Month: July 2014

Book Spotlight/ Renewal “Anytime” 10 Day Detox

Posted on by Cindy

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About the Author
Lisa Consiglio Ryan is the founder of Whole Health Designs, juicy clean living advocate and mama of two. She loves her yoga practice, running, and has a mission to spread the word, “Food is love.” She provides detox programs and private coaching for women who desire to embrace clean living.

As a Certified Health and Nutrition Coach, Lisa has worked with thousands in her Renewal 10 Day Detox programs. Her work has been featured in Fitness Magazine, TinyBuddha, Elephant Journal, Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Life, The Daily Meal, and Mind Body Green. You can also check out Lisa’s new membership program, Clean + Sexy 2014 (year-long detox + community) Kickin’ It Clean gluten-free meal plans for plant lovers and Juice Shop. Lisa is leading a wellness retreat in Costa Rica this July: Clean + Sexy Wellness Retreat.

Her latest book is the health/wellness/cookbook, Renewal “Anytime” 10 Day Detox.

For More Information
• Visit Lisa Consiglio Ryan’s website.
• Connect with Lisa on Facebook and Twitter.
• Visit Lisa’s blog.
• Find out about her private coaching here.
• Contact Lisa.

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About the Book:

Lose weight, energize, and glow with over 50 recipes and complete 10 day detox plan. This whole foods cleanse includes detailed menu plan, shopping list, and bonus recipes to make after your cleanse. Renewal “Anytime” also includes pre-detox plan, daily instructions, FAQ’s, and post-detox next steps.

For More Information
• Renewal “Anytime” 10 Day Detox is available at Amazon.
• Download your copy at iTunes.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Title: Renewal “Anytime” 10 Day Detox
Author: Lisa Consiglio Ryan
Publisher: Lisa Consiglio Ryan
Pages: 118
Genre: Health/Wellness/Cookbook
Format: Kindle
Purchase at AMAZON

Lose weight, energize, and glow with over 50 recipes and complete 10 day detox plan. This whole foods cleanse includes detailed menu plan, shopping list, and bonus recipes to make after your cleanse. Renewal “Anytime” also includes pre-detox plan, daily instructions, FAQ’s, and post-detox next steps.

bookexcerpt
Welcome!

Are you ready to get your detox on? I have so many exciting things in store for you. If you need a quick pick-me-up after vacation or a binge weekend, Renewal “Anytime” is a perfect body reboot. You can also use this detox if you need to look and feel good fast for a wedding, reunion, or big event. Before you embark on your detox journey, I want to talk about the word BALANCE. Ahhhh, balance.

You are told to strive for balance in your life. In my opinion, that’s pretty difficult to accomplish. As humans, we have so many outside sources that can get us out of whack with life. New job, moving, marriage, trips, environmental toxins… Since you can’t control every single thing in your life, you can, however, control what you put into our body and how you deal with stress.

That’s why I developed Renewal “Anytime” 10 Day Detox. Think of this plan as a clean living jumpstart. You will start with eating clean, whole foods. You will also incorporate exercise, breathing, and even dry brushing and massage. So let’s call it a re-balance. This is something you can do when you start to feel “off”, overwhelmed or even heavy and tired. Our bodies do, however, strive for balance to keep us in optimum health; physically, mentally, emotionally, within seasons, nature, and even with each other.

Physically, your blood needs to be at a pH level of 7.365. Did you ever hear of acidity and alkaline? Maybe in a biology class way back? I don’t want to go into a science lesson, but instead, I want to point out something extremely important; your body loves you. Your body works hard to keep you alive. When we become acidic over time due to consuming a lot of caffeine, sugar and processed foods, being exposed to environmental toxins like pesticides, and most of all stress, this leads to inflammation.

Inflammation leads to chronic disease.

Not good. We don’t want any of that. So doing a gentle cleanse is a great way to re-balance by pumping the alkaline foods such as dark leafy greens, veggies and fruits and taking some “me” time.

