tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12864638022016082412024-03-13T07:35:19.819-04:00Once Upon a Time, I Read a BookMaggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-64221914898739101312020-12-06T21:23:00.005-05:002020-12-06T21:44:27.771-05:00Blog Tour ★ Stolen to Wear His Crown<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53053960-stolen-to-wear-his-crown" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlgXbLoNTZg/X82CtR9SP8I/AAAAAAAAGUU/eBuONLmreSgOjOimPFzKCW7597LPitzOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9781335149107.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stolen to Wear His Crown by Marcella Bell</b><br />
<i>The Queen's Guard Book 1</i><br />Published 1 December 2020 by Harlequin Presents<br /><br />
From unworldly scientist… to his fearless queen!<br />
Mina has finally achieved her dream of becoming chief scientific advisor of Cyrano, when she’s stolen from the interview room! She’s taken directly to the palace chapel, where the terms of a secret betrothal mean she must marry the king—immediately. Powerful King Zayn knows all too well monarchs can’t afford dangerous distractions like love. Yet still, he’s appalled to be wed to a complete stranger! Mina is altogether too sensitive, too scholarly, too unpolished to be queen. But that can’t stop the desire that flares each time she looks his way…<br />
From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/stolen-to-wear-his-crown-by-marcella-bell">Bookbub</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53053960-stolen-to-wear-his-crown">Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.librarything.com/work/25660448">LibraryThing</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Wear-Crown-Queens-Guard/dp/1335149104/">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/stolen-to-wear-his-crown/id1506928303">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stolen-to-wear-his-crown-marcella-bell/1136821832">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Stolen-to-Wear-His-Crown/9781335149107">Book Depository</a><br />
<a href="https://booksamillion.com/search?filter=&id=8073054583420&query=stolen+to+wear+his+crown">Books A Million</a>•<a href="https://bookshop.org/books/stolen-to-wear-his-crown-original/9781335149107">Bookshop.org</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Marcella_Bell_Stolen_to_Wear_His_Crown?id=1PPbDwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488068850_stolen-to-wear-his-crown.html">Harlequin</a>•<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335149107">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/stolen-to-wear-his-crown">Kobo</a><br />
<a href="https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=Stolen%20to%20Wear%20His%20Crown">OverDrive</a>•<a href="https://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=9781335149107">Walmart</a></span></div><br />
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We're getting this part out of the way before my brain blanks again. I'm forgetting the days, so it's a possibility. In accordance with the FTC guidelines, I received a copy of <b><i>Stolen to Wear His Crown</i></b> from the publisher so I could participate in the blog tour. I get to give you my honest review and tell you what I liked and what I didn't like about the book. I'm required to tell you this every time I review a review copy because the big bad FTC thinks I can be bought by a free book. Yeah, okay...<br />
I liked the story of Mina and Zayn. I wasn’t too sure what to expect because I tend to avoid royal romances despite my blog’s moniker, but I’m glad I gave <b>Stolen to Wear His Crown</b> a chance. This story was new spin on an old trope and I really did enjoy it. Dr Mina Aldaba is in the middle of her Royal Advisor interview with Parliament when the country’s elite tactical response team bursts in and kidnaps her to the other side of the palace for her wedding – to the King. Wild, right? Neither of them are too keen on the marriage, but the betrothal’s legit and they have to tie that knot and <i>they do</i>.<br />
My favourite part of this book was the little bits of knowledge tucked into the storyline. Not only is the heroine a woman in STEM, but Ms Bell puts research into her character so that the title of doctor isn’t just a character bullet point. I love it and I appreciate it. My second favourite part though was the declaration. I aww’d with the best of them for that one, but I’m not spoiling that for you.<br />
Now, a small dish on spice. Y’all. <i>Thirteen pages on my kindle</i> for one sex scene. I counted. I actually skipped over the couple of sex scenes because I’m just not in the mood for it, but y’all have fun with that. I said what I said.<br />
Overall, I give this book a nice 4 out of 5 stars and a big thank you for taking me out of my toxic headspace when I needed it most. I do hope you give this book a chance in your TBR. It was a nice change of pace from my regular reading.
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<b>Excerpt</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mina Aldaba smoothed her palms over her hair as she took a deep breath. The motion wouldn’t do anything against the strength and determination of her curls to frizz—even if there was enough moisture in her palms to give it some hold—but it felt purposeful. On the other side of the ornately carved door in front of her sat the men and women of Parliament—the people whose decision would dictate whether or not she finally kept her promise to her father.<br />
Like her hair, she was determined and untamable. She had done everything she could, with a full heart and to the very best of her ability—and that had carried her to this side of the door, inches away from the chance to achieve everything she had ever wanted.
The rest was up to the men and women inside.<br />
The thought set off a series of stuttering palpitations in her chest—and not the kind that could ever be confused with excitement.
This next part was up to fate. The only thing she could do was be herself, trust her knowledge, and hope that that would carry her through. Unfortunately, faith wasn’t one of her stronger virtues. She hadn’t gotten to this side of the door by wishing. She’d done it by force of will and desire, continuous studying and practice, so she would be ready to deliver when the opportunity came.<br />
Now was that opportunity.<br />
She could steel her spine even if she couldn’t calm her stomach.<br />
She wore her usual black pantsuit and white blouse. Selecting one size up and choosing a square cut lent her hyper-feminine figure some much-needed gravitas. The hard lines of the design concealed any hint of curve—which she appreciated, given her very round derrière and rather Rubenesque chest. Dressing her figure for academia—or, more accurately, concealing her figure for academia—was a challenge that she hadn’t anticipated when she’d decided to become a scientist at twelve years old.<br />
Still, one had to accept what one had.<br />
She would never forget the day a female colleague had taken her aside about it, though.<br />
“You’re going to have to do something about all of that.”<br />
Her fellow doctoral candidate had spoken blithely as she’d gestured in a vague circle toward Mina’s jeans-clad rear and her breasts with a long red fingernail.<br />
“It’s just too much,” she’d added. “You’ll never be taken seriously.”<br />
At the time, the words had stung, but Mina was grateful for them. Her colleague had been right. The thin old uni sweatshirt she’d been wearing that day had stretched across her full chest, and her jeans had been form-fitted.<br />
She’d looked like the student she had always been, rather than the professional academic she was becoming, and the world she’d been about to enter was cutthroat, old-fashioned, and antagonistic—especially if you happened to have been born with female anatomy.<br />
As soon as she had transformed her attire, her work had begun to garner more attention. Her male colleagues, it appeared, had been able to focus on it, rather than her.<br />
Thankfully, she had mastered those ropes long ago—so well, in fact, that she was now in line to reap the highest professional reward: an interview for the appointment of an adviser to the King of Cyrano.<br />
In preparation, her dense chocolate-brown curls had been ruthlessly brushed back from her face, heavily gelled, and confined into a thick French braid. Today—a day in which when she couldn’t afford to have even a single hair out of place—she had used nearly double the amount of product to tame the springy, indomitable mass.<br />
She had learned long ago to avoid putting her hair in a bun. Too many academics harbored sexy librarian fantasies.<br />
The combination of the suit and the braid created a no-nonsense image—that of a serious academic. It was precisely what Mina wanted to project. Especially since she was the youngest candidate ever to sit for a parliamentary interview—and only the second woman ever nominated.<br />
The door cracked open, and a page popped his perfectly coiffed head out.
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Marcella Bell lives in the mostly-sunny wilds of Southern Oregon with her husband, children, father, and three mismatched mutts. The dry hot summers and four distinct annual seasons of the region are a far cry from the weird rainy streets of Portland, OR, where she grew up, but she wouldn’t trade her quirky mountain valley home for anyplace else on the earth. As a late bloomer and a yogini, Marcella is drawn to romance that showcases love’s incredible power to transform.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2020 just keeps coming with the punches, readers. Shortly after posting that I was coming back to my site, my old man took a turn for the worse and we said goodbye to him 24 days ago. I made commitments for this tour and another tour later this week and then I don't know what I'm doing. I've struggled with my mental health all year, but losing my best and only friend, I don't know anything anymore.
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-68688104133649777912020-10-30T13:04:00.004-04:002020-10-30T16:24:58.441-04:00F2020 <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;">Where do I even start this post? I'm not really sure, so let's just do a wordvomit explanation without the gory details! But first, all the content warnings because this post is a journey. Mental Health Crisis, suicide attempt, self-harm, etc.<br />
I totally lost my shit this year! Between COVID and the new civil rights movement we've had going on, I've also been spiralling between manic and depressive states and I've tried comitting suicide a couple times this summer. I relapsed with my self-harm and it was just really bad all around. I've even thought of shutting down this blog permanently this year. Just a lot of negative headspace. In the midst of lockdown, I also got messaged that the breeder that I'd been talking to about a service dog prospect had a puppy that could be a good match for me in the new litter they'd had at the beginning of the COVID debacle and was I still interested? <i>Yes, I was</i>. So I bought a Great Dane puppy and started puppy-proofing the house in preparation of picking her up in a month! Then my birthday rolled around and my best friend flew down to surprise me. And it was a surprise. We last saw each other shortly after my 16th birthday when she moved away. So it had been 15 years, obviously we grew up. But we also had a lot of differences. Which was hard to see with a country between us. Now there's a lot between us and it hurts to think about. Then I nearly ended everything the weekend after she left. Oop. The next weekend, in the middle of recovery, I had to go across the state to pick up my new puppy. And that was actually really good for me because it's given me something positive to focus on while putting my head back together. Fast forward to the end of August and everything seems to be settling down and my oldest girl who's been declining healthwise for a while has been having to be carried to go outside for bathroom time and won't eat or drink anymore. And we had to say goodbye to Nikita. I'm glad we could give her more time with the help of our vet and a nice house with a yard but I wish she could have seen the house at the end of next month when we put up all the Christmas decorations we've been buying throughout the year for her to enjoy because she really did love going for rides to see all the Christmas decorations on houses and around Orlando. Then my mom had to be checked into the hospital for emergency care or lose her hand. And <b>it has been a year</b>.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: inherit;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/onceuponatimeireadabook" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a black 5-month-old Great Dane is facing the camera, sitting on a beige dog bed on a marbled tile floor in front of a white wall. She's wearing a purple harness and a turquoise collar. Attached to her collar is a giant Sailor Moon style bow made of white ribbon with orange jack o'lanterns printed on it." border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="1205" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEnw9z0xV_s/X5xEZyTPgZI/AAAAAAAAGNs/7_qfCZTf3-Q782wSsyS0HLkvLU4ec2lPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2520/photostudio_1602985009216.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>While I've been dealing with all of this, I've been raising and training my Great Dane puppy. She's currently (as of 28 September 2020) 63lbs, 25" standing at the shoulders, and 28" chest girth. Her name is Andromeda Trance Gemini, I call her Rommie and RomCom for short. And yes. I <i>am</i> that geeky. Extra points if y'all understand the name reference. Rommie is amazing at her training and I'm going to post updates about her and our training as we go. I'm also hoping to provide a little guidance for others out there who have been trying to find resources for <b>legitimate</b> service animals in the US as well as explain the differences between service animals (miniature horses and dogs per ADA, cats as permitted by local legislature), therapy dogs, and emotional support animals. Because there's a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of predatory schemes as well. And, there was once a time when my mom struggled to find information to get me a service dog and not even the doctor prescribing me one knew how to get that information. That needs to change.<br />
I'm not sure what the future holds right now blogwise. It's going to take a bit of time to get back into things. And I'm going to be switching things up *gasp*. I want to make the site more accessible for screen readers and such. I've also been thinking of some new post serials and want to do more tag posts. And I'm going to be <b>finally</b> getting product reviews onto the site regularly. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQQQgIqAu98/X3d3WxRIgQI/AAAAAAAAGII/LMqLQycxPqQ9OEXKCC_97vpVnUCja3mdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/hairy%2Bsituation.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="a side-by-side of two pictures of the blogger, one with her hair dyed blue and one with her hair dyed purple. both use Snapchat filters." border="0" data-original-height="1901" data-original-width="2048" height="371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQQQgIqAu98/X3d3WxRIgQI/AAAAAAAAGII/LMqLQycxPqQ9OEXKCC_97vpVnUCja3mdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h371/hairy%2Bsituation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The past few months, I've had blue hair. But this month, I've dyed my hair purple in memory of my friend, Ashley, and to help raise awareness for <a href="https://www.rettsyndrome.org/about-rett-syndrome/what-is-rett-syndrome/">Rett Syndrome</a>. Ashley, my brother, and myself grew up together. Our moms were friends and my brother and Ashley went to the same special needs daycare and we wound up in the same class together as kids. She was my friend and we lost her last year. October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month and I wanted to drop the link for <a href="https://reverserett.org/donate/">Reverse Rett</a> an UK foundation dedicated to reversing Rett Syndrome if I don't get anything else posted for this month.<br />
I'm determined to keep this site going, so I'm going to move on to new posts for you. I'll end this post with this cute little song that's been my theme song for the past month or so since I heard it on tiktok.<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iI8AoO_wQys" width="560"></iframe><br />
Until next time, have a happily ever after!<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/s270/signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="signature reading "xo Maggie"" border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" height="60" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h81/signature.PNG" width="150" /></a></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0Atlantic Ocean-14.5994134 -28.6731465-40.115927646130906 -63.8293965 10.917100846130907 6.4831034999999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-40375706674978769562020-06-15T18:09:00.002-04:002023-06-26T02:19:52.631-04:00A Break From Our Regular Content<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know that every day has been a rollercoaster ride this year and things just keep getting wilder. I made the decision to drop out of one of my tours with Harlequin because with current events, it didn't set right with me to be promoting stories where law enforcement are good and right and get HEAs. I didn't like how I have been feeling trying to read these books and still fear for my friends and family members' safety in the presence of police. I'm breaking social media influencer rules left and right by making this post and I don't care.<br>I have been an activist since before I even knew the word, a feminist as soon as I could form a sentence, a protector from the time I could crawl, and punk before I even knew there was music outside of Gospel hymns and Wee Sings cassettes. I spent the first half of my life trying so hard to conform to the straight conservative Christian Republican mold my family had for me before I accepted that that wasn't me. And when I began officially working with my publishing partners as a 'social media influencer' (still so weird to call myself that, I don't see myself as that), I read their guidelines and thought, "<i>well, this probably isn't going to last very long</i>". Because we're supposed to abide by these guidelines or else rue the day, y'know? Y'all. I'm supposed to avoid personal or political agendas and avoid any content that may be politcally charged or motivated. I'm also supposed to avoid any content that might have a message opposite to the positive and good messages that their brand is associated with. <b>My dudes</b>. Before I had even finished their list, I knew that I would, most likely, not last a year. Because I'm an opinionated bitch.<br>To get right to the point of things, <b>Once Upon a Time, I Read a Book (dot-com) and all its associated accounts and my personal accounts will <b><i>not</i></b> be promoting books that are thinly veiled police propaganda and I will <b><i>not</i></b> be promoting authors who spout <i>All Lives Matter</i> or <i>Not all cops...</i> or <i>Blue Lives Matter</i>.</b> Further, because of my health issues limiting my participation in protests, I'm spending a lot of time doing the work I can online and donating what I can to worthy causes such as <a href="https://blacklivesmatter.com/">Black Lives Matter</a>, <a href="https://www.joincampaignzero.org/">Campaign Zero</a>, <a href="https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com/legal">Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense Initiative</a> & <a href="https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com/covid19">Know Your Rights Camp COVID19 response</a>, <a href="https://www.antiracismcenter.com/">Antiracism Research & Policy Center</a>, <a href="https://bailproject.org/">The Bail Project</a>, <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/">The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund</a>, <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/racial-justice">The ACLU</a>, and gofundmes for specific projects around me. I'm also making use of my wifi and repeatedly 'watching' monetised YouTube videos that donate to BLM and other nonprofits. If you didn't already know about that, you can join me in that by checking out this <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a32811003/how-to-support-blm-without-donating-money/">article</a>.<br><div>Until next time, please stay safe, support the revolution, and wear your masks. I stop breathing and pass out in hot humid situations and I'm wearing a mask, just help stop the spread, folks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/s270/signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" height="81" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h81/signature.PNG" width="200"></a></div><div><br></div> </span></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-5609747752898761652020-05-25T13:00:00.002-04:002020-05-25T13:00:02.883-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries ★ Review of Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: inherit;"><b>Secret Investigation</b> by Elizabeth Heiter<br />
<i>Tactical Crime Division #2</i><br />Published <span style="color: #38761d;">21 April 2020</span> by Harlequin Intrigue<br />
