May 25, 2013 · 6:05 am

A Year in Review #1

Good Morning Everyone,

The time has arrived! Today the blog turns 1!!! Thank you all for your support. Now let the celebration begin!

For the First Year in Review, I am honored to take a look back at the Countermeasure Series by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. This series is unique and intoxicating. It contains so much action/suspense and romance that readers will be instantly hooked and crave the next book!

Here’s a look back at the reviews for the Countermeasure Series:

1. Uncharted:
Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey have written a very intriguing start to their series, with this short story. Readers will be captivated and anxious to figure out what the motive is that caused such a drastic decision from the main characters.

2. Countermeasure:
Countermeasure is jam-packed with intrigue and suspense, mixed with steamy chemistry. Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey have given geeks everywhere an exciting romance to read. Cassandra is a strong, determined woman, while Trevor is an extremely hot computer genius. The technical jargon that is mixed in throughout the book is evenly balanced between the witty banter of the two main characters.

3. Bytes of Life Anthology:
This anthology contains three short stories that take place in between the first full length novel, Countermeasure and the second, To Russia with Love. Fans of Countermeasure will want to read this anthology. These stories are not full of suspense, but they are full of romantic trysts.

4. To Russia with Love:
This time the action is amplified and the story is balanced with steamy love scenes from the secondary characters. Readers’ hearts will race as they turn each page. Fans of this series will be left desperately waiting for the next novel. Romantic suspense readers of a mature age need to place this series on their ‘Must-Read’ lists.

5. Blindsided:
Written with the same excellent style, that fans have thoroughly enjoyed, Blindsided takes a slight detour away from the hectic romantic suspense filled plot that consumes Trevor’s and Cassie’s lives. Nathan is a character that fans will either love-to-hate or hate-to-love and this is the story where his inner turmoil begins to shine through.

Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey are helping us celebrate this major milestone. They are giving away 1 swag pack filled with bookmarks and a Countermeasure series bracelet!!! To enter to win, just leave a comment below between now and Friday, May 31, 2013 at 11:59pm EDT. The winner will be selected and announced Saturday June 1, 2013!

Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey are also giving away personalized ecopies of Uncharted and Countermeasure for the Big Giveaway! (Entry form link is under the Big Giveaway page at the top of the blog.)

A big thank you to Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey for donating some amazing prizes for this celebratory event!

I hope you all enjoyed this first installment of A Year in Review!

Enjoy,
~Ariesgrl

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May 24, 2013 · 2:26 pm

Just a few more hours…

Hi Everyone,

Well the anniversary/celebration party will begin in just a few more hours. I want to make sure each of you has all the information needed in order to have fun with this celebration. So here is all the rules and information you will need.

First up: The Year in Review.

Each week, starting on Saturday, I will be taking a look back at several of the books I have read. Most of these features will be accompanied by a mini-giveaway courtesy of the authors. With these giveaways, all you need to do is leave a comment to be entered to win. Mini-Giveaways will be open from the Saturday they are posted through the following Friday. Winners will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced the following Saturday! If you enter to win a mini-giveaway, please check back the following week to see if you have won. Winners will have 72 hours from the time of the announcement to contact me via email (see Contact page.) If the winner does not contact me within 72 hours, then I new winner will be chosen via Random.org.

The Big Giveaway:

Starting May 25, 2013 at 12:01 am EDT through July 31, 2013 at 11:59 pm EDT, the Big Giveaway will be live! This is a very large giveaway, so the winner will be chosen using a Rafflecopter. There are several parts to this giveaway, so I will explain each section, now:

1. In order to enter to win the Big Giveaway, you must be a follower of this blog. This is mandatory, because this is my way to say thank you to all of you!
2. There will be several ways to enter, from following authors to answering questions. None of these are mandatory, since they are meant to be fun.
3. There is one option that is a daily option and there will be other bonus entries available from time to time. So be sure to check back often.
4. Twitter:
a. Each Sunday, there will be a character description posted on Twitter. If you can guess the character’s name, then please enter it in the corresponding Rafflecopter entry. Please do NOT tweet it, post it or comment with your answer. Any answers posted anywhere other than in the Rafflecopter will be deleted. (This is a game, so please don’t ruin it for others.)
5. Facebook:
a. Each Monday, there will be a line or stanza from various poems posted on Facebook. If you can name the title of the poem or the poet’s name, then please enter it in the corresponding Rafflecopter entry. Please do NOT comment on Facebook or here with your answer. Any answers posted anywhere other than in the Rafflecopter, will be deleted. (I repeat, this is a game, so please don’t ruin it for others.)
6. There will be random posts on the blog throughout this time, which will provide chances for bonus entries.
7. There are several opportunities to win, but most of all I just want everyone to have fun!!!

*You can find the Rafflecopter entry form here and on Facebook.*

Thank you again for all of your support. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Everything starts tomorrow, so now’s the prime time to ask.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Thanks again and Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

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· 9:21 pm

A night to celebrate!

Hi Everyone,

Less than 3 hours left before the Big Giveaway begins. Be sure to check out the rules at the top of this page. You can find the Rafflecopter entry form under the Big Giveaway page at the top the blog and on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews’ Facebook page.

Tonight I am pleased to announce that The List has reached 80 books! Thank you all for your support! I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store and I am extra happy that I get to share it with all of you! Thank you!

Have a wonderful night!

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

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· 12:57 pm

Ray of Love

Lifestyle by Design #3. By: Miranda P. Charles. Format: eBook. Read: May 2013.

Ray Thackery and Faye Summers are at their friend’s birthday/surprise engagement party, when their conversation begins to take on a new meaning. Ray has been in love with Faye for close to a year, when Faye originally turned him down. However Faye is now single and Ray is determined to show her that he is her perfect match. The two of them decide to secretly date in hopes that whatever their future holds, it won’t affect their friends.

This is the latest book in the Lifestyle by Design series. Each book picks up right where the previous one ends, so readers have a consistent timeline of events for all couples in the series. Ray of Love was a roller coaster of a book, with all of the ups and downs in this couple’s relationship. The characters constantly chose the “ignorance is bliss” option when confronted with something they had seen or heard, instead of talking to one another and clearing the air. During these portions of the story, the book is sweet and is packed full of drama. When the two main characters are together, the book takes a quick swing into spicy and is packed full of steamy love scenes. There were times when the transition flowed nicely between these extremes, but occasionally it came across as two books in one. Overall fans of this series, will enjoy this book and will be ecstatic with the updates from the other couples. Ray of Love provides a satisfying ending to an enjoyable series.

I have come across very few series that start each new book at the exact point where the other book ends. I enjoy this style because it allows the reader to feel like they are continuing the journey without missing anything. Have you read any series that is like this? Do you enjoy that feeling of picking up right where you left off?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website.

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· 12:16 pm

A quick little update…

Hi Everyone,

How are all of you? Sorry I was absent for a few days. I had some family things to take care of and focus on, however I am here today with a quick, little update.

Today is Friday, May 24, 2013, which means tomorrow this blog turns 1!!! The festivities officially begin tomorrow and I will be back later today with all the information on how you can enter to win. As you know there are several sections (games) to this massive celebration and I will post all of those details for you later today. But first, I have a review for you all.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the start to wonderful holiday weekend.

Review will be posted within the hour.

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

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May 21, 2013 · 2:27 pm

The Other Blog…

Hi Everyone,

As some of you know or have seen on the My Other Sites page, I have another blog. This blog was started late last year, but then life got crazy and I stopped “blogging” there for a bit. The other blog is a more personal blog as it relates to my life and the things I have learned along the way. Last week, it was under construction. As of yesterday, it is back up and better than ever. I have a friend who is working with me on that blog and we have hopefully created a fun atmosphere to discuss all things related to life. Plus there will be fabulous tips and delicious recipes along the way. If you wish to learn more, the site is: An Ariesgrl Kind of Life. I hope you enjoy!

I will be back later this evening with my next review from The List (which grew this past weekend. Thank you all for your support!)

