Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match - 99 cents sale!

Synopsis (from Amazon):  Would an Elizabeth Bennet by any other name be as appealing to a Darcy?

A single mother and an ER doctor meet on an Internet dating site—each for reasons that have little to do with finding their perfect match—in this modern, Austen-inspired story. It’s a tribute to the power of both “pride” and “prejudice” in bringing two people romantically together, despite their mutual insistence that they should stay apart…

Beth Ann Bennet isn’t looking for love. She’s an aspiring social worker using an online alias to study sex-role stereotypes. Dr. William Darcy isn’t looking for love either. He’s just trying to fund his new clinic by winning a major bet. Both think Lady Catherine’s Love Match Website will help them get what they want—fast, easy and without endangering their hearts. Both are in for a big surprise.

Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match…where true love is just a fib and a click away.
Quick Note:  You all know that I love Marilyn Brant's books and I am so excited to let you know she has a Reader Appreciation Gift for us all!.  She is offering her latest contemporary romance, Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match, for just 99 cents - on Kindle and Nook!  How amazing is that?  I bought mine!

Connect:  For more information about Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match and other books by Marilyn, check out her website.

Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat

Looking for an easy summer getaway? Grab your girlfriends and head to Nashville for a special weekend with fellow book lovers in one of the South's most vibrant cities! Held at the exquisite Opryland Resort from August 9–11, Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat offers the perfect way to experience the tastes, sounds and Southern charms of Nashville.

Enjoy a weekend of fun without planning a thingBook your hotel room and your Fan Retreat ticket covers the rest! Get ready for an all-inclusive weekend of entertainment: listen to a country music band under the Tennessee stars; hop on a bus tour of Nashville's landmarks and celebrity homes; dance the night away with friends at the Sock Hop Dinner; and spend time with one of America's favorite authors, Debbie Macomber.

Experience the famed Opryland Resort for lessFan Retreat guests will enjoy Opryland Resort's many amenities—luxurious guest rooms, acres of beautiful indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, three pools to lounge by—all at an exclusive discount, making this the perfect weekend escape.

Exclusive perks at Fan Retreat

At Fan Retreat you'll also walk away with tons of swag: early access to Debbie Macomber's new novel, Rose Harbor in Bloom; and special giveaways from event partners including FitBit, Celestial Seasonings and local favorite, GooGoo Clusters. Plus a one year subscription to ALL YOU. To lighten the load, we're including a Debbie Macomber tote bag to help bring everything home!

Win a Consultation with Publishing Professionals

Are you an aspiring writer? Sign up for the Fan Retreat between now and June 30^th and your entered to win a consultation with a member from Debbie’s Random House publishing team. Meet with someone from editorial, marketing, or publicity to get an in-depth look at what goes on at a major publishing house and tips on how to navigate it all.

For more information on Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat and tickets, go to MacomberRetreat.com.

Our Love Could LIght the World - TLC Review + Giveaway!

Synopsis (from Amazon): You know the Dugans. They’re that scrappy family that lives down the street. Their yard is overgrown, they don’t pick up after their dog, their five children run free—leaving chaos in their wake—and the father hasn’t earned a cent in years. The wife holds them together on her income alone. You wouldn’t want them for neighbors—but from a distance, they’re quite entertaining.

You can tell from the empty bottles lying under the bush out front that alcohol is an issue in the household—and all things considered, you can hardly blame the wife for leaving one day.

Without her at the helm, the rest carry on the best they can. Their strong sense of family keeps them going. They help—and in some cases, rescue—each other as they struggle for a better life. And while they never follow the rules, or completely conquer the adversity with which they’re faced, they do manage to meet their challenges—and even earn some much-needed respect. Along the way, they might even make you proud.

Set in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, the twelve linked stories of Our Love Could Light the World depict a dysfunctional family that’s messy and rude, cruel and kind, and loyal to the end.

My Review:  I enjoyed Our Love Could Light the World and here is a summary of why I did!

Favorite Character(s):  My favorite two characters were Lavania (Mrs. Dugan) and Patty Dugan her sister-in-law.  They were both very strong women that were always there for their families and never gave up.  They had their struggles, but were still able to pick themselves (and their families) up and continue on.  Their lives where not perfect, far from it.  They did't always make the best choice, but they moved on and learned from their past.  

Setting:  I really enjoyed the setting of Our Love Could Light the World since I am currently living in the Finger Lakes region.  It was fun to read a story from this area of New York.  Most books related to New York, take place in NYC!

