Sunday, December 15, 2013

Modified Juice Plan: Day One

Well, here we go. Since I started writing my first book, I've gotten way too lazy. I used to be a runner, but instead of taking thirty minutes a day to keep doing it, I found myself sitting down at the computer, working on my novel. This also meant I was cooking less and eating out more. I hate to say it, but I've gained about 15 pounds since July, and I'm finally, finally fed up with it. I'm currently working on my second book, but I've decided I'm not going to let it consume me to the point where I become increasingly unhealthy.

After watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, Derek and I decided we'd like to try the whole juicing thing out. However, because of our jobs, we're not able to do every single meal this way, except for the weekends. So our plan is to have a healthy, balanced breakfast and lunch, then juice for dinner. He's getting back into P90X and I'll be doing a hybrid of running and Insanity (I LOVE Shaun T).

We're going to try this out for 30 days and see how it goes. I'll keep y'all posted!

So today we started off with the Mean Green juice, and we're doing it for all three meals.

Ingredients
Apples - 2 medium (3" dia) 364g
Celery - 4 stalk, large (11"-12" long) 256g
Cucumber - 1 cucumber (8-1/4") 301g
Ginger - 1 thumb (1" dia) 24g
Kale - 6 leaf (8-12") 210g
Lemon - 1/2 fruit (2-3/8" dia) 42g

Directions
Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve. Makes 32 ounces.

Verdict
Thumbs up! I wasn't sure how these ingredients would blend together, but it was actually pretty darn good. 

So here we go. Thirty days of juicing for dinner. Wish me luck!!




Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Ignite is finally LIVE! Enter the Huge Giveaway!!

IgniteAmazonBn Cover
Title: Ignite (#1, Explosive Series)
Author: Tessa Teevan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 30, 2013
 
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Add to Goodereads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18189396-ignite

 
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Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 
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Synopsis
After nearly a year and a half of grieving the loss of her husband, twenty-seven year old Alexa Sullivan Tate is headed back to her hometown after a decade of being away. She has no idea her high school crush, Jace McAllister, the guy who stole her heart the same night that he broke it, is more than ready to pick up the pieces.

Jace has spent the last ten years in the Army defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who ignited all his passions. Little does he know that the spark still exists. Ten years ago they had smoldering chemistry, but the spark between them now might light a fuse that leads to an explosion even Jace can't stop. Not that he wants to.

If only Alexa can get past her guilt and trust her heart again. But how do you put it all on the line when you've already lost everything once before? *While this is a series, each book will be standalone with spinoff characters.
 
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Excerpt
I nod, and she makes her way down the hall that I now see is lined with photographs. My stomach tightens, but I figure that I need to get this over with if I’m going to be staying here. I walk towards them, stopping at the first picture. I’m guessing it’s from the day they first met, the time she told me about, because she’s giving him a playful frown while he’s grinning at her like he’s already half in love with her, which, to be honest, he probably was. I feel a slight twinge as I take in the picture, knowing that at that moment he had no idea how short of a life he was going to have with her. Hell, he probably wouldn’t have even cared, as long as he had her while he could.
Shaking the thought out of my head, I browse each one. There are candid shots of them mixed throughout professional ones from events such as her graduation, Sierra and Jeremy’s wedding, and what looks like an engagement party. As I pass each picture, it’s becoming more real to me that she had a whole separate life before we reconnected. Strangely, I’m not bothered by it, seeing how happy she looks in these pictures, even though it was with another man and not me. I’ll admit that I was a little worried when she told me about their fighting, but looking at these pictures? I know Ty made her a happy woman, and I’m grateful that she had that while she could. Do I wish it had been me? Fuck yes, but what can you do? 
Coming to the last picture, I’m breathless as the image of Alexa in a wedding dress enters my vision. I’m moving in for closer inspection when she comes out of her room, stopping when she catches me. Her hand covers her mouth as she closes her eyes for a split second. She swallows hard before walking towards me. She reaches out her hand as if to touch my arm before pulling it back, obviously thinking better of it. “Jace, I… This is probably awkward, I’m sorry. I just… I wasn’t expecting you, and I don’t…” She trails off as she stares at the wall, glancing at the picture before turning her eyes towards the floor.
 
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About the Author
I'm a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and am married to a guy 15 inches taller than me. We're quite the pair! We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats. I've been reading since I was a kid. My mom was a librarian, so it was a given. Heck, she even made sure we watched Wishbone instead of the Smurfs. In 2011 when I graduated from college, my mom bought me a Nook, and then in the summer of 2012 I found this amazing site called Goodreads. I was introduced to so many amazing indie/self-published authors. After reading almost 400 books that year, my husband gave me the push to finally sit down and write my own. It was a rocky start, but over time the words started flowing and I couldn't get Jace and Lexi out of my head. If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter. I LOVE to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact via any social media site listed below.  
Connect with the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

