Cindy

Review/ The Verona Trilogy Blog Tour

Posted on June 20, 2014June 19, 2014 by Cindy

Title: The Lens and the Looker
Series: The Verona Trilogy #1
Author: Lory S. Kaufman
Publisher: Sands of Time Publishing
Pub Date: March 2011
Pages: 322

About the book:

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s), have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradation. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

Title: The bronze and the Brimstone
Series: The Verona Trilogy #2
Author: Lory S. Kaufman
Publisher: Sands of Time Publishing
Pub Date: July 2011
Pages: 334

About the Book:

What could go wrong in the 14th-century for three time-traveling teens? How about – EVERYTHING!

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th-century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They’ve survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention of the rich and powerful.

But standing out can get you into unexpected – situations. The nobles of Verona now believe Hansum is a savant, a genius inventor, especially after he brings them plans for advanced cannons and black powder. Being the center of attention is great, but the potential for trouble is now exponentially greater because people are watching Hansum’s every move.

Meanwhile, artistic genius Shamira has fallen for a Florentine artist with bloody and disastrous consequences. Lincoln, considered an incompetent back home in the 24th-century, has blossomed – at least until he’s shot in the head with an arrow. And Hansum, after secretly marrying his new master’s beautiful daughter, Guilietta, is offered the hand in marriage of lady Beatrice, daughter of the ruler of Verona. To refuse could mean calamity for all the teens.

Amazingly, none of this is their biggest challenge. Because a rash illness is spreading across Verona – and it is threatening to consume everyone. Do they have a future in this past?

Title: The Loved and the Lost
Series: The Verona Trilogy #3
Author: Lory S. Kaufman
Publisher: Sands of Time Publishing
Pub Date: Feb 2013
Pages: 314

About the book:
A quest for lost love. An adventure of many lifetimes.

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln are three 24th-century time travelers desperate to return to 14th-century Verona and reclaim their medieval family’s shattered lives. It is a mission fraught with danger and the risk of unexpected consequences for themselves and their worlds. For all three, it is a matter of the heart. For one, though, it is truly the only thing that matters, as the fate of his eternal love and the life of their unborn child is the prize to be won – or lost forever.

In this, the final book of The Verona Trilogy, our three time travelers go on the boldest adventure of their lives. They will face hardship, tragedy, and threats from sources they couldn’t have imagined – all in an effort to wrestle a future from the steely grip of an unforgiving past.

I was going to do separate reviews of the books but instead decided to put it all into one post.

I was lucky enough to get the books a few months ago so I was able to sit back and enjoy the books without feeling rushed. One of the great things about taking part in this tour is being able to read one book right after the other and not having to wait for them to come out.

I really enjoyed reading the three books considering this isn’t a genre I read a lot of. The books consist of time traveling. The story takes place in Medeval l Italy in the 24th century and the year is 2347

Three teenagers (Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln) are being forced to attend History Camp due to their behavior and this is their punishment. So the purpose of the history camps are to make young people about hard labour and behavior. Hmm I wonder if that exists somewhere in the world because there area few people I would love to send there.

These history camps normally work but not for these three and they are then forced to go to an Total Immersion History Camp and they back to the 14th century (1347) and live in Italy where they will be taught to behave and respect people. Things are always different then they were then right?

I think these three were hell bent on being disruptive and at times I wanted to reach in and slap the backs of the heads. They didn’t appreciate anything in my opinion and they reminded me so much of people that I know today who think the world owes them.

Each book picks up where the previous one ended which I really enjoyed because it all flowed and didn’t leave me wondering what had happened.

I thought Lory did a great job with the story line and didn’t make it feel like this was a too far fetched series. I felt like I was learning something every time I read the book. A little history lesson so to speak.

I think the older group of kids would really enjoy reading this series and I think it would make a perfect summer read. The only down part is that they might zip through this rather quickly. I probably could have zipped through this one but I wanted to take my time because there was a lot of information.

I don’t want to get to much into my review because I am sure I will spoil it.

To see the other blogs who have participated and are participating on the tour please CLICK ON THIS . Thanks Laura for allowing me to be a part of this tour and a huge thank you to Lory for sending me his books to read for the tour. Lory also graciously signed my books for me. Thank you.

