Wednesday, May 27, 2009

SOME GIRLS BITE

Author: Chloe Niell
ISBN: 978-0-451-22625-9
Publisher: New American Library (NAL)

When author Chloe Neill is not bringing Merit's adventures to life, she can be found watching too much television, rooting for her favorite college football team. She lives in the Midwest, just close enough to keep an eye on the vampires at Cadogan House. Her debut novel, Some Girls Bite has received an outstanding amount of praise. If you're longing for a great plot with paranormal characters you'll have to check out this promising new series.

Merit, a twenty-seven-year old graduate student from Chicago's richest family, is attacked while walking across the University of Chicago campus. The predator…a rogue vampire.
Ethan Sullivan, a four-hundred-year old vampire, the master of Cadogan House, saves her from destruction, but against her will she becomes something she doesn't want to be. A vampire.

She wakes up three days later after the attack in the back of a limousine, shocked and thrilled to be alive. After discovering her new immortal life, equipped with unexpected powers, she instantly has a difficult time accepting Ethan as her master, but at the same time she is drawn to him in some profound way. She later becomes a special interest to another vampire, but does Merit share the same sentiments?

She now is a vampire, a Cadogan Initiate and her green-eyed rescuer is expecting loyalty and honor. Merit's one tough vamp and puts up a good fight. Not your typical vampire heroine. Packed with fighting scenes, special swords, and unanswered questions, Chloe's debut novel takes you on an exciting adventure through Merit's own two eyes.
Her roommate, Mallory Carmichael, comes along for the ride and adds some spice to the story.

Who's to blame for the vampire attacks? Who's out to get Merit? Wouldn't you like to know. You'll have to read till the very end to find out.

Discover how Merit adapts to her new undead life. Learn what it is like to be turned into a vampire against your will.

Debut author Chloe Neill gives readers a fresh new voice with a touch of sensuality and humor. A perfect combination of a fast-paced mysterious urban fantasy filled with twists and entertainment. An appealing read fit for both genders and for all ages. Fans will savor each page until the next installment becomes available. If you like Charlene Harris, you'll LOVE Chloe's new release Some Girls Bite . This is just the beginning for the Chicagoland Vampires series.
Enjoy!
Reviewed by Martha Ramirez

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Your Money Or Your Life


Authors: Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez with Monique Tilford
ISBN: number: 978-0-14-311576-2
Publisher: Penguin Books

Your Money or Your Life is a helpful book that shows you how to live an authentic productive meaningful life. Most of us are sacrificing our lives for money. We spend more than we make, on more than we need. Does "enough" feel like the horizon, always receding? This unique New York Times bestseller includes tips on 10 sure ways to save money and how to reduce expenses and the amount of time on the job. It also helps you understand your life purpose and personal money management.

It was written by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez with Monique Tilford first in 1992. This new completely revised edition features updated resources, examples of everyday life settings, and an easy to use index. Vicki has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and National Public Radio's Weekend Edition and Morning Edition. She has helped launch many sustainability initiatives.

Monique Tilford has worked ten years with the Center for a New American Dream, a national non-profit that helps Americans change the way they consume, serving most recently as the organization's deputy director. She has worked nearly 20 years on environmental issues and sustainable consumption.

Joe Dominguez (1938-1997) retired at age 31 and was a successful financial analyst. He and Vicki co-founded the New Road Map Foundation.

Does it feel like you're making a dying rather than making a living? Your Money or Your Life includes a nine step plan to transform your relationship with money. By achieving financial independence you will learn how to make a more meaningful living. Learn how to manage your life while enriching your existence.

By doing steps 1-7 you will know how much you have, how much you spend, and how much of your life energy you're investing in. What is life energy? Vicki Robin goes over the importance of life energy and shows you how to retire your debts, increase your savings and live happily. You will also learn how to increase your financial integrity.

