Release Day Spotlight + Giveaway: Claimed by J.R. Ward

 

 

Claimed (Lair of the Wolven #1)
Author: J.R. Ward
Release Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Gallery Books 

Description:

A heart-pounding new series set in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, with a scientist fighting to save the timber wolves—and getting caught in a deadly trap herself...

Lydia Susi is passionate about protecting wolves in their natural habitat. When a hotel chain develops a tract of land next to the preserve, Lydia is one of the most vocal opponents of the project—and becomes a target.

One night, a shadowy figure threatens Lydia’s life in the forest, and a new hire at the Wolf Study Project comes from out of nowhere to save her. Daniel Joseph is both mysterious, and someone she intrinsically wants to trust. But is he hiding something?

As the stakes get higher, and one of Lydia’s colleagues is murdered, she must decide how far she will go to protect the wolves. Then a shocking revelation about Daniel challenges Lydia’s reality in ways she could never have predicted. Some fates demand courage, others require even more, with no guarantees. Is she destined to have true love... or will a soul-shattering loss ruin her forever? 

CLAIMED

Chapter 1

Town of Walters, est. 1834
Upstate New York

Lydia Susi’s Destiny came for her in the veil, on a random Thursday in the early spring.

As she ran along the wooded trail, two miles into a loop that would take her through the preserve’s northeastern acreage, she was measuring the glowing line that topped the contours of the mountains. Soon, the stripe would expand to an aura, and after that, the sun would accept the handoff from the moon, and day would arrive.

Her grandfather had always told her there were two twilights, two gloamings, and if you wanted to find your past, you went into the pines in the evening as the sun went down. If you wanted your future to come to you, you went alone into the forest in the veil, during that sacred transition of night into morning. There, he’d told her, when the distinction between that which ruled the light and that which held domain over the dark was at its narrowest, when the moon and the sun reached for each other before the rotations of their orbits tore them asunder, there was when the mortal could brush up against the infinite and seek answers, direction, guidance.

Of course, that did not mean you got good news. Or what you wanted.

But life was not an à la carte buffet where you could choose everything that went on your plate—another words-of-wisdom from a man who had lived to be 101 years old still smoking a pipe and drinking a glass of sima after his dinner year round.

Why limit spring to just Vappu? he’d said.

Lydia had never believed in his superstitions. She was a researcher, a scientist, and the kinds of things that her isoisa had gone on about did not fit in with that Ph.D. in biology she’d bought on layaway from the federal government and was still paying off.

So no, she was not out looking for any prognostication from the universe this morning. She was getting her workout done before she headed into her office at the Wolf Study Project. With the way things had been going lately, she was going to blink and it would be seven at night. Short-staffed and under-funded, everything was a fight for resources at WSP, and by the time she locked things up every evening, she was exhausted. So Carpe Cardio was her motto and why she was out in this misty darkness—

Lydia let her stride peter to a halt.

Her breath pumped in clouds that captured and held the moonlight, and as a breeze came across the trail, her body did the same with the chill, grabbing it out of the air and bringing it in under her wind-breaker.

As she shivered, she looked behind herself. The trail she was on was the widest one in the preserve, a highway rather than a street, but she couldn’t see much into the trees. Pines crowded up close to the shoulders of the packed path, and the fog wafting through the craggy trunks and fluffy boughs obscured the forest even more.

In a quick calculation, she figured she was a good three miles from any other human, two miles from her car at the trailhead’s parking area, and a hundred yards from what had caught her attention.

There, up ahead, something was close to the ground, moving.

Fight or flight, Lydia, she thought. What’s it going to be.

She reached around to the small of her back. There were two cylinders mounted on the strap of her fanny pack, and she left the Mace where it was. Clicking on her flashlight and bringing it forward, she swung the beam in a wide arc—

The eyes flashed over on the left, a set of retinas flaring the light back at her as pinpoints. The stare was about three feet from the ground and the pupils were set close together, as predators’ were.

Lydia looked around again.

“I’m not going to bother you,” she said. But like the gray wolf spoke English?

The growl was soft. And then came the rustling. The animal was prowling toward her.

“Oh, shit.”

Except...

Lydia kept the beam down on the fallen pine needles as she, too, walked forward. Something was wrong with the wolf, its gait wobbly and uneven. Yet the spirit of the hunter remained undeterred—and she was identified as its target.

She was about twenty feet away when she got a sense of the fully mature male. He was filled out, at a healthy weight of about a hundred and thirty pounds, and his mottled white, gray, and brown fur was thick and lush, especially at the tail. But his head was hanging at a bad angle, and he was dragging his back paws as he continued to close the distance between them.

