Ohhhhh…so many books!!!  Are you like me, that at times you wish you could read 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because of all the novels you want to read?  Our friend Lisa, from Sparkpoint Studio, is stopping by today and next Wednesday to introduce us to 2 authors and 2 more books to add to our lists.  Today she is here with author Maria Geraci.  So I ask, that you help me welcome them to the CMash blog.

MARIA GERACI

Maria Geraci was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised on Florida’s Space Coast. Her love of books started with the classic, Little Women (a book she read so often growing up, she could probably quote). She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You,  is released today, August 7th, 2012 by Berkley, Penguin USA.
You can visit Maria at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

GUEST POST

Inspiration from the Unexpected
Like most writers, I’m always asked where I find the inspiration for my novels. I’d be answering honestly if I said that my ideas come from just about everywhere. But I’d be a little more than chagrined to admit that the idea for my latest novel, A Girl Like You, came from the Real Housewives show.

Now, I don’t watch the Real Housewives of Anywhere. Not that there is anything wrong with the show. I’m a total reality show junkie. Survivor, The Bachelor, So You Think You Can Dance. Bring ‘em on! But the Real Housewives isn’t a show I’m addicted to. Lucky for me, however, that while switching channels one afternoon, I came across an episode. Two of the housewives were talking and one mentioned that she had just dropped her daughter off at college, then went on to commiserate that all the girls at her daughter’s sorority were beautiful and how was her daughter to “shine” if there wasn’t an ugly girlfriend around? Talk about an epiphany! I immediately began to “see” my novel and my central story question was born: What if you found out you were the ugly girlfriend?

In case you’ve never heard of the expression before, let me give you the definition I found in the Urban Dictionary. Ugly Friend: A friend a person brings with him/her to a gathering /event in order to make him/herself appear more attractive in comparison.

When my main character, Emma, overhears herself referred to as the ugly friend, she’s devastated. But it begins a chain of events in her life that lead her to discovering more about her friends and ultimately, about herself, changing her life forever. Sometimes the unexpected turns out so much better than we first imagined.

Thanks, CMash, for inviting me to guest blog today!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Emma Frazier is smart, hardworking, and loves her job as a journalist for a Florida lifestyle magazine. Emma knows she’s no great beauty, but she’s pretty certain she has a shot with her handsome new boss, Ben Gallagher—until Emma overhears a mutual acquaintance refer to her as the “ugly friend.” In an effort to reclaim her battered self-esteem, Emma decides to impress Ben at work by promising an exclusive interview with NASCAR legend, Trip Monroe.

Emma and Trip went to high school together and although it’s been fourteen years since they’ve spoken, Emma is certain she can score an interview with the elusive super star. But connecting with Trip turns out to be harder than Emma imagined. Her quest for the interview leads her back to her tiny hometown of Catfish Cove, where old secrets and a new romantic interest shake up Emma’s views on life and teach her that maybe the key to finding true love is as simple as accepting yourself for the person you were always meant to be.
Purchase links:    Amazon    IndieBound

THANKS TO LISA, FROM SPARKPOINT STUDIO, I HAVE ONE (1)
COPY OF THE BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.

DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affliate.
I am providing link(s) solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

*USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW
IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY*
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL

ADDRESS IN THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: FROM READING THE SYNOPSIS,
DO YOU THINK EMMA’S NEW LOVE INTEREST IS TRIP?*

*U.S.  RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*

**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question:
What attracts you to a book blog? What puts you off in a book blog? Do you share personal stuff on your book blog?
My answer:
For me, first and foremost, is if the blog has similar reading likes of genres that I enjoy and content.  At least once a week, I search the internet and visit many blogs, looking for hosts to invite to Partners In Crime Tours.  I am amazed at the number of book blogs that there are now, as compared to when I first started in this community.  Thousands.  A large majority being YA/MG.  The next is if the blog has a pleasant look and easy to navigate.  To me, that says that they put in a little extra for their readers since we are the ones who see the main page.   Things I don’t like are, and there seems to be less of it now than before, and that is music on the site, difficulty navigating, and word verification.  However, and it happened to me on blogspot, I understand why since there are those people/bots that fall under the category of spammers and one has to protect their site.

I do share some personal events in my life and also enjoy seeing the same on blogs that I visit.  I believe it gives one a little window into the blogger behind the screen.

August is being hosted by 5 Minutes for Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Click on text for more information/synopsis.

Monday:    The Last Innocent Hour by Barbara Taylor Sissel (gifted from Author)
Monday:    A Slice Of Death by Bill Walker (from author)
Tuesday:   Cabernet Sauvignon for Beginners by Sara Fasolino (WOW-Author)
Thursday: The Outlaw Among Us by Nathan Dodge (Simon & Schuster)

Hosted by Acting Balanced

I saw this meme on Vicki’s blog, I’d Rather Be Reading At The Beach, last week and thought it might be fun to participate.  So here goes….and btw…if you want to join me, just click on the link above to play along.

Rules:
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!

1. Finish this sentence – The thing I dislike most about shopping is….
is at the check out and seeing how much I spent lol.
2. What is your favorite flavor of jello?
Strawberry Banana
3. If you could trade places with anyone in the world for one day who would you be and why?
Oprah Winfrey.   She appears to be such a down to earth person with an unending amount of energy in everything she does.  Would love to see and participate in a day in her life.
4. Who changes the lightbulbs at your house?
Both my husband and myself.
Bonus question:
5.  What time do you start your day?
Usually 6am

….of The Violinist’s Thumb by Sam Kean

29 Stefanie McMullen Tweet About the Giveaway

14 Lilian Cheng Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’

129 Gary Costanzo Leave a Blog Post Comment

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all those that entered.

