Friday, July 1, 2016

You Never Could Be - Excerpt Read

 Blog Tour
A passion-fueled encounter in the corridor of a hotel convention room reveals two anguished hearts struggling to reconnect despite life’s difficulties. Will Carlisle, the eye candy of the office, is every woman’s dream, tall, handsome, and dashingly charming. Sara Rozek never guessed he has secretly wanted her for months now. When a bad day falls upon them and Will breaks the reins of his own restraint, she sees the burning passion in his eyes, and there is no denying the mutual attraction. Will and Sara’s start quickly runs awry, and Sara becomes convinced she was played for a fool. Will begs her to listen to him, but she turns away in fear. Can Will mend her broken heart, or will the passion they shared vanish forever?

Excerpt
They walked out of the meeting with a definite maybe. It was the best answer for now. Will complimented their hard work and said he was proud of the presentation they’d put forward.
They separated from Rick. Will’s flight departed in just under two hours. Sara pulled out of the parking lot in silence, letting the radio fill the void. Her eyes focused outside the truck. The abrupt shift in his demeanor was uncomfortable and Sara was in agony. She couldn’t stand the tension but didn’t know what to do.
The car jumped, and Sara pulled at the wheel to remain in control.
“Shit!”
She pulled off to the side of the road. Her temper flared, the culmination of the tension in the car and the disappointing results from the meeting.
She thrust the door open and walked alongside the truck, where she saw her shredded back tire.
Will came around the corner, meeting her at the back of the truck, and he immediately reached for the hatch. Lifting it, he removed his jacket while Sara removed the carpet. She pulled out the jack and the crow bar. He took them from her, putting the jack beneath the truck. He met her gaze, a raging testosterone fury firing in his eyes, and she stepped back. He raised the truck and removed the hubcap. She took it from him, watching as he began to loosen the lug nuts. He’d gotten three of five, but the last two weren’t cooperating. She watched him struggle with them, doing her best to remain silent, resisting the need to comment.
He continued to try and then bent over in frustration.
“I can call roadside assistance if you—" she began, and was met with a glare that stirred annoyance in her chest. “You’re going to miss your flight. At least let me call Rick to come and get you.”
He glanced over, his eyes squinting. Brow furrowed.
“What?” She asked.
“How much do you weigh?”
“Excuse me?” He laughed and she bristled “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, I just…I need your help.”
“Um, okay what do you need me to do?”
“Come here.” His eyes brightened, and she moved. He took the hubcap from her hand and set it in the back of the truck. “The lug nuts are stuck.”
“I noticed.”
He gave her a sideways smirk before pushing his hand though his hair and loosening his tie.
“What’s your plan?”
“We are going to jump.”
“Jump?”
“Ah, yeah,” his shoulders fell before he positioned the lug wrench onto the stuck lug. He scratched at the back of his neck. His eyes focused on the meddlesome tire. “If we put enough weight on the lug, we should be able to pop it.”
“By jumping?”
“Yep.”
“Okay.”
“Put your hands out.” She complied and he grasped her elbows, locking the embrace. “Okay, now put your right foot on top of the crowbar, then your left.”
She followed his directions, using his arms to steady her balance on top of the piece of metal. She got her bearings and met his gaze.
“Now what?”
“I am going to jump onto it as well, and with any luck, the force will pop the nut.”
“You’re serious?”
“Absolutely.” His gaze held hers in a steady reassurance. “Ready?”
“No, but okay.”
He grinned, and she braced herself for the jolt. Will placed his left foot on the metal just between her ankles.
“Okay, one, two…” with a silent three, he lifted himself onto the bar and bounced. The lug didn’t move. He stepped down and tried again. After the third attempt, she began to giggle, which in turn made him laugh. They found themselves perched on top of the metal, holding onto each other for dear life. She felt herself drop, and his arms clutched her as they fell. She landed hard and realized she was on top of him.
“Oh my god, are you all right? I’m so sorry!” She shifted, getting off him. He sat up, his arms still around her. She found herself propped against him, looking down into his eyes.
“You guys need some help?” 