It was obvious when the wolf was going to collapse. Though his head remained forward, his body listed to the side, his will staying strong even as his rear legs, and then his forelegs, gave out.

He landed on the soft bed of pine needles on his side, and the struggle was immediate, useless paws batting at thin air and ground cover. As Lydia drew a little closer to him, he snarled, flashing long white fangs, his golden eyes narrowing.

“Shh...” she said as she kneeled down.

Her hand shook as she got out her cell phone. As she called a number from her favorites, she tried to keep her breathing steady.

In the flashlight’s beam, she could see the grayness of those gums. The wolf was dying—and she knew why.

“God damn it, pick up, pick up—” Her words ma-chine gun’d from her mouth. “Rick? Wake up, I’ve got another one. On the main trail—what? Yes, it’s the same—enough with the talking, get your ass out of bed. I’m on the loop, about two miles into the—huh? Yes, bring everything, and hurry.”

She cut the connection as her voice gave out.

Letting herself fall back to a sit, she stared into those beautiful eyes and tried to project love, acceptance, gentleness...compassion. And something got through, the majestic male’s muzzle relaxing, its paws falling still, his flank rising and falling in a shuddering breath.

Or maybe it was dying right now.

“Help is coming,” she said hoarsely to the animal. 

J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South her family.

Links: http://www.jrward.com/

  

(1) Paperback copy of CLAIMED - Open to US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

The Accidental Beauty Queen Blog Tour: Excerpt

The Accidental Beauty Queen
Author: Teri Wilson
Release Date: December 4, 2018
Publisher: Gallery Books

Description:

In this charming romantic comedy perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella, critically acclaimed author Teri Wilson shows us that sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone leads you to the ultimate prize. 

Charlotte Gorman loves her job as an elementary school librarian, and is content to experience life through the pages of her books. Which couldn’t be more opposite from her identical twin sister. Ginny, an Instagram-famous beauty pageant contestant, has been chasing a crown since she was old enough to enunciate the words world peace, and she’s not giving up until she gets the title of Miss American Treasure. And Ginny’s refusing to do it alone this time.       
She drags Charlotte to the pageant as a good luck charm, but the winning plan quickly goes awry when Ginny has a terrible, face-altering allergic reaction the night before the pageant, and Charlotte suddenly finds herself in a switcheroo the twins haven’t successfully pulled off in decades.       
Woefully unprepared for the glittery world of hair extensions, false eyelashes, and push-up bras, Charlotte is mortified at every unstable step in her sky-high stilettos. But as she discovers there’s more to her fellow contestants than just wanting a sparkly crown, Charlotte realizes she has a whole new motivation for winning.

My sister has always been the pretty one. The Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo.

It’s been this way for so long that I’ve never questioned it. It’s never even bothered me much. It just is.

Ginny is my sister, and I love her, no matter how different our lives are. And trust me, they’re about as opposite as you can imagine. But the chasm between our worlds has never been quite so glaringly obvious as it is now, because instead of restocking books on their respective shelves, I’m standing in an elevator at the posh Huntington Spa Resort in Orlando, Florida, on the first Monday afternoon of summer.

For starters, at five feet seven, I’m by far the shortest person of the half dozen or so on board. This is a rarity for me. As an elementary school librarian, I’m accustomed to towering over people for the majority of my waking hours. I’m also used to sitting in tiny chairs and using tiny, blunt-edged scissors, but that’s beside the point. Five feet seven isn’t short. . . .

                Unless you’re riding an elevator packed with beauty queens.

                I don’t know what I expected when I signed on to spend a week cheering for my sister at the Miss American Treasure pageant, but it wasn’t this. The preliminary competition doesn’t start for another two days, so why are they all wearing crowns and sashes already? And what is going on with their shoes?

                Beauty pageant contestants wear heels. I know this, obviously. I mean, I’ve seen Miss Congeniality at least twenty times over the years, thanks to Ginny. But these are beyond high heels. Gracie Lou Freebush wouldn’t have lasted a minute in them.

                No offense to Sandra Bullock. I’m just saying.

I tighten my grip on the handle of my suitcase, suddenly extremely conscious of the state of my hair. Orlando is one of the most humid places on earth, and the half hour ride on the airport shuttle was not kind. For once, I actually feel sorry for Ginny. It’s one thing to be expected to look perfect onstage, but hotel elevators should be a safe space. I, for one, plan to be roaming the halls in a spa bathrobe and complimentary slippers en route to the vending machine for the majority of my stay.