Managing stress is also a way to help the body re-balance. Try yoga, meditation, or breathing. While eating lunch, try sitting still for 5 minutes without the TV on, texting, or reading a magazine. Your body is striving for balance so make sure to participate in activities that are relaxing and soulful; alkaline activities.

While your body is working to keep you healthy, make sure to get a re-balance once in awhile to help her out. Take out this plan after your cleanse; use the recipes, tips and give your body a reboot each season or when you need a healthy jumpstart. Remember that having perfect balance isn’t really doable, but you can get pretty darn close by following the steps in this plan.

I’m so excited to be on this wellness journey with you. Have an amazing detox experience and keep in mind this is not about perfection but about getting a chance to RE-BALANCE.

Pre- Cleansing Instructions:
Here’s your action plan for a successful detox:
1. Set a goal or intention. Before you begin your detox, write down a few things you hope to achieve during your 10 days. You can reference your goals when your enthusiasm occasionally dips.

2. Prepare your loved ones. Your family, friends, even coworkers (especially those you eat meals with) should know how important the detox is to you. Ask for their support.

3. Invite a friend to join in on the fun. Even the most motivated person can derail without support. Doing the detox with a partner means you can encourage each other, trade meals, or even chat about daily progress. It’s nice to have someone to commiserate with when you miss that chocolate!

4. Start weaning off the following:

* Caffeine
* Sugar
* Processed foods
* Gluten
* Alcohol
* Soy
* Dairy

First, start weaning with caffeine and sugar. They are drugs I tell you! Plus your first few days of detox will be extremely difficult if you don’t start weaning at least 2-3 days beforehand.

For caffeine, limit your use. For example, if you drink 3 Diet Cokes a day; try for 1 and replace with water or an herbal tea. If you drink 4 cups of coffee, just drink 2, then half caf/half decaf.

For sugar, limit processed foods as much as possible. Artificial and added sugars hide out in boxed and bagged products. Also, try using natural sweeteners like stevia or raw honey until your detox starts.

Next, limit any processed foods, gluten, soy, dairy and alcohol during the pre-cleansing process. That way you can ease into your detox without shocking your system.

5. Clean out your fridge. Get rid of any old produce, leftovers, and any foods that don’t fit into the detox plan. Make room for all the gorgeous veggies, fruits and greens. I promise when you open up the door, you will see beauty!

6. Check your detox shopping list and look in your pantry for items you already have on hand. Make sure you have these basics:
* filtered water
* fresh lemons (for morning water especially)
* extra virgin olive oil
* raw apple cider vinegar ( I use this daily…fights any illness I swear!)
* sea salt- preferably Celtic
* organic pepper
* an assortment of fresh herbs
* spices (to jazz up any grain or veggie)

6. Get yourself a detox prezzie. Invest in something that will make your 10 days more comfortable and fun. I bought a pretty bowl for my salads and a gorgeous crystal-looking glass for my juices. What about a cool travel lunch bag or cooler to tote around all your detox goodies? Funky placemats to use for your meals? How can you feel special during these 10 days? This is the most important step…ready?

7. Please use these 10 days to take care of YOU. Tell your family and friends that you are taking time for yourself so that they know to either help out with meals or give you some alone time at night. Make sure to limit stress as much as possible. Also, your food is so connected to your thoughts. Cherish each bite and take time to breathe and be still.

This is a time of connection: your body, mind, and spirit.

I’m so happy to be cleansing with you!
Renewal “Anytime” Detox…How It Works
Renewal “Anytime” Detox is for 10 days…10 days of discovering new things about your body. How glorious!

Here’s how it works:
1. Read this entire book, cover to cover, before you head to the grocery store.

2. Check your pantry. Do you have leftover quinoa or a spices that can be used for the cleanse? Don’t go and buy extra items. Stick to the list, especially if you have a budget. You might have some of the ingredients hanging out in your cupboard or fridge.
*Most items can be found at a natural food store. Just ask anyone in the produce section or bulk section for items you are looking for. Don’t take a lot of time searching for items. Ask for help.
*I like to buy my grains like quinoa in the bulk section of the grocery store; saves me a little cash plus I can get the right amount I need for a recipe.

