Thursday, March 31, 2011

Fools For Books - Giveaway Hop!




Its time for another giveaway hop. I love these because you get a day to visit all the many wonderful book blogs out there and you get a chance to win some awesome giveaways.

I first want to say, thank you for hopping by! I love having visitor and getting comments.

So, what am I offering for this hop. I am offering up 4 of my ARC's. I'm spring cleaning the house and the bookshelf. So, here is what I have:


1. To Tempt A Rake by Cara Elliot
2. Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan
3. Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
4. Rescue by Anita Shevre

All four of these are very good books. So, to enter simply feel out the form below and then hop along with the linky below. I am making this an easy as possible so you can hop on quicker. I am new to having a facebook fan page, so if you like my blog, take a moment to hit the like button. Thanks and good luck!






 

Its time to announce the winners of Tyler by C.H. Admirand



Its time to announce the two lucky people who get to receive this saucy little western romance! Thank you to everyone who entered. Please come back tomorrow for the giveaway blog hop Fools For Books that I will be participating in. And to give you a hint, its going to be a  box of books! Cleaning off my shelves of all my ARC copies!

Ok, so who are the two lucky winners to Tyler by C.H. Admirand:

Chosen with random.org:
 Mariee
Crystal

I will email you both shortly. Thank you for entering. For those who didn't win, click the link below to  be taken to amazon and purchase this book.









 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Let's Talk: Weight Gain/ Loss and Reading.



As a reader, I spend a lot of my day about the same as this lady in the picture. Laying down, or sitting with a book in my hand. Not very active, huh? I have been a heavy reader now for about two years. In that two years my weight has increased some. I find that this hobby that I enjoy isn't a hobby that gets me being to active. When I do take walks, I have kids and dog in tow, so it isn't like I can get lost in a good walk and book at the same time. I often find myself out side now that my kids are a little older on the patio with a book in hand as they play.So, its a wonder, why has my butt started growing, when I am always sitting on it?

This past February I had had enough. I was at my heaviest weight and my clothes weren't fitting and I found myself always in sweat pants. I put the books down that I loved so much and took a lot of time during the day to get active. You can see that in February I blogged very little. Only read about 7 books, which is about half of what I usually read. I can say, from not reading I did lose weight; 10 pounds actually. I still have another 5-10 pounds that I want to lose and I am still highly motivated to get it off. Recently though I have gotten back to reading a lot. Averaging my 3 books a week. Reading helps my stress levels as I am able to escape to a whole other world for even 10 minutes. So, I haven't been quite as active and put on a pound or two. Was not happy after all my hard work, so I need to get active and read. I am however one of those people once I start a book, I have got to finish it. So it makes it difficult to want to work out.

So tell me, what is something that you do to stay fit while feeding a reading addiction. I would love to know what you do. Does anyone have any home exercises they do while they are reading?

 

Set Up For Love- Anthology



Set Up For Love
Publication Date: February 13, 2011
Genre: Anthology/ Contemporary Romance
Authors: Susan Hatler, Virna DePaul, Delilah Sloan
Format: E-book
Link to Goodreads
Reviewed this book for the authors
My Rating:


Book Blurb:  The Boyfriend Bylaws by Susan Hatler: Melanie Porter has been dumped again. When others accuse her of being in love with being in loved; she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life with The Boyfriend Bylaws.


  Blind Date/Check Mate by Delilah Sloan: Shelby Winters one great love went sour. If she can't feel that way again, why bother? When her best friend sets Shelby up on a blind date with Logan, the one who broke her heart, he pursues her relentlessly, forcing her to make a choice: give her heart what its always desired and risk total devastation or shut Logan out and lose her only shot at happiness. To Shelby, its a lose-lose situation. Or is it?


Wild For Him by Virna DePaul: Bryn Donovon became a prosecutor for a reason and defense attorney Daniel Mays seems to take his job about as seriously as he does his love life. While straight-laced Bryn can't deny she's attracted to the southern charmer, she's determined to keep her distance. Instead, she ends up finding something she'd lost long ago--a willingness to risk all for love. 


Bonus: My Last Blind Date by Susan Hatler: Should Rachel Price play it safe and spend Valentine's Day at home with her loyal pooch, Chester, or risk another dating disaster by letting her best friend set her up on a blind date?

My Thoughts: These were all new authors for me. Each author has talent for sure. Each authors writing was unique, and flowed well together with the other authors. This book is broken up into three short stories. One by each other and the stories take place in the same place, so there are places that we get to visit several times with different characters. Each woman in the book has given up on love or just is left thinking Mr. Right isn't out there. A best friend sets each one up them up on a blind date in hopes that they will finally find love.

