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Sunday, October 8, 2017

Review ~ Last Words: A Diary of Survival by Shari J. Ryan




You know the feeling when you just don't know what to do with yourself because of all sorts of heavy stuff are about to burst in your heart? Well, this is me right now. When Shari first contacted me, I was thrilled to meet a Jewish author from the states that wants to keep the memory alive. But now - after finishing her book - I feel so grateful and fortunate for the chance that I been given. 
For as long as I can remember, I grew up with the stories about the Holocaust. We learned about it at school, met up with survivors, and having one day a year that is dedicated to all the 6 millions who lost their lives in that awful war. Being a Jew who was born and raised in Israel, it's kind of a given, being so attached to their stories. Reading Last Words was like another wake up call of how fortunate we are to be living in this world. Without all those people who fought for their rights to be Jews, I don't think any of us would exist. 
This book is everything. Maybe because I'm a Jew it had an extra influence on me. This is a story about surviving against all odds, loving against all odds, finding happiness in the middle of hell and maybe, just maybe a little bit of hope. 
The way it was written with the now and then's events made me sit on the edge of my seat waiting for what comes next. You can totally feel the heart and the soul of Shari being brought to us on a silver plate. 
Amelia and Charlie's story will stay with me forever, that's for sure. 


A little about the plot: After having a stroke,  91 year old, Ameila, asks her granddaughter, Emma, to find her journal and bring it to her hospital bed. She has secrets, lots of them, and she wants Emma to be the only one who knows them. While a heart failure is threatening her life, she tries to help her granddaughter find happiness and strength through her personal story. She never shared anything about her life during the war, never shed a tear about the torture she had witnessed in those camps, but now she needs Emma to know everything - even the things that could change her family’s lives. This book takes place in 1942-1945 and 2017. The life changing events the characters lived through will make you leave everything behind and just keep reading. This is by far one of my favorites reads of all times. Even though it fiction written with the inspiration of non-fiction, every word in that book felt very much real - the good ones and definitely the bad.
Thank you, Shari, for this book, for your words, for everything your grandmother shared with us. May her memory, and all the 6 millions who died out there, be blessed forever.


Friday, July 21, 2017

~ Review ~ Elusive (Shipwreck Book 1) by L.A. Fiore ~



My name is Lin and I'm obsessed with L.A. Fiore's words! There, I said it! The things that are going on this woman's brain can do magic, and what a fine magic it is...

I was so curious about this book that I begged L.A. for an early copy. I've never read about pirates and I just had to get my hands on this one. Yeah, it was so worth me begging. 
This book is about Willow and Noah. Willow has a romantic little soul. Practically abandoned by her parents, who spend their time treasure hunting all over the world, she was raised by her grandfather. His museum was her home and all its relics, and the dreams she conjured about them, kept a lonely child from being completely alone. Her romantic heart believes in true love and she wants to "live the dream". On vacation celebrating her graduation from college, she meets Kace (Noah)—a man who sweeps her off her feet. He is charming, beautiful and...DANGEROUS. Kace has had a very sh*tty life. He was raised on the streets, with only one friend by his side. He knows how the rest of his life will play out and that a bright, romantic future is not in his cards.
One day. One special day, is all Willow and Kace have and all they are left with is a memory...the perfect memory. Or so they thought.
This story made my heart race more than once. W + N's journey to their second chance and the crazy road to get there blew my mind away. It was HOT, emotional, full of suspense and also, very romantic. Every word was like seeing a movie that you just can't stop watching. Seeing it on the big screen is a must! Fingers crossed for that to happen. It was amazing and I was hooked through every page. Every layer, every feeling, every event was written so perfectly that I felt like I was there with the characters. And Noah... Oh my... He's one of my favorite book-boyfriends - that's for sure.


Monday, June 26, 2017

REVIEW ~ WRITING MR. RIGHT BY T.K. LEIGH



5 shining beautiful loving stars to this amazingly written piece by T.K. Leigh.