Until then…

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

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· 12:30 pm

eMag Review #2

Hi Everyone,

You might see the title of this and think, wait… Where was eMag number 1 posted? Well… I am sad to say I cannot share eMag review #1 just yet, because… it will be published in the magazine. I will be able to share a portion of that review later next month.

In the meantime, here is review #2.

Enjoy,
~Ariesgrl

The Warrior Prince
By: Nancy J. Cohen.

The Warrior Prince, the first in a series, comes across as a combination of stories. It starts out in the science-fiction realm, with a group of men from another planet trying to rid Earth of the bad guys from a very different planet. About halfway through, the story takes a leap into the ancient tales from Norse Mythology as the characters repeat ancient quests and reacquaint themselves with the Norse Gods.

This combination has potential to work well in a story. However, readers will have a hard time following along, especially when the main ‘alien’ characters’ dialects keep switching back and forth between their home country and the current Earth setting. Nira Larson and Zohar Thorald each have redeeming qualities of inner strength and humility that readers will be able to relate to and appreciate.

I was provided a copy of the book by BTS eMag for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review – all conclusions are my own responsibility.

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· 12:20 pm

My Heart Bleeds for the Midwest…

Hi Everyone,

Last night I logged on and was fully prepared to post 2 reviews for all of you. However as I started to type, the news broke of the tragedy and devastation out in the Midwest. My heart goes out to all those affected by these storms. Sending positive thoughts and warm wishes for everyone as they begin the journey to recovery. I send my gratitude to all of the first responders and volunteers that have come together to help their communities. I hope that everyone that remains in the path of this terrifying storm finds a way to stay safe.

With warm thoughts and prayers,

~Ariesgrl

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May 19, 2013 · 11:41 pm

And the Countdown Continues…

Hi Everyone,

Ready for the next bit of info about the Big Giveaway that starts Saturday? A couple days ago, in Let the Countdown Begin, I discussed the Twitter Guess the Character bonus portion of the giveaway. So today, I thought it would only be fair, if I shared the Facebook only bonus portion!

Every Monday, I will post on Facebook a line or stanza from one of my favorite poems growing up. These could be from anything, but I hope you will recognize at least a few right away. After you read the line or stanza, then you will head over to the Rafflecopter (links will be on here and on Facebook) and type in the Title ~OR~ Author of the poem. (I am allowing either or, since there are several poems that have no title.) Please do not answer on Facebook! There will be a separate entry in the Rafflecopter for each of the ten posts, so make sure you click on the corresponding weeks.

Pretty simple, right? My goal is to make this fun and easy for everyone! (And don’t worry there are several other options and bonus entries available. This is just a small portion!)

Only a few more days left before we begin. I know I am dancing right now from all of the anticipation!

Wishing you all a wonderful night!
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

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May 18, 2013 · 7:25 pm

Heart Robber

Lifestyle by Design #2. By: Miranda P. Charles. Read: May 2013.

Jessa Allen has low self-esteem and is completely thrown for a loop when the hunk of the party, Rob Granger asks her to dinner. Jessa agrees, because she knows she will never get another chance, but Rob is not looking for any long-term commitments. After one night of fun, an arrangement is made to keep things casual. Will they both keep their hearts protected or will they give in and accept their feelings?

Heart Robber is the story of how Jessa and Rob overcome their insecurities and learn to love themselves and each other. This is the second book in the Lifestyle by Design series and picks up right where the first book left off, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Fans of Will and Clarise will still get snippets of their inner thoughts and follow their happily-ever-after, while falling in love with Jessa and Rob. The writing is improved from the first book, while the spiciness of the romance is amped up too. This book is a must read for fans of spicy romances with sweet, relatable characters.

I found the female lead a bit more relatable in this story due to her lack of self-confidence. However, it does seem to repeat the basic storyline from the first book. I do enjoy the fact that it picks up right where the first one left off, at Megan’s party and I appreciate a book in the middle of the series that focuses on the couple in the book, like this one does. Unfortunately there some “middle” books can focus too much on the past and too much on setting up the future. Have you noticed any “middle” books that remain focused on its characters’ story, like this one?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her books, please visit her website.

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