<br />In the wake of a tragedy, the Tactical Crime Division is the first call. When ironclad body armor inexplicably fails and soldiers perish, the Tactical Crime Division jumps into action. Agent and former ranger Davis Rogers asks to go undercover to find the traitor responsible for the death of one of his friends, and Petrov Armor CEO Leila Petrov is happy to provide access to her company…especially once she discovers she’s being framed. But will their joint efforts be enough to uncover the truth?<br /><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Investigation-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136452/">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/secret-investigation-elizabeth-heiter/p/9781335136459">Angus & Robertson results</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm gonna start this off by saying that <b><i>I have whiplash from this book, y'all</i></b>! I just finished <b><i>Secret Investigation</i></b> and I'm chowing down on some chocolate because ya girl needs some sugar to get over that mindscrew. I thought I had everything figured out right off the bat. Then, <i>I didn't</i>. Then. Then, I did. Then I didn't? And I was ready to throw the book <i>away</i>. But then, I totally had it all figured out and I was ready to do the "I solved it first" dance. But y'all. <i>I don't know what I know about anything anymore.</i> I have spent the past 24ish hours cussing about this book and the ride it's taken me on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7ktV22WG7A/XstXmbMZkwI/AAAAAAAAF2U/V3vAEXLfBGk0Pm__guapyIJ_xObheyaXwCK4BGAsYHg/inuyasha%2Bdizzy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="498" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7ktV22WG7A/XstXmbMZkwI/AAAAAAAAF2U/V3vAEXLfBGk0Pm__guapyIJ_xObheyaXwCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h219/inuyasha%2Bdizzy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent the first half of this book wanting to just delete it from my kindle. Honest. I hate (yes, present-tense) Davis. SO much. I was all set for some enemies-to-lovers angst-ridden romance, I was prepared to scream at my kindle for the next however many hours it took to get through to the good stuff. Because I love the spice, hate the drama, and thrive on the petty. But did I get ETL? Nooo. I got an ex-ranger with a proclivity for vacillation. <i>"I'm attracted to her, but I can never forgive her for something she had no actual part in that resulted in the death of my friend, so I'm going to use our mutual attraction to further my investigation and bring her world crashing down and <b>abandon her when she'll need me</b> but I totally care about her and I'm doing it for her and the Greater Good"</i>. The <i>whole story</i> is Davis repeating this thought process <b>over and over again</b>. The whole book, I'm thinking to myself, "<i>Davis is a grade A dick</i>" and I'm sorry, but that's my truth of the day. Then there's Leila Petrov. Leila is a loyal friend, daughter, ex, niece, yada yada. I like her. Right off the bat, she's holding her own but also owning her company's screw-up, wanting to get to the bottom of things, even if it destroys the entire company and her name is ruined. But other than this, y'all. The woman is a bit of a hot mess with past suicidal tendencies who starts off the story "still half in love" with her high school ex who works with her and she's still in mourning over the death of her father <i>three weeks ago</i> but yeah, pursuing the instant attraction to a federal agent who's investigating you and your company for faulty armour is definitely not a reaction to the death thing...<br />Okay, suffice it to say that I am <b>not exactly</b> a fan of the protagonists. But I do like Kane and Melinda. Who are Kane and Melinda? A side romance that isn't even mentioned in the synopsis. Kane and Melinda are both TCD agents assigned to Davis' investigative team for the Petrov Armor case and they both have some major issues. But I have to say that Kane and Melinda did not deserve that disrespect. <i>I</i> did not deserve that disrespect.<br />
Content warnings! Because why button for this. Leila had some suicidal issues from bouts of depression from loss of parents, there's child neglect and abuse ((abuse is not on page, only mentioned in brief passing in each instance)), there's gun violence and combat situation, a white nationalist group and the racist rhetoric mess that goes with that (brief content), and attempted murder!<br />
Overall, I'm giving <b><i>Secret Investigation</i></b> 3 stars and 1 flame for heat - half a flame? There was barely any heat to this, a nun could read this. And here's some more honesty, none of those stars are protagonist-sourced. Mystery, Melinda, and Kane. Mostly the mystery because of the whiplash! This book made me cranky. In case you missed the excerpt part of the tour, here's <a href="http://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2020/04/blog-tour-tactical-crime-division_15.html">my post on that</a>. I was given a review copy of <b><i>Secret Investigation</i></b> by the publisher and this is my undiluted review, the FTC seems to think a free book makes me a mindless sheep. As much as I love sheep, I baah for no one. All opinions are my own and I make no apologies for them.</span></div><br /><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range. Her novels have been published in more than a dozen countries and translated into eight languages. Visit her at <a href="https://www.elizabethheiter.com/">her website</a>.<br />Social media include:: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_heiter/">Instagram</a>|<a href="https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.heiter.author">Facebook</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/ElizabethHeiter">Twitter</a></span></div><br /><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I need someone to remind me down the road that I need to take a long break from ARCs. The more responsibility I take on, the less I want to do. Procrastination Professional right here. <i>Why do I do this to myself?</i> Tune in on Wednesday to see if I'm covering book 3 or if I say 'screw it'... Y'all. I don't even know right now. I'm functioning on 2 king-sized chocolate bars, a Little Debbie honey bun, and 4 cups of coffee...<br />
Be good, do good, wear your masks, wash your hands, and read a book. Until next time, have a happily ever after!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" height="81" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h81/signature.PNG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-12636938987691163632020-05-23T13:00:00.002-04:002020-05-23T13:00:02.431-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries ★ Review of 48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: inherit;"><b>48 Hour Lockdown</b> by Carla Cassidy<br />
<i>Tactical Crime Division #1</i><br />Published <span style="color: #38761d;">17 March 2020</span> by Harlequin Intrigue<br />
<br />The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI.They handle the toughest cases in the most remote locations. When TCD learns of a school invasion turned lockdown, every agent is ready to engage. With children in jeopardy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But it becomes personal for hostage negotiator agent Evan Duran when he learns Annalise Taylor is one of the captives holed up with the students in a school for the gifted. He’ll need every resource available at TCD and every ounce of his expertise to turn this disastrous situation into a rescue mission—and if he succeeds, maybe reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.<br /><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm getting the FTC disclaimer out of the way right now. Because ADHD reigns supreme. I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. A free book does not sway me in my judgment and I hope my readers know that about me by now.<br />I read <b><i>48 Hour Lockdown</i></b> in less than a day, even though my mind wandered everywhere while I was reading it. I was pleased to find out that romance took a backseat the suspense in this story. Raise your hand if you've screamed at a romance where the couple is being hunted down by evil-doers in a jungle or they're, like, five minutes from certain death at the bad guy's hands, and they decide that <i>that</i> is the best time to have sexy times. Honestly, how do y'all straight people survive anything? Annalise and Evan table addressing their attraction and all that that entails for when everything is said and done. Yes, there are some <i>moments</i> but nothing major or excessive that detracts from the case at hand. Very task-oriented of them.<br />I liked the inclusion of a cult in the storyline. I have a thing for cults, they're very entertaining to me. So getting to giggle at the craziness that always ensues when there's a cult involved was a plus for me. I'm not saying that cults are good or funny, I just know that if I weren't so jaded about the world because of childhood trauma, I'd have wound up in a cult myself because oof, was I a naive sheep. But y'all. There are some warped cult members and the prerequisite shifty cult leaders in this story. Cults and hostage situations with cops are just nerve-wracking. I was on the edge of my seat with the story, wondering exactly how much of a disaster would it turn into for Annalise and Evan having to deal with cult crazies.<br />Another thing I liked about <b><i>48 Hour Lockdown</i></b> was the coverage of the possible aftereffects of hostage situations and kidnappings and shootings that Annalise and her students were exposed to in the story. Annalise worries for her students <b>mental health</b> as well as their physical health. She specifically mentions the possibility of developing PTSD from the events in the book. As someone with non-combat Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, seeing an author shedding light on mental health and working to destigmatise non-combat PTSD, I cried a little. There's a lot of work to be done of making people realise that PTSD can come from all sorts of situations in life's journey and I appreciate the author's contribution.<br />Part of the fun of reading intrigues, mysteries, and thrillers is seeing if you can solve the crime(s) before the protagonist(s). I'm happy to say that I was reasonably stumped by the twists thrown at us by Ms Cassidy in <b><i>48 Hour Lockdown</i></b>. Some instances were obvious to me (I won't name any but you'll know them when you see them) but then I got whacked upside the head with a few. Hooray for surprising me! But I was a bit perturbed that the story didn't end with the miraculous recovery of Evan's long-lost sister returning to his life for a true happily ever after ending. I'm hoping it's addressed in a later story because I need a happy ending on that! I was also dismayed about the level of suspense in the story, after the hostage situation, events were kind of anticlimactic in comparison. <br />Since there aren't really any spoilers in the content warnings, I'm not doing the code for it. Mostly because I'm lazy and typing it is a <b>PAIN</b>. As usual, please practise care in your reading. If any of these issues are problematic for you, please don't hesitate to message me for any clarification of degree of severity or whatever. Because mental health is just as important as physical health. • This story contains scenes of gun violence on page, hostage situations, assault, child abuse, child abduction, and cults and the extremist followers that go with that.<br />Overall, I'm going to give <b>48 Hour Lockdown</b> by Carla Cassidy a solid 3 stars and 1 little flame for heat. I loved the mental health awareness the author presented I have no choice but to give accolades for it and the level of suspense was pretty good, but I was left wanting more substance to the story. In case you missed the excerpt part of the tour, here's <a href="http://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2020/04/blog-tour-tactical-crime-division.html">my post on that</a>.</span></div><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carla Cassidy</b> is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 125 novels for Harlequin Books. She is listed on the Romance Writer's of America Honor Roll and has won numerous awards. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CarlaCassidyAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div><br /><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's it for today's review, y'all. I honestly can't believe I got it all finished, I've been sleeping most of this week. I just love playing sleep catch-up on insomnia. I'm actually going to be doing reviews for all four books in the <i>Tactical Crime Division</i> miniseries in the next week or so. Because I'm a literary masochist. I've turned my garage into my crafting workroom, finally. It only took a global pandemic to do it. But now I have somewhere to store all my crafting stuff (there's so much) and to work without constant interruptions. And I'm making masks in all the sizes. When this is over, I never want to see another sewing pattern. Y'all. I hate sewing.<br />I'm not including any specific charities right now because there are just way too many to wade through. Instead, I ask that if you're needing to purchase masks, support a small business on Etsy or Instagram or a friend selling them on Facebook, that might be their only income at the moment. If you're taking advantage of the loosening of lockdowns and going out to eat, try to eat at a non-chain restaurant. Tip your deliverypeople.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" height="81" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h81/signature.PNG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-18741377831765159202020-05-15T13:00:00.054-04:002020-05-15T13:00:00.357-04:00Ten Things to Do in Quarantine<div style="text-align: justify;">Are you bored in the house and in the house bored whilst avoiding COVID-19? Same. So, I have a new list for you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5o3E7G9TvQA/XLShjQHZzmI/AAAAAAAACvg/pFAmcAMotvowRRmwO8eYw8PC9eePg8kZgCK4BGAsYHg/cabinfever.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5o3E7G9TvQA/XLShjQHZzmI/AAAAAAAACvg/pFAmcAMotvowRRmwO8eYw8PC9eePg8kZgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/cabinfever.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="6">Ten Things to Do in Quarantine</font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> Make use of our postal system and send </span><span style="color: #00b8ff; font-size: inherit;"><b>#smilemail</b></span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> around the globe to let others know that they're not alone during quarantine! Am I doing that? Yes, yes, I am! (message me your address on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/ouatireadabook">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onceuponatimeireadabook">Instagram</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skittleswarlord">my personal facebook</a>- because my blog's facebook and I have a healthy dislike of each other.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> send a card to your local grocery store, hospital, post office, etc. let them know that their work is appreciated. *shrug* My momma always taught me to appreciate people. And I don't people well.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> chalk up the neighbourhood! I've seen a lot of sidewalks on social media being decorated with games for people to play as they take their daily constitutional about their neighbourhoods and I have an entire basket of chalk. I'm just really self-conscious and worry about people thinking I'm weird and I might do this one night when I'm bored.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDtI2nCtlxg/Xr0ChCCOhEI/AAAAAAAAFxA/yIHdr4OJBJseCfK4N3saa2wEYst-CqBzgCK4BGAsYHg/chalk%2Bhearts.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="405" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDtI2nCtlxg/Xr0ChCCOhEI/AAAAAAAAFxA/yIHdr4OJBJseCfK4N3saa2wEYst-CqBzgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/chalk%2Bhearts.gif" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> Take your pet for an adventure! I've seen a lot of different pets being taken for walks this year. Ferrets, pigs, a capuchin monkey (they're a thing in Florida), lizards, dogs, cats. Even if it's just a 15-minute walk to start with, it's still an adventure. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> Learn a new craft. I've finally gotten around to unpacking my various crafting boxes. I'm tatting earrings to go with my freshly re-pierced ears and I've ordered some thread for a new doily! Just think of the bookstagram photos... I'm knitting new mitred squares for my blanket <i>that I found while moving in</i>. And I've decided to try my hand at sewing some book sleeves in addition to masks for the family (because deities know, I have the material).</span><br />
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> buy some DIY birdfeeders you can decorate and put them up on your patio or in your yard!</span><br />
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> download <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/">TikTok</a> if you haven't already and just start making weird videos. It doesn't matter if they go viral, have fun making them. Dance, joke, tell stories (in 60 seconds or less) of weird or funny or stupid things that have happened to you, cosplay, sing, do skits, whatever. <b>Just have fun with it.</b> Also, tag me </span><span style="color: #ff4aae; font-size: inherit;"><b>(@SkittlesWarlord)</b></span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> in a comment of one of your videos so I can hype you up. Because I have insomnia and loads of free time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> read a book or two, maybe even three! (This is still a book blog...)</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> Have a Disney marathon. I've been binging my childhood favourites all through quarantine. What's playing now? <b>10 Things I Hate About You</b>. Kat was an <i>icon</i> for me as a kid, y'all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtVfKyUWH3Q/Xr4sDXNRnPI/AAAAAAAAFyc/SREXLYQpp5oEPG6oLlItDdEU5Z9WDDu6gCK4BGAsYHg/kat%2Bstradford.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtVfKyUWH3Q/Xr4sDXNRnPI/AAAAAAAAFyc/SREXLYQpp5oEPG6oLlItDdEU5Z9WDDu6gCK4BGAsYHg/s320/kat%2Bstradford.gif" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cd6ae8; font-size: inherit;">♥</span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> Bake. I love baking and now my neighbours know it too. And, I finally, for the first time in my entire life, managed to bake chocolate chip cookies without them turning into goop. (It was a thing that haunted me, moving on) I'm currently trying to create a new cookie recipe. Much to my family's mixed dismay-delight. It's a toss-up. One of my favourite baker bloggers to follow is <a href="https://www.browneyedbaker.com/">Michelle, the Brown-Eyed Baker</a>. I've been a follower of Michelle for well over a decade (let's not age me) and her recipes always make me want to run to my kitchen. Considering the scarcity of bread items at the moment, here's <a href="https://www.browneyedbaker.com/white-bread-recipe/">Michelle's recipe for bread</a>.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P1Ze1USw6A/Xr4NAqYVu4I/AAAAAAAAFyA/B1Z6MflSBMUMmRvXJj2uQ9LiF6_TMyrnACK4BGAsYHg/MaryBerry.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="499" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P1Ze1USw6A/Xr4NAqYVu4I/AAAAAAAAFyA/B1Z6MflSBMUMmRvXJj2uQ9LiF6_TMyrnACK4BGAsYHg/s320/MaryBerry.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: inherit;">That's <b>Ten Things to Do During Quarantine</b>, folks! I have an amazing birthday surprise happening next month so I'm going to be putting together all of my June posts and scheduling them while I'm also posting my May posts so that I can have my birthday week completely clear. Are you confused? So am I. My poor planner is having apoplexy over the amount of work I'm putting into it. I just have no idea what this birthday extravaganza week is going to consist of with the whole plague thing. Until next time, stay safe and have a happily ever after, duckies!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" height="81" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/2bS35UKP1JAXxO6R7voR_o8yHDtR352LwCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h81/signature.PNG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: inherit;"> </span></div>
Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-62438439062769950602020-05-12T13:00:00.066-04:002020-05-12T13:00:00.616-04:00Top Ten Tuesday ★ 14<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;">Top Ten Tuesday was created by </span><a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" style="font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a><span style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> in June of 2010 and was moved to </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="font-size: 14px;">The Artsy Reader Girl</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;">I assign each Tuesday a topic and then post my top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join me and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information. You’ll find the schedule of upcoming TTT topics below so you can plan ahead. I’ll post a Linky here on the blog each week so you can link up your post (if you want). If you don’t have a blog, post your picks in the comment section below! Have tons of fun talking books and getting to know your fellow bloggers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px;">NOTE:</b> If a weekly topic is listed as a “freebie”, you are invited to come up with your own topic. Sometimes I will give your topic a theme, such as “love”, a season, or an upcoming holiday. That just means that you can come up with any topic you want that fits under that umbrella.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; margin: 0px;"> - Jana of <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="font-size: 13.33px; text-align: left;">The Artsy Reader Girl</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Ten Books I Bid Adieu in Quarantine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, our Top Ten Tuesday theme, '<b>The Last Ten Books I Abandoned</b>' and since I'm a mood reader, I abandon books like Elle Woods changes outfits. Especially during quarantine where my ADHD has absolute free reign, your girl is not reading much of anything right now. I need medication, y'all. That being said, it's nothing against the books, I've just serious ADHD and I've been unmedicated for about 8 years or so and my ADHD goes bananas in chaotic environments. <br /><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42264125-mischief" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IORbVJBq6F8/XrMdrCeJdrI/AAAAAAAAFpk/_O7CPztH3IMAs-Qaw5GXi3r5Z9BpfkgwACK4BGAsYHg/s320/mischief.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42264125-mischief">Mischief Managed</a> by Lacey Dailey</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2DiuYCrRuw/XrMe-XxcpeI/AAAAAAAAFqA/t-eh8aFre0YaNK3YRblSBmBCfEb6DxwuACK4BGAsYHg/blue%2Bpersuasion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2DiuYCrRuw/XrMe-XxcpeI/AAAAAAAAFqA/t-eh8aFre0YaNK3YRblSBmBCfEb6DxwuACK4BGAsYHg/s320/blue%2Bpersuasion.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50377037-blue-persuasion">Blue Persuasion</a> by Brea Viragh</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25879852-called-by-the-bear-parts-1-3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5wZ3iIGNvs/XrMjm-C65zI/AAAAAAAAFqg/owj1RrFxtPsFqjRcldQvAaMMwFhk6zE5QCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Called%2BBy%2Bthe%2BBear.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25879852-called-by-the-bear-parts-1-3">Called by the Bear</a> by V Vaughn</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30798559-bearly-in-control" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iO-HY6x8hkc/XrMq_dyHrCI/AAAAAAAAFq8/3k4QTmdzx10q038vdKgQZjmgoF-en5P8gCK4BGAsYHg/s320/bearly%2Bin%2Bcontrol.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30798559-bearly-in-control">Bearly in Control</a> by Milly Taiden</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48526390-the-girl-beneath-the-sea" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REzndsmGE4U/XrWiGua0TEI/AAAAAAAAFr8/rxYsNlZtFDMxi7yay7fL5syWaBAXIWcCQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/the%2Bgirl%2Bbeneath%2Bthe%2Bsea.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48526390-the-girl-beneath-the-sea">The Girl Beneath the Sea</a> by Andrew Mayne</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42248816-scavenge-the-stars" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uAbiik9VFts/XrWquT6Xj5I/AAAAAAAAFsY/2OVquScsQIMJ1oc5BFZ7RQsEzJa9Do1_ACK4BGAsYHg/s320/scavenge%2Bthe%2Bstars.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42248816-scavenge-the-stars">Scavenge the Stars</a> by Tara Lim</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44245187-moonshine-murder" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="305" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTBK388qsmk/XrXMggqW_VI/AAAAAAAAFs0/ePTmnXzF4SILV9EeYNKBS2gY1nOpsD3YgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/moonshine%2Band%2Bmurder.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44245187-moonshine-murder">Moonshine & Murder</a> by Kathleen Brooks</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38325332-all-the-stars-and-teeth" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1s94DFRADE/XrXiN6vyAzI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/f2RaGoTqoRMhjy-k2g6CraR3CJDCJOvXgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/all%2Bthe%2Bstars%2Band%2Bteeth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38325332-all-the-stars-and-teeth">All the Stars and Teeth</a> by Adalyn Grace</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36233085-once-future" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1FlKG-qSbc/XrXkR-rYaOI/AAAAAAAAFts/Cb-NstUD014I0blUR_5r3C2IcPhNNj9MACK4BGAsYHg/s320/once%2Band%2Bfuture.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36233085-once-future">Once & Future</a> by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49300573-children-of-the-stars" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbtFQ-lVNaw/XrYL0SUuQVI/AAAAAAAAFuM/4q9aMldHnFAcF1kUkdfNf3pmRbIdPb-5wCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Children%2Bof%2Bthe%2BStars.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49300573-children-of-the-stars">Children of the Stars</a> by K Aten</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frbXqYsCcWU/WwifxL3SZ2I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/iuqr0ZM1TV0cWwRudZ88ESdkg0k-w03cgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mscbl%2Bdivid.png" style="margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="76" data-original-width="809" height="28" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frbXqYsCcWU/WwifxL3SZ2I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/iuqr0ZM1TV0cWwRudZ88ESdkg0k-w03cgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/mscbl%2Bdivid.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been buying a lot of plants during quarantine and my room is starting to look very earthy. I love it. Every time I get stressed out to the point of relapse, I go onto Etsy and buy a plant from one of the shops or pierce something. I have healthy-ish coping mechanisms. How are y'all doing? Anybody else climbing the walls? I know the stores are starting to open back up here in the US, but I'm not a fan of the whole ignoring health officials who say that's a bad idea and I'm going to be remaining as socially distant as I can.. I hope y'all are staying safe!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" height="81" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/signature.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-2035741252240043402020-05-05T15:54:00.001-04:002020-05-05T15:54:52.273-04:00★ Tempted by Fae Book Promo ★<div><span> Hey, readers! I'm here to talk about a new paranormal romance anthology coming out that was put together to benefit one of my favourite charities, <a href="https://www.worldliteracyfoundation.org/">World Literacy Foundation</a>. If you're a reader of my blog, you're probably a fan of paranormal romance, so why don't you keep reading?</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5gO5CHfnV0/WnC1bWO2cGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/woQUVceG79keJib3FXkizbZqAv42Ai2CQCK4BGAsYHg/2018-30-01-12-56-09.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="578" height="36" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5gO5CHfnV0/WnC1bWO2cGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/woQUVceG79keJib3FXkizbZqAv42Ai2CQCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h53/2018-30-01-12-56-09.jpeg" width="135" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48895967-tempted-by-fae" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maLeXSqMd_w/XrG2GBPz3kI/AAAAAAAAFog/wevL0XfJ7iYowPWMK8Vjca5SFZG4NNrwwCK4BGAsYHg/Tempted%2Bby%2BFae%2BCover.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tempted by Fae: A Midnight Coven Anthology</b><br />
<b><u>Contributing Authors</u></b><br />May Sage & Alexi Blake • Amelia Hutchins<br />K. Loraine • Patricia D. Eddy • Lisa Manifold<br />Alice K. Wayne • Corinne O’Flynn<br />Marina Simcoe • S. Young • Ariel Marie<br />Dyan Chick • Andie M. Long<br />Twelve worlds. Twelve women. One fate they can't escape.<br />From bestselling authors of fantasy and paranormal romance comes a breathtaking set of all-new stories, available for a limited time only.<br />Whether kick-ass, shy, or vulnerable, the women in Tempted by Fae get more than they bargain for when mysterious and sexy immortals cross their paths.<br />Give in.<br />It's only forever.<br /><div>
<b>Buy Links here:: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/4Ax6pJ">Books2Read</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5gO5CHfnV0/WnC1bWO2cGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/woQUVceG79keJib3FXkizbZqAv42Ai2CQCK4BGAsYHg/2018-30-01-12-56-09.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="578" height="36" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5gO5CHfnV0/WnC1bWO2cGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/woQUVceG79keJib3FXkizbZqAv42Ai2CQCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h53/2018-30-01-12-56-09.jpeg" width="135" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> </span> <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwe6N-kC02lNJ6y_sRuJ4uriDLhKDbhFYbNUH6ZocnOENg-tpoRo2ftbpsM98bG1wSC4XPllpJTwwe01LPVKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5gO5CHfnV0/WnC1bWO2cGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/woQUVceG79keJib3FXkizbZqAv42Ai2CQCK4BGAsYHg/2018-30-01-12-56-09.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="578" height="36" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5gO5CHfnV0/WnC1bWO2cGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/woQUVceG79keJib3FXkizbZqAv42Ai2CQCK4BGAsYHg/w200-h53/2018-30-01-12-56-09.jpeg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div><span><b>About the World Literacy Foundation</b><br />
<a href="https://www.worldliteracyfoundation.org/">The World Literacy Foundation</a> is an independent not-for-profit charitable body committed to providing projects and programs to break the cycle of low levels of literacy in the developing world.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6pm-ACv4eM/XrHCMTq4sTI/AAAAAAAAFpA/9PhEtfwRuWI8-fFDWNwnCMuE0osoArpawCK4BGAsYHg/Review%2BQuotes.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6pm-ACv4eM/XrHCMTq4sTI/AAAAAAAAFpA/9PhEtfwRuWI8-fFDWNwnCMuE0osoArpawCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h209/Review%2BQuotes.png" width="568" /></a></div></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-29339123384564037482020-04-21T22:34:00.000-04:002020-04-21T22:34:24.462-04:00Top Ten Tuesday ★ 13<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Top Ten Tuesday was created by </span><a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" style="font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a><span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> in June of 2010 and was moved to </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="font-size: 13.33px;">The Artsy Reader Girl</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.</span><br />
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<b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How it works:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I assign each Tuesday a topic and then post my top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join me and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information. You’ll find the schedule of upcoming TTT topics below so you can plan ahead. I’ll post a Linky here on the blog each week so you can link up your post (if you want). If you don’t have a blog, post your picks in the comment section below! Have tons of fun talking books and getting to know your fellow bloggers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">NOTE:</b> If a weekly topic is listed as a “freebie”, you are invited to come up with your own topic. Sometimes I will give your topic a theme, such as “love”, a season, or an upcoming holiday. That just means that you can come up with any topic you want that fits under that umbrella.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> - Jana of <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="font-size: 13.33px; text-align: left;">The Artsy Reader Girl</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 24px;">Titles That Would Make Good Band Names</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, our Top Ten Tuesday theme, '<b>Titles That Would Make Good Band Names</b>', is a theme to soothe my emo-scene soul. I mean <i>lemme just crank up Spotify while I get typing</i>.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34859192-heart-of-malice">Heart of Malice</a> by Lisa Edmonds.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36661566-an-heir-in-shadow">An Heir in Shadow</a> by Sophia Drake.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18189928-hell-or-high-water">Hell or High Water</a> by Jerrie Alexander.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22912748-going-down-in-flames">Going Down in Flames</a> by Chris Cannon.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45184250-wicked-as-you-wish">Wicked as You Wish</a> by Rin Chupero.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27774758-an-ember-in-the-ashes">An Ember in the Ashes</a> by Sabaa Tahir.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28114396-ever-the-hunted">Ever the Hunted</a> by Erin Summerill.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25164304-of-fire-and-stars">Of Fire and Stars</a> by Audrey Coulthurst.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38313126-the-lovely-reckless">The Lovely Reckless</a> by Kami Garcia.<br />
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<b>♥</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34433755-girls-of-paper-and-fire">Girls of Paper and Fire</a> by Natasha Ngan.<br />
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I swear this isn't a cry for help, I just have some heavy music tastes? Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my quick TTT, I had a really bad VVS (vasovagal syncope) day and still had to go out for groceries today. It was not fun. And then, halfway through Sam's, I remembered "I've been so busy making cards for Smile Mail, I forgot to do TTT". Crashed when I got home, came back to life at freaking 9PM and started typing this up. <b>This blog is spoonie-powered</b>. Anyways, I just knocked this out in about 90 minutes and I'm off to make cards!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/signature.PNG" width="200" height="81" data-original-width="270" data-original-height="110" /></a></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-29453967388741424532020-04-19T13:00:00.000-04:002020-04-19T21:06:52.204-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries ★ Excerpt 4<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey readers! I'm back with the fourth and final excerpt of the <i>Tactical Crime Division</i> miniseries today. This time, the excerpt is from <b><i>Running Out of Time</i></b> by Cindi Myers.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Love CSI and Criminal Minds? Meet the Tactical Crime Division.<br />
Get to know a team of dedicated crime-solving experts as they fight for justice, safety, and one by one are rewarded by finding love.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #4: Running Out of Time by Cindi Meyer</b><br />(on-sale June 16, 2020)<br />When a terrorist is on the loose, the Tactical Crime Division is on the case. To find out who poisoned medications, two of TCD’s agents are tapped to go undercover posing as a married couple and infiltrate the company. But as soon as Jace Cantrell and Laura Smith arrive at Stroud Pharmaceuticals, someone ups the ante by planting explosives in their midst. Turns out that the small-town family business is hiding a million secrets. Could they unknowingly be protecting a vengeful killer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48920861-running-out-of-time">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Running-Time-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136584">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/running-out-of-time-cindi-myers/1135079353?ean=9781335136589">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cindi_Myers_Running_Out_of_Time?id=c-a_DwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136589">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136589_running-out-of-time.html">Harlequin</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cindi Myers became one of the most popular people in eighth grade when she and her best friend wrote a torrid historical romance and passed the manuscript around among friends. Fame was short-lived, alas; the English teacher confiscated the manuscript. Since then, Cindi has written more than 50 published novels. Her historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction have garnered praise from reviewers and readers alike.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>CAST OF CHARACTERS</b><br />
<b>Special Agent Laura “Smitty” Smith —</b> A disciplined agent who never breaks the rules, Laura must go undercover as a newlywed to find the person responsible for a rash of poisonings and bombings in a small West Virginia town.<br />
<b>Special Agent Jace Cantrell —</b> The military veteran and special ops expert has a reputation as a rebel and a rule breaker—exactly the kind of man to clash with Laura, yet the two must pose as husband and wife to solve a case that brings death to their very doorstep.<br />
<b>Donna Stroud —</b> The head of Stroud Pharmaceuticals intends to keep her company going and her family together in the face of tragedy, but how far will she go to do so?<br />
<b>Parker Stroud —</b> Donna’s son chafes at his parents’ unwillingness to put him in charge of the family business.<br />
<b>Merry Winger —</b> Parker’s girlfriend has big plans to marry Parker, despite his parents’ disapproval of their relationship and Parker’s own reluctance to make their relationship public.<br />
<b>Leo Elgin —</b> His mother was poisoned by tainted medication manufactured by Stroud. He holds a grudge against the Stroud family.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>EXCERPT</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">***<br />
“We’ve got another tough case on our hands.” Jill Pembroke, director of the FBI’s tactical crime division, surveyed her team from the head of the conference table in the Bureau’s Knoxville headquarters. “One that re-quires a great deal of discretion.”<br />
Something in the director’s tone made Agent Laura Smith sharpen her focus. Pembroke, with her well-cut silver hair and feminine suit, might be mistaken for a high society grandmother, but she was as hard-nosed as they came, and not prone to exaggeration. That she reminded her team of the need for discretion pointed to something out of the ordinary.<br />
The door to the conference room opened and a man slipped in. Tall and rangy, Agent Jace Cantrell moved with the grace of an athlete. He nodded to the director and eased into the empty seat next to Laura. No apology for being late. Typical. Laura slid her chair over a couple of inches. Cantrell was one of those men who always seemed to take up more than his share of the available space.<br />
“We’re going to be investigating product tampering at Stroud Pharmaceuticals in Mayville, West Virginia.”<br />
Director Pembroke stepped aside to reveal a slide showing a squat factory building set well back on landscaped grounds.<br />
“The antacid poisonings.” Agent Ana Ramirez spoke from her seat directly across from Laura. She tucked a strand of dark hair into the twist at the nape of her neck, polished nails glinting in the overhead light. “That story has been all over the news.”<br />
“Do the locals not want the FBI horning in?” Agent Davis Rogers—the only member of the team not wearing the regulation suit—sat back in his chair beside Ramirez, looking every bit the army ranger he had once been. “Is that why the extra discretion?”<br />
“No, the local police are happy to turn this over to us,” Pembroke said. She advanced to the next slide, a listing of the deaths—six so far, with two additional people hospitalized—attributed to Stroud’s Stomach Soothers, a natural, organic remedy that claimed a significant share of the market as an alternative to traditional antacids. “This hasn’t been released to the public, but the poison in the contaminated tablets was ricin.”<br />
Laura would have sworn the temperature in the air-conditioned room dropped five degrees. “Any suggestion of a link to terrorism?” Hostage negotiator Evan Duran, bearded and brooding, spoke from the end of the table. “Anybody claiming credit for the deaths?”<br />
Pembroke shook her head. “At this point, we aren’t assuming anything. Obviously, we want to avoid panicking the public.”<br />
“The public is already panicked,” Rowan Cooper, the team’s local liaison, said. “People have been organizing boycotts of all Stroud products.” She absently twisted a lock of her jet-black hair, brow furrowed. “We’ll need a strategy for managing the public’s response.”<br />
“The facility where the Stomach Soothers were manufactured has been closed for the time being and the product is being pulled from store shelves,” Pembroke said. “But another facility in town, which manufactures other items, remains open, and the company has reduced hours and reassigned as many employees as possible to the single plant. The company, the town, even the state officials, are very anxious to downplay this tragedy and get Stroud up and running full-speed as soon as possible.”<br />
“Why do that?” Kane Bradshaw, Agent-at-Large, said. Laura hadn’t noticed him until now, seated as he was behind her and apart from the rest, almost in the shadows. Kane always looked as if he’d just rushed in from an overnight surveillance, all wind-blown hair and shadowed eyes. The fact that he was here spoke to the gravity of this case. While always on hand when the team needed him, he wasn’t much on office decorum.<br />