3. Make sure to follow the Daily Practices such as breathing and dry brushing so you have an overall holistic experience with your detox.

4. Journal during your cleanse to jot down feelings, observations, etc… This is a nice way to get to know your body better and make that body-mind connection even stronger.

5. Use the “Return to Life” section of this book to ease back after detox. Make sure to focus on what foods you don’t need or just want to introduce slowly.

This packet can guide you towards a plan afterwards. As you know, each person is uniquely different, so customize your next steps per your body, schedule, and lifestyle.

6.Use the BONUS recipes after your detox to keep the glow going. These recipes will also help you ease back into “regular life” without shocking your system.

Questions about detox…
Detox can be an amazing experience, but knowing the ins and outs of the process is so beneficial to a successful cleanse.

These questions have been compiled during my work with thousands of clients. You might be asking yourself some of these questions as you embark on this clean living adventure. Make sure to refer to this section before you start your detox – and during – if concerns come up.

 

Guest Post by author LIsa Consiglio Ryan

Guest Post by author LIsa Consiglio Ryan

Posted on by Cindy

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4 Detox Myths Busted: How to Detox Safely without Starving Yourself

Summer is here. It’s time to get out in the sun, show more skin, and be active.

Can you feel it? The sun, the warmth, the feeling of getting a fresh start? I can actually feel it in my bones, my whole being. I’m ready to burst with action and get moving.

Now that it is getting warmer, you might feel a new spark and power and be filled with inspiration and energy to act upon your ideas. You want to get outside and play!

This is a good time to take a look at your life, make a new plan, and get a brand new start. What do you want to clear out? With your environment? Within yourself? What do you wish to see happen in your life?

New starts and new beginnings remind me of cleansing. And a great way to supercharge the season is to detox.
Once you experience a detox that incorporates whole foods and daily activities that support your body, there isn’t anything in the world that can compare to the feeling you get after a detox. You may feel increased bouts of energy, eliminate your cravings, lose weight, reduce bloating and get rid of belly fat. Your mind is clear and focused, and even your mood can improve. You might even glow!

If you don’t think you need a detox or are scared straight even hearing the word, think again.

Here are four sure-fire ways to overcome excuses and detox safely:

Myth 1: “I will starve.”

Try a gentle, clean food-based detox. Eliminate processed foods and foods with added sugar, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, soy, and animal protein. Stick to organic fruits and veggies for your cleanse. Add lots of vegetables, fruits, greens, grains, legumes, and beans. Also plan to eat every 3 hours with meals and snacks. That way you won’t feel deprived or hungry. If you are feeling hungry, drink water. Hunger is actually a sign of being dehydrated so drink up.

Myth 2: “I will have to stick to the bathroom.”

To be honest, you might be constipated or go to the bathroom a little more often than usual. This is natural as your body expels toxins especially at the beginning of the cleanse. You are eating normal food. In fact, real food. Therefore, you body will begin to balance itself out and become regular.

Move your body during detox. Movement on the outside stimulates movement on the inside. Eating foods that nourish and detoxify are necessary for your cleanse, but the next step is to incorporate exercise. Try gentle yoga, walking in nature, stretching. You don’t want to run twelve miles during your cleanse or do a long bike ride. You will be completely exhausted. Your body is working hard to get rid of toxins, and she needs to rest to restore during the detox period.

Myth 3: “I have to mix up powders and take pills.”

If you Google “detox,” you can get all sorts of scary looking boxes or programs to buy. Instead go for the real foods and pump the green goodness. Detox greens and veggies consist of spinach, parsley, watercress, asparagus, peas, fennel, and mustard greens. You can also add in additional dark leafy greens such as kale, Swiss chard, and collards. The chlorophyll from the leaves feed the blood, and help your body achieve balance. Therefore, ridding your body of toxins becomes easier. You feel cleaner without sucking down tons of powdery mixes.

