Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to give you all a quick update. There is less than 18 hours left before the BIG Announcement is made!!! I just have one question… Are you ready to have a party?
Hmm… was that a small hint… I don’t know. I just know, that I am super excited about tomorrow morning’s announcement and I hope you all are too.
Have a wonderful day everyone!!!
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl
Filed under About Me
Hi Everyone,
I have some exciting news to share with you all today. (And no, it is not related to the BIG Announcement, which will be posted Saturday at 6am EDT.) This bit of news is related to the fact that Ariesgrl Book Reviews is expanding and constantly growing. I am very pleased to announce that Wendy, from Shhh, Mommy’s in the Bathroom, Reading will be writing guest reviews here. You may recall about a month ago, I had mentioned that some of my reviews would be posted on her Facebook page. Well… one night Wendy and I were talking about blogs, books and life, when the idea of being regular guest reviewers for each other’s blogs just sort of happened!
I am thrilled to introduce her to all of you and I hope each of you enjoy the extra reviews that will be coming your way. I asked her to write a short bio to help you all get to know her and here’s what she had to say…
“I am a mom of a 5 year old little girl. Prior to her birth, I hate to say this, but I hated to read. I was a movie girl, went at least once a week. After my daughter was born, little by little we found out about her multiple special needs and eventually found out she had a stroke at birth. To say the least we have had our hands full. When I tried to watch movies at home, I would only get to watch sections of them, and they lost all enjoyment. Then Twilight happened. A friend had been talking about the books long before the movie came out, and I was the person looking at her thinking, I don’t get you. The movie (DVD) came out and I pretty much only saw the end of the movie (which wasn’t the best), but I was left with wanting know what happened next. I know there are haters out there about Twilight, but if it wasn’t for that book, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with reading. It was something I could pick up, and put down and not miss something. It has definitely steam rolled from there. As you probably guess with the blog name, Yes, I would sneak to the bathroom to read, because that was the only time I seemed to find peace. And thanks to Kindle and social media, I have been introduced to so many books that wouldn’t have been available to me otherwise (our local library really seems to sensor what is allowed.) I am now an avid reader and always have some sort of reading material with me.”
I think we can all relate to that feeling of life being so chaotic that the only time we get a chance to breathe is when we run into the bathroom to hide!
Be on the lookout for her first guest review over the next coming days, as well as the BIG announcement on Saturday. In a few hours, I will be back with my latest bookstore book review.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl
Filed under About Me
Lifestyle by Design #1. By: Miranda P. Charles. Format: eBook. Read: May 2013.
Clarise Carson was desperate not to be set-up by her meddling family, so she takes drastic measures to avoid the awkward introduction at her sister’s party. Too bad she didn’t know who the guy was ahead of time, because the only single male at the party was making her wounded heart flutter back to life. Will Matthews hated it when his friends tried to set him up. Yet he agrees to go to the party because he intends to be introduced to a woman who could help his successful business grow larger. Will intends to keep his life strictly business, in order to care for his parents, yet Clarise opens his heart to things he never thought possible. Will these two be able to put their pain aside and help each other heal or will they both avoid love out of fear?
This is a sweet, contemporary romance book to start a promising series. Miranda P. Charles does a great job with writing relatable characters whose past hurts will affect reader’s emotions. She also establishes the secondary characters, that will take on leading roles in future books, without distracting readers from Clarise and Will. Though the excessive use of endearing terms, such as Darling and Baby, will be a bit much for some readers to handle, the overall meanings of overcoming fear and going after what your heart desires are sure to soften even the hardest of hearts. This is an easy-to-read book, with a few grammatical errors. Adult readers who enjoy reading sentimental love stories, will thoroughly enjoy this book.
This book is a great way to start a series. I am looking forward to reading how the other characters find love and hopefully getting to see how Clarise and Will continue their relationship. This book will definitely have you grinning while you read.
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.
Filed under Fiction Books, Romance Books
Not What She Seems
By Victorine E. Lieske
This exciting story of a woman on the run from her terrible abusive past will have you on the edge of your seat. Emily Grant and her four year old son, Connor, are trying their best to keep the past behind them. She is currently on the run until she meets a wonderful, handsome, caring, man named Ethan, actually the billionaire Steven Ashton, and she begins to fall in love. When she realizes who he really is she devises a plan to get money from him so she can disappear for good. But things don’t turn out the way they are planned. Steven refuses to let her get away once he starts to piece things together, he is determined to do whatever it takes to help Emily and Connor so they can live a normal life.
The story has many twists and turns, giving you the opportunity to guess where it’s going to go next and surprising you with every page turn. The chapters are short, making it an easy read. I really enjoyed reading this book and trying to come to my own conclusion using the clues given before the author reveals the truth. The story is very well written and the descriptions are amazing keeping you in the story and helping you connect with each character. If you love plot twists and excitement this is a great book for you.
Jessica Bowers
This ebook was free for Kindle on Amazon.com
Filed under Guest Reviews
Hi Everyone,
A few weeks ago, I was honored to participate in World Book Night. It was the most amazing experience to see people’s eyes light up over getting a free book. I can’t wait to apply to be a giver again, next year.