“Jobs.” Cantrell’s voice, deep and a little rough, like a man who smoked two packs a day, sent a shiver through Laura. He didn’t smoke, but maybe he once had. “Stroud Pharmaceuticals is one of the biggest employers in Boone County,” he continued. “The coal mines are shutting down, and there isn’t a lot of other industry. Stroud has been a savior to the community. They—and the officials they elected—are going to do everything in their power to keep the company running and redeem its reputation.”<br />
“Even covering up murder?” Laura asked.<br />
Cantrell turned to her, his gaze cool. “I doubt they want to cover it up, but they’ll definitely downplay it and keep it quiet.”<br />
“They want us to help, but they don’t want us to be obvious.” The youngest member of the team, computer specialist Hendrick Maynard, jiggled his knee as he spoke. A genius who looked younger than his twenty-six years, Maynard never sat still.<br />
“Precisely.” Director Pembroke advanced to another slide of a small town—tree-shaded streets lined with modest homes, some worse for wear. A water tower in the distance displayed the word Mayville in faded green paint. “Agents Smith and Cantrell, you are to pose as a married couple and take jobs at the Stroud factory. Investigations so far point to the poisonings having originated from within the plant itself, so your job is to identify possible suspects and investigate. Agent Rogers, you’ll be in town as well…”<br />
Laura didn’t hear the rest of the director’s assignments. She was focused on trying to breathe and holding back her cry of protest. She and Cantrell? As a couple? The idea was ridiculous. He was rough, undisciplined, arrogant, scornful…<br />
“You look like you just ate a bug.” Cantrell leaned to-ward her, bringing with him the disconcerting aroma of cinnamon. His gravelly voice abraded her nerves. “Don’t think I’m any more excited about this than you are.”<br />
***</span></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-21966305798981921162020-04-17T15:30:00.000-04:002020-04-17T15:30:03.805-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries ★ Excerpt 3<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello, duckies! Tomorrow is Manatee's <b>Eleventh birthday</b>. I was going to have a birthday party but that whole social distancing thing buzzed that out. I'm trying to figure out how to celebrate my boy's birthday in quarantine. But you're not here for me to whine about birthday issues, you're here for this third excerpt for Harlequin's new miniseries,<i> Tactical Crime Division</i>, this time from book #3, <b><i>Midnight Abduction</i></b> by Nichole Severn. And I shan't hold you from it any longer. Scroll on my lovelies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and Blacklist...</b><br />
Uncover the lives and loves of the FBI elite as they take on the toughest assignments. This is a new four-book miniseries featuring an ensemble cast of characters spread across 4 books, featuring 4 urgent cases, with one stellar team of crime solving experts. <br />
The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI. Because of the growing concerns and need for ever increasing response time to criminal events, the FBI created a specialized tech and tactical team combing specialists from several active divisions that include: weapons, crime scene investigation, protection, negotiation and IT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #3: Midnight Abduction by Nichole Severn</b><br />(on-sale May 19, 2020)<br />For the Tactical Crime Division, no case is left cold. When Benning Reeves’s twins are kidnapped, the frantic father knows who can help: the Tactical Crime Division and Ana Ramirez. Even though Ana once shattered Benning’s heart, the special agent is the only one he can trust. But Ana is still tormented by the unresolved case that brought them together years before—a case somehow entangled with Benning’s children. It’s up to the TCD and Ana to discover why…before it’s too late.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48894022-midnight-abduction">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Abduction-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136525">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-abduction-nichole-severn/1134876532?ean=9781335136527">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Nichole_Severn_Midnight_Abduction?id=OMu9DwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136527">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136527_midnight-abduction.html">Harlequin</a></span></div><br /><br />
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<div style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4HQI5OYzW8/Xnrvw1wKDfI/AAAAAAAAFc0/-F2nzGHVZS0X_R-aCFdpfjuqvIh8qIC8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3_Nichole%2BSevern_author%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1052" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4HQI5OYzW8/Xnrvw1wKDfI/AAAAAAAAFc0/-F2nzGHVZS0X_R-aCFdpfjuqvIh8qIC8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3_Nichole%2BSevern_author%2Bphoto.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Nichole Severn writes romantic suspense with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and a hell of a lot of guns. When she’s not writing, she’s injuring herself running and practicing yoga.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>CAST OF CHARACTERS</b><br />
<b>Ana Sofia Ramirez —</b> She’s out for redemption. Recruited by the Tactical Crime Division’s director from the Bureau’s missing-persons’ division after her last case ended with a dead victim, she’s more determined than ever to recover Benning Reeves’s son.<br />
<b>Benning Reeves —</b> Single father and small-town building inspector who’s come across evidence of a murder hidden on one of his construction sites; the cost of discovery has led to the kidnapping of his six-year-old twins.<br />
<b>Olivia and Owen Reeves —</b> Benning’s six-year-old twins.<br />
<b>Evan Duran —</b> Tactical Crime Division’s hostage negotiator, who’s fully invested in recovering Benning Reeves’s son due to his own dark past of losing his sister as a child.<br />
<b>JC Cantrell —</b> Tactical Crime Division’s tactical-operations specialist, who’s good at planting bugs, leading surveillance ops or coming up with a ruse to distract someone.</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>EXCERPT</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">***<br />
“Well, maybe I can give her a tour of TCD head-quarters in Knoxville one day. You know, give her a chance to see what federal agents really do on the job.” Ana stilled, the weight of her attention pressurizing the air in his chest, but he didn’t miss the assumption there would be a one day for them. That she wouldn’t disappear from their lives after Owen came home, and his blood pressure spiked. She cleared her throat as though she’d caught herself making promises she might not be able to keep. Just as she had with Samantha Perry’s family. “You must be proud. She’s going to make a hell of an agent one day.”<br />
“That’s her plan, and probably why she opened up to you the way she did. I can tell she admires you, what you do.” Benning straightened, echoes of their earlier conversation replaying in his head on a nonstop loop. He tossed the paper towel he’d used to clean his foot in the trash beside the island. “So do I, to be honest. The work you and your team do saves lives. I know I already said thank you, but I meant it.”<br />
“Like I said, you don’t have to thank me.” She dropped that mesmerizing gaze to the counter, sweeping the spread of flour into the sink set into the island with one hand, and swiped beneath her nose with the other. Touching her face had always been a nervous habit. “All part of the job.”<br />
“Is that what this is for you, Ana? Just another job? Because this case is definitely a lot more personal to me.” Benning maneuvered around the counter, his bare chest nearly pressed against the exposed skin of her arm. He set his hand over hers on the granite, her quick gasp searing through him. Her warmth penetrated past skin and muscle, deep into his bones. “After what you told me about the Samantha Perry case, I realize now how hard it must’ve been for you to come back here, and you’re standing there as if none of it affects you. But is that how you really feel?”<br />
He wanted—no, needed—to know. Was this going to play out exactly as it had between them the last time? Had he made a mistake requesting her to work this case?<br />
Her mouth parted. “I…”<br />
Skimming his fingers along the back of her hand, he trailed a path up her arm to her jaw, and all of his thoughts burned away. There was only the two of them. The softness of her flawless skin and hardness in her invisible guard. After everything that’d happened, after everything they’d already been through in the short span of time she’d walked back into his life, he’d struggled to keep the uncertainty, the rage, the fear, at bay so he could stay strong for Olivia. To prove that he could protect her from any threat, be the father she and her brother deserved. But Ana…stripped him of all of that. With her, Benning felt raw, exposed, bare. She was real. She was here. Not a memory—a fantasy—anymore, and it took every-thing inside him to pull himself away from her. “You had some cookie dough on your chin.”<br />
She’d left because she believed her emotions clouded her judgment on the Samantha Perry case, and he wasn’t about to complicate anything else be- tween them. Not when it was his son’s life at risk this time. Ana turned her gaze up to his, a small tremor crossing her shoulders, and an invisible anchor set-tled inside his chest in the dark, watery landscape of this case. No matter what happened, Ana would bring his son home alive. He had to believe that. He had to believe in her. Otherwise, he’d have nothing left. “Thanks.”<br />
A soft trill broke the silence spreading between them, but she didn’t move.<br />
“I think your phone is ringing.” He cleared his throat, trying to drown the surge of awareness burning through him, and stepped away. It was for the best. Because anything that happened between them would only take away from their focus on finding his son, and that wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.<br />
***</span></div>
Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-46679541618232220282020-04-15T13:00:00.001-04:002020-05-25T00:42:36.126-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries ★ Excerpt 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello, duckies! I hope you're staying safe and sane through quarantine. I'm waiting <i>impatiently</i> for piercing materials and hair dyeing accoutrements. Because I have no chill. I'm back again with the second excerpt for Harlequin's new miniseries, Tactical Crime Division, this time from book #2, <b><i>Secret Investigation</i></b> by Elizabetyh Heiter. Read on for more! .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A new miniseries from Harlequin Intrigue.<br />Welcome to the Tactical Crime Division, a rapid-deployment joint team of FBI agents specializing in hostage negotiation, missing persons, IT, profiling, shootings and terrorism, with Director Jill Pembrook at the head.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #2: Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter</b><br />(on-sale April 21, 2020)<br />In the wake of a tragedy, the Tactical Crime Division is the first call. When ironclad body armor inexplicably fails and soldiers perish, the Tactical Crime Division jumps into action. Agent and former ranger Davis Rogers asks to go undercover to find the traitor responsible for the death of one of his friends, and Petrov Armor CEO Leila Petrov is happy to provide access to her company…especially once she discovers she’s being framed. But will their joint efforts be enough to uncover the truth?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52610660-secret-investigation">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Investigation-Tactical-Crime-Division-ebook/dp/B07YLWS343">Amazon</a><br /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-investigation-elizabeth-heiter/1133974152?ean=9781335136459">Barnes & Noble</a>• <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Elizabeth_Heiter_Secret_Investigation?id=EC-zDwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136459">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136459_secret-investigation.html">Harlequin</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range. Her novels have been published in more than a dozen countries and translated into eight languages. Visit her at <a href="https://www.elizabethheiter.com">her website</a>.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>CAST OF CHARACTERS</b><br />
<b>Leila Petrov — </b>When defective bulletproof vests cause the deaths of an army unit, Petrov Armor’s CEO is determined to find the person responsible. But her search makes her a liability to a killer, someone who’s closer than she ever expected.<br />
<b>Davis Rogers — </b>The former army ranger thinks going undercover in Petrov Armor is his chance to prove himself in the FBI’s elite Tactical Crime Division (TCD). But it’s also deeply personal. One of the soldiers killed was a friend, and Davis won’t stop until he’s gotten justice.<br />
<b>Melinda Larsen - </b>The deeper this profiler digs into the Petrov Armor case, the more unexpected threats she uncovers—putting her directly in the line of fire.<br />
<b>Kane Bradshaw - </b>Ever since his last partner died on the job, the TCD agent prefers to work alone. But as he’s forced to work with Melinda, he fears history will repeat itself.<br />Eric Ross—Petrov Armor’s head of sales was Leila’s first love. He’s jealous of Leila’s obvious interest in her new “assistant,” Davis, but is there something more sinister behind his constant appearances?<br />
<b>Joel Petrov — </b>Leila’s uncle has been an integral part of the company since Leila was a child. But is his involvement too convenient?</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>EXCERPT</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">***<br />As in the Bureau, dying in the field was a possibility you accepted. You did whatever you could to prevent it, but if it happened, you knew you’d be going out doing something you believed in. But not like this. Not the way Jessica had died, trusting the military, trusting her training, trusting her equipment.<br />“I want to take the lead on this case,” Davis blurted. Gazes darted to him: from profiler Dr. Melinda Larsen, silently assessing, suspicion in her eyes, as if she somehow knew he had a history with one of the victims. Always buttoned-up Laura Smith was quiet and unreadable, but her Ivy League brain was probably processing every nuance of his words. JC, staring at him with understanding, even though he didn’t realize Davis knew Jessica personally. No one on the team did. “Is your personal investment in this case going to be a hindrance or a help?” Pembrook asked, voice and gaze steady.<br />Davis’s spine stiffened even more. She was talking about his army background. She had to be. But if she thought he was going to fidget, she underestimated the hell he’d gone through training to be a ranger for the army. “A help. I’m familiar with how the army works. And I’m familiar with the product. I’ve worn Petrov Armor vests.”<br />Petrov Armor had supplied the body armor Jessica and her team had been wearing during the ambush. That armor—supposedly the newest and best technology—had failed spectacularly, resulting in the deaths of all but three of the soldiers and one of the locals. In his mind it wasn’t the insurgents who had killed Jessica and her team. It was Petrov Armor.<br />He didn’t mention the rest. He’d more than just worn the vests. He’d had a chance to be an early tester of their body armor, back when he was an elite ranger and Petrov Armor was better known for the pistols they made than their armor. He’d given the thumbs-up, raving about the vest’s bullet-stopping power and comfort in his report. He’d given the army an enthusiastic endorsement to start using Petrov Armor’s products more broadly. And they had.<br />“I’m not talking about the armor,” Pembrook replied, her gaze still laser-locked on his, even as agent-at-large Kane Bradshaw slipped into the meeting late and leaned against the doorway. “I’m talking about Jessica Carpenter.” Her voice softened. “I’m sorry for your loss.”<br />The gazes on him seemed to intensify, but Davis didn’t shift his from Pembrook’s. “Thank you. And no, it won’t affect my judgment in the case.”<br />Pembrook nodded, but he wasn’t sure if she believed him as she looked back at the rest of the group and continued her briefing. “Petrov Armor won a big contract with the military five years ago. The armor this team was wearing is their latest and greatest. It’s not worn widely yet, but their earlier version armor is commonly used. The military is doing a full round of testing across all their branches. They’ve never had a problem with Petrov Armor before, and they don’t intend to have another.<br />“Meanwhile, they’ve asked us to investigate at home. We got lucky with the news coverage. We’re still not sure how it was leaked, but not all of it got out. Or if it did, the news station only played a small part. And somehow they don’t have the name of the body armor supplier. Not yet,” she said emphatically. “Rowan, we don’t have to worry about PD this time. I’m putting you on the media. Hendrick can lend computer support if you need it.”<br />Rowan Cooper nodded, looking a little paler than usual, but sitting straighter.<br />***</span></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-72310980115587282582020-04-13T22:00:00.000-04:002020-04-15T10:51:14.179-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries ★ Excerpt 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey, readers! I'm back again with Harlequin's new miniseries, <b>Tactical Crime Division</b>. This time, I have excerpts! Over the next week, I'll be sharing <i>four</i> excerpts, one from each of the series' books. Because <b>sharing is caring</b>. And, in this lovely situation our world has found itself in, <i>caring is important</i>. Without further ado, I present book one, <b>48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A new miniseries from Harlequin Intrigue. </b><br />
<b>Stopping criminal activity wherever it happens. The agents at the Tactical Crime Division are ready for anything.</b><br />More and more, federal law agencies have to mobilize to remote locations to address large-scale crime scenes and criminal activity—terror, hostage situations, kidnappings, shootings and the like. Because of the growing concerns and need for ever-increasing response times to these criminal events, the Bureau created a specialized tech and tactical team, combining specialists from several active divisions—weapons, crime scene investigation, protection, negotiation, IT. Because they are a smaller unit, they are more nimble for rapid deployment and assistance to address various situations. This joint team of agents is known as the Tactical Crime Division (TCD).<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #1: 48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy</b><br />(on-sale March 17, 2020)<br />The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI.They handle the toughest cases in the most remote locations. When TCD learns of a school invasion turned lockdown, every agent is ready to engage. With children in jeopardy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But it becomes personal for hostage negotiator agent Evan Duran when he learns Annalise Taylor is one of the captives holed up with the students in a school for the gifted. He’ll need every resource available at TCD and every ounce of his expertise to turn this disastrous situation into a rescue mission—and if he succeeds, maybe reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50217728-48-hour-lockdown">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hour-Lockdown-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136398">Amazon</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/48-hour-lockdown-carla-cassidy/1133889963?ean=9781335136398">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Carla_Cassidy_48_Hour_Lockdown?id=DS6zDwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136398">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136398_48-hour-lockdown.html">Harlequin</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carla Cassidy</b> is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 125 novels for Harlequin Books. She is listed on the Romance Writer's of America Honor Roll and has won numerous awards. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>CAST OF CHARACTERS</b><br />
<b>Evan Duran —</b> Special Agent Duran is a hostage negotiator for the Tactical Crime Division, a specialized branch of the FBI.<br />
<b>Annalise Taylor — </b>A teacher held hostage at a private school. She’s also Evan’s ex-lover. She’d broken his heart several years before, and now he holds her life in his hands.<br /><b>Jacob Noble — </b>Is he the leader of a charitable church or the dangerous leader of a cult?<br />
<b>Gretchen Noble —</b> Jacob’s wife, who is not afraid to abuse or kill. Will she kill Annalise before she can be freed?<br />
<b>Hendrick Maynard — </b>Brilliant tech agent for the Tactical Crime Division. Will he be able to get the information Evan needs or will he be destroyed by old painful memories? <br />
<b>Walter Cummings — </b>Chief of police in Asheville. Would his incompetence be the death of the hostages?