A helpful and enlightening read during this time of economic crisis, a convenient checklist guides readers to the right path.

Make your debt disappear and increase your savings is one of the few tips shown in this book.
The epilogue includes a helpful run down of the book. A cheat sheet to a more stable and financial independent life, a way of life in which you get maximum fulfillment. An invaluable message everyone can learn from.
Reviewed by, Martha Ramirez

BOUNDLESS


Author's Name: Kurt Lee Hurley
ISBN number: 978-0-578-00348-1
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

America's #1 fitness expert and celebrity trainer, Kurt Lee Hurley has come up with a remarkable guide to success in all aspects of life. Based on more than three decades of research and practice, he explains how to retain limitless love, happiness, and wealth. He is the founder of Synergy Fitness Systems LLC and Neo Physis line of supplements. Hurley resides in Provo, Utah, with his wife and son.

Boundless is literally a bible to a boundless life! The comprehensive guide is divided into two parts. In Part One -Building Your Boundless Mind, he teaches fitness training for the mind. You exercise your body why not your brain as well? It includes techniques that will help you change your mind set and alter your subconscious programming. If you change your mind, you will change your destiny. We have the ability to build a wealthy, healthy, happy and prosperous life, and Kurt shows us how.

Readers will learn about the mind and how to possess power in their thoughts. Think well, be well. By changing your thoughts you can literally change your life. Kurt teaches us how to reduce stress and banish the mental blocks that hold us back from a prosperous life. He provides necessary details on how to manifest your destiny. Universal Laws are introduced along with the blueprint for boundless happiness. Wealth is within each and every one of us, if we truly believe. Twelve elements cover the first part of the book.

Part Two-Building Your Boundless Body, is full of tips on how to gain the power to look and feel your best. He reveals tools, tricks, and endless possibilities to enhance the mind, body, and spirit, along with a customized exercise and nutrition plan. Why is sleep important? How do you caress your stress? These are few of the many topics covered. It is as if your own personal trainer is speaking to you and motivating you to attain, train, and maintain your body. You'll learn invaluable information from which foods will add years to your life, to how to lose your fears. The second half of the book is also divided in twelve elements.

Kurt's hundreds of hours of research show. Many quotes from the wise are incorporated, making it an even more interesting read. Boundless is a motivating and captivating guide that will enlighten you and enhance your life from the inside out. It is a one-of- kind "How to" gift that can change your life. This book will inspire you and excite you, if you let it. Discover a new you, discover a boundless life.
Reviewed by, Martha Ramirez

Little Lamb Lost




Author: Margaret Fenton

ISBN: 978-1-933515-51-9

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing


Author, Margaret Fenton was born in Florence, Alabama, and grew up on the Gulf Coast in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Cozy Mystery writer, Anne George, encouraged Margaret to write a mystery since she loved reading them so much.

She received her B.A. in English from Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans, and her Master of Social Work from Tulane. She is a breast cancer survivor and is the current President of Birmingham Chapter of Sisters Crime.

Margaret is married to her high school sweetheart and resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
Social worker Claire Conover is about to live through one of her deepest fears. What would she do if one of her clients was found dead? What can she do? She truly believed she could make a difference in the world until she received the call that changed her life forever. Detective Ed Brighton confronts Claire. "I'm sorry. Michael's dead." Images of the curly blond, blue-eyed two-year-old, Michael Hennessy rushed her mind.

She was now on a hunt to find Michael's murderer. On a quest to find answers.
Fingers start to point to Michael's mother, Ashley. But Claire isn't convinced. Ashley had sobered up and earned back custody of Michael. She worked two jobs just to make ends meet.
Mac McAlister, Claire's supervisor, has a get-over-it kind of attitude. She feels Michael is just another number to him, but for her, Michael was more than a statistic. He was a victim, someone who deserved justice. Claire becomes Michael's voice.

Did Ashley murder Michael? It just didn't seem to fit the picture. Claire becomes her own detective and questions every possibility.

