Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Series: Beautiful #1
Author: Jamie McGuire
Published: 2012 August
Format: Egalley from NetGalley

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand. 

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

  

I’ve seen SO many good, no excellent, reviews of this book.  Many of them are by friends of mine.  I had high hopes for this book after glancing through them on Goodreads.  I didn’t read any of them in depth on there beforehand, I wanted to go in kind of “clean” about it.  You know what I mean.  So could the hype be true?  Could this book be that good?

Um.  Hell yeah. 

The whole flow of the story was terrific, it very easily grabbed my attention and kept it.  In fact, I started reading this book about 8pm last night and didn’t go to bed until 5am this morning.  I knew I wasn’t going to get a chance to read much today, and I just had to know what was going to happen.  I could not put this book down.  And now I can’t believe I have to wait until next year for book two – which happens to be told in Travis’ point of view.  Brilliant move.  I only have one concern for that, aside from having to wait so long.  I worry that in Travis’ point of view, it might just be too emotional.   I get ahead of myself here.

First, Abby.  I didn’t like Abby for most of the book.  There were definitely times where I felt she redeemed herself a bit.  But overall?  I found her to be a bit manipulative and immature.  There were instances where I thought she was a downright bitch.  But like I said, there were some redeeming scenes.  You know she feels these things for Travis, but the way she handles those feelings just left me with kind of a sour taste. 

Second, Travis.  He is amazing.  He starts off as this smart ass playboy, the bad boy that you know for a fact you have fallen for at least once in your life.  I know I have.  But he grows.  Travis teaches us that men can change, given the right reason.  And for him, that reason was Abby.  But right from the first moment they see each other you know he is in it for the long run.  I do wish he had been a little bit more forthcoming about his feelings for Abby, but that wouldn’t made for much of a story haha.  He is a terrific guy who has a horrible temper, but for all the right reasons.  He makes some big mistakes, and I believe he overpaid for them.  Maybe I am being a little soft on him, I don’t know.  I know that if I was Abby and I was confronted with the magnificent Travis, I wouldn’t have ever given him up. Ever.  Never.  His passion for Abby is what made this book a five star read for me.

Together, as a couple, they were perfect.  And that is when I liked Abby.  When she just let all of the outside world fall to the wayside and focused on what she felt for this wounded and beautiful man.  The passion and the emotions to back it up were there.  These two are definitely meant for each other.

They also have some wonderful friends.  At times I wondered if they were too good, America in particular.  I wanted her to just stay the heck out of it, soemtimes.  But she was being a good friend, and that’s what Abby needed.  There were also some less than savory characters.  All of them together made this story fantastic.

This book will definitely pull on your emotions.  That’s what kept me up til near dawn.  I fell in love with them as they fell in love with each other.  They are both very flawed, but together they are beautiful.  They belong together, most definitely.  There are some very high tension scenes, and some things that will just break your heart over and over.  I am so very glad I read this book.  The next year is going to be an eternity waiting for Travis’ point of view!

By the way, I love the cover.  I think the cover change from the open mouth to the butterfly in a jar was a wise decision.  This new cover is just beautiful and a bit tragic, it fits.

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Giveaway/Excerpt/Guest Post: Switching The Control by Victoria Blisse

Switching The Control

Victoria Blisse

Take away the control and what do you have left? Desire.

Melissa is smart, confident and head strong. She has her dream career and is a step away from becoming a partner at Grimly and Vimes.  Richard ruins her perfect plan when he uncovers a serious indiscretion in her past and forces her to be his office sex slave for a week in return for his silence.

But Melissa finds out that she enjoys being told what to do. She craves punishment and adores to be put in her place and Richard does it so perfectly. It was not in her plan to fall in love but how will she cope when it happens anyway?

Reader Advisory: This story contains black mail, forced acts of submission and elements of dubious consent.

By: Victoria Blisse

A huge theme in this story is power. Both Melissa and Richard are powerful people. They’re  highly respected in their jobs and are both seeking to gain the highest rung in their corporate ladder. Sadly there’s only room for one on that rung.

