Monthly Archives: February 2013

Regan Walker Prize Package Giveaway

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Regan Walker Prize Package Giveaway

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Today’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY prize package giveaway has been graciously donated by Regan Walker. Regan is donating ONE ecopy of her new release THE SHAMROCK AND THE ROSE.

Shamrock_COVER_smaller

Click HERE for the author’s website.

TO ENTER: Giveaway open to 18 years of age and over.

NOTE: Register at The Reading Cafe using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook etc, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter etc does not account for email contact.

1. Giveaway is open to INTERNATIONAL

2. Please post a comment telling us to enter you in the giveaway.

3. Giveaway runs until February 28, 2013

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The Shamrock and the Rose by Regan Walker

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The Shamrock and the Rose by Regan Walker

The Shamrock and the Rose

Description:

Set in London in 1818, it’s the story of Rose Collingwood, daughter of a baron, who wanted to play Portia in The Merchant of Venice. To accept the part at the Theatre-Royal at Haymarket, the very proper young lady assumes the disguise of Miss Lily Underwood, the actress. Who knew all of London would soon be at her feet sending her love notes? One such Valentine goes awry only to be found by the dashing Irish barrister, Morgan O’Connell. Though he would have seduced the actress, Morgan must court the lady. Given three choices much like Portia’s suitors, can she resist the handsome Irish rogue? And who is it who is following her. 

Review:
The Shamrock and the Rose by Regan Walker, begins with Morgan O’Connell attending a production of The Merchant of Venice, and he’s immediately drawn to the actress playing the part of Portia.  He seems to have grown tired of the women he’s been keeping company with while in London……….

Seems Miss Lily Underwood, the actress, is actually Rose Collingwood, and is fulfilling a dream of being an actress and getting out and seeing the world a bit.  However, no one can know that she is actually Lily Underwood, as actresses of the time were deemed somewhat lower in social circles.  She is bombarded with tokens of affection and love notes from prospective suitors.  While staying in London, she has been entrusted by her family into the keep of the dowager countess.

Morgan finds a note meant for Miss Underwood and takes it upon himself to find out where she is staying.  He approaches the countess’ home and once the countess meets Morgan, she immediately invites him to dinner so that he can deliver the note himself.  Once he meets Miss Underwood and discovers that she is actually Rose Collingwood, they are immediately drawn to each other.  However, the countess had invited a couple of other possible suitors to dinner as well……..  The countess ALWAYS has something up her sleeve, it seems.  And, with St. Valentine’s Day just around the corner, things could get a little steamy.

Rose has been receiving more and more notes from one person in particular, unsigned and the notes are becoming more desperate sounding.  Seems he will stop at nothing to have “Miss Underwood”.  Fortunately for Rose, Morgan has other ideas.

The Shamrock and the Rose is a wonderfully written story.  I love how Regan Walker weaves history into her storytelling.  With Morgan being Irish, we get to find out a little about the Catholic Emancipation goings on in Ireland and their desire to receive the benefits of being a part of Britain..  She always places real historical places into the story as well, so I always feel a little bit more educated after reading her stories.  This is a sweet, romantic short story and, oh, how I love getting to see other characters from previous books.  And, I think every circle needs a dowager countess playing cupid!  I literally can’t wait for her next novel, Against the Wind, set to release in March.  If you love Regency Romance, Regan Walker is definitely the author for you!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

Regan has graciously offered a Giveaway to help celebrate The Reading Cafe’s Anniversary Celebration.  Check tonight’s Giveaway!

 

 

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The Secret Life of a Submissive by Sarah K – a Review

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The Secret Life of a Submissive by Sarah K – a Review

the secret life of a submissive

I’ll be honest, at the mere hint of a BDSM book, I cringed; there’s NO way it’s even going to compare to 50 Shades of Grey!  But when I put conventions (bias, if I’m being honest) aside, I quickly realized that just because a book involves a Dom/Sub theme, it does not mean it won’t “compare”; just because you can doesn’t mean you should.  I learned my lesson.  The Secret Life of a Submissive by Sarah K was a venture into a new experience, a new lifestyle that satisfied and intensified our heroine, Sarah’s, inner desires.

I appreciated Sarah’s honesty about BDSM.  Maybe she didn’t “label” it, the fantasy, as such (that comes later, trust me), but this unremitting need to be tied down or held down was always stowed away like a dirty secret. 

