Impatient Ice

Since it's the first day of February, happy first day of February! It's also the first Wednesday which means there is a new challenge starting at Dude Time Doodles today! The challenge is to use a touch of RED in honor of Valentine's Day! I used Marlene's sentiment and Impatient Ice from Bonibleaux Designs! Gotta love Marlene! 


Stop by and visit the Dudettes, the Dude and our guest designer, Mags, to see more inspiration and then use a touch of RED and join us! You might be the winner! 

Please Excuse Our Dust

This hardworking man will keep you company as we change some stuff around on the blog. There are some areas that will be unaccessible in the tabs section but what do you care? There's this guy to ogle while you wait for the revamp reveal tomorrow.

Jamie and I can't wait to let our wonder twin powers activate. I hope you enjoy our inappropriateness on this blog as you do on our Twitter pages.

Wicked Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway with Jenn LeBlanc

Welcome to another installment (pun intended) of The Wicked Blog Tour! Today isn't really our favorite day since we're picking the brains of Hepplewhatsit er, Lord Hepplewort, the guy that sent his dogs after Francine and takes mama's boy to a whole. 'nother. level. We want to thank Jenn for letting Fergus *snort* out of his cage.

Meet Jenn:
I have several constants in life that define me:
Colorado, Canon, CJ, kids and curls.

Born and raised in a household of other people’s children in this beautiful state —very nearly with a camera in hand— I never left. I started my own family, got used to the curls, went to college, built a CJ, and started a business, all with a camera in hand.

I always had another passion; storytelling born from daydreams and nightmares. My fingers were never as quick as my mind, and no amount of practice got them there, so it was difficult and frustrating to have this inside me. When my second daughter was born her inherent traits kept me pinned— my only escape the keyboard. Spending my days in parenting chat rooms I got highly adept with one-handed typing and I can still type just about as fast with one hand as I can with two. It’s a great talent to have when engrossed in a scene and in need of a hit of caffeine. I recently finished my first novel but I quickly realized: I was born a photographer.

From the realization that someone ELSE would be shooting the cover of MY book my control-freak took over. What started as an easy cover shoot ballooned into this completely new kind of media, designed specifically for digital book readers.

I live and thrive off chaos and the constant flow of the creative process. I wear shorts and flip-flops year-round —much to the chagrin of my friends and family— and I am currently working on the illustrations for my second novel.

Where To Find Jenn: Twitter | Facebook | Author Site | Blog | Tumblr (NSFW)


Oh sweet Jaysus. Today on the blog, Hepplewhatsit aka Lord Yuckness is sharing his side of the story. Ugh. I felt totally creeped out and unclean after sitting in a room with him. Thank goodness he agreed to do the interview in a well lit and very crowded room. Francine suggested that I bring along the boys (Rox and Perry) but I figured I’d get nothing out of Hepplewort so instead, I invited Jamie to help me out. Strength in numbers and all that jazz. We’re keeping it short so we won’t have to be in the same place for that long.

Kindle | Nook | All Romance

Kati: *grabs Jamie’s hand* Oh god. I don’t know if I can do this. Help me...

Jamie: Have no fear. I have brought my trusty riding crop so he better behave or I will not be held responsible for what I do. Now, where is that swine? *cracks riding crop*

K: *spots Lord Hepplewort and drags Jamie, riding crop and all* Hello Lord Yuc-- um, Hepplewort. I brought my friend here since she also has questions pertaining to your behavior towards your ex-intended.

J: *points riding crop at Hepplewort* You, sir have some explaining to do. Before we even get to the atrocities towards Francine lets start from the beginning. What were you thinking buying a bride? Seriously, were you that desperate?

Lord Hepplewort: It is my responsibility as the heir to the Earldom, to procure a bride of appropriate upbringing, tutelage and quality. My mother hand selected my bride for her family. I did not purchase her, I merely provided for her family in exchange for them taking such good care of my future wife. My Countess.