Were Alexander and Karen Madison capable of murdering their own grandson? Did being owners of a huge corporation have anything to do with it?

Could it have been Zander Madison, little Michael's father? How far would he go for drugs? Would he kill his own son if his parents told him to?

Why is Al Mackey curious if Michael and Ashley have life insurance? Would he commit murder for money? Does Al's prior physical abuse have anything to do with the care of Michael's murder?

Who exactly is Jimmy Shelton, Ashley's mysterious boyfriend?
Could Flash, Ashley's ex-boyfriend have a motive for killing poor little Michael?

The possibilities are endless and Claire is about to find out the truth.

New Mystery writer Margaret Fenton keeps the questions coming, making Little Lamb Lost a riveting read. She does a fascinating job at creating a "whodunit" mystery from the get go. A truly mesmerizing tale filled with a whole lot of drama and suspense. It will leave you wanting more up until the very last page.

This is only the beginning for debut author Margaret Fenton.

Reviewed by, Martha Ramirez

www.BookPleasures.com
Click Here To Purchase Little Lamb Lost

A Book Is Born



Author's Name: Nancy C. Clearly

ISBN number: 978-1932279504

Publisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing

Nancy Clearly has spent more than 20 years as a product packager and a graphic designer. Her indie press Wyatt-MacKenzie has printed over a quarter of a million books in the last eleven years. She traditionally publishes authors with a special focus on mom writers. It is her goal to guide authors through the publishing process. Nancy was a Stevie ® Award Finalist in Women Helping Women. She also has been quoted in many well-known magazines such as USA Today, Family Circle, and The Wall Street Journal, just to name a few.

A Book is Born is a wonderful book that is both inspirational and educational. Nancy’s strong passion to help authors, clearly shows as you learn all she has to share. Ever wonder what it feels like to be a published author? Twenty-four moms tell all, and nothing holds them back from sharing. They thoroughly describe their journeys through the publishing process and share tips on success. They also share what it’s like to raise books and babies.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part of the book, 24 Authors Tell All, peeks inside the mind of mom authors. It covers pitching manuscripts, pre-publication, technical terms, industry lingo, author branding, and much more. They discuss how publishing a book is like having a baby. Learn how these ladies’ book ideas come to life.

The second part of the book, The Secret and Science to Getting Published, includes secrets to getting your book published, examples of the publishing process, how to write well, the four publishing options, and guidance to the Universal Laws. A Principle Chart helps aide authors to success. Writing, presence, pitching, and publishing all play a part in getting published. Nancy shows you how to direct energy in the right direction using these four principles. She provides the knowledge and tools to help guide you through a journey of becoming a published author.

An excellent source for authors. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an author with several titles under your name, there is a little bit for everyone. Even avid readers, who are not authors, would find this book intriguing. Not only does it include helpful insight and encouragement, but it covers many important topics such as how to seek reviews, book tours, endorsements, pitching to the media, and overall practical advice straight from the heart.

A motivating, encouraging, and informative book all in one.

Nancy Cleary takes you on an unforgettable journey along with twenty-four beautiful and passionate women who share their experiences on what it is like to have a book be born.

A must-read treasure waiting to be read!

Reviewed by, Martha Ramirez

www.BookPleasures.com


Click Here To Purchase A Book is Born: 24 Authors Tell All

The Love Response



Author's Name: Eva M.Selhub, M.D.

ISBN number: 978-0-345-50652-8

Publisher: Ballantine Books


Dr. Eva M. Selhub is an avid advocate of Mind/Body Medicine. She is the founder of Alight Medicine for Learning and Healing in Newton Massachusetts and is also a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She has been featured in national publications and in medical journals.
Love heals. Dr. Eva Selhub’s book, The Love Response, proves it to be true. Learn how to reserve everyday fears into love.