 
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Giveaway
(1) eBook copy of Picking up the Pieces by Jessica Prince
(1) eBook copy of Nightmares from Within by Jessica Prince
(1) eBook copy of Just Breathe by Rachel Brookes
(1) eBook copy of Keep Me Still by Caisey Quinn
(1) Signed Paperback of Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine
(1) Signed Paperback of Lost In You by Heidi McLaughlin
(1) Signed Paperback of Little Red Book of Romance by TH Dillon (US Only)
(1) Signed Set of There is No Light in Darkness and Darkness Before Dawn by Claire Contreras (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Red Hill by Jamie McGuire (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover (US Only)
(1) Signed paperback of Breathe by Abbi Glines (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Because of Low by Abbi Glines (US Only)
(1) Signed paperback of Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines (US Only)
$5 Amazon Gift Card from FairieChick's Fantasy
$10 Amazon Gift Card from Group Therapy
$5 Amazon Gift Card from White Zin Bookends

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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway: Wrecked by H.P. Landry


Wrecked
Pointe Hope Series Book # 1 
By H.P. Landry 
Publication Date- August 31, 2013 


Synopsis
Mylie Mier's life is overshadowed by tragedy and heartbreak. 
She refuses to settle for Mr. Right Now and is holding out for her happily ever after. Then she meets Damien James.

Arriving in Pointe Hope was the pinnacle of Damien James' success.
He finally had everything he worked so hard for and life is going as planned--until he catches a predator attempting to defile a helpless victim. Mylie enters his life with the all the subtleness of a freight train.

Their connection is instantaneous but Damien is jaded and refuses to acknowledge his attraction. Though mesmerized, Mylie quickly realizes that her savior is a pretentious jerk. They fight their obvious connection, and Damien inadvertently pushes Mylie right into the arms of a sociopath.

Will Mylie live to see her happily ever after or will Damien's callousness force her to be destined to a life that is wrecked?


Dream Cast
Damien James- Stephen Amell
Mylie Mier- Emilia Clarke
Malory Westerling- Phoebe Tonkin
Diana Montgomery- Lucy Hale
Rhonda Deveaux- Scarlett Johanssen

Character Bios
Mylie Mier is fiercely loyal, focused driven, and a complete hopeless romantic. She believes in waiting for Mr. Right because of the unconditional love she witness from her parents. She is currently working on her Masters degree at Poine Hope University and eventually would like to get her juris doctorate to become a law professor. 

Professor Damien James is new to Pointe Hope and escaping a hurtful past. He is goal oriented, intelligent, and cynical as well as he is jaded. He is currently teaching at Pointe Hope University.

Excerpt

Review
When I first read the prologue of Wrecked, I thought, what am I getting myself into? In just a few short pages, my heart was shattered and I, pun not intended, was an emotional wreck. I was sobbing on my couch and had to stop reading so that I could email the author to tell her just how much I loved the prologue and how it tore at my heartstrings. I want everyone to be able to feel the same emotions that I did, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet by simply saying, read this book. 

The rest of the book didn't disappoint. I loved the push and pull between Mylie and Damien, and I found myself screaming at both of them so many times. I love when a book makes me feel so emotional towards the characters. I didn't know much about Wrecked before I started, so I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of suspense that was woven in with the romantic story line. It was a change for me, and one that I really enjoyed. The twists and turns had my head reeling, and I was not expecting the cliffhanger. I have to say, I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series, as well as anything else written by H.P. Landry. 

About the Author
H.P. Landry is the author of the Pointe Hope Series: the gripping New Adult Romance series that allows you to experience tragedy and heartbreak as it follows the small town and their troubling lives in finding love. 

H.P. Landry on her off time is the Family Director of her own version of a chaotic Brady-like family with her two children, and her partner’s two children. She began writing at a very young age that turned into obsession as an adult. The creative writer has been inspired by family and friends to write her compelling stories. 



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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

The Ignite Cover Reveal is Finally Here!!



Title: Ignite (#1, Explosive Series)
Author: Tessa Teevan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Expected Release Date: November 4, 2013
Cover Designer: Robin at Wicked by Design



Synopsis
After nearly a year and a half of grieving the loss of her husband, twenty-seven year old Alexa Sullivan Tate is headed back to her hometown after a decade of being away. She has no idea her high school crush, Jace McAllister, the guy who stole her heart the same night that he broke it, is more than ready to pick up the pieces. 

Jace has spent the last ten years in the Army defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who ignited all his passions. Little does he know that the spark still exists. 

Ten years ago they had smoldering chemistry, but the spark between them now might light a fuse that leads to an explosion even Jace can't stop. Not that he wants to. If only Alexa can get past her guilt and trust her heart again. 

But how do you put it all on the line when you've already lost everything once before?

*While this is a series, each book will be standalone

Excerpt
At one point I see her eyeing the tattoo on my forearm and before I know it her fingers graze over the italic words and the jagged, raised scar that underlines them as she reads aloud to herself. “Vulneratus non victus. What does it mean?”

I begin to tell her about the time when a roadside IED hit the Humvee in front of mine. My left arm had been hanging out the window and a piece of shrapnel tore into it. I had a four inch gash that had required forty-two stitches, but other than that I’d been fine. 