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>EXCERPT</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">***<br />As he drove he made a few phone calls, and he finally pulled up in front of the nondescript brick building where TCD’s offices were located. He parked, got out of his car and hurried inside. As he strode down the hallway toward the main meeting room, he could hear Director Jill Pembrook apparently still conducting the morning meeting.<br />The main conference room was the heart of the office. It was where assignments were handed out and situations were brainstormed. The agents sat at a long, highly glossed wooden table. On one wall was an oversize FBI logo, and opposite that was the TCD emblem. A large, digital flat screen was mounted on the far side of the room, and a tablet lay at the head of the table.<br />Evan burst through the door. Director Jill Pembrook looked at him in surprise. “Agent Duran, how nice of you to join us on your day off.”<br />The director was an attractive, stylish woman of substance with cropped steel gray hair and a penchant for dark, custom-tailored suits.<br />She’d been with the FBI for over forty years, and she was definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her blue eyes could be warm and friendly or they could frost a puddle of water into a sheet of ice.<br />“I just saw the news out of Pearson,” he stated. “I need to get there… It’s Annalise.”<br />There was a collective groan from some of the other agents. Evan ignored it. “I’ll need you to arrange a plane to be ready for takeoff. Also, I’ll need Hendrick’s help on this. And I’m taking Agents Brennan and Lathrop with me.”<br />“Call off the SEAL team, Duran is on the case, everyone,” “Agent at Large” Kane Bradshaw murmured as the three men headed for the door.<br />Evan ignored him. While he liked Kane okay, there were times in the past they had butted heads when Kane could sometimes be a bit of an arrogant jerk. Director Pembrook though tolerated his glib attitude. And while Kane had no official rank as an agent with the bureau, he had an extensive background with deep black ops.<br />Hendrick Maynard, the tech guru nodded. “You got it,” he answered without hesitation. “Heading to my desk now. I’ll send you any relevant info ASAP.”<br />The director narrowed her eyes, and Evan felt the frost radiating from her. “Agent Duran, you are way out of line.” She paused and continued to hold his gaze. “Ten minutes ago North Carolina state officials called for federal help…” She paused and he was wondering if he should offer to submit his resignation. “You will also take Special Agent Rogers along with the others. This is an all hands on deck situation. Rowan as usual will accompany you and provide team support.”<br />Rowan Cooper, an attractive woman with long dark hair who worked as a liaison between the local police departments and the TCD team members, also rose and followed the men out the door. She accompanied any crew that deployed to a different location. Her specialty was smoothing over any personality difference or turf wars among different law enforcement units on scene. But her main responsibility was arranging overnight accommodations and making sure the agents had what they needed in order to remain focused on the task at hand.<br />“Yes, ma’am,” he replied to the director. He knew he’d overstepped boundaries by barging in, but he’d felt the need to act immediately when he’d heard about the situation… About Annalise…<br />“Plane leaves in twenty minutes. Now go,” Di-rector Pembrook said. To him she added, “Duran…don’t pull this kind of stunt again.”<br />Evan would have offered to quit after the assignment if he met any resistance from the director to him heading up the detail due to his personal connection to Annalise. Nothing was going to keep him from negotiating this hostage situation.<br />“Never,” Evan replied before turning to leave.<br />*** </span></div>
Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-65365887176263870482020-04-13T16:30:00.000-04:002020-04-13T16:30:02.475-04:00Anonymous Bookaholics Book Tag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: inherit;"> Hello, darling readers! This is the first of my not-a-review-but-totally-keeping-my-blog-going-through-a-pandemic-with-massive-mental-health-issues random content posts. I kid you not. Prepare for oversharing and Maggie TMI. Anyways! I found this book tag over on <a href="https://twirlingbookprincess.com/2020/04/anonymous-bookaholics-book-tag/">Twirling Book Princess'</a> site and while I've only recently started following her, I'm loving her site. Y'all should go check her out.<br /><br >
<b>1. What do you like about buying new books?</b><br />
the new book rush and the sniff factor.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: inherit;"><b>2. How often do you buy new books?</b><br />
As often as my wallet allows. Some months are tighter than others. And, with Manatee's situation and quarantine expenses, I'm "one day at a time"-ing.<br />
<b>3. Bookstore or online book shopping: which do you prefer?</b><br />
I absolutely <i>adore</i> my local Barnes & Noble (I don't ) and they adore me. It's also one of the places I can take Manatee as a retired service dog and still be safe to shop as long as I please.<br />
<b>4. Do you have a favorite bookshop?</b><br />
My favourite bookstore (Bev's Bookworm Exchange) closed a few years before her passing unfortunately and I have no local indie, so, if you're ever in the Orlando area, I highly recommend <a href="https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2120">this Barnes & Noble store</a>.<br />
<b>5. Do you pre-order books?</b><br />
Rarely, that's an expense I can't do right now, but sometimes I splurge and spoil myself.<br />
<b>6. Do you have a monthly buying limit?</b><br />
My maximum splurge is 4 new books if my budget says I can. If not, I stick to my unread already bought babies <b>because I be responsible</b>.<br />
<b>7. How big is your wish list?</b><br />
I have no idea. I don't really pay attention to it... But I do know that it's hella big. If I can't sleep (I have insomnia, so often) and don't want to read, I wander around <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3UWIXZSWPN0CB?ref_=wl_share">Amazon</a>.<br />
<b>8. Which three books from your wish list do you wish to own right now?</b><br />
Ha. Um, let's see here... I've recently become obsessed with <b>Rhenna Morgan</b> and her books. I'm reading the <i>Men of Haven</i> series. So, probably the second, third, and fourth books of the series. Because I'm pretty easy.</span></div><br />
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That's the end of this tag, y'all! If you're reading this and you feel like participating, I'm tagging you! Be sure to comment a link to yours below when you post it so that I can come see your answers!<br />
Until next time, duckies, have a happily ever after and <b>stay safe</b>!</span></div>
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-20107610146364444192020-04-12T20:58:00.000-04:002020-04-12T20:58:37.406-04:00She's Got the Quarantine Blues<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: inherit;"><b>COVID-19</b> has had my family on essential lockdown for <b><i>30 days</i></b> as of today. Because of our family's collective health issues and my grandmother's age, we've been limiting our social interactions since <b>13 March</b>. Aside from essential shopping trips and two pharmacy runs, total isolation. And y'all. <i>We are not okay.</i> We are not a "the family that plays together stays together" sort, we're four people, cohabitating and interacting in small amounts and never all four together. Monopoly was banned in our house when my brother and I were little because I owned the property my brother landed on and wouldn't sell it to him. There was a first aid kit involved.<br />I'm not putting my blog on pause for the duration of this pandemic, I've been putting together posts for y'all's entertainment, just not reviews because reviews are hard to put together for me recently. My ADHD and anxiety are going off and everything going on here is making for tense times <i>obviously</i> so things keep being forgotten. <i>I keep forgetting what day it is and I am not comfortable with this</i>!<br />I think that I won't be sticking to a set schedule <b>aside from my tours</b> and will be posting Top Ten Tuesdays, Book Lists, Book Tags, and random bookish and non-bookish posts. With occasional reviews perhaps. I'll be putting together reviews for future dates but for now, schedules and time construct is not here.<br />I hope y'all are staying safe and for random weirdness, find me on </span><span style="font-size: inherit;"><u><span style="color: #000120;"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@skittleswarlord">my tiktok</a></span></u>.<br />
Until next time, have a happily ever and keep 6ft apart and wash those hands!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/signature.PNG" width="200" height="81" data-original-width="270" data-original-height="110" /></a>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-28747511354884161782020-04-07T22:07:00.001-04:002020-04-07T22:07:49.275-04:00Top Ten Tuesday ★ 12<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Top Ten Tuesday was created by </span><a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" style="font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a><span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> in June of 2010 and was moved to </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="font-size: 13.33px;">The Artsy Reader Girl</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I assign each Tuesday a topic and then post my top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join me and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information. You’ll find the schedule of upcoming TTT topics below so you can plan ahead. I’ll post a Linky here on the blog each week so you can link up your post (if you want). If you don’t have a blog, post your picks in the comment section below! Have tons of fun talking books and getting to know your fellow bloggers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">NOTE:</b> If a weekly topic is listed as a “freebie”, you are invited to come up with your own topic. Sometimes I will give your topic a theme, such as “love”, a season, or an upcoming holiday. That just means that you can come up with any topic you want that fits under that umbrella.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> - Jana of <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="font-size: 13.33px; text-align: left;">The Artsy Reader Girl</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 24px;">Ten Books I Bought For the Title</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, our Top Ten Tuesday theme is 'Books I Bought Because —'. I get to fill in the blank of <i>why</i> I bought the books. I like titles. I blame my latent authorial yearnings. I will pull a killer title off the shelf and toss it in my basket without even looking at the synopsis. It hasn't steered me wrong very often, I've found some amazing authors this way.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6869353-water-bound" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHJQclDbuyE/WmsoPR6LTcI/AAAAAAAAARg/7-TRolt6S9YZTDuX_KZ9nQGWFQTbpWM2QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Water%2BBound%2Bby%2BChristine%2BFeehan.jpg" width="187" height="320" data-original-width="278" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6869353-water-bound">Water Bound</a> by Christine Feehan</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm a water-attracted autistic individual, this book was an auto-buy at a used bookstore in Warner Robins, GA. And then I discovered <b>the heroine is autistic</b> and it became my favourite book and #1 rec. And one of <a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2018/01/review-of-water-bound-by-christine.html">my first reviews on my site</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7828781-no-place-to-run" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIZfthqyCPU/Xoz7TYyG27I/AAAAAAAAFf0/hywLpBRnHP8D6DNRDxBohUq4-ojeBAFDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/no%2Bplace%2Bto%2Brun.jpg" width="198" height="320" data-original-width="294" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7828781-no-place-to-run">No Place to Run</a> by Maya Banks</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought this was a book one when I bought it but I really didn't care, I discovered KGI and Maya Banks because of this book and I am forever grateful for this book title.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6972157-beast-behaving-badly" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8UEMEwdfho/XNIM5ntFs4I/AAAAAAAAC5g/9yK5zGb25wIolQQbGjSSM2sGnLUNPqhowCPcBGAYYCw/s320/beast%2Bbehaving%2Bbadly.jpg" width="196" height="320" data-original-width="291" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6972157-beast-behaving-badly">Beast Behaving Badly</a> by Shelly Laurenston</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's right, I started my obsession with my personal deity in the middle of her pack-pride series and I have no regrets. This is still my favourite of the series as it's Blayne's story and it's my introduction to Shelly Laurenston.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/976.Deception_Point" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5O4hl93eOIk/Xo0VR6aC8cI/AAAAAAAAFgI/ayrEjdNtpvQKesd34tQ04zvsA-suCK50gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/deception%2Bpoint.jpg" width="203" height="320" data-original-width="302" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/976.Deception_Point">Deception Point</a> by Dan Brown</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to say that I bought <b><i>Deception Point</i></b> before the whole <b><i>The DaVinci Code</i></b> craze. I appreciate the craze though, it made it easier to find his books in stores. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30264.Dead_Witch_Walking" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vxkw5nch7ew/XKEWl0GJExI/AAAAAAAACaU/bjW4IUKEFGQwMdtdFY3rtKHcVOMCkRKDACEwYBhgL/s320/dead%2Bwitch%2Bwalking.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kim Harrison's first few books have some 难忘 (y'all, I am having a day today, I forgot the English word for unforgettable) titles. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13418149-game-misconduct" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkEPezm3mFU/XMTWg9rFsJI/AAAAAAAAC1E/oqcdIIL-Voo9FAtAXJrLXFZG4JJ3TVkTQCLcBGAs/s320/game%2Bmisconduct.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13418149-game-misconduct">Game Misconduct</a> by Bianca Sommerland</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did I know that this was a polyamorous romance when I bought it? <i>Nope</i>. Did I enjoy it? <i>Yep</i>. Did it introduce me to healthy polyamory? <i>Yep</i>. Am I open to it myself? <i>Yep</i>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12927528-the-wolf-who-loved-me
" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrrDfVmjnH0/Xo0UgRkxk9I/AAAAAAAAFgA/YKziN0tyUk4EZuk17julbBUIW2sWyQXDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/the%2Bwolf%2Bwho%2Bloved%2Bme.png" width="193" height="320" data-original-width="287" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12927528-the-wolf-who-loved-me">The Wolf Who Loved Me</a> by Lydia Dare</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was a random buy at my used bookstore one day when I was still recovering from my ankle getting mangled and I wound up buying the entire series. Can't say I didn't enjoy the books. Historical romances meet paranormal romances. Choice.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23211040-dog-with-a-bone">Dog with a Bone</a> by Hailey Edwards</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I JUST HAVE A THING FOR DOGS AND I WON'T EVEN DEFEND THIS TITLE-BUY BUT I LOVE THIS SERIES.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28173303-nameless-queen" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IjgmsfghJCk/Xo0dOGoaz_I/AAAAAAAAFgg/yhszz3v0INYJgSU_1DOob09LJDConIxawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Nameless%2BQueen.png" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28173303-nameless-queen">Nameless Queen</a> by Rebecca McLaughlin</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was actually a name-cover combo. I still haven't found time to read it but I bought it on my last kindle-spree. I <i>do</i> want a physical copy because it looks so pretty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29794621-magic-of-the-gargoyles" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dNSlwSTz_BM/Xo0dsOlfnbI/AAAAAAAAFgo/gdllKR7hPPUJMdmMf_NKZmW0uA9_BWfOACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/magic%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bgargoyles.png" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29794621-magic-of-the-gargoyles">Magic of the Gargoyles</a> by Rebecca Chastain</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was a random arse purchase but I'm so glad I bought it because, again, love it. Gargoyles and magic. <i>LOVE IT</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay inside, be kind, stay safe, and pick up a new hobby during quarantine, y'all! Until next time, have a happily ever after!<br />
</span><br />
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-59087694681427305172020-04-06T20:07:00.005-04:002023-06-26T02:17:37.938-04:00Review of Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45416856-badger-to-the-bone" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOwjRmYK4AU/Xf-pUn7vgvI/AAAAAAAAEFw/r78t_zC3-5ci7ktMqVKQXO2VAes1gYzVQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/badger%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bbone.jpg" width="267"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: inherit;"><b>Badger to the Bone</b> by Shelly Laurenston<br>
<i>Honey Badger Chronicles #3</i><br>Published <span style="color: #38761d;">31 March 2020</span> by Kensington<br>
<br>She’s the woman he’s been hired to kidnap. But ZeZé Vargas has other ideas . . . like getting them both out of this nightmare alive. Just one problem. She’s crazy. Certifiably. Because while he’s plotting their escape, the petite Asian beauty is plotting something much more deadly . . . <br>
<br>Max “Kill It Again” MacKilligan has no idea what one of her own is doing with all these criminal humans until she realizes that Zé has no idea who or what he is. Or exactly how much power he truly has.<br><br>But Max is more than happy to bring this handsome jaguar shifter into her world and show him everything he’s been missing out on. A move that might be the dumbest thing she’s ever done once she realizes how far her enemies will go to wipe her out. Too bad for them Zé is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her alive . . . and honey badgers are just so damn hard to kill!<br><br></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's that time of year again, readers! Time to pull you back to the land of clinically insane shifters and the people who love them. That's right, it's time to talk about the newest release from my personal deity, Shelly Laurenston. I'll say it now, the FTC requires I inform you that I was given an advanced copy of <b><i>Badger to the Bone</i></b> so I could give you my honest review and share all of my opinions. The FTC thinks I'm easily swayed (they've obviously never met me) and thinks my price for a phony review is a free book and requires a disclaimer or I get a fine. So here's my disclaimer because I'm a broke bitch.<br>
Shelly saved my favourite MacKilligan sister for last in <b><i>Badger to the Bone</i></b> <b>Max "Kill It Again" MacKilligan</b> is the middle MacKilligan sister {<a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2018/03/arc-review-of-hot-and-badgered-happy.html">Charlie</a> is the oldest and <a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2019/04/review-of-in-badger-way-by-shelly.html">Stevie</a> is the youngest} and she's also the badger connecting the MacKilligan honey badger clan to the Yang honey badger clan. Suffice it to say that Max is all the crazy and illegal. <i><b>I love her</b></i>.<br>
Max manages to find herself some new kidnappers in the Netherlands while dealing with her sociopathic cousin, and I do mean Max finds them. That crazy little badger actually <i>jumps</i> into their van and tell them to, and I quote, <i>"go, go, go"</i>. Then she immediately starts a ruckus with them because <i>why not?</i> and comes out of it with a new friend, <b>Zé Vargas</b>, who doesn't know he's a shifter? Max and her team (you'll love them) bring Zé back to the MacKilligan sisters house to educate him. Zé is a former US Marine (I know, no such thing as former) and current undercover special agent, and apparently a jaguar shifter unbeknownst to him. Because <i>somebody</i> had crappy parenting skills and thought <i>that</i> was a good idea. All the judgment there. And during his <i>fever-induced</i> first (second?) shift, he tries to snack on one of the bear shifter neighbours' cubs then escapes into a neighbouring tiger neighbourhood.<br>
In <b><i>Badger to the Bone</i></b>, Max and Zé, with the help of Max's teammates, track down the story behind his shifter genetics, deal with yet another MacKilligan sisters daddy issue, and solve a couple other problems along the way. One of my favourite things about this entire series has been the functional dysfunctional family group. While the sisters are all over each other, left, right, and centre, they're also the ones to be there for their sisters, no matter what. I also enjoy the cute little scenes that Ms Laurenston has included in the beginning of each of the books regarding the MacKilligan sisters' childhood years. They're pure gold. <br>
As usual, Ms Laurenston delivers a hilarious action-packed story with just the right amount of romance to balance out the story. She gives us a few extra twists that I thoroughly enjoyed, complete with snorts and cackles. And right now, during quarantine and pandemic time, hilarity is what this blogger needs. There are out of control hybrids and psychotic relatives, douchebag lions that you will love to hate and new characters that you'll welcome with open arms. Best of all, we get Blayne and Bo and their spawn. Lemme have their weirdness!<br>
Overall, I'm giving <b><i>Badger to the Bone</i></b> all 5 of my stars and I'm actually not sure about flames. <i>I know, I suck.</i> But I've been in isolation for a month. Give me a break. If you're looking for a book filled with laughs, this is definitely a good book to read. I'm due for a reread of the Pack-Pride saga myself, so I might be doing that...<br> <a href="https://shellylaurenston.com/excerpts/badger-to-the-bone-excerpt/">Read an excerpt here</a>!</span></div>
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Originally from Long Island, New York, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A.’s dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at <a href="https://www.gaaiken.com"> this spot</a>.<br>
Books by Shelly Laurenston that I've Reviewed include ::<br>
<a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2020/01/review-of-blacksmith-queen-by-gaaiken.html">The Blacksmith Queen</a> - writing as GA Aiken<br>
<a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2019/04/review-of-in-badger-way-by-shelly.html">In a Badger Way</a><br>
<a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2018/03/arc-review-of-hot-and-badgered-happy.html">Hot & Badgered</a><br>
<a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2018/04/arc-review-of-howl-for-it.html">Like a Wolf with a Bone</a><br><br>
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I'm going a bit stir-crazy here in quarantine. I'm on day 25 myself (we be serious here) and there's only so much family togetherness a dysfunctional family can take. So, I'm making cards to send to hospitals <b>and</b> people like you who are stuck inside. If you'd like a card (and are 18+ and are in the US because the shipping is ridiculously expensive, sorry), you can send me your mailing information on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/ouatireadabook">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onceuponatimeireadabook">Instagram</a>. If you're able to, send a card to your local hospital. That's it. Until next time, have a happily ever after and stay safe, y'all!<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s270/signature.PNG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBorQUn0Dak/WjwLkINDpfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/A-GN1gE8jKUI05F8LPx9q9tzRKtaQiLWwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/signature.PNG"></a></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-85491176170943045332020-03-27T18:10:00.000-04:002020-03-27T18:10:01.541-04:00Blog Tour ★ Hers to Tame by Rhenna Morgan<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48133732-hers-to-tame" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJahFZL2fcA/Xnz2hsvVupI/AAAAAAAAFeA/uMH7_Jx5yJsCW3J3N04kuKg5sTVN9eLDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/hers%2Bto%2Btame.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hers to Tame by Rhenna Morgan</b><br />
<i>NOLA Knights #1</i><br />Published 16 March 2020 by Carina Press<br /><br />
<b>Book two of NOLA Knights, the heart-stoppingly sexy spin-off series by Men of Haven author Rhenna Morgan</b><br />
As an <i>avtoritet</i> for the most powerful crime syndicate in New Orleans, Kir Vasilek doesn’t act without purpose, doesn’t speak without thought and never, ever loses his cool. The lives of his brothers, <i>his family</i>, depend on it. But then Cassie McClintock strolls back into his life, and staying cool is next to impossible. Cassie was the one who got away—and Kir is willing to break all his own rules to keep it from happening ever again.
It’s one thing to report on the Russian mafia; it’s quite another to sleep with one of them, especially one as dangerous, and as sinfully sexy, as Kir Vasilek. Even though the information he once provided helped make her career—and the memory of his touch still keeps her up at night—Cassie knows too much about his world to go down that path.
But when Kir reaches out for help after a rival family comes for one of his own, Cassie doesn’t want to say no, either to investigating a gruesome murder or to the heat that pulls her right back into his arms…and his heart. Taming Kir—and helping to save the family she’s come to call her own—is not the story she thought she’d write, but it’s the one she’s determined will get a happy ending.
