Thursday, June 30, 2016

What Took You So Long {+ Giveaway}


I’m delighted today to tell you about author Neville Johnson’s new poetry collection, WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG: Poems For People In Love, that was released earlier this month by Cool Titles.

Thanks to Felicia and the wonderful folks at Jane Wesman Public Relations Inc., I have a copy of the poetry collection to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more details.

The poems in What Took You So Long are a beautiful reminder that love is powerful and even more powerful when it is communicated through the written word. Neville's poems will inspire you to open your heart wider and express your love more fully to your romantic partner.” — Michelle Skeen, PsyD author of LOVE ME DON'T LEAVE ME and host of Relationships 2.0 radio show
            Johnson’s simple, clear words are a lyrical celebration of love. You will want to read them with music in your mind.” — T.K. Thorne, award-winning author of ANGELS AT THE GATE

WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG: Poems For People In Love                                                        
By Neville Johnson                                                                      
Publisher:  Cool Titles                                                         
Publication Date:  June 2016                                           
Price:  $12.95/ trade paperback original                                     
ISBN:  978-193527-039-3                                                       

“Love makes life worth living,” writes Neville Johnson in the foreword to his poetry collection WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG.  Neville’s poems, which pay tribute to the magic and mystery of romantic love, were inspired by his wife. The book takes its title from one of the most poignant poems in the collection.
“I waited my life for you to come along
We’re finally together, what took you so long?”

A true Renaissance man, Neville is an entertainment industry attorney, unafraid of taking on studios and unions alike, a bestselling author, and a musician/recording artist who has been writing poetry for over two decades. Despite his many accomplishments, in his poems, Neville portrays himself as an average guy, who was lucky to find the love of his life.

WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG contains over 150 passionate and heartfelt entries. Neville’s profound words have a sincerity that shines through the brief lines, and communicate “the joyous wonder” of his feelings. The poetry contains universal messages.

For couples who don’t think they have the words to tell each other how much they care, Neville says, “I encourage you to share the poems with a loved one. Read them to each other. Then write a poem about your special one. Don’t be surprised about the impact it will make.” WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG is a meditation on love that will inspire anyone who is in a relationship, or yearns for one.
Author Neville Johnson

In addition to being an attorney, Neville Johnson is a bestselling author, publisher, musician, recording artist, poet, and devoted husband.

Neville has been selected as one of the top 100 Power Lawyers in entertainment law by the Hollywood Reporter every year since 2008 and a Super Lawyer (top 5% as voted by his peers). He has worked with such clients as Nancy Sinatra, members of The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac and The Moody Blues, K-Tel, Mitch Ryder, the Academy of Country Music, The Motels, Jane’s Addiction, The Temptations; and the heirs of Rick Nelson, Buddy Holly, and John Lennon.   

Neville is the author of the bestseller THE JOHN WOODEN PYRAMID OF SUCCESS: The Authorized Biography, Philosophy and Ultimate Guide to Life, Leadership, Friendship and Love of the Greatest Coach in the History of Sports.

As alter-ego songwriter and recording artist, Trevor McShane, Neville has recorded six albums, including, Asphalt & Sand, released in 2014. He regularly performs Americana music with his nine-member band.

Cool Titles is a Los Angeles-based publisher of fiction and non-fiction books. Subjects range from entertainment and music to legal fiction, mystery, and romance. Cool Titles is dedicated to discovering and supporting great writers and inspiring readers.

Here are several of Neville’s poems* for your reading pleasure. *Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Cool Titles, from WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG:  Poems for People in Love by Neville Johnson © 2016.

So Happy With You
As usual I owe special thanks to one who has given so much
First of all for putting up with me
The second, the touch I feel in the middle of the night to tell me it’s okay
So fortunate I am to be with someone who loves me every day

More than that is the knowledge I’m safe and secure
That I am not alone
It’s the power of this love
We’re in the perfect zone
Let me sum up and say what I’m coming to
I owe it all to you, sweet thing
Happy, happy, happy,
So happy with you

These Are the Best Days of Our Lives
These are the best days of our lives
The here and now
Our love will get us through anything
Anyway and anyhow
It’s poetry when you speak to me
With your every movement I realize
How fortunate I am to be with you
That we share our lives

Let’s consider your many kindnesses
How it is that you do right
With each person you encounter
Essentially you’re very cool