Myth 4: “I will faint.”

If you keep up with your delicious greens and whole foods, eat every 3 hours, drink tons of water, there is no reason for you to faint or feel weak. You can rid your body of toxins without putting your life on hold. Make sure to eat all your meals and snacks, and if you need extra protein, go for it. Listen to your body and let her guide the way.
Detox doesn’t have to be a scary. It can be delicious and an amazing way to reboot your body.
Are you ready to get down with detox?

 

I want to thank Lisa for taking time out of her busy tour schedule to do this guest post for me. I think this has shed some light on detoxing for me and something that I am thinking I will be doing very soon as I have been feeling very blah, tired, run down etc.

Have you ever detoxed?

Meme/ Top Ten Tuesday…What I am Watching When I’m Not Reading

Posted on by Cindy

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week they will post a new Top Ten list  that one of their bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All that they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment on their post. Have fun with it! It’s a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Today’s topic is: Let’s talk about other types of stories! Top Ten Favorite Movies or TV Shows! (can break it down to top ten favorite romance movies or comedy shows etc. etc.)

As you can see I don’t always post Top Ten Tuesday’s but this was another fun question that I thought I would take part in.

Today I am going to share with you my Top Ten favorite TV shows that I watch all the time or when they are on.

  • Big Brother. This is my summer guilty pleasure. I have been watching it since the first season (1998)
  • Criminal Minds. I admit I watch because of…. (Shemar Moore) Shemar-Moore-Criminal-Minds
  • Glee is another show I have been watching since day 1.
  • 19-2. I just discovered this show. Its recorded here in Montreal and its about Montreal police.
  • The Big Bang Theory. I can watch this all the time
  • Law & Order SUV
  • Amazing Race. We love watching this
  • Survivor is another show we watch together.
  • Witches of East End
  • Coronation Street. Its a UK soap opera. I have been watching it since 2003.

What shows do you like to watch? Any guilty pleasures?



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Book Spotlight/ Under Contract

Book Spotlight/ Under Contract

Posted on by Cindy
Book: Under Contract
Author: Jacquelyn Ayres
Genre: Erotic Romance/Erotic Humor

Charlotte McKendrick is your typical thirty-something stay-at-home mom. She has three beautiful children, a loving family, special friends, and the most wonderful, adoring husband. Her life is a dream.

Er . . . let’s try this again.

Charlotte McKendrick is not your typical thirty-something stay-at-home mom. Yes, she’s got three beautiful children, a loving family (all of them lingerers—you’ll see), and her friends are special, all right! As far as her wonderful, adoring husband, what a joke! That bastard abandoned her and the kids six months ago.

Now, she will do anything she can to survive and provide for her children. Even if it means signing on the dotted line . . .

Mitch Colton is the CEO of Colton Technologies. Most of his year is spent traveling around the world, bringing companies the latest innovations in automobile technology. He doesn’t have time for a traditional relationship and the BS that comes with it. He doesn’t do the “marriage” thing, the “kid” thing, and he certainly doesn’t do the “falling in love” thing. All that said, he still wants someone to come home to. Someone who will offer everything he wants, and nothing he doesn’t. He realizes loyalty paired with these kinds of demands won’t come cheap. No problem. What he doesn’t realize is that once Charlotte McKendrick signs that dotted line, he’ll be paying with a lot more than money.

 




I am a domestic engineer (born and raised in NJ) whose sole responsibility is to guide three young, impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine), and determination (periodic exorcisms). I work this magic from the beautiful state of New Hampshire.

Before becoming a domestic goddess (not really), I spent over a decade in the medical field, where I wore more hats than the Queen.

I have loved the written word and the great escape it provides since I was a little girl. When I wasn’t reading about people and the places they lived, I was creating my own characters and adventures. 