The first story we get to read is The Boyfriend by laws by Susan Hatler. Its absolutely a cute little story about how that perfect someone is sometimes the person right under your nose. Melanie is desperate for love and looks past all the men's flaws in hopes that they are the one. Her best friend teaches her some rules on how to find the right one. Melanie resists, but eventually gets it and figures out who she wants has been there all along.

The second story Blind Date/Check Mate by Delilah Sloan was my favorite! There is something about a man who is famous and the wants just a regular ol girl that I like to read about. The chemistry between these two leaps out at you and you really enjoy reading about Shelby resist the urge to plunge into love.

The third story was Wild For Him by Virna DePaul where we get to meet Bryn who has a past that hurts and has caused her to come across cold and frigid, especially towards opposing attorney Daniel who seems to have his eye out to figure our just what will warm her up.

I enjoyed each story very much. For anyone who likes contemporary romance, this is well worth your time to read. Once reason I like anthologies so much is that you get short stories that don't drag out. You can spend an afternoon lost in one story and when you have to shut the book, you feel ok with it since you finished at least one of the great love stories. I recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary romance, romance in general, and even someone who likes a little spice. The last story is a bit more graphic then the first two stories.


Sunday, March 27, 2011

Friday Mornings at Nine by Marilyn Brant



Friday Mornings at Nine
Publication Date: October 1st 2010
Genre: Chick-lit
Format I Read: Paperback
Reviewed For: Crazy Book Tours
My Rating:


Book Blurb: Every woman remembers her firsts: Her first kiss. Her first lover. And her first time contemplating an affair...
Each Friday morning at the Indigo Moon Café, Jennifer, Bridget and Tamara meet to swap stories about marriage, kids, and work. But one day, spurred by recent e-mails from her college ex, Jennifer poses questions they've never faced before. What if they all married the wrong man? What if they're living the wrong life? And what would happen if, just once, they gave in to temptation...
Soon each woman is second-guessing the choices she's made—and the ones she can unmake—as she becomes aware of new opportunities around every corner, from attentive colleagues and sexy neighbors to flirtatious past lovers. And as fantasies blur with real life, Jennifer, Bridget and Tamara begin to realize how little they know about each other, their marriages, and themselves, and how much there is to gain—and lose—when you step outside the rules.

My Thoughts: This book was a delightful little read. I enjoyed ever moment that I was sitting down with this book. Marilyn told a very relateable story about three women who were trying to find themselves outside of being a wife and mother. I think this is something that many women can relate too. This book focused more on the stay at home crowd I feel. Most of the women worked from home if they did work. Jennifer, Bridget, and Tamera are the three women we take the journey with. Jennifer opens up a topic on one of their Friday mornings, and that is about if any of them have thought about having an affair. For the next year of these ladies life's, we take a journey as Jennifer decides if she wants to leave her life for her ex flame; Bridget is making eyes for her boss, and Tamera has a hunky neighbor and a husband who always travels and pays her no attention.

One thing I enjoyed most was that this book was real. It wasn't a bunch of fudge. These women really had to make decisions and they way there spouse reacted was real. All three situations were different. This books ends in away where there isn't a happy ending for all. Your left to ponder about one character and wonder what is to come. I think it was a perfect ending.

I recommend this book to the stay at home/work at home woman crowd. This book is right up your ally. Also, if you just a fan of chick lit I think you will find this book enjoyable.


 

Awesome Giveaway (Non-Book)



I have a friend who started her own business 5 years ago and now she is celebrating with an awesome week of giveaways on her blog: Peas & Thank You's.

So what is Peas & Thank You's before you take the time to visit, well Jill makes some awesome invitations for birthday parties. She makes each invitation, cupcake toppers, banner, etc all by hand so your getting quality made party gear for you or your child's birthday. (Her About Me Page) I would love it if you took the time to head over to Jill's blog and see the preview to this weeks giveaways. Not only are they giveaways of her stuff, but other online boutiques also. Its going to be a fun week.

So please head over to Pea & Thank You's and say hi to Jill, check out her upcoming giveaways and tell her congrats on making it 5 years on her business.



 

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Encrypted E-Book Winner!



EncryptedIts time to announce the winner of my e-book giveaway for Encrypted by Lindsay Buroker. 

The winner is: (chosen by random.org)

Vidisha Singh

Congratulations. You will be receiving an e-mail shortly from me.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

 

Friday, March 25, 2011

I am on facebook and need some fans!