So as we ride together down
The many paths we’ll go
Always will I love you
Which I’m confident you surely know

All You Need to Know
I love you—that’s all you need to know
I love you—this is so
So very perfect, the way it should be
I love you, really love you
And I know that you love me

I need you—I’m not ashamed to say
I need you—you’re my sun and all its rays
There to make our lives complete
There to hold me close
I need you, otherwise I would be toast

I want you—you’re everything to me
I want you—love is blind but I can see
That you’re absolutely stunning, no one is luckier than me
I want you—so we can live in happiness, exceptionally
Yes, unconditionally
Plus One
One plus one equals one
One love, one dream
Two lives, no in between
Just luck and trust and love

Thanks to Felicia and the wonderful folks at Jane Wesman Public Relations Inc., I have a print copy of WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG: Poems For People In Love by Neville Johnson to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, July 8.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope I’ve enticed you to check out Neville’s book and/or sign up for the giveaway. What is it about poems that draws you in? Do you write poetry yourself?

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Little Girl Gone {+ Giveaway}


LITTLE GIRL GONE by Gerry Schmitt
◊ Series: Afton Tangler Thriller (Book 1)
◊ Hardcover: 336 Pages
◊ Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery
◊ Publisher: Berkley (July 5, 2016)
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN-10: 0425281760
◊ ISBN-13: 978-0425281765

SYNOPSIS:
In the first Afton Tangler thriller, the unforgiving cold of a Minnesota winter hides the truth behind an even more chilling crime...
 
         On a frozen night in an affluent neighborhood of Minneapolis, a baby is abducted from her home after her teenage babysitter is violently assaulted. The parents are frantic, the police are baffled, and, with the perpetrator already in the wind, the trail is getting colder by the second.
          As family liaison officer with the Minneapolis P.D., it’s Afton Tangler’s job to deal with the emotional aftermath of terrible crimes—but she’s never faced a case quite as brutal as this. Each development is more heartbreaking than the last and the only lead is a collection of seemingly unrelated clues.
         But, most disturbing of all, Afton begins to suspect that this case is not isolated. Whoever did this has taken babies before—and if Afton doesn’t solve this crime soon, more children are sure to go missing.  


What happens when a cozy mystery author tries her hand at writing in the thriller genre? If you’re author Gerry Schmitt (probably better known as author Laura Childs), you produce a spine-tingling story and the start of an intriguing new series.

LITTLE GIRL GONE is a fast-pace story with a feisty protagonist that’s determined and a bit head-strong, but has a tender heart. Newly divorced and the mother of two girls, Afton Tangler shares traits and flaws readers can relate to. The core cast of characters is realistic and likable. They add depth to the story and have the potential for developing backgrounds as the series continues.

This is a story where readers know who the criminals are from the beginning. It’s the journey of putting the pieces together to catch the bad guys that makes this an intriguing thriller. With a few twists along the way, readers get the story from multiple viewpoints enhancing the suspense and drawing them deeper into the tale.

This storyline of a kidnapped baby will tug at your heartstrings as the mystery deepens before coming to a pulse-pounding conclusion. With a good blend of police procedures and suspense, Schmitt as created a fascinating new series that will hold your attention from beginning to end. This is a captivating story with tantalizing characters.  

Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt, An Afton Tangler Thriller (Book #1), Berkley, @2016, ISBN: 978-0425281765, Hardcover, 336 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks to the author, I have a print copy of LITTLE GIRL GONE by Gerry Schmitt to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, July7.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out this new thriller series when it releases next week. Afton Tangler is a fascinating new protagonist to follow. What is it about thrillers that draws you in? Are you uncomfortable reading about children being kidnapped?

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

A Summer to Remember {+ Giveaway}


I’m happy to be a part of author Marilyn Pappano’s TastyBook Tour for her latest release, A SUMMER TO REMEMBER, the sixth installment in her Tallgrass series.

As part of the tour, Marilyn is sharing an excerpt from her book and offering a giveaway for a prior installment in the series. Please see the end of the post for more details on the giveaway. In addition, I’m sharing my thoughts on this delightful story.

A Summer to Remember
Tallgrass #6
By: Marilyn Pappano
Releasing June 28, 2016
Forever

FIRST LOVE NEVER FADES . . . 