Kindle | Nook  | All Romance

Kati: Pfft. That’s still buying her considering the fact that money exchanged hands. And why in the world would you let your MOTHER choose your bride? Do you do EVERYTHING that your mother tells you to? If she told you to go jump off a cliff, would you?

H: Out of respect for my mother and her wishes I do what is asked of me. She is knowledgeable, and knows what is required of the peerage. Why wouldn’t I do what my mother asked of me? She is my mother! I love my mother.

K: Good grief man! Have a fecking backbone. How old are you again? You shouldn’t let your mother rule you with an iron fist. Sheesh! How long was Fran--Madeleine staying with you until she decided that you were all sorts of creepy?

H: I don’t believe she thought I was creepy. She was TAKEN from me. She is a woman, she has no opinions. Don’t be ridiculous.

Kindle | Nook | All Romance

J: Can I hit him Kati? She can’t have an opinion because she a woman! You, sir need a good whacking! Stupid momma’s boy.

K: *aside to Jamie*When the interview is over, have at it. *glaring at Hepplewhatsit* Whoa! Compose yourself jackass! She was not taken, taken. She RAN AWAY and you sent dogs after her. What are your plans now that you probably won’t get her back?

H: Well I must find a bride of course, since that Damned Duke took her for himself. There’s no hope for me to get her. I’ll away to London, I’ll find a bride there. It shouldn’t be too difficult, of course she won’t be as well trained and all, but I should be able to find one suitable I AM an Earl after all. I do have nearly Ten thousand a YEAR.

K: But you’re, well, YOU. Someone has to be quite desperate to agree to marrying you. What was your childhood like? Did you not get enough love?

H: My mother taught me what it was to be an Earl. My mother took very good care of me. My mother did everything she was supposed to do. I was expected to follow my father, I had to be trained to take the title, to be successful!

coming 2/14

J: So you’re off to London to “find” another bride? Are you going to bribe this one too? What about love?

H: love has no place in duty. My duty is to the crown. My wife’s duty is to bear my issue. It is that simple. You should not try to confuse everything with love you would be better for it. I feel for your husband, he has quite a great deal of work ahead in your training. Both of you.

K: *mutters* bear my issue, what the feck? *smiles politely* Well Hepplewhatsit, I think we’ve taken up enough of your time. I hope for your sake and for the sake of all the single ladies of the ton but especially for YOUR sake, you don’t go about finding some woman to “bear your issue”. You might find yourself facing down the barrel of a sword or gun or riding crop.

J: You don’t know a thing about love! *mutters* train me my arse. *smiles at Kati* Can I hit him now?

K: *holds out arm in grand gesture* Be my guest. On the count of three? *pulls out glittery pink riding crop out of boot* One... two...

H: *widens eyes* You can’t do THAT to me! Do you not understand who I AM?!? I am an EARL! I am Hepplewort! You cannot treat me with such callous abandon. You have no right to even address me.

coming 2/28

K: Yeah. See, we’re not from around here. We don’t have to play by your rules. The only thing we understand is that you’re some slimy, super shady rapist that should be drawn and quartered and then fed to your own dogs!

J: You know what My Lord you should just leave. Seriously, the sight of you makes me want to hurt you. So off you go, back to your mother. Oh, and just so you know, we'll be watching you so don’t even think about hurting another woman or I will not be held responsible for our actions. Good day sir. 

Disclaimer: We do apologize for the shortness of the interview. He was a slimy little man and all sorts of shifty. He might have had some muscle waiting somewhere to just pounce on us and drag us away to Hepplewort's lair. Got the hell out of Dodge real quick like. Didn't even have time to do our usual either/or questions.

RUINATION: The Rake and the Recluse 

A woman out of time.
A man stifled by propriety.
A nemesis determined to take her away.
A brother to the rescue.

How will a powerful Duke deal with a woman who doesn't know her place? How will a woman used to the 21st century survive in time where she is considered property?

THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE Part FOUR has Gideon racing to find Francine before the unthinkable happens. Francine tries desperately to hold on, but her belief that Gideon will find her begins to slip. This is the fourth installment of the completely revised novel, with all new material.

Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn’t quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.
How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn’t even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.

Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | All Romance

Okay all you wonderful people, Jenn is giving away the FULL SERIAL NOVEL to one(1) lucky reader. As each installment releases, the lucky winner will get a copy for their e-reader. Here's how to get you hands on this one of a kind illustrated novel:

• Leave a comment for Jenn about illustrated novels, ruination or women bought as chattel.
• Fill out the rafflecopter form below.

If you follow Jenn's tour here, you'll get a chance at the GRAND PRIZE: a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet (in the form of a giftcard so you can get your own). You can find the giveaway rules here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jamie + Kati Review: RUINATION: The Rake and the Recluse Part 4 by Jenn LeBlanc

RUINATION: The Rake and the Recluse by Jenn LeBlanc
FORMAT: PDF
GENRE: Historical
LENGTH: 28,000 words
PUBLISHER: Jenn LeBlanc (January 31, 2012)

A woman out of time.
A man stifled by propriety.
A nemesis determined to take her away.
A brother to the rescue.

How will a powerful Duke deal with a woman who doesn't know her place? How will a woman used to the 21st century survive in time where she is considered property?

THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE Part FOUR is full of revelations, celebrations, protestations and one surprise that will have you holding your breath for the final chapters. What has Perry done?

Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn’t quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.
How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn’t even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.

Where To Find Jenn: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr (NSFW-seriously)
Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | All Romance

Go and BUY it NOW!

Other Books in Serial:

click for Kindle buy link	click for Kindle buy link	click for Kindle buy link
coming 2/14	coming 2/28

REVIEW:

Jamie: Yay! I was so happy to find Ruination in my inbox. After the way Taken ended I was on pins and needles. Plus, you know its going to be good if it’s titles Ruination.

Perry's letter

Kati: So true! I woke up, checked my email and saw Ruination in my inbox, started reading and continued reading on the treadmill. This part is DANGEROUS! A friendly PSA from yours truly: When reading any parts of THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE, make sure your feet is planted on solid ground or your butt planted in a chair with arm rests.

I must say that there’s quite a bit of RUINATION in this book. That Francine is a hussy. One taste of The Sexy with Gideon and bam!

Jamie: But a hussy in a good way. I mean would you be able to keep your hands to yourself after Sexy Time with Gideon? I know I wouldn't. But, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Last we left our Francine she was being kidnapped! Hepplewort just doesn’t know when to give up. Ugh and that mother of his. She’s a real witch!

Kidnapped

Kati: His mother is a piece of work. I like the fact that she told Francine that she was born to bear her issue. Um excuse me, two women can’t make babies together. And Hepplewort is taking “mama’s boy” to a whole ‘nother level. Yikes!

Jamie: I really just wanted to hit her. And Hepplewort too. But our boys ride to the rescue. Now... what shall we talk about that won’t give away spoilers. There is a lot of ruining going around. And poor Ferry is just besides himself with everything. It’s kind of funny to see him all flustered.

Kati: I love how you call them our boys. I don’t know what is a non-spoiler so let’s talk Ferry. Not to be confused with Perry. Oh Ferry the valet. He’s such a funny character. He tries to do his job to the best of his ability but walking in after the ruination sort of has him off kilter. Yes folks, there’s a lot of super sexy ruination going on hence the title. And how about that ending? BAM! It’s in your face whoa-where-did-this-come-from. I mean, reading the original I just about died the first time around but it still surprises me every time.

Jamie: The ending KILLS me! I’ve been dying since I finished the original wanting Perry’s story. I am desperate for his story but I am also hoping that we get to see some of our friends too. Like Shaw and his lovely lady.

OUR FAVORITE QUOTE:

"You will never have me. You never did have me," she screamed. "I was never yours, and I never will be."
..."I am ruined," Francine said, standing tall, holding her hands out wide for inspection, tilting her chin up. "From my forehead to my toes, thoroughly ravished. This man," she said, gesturing to Gideon, "lay me down in your field, and he ruined me. He took my---my maidenhead, and claimed my body as his, and I allowed him."
..."My womb is for his children, my mouth is for his pleasure, my body is for his use alone," she said proudly.