Finding myself again through my writing in The Lost & Found Series, The One, and The GEG Series has been nothing short of a dream come true. Also, it makes people feel better when I laugh randomly or talk to myself, knowing it’s my characters and not “the voices” . . . that would be creepy. 

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Blog Tour/ The Luckiest

Blog Tour/ The Luckiest

Posted on by Cindy

 

 

Once upon a time Mackenzie Phillips thought she’d found her happily ever after. She had married her high school sweetheart and had started her perfect family. But one tragic night Mac’s perfect life was ripped away from her, leaving her beautiful fairy tale existence in ruins.

When everything worth living for is suddenly taken from you, how do you keep going? People told her how lucky she was just to be alive after that night, but she didn’t agree.

Years passed with Mac living in a fog, until another unfortunate turn of events placed her world on its head once again. Now, still carrying the tender wounds of her past, this widow has to face the realities of life again.

Broken and truly alone, she must find work. In walks her new employer, Dean Johnson, a guy who is just broken enough himself, that she thinks he might actually be able to understand her. But Mac soon discovers that that bond with Dean may instead force her to face demons she isn’t yet ready to deal with.

**Contains mature material including language and sex.

Puchase your copy of The Luckiest

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1niUa9z

Apple IBooks: http://bit.ly/TheLuckiest-Ibooks

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/TheLuckiest-Smashwords

Barnes & Noble ( Paperback ) : http://bit.ly/TheLuckiest-Paperback-BN

Excerpt:

I glance in, but the box is dark inside all of the tissue paper. My hands retrieve the first item. “Buckeyes!” I exclaim.

“I can see why she’s your best friend.” Dean leans on one elbow, watching me explore the contents one by one.

I reach in, continuing to pull out items—a black hair scarf with cherries, a pair of earrings from one of my favorite local jewelry designers in Cincinnati, Abbi Glines’s newest steamy romance. My cheeks go hot as Dean sees the cover, lifting his eyebrows.

“Well, I think that’s it,” I say, lifting the box, the sound of something shifting inside catching my attention. “Oh, there’s something else.”
I reach in, and as I do, I can feel Dean’s eyes locked on me. I feel something long and cool slip into my hand. Locking my fingers around it, I let the box fall away. Instantly, I see Dean straighten up, a half-cocked grin on his face.

Much to my horror, I look down to see a pink rubber penis-shaped device in my hand. I freeze, but my cheeks are on fire. All I can think about is the different ways I am going to torture Monica before I kill her.

“I can explain,” I begin. I’ll tell him she’s crazy—like actually certifiable.

He’s still grinning at me as he gives me a slight nod. He closes the gap between us even more.

“You know, I can help with that,” he offers, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s serious, or perhaps maybe I’m wishing.

“You think I’m that easy?” I hit the ball squarely back to him. I consider licking my lips, but worry that may be over the top. I’m looking directly at him, and damn, he’s incredible.

“A guy can hope.” He pauses, playfully lifting an eyebrow. “Can’t he?”
I grin. In fact, I can’t do anything but grin. He moves closer, and I glance down, realizing I’m still holding the device. My breath hitches, but he still moves closer. He’s facing me, never moving those gorgeous blue eyes away from me. He slides his arm around my waist, and as he presses himself against me, I’m sure I can feel an erection. This surprises me, and my hand releases the dildo, which falls to the floor with a thud.

“What’s wrong? Can’t contain your excitement around me?” he whispers, his breath warm on my neck, just below my ear.
My mouth is watering, my heartbeat quickens, and my head is now spinning. I pull back, the distance giving me a slight bit of clarity. The idea of this kind of pleasure is tempting. The bulge in his jeans tells me he is interested.

In an attempt to casually conceal the pink rubber shaft, I use the toe of my platform sandals to kick it under a nearby chair. Dean cocks a brow, his face shifts, and he laughs softly.

“What?” I shrug innocently.

“Did you just kick a dick under a chair?” He’s still laughing.

“Watch it, or I might make a habit of it.”