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Sunday, June 26, 2016

Blog Tour - You Never Could Be


Join us for reviews, reader fun, and giveaways!





My World  July 4
Andrew Jericho July 11
The Book Quarry July 13
Alpha Book Club July 20





Saturday, June 18, 2016

Cover Reveal - Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh

ROCK WEDDING by Nalini Singh
Releasing: July 19th

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Rock Kiss series with a hot, sweet, emotional contemporary romance about love and forgiveness…

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought she’d finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellamy, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.

Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love...even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time?




Friday, June 3, 2016

The Romance Reviews - Sizzling Summer Reads! #TRRparty



Join the party June 17th when You Never Could Be will be the featured title!
Play games, win prizes, have some summer fun!!


A passion-fueled encounter in the corridor of a hotel convention room reveals two anguished hearts struggling to reconnect despite life’s difficulties. Will Carlisle, the eye candy of the office, is every woman’s dream, tall, handsome, and dashingly charming. Sara Rozek never guessed he has secretly wanted her for months now. When a bad day falls upon them and Will breaks the reins of his own restraint, she sees the burning passion in his eyes, and there is no denying the mutual attraction. Will and Sara’s start quickly runs awry, and Sara becomes convinced she was played for a fool. Will begs her to listen to him, but she turns away in fear. Can Will mend her broken heart, or will the passion they shared vanish forever?

Excerpt
“Sara.” The voice broke her out of her thoughts and she refocused on the present. “What is going on?”
“Nothing.”
Scarlet appeared as if out of thin air, standing patiently in front of her. “You’re lying.”
“No I’m—”
“Come on, Sara, you know I can see right through you. What’s up?”
She turned away but felt an arm looped through hers. Scarlet pulled her along and promptly seated her on a stool at the bar.
“What can I get you ladies?”
“Two—”
“Patron with a lime, two.” Sara glanced at her friend’s shocked expression before looking into the crowd.
“Okay Jose, spill. What’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Their shots arrived and Sara downed hers before Scarlet handed over the money.
“Another.”
“Hold that,” Scarlet said.
Sara met her friend’s gaze, annoyance bubbling in her throat.
“Not until you tell me what’s going on.”
Sara looked away, breathing through the tightening in her chest. “Will’s here.”
“What? You’re kidding, you saw him?”
I did a lot more than see him.
“What happened?”
Sara motioned to the bartender, avoiding a response.
“You believe them, don’t you? Sara, we talked about this, there is no proof. You can’t believe a rumor.”
“It’s not just a rumor.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it happened to me!” She lifted herself out of her seat as the blood rushed to her head. “What they are saying happened in California. That is what happened to me here. How can I not think it’s true?”
“That’s not what happened though, Sara. Not from what you told me, anyway.”
“How can I be sure? Maybe I just got swept up in the whole scenario. The idea of a man like him wanting me for more than just…”
“Stop it. I’m not going to sit here and allow you to destroy something based on a rumor.”
“He was fired, Scarlet!”
“We don’t know for sure the reason, and there is no evidence to say that’s why.”
“We don’t know it wasn’t.”
“Then how do you explain him being here?”
“I don’t know, I—“
“Did you ever think that maybe he’s here to talk to you?”
“I don’t want to talk to him, Scarlet.” The tightening in her chest turned to raw pain. “I can’t—“
“Too bad.” Will’s voice rang through her body and she spun on her heel in surprise. “Because we’re going to talk, and you’re going to listen to me, whether you like it or not.”
“I’m not doing this.” She darted away from the bar.
His hand caught her wrist, preventing her escape. “Sara—“
“Just leave me alone!”

“No!” He moved closer, his body casting a low shadow around her. “Not until you listen.”

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Movie Review – Pride, Prejudice and Zombies

Five sisters in 19th century England must cope with the pressures to marry while protecting themselves from a growing population of zombies.