One of the things I love the most about her writing is the fact that she can write EVERYTHING! After reading her latest thriller - Vanished - I wasn't sure she'd be able to write anything that perfect, but now, after reading Writing Mr. Right, I know this woman is getting better and better with every book she writes. Besides the fact that this book is HILARIOUS, it's also very touching. 


Molly is going through one hell of a ride while dealing with issues from her past. She doesn't believe in true love and doesn't believe in love at all. She just wants to find a muse for the next novel she has to finish writing. But when she finds it in the most unexpected person, everything changes...


I can't tell you more without adding spoilers to this review so I'm just going to sum it up: Writing Mr. Right is not the average rom-com. You know, girl meets boy, they fall in love and find their happily ever after. It has a lot more layers in it, and I found myself crying more than once. It deals with family, love, loss, lust and of course major LOL moments. Reading it as a beta reader was an honor and a pleasure that I'm very grateful for.


RELEASE BLITZ ~ Falling for Loverboy by Jani Kay




Title: Falling for Loverboy
Series: Sex & Secrets #2
Author: Jani Kay
Genre: Forbidden Romance
Release Date: June 26, 2017


Blurb

Forbidden Romance / Feel Good Story

How can something so wrong, feel so right?

SUNSHINE

It started with an online dating website. 
Two strangers. 
Different cities.
No real names. 
The perfect distraction from everything that makes me want to run away. 

When we decide to meet for a drink, I don't expect to get knocked over and lose my memory, with only the stranger to help me. 
I've forgotten my past, but my present is perfect because I'm falling for Loverboy.
Until I remember who I am ...

LOVERBOY

I've committed the ultimate sin ... Falling for Sunshine.
She's lost her memory and buried her secrets.
Secrets that will tear us apart and destroy us.

What happens when past and present collide?
Who is the girl with no name, and what is she hiding?


Warning: 18+ Adult situations & language.

Author's Note:
This is a STANDALONE novel and part of a series (Sex & Secrets Book #2)
It's not necessary to read Book #1 Dirty Secrets before you read Book #2

Dirty language and sexy scenes are plentiful. You have been warned!
Oh, and a HEA, of course :-)









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Author Bio

USA Today Bestselling Author - Jani Kay lives in Western Australia within a ten minute walk to the beach which is one of her favorite places to chill out.

She has been a bookworm all her life - as a voracious reader, she would gladly spend her last dollar on a book. She is always fascinated that for the mere price of a book (often less than the price of a coffee!), she can escape her life for a while and see through someone else's eyes into their world.

Jani loves the colour red, is a fiery Aries, is impatient and always storming ahead with those ram's horns, bashing her head...she has a wicked sense of humour and loves laughing.

In her 'other' life, Jani is a business woman and a scientist - a creative scientist though - she formulates skin care products and brews up concoctions in her laboratory...

She has 2 beautiful children who have grown into amazing young adults and Jani is very proud of them.

Besides reading and writing, her favorite 'thing' is traveling and drinking cocktails on the beach while watching the sun set over the ocean (Sex on The Beach anyone?).

Above all, she believes in Kindness, Karma, Miracles and Magic...


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RELEASE BLITZ ~ Recluse by Jaycee Ford




Title: Recluse
Series: Spider #1
Author: Jaycee Ford
Genre: Romantic Suspense
 Release Date: June 26, 2017



Blurb

You were my brother in the line of duty.
My partner.
My best friend.
You were the man who had it all.
Your thoroughness and precision made you a great cop.
It’s what got you killed.
And now I live with the darkening shadows of your memory.
You weren’t here when I needed you to save me.
You weren’t here when I needed help solving the most gruesome murder this town had ever seen.
But most of all, you weren’t here to keep me from falling in love with your wife.








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Author Bio


Bestselling author Jaycee Ford grew up chasing street cars around the city of New Orleans. After doing a four year stint at Louisiana State University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and fled for the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. New Orleans beckoned her home again where she put her love of the foothills into a series of romance novels. In between writing, she’s found behind her desk at a top rated law firm … or still chasing street cars.