But to each her own.

                Besides, Ginny chose this life, just as surely as I chose mine. She also gets paid more for one sponsored Instagram post than I make in a week, and when I remember this, I keep my sympathy in check.

The elevator comes to a stop on the fifth floor, which has clearly been reserved for the pageant, because we all disembark in a glamorous, glittering herd.

Myself being the exception.

No one seems to notice my presence, though. The Hogwarts T-shirt I’m wearing might as well be an invisibility cloak. Fine. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here for the chance to stay in Ginny’s luxury hotel room for a week, for free, and completely nerd out at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

I’m also here for moral support, of course. I plan on being at every single pageant event, cheering like a maniac while inwardly cringing in horror at the very thought of prancing around in only a tiny swimsuit and a crown. But since the competition doesn’t start until 5:00 p.m., that leaves my mornings and afternoons free to hit up the theme park. I’ve emptied my paltry savings account and invested in a five-day unlimited pass. Bring on the butter beer.

But first, I must locate our room amid a sea of glitz and sparkle. According to the text Ginny sent when I landed, we’re in 511. All of my elevator pals are in rooms along the same stretch of corridor. Half the doors on the floor have hangtags on the knobs that read, Do not disturb! This Miss American Treasure contestant needs her beauty sleep!

I roll my eyes mightily.

Dangling from the knob of room 511 is one such tag, but I highly doubt Ginny is actually sleeping because I can hear the television booming through the door. I knock extra hard so she can hear me above the din of whatever reality show she’s probably watching.

Just please God don’t let it be the Kardashians.

An explosion of barks answers my knock. I take a deep breath. I’ve somehow forgotten all about my sister’s French bulldog mix, Buttercup. Ginny adopted her a month ago as part of her “platform.” I’m not sure exactly what that means. She’s a pageant queen, not a politician. But according to approximately five million posts on Ginny’s Instagram, she volunteers regularly at her local shelter in support of her animal rescue policy.

If memory serves, last year her platform was anti-bullying. But so many other contestants on the pageant circuit had already thrown themselves into the anti-bullying movement that she felt pressured to switch to something else. In other words, she got bullied into giving up her anti-bullying platform. Oh, the irony.

The door to the hotel room swings open, and Ginny is standing there in a white spa bathrobe with her hair piled on top of her head in a messy-yet-artful twist. She’s got one of those serum-soaked sheet masks stuck to her face—the kind that make regular people look like something straight out of a bad horror movie.

                Except Ginny isn’t a regular person. So instead she looks like Gwyneth Paltrow enjoying a quiet day of self-care.

“Charlotte, you’re here!”

“Yep. My flight was right on time.” Thank God. I’m ready to make the most out of day one on my unlimited pass.

“Come on in.” She holds the door open wider.

The room is a double, with side-by-side queen beds and a balcony overlooking a pool flanked by umbrella-covered lounge chairs, a tiki bar, and two perfectly symmetrical rows of palm trees swaying in the balmy Florida breeze. Any spare moments I have this week that don’t include Harry Potter will be spent right there, with my feet up and a piña colada in hand. It’s been so long since I’ve taken an actual vacation that the mental picture I’ve just conjured nearly makes me weep.

“This is gorgeous. Ginny, thanks again for inviting me.”

“Are you kidding? I’m so glad you’re here. Dad and Susan aren’t coming until the finals.” Her smile falters. Behind the face mask, I can see her full lips tip into a frown.

I know exactly what she’s thinking. “You’ll make the finals. I know you will. You’re a shoo-in for the top twenty.”

Ginny always makes the finals. She’s up onstage every year alongside the winner and the runners-up. She’s just never managed to crack the top five.

“This year will be different,” I assure her.

She nods. “It has to be.”

As much as I hate to see my sister devoting her life to chasing a silly crown, and even though I positively loathe the pageant scene, my heart gives a little tug. Sometimes I forget why she got started in all of this. But every once in a while, when Ginny’s composure slips, I remember that this is her way of feeling connected to the mother we barely knew. The crushing sense of loss that inevitably follows always seems to catch me off guard. It’s in those moments— moments like this one—that I understand her dream.

I paste a smile on my face. “It will. I promise.”

I have no right to make that kind of promise. After all, I’m not judging this thing.

Truly, why would anyone want that job?

But it’s so rare to see my sister like this that I can’t stop myself. She’s always been the poster child for confidence.

