Drowning by Jassy de Jong

Drowning
by Jassy de Jong

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Blog
Facebook

Release date: December 7, 2014
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions
Genre: Erotica, Romance, South America
Paperback: 236 pages
Rating: 4.5

Sensuous but stifled New York City photographer Erin Mitchell thinks going to South Africa on assignment will be the perfect getaway. But when a flash flood washes away Erin’s vehicle and she is stranded at a luxury safari lodge, Erin’s romantic working vacation takes an interesting turn.

She awakens from her near-drowning and meets her rescuer, Nicholas--hot and brilliant, successful and caring -- not at all like her abusive husband. At Leopard Rock in the steamy South African heat, Erin faces the toughest choices of her life. Nicholas is ripped, he's smart and he's "no strings attached."

To give in, or not to give in drowns Erin’s senses as she struggles with two impossible goals: ignore the exquisite physical charms of her host, and conceal every last detail whenever her controlling husband calls. On the other side, Nicholas faces impossible choices of his own, as the bon-vivant playboy may just possibly collide with feelings more powerful than lust.

Erotic. Exotic. Wild.

Drowning sizzles in the African heat as one woman is stretched to the breaking point by the strength of her vows and the intensity of her seething primal desires.

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:

And now, for something different...

My last erotic reading was Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James a couple years ago. Thought it was time to mix up my current reading pattern of mostly YA and dystopia with something naughty.

I found that this book provided some steamy scenes with a storyline that dealt with lust and love. It fits the bill for an entertaining hot and fast read with characters who just can't resist that pull of love despite their circumstances.

I liked the setting of this story which was an estate in South Africa. I am left wanting to read more stories in a similar location to get a better sense of the land and culture.

This story also got me thinking of toxic relationships.

About the author:

Jassy de Jong lives in the countryside outside Johannesburg, South Africa, and shares her life with her wonderful partner Dion, two horses and two cats, one of whom is permanently stationed on her writing desk during office hours.

She enjoys traveling, cooking, cycling, and competes in dressage on her Thoroughbred, Msasa Magic.

Jassy was thirty-five years old before she met her soul-mate, and while kissing a few frogs along the way (who stayed frogs), she learned a lot about life, love and relationships. She adores writing about the incredible experience of falling in love, and believes that everybody deserves a happy ending... especially her heroines.

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* review copy courtesy of publisher

* added this to my Bookish Bingo challenge - square: Red Cover

* if you are over 18 yrs of age and would like my review copy, let me know in comments. -offer ends Oct 31, 2014

Downton Abbey: Tea Blends

While Mrs. Patmore and Daisy prepare the various pastry treats to accompany the tea, the water is on the stove set to boil.

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Fancy that!

The Republic of Tea now offers a selection of Downton Abbey tea blends for our drinking pleasure.

Downton Abbey English Rose
This vibrant, ruby-red infusion of rose, raspberry and hibiscus has fruity, floral notes and a touch of sweetness. Inspired by traditional British desserts, this caffeine-free, luscious tea is perfect as an afternoon treat. Enjoy hot or cooled over a tall glass of ice.

INGREDIENTS
Nigerian hibiscus, rosehip peels, apples, stevia, natural raspberry, natural rose and vanilla flavors and rose petals

Downton Abbey Grantham Breakfast Blend
Full-bodied, malty, organic Assam black tea is infused with the spicy flavor of organic ginger root. Try with a splash of warm milk and sweetener for a flavor reminiscent of sticky ginger pudding. This energizing tea is perfect for an early morning foxhunt or preparing for the dramas of the day.

INGREDIENTS
Organic Assam black tea, organic ginger

Downton Abbey Estate Blend
Earl Grey black tea has become one of the most enjoyed flavored teas in the world. This classic traditional British tea with bergamot orange oil has been paired with exotic vanilla for an intriguing finish. Enjoy this robust tea with or without milk and sugar or even over ice. Perfect for high tea or any time of day.