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RELEASE BLITZ ~ Tied by Carian Cole




Title: Tied
Series: Devils Wolves #2
Author: Carian Cole
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: June 26, 2017



Blurb

He was the myth and the legend of our small town. But no one knew the truth... except me.

Me
My childhood was stolen by a monster. I’ve forgotten what love feels like. What happiness feels like. What hope feels like. I am numb.

Him

He’s possibly as damaged as I am. Maybe even more. Scarred just as much on the inside as the outside. Just like me. He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t smile. He hides in the woods like an animal.  I should be scared of him. But I’m not. He’s the only one that has ever made me feel. And I want to make him feel, too. everything...







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Author Bio

I have a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls that try to tame them and win their hearts. My debut series, Ashes & Embers, follows the lives of rock band members as they find, and sometimes lose, the loves of their lives.

Born and raised a Jersey girl, I now reside in beautiful New Hampshire with my husband and our multitude of furry pets and spend most of my time writing, reading, and vacuuming.



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RELEASE BLITZ ~ Writing Mr. Right by T.K. Leigh




Title: Writing Mr. Right
Author: T.K. Leigh
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: June 26, 2017



Blurb

My name is Molly Brinks, but most people know me as Vivienne Foxx, bestselling author of chance meetings, stolen glances, and the much-needed happily ever after. My addictions include coffee, home improvement television, and the occasional pint of ice cream. The love of my life is an eighty-pound labrador retriever named Pee Wee. At the age of twenty-nine-plus-one, I am at the top of my game…professionally. My personal life is a completely different story, one best left untold. Success has its sacrifices and I’ve been more than happy to put my search for Prince Charming on the back burner while I create fictitious tales of the naïve virgin, the broken girl with a torrid past, and the strong-willed student finding their own Mr. Right… Until one hell of a case of writer’s block and a tight deadline set by my publisher forces me outside my cozy downtown Boston apartment in search of inspiration.

Armed with an account on every dating website out there, I devise a plan. Meet some nice, professional men. Go on a few dates. Hope one of them has the spark I need to finish my book. Then walk away.

But plans are meant to be broken.

My name is Molly Brinks, and this is my story about Writing Mr. Right.








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Author Bio

T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog, and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). In late 2015, she gave birth to her first (and only) baby. When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall) or chasing her daughter around the house.

T.K. Leigh is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. All publishing inquiries, including audio, foreign, and film rights, should be directed to her.
  

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Tuesday, April 18, 2017

~ ראיון עם טי.קיי לי / An interview with T.K. Leigh ~


אז הנה כמה שאלות ששאלתי את טי.קיי. לי לכבוד יציאת הספר "תסבוכת נפלאה", ספר ראשון בטרילוגיית Beautiful Mess האגדית:

* מתי ידעת שאת כותבת מקצועית? מתי היה הרגע שהבנת שאת רוצה לעסוק בזה להמשך חייך, ושאכן את סופרת?


זה עדיין קצת סוריאליסטי. אפילו עכשיו, כשאני עושה את זה כבר ארבע שנים. אני לא חושבת שבאמת קלטתי שאלו הם חיי. אני מניחה שהרגע שבו הבנתי שאנשים באמת קוראים את הספרים שלי, היה כשהוצאתי לאור את Gorgeous Chaos, הספר השלישי והאחרון בסדרה. ידעתי שאנשים מתים לקרוא את ההמשך ולדעת כיצד הסיפור הסתיים, אבל לעולם לא אשכח את הרגע שהתעוררתי בבוקר וראיתי את הדירוגים באמזון, הספר עמד במקום 40 בין כל הספרים שנמכרים לקינדל. אני זוכרת שהייתי ממש המומה למשך היומיים שאחרי כתוצאה מהצלחת הספר.

* איך נולד סיפורם של אלכסנדר ואוליביה? מה הייתה ההשראה שלך לכתיבת סיפורם? 