I have decided to join facebook as a fan page for Beck's Book Picks. Please please please like me so I can have a few fans!



I plan to have a giveaway for just facebook fans soon!

Thank you!



 

Thursday, March 24, 2011

On The Fence by Keri Ford

This book is for readers 18 and older


On The Fence (Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Arkansas)
Publication Date: February 19th 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Erotica novella
Format I Read: E-book
Series: Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Arkansas (Book 2)
Other Reviews for this author: Through The Walls
Add to your Goodreads TBR List
My Rating:


Book Blurb:  If Shellie Chambers has to hear one more condescending comment from her mother about life or men, she might scream. So, she packs up and takes a trip to see her long-missed high school friend, Riley. He'll know exactly what she needs to loosen up. But instead of the girl-chasing jock she remembers from their youth, Riley’s gone country, keeping up a farm of his own.
Riley Hamilton has settled down on a farm his uncle left to him. Not the life he ever envisioned, but after getting a girl pregnant in college and then watching helplessly as the baby was aborted, he learned the hard way it was time to settle down. Shellie’s reentry into his life reminds of his wild past and it’s a fight to ignore the tempting woman she has become.


My Thoughts: I first want to say, I always read the reviews to books on Goodreads before reading a book. I previously read Through The Walls by Keri Ford and I loved it. I couldn't believe the ratings were only at 3 stars on Goodreads, so I was a little nervous. Well, there is now a 5 star rating on there. In fact, I loved this one probably just a little more then the last one. I fell in love with Shellie and Riley as characters and my complaint is this book needed to be longer. I might need a follow up on these two. The chemistry between these two characters in this book flew off my sony e-reader. I could feel the sizzle it seemed like. These two were made for one another and they knew it. It took a little convincing on the part of Shellie to let Riley know that he was who she wanted for always, not just a fling. The intimate scenes in this book were hot and didn't leave anything out for the reader.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary romance or light erotica. This is not heavy erotica where you are left wondering how some of that stuff was possible.


 

**This book was provided to me by the publishers in return for an honest review.**

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Liberation of Alice Love by Abby McDonald



The Liberation of Alice Love
Publication Date: March 1st 2011
Genre: Chick-lit
Format I Read: Paperback
Add to your goodreads TBR List
My Rating:


Book Blurb: Clever and elegant, this novel forces you to think about how far you'd go to find the truth, and how many lies you'd tell to uncover it. Alice Love keeps her life (and boss, and family) running in perfect order, so when her bank card is declined, she thinks it's just a simple mistake. Sadly, someone has emptied her bank account, spending her savings on glamorous holidays, sexy lingerie, and a to-die-for wardrobe, and leaving Alice with lots of debt. But she soon wonders if perhaps her alter-ego's reckless, extravagant lifestyle is the one Alice should have been leading all along...

My Thoughts: It has been awhile since I read chick-lit. I was addicted to it for quite awhile. I remember why now. I loved the change in reading style from my usual romance books to this one. There of coarse was a slight romance in this book that as a reader I wanted Alice to get out of her self absorbed self and realize it. However, this story is not about romance at all. Alice has had her identity stolen, then she is shocked when she learns just who stole her identity. She isn't satisfied with just letting the bank take care of this, she has to track down the person herself. While doing this, Alice changes who she is in some ways for the better. She enters into this persons life and sees who she could have been all this time. She grows into a more confident woman who can stand up for herself.

This was a refreshing story and will leave every reader wanting to go check all there private documents and change all their passwords. Having what happened to Alice is scary and it was as I said before, refreshing to read about a real life challenge instead of some of these stories from my usual romance novels.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes chick-lit, light romance books, or just a basic general fiction book. I had a hard time putting this one down, so be prepared to spend a few days in a comfy spot as you indulge all your time in this story.



**This book was provided to me by the publishers in return for my honest review.**

Monday, March 21, 2011

Guest Post and Giveaway with C.H. Admirand



Today I have the lovely C.H. Admirand on the blog. I just recently reviewed her book, Tyler. You can either scroll down past this entry or click here to see my review. I have to tell you, this is a great book. Steamy and full of excitement. Anyone who likes western romance or even contemporary romance is sure to like this book. So now I am going to welcome C.H. Admirand to my blog. Also, be sure to check out the giveaway I am having for this book. I have two copies up for grabs for any US and Canada residents. Just fill out the form below and check back on March 31st to see the winner.


Thank you for inviting me to blog with you and your readers today. My inspiration for this book is tied into my life-long love of the cowboys of the Silver Screen and Classic TV Westerns. I grew up watching John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry fight for what was right in a time where outlaws tried to rule the West. Some of my all-time favorite films are Stagecoach, High Noon, and McClintock. I never missed an episode of the Roy Rogers Show and wished I could be Dale Evans.

