Teaser Tuesdays: The Orphan Train

On January 7, 2014January 7, 2014 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies11 Comments

For this week’s Teaser Tuesday, I’d like to spotlight a rare moment of bliss for little orphan Niham in this heart-wrenching tale of survival and self-discovery. I’m so glad I took a chance on Orphan Train after reading The Fault in Our Stars. That book was a tough act to follow, but I have been just as mesmerized by Niham’s brutal homeward-bound journey as I was by John Green’s epic teenage love story. Stay tuned for the review!

“He clasps Carmine’s legs and twirls, Carmine stretching out his arms and throwing his head back, gazing up at the skylights, shrieking with glee as they turn, and in that moment, for the first time since the fire, my worries are gone. I feel a joy so strong it’s almost painful – a knife’s edge of joy.”

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. What are you reading right now? Care to share a teaser with me?

Swoon Worthy Saturday: Zak Bagans

On November 30, 2013November 30, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

Swoon Worthy Saturday is a meme hosted by Stay Bookish that shines a spotlight on a fictional boy who has swept us off our feet, given us butterflies, made our hearts do acrobatics and driven us absolutely crazy!

Hooray for Thanksgiving weekend! Four blissful days of uninterrupted reading time! This book was meant to be my Halloween read, but October zipped right on by in a blur of moving, traveling and work, work, work. But no matter what time of year, this is a spooky, entertaining read. To be honest, I’ve got a smidge of a crush on Zak Bagans, Ghost Adventures frontman and “author” of Dark World. I use the word “author” very loosely because I’ve heard this guy speak on TV and a lot of words in the book don’t’ seem to be a part of his vernacular. Articulate he is not, but he does have some interesting stories from his ghostly escapades, particularly the demonic infestation at Bobby Mackey’s Music World. Let’s just say I will never look at dusty old honky tonks the same way.

It was fun getting an inside look at the Ghost Adventures “lock downs” and learning about the stuff that follows Zak and his crew home. Isn’t it terrible that the ghostly hitchhikers seem to have it in for all of his lady friends? So sad…really I’m not being sarcastic at all. 😉

Sundays in Bed With… (No. 2)

On July 15, 2012July 15, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies8 Comments

Don’t you just love Sundays? No crummy office coffee, no frustrating commute, no mentally taxing writing assignments, just me and my cat and a goooood book! This weekend is a bit different because – GASP! – I’m reading nonfiction. That’s right, no vampires or sassy sleuths for me this morning because I’m learning the ropes on how to write a best-selling whodunit!

Because I write for a living, I have no creative energy left at the end of the night. So I figure my best bet is to take a stab (pun intended!) at mystery writing on the weekends. That’s why I picked up “The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery,” by Robert J. Ray and Jack Remick. Hopefully this time next year, you’ll hear me on NPR talking about my ridiculosuly popular thriller! That’s not too far fetched…right?

I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll throw you a little teaser. It’s going to have a bit of ghost hunting…

A spooky monster…

Somer paranormal boy drama…

And some sassy sleuthing…

This fun little meme is brought to you by by Midnight Book Girl . Hop on over to her blog to see what my fellow book bloggers are reading this weekend. What are you in bed with on this glorious day of rest? Post a comment and tell me all about it. I just love, love, love getting comments!

My Book Boyfriend (No. 6) Edward Jonas from Monarch Beach

On July 12, 2012July 12, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies4 Comments

Nothing says summer like a day at the beach (or Texas watering hole) with a cooler full of Shiner and a fun and fluffy romance novel! I couldn’t have picked a better book than Monarch Beach to get me in the mood for some serious sun-worshipping fun!

The tranquil Pacific coast, the Bentley car service, the sexy beachside restaurateur – everything about this book took me away to the deliciously decadent St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. But not everything is champagne and roses for the obscenely affluent Amanda Blick. Her soujurn at the St. Regis is more of a recovery effort than a blissful summer vacay. After finding her French husband doing the do with his sous chef, she decides to spend her summer licking her wounds at one of Southern California’s most posh beach resorts.

Distraught over her husband’s betrayal, not even the plentiful umbrella drinks and cute cabana boys can put her mind at ease. That is until she bumps into Edward Jonas, a silver fox who just so happens to own a beachside restaurant. What is it with this woman and foodies? I’ve got to hand it to her, a man who knows his way in a kitchen is worth keeping! If my husband wasn’t a culinary artist, I’d probably be living off of Spaghettios and Vienna sausages.

But I digress, here is my Book Boyfriend: Edward Jonas. This is a fun little meme created by Missie over at the Unread Reader. Hop on over to her blog to see what it’s all about.

Description: He may be a little over a decade older than our 30-something protagonist, but he’s got it going on with his crinkly eyes, steel-gray hair and thick jaw. Plus he wears Tommy Bahama shirts. How cute is that?!?

Since he’s super sexy and a little on the older side, how could I not picture George Clooney? Boy did it rev my engine when I pictured Hollywood’s favorite silver fox in this steamy scene:

I sat up naked, and unwrapped the box. Inside was a black velvet jewelry box. I snapped it open.

“Edward!” Inside the box were the monarch butterfly earrings we had seen at the hotel gift shop.

“Remember when we met, at the monarch butterfly release?”