I had a lot of fun playing with these two top cats. Melissa has all she could ever desire in her job and in a monetary sense but she is lonely and finds out through the story that Richard is too. By making Melissa submit to Richard it brings her to question certain elements of her personality that she’s tried to hide away before. She has to come to terms with the fact that to take orders from a master like figure turns her on.

The intriguing thing is, that she is more in control when she takes that part of submissive then when she rebels against it. Interesting thing, power. It can’t be taken away from you, you have to give it and I think this is what Melissa discovers.

So how do you feel about power? Do you enjoy reading about people losing control and trying to gain it?

Here’s a snippet from Switching the Control  which shows how the power play begins!

“Well, what do you want then, you bastard? Come on, stop playing games,” I snapped. The cool exterior I’d held until that moment melted away as the anger and worry bubbled away inside.

“I want you.”

“Oh, come on,” I huffed and shook my head. “Now you’re taking the piss.”

“No, I’m quite serious. From the first day I started working here I wanted to tame you. I’ve heard the rumours, seen the cold, calm aura you project and I’ve wanted to crack it to get inside you and make you mine.”

Words wouldn’t come. My mouth dropped open a fraction, my eyes widened, but as much as I wanted to defend myself I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t sure if I was offended or turned on.

He fixed me with his gaze and continued, “So here is what I propose. I will destroy these documents, all the physical and digital copies I have of them. I’ll keep my silence on the subject in exchange for one week of your life.”

“I can’t give you a week of my life.” I tutted, shook my head and struggled to regain some kind of control.

“No, but you can be mine completely for seven days.”

“Erm, no.”

“Then say goodbye to your job and your career because something like this won’t stay inside the company. Every investment company in London will think twice about hiring you. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if every major employer in the field globally gave you a wide berth. Lying and getting yourself kicked out of Grimly and Vimes is going to ruin your reputation. Do you have something to fall back on, a new career path you’d like to take?”

“I am not going to let you destroy everything I’ve worked so hard for, you bastard.”

“Then you need to agree to be mine for a week. Your time, your thoughts, your body, everything.”

“What…? Wait…what?” I shook my head. “Are you saying you want me to be your slave?”

“If that’s the label you like to use, yes.” He nodded, his eyebrow arched and his top lip quirked. I assumed he was trying to hold back his mirth. Bastard.

“I’m no one’s slave and I sure as hell don’t want to be yours.” I couldn’t get my mind around it. If Richard wanted me to be his slave it must have meant that he was attracted to me in some way. I wasn’t sure which revelation was more surprising.

“Look, Melissa, I’m giving you a chance to save your career. You either take it or you don’t. It is as simple as that.”

The silence clung to me and I stared at him. I knew there was always a way I could turn a situation to my advantage, a chink in the argument or an overlooked opportunity to exploit. But I couldn’t find it there. I could have called his bluff but then it would’ve come down to his word against mine, and I had yet to meet a guy who was willing to side with the opposite sex when push came to shove.

“Fine but I’m not doing anything I’m not happy with.”

“Oh, no, my pet, I’d never make you do anything I knew you wouldn’t enjoy.” His smug smile lit up his face and made my stomach churn.

“How can I be sure of that?”

“Safe word, doll. It’s how all the kinky ones do it. You say the word ‘portfolio’ and I stop whatever it is I’m doing to you or making you do.”

It didn’t surprise me that he knew what the kinky ones did. I don’t think I even knew the meaning of the words. I’d certainly never experienced anything wilder than missionary position sex. It seemed Richard had much more planned for me.

“How can I know you’ll keep your word?”

“Melissa, come on, you know you can trust me. I have billions of pounds at my fingertips and I am trusted to look after every penny.”

“So am I!” I retorted without thinking. He made me impulsive and I hated it.

“Yes, well, quite. What I’m saying is that my word is all you’re going to get and my word is all you need, okay?”

I reluctantly nodded. I’d been backed into a corner and there was no way out. I was going to have to suck it up and endure the next week then steal the spot on the board from his grasp. Hopefully I’d ruin his career in the process. Yes, vindictive but no more than the sod deserved.

“Fine.”

“Good. Now to be sure that we have an understanding get down on your knees and crawl over here.”

“What?”

“No, no, no. It’s pardon, not what.”

“Pardon?” I growled. This guy was really pressing my buttons and not in the good way.