“The idea was a huge turn-on and had been for as long as I could remember – certainly long before my thoughts had turned to sex.

When it came to playing cowboys and Indians as a child, I had been the one who always volunteered to be held captive and tied to a tree.  Want someone to hold hostage or whip until they give up the whereabouts of the cowboy encampment?  Oooooo, oooo, yes please, that’d be me.”

After a long, mundane marriage (that at least resulted in wonderful children), Sarah longed to explore her sexuality.  Writing erotica with her friends’ sexual escapades as reference, Sarah sets out to fulfill that too long denied desire.  Bravo to her for seeking this in her mid-40’s! 

Enter Max, a divorced dad, co-raising his 6 year old daughter with a neurotic ex-girlfriend and Dominant Extraordinaire.  He responds to Sarah’s online ad and sets to introduce her to the delights of submission.  Their intimacy is carefully delineated through a contract whose terminology was synonymous with the structure outlined in 50.  Coincidence?  You decide.  Refreshing in the agreement was a caveat that generously stated Sarah “does not know the extent of her limits with Him at this point”.  Truthfully, Max does stop in the middle of flogging (or was it caning?) to remind her she could make use of her safe word.  But Sarah succumbs willingly, if not tearfully.  Sarah is being tortured, stifling her cries into a pillow, but all in accordance with her pleasure.  She loves this.

Sarah’s fantasies begin to take on new life as she spends more time with Max.  As stimulating and satisfying as the domination is, Sarah’s thoughts about a future with Max linger longer. 

“How could you feel like this, share this intimacy, this exposure with someone, and then go home to a boyfriend or a husband, girlfriend or wife?  I realized I couldn’t switch off my emotions and isolate my sexual need; I needed to have both together in the same relationship.”

I thought Sarah fell too hard too fast, but Max, surprisingly, reaches the same conclusion as Sarah.  For the tried and true lovers of romance, Happily Ever Afters aren’t usually easy — they’re earned.  I was downright shocked at the end. 

There is a lot to enjoy in this book.  Sarah battled her own limits to reach nirvana with Max.  While not for ME (even Christian Grey didn’t pique my interest toward BDSM.  Don’t tempt me with “vanilla”, though!), Sarah embraces her nature.  When Sarah was married, she was the sole breadwinner.  There were bills to pay, doctor visits to arrange, bake sales to organize.  This surrender, this submission, flew in the face of what always kept her in control. 

“It absolved me of responsibility and was a breath of fresh air, a true moment of joy and release from my other world where I was responsible for everything.”

There were lapses in judgment that didn’t sit well with me.  While Sarah did consent to adapt to Max’s preferences, there were moments of outrage that begged to be released.  The dinner setting at Georgina’s soiree (a Dom colleague) was infuriating, not to diminish the insult involving Carly at the final event of the evening in the playroom/dungeon.  Not ok.  Unfortunately, Sarah likens/justifies Max’s disrespect with Doms getting off on Subs’ discomfort and humiliation.  When Max overlooks important details of his potentially dangerous ex-girlfriend that Sarah should have been advised of YESTERDAY, Sarah puts off the confrontation for a trip to Paris and one hell of a reunion with Max.  But these are minor annoyances and should in no way deter you from reading this book.  All loose ends are tied up!

Sarah K was the author and real life narrator of this book.  She shared her personal experience not to encourage or advocate the lifestyle.  She just wanted to share and share she did.  With wit, intellect and an image of Penelope Pitstop on the train tracks calling for help, I wish Sarah the best!   

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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Marcie Marcie Marcie

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Marcie Marcie Marcie

Tickle Your Fancy is one of our Themes. Since The Reading Cafe is a place we can all hang out, while we drink our coffee or sip our margaritas, the talk of everything books can lead to funny stuff when we are having fun. Since we have been enjoying this feature…It is time for another Marcie….

