Tag Archives: Jules

If You Dare by Jessica Lemmon – a Review

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If You Dare by Jessica Lemmon – a Review

If You DareLink to order If You Dare: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
SHE’LL MAKE HIM A BET… Lily McIntire is sick of losing every office wager to her overly cocky—and yeah, devilishly handsome—coworker, Marcus Black. After a few too many tequila shots, and a taunt from Marcus that she’s a wuss, Lily lays down a bet he can’t refuse: One night in the abandoned and spooky Willow Mansion alone for his recent office win, a trip to Hawaii.

HE CAN’T REFUSE… There’s only one thing Marcus wants more than his upcoming vacation to Hawaii; it’s to take his sexy coworker on a real date. Every time he’s tried to get close to Lily, she’s shut him down cold. Too bad the sexual tension has hit the boiling point. Now, he’ll have to scare her out of the mansion if he has a prayer of taking her out any time soon.

UNTIL ALL BETS ARE OFF… But in between trying to scare Lily out of her pants and get his hands into them, Marcus realizes there’s more to the mansion than either of them counted on. Suddenly, it’s not just he and Lily that are going “bump in the night”.  If they manage to survive the night and escape the mansion unscathed, can they survive each other in the light of day? Or will what happens at Willow Mansion stay at Willow Mansion?

Review:

IF YOU DARE by Jessica Lemmon is a quirky new read concerning a bet between two coworkers!  Marcus Black is the office “bad boy” who has always had his eye on coworker, Lily McIntire.  She has shut him down repeatedly and Marcus Black sees the chance to win her over.  Over tequila shots and a pool game, he dares Lily to spend the night at an abandoned and “haunted” Willow Mansion.  If she makes it through one night, she wins his trip to Hawaii. If he wins, she has to go on a date with him!  The bet is made and the fun begins.

Lily is settling down for her night in this abandoned mansion and Marcus is going to try to scare her out of the mansion, so that he can win!  What he doesn’t realize is that there are actual things that go “bump in the night”!  In between their attraction and sexual tension, scary things start to happen.  Her car keys disappear, the lantern goes out and their phone batteries are dead.  What is happening?  Will they survive the night? Willow Mansion seems to have a life force of its own.  There is some hot action, but the question remains, who will win the bet?   Let’s hope that they can survive the night!

Reviewed by Jules

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Notion of Love by Abbie Williams

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A Notion of Love by Abbie Williams

A Notion of LoveLinks to order A Notion of Love: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo



Description:
Twelve years ago, Jillian Henrinksen gave up any hope of finding love again. After suffering the loss of her husband to a tragic accident, she clung to the only remaining stability she had: her young son, her family of women, and her job at their restaurant, The Shore Leave Café. Now it is summer again, and change is in the hot and humid air, including the arrival of Jillian’s older sister Joelle, home now to stay. And then there is Justin Miller, a longtime family friend, dangerously sexy and yet made bitter from a terrible accident sustained five years before. Can Jillian and Justin dare to risk their broken hearts and take a chance on love?


Review:

A NOTION OF LOVE is part of The Shore Leave Café series by Abbie Williams, but the first book in the series that I have read.   A Notion of Love  takes place at a lake side community and revolves around a family of strong women and their Cafe.  Jilly and her sister have been raised by their single mother, grandmother and great aunts.  We meet Jillian when she is a teenager and is falling in love with her high school sweetheart.  They marry young, have a child and live in his parents’ basement.  Some of the women in this family have a gift, that they call notions.  They can see events that will happen in the future, a premonition of sorts.  Her aunt has a notion when brushing Jilly’s hair and “sees” the tragic death of Jilly’s young husband, but she also knows that Jilly will be all right.

Twelve years has passed and Jilly has always been drawn to her friend Justin.  His wife has left him after a tragic accident that has disfigured part of his face.  Can they both take a chance on love again? The majority of A Notion of Love is their slow but steady love story.  I call it “crockpot” love, allow two people to slowly simmer and intensify in their attraction towards each other.  This love usually turns out perfect, due to all of the time and the steady “heat”! 

If you love reading about strong women and second chances at love, you will enjoy this novel.  The book is a solid read.  I think there were some challenges along the way that dragged the story out, but any romance reader will love this book!  I felt like I was a resident of their small community!  I’m having a “notion” right now that you will love this novel!  Enjoy! 