Hers to Tame is the highly anticipated follow-up to <i>His to Defend</i>. And don’t miss Roman’s story in <i>Mine to Keep</i>, coming soon from Rhenna Morgan and Carina Press.
This book is approximately 85,000 words
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<b>NOLA Knights series</b><br />Book 1: <i>His to Defend</i><br />Book 2: <i>Hers to Tame</i><br />Book 3:<i>Mine to Keep</i><br /><br />
<i>One-click with confidence. This title is part of the <b>Carina Press Romance Promise</b> : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!</i><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/hers-to-tame-by-rhenna-morgan">Bookbub</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48133732-hers-to-tame">Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.librarything.com/work/24178405
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hers-Tame-Knights-Rhenna-Morgan/dp/1335962646/">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/hers-to-tame/id1479851710">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Hers-to-Tame-Audiobook/1488207712">Audible</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hers-to-tame-rhenna-morgan/1133500058?ean=9781335962645">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=hers+to+tame+rhenna+morgan&search=Find+book">The Book Depository</a><br /><a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=7819596064177&query=hers+to+tame+rhenna+morgan&filter=">Books A Million</a>•<a href="https://www.carinapress.com/shop/books/9781335962645_hers-to-tame.html">Carina Press</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhenna_Morgan_Hers_to_Tame?id=-yGvDwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488054167_hers-to-tame.html">Harlequin</a>•<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=hers+to+tame+rhenna+morgan">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hers-to-tame">Kobo</a>•<a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488207716">Libro.fm</a><br />
<a href="https://www3.livrariacultura.com.br/hers-to-tame-2012463554/p">Livraria Cultura</a>•<a href="https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=hers+to+tame+rhenna+morgan">OverDrive</a><br />
<a href="https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/hers-to-tame_rhenna-morgan/26078661/#isbn=1335962646">Thriftbooks</a>•</span></div><br />
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We're getting this part out of the way before my brain blanks again. I'm forgetting the days, so it's a possibility. In accordance with the FTC guidelines, I received a copy of <b><i>Hers to Tame</i></b> from the publisher so I could participate in their blog tour. I get to give you my honest review and tell you what I liked and what I didn't like about the book. I'm required to tell you this every time I review a review copy because they think I can be bought by a free book. Yeah, okay...<br />
Today, I get to talk about <b><i>Hers to Tame</i></b>, the second in the <i>NOLA Knights</i> series (trilogy, I hope there's more, but okay). The story follows <b>Cassie McClintock</b> and <b>Kir Vasilek</b> as they revisit the sparks they discovered in <a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2020/03/review-of-his-to-defend-by-rhenna-morgan.html">His to Defend</a> and maybe, just maybe get it right this time if they can both get over their relationship issues. Cassie and Kir both used each other at the start of their relationship to further their own lives, Kir to advance his family's goals and Cassie to advance her career, but after some time apart to reassess, they've realised that their story isn't over just yet. But the same night that Kir and Cassie reconnect, all hell breaks loose in Kir's family when one of Kir's brothers-in-arms is murdered. To find the killer, Kir and Cassie team up <b>professionally</b> but Kir is determined to make their partnership more permanent.<br />
I'm going to dive right in today. Cassie and Kir's relationship starting off with the mutual exploitation as the basis of their relationship <b>bothers me so freaking much</b>, y'all. I'm too cut-and-dry for that ish. So to me, this relationship wouldn't work. <b><i>I have too many trust issues</i></b>. I couldn't bring myself to trust my acquaintance-with-benefits (<b>y'all know what I mean</b>) as far as I could throw them, let alone actually form a lasting relationship with them that ends with a happily ever after. <i>Neurotypicals be thinking differently, huh?</i>.<br />
I also wasn't a fan of the mstery/danger aspect of <b><i>Her to Tame</i></b>. While I loved the healthy dollop we had in <i>His to Defend</i>, what is in <b><i>Hers to Tame</i></b> pales in comparison for me. I get that it's more of a subtle bit but I feel deprived. That's as far as I'm going even though I want to vent because this blog is spoiler-free (aside from the content warning buttons). But it frustrates me. I had built -up anticipation. And I cry!<br />
What I <i>did</i> like about <b><i>Hers to Tame</i></b> was Kir encouraging Cassie in her love of photography and helping her find opportunities. I loved Cassie's confidence in herself and in Kir when she faced the troubles that come with being a reporter and a significant other of a known member of the mafiya. <b>And I would die for the mafiya sisters. They're perfection. "we adopt you. you're ours now." No arguments, y'all. I love them.</b><br />
Overall, I'm giving <b><i>Hers to Tame</i></b> 3 stars and 4 flames, I loved the romance, but the non-romance part of the story left me searching for the sizzle. I had no sizzle. Like I'm always saying, everybody reads a story different, so y'all might love this more than I did, so if it sounds like a book you'd enjoy, please give it a chance.
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfAgs7rgtSk/Xnjj0ozluuI/AAAAAAAAFb0/ZN3MfbPjz7UyYbnEgr6WwK-Zlu7NCMx3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rhenna%2Bmorgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfAgs7rgtSk/Xnjj0ozluuI/AAAAAAAAFb0/ZN3MfbPjz7UyYbnEgr6WwK-Zlu7NCMx3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rhenna%2Bmorgan.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">A native Oklahoman with two beautiful girls, Rhenna Morgan is a certified romance junkie and has a resume that reflects her passion for new experiences. Since graduating with a Bachelors in Radio, Television, and Film at Oklahoma State, she’s racked up positions ranging from on-air radio talent, skip tracer, and promotions director, to real estate agent, project manager, and business analyst.<br />Like most women, she’s got obligations stacked tight from dawn to dusk. To combat the crush of reality, she’s turned to romance as her primary source of escape ever since she cracked the spine on her first Christine Feehan book years ago. Whether it’s contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy you’re after, Rhenna’s stories pack new, exciting worlds, and strong, intuitive men who fight to keep the women they want.<br />For advance release news and exclusive content, sign up for her newsletter on her <a href="https://www.rhennamorgan.com/">website</a>. You can also find her social media links there (or below), along with her smoking hot inspiration boards.<br /><br />
Visit Rhenna online!<br />
Social Media include::</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://instagram.com/rhennamorgan/">Instagram</a>|<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RhennaMorgan">Facebook</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/rhennamorgan">Twitter</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8596977.Rhenna_Morgan"> Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhenna-morgan">BookBub</a>|<a href="https://rhennamorgan.com/">Website</a></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my lifelong friends has tested positive for this stupid virus. I'm having a time processing it. So, yeah. <br />
Right now, I'm not sure where to direct you for non-profits. I do know that <a href="https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/coronavirus-relief-fund/">Global Giving has set up a COVID-19 Relief Fund for those in need</a>, including medical personnel and kids who rely on school meals. And <a href="https://www.studentrelieffund.org/">Believe in Students partnered up with edquity and RISE to create a Student Relief Fund</a> for students effected by capus closures. I'll be looking for more links in the coming days for y'all. But mostly, check in on your neighbours and the elderly and chronically ill. If you know of someone who has mental health issues, please check in on them. Self-isolation is not healthy for us. It wears. Send messages, poke them on facebook, send memes, randomly buy plants for them on etsy for them (plants are great serotonin boosters and they help purify the air of toxins!), call them, drive by their place and beep the horn until they come to the window and then wave like a maniac (I'm partial to that one, it's funny), just remind them they're not alone. ♥
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-71065840652524357162020-03-26T14:00:00.000-04:002020-04-18T14:48:08.388-04:00Blog Tour ★ Tactical Crime Division Miniseries Launch Post<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey, readers!<br />I'm so happy to be a part of Harlequin's launch of their new miniseries, <b>Tactical Crime Division</b>. It sounds right up my Harlequin Family's alley. I'm having each of these books delivered to my house so they can be added to the family library we're slowly rebuilding. My grandmother, my mother, and I are sure to enjoy these books and I hope that you'll join us in reading them! Without further hullabaloo from yours truly, let's get on with the glitter and pizzaz!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and Blacklist...<br />Uncover the lives and loves of the FBI elite as they take on the toughest assignments. This is a new four-book miniseries featuring an ensemble cast of characters spread across 4 books, featuring 4 urgent cases, with one stellar team of crime-solving experts.<br />The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI. Because of the growing concerns and need for ever-increasing response time to criminal events, the FBI created a specialized tech and tactical team combing specialists from several active divisions that include: weapons, crime scene investigation, protection, negotiation and IT.<br />Each title can be read as a standalone novel, featuring a unique hard to solve crime case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Meet the Team!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aescev3w8cQ/XnzYQ3fZ2UI/AAAAAAAAFdo/rrjL52cM5rA0d48xjocQ_G5flII-5AtVQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CharacterCard_AnaSofia_1080x1080.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aescev3w8cQ/XnzYQ3fZ2UI/AAAAAAAAFdo/rrjL52cM5rA0d48xjocQ_G5flII-5AtVQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CharacterCard_AnaSofia_1080x1080.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lROTWYO-bwQ/XnzYQ_df_FI/AAAAAAAAFdo/Z6kzt02MkTAWqx8h0qANEiJGdEBF8393ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CharacterCard_Davis_1080x1080.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lROTWYO-bwQ/XnzYQ_df_FI/AAAAAAAAFdo/Z6kzt02MkTAWqx8h0qANEiJGdEBF8393ACPcBGAYYCw/s200/CharacterCard_Davis_1080x1080.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJnlrYWjjWg/XnzYQxCQ1bI/AAAAAAAAFds/vLPbthCTZREZPlcZhaq7g8TFpm3RRshvwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CharacterCard_Evan_1080x1080.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJnlrYWjjWg/XnzYQxCQ1bI/AAAAAAAAFds/vLPbthCTZREZPlcZhaq7g8TFpm3RRshvwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CharacterCard_Evan_1080x1080.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6dXMqUr198/XnzYRl3UWwI/AAAAAAAAFds/kUMVzxSJn-M-TwWFwhNCsyVkvnow7nmDgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CharacterCard_Laura_1080x1080.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6dXMqUr198/XnzYRl3UWwI/AAAAAAAAFds/kUMVzxSJn-M-TwWFwhNCsyVkvnow7nmDgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CharacterCard_Laura_1080x1080.jpg" width="200" /></a> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "large"; font-size: large;"><b>The Books</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #1: 48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy</b> (on-sale March 17, 2020)<br />The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI. They handle the toughest cases in the most remote locations. When TCD learns of a school invasion turned lockdown, every agent is ready to engage. With children in jeopardy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But it becomes personal for hostage negotiator agent Evan Duran when he learns Annalise Taylor is one of the captives holed up with the students in a school for the gifted. He’ll need every resource available at TCD and every ounce of his expertise to turn this disastrous situation into a rescue mission—and if he succeeds, maybe reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Carla Cassidy is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 125 novels for Harlequin Books. She is listed on the Romance Writer's of America Honor Roll and has won numerous awards. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50217728-48-hour-lockdown">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hour-Lockdown-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136398">Amazon</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/48-hour-lockdown-carla-cassidy/1133889963?ean=9781335136398">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Carla_Cassidy_48_Hour_Lockdown?id=DS6zDwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136398">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136398_48-hour-lockdown.html">Harlequin</a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #2: Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter</b> (on-sale April 21, 2020)<br />Book description: In the wake of a tragedy, the Tactical Crime Division is the first call. When ironclad body armor inexplicably fails and soldiers perish, the Tactical Crime Division jumps into action. Agent and former ranger Davis Rogers asks to go undercover to find the traitor responsible for the death of one of his friends, and Petrov Armor CEO Leila Petrov is happy to provide access to her company…especially once she discovers she’s being framed. But will their joint efforts be enough to uncover the truth?<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range. Her novels have been published in more than a dozen countries and translated into eight languages. Visit her at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.elizabethheiter.com">her website</a>.<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52610660-secret-investigation">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Investigation-Tactical-Crime-Division-ebook/dp/B07YLWS343">Amazon</a><br /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-investigation-elizabeth-heiter/1133974152?ean=9781335136459">Barnes & Noble</a>• <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Elizabeth_Heiter_Secret_Investigation?id=EC-zDwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136459">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136459_secret-investigation.html">Harlequin</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #3: Midnight Abduction by Nichole Severn</b> (on-sale May 19, 2020)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book description: For the Tactical Crime Division, no case is left cold. When Benning Reeves’s twins are kidnapped, the frantic father knows who can help: the Tactical Crime Division and Ana Ramirez. Even though Ana once shattered Benning’s heart, the special agent is the only one he can trust. But Ana is still tormented by the unresolved case that brought them together years before—a case somehow entangled with Benning’s children. It’s up to the TCD and Ana to discover why…before it’s too late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nichole Severn writes romantic suspense with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and a hell of a lot of guns. When she’s not writing, she’s injuring herself running and practicing yoga.<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48894022-midnight-abduction">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Abduction-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136525">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-abduction-nichole-severn/1134876532?ean=9781335136527">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Nichole_Severn_Midnight_Abduction?id=OMu9DwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136527">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136527_midnight-abduction.html">Harlequin</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book #4: Running Out of Time by Cindi Myers</b> (on-sale June 16, 2020)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book description: When a terrorist is on the loose, the Tactical Crime Division is on the case. To find out who poisoned medications, two of TCD’s agents are tapped to go undercover posing as a married couple and infiltrate the company. But as soon as Jace Cantrell and Laura Smith arrive at Stroud Pharmaceuticals, someone ups the ante by planting explosives in their midst. Turns out that the small-town family business is hiding a million secrets. Could they unknowingly be protecting a vengeful killer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cindi Myers became one of the most popular people in eighth grade when she and her best friend wrote a torrid historical romance and passed the manuscript around among friends. Fame was short-lived, alas; the English teacher confiscated the manuscript. Since then, Cindi has written more than 50 published novels. Her historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction have garnered praise from reviewers and readers alike.<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48920861-running-out-of-time">Goodreads</a>•<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Running-Time-Tactical-Crime-Division/dp/1335136584">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/running-out-of-time-cindi-myers/1135079353?ean=9781335136589">Barnes & Noble</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cindi_Myers_Running_Out_of_Time?id=c-a_DwAAQBAJ">Google</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136589">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335136589_running-out-of-time.html">Harlequin</a> </span></div>
Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-19060507675220333252020-03-25T13:45:00.000-04:002020-03-27T13:19:57.571-04:00Review of His to Defend by Rhenna Morgan<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>His to Defend by Rhenna Morgan</b><br />
<i>NOLA Knights #1</i><br />Published 14 October 2019 by Carina Press<br /><br />
<b>Book one of NOLA Knights, the heart-stoppingly sexy spinoff series by Men of Haven author, Rhenna Morgan.</b><br />
<i>His world. His rules. Her love.</i><br />Though his methods may be rough, when It comes to protecting what’s his, Russian vor, Sergei Petrovyh’s heart is always in the right place. That’s never been more true than when the gorgeous Evette Labadie asks him for a job. He knows enough to keep his hands off someone as beloved by the locals as Evie, but there’s something about her that calls to him — no matter how badly he burns top make her his.<br />Don’t think Evie hasn’t noticed the powerful Russian mafia boss who makes her favorite diner a regular stop. How can she not? He’s as hot as his reputation is dangerous. But everyone in her struggling New Orleans neighbourhood knows he’s the man to turn to. And right now she needs money to get her son out of trouble.<br />Her other needs — needs she knows damn well Sergei can more than satisfy — will have to wait.<br />Evie soon finds herself playing Cinderella to a man who, despite what people believe, is definitely more prince than villain. She can’t help falling deeper in love with each passing day. But when a turf war between Sergei and a rival brings violence to her doorstep, Evie must come to grips with loving a man who will do anything to defend her…or walk away from her best chance at a happily-ever-after of her very own.<br /><br />
<b>NOLA Knights series</b><br />Book 1: <i>His to Defend</i><br />Book 2: <i>Hers to Tame</i><br />Book 3:<i>Mine to Keep</i><br /><br />
<i>One-click with confidence. This title is part of the <b>Carina Press Romance Promise</b> : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!</i><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/his-to-defend-by-rhenna-morgan/">Bookbub</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46038659-his-to-defend">Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.librarything.com/work/23573346/">LibraryThing</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.betterworldbooks.com/search/results?q=his%20to%20defend%20rhenna%20morgan">Better World Books</a>•<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=his+to+defend+rhenna+morgan&search=Find+book">The Book Depository</a><br /><a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=7819596064177&query=his+to+defend+rhenna+morgan&filter=">Books A Million</a>•<a href="https://www.carinapress.com/shop/books/9781335534378_his-to-defend.html">Carina Press</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/His_to_Defend_A_Mafia_Romance?id=syiaDwAAQBAJ">Google</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488054150_his-to-defend.html">Harlequin</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>His to Defend</i></b> introduced me to a new-to-me author that I’ve since added to my list of favourites. Rhenna Morgan offers us a new series set in New Orleans centring around a Russian vor and the single mom who captured his attention from the first time he laid eyes on her in Miss Dorothy's diner. Sergei Petrovyh and Evie Labadie are the stars of <b><i>His to Defend</i></b> and <b>I love them so freaking much</b>, and I hope that y’all will too. Evie is a single mom willing to do anything and everything she can to make sure her son has everything he needs in his life. She sees no way out of the trouble she faces so she turns to the local yummy Russian mobster for some help. And Sergei Petroyvh gives his angel the world, whether she knows it or not.<br />
<b><i>His to Defend</i></b> has well-rounded supporting characters in Miss Dorothy, Kir Vasilek, and Roman Kozlov. Sergei is the perfect alpha male, not the horrible overbearing always right type, but the caring, secure, capable of protecting those he loves, possessing a powerful presence, and just enough domineering to get the engines revving (<b>don't judge me</b>). She manages to deliver to me a few twists that I don't see coming and I'm grateful for that. I do hate predictability, y'all. While there is insta-attraction, we do <i>not</i> have insta-love and it makes for some major sparkage going on between Sergei and Evie. Sergei doesn't just work his way into Evie's good graces but he works his way into Evie's son, Emerson's heart as well.<br />
But this story wouldn't be a mafiya romance if there wasn't some intrigue and danger. Evie is fired for a security breach she didn't cause and Sergei does some snooping to find out why she's to blame. And Sergei is an up-and-coming mobster in New Orleans with competition, and there's obviously some danger in that situation (no spoilers but <b>oooh!</b>). Emerson and Evie are both touched by Sergei's business and Evie has to decide whether or not she can handle this sort of life.<br />
<blockquote>Labadie women didn’t quit. Didn’t give up. They faced whatever they needed to face, and they smiled doing it.</blockquote>
Overall, I'm giving <b><i>His to Defend</i></b> all 5 of my stars and 4 flames for heat. This was a stellar introduction to a new author and if you haven't read Rhenna Morgan, this is definitely a good starting place. I'm a bit upset I've never read a Rhenna Morgan story before but I'm remedying that as soon as possible. I've bought the series that <i>NOLA Knights</i> spun off from and I'm counting them as a treat for social distancing and surviving <b><i>Ultra Family Togetherness Time</i></b>.