Discover how to calm and soothe the spirit, a helpful self-help guide to a healthy mind with a wonderful bedside manner and useful tips. Dr. Selhub teaches you to move smoothly with life’s changes rather than resisting them. She shares her wisdom, her life experiences, and how she learned the antidote to stress and fear is love.

Controlling your emotions is the recipe to diminish all fears, worries, and stress. She helps guide readers to the most precious gift of all, how to control fears. She walks us through the secret of health and well-being. An excessive amount of fear becomes a problem if it occurs for too long. The Love Response includes various exercises and testimonies to help further explain how to banish fear and stress from your life. The simple act of replacing feelings with graciousness and love will enhance both your physical and mental health. Practicing important techniques such as the SHIELD and the Love Pyramid will aide you in the healing process.

Dr. Eva does a superb job at guiding you in the right direction. She fully explains the science behind being fearful and covers what symptoms to look out for such as: insomnia, tense muscles, and shallow breathing. She also gives you the tools to overcome the poison that causes these symptoms. A few questionnaires help assess how fear is controlling your life and an explanation to why the Fear Response acts as a warning system.

Let’s face it; life can get a little stressful. If you’re feeling helpless, overwhelmed, or simply overtaken by anxiety or stress, this book was written for you. Let Dr. Eva Selhub teach you your own ability to heal and how to activate the Love Response rather than letting the Fear Response overtake your life. Invite peace to your mind. Restore your inner-self. Allow the Love Response to be part of your life. Your body and mind will thank you.
A worthwhile great read!

Reviewed by, Martha Ramirez

http://www.bookpleasures.com/

Click Here To Purchase The Love Response: Your Prescription to Turn Off Fear, Anger, and Anxiety to Achieve Vibrant Health and Transform Your Life

Evil Without A Face


Author's Name: Jordan Dane
ISBN number: 978-0-06-147412-5
Publisher: Avon Books


Queen of suspense Jordan Dane has done it again with another high-stake suspense novel. Formerly an energy sales manager in the oil and gas industry, she is now following her passion to write full time. Lucky for readers who crave a well-developed plot and suspense, Evil Without a Face takes you on an intense suspense ride. An exceptional new author with talent that will captivate all readers.

Jessica Beckett is a strong-willed Chicago bounty hunter who lives on the edge and does just about anything to capture fugitives. Not only does she carry a Colt Python near her at all times, she also carries a painful secret from her past that drives her to this addiction, her personal mission, to give criminals what they deserve.

After hunting down Lucas Baker, a low life sex-peddler, she discovers he’s involved in more than she expected. Jessica uncovers an online international organization operated in secrecy. A global conspiracy named Globe Harvest.

Seth Harper, a mysterious computer whiz, helps aide Jessica through this hunt of conspiracy linked to missing teens. Though his fancy home and intellectual behavior poses curiosity for Jessica, she decides to keep him as a contact.

Former quarterback Payton Archer makes a promise to his sister. He promises to find his seventeen-year-old niece, Nikki Archer, who has been abducted by an online predator. Suspicion leads to Globe Harvest, the circle of organization that thrives on committing heinous atrocities.

The chase starts off in Chicago and leads to Alaska. Jessica won’t take no for an answer and is determined to go after Globe Harvest, even if it means risking her life. The CPD detectives make Jess a prime suspect. She counts on her best friend Detective Sam Cooper to help cover her tracks. Now not only is she on a hunt for a missing teenage girl, but she fears Globe Harvest is responsible for the abduction of Nikki Archer and many other missing girls.

Alexa Marlowe works for an organization, a private international organization that specializes in criminal cases with tough jurisdictional boundaries. But can Jess trust her? Would she regret giving the mysterious blonde the only evidence linking to Globe Harvest?

A suspense cliff-hanger with a well-developed plot, realistic exhilarating characters, and a touch of romance without the mush, what more can you ask for?

An excellent read!
Reviewed by, Martha Ramirez