Together

OVERALL: Did we mention how much we loved this part? All the sexy and anger and frustration culminating into a total meltdown of EPIC proportions going as far as getting ruined by one studly rake. In a field. In broad daylight. *sigh* As Gideon and Francine's story came to a close, Perry's only started and what a surprise it is. Yes, there are pictures in this installment as well as the other ones. It's called an Illustrated Romance. You've been warned. P.S. It's not porn-y in any way. It's artistic. 

***review copy provided by the author***

***All images are copyright of Jenn LeBlanc. Images may not be downloaded, distributed for monetary gain, used for illegal purposes or in any way that infringes on copyright laws. If you would like to use any of these images please contact Jenn.***

Red is for Valentine

This was probably the easier card I've ever made but on my goodness, it's so very pretty because of the rich appearance of Laser Red Gloss Lustre cardstock from the PaperTemptress. I punched out a valentine from the cardstock and I used black embossing powder to emboss the small valentines directly to the card's base, tied on a piece of ribbon and it was done! 

Ignore the Sudden Influx

Some of you may have noticed that your Google readers got an eyeful of posts or maybe not. I am currently merging Jamie's blog posts onto this blog since our blog merge is happening in 2 days. Well, less than 2 days. Anyway, please accept my apologies in the form of this construction worker. You're welcome. :)

Winners

Congrats to:

DIANE

HELEN BUSH

They've each won a book off their wish list (Shameless Giveaway Hop)

CARRIE

JAMIE LYNN

They've each won a copy of CRASH INTO YOU by Roni Loren 

Thanks to everyone who left Roni some love and congratulations.

Winners have been contacted via email. Winners have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Be on the lookout for another giveaway of Jenn LeBlanc's full serial novel THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE: An Illustrated Romance and other fun giveaways coming soon.

Queen Bee

Good Monday morning, time for a new Squigglefly challenge, Show the Red! Perfect timing if you are making valentines or perhaps you are seeing red, meaning you need to blow off steam! Holley's Hobbyists are very pleased to provide you with inspiration. I used Queen Bee by Suzanne Urban from Squigglefly that is busy in her own little world flittering around the honey squares collecting honey! I guess at her age, she's forgotten that her job is to lay eggs and let someone else collect the sweet nectar and do the housework! 


After you've checked out all the wonderful inspirations provided by Holley's Hobbyists, please join us and Show the Red at Squigglefly and you might win the prize. While you are visiting Squigglefly, take a little extra time and check out the tutorials that are available. 

Here's to Anything

This beautiful image was part of this week's new releases at Squigglefly. Here's to Anything is another incredible image by Lynne Stansbery. It is my humble opinion that the line drawing is so beautifully shaded, I could not do it justice by coloring it. Instead I used a background stamp and distress ink to create an elegant card intended for a bride and groom on their wedding day. 

A fool and his money

. . . are soon my boyfriend! This funny sentiment is by Chesney Young and is being released today at Squigglefly. I paired the sentiment with Badonkadonk that is also by Chesney Young. I posed for the image and I think Chesney did a wonderful job recreating my hourglass figure! 

ARC Review: Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner

KISS OF THE VAMPIRE by Cynthia Garner
FORMAT: ARC
GENRE: Paranormal
LENGTH: 352 pages
PUBLISHER: Forever Romance (February 1, 2012)

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world---or send it spiraling into chaos.
Half-demon, half-homan, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist...
Called to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

Where To Find Cynthia: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Powell's
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

REVIEW:
Vampires, shifters and demons. Oh my! A fantastic start to a new paranormal series.

If Law & Order ever did an episode featuring creatures that go bump in the night, this book should be the basis of it. It starts off with a gruesome murder. Like white sheet over the disemboweled body so onlookers don't throw up kind of gruesome. (Do you hear the strains of the opening theme? Yeah, you're welcome.)

