Do Me, Do My Roots - Eileen Rendahl Review

Title: Do Me Do my Roots

Author: Eileen Rendahl

Genre: Chick Lit

Book Synopsis:

After a couple of tough years, Emily is finally getting her life back together. She doesn't need to re-do everything at work 3 times, her 6-year-old daughter's soccer uniform is almost always clean the day of a game, and meals are pretty darn reliably on time, too. But hey, having your husband die of a brain tumor at 33 kind of knocks the starch out of you. But first her dad has an Event (only her mom would call a minor heart attack that, as if it's a Bar Mitzvah). Then her sister Caludia's ex-husband starts stealing their kids' Ritalin for the high (and wouldn't you replace that stash of pills with The Pill, to teach him a lesson? His -- ahem -- unexpected chest development was an unforeseen but howlingly funny bonus. Hey, they weren't even A-cups.) And her relentlessly upwardly mobile sister Leah has dropped her clone businessman boyfriend and has taken up with a rock musician. And now Jake, the best friend of Emily and her former husband, seems to be spending a lot of time at her house. Which she likes way too much. So much that it's kind of scary, not to mention confusing. So what's a girl to do, but get together with her sisters for the monthly color-the-roots and gossip-and-advice session, to make the world seem sane again? And if that's too much to expect, at least you know you have good buddies in life's asylum!

Book Review:

A hilarious story of family, friends, sickness, health, life and love Do Me Do My Roots had me from the beginning. Our main character and her sisters are a laugh riot, reminding me of best friends. Things spike up and down for them, even before the start of the book takes place brining heartbreak and hilarity before we realize the universe isn't up to us. The realness of the characters was what really caught me (along with other things), I loved that they had real problems and handled them the way that normal people would. Through everything falling apart, being duct taped together only to fall apart again family and love prevails giving a perfect ending. I kind of want a sequel though, just to see how things are going ;)

Favorite Quotes:

"Why do we have to talk about Thanksgiving? Did they move it? Have we decided not to celebrate it for religious or political reasons? Are we not feeling thankful this year?"

"Hannah Kauffman is older than my parents are. Her mother is older than Methuselah. In fact, Hannah Kauffman's mother might be older than Methuselah's mother."

"Let's just say that when I stood up next to her, she offered to perform certain, uh, services that she could perform in precisely that position, but would require her to remove her dentures."

"When you've been feeling a certain way for a long time - even if that way is sad - it's comforting because it's familiar. Learning to feel a new way - even if it's happy - is scary because it's new and unpredictable."

All in All:

A great story sure to warm the coldest of hearts with laughter and love, Do Me, Do My Roots is a laugh out loud and love read I would recommend to pretty much anyone! 

Blog Tour and Giveaway - Midnight Riders- Pete Clark

 

Book Info:

Title: Midnight Riders

Author: Pete Clark

Publisher: J. Ellington Ashton Press

“Gather ‘round people and you shall hear about a bunch of bullshit that is clear. Of riders and horses and monsters too; your parents lied - they can still get you. Hardly anyone who was there is alive to dispel the rumor, uncover the lies, but there was more than one man who rode that day and more than just Redcoats who got in their way.”

Along the way, Longfellow lost something in his translation it seems.

Everyone has heard of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. However, they have not heard about them this way! The American founding fathers had a lot more to deal with at the end of the 18th century than tariffs and tea; avoiding hurled trees from Wendigos and gargoyles falling from the sky took a lot of patience. How is Samuel Prescott supposed to hunt the leader of the Rippers when the British keep infringing upon the colonists’ rights?

Buy Links:

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Boone was sure he heard Revere scream as the zombie Forbes charged at them. On his way, Forbes took a nice hearty bite out of an off duty soldier who happened to be nearby. “Grullarrk,” the soldier said clearly before falling to the ground. Forbes Zombie was fast. A hell of a lot faster than Forbes was in real life. How the heck did that work out, Boone wondered. Oh well. He unslung his double-barreled reverse musket, an invention of Revere; the guy was good for something, thought Boone as he fired and turned his former commanding officer’s head into a floating cloud of red mist. He then flipped the release on his musket, spun the barrels so that the fired barrel faced back and the loaded faced forward, and he vaporized the downed soldier’s head as well just to be sure. He wasn’t about to let any zombies rise on his watch. “Everybody to the wall,” Fraser ordered. It seemed that Boone’s gunfire and the shrieking had alerted the remaining werewolves, who were apparently done feasting on the French and wanted to upgrade to a little English breakfast. “Zombies and werewolves,” whined Revere. “I sure hope no vampires show up.” “Vampires?” Boone countered. “What are you, a child? Vampires aren’t real.” “They’re not?” asked Revere. “No - vampires are just a myth. But dragons, dragons will fuck your shit up,” said George Washington.