Based on the Jane Austen masterpiece as retold by Seth Grahame-Smith , Pride, Prejudice and Zombies the movie boasts to be just like the classic Jane Austen tale, Pride and Prejudice, only with some brain eating zombies thrown into the mix. I found this intriguing and was actually interested in watching the film.

While Pride, Prejudice and Zombies bombed at the box office I none-the-less rented it as soon as it was released On-Demand.

Starring the lovely Lily James, who most recently appeared in the live action
version of Cinderella, and is well known for her role as Lady Rose MacClare on BBC’s Downton Abbey. James shed her blonde tresses and glass slippers for auburn locks and a carefully hidden dagger to portray Elizabeth Bennet.

Also starring Sam Riley as Mr. Darcy, who has a listing of credits but PPZ seems to be his first leading romantic role.

First let me just correct myself. Sorry, Sam, this may have been a leading role but it was certainly not romantic.

So let’s begin. I was disappointed in Pride, Prejudice and Zombies not because it took a beautiful classic tale and threw zombies in the mix, heck no, that’s what I was excited about! But because the results were gawd awful. I could redeem Pride, Prejudice and Zombies if it swayed in either direction but it did not. It was a horrid romance and a pansy horror.

The premise has such potential. The mix of the romance and the horror should have been more enticing. Alas anything salvageable was completely lost in the poorly choreographed fight scenes and dispassionate Victorian speeches.
I was hoping for at the very least a humorous showing of entertainment but the funniest scene was Elizabeth killing Darcy’s zombie flies at the bedside of her sister, Mary.

One of the things I do not understand is why they made such drastic changes to the story. It would have been better suited to keep the main romantic story and mix in the zombies for fun and thrills.

I give the movie a single star for the attempt, but alas a failing in the end.


Look out for my review of the Supernatural Horror Novel Moving In by Ron Ripley


To escape the stress of living in the city and the anxiety of his high pressure job, Brian Roy moves his family to the country. His wife loves the easy living, but Brian hates it…especially when weird things start happening in the house. When he discovers a dead body in the woods and a burial ground in his basement, Brian could never imagine the shocking history of the house or its former occupants that comes to light. 

As his life starts to unravel, Brian isn’t so sure living in the country is going to be the oasis of peace he and his wife expected. Lately, his home has become a haunting den of hell. 





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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Book Review - Father Of Lies By S.E. England

Supernatural Horror

Blurb- Ruby is the most violently disturbed patient ever admitted to Drummersgate Asylum, high on the bleak moors of northern England. With no improvement after two years, Dr. Jack McGowan finally decides to take a risk and hypnotizes her. With terrifying consequences. 

A horrific dark force is now unleashed on the entire medical team, as each in turn attempts to unlock Ruby's shocking and sinister past. Who is this girl? And how did she manage to survive such unimaginable evil? Set in a desolate ex-mining village, where secrets are tightly kept and intruders hounded out, their questions soon lead to a haunted mill, the heart of darkness...and The Father of Lies. 

Let start with the good. Very authentic, the story was imaginative and researched. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the physical reactions and emotions of the victims of the spiritual attacks. Made me able to feel the terror of the victim. Love it.  The descriptions and overall feel of the story was spooky and engulfing.

That being said, I struggled to finish the book. There are several reason not all of which I will detail. A few weeks ago I went to see Batman versus Superman, not a great film but entertaining. While discussing the movie afterwards, my 11-year-old son and I decided the movie would have been 110% better if they would have just rearranged the flow of the story.  That is how I feel about Father of Lies.

I can be flexible with a nonlinear style of writing, that is until I start getting confused. Using flashback as a way to uncover the past, the truth, piece by piece is a tricky decision for a writer. If overused, in my opinion, it will strangle and kill the piece distracting from the central theme. Unfortunately, I think in this case the authors use of these plot vehicles were not beneficial.

