on. She managed to infuse this book with the right blend of suspense, paranormal, romance, and humor.

I quite enjoyed this book. It’s engaging with likable and relatable characters, plausible plotline, and swoon-worthy love story. I also like that although there are many secondary characters, they didn’t detract from the leads and they demonstrate the reality of small town living. There’s a balance among “good” and “bad” characters and that always receives high marks in my opinion.

I really like that Delaney and Sam are mature characters who act their age. There’s honesty in their instant attraction with one another. Even though it’s fast, their relationship developed naturally from friends to lovers.

I also appreciate the different facets of love in this book – love of pets (I adore Jack), of friends, and of family. The subplots regarding Jason and Eva enhanced the story even more.

All these things ensure that Whispers on the Wind get a stellar rating from me, but what makes this a keeper is the recipes. I’m really glad I have a paperback copy because those bonus pages are dog-eared. Dana, thank you so much for sharing Chocolate Candy Cake and Pecan Pie Muffins with your readers. Can’t wait for your next book to find more of those gifts.

 

PRAISE FOR WHISPERS ON THE WIND:

“Smooth pace and lovable characters drew me in almost instantly.”

“If you love romantic suspense, you are in for a treat!”

“Masterpiece! Dana’s ability to paint a picture with words is incredible.”

“Hard to stop reading once I started.”

“It has been a long time since I enjoyed a book as much as I did this one.”

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AboutTheAuthor

MLBbGe2wAwarding winning author Dana Wayne is a sixth generation Texan and resides in the Piney Woods with her husband, (and biggest fan), a Calico cat named Katie, three children and four grandchildren. She routinely speaks at book clubs, writer organizations and other groups about writing and self-publishing.

Her debut novel, Secrets of The Heart, was awarded First Place – Contemporary Romance, 2017 by Texas Association of Authors, was a finalist for the 2017 Scéal Award for Contemporary Romance, Reviewers Top Pick and included on the Top 10 Books to Read This Winter from Books & Benches online magazine.

Her next two novels, Mail Order Groom, released in April, 2017, and Whispers On The Wind, released in April 2018, both received 5 Star Reviews from Readers Favorite among others. She was recently included in the Top 50 Indie Authors You Should Read by calebandlindapirtle.com, an international book blog site.

Affiliations include Romance Writers of America, Texas Association of Authors, Writers League of Texas, East Texas Writers Guild, Northeast Texas Writers Organization, and East Texas Writers Association.

 WEBSITE   FACEBOOK  TWITTER   INSTAGRAM   PINTEREST   GOODREADS

—————————————

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

FIRST PRIZE: Signed Copy of Whispers on the Wind + Floral Fan + $10 Amazon Gift Card
TWO RUNNERS-UP: eBook Copies of Whispers on the Wind
(Open Internationally)

September 4-13, 2018

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CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

9/4/18	Guest Post			That's What She's Reading
9/5/18	Review				Forgotten Winds
9/6/18	Excerpt				Chapter Break Book Blog
9/6/18	BONUS Review			Hall Ways Blog
9/7/18	Guest Post			All the Ups and Downs
9/8/18	Review				Carpe Diem Chronicles
9/9/18	Scrapbook Page & BONUS Review 	StoreyBook Reviews
9/10/18	Guest Post & BONUS Review 	The Clueless Gent
9/11/18	Review				Reading by Moonlight
9/12/18	Author Interview		Books and Broomsticks
9/13/18	Review				Book Fidelity

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FRAGMENTS OF ASH by Katy Regnery Teaser Reveal

fragments of ash

COMING SOON! Fragments of Ash by Katy Regnery releases on October 1!

From New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery comes a dark and twisted retelling of the beloved fairytale, Cinderella!

Pre-order now for only $2.99!

US: https://amzn.to/2OpIfZq
UK: https://amzn.to/2mLYQtM
CA: https://amzn.to/2v31oIL
AU: https://amzn.to/2AjLaQr
B&N: http://bit.ly/2NdcCV7
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2LJr72c
iBooks: https://apple.co/2LXgINl
My name is Ashley Ellis…

I was thirteen years old when my mother – retired supermodel, Tig – married Mosier Răumann, who was twice her age and the head of the Răumann crime family.

When I turned eighteen, my mother mysteriously died. Only then did I discover the dark plans my stepfather had in store for me all along; the debauched “work” he expected me to do.