……..of Serenya’s Song by Mysti Parker

35 Sandy Vandenberg Leave a Blog Post Comment

10 Stefanie McMullen Tweet About the Giveaway

2 Erica Haspiel Szlosek Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’

14 Susan Varney Tweet About the Giveaway

29 Trisha Ridinger McKee Tweet About the Giveaway

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with the version they need or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered.

Please, grab a coffee and have a seat, get comfortable because I have a real treat  for you today.  I haven’t felt this passionate about a book in a while!!

When I first started in this wonderful community, I was contacted by Mr. Lou Aronica, publisher of The Story Plant, to read and review a book by one of his authors, Michael Baron.  Since that day, I have become a fan of Mr. Baron’s and many other authors from The Story Plant.  Not too long ago, Mr. Aronica started a program called “Spread The Word Initiative” via NetGalley and I was invited to become a reviewer, which I accepted.  So when I got the email detailing last month’s novel being showcased for “Spread The Word Initiative” and saw that today’s guest was compared to Michael Baron, I HAD to sign on.

After I finished reading this author’s book on Monday, I just HAD to invite him to visit, which I am so lucky that he accepted because this is definitely an author to put on your radar!!  So without further ado, Please help me give a warm welcome to Mr. Steven Manchester!!

STEVEN MANCHESTER

After returning home from a difficult tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, I stepped back behind the walls of a Massachusetts penitentiary where I battled each day as a prison investigator. Needless to say, there was great negativity in my life at that time, and very little opportunity to heal from my wartime demons (or pursue my dreams of being published). I finally decided to return to college to finish my degree in Criminal Justice. During one of the classes, my professor, Barry McKee, detailed police work, but barely touched on other topics. I finally raised his hand and asked, “As the criminal justice system is so vast, what about the courts, probation, parole – corrections?” Barry smiled and told me to see him after class. I thought I’d done it! In his office, Barry explained, “Except from the slanted perspectives of inmates, there’s no real written material out there on corrections, or prisons.” Barry smiled again and then dropped the bomb that would change my life forever. “If you’re so smart,” he said, “why don’t you write it?” It was the last push I needed to get writing. Nine months later, I placed the first draft of 6-5; A Different Shade of Blue (under the pen name, Steven Herberts) on Barry’s desk. From then on, I was hooked. I was a writer.

Under the pen name, Steven Herberts, I wrote in newspapers, magazines, and even penned two collections of poetry. Once I’d found my true voice, I began, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy; an emotional account of the Gulf War that would heal my soul, and the souls of other suffering veterans.

Today, 20 years later, I have been blessed with a beautiful family; my wife, Paula, and our four children–Evan, Jacob, Bella and Carissa. From a professional perspective, I’ve written 16 books (with 12 in publication), and have contributed to more than three dozen international anthologies. My work has been showcased in such national literary journals as Taproot Literary Review, American Poetry Review and Fresh! Literary Magazine, as well as various magazines to include Angels on Earth, Obadiah, Titan, G.F.O. (U.K.), Skyline Literary, Alive Now, Dark Animus (Australia) and Spinnings Short Stories. Hundreds of my essays, poetry and short fiction have been contributed to Internet publications such as Zine5, New Mystery Reader, Wilmington Blues, Heartwarmers, The Murder Hole, Father’s World, and dozens of others.

My work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning, BET’s Nightly News, Good Day Atlanta; in the New York Daily News, Newark Star Ledger, Boston Globe, Detroit Free Press, Providence Journal, Dallas Morning News, Orlando Sentinel, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, The Daily Oklahoman; and on 50+ nationally-syndicated radio shows from coast-to-coast.

As a public speaker, I’ve presented before thousands. From Congressmen to schoolchildren, my lectures cover the realities of the Gulf War, adult incarceration, and the motivation needed to write and become published. I currently teach the workshops, Publish: See Your Work In Print, and Writing Fiction That Sells.

When not spending time with my kids and wife, I’m either writing, teaching, or promoting my published books/films.
Visit Steven Manchester at his website here and on Facebook.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.

A glorious celebration of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds that we all share, Twelve Months is a stirring testament to the power of the human spirit.
Read my review here.

It is such a compelling read that I HAD to share it with all of you. This novel will leave an indelible mark on your heart, soul and mind. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Purchase links:   Amazon   B&N    IndieBound

Twelve Months by Steven Manchester
Published by: The Story Plant
Publication Date: August 14, 2012
ISBN-10: 161188053X
ISBN-13: 978-1611880533
Pages: 326
Review Copy from: The Story Plant(Spread The Word Initiative) NetGalley
Edition: Kindle
My Rating: 5

Synopsis from Amazon:
Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.

A glorious celebration of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds that we all share, TWELVE MONTHS is a stirring testament to the power of the human spirit.

My Thoughts and Opinion:
WOW!!!! Warning: this review will be different and lengthy than most of my reviews, because there is just so much to say about this novel.

 Hosted by An Island Life

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

As some of you know, my son recently got engaged and he proposed with a Princess cut diamond ring.
So my question today is:
What is your favorite diamond shape?
My Answer:
I like a round  diamond.