INGREDIENTS
Fine black tea, natural bergamont oil and natural vanilla flavor

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Which blend would you be inclined to sample?

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* image source: Mrs. Patmore and Daisy

~~- TEA at Downton Abbey schedule -~~

The Ravens of Solemano by Eden Unger Bowditch

The Ravens of Solemano
or The Order of the Mysterious Men in Black
(The Young Inventors Guild)
by Eden Unger Bowditch

Visit Eden:
Website
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter

Just released: September 2013
Publisher: Bancroft Press
Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk (a bit), Middle Grade
Hardback: 465 pages
Rating: 3.5

The Young Inventors Guild series:
The Atomic Weight of Secrets or The Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black
The Ravens of Solemano or The Order of the Mysterious Men in Black
book 3 - tba

Amazon | BarnesNoble

It has been mere days since the brilliant children of the Young Inventors Guild escaped from the clutches of the horrible Komar Romak.

They've escaped with their lovely and caring schoolteacher, Miss Brett; with their long-absent parents; and with their bizarre captors, protectors, or both--the mysterious men in black. And now they travel by train, destined for parts unknown.

But a note torn from the hand of a dead man in a New York tunnel guarantees that safety is an illusion. When the children's world is blown apart, life will never be the same again.

Soon, the children--Jasper and little Lucy Modest, from London, England; Wallace Banneker, from New York, United States; Noah Canto-Sagas, from Toronto, Canada; and Faye Vigyanveta, from Delhi, India--find themselves in the ancient Italian village of Solemano, deep in a mystery that spans centuries. As they inch toward the truth of the men in black and the secrets they keep, one terrible fact remains:

Komar Romak is still out there. He's still after them, for reasons they can't even begin to imagine.

And he knows exactly where they are . . .

From the rolling plains of America to the wide-open waters of the Atlantic, through the Strait of Gibraltar to a remarkable village in the hills of Abruzzo, Italy, The Ravens of Solemano or The Order of the Mysterious Men in Black, the second book of Eden Unger Bowditch's Young Inventors Guild trilogy, is an adventure like no other, as the children draw ever closer to the answers to the mysteries that surround them.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s):
You will experience some traveling, good eating and inventing in this second tale to this trilogy.

I found this to story to be slow-paced as the kids continue to bond while trying to remain safe from the baddie, Komar Romak.

However, the interesting draw to read book two was discovering the mystery behind the mysterious men in black as well as things about their past.

~*~
* if you would like to read my arc copy, leave me a comment with your email address by Dec 22, 2013
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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* review copy courtesy of publisher

* part of virtual book event: TEA on The Filigree

Chasing Memories by Tia Silverthorne Bach

Chasing Memories
by Tia Silverthorne Bach

Visit Tia:
Book Excerpt
Website
Blog
Book Review Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter

Just released: May 22, 2013
Publisher: self-published
Genre: Fantasy
Paperback: 296 pages
Rating: 3

Amazon | Kindle | BarnesNoble

There isn’t another way; not now. The others are coming. I can’t let them have you…

Seventeen-year-old Reagan has a problem: She can’t remember what happened the night her brother was taken.

Now, the dreams haunting her from the incident are becoming more intense by the day. All the while, the lines between what’s real and what’s a product of her paranormal-obsessed mind are becoming blurred.

Is she losing her mind or has she just stepped into a world she thought only existed in books?

Caught in a web of worried parents, competing boys, Wiccan relatives, protective amulets, and psychiatrist babble, Reagan must determine the truth before it’s too late.

Zombie sighting:
Shaking off the growing discomfort, she pulled out her phone and booted up her favorite zombie game.
-chapter 13, page 191

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): eerie golden eyes
Being the first in a series, provides some background to the main character, Reagan, and leaves you with a cliff hanger. There are hints of paranormal and romance bits.