Book Spotlight/ Restoring Lady Anna

Posted on June 20, 2014June 15, 2014 by Cindy

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Restoring Lady Anna
SERIES – Eversley Siblings Series
AUTHOR – Em Taylor
GENRE – Historical Regency Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – 1 May 2014
LENGTH – 55,000
COVER ARTIST – Veronica Fernandez

BOOK SYNOPSIS

When Lord James Eversley is accused of a murder he did not commit, he dresses up as his new brother-in-law’s footman and hitches a ride in their carriage out of town. When it seems they are no longer being followed he begins to relax until a minor accident causes them to stop at a shabby looking inn. As his “master” and his sister sip tea in the scruffy parlour, James comes face to face with Lady Anna, the woman who left him in the dead of night five years before and a familiar looking child.

Lady Anna has accepted her life as Mrs Johnstone, mother of four-year-old Viola, “wife” of Peter, the mentally ill former footman and land lady of a shabby inn on the Great North Road. Her plans for a love match with the handsome Lord Eversley were cruelly snatched away from her five years before. Her ruination means there is no opportunity to return to her family or the ton. When James turns up, dressed as a footman and demanding answers, Anna must decide whether to tell the truth.

James never stopped loving Anna and now he must learn what happened that fateful night that Anna left him heartbroken. With the truth out in the open, he must convince the love of his life to take a chance on him. He wants to marry her and restore her reputation among the aristocracy. But in Regency England reputations are easily lost and difficult to regain. Can Anna trust James enough to do what is right for Peter, despite his actions, her child and most importantly himself? Can James convince Anna to seek the help that Peter needs and return to the ton?

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“Why did you leave?” he asked.
“I…I… did not have a choice.”
“Were you in love with him?”
“No.” She should lie. She knew she should, but his light blue eyes seemed to bore holes into her very soul and she could not bear to hurt him further. She could not bear to have him think badly of her.
“Then I do not understand why you left. Was it… was… God dammit.” He took a large gulp of his ale and looked around before leaning close. “Was it the bedding? I know you were an innocent and it must have hurt but…”
“No.” She shook her head fervently. Could he really believe that the best night of her life had driven her from him? “That night… it was very special. You were wonderful and kind and caring. I could not have asked for a better lover the first time.”
Relief washed over his countenance before he frowned. “Then why?”
Should she tell him? Could she? “It is too complicated to explain, except to say that it was not my choice and it was not your fault.”
He pushed his long fingers through his blond curls and stared into his ale. “Is he—the footman—still alive?”
“Yes.” He looked into her eyes—the hope that had shone there moments before was gone.
“So you are married.”
“We never married.”
“You live in sin?”
“Yes. I refused to marry him—not even to give my daughter a name. I tell people I am Mrs Johnstone, but there are no legal documents and no marriage. Therefore, you can return to the ton, my lord, and tell them that Lady Anna Kingsley is a whore and has a bastard child.”
Now perhaps he would leave her alone to her miserable life and find someone who would make a proper countess when his father died. She swallowed hard, forcing back the tears. Willed herself to stay strong. She only had to stay strong until the damned ostlers could help Lord Ramsey’s horse.
“Shh! I will be returning to the ton to tell them no such thing. I wished you would tell me what actually happened, if for no other reason than to assuage my fear that it was something I did or said that drove you away. You said you have a daughter?”
“Yes. Viola. She is a pretty little thing but can be quite precocious when she wants to be. She would have made a beautiful debutante when her time came.”
“Mama. Who is this?” She turned to see Viola standing at her side and realised it had been the child who was tugging at her skirts.