Nix de la Fuente serves as an investigative liaison between the preternatural Council and humans. This new death has become personal. Her ex-friend Amarinda was found gutted but no one knows who committed the crime. At the scene, Nix smells a trace of demon, lying under all the other scents. Oh, did I mention she's half demon so she's sort of living in limbo between the two worlds? Yeah, her childhood was rough. Succubi mother killed human father in throws of passion, succubi mother leaves since she's got a different kind of nurturing bone in her body, human grandmother reluctantly takes her in but can't see past the demon side of her, proves her grandmother right about her demon nature and rebels, grandmother dies and foster system didn't work out too well. Apparently love was not her thing so she decided to learn some street smarts.

Anywho, up walks tall, dark and handsome who she smells before she sees. Tobias Caine is throwing off some major pheromone mojo that brings back memories of love, comfort and quite a bit of The Sexy Times. He's replaced the quadrant vampire liaison to investigate the murders. He's also on a manhunt er, vampire hunt? for a vampire that killed the leader of his planet. Somehow the killer found his way through the rift.  After seeing Amarinda's body, Tobias is pissed. She had called him while he was in Alaska, telling him she needed to talk and now she's dead.

Nix and Tobias must work together, along with human Detective Dante MacMillan to solve the case of The Great Vampire Killing Spree. With pressure from the Council to figure out who has it out for the vampires (be they human, vampire, demon or were) before the Killing Spree continues. Nix and Tobias' sexual tension is strong. His presence brings out the inner demon in her and the only way to push that demon back is a session of tai chi. After five years, the feelings are still there but neither wants to act on it because of the consequences for Nix. There's a lot of will they/won't they, oh my god they did!, whoa totally didn't see that one coming and where can I get one of my very own?

Sidenote: Travel through the rift places the preternatural being into some random human's body. Yes, it's a case of body snatching or maybe like that show Tracker with Adrian Paul where he takes the form of an underwear model. Interesting enough, the rift opens up only every hundred years or so but someone has found a way to open a mini rift.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Some people used meth. Others drank themselves into a stupor. He drug of choice was Tobias Caine. And it seemed that even after five years of sobriety, she was still as addicted as ever.

***quote subject to change in finished copy***

OVERALL: The action in this book is like the frickin energizer bunny. It hits the ground running and continues until the very end. A colorful cast of characters are introduced so well that you want to know more about them. Out of all the characters, Detective Dante MacMillan, a secondary character who will get his own book next, totally stole the show for me. He was funny, caring and was quite smooth with the ladies. Tobias did surprise me. Nix made him out to be some sort of jerk who just up and left her when her demon got totally out of control. But there was a purpose to his leaving and that he actually cared. He could have at least been less callous about the way he just broke their relationship off. As for the Council, there's something shifty going on and I intend to find out when the next book in this series comes along. It's like Law & Order opening sequence meets Torchwood rift activity meets a case of the body snatchers meets a touch of 'I wish I knew how to quit you' (but involving a vampire and demon instead of two cowboys).

***review copy from Netgalley***

Miss Shoe

This beautiful shoe is by the incredible artists at Just Inklined and comes with three equally lovely images as a digi sheet that can be found here. If you are keeping track, this is the second hat pin for me plus I used flowers which is rare because I lack the knack to arrange them. This card is to send to someone that is missed terribly so I computer generated the sentiment. But with a different sentiment, wouldn't it make a wonderful card to send to a bride-to-be! 

BIG Changes Are Coming...

Zorana, A Dancing Gypsy

After admiring many gorgeous cards using images created by Krista Smith of the Saturated Canary, I couldn't resist any longer! I went shopping and Zorana, A Dancing Gypsy was the first image I put in my shopping cart. 

eARC Review: Twisted Up by Lissa Matthews

TWISTED UP by Lissa Matthews
FORMAT: PDF
GENRE: Contemporary Erotic
LENGTH: 55,149 words
PUBLISHER: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (December 20, 2011)

One rope. Three days. And two hearts on the line.