With the help of my godfather, Gus, I have escaped from Mosier’s clutches, but his twin sons and henchmen have been tasked with hunting me down. And they will stop at nothing to return my virgin body to their father

…dead or alive.

** Contemporary Romance. Due to profanity and very strong sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Fragments of Ash is part of the ~a modern fairytale~ collection: contemporary, standalone romances inspired by beloved fairy tales.

The Vixen and the Vet (Beauty & the Beast) – available now

Never Let You Go (Hansel & Gretel) – available now

Ginger’s Heart (Little Red Riding Hood) – available now

Dark Sexy Knight (Camelot) – available now

Don’t Speak (The Little Mermaid) – available nhttp://bit.ly/2K3tsjJ ow

Sheer Heaven (Rapunzel) – available now

Fragments of Ash (Cinderella) – coming October 1, 2018

Swan Song (The Ugly Duckling) – coming soon

 

Add to your Goodreads TBR ➩ http://bit.ly/2wEskiN

Visit the Fragments of Ash Website: https://bit.ly/2uVJnvD

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE MODERN FAIRYTALE COLLECTION

US: https://amzn.to/2LM4MRA
UK: https://amzn.to/2NRAGtf
CA: https://amzn.to/2NTJuPz
AU: https://amzn.to/2NPp3mU
B&N: http://bit.ly/2K3tsjJ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Lu04bP
iBooks: https://apple.co/2LLLLyS

 

THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Kerrigan Byrne – Release Day Review and Giveaway

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THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

(Victorian Rebels Vol 6)

by

KERRIGAN BYRNE

 

Duke with dragon Tattoo coverSUMMARY:

The bravest of heroes. The brashest of rebels. The boldest of lovers. These are the men who risk their hearts and their souls—for the passionate women who dare to love them…

He is known only as The Rook. A man with no name, no past, no memories. He awakens in a mass grave, a magnificent dragon tattoo on his muscled forearm the sole clue to his mysterious origins. His only hope for survival—and salvation—lies in the deep, fiery eyes of the beautiful stranger who finds him. Who nurses him back to health. And who calms the restless demons in his soul…

A LEGENDARY LOVE

Lorelei will never forget the night she rescued the broken dark angel in the woods, a devilishly handsome man who haunts her dreams to this day. Crippled as a child, she devoted herself to healing the poor tortured man. And when he left, he took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after all these years, The Rook has returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. But can she trust a man who’s been branded a rebel, a thief, and a killer? And can she trust herself to resist him when he takes her in his arms?

Buy Links:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
IndieBound
Powells

 

REVIEW:

I love Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series. I’ve only ever complained about the title of the last book (should have just been The Scot period), but the stories have all been compelling, the writing outstanding.

My favorite had always been The Highwayman. The first book, it set the bar high. Dougan and his Fairy are ❤️❤️❤️. Now, The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo’s The Rook and his Lorelai are seriously competing for the title of the series’ best couple. There’s just something about them falling in love as teens and staying true after twenty years that tugs at my heart. It’s the ideal of the “one true love” in fairy tales that’s the basis for most romance novels and it works for both The Highwayman and The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo.

“Lorelai, there are only two indisputable facts in this world: The sun will set in the west, and I’ll come for you. Always.”

The lines in this book are so memorable, my Kindle is filled with highlights and bookmarks. Amazingly, most of them are uttered by the hero. That the hero is a pirate/murderer/kidnapper/smuggler/bad, bad, bad boy makes it even more incredibly romantic.

If I write as if the characters are real people, it’s because Kerrigan fleshed them out so expertly, they come alive in my mind. The characters, both main and secondary, are nuanced. They’re flawed, damaged, human.

I always start Kerrigan Byrne’s books at five stars and would adjust at the end for things that didn’t work for me. With TDWTDT, everything worked–the storytelling, the sexytimes, the reunion, the treasure hunt, the revelations in the end. That’s why I’m giving it the full five stars.

 

GIVEAWAY:

Duke_with_the_Dragon_Tattoo_FB_Cover_v2I’m giving away a paperback of The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo to one US reader. To enter:

  1. Like and Follow this blog Carpe Diem Chronicles by Maida Malby. Comment below. (2 points)
  2. Like and Follow my author page Maida Malby on Facebook and comment on this post there. (1 point)
  3. Follow me on Twitter @maida_malby and reply to this post there. (1 point)
  4. Follow me on BookBub. (1 point)

I will draw the winner on Monday, September 3 at 12 midnight CDT.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kerrigan ByrneWhether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, Kerrigan Byrne uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in every book. She now lives at the Pacific Coast, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Her Victorian Rebels novels include The Highwayman and The Highlander.