Reviewed by Jules

Copy supplied by Publisher

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Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes – a Review

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Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes – a Review

Olivia Twisted
LInks to order Olivia Twisted: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
He tilts my chin up so my eyes meet his, his thumb brushing lightly across my lips. I close my eyes. I know Z is trouble. I know that being with him is going to get me into trouble. I don’t care.

At least at this moment, I don’t care.

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…



Review:

I had no idea what to expect when I saw the name of this YA novel, OLIVIA TWISTED by Vivi Barnes.  After reading the first chapter, I got it and I was hooked.  Each chapter starts with a quote from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and this novel was a fresh and original take on this classic novel.

We learn in the early chapters how Olivia has been shipped from foster family to foster family.  She once yearned for love, but now she just wants to fly under the radar and finish high school.  She is in a new family and a new school when she meets the enigma named Z.  Yes, he legally changed his name to Z and he is a computer genius.  Olivia isn’t so bad herself with computers and hacking into programs.  Z soon sets his eye on her for recruitment, but what does that mean?  That’s when things turn interesting.

Z belongs to a group of orphans that are computer hackers!  Olivia wonders how he can afford to ride a Ducati motorcycle and live in a mansion with the others.  Olivia is soon tested to see if she wants to escape from the oppressive foster system and live the good life.  Of course there is an evil villain, you read Oliver Twist or watched the movie!  Bill Sykes is one tough boss.  He keeps a watchful eye on the orphans, because they do bring in millions of dollars.  Bill has plans for Olivia, but will she and Z go along with them?

Olivia Twisted is a great novel for teens of all ages.  Z and Olivia is such an engaging couple.  There are family secrets revealed along the way and choices to be made. I learned a lot about computer hacking and even changed my passwords to some accounts!  An added bonus!  Give this novel a chance!  It’s a fast paced story that has a great ending!  Enjoy!

Reviewed by Jules

Copy supplied by Publisher

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Evanescent by Andria Buchanan – a Review

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Evanescent by Andria Buchanan – a Review

 

Evanescent
Links to order Evanescent: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Trapped in the deadly land of Nerissette, Allie has all but given up on any return to the mortal realm. Unless she can find the two elusive artifacts that have the power to get her and her friends back home. But she’s got even bigger problems as the newly crowned queen of Nerissette: she must unite her people in the midst of a civil war and capture the Fate Maker—the evil puppet master responsible for the conflict—before he can find another army willing to return him to power. On top of it all, Allie is just a normal teenager. Her feelings are growing for the guy she’s certain is her true love, and balancing her personal life while being the queen isn’t as easy as it sounds. Allie must learn the true meaning of bravery, love, and kinship, regardless of the world—and danger—around her.

 

Review:

EVANESCENT is Book Two in the Chronicles of Nerissette by Andria Buchanan.  Some books can stand alone for your reading enjoyment, but, I would encourage you readers to start at the beginning.  Did I follow my own advice? Alas no!  I read out of order and I feel that I needed a stronger connection to these teenagers for EVANESCENT to flow. 

This 2nd installment starts a few months after EVERLAST ends.  Queen Allie and her gang of friends have crossed from the World that Is (the Mortal Realm) to the World of Dreams and some of the teens still want to return home!  Her swoon-worthy Consort is the boy from across the street who is really a Black Dragon.  Best friend Mercedes can talk to trees and control nature.  Things have certainly changed!  

They are on the brink of another Civil War with the Fate Maker and Queen Allie must reunite her kingdom and defeat this evil for good.  Allie is surrounded with fun and loyal characters:  her Chief of Staff is a goblin.  The Mermaid Queen is an ally and then, there are the Dragons!  Lots and lots of Dragons, including her new friend, Kitsuna who cannot change forms, but she can fight like a true Dragon. Allie and her group of friends must decide if they are going to stay in this magical world, or if they can return to the World That Is.   Also, they must find the elusive Dragon Tear, a relic they need to defeat evil. 

The book has battles, betrayals, secrets that are revealed and ends with another cliffhanger!  The conclusion to this series is sure to be exciting!!  