Which just goes to show how much this particular pageant means to her. More than all the others combined.

“You’re right.” She nods with renewed vigor. “Of course I’ll make the finals. This is my year.”

“Definitely.” Pep talk over for now, I head toward the bed on the far side of the room—the one that’s still neatly made and not covered in anything bedazzled.

                Every item on Ginny’s bed shines like a disco ball, including her official Miss American Treasure tote bag. I’m beginning to understand why she uses one of those sleepmask things like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I might need to invest in one myself.

As I cross the room, Buttercup launches herself at my wheeled suitcase, growling and nipping at it as it drags behind me. By the time I’m within a foot of my bed, she’s fully attached herself to it and I’m hauling both luggage and bulldog.

“Is this normal behavior?” I ask. It can’t be, can it?

Ginny waves a dismissive hand.

I give Buttercup a little nudge with the toe of my Adidas sneaker. She backs away, peering up at me with her bulgy little eyes. They almost seem to point in two different directions. Like plastic googly eyes.

We stare each other down for a second, and then she resumes her attack on my luggage.

“Is she always so”—I pause, struggling for an appropriate adjective—“headstrong?”

Buttercup and I have never been properly introduced. I only know her via Ginny’s Instagram, where she’s usually doing something less destructive and far more adorable.

“Buttercup is shy,” Ginny says by way of explanation.

I look down at the snarling dog. “Sorry, I’m not getting shy here.”

                “You’re stressing her out. She’s not used to strangers and new experiences. She’s a rescue dog, remember? The poor thing sat in the shelter for four months before I adopted her.”

Ginny checks the position of her sheet mask in the large mirror over the bathroom counter. It’s a double vanity, theoretically big enough for both of us. But Ginny’s massive amount of toiletries take up the entire space. “Did you know that seven million dogs and cats enter shelters every year, and half of them end up being euthanized?”

I did not know that, and it’s a horrible, horrible statistic. But her canned delivery prevents me from absorbing the news with the proper level of emotion.

She’s slipped into pageant mode. She’s rattling off more devastating facts and figures about homeless pets, all the while posing with her hand pressed to her heart and her head tilted just so.

I glance at Buttercup. Something tells me she’s heard the speech before.

“Maybe less euthanasia talk in front of the rescue dog?” I suggest. No wonder the poor thing is stressed.

“Oh my God.” Ginny blinks. “Do you think she understands?”

“I have no idea, but why take the chance?” Besides, I can’t handle Ginny’s platform-level intensity right now. I’ve been up since 4:00 a.m.

                “I suppose you’re right.” Ginny scoops Buttercup into her arms.

I take advantage of the cease-fire, lift my suitcase onto the bed, and remove my things, paltry in comparison to the vast wardrobe Ginny has stuffed into the closet and all but one of the dresser drawers. Fortunately, I travel light.

Clotheswise, anyway. Beneath the layers of jeans and T-shirts, four hardback novels line the bottom of my bag. I remove all four and arrange them in a nice, neat stack atop the nightstand closest to my bed.

When I look up, Ginny’s shaking her head. “Are you sure you brought enough reading material?”

“Don’t judge. I’m on vacation, remember?”

“Exactly. You’re a librarian. Your vacation should be book-free.” Ginny makes a zero sign with one of her perfectly manicured hands.

“How are we even related?” It’s not the first time I’ve asked that question, and I know with every fiber of my being that Ginny wonders the same thing sometimes.

How could she not?

“Before you dive into one of those, can you take Buttercup for a quick walk?” She grabs a Barbie-pink leash from her nightstand. And—surprise!—it’s heavily bedazzled. “Pretty please.”

“What? Why me?” My gaze flits toward Buttercup, who’s now positioned on Ginny’s pillow with her plump rear facing me. “She doesn’t even like me. Stranger danger and all that.”

Ginny rolls her eyes. “Stranger danger? You spend too much time with little kids.”

True. She dragged me to yoga once, and I kept referring to easy pose as crisscross applesauce.

Still, Buttercup doesn’t seem any more thrilled by the idea than I am. Also, I’ve already begun typing the address of the theme park into the Uber app on my phone. I’m supposed to be dodging a fire-breathing dragon in Diagon Alley right now, not walking a petulant French bulldog.

“I was kind of hoping to head over to Harry Potter World so I could be back in time for us to have an early dinner. Don’t you have pageant stuff today?” I’m pretty sure she has a date with some spray tanner this afternoon. Her skin tone matches mine right now, and I know from experience that Ginny is usually at least four shades closer to orange when there’s a pageant on the horizon.