“Look, you’re mine. You do what I tell you to first time or there will be consequences. I’m giving you this one because I’m a nice guy and you’re not used to this. The next time you defy me there will be punishment.”

Why did his stern look and promise of chastisement make my pussy clench? I didn’t know, but it did and so I slid off my chair and onto my knees. At least his room was carpeted so I sank into the deep shag pile and deeper into this crazy game. I just wished that I knew the fucking rules. I was on edge. I could feel a bead of sweat resting in the dimple above the centre of my top lip, my skin felt like it’d been pulled tighter across my flesh, everything inside felt cramped and constricted.

“Come on, pet, I’m waiting.”

 Victoria Blisse is a mother, wife, Christian, Manchester United fan and award winning erotica author. She is also the editor of several Bigger Briefs collections, Smut by the Sea and Smut in the City.

She is equally at home behind a laptop or a cooker and she loves to create stories, poems, cakes and biscuits that make people happy. She was born near Manchester, England and her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her stories.Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.

Find out more at http://victoriablisse.co.uk or follow and friend Victoria: http://twitter.com/victoriablisse http://facebook.com/victoriablisse

*****

Comment on this post to be entered into a draw to win a Blisse ebook bundle of The Point, Silver Screen Dream and Temporary Insanity. The lucky winner will be drawn at the end of the blog tour.

Check out the rest of the tour stops here:

http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/victoria-blisse-2/

Thank you so much to Victoria for the fabulous post and being here today!  

Readers, Victoria Blisse is absolutely one of my new favorite authors I've read this past year so I hope you will enjoy her work as much as I do!  Good luck on the giveaway!

*Liz

Giveaway/Excerpt/Guest Post: Switching The Control by Victoria Blisse

Switching The Control

Victoria Blisse

Take away the control and what do you have left? Desire.

Melissa is smart, confident and head strong. She has her dream career and is a step away from becoming a partner at Grimly and Vimes.  Richard ruins her perfect plan when he uncovers a serious indiscretion in her past and forces her to be his office sex slave for a week in return for his silence.

But Melissa finds out that she enjoys being told what to do. She craves punishment and adores to be put in her place and Richard does it so perfectly. It was not in her plan to fall in love but how will she cope when it happens anyway?

Reader Advisory: This story contains black mail, forced acts of submission and elements of dubious consent.

By: Victoria Blisse

A huge theme in this story is power. Both Melissa and Richard are powerful people. They’re  highly respected in their jobs and are both seeking to gain the highest rung in their corporate ladder. Sadly there’s only room for one on that rung.

I had a lot of fun playing with these two top cats. Melissa has all she could ever desire in her job and in a monetary sense but she is lonely and finds out through the story that Richard is too. By making Melissa submit to Richard it brings her to question certain elements of her personality that she’s tried to hide away before. She has to come to terms with the fact that to take orders from a master like figure turns her on.

The intriguing thing is, that she is more in control when she takes that part of submissive then when she rebels against it. Interesting thing, power. It can’t be taken away from you, you have to give it and I think this is what Melissa discovers.

So how do you feel about power? Do you enjoy reading about people losing control and trying to gain it?

Here’s a snippet from Switching the Control  which shows how the power play begins!

“Well, what do you want then, you bastard? Come on, stop playing games,” I snapped. The cool exterior I’d held until that moment melted away as the anger and worry bubbled away inside.

“I want you.”

“Oh, come on,” I huffed and shook my head. “Now you’re taking the piss.”

“No, I’m quite serious. From the first day I started working here I wanted to tame you. I’ve heard the rumours, seen the cold, calm aura you project and I’ve wanted to crack it to get inside you and make you mine.”

Words wouldn’t come. My mouth dropped open a fraction, my eyes widened, but as much as I wanted to defend myself I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t sure if I was offended or turned on.

He fixed me with his gaze and continued, “So here is what I propose. I will destroy these documents, all the physical and digital copies I have of them. I’ll keep my silence on the subject in exchange for one week of your life.”

“I can’t give you a week of my life.” I tutted, shook my head and struggled to regain some kind of control.

“No, but you can be mine completely for seven days.”

“Erm, no.”