 

Marcie Marcie Marcie pic

The Joys of Winter          

For those of you who live anywhere in the world that get snow will appreciate my winter adventures.  For pretty much 4-5 months out of the year I have to bundle up in layers of clothing to go outdoors.  By the time I’m done dressing for the chilly temps I feel like the kid in Robert Munsch’s book I Have to Go! Don’t laugh I’m being serious here folks.  No sooner am I dressed and braving the arctic air, my bladder decides it needs attention and it’s back to the drawing board  😉   

Once I’m outside the fun really begins, it’s snow playing time, that’s sarcasm for fighting with the snow.  If I’m not shoveling the white s#!% I’m using the snowblower.  Thank goodness for the invention of snowblowers or I’d never get out of my driveway all winter as we get dumped on pretty good throughout our winters.  However, as much as I’m thankful for this invention I swear my snowblower knows I hate it and it hates me right back.  Plus the thing weighs 10 times my body weight and it runs away with me down my driveway. I can no longer laugh at ppl who walk by my house with large dogs, and it looks like the dog is walking them. I’m now one of them, only I don’t have a dog, I have a snowblower that walks me.  LOL!!!!  Not only do I have the joys of playing in the snow, but I also have the joys of driving in it and cleaning snow and frost off my car.  Oh now there’s an adventure, right folks. Those of you who deal with snow know what I mean.  Slipping and sliding down the roads and getting stuck in snowbanks, having to start your car 10-15mins before you leave for work to get the ice melted off your car, etc.  Oh the joys of winter.  :-p

Let me tell you, you know it’s damn cold out when the snow doesn’t stick to my boots, my eyes water and nostrils pinch together as soon as I get outside, I’m talking take your breathe away cold.  We just had a major cold spell where our temps dropped to -35 degrees Celsius with the windchill.  Oh yes, we get wind chill cause the cold isn’t enough you know. Now those days are really fun cause you wrap yourself up so good against the cold that all you can see are people’s eyes.  It’s quite the funny site looking down the street and only seeing a pair of eyes peaking out from all those layers.  😉  Now that you know some of the joys of true winter weather, let me leave you with a joke that I love to read every winter as it perfectly describes the joys of winter.

Winter  Diary

December 8: It started to snow. The first of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat by the window watching the soft flakes drift down over the area. It was beautiful.

December 9: We awoke to a big beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Every tree and shrub covered with a beautiful white mantel. I shoveled snow for the first time in years and loved it. I did both our driveway and the sidewalk. Later the snowplow came along and covered up our sidewalk with compacted snow from the street. I shoveled again and enjoyed.

December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Oh well, I’m sure we will get some more before the lovely winter is over.

December 14: It snowed 8 inches last night and the thermometer dropped to 5 degrees below zero. Shoveled the driveway and sidewalk again and the snowplow came by and did its thing again.

December 15: Sold my van and bought a 4×4 Blazer so I can drive in the snow. I also had to go out and buy snow tires for my wife’s car.

December 16: Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway. All that was hurt was my feelings.

December 17: Still cold (below zero in the a.m.) and icy roads make for very tough driving.

December 20: Had another 14 inches of the white shit last night. More shoveling for me today. That damn snowplow came by twice.

December 22: We are assured for a white Christmas because another foot of the white shit fell today and with this freezing weather it won’t melt until August. Got all dressed up to go out and shovel (boots, jump suit, heavy jacket, scarf, ear muffs, gloves, etc) and then I had to piss.

December 24: If I ever catch the son-of-a-bitch that drives that snowplow, I’ll drag him through the snow by his balls. I think he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then comes down the street 100 miles per hour and throws snow all over what used to be my clean driveway.

December 25: Merry Christmas! They predict 20 more inches of the (bleep) white stuff tonight. To hell with Santa, he doesn’t have to shovel the white shit. The snowplow driver came by asking for a donation. I hit him over the head with my snow shovel.

December 26: We got the 20 inches they predicted and then some. I must be going snowblind or have a severe case of cabin fever because my wife is starting to look good to me again.

December 27: The toilet froze. If you go outside, don’t eat the yellow snow.

December 28: I set fire to the house. Now that white shit won’t cling to the roof. We are taking the insurance money and moving to Florida.

Marcie

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Karen Ranney-Catching up with the Author and Giveaway

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Karen Ranney-Catching up with the Author and Giveaway

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The Reading Cafe was honored to schedule Karen Ranney as the FIRST official author interview to our new site back in February 2012. With the release of THE LASS WORE BLACK -another fabulous Highlander novel- we would like to welcome back Karen and delve deeper into her psyche!!

Follow Karen : Website / Pinterest/ Facebook / Twitter

Karen-Ranney

Hi Karen and welcome back to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE LASS WORE BLACK.