 

Pete Clark likes writing, animals, potato chips, and cheese. Midnight Riders is his first published novel, although he can also proudly say he finally finished Helix Crashing, the fantasy novel he has been working on for over a decade. Someday, it will be out. In addition, he has written Across the Barren Landscape, a collection of linked Western short stories, and Tales from Midnight's Graveyard, a collection of unconnected horror, science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural stories. He cowrote Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story with author Sarah Daltry. He also writes plays, both dramatic and comedic. When he is not writing, Pete tends to ignore everyone around him and obsess over sports.

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Cover Reveal: Taste by Cabria Herbert

Taste by Cambria Hebert 

(Take It Off) 

Publication date: July 25th 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

A Take It Off novella

One taste is never enough.
Spencer Waller’s main purpose in life is to protect and serve. After spending years in the military he gets a coveted spot on the secret service detail protecting the president. Spence doesn’t have time for women or all the work having a relationship with one requires. But just because he isn’t looking for a lady doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate a beautiful one when he sees her.

And he makes it a point to see one in particular every single day.

Elle Bond has literally chopped and fried her way to the top of the food chain. Earning a coveted position in the White House as the president’s personal chef she figures her professional life can only get better. Her personal life on the other hand could use a little bit of an overhaul and because of that she tries to ignore the charm dripping cookie thief every time he comes into her kitchen. After all, she knows better than anyone that just one taste of something good is never enough.

One night after work Elle is assaulted, threatened and given an ultimatum. She can’t go to the police and she sure as hell can’t do what she was ordered.

But she has to. Or else.
Pale, shaken and scared to death Elle confides in Spence and his protective instincts take over. Together Elle and Spencer have to uncover a sinister plot and stop it before someone ends up dead. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22556226-taste

AUTHOR BIO

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

Author Links:
“Like” her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambria-Hebert/128278117253138
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/pins/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298677.Cambria_Hebert
Cambria’s website: http://www.cambriahebert.com 

Book Blitz: The Letter (Mr. July) - Mina Carter

The Letter (Mr. July) 

by Mina Carter

Release Day Blitz

July 2nd

Sergeant Rick Week’s career ended in a hail of bullets and the death of a friend. After months of recuperation, he’s finally able to fulfill a promise he made to that friend. All he has to do is find a girl and deliver a letter. Simple. Maybe…

Hattie Jameson lost the man she loved. KIA. A year and a half later, she’s trying to move on but a letter for a charity calendar shoot addressed to her late fiance, Billy, rocks her. Not as much as the sexy as hell Scottish soldier who turns up on her doorstep. The man who was with Billy when he died. She shouldn’t find him attractive. Not at all…

Meanwhile fate, and Billy himself, have plans to bring the reluctant lovers together.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-letter-mina-carter/1119883846

http://www.amazon.com/Letter-Calendar-Men-Mina-Carter-ebook/dp/B00LF05VCG/

Meet Mina

If you'd like to be notified of new releases, special sales, and get FREE ebooks, subscribe here:http://mina-carter.com/newsletter/

Mina was born and raised in the East Farthing of Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England) and spend her childhood learning all the sorts of things generally required of a professional adventurer. Able to ride, box, shoot, make and read maps, make chainmail and use a broadsword (with varying degrees of efficiency) she was disgusted to find that adventuring is not considered a suitable occupation these days.

So, instead of slaying dragons and hunting vampires and the like, Mina spends her days writing about hot shifters, government conspiracies and vampire lords with more than their fair share of RAWR. Turns out wanna-be adventurers have quite the turn of imagination after all...

(But she keeps that sword sharp, just in case the writing career is just a dream and she really *is* an adventurer.)

The boring part: A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She's addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.

http://www.mina-carter.com
Twitter - @minacarter
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/minacarterauthor

Blitz and Giveaway: Eternally Bound by K.A. Young

Eternally Bound

by K.A. Young

Publication Date: July 2, 2014

Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Romance

Nook • iBooks •

Add to Goodreads.

Synopsis: Their passionate encounter happened long ago binding Caroline and Thaddeus for all eternity. A century later, Caroline is living a new life yet the memory has never lessened its hold on her—tormenting her with mere glimpses as her body continually cries out for him in her dreams.