Fast read/slow read:  This book was such a fast read.  I love fast reads!  The book is a collection of short stories by different members of the Dugan family.  They are all connected and interwoven.  I wasn't sure how I would like a book of short stories, but it works so well.  

Cover:  It's perfect. Seriously, there are so many houses this could be in Upstate New York.  I loved the cover.

One Sentence Summary: Our Love Could Light the World is a collection of stories about love, divorce, aging, alcoholism, growing up, abuse, and loving your family no matter how dysfunctional.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: I would definitely read other books by Anne Leigh Parrish.  Lucky for me, she has written other books!

Meet the Author: Anne Leigh Parrish’s debut story collection, All The Roads That Lead From Home, (Press 53, 2011) won the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medal for best short story fiction.  She lives in Seattle.  To learn more, visit her at www.anneleighparrish.com

Purchase: You can purchase Our Love Could Light the World online at Amazon for $15.95 ($4.99 Kindle version).

Giveaway:  I am so excited to have one copy of Our Love Could Light the World to give away from TLC Book Tours!.  All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know if you have ever been to the Finger Lakes Region in New York along with your email address (remember it is okay to use the format "email at yahoo, email at aol," etc.).  Thank so much!

TLC Book Tours: Please check out other reviewers on the TLC Book Tour.  You will stumble upon some fantastic book blogs and reviews!

Monday, June 3rd:  Tiffany’s Bookshelf

Wednesday, June 5th:  What She Read

Thursday, June 6th:  The Relentless Reader

Monday, June 10th:  Patricia’s Wisdom

Tuesday, June 11th:  Seaside Book Nook

Wednesday, June 12th:  Conceptual Reception

Thursday, June 13th:  Books Speak Volumes

Monday, June 17th:  The Best Books Ever

Tuesday, June 18th:  No More Grumpy Bookseller

Tuesday, June 18th:  BookChickDi

Wednesday, June 19th:  Camilla Stein Review

Monday, June 24th:  BookNAround

Note: I received a complimentary copy from TLC Book Tours for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Free Card from Treat.

I was so lucky to get to try out Treat (www.treat.com). as a review over at Outnumbered 3 to 1.  Check out the review and the code for a free card is at the end of the review!  Hurry, free card expires June 17th!

Treat. is an online destination where customers can create one-of-a-kind personalized greeting cards in minutes from an iPhone or PC. Treat cards offer a more personal and meaningful alternative to store-bought greeting cards, giving users the power to make any card unique with their own sentiments and photos, and with the Treat Card Club, the more cards you send, the more you will save. Treat. also features gift cards, as well as a reminder service that notifies users of important card-sending occasions. For more information, visit www.treat.com.

Treat Father’s Day Giveaway

Treat. is kicking of their 1 Million Treat Card campaign with a Father’s Day giveaway to celebrate all the amazing dads in our lives. The Father’s Day Giveaway is an opportunity to create a truly unique and personal card that will mean much more to Dad than the generic store-bought cards. You can choose from a wide range of cards, and personalize further with photos and messages that will speak directly to the fathers’ in your life.

Again, check out my review over at Outnumbered 3 to 1!

Taking Chances and From Ashes - TLC Book Tour

Synopsis (from Amazon): Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything

Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit, she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate's brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she'd be happy.

My Review:  I enjoyed Taking Chances from the very first page.  I was pulled into the story and just wanted to keep reading.  There were times that I really liked Harper, really disliked Harper, wanted to hug Harper and wanted to tell Harper to get a grip.  I love it when a character does that to me.  I don't want to give it away the story, but I was really cheering for Harper and Brandon.  I may or may not have been disappointed with Harper's choice!  You will have to read it!

I like the way the story unfolded, changed directions on me and came full circle.  There were a lot of surprises for me along the way, which just left me wanting to read the next chapter, no matter how tired I was or how earlier I needed to get up the next day.  

The setting was perfect for the story.  I love books that take place at a college/university.  I loved my own university days and they provide me a great escape!  I didn't want Taking Chances to end.  

Synopsis (from Amazon): Aside from her dad, who passed away when she was six, Cassidy Jameson has only ever trusted one man: her best friend, Tyler. So of course she follows him to Texas when he leaves for college. She just didn't expect to be so drawn to their new roommate, Gage, a gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl. The only problem? He's Tyler's cousin.

