Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” —Groucho Marx

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Calico Joe by John Grisham...a review

Youza!   Youza!   Get your peanuts!  Popcorn!  Footlongs!   'n Ice Cold Beer!

   Bases are loaded and yes sirree Bob, it's a high flyin' ball!   Joe brings it in with a grand slam!

Reading Grisham's Calico Joe was like a blast from the past- a day at the ball park and the stories of legends!   How many eight to ten year olds love(d) the sport of baseball?   Well there were loads of them.  I had four brothers and umpteen cousins who all collected and traded ball cards, kept track of stats, and played in little league, just like our main character, Paul Tracey.    We see all the joy of a young fan in Paul's character.

Too bad for Paul, he has the worst father ever!   You know the type...they've never grown up.   It's all about themselves and everybody else is secondary or at the bottom of the so called totem pole.   Meet  Warren Tracey, pitcher for the Mets and father of Paul Tracey.    Always traveling, playing ball and drinking.   When home fear resides in the home and abuse comes walking in beside him.   Consider the life long toll on impressionable brother and sister.

While Paul is young, he idolizes the newest and greatest player to grace the ball field, young Joe Castle from Calico Arkansas, now known as Calico Joe.   Joe's stats are the best, he is humble, and he loves baseball!
But his career is tragically cut short by a bean ball that caught him in the head and was pitched by Paul's father on the fateful day many years ago.

The story is told from Paul's point of view.   Son of a pitcher, baseball fan---where does his father's fallout end?   Or does it?   The story centers around baseball, but it also deals with right and wrong.  It deals with the relationship between father and son; how Paul and Warren rectify some of the wrongs before it is forever too late.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  Although I took a very nostalgic road throughout the book, I hated to learn Calico Joe was not a real ball player.    I certainly became a hard and fast fan of his!!  Definitely a must read for any ball fan who ever invested time and love in the sport!

Read it for yourself and let me know what you think?   I'd love to know how you felt!


Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.



Thursday, September 27, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday #10

This is a   BLOG HOP!!  It is designed to help you meet and follow your fellow bloggers and they will follow you back!  Woo Hoo!   Get excited and hop on the train!

RULES

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  • (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
  • (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
  • If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
  • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
  • If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
  • If you have CAPTCHA word verification enabled on your blog, please take it off. It makes it much more difficult for readers to comment. Please look at Allison's CAPTCHA Eradication Post to learn how to get rid of it.
  •  
  • This is a Blog Hop!!!  
  •  This week's Question:  What is the BIGGEST word you've seen used in a book lately - that made you stop and look it up?
  • My answer:    I'm thinking....yes, .   Currently I am Reading an ARC copy of the Rebel Princess by Anne M Strick....pg 104 of the ARC "...Mo-was at once obsequious and mean."
  • Obsequious   : marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness.   I'll admit, I learn a lot from good authors!   :D

Toxic Relationshio by Richard Hacker/ RABT VBT







Synopsis: 
After a murdered partner, a cheating wife and a lost job in Houston, Nick Sibelius sets up a private investigation business in a small Texas town hoping to find some peace and maybe, himself. When a couple disappears and a bass fisherman turns up dead, he finds himself drawn into a web of toxic relationships:  MaryLou, a beautiful woman with a mysterious past; Junior, a failed farmer whose best intentions seem to always result in a dead body; Barry, a sociopathic dentist turned illegal toxic waste entrepreneur with visions of grandeur.  When the felon who killed his partner in Houston joins forces with Barry, Nick must not only stop the toxic waste dumping while finding his client’s missing daughter, but keep from being killed in the process. In the end, MaryLou’s dark secret will either save him or kill him -- whichever comes first.