“It’s Latin for ‘wounded, but not conquered.’ We were fortunate to have not had any bad injuries, so when we got back the guys and I all went and got this tattoo to commemorate that those bastards tried, but failed.” 

She pales slightly at the mention of my injury, no matter how minor, so I wrack my brain trying to find a way to change the conversation into something much lighter, even though her fingers trailing over the words on my arm are making my skin tingle, bringing all kinds of erotic thoughts to mind.

About the Author
After moving around for much of her life due to being an military brat, Tessa finally settled in Dayton, Ohio where she lives with her husband, her two cats, and an ever growing book boyfriend shelf (okay, shelves). Working for the government by day, and writing by night, she couldn't be more excited to publish her debut novel.  Her Kindle is practically glued to her hands, but when she's not reading or writing, you can find her rooting on the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. She loves her sports almost as much as she loves her books. Her other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.  

Social Media Links

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Blog Tour Promo: The Man Without Rules by Tyffani Clark Kemp


Title-The Man Without Rules
Series-Without Rules Series # 1 
By- Tyffani Clark Kemp 
Genre-Erotica
Publication Date-September 5th, 2013 


Blurb
Sebastian Boa is "The Man Without Rules." Rules just don't apply to him. When he meets Mariss Red one night at one of his night clubs, he sets his sights on her and makes a play. But Mariss is married and she has no desire to lose what she loves for a one night stand. The harder Sebastian tries the more Mariss refuses and he realizes that his feelings for her may be deeper than he ever thought possible for a man like him. And he finds himself changing to be worthy of the one woman who has ever told him no.

Excerpt
"What are you doing?" she chuckled.

"Keeping my distance, since you're losing your will to fight me." He leaned both arms on the table and let her see into him.

"How are we supposed to do business with you so far away?"

Sebastian shrugged. "Shout."

Mariss laughed and it was a happy sound.

"Come down here, Bassy."

He liked it when she called him that. Sebastian admitted it to himself as he stared at her from the end of the table. What he wanted to do was take her mouth with his once more. He'd take her body on this table if she'd let him. The thought alone made him ache again.

Mariss stood. She punched a button on the wall and he heard the doors lock into place. Then she flipped a switch and the glass frosted. No one could see in or out.

"That's handy."

"Shut up, Sebastian." Mariss crossed the room and sat on the edge of the table in front of him. She straddled his knees with her bare feet. Her toenails were painted a deep blood red. Sebastian stroked one toe, unable to keep his hands to himself. Mariss jerked it away, but when he looked up into her face she was biting her lip, trying to keep from laughing.

"Does that tickle?"

"Stop talking, please."

"Why? Do you like it?" Sebastian reached up and twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. It was so soft. He leaned forward so he could press it to his nose. Berries.

Mariss was not gentle when she reached behind his head and pulled his lips to hers. She nibbled at his lower lip. Her fingers curled into his hair, tugging, pulling almost until it hurt. Sebastian growled and shoved his tongue into her mouth. If she wasn't going to be gentle, he wasn't either. He stood, pushing his chair back as he did. With a hand pressed to her back, he leaned Mariss backward so he could get at her neck. He scraped his teeth over the spot just below her ear that he knew she liked. She melted in his arms, moaning so loudly he almost checked to see if anyone heard. Her hips ground against his and there was no hiding the evidence of what she did to him.

Sebastian smoothed her hair back and kissed her again. He tasted her mouth, stroked her tongue with languid, savoring strokes. She pulled him closer so her breasts were pressed against his chest. He could feel her heart racing.

"Stop," she moaned.

"Do you really want me to?" Sebastian bit her earlobe.

"Yes. Please. I can't."

Sebastian pulled back, but her fingers tightened in his hair. She kept him there, her lips hovering just below his. He could have her. He could take her right here in this room. She might hate him afterward, but she'd come back for more. They always did.

"Let go," he commanded, his voice low. She let go of his hair as if burned by it.

Playlist
There were really only two for this one, both by Benny Benassi.
1. Who’s Your Daddy
2. Attention Whore

Dream Cast
 Sebastian

  Hellena      

Juliet           

Links
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17912138-the-man-without-rules 
Trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASSsrpKAOng 
Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/The-Man-Without-Rules-ebook/dp/B00EZ7VLDY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1378321700&sr=8-8&keywords=tyffani+clark+kemp 

About the Author
Tyffani Clark Kemp has been writing since she discovered in the sixth grade that it wasn’t enough just to read about fantastic places, but she could create her own. She weaves small bits of herself into everything she writes whether it be a science fiction piece about aliens or a dramatic romance fraught with conflict and love. She lives in South Carolina with her family and her fluffy shii tzu-mix dog who thinks he’s a Saint Bernard.

Links
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6557179.Tyffani_Clark_Kemp 
Blog/Website-http://tyffanickemp.com/ 
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/authorclarkkemp 
Twitter- https://twitter.com/MovieStarEyes 
Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/moviestareyes/ 

Facebook Events
Book Blast- https://www.facebook.com/events/386128071514125/ 
Tour- https://www.facebook.com/events/216804345155857/ 






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