Gage Carson was excited to share an apartment off campus with his cousin. He didn't mind that Tyler was bringing the mysterious friend he'd heard about since they were kids . . . until the most beautiful girl he's ever seen jumps out of his cousin's Jeep. There's something about Cassi that makes Gage want to give her everything. Too bad Tyler has warned him that she's strictly off-limits.

Despite everything keeping them apart, Cassi and Gage dance dangerously close to the touch they've both been craving. But when disaster sends her running into Tyler's arms, Cassi will have to decide whether to face the demons of herpast . . . or to burn her chance at a future with Gage.

My Review:  Another Molly McAdams books I really liked!.  From Ashes is very similar to Taking Chance.    However, From Ashes seemed a little more real for me.  It might be because I was really rooting for Cassi and Gage.  I will not tell you who Cassi ends up, but I will tell you it is either Tyler or Gage!!  

I really like the setting of From Ashes as well.  I could see the Texas ranch, the university,  and the coffee shop.  I felt I was right there in the story.  I couldn't get enough.  There were plenty of twists and turns in the story to keep me on my toes and left me wondering the outcome.  I flew through From Ashes and was left wanting a sequel.  

You can't go wrong reading Taking Chances and From Ashes.  I have never read anything my Molly McAdams, but I will for sure read her other books and look forward to future releases.  I really enjoyed her writing style and stories!

Meet the Author:  Molly McAdams grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband and furry, four-legged daughter. When she’s not diving into the world of her characters, she can be found hiding out in her bedroom—surrounded by her laptop, cell phone, and Kindle—and fighting over the TV remote. She loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm ... or under one in a bathtub if there are tornadoes. That way she can pretend they aren’t really happening.

Connect:  You can connect with Molly online at her website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Purchase It:  You can purchase Taking Chances and From Ashes online at Amazon. 

TLC Book Tour:  Please make sure you check out the reviews on the Taking Changes and From Ashes from other bloggers!  I found some new blogs to follow!  Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Monday, April 22nd: Mom in Love With Fiction

Tuesday, April 23rd: From L.A. to LA

Wednesday, April 24th: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

Tuesday, May 7th: …the bookworm…

Wednesday, May 8th: Hesperia Loves Books

Tuesday, May 21st: Giraffe Days

Wednesday, May 22nd: Seaside Book Nook

Friday, May 24th: Sweet Southern Home

TBD: A Tale of Many Book Reviews

TBD: From the TBR Pile

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

The Spirit of the Heart - Stories of Family, Hope, Loss and Healing

Synopsis (from Amazon):  As one of America's former leading cardiac surgeons, Dr. Nuño healed patients' hearts. Fixing "broken" hearts gave him a unique and intimate view into the power of the heart. Even coming face to face with death and losing patients, there is a beauty that can exist even in loss. The Spirit of the Heart is a collection of heart-warming stories that resonate at the core of our humanness. He graciously offers the insights he has gained from occupying a front-row seat at some of life's most real and raw moments. These tender stories teach us about what it means to be human, to be connected to others, to love, to live, to forgive.

My Review: I really enjoyed The Spirit of the Heart - Stories of Family, Hope, Loss and Healing.  It is beautifully written.  Dr. Nuño just doesn't talk about The Spirit of the Heart from a doctor's viewpoint, but from the viewpoint of his own losses. It was deeply moving.

I also really enjoyed the honesty throughout the book.  Dr. Nuño is a very spiritual and caring man.  It comes through so loud and clear in his book.  Also, the book is written in very short chapters.  Each chapter could easily be a column in a newspaper, magazine or blog.  They are all individual chapters that stand on their own and deliver a powerful message.  

I work for a health care system and can't wait to pass this book along to our cardiologist group.  

Some fun facts:  His mother is from Guadalajara Mexico.  I had the privilege of visiting Guadalajara on a business trip.  A beautiful place with very welcoming people.  Dr. Nuño is a consultant to the script writers for Gray's Anatomy (love that show) and House.  Too cool, right?  I also can't believe all the places he has been and worked.  Totally amazing.

Meet the Author: Doctor Nuño was born in Mexico in 1950. He received his undergraduate education at UCLA and obtained a BA in Zoology in 1972. He received his MD degree in 1976. Dr. Nuño received his training in General Surgery at UCSD and his training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He is certified by both the American Board of Surgery and The American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a member of many professional societies like The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, The American College of Cardiology, The Western Thoracic Surgical Association and The American College of Surgeons.