Justin has had enough. Ella, the woman who healed his broken heart, has been cancelling on him for two months straight. Sure, she’s busy with her job, which has her traveling far and wide. But that never stopped her from sharing nights of trivia, long conversations and blazing hot sex—until now. Truth to tell, he misses their easy friendship, the way her sighs fill his ear as he fills her body.

What he can’t figure out is, what’s changed?

At work, Ella finds it easy to talk to rooms full of strangers. Once back at her lonely apartment, though, she’s back to her painfully shy self—until Justin. Their chance meeting grew over the months into a year-long affair, but she can’t shake the feeling that rejection and pain are just around the corner. Best thing to do? End it now, before their intimacy digs too deep.

Suddenly he’s at her door with a length of neon-green rope and a naughty proposition, daring her to say no. Just how good could it be? There’s only one way to find out…

Warning: The sheets are tangled, the hat is crumpled, and the jeans are worn low on the hips. The cowboy is hot, determined, and helpless in the face of bunny slippers. Readers may need extra batteries to get this one out of their system.

Where To Find Lissa: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook

Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | All Romance

I really liked it.

REVIEW:
Holy hell! Hold on to your hat, kick off your cowboy boots and keep the shower running. On cold. Heck, just read this book in a bath of ice.

This starts off with a bang *snicker*. Justin has spent a whole day driving from Texas to Alabama to see Ella. She has been avoiding him but he can't get her out of his head. He's ready for more than weekend booty calls, emails, texting and sexting. He's been in love with Ella for quite some time now but he has to convince her to stay with him.

So basically Justin kidnaps her for a few days before Ella has to be at some conference. And the road trip goes something like this:

• Justin tells Ella to take her panties off and hang on for the ride. lol
• A lot of teasing and touching and super sexy demands.
• The Sexy Times
• Flashing some random truck driver who totally approves

When they arrive at their destination, Ella realizes that she hasn't packed the right clothes for a ranch. What the heck does she needs clothes for anyway? There's a super sexy cowboy within reach. Get your priorities right, woman! 

In between The Sexy Times, Justin and Ella argue about how their relationship should progress. Justin wants to make Ella his, Ella is still a little burned from her failed marriage. She actually met Justin when she was out with friends celebrating her divorce. Anywho, Ella doesn't understand why Justin wants to be with her since she's older than him and he could find some nice younger woman to settle down with. Justin is hell bent on making Ella see that they're meant for each other even if it takes him tying her up and having crazy sexy with her all over the house, over and over and over and over again. 

After their panty melting few days together, Ella has to go to a conference. Justin drops her off at the airport and yes, The Sexy Times happens in the parking garage. He lets Ella know that she's his and that she IS going to say yes to being with him no matter what. If not, he'll just come right back and kidnap her until she relents. 

FAVORITE QUOTE:

His Ella needed affection, needed romance, needed to be manhandled more than once in a while. She needed to be treated like a woman, strong and independent. She needed to be treated as a sexual fantasy come to life, a precious slut, a desired submissive. He could give her all those things if she'd trust him enough to let him into more than just her body.

OVERALL: Lissa Mathews definitely had me blushing and gasping out loud. Holy carp! This one is a scorcher and then some. I felt like a total voyeur just reading this. The Sex was EVERYWHERE! In the car, on the bed, against the wall... Justin was a bit too possessive and somewhat whiny for me to actually like him that much but Ella somehow did not see that. If you're looking for a make you blush all the way to your toes read, this one's for you. Warning: you may begin to fan yourself so try not to read it in public. Unless you're into that. :)


***review copy provided by Brandy W***

Winner: Melissa Schroeder's Callum

Winner! We have a winner for an e-copy of Melissa Schroeder's CALLUM

I used random.org to pick the winner and that winner is:

Lolarific

Yay! Congrats! Please email me at fortheloveofromance @ gmail . com


Thank you so much everyone for commenting!

Archie Heartful

I love this time of the month when Dude Time Doodles' design team comes together in a blog hop to showcase the new images being released at Bonibleaux Designs! My card features Archie Heartful who is trying to be cool while his heart races as he hands his sweetheart a bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day. And yes, in case you're wondering, Archie is a relative of Howdy Doody on his mother's side of the family. 