One of my favorite trips growing up was a cross country trek with my family. We saw the Alamo in the pouring rain and I couldn’t believe how small it looked amidst the buildings surrounding it. I somehow thought it would be as it was in the movies. The beauty of the West grabbed me by the heart when we visited the Grand Canyon, The Painted Desert, The Petrified Forest, and so many other majestic sites that it was forever imprinted on my brain. The sky was so blue it honestly hurt your eyes. Not a cloud was in the sky, and don’t let anyone try to kid you, it was hot! We got sun-burned at 5:30 pm visiting the Sonora Desert Museum…another favorite of ours.

Yet another part of the inspiration for Tyler happened during RT in Houston and an unforgettable trip to a ladies’ club. To support one of my author friends and her publisher, I agreed to go with her and visit the Ellora’s Cave models at a local club. When we got there, I realized I was totally out of my element, but thought I could handle it. My embarrassment at the time was acute, but my creative side took over and the plot for Tyler and my new series for Sourcebooks: The Secret Life of Cowboys just popped into my head.

I started wondering, what if the dancer on stage was a real cowboy? Spending time lost in my imagination was a comfort and helped ease my embarrassment. But the next time I agree to support a friend, I’ll make sure to do my research and find out exactly what I’m getting into!

Once I had the plot, the characters came easily and started arguing in my head waking me up, a common occurrence for me and crucial in my creative process. While I was writing Tyler I knew he would have dark hair and dark eyes…a true Black Irishman…but it wasn’t until I came across an advertisement in a magazine that I had my visual: Carter Oosterhouse from HGTV’s Carter Can was my visual. When I saw the cover for Tyler, I was thrilled. Although I’d had Carter’s face in my head the whole time I was writing Tyler, I couldn’t have dreamed up someone more perfect for the cover!

Stop by my website to read an excerpt of Tyler www.chadmirand.com .

Thank you for inviting me to spend time with you today!

Slainte’
C.H. Admirand




Are you hooked yet? You should be! This is an excellent book. Here is a quick blurb about the book and the form will follow below.

Tyler (The Secret Life of Cowboys)
Desperate times call for desperate measures…
When Tyler Garahan said he’d do anything to save his family’s ranch, he never thought that would include taking a job as a stripper at a local ladies’ club. But the club’s fiery redheaded bookkeeper captures Tyler’s attention, and for her, he’ll swallow his pride… And one good turn deserves another…
Emily Langley feels for the gorgeous cowboy. It’s obvious that he’s the real deal and wouldn’t be caught dead in a ladies’ revue if he wasn’t in big trouble. And when he looks at her like that, she’ll do anything to help… Working days on the ranch and nights at the ladies’ club, Tyler is plumb exhausted. But could it be that his beautiful boss needs him just as much as he needs her...




 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Tyler by C.H. Admirand



Tyler (The Secret Life of Cowboys)
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Genre: Western Romance
Series: Secret Life of Cowboys
My Rating:


Book Blurb: Faced with a mountain of bills, rancher Tyler Garahan takes a night job with a lot of trepidation. But being a male performer at a strip club does come with at least one beautiful compensation-and feisty red-haired bookkeeper Emily Langley seems to understand Tyler even better than he understands himself.

My Thoughts: This book is full of heat and you will need a fan to keep yourself cool. Tyler is one hot cowboy who has taken up helping his family business by stripping at The Lucky Star. Yes, that's right, he's a stripped and a hot one at that. The author does a great job drawing the reader into this story and will leave you not wanting to put this book down. When the book is no longer in your hands, you are wishing it was. This is a fast read. There is a slight mystery in it. It has a lot of comic parts. The chemistry between Emily and Tyler leaps off the pages and you love reading about the two of them as they fall deep in love. One thing I really liked about this story was there was no struggle between the two as far as falling in love. No one was resisting it. They both wanted it and enjoyed taking the plunge together. As a reader, you will enjoy taking the journey with them. This is one of those books, when it ends, you wish you had another in your hand by this author. Her writing is amazing. Even if western romance is not your typical romance genre, I think this is one that you will actually enjoy. The dialect in this book is very easy to follow and read and is not over the top with southern slang.

Best of all, Monday I will have a guest post from this author. I am also being given the opportunity to giveaway two copies of this book. I know you will enjoy this book, so please stop back by on Monday for your chance to win a copy of this book and read a guest post from C.H. Admirand.