Reviewed by Jules

Copy provided by Publisher

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Malachim (Secrets and Sins #2) by Naima Simone-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

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Malachim (Secrets and Sins #2) by Naima Simone-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

Malachim Banner

Malachim
Secrets and Sins #2
by Naima Simone
Release Date: September 23, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Ignite

Malachim

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 23, 2013

Looking like sin and smelling like trouble… Boston attorney Malachim Jerrod doesn’t trust anyone. His father and his ex-fiancé taught him that hard lesson. So when a beautiful stranger arrives on his doorstep his first reaction is to back away—far away. Danielle Warren wants a job, but his law business is falling apart, and her credentials are bare-bones at best. Still, there’s something about her that, try as he might, he’s unable to resist. The vulnerability in her soft voice? The way she flinches when he gets too close? The yearning he sees mirrored in her eyes when she looks at him? She’s the last thing he needs… Two years ago, Danielle barely escaped alive from her powerful and abusive ex-husband. Now her ex is out of prison, and he’s coming for her. She knows she must leave her new job and run. Disappear—to keep herself and those she loves safe. Including her sexy boss, who has sparked feelings in her heart she never thought she’d feel again. Yet, she can’t help but wonder…should she let down her guard and trust Malachim with the truth? But the only one he desires. Working together brings them closer than ever—but reveals secrets and sins best left buried in the past. Their lives and their passionate love at stake, Danielle and Malachim must fight to survive to grasp the future of their dreams.

••••••••••••••••

SECRETS AND SIN: MALACHIM is the 2nd novel in a series written by Naima Simone. It is a book that can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I wish that I have read the first book before reading this one. This novel might be Malachim’s but his leading lady steals the storyline!

Danielle Warren is on the run. The first chapter portrays her abusive marriage so perfectly and with such emotional detail that I got the chills. Books about emotional and physical abuse are not ones that scream: READ ME!! I am glad that I read this one, because I really admire the heroine. She was smart, strong and courageous.

Danielle shows up at Malachim’s law practice late one night, because she really needs the paralegal job that his firm has advertised. She was a lawyer in her “former life” and knows the law. Malachim hires her on the spot and sparks are already flying!! There is an immediate connection. This book is about trust and learning to live again. Malachim has his own secrets that are destroying him inside and Danielle, well……she is full of dark secrets. Can they pull their barriers down for each other?

Big, bad, abusive ex-husband is out on probation and Danielle’s life is threatened. Has he found her already? Danielle knows that he will kill her if he finds her again. She is ready to uproot her new life and go on the run again, but there is Malachim. He is ready to save this woman with her dark secrets. This novel is an emotional rollercoaster. There are so many twists and turns! The ending was so unexpected and left me reeling! Why didn’t I see that twist coming? Yes, my friends, my lips are sealed! You will have to read it for yourselves. I enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to all. It’s a great suspense filled contemporary romance set in Boston, MA.

Reviewed by Jules

Copy supplied by publisher.

About the Author yellow

Naima Simone

 

Naima Simone is a multi-published author in contemporary and erotic romance. She’s a member of RWA’s Southern Magic chapter, mother of the Dynamic Duo, lover of everything Vin Diesel and wife to the fabulous husband who tolerates this affair. Come visit Naima on her Website, Facebook, Twitter  and Goodreads.

 

 

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Embrace the Magic (The Blood Rose Series) by Caris Roane- Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

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Embrace the Magic (The Blood Rose Series) by Caris Roane – Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

EMBRACE THE MAGIC Tour Button

EMBRACE THE MAGIC
The Blood Rose Series #2
by Caris Roane
Release Date: August 31, 2013

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000030_00040]

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: When a blood rose enters Mastyr Ethan’s world, will he succumb to his deepest needs or lose her forever to an enemy intent on possessing her at all costs?

He desperately needs his blood rose…

Ethan, mastyr vampire of the Bergisson Realm, never thought to find his blood rose, the one woman who could ease the blood-starvation he’s endured for decades. But Samantha carries a surprising level of power as her newly discovered fae heritage emerges and she connects with his personal realm frequency, a vibration that ignites his passion. His commitment to ruling Bergisson, however, has priority, even over his driving need to be with Samantha. As desire rises, and Ethan finds himself drawn into the web of his driving, relentless need for her, will he be able to embrace his blood rose or will his guilt over past events prevent him from living life to the fullest?

How can she give up the life she planned…?

