Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Winners!


The winner of It's Summer and I Feel Like Having a Giveaway ($25 to Book Depository) Contest is...

Shannon @ Devoured Books

Oh and since I had more than 25 people enter, the second winner of $15 to Book Depository is...

Felicia

Hooray and congrats to the lucky winners! Thanks to everyone who entered and left a comment. There were so many comments, I couldn't keep up!

*Winners were chosen using Random.org

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Last Day to Enter!

Finally! I'm back from my little vacation up in northern British Columbia, where it poured almost everyday, sigh. Feels so good to have access to the internet again. I was having slight withdrawals not being able to check out all my favorite book blogs. Anyway, here's a little reminder for you to make sure you enter for your chance to win $25 to the Book Deositstory. I'm picking the winner tomorrow, so if you haven't entered yet, get your butt in gear!

Click HERE to check out the contest page or click on the link in the Current Contests box.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Silly Stuff (But totally awesome): The Book Clutch

How cool are these! Handbag designer Olympia Le-Tan has created a set of clutches that resemble classic books! As a book lover and accessory junkie, I need one like NOW! However, they are a bit more expensive then the average paperback, costing around $1300 to over $2000. However, Kate Spade has also designed a collection of book clutches that are slightly more affordable at $325. I think I have to start saving my pennies...

Clemence Poesy attended the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 London premiere carrying a ‘La Belle et la BĂȘte’ clutch; Natalie Portman at the Black Swan premiere with a ‘Lolita’ clutch.

And here are some bags from Kate Spade's "Book of the Month" collection that is a little easier on the wallet. Click HERE to see even more book clutches by Kate Spade.

Friday, June 17, 2011

New Cover Alert: Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton (And it's a HOT one!)

Holy abs Batman! Give me a few seconds to cool down here *fans herself*. That is just one smokin' hot cover. I have to say, I think it's even more delicious than The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1) and Changing the Game (Play by Play #2), if that even is possible. This cover makes my hockey loving heart go pitter-patter. Gosh, if more hockey players looked like this, I'd never change the channel from TSN! Score another win for Jaci Burton in the hot cover category.

Taking A Shot is set to be released March 6, 2012. Check out my review for The Perfect Play HERE.

Taking a Shot (Play by Play, #3)

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty…

And here are the covers for the other books in Burton's Play by Play series so you can judge the hotness factor for yourself.
The Perfect Play (Play by Play, #1)Changing the Game (Play by Play, #2)

Review: Chantilly's Cowboy by Debra Kayn

Chantilly's Cowboy by Debra Kayn
Sisters of McDougal Ranch #1
Contemporary Romance/Western
June 6, 2011
E-book (35 000 words)
Carina Press

Ever since she was a little girl, all Chantilly Lace McDougal wanted to do was work beside her daddy on the family ranch. Now 24, Chantilly knows the land and the workings of the ranch better than anyone.With her four sisters showing little interest in ranch life, Chantilly knows it's up to her to help out with all the chores and keep the ranch running smoothly.  However, when Stuart McDougal hires Jack Grady as the new foremen without telling her, Chantilly is spitting mad. She doesn't need or want Jack's help, no matter that he tempts her like no other cowboy has before.

Although Jack Grady can understand Chantilly's frustration over having to work with him, Jack needs this job in order to help put his nephew through law school. However, in taking the job, Stuart entrusts Jack with an important secret that Chantilly's and her sisters know nothing about. While Jack promises to work hard on the ranch, he is finding it more and more difficult to keep his hands off the boss's daughter. However, as they get closer, Jack is torn between being honest with Chantilly and keeping her father's secret.

Although I stay away from everything classified as country in real life, in my little romance bubble, I'm all about those yummy cowboys. I think somewhere in me I must have a little cowgirl wanting to break free. Thus, I can't turn down a western contemporary romance when I see one, especially one that promises a honky-tonk good time. However, with Chantilly's Cowboy, I found myself feeling disappointed. While the story was sweet and heatwarming, there was nothing to draw me in or grab my attention in the first half of the book. Although the story picks up in the last few chapters, I would say that the rest of the book was a little bland.

Unfortunately, I believe this book suffers from the same issues that plague a lot of short stories. When you are trying to stick to a specific word limit, I understand that some things need to be sacrificed. However, I felt that a few elements in the book needed to be explained in more detail. Early on, we learn that Chantilly's mother died when she was young. Yet, there is no explanation as to how she died. Also, I didn't understand why Jack needed the extra foreman job when he has a ranch of his own to look after. Chantilly also calls Jack's nephew Craig "kid", which I found a little odd considering Chantilly is most likely the same age as Craig.