****
James stared at the little girl standing next to Anna, tugging on the grey wool skirt. Blond hair, blue eyes and rosy cheeks that reminded him of Rebecca when she was small. She even had the little turn up in her nose that was identical to his sister’s. But, it could not be. This child could not be his? They had made love but once—or at least just one night. But he had not withdrawn as he knew he should. He had been too caught up in the moment—in their love. Had Anna fallen with child that one glorious night, how old would a child be? Three? No—four! Was this little girl four? He had no idea how large or small a child should be at the age of four. He did not come into contact with many children.
But he did not have to ask her age. His sight told him that Viola was his as did something else…instinct perhaps?
He schooled his features so they were unreadable. Years of training to be a gentleman, to show no outward emotion, were now paying dividends.
“This is Lord Eversley, a friend of mine.”
“Oh. Pleased to meet you Lord Evasey.” She bobbed a small curtsey, and he noted that she over extended her back leg a bit like the actors did in the theatre at the curtain call. It was very sweet. The child obviously did not meet many members of the aristocracy. Though it was just like Anna to have taught her daughter to act like a lady in preparation for meeting a viscount or even a duke.
“Very pleased to meet you too, Viola.” She smiled dazzlingly at him. It really was like being taken back in time to when Rebecca was a child.
“Mama, he’s awake. I heard him shouting.”
“I see.” She turned to James. “I need to go just now. I have things that must be attended to.” Anna stood and looked like she was about to bob a curtsey but seemed to the think better of it, probably remembering he was supposed to be a footman.
He watched her leave, Viola’s hand in hers. He had sired a daughter and all this time he never knew. He did not need Anna to tell him that Viola was his flesh and blood—he knew it with every fibre of his being. If he said it outright, would Anna lie? Could she lie about something as monumental as him having a child? Not the Anna he once knew. But she was harder now—more resilient. He saw it in her eyes. Even though he had sensed she had been on the edge of tears, he suspected Mrs Anna Johnstone did not cry very often. But he must allow Anna to tell him in her own time. There was a lot more to this than a silly lady having her head turned by a handsome footman.
Was the person who had just woken the footman? Why had Viola looked unhappy when she had to announce the footman was awake? And why was Anna the one working in the taproom?
He would find out, and he would not leave this place until he knew the whole truth and certainly he would not leave without his daughter.

Em was born and brought up in the Central Belt of Scotland and still lives there. She was told as a child she had an over active imagination–as if that is a bad thing. She’s traded her dreams of owning her own island, just like George in the Famous Five to hoping to meet her own Mr Darcy one day. But her imagination remains the same.

Unfortunately, Em was put off reading and writing by school and although she rediscovered her love of reading many years ago, she only tried her hand at writing again in 2011. After a year of writing fan fiction, she wrote an original short story for an anthology. This was followed up with two more shorts and 4 novella length books, all published under a pen name. Having fallen in love with a new sub-genre, courtesy of books by Mary Balogh and Lynsay Sands, she decided to try her hand at her new favourite genre for reading–regency.

Having bitten the bullet, she feels she has found her home in the 19th century, and it does give her an excuse to watch Colin Firth in a pair of buff breeches and riding books ad infinitum.

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Book Spotlight/ Cruel Capers on the Caribbean

Posted on June 20, 2014June 15, 2014 by Cindy

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Cruel Capers on the Caribbean
SERIES – A Kate on Vacation Mystery
AUTHOR – Kassandra Lamb
GENRE – Mystery, cozy
PUBLICATION DATE – June 15th
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – approx. 30,000 words (novella)
PUBLISHER – Misterio Press LLC
COVER ARTIST – Book Cover Corner

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Trouble seems to find Kate Huntington, even on a Caribbean cruise. She and her friend, Liz, befriend socialite Cora Beall, who is having relationship problems. When Cora is found dead, her cabin locked from the inside, the ship’s captain assumes it’s a suicide.

Kate is skeptical. Her private detective husband begs her to let it go, but the evidence points more and more toward murder. And she can’t stop thinking about Cora’s teenage daughter who is back in the States with her stepfather. Which is worse, thinking your mother committed suicide or being raised by her killer? Or is Cora’s seemingly-innocent, screenwriter boyfriend the real murderer?

And the toughest question of all… how did Cora’s killer get out of a locked room?

This is the second of the Kate on Vacation novellas, a parallel series to the Kate Huntington mysteries.