            

     It's been a long time since widow Fia Thomas felt the spark of physical attraction. But from the moment she meets Elliot Ross one stormy night, she yearns for a fresh start, for him to make her feel whole and well again. With his broad shoulders and a warm smile crinkling his dark eyes, he could finally offer her the solace she's been seeking. And she's willing to give him anything in return . . . except a promise that could break his heart.    

 
Now that Elliot is out of the Army, he's looking for a place to call home. Tallgrass was just a stop to stretch his legs, yet one look at Fia halts him in his tracks. In her sweet, sassy company, he finds the soul mate he never thought he'd have. But Fia is holding something back-something that keeps her from making any plans. Elliot's new mission: gain Fia's trust...and convince her that summer's end can mean a new beginning.

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER is available at the following sites: Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo. You can also find  A SUMMER TO REMEMBER on Goodreads and the Tallgrass series can be found HERE.


“Go on. Sing more.”
He did, and she listened with her eyes half closed. The tones were sweet, the emotion fierce, the quality hands-down better than the singer on the radio. Everything she learned about Elliot was adding up to an extraordinary man.
While she remained plain, average Fia. With “issues.”
“Beautiful,” she responded when the song ended. At about the same time, he turned into her driveway.
He came around and held hands with her to the stoop and up the steps, where he propped open the storm door with his boot while she unlocked the door. She set her purse on the floor inside the door, then faced him. “I’m not going to invite you inside because you’ve got to get up early.”
“Darn.” He moved a step closer, fitted his hands to her waist, and leaned toward her. She met him in the kiss, her mouth parting, her hands sliding around to the back of his neck, combing through his silky hair. Dear Lord, she’d forgotten how good a kiss could be. She nibbled at his lip, pausing only when his tongue thrust between her teeth, invading, exploring, rousing a long-unsatisfied need deep inside. Moving intuitively, her hands glided over soft cotton that covered the lean muscles along his spine. When they reached the rougher texture of jeans and leather belt, the tips tingled, like the briefest touch of a live wire, singeing and searing and sparking pleasure through her body.
When she stroked a few inches lower to slide her palm over his erection, his breath caught, and so did hers. It had been so very long . . .would be so very easy . . . back up one step, don’t let go, take him to the bedroom or, better, the couch, strip off their clothes . . .So easy. So perfect. So wrong.
Even the thought of that last word was wrong. It jangled in the midst of nerves humming with need. It pulled her out of the haze of what she could do, of the incredible satisfaction she could have, and brought back all the ugly uncertainty of her life. Elliot might be Prince Charming, but she was no princess, and her life was no simple, sweet fairy tale with a happily ever after.
Tears seeped into her eyes—disappointment, weariness—and she opened her eyes to blink them away. Apparently sensing the change in her, Elliot ended the kiss with another tiny, sweeter kiss, then clasped her hands in his. For a long time, he studied her face with an intensity that rippled along her skin, then he took a step back, putting breathing room between them.
When he spoke, he sounded as if he’d done a long hump with a heavy ruck on a hot day. “You never did tell me.”
“What?”
“Is Fia short for something?”
“You never did ask.” She didn’t sound much better. “Sofia.”
He laid his palm gently against her cheek, repeated her name, then backed away even farther. “Thank you, Sofia.”
“For what?”
“Being in that parking lot Friday night. For liking me and my dog. For kissing like—” Breaking off, he grinned and shook his head. “Damn.”
“It takes two.”
His grin strengthened, then slowly faded. “Good night.”
Leaning against the door jamb, she watched him go to his truck, get in, and drive away with a final wave. Sighing deeply, she stepped inside the house, closed and locked the door, and stumbled, hitting the floor with a solid thud.

Author Marilyn Pappano

Known for her intensely emotional stories, Marilyn Pappano is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty books. She has made regular appearances on bestseller lists and has received recognition for her work in the form of numerous awards. 


Though her husband's Navy career took them across the United States, he and Ms. Pappano now live in Oklahoma high on a hill that overlooks her hometown. They have one son and daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and a pack of mischievous dogs.

For more on Marilyn and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads.


This is a romance story that will make you laugh, cry and believe in hope. Author Marilyn Pappano puts her characters in true-life situations giving them realistic hardships many of us face daily. She blends in a touch of humor, lots of love and friendship and a good measure of hope for a well-rounded story you don’t want to miss. She even includes a tender spot for an abandoned stray pup.