The blog hop is a circle, there is no beginning or end, you move along until you see them all.  If you've already started the hop, you should have come from Dude Kevin's blog and your next stop is Dude Time Doodles. Be sure to leave love at each stop along the way, one of us is the mystery host and you might be the winner. 

Valentine

I think it's a toss up between what I like creating the most, Halloween or Valentine cards? I am very pleased with today's card and, it's another first, a hat pin! This kid is really stepping out of her box! 

The Old Sot

Outside

One of Squigglefly's recent releases includes The Old Sot by artist Lynne Stansbery and I personally share her attitude when it comes to housework! If I absolutely must undertake any form of housekeeping, I look for an excuse not to or take the easiest possible way to get it done. One of the tools I have in my arsenal of cleaning supplies is a hairdryer. Turn it on, aim in the direction of the dust and call it dusted!  


Rhonda's Rowdy Rascals are providing the inspiration for Squigglefly's challenge that starts today. It's a recipe challenge calling for the use of ribbon or twine, glitter or something sparkly and a brad somewhere on your card. I got all three elements but you have to look close for the glitter, it's the pimentos inside the three brads a/k/a olives at the bottom of the card. 


Hope you take a look at what Rhonda's Rowdy Rascals have created and then play along. We all know, you can't win if you don't play!

Inside

eARC Review: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

LORD OF THE ABYSS by Nalini Singh
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Paranormal
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 288 pages
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Nocturne (November 15, 2011)
ISBN: 9780373618729

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

Where To Find Nalini: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I really liked it

Other Books in Series(click on covers for more):

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REVIEW & Book Trailer:

Gah! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a little bit of The Ugly Duckling meets Romeo and Juliet meets 1001 Arabian Nights. 


It goes something like this:

• Girl is the guide for boy who is the Guardian of the Abyss
• Boy is angry with girl
• Girl becomes cook and prisoner at boys castle after bribing him to tell him stories
• Boy is slightly attracted to girl and is confused by feelings for girl
• Girl is slightly attracted to boy even though he wears a black suit of impenetrable armor and is quite testy
• Boy is a prince of a kingdom taken over by evil sorcerer
• Girl is the daughter of said evil sorcerer
• Girl must get boy back to kingdom to fight evil sorcerer with the help of his siblings
• Boy and girl make The Sexy and everything changes
• Girl tells boy stories of his kingdom but boy doesn't know it's his kingdom
• Boy gets flashes of his past and soon begins to remember
• Girl knows she must sacrifice her life so boy can defeat her father
• Boy finds out girl has been lying to him and gets angry
• Boy and girl must travel to his kingdom to defeat evil sorcerer once and for all
• Boy and girl face dangerous obstacles along the way
• Boy and girl must decide whether their giant misunderstanding is worth putting aside and living Happily Ever After

The End.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

A prince, regardless of his position in line for the throne, was expected to marry a certain kind of woman, a woman with an unsullied past, one who could carry the crown of princess with elegance and beauty.
Everything Liliana was not.
You could be his mistress.The sly suggestion came from the part of her that had no honor where Micah was concerned. She was sure she would do any terrible thing to be with him---but she didn't think she could stand to share him, to know that another woman had the right the bear his name and is children, to love him and hold him. It would break her.

OVERALL: I loved the fact that this was a fast paced read. Danger, betrayal, secrets, adventure, love, laughter and a dangerously sexy man. *sigh* Everything I look for in a great story. The ending wasn't was epic as I thought it would be but it still brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face. I will be reading more books from Nalini Singh. Well, after I get this monster of a TBR pile down.

***review copy from Netgalley***

Heart Sheep

Outside

The weatherman got it right! He predicted 3 to 5 inches of snow and we received 6 inches although while I was shoveling, it seemed more like 3 feet of snow! But in between trips outdoors to shovel, I did manage to get a card done. The adorable image, Heart Sheep, is from Doodle Pantry. 