I struggled in identifying the main character. I literally did not know whose story the author was telling. Once I would settle on a character, the author unfortunately would sweep the character away and then only refer to them. Telling me what happened instead of showing. This tactic rarely allowed me to connect to the characters at all.

Lastly, the overuse of exclamations and the constant recounting of events is distracting, insulting, and does not serve the story.

At 75% completion, I was frustrated and ready for the story to end. When I read the last page I was rather disappointed as nothing was resolved and there is a sequel.

In conclusion I didn’t hate the book, I just didn’t love it. Some editing and rearranging would have kept me longer and maybe even convinced me to read the sequel. (2.5 STARS out of 5)




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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Summer Television Forecast: Sunny with a Chance of…Netflix & Hulu

First, if you've been in media black-out let me get you up to speed.  Good, bad or even ugly, Netflix is hot, hot, hot and not cooling anytime soon. Sweaty summer days and sultry nights are meant for streaming.  With Daredevil Season 2 and House of Cards Season 4 already on deck, Sense8 Season 2 due any day and the premiere of Marvel’s Luke Cage just around the corner there is plenty to binge watch with the AC on full blast and that is just the beginning. Look for my official list of what you should be watching on Netflix later this week!

So many amazing shows on network TV this season you may need to catch up. Summer is your time to get in ‘the know’ before fall. Some winners this year are, The Catch, SuperGirl, Limitless, and my absolute favorite, Blindspot!

Summer Networks 2016 brings us the final seasons for Bones and Person of Interest, so don't miss out. To be honest the rest of the network offerings are reality based – I don’t do reality.

Cable, aka HBO and Showtime, summer programming has just begun with the premieres of the epic Games of Thrones and darkly thrilling Penny Dreadful already underway.  

It is slim pickens this summer my friends but here’s what looks good so far. I will put all of these to the three-episode test, so be on the lookout for my reviews!!

Preacher - After a supernatural event at his church a preacher enlists the help of a vampire to find God.



Guilt - Revolves around an American student in London whose roommate is murdered.

The Ranch - Set in the present day on a Colorado ranch, THE RANCH stars Ashton Kutcher as Colt, a failed semi-pro football player who returns home to run the family ranching business with his older brother Jameson “Rooster” (Danny Masterson) and father Beau (Sam Elliott), whom he hasn’t seen in 15 years. Debra Winger stars as Colt’s and Rooster’s mother, Maggie, who runs the local town bar.



The Path - A man who converts to a controversial following suffers from a crisis of faith.




These are the picks, peeps. We will see who comes out on top.
Have a suggestion for a show you'd like to put to the test? Drop me a line @ writesromine@gmail.com or leave a comment!

Monday, May 9, 2016

New Release - You Never Could Be Excerpt

A passion-fueled encounter in the corridor of a hotel convention room reveals two anguished hearts struggling to reconnect despite life’s difficulties. Will Carlisle, the eye candy of the office, is every woman’s dream, tall, handsome, and dashingly charming. Sara Rozek never guessed he has secretly wanted her for months now. When a bad day falls upon them and Will breaks the reins of his own restraint, she sees the burning passion in his eyes, and there is no denying the mutual attraction. Will and Sara’s start quickly runs awry, and Sara becomes convinced she was played for a fool. Will begs her to listen to him, but she turns away in fear. Can Will mend her broken heart, or will the passion they shared vanish forever?

Excerpt
She needed to cool down. The answer was a small bar a few miles from her apartment. She knew it to always be filled with locals, meaning they could relax and not worry about any peering office eyes. 

They walked inside the darkened tavern. She felt his hand on her back leading her to the corner of the bar. He called over the bartender and looked to her with a smile. “I’ll take a corona with a lime and the lady would like…” 

“The same, please.” She took the seat next to him against the wall. 

He laid some money on the bar before taking his seat. “So you needed a drink.” 
He leaned forward against the bar beside her, playfully nudging her shoulder. 

“Uh…yeah.” 

“So is it all my fault, or just the day in general?" 

“More the day than you, to be honest.” 