--~ Giveaway courtesy of tour ~--
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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* let me know in comments if you would like my ARC copy

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* review copy courtesy of Chasing Memories tour - check out the other stops for more details on this book and goodies sponsored by Tribute Books Blog Tours

Stacking the Shelves - 6.2.13

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details). Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Note: most of these will be offered as giveaways within the next two months

~*~
Bought:

Celebrating Pride and Prejudice:
200 Years of Jane Austen's Masterpiece
by Susannah Fullerton

While We Were Watching Downton Abbey
by Wendy Wax
getting reading for TEA at Downton Abbey, July 20-24
Free from Kindle: beware some free offers are limited - get yours now

The Five Kisses
(Pride Meets Prejudice Regency Romance #1)
by Karla Darcy
For Blog Tour:

The Repeat Year
by Andrea Lochen
courtesy of BookSparksPR
Thanks Erin!
my review
If you are interested in this and would like to have my review copy, let me know in comments by June 9. I will do a random drawing.

Girl Unmoored
by Jennifer Gooch Hummer
courtesy of BookSparksPR
Thanks Erin!

The Promise of Provence:
A Novel
by Patricia Sands
courtesy of France Book Tours
Thanks Emma!
For Review:

The Other Typist
by Suzanne Rindell
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Lydia!
signup to win this here

Of Fidelity and Faith
by Evan Ostryzniuk
courtesy of Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Thanks Amy!

Introducing the Honorable Phryne Fisher:
The First Three Phryrne Fisher Mysteries
-Cocaine Blues
-Flying Too High
-Murder on the Ballarat Train
by Kerry Greenwood
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Angie!

A Question of Death
An illustrated Phyrne Fisher Treasury
by Kerry Greenwood
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Angie!

Unnatural Habits:
book 19 - Phryne Fisher Mystery series
by Kerry Greenwood
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Angie!
~*~
* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways to you

got vampires?

Katie does!

Katie MacAlister is celebrating her latest book release of Much Ado About Vampires due October 4, 2011 with special weekly countdown specials.

Visit her Facebook and/or Forum each week to see what vampire goodies she has in store for you starting this week!

Meanwhile, take a look at these...

Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend
by Katie MacAlister

Sex, Lies, and Vampires
by Katie MacAlister
Release date: August 2011

Bring Out Your Dead
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

Just One Sip
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

Zen and the Art of Vampires
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

Even Vampires Get the Blues
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

In the Company of Vampires
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

Sex and the Single Vampire
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

A Girl's Guide to Vampires
(Dark Ones)
by Katie MacAlister

Much Ado About Vampires
by Katie MacAlister
Release date: October 4, 2011

~*~
* tell me which one of these vampires you would like to have

* image source

~!~ August Thrills-n-Chills schedule ~!~

Message in a Bottle from Alice

gyre
and
gimble
an Alice in Wonderland
one-day virtual book event
June 29, 2011

Join Alice...

gyre and gimble

in the shrubbery

in the maze

in the wabe

RSVP: greatly appreciated - doing so makes you eligible for an Alice-related giveaway prize (offer ends June 30)

in comments: simply state which character (listed below) you will attend the event as along with your email (if i don't already have it)

- tove
- borogove
- mome rath
- jabberwock
- jub jub bird
- bandersnatch

for now, sit by the tum tum tree until june 29.

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* image source message in a bottle, topiary for event badge

~-~~-~ ...and a bottle o'rum schedule ~-~~-~

~>~ gyre and gimble schedule ~<~

Knight: Saddlebags

Dear guests,

You have met the knights of Camelot and now ride with your chosen hero to Castle Bryggja.

HOWEVER, I wonder which saddlebag held an ebook that caught your fancy?

Merlin - Child of the Northern Spring by Persia Woolley

Prince Arthur - Kingmaking by Helen Hollick

Knight: Sir Gwaine - Hawk of May by Gillian Bradshaw

Knight: Sir Lancelot - The Story of Sir Lancelot And His Companions by Howard Pyle

Knight: Sir Percival - Percival's Angel by Anne Crompton

Knight: Sir Elyan - Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry edited by William Patten

Knight: Sir Leon - King Arthur's Knights: The Tales Re-Told for Boys and Girls by Henry Gilbert

Pray, tell me in comments before the event's end, along with your email (if I don't already have it).