Inside

Winners

CONGRATS TO:

Jet

She's won her choice of book from The Book Depository (birthday bash)

Maria Pena

She's won the full serial of THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE by Jenn LeBlanc (Wicked Tour)

Winners have been contacted via email. Winners have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. 

Don't forget about all the other giveaways that are going on right now.

eARC Review: The Price of Temptation by Lecia Cornwall

THE PRICE OF TEMPTATION by Lecia Cornwall
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Historical
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 484 pages
PUBLISHER: Avon (December 27, 2011)
ISBN: 9780062018949

Lady Evelyn Renshaw is married to England's most notorious traitor... Or is she?

No one has seen Lord Philip alive for months. The Crown wants to hang him. The ton wants to know if Evelyn is as guilty as her husband, and Philip's enemies expect Evelyn to pay the price for her husband's sins.

Captain Sinjon Rutherford has troubles of his own. He needs a place to hide while he proves himself innocent of some very nasty charges. The Crown offers assistance, but only if Sinjon helps them uncover the truth about Evelyn's part in her husband's treason. He's planted as a spy in her household, disguised as a servant. But Sinjon is no footman...and he doesn't have time to fall in love with the enigmatic Evelyn, but the lady needs a strong protector, and a lover.

And it seems the lady has some dark secrets of her own, secrets that can get them both killed...(source)

Where to Find Lecia: Author Site | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Where to Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

REVIEW:
Well, hello action, adventure, betrayal, adultery, disguise, honor and sacrifice! I've been spending a lot of time with some of you lately and this book has all of you thrown together. What a story.

Reasons to Read This Book:

1. Action. Boy howdy! There's quite a bit of action going on. In the park, at the ball, in the bed, out of bed, in the morning room, at the top of a tower, in the battlefields. Heart pounding, music crescendoing worthy action. No, no Pirates of the Caribbean theme playing this time. 
2. Adventure. From the early morning fog in Hyde Park to the ballrooms of the London ton to the dark sultry bedroom of the Renshaw house, there is always excitement and danger afoot.
3. Betrayal. Evelyn Renshaw is left to bear the brunt and scandal of her husband's treachery. She thought she knew who he was, or at least what he did but his betrayal is so great that most of the time, she stays home. 
4. Adultery. Evelyn is attracted to her newest servant who seems to have more presence than a servant should. Sam is handsome, saved her from get accosted in the park and there's something about him that calls to her. Something that she shouldn't be feeling: lust. 
5. Disguise. Captain Sinjin Rutherford is trying to clear his name from charges of treason, murder and rape. The only way to do that is to work for the Earl of Westlake to spy on Lord Philip Renshaw's wife to see if she knows the whereabouts of her husband. Sin takes on the guise of a footman but Evelyn knows that something is different about him. There is an attraction that pulls them together but they must not since a lady of the manor does not cavort with her footman.
6. Honor. Sin knows that it's wrong to want Evelyn from the moment he meets her. He tries to not feel anything or act upon his urges. But day in and day out with the lady of the house pushes his breaking point. 
7. Sacrifice. Sin must clear his name but can he finally reveal his identity to Evelyn? He will have to either give up his search for the flag that will label Evelyn's husband as the traitor or give up his growing relationship with Evelyn. Which of these will Sin choose?

FAVORITE QUOTE: 

Why did the most inappropriate men hold the greatest appeal? (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Lecia Cornwall has created a story of love, loss, betrayal, redemption and a well deserved Happily Ever After. I love the fact that this was a fast paced read with laugh out loud moments as well as sigh worthy with a touch of tear-pooling-in-your-eyes-but-trying-to-keep-them-from-falling, heart tugging moments as well. I look forward to what Ms. Cornwall has next in store for readers as well as going back to read Secrets of A Proper Countess to catch up with some memorable characters.



***requested off Netgalley***

Puppy Love

Isn't Puppy Love - Envelope from Bugaboo Stamps sweet? I just happen to be "browsing" and the next thing I knew this cute little pup had followed me home! What's so terrific is that he came paper trained!