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Kate went back to the task of opening their own cabin door. She took two steps into the room, then rushed forward.
A small sliding glass door was sitting partway open. A slight breeze rustled the semi-sheer curtains that had been pulled to the side. Beyond the door, a tiny balcony overlooked the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay. Dropping her carry-on bag on the floor, she stood open-mouthed, taking in the view. “Oh, this is so much better than those lousy little portholes.”
Skip wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Nothin’s too good for my gal. This has been too long in comin’.” The cruise, originally Kate’s idea, had gotten sidetracked by one of Skip’s private investigation cases. After a big bonus from another case, he’d insisted it was time for their long-postponed getaway.
Kate turned in his arms.
He hooked an errant, dark curl behind her ear. “You know, your eyes are the same exact color as that gorgeous tropical sky out there.”
But he wasn’t looking at the sky. He was smiling down into her face. Gold flecks danced in his own hazel eyes as he cupped her cheeks in his hands. He lowered his lips to hers.
She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, anticipating the warm tingle of his kiss.
“Ahem. So sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to invite y’all to a little git-together.”
They jumped, then turned to find a willowy, blonde beauty standing in the still-open doorway.
“Where are my manners?” she said in a thick Southern accent as she held out her hand. “I’m Cora Beall.”
Skip recovered first. He stepped over and shook the woman’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Corabelle.”
The woman let out a peal of laughter. “No, no. My last name is Beall. Don’t know what my mama was thinkin’ when she chose Cora for my Christian name.”
“Skip Canfield. This is my wife, Kate.”
“Pleased to meet y’all. I’m in cabin 1030, down the way a bit. Figured I’d invite all my new neighbors to a little bon voyage party. Some of our friends are comin’ onboard in a few minutes to see us off.”
Kate found her voice. “How did you get your friends past security?” Since 9/11, cruise ships had tightened security significantly. Only passengers with pre-paid tickets were allowed to board. She had thought onboard bon voyage parties were a thing of the past.
The woman chuckled. “Connections, sugar. Plus…” She rubbed fingers and thumb together in the sign for money.
After a pregnant pause, she said, “Y’all don’t know who I am, do ya?”
They shook their heads.
Another peal of laughter. “How totally refreshin’! Y’all come on over in a bit, please do.” She turned and left the cabin, pulling the door closed behind her.
Skip raised his eyebrows at his wife. “I’d been debating between a tour of the ship or trying out that nice king-sized bed over there.” He tilted his head toward the bed in question.
Kate laughed. “Both ship and bed will be available for the next week. That lady’s peaked my curiosity.”

Writing and psychology have always vied for first place on Kassandra Lamb’s Greatest Passions list. In her youth, she had to decide between writing and paying the bills. Partial to electricity and food, she studied psychology. Now retired from a career as a psychotherapist and college professor, she spends most of her time in an alternate universe with her protagonist and alter ego, Kate Huntington. The magical portal to this universe (i.e., her computer) is located in Florida, where Kassandra’s husband and dog catch occasional glimpses of her.

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Author Visit/ Jane Bull

Posted on June 19, 2014June 19, 2014 by Cindy

I have been fortunate it enough to have been asked to take part in the Jane Bull Canadian tour. I am one of ten blogs and bloggers that will host Jane on her cross Canada tour.

The other bloggers who are on this tour are listed below so be sure to check out their post in the upcoming weeks to see what kind of fun and exciting things Jane has been doing during her visit in Canada.

OTTAWA, ON- Canadian Ladybug
canadianladybugreviews.blogspot.ca

TORONTO, ON – Create With Mom
www.createwithmom.com

TORONTO, ON – Everything Mom
www.everythingmom.com

WELLESLEY, ON – Oombaka Design
www.oombawkadesigncrochet.com

UXBRIDGE, ON – Tweenhood
www.tweenhood.ca

BRADFORD, ON – The Knit Wit
theknitwitbyshair.com

ROSTHERN,SK – Glimpse
glimpse-reviews.blogspot.ca

SHERWOOD PARK, AB – Frugal Edmonton Mama
www.frugaledmontonmama.com

VICTORIA, BC – My Baby Stuff
www.mybabystuff.ca

By seeing the world through a child’s eyes, Jane Bull’s fresh, original, and energetic designs inspire children to get crafty. Since joining DK in 1982, she has been coming up with fresh, original, and energetic ideas to inspire children to get crafty. Her books for DK include Make It,Made by Me and Stitch by Stitch among many others. Jane lives in London and has three children of her own to practice her crafty ideas on.