“Then say goodbye to your job and your career because something like this won’t stay inside the company. Every investment company in London will think twice about hiring you. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if every major employer in the field globally gave you a wide berth. Lying and getting yourself kicked out of Grimly and Vimes is going to ruin your reputation. Do you have something to fall back on, a new career path you’d like to take?”

“I am not going to let you destroy everything I’ve worked so hard for, you bastard.”

“Then you need to agree to be mine for a week. Your time, your thoughts, your body, everything.”

“What…? Wait…what?” I shook my head. “Are you saying you want me to be your slave?”

“If that’s the label you like to use, yes.” He nodded, his eyebrow arched and his top lip quirked. I assumed he was trying to hold back his mirth. Bastard.

“I’m no one’s slave and I sure as hell don’t want to be yours.” I couldn’t get my mind around it. If Richard wanted me to be his slave it must have meant that he was attracted to me in some way. I wasn’t sure which revelation was more surprising.

“Look, Melissa, I’m giving you a chance to save your career. You either take it or you don’t. It is as simple as that.”

The silence clung to me and I stared at him. I knew there was always a way I could turn a situation to my advantage, a chink in the argument or an overlooked opportunity to exploit. But I couldn’t find it there. I could have called his bluff but then it would’ve come down to his word against mine, and I had yet to meet a guy who was willing to side with the opposite sex when push came to shove.

“Fine but I’m not doing anything I’m not happy with.”

“Oh, no, my pet, I’d never make you do anything I knew you wouldn’t enjoy.” His smug smile lit up his face and made my stomach churn.

“How can I be sure of that?”

“Safe word, doll. It’s how all the kinky ones do it. You say the word ‘portfolio’ and I stop whatever it is I’m doing to you or making you do.”

It didn’t surprise me that he knew what the kinky ones did. I don’t think I even knew the meaning of the words. I’d certainly never experienced anything wilder than missionary position sex. It seemed Richard had much more planned for me.

“How can I know you’ll keep your word?”

“Melissa, come on, you know you can trust me. I have billions of pounds at my fingertips and I am trusted to look after every penny.”

“So am I!” I retorted without thinking. He made me impulsive and I hated it.

“Yes, well, quite. What I’m saying is that my word is all you’re going to get and my word is all you need, okay?”

I reluctantly nodded. I’d been backed into a corner and there was no way out. I was going to have to suck it up and endure the next week then steal the spot on the board from his grasp. Hopefully I’d ruin his career in the process. Yes, vindictive but no more than the sod deserved.

“Fine.”

“Good. Now to be sure that we have an understanding get down on your knees and crawl over here.”

“What?”

“No, no, no. It’s pardon, not what.”

“Pardon?” I growled. This guy was really pressing my buttons and not in the good way.

“Look, you’re mine. You do what I tell you to first time or there will be consequences. I’m giving you this one because I’m a nice guy and you’re not used to this. The next time you defy me there will be punishment.”

Why did his stern look and promise of chastisement make my pussy clench? I didn’t know, but it did and so I slid off my chair and onto my knees. At least his room was carpeted so I sank into the deep shag pile and deeper into this crazy game. I just wished that I knew the fucking rules. I was on edge. I could feel a bead of sweat resting in the dimple above the centre of my top lip, my skin felt like it’d been pulled tighter across my flesh, everything inside felt cramped and constricted.

“Come on, pet, I’m waiting.”

 Victoria Blisse is a mother, wife, Christian, Manchester United fan and award winning erotica author. She is also the editor of several Bigger Briefs collections, Smut by the Sea and Smut in the City.

She is equally at home behind a laptop or a cooker and she loves to create stories, poems, cakes and biscuits that make people happy. She was born near Manchester, England and her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her stories.Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.

Find out more at http://victoriablisse.co.uk or follow and friend Victoria: http://twitter.com/victoriablisse http://facebook.com/victoriablisse

*****

Comment on this post to be entered into a draw to win a Blisse ebook bundle of The Point, Silver Screen Dream and Temporary Insanity. The lucky winner will be drawn at the end of the blog tour.

Check out the rest of the tour stops here:

http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/victoria-blisse-2/

Thank you so much to Victoria for the fabulous post and being here today!  