“Ouch,” he hisses, then winces, grabbing himself as if he were imagining the attack.

My eyes dart past his shoulder, where Storm is coming up the stairs. She has on her headphones, staring at the face of her phone. I nod my head at Dean, indicating we’re no longer alone. I shift, moving to walk past him. He grabs my hip, pulling me into his grasp.

“We’ll continue this later,” he promises. He takes my hand and leads me past Storm and out of the bus without a word. I wonder if she can tell what had been transpiring from the look on my face.

As we move around the side of the bus, I feel his hand shift to the small of my back. It’s like he knows all the places to touch me to drive me absolutely insane.

About The Author:

Connect with Wendy Owens:

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Wendy Owens is a writer, born in the small college town, Oxford Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went onto a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork she gave her first love, writing, a try. It’s become a passion ever since. Wendy now happily spends her days writing the stories her characters guide her to tell, admitting even she doesn’t always know where that might lead. Her first series, The Guardians, is a YA fantasy series about angel and human hybrids.

Since then she has branched into NA Contemporary Romance and released titles to include Stubborn Love, Only In Dreams, and Do Anything. Her next romance, The Luckiest is scheduled to be released in July 2014.

When she’s not writing, this dog lover can be found spending time with her tech geek husband, their three amazing kids, and two pups. She loves to cook and is a film fanatic.

For more info on Wendy’s young adult fiction visit http://wendy-owens.com/
If you want to follow her on social media you can visit:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyLOwens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-L-Owens/191731754221996?fref=ts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038955.Wendy_Owens

 

Review/ Serenade By Emily Kiebel

Review/ Serenade By Emily Kiebel

Posted on by Cindy
Review/ Serenade By Emily KiebelSerenade by Emily Kiebel
Format: eARC
Published by Spark Press on July 15, 2014
Pages: 358
Goodreads

I received this book for free from publisher/pr firm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

SummerReadingChallenge2014

 

This is book number 9 in the Book Sparks Summer Reading Challenge. I am really enjoying the book selections so far. Its nice that they mixed up the selection so that you reading a mix of genres. Today’s book is a young adult book.

Serenade is Emily’s debut novel. I love discovering new authors. Don’t you?

I have to start off my review by saying that the book begins really slow at first but then gradually builds to where you literally can’t put the book down. That was what happened to me. I took my time reading it in the beginning because I really wanted to read it because it sounds so good and I am happy I stuck with it.

When Lorelei decided that she wanted to leave Colorado to go to Maine to study music at an elite school this caused a rift between Lorelei and her mother Cassandra. Thankfully her father, Andy supported her along the way. I have always wondered why or how a parent could resent their child from pursuing a dream or passion? I don’t think I could every resent my child and it would probably break my heart if we ever got to a point of never speaking.

Things are going good for Lorelei until tragedy strikes. Her father is involved in a car accident on the way to visit her. Things don’t look good and as Lorelei sits with her dad she has an overwhelming urge to sing to him. I can only image what she must sound like.

I think this is where Emily’s love of music comes into play and you can tell she writes from experience and knows what she is talking about.

After Andy dies, Lorelei gets a mysterious letter from Helen who is a great aunt from her mother’s side that she didn’t know about. In the letter Helen invites Lorelei to come visit her at her Massachusetts home. Lorelei decides to take her aunt up on it and goes to visit.

Things are going great with the visit until one night Lorelei in shock to see her aunt Helen, Calliope (Helen’s niece) and Deidre (a distant cousin) emerging from the fog and hovering over the water singing in unison. Lorelei isn’t quite sure what to make of it and questions her aunt. Helen is very open and honest with her and tells her that they are sirens.

What are sirens you ask? Well they are mythological women that will sing to the sailors and lure them to their deaths. I have never read anything like this before so this was one of the reasons I wanted to read and review the book. Have  you read any books on sirens before? If so please leave me a comment below so that I can go and check the books out.