Social Links:
Author Website: http://www.kerriganbyrne.com/
Twitter: @Kerrigan_Byrne
Facebook: @KerriganByrneAuthor
Instagram: @KerriganByrne

THAT ONE MOMENT by Patty Wiseman – Book Blog Tour/Character Interview/Giveaway

that one moment yellow

THAT ONE MOMENT

by

PATTY WISEMAN

Genre: Fiction / Romantic Suspense
Date of Publication: May 8, 2017
Number of Pages: 258

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

Synopsis

Cover hi res That One MomentRicki Sheridan traveled a long way to seek refuge at Wolf Den’s Lodge high in the mountains after a devastating betrayal. Heartbroken, she signed up for a survivalist backpacking trip to live off the land and forget.
An injury on the first day puts her in the capable hands of the handsome trail boss, Kory Littleton. The attraction is instant, mutual, and terrifying. She trusted her emotions once and vowed never to make the same mistake again. Kory’s heart, trampled and bruised, is unprepared to ever love again, until his unexpected reaction to Ricki reveals some things are worth taking a chance on. When evil finds its way back into Ricki’s world, their fragile bond is tested, forcing them to face their greatest fear: can a wounded heart ever trust anew? Betrayal. Desire. Revenge. Which one prevails?

CLICK TO PURCHASE

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Praise for That One Moment:

Patty Wiseman, as well as anyone and better than most, sure knows how to write the three basic ingredients of a page-turning and unforgettable novel: mystery, suspense, and romance. — Caleb & Linda Pirtle ~ Here Comes a Mystery

“It was pure perfection!” — Jessa, Amazon Reviewer

“Author Patty Wiseman does a good job of injecting so much action into just the first two pages that I had high expectations for this story. And That One Moment does not disappoint.” — Natasha Jackson for Readers’ Favorite

 

character interview

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VILLAIN OF THAT ONE MOMENT

By Patty Wiseman

So…they told me to interview the antagonist of this novel. That’s why I’m here. Your name is Russ Desmond, correct?

You already knew that, or you wouldn’t be here.

Sorry Mr. Desmond, just trying to find a starting point here. You were a detective in Dallas before all the crazy happened. Is that right?

That’s right. And a darn good one.

How did you end up in this situation, Russ? May I call you Russ?

You can call me Detective. As far as how I got here, well, it’s Ricki’s fault.

I don’t quite understand, Detective. You stalked her. And if memory serves, you cheated on her. She was through with you.

I don’t call what happened cheating. Men stray occasionally. It’s their nature. I loved Ricki. Nothing was gonna change that. She’s my woman.

But, Detective, Ricki didn’t feel that way. She went to great lengths to rid herself of you.

Ricki misinterpreted what she saw. If she’d just given me time to explain, it wouldn’t have ended this way.

In my notes, it says, the woman was Ricki’s best friend. That’s kind of low isn’t it, Mr. Desmond?

Look, Leila’s a good kid, but nothing I am interested in. Ricki, well, she’s intelligent, beautiful, exciting. I wanted some information from Leila. That was the easiest way to get it. She couldn’t resist.

You believe your good looks and status give you the right to take what you want? Didn’t you realize it would devastate Ricki?

I didn’t plan on getting caught. But Ricki wouldn’t give me time to explain. And then she ran off. I wasn’t about to leave it that way. Ricki is mine.

I’m sorry, Russ, but my time is up. I must say, you don’t seem very remorseful over what happened.

Why should I be? It was innocent. I’ll get her back. Just you wait and see.