Readers, Victoria Blisse is absolutely one of my new favorite authors I've read this past year so I hope you will enjoy her work as much as I do!  Good luck on the giveaway!

*Liz

Fictional Candy's Blogoversary Party!

Hey Everyone!!!!

Well, it has been a year since I've started Fictional Candy.  And what a crazy year it has been!!  I've been able to meet so many new people and do so many things - I never really expected the success I've had. I co hosted a blog hop with I Smell Sheep, and  I have started a couple feature posts - some of which took off and are successful, some that weren't! LOL.  I also have started a couple Facebook Groups, which I feel are successful.  I've  been quoted on a book cover (Thanks LK Rigel!) and  I joined Twitter and Google +,  and began a Facebook Fan Page - all in the name of Fictional Candy! I've had swag created and have forced it upon my readers!  There have been so many awesome moments for me this past year, I can't even begin to recount them all!

 I want to take a moment and thank everyone who has been awesome in one way or another.  I'm not going to be so foolish as to try to name every person, because in my old age I will probably forget to name someone and then hurt their feelings.  But if I know you, I want to say THANK YOU!!!  To my readers and followers, you guys are the most awesome on the planet and I hope you stick with me through this upcoming year to see what else is coming up!  To the authors and bloggers I've gotten the pleasure to work with in one way or another through this past year - it has been a pleasure and an honor! Thank you for all of your time and hard work!  Now on to the giveaways!!

First, I have TWO swag packs that include a book by Olivia Hardin, Witch Way Bends.  These swag packs also include swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Second, I have ONE swag pack with a canvas tote bag from WJ May, who wrote Rae of Hope.  There are also signed items in here from Kallysten, Gabrielle Bisset, Tina Folsom, and swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Now here are all of the links to check out the awesome authors and websites in the swagpacks!

WJ May

Olivia Hardin

Gabrielle Bisset

Felicity Heaton

Karyn Gerrard

Kallysten

Tina Folsom

Carrie Ann Ryan

Ashlyn Chase

Shayla Black

Riverina Romantics

I Smell Sheep

In addition to the swag packs, I also have books to give away!

First, the fabulous Natasha Salnikova has given me a copy of Rotten Apple to give to one lucky winner!

Alexander Tallman enjoys life to the fullest. He has his own advertising company, a few girlfriends and a perfect wife, who is so naïve she doesn’t even notice her husband’s multiple affairs. But, one day, Alexander meets Karen. The woman is five years older than he and she wants to marry Alexander instead of letting him go, as others did. She doesn't want to give up; she wants Alexander to belong to her and only her. Alexander finds a reason for leaving that he thinks is good enough for Karen – his wife is pregnant. He obviously can’t leave her now (except she’s not). He hopes it will bring them to the finale of the relationship. He just doesn’t know how far a woman in love can go, a woman who was betrayed. When Karen finds out that Alexander wants to break off their relationship she doesn’t step back, but takes the reins of fate into her own hands. She decides to fight for her love no matter what the consequences. But everything turns out differently than she had expected and she becomes a marionette in somebody else’s game.The book was originally published in Russian in 2011, becoming an instant hit. This is translated and adapted version for English speaking readers.

Next - and I owe a TON to this author, ASHLEY WILLIS!  Ashley was my first author requested review, and her book was beyond awesome.  Now, of course, when I wrote her review I nearly had no clue on how to write a review - but I tried.  Here is that review, if you want to check it out The Calling - Ashley Lynn Willis .  I am also going to give away a copy of The Calling in ebook format.  This can be from Amazon, B&N or Smashwords!

Mandy Hardy lost more than a breast to cancer; she lost her fiancé when he dumped her a week before her mastectomy. Her ego bruised and her self-esteem battered, Mandy’s sure she’ll never fall in love again. 

Justin Seward is a headstrong Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer with a heart of gold and the supernatural ability to command the seas. He had to hide his feelings while Mandy was engaged to his best friend. Now that she’s free, he’s vowed to make her his.

Together, they may hold the key to each other’s salvation. But when Justin’s past catches up with him, and Mandy’s ex-fiancé wants vengeance, they realize they might not live long enough for happily ever after. The Calling is a contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.