Doctor Nuño was in the United States Army for a period of ten years. He served as Chief of Surgery in Heidelberg, Germany and Seoul, South Korea. He was also on the teaching staff of the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. His duties included being adjunct surgeon for the White House in 1990. He was Deputy Commander of the 5th MASH Unit during Desert Storm in the Middle East. He left the military with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Doctor Nuño went on to receive further training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas with Dr. Denton Cooley. He then became a member of the teaching staff at UCI before moving to Los Angeles and establishing his private Practice at Huntington Memorial Medical Center. He joined the Keck School of Medicine at USC in 1995. He is was the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the LAC+USC Medical Center. His hospital appointments included the USC-University Hospital, Huntington Memorial Medical Center and the LAC+USC Medical Center. Dr. Nuño's expertise lies in the surgical treatment of bacterial endocarditis, the treatment of multiple valve defects, coronary artery revascularization, circulatory assist support and surgery for diseases of the aorta.

Current activity for Dr. Nuño includes being Medical Advisor for the Alfred Mann Institute of Bioengineering at USC, and also Medical Advisor for the St. Jude Medical Corporation for the Western United States. He was just elected President Elect and subsequently Chief of Staff for the medical association at the LAC+USC Medical Center. He signed a contract to be Medical Advisor for ABC television network for their medical serial programming. Dr. Nuño has a list of published scientific journal articles, book chapters and is very active on the medical speaker's network. He has delivered numerous lectures locally, nationally and internationally. He has a non-fiction book currently in publication.

Purchase:  You can purchase The Spirit of the Heart - Stories of Family, Hope, Loss and Healing online from Amazon for $24.95 ($7.99 Kindle version).

Green Beans & Ice Cream

Synopsis (from Amazon.com): Green Beans and Ice Cream? At first glance, they don’t sound like they go together. But this groundbreaking new book from author Bill Sims, Jr. will change forever the way you deal with your family, customers, coworkers, students, and yes, even your spouse! 

In Bill’s thirty year history, he has helped design more than one thousand behavior change systems that have produced tremendous gains in performance and profits at America’s top companies including Disney, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, General Motors, and Dupont. Hidden in this book you will find Bill’s “secret sauce”, and the recipe for rapid, sustainable behavior change and engagement--Positive Reinforcement (PR+) The book explains why positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful forces on the planet. 

Use it wisely, and performance moves off the chart. Use it poorly, and the results can be disastrous. Green Beans & Ice Cream analyzes over 100 years of research in the field of human behavioral science, and compares it to “real world, in the trenches” true stories that Sims recounts. It points out clearly that the thing we need the most, is the thing we often receive the least—positive reinforcement and feedback from those around us. Using the techniques outlined in this book, you can master the remarkable power of positive reinforcement, and make a real difference in the world around you. This book is for everyone who must lead others. Whether in the family, the school, or the workplace, it is a “must read” for anyone who wants to improve the performance of their team. With this first book, Sims has dropped a stone in the still pond of leadership. The waves will only get bigger.

My Review:  Green Beans & Ice Cream came a perfect time....positive reinforcements are needed so badly with my team at work.  Also my company and industry are going through a tremendous amount of change right now.I learned a lot from this quick read.  I think the biggest thing I learned is that one size doesn't fit all.  I love cash as a reward for doing job above and beyond, however, most people don't.  There was a lot of discussion regarding company logo gifts....we do this all the time and I think I need to share Green Beans & Ice Cream with few others at work.  I really don't want to give away all the advice in the book.

I loved all the examples used in the book.  It really helped emphasize the point that was being made.  Green Beans & Ice Cream is a very, very quick read.  I can't wait to share this book with others at work and get started on making some changes at work!  Reinforce the positive and change behavior!

Meet the Author: Bill Sims, Jr., is President of The Bill Sims Company, Inc. For nearly 30 years, Sims has created behavior-based recognition programs that have helped large and small firms to deliver positive reinforcement to inspire better performance from employees and increase bottom line profits. A sought-after speaker, he has delivered leadership workshops and keynote speeches around the globe and has built more than 1,000 positive reinforcement systems at firms including DuPont, Siemens VDO, Coca-Cola, and Disney.

Purchase it: You can order Green Beans & Ice Cream today at www.greenbeanbook.com.

This review was made possible by the Cadence Group.  All reviews are my opinion.