In the meantime, here is an article that I wrote about my experience that night and about the generosity of My Sister’s Books.
I hope you enjoy…
World Book Night
April 23, 2013
5pm- 6:30pm
Captain John’s Seafood Grille, a local restaurant in Pawleys Island, SC.
A Worldly Experience Through Books
World Book Night Organization hosts World Book Night every April 23rd, in honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday. This year was the second year that USA has participated and the first year that I was a giver. My Sister’s Books kindly donated 20 reading lights and 20 bookmarks to be handed out along with the free books. With help from My Sister’s Books, this event was advertised in the local paper. Most of the people that I met that night, had never heard of World Book Night but they were intrigued by the generosity and spirit that the organization represents by giving away free books.
With the advertisements from My Sister’s Books and with a bus of retirees from Florida that stopped for dinner, the books went fast. Among the many people that I got to meet, several were grandparents who were excited to send their grandchildren a new book. Plus a few of them promised to read the book first, since they hadn’t read a young adult book in a while. To see their smiling faces, is an experience I will never forget. One woman was a retired educator, who had traveled the world teaching young children. She started reading her book right away and made sure to come back and thank me, since she was already enjoying it so much. I am very grateful to World Book Night and My Sister’s Books for making that a night a reality. I look forward to participating again next year.
~Nicole ‘Ariesgrl’ McManus, Reviewer and Blogger
Just re-reading this article brings a smile to my heart. If you all haven’t heard of World Book Night, please go to their website to learn more. It is a fabulous organization. You can be guaranteed that I will be signing up again next year.
Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl
Filed under About Me
Good Morning Everyone,
I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in the Kitsune Tales Blog Tour. I also want to thank Twinsie Talk Book Reviews for putting together an amazing blog tour. Without further ado, the winner of this giveaway is … Dana Zalesky! Congrats Dana!!! I will contact you later today with information about your prize.
Thanks again everyone. I wish you all a Magnificent Monday. I will be back later tonight with a new review and news about the BIG Announcement.
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl
Filed under Giveaways
Book Blurb:
It’s been centuries since the last Great Other War that plunged the human race into the dark ages. Pulling away from the gods, and other creatures God had sent to watch over them, humans have made a go of it for themselves, trying to find their own path, and in the process they have changed the world from flat to round and created a universe to go with it. The gods, angels and demons are still there, but left behind, ignored, while the humans flourish. But the Others haven’t forgotten the humans….
Ki was content living her quiet, orderly little life on the outskirts of the city pack as a runt. She’d built up her own business as a freelance researcher and while she didn’t have much, she had more than enough for her. Then she wakes one morning to find that two days of her life are missing, supposedly spent with not just one man, but two, and she suddenly has breasts. Not to mention two tails when she shifts. If that isn’t bad enough, her apartment building catches fire and someone in the smoke wants her dead.
On the run, Ki finds herself in strange company, from Gods to mythical creatures, and sorting out who wants her dead from who wants her alive isn’t going to be easy. With a little divine help, and some old friends, she just might make it out of this mess alive, or lose everything before she even knew what she had.
Book Excerpt:
“They’re mad,” Hanners said.
“You would know,” Gage said with a snort.
“No, I’m a little crazy, yes, but there’s a difference,” Hanners said. “Fanatical devotion, even in the face of proof that what they believe is wrong, is madness.”
“A pretty point that doesn’t negate the fact that you’re several watts short of being able to power a light bulb,” Gage said.
Hanners gave him a hard look out of the corner of her eye. “What do you think our chances are?” she asked Oberon.
Oberon cocked his head as if he was listening to something. “Better than they think. Are you ready?”
Hanners gave a nod and Gage grunted. The night seemed awful still right then. It was so quiet that she could easily hear her own breathing and the deep even breaths that Gage was taking. Oberon stood, his body poised in front of them, the ax still on his shoulder, while the point of his sword rested on the ground. He was relaxed and at ease, as if he hadn’t spent the majority of the night fighting like the rest of them had. At least he looked like he’d been in a fight. It wouldn’t have been fair if he was as neat and clean as Gage was. Which posed a very good question.
“How do you do that?” Hanners asked Gage in a hiss.
“What?”
“Not get dirty.”
Gage smiled along the stock of the rifle. “Phase through the dirt.”
“That is so cheating,” Hanners said.
“Steady now,” Oberon interrupted. “Remember what I told you. Do not fire till I give the order.”
Hanners gave a grim nod and tightened her grip on the rifle. Scanning the tree line, she waited with her breath held. The angels came into sight, moving forward with swords at the ready. Crafty buggers, she thought as they slid through the trees. She couldn’t say they hadn’t learned something from the night, because they kept in cover so they couldn’t be picked off quite so easily. They were grouped toether and had added shields, the bastards. Depending on how those ovals were made, this could mean trouble for them. Hanners let her breath out slowly and took a bead on the closest angel.
“Hold,” Oberon said.