I was super excited to have Jane visit and the day finally happened last Wednesday when she arrived save and sound from the DK Canada offices in Toronto.

She was happy to be in Montreal because she had a bumpy ride coming in.

Jane arrived just around lunch time so she grabbed a quick lunch and then we chatted as she told me all about her books she has written.

Jane was excited to meet Michael because on her last stop she got to spend some time with Jasmine and her family from Ottawa. You can read about her visit on http://canadianladybugreviews.blogspot.ca/

Jane and Michael had a blast together. They talked about all kinds of things from what she would like to do in Montreal, to lego and so much more.

Sadly the majority of the week it was raining so we didn’t get much sight seeing in but I did take her to breakfast when I met up with some friends.

Its was at our regular spot. I didn’t take Jane and pose her in the picture because I was worried she would have gotten dirty and there wasn’t much room on the table as you can see. So much food but I personally think the table was too small.

So later that day we decided to drive to Angrignon Park.

Its a beautiful park in LaSalle that boosts roughly 100 hectares of land. This park has had some major renovations done. The park is named after Jean-Baptiste Angrignon who was a long time city councellor. The park is beautiful and very quiet. It was nice to walk around and look at nature.

This was taken very close to my tour host’s home. We are in the parking lot of the french elementary school and high school. The white tube in the back ground is a water tower and that is the crest for the town I was in.

Looking for things to do during the rain we decided to head out for lunch and do some shopping. I picked up a few souvenirs to bring home with me. As you can see Michael was being fun behind me.

While visiting I got to experience Tim Horton’s for a nice ice cap on the last day of my visit. It got hot really quickly after the rain.

Another fun thing I got to experience was watching Michael play hockey. As you can see I am trying to sneak into his bag to go and watch him play. He is in a spring league that is 3 vs 3. It was a very fast paced game and Michael scored two goals and their team won while I was there. Sadly before I left they played in a play off game and lost.

My last day there we took advantage of the nice weather and did some sight seeing in my host’s city. This is Stewart Hall Cultural Center.

Stewart Hall, Pointe-Claire Cultural Centre, is a unique cultural venue located on the bank of Lake Saint-Louis offering a range of activities for the whole family: cultural workshops, concerts, children’s shows, conferences, exhibitions at the Stewart Hall Art Gallery, library, art rental and sales service (Artothèque), cultural associations, etc.

For the citizens of Pointe-Claire, Stewart Hall is a synonym of serenity, beauty and cultural blossoming. Before becoming a venue dedicated to art and culture, Stewart Hall experienced a very exceptional history.

The above pictures were taken at Canoe Club. The day before I arrived Michael was there with his class on a field trip. He told me that they canoed, kayaked, went on a dragon boat, and did a few other activities. It sounds like so much fun and the view was so pretty.

While we were in the village we popped over to the St Joachim church. What a beautiful church inside and out. Last year they celebrated the 300th anniversary. I was told that this is the spot to watch St Jean Baptiste day fire works and Canada Day fire works. Its one of the best spots to see them from.

I have to admit this was the first time I have seen this beautiful windmill in my city. Its one of oldest windmill’s in Montreal and one of 18 still remaining in Quebec. As you can see we didn’t get to see it closer because its on private property. It was so pretty to finally see it. This was constructed in 1709. There has been renovations done on it since then.

I also got to visit their local library and as you can see I was having a little fun playing hide and seek.

Sadly all good things must come to an end and it was time for me to pack up and head back to the DK offices in Toronto to visit my next family. Who it is I have no idea but I am sure it will be just as fun as my visit to Montreal and Ottawa.

I am helping Cindy do a wrap up post and sadly as we were looking for pictures to add some really good ones got deleted.

I had so much fun taking part in this tour and I want to thank Chris from DK for thinking of me and asking if I would like to be a part of the tour. I wish the weather was nicer where we could have gone down town to see some sights but you can’t predict the weather.

Jane I hope you had fun on your visit and I look forward to seeing your other tour stops.

Please check back next week for some reviews on Jane’s books. I was graciously given three of her books to review.

Summer Reading Club at Our Local Library

Posted on June 19, 2014June 18, 2014 by Cindy

You know school is almost over (June 23rd) when its time to sign up at the local library for the summer reading club.