However, my biggest problem with the book was the lack of love scenes between Chantilly and Jack. For the first half of the book, there was plenty of lead up to Jack and Chantilly being together, but when they finally act on their feelings, the scene ends! Call me dirty or what have you, but I like to read sex scenes from beginning to end. I really do not like "fade to black moments". It felt like having a big piece of chocolate cake put in front of you and before you can take your first bite, the plate falls on the floor. Thankfully, near the end of the book we finally get love scenes with a bit more detail.

What I did like about the book were the sisters. To me, they felt almost like the female version of Lorelei James's McKay men. They all had their own personalities that really shone through, although we don't get to know much about them personally. I also found it really cute that they were all named after a type of lace but they are far from being dainty and frail women. I'm interested to see where this series will go. Hopefully each sister gets her own story.

Overall, this book was neither a hit or miss for me. I did enjoy Chantilly and her sisters, but the lack of detail on the love scenes in the first half of the book almost had me putting the book down and walking away. However, I'm glad I stuck with it. I look forward to reading about the rest of the sisters of McDougal Ranch.


Other opinions:

Thursday, June 16, 2011

New Cover Alert: Adam by Jacquelyn Frank

I'm so happy to see that Jacquelyn Frank is returning to the Nightwalkers series! How she stayed away from those luscious demons, I'll never know. While I don't remember there being a character named Adam in the books, I certainly remember Jasmine. I can't wait to read her story and I have say it's about damn time Ms. Frank returns to, in my opinion, her best series! Adam (Nightwalkers #6) is out October 25, 2011.

Hunted by magic, beset by evil, the Nightwalkers face their darkest hour yet. And when the unthinkable happens, only one legendary male has the power, the will, to save them: Adam… 

For 400 Years He Was Lost To Her, But He Is Hers Tonight… 

From their first tantalizing touch, Jasmine knows he is different. What other lover could unlock her tight control, flood vampire senses jaded by a lifetime of decadent self indulgence? Centuries ago, when he disappeared without a trace, she had given up hope of ever fulfilling the promise of incomparable passion. But here he is, against the very laws of nature, ready to bring down their most vicious enemy, ready to bring her blood to the boiling point…if she will only let him. 

Pleasure rules the night.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

It's Summer and I Feel Like Having A Giveaway! ($25 to Book Depository)


I'm Canadian and I'm well aware of the joke that Canadian summers last about a month out of the year. The sad thing is, the joke has some truth to it. While I'm used to the cold and the snow, this past winter was harsher than most and man do I 
absolutely hate shoveling. To make matters worse, the temperature has also been on the cool-side until recently. When it finally hit 25°C the other day, I immediately grabbed a book, slathered on some sunscreen and relaxed on my back porch. There is nothing I love more then reading in the sun!

So in order to celebrate that summer has finally arrived in Canada, I thought I would host a giveaway so some lucky winners have the chance to get out and read in the sun. Just remember the sunscreen ladies!

GIVEAWAY
One lucky commenter will win two books of his/her choosing from Book Depository!

If more than 25 people enter, I will choose a second winner who will win one book of his/her choosing from Book DepositoryTo enter, simply fill out the entry form below. You don't have to be a follower to enter, but one extra entry will be given to those who are or become a follower of this blog.

RULES
-You must have a valid email address. NOTE: those that enter and do not have a valid email address will be disqualified.
                                                                                                                                              -Contest runs from June 14/2011 to midnight (Mountain Standard Time) June. 28/2011. The winner(s) will be chosen at random on June 29/2011 and contacted later that day. If the winner(s) does not get back to me within 3 business days, I will choose a different winner(s).


-This contest is open internationally, but the winner(s) must live in a country that is eligible for free shipping through the Book Depository. If this qualification is not met, I reserve the right to choose a new winner(s). 

-The first winner's choice of books must not exceed $25 in total (CAN). If a second winner is chosen, his/her limit is a total of $15(CAN).

-You must 18 years or older to enter

-Good Books, Good Coffee, Good Life is not responsible for lost books or unreceived books.
Good Luck! 



Thursday, June 9, 2011

New Cover Alert: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

Although the cover for Meljean Brook's Heart of Steel (The Iron Seas #2) was posted awhile ago, it looks like it has undergone some revisions.While it isn't a huge change, I have to say I like the background a lot more. The image of the clouds and air balloon gives the book more steampunk edge. After absolutely falling in love with the first Iron Seas novel, The Iron Duke, I can't wait to get my hands on this one. Unfortunatly, Heart of Steel isn't scheduled for release until November, 2011. BOO!  If you've never read a steampunk romance before, I definitely recommend you start with The Iron Duke.

Check out Meljean's blog to read the jacket copy for Heart of Steel!
                                                                                                                                          Update: Apparently the 'old cover' wasn't the actual cover but just a picture used in the publisher's catalog. Jeeze, don't they know that once a cover like picture is posted anywhere on the web that the blogosphere will jump all over it? Anywho, the 'new cover' is the real cover for Heart of Steel.