 

AboutTheAuthor

Patty's head shotAward Winning Author Patty Wiseman is a native of the Seattle, Washington area and attended The Wesleyan College in Bartlesville Oklahoma. Northeast Texas is home now, along with her husband Ron. She is the president of East Texas Writer’s Association, a Lifetime Member of the Worldwide Who’s Who for Professional Women (and named VIP for 2013), and a member of the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization, East Texas Writer’s Guild, and Texas Association of Authors.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   GOODREADS   INSTAGRAM   PINTEREST   GOOGLE+

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

TWO SIGNED PRINT COPIES, TWO eBOOK COPIES
(US ONLY)
August 14-23, 2018

Giveaway That One Moment

 

CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

8/14/18		Book Trailer		Texas Book Lover
8/14/18		Excerpt			The Clueless Gent
8/15/18		Review			Reading by Moonlight
8/16/18		Character Interview	The Page Unbound
8/16/18		Author Interview	Margie's Must Reads
8/17/18		Review			StoreyBook Reviews
8/18/18		Review			That's What She's Reading
8/18/18		Excerpt			All the Ups and Downs
8/19/18		BONUS Review		Hall Ways Blog
8/19/18		Author Interview	Books and Broomsticks
8/20/18		Review			A Page Before Bedtime
8/20/18		Review			Chapter Break Book Blog
8/21/18		Scrapbook Page		Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
8/22/18		Review			Dressed to Read
8/23/18		Character Interview	Carpe Diem Chronicles
8/23/18		Review			The Love of a Bibliophile

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Happy Release Day – THE MAGICIAN’S BLOOD by Linda G. Hill

Congratulations to my fantastic editor Linda G. Hill on the release of THE MAGICIAN’S BLOOD, Book 2 of her The Great Dagmaru paranormal romance series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Magicians Blood SOCIAL MEDIAHerman Anderson is in love. Thrilled to travel across Canada with her boyfriend as his assistant onstage, she returns to her hometown—the first stop on the Great Dagmaru magic tour. Anticipating a reunion with her brother, instead she finds her family has moved without a trace.

Stephen Dagmar’s career as a stage magician is taking off. With Herman by his side, his only concern is her father’s dislike for him. But as Herman’s father makes a prediction and resolves to come between them, Stephen’s family curse returns to haunt him.

Darkness descends as the reality of the Dagmar’s incubus bloodline surfaces for the first time in over a generation. Can Herman and Stephen’s relationship survive this new trial? Will Herman survive at all?

A sinful tale of beauty and romance, love and determination, The Magician’s Blood will chill you and leave you breathless for more.

*18+ Contains explicit scenes.

blood-wine

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Buy it on Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FKZMVLS/

And everywhere else: https://books2read.com/u/bzPZQ9

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

51zEkWS7bmL._US230_Award-winning author Linda G. Hill was born and raised an only child in Southern Ontario, Canada. She credits the time she spent alone when she was growing up, reading books and building worlds and characters of her own to keep her company, as the reason she became a writer.

A stay-at-home mom of three beautiful boys, Linda is a graduate of the Writing Program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, Ontario. Aside from caring for her family, she enjoys traveling the world, eating trout cooked on the barbecue, and, of course, reading.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15577348.Linda_G_Hill

Website: https://lindaghill.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/lindaghill.fiction/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaGHill

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-g-hill

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/lindaghillfiction/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linda.g.hill/

TO CATCH A TEXAS STAR by Linda Broday Book Blog Tour – Review and Giveaway

texas star blog tour

TO CATCH A TEXAS STAR

Texas Heroes, Book 3

by

LINDA BRODAY

Genre: Western / Historical / Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of Publication: July 3, 2018
Number of Pages: 352

Scroll down for Giveaway!

Synopsis

to catch a texas starOn her way to town early one morning, Marley Rose McClain finds a man unconscious and bleeding at the side of the road. She loads him in the wagon and takes him to her family ranch.
Drifter Roan Penny fights for his life, his one goal eating at him—to find the ones who murdered his best friend. As he recovers, he finds himself falling in love with Marley. She’s everything he wants and dreams of making her his wife even as he knows it’s impossible. A terrifying stranger appears and a long-kept secret shakes Marley to the core. Roan helps her through very frightening times and they pledge their love for each other. As Roan hunts down the hooded men who killed his friend and grows closer to learning the truth of the stranger’s identity, he finds both himself and Marley being stalked.Shocking events unfold, secrets come to light, and a love refuses to be denied in this cat and mouse game where danger lurks around every corner. Will Roan and Marley survive to see the future they plan?

CLICK TO PURCHASE

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Review_preview

To Catch a Texas Star is the third book in the Texas Heroes series, but the first one I’ve read. It’s actually the first book by Linda Broday that I’ve ever read. I like it. I like her writing style. This book stands well on its own, but reading the two that came before it would probably enhance the enjoyment.