“Yes, and of course you can head right over there just as soon as you walk Buttercup. She hasn’t been out since early this morning. I can’t do it—I’m not allowed to leave the room without my sash on.”

I blink. “What?”

“Contestants can’t leave their hotel rooms unless they’re pageant-ready. Outside of this room, I have to wear my sash at all times.”

                I don’t even know what to say, but suddenly the army of beauty queens from the elevator makes more sense. “That’s crazypants. It’s like you’re some kind of pageant hostage. Put your sash on, and take her out yourself.”

Ginny sighs. “Dramatic much? This isn’t some tiny regional pageant. Miss American Treasure is the big time. She’s a role model. You know that.”

I do. I probably know more about that than any of those chattering elevator girls.

“I can’t go out there like this,” she says.

“Fine.” I take the leash from her hands. She’s clearly in no condition to leave the room, although I would pay money to see an Instagram post of Ginny wearing the sash and her sheet mask at the same time.

“Thank you.” Her slender shoulders sag with relief. “I owe you one. We’ll have a great dinner tonight, I promise. It’ll be just like old times.”

Old times?

I don’t believe her for a minute. When we were kids, our favorite dinners included sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese. I can’t remember the last time I saw a carb cross Ginny’s lips.

“Come on, Buttercup,” I mutter.

The portly little dog growls the entire time I’m attaching her leash to her sparkly pink collar. This should be lovely.

“We’ll be right back.” I cast a glance over my shoulder as I lead Buttercup out the door, and Ginny catches my gaze in the mirror.

She gives me a little wave. I wave back, and for a moment, I go still. Rooted to the spot. Ginny’s sheet mask is gone, and her face is bare. Clean. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her makeup-free. Without the airbrushed foundation, the contouring and highlighting, the carefully lined lips and the double layers of false eyelashes, she looks a lot like me.

She looks exactly like me, actually. Same nose. Same eyes. Same heart-shaped face.

Same DNA.

Because even though my sister has always been the pretty one, the beauty queen—the Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo—she’s also my twin.

Teri Wilson is the author/creator of the Hallmark Channel Original Movies Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Marrying Mr. Darcy, and The Art of Us, as well as a fourth Hallmark movie currently in development. Teri is a double finalist in the prestigious 2018 RWA RITA awards for her novels The Princess Problem and Royally Wed. Teri also writes an offbeat fashion column for the royal blog What Would Kate Do and is a frequent guest contributor for its sister site, Meghan’s Mirror. She’s been a contributor for both HelloGiggles and Teen Vogue, covering books, pop culture, beauty, and everything royal. In 2017, she served as a national judge for the Miss United States pageant in Orlando, Florida, and has since judged in the Miss America system. She has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses, Audrey Hepburn films, and good books. Visit her at TeriWilson.net or on Twitter @TeriWilsonAuthr.

Purchase Link: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Accidental-Beauty-Queen/Teri-Wilson/9781508283553

  

Spotlight: Get Your Bake On by Brian Emmett

SWEET AND SAVORY SUNDAY

GET YOUR BAKE ON: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FROM MY HOME TO YOURS

Author: Brian Emmett

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Publisher: Gallery Books

Description:

Whip up some delicious down-home goodness with GET YOUR BAKE ON: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FROM MY HOME TO YOURS, a cookbook of sweet and savory recipes from Brian Emmett, who burst onto the culinary scene with his charm, confidence, and superior baking and cooking skills on CBS’s The American Baking Competition™.  He won the hearts of Americans nationwide, who watched this enthusiastic husband and father immerse himself in his passion—and, ultimately, take home the illustrious title of America’s Best Amateur Baker.

Now in GET YOUR BAKE ON, Brian shares over seventy-five recipes that leave no doubt as to why he was crowned champion of the show.  This cookbook encompasses a hearty mixture of The American Baking Competition favorites, brand-new concoctions, and Emmett family recipes passed down for generations.  Staying true to the show’s theme, there are plenty of sweets.  From Poppy Seed Sugar Plum Rolls to his famous Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brian’s baked goods are sure to satisfy even the most demanding of sweet tooths.