“Tight suspense with wonderful laugh out loud moments. Richard Hacker is a master storyteller."  
Pam Binder, Pacific Northwest Writers Association President and author of the NY Times Best Selling anthology, A Season in the Highlands
"Many times I found myself getting strange looks because I was laughing out loud...Highly entertaining and sure to be enjoyed by fans of mysteries with humor. I highly recommend it and hope that there will be more stories to follow."  
Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

EXCERPT:  

Junior looked back at Ayisha.
“He’s not my kid you know. My brother, my dear brother Caleb killed himself. The boy’s mother,” he pointed to Carl, “she ran off with some rodeo cowboy. Caleb tried to dull his pain with a load of beer and a bunch of whiskey he found on sale down at the Quik Pick liquor store. Caleb got drunk, then killed himself by rolling his truck, which of course led to me suddenly having his son Carl in my business. You got kids?”
Ayisha shook her head “no.”
“Figures. You FBI types probably don’t have time for family. Well let me tell you what. It ain’t all it’s cranked up to be. I mean, look at this situation. I’ve got you people,” he waved his gun across at Delton, “probably federal agents, snooping around my property and where’s Carl? Face down in the dirt. I tell you, the boy makes a cedar post seem really smart.


My Review :

It took me fifty pages to become invested in this story....I think it was the first laugh out loud moment that hooked me and I ended up loving what I initially thought I wouldn't care for.  The first pages were building the story pages and were indeed necessary.  It was there we first met Carl, (a rather dim witted,farm boy, headed for his hiding spot) that he finds occupied by young black lovers.  When it becomes obvious that someone is watching the young lovers, the male takes off after the pervert.  The girl is screaming, her young marine in pursuit, he trips and knocks himself out and Carl runs smack into a tree, knocking himself out as well!    There is a lot of action during this read, but the absolute best parts were hearing the inner thoughts of two backwoods farmers, Carl and his uncle, Junior  who are rednecks and without a lot of education.   Junior who wanted to be somebody and wanted to walk the easy road to success, is obviously thrust into mayhem as his own paranoia and bad luck made him somebody who attracted trouble.  These two characters made the book for me!  The main Character was Nick Sebelious, a burnt out cop turned private investigator, who had been hired by Aiyisha's dad to find his daughter and bring her back.  Yes, she was the girl with her marine lover that Carl stumbled across in the beginning.   She and Delton's story was terrifying to say the least.

The characters in this story are awesome.  The story is steady, we meet a man changing into a woman, the doofusses, a love story gone wrong, a psychopath dentist with higher aspirations than sense, and a killer who was scarier than zombies.   I think for a mystery, adventure and laugh out loud funny read, you wouldn't go wrong with Toxic Relationship.   Rather a fast read too!




Richard Hacker/Author Bio:
Richard Hacker’s novel, TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, released August, 2012 by Champagne was a 2011 Writer’s League of Texas (WLT) finalist, where in addition, SHAPER EMERGENCE won best novel in the Science Fiction category.  He is a member of both the Writers’ League of Texas and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. 

After living many years in Texas where he worked as a leadership coach, public speaker and management trainer, he moved with his high school sweetheart to Seattle.  While he misses the big skies of Texas, Richard has grown pretty fond of the Pacific Northwest.  Along with his wife, Sidney, they hike, kayak and have adventures on his Vespa scooter.  His writing partner is a springer spaniel named Jazz, who helps with proofreading and ball fetching.

DIRTY WATER, the next novel in the Nick Sibelius series after TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, will be released June, 2013.  He is currently working on the third book in the series, as well as a young adult fantasy entitled INKER WARS: THE FIVE PENS OF JOHANN.


Contact Information
Twitter: @Richard_Hacker
         


Purchase Links






*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Same Kind of Different as Me, by Denver Moore and Ron Hall/ a Review

This was a selection from my book club, (we have two active members).  I wasn't sure about this book to begin with and it probably took past page 100 to sink my teeth into it.   The book is about two men, one white and the other black, who became friends because of Miss Debbie, Ron's wife.   Alternating chapters voice the POV of each man.   Denver was virtually a slave in the 1960's, grew up very very poor and found homelessness in Ft Worth Texas as a step up to his childhood.   Ron grew up as upper middle class, was schooled and became an art dealer with a kean eye and easy trade skills.