הסיפור שלהם התפתח לאורך זמן. זה היה תהליך ארוך שהשתנה כל הזמן כאשר היו לי רעיונות חדשים. ההשראה נמצאת בכל מקום. למעשה, בזמן שכתבתי, עדיין לא ידעתי מי יהיה מאחורי כל הטירוף שהיה תחת החלק של המתח בעלילה. הרעיון נוצר כשיצאתי לריצה, ובסופו של דבר, הייתי צריכה לחזור ולשכתב כמות לא קטנה של סצנות. אין ספק שזה השתלם בסוף.

* מהו תהליך הכתיבה שלך? האם את כותבת את העלילה בראשי פרקים או שרק נותנת למילים לזרום?

כשמדובר בכתיבה, אני לא מתכננת. אני לא יושבת ומתכננת את מה שאני רוצה שיקרה. אופי הכתיבה שלי מרוכז בעיקר סביב הדמויות. בספרים שלי הדמויות מתפתחות משמעותית ולכן, כשזה מגיע לכתיבה, אני נותנת להן לקחת את הסיפור לכיוון שהן רוצות ולאו דווקא לכיוון שאני רוצה. אני גם לא כותבת לפי סדר מסוים. למעשה, הסצנה הראשונה שכתבתי בסדרה הייתה דווקא מהספר השלישי Gorgeous Chaos. אני כותבת כל סצנה שעולה בראשי באותו רגע, ולא מחכה לרגע שאגיע לחלק הזה של הספר. עד שאגיע לחלק הזה, אני עלולה לא להרגיש את אותן תחושות שאני צריכה על מנת לכתוב את הסצנה כמו שצריך.


* אני יודעת שסדרת "תסבוכת נפלאה" כבר תורגמה לאיטלקית (יאיי!), איך זה מרגיש לראות את המילים שלך בשפה אחרת? האם אי פעם חשבת שהסיפור הזה יגיע רחוק כל כך? 

מעולם לא האמנתי שאי פעם אראה את הספרים שלי מתורגמים לכמה שפות. כשהעליתי למכירה את "תסבוכת נפלאה" בשנת 2013, התרגשתי כשעשרה אנשים קנו אותו ביום הראשון. לא באמת ידעתי מה אני עושה. כל מה שידעתי הוא שכתבתי סיפור, זה כל מה שעניין אותי. לא עשיתי את זה בשביל כסף, וזו עדיין האמת. כותב אמתי ימשיך לכתוב גם הוא לא יראה פרוטה מהמילים שלו. זה משהו שאני אוהבת לעשות ואמשיך לעשות, גם אם אף אחד לא יקנה את הספרים שלי.

* כיצד בני משפחתך/בעלך הגיבו לסצנות הסקס הלוהטות (!!!) של אלכסנדר ואוליביה? 


למעשה, כשהתחלתי, לא סיפרתי לאף אחד שאני כותבת ספר. אני באמת לא חשבתי שזה יתקדם לאנשהו. זה משהו שעשיתי בשביל עצמי, כדי לראות אם אני יכולה לכתוב ספר. ואז, כשישבתי וניסיתי לקרוא ספרים אחרים, לא הצלחתי כי סיפורם של אלכסנדר ואוליביה לא עזב אותי. היה לי קשה לקרוא כל דבר אחר. לאחר מכן החלטתי לבדוק את נושא ההוצאה העצמית. ידעתי שאני לא רוצה ללכת בדרך המקובלת (דרך מו"ל) כי רציתי שהשליטה על התוכן, המחיר, השיווק וכו' תהיה שלי. לא היה לי מושג מה זה "קוראות בטא", אבל גיליתי מהר מאוד; שלחתי את הספר לקבוצה של קוראות בטא והן חזרו אליי עם תשבוחות ובקשות לספר המשך. למזלי, הספר השני A Tragic Wreck כבר היה מוכן. כתבתי את כל הסדרה לפני שהבנתי בכלל שהיא ארוכה מדי בכדי לצאת כספר אחד.