The Lass Wore BlackTRC: The Lass Wore Black was released January 29, 2013. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/The Book Depository


Karen: When I finished A Scandalous Scot, I realized that Catriona was bugging me. I wanted to know what happened to her. She was a thoroughly dislikable person and I wanted to know how she could have been so different from her sister. So, I decided to write her book. In the process, Catriona goes from being a self-absorbed hedonist to a much better person mainly because of falling in love with a generous and giving man.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters from The Lass Wore Black –Mark and Catriona-which models or actors would best represent your ideal image?

Karen: Oh, I am lousy at that. Truly awful. Besides, I’d much rather the reader picture the characters in her mind. Aren’t you ever disconcerted when someone mentions that her hero looks just like XXX and you happen to really dislike XXX?

TRC: Do you ever dream about your characters then bring their stories to life on paper?

Karen: I have dreamed a few books. My Beloved was a start to finish dream and the minute I woke I knew I had to write that book. If I’m really in deadline hell, I’ll dream about the characters, snatches of dialogue that I “overhear”. It’s a fascinating thing when it happens.

TRC: The Devil of Clan Sinclair will be your next release in July 2013. Would you please tell us something about the story line?

Karen: It’s an unrequited love type of story. Two people meet, fall desperately in love, and are separated by forces beyond their control. Then, even when the path looks clear for them, other circumstances prevent them from achieving happiness. The hero is a self-made man who wants an empire and a clan. The heroine is an American born heiress who is no longer an heiress and also a widow.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Karen: Now, that’s a great question! However, I haven’t the slightest idea how to answer it. I think I live in a bubble – carefully constructed, mind you. I don’t read reviews, good or bad, most of the time. And if I notice that people are talking about me, I back out of the room. So, I don’t know what conceptions people have made about me.

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

Karen: I am constantly changing and evolving. I’m not the same person today that I was even last year. I have personal goals and career goals out the wazoo but I’m odd in that I never talk about my goals, for fear of them being diluted. I feel the same way about a book I’m writing. I just don’t talk about it. That said, I would like to be more courageous in a lot of ways, stop procrastinating about cleaning, and lose more weight.

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Karen: Another great question. My mother was a great influence in my life, but she’s been gone for a great many years. Her loss affected me deeply, in ways that I’m still feeling. I think I could honestly say that life has been the biggest influence. I’ve experienced a few traumatic events, and each one has taught me something and influenced how I act as well as deal with other people.

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

Karen: Probably my son, because I can never do anything wrong in his eyes, and he’s remarkably compassionate and understanding. I don’t complain about stuff, though, but I do share when I’ve been an idiot.

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Karen: I haven’t the slightest idea what to ask me!

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Karen: See question on changing something about myself, please.

TRC: 😉

TRC: What are your thought on book reviews-good or bad?

Karen: Everyone who purchases a book has a right to comment on it. I don’t read reviews, however. If I sell 100,000 books, it’s entirely conceivable to receive 100,000 opinions about it. Each review is one person’s opinion.

My goal is to tell a story that resonates with the reader. Some stories will, but some stories won’t.

TRC: Did you ever get a chance to write/publish Flash’s book?

Karen: I’m finishing it up as we speak.

TRC: What do you do in your spare time?

Karen: I love techie stuff. It’s kind of a hobby of mine, so when I’m not writing, I’m fiddling with the website, or writing blog posts – something to do with the technical aspects of my career. I also love reading (of course).

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Karen: Book Three of the Clan Sinclair books. Yep, I’m that far ahead. Book 1 – The Devil of Clan Sinclair – will be out in July, 2013. Then, Books 2 and 3 will be released back to back in 2014.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Karen: Only that I love your questions. Thank you for the opportunity!

TRC: Thank you Karen for taking the time to answer our questions We wish you all the best.

Karen: Thank you, Sandy!

****************************

The Lass Wore Black

THE LASS WORE BLACK by Karen Ranney

Amazon / Barnes and Noble /KOBO/ The Book Depository

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Release Date: January 29th 2013 by Avon
ISBN 0062027808 (ISBN13: 9780062027801)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Catriona Cameron was once famed for her seductive beauty and charm. Now she saw no one, hiding from the world…and no one dared break through her self-imposed exile.

No one, that is, until Mark Thorburn burst into her home, and Catriona’s darkened world began to have color again. Thorburn, secretly the heir to an Earldom, claimed he was a footman. But Catriona didn’t care about the scandal their passion could cause…for this very touch sparked her back to a life of sensuality, one she thought she’d never have again.