Review

EMBRACE THE MAGIC by Caris Roane is the 2nd book in her Blood Rose series. The author has a gift for creating worlds that are multi-dimensional and layered with just the right amount of DARK! I did not read the first novel, but I could guess the premise behind the series. A Blood Rose can ease the bloodlust of a Mastyr Vampire and Samantha has just had her life turned upside down. She is drawn immediately to Mastyr Ethan, because of her blood. She has more surprises when she discovers that she is half fae and has visions of the future. Samantha joins Ethan in the Bergisson Realm, where he is ruler, for her protection. She can become a Blood Rose to ANY Mastyr Vampire and Ethan is afraid that she will be forced into a bond.

This was a delightful read, full of action, discoveries and learning about the 9 Realm-folk: trolls, elves, fae, shape shifters, and vampires! I expected Ethan as a Mastyr Vampire to be dark and full of himself, he was the exact opposite. He lived to serve his people and he knew that a woman would complicate his life. He was also a gorgeous blonde with long and flowy curls. That is not my idea of a ruthless leader! Samantha did not want a bond either, she valued her independence and missed her home in Shreveport, LA. Each must decide in their own way, if they want the commitment that a bond will ensure. My favorite parts were watching Samantha learn about her newfound Fae gifts and the vibrations that she feels through the crystals and to Ethan himself. Samantha and Ethan’s powers combined might be able to save their world from evil and the Invictus! This is a great read, some predictable parts, but I enjoyed reading as Ethan and Samantha fought their personal demons to fall in love!! Caris, you did it again! Another swoon-worthy novel based on vampires!

Copy supplied by publisher

Reviewed by Jules

________________________________

Embrace The Dark
The Blood Rose Series #1
by Caris Roane
Release Date: July 2012

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Embrace the DarkEnter a world of blood-starved mastyr vampires and the rare women who can satisfy their deepest needs…

How can he resist his blood rose…
Gerrod, mastyr vampire of the Merhaine Realm, never thought to have his blood-needs satisfied by a mere human. But Abigail is no ordinary woman. She stuns him with her telepathy as well as the richness of her blood. However, her human DNA makes her an unacceptable mate. Yet how can Gerrod turn her away when she alone has satisfied his blood-starvation for the first time in a hundred-and-fifty-years?

Will she fall to temptation and give herself to a vampire…
When the dreaded enemy of all realm-folk, the Invictus, attacks at a fae wedding, Abigail’s simple human life gets turned upside down. She doesn’t know if she has the courage to pursue a path that means giving herself body and soul to a mastyr vampire. Will she return to her normal existence in Flagstaff, Arizona? Or will she embrace the dark…

Embrace the Dark is the first in The Blood Rose Series and the ebook is currently available for .99cents at e-retailers.

about the author

Caris Roane

Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works.  In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance.  As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds.

 

 

Author Links:
Website: http://www.carisroane.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caris-Roane/150858114985050?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carisroane
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3500801.Caris_Roane

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Caris is giving away the following prizes at the end of her tour:

Grand Prize: $10 e-Gift card to Amazon, signed copy of ASCENSION, an e-copy of EMBRACE THE MAGIC, a small tote, Caris Roane sticky notes, note-cards, notepad, versatile calendar, and romance trading cards!!! International winner receives gift card compensation!

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter.

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Avalon by Lee Souleles-A Review and Giveaway

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Avalon by Lee Souleles-a review and giveaway

Avalon

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About the Book: Release Date April 28, 2013

It’s 1984, and Alex Wakefield is in Mexico, on a mission to avenge the death of his partner, DEA Special Agent Nicholas Locklear. Beautiful Sofie Davis is an alluring complication he never anticipated. Sofie is on a mission too. Recovering from a failed relationship, Sofie has returned to Mexico, looking for direction as she plans her future. She’s hoping to reconnect with her family-especially her mother’s memory-before she returns to California in the fall. After four years of focusing most of her attention on a college education, Sofie enjoys spending her days in a tropical Avalon. One sultry summer night, she meets Alex, her cousin’s new business associate. Taking a risk, she asks the gorgeous guy to dance. In the violent and corrupt world of Mexico’s emerging drug cartels, Sofie and Alex forge an unrealistic pact. They soon find love and heartache, and discover the true meaning of family loyalty and forgiveness.