Old Cover                                               New Cover

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James: Official Jacket Copy

Squeee! Lorelei James finally revealed the jacket copy of Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11) yesterday on her blog. All I have to say is it's about flippin' time! Chase already sounds like he'll be just as smokin' hot as the rest of the McKay men. Too bad we still have to wait until June 28th for the book to be released. Sigh. I want my cowboy fix like NOW! Chasin' Eight is available for pre-order through Amazon and Samhain

Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James
She wants it…he’s got it…and the chase is on…
Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together.
Hollywood actress Ava Cooper became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. She needs a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy.
But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first.
When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever?
Warning: Strap in, another hot McKay is about to bust out of the gate and this bull rider knows a thing or two about riding hard…

Review: Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey

Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey
Kowalski Family #3
Contemporary Romance

June 6, 2011
E-book, 448 kb
Carina Press
Favorite quote: "He could do this. He’d survived boot camp. He’d survived combat and the harsh weather of Afghanistan. He could survive broccoli. Probably."
                                                                                                                                          A good contemporary romance is often hard to come by. Much of the time, authors miss the mark on presenting a realistic story that still has all the flare that romance readers expect. Too many times I have read a contemporary romance novel that had me rolling my eyes because key events in the book were just way too over the top to actually be believable. Although the plot of Yours to Keep is high up on the farfetched scale, I believed every word of it. Shannon's Stacey's characters are so down to earth and the romance in the book is so heartfelt, I constantly had a grin on my face. 
                                                                                                                                          Emma Shaw is a landscaper, living in her grandparents old farm house in New Hampshire. Although Emma's grandmother recently moved to Florida, she worries about Emma being all alone so far away.  In order to reassure her grandmother that she is just fine by herself, Emma tells her Gram that she is dating a man named Sean Kowalski, who she randomly chooses after hearing about him from her friend Lisa. Since Sean was serving in Afghanistan at the time, she didn't think her little white lie would have serious consequences. However, the lie quickly snowballs and Emma tells her grandmother that she and Sean are engaged. Now that her grandma is coming for a month long visit and Sean is back home, she has no choice but to fess up to her Gram or ask a man she barley knows to be her fake fiancĂ©.
                                                                                                                                              Back home from his tour in Afghanistan, Sean is unsure what he wants to do with his life now that he doesn't have to report to Uncle Sam. Instead of working in the family run Inn, Sean asks his cousin Kevin if he can live in the empty apartment above Jasper's Bar & Grille until he gets himself established. Shortly after he moves in, however, there is a knock on the door. On the other side is Emma, who Sean is instantly attracted to although he thinks she is "batshit crazy". While Sean turns Emma's offer down, he realizes he has nothing better to do for the next month and agrees to play along. However, both Sean and Emma soon figure out that keeping their feelings for each other in check is a lot harder than they first thought.
                                                                                                                                               Yours to Keep was a really cute and sweet read. Reading this book was like cozying up on on the couch and sipping a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. It just gives you those warm fuzzy feelings. All the characters in the book are likable and easy to relate to. Emma has a lot of qualities I admire in a heroine. She is characterized as being a hardworking woman who isn't afraid to get a little dirt on her nose. While Emma is deceiving her grandmother, she is doing it for the right reasons, only wanting her Gram to enjoy her new life in Florida. And like the other Kowalski men, Sean is just delicious. He was fun, sweat, and a little stubborn at times. When Sean pulls out the post-it notes and starts leaving little messages for Emma, I melted every time. The chemistry between Emma and Sean is also quite yummy. In Yours to Keep, Stacey actually includes a few more love scenes between the main characters then she does in the other Kowalski books. Lucky us!
                                                                                                                                              However, I wish Sean's time in the army would have been elaborated on a little more. All we know is that he was in Afghanistan for an extended period of time and that's pretty much it. I'm not looking for gruesome war stories, but a little bit more background on that part of Sean's life would have been nice. Also, there definitely should have been an epilogue to this book. The ending just felt so rushed that I would have appreciated a look at their life after their world-wind romance. Mostly, I just didn't want this story to end! Hopefully, we will get to see more of Emma and Sean in future Kowalski books.
                                                                                                                                            So if you are a fan of contemporary romance (and even if you are not), I definitely recommend Yours to Keep. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, make sure not to miss the rest of the Kowalski Family series! 



Other opinions:

Other books in the series:
Exclusively Yours
Undeniably Yours

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Mark Your Calendars!


The next installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series has an official release date! Lover Reborn, featuring Tohr, will be available on March 27, 2012. After the snoozefest that was Lover Unleashed, I have high hopes for this book!