Once again this year our local library went with the TD (Toronto Dominion Bank) Summer Reading Club. We have had so much fun with this program.

The theme this year is Eureka. This year they are encouraging kids to get creative, messy and imagine.

I really love the site this year http://www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca/ because there is so much they can do with various activities and reading lists that can be tailored for each age group. Also in another section of the site there is a place with craft ideas and those will come in handy for rainy days.

What is really nice was when I was looking at the suggested book list for Michael I spotted two books I got from DK so he will be happy to find that out. We are going to try to read as much of the books from the list as possible.

Also as part of the summer reading program our library has awesome activities planned for both branches of the library. Some of the activities include Art Attack (the kids will make crafts to decorate the library), making small figurines (using beads, felt and string), painting a floral abstract, game of skill with beads (making your own game with every day materials and you use beads), making a beaded dragonfly, abstract art, making a vibrating toy insect, and match box monsters (the kids will make a little felt monster and a bed for him out of match boxes).

Michael will also be doing lego club (one of his favorite activities) and chess (which he enjoys playing).

I will try and do blog posts about the summer reading club but if you to see pictures I would recommend that you follow me on instagram. The link is on the right hand side of the page.

Michael is planning on making the most out of the summer reading program this year because it will be his last year in the children’s section of the summer club and then he will move on to the teen side. Hopefully next summer when its time to register they will have a lot more geared towards the boys.

Do you sign up for the summer reading club? Any themes?

CD Review/ Mutineers by David Gray

Posted on June 19, 2014June 20, 2014 by Cindy

Band/Artist: David Gray
Title: Mutineers
Date: June 17, 2014
Label: Kobalt Label Services

One of my other passions apart from reading is listening to music and if you ever visit you will always find music playing. I have always loved music and discovering all kinds of music. My musical interest are all over the page and I am sure I might surprise you with the kinds of music I like listening too.

So when I had the opportunity to listen and review David Gray’s Mutineer’s I instantly jumped at the chance to do so. I have never heard any of David’s music before reviewing this and I have to say that after listening to this cd I think I want to check out his other stuff.

David Gray is an established singer from the UK. Not only is he making is way there but he is a success across the pond. He did two sold out tours in the US.

Mutineers is David Gray’s tenth studio album. David released his debut album twenty years and its been four years since his last album. When I was looking up David’s bio I was really suprised because I had thought he was some what of a new musician boy was I wrong.

I am sure there is something for everyone on this album and I have to say that I loved every song on the album. David writes and sings in the folk- rock genre and its evident when you listen to this album.

After listening to Mutineers I have to say I don’t have a favorite song because I love the whole cd. Each song is just as good as the previous one and the one thing I can say is that the songs all blend in together.

I just can’t describe the cd and all I can really say is that if I was stuck in an elevator that I would want this to be playing. Another thing I love about Mutineers is that I don’t have to worry when I play it with Michael around like I would other kinds of music. Michael even likes the cd as I have seen him dancing in his seat while its playing.

I received a free download of the album to review from One2One Network and that all opinions are your own.

Purchase your copy:

iTunes- http://bit.ly/DavidGrayMutineersiTunes
Amazon- http://bit.ly/DGMutineersAmazon

Tracks:
1. Back in The World
2. As the Crow Flies
3. Mutineers
4. Beautiful Agony
5. Last Summer
6. Snow in Vegas
7. Cake and Eat It
8. Birds of the High Arctic
9. The Incredible
10. Girl Like You
11. Gulls

Ways to connect with David Gray:

Official Website – http://www.davidgray.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/DavidGray
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRealDavidGray
Instagram – http://instagram.com/davidgray
Instagram Contest – http://www.davidgray.com/instagram
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/davidgray

David Gray has announced the upcoming release of a new album, Mutineers. The record is Gray’s tenth studio album and his first in four years. To mark the news, Gray has unveiled the video for ‘Gulls’, the first track from Mutineers to be streamed ahead of release.

To coincide with Mutineers, Gray will tour the UK for the first time in three years. The headline tour, commencing at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on June 23 will include a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on June 24. The dates follow a run of sold-out US shows across April and May and three sold-out intimate shows earlier this year at Westminster’s Emmanuel Centre. Additional US tour dates will be announced in May.