Texas Star is fast-paced and action-packed, featuring well-drawn characters you’d root for and the wild West as the exciting setting. At the center of everything is a sweet romance between Marley, a strong, caring young woman, and Roan, a determined, honorable drifter. Their story happens amidst grave danger and life-altering secrets.

This book captured my attention from the beginning with its dramatic first chapter. It kept getting better as the characters are introduced (Duel, Jessie, Matt, Granny Jack, etc.) and as the attraction between Marley and Roan grew. I liked that both of them have strengths and faults. I appreciate that they saved each other’s lives. Often in Westerns, the heroine is a damsel in distress, just waiting for the hero to rescue her. This one is not like that. Marley had her low moments, especially when she was scared for her family, but she had amazing highs like when she rescued herself and when she acted to make it easy for the good guys to win in the end.

This book follows in the classic Western formula of heroes being amazingly good (and seemingly indestructible) while the villains are incredibly bad. You can easily visualize this as a movie for Ms. Broday described the action and fight scenes well.

As a Texas resident, I like the feeling of being “at home” when I read a book set here. But, even those not from here will enjoy To Catch a Texas Star as it tackles universal themes of family, justice, loyalty, and deep-abiding love.

 

Praise for To Catch a Texas Star
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“Fans of the previous books will enjoy returning to the McClain clan, and new readers will appreciate the story’s layered mysteries, emotional depth, and believable scenes of attraction.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“I loved the twists and turns that this story takes. It is pretty interesting seeing this romance blossom and how much their relationship strengthens as they face danger and the truth together.”–Addicted to Romance

“Marley Rose has one of the most gentle and winsome souls; her affection and compassion for others and delightful creativity pour off the pages and you can’t help but adore her.”–Michelle (Goodreads)

AboutTheAuthor

linda brodayLinda is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of full length historical western romance novels and novellas. She’s published over twenty books and short stories and resides in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed. On a quiet day, she can often hear their voices whispering in the wind. The love of this state and its people runs bone deep and she instills that into each book she writes. She sets all her stories in Texas because of the rich history and interesting people. A mother, grandmother, and soon to be a great grandmother, Linda finds research fascinating and always looks for little known tidbits to add realism to her stories. When she’s not writing, she collects old coins and confesses to being a rock hound in addition to making herself a nuisance at museums, libraries, and historical places which inspire her.

WEBSITE  FACEBOOK  PINTEREST  TWITTER  GOODREADS  LINKEDIN  BOOKBUB

—————————————

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize: Signed Copies of Full Texas Heroes Series
Five Runners-Up: Signed Copies of To Catch a Texas Star
(US ONLY)
July 3-12, 2018

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CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

7/3/18		Excerpt			That's What She's Reading
7/3/18		Bonus Series Spotlight	Hall Ways Blog
7/4/18		Review			Chapter Break Book Blog
7/5/18		Guest Post		StoreyBook Reviews
7/6/18		Review			Carpe Diem Chronicles
7/7/18		Character Interview	The Librarian Talks
7/8/18		Review			Reading by Moonlight
7/9/18		Playlist		Tangled in Text
7/10/18		Review			Books and Broomsticks
7/11/18		Author Interview	Dressed to Read
7/12/18		Review			Margie's Must Reads

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BORACAY VOWS Recipe – Lumpia

In Boracay Vows, lumpia is one of the dishes Marissa Lopez prepared for Krista and Blake when they went to Quezon to meet the family. It also happened to be a belated birthday celebration for Krista, so there were plenty of food.

There are many variations of lumpiasariwa (fresh), Shanghai (thin pork spring rolls), hubad (unwrapped), vegetable, or with meat. The latest version I made has chicken in it, but can be done with ground pork or shrimp. Some people call it lumpiang togue, which translates to spring rolls with bean sprouts. Others use cabbage instead of bean sprouts, or sometimes both in their vegetable spring rolls. There’s not just one way of making these, all of them delicious.