***~*~* Fairy Tales in Bruges (the sequel) schedule *~*~***

Steampunk Weekly - 7.26.10

Burning Up
by Meljean Brook
Angela Knight
Nalini Singh
and Virginia Kantra
Description from author's site:

The Iron Seas
THE IRON SEAS series combines nanotech and pirates with a gritty, gaslit Victorian atmosphere to create swashbuckling steampunk romance…with an emphasis on the steam.

“Here There Be Monsters”

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series as a desperate woman strikes a provocative — and terrifying — bargain to gain overseas passage.

Two years ago, blacksmith Ivy, desperate to flee London, purchased her overseas passage by agreeing to spend the voyage in the bed of the pirate captain, Mad Machen.

Saved at the last minute by his rival, Ivy scraped out a new life in Fool’s Cove…until Mad Machen finds her, forces her to accept a job that will create a monster, and reminds her that she still owes him the price of a journey…

Excerpt snippet:
Chapter 1

By the time Ivy found Ratcatcher Row, yellow fog smothered the docklands. She inched along the unfamiliar street, holding her right hand out to her side and using the buildings facing the narrow wooden walk as a guide. Though only an arm’s length away, the thick mist dissolved Ivy’s gloved fingers into ghostly outlines. On her left, the clicking, segmented shadow of a spider-rickshaw scurried by on the cobblestones, and the hydraulic hiss of the driver’s thrusting feet seemed to whisper a single refrain.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

~*~
The novella in Burning Up kicks off the Iron Seas series that will be released October 5, 2010 starting with...

The Iron Duke
by Meljean Brook
Description from author's site:
Seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas, where nanotech is fused with Victorian sensibilities—and steam.

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power — and fear — of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

Mina can’t afford his interest, however. Horde blood runs through her veins, and despite the nanotech enhancing her body, she barely scratches out a living in London society. Becoming Rhys’s lover would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents her from avoiding him…and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.

But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans — and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

Who wants Burning Up?

Iron Seas Voyage Challenge:

The goal: to read and review the books in this series

The goodie: COMPLIMENTARY book, Burning Up
first 15 copies courtesy of author Meljean Brook

Extra goodies: opportunity to win each book in the series

The extras: fun events and prize tie-ins along the way

Open to all who are over age 18.

The challenge is actually made up of many parts
and lasts as long as the series does.

We're in for quite a voyage!

challenge part 1:
Offer ends August 3, 2010

Let me know in comments with your email to accept this challenge.

And, look alive as the book will be sent out to you soon after offer expire.

challenge part 2:
Offer ends September 31, 2010

If you send me a link to a book review post for Burning Up, you will be eligible to win the next part of the story, The Iron Duke, released October 5, 2010. A separate post will be created for the review links.

The review can be a blog post, on goodreads, on amazon, on twitter (super-mini one), an email to a friend (or me to post on this blog) etc. Basically, the idea is to spread the word about this book and series.

challenge part 3:
Offer ends November 30, 2010

If you send me a link to your book review post for The Iron Duke, you will be eligible to win the next part of the story, title not yet revealed, released in 2011 (my guess?)

and so on until the series ends

Not to fret. I'll send reminders along the way regarding the Iron Seas Voyage challenge and its many parts.

Participants for challenge part 1:

1. vvb

2. Giada

3. Sullivan McPig

4. Mary Ann

5. Carrie

6. Joie-Elise

7. Brianne

8. WolfAngel

9. Freda

10. Lexie

11. Throuthehaze

12. Ophelia

13. Celia

14. SiNn

15. Pearl

16. Trisha

17. Brizmus

18. Chas

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Contest has ended - winners are those listed above!