Next I have a book that I just absolutely loved.  I'm a little bit more than positive that the author, Tessa Armytage, should do more promo - because this is a story not to be missed!  I'll be giving away a copy of Bess, Nicholas, & a Dog Called Bones in ebook format from either Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords!  Here is my REVIEW

Bess Saint Clair is about to lose everything and the only man who can save her is Nicholas Blake. It's just a pity she can't stand him.

Nicholas is a record industry hotshot with a reputation for being a Big, Bad Wolf. That’s okay by publicist Bess – she’s the sort of Little Red Riding Hood who eats wolves for breakfast. From the moment Nicholas and Bess clap eyes on each other they share a common bond: they want to tear each other’s throats out.

When Nicholas discovers that the man he has hired for the job is a woman, he’d like nothing better than to boot her out of his office. When Bess discovers he is one of those creatures of prehistoric legend – a male chauvinist – she’d like nothing better than to flip him the bird and turn on her heel. 

But he needs her talent and she needs his money. 

Each is hell bent on teaching the other a lesson. Both are about to learn a lesson they’ll never forget. The battle over who will wear the pants will be fiercest when neither is wearing any.

Funny, tender and deeply sensual, Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones is set in a picturesque valley vineyard and features a heroic, shameless sausage extortionist of a dog who is almost as human, and every bit as unforgettable, as Nicholas and Bess.

Last, but not least, I have one of my favorite books from this year - Wake, by Abria Mattina.  I absolutely adored this book, and I hope you will too!  I'm giving away a copy from Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords! And here is my REVIEW

Eighteen isn’t too young to run your life into the ground, but it’s not too old to fix it, either. The desire for change drives Willa Kirk from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to hometown of Smiths Falls, Ontario, away from her mistakes and the place where her sister died. She’s looking for a place to settle and rebuild, but Jem Harper just wants to get out of town, back to the life he knew before cancer. By letting the tragedies in their lives define them, they are both dying a little more every day. 

Welcome to the wake.

Lastly, I will give away a $8 gift card to the online book retailer of your choice.  Amazon?  Barnes & Noble?  AllRomance?  A book from The Book Depository?  Who will it be??

Again, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who I've spoken to and worked with over the past year!  You have all made this such a wonderful experience for me!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fictional Candy's Blogoversary Party!

Hey Everyone!!!!

Well, it has been a year since I've started Fictional Candy.  And what a crazy year it has been!!  I've been able to meet so many new people and do so many things - I never really expected the success I've had. I co hosted a blog hop with I Smell Sheep, and  I have started a couple feature posts - some of which took off and are successful, some that weren't! LOL.  I also have started a couple Facebook Groups, which I feel are successful.  I've  been quoted on a book cover (Thanks LK Rigel!) and  I joined Twitter and Google +,  and began a Facebook Fan Page - all in the name of Fictional Candy! I've had swag created and have forced it upon my readers!  There have been so many awesome moments for me this past year, I can't even begin to recount them all!

 I want to take a moment and thank everyone who has been awesome in one way or another.  I'm not going to be so foolish as to try to name every person, because in my old age I will probably forget to name someone and then hurt their feelings.  But if I know you, I want to say THANK YOU!!!  To my readers and followers, you guys are the most awesome on the planet and I hope you stick with me through this upcoming year to see what else is coming up!  To the authors and bloggers I've gotten the pleasure to work with in one way or another through this past year - it has been a pleasure and an honor! Thank you for all of your time and hard work!  Now on to the giveaways!!

First, I have TWO swag packs that include a book by Olivia Hardin, Witch Way Bends.  These swag packs also include swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Second, I have ONE swag pack with a canvas tote bag from WJ May, who wrote Rae of Hope.  There are also signed items in here from Kallysten, Gabrielle Bisset, Tina Folsom, and swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Now here are all of the links to check out the awesome authors and websites in the swagpacks!

WJ May

Olivia Hardin

Gabrielle Bisset

Felicity Heaton

Karyn Gerrard

Kallysten

Tina Folsom

Carrie Ann Ryan

Ashlyn Chase

Shayla Black

Riverina Romantics

I Smell Sheep

In addition to the swag packs, I also have books to give away!

First, the fabulous Natasha Salnikova has given me a copy of Rotten Apple to give to one lucky winner!