Little does she know that Mark is part of masquerade. One that will end when they become the target of a madman set on revenge. Mark realizes he will have to do more than win her love…he will have to save her life as well

Giveaway Pink

NOTE: Karen had offer has offered to increase the giveaway to 3 winners-each to win a copy of THE LASS WORE BLACK

Karen is offering 1 paper copy of THE LASS WORE BLACK to THREE lucky members at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment as Facebook and Twitter do not allow for email contact.

3. Giveaway runs from February 10-13, 2013

4. Giveaway is open to USA and CANADA only

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Entangled Publishing Prize Package Giveaway

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Entangled Publishing Prize Package Giveaway

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ENTANGLED PUBLISHING has graciously offered a 4-pack ebook prize package for our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY giveaway. The package includes FOUR ebooks from their different divisions: Edge/Scandalous/Teen/Flirt & EA

ONE winner will receive all 4 ebooks from Entangled Publishing.

EntangledGiveaway

TO ENTER: This giveaway is open to adults 18 years and over

NOTE: Register at The Reading Cafe using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook etc, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter etc does not account for email contact.

1. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

2. Please post a comment telling us to enter you in the giveaway.

3. Giveaway runs until February 14, 2013

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The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding-a review

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The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding- a review

The Reece Malcolm List

ABOUT THE BOOK: (YA) Release Date February 5, 2013

Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?

*************

REVIEW:

If I had to think of a word to describe this book, I would think “cute”. I thought the story was cute in the sense that it brings back a sense of nostalgia from your days in high school but packed with drama that reminds of a movie from the Disney channel.

So this book is about Devan Malcolm whose life takes a crazy turn upon her father’s death and is sent to her long lost mother’s house in California. While she is not close to her father and had a tension-filled relationship with her stepmother, Devan is filled with trepidation and anticipation on meeting her mother that has been absent her whole life. Her mother also turns out to a best-selling author, Reece Malcolm.

From beginning to end, Devan has an ongoing list of things she discovers about her mother from observations, stuff her mother’s friends and boyfriend says about her, and snooping through her room and office when she is out.

In the beginning, it is new and maybe awkward for Devan to adjust to her new life but it doesn’t take long her for to love her new school where she even finds a group of friends who are into theatre like herself, California and what it has to offer, and blends in seamlessly with her mother and her boyfriend, Brad. Things are great for Devan now compared to when she was living with her father; you would think she has a dream life.

In the midst of Devan getting along just well comes some of your petty high school drama. There is the whole couples breaking up, friends hating each other and then liking each other again, the usual in high school. Aside from the search on Reece Malcolm and her many secrets, the book likes to focus on this whole romantic tension that hangs in the air with Devan and Sai. Sai is what I would describe as Devan’s real love interest. He is described as very handsome but has his secret geeky side that really appeals to Devan. They have so much in common that it screams at you that they fit but it takes the whole book for Sai to realize that. No surprise for us girls since we all know guys are dense.

The story really gets really interesting when the Reece Malcolm search surprises Devan with a secret that shocks Devan along with the situation with Sai simultaneously blow up in Devan’s face.

I did end up liking this book while I felt like it was a tad bit slow to start but really got going once I would say when Devan meets Sai. This book is really cute but also is also jam packed with drama, mystery, and just intense. I found this book to be very funny and entertaining yet there are times you do want to cry or laugh with Devan. This book seriously feels like high school again; so if you feel like Disney channel, High School Musical and a drama rolled into one…this is your “Go-to” book right here. Two thumbs up over here.

LINKS TO PURCHASE: Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ The Book Depository /

Reviewed by Xtina

Copy supplied by publisher

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Jennifer Estep -‘Crimson Frost’ Giveaway and Prize Package

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Jennifer Estep-Crimson Frost Giveaway and Prize Package

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Today’s FIRST ANNIVERSARY Prize Package GIVEAWAY is a copy of CRIMSON FROST (Book 4),  plus bookmarks from Jennifer Estep‘s MYTHOS ACADEMY & ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN series. Jennifer has graciously donated two prize packages for our giveaway

  There will two TWO winners chosen for this giveaway.

Click HERE for author’s website.

Crimson Frost

TO ENTER: OPEN to all ages.

NOTE: Register at The Reading Cafe using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook etc, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter etc does not account for email contact.

1. Open to US and CANADA only

2. Please post a comment telling us to enter you in the giveaway.

3. Giveaway runs until February 14, 2013

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