Recorded in Church Studios, London and produced by Andy Barlow (Lamb), whose brief was to not let Gray “make the same record I’ve made before.” The result is an album that seems to fizz with the joy of its own assembly and finds Gray steering into unfamiliar territory while cultivating a pugnacious but respectful relationship with his own history. “I know I’ve done something here that has an authority that is inspiring me and I don’t have to worry about my past or any of that. The lovely thing about this is we’ve had the time to experiment, and it’s been wonderful,” says Gray.

David Gray captured the world’s attention with his breakout multi-platinum hit White Ladder, the first of three No.1 UK albums, earning him both Brit and Grammy nominations. He has continued to build on this success, with recent albums Draw The Line (2009) and Foundling (2010), both reaching the Billboard Top 10 in the US.

I am going to include Gull its the first release from the album so that you can an idea of what I mean about his music.

North America Tour Dates & Cities:
See all dates and ticket info here: https://tickets.davidgray.com/
Aug 01 – Boston
Aug 04 – NYC
Aug 05 – Philadelphia
Aug 07 – Columbia, MD
Aug 08 – Charlotte, NC
Aug 09 – Nashville
Aug 11 – Raleigh, NC
Aug 12 – Atlanta
Aug 13 – Indianapolis
Aug 15 – Cleveland
Aug 16 – Cincinnati
Aug 17 – Detroit
Aug 18 – Chicago
Aug 20 – Denver
Aug 21 – Salt Lake City
Aug 22 – Boise
Aug 23 – Troutdale (Portland), OR
Aug 25 – Redmond, WA
Aug 26 – Vancouver, BC
Aug 28 – Oakland, CA
Aug 29 – Reno, NV
Aug 30 – Las Vegas
Aug 31 – San Diego
Sep 03 – Los Angeles

Early Review/ Expose Me (Fifth Avenue Blog Tour)

Posted on June 18, 2014June 18, 2014 by Cindy

Expose Me Series: Fifth Avenue #3

by Kate Hewitt
Format: ARC
Published by Harlequin on 2014-08-01
Pages: 264
Goodreads
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance

TEN YEARS AGO ONE DEVASTATING NIGHT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR AUSTIN, HUNTER AND ALEX. NOW THEY MUST EACH PLAY THEIR PART IN THE REVENGE AGAINST THE ONE MAN WHO RUINED IT ALL.

With ruthless determination, Alex Diaz has risen up from his deprived roots to become the head of a global media empire. But he has one last thing to achieve…avenge his friend by destroying the man responsible for her death, Jason Treffen. With stunning talk-show host Chelsea Maxwell about to interview Treffen live on TV, this is Alex's chance.

He'll use her show to exact a very public revenge—and seducing Chelsea, if needed, would certainly be no hardship. But he underestimates Chelsea and the attraction between them, and as their relationship deepens, Alex realizes that to annihilate Treffen could also shatter the life that Chelsea has built to protect herself….

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.

This is the last book in the Fifth Avenue Trilogy. This has been a really fun series to read and I am a little sad that it has/is ending.

One of the good things about reading this series is, its exposed me (to pun intended) to three different authors and their books that I might not have been exposed to since I don’t read alot of romance books.

I should let you know that Expose Me won’t be available to purchase until the end of July. I was graciously provided and ARC of the book for my honest and sincere review as part of the tour for this series.

Expose me is about Alex and how he plans to bring down Jason for what he has done to Katy and he is determined to make Jason pay for all that he has done.

I loved Alex because he wasn’t born rich like his friends were and he basically crawled his way to like his wealthy friends. Alex is now a famous journalist and is the head a global media company. He worked hard to get where he is today.

When Alex finds out that Jason will be interviewed by talk show host Chelsea, Alex takes it upon himself to seduce Chelsea. Thinking what better way to get his revenge then publicly in front a nation full of viewers. Sounds like a revenge plan to me. He will do anything to make sure Jason even if it means sleeping with Chelsea. Will he have to go that far?