••••••••••••••••••••••

AVALON by Lee Souleles was a surprise read for me. I remember the 1980’s in Southern California very well. Too well! I could have been in college classes with our heroine Sofie! I was not really interested in revisiting some personal memories, but this novel opened me up to a world that I didn’t fully understand at the time. AVALON touched my heart in a profound way. It is a wonderful novel about family loyalty, forgiveness and love.

Sofie meets Alex Wakefield, an undercover DEA agent in Acapulco Mexico. She has returned to Mexico to heal from a broken heart. She is reconnecting with her large, wealthy Mexican family before she returns to California. Alex and Sofie are drawn to each other, but Alex has some big secrets. He is undercover to investigate her family. Alex needs to find out if Sofie knows about her family’s drug cartel. Their relationship is as hot as a sultry night in Mexico! Mixing business with pleasure is risky and someone is bound to get hurt.

The parts of the story that I loved the most were the descriptions of Mexico and its rich culture! The readers are shown both its beauty and its harsh poverty. All of the characters are so dynamic and they came alive for me. There are even some great life quotes sprinkled throughout the novel that I had to highlight! One that I loved was this life advice from her favorite Tia: “We’re each the captain of our own ship, not the master of the seas..……Life will bring the hurricanes, don’t go searching for rough weather”. The writing is poetic and the story is so rich and meaningful. I never thought that I could enjoy reading about America’s war on drugs, but I was wrong. AVALON was a very fulfilling read. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Jules

Copy supplied by the author.

giveaway

Lee is offering a paper copy of AVALON to one lucky reader 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.

3. Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only.

4. Giveaway runs from August 12 to August 16, 2013

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Cupcakes, Trinkets and Other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge-A Review, Guest Post and Giveaway

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CUPCAKES, TRINKETS, AND OTHER DEADLY MAGIC by Meghan Ciana Doidge-a review

Cupcakes Trinkets etcjpg

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Release Date June 18, 2013

If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have told you that the best cupcakes were dark chocolate with chocolate cream cheese icing, that dancing in a crowd of magic wielders — the Adept — was better than sex, and that my life was peaceful and uneventful. Just the way I liked it.

That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:   For some reason when I received this novel and read the title, I started humming the song, “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music. If I could make a list of some of my favorite things, I would include: cupcakes (yummy!), trinkets (who doesn’t love shiny things) and magic (not the dark kind!). The title of this novel drew me in immediately and I loved CUPCAKES, TRINKETS, AND OTHER DEADLY MAGIC by Meghan Ciana Doidge.

This is the story of Jade, a half-witch, half-human who owns a bakery in Vancouver. She doesn’t think that she is a very powerful witch, but she does have a unique ability. She is a dowser, she can sense and see others’ magic and even track the magic. Also, she takes trinkets with residual magic and pieces them together into necklaces and artwork. She is happy with her uneventful life, until a vampire shows up on her doorstep! Soon, she is thrown in the magical world of shape shifters, vampires and magical beings. She didn’t pay attention when her powerful Gran was teaching her about magic wielders. It seems that a dark magic wielder has been murdering shape shifters in the area. The Alpha of the Pack and an ancient vampire are asking, no demanding that Jade help them solve the murders. After all, her scent and trinkets are on the victims! Jade doesn’t even understand her own powers and discovers that Gran and her mom have been telling her half-truths her whole life.

This is a wonderful story of a heroine discovering her true powers, her hidden heritage and above all, it’s just a humorous adventure! Jade and her new “friends” track down the dark magic murderer and while I pieced together the identity of the person, the apprehension was totally unexpected! There are only close encounters of the romantic kind, but this is only Book One in a series that promises to be spellbinding. No pun intended! There is just one suggestion for potential readers! Bake or buy some cupcakes first, so that you can devour them while reading! Enjoy!

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Jules.

Guest post

 

chocolate_cupcake_cake_RECIPE

strawberry_buttercream_icing_RECIPE 2

about the author

Meghan Ciana Doidge cupcake

 

Follow Meghan: Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Meghan Ciana Doidge is an award-winning writer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She has a penchant for bloody love stories, superheroes, and the supernatural. She also has a thing for chocolate, potatoes, and sock yarn.

Giveaway

Meghan is offering an ecopy (epub or mobi) of CUPCAKES, TRINKETS and OTHER DEADLY MAGIC to one lucky reader 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. Please tell us about your favorite cupcake

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from July 2 to July 5, 2013

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