Denver remained alone.   Ron and Debbie married and as time went on, Miss Debbie learned Ron had betrayed her.   She was a christian though and forgave him; both went to counseling and their marriage survived.

Well to some, it may seem hokey, but if you walk the path of a Christian life, the story of these two men and their friendship is totally believable.   Ron Hall, although he had several advantages over his friend Denver, was humbled and in awe of the wisdom Denver had from his many years of a very hard life.   Ron and Debbie had served meals regularly at the mission where they met Denver.   But as the book took its course, you began to wonder, who was "saving" who.

Miss Debbie's charitable heart filled with compassion for the homeless, was the glue that drew the men together and with her compassion they each drew strength.

I would never have known about this book, if not for my fellow book club member.   Although it might not ever have been a selection I would have selected for myself, I am thankful to have been blessed to read the book.  It was an interesting read once, we met Miss Debbie and felt her compassion for others and how she was loved in return.    This book made me thankful, hopeful, and looking for my mission.   How can I give back to others?   Truly inspirational. 



I give this book 4 out of 5 winks!



                                   Happy Reading Peeps! 

 

 

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.

                               

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Empty Net by Toni Aleo..RABT VBTour GIVEAWAY


Photobucket

 

Empty Net (Assassins #3)

Toni Aleo

Contemporary Romance (Sports)


Synopsis:
Definition of an Empty Net: When a team pulls the goalie for an extra attacker, desperately seeking a goal.

Audrey Parker was in a horrible place.
She hated her job, her sister was getting married and moving out, but worst of all, she was in love with a total jerk. No matter what she did, every guy she met hurt her. All she wanted was her happily ever after. Her Prince Charming. Her Lucas Brooks! She didn’t know how to change her life but she knew she needed too.
Feeling like she was about to hit rock bottom, Audrey wakes up next to Tate Odder.

Tate Odder had lost everything.
After being brought up from the Assassins’ farm team, the Florida Rays to the Nashville Assassins, Tate hopes he’ll forget everything he has lost. He doesn’t. Each day gets harder to live in a place he doesn’t know. Even being the first rookie goalie to shut out an opposing team three times during the Lord Stanly Cup Finals, he still felt empty. With the loss of his parents and sister still heavy on his heart, Tate isn’t sure how to live like everything is okay.

But when he wakes up beside Audrey Parker, things start to change. She turns his life upside down with her kooky sense of humor and her bright clothing. She is intelligent and beautiful, and for once, he doesn’t feel empty.
Will Audrey be the person to fill the holes in Tate’s heart, making him whole again?
Or will another player ruin everything, leaving him feeling forever like an empty net?

Excerpt: 

“I have to tell you,” she said with a shy grin, “It’s usually not this easy.” 
He looked down at her questionably, “Easy how?” 
“This easy to pick me up. I usually make guys work for it.”
He grinned and her smiled grew more, “So you want me too?”
She eyed him, her face bright with excitement. He may have been a little too forward but he was a blunt person, and hardly ever hid his feelings from anyone.
She moved closer, her eyes bright with lust as she said, “I do and I don’t even know you’re name.”
“Do you want to know it?” he asked with a cocky grin.
She moved in close, her wide brown eyes locked with his, “All I want to know is when you can leave? I have a room not even a mile from here.”



Author Bio       TONI ALEO


I am a wife, mother, and hopeless romantic.
I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughters dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, and reading the latest romance novel.
I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, and did I mention I love hockey? 

Twitter: tonilovesweber6
Links to Buy (Will Be Available Upon Release)

Get the first 2 books in the series

MY REVIEW: 

  This is the first book I have read by Toni Aleo, but I daresay it probably will not be the last.  I certainly enjoyed it.  I love hockey player romance stories!   I fell for hockey player Tate Odder from the beginning to the end...he was so yummy!   I wanted him and Audrey to be a couple and to have their happily ever ending!  I ardently hated Audrey's ex boyfriend and how he treated her and I fully expected him to cause problems for Tate and Audrey.