The characters are well-developed, likable and so realistic they could be your neighbors down the street. Pappano doesn’t sugar coat the fears, anxieties and loss military families face daily, along with their everyday problems. She adds in a good mix of strength and determination with a respectable support group.

The care and concern felt by the core cast of characters will tug at your heartstrings as you delight in the meeting of Fia and Elliott. While this is the sixth installment in the Tallgrass series, it can be read on its own. But don’t be surprised if those other pesky characters don’t call to you to learn more of their stories as well.

A SUMMER TO REMEMER is a feel-good romance that will touch your heart and stir your sense of hope that hurt doesn’t have to last forever.

A Summer to Remember by Marilyn Pappano, A Tallgrass Novel (Book #6), Forever, @2016, ISBN: 978-1455588175, Mass Market Paperback, 384 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

This tour-wide giveaway is for 10 print copies of CHANCE OF A LIFETIME by Marilyn Pappano, the fifth installment in the Tallgrass series.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget can take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by today during Marilyn’s visit. Do you enjoy stories that featuring characters as members of the Armed Forces?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, June 27, 2016

The Billionaire Bachelor {+ Giveaway}


I’m delighted to be participating in the Release Week Blitz for author Jessica Lemmon’s THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR, the first installment in her Billionaire Bad Boys series.

As part of the tour, Jessica is sharing her Top 5 Billionaire Boyfriend Perks. In addition, you have the opportunity to enter a tour-wide giveaway to win one of 10 paperback copies of THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR. Please see the end of the post for more detail on the giveaway.

Title:  The Billionaire Bachelor
Author: Jessica Lemmon
Series: Billionaire Bad Boys
On Sale: June 28, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Formats: Mass Market & eBook
Price: $5.99 USD

Manwhore. That's what the board of directors—and the tabloids—thinks of billionaire bachelor Reese Crane. Ordinarily he couldn't care less, but his playboy past is preventing the board from naming him CEO of Crane Hotels. Nothing—and no one—will keep him from his life's legacy. They want a settled man to lead the company? Then that's exactly what he'll give them.
          Merina Van Heusen will do anything to get her parents' funky boutique hotel back—even marry cold-as-ice-but-sexy-as-hell Reese Crane. It's a simple business contract—six months of marriage, absolute secrecy, and the Van Heusen is all hers again. But when sparks fly between them, their passion quickly moves from the boardroom to the bedroom. And soon Merina is living her worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband…

THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR is available at the following sites: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Google Play, iBooks, IndieBound, and Kobo.

The full Billionaire Bad Boys series will include: THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR, #1 (available now); THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR, #2 (soon soon); and THE BASTARD BILLIONAIRE, #3 (coming soon). For more on these tantalizing books, check out the Series Page on Goodreads.

Now Jessica shares her “Top 5 Billionaire Boyfriend Perks.”

I’m so excited to be here! Since my new series, the Billionaire Bad Boys starts with THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR, I’ve been tasked with giving you a TOP 5 list of the best Billionaire Boyfriend Perks. I think I can handle that…

Let’s begin.

#5 ~ Like fancy restaurants? Never pay for dinner again with your billionaire boyfriend. My billionaire hero Reese Crane takes Merina Van Heusen to the finest meals in town, including their first date an all-aphrodisiac restaurant. *Yum*

#4 ~ Need to get away? Your billionaire boyfriend owns a jet, a limo, and a hotel building, or in Reese Crane’s case, owns Crane Hotels, a hotel chain.

#3 ~ If you’re into gifts, you can expect some good ones. A diamond ring came standard in The Billionaire Bachelor since Reese proposed a marriage of convenience…

#2 ~ No need to worry about your living arrangements, since your new fiancé will move you into his mansion. Did I mention the house manager who prepares your meals and the house staff who cleans your room?

#1 ~ Late nights are something he’s accustomed to. You can count on your billionaire boyfriend to keep you up… and I don’t mean because he’s talking shop. ;)

Thanks, Jessica. That’s an interesting Top Five list.



THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR by Jessica Lemmon
◊ Series: Billionaire Bad Boys (Book #1)
◊ Narrator: Sasha Dunbrooke
Audible Audio Edition
◊ Listening Length: 9 hours and 55 minutes
◊ Program Type: Audiobook
◊ Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary
◊ Version: Unabridged
◊ Publisher: Hachette Audio
◊ Scheduled Audible.com Release Date: June 28, 2016
◊ Language: English
◊ ASIN: BO1GU37A3U

Narrator Sasha Dunbrooke’s mannerisms highlights this emotionally charged story. Her cadence is perfect for the highs and lows of the story and adds depth to an already enticing tale. She gives each character their own unique voice.

This is a story where you know how it’s going to end (or at least you think do you). However, the journey to get there is so much fun you don’t want to miss a second of it. The interaction between the two main characters – Reese Crane and Merina Van Heusen – is exciting and sizzling hot.

The author has created likable, realistic characters that are well-developed. The secondary characters enhance the story, while the hotels are characters in themselves. The characters are wealthy, but show a vulnerable side that deals with fears everyone faces.

The steamy romance between Reese and Merina will have you turning up the AC. Some scenes are explicit, but done in a tasteful manner.

A tantalizing tale of love, betrayal and second chances, THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR is a hot summer read you won’t soon forget and a great start to a fascinating new series.

The Billionaire Bachelor by Jessica Lemmon, Billionaire Bad Boys series (Book #1), Narrated by Sasha Dunbrooke, Hachette Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO1GU37A3U, Unabridged, Digital Download, Run Time: 9 Hours and 55 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.


Author Jessica Lemmon
A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame.

When she's not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.

For more on Jessica and her writing, visit her author website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

You can also find out more by following FOREVER online by visiting their website and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.


To check out the tour further, visit the following blogs participating in the Week Release Blitz:

6/27/2016 A Bluestocking's Place  Spotlight
6/27/2016 Book Binge Top 5 List
6/27/2016 Booklovers For Life      Top 5 List
6/27/2016 Escaping Into Books     Spotlight
6/27/2016 Fic Talk      Q&A
6/27/2016 Forget the Housework, I'm Reading...      Spotlight
6/27/2016 I Love Romance  Spotlight
6/27/2016 JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC    Q&A
6/27/2016 katyromancereviews     Spotlight
6/27/2016 Kimmie Sue's. Book Reviee   Spotlight
6/27/2016 Majorly Delicious         Spotlight
6/27/2016 Melena's Reviews         Spotlight
6/27/2016 Moonlight Rendezvous Spotlight
6/27/2016 The Biblio-Files: Confessions of a Book Whore Spotlight
6/28/2016 Book You Very Much   Top 5 List
6/28/2016 FMR Book Grind Top 5 List
6/28/2016 Life With Two Boys      Spotlight
6/28/2016 Novels In Heels   Q&A
6/28/2016 Okie Dreams Book Reviews   Spotlight
6/28/2016 Thoughts of a Blonde    Spotlight
6/29/2016 EverAfter Romance      Top 5 List
6/29/2016 Straight Shootin' Book Reviews      Q&A
6/29/2016 Margie's Must Reads    Top 5 List
6/29/2016 Ramblings From This Chick  Spotlight
6/29/2016 Reading in Pajamas      Top 5 List
6/29/2016 Smut and Bon Bons      Spotlight
6/29/2016 Stephanie's Book Reports      Spotlight
6/30/2016 Blogging By Liza Spotlight
6/30/2016 booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.com
Spotlight
6/30/2016 EskieMama Reads        Q&A
6/30/2016 Pretty Sassy Cool Top 5 List
6/30/2016 The Book Quarry Top 5 List
7/1/2016    Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous   Spotlight
7/1/2016    Books and Boys Book Blog    Spotlight
7/1/2016    books are love     Spotlight
7/1/2016    BoundToBeMe    Top 5 List
7/1/2016    Four Chicks Flipping Pages   Top 5 List
7/1/2016    herding cats & burning soup Spotlight
7/1/2016    Liz's Reading Life         Top 5 List
7/1/2016    Mary Gramlich (The Reading Reviewer) Spotlight
7/1/2016    MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It         Spotlight
7/1/2016    Red's Romance Reviews        Spotlight
7/1/2016    RentasticReads   Spotlight
7/1/2016    Romantic Reads and Such    Spotlight
7/1/2016    Smut Matters      Spotlight
7/1/2016    SOS Aloha  Top 5 List
7/1/2016    These Curves Talk        Spotlight
7/1/2016    Undeniably Book Nerdy        Spotlight
7/1/2016    Wisconsin Cheesehead Bookreviews       

This tour-wide giveaway is for 10 Mass Market Paperbacks of THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR. To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks for dropping by today during Jessica’s visit. What would be your Top 5 Billionaire Boyfriend Perks?



