From Lori’s site:
It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.
We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
So that is what this meme is all about, getting to know each other.
1. Do you wear perfume, body spray, etc. If yes what are you favorite scents/brands?

     Tresor
2. How many pillows are on your bed?
     2
3. If you could be any character in a fairy tail, who would you be?
     A princess with ladies in waiting lol    

TOYS by James Patterson & Neil McMahon

ISBN 978-0-316-09736-9
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from publisher): James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do–they’re Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!
  The one with the most toys–dies
  The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.
  Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible–fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives–maybe even his own. James Patterson’s Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane–with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book had all the typical Patterson traits, short chapters, fast read, etc. However this takes place in the year 2061 whereas there is a war between the “elite” and the “humans”. I felt it was more of a science fiction novel as compared to his usual mystery suspense that I enjoy reading. And to be quite honest during descriptions of certain scenes, even those that were action packed, my mind would visualize “The Jetsons”. I have been struggling with the rating for this novel, but truthfully have to say it was jusk an OK for me, but then, that’s only my opinion.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

*Cleans and protects monitors, electronics, eyeware and more!
*No Alcohol or Ammonia
*Added scratch resistance with SR-8

*Brilliant Screen Cleaning WipesTM with SR-8TM provides gentle superior cleaning while imparting an invisible durable barrier that resists scratches, soiling and water spots.
*Treat Your Lenses with the protection of SR-8

*SR-8 is a Polimer Additive that reduces surface tension making cleaning easier each time it is used.
*SR-8 Coats the lens leaving a protective barrier
*SR-8 Improves scratch resistance
*SR-8 Will not dry out protective coatings
Check out this and other products by this company, I highly recommend.  Matter of fact, I reviewed eye glass cleaner in the past, and just purchased more.  You can visit them at any of the following sites:
http://www.sr-8.com/BrilliantWipes/index.htm
http://twitter.com/#!/BDcleaners
http://www.facebook.com/BlackDiamondCleaners
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.



Ricki said… 9 I do not believe in eternal life (at least not on Earth).

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen.

I am sure you feel the same way that I do, and that being, that it is such an honor when an author reaches out and asks if you would consider reading and reviewing their novel. I take it as a mutual respect between author and reader.  And I have that pleasure with today’s guest.  After reading the synopsis he provided, which I must admit has a definite controversial subject matter, he has also incorporated other elements into the plot.  Even though we have our own beliefs, do we really know what we would actually do if faced with the situation and/or decision, so I accepted to read and review his book.  And today you will not only have the chance to meet this debut author and hear a bit about his novel but also have a chance to win a signed copy.  So please help me welcome Mr. Charles Soto.