One thing I liked about Chelsea was that you she didn’t take Alex’s word and he literally had to get proof before she would even think about helping him. Will Alex find the proof that she needs?

When Chelsea meets with Jason to go over the interview she is forced to sign a document stating she was only allowed to ask certain questions. I think Chelsea is beginning to realize that Jason is hiding something and this is his way of making sure nothing comes of it. This blows Alex’s plan out the water because you can see that at this point he is starting to care about Chelsea and thinks about risking her career just for revenge.

I liked Chelsea and how there was more to her then meets the eye. She is like Alex and didn’t have it easy growing up and you can see she put up the walls around her to protect herself. She was okay with it being her secrets but when she is with Alex she thinks its time to finally let someone in. Will she tell Alex her secrets?

I just want to send out a huge thank you to Harlequin books for sending me all three copies in the Fifth Avenue Trilogy to read and review. Another huge thank you to Meryl L. Moss Media for reaching out to ask me if I would like to participate on this book tour and for the little gift bag you sent to me.

The gift bag was called the Summer Essentials and it was filled with all kinds of goodies.

Inside the gift bag was:

Avenge Me by Maisey Yates
Kissing Elixiers All Natural Fresh Breath Mist in Cinnamint
Kissing Elixiers Looks Like Love Natural Lip Balm in Mint Vanilla
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream in Natural Glow
Not Your Mother’s Beat The Heat Thermal Spray
Evian Facial Spray
Aromaflage botanical Fragrance & Insect Repellant
NYX Glam Lipstick in the shade Essential GLSA12
NYX Glam Shadow Stick in the shade GSS10 Vibrant Amethyst
NYX Love In Paris a 9 color Shadow Palette Je Ne Sais Quoi (LIP10)
(shimmer & matte/ browns, silver, cream and plum shades)

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Restoring Lady Anna SERIES – Eversley Siblings Series AUTHOR – Em Taylor GENRE – Historical Regency Romance PUBLICATION DATE – 1 May 2014 LENGTH – 55,000 COVER ARTIST – Veronica Fernandez

BOOK SYNOPSIS

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA

AMAZON KINDLE UK – GOODREADS

Having bitten the bullet, she feels she has found her home in the 19th century, and it does give her an excuse to watch Colin Firth in a pair of buff breeches and riding books ad infinitum.

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE – FACEBOOK

TWITTER – TUMBLR

$20 Amazon Gift Certificate a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Cruel Capers on the Caribbean SERIES – A Kate on Vacation Mystery AUTHOR – Kassandra Lamb GENRE – Mystery, cozy PUBLICATION DATE – June 15th LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – approx. 30,000 words (novella) PUBLISHER – Misterio Press LLC COVER ARTIST – Book Cover Corner

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Trouble seems to find Kate Huntington, even on a Caribbean cruise. She and her friend, Liz, befriend socialite Cora Beall, who is having relationship problems. When Cora is found dead, her cabin locked from the inside, the ship’s captain assumes it’s a suicide.

And the toughest question of all… how did Cora’s killer get out of a locked room?

This is the second of the Kate on Vacation novellas, a parallel series to the Kate Huntington mysteries.

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK – BARNES & NOBLES NOOK – GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – PINTEREST – GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

Two Winners – $10 Amazon gift card and free e-book copy of any Kate Huntington book–winner’s choice Two Winners – free e-book copy of any Kate Huntington book–winner’s choice

TITLE – Restoring Lady Anna
SERIES – Eversley Siblings Series
AUTHOR – Em Taylor
GENRE – Historical Regency Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – 1 May 2014
LENGTH – 55,000
COVER ARTIST – Veronica Fernandez

$20 Amazon Gift Certificate
a Rafflecopter giveaway

TITLE – Cruel Capers on the Caribbean
SERIES – A Kate on Vacation Mystery
AUTHOR – Kassandra Lamb
GENRE – Mystery, cozy
PUBLICATION DATE – June 15th
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – approx. 30,000 words (novella)
PUBLISHER – Misterio Press LLC
COVER ARTIST – Book Cover Corner

Two Winners – $10 Amazon gift card and free e-book copy of any Kate Huntington book–winner’s choice
Two Winners – free e-book copy of any Kate Huntington book–winner’s choice