Sunday, June 26, 2016

Purrs of Wisdom ... Words to Live By


PURRS OF WISDOM: Enlightenment, Feline Style by Ingrid King
◊ Paperback: 141 pages
◊ Genre: pets, animal care, essays
◊ Publisher: Passion Fruit Press (June 5, 2016)
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN-10: 1633532895
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1633532892

SYNOPSIS:

          Ingrid King explores our relationships with cats by combining her professional expertise with compassionate insights into how cats can inspire, soothe and even help heal us. In Purrs of Wisdom, King artfully delivers pearls of wisdom celebrating all our relationships, feline, human or otherwise. You’ll want to savor each chapter and purr-haps revisit those that strike a personal chord.

This book is based on a collection of essays from the author’s blog, The Conscious Cat, that deals with lessons in conscious living. Believing that cats come into our lives to teach us, the author shares tidbits of wisdom highlighting this theory.

As you read through this charming book you can’t help but feel yourself relax a bit. There is something calming about the author’s approach to writing and sharing her insights into how felines impact our lives. Taking lessons from cats, King explains how we can help our health by stretching as our feline friends do and just enjoying the moment rather than over worrying ourselves about what might be.

The book is jammed packed with information and helpful tips, but can be read in just a short time. In addition to the advice, the author has added adorable color photographs of various cats throughout the book. You can’t help but smile looking at the angelic faces of some of these furry four-legged babies.

You don’t have to be a cat owner to enjoy the knowledge this book has to offer. Thought, the author does point out the book is best enjoyed with a cat in your lap. After reading the book you might even be inclined to add another cat or two to your life.

PURRS OF WISDOM might just help you see the world from a different perspective resulting in a more relaxed lifestyle.

Purrs of Wisdom: Enlightenment, Feline Style by Ingrid King, Passion Fruit Press, @2016, ISBN: 978-1633532892, Paperback, 141 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

WORDS TO LIVE BY: Creative Hand-Lettering, Coloring and Inspirations by Dawn Nicole Warnaar


WORDS TO LIVE BY: Creative Hand-Lettering, Coloring and Inspirations by Dawn Nicole Warnaar
◊ Age Range: 8 – 12 years
◊ Grade Level: 3 - 7
◊ Paperback: 128 pages
◊ Genre: Crafts, Hobbies, Children’s
◊ Publisher: Walter Foster Jr. (March 1, 2016)
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN-10: 1633221008
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1633221000

SYNOPSIS:

          With step-by-step, hand-lettering lessons and spectacularly illustrated coloring pages, artists of any age can create beautiful works of letter art.
Words to Live By is a unique combination of inspirational quotes, hand-lettering tips and techniques, and fun coloring pages. With easy step-by-step lessons in the art of hand lettering and illustration, artists of any age can learn to create beautiful works of letter art. Also included are 24 inspirational perforated coloring pages that can be personalized and displayed, framed, or given as gifts.


Looking at the book cover, one might think this book is a step-by-step guide to learning hand-lettering. It’s not, but it gives you the basics on which to practice and to develop your own unique style.

The book is designed to inspire you to create on your own. While the author gives some basic techniques and tips to practice, she encourages readers to develop their own unique style by practicing again and again. She urges readers to ‘just create’ as they try their hand at lettering.

The book is nicely designed with several challenges, blank pages for sketching, and a vast array of projects to try. Readers can learn to do DIY postcards, DIY magnets and DIY bookmarks to name a few. There are also numerous coloring book pages where readers can use their imagination to bring them to life with pen and/or paint.

WORDS TO LIVE BY will inspire you and help stimulate your creative side. The book may be geared toward youngsters, but adults will find their inner child coming out as they doodle to unwind after a stressful day.

Words To Live By: Creative Hand-Lettering, Coloring, and Inspirations; Walter Foster Jr.; @2016; ISBN: 978-1633221000; Paperback; 128 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I do so appreciate it. Have you experienced the adult coloring book phase yet? What about bullet journals? Do you find yourself doodling why you think? Doesn’t the cover of this book just make you smile?