בעלי נוסע המון בענייני עבודה. יום אחד, אחרי שהוא חזר מנסיעת עבודה, ישבנו לאכול צהריים במסעדה המקסיקנית האהובה עלינו. בדיוק קיבלתי את פידבקים על הספר השני וידעתי שאני עומדת להוציא את הסדרה לאור, אז מבחינתי זה היה הזמן לספר לבעלי. פניתי אליו ואמרתי: "יש לי חדשות". הוא הסתכל עליי וראה שאני יושבת עם כוס בירה, אז תגובתו הראשונה הייתה: "ובכן, את שותה בירה אז ברור שאת לא עומדת לבשר לי שאת בהיריון." התחלתי לספר לו שבתקופה האחרונה כתבתי ספר, שלימים הפך לשלושה ספרים. הוא מיד ביקש שאשלח לו את הטיוטות הדיגיטליות.
באותו לילה, התעוררתי כשהוא לא היה במיטה. ירדתי למטה לסלון ומצאתי אותו קורא על הספה, כשהכלב שלנו מתכרבל לצדו. הוא הביט בי בחיוך ממזרי ואמר: "דילגתי קצת קדימה."
בכל הכנות, הוא היה התומך הכי גדול שלי מהיום הראשון, גם כשהספרים שלי לא הכניסו כסף. אני שומעת סיפורי זוועה על חלק מחברותיי הכותבות והבעלים שלהם שלא רואים בכתיבה כעבודה אמתית. אני אסירת תודה על כך שבעלי כן רואה הכתיבה שלי כעבודה לכל דבר.

* מיהו הסופר האהוב עלייך? האם הושפעת ממנו/ה בסגנון הכתיבה שלך?

אחד מהסופרים האהובים עליי הוא ג'ון סטיינבק. יש לי אפילו את המהדורה הראשונה של "ענבי הזעם". מה שתמיד דיבר אליי כל כך בעבודה שלו היה זה שהוא מסוגל לכתוב משהו נוקב ומרגש כמו "ענבי זעם" או "קדמת עדן", ואז לשנות כיוון לגמרי ולכתוב ספר משעשע כמו "סמטת האשליות". אני מניחה שאני אוהבת את הרעיון של לא להתמקד רק בז'אנר אחד, וזה מה שנתן לי השראה עם הספרים שלי. הספרים שלי נעים מקומדיה רומנטית לרומן מתח, מרומן רומנטי קליל למותחן פסיכולוגי. בדומה לסטיינבק, אני רוצה שאנשים יזכרו אותי בזכות הגיוון שבכתיבה שלי. 

* איזשהן מילות חוכמה לכל אותם כותבים שחולמים לצאת לאור בעתיד?

פשוט תתחילו לכתוב. תעשו את זה בשבילכם ולא בשביל אף אחד אחר. תמיד יהיו אנשים שיאהבו את הספרים שלכם, ויהיו כאלה שישנאו אותם, כמו בכל תחום עיסוק. תכתבו את כל היושב על לבכם ושימו ... על כל היתר. ;-)

* או.קיי, לסיום, אני רוצה הצהרה רשמית ממך - למי שייך אלכסנדר? חחח

חחח... אלכסנדר שייך ללין.

לרכישת הספר "תסבוכת נפלאה":