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfAgs7rgtSk/Xnjj0ozluuI/AAAAAAAAFb0/ZN3MfbPjz7UyYbnEgr6WwK-Zlu7NCMx3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rhenna%2Bmorgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfAgs7rgtSk/Xnjj0ozluuI/AAAAAAAAFb0/ZN3MfbPjz7UyYbnEgr6WwK-Zlu7NCMx3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rhenna%2Bmorgan.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">A native Oklahoman with two beautiful girls, Rhenna Morgan is a certified romance junkie and has a resume that reflects her passion for new experiences. Since graduating with a Bachelors in Radio, Television, and Film at Oklahoma State, she’s racked up positions ranging from on-air radio talent, skip tracer, and promotions director, to real estate agent, project manager, and business analyst.<br />Like most women, she’s got obligations stacked tight from dawn to dusk. To combat the crush of reality, she’s turned to romance as her primary source of escape ever since she cracked the spine on her first Christine Feehan book years ago. Whether it’s contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy you’re after, Rhenna’s stories pack new, exciting worlds, and strong, intuitive men who fight to keep the women they want.<br />For advance release news and exclusive content, sign up for her newsletter on her <a href="https://www.rhennamorgan.com/">website</a>. You can also find her social media links there (or below), along with her smoking hot inspiration boards.<br /><br />
Visit Rhenna online!<br />
Social Media include::</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://instagram.com/rhennamorgan/">Instagram</a>|<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RhennaMorgan">Facebook</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/rhennamorgan">Twitter</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8596977.Rhenna_Morgan"> Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhenna-morgan">BookBub</a>|<a href="https://rhennamorgan.com/">Website</a></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Guess who's got internet installed? Turns out, quarantine with my entire family is the straw that breaks me. I've got my planner set up to be posting <i>a lot</i> and I'm putting together so weird/interesting posts I guess. We shall see how that goes! Let me know in the comments if you want to see anything different because hey, we're all stuck inside right now and I know we're all getting bored as all get out about now. I'm also posting on my <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@skittleswarlord">TikTok</a> now so, let's see how that goes, yeah?<br />
Right now, I'm not sure where to direct you for non-profits. I do know that <a href="https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/coronavirus-relief-fund/">Global Giving has set up a COVID-19 Relief Fund for those in need</a>, including medical personnel and kids who rely on school meals. And <a href="https://www.studentrelieffund.org/">Believe in Students partnered up with edquity and RISE to create a Student Relief Fund</a> for students effected by capus closures. I'll be looking for more links in the coming days for y'all. But mostly, check in on your neighbours and the elderly and chronically ill. If you know of someone who has mental health issues, please check in on them. Self-isolation is not healthy for us. It wears. Send messages, poke them on facebook, send memes, randomly buy plants for them on etsy for them (plants are great serotonin boosters and they help purify the air of toxins!), call them, drive by their place and beep the horn until they come to the window and then wave like a maniac (I'm partial to that one, it's funny), just remind them they're not alone. ♥
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-76997384822741837312020-03-07T13:00:00.000-05:002020-03-10T15:15:40.731-04:00Blog Tour ★ Review of Before He Vanished<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51796248-before-he-vanished" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-471Mme6OR6M/XmL_8j4F_JI/AAAAAAAAFaE/5ymhjASphisVaWBxtvd7qUxsTuLjSftiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cover%2Bimage_Before%2BHe%2BVanished%2Bby%2BDebra%2BWebb%2B%2528Intrigue%2529.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Before He Vanished by Debra Webb</b><br /><i>Winchester, Tennessee #6</i><br />Published <span style="color: #0b5394;">1 March 2020</span><br />by Harlequin Intrigue<br /><br /><b>His disappearance changed her life forever. </b><br />Twenty-five years ago, Halle Lane’s best friend vanished from their Tennessee town. When a childhood photo brings Liam Hart to Winchester, Halle is certain the man is the same child who vanished. Now Liam seeks out Halle to help him investigate the circumstances of his mysterious past. Can Liam and Halle uncover the truth before a killer buries all traces of the boy Halle loved—and the man he may have become—forever?<br />
<b>Discover more spine-tingling suspense in the <i>Winchester, Tennessee Thriller</i> series:</b><br />
<i>In Self Defense<br />The Dark Woods<br />The Stranger Next Door<br />The Safest Lies <br />Witness Protection Widow</i><br />
<b>From Harlequin Intrigue: <i>Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/before-he-vanished-by-debra-webb">BookBub</a>✦<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51796248-before-he-vanished">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335136339">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/before-he-vanished/id1472400515">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-he-vanished-debra-webb/1132431939">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Before-He-Vanished-Debra-Webb/9781335136336">The Book Depository</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Debra_Webb_Before_He_Vanished?id=GrmhDwAAQBAJ">Google</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335135612_before-he-vanished.html">Harlequin</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136336">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/before-he-vanished">Kobo</a>•<a href="https://www.overdrive.com/media/4850167/before-he-vanished">OverDrive</a>•<a href="https://www.target.com/p/before-he-vanished-winchester-tennessee-thriller-by-debra-webb-paperback/-/A-77587490">Target</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before we start out, I’m getting this out of the way because I will forget to do it if I don’t. I got a review copy from the publisher so I could do my read and review thing. In other words. <b>Per FTC guidelines so I won’t get fined, I’m telling you, the reader, that I got a free book to read from the publisher so I could review it! This doesn’t influence me in any manner because I am an opinionated woman who doesn’t know how to not speak her mind. But I don’t feel like paying the government money for not mentioning the free book thing, so here we are, stuck in this never-ending cycle of having to mention this. I got a free book to read from the publisher so I could talk about whether I liked it or not. Shocking, I know. </b><br />We’re returning to Winchester, Tennessee once again today with <b><i>Before He Vanished</i></b> and I am actually pretty excited to tell you that Debra Webb delivers two of my favourite tropes to me on a silver platter and I enjoyed every page of it! I’m talking about best friends to lovers <i>and</i> traumatic forgotten childhoods. Oh, my gods, that sounds so bad, but honestly, it’s a “samesies” relatable thing, I swear. <b>Halle Lane</b> and <b>Andy Clark</b> were best friends attached at the hip their entire childhood until Andy disappeared one day when they were seven. Twenty-five years later, Halle is an investigative reporter at the Winchester Gazette and takes the opportunity to launch an investigative series of articles on the anniversary of her friend’s disappearance. And <i>somebody</i> (I love mysterious somebodies) sends her article to <b>Liam Hart</b> in Napa, California. Liam and his sister, Claire, are both surprised to see little Liam’s face in an article about a missing kid from Tennessee twenty-five years ago. Liam’s steadfast that it’s a joke, but Claire’s more open to the idea and suggests he go to Tennessee. I like Claires. They’re always so astute. I need a Claire in my life, please. <br />The thing that really rubbed. Halle and Liam vacillate between their past and present relationships, Halle likens Liam to Andy every time you turn a page, understandably, but I do wonder if the romance is between Halle and Liam or Halle and Andy. Yes, they're the same guy, but does she love adult Liam because he's Andy and she never got to see that childhood first love thing through or not? I don't really see that explored in the book. The same goes for Liam. Halle was Andy's #1 everything, and twenty-five years later, he has her in his face again and is he Andy or is he Liam? Does he like Halle or did Andy and he's just seeing it through? And <b>this really bothered me, okay?</b><br />
<b><i>Before He Vanished</i></b> was a joy to read in that Webb spins the story in a way that you expect and then she hits you from behind with another twist and you sit there trying to figure out how you got there. I know I said in <a href="https://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com/2020/02/blog-tour-review-of-witness-protection.html">my previous Winchester review</a> that I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but this time, Webb tied my ends up nice and neat for me, and she gave me cute childhood memories to boot! <b><i>Before He Vanished</i></b> has low-heat romance and a couple murders to be solved, oodles of intrigue, and just a splash predictability. <br />Now, as per usual, I have content warnings for you! If you feel that forewarned is forearmed, all you need to do is click the reveal button and you have the content and trigger warnings. As always, please practise care in your readings if any of these might be problematic for you, and if you have any questions about them, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about them, I'll try my best to remember the details if I can't look them up! Please note that these warnings do contain spoiler materials.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> This book contains the kidnapping of a child, murder, gun violence, a car accident involving a child (non-fatal), arson, and black market children </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I’m going to be giving <b><i>Before He Vanished</i></b> 4 stars and just 1 flame for heat. I’ve enjoyed finding Winchester, Tennessee and I’ve actually bought the <i>The Undertaker’s Daughter</i> series to read in my down-time so I’m obviously recommending this to y’all. This book is available wherever Harlequin romances are sold, so go check it out for yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency and the Shades of Death series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel. With this award Debra joined the ranks of a handful of authors like Nora Roberts and Carole Mortimer.<br />With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm and spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Chttps://www.debrawebb.com/">www.debrawebb.com</a>.<br />Social Media include::</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/debraewebb/%3EInstagram%3C/a%3E|%3Ca%20href=" www.facebook.com="">Facebook</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/DebraWebbAuthor">Twitter</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/68900.Debra_Webb"> Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-webb">Bookbub</a>|<a href="https://debrawebb.com/">Website</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Guess who had to go to the after-hours care clinic last night and have glass removed from her hand because she dropped the blender that is apparently <i>not</i> plastic and whilst picking up the pieces and making sure the dogs maintained their stays outside of the kitchen and away from the glass, she rammed a nice chonk of glass in her hand? Yeah, me. I'm a smart cookie, honest. I also weirded the doc out because he's digging glass out of my hand without an anaesthetic of any sort and he kept asking if I was okay or if I needed a break. Nah, bruh. I'm good. And that's on messed up pain receptors because of past trauma and side effects of Aimovig.<br />In keeping with this review, today's post is dedicated to the <a href="https://www.missingkids.org/">National Center for Missing and Exploited Children</a>. If you're of a mind and the means to donate to this worthy cause, I defintely won't stop you.</span></div>
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-85567443446716381882020-02-21T15:00:00.000-05:002020-04-14T16:04:47.143-04:00Blog Tour ★ Review of Temporary Wife Temptation<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee</b><br /><i>The Heirs of Hansol #1</i><br />Published 4 February 2020 by Harlequin Desire<br />
<b><i>Much more than he bargained for…</i></b><br />
<b>“You want me to find you a wife?”</b><br />
<b>“No. I want you to be my wife.”</b><br />
Garrett Song is this close to taking the reins of his family’s LA fashion empire…until the Song matriarch insists he marry her handpicked bride first. To block her matchmaking, he recruits Natalie Sobol to pose as his wife. She needs a fake spouse as badly as he does. But when passion burns down their chaste agreement, the flames could destroy them all… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/temporary-wife-temptation-by-jayci-lee">BookBub</a>✦<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47871146-temporary-wife-temptation">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Temporary-Wife-Temptation-Heirs-Hansol-ebook/dp/B07WTMRLFD/">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/temporary-wife-temptation/id1477179837">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temporary-wife-temptation-jayci-lee/1133045754">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Temporary-Wife-Temptation-Jayci-Lee/9781335208941">The Book Depository</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jayci_Lee_Temporary_Wife_Temptation?id=J1WqDwAAQBAJ">Google</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335208941_temporary-wife-temptation.html">Harlequin</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335208941">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/temporary-wife-temptation">Kobo</a>•<a href="https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=TEMPORARY+WIFE+TEMPTATION">OverDrive</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Temporary Wife Temptation</i></b> is the other book I chose to do for this tour set and if that wasn’t enough of a disclaimer, <b>the publisher sent me a free book to read and review for my site and that doesn’t influence my rating whatsoever because I take after my great-grandmother, I’m an opinionated woman with a big mouth.</b> <br />
I liked reading <b><i>Temporary Wife Temptation</i></b>, it was a quick, entertaining read that had just the right amount of spice to it to keep me interested in the story. We have <b>Garrett Song</b> and <b>Natalie Sobol</b> who are both super attracted to each other and, y’all, we get the <b>marriage of convenience</b> trope. That’s a good trope. Garrett needs an out from a surprise arranged marriage and the bonus of a wife who can wow the business contacts is great. And Natalie needs a promotion so she can adopt her orphaned niece. A deal is struck, a nice celibate deal. *cue the evil laughter*<br />
There were parts of this that I didn’t like and some that <b>I will fight for</b>. I loved the mix of Garrett’s traditional Korean background and Natalie’s only access to her heritage being what she gleans from KDramas (<i>girl, same, dramas connect us with what our parents didn’t give us</i>) and how they were brought up a lot. Natalie didn’t know wedding traditions or how to wear a hanbok but between Garrett’s sister, Adelaide, and her neighbour, Mrs Kim, she manages to find her feet. I did <i>not</i> like the time jumps. A day or two is one thing, but the passing of time is problematic for me as it is so I do <i>not</i> like having major time skips in my stories. And we missed out on the awkward roommate vibes, which I love. So, boo.<br />
Overall I’m giving <b><i>Temporary Wife Temptation</i></b> 4 stars and 3 flames. I didn’t get bored reading this or dredge my way through reading it and I can’t wait to read Adelaide’s story in the Fall! I hope y’all give <b><i>Temporary Wife Temptation</i></b> a try!<BR />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jayci Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance every free second she can scavenge. She lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose cuteness is a major distraction. At times, she cannot accommodate real life because her brain is full of drool worthy heroes and badass heroines clamoring to come to life.Because of all the books demanding to be written, Jayci writes full-time now, and is semi-retired from her fifteen-year career as a defense litigator. She loves food, wine, and travelling, and incidentally so do her characters. Books have always helped her grow, dream, and heal, and she hopes her books will do the same for you.<br />
Visit Jayci online!<br />Social Media include::</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/authorjaycilee/">Instagram</a>|<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorjaycilee">Facebook</a>|<a href="https://twitter.com/authorjaycilee">Twitter</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19450142.Jayci_Lee"> Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://jaycilee.com/">Website</a></span><br /><BR />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> That's it for this review, y'all. Who else misses all the other content? I'm going to start slowly bringing it back! I'm trying to find a wifi provider that isn't going to kill me on hidden costs or stalk me (Spectrum, total stalker). So if anybody in Florida has any suggestions for a reasonably priced provider I'm taking suggestions! </span></div>
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-42740119100256386792020-02-17T13:00:00.000-05:002020-02-17T13:00:02.460-05:00Review of Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long</b><br />
<i>Book One of the A.L. McKitteridge series</i><br />Published <span style="color: #0b5394;">18 February 2020</span><br />by MIRA Suspense<br /><br />They know exactly when he'll strike... They just have to find him first.<br />In all their years working for the Baywood police department, detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have never seen anything like it. Four women dead in forty days, each killed ten days apart. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they're going to find the killer's next victim before he does.<br />But identifying the killer's next likely target is only half the battle. With pressure pushing in from all sides, a promising breakthrough leads the detectives to Tess Lyons, a woman whose past trauma has left her too damaged to appreciate the danger she's in. Unwilling to let another woman die, A.L. and Rena will put everything on the line to keep Tess safe and end the killer's deadly spree once and for all--before time runs out again.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Days-Gone-McKittridge-Novel/dp/0778309584/">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/ten-days-gone/id1461086435">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ten-days-gone-beverly-long/1131350389?ean=9780778309581">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My blog is diving into the world of suspense and mystery with this review of <b><i>Ten Days Gone</i></b> by Beverly Long since I <i>do</i> enjoy the genre and Harper Collins was kind enough to send me an invitation to read this and tell you about it! Heh. That’s my way of saying, <b>I was given an advanced reading copy of this book by the publisher and am required by the FTC to inform you of lest I face heavy fines that I am much too broke to pay. The bequeathing of this advanced copy does not in any way sway my opinions of this book and all views of said book are my own.</b> Let’s get settled in nice and cosy before we get this review started, get in your favourite reading spot, grab a comfortable blanket, and curl up, folks.<br />
I wasn’t really a fan of <b><i>Ten Days Gone</i></b> for several reasons which I’ll lay out for you here. I’ll start with saying that I so disliked the investigative duo, <b>Detective A.L. McKitteridge</b> and his partner, <b>Detective Rena Morgan</b>, that I was decidedly <b>Team Serial Killer</b> before I even reached chapter four. McKitteridge is a <i>real man’s man</i> and I just want to feed him to an alligator, y’all. He’s a prime example of latent misogyny and toxic masculinity and he does very little regarding this case he’s lead on. He scoffs at his new boss’ appearance because he dresses smart and maintains a manicure. He gets romantically involved with the woman they believe to be next on the serial killer’s hit list. And actually pulls the Thin Blue Line family crap with a fellow officer so his daughter doesn’t get arrested for underage drinking and just <i>throw the whole man out, please!</i> Detective Rena Morgan seems to do most of the work in this case despite her constant worries regarding her disastership of a marriage and thinking “disastership marriage+baby=saved marriage”. <b>No!</b> Rena does all of the work and all of the thinking in this investigative pairing and gets none of the credit from her partner or her co-workers. And we really played some nasty little points in her storyline that I wish had not been written because this is 2020 and <i>why are we still doing ish like this for storyline foil?</i><br />