The writing flowed smoothly and I loved how Ms Aleo moved her story forward.  I loved how the romance developed between Tate and Audrey.....both sheltering their wounded souls, finally revealing secrets and learning to trust the compassion they received and shared with one another.    The sex scenes were very graphic and I prefer less graphic scenes myself.   But it is an adult contemporary read with fully fleshed out characters, who draw you in emotionally.  Although this is a book that is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone book as well.   I felt like I was fully invested in this story from start to finish.   Who can ask for anything more?

 

 

 

 

 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, September 24, 2012

Fire Dance Tour/ Kailin Gow/ SupaGurl VBT


Book Blurb: 
Fire Dance - Book 3
As the war between the water gods and fire gods rage on in the forms of their Embodiments, Mac was forced to take on the side of her mother’s, causing her to betray her eternal love Chance.  Her destiny still calls for them to be together, but now with her taking on the abilities of her mother’s heritage, things have gotten much more complicated. 

My Review:

I received digital copies of Fire Wars, Fire Stones and Fire Dance free from the author for an honest review of Fire Dance.   Let me just say, this is a great read for those who enjoy mythology and stories of the ancient Gods, their loves and their passions and jealousies!   In book one, Fire Wars, we meet Mackenzie and her mom who have moved from Angel Island to Aeros Island.   Her mother works for Cutler Enterprises as an event coordinator.    MacKenzy will finish her highschool years at Aeros High which is anything but a normal high school.   She is immediately attracted to Chance Cutler , wild, angry, passion filled and so HOT!!!   But she is also drawn to his cousin, kind and gentle Varun.     Book Two, Fire Stones, we learned more about the embodiments and that everyone at the school has some sort of embodiment developing within their skins.   Both Chance and Varun believe Mac to be the embodiment of Vesta...and in order to further prove herself as Vesta, she sets forth to find the stones Vesta created and hid.   One of the stones was hidden in Abzu's treasure, calling Vesta to retrieve it.    And that brings us to the third book in the series, Fire Dance, which revealed the actions of the emerging Gods and Goddesses and a war between Neptune (Varun) and Abzu, a dark character who wants power to destroy the entire world and make it a planet of under the sea, and subject to his greed and rule.   It was action packed, with the passions of love taking a back seat to the action.    This still left Mac feeling torn between the two cousins and she knew she needed to make a decision between the two.  Even her Father, Zuess, encouraged her to make her choice soon...to once and for all cease the animosity between the cousins and cease their suffering.    But Vesta wants one more thing before she decides.....she wants to know the love of........?
Perhaps Book four will reveal what Vesta really wants.   But can Vesta and Mack actually live as one entity?
 
These books are so well written and draw the reader in from start to finish.   I am amazed by Kailin Gow's ideas and by the smooth writing style and I'm SOOO looking forward to Book Four, Fire Test due sometime in 2013....coming soon to a bookstore near you!!!!!  And You and You and me too! 

Fire Dance (Fire Wars #3) 

Author Info:
Kailin Gow is the author of over 100 books, with the majority of them for young adults. Her most popular series are:  The Frost Series, PULSE Series, Desire Series, Wicked Woods, Steampunk Scarlett Novels, and more.  A full-time author, she is also a producer, having worked in radio, television, and film.  She grew up in Southern California, lived in Texas and England, and had traveled extensively around the world.


Links:

Links:
Website: www.KailinGowBooks.com
Blog: http://KailinGow.Wordpress.com
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/KailinGow
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/KailinGowBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KailinGow


                     Happy Reading Peeps!








Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.

 

 

 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Snapshots by Patricia Lynne / Supagurl Tour

 

Book Blurb:
Snapshots
My name is Cyclop Blaine and I am a real person.
“You are mine.”
I am a real person: heedless of a childhood spent under the supervision of an old man I only know as Master.
“You belong to me.”
I am a real person: regardless of my teenage years bound by violence as the adoptive son of the Victory Street Gang's leader.
“You will obey me.”
I am a real person: despite the visions I see in others' eyes. Snapshots of their futures.
“You will cower before me.”
I am a real person: my life will be my own. I belong to no one.
“You. Are. MINE.”