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* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

* image source egg

shizzle shizzAlice

Word play and word creations are what I love best about Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I can only think of two other authors who have created memorable new speak to me.

Anthony Burgess in A Clockwork Orange uses words like droog (friend), horrorshow (good) and many more to create his dystopian world. Makes for tough reading but good stuff.

Scott Westerfeld has bubble talk in his Uglies series.

Can you suggest any authors you've come across who have unusual word creations in their books?

And if you're one of the few who has not yet read Alice in Wonderland and want to give it a go, please let me know in comments below so I can fix that problem. If I get more than one of you, I'll have to do a random drawing.

*title creation based on Snoop Dogg's shizzle speak, hey, Snoop's latest album comes out December 8, 2009 and it's called Malice in Wonderland. Rap listeners out there will have to tell me if there are any other Alice connection in regards to the songs other than the album title.

*source Alice image. I picked this picture because of the bling.

*my post for part of Neverending Shelf's Alice in Wonderland Week, October 7 - 14, 2009

Other authors with unusual words creations to check out:

M.T. Anderson (Feed) per Marie

Diablo Cody per Marie, Brian

Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) per Brian

James Joyce (Finnegan's Wake) per J.T.

Tamora Pierce (Beka Cooper series) per Zombie Girrrl

J.R.R. Tolkien per Polish Outlander, HMSgofita

Irvine Welsh per Brian

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Zombie Girrrl of Crackin' Spines and Takin' Names
has won my easter egg giveaway
and will receive a copy of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*** update 10.16.09 ***

Dinner with E at B in O

Guess who is in the Bay area this weekend!

None other than the Zombie Meister of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, E. Van Lowe!

The hubby and I shared a meal with E at B Restaurant in Oakland to celebrate the success of September Zombies week. It was a mini zombie love fest with many toasts! Huzzah!

Yup, lots of talk on my favorite topics of books, tv, movies and yeah - zombies ;-D Had a fabulous time! Thanks E!

What's the latest scoop on E? He's working on something special which we may see later this year - a novella with illustrations by his buddy, Tatiana. More details to follow...

A second novel is also in the makings. All I can say is that it's another YA paranormal. Hee-haw!

Find out why E is in Oakland here.

And find out more about E's Never Slow Dance With A Zombie Fest slated for October 24th here.

If you've been treated to the wonder that is Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, then enter your review link here to win my Last Zombie Bag o'goodies (offer ends October 31, 2009).

What? You haven't read Never Slow Dance With A Zombie? Well, you can try to win a copy here or here or commenting on this post. Good Luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary Ann of Mary Ann DeBorde Writes
has won my easter egg giveaway
and will be getting a copy of E's book
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*** updated 10.11.09 ***

According to Jane book release

Happy book release day Marilyn!

According to Jane
by Marilyn Brant

Description from author site:
According To Jane is the story of a modern young woman who receives romantic advice--some good, some not so good--from the spirit of Jane Austen. This manuscript won RWA's prestigious Golden Heart® Award in 2007 for "Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements."


Where has the time gone?

I've got to get a move on in reading my copy which was part of a contest I won from Marilyn's Starbucks taste test contest back in August.

Have you read this or plan to?

Would you like to have my ARC copy after I read it? (let me know in comments)

*** special note from Marilyn (excerpt from my email) ***

Happy Fall, Everyone!

It took nine years of fiction writing, several completed but unpublished manuscripts and hundreds of agent & editorial rejectionletters... but I'm delighted to announce that my Golden Heartaward-winning debut, ACCORDING TO JANE, has made the long trek from story idea through to published novel. And I can't tell you how thrilled I am that today (!!) it'll be arriving at a bookstore near you!

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ACCORDING TO JANE is now on the shelves!
********************************************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reggie of the Undercover Booklover

has won my easter egg giveaway
and will receive my ARC copy
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*** updated 10.5.09 ***