I had the ‘whodunnit’ part figured out pretty quickly, the clues were a bit obvious for me. I’ve watched 30 years of crime shows and obsessed over suspense novels for just as long, I can see them coming from a mile away unfortunately. I was also a bit bored while reading this when I wasn’t wanting to chuck the ‘hero’ into the lake behind my house (we have alligators…). Nothing really reached off of the page and grabbed me, which I really wanted to happen because <i>I love serial killer suspense</i>. I actually came close to DNFing this book, but I’m trying to get better at seeing things through to the end. Look at me, embracing commitment and ish. Next thing you know, I’ll be signing up for a dating app. Someone set up an intervention before that happens, please.<br />
Overall, <b><i>Ten Days Gone</i></b> is not a book I’d recommend unless you want a book to keep you mildly occupied at the Dentist’s but not ensconced while you wait for your mum to have surgery and you have to be there to drive her home. Because that’s how I got through this book. Anxiety and a need for distraction. I am giving <b><i>Ten Days Gone</i></b> two stars and no flames because <b>I was not a fan of this book</b> which was surprising because I used to enjoy reading Beverly Long’s HQN novels as a teen. As always, these views are my own, I’m a picky heifer at times so you might enjoy this where I didn’t. So if it sounds like a book you’d enjoy, have fun. It’s your reading time, read what you want!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was raised in a small town in Illinois and was a frequent visitor to our little library. While I read many types of books, I was drawn to those featuring feisty heroines in dangerous situations. I so wanted to be Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew.<br />
I co-authored my first book in fourth grade, discovering the love of creating characters. In high school, I knew that writing was easy for me. If there was a choice between dissecting the frog and writing the five-page paper about it, I volunteered for the paper every time. <br />
But I never considered writing as a career. I went to college, got a business degree and later an MBA and worked for many years as a human resources leader. <br />
I continued to be a reader, however, gravitating toward romantic fiction. And in my mid-thirties, decided that it might be time to write my own book. Many years later in 2005, my first book, Stay with Me, was published. In the years since then, I’ve written many more books and novellas and am always grateful for the opportunity to do so.<br />
Please connect with me on your favourite social media (see the Home tab). Also, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter. I share news with those readers first. I can be reached by email at BeverlyLongBooks@gmail.com.<br />
Thank you for visiting my website!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was reminded of why I'm not around my maternal family this week when my uncles brought my Grams home from her family tour, I came close to relapsing dealing with just 36 hours of it. I had to step back and find myself because I'd gone back to doubting and hating myself. Thankfully my sister and my friends had my back <b>again</b> and they reached out to me and wouldn't stop until they got responses. No downward spiral, no relapse, no worries! I did forget about setting the schedule for this post but hey, y'all are used to the random crazy. If you're new, welcome to the chaos.<br />For this post, since mental health is also prevalent in this story and in my life, I want to have <a href="https://www.nami.org/">NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health</a> as my charity of focus. As always, if you are of a mind and a means to donate, please consider <b>NAMI</b> as a benificiary of your kindness and generosity.<br />Until next time, dear readers, have a happily ever after!</span></div>
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-44257297920858058892020-02-08T13:00:00.000-05:002020-03-06T16:05:32.215-05:00Blog Tour ★ Review of Witness Protection Widow<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50850559-witness-protection-widow" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsdiIiia_vY/XjmQCLPbhfI/AAAAAAAAEKg/T5BxiFIRaWwZYh7K6kOjBTsbKZ7E4wcagCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/cover_Witness%2BProtection%2BWidow_Debra%2BWebb.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Witness Protection Widow by Debra Webb</b><br /><i>Winchester, Tennessee #5</i><br />Published <span style="color: #0b5394;">1 Feruary 2020</span><br />by Harlequin Intrigue<br /><br />Don’t miss the high-stakes police procedural thriller from USA TODAY bestselling author Debra Webb.<br />
<b><i>Can the witness protection program keep her identity secret?</i></b><br />After Allison James finally escapes her marriage to a monster, she becomes the star witness in the case against her deceased husband’s powerful crime family. Now it’s up to US Marshal Jaxson Stevens, Ali’s ex-boyfriend, to keep the WITSEC widow safe. But as the danger escalates and sparks fly, will Jax be able to help Ali escape her ruthless in-laws?<br />
<b>Discover more spine-tingling suspense in the <i>Winchester, Tennessee Thriller</i> series:</b><br />
<i>In Self Defense<br />The Dark Woods<br />The Stranger Next Door<br />The Safest Lies <br />Witness Protection Widow</i><br />
<b>From Harlequin Intrigue: <i>Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/witness-protection-widow-by-debra-webb">BookBub</a>✦<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50850559-witness-protection-widow">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335136274">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/witness-protection-widow/id1472400653">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witness-protection-widow-debra-webb/1132431933">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Witness-Protection-Widow-Debra-Webb/9781335136275">The Book Depository</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Debra_Webb_Witness_Protection_Widow?id=PLihDwAAQBAJ">Google</a>•<a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335135551_witness-protection-widow.html">Harlequin</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335136275">Indiebound</a>•<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/witness-protection-widow">Kobo</a>•<a href="https://www.overdrive.com/media/5076930/witness-protection-widow">OverDrive</a>•<a href="https://www.target.com/p/witness-protection-widow-winchester-tennessee-thriller-by-debra-webb-paperback/-/A-77587491">Target</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> If you're an avid Harlequin reader like myself and my mother, and my grandmother, you're probably acquainted with the name <b>Debra Webb</b>. I don't even remember a Harlequin without her stories, my favourites were the Colby Agency ones when I pilfered them from my grandmother's collection. So I was excited to be able to sign up for this tour with Harlequin featuring Debra Webb's latest, <b><i>Witness Protection Widow</i></b>. What I'm trying to say here, folks is, <b>I got a copy of this book from the publisher so I could read it and tell you in an honest review if I liked it or if I hated it, what I did or didn't like about it, and whether or not I'd buy it for myself or somebody else. And the FTC ('The Man') requires that I inform my readers of all of this. Because the FTC thinks I'm a sell-out easily swayed by these things.</b><br />
<b>Ali</b> and <b>US Marshal Jaxson 'Jax' Stevens</B> were once each other's <i>one true love</i> but then life got in the way of happily ever after. Jax went to Seattle and Ali to Atlanta. But sometimes The Fates bring things back together again. Jax is assigned to get Ali through the last four days leading up to her former father-in-law's trial after her in-place US Marshal is injured in a car accident. What a coinkydink that Jax was in Tennessee at the same time WitSec placed Ali there for pre-trial security. I'm so bitter, y'all.<br />
<b><i>Witness Protection Widow</i></b> was a quick read for me, I'd run the dogs one last time before sending them to bed and then I'd settle in for a nice read with a sleeve of Thin Mints. <i>I have no regrets</i>. This wasn't a story that sucked me and ensnared for the next week and I forgot that I have an entire household to maintain some semblance of order over because I've done that before. But it kept me interested waiting for the Big Bad Thing to happen where everyone realises they love each other and they can't go on living without them (fainting couch needed, stat!). And that's kinda where it lost me. That was a let down! I can't go on a rant about it because <b>I maintain a spoiler-free standard in my reviews</b> (minus the content warnings, obviously) but I am bereft and there are loose ends that I am dangling from whilst screaming in frustration. <b>I need closure!</b><br />I am <i>not</i> a real big fan of Jax. He's a lot like some of my past relationships. Assuming a woman (<i>anyone</i>) is going to wait around for you to come back to her <i>weeks, months, years later</i> even though you're not together anymore. It's not an attractive quality. I kept hoping some goon from her former father-in-law would shoot him in the derriere every time he stuck his big foot in his big mouth. He was a butt (totally censoring myself here for politeness) to Ali repeatedly and grr!<br />I know that I won't buy a copy of this one for myself, but I'm also going out to buy a copy for my grandmother to read because I know she's a fan of second chance romances, especially the ones where someone's acting like a butt. <i>I don't judge</i>.<br />Now, as per usual, I have content warnings for you! If you feel that forewarned is forearmed, all you need to do is click the reveal button and you have the content and trigger warnings. As always, please practise care in your readings if any of these might be problematic for you, and if you have any questions about them, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about them, I'll try my best to remember the details if I can't look them up! Please note that these warnings do contain some spoiler material.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> This book contains graphic retelling of domestic violence perpetrated against the heroine, spousal abuse, gun violence, murder, injured animal/pet, there is a snake, death of a sibling/child (sibling as a child) (past event) but it's talked about and y'all should know, death of parents (not on the page but a driving force behind choices made by the heroine), crime family content, car accident (non-fatal, not on the page) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Overall, I'm going to be giving <b><i>Witness Protection Widow</i></b> an even 3 stars and 1 flame for heat because I enjoy Debra Webb's stories, I fangirl hard over them ometimes, but this one was relatively blah for me. It felt more like a novella add-on to her other books than anything else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency and the Shades of Death series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel. With this award Debra joined the ranks of a handful of authors like Nora Roberts and Carole Mortimer.<br />With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm and spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Chttps://www.debrawebb.com/">www.debrawebb.com</a>.<br />Social Media include::</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Okay folks, that is it for this post and be sure to come back next week because, hey more reviews! And, <b>my grandmother is on her way here as you're reading this!</b> So, lots of squeeing will abound and, if I can get my internet and laptop to coexist peacefully, photos will be had! I don't have a charity chosen for this week because I've been cleaning the house and putting together my Grams' room but if you're really in a giving mood and of a means to do so but need an idea, my other reviews have <i>plenty</i> of charities to choose from. As always, do good, have fun, and until next time, have a happily ever after! </span></div>
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Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1286463802201608241.post-88555365123052478722020-01-25T13:00:00.000-05:002020-02-04T10:51:40.988-05:00Review of Not a Hero by Cherise Sinclair<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Not a Hero by Cherise Sinclair</b><br /><i>Sons of the Survivalist #1</i><br />Published <span style="color: #0b5394;">29 January 2019</span><br />by VanScoy Publishing Group<br />In the Alaska wilderness, four streetwise boys became men—and brothers.<br />
Now the crazy ex-military survivalist who plucked Gabriel and three other boys from an abusive foster care home has died. But the sarge leaves them a final mission--to revive the dying town of Rescue.<br />
Gabe is done with being a hero. <br />
Wounded in body and soul, the retired SEAL simply wants to remain holed up in his isolated cabin. He sure doesn’t want to be chief of police in some defunct town. But he has his orders.<br />
Audrey needs a place to hide.<br />
After the Chicago librarian discovers a horrendous crime, she wakes to an assassin in her bedroom. Injured and terrified, she flees, covering her trail every inch of the way. New name, new ID. New home. As Audrey learns to survive in Rescue, she begins to fall for the town…and the intimidating chief of police who protects it. <br />
Can the shy introvert and the deadly police chief find a life together?<br />
Despite the discord in town, Gabe is finding his own peace…with the quiet young woman who seems to have no past. She’s adorable and caring and so very lost. But how can he trust someone who lies to him with every breath she takes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/not-a-hero-sons-of-the-survivalist-1-by-cherise-sinclair">BookBub</a>✦<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42832789-not-a-hero">Goodreads</a>✦<a href="https://www.librarything.com/work/22803723">LibraryThing</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KK17H1L/">Amazon</a>•<a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/not-a-hero/id1442931093">Apple</a>•<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Not-a-Hero-Audiobook/B083LP6WVB">Audible</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-a-hero-cherise-sinclair/1129888013?ean=9781947219137">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Not-Hero-Cherise-Sinclair/9781947219137">The Book Depository</a>•<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cherise_Sinclair_Not_a_Hero?id=aLF5DwAAQBAJ">Google</a>•<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781947219137">Indiebound</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KK17H1L/">Kindle</a>•<a href="https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/not-a-hero-2">Kobo</a>•<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-a-hero-cherise-sinclair/1129888013?ean=2940161577240">Nook</a>•<a href="https://www.overdrive.com/media/4536393/not-a-hero">OverDrive</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Not a Hero</i></b> is the first novel of a new series from Cherise Sinclair. While the <b><i>Sons of the Survivalist</i></b> series is a spin-off from <b><i>The Masters of the Shadowlands</i></b> series you don’t really need to read the previous series to understand this one. Just wanted to get that out there first so I don’t forget. Moving on!<br />
This story is about <b>rescue</b>. <b>Gabe</b> rescuing <b>Hawk</b>, <b>Mako</b> rescuing Gabe, <b>Cazador</b>, Hawk, and <b>Bull</b>, Gabe and his brothers rescuing Mako from his PTSD and seclusion, Mako setting up his will so the brothers would rescue the town of <b>Rescue, Alaska</b>, this list goes on, but I don’t want to tell you the entire story right here. That kind of defeats the purpose of writing a review to make you want to read the book, right?<br />
<b>Audrey</b> is an interesting character in that she does online research jobs for people and she stumbles on to a crime and uses the things she’s learned in her research to survive on the run from the Big Bad. I loved the colourful characters that comprised the citizens of Rescue. My favourites include <b>Dante</b> and <b>Lillian</b>, both friends of the late Mako who adopt both Gabe and his brothers <i>and</i> Audrey when she arrives in Rescue. Dante is like a sweet old papa bear and Lillian is a fiesty old mama bear and <b>I love them so much!</b> Also, I love all that is Bull, he's just awesomesauce. That's right, I said it. I am <i>that person</i>. Bull is awesomesauce and I want to keep him.<br />
<b><i>Not a Hero</i></b> was a relatively quick read amid packing up my apartment last month, it was entertaining but a bit predictable. Yet I found it enjoyable and had a good laugh at the moose incidents. <b><i>Not a Hero</i></b> has all I like in my brain-reset books. A little danger, some suspense, romance, action/violence, and some laughs. And if you knew my family, you would understand that moving is a stressful time for us so this was the ideal book to return to after a day of packing boxes and all the stress I went through.<br />
Now, as per usual, I have content warnings for you! If you feel that forewarned is forearmed, all you need to do is click the reveal button and you have the content and trigger warnings. As always, please practise care in your readings if any of these might be problematic for you, and if you have any questions about them, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about them! Please note that these warnings do contain some spoiler material.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This book contains attempted sexual assault on a child, PTSD flashbacks around children, violence, gun violence, attempted murder, sexual assault but not rape (two instances of groping, and another where men are tearing at womens' clothing), kidnapping, alcohol consumption, violence against a women (slapping), a smidge of gore in self-defence, off-page murder, a cult (y'all know how I love cults) and a dirty cop (added this because, we don't all have great experiences with cops and my family was affected by a dirty cop once upon a time but the state police investigated and cleared my relative, so it should be mentioned because not all cops are good and bad cops traumatize so let's recognise that with adding a warning, mmmkay?). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I'm giving <b><i>Not a Hero</i></b> 4 stars for entertainment and 3 flames for heat. I rather enjoy Ms Sinclair's books and while <b><i>Not a Hero</i></b> steps away from kinkdom, she doesn't lose her flair, so I definitely recommend this book to y'all and hope you give a look. Let me know if you've read this or any of Ms Sinclair's work in the comments! Oh, and be sure to visit <a href="https://cherisesinclair.com/sons-of-the-survivalist-1/">this page</a> for an excerpt from this book!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdUr376NsWo/XiufrqyV_DI/AAAAAAAAEJI/tL_QSGQNd7gfaevgKnoN5BPFUVqVCNQSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cherise-Sinclair-2249-Sm-Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdUr376NsWo/XiufrqyV_DI/AAAAAAAAEJI/tL_QSGQNd7gfaevgKnoN5BPFUVqVCNQSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Cherise-Sinclair-2249-Sm-Color.jpg" width="229" height="320" data-original-width="360" data-original-height="504" /></a></div>A New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Cherise Sinclair is renowned for writing heart-wrenching stories with laugh-out-loud dialogue, devastating Dominants, and absolutely sizzling sex. And did I mention the BDSM? Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a Goodreads BDSM group’s Best Author of the Year.<br />
Cherise currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband and writes full-time under the supervision of a merciless feline.<br />
Find out more about this Ms Sinclair at <a href="https://cherisesinclair.com/">her website</a>. <br /><br />Social Media include:: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CheriseSinclairAuthor">Facebook Page</a>|<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2882485.Cherise_Sinclair">Goodreads</a>|<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/630355183697510/">Facebook Group</a>|<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/cherisesinclair/">Pinterest</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, raise your hand if you just spent $60 on <b>Girl Scouts Thin Mint cookies</b>. Oh, just my mum? Yeah, so my mum works with a troop leader and this is not a good thing, y'all. She seriously bought an entire case of thin mints <i>ahead of cookie time</i>. Like we're not going to see a Girl Scout table and run over to it like addicted maniacs and buy a couple boxes anyways. Anyways. I'm reposting the Australian charities list this week because we're having wifi and cable installed next month and I'm doing this using my phone's anchor. Hence the lack of content. I swear, I have plans for my site! Plans that include wifi access... So until next weekend, have a happily ever after and stay safe out there, darlings!<br />
Here are several charities that benefit animals and people that some Australian contacts sent me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund">Wires Wildlife Rescue</a>♥<a href="https://www.aussieark.org.au/">Aussie Ark</a><br />
<a href="https://www.foodbank.org.au/support-us/make-a-donation/donate-funds/">Foodbank Australia</a>♥<a href="https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate">Australian Red Cross</a><br />
<a href="https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw">St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia</a>♥<a href="https://cfsfoundation.org.au/">CFS Foundation (Support the firefighters!)</a><br />
<a href="https://wildlifewarriors.org.au/">Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors</a>♥<a href="https://koalahospital.org.au/">Koala Hospital in NSW</a><br />
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</span></span></div>Maggie ☆ 劉美儒 ☆ Theyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066408954042876126noreply@blogger.com0