Alexander Tallman enjoys life to the fullest. He has his own advertising company, a few girlfriends and a perfect wife, who is so naïve she doesn’t even notice her husband’s multiple affairs. But, one day, Alexander meets Karen. The woman is five years older than he and she wants to marry Alexander instead of letting him go, as others did. She doesn't want to give up; she wants Alexander to belong to her and only her. Alexander finds a reason for leaving that he thinks is good enough for Karen – his wife is pregnant. He obviously can’t leave her now (except she’s not). He hopes it will bring them to the finale of the relationship. He just doesn’t know how far a woman in love can go, a woman who was betrayed. When Karen finds out that Alexander wants to break off their relationship she doesn’t step back, but takes the reins of fate into her own hands. She decides to fight for her love no matter what the consequences. But everything turns out differently than she had expected and she becomes a marionette in somebody else’s game.The book was originally published in Russian in 2011, becoming an instant hit. This is translated and adapted version for English speaking readers.

Next - and I owe a TON to this author, ASHLEY WILLIS!  Ashley was my first author requested review, and her book was beyond awesome.  Now, of course, when I wrote her review I nearly had no clue on how to write a review - but I tried.  Here is that review, if you want to check it out The Calling - Ashley Lynn Willis .  I am also going to give away a copy of The Calling in ebook format.  This can be from Amazon, B&N or Smashwords!

Mandy Hardy lost more than a breast to cancer; she lost her fiancé when he dumped her a week before her mastectomy. Her ego bruised and her self-esteem battered, Mandy’s sure she’ll never fall in love again. 

Justin Seward is a headstrong Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer with a heart of gold and the supernatural ability to command the seas. He had to hide his feelings while Mandy was engaged to his best friend. Now that she’s free, he’s vowed to make her his.

Together, they may hold the key to each other’s salvation. But when Justin’s past catches up with him, and Mandy’s ex-fiancé wants vengeance, they realize they might not live long enough for happily ever after. The Calling is a contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.

Next I have a book that I just absolutely loved.  I'm a little bit more than positive that the author, Tessa Armytage, should do more promo - because this is a story not to be missed!  I'll be giving away a copy of Bess, Nicholas, & a Dog Called Bones in ebook format from either Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords!  Here is my REVIEW

Bess Saint Clair is about to lose everything and the only man who can save her is Nicholas Blake. It's just a pity she can't stand him.

Nicholas is a record industry hotshot with a reputation for being a Big, Bad Wolf. That’s okay by publicist Bess – she’s the sort of Little Red Riding Hood who eats wolves for breakfast. From the moment Nicholas and Bess clap eyes on each other they share a common bond: they want to tear each other’s throats out.

When Nicholas discovers that the man he has hired for the job is a woman, he’d like nothing better than to boot her out of his office. When Bess discovers he is one of those creatures of prehistoric legend – a male chauvinist – she’d like nothing better than to flip him the bird and turn on her heel. 

But he needs her talent and she needs his money. 

Each is hell bent on teaching the other a lesson. Both are about to learn a lesson they’ll never forget. The battle over who will wear the pants will be fiercest when neither is wearing any.

Funny, tender and deeply sensual, Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones is set in a picturesque valley vineyard and features a heroic, shameless sausage extortionist of a dog who is almost as human, and every bit as unforgettable, as Nicholas and Bess.

Last, but not least, I have one of my favorite books from this year - Wake, by Abria Mattina.  I absolutely adored this book, and I hope you will too!  I'm giving away a copy from Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords! And here is my REVIEW

Eighteen isn’t too young to run your life into the ground, but it’s not too old to fix it, either. The desire for change drives Willa Kirk from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to hometown of Smiths Falls, Ontario, away from her mistakes and the place where her sister died. She’s looking for a place to settle and rebuild, but Jem Harper just wants to get out of town, back to the life he knew before cancer. By letting the tragedies in their lives define them, they are both dying a little more every day. 

Welcome to the wake.

Lastly, I will give away a $8 gift card to the online book retailer of your choice.  Amazon?  Barnes & Noble?  AllRomance?  A book from The Book Depository?  Who will it be??

Again, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who I've spoken to and worked with over the past year!  You have all made this such a wonderful experience for me!  

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