 

**This book was provided to me by the publishers in return for my honest review.**

Thursday, March 17, 2011

We got a PUPPY!



I, Beck, the owner of this blog got a new puppy for the family. This past Januray we lost our 14 1/2 year old dog. We were so sure that we were not getting another dog until later in life. It was such a tough experiance watching him suffer until we had to make the decision to put him down, which is an even harder decision. In the past 2 years we have lost 3 pets that were all older, 2 cats and the dog. Its hard to lose them and then open you heart to wanting another knowing that you will once again fall in love and one day be faced with losing them again.

Tyler (The Secret Life of Cowboys)Well, March 2nd was my birthday and a friend on facebook was fostering 7 puppies. I had been watching them for a few weeks as she posted pictures. Finally, my husband said, "lets go see them and see if one fits us." We went with an open heart and mind that we may or may not choose one. We had two dogs we fell in love with. Yes, 2! I had to visit them again and then we finally made a decision on which one was right for our family. She came home this past Friday and tomorrow will be a week. We have loved every moment, but wow does she keep us busy. There has not been much time to read. However, I am currently reading a VERY good book. Tyler, and wow is it quite an awesome read. Monday I will have a guest post from this author and having a giveaway for two lucky winners so please check back!


I hope to be back on a regular blogging schedule and reading schedule soon. Until then, I have this adorable puppy to keep me busy running around.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Lessons From Stanley The Cat: Nine Lives of Everyday Wisdom



Lessons from Stanley the Cat: Nine Lives of Everyday Wisdom
Publication Date: October 5th 2010
Genre: Humor/ Wisdom
My Rating:


This is a very cute little book for any cat lover. The book is put into four sections: You and Yourself, You and Others, Love and Lust, and Healthy Habits. On almost ever page your given a cute illustration of Stanley the cat, a quote from the cat and an explanations from the author.  Many will make you smile. This book will lift your spirits. I think it makes a great coffee table book for visitors to look at when they come, a bathroom read (hey sometimes we need a quick read in there), and one to pass around to friends who are also cat lovers. This book is the right length. It isn't too short to leave you wanting more, and not to long to where you think, come on Stanley, enough!

Pick this book up today if you see it. You won't regret it. I am going to leave you with a few of Stanley the cat quotes:

Seduction is just the practice of artful stretching.

When you stop to reflect, make sure you are situated in just the right light.

When you do not feel beautiful, do not look in the mirror. Look into the eyes of people or creatures that love you. Everything else is temporary and matters very little.





**This book was provided to me by the publishers in return for my honest review.**

Friday, March 11, 2011

Giveaway (Int'l) E-book: Encrypted by Lindsay Buroker




Encrypted
Earlier this week I posted my review for this book HERE. Now, its time to let one lucky reader of mine win an E-book copy of this book! This is open to everyone, so where ever you live, you are welcome to enter. The winner will be announced on March 25th. Just fill out the form below for you chance to win!

Summary:  Professor Tikaya Komitopis isn't a great beauty, a fearless warrior, or even someone who can walk and chew chicle at the same time, but her cryptography skills earn her wartime notoriety. When enemy marines show up at her family's plantation, she expects the worst. But they're not there to kill her. They need her to decode mysterious runes, and they ask for help in the manner typical of a conquering empire: they kidnap her, threaten her family, and throw her in the brig of their fastest steamship.Her only ally is a fellow prisoner who charms her with a passion for academics as great as her own. Together, they must decipher mind-altering alchemical artifacts, deadly poison rockets, and malevolent technological constructs, all while dodging assassination attempts from a rival power determined the expedition should fail. As if Tikaya didn't have troubles enough, her new ally turns out to be exiled fleet admiral, Federias Starcrest, the man who recommended taking over her nation. To trust him could be a mistake; to fall in love with him would be a betrayal to her people, her family, and the fiancĂ© she lost in the war. Those runes cloak more than mysteries, however, and he may be the only one who can help her unravel them before their secrets destroy the world






Thursday, March 10, 2011

My Feature from March Madness

Yes, I am so out of touch with the blogging world. So much has been going on that reading and blogging has been put on the back burner for the time being. My usual 3-4 books a week has been about 1 book a week. I am starting to find a balance and realizing how much I need my reading. It really helps keep my stress level down!

So, on another note, my blog was featured on on Ashley March's website on my birthday, March 2nd and I am feeling horrible that I am just posting about this. So, I would love if you went over to visit my guest post and check out all the other great guest posts she has had this month as she celebrates historical romance on her blog.

Click HERE.

Thank you to my readers for being patient with me. :)