GET YOUR BAKE ON also features a strong savory element with classic, feel-good recipes such as Sunday Brunch Strata and Sky-High Cheese and Chive Soufflés.  Some of these delicious treats include:

·         Pies and Tarts…Lemon Meringue Pie

·         Scones, Muffins, and Biscuits…Blueberry and Almond Scones

·         Breads and Pizzas…Focaccia with Fresh Thyme

·         Cookies, Bars, Biscotti, and Brownies…Salted Peanut Cookies

·         Cakes…Cheesecake with Caramel-Apple Topping

·         Pastry and Pie Dough…Apple Cider-Spiked Pie Dough

·         Soufflés and Custards…Sunday Brunch Strata

“This is by far one of the favorites with my family and friends, but not just for brunch!  It’s a hit for tailgating, Bunco night, bowling leagues, housewarming parties, baby showers…you are sure to be the MVP at any event if you show up with this amazing casserole.  It’s great because you can assemble all the ingredients the day before, refrigerate, and then bake fresh in the morning.  It’s also easy to change up the ingredients, use different cheeses, substitute the meats with seasonal vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or spinach, or add fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or basil as garnish for a beautiful presentation.”

With Brian Emmett’s GET YOUR BAKE ON, readers are expertly equipped to gather with friends and family for any occasion and enjoy the most savory food.  So grab a spoon, America—Brian’s back, and he’s ready to dish!

PRAISE:

“Emmett, winner of CBS's The American Baking Competition, shares 75 recipes that have been passed down through the generations of his family. Dessert classics, such as lemon meringue pie and a yellow cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, are offset with savories including chicken pot pie, Chicago and New York–style pizzas, and a "Mile-High" quiche. Fans of The American Baking Competition will recognize the "Petit Four Flag Cake"…Emmett offers clear instructions on his popular "Peanut-Vanilla Chiffon Roll with Peanut Praline and Gold-Dusted Peanuts" and carefully walks home bakers through the multiple steps, including making a chocolate-peanut mousse, chocolate ganache glaze, peanut praline, and gold-dusted peanuts. His down-to-earth tone makes this a good buy for those new to baking.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Distinguished by its ease of use and down-home midwestern ’tude…[with] family-type-introductions to each type of dish…Good tips on techniques precede every chapter…The proof of his talent is in the collection: For the most part, the inclusions are standard Americana, often with a twist.  Try oatmeal muffins for a breakfast differentiator, maple mascarpone frosting on a carrot, and poppy-seed sugar-plum rolls (translation: filled donuts).  Demyth-ifying the craft of baking.”

—Booklist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brian Emmett, the ultimate foodie and home entertainer, has been baking, cooking, serving, and designing unique culinary experiences for family and friends for over twenty years.  He lives near Chicago with his wife and daughters. 

Facebook: brianemmettbake

Twitter: @BrianEmmettBake

Website: brianemmetbake.com

Hallmark’s Home & Family (7/10/15): http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family

COME MEET BRIAN!

Saturday, August 22^nd, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Barnes & Noble

7200 Harrison Avenue

Rockford, IL 61112

Friday, November 13^th

America’s Baking and Sweet Show

Chicago, IL

Review: Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell

Dirty Rush

Author: Taylor Bell
Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: January 13, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books

Description:

In this shockingly true-to-life novel written by an all-star team of Internet phenoms from the Total Frat Move generation, you’ll get the first true glimpse of “real” sorority life in all its f**ked up glory.

Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell is what happens when you take the creative minds behind Babe Walker (author of the New York Times bestselling White Girl Problems series) and add Rebecca Martinson to the mix. Rebecca Martinson—yes, that bitch—the former Delta Gamma sister responsible for the scathing, expletive-filled email that verbally assaulted her entire chapter for being “so f**king boring” at social functions, and threatened to “c*nt punt” every last one of them if their behavior didn’t shape up. Dirty Rush is a no-holds-barred look at what really happens when you “go Greek.”

Taylor Bell comes from a long line of Beta Zeta sorority sisters, who all expect her to pledge upon starting at the university. But Taylor has other plans: she’s determined to give her family the proverbial middle finger and destroy the rich tradition they hold so dear by eschewing sorority life altogether. However, Taylor’s resolve soon melts when she falls in with a group of hilarious, ultra-saucy girls, who introduce her to all things Greek and soften her to the idea of joining. Resigned to the fate the Greek gods have dealt her, Taylor pledges Beta Zeta and embarks on a collegiate career filled with the kind of carousing sure to make any sorority sister proud.

Soon, Taylor’s experience as a BZ starts to feel like a jacked-up, drug-infused, and X-rated fairy tale—especially when reality comes crashing down and a rather lewd sex tape is leaked. The girl in the video looks a lot like Taylor. Has Taylor gone off the deep end? Or is someone trying to frame her? Unless she can prove her innocence and re-ingratiate herself with the sisters who’ve accused her of leaking the video in a Kim Kardashian–style bid for attention, Taylor is at risk of losing everything she’s fought (partied) so hard for.  