     I wanted to write about a topic where Passion overrides opinion and opinion evokes passion. A story that places the readers inside the characters lives for themselves. I want the reader to feel and come to understand what struggles and endurance the characters are going through and what they would do under the same circumstances. The thought of portraying a corrupt clergyman as the villain in my story, reflects to the power that a man of the cloth truly has over his parishioners, the lengths that some may follow him to and questions of morality that arise.
     Heartache & Sin, above all else, is a love story between a husband and wife. The struggles they endure when they come to the painful crossroad of debating to abort or deliver their child of miracles. I used North Dakota as the background for my story, living in Minnesota for over fifteen years I got to know my neighboring state well, and I felt for my story to work I needed an area such as this. A place where family, friends and church remain a priority in peoples lives. Where the closeness of growing up in the country on a farm reflects in the lives that people lead, and in doing so, create a story that the reader can feel and come understand. A story that creates compassion and resolve yet produces the raw, uncensored emotion that such a topic brings out.
     Now, although I currently live in Minnesota, It’s a long way from my birth place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though I grew up and went to school in northern California , Vegas always seemed to call me back. After I graduated high school I moved back and lived there for years until I met my wife, Patty. She’s from Minnesota and after visiting her home town a couple of times I fell in love with the area. After the birth of our second daughter we decided to move there and have lived here ever since. I’ve been lucky enough to share my life with her for over twenty two years and there’s no one I’m closer to. I love that she rides her own bike and if we aren’t out riding our Harley’s in the summertime or on our jet ski, then we’re enjoying rock concerts or traveling.
     I do try to put some time away for my artwork as well as my writing. When I grew up in California I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a lot of talented people and was taught the art of ceramics under the direction of my mentor, Bernard Seagul. Just like my discovery of words, which I must say was greatly influenced by Neal Peart of the famous rock band, Rush, I was hooked just as much from the moment I started working with clay and I’ve been creating ceramic sculptures ever since.
     After years of struggling and trying to make it with my art and writing, I finally landed an agent to represent me, but after a year of no sales I decided to pursue my efforts else where. I was listening to the Lex and Terry morning show, like it seems I always am, when they where looking to hire one of their listeners to work on their show. I remember Lex saying when he first got into radio he didn’t know anybody or have experience, but he just knew he wanted to be around it; it was what he wanted to do, so he took a meaningless job and eventually worked his way up. I thought, that’s exactly how I feel, so I leaped in with both feet and finally have my first novel published and a second one ready to go.
     I wrote Heartache & Sin, 2005 while I was recovering from a devastating accident when I fell 30 feet at work. Can you believe it! I fell 30 feet, landed on concrete and I’m still alive! What surprises me the most is how well I recovered, returning back to nearly the form I was in before my accident. I truly believe there is a higher power, and for some reason God spared me on that day. That reason being of course, pursuing my dreams of becoming an author and accomplished sculpture and I’ve been doing it ever since. So I hope you enjoy Heartache & Sin. Please leave me a blogg message and tell me what you think of my book, Video Book Trailer, my website or anything else you would like to discuss. Feel free to look me up on face book and twitter, or simply leave a message on my contact page. I promise I’ll get back to you.
Visit his website:  http://www.authorcharlessoto.com/index.html

     Hard-driving and provocative, this unconventional love story will have audiences talking for weeks after reading. Charles Soto touches the heart of humanity with this epic tale, tackling the hardships of abortion. Dissecting the tenderest parts of a mother’s being, while destroying a father’s conscience.
     Heartache and Sin tackles the very heart and soul of each and every one of us. A must-read page turner that will have readers on the edge of their seat until the final page is turned. A compelling, endearing love story for both women and men, gripping the very foundation of marriage, courage and strength, with hard-driving emotion as its ploy. This debut will have audiences talking for weeks as love, hate, murder and church collide when a couple finds themselves a painful crossroad, debating to abort or deliver their child of miracles in this wicked tale of how a man of the cloth, who’s power and control is willing to risk the life of a pregnant parishioner.
     Steven and Karen Wheaton seem to have it all. A smart, devoted and incredibly loving couple, their only hard grief is that in direct response to Karen’s severe, debilitating diabetes the two are unable to bare children. While Steven shows compassionate resolve, understanding and acceptance, Karen grieves and comes to grips with this fact by joining a church whose clergyman is a staunch, fierce opponent to abortion. In fact, Pastor Ryan McDonald is a man of many atrocities and is willing to do anything, even commit kidnapping and murder, to uphold the tenets of his vicious canons. Though, when Karen and Steven learn she’s pregnant and becomes deathly ill, they struggle with the tragic dilemma of having to choose between life and death for their unborn child. The unmerciful fate that Karen and Steven endure, at the hands of the pastor, boils to an explosive conclusion. Ultimately tragic, this debut is a fascinating social commentary on this complex issue that has no easy answers and an illustration of what evil a man of the cloth will provide a faithful parishioner. Can Steven save his wife and his baby’s life? If he can’t, which will he choose?
Watch for my review in the coming weeks!!!



  While Steven struggles to save his wife and his marriage, He must also match wits with their pastor, Ryan McDonald in a trail to save Karen’s life or solidify her death. With a plot twist around every corner, readers will open one door only to find another in this rich plot of drama and suspense, Can Steven save his wife and his baby’s life? If he can’t which will he choose?

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