Lorelei discovers that she has this ability and that this could possibly be the reason for the rift between her and her mother. The ladies help ease her into this transition and its one that makes her feel uncomfortable in. Will Lorelei be able to control herself? Is there more to this then she realizes?

I am sure this is the first in an upcoming series because I was left with alot of questions and concerns.

Buy the book

 serenadeEmilyKiebel

About the author:

Emily Kiebel was raised in Colorado and went on to study classical music and English at Concordia University. She found a love for singing early in life and now sings professionally and directs a local church choir. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the natural beauty of the great outdoors with her beloved dogs, Ginny and Diggory, cooking for friends and family, traveling or dragging her friends along to obscure historical sites. Serenade is her debut novel.

 

Connect with the author:

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Book Spotlight/ Seal of My Heart

Book Spotlight/ Seal of My Heart

Posted on by Cindy

SEAL of my Heart - Tour Banner

 

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – SEAL of My Heart
SERIES – SEAL Brotherhood #7
AUTHOR – Sharon Hamilton
GENRE – Military romance, romantic suspense
PUBLICATION DATE – July 10, 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – Full length novel
PUBLISHER – create space
COVER ARTIST – Kendra Egert

 

SEAL of my Heart - Book Cover

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Kate Morgan is engaged to the most eligible bachelor in Sonoma County, the son of a wealthy wine family in Healdsburg, California. On a flight to visit her sister in Portland she is seated next to a young hard-bodied elite soldier who ignites her insides in a strange attraction she cannot deny.

Navy SEAL Tyler Gray plans to spend a weekend home before deploying to North Africa with the rest of his SEAL Team 3. But the conversation with Kate has him rethinking his future.

The encounter has both of them feeling fate has stepped into their lives and altered their course. Unable to just say goodbye as lovers, they agree to carry on a correspondence. Kate becomes the girl Tyler wants to come home to while she is pressured by her family to reconsider her broken marriage plans.

Family secrets are revealed from the past regarding a young Marine and Kate’s mother which brings both heartache and a sense of clarity as old loves are unearthed. From the grave, a Marine’s love letters from the past affect the new love between Kate and Tyler in the present. And when Kate’s life is endangered, will Tyler be the man to save her without sacrificing his own?

 

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK

AMAZON PAPERBACK – AUDIBLE – GOODREADS – SHELFARI

 

EXCERPT

Kate waited on the front porch of Gretchen’s home, watching the waterway below and listening to the sounds of late afternoon boat traffic. The constant commercial noise and the way the river meandered on its way out to the ocean was comforting. Life was in order and would go on as planned, even though her life felt, after this morning’s plane ride and adventure at the donut shop, chaotic.

Gretchen waved as she maneuvered her car up the steep driveway along the side of her house. Kate heard car doors slam and the voices of Gretchen’s three girls. The back door bang and she heard the patter of little feet racing towards the front door. Angela, the youngest, barely four years old, struggled to open the heavy wooden door of the large two-story bungalow. Her face was streaked with smudged Indian war paint.

“Auntie Kate!!” the little one squealed as she ran to her and embraced Kate’s knees. Clover and Rebecca, Angela’s two older sisters, hovered in the doorway, waiting for the hug fest to end. Clover appeared to have grown nearly a foot, and resembled her handsome basketball player father.

“What’s the matter with you guys? Clover, Rebecca, get over here,” Kate commanded. In two long steps, Clover had traversed the distance between them and bowed her head, giving Kate a tentative hug. The girl was nearly Kate’s height. Rebecca pushed Angela out of the way and took her place at Kate’s knees.

Gretchen appeared next and walked over to complete the group hug.

“Sorry about the mix-up. Angela’s preschool had an event I forgot about.” She turned to her daughter. “Angie, you need to wash that face now. Part of your war paint is already somewhere in my car or in the house or—” she checked Kate’s pants to be sure she hadn’t been slimed. “Oh good, you’re unscathed.”