Dirty Rush is a hilarious novel and the closest you'll ever get to being inside a sorority - at least seeing what goes on in one. I read the description of the book and knew I had to give it a try. I normally don't read books like this - I guess I haven't come across many books like this one - and I wasn't in a sorority in college. I'll admit that I've always been a bit curious about what really goes on behind the doors of a sorority house, and what it's like to be in the middle of all the action and drama that comes with it. When the description said that this story was the closest to the truth when it came to being Greek, I decided to take a chance and try something different. I'm incredibly glad I did - in more ways than one. The book details every moment - good and bad (and then worse) that goes on when a person is in a sorority. If the things in the book are pretty true to life, then I guess I missed out on some incredibly insane life experiences - again, both good and bad - but I also didn't get mixed up in all the drama either.

Our leading lady in the book is Taylor Bell - a freshman at CDU and a third generation Beta Zeta legacy. Taylor already knows that she doesn't want to rush or pledge for any sorority - including the Beta Zetas. When she gets to know a few of the girls a bit more, she thinks that she may have stereotyped them and they could be good people. She decides to pledge and she's having the time of her life. There's tons of crazy parties, full of booze and acts of the X-rated variety, along with the friendships she builds with the girls - who she sees as being super cool, bitchy, and full of attitude. They seem to rule the college like nobody's business. Taylor's glad that she joined Beta Zeta - until a sex tape is leaked. A sex tape featuring a girl that looks just like Taylor. Is she going crazy? Did she make this video without remembering? Or is someone trying to frame her and make her look bad, so she'll end up losing everything she's been working so hard at building at Beta Zeta?

I'll admit right now that this book isn't going to be for everyone. There's tons of swearing, underage drinking, drugs, sex and sexual acts, and basically anything else you can think of that's connected to Greek life at colleges. Some readers will find this unappealing due to the material, while others will find themselves fully wrapped up in Taylor's life and not bothered a bit by the scandalous nature of some parts of the story. I personally thought the majority of the book was hilarious (the parts that weren't funny were not meant to be, so it's definitely nothing against the book or author. They're just serious scenes.). From the beginning of the book, with the email from a sorority sister who also writes the forward for the book - I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. The attitude, humor, and general writing style were remarkably well done in a way that fueled both laughter and mortification as we go through Taylor's story alongside her. I have never laughed this much while reading a book. Then again, I think that the swearing, dirty sexual scenes, and general attitude of all the characters was ridiculously funny and all the more hilarious because of the truth behind it all. I easily identified with Taylor right from the start. The book is told from her point of view, so the reader gets to know her on a very personal level throughout the story. We get to know her thoughts, fears, emotions, inner dialogue - everything that goes on inside her head. I love when authors use that kind of writing style because it gives the novel a deeper sense of feeling for the reader - it's like you actually know the main character and are with them while everything in the book happens. I'm not going to talk much about the plot, basically because the description does it just fine by itself. It's exactly what's advertised - an inside look at a sorority and all the experiences of being a member of one (both good and bad). I'll definitely be re-reading this one because I'm sure there are parts I missed due to laughing so hard, and because I just want to enjoy the story all over again. I very highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy college-based fiction and for those who want a light and quick read full of laughs. Again, I just want to warn you that this isn't for everyone, due to the reasons I mentioned above. If those things don't bother you (and you think they're funny) - you really need to read this book. You won't regret it at all - you'll actually end up thanking both myself and the author. I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open for more books by the (real) author. Seriously - go read this book now!!

One of the Funniest (and Most Realistic) Books I've Ever Read - A Definite New Favorite!

In reality, Taylor Bell is the brainchild of Tanner and David Oliver Cohen, co-creators of the much-loved Twitter account that started it all, White Girl Problems (@whitegrlproblem), as well as the blog, www.BabeWalker.com.

* A HUGE thanks to the awesome people at Gallery Books for sending me a copy of the book for review!*

 

Author Guest Post + Giveaway: The Missing Place by Sophie Littlefield

Hey everyone! Today I have the pleasure of featuring a great guest post by author Sophie Littlefield and I have a copy of her newest book, The Missing Place, to give away! Read on for details on the book, her guest post - and don't forget to enter to win!