Licking her lips, she held, finger a hairs breadth from the trigger. Her temper flared and she reined it in harshly. She would not go over the edge, she wouldn’t. This wouldn’t be a repeat of what happened before. Her heart rate kicked up as the first of the angels cleared the trees and moved cautiously into the open, forming into phalanxes. Again with the Greek stuff, she thought with a roll of her eyes.
“Hold,” Oberon said again.
Hanners wasn’t sure what he was waiting for, but it was obvious he had a plan that everyone else knew, because no one on their side moved to engage. They were ready, of course, she was sure of that, but they didn’t move, just stared down the host of angels that ringed the house. More poured from the tree, moving quickly into their positions though they seemed wary. Still Oberon waited, relaxed, not even watching the angels come. He just stared down at the ground. The angels advanced and his head came up with a snap, as if they had crossed over some type of invisible line, and maybe they had.
Oberon moved so fast that he was a blur. His ax sliced through the air as he spun, arching high before blade struck deep into the ground. The earth bucked in response, a movement that didn’t touch the house, but spread out from it. It ran outward in an expanding wave jostling the angels. When it passed, he looked up with a grim smile.
“Do you know what they called me in olden days?” Oberon asked over his shoulder.
“No,” Hanners said.
He looked at her and smiled. “The Wrath of the Hungry Earth.”
Author Bio:
TJ Rowser grew up on a working farm that left her with plenty of time to explore her imagination while performing lots of physical labor. The older she got, the more that imagination expanded, and the less she liked the hard physical labor aspect. It took too much time away from the stories in head. Working through a string of office jobs, she found her niche in a helpdesk and settled down to raise a family while happily sitting around exploring the worlds that kept springing to life in her mind. When that wasn’t quite enough, she started writing them down and sharing them out, which leads us here, to an author’s page, and a book filled with the characters that knock around in her head on a daily basis. They (the characters) are quite pleased with the result and so is she, since happy characters make for a much quieter mind.
Where to find the author and this book:
Goodreads Shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17555087-kitsune-tales?ac=1
Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/KitsuneTales?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=%40tjrowser2013&src=typd @TJRowser2013
What was the inspiration behind this story?
The idea for this actually started out as a conversation with a bunch of co-workers on lunch one day. The topic was religion and how touchy it is for most people. There might have even been an argument or two in there, the your version of God versus my version of God type thing, and it got me thinking. So, as soon as I got to my desk I jotted the question “What if they were all real?” down and went back to work. It just sort of grew on its own from there, the characters, the story, all of it. There wasn’t ever really a style in mind, just a story to tell.
Where to purchase:
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kitsune-tales-tj-rowser/1114916019?ean=2940044386259
Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/296774
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kitsune-tales/id623644729?mt=11
For further blog tour information and stops, please visit Twinsie Talk Book Reviews:
Now for the fun stuff:
The author is graciously giving away an ebook, a bookmark, and a pendant to one lucky commenter! To be entered to win, please leave a comment below. Contest will be open from now until Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:00pm EDT. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and winner’s name will be announced Monday morning. Good luck everyone!!!
I just want to take a moment to thank Twinsie Talk Book Reviews for hosting a wonderful blog tour and allowing my blog to take part in the fun. I also want to thank TJ Rowser for hanging out at Ariesgrl Book Reviews today and offering such a fantastic giveaway!
Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl
Filed under Giveaways, Guest Posts
Book Blurb:
What happens when a man falls in love with his best friend? How does he convince her to love him in return if she has no idea that his feelings run so deep?
Carter London has everything a man should want, a blooming career as a sexy rock star, a loving family, women who adore his model-perfect looks, and great friends. What he doesn’t have is the love of the girl who stole his heart nine years ago.
Casey Colbert is the converse-wearing epitome of the girl next door. She’s smart, beautiful, and best friends with Carter London. She knows all there is to know about her sex-on-a-stick best friend, except the well-guarded secret of her holding the key to his heart.
Carter returns to his hometown of Indian Shores, Florida for his ten year college reunion, to profess his love to Casey. Unfortunately, he discovers her heart is already spoken for by none other than Jordan Reid, who is gorgeous, sweet and insanely rich.
Carter vows to use his time back home to win over the one woman who can set his world on edge with just a glimpse of her smile. Will Casey see the love that’s right in front of her eyes? Or will the mistakes of his past and his obsession with loving her overwhelm the girl who already has it all?
Who is M. R. Joseph?
M.R. Joseph has rediscovered one of her first loves…Reading. After being a devoted wife and mother for the past 12 years she decided to take some “me time” and get lost in the world of books. After reading her 20th of the summer, she realized that she could do this. She could write a book. In between being a mom and taxi to swim and gymnastics practices, she began her writing process. Music has always been a big part of her life so it became an integral part of her writing. You can always find her dancing in the kitchen with her kids and singing in the car along to the radio. Writing has been a labor of love and she hopes and prays that it will continue. M.R. lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with the love of her life and her two beautiful kids.
Where to find M. R. Joseph?
Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormr.joseph
Where to find the book?
Giveaway Time:
Click on the link below, to enter for your chance to win one of 2 signed copies of this book AND a $25.00 gift card. The winners will be selected on Manday, May 13, 2013.
Good luck everyone!
~Ariesgrl
Filed under Giveaways