Author Info:

 



Links :
Snapshots

My Review:

 When I first started this book I was distressed to learn Cyclops was a gay individual.   I would by nature steer clear of that kind of literature, but I continued to read and was pleasantly surprised--the fact Cyc was gay, was not a focal point of the story.  During his stay with a gang, colors green, Cyc also met Amber and questioned his feelings for her.   He had a special gift and could see the future of others when he made both eyes contact with another.   Always tortured by nightmares that someone was searching for him and questioning his sexuality and his gift, Cyc only wants to be free and normal and in control of his own life.

Who is it searching for him and why?   What is his fear of the lab, from his unremembered memories?  The author provided a steady build up of the questions in Cyclops's mind.   What made Jacob and Keanna and Cyc different from Nigel?  The very last chapter revealed all the answers that Cyc and the reader wanted to know....well I had no inkling that the book would end as it did. Maybe I should have figured it out, but I didn't and I felt as if the last chapter was a bit disjointed from the pace of the previous chapters.   Overall, it was an interesting and clever read, especially for those who are into Sci-Fi.   Lots of adventure in this read and I rated it   3 out of 5 winks!  Quite thought provoking.

 

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Feature -Follow- Friday #9

RULES

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
    • (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
    • (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
    • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
    • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
    • If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
    • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
    • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
    • If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
    • If you have CAPTCHA word verification enabled on your blog, please take it off. It makes it much more difficult for readers to comment. Please look at Allison's CAPTCHA Eradication Post to learn how to get rid of it.
    • This is a Blog Hop!!!  
    •  This week's Question: 

      Q: What hyped up book was worth all of the fuss ?

      My Answer:  The Harry Potter Series and The Hunger Games...loved them all!

Laurel Osterkamp's November Surprise--VBT w/RABT


Photobucket
                                          





                                                                                                                                      Chick Lit / Womens Fiction
Title: November Surprise
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Date Published: 8/2012

Synopsis: 
For Lucy Jones, the distinction between love and politics is hazy at best. Both can be all-consuming, and either can lead to a heart-breaking loss or an exhilarating win. Whatever the case, if you’re seen as a loser, you probably are one. Lucy first learns this lesson in 1988, when she’s a shy girl, battling a high school bully and rooting for Dukakis. Through the years Lucy will experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat as she makes the choices that define her. Meanwhile, she also struggles to define her relationship with Monty, who comes in and out of her life like the changes in public opinion. Is Monty simply a one-night stand, a kindred spirit, or the love of her life? And by 2008, can he offer her a change to believe in?

Over the course of twenty years and six presidential elections, Lucy grows and adjusts with the times. Filled with snarky political and pop-culture references, November Surprise is about the journey we take to believe in a candidate, in love, and in ourselves.

November Surprise is a companion piece to Campaign Promises, which is free on Amazon. They can be read in either order. Both have a liberal slant.

Excerpt:

 
Monty and I have been dancing together all evening. The slow songs are the best, but we also do the Macarena and even the Chicken Dance. I can’t stop laughing the entire time I’m quacking my hands.
Jack and his new wife, Petra, have fed each other cake. Petra has thrown her bouquet, and all the toasts have been given. The night is winding down, and Monty leads me off the dance floor.
“I’m really glad neither of us had dates,” he says.
“Yeah, me too.” My heart beats just a little bit faster than normal.
“And I’m sorry about earlier. Hitting on you like that. It was clumsy. Will you forgive me?” His face is flushed and his tie is loosened. I’m sure I’ve noticed before how good looking he is, but this is the first time I’ve let myself appreciate it.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” I look around, make sure nobody is watching, and then I stand on my tip-toes and plant a kiss on his cheek. When he doesn’t flinch or pull away, I give him the barest whisper of a kiss on the lips.
It’s all the encouragement he needs.
With a conspiratorial smile, he takes my hand and leads me outside the reception hall. I follow willingly.
When we get to a dark, hidden spot, he wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me deeply. I can feel it everywhere, my entire body is tingling, my knees are weak, and I’m sure that at any moment, my heart will explode.
I don’t want him to stop. But he does.
“Where are you staying tonight?” he asks.
“I was going to drive back to my parents’ house.”
“Hmm…” he leans in and kisses me some more. I press up against him like I can’t get close enough. He tilts his head back ever so slightly, so he can talk. “That’s a long drive. Do you want to stay with me, instead?”
“You have a hotel room?”
“It’s close to the airport,” he whispers. “I fly back to New York really early tomorrow.” Then he baby kisses my eyes, nose, and chin.
I don’t answer immediately. I’m trying to steady my breathing. “So you can make a clean get away?”
“It’s not like that.” he smiles. “And you haven’t even said yes, yet.”
But he knows I’m going to. “You can’t ever tell Jack,” I say.
“He just got married, Lucy. Do you really think he’ll care?”
I rub my hands down his back and across the taut muscles in his arms. “I never had sex with him, and we dated for months. If he finds out you and I had a one night stand…”
Monty cuts me off with another kiss. “I promise I’ll never tell him,” he murmurs, between kisses.
We make out a few seconds more, but our kissing is interrupted when I’m consumed with a fit of giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Monty asks.
I shake my head. “Sorry. It just occurred to me. I’m about to do it with the homecoming king.”
Monty chuckles. “Does that turn you on?”
“Yeah,” I admit. “Kind of. Is that okay?”
He kisses my neck. I tilt my head back and sigh in pleasure.
“Are you kidding?” His lips are a mere centimeter from my skin as he mumbles, and his arms tighten around me even more. “If I had known, I would have worn my crown.”
Now we’re both laughing.
“You know this isn’t the sort of thing I usually do…”
He raises his face so he’s looking me in the eye. “I know,” he says, and he smiles. Crinkles form around his green eyes, and I feel a moment of panic. There’s no way I’m casual enough to be with him for just one night.
“Let’s make it special, okay?” He reaches down and clasps my hand, and I let him lead me somewhere, again. This time, I follow him to the parking lot. Tonight, I’d follow him anywhere.


My Review:

I was so looking forward to reading November Surprise by Laurel Osterkamp.  After reading it, I was not disappointed.   Who would have though anyone would write a romance novel from the point of view of a liberal, intelligent, student...from junior high school age up to 37 or 38yrs of age.    Quite a clever premise in my opinion.   We follow Lucy Jones through several elections...the bumpy road of politics.....sometimes your side wins and sometimes they lose, but politics are never dull and neither is Lucy's life.   Lucy grew up in a liberal home with a single parent (mother).   She also grew up believing herself to be anything but beautiful;  Reggie bullied her all through school, harrassed and demeaned her.   But she never believed she was stupid...she knew she was one of the brightest bulbs in the box.   She never wanted the spotlight and she had a lot to say about politics.   We get to travel through her life, her love life, and major elections with her as she finally comes to grips with her wants and needs in this world.   And she applies political principles to her life throughout her journey.   This was written as a tender, sometimes humorous, love story.  It would be an easy weekend read.  I also enjoyed the fact we were allowed to use our imagination for any love scenes!  YAY!  I gave the book 3 out of 5 winks! 

X 3


Author Bio:

Laurel Osterkamp was a comedy writer in Minneapolis before she began writing novels.
Her first novel, Following My Toes, has been a Kindle best seller and won the 2008
Indie Excellence Award for Chick Lit. Starring in the Movie of My Life received honors
in the 2011 Indie Excellence Awards for Chick Lit, and in the 2011 International Book
Awards for Women's Fiction and Young Adult Lit. Both books are indie approved at
indiereader.com. She currently teaches high school, and is working on her next book,
which is inspired by her recent jury duty.

Website    
Blog     
 *Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*