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Ingredients: 

  • Vegetable oil
  • extra firm tofu, drained and cut into small squares
  • small onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 cup of cooked chicken, shredded (optional, if vegetarian)
  • 1 cup of shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped (optional, if vegetarian)
  • 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut thinly on a bias
  • 8 oz. mung bean sprouts
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 package of lumpia wrapper

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a wok or pan. Add tofu and fry until brown. Remove and set aside.
  2. Add garlic and onion to hot oil and cook until softened. Pour the fish sauce on the side of the wok. Cook until smell goes away (2-3 minutes).
  3. Stir in shrimp (if using) and cook until pink. Add chicken, green beans, carrots, and bean sprouts. Cook until all ingredients are combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and drain. Mix in the tofu. Let cool.
  4.  Lay the wrapper on a flat surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling two inches from the top. Fold the top end of the wrapper over the mixture. Fold the sides and roll tightly into a log. Brush the bottom end with water to seal completely. Repeat until there’s no more filling or wrapper. (At this point you can stop to freeze the wrapped lumpia until you’re ready to eat it.)
  5. In a skillet, heat about two inches of oil. Add spring rolls with the seam side down. Fry, turning once or twice (about 2 minutes per side) until golden brown.
  6. Serve hot and crispy with garlic-spiced vinegar dip. Enjoy!

Boracay Vows is available in eBook and paperback from major online retailers. Signed copy of the paperback can be purchased from this website.

AN AMERICAN LADY By Emma Brady – Happy Book Birthday

An American Lady

Emma Brady

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Blurb

She knows how to handle a man in business and in love.

Sinclair Brown lost so much to the flames that destroyed Chicago in 1871. She only had two things left, her father’s business and English grandparents she had never met. With her friend and servant, Frederick, Sinclair travels to London to meet the duke and duchess. She tries to fit into society, but they will never accept her as a businesswoman. That means she must resort to a little deception.

Lucas Sutton, the Earl of Westmore, has been a long-time family friend of Sinclair’s grandparents and owes them a great deal. During the season he will be trying to help his own sister make a good match, so he agrees to escort Sinclair as well. Sinclair surprises him with her boldness and independence, pulling her into mischief. She is far too clever and beautiful for her own good, but she needs to learn to act more like a proper English lady. To further complicate matters, her mysterious American business partner might become his company’s competition.

The two of them can’t stop their battle of wits, nor deny the pull of attraction between them. If neither of them is willing to give a little, how can they ever discover the similarities they share? They are dangerously close to being perfectly matched.

On sale for $1.99 from 06/01 to 06/03. One click on Amazon.

 

About Emma

new years eve 2017

I am a person who loves to read, write, and cook. My dog is my deepest love and my nephews are my shining light. Romance has always been my passion, especially historical romance novels. I am a sucker for a dark and brooding hero. Heathcliff is my main man.

Follow Emma on Facebook: hotbooklover2

WHAT KIND OF DAY by Mina V. Esguerra – Happy Book Birthday

WHAT KIND OF DAY

Mina V. Esguerra
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It’s a bad day for Ben. After years of earnest work, he’s been fired from his job as a speechwriter for a Philippine senator. Name tarnished and bridges burned, he steps into what he thinks is a shuttle ride home, and accidentally joins a tour of his own city.

It was supposed to be a good day for Naya. Her passion is traveling, her hobby is discovering cool things to see and do, and taking people on tours of Metro Manila is her only job right now. An extra person at the last minute isn’t ideal, especially if the person is a former colleague and the subject of the day’s hottest political trash fire. But work is work, and she decides to let him stay in the tour.

She’s hoping she won’t regret it. He’s hoping his day turns around. What kind of day could it be? Maybe the best kind.

 

Now Available from:

Amazon: bit.ly/six32central1
Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/what-kind-of-day/id1382820491?mt=11
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ph/en/ebook/what-kind-of-day
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/825644
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-kind-of-day-mina-v-esguerra/1128633588?ean=2940155248453
Gumroad: gum.co/six32central1
Print order form (Philippines): bit.ly/mvebooks

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REVIEW

I’ve had a couple of Mina’s books for a while now, but I’ve kept them on my TBR still unread. This May, in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I decided to prioritize romance novels written by authors from the Pacific region and/or set there. When the opportunity to receive an ARC of Mina’s latest book came, I took it right away.

I had been expecting New Adult characters and storyline and was pleasantly surprised by the maturity of the themes in What Kind of Day. I didn’t think I was going to be able to relate to Naya and Ben at all. I was happy to be proven wrong. It helped that I have family and friends in the Philippines who are in politics. The situation that Ben found himself in sounded true to me. Same with Naya floating around with her hobby. Yep. Been there, done that at the same age.