Kate shared a grin with her sister. Despite curly hair that went everywhere—something she’d inherited from their father—her lack of makeup, and the ripped jeans/fluffy sweatshirt ensemble, Gretchen looked happy. Happier than she’d appeared in years.

“Looking good, Gretchen. You have your spark back,” Kate said.

The comment didn’t get past Clover. “Mom’s got a new boyfriend,” she said around her braces.

Good for you, Gretchen. “Ah, so that’s what it is.” Kate examined Clover for evidence the new man was a problem for her. It had been a very public divorce after her dad, the awesome professional basketball player, had been outed doing shots and disco dancing with a coed about half his age. Up until his indiscretion, if it could be called that, he’d been the golden boy of the family. She was proud that her sister refused his attempts at reconciliation and only accepted a minimal amount of child support, even though he had at least a seven-figure income. Gretchen had told her she wanted him to feel as useless to their lives as she had felt when she saw the newspaper photos of him, bare-chested, dirty dancing with the blonde.

“Come on in. We have so much to catch up on,” Gretchen said, wrapping her arms around her girls, who lovingly hugged her back. Kate was glad to see again that her sister had the family she’d always wanted, even without the guy. In fact, she was a bit envious of her sister’s happiness.

“Let’s get Aunt Kate’s bags up to the room,” Gretchen said, and immediately the bevy of girls took everything and preceded Kate up the carpeted stairway to the top floor.

They had moved her into Clover’s room. A poster of Justin Bieber was prominently displayed on the wall, along with some posters of her dad in a Trailblazers jersey. Kate noticed a number of ribbons and small trophies. “Way to go, Clover!” she said to her niece as she pointed at them.

Clover stared at the ground and shrugged, embarrassed.

“She plays basketball, but loves volleyball even more,” her mom said.

Before she could stop herself, Kate blurted out, “Thank God.” The girls snickered and her sister handed her back a smirk.

Kate felt the need to explain. “I was just thinking she’s her own woman. Not to be following along in her dad’s—” She realized her slip and began to shake her head, angry with herself.

“Kate, best to stop digging now you’ve gotten that hole started.”

“I’m sorry, Clover,” Kate said.

“It happens,” she said with a shrug “I’m used to it.” Her voice wavered and Kate could see she’d hurt her feelings. She put her arm around the lanky preteen. “You’re nothing like your dad in all the wrong ways, and everything like him in all the right ones.”

And that seemed to make things okay.

 

SEAL - Author Photo

 

AUTHOR BIO

Sharon’s award-winning almost-erotic Navy SEAL stories of the SEAL Brotherhood, have consistently made best sellers lists and review sites. Her characters follow a spicy road to redemption through passion and true love. Her SEAL Brotherhood Series continues with books 5, 6 and 7 all releasing this year, as well as audio versions currently completed for the first four of the series. She has been an Amazon top 100 author in Romantic Suspense since last fall.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read before, since they don’t have to go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun. Honeymoon Bite, Book 1 of the Golden Vampires of Tuscany Series was recently named the #1 Gothic Romance by Amazon. It is now available on Audible.

Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

She lives in Sonoma County, California with her husband, and two Dobermans. A lifelong organic gardener, when she’s not writing, she’s getting vera vera dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers..

 

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS:

Website – Blog – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – Shelfari – Google+ – Amazon Author Page

 

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

 

Accidental SEAL

Accidental SEAL - Book 1

Buy Your Copy Here – Amazon.com

 

Fallen SEAL Legacy

Fallen SEAL Legacy - Book 2

Buy Your Copy Here – Amazon.com

 

SEAL Under Covers

SEAL Under Covers - Book 3

Buy Your Copy Here – Amazon.com

 

SEAL The Deal

SEAL The Deal - Book 4

Buy Your Copy Here – Amazon.com

 

Cruisin’ For A SEAL

Crusin For A SEAL - Book 5

Buy Your Copy Here – Amazon.com

 

SEAL My Destiny

SEAL My Destiny - Book 6

Buy Your Copy Here – Amazon.com

 

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