“So what happened wasn’t completely shocking?” 
“Oh, it was shocking.” She suppressed the uncomfortable laugh residing in the back of her throat and instead released a small giggle. “It just wasn’t unwanted.” 

“Interesting.” 

“The rest of the day pretty much sucked.” 

“No argument there.” The bartender arrived with their beers. Sara took a drink of it, allowing room for the lime she pushed within the bottleneck. She reached for the salt shaking it onto the mouth of her bottle. “What are you doing?” 

The beer began to react to the salt, and she took a quick sip before it overflowed. “What? You’ve never put salt in your beer?” 

“I can’t say that I have.” He smiled at her—he had the nicest smile—as she took another sip from her beer. Conscious to keep the air of confidence she had created around herself, she refused to break his gaze. 

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” 

“May I?” 

“Go for it.” Will twisted his body to face her, picked up her beer, and took a sip. She smiled in expectation of his reaction. He remained stoic, placing the beer back on the bar, and a giggle escaped from her chest. “So?” 

“Not bad.” 

“I told you.” 

“That you did.” 

“See, you should listen to me more often.” 

“I am now convinced.” 

“It’s about time.” She rose from her seat. “I’ll be back.” 

Sara walked through the bar past the set of pool tables and small dance floor. She pushed her way into the ladies' room. She drained her bladder, washed her hands, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. 

Why was it so shocking that he kissed her? Attracted to her? She wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous, but she wasn’t a leper. In fact, she looked damn good for thirty-four. She managed to keep her slim tight figure. It curved in the right places, and she had no complaints. She had no problems rocking a tight dress, or mini skirt. Her brown eyes were a little boring, but her defined features and glossy thick chestnut hair more than made up for it. She always got complimented on her hair. People said it shined like polished glass beneath the lowest of lights. 
The heat of his demanding kiss flashed in her mind. A blush rose in her cheeks, and she took a breath. The reaction was spawned not only from the event, but the guilt that came with it. 

What did she have to feel guilty about? They were both single, so it wasn’t like they were offending anyone. They worked together, but due to recent events, he was no longer her boss. Was that what prompted him to act so quickly in the parking lot? 

She was puzzled. A quick once-over and she stepped out of the bathroom to return to the bar. A warm hand caught her wrist. She turned, and he flashed that infamous grin. She couldn’t help but smile back, and he pulled her along to the dance floor. A few couples were scattered around them. Once she was within reach, he placed her hand on his shoulder, the other against his chest. His hands gently grasped her waist, and they began to sway to the music. Her skin tingled with his proximity. His hands kneaded the muscles of her back, and she tilted her head looking up at him. 

“I didn’t know you danced.” 

“What can I say, I’m full of surprises.” 

“Why today?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“What happened? Why are you dancing with me instead of on an airplane?” 
She laid the question out without accusation, just curiosity, and she watched him process it. She wondered what his reaction would be and patiently waited for his response. 

“If given the choice between a stuffy airplane, and dancing with you, the choice is obvious.” 

“You’re avoiding the question.” 

“Am I?” 

“Yes, and I’m wondering why.” 

“Maybe because the reason doesn’t matter.” 

“Then there should be no problem in answering the question.” 

“You would think that, wouldn’t you?” His hands moved up her back, and she continued to challenge him with her eyes. 

“I’m not a fling, Will.” His hand slid up and into her hair. A chill raced her spine, and his eyes searched her face. 

“You never could be, Sara.”  

The statement stopped her breath and her eyes began to lower. She felt his warmth against her cheek just before his lips brushed hers. The act was timid and a wordless request for permission. Her eyes closed, and instinctively drawn to his mouth, she raised her chin to meet the call of his embrace. His lips were warm and soft, coaxing in their ability to ignite her body. They continued to sway to the sultry sounds around them, his strong arms holding her tightly against him.

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Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Game of Silence – Dark and Hopeless

A rising attorney finds his perfectly crafted life threatened when his long-lost childhood friends threaten to expose a dark secret from their past.