Now, for the romance. The speed of the physical hook-up was unexpected. Yes, there was a proper build-up of mutual attraction, but I didn’t think they’d act on it so quickly. It worked for the story, however. It gave them a bond that would not have been there if they just went their separate ways that first day. It reminded me of Before Sunrise in some ways, which I love.

A final note – I haven’t lived in the Philippines for fifteen years so I appreciate the “See This Manila” tour. If it exists in real life, I’d do it when I go back in July.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mina authorMina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance novellas. Visit her website minavesguerra.com for more about her books, talks, and events.

When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, a development communication consultant, and a publisher. She created the workshop series “Author at Once” for writers and publishers, and #romanceclass for aspiring romance writers. Her young adult/fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is a college love story featuring gods from Philippine mythology. Her contemporary romance novellas won the Filipino Readers’ Choice awards for Chick Lit in 2012 (Fairy Tale Fail) and 2013 (That Kind of Guy).

Twitter/Instagram: @minavesguerra
FB: facebook.com/minavesguerra

MAKING UP by Lucy Parker – Happy Book Birthday!

Author of Act Like It and Pretty Face Lucy Parker returns readers to the West End, where it’s fireworks onstage and off in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown.

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SYNOPSIS

Once upon a time, circus artist Trix Lane was the best around. Her spark vanished with her confidence, though, and reclaiming either has proved…difficult. So when the star of The Festival of Masks is nixed and Trix is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, it’s exactly the push she needs. But the joy over her sudden elevation in status is cut short by a new hire on the makeup team.

Leo Magasiva: disgraced wizard of special effects. He of the beautiful voice and impressive beard. Complete dickhead and—in an unexpected twist—an enragingly good kisser.

To Leo, something about Trix is…different. Lovely. Beautiful, even though the pint-size, pink-haired former bane of his existence still spends most of her waking hours working to annoy him. They’ve barely been able to spend two minutes together for years, and now he can’t get enough of her. On stage. At home. In his bed.

When it comes to commitment, Trix has been there, done that, never wants to do it again. Leo’s this close to the job of a lifetime, which would take him away from London—and from Trix. Their past is a constant barrier between them.

It seems hopeless.

Utterly impossible.

And yet…

 

Buy Making Up here:

Amazon US: https://goo.gl/CTLJJd
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/EgCUHC
B & N: https://goo.gl/KmWz8p
Kobo: https://goo.gl/KeXKig

 

REVIEW

I lovedlovedloved Making Up. I read it so fast, now I want to read it again. Well, after I read Pretty Face first. I’ve had that book for ages. Planned to read it after Act Like It while I was in England, but I never got around to it. I’m not sure if my opinion of Trix will change. We shall see.

For now, I love her. She’s feisty and vulnerable at the same time. Her confidence was shaken by a manipulative ex but she got past the insecurities, by herself and also with Leo’s support. I adore that she’s fiercely protective of Leo and had the hero moment with the saboteur. Also with Cat, the biatch sister.

And, Leo? I adore him. He’s everything a romantic hero should be. He’s had many bad things happen to him, but he did not turn bitter. He’s talented, witty, and oh-so-kind. His lines are swoon worthy.

Happiness. She was, still unbelievably, happiness.
“You make me happy. It’s as simple as that. And I make you happy. Whether you’re ready to acknowledge that or not.”
“Fight for me, too.”

Waaah, he made me cry. And laugh. Both of them did. Their banter was zingy and their sci-fi fandom is so endearingly geeky.

What I adored above all is Lucy’s writing. It’s so visual. She described the acrobatics, the makeup, the actions, the feelings so incredibly well that the scenes played like a movie in my mind. What a great talent. Another big plus is the fascinating secondary characters. They’re diverse and added so much color to the story without taking center stage.

If I have to look for something to complain about it has to be the numerous villains (Trix’s ex, the show’s stage manager, Leo’s saboteur, and especially Cat). I just loved the romance between Leo and Trix so much to the point that it overpowered my objections over the antagonists completely.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy Parker - Author PhotoLucy Parker lives in the gorgeous Central Otago region of New Zealand, where she feels lucky every day to look out at mountains, lakes, and vineyards. She has a degree in Art History, loves museums and art galleries, and doodles unrecognizable flowers when she has writer’s block.

When she’s not writing, working or sleeping, she happily tackles the towering pile of to-be-read books that never gets any smaller. Thankfully, there’s always another story waiting.

Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well. A family friend introduced her to Georgette Heyer, and the rest was history.