Of course. You gave me nutrition tips,” I laughed.

“And Max came up and asked you to make a wish?”

“Yes,” I said, and nodded.

“I made a wish, too: that I would get to know you better.”

“Oh,” I said.

“And that wish is starting to come true.” He kissed me slowly, on the lips.”

Oh swoon! How I love post-coital bliss, especially when sparkly jewelry is involved! What do you think? Is George Clooney a good match? Who’s your book boyfriend?

Memorable Monday #1

On June 5, 2012June 5, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies3 Comments

Let’s face it, Mondays are the pits. So what better way to beat the back-to-work doldrums than by revisiting our favorite books? Thanks to the ladies over at Escape in a Book, I can look forward to highlighting a favorite passage every Monday.

Cathy Lamb is an extremely gifted women’s fiction writer who has a knack for crafting lyrical prose and poignant messages. I especially love her book, Such a Pretty Face, a riveting story about a 30-something office grunt who confronts her personal demons after shedding a ton of weight. Fun and frothy it is not, but if you’re in the mood for a powerful read, I highly recommend this book.
Without further adieu, here is my inaugural Memorable Monday quote:

“A child’s bond to her mother cannot be understated, and my bond with Helen was a ragged, baffling, disheartening, chaotic mess. I felt crazy, often, around my own mother. I grew up questioning what was normal, asking what reality was and wasn’t, and not trusting the outcome of different situations. She scared me and I couldn’t predict her behavior, so I was often off-kilter and worried.” ― Cathy Lamb, Such a Pretty Face

Do you have a favorite quote? Do share!

W… W… W… Wednesdays

On May 31, 2012May 31, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies6 Comments

Well this is a fun little weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. During the week I have no time or creative energy to devote to a full on blog post, but I can muster the strength to answer these three little questions about my reading itinerary:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

I’m currently reading Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark. So far I’m really enjoying the charming small Southern town, the eclectic characters and the witty dialogue. I also get a kick out of a good fish-out-of-water story involving an uptight city slicker learning how to slow down and enjoy the simplicities of small-town life. It’s just an easy, fun little read for a hot summer’s day. Go here for my review of Lauren’s debut novel, Stay Tuned.

I just finished reading Overseas by Beatriz Williams. I actually devoured this 400+ page tome in one weekend. Despite its size, it’s a fast read that kept me zipping through the pages until the wee hours of the night. It’s one of those books that keeps you guessing until the very last chapter. Don’t be afraid of those debut authors, folks. Some of the best books are by up-and-coming authors. Go ahead, put down that Charlaine Harris novel and live on the edge a little! Stay tuned for the review.

Next in the e-book queue is Barefoot Girls by Tara McTiernan. I’m no stranger to mamma drama, family dysfunction and the transformative powers of hope and redemption, so it’s going to be pretty easy identifying with the main character.

Want to participate in this meme? Well then go pay a visit to Should Be Reading! How I love my fabulous bookish community. It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one who’s obsessed with books, kitties, cupcakes and caffeine. These are my people!

My Book Boyfriend (#5) Julian Laurence from Overseas

On May 24, 2012May 24, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies13 Comments

It’s been a tough month, so I’m going to cheer myself up with a fun little Book Boyfriend blurb. Pretty boys do have a way of perking me right up! That’s why I love reading romance novels during my blue spells. It’s hard to stay bummed when I’m picturing my celebrity crush du jour in the throws of passion.

For my fifth installment of the My Book Boyfriend meme, I bring you Julian Laurence from Overseas.

Description: Julian is an extremely sexy, yet oddly old-fashioned British billionaire. With his tall, lean physique, broad shoulders, dark golden hair and soulful eyes, he brings women to their knees with just a twitch of a smile. Although he’s richer than Donald Trump, he has no interest in flashy cars or private jets. His passions are classical music, his grand piano, leather-bound books, and of course, his lady love Kate Wilson.

When Julian first entered the scene, I immediately thought of (*sigh*) the extremely hot, aristocratic Jude Law. Isn’t he a perfect fit?

Here are some quotes to send your hearts a flutter:

“Darling, when I tell you I love you, it means this: That I am your servant. That these two hands” – he held them up before me and then cupped my face – “labor for you alone. That you have a demand on me, an eternal one, which has everything to do with the incalculable favor, the immeasurable honor, you granted me last night, in taking me into your heart and your bed.”

“Sweetheart, I love you. Of course I do. I love every priceless inch of you. I love you idolatrously, for a thousand reasons, and I shall never stop. Hush,” he said, laying his finger on my lips again, “you don’t need to say anything. I’m a patient man. Just be easy. Know that it’s there, that you needn’t doubt me on this, at least.”

“Well, as they say,” he said, nibbling at my earlobe, slipping down to kiss the vale behind it, “faint heart never won fair lady.”

I lifted my hand to the back of his head. “I’m going…to find out.”

“Yes, I expect you shall. What fragrant skin you have, darling; how convenient that the woman one loves should turn out to be so perfectly…” He paused to kiss the curve of my jaw.

Oh swoon! Time for a Jude Law fix. I think I’m going to bump “The Holiday” up to the top of my Netflix queue.

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme created by Missie over at the Unread Reader that allows giggly book bloggers such as myself to match their literary crushes with a hot celebrities.