Game of Silence is a NBC mid-season release in the  Law and Order SVU time slot. This new dramatic suspense series comes from Writer / Producer David Hudgins. This is his second series, he is also known for Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. This is his first try at dramatic suspense.

Game of Silence stars, David Lyons as Jackson, a successful Houston Criminal Lawyer. Lyons, well known as Vincent Faraday aka The Cape from The Cape. Most recent from NBC’s Revolution, as the angst ridden Sebastian 'Bass' Monroe.

Also starring, Michael Raymond-James, as Gil, a temper driven construction worker, is recently known for his portrayal on Once Upon a Time as Neil Cassidy aka Rumplestiskin’s son Belfire. Also as the original Big Bad on True Blood, Rene Lenier

Larenz Tate, plays Shawn, best friend of Gil and a seemingly well-adjusted man with some commitment issues. Tate is known for his role as Malcolm Kaan on HBO’s House of Lies.

Last night I took the time to put Game of Silence to the three-episode test


**Spoiler Alert**

Jackson is a big time criminal lawyer in Houston, TX. Engaged to a beautiful lawyer, who happens to be his boss, and is up for partner at the law firm where they both work.  He’s worked hard to build his life. Jackson is focused on the future, not the past.

The past, however, always come back to haunt you. Specifically, Jackson’s past and one particular summer where he and his friends got themselves into some trouble. This trouble sent the four boys to a juvenile correctional facility call Quitman.

Now we meet Jackson’s childhood friends, present day. Then there is Boots, who is a blue collar worker, married with a baby on the way. Gil and Shawn, best friends and owners of a construction business that maybe a little shady. Shawn is well-adjusted with serious commitment issues while Gil is a hot-head with a very short fuse.

In the pilot, the story begins with Boots kissing his pregnant wife’s belly before leaving for work and bidding her good-bye until that evening. He is a mover and has a job in Houston for the day. When Boots arrives at the site, a man is standing outside smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. Boots apparently recognizes him from flashbacks Quitman and snaps. Grabbing a golf club he beats the man to a pulp and is arrested.

Gil and Shawn arrive on Jackson’s law firm, pleading Boots case and asking for assistance. It is obvious none of them have seen each other in a while Jackson is hesitant, Gil convinces him by telling him the man Boots beat was Daryl, torturer from Quitman.

There the story rolls along pretty seamlessly. The men start to dig up old memories and experiences from Quitman. Jackson tries to play it off as the past, while Gil and Shawn are still both very raw. They want revenge for Quitman and Jackson wants no part of their plans.

Everything changes when Boots dies from being stabbed in prison, and Jackson discovers the warden who ran Quitman when they were young is running for Congress.

Jackson decides that yes, they should get justice the right way. They collect evidence, build a case and bring them offenders to justice. This plan quickly goes awry when Gil goes off the rails. It goes from bad to worse when Gil kills an ex-guard just after the group gets him to confess on video.
We also have the Warden/Congressman’s men thinking there is a group forging an attack against them.

As a reviewer, Games of Silence has all the elements of a hit. The formula is there. the show is well written, well cast and has several very lean subplots to keep things interesting.

As a viewer, I found Game of Silence to be very dark and heavy due to the content, and numerous violent flashbacks. As this can be a good thing in a television show, if there is nothing to offset the darkness it does become too much to handle. There is no lightness to the show, no hope. The characters, while well written and very complex, are not very likable. I want to root for them to succeed, however I don’t like any of them enough to care either way.
If Game of Silence were a two-hour movie I would say bravo, great, a riveting and thoughtful piece. But, it’s not a movie it is a serial drama, and I don’t believe anyone will be able to stomach the raw emotional turmoil the show projects for very long.

Nice try, NBC, but I can’t do it, sorry.

Disagree? Please let me know your thoughts on Game of Silence or any of my other posts. Love to hear from you!!



Sunday, May 1, 2016

Book Trailer - You Never Could Be