The Missing Place

Author: Sophie Littlefield

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Gallery Books

Description:

Twenty-year-old Taylor Jarvis and Paul Carroll go missing in Weir, North Dakota, where they have been working on rigs owned by Oasis Energy. The boys stayed in Black Creek Lodge, a "man camp" providing room and board. The mothers of the two boys come to Weir to find out what happened to their sons and form an uneasy alliance. Shay Jarvis, a 41-year-old single grandmother, has more grit than resources; for wealthy suburban housewife Colleen Carroll, the opposite is true. Overtaxed by worry, exhaustion, and fear, they question each other's methods and motivations - but there is no one else to help, and they must learn to work together if they are to have any chance of breaking through the barriers put up by their sons? employer, the indifference of an overtaxed police department, and a town of strangers with their own secrets against a backdrop of a modern day gold rush.  

Early Praise for THE MISSING PLACE:

“Littlefield maximizes the emotional impact of her character-driven cautionary tale.” –Publishers Weekly

“Edgar Award nominee Littlefield deftly contrasts Shay’s and Colleen’s experiences and prejudices… A satisfying, icy thriller.” –Kirkus Reviews

“This story is really about two mothers who won’t give up, and one who can’t let go.” –Booklist

“Really good read. Readers will admire the tenacity of the lead characters…to find strength and answers together.” –Fitness Magazine

“The excellent writing will keep readers engrossed and unwilling to put the book down.” –RT Book Reviews

“A novel steeped in secrets and unspoken truths.” –Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

“Seizes you…from its first pages and never lets you go...A remarkable novel.” –Megan Abbott, bestselling author of The Fever and Dare Me

“A powerful portrait of grief, fear, and courage as two mothers fight for truth.” –CJ Lyons, bestselling author of Farewell to Dreams

"From Newspaper Article to Book" - about how Sophie took a small article from People magazine and went on to write a layered novel full of suspense, survival, friendship and family from it.  

In December of 2012, I met two friends for lunch. The three of us, all full-time novelists, often get together to brainstorm and encourage each other. On this particular day I was looking forward to discussing an idea that had been percolating in my mind ever since I picked up an issue of People at the health club and came across a very intriguing article, about the housing shortage and “man camp” accommodations for oil rig workers in North Dakota. I was wondering if there might be the seeds of a novel in the bleak setting described in the article, and I knew my friends would help me think it through.

I was the last to arrive at the restaurant, and as I sat down, my friend Rachael was digging in her purse. “I’ve got your next book right here!” she announced—and pulled out the very same issue of People—opened to the same article.

We had a good laugh over the coincidence, but it just underscored my conviction that this was a book I really needed to write. Rachael and Julie, the third writer at the table, helped me come up with some basic plans for the book based on the expectations of my editor and readers. (This is probably a good time to point out to all aspiring writers that a group of supportive peers can be a real asset. If you don’t have an intimate writing community, I highly recommend that you seek one out!)

With Julie and Rachael’s help I made a list of the story themes that I’m most comfortable with, and the most compelling aspects of the North Dakota oil boom setting. Then we looked for points of intersection. Here’s what we came up with: intrigue, vice, corruption, and family.

All of these made it into the book in one form or another, even though the story I ended up writing was very different from the one we brainstormed that day. That’s because when I actually flew to Williston North Dakota and did my research, exploring the place and talking to the residents, I realized that the assumptions I had made based on the article
were not entirely correct. (That is not, by the way, a criticism of the author of the article, but a testament to the power of imagination: for writers especially, there is a danger of “filling in the holes” and making assumptions based on our own curiosity and experience, rather than fact.)

That fateful lunch took place almost two years ago. Since then, we’ve probably brainstormed another dozen books between the three of us. Some of these have been written, some are in progress, and some have been shelved for various reasons. They were inspired by many different things: news items, overheard conversations, events in our own lives, and—as often as not—the writer’s greatest tool, the “What-if” generator, otherwise known as the idle daydream.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to write THE MISSING PLACE, which definitely made me stretch and grow as a writer. I’m looking forward to seeing what fate—and my brainstorming posse—come up with next. 

Check out the People magazine article that started it all: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2c%2c20654668%2c00.html

Sophie Littlefield is the Edgar-nominated author of more than two dozen novels, who grew up in rural Missouri. The mother of two grown children, she now makes her home in northern California. Visit her website at sophielittlefield.com.  

Author Links:
http://sophielittlefield.com/
http://www.twitter.com/swlittlefield
http://www.facebook.com/Sophie.Littlefield.Author 
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2949152 

Giveaway: The wonderful people at Gallery Books are letting me give away (1) finished copy of The Missing Place to a lucky winner! Open to US only!

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