On the brink of madness, torn between the past and the present, Caroline is the only one that can decide her fate. When she returns to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains the lines between time and space come full circle. Will she find the courage to face the passion and pain that awaits her? Or will she run from her past, dooming them for all eternity?

About K.A. Young

K.A. Young is a paranormal/fantasy romance author that lives with her family in the South. She began writing because her mind was swimming with incredible stories that were begging to be told. Her love for reading began as a small child when she realized that a good book was an instant escape to a mystical land that could be reached anytime and from anyplace.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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Book Review: Calling California by J.P. Grider - Empress DJ

Title: Calling California (Hunter Hill University #1)

Author: J.P. Grider

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

 Cali Parker is poor. She has a lot on her plate - her father is dying, she's working to help pay the rent, and she's two-years behind in college.

Griffin Brooks is rich. He has not a care in the world - he's acing his engineering courses, his hobby is restoring his fifty-thousand dollar classic car, and he has a different girl on his arm every week.

When Cali sees Griffin on her first day of class, she's immediately smitten and thinks she's found the perfect guy. When Griffin sees Cali at the bank, he immediately forgets the blonde he was with that morning. Then they meet, and their worlds collide.

Cali doesn't belong in Griffin’s world, and he doesn't understand hers. But just when Griffin convinces Cali that their two different worlds can blend, a secret is revealed that tears them apart.

Is their love strong enough to bring them back together, or will their worlds drift further apart?

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

“My own eyes close, but not before reveling in the fact that I just made love for the very first time.  A virgin I was not, but my sexual experience before Griffin was emotionally indifferent – no passion, no desire, not even a real physical fondness for each other.  But with Griffin… my entire world has changed.  I found a place where I belong.” 

…“I will never discount your feelings, Calista.  Everything you feel, I want to feel.  I want to be there when you cry, be there when you laugh, I want to be there… for you… always.  I want to feel your heart beating against mine, and I want to be the one that makes it beat.  Every breath you let out, I want to inhale.  Every breath I take, I take for you.  You are the reason I’ve come alive Calista.  You are the reason… I breathe,”…

“The blood in my veins must be on fire, because everything inside me is burning.”

My Review:

I am stingy with 5 star reviews, I seldom give them out.  I reserve those for really great writing that “moves” me… meaning I either have to laugh aloud or cry.  This novel is one of those rare finds… it brought me to tears several times.  It was very touching and sweet, as well as realistic and heartbreaking.  Ms. Grider’s writing is simply poignant, and remarkably insightful in depicting the conflict and confusion our young heroine is struggling with in choosing her path and making sense of her world, her parents’ world, and her new relationship with a boy outside of her social class.  No spoilers here, but make sure to start it early in the day when you have a clear schedule, as I was unable to put it down and subsequently suffered a book hangover the next day.  I feel hesitant to start a new book as I want to think about and savor this one just a little longer. 

Empress DJ

New Release: Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears - Ken Wheaton

Title: Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears

Author: Ken Wheaton

Genre: Women's Fiction

Synosis:

A freak accident forces a New Yorker to return to Louisiana and confront her Cajun past

There is nothing more dangerous than a spooked rhinoceros. It is just before lunchtime when Huey, the prized black rhino of Broussard, Louisiana, erupts from his enclosure, trampling a zoo employee on his way to a rampage in the Cajun countryside. The incident makes the rounds online as News of the Weird, and Katherine Fontenot is laughing along with the rest of her New York office when she notices the name of the hurt zookeeper: Karen-Anne Castille-her sister.

Fifty years old, lonely, and in danger of being laid off, Katherine has spent decades trying to ignore her Louisiana roots. Forced home by Karen-Anne's accident, she remembers everything about the bayou that she wanted to escape: the heat, the mosquitoes, and the constant, crushing embrace of family. But when forced to confront the ghosts of her past, she discovers that escape might never have been necessary.

http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-As-Cane-Salty-Tears-ebook/dp/B00L9N8S6K/ref=la_B003W4VVZY_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404237192&sr=1-1

About the Author

Ken Wheaton was born in Opelousas, Louisiana, in 1973. Raised Catholic and Cajun, Wheaton aspired to one day be a navy pilot but was sidelined by bad eyesight and poor math skills. He graduated from Opelousas Catholic School in 1991 and went off to Southampton College­ Long Island University in Southampton, New York, intending to study marine biology. An excess of drinking and (again) a dearth of math skills led him to become an English major. From there he returned to Louisiana, where he received an MA in creative writing from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette).

Wheaton is the author of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival and Bacon and Egg Man, and is the managing editor of the trade publication Advertising Age. A Louisiana native, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.