********************************************************************************************************
*When did you know that you were a professional writer? When was the moment that you realised that this is what you want to do with your life? That you're an AUTHOR!
It’s still a bit surreal, even now that I’ve been doing this for four years. I don’t think it’s yet to sink in that this is my life. I guess the big moment when I realized people were actually reading my books happened when I released Gorgeous Chaos, the final book in my Beautiful Mess series. I knew people had been dying to get their hands on it to see how the story finished, but I’ll never forget waking up the morning it released and checking the rankings on Amazon to see it was already at 40 in the entire kindle store. I just remember being in a daze pretty much the next couple of days at how well the book was doing.
*How did you come up with Alexander and Olivia's story? What was your inspiration?
Their story evolved over time. It was a long process and it constantly changed when I had new ideas. Inspiration is everywhere. In fact, as I was writing, I still didn’t know who would be behind all the craziness that happens in the suspense subplot. It came to me when I was out for a run and I ended up having to go and rewrite a bunch of scenes, but it certainly paid off.
*What is your writing process? Do you write the plot in headlines or just let the words flow?
I am not a planner when it comes to writing. I don’t sit down and plan what I want to happen. One of the things about my writing is that it’s very character centered. My books have very strong character development so when it comes to writing, I let the characters take the story where they want it to go, not where I want it to go. I also don’t write in order. In fact, the first scene I wrote in my Beautiful Mess series occurs in the third book, Gorgeous Chaos. I write whatever scene pops into my head at the moment instead of waiting until I reach that part in the book. By then, I may no longer be feeling the emotion I need to in order to correctly write it.
*I know The Beautiful Mess Series has already been translated into Italian(YAY). How does it feel seeing your words in different language? Have you ever thought this story would get so far?
Never in a million years did I think I’d see my books translated into several different languages. When I hit publish on A Beautiful Mess back in 2013, I was thrilled when ten people bought it the first day. I didn’t really know what I was doing. All I knew was I’d written a story. That’s all I really cared about. I wasn’t doing it to make money. And that’s still true. A true writer will still write even if they didn’t make a penny. It’s something I love to do, and I’ll continue to do it even if no one buys my books.
*How did your family members/husband react to Alexander and Olivia's HOT sex scenes?
I actually didn’t tell anyone I was writing a book when I first began. I honestly didn’t think it was going to go anywhere. It was just something I did for myself, to see if I could write a book. Then as I would sit down to read other books, Olivia and Alexander’s story wouldn’t leave me alone. I had trouble reading anything else. That was when I knew I should look into self-publishing. I knew I didn’t want to go the traditional route because I like to be able to control the content, price, marketing, and all that stuff. I had no idea what beta readers were, but I soon found out. I had sent the first book to a group of betas, and then got back saying how much they loved A Beautiful Mess and needed the second book, A Tragic Wreck, as soon as it was ready. As luck would have it, it was ready. I’d written the entire series before I realized it was too long to be just one book.
My husband travels a bunch for work. One day, after he got back from the road, we went to grab lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants here in town. I’d just received feedback on the second book from my betas and I knew I was going to publish, so it was time to break the news to my husband. I turned to him and said, “I have some news.” He looked at me and saw the beer in front of me. “Well, you’re drinking a beer so I know you’re not pregnant.” I proceeded to tell him how I’d been writing a book, which was now three books. He immediately wanted copies so I sent him the rough ebook.
That night, I woke up and he wasn’t in bed. I went downstairs and saw him reading on the couch, our dog curled up next to him. He looked up and gave me a devious grin and said, “I skipped ahead.”
He’s honestly been my biggest supporter since day one, even when my books weren’t making any money. I hear horror stories from some of my other friends who are writers and their husbands don’t seem to think what they do is a real job. I’m grateful my husband sees that it is.
*Who is your favorite author? Were you inspired by him/her with your writing style?
One of my favorite authors of all time is John Steinbeck. I even have a first edition of The Grapes Of Wrath. What always spoke to me about his work was that he could write something so poignant and emotional as The Grapes Of Wrath or East Of Eden, then completely switch gears and write an amusing book, like Cannery Row. I guess I liked the idea of not sticking to just one genre, and it inspired me with my own books. They run the gamut from romantic comedy to romantic suspense to chick lit to thriller. Like Steinbeck, I’d like people to remember me for being versatile in my writing.
*Any words of wisdom for writers who dream about publishing in the future?
Just start writing. Do it for you, and not for anyone else. There are going to be people who love your books and people who hate it. It’s like that in every profession. Just write what’s in your heart and screw everyone else.
*Last but not least, I want an official statement from you: who Alexander belongs to? LOL
LOL. Alexander is Lin’s.

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