Tantalizing Tuesday Review: Denise Townsend's Premier "Ocean's Touch"

Tantalizing Tuesday

Well, Obviously Saucy Saturdays was a wash...

However, here is Tantalizing Tuesday but I don’t know if this is going to be a weekly thing because life just gets in the way sometimes, sorry. I am going to try my best but I am not going to commit to something that I am not sure I can keep.... I have learned the hard way. 

So for the New Year I am determined to write as much as I can. Hopefully it works...

I guess I just need that bit of inspiration sometimes or just something really good to write about, what ever it is, I will be trying much on for size this year, because as I said before...

It’s gonna be a good on, I can feel it in mah bones suckas!

Without further ado this Tantalizing Tuesday's review of:

Ocean’s Touch

By: Denise Townsend
Pgs: 142
Genre: Fiction/ Erotica (E-book)
Publish Date & Company: December 2011 / Samhain Publishing
Publishers website: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/oceans-touch-p-6602.html
Author Website: http://denisetownsend.com/

WOAH...HOLY WOAH... HOLY Shmagegies.... Those where the first things that popped into my head right after I finished Ocean’s Touch by Denise Townsend. However, do not get me wrong it was all in a GOOD way! I promise! So please continue reading, don’t just stop here, I promise you won’t regret it.

 So, I find out this book is coming out and I’m interested because, well, Denise Townsend has some reputable references, whom I trust so I get to the link and...

 First of all let’s start with the description:
“A lonely widow and a handsome artist have a chance for happiness...with the help of a sexy selkie, that is.”

 So I continued reading and then Oh, wait. There is a product warning... What BOOK has a product warning..?
 “This book features a lonely widow, a hot artist waiting in the wings, and the sexy selkie who brings them together...in every possible way.”

So, now I am really really interested. December 27^th rolls around and of course 12:01 am I am downloading the book and I immediately start.

Well, Lets just say the warning doesn’t even begin to cover it!!!!!

It’s about a widow, who is consumed by all else except herself, well here he come to save the day! Enter Mr. Sexy A$$ Selkie to help her break the shell and come out from living underneath a rock.  And I don’t want to say too much but have a nice tall glass of water ready while you are reading this book because it is seriously, seriously HOT and so funny!

This book was AWESOMERIFIC!!!!! Such a page-turner! Very EXCITING and after your done, you WILL need a shower. I promise. LMAO!


And go check out Nicole Peeler's exclusive interview with  Denise Townsend here!


GO read it! NOW!

Then if you can, go get some tall person and breed! LMAO!  Because “The world needs more tall people breeding” (Dorchester, B. December, 2011) Right Denise!?

And don’t forget to stop by and let me know what you think! ?
Let’s discuss!

Until Next Time,
Happy Reading to All!!!
The Night Reader
; p

Are You A General or Are You a Common Laborer?

   "Mark Twain once described a man who died and met Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. Knowing that Saint Peter was very wise, the man asked a question that he had wondered about throughout his life.

      He said, ‘Saint Peter, I have been interested in military history for many years. Who was the greatest general of all time.' Saint peter quickly responded, 'oh that's a simple questions. It's that man right over there.' 

     'You must be mistaken,' responded the man, now very perplexed. 'I knew that man on earth, and he was just a common laborer.' 

     'That’s right my friend,' assured Saint Peter. He would have been the greatest general of all time, if he had been a general.' 

Far too many people spend a lifetime headed in the wrong direction. They go not only from the cradle to the cubicle, but then to the casket, without uncovering their greatest talents and potential." (Tom Rath, Strengths Finder 2.0)

    

So, this year my boss gave our HR team “Strengths Finder 2.0” by: Tom Rath. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s basically a self-help book, which enable you to take a quiz and provides you with your top 5 strengths and all that self-help stuff that come with the territory. 

      Well, it’s not that I didn’t like the book or didn’t find it helpful but self helps books are what you make of them and I did find some of my results quite interesting, however what grasped my attention and stood with me more than anything else was the excerpt I quoted above.  

When I read this it stuck me like a 20-ton brick. It made me re-think a lot and helped me make a lot of decisions and I am sure that there are many more to come!

             2011 was a great year and absolutely insane at the same time.There was a promotion, graduation, a dog, more traveling than usual, new discoveries, of course some trial and tribulations with a splash of growth, when all is said and done what a year.

         I feel 2011 brought some great new beginnings and 2012 is only going to take them to the next level. There is much more to come.  I feel new adventures sneaking around the corner, big decisions and advancement all around! With that being said take in my hit you like a ton of bricks excerpt from Tom Rath’s Strengths Finder 2.0... 

2012 is going to be a big year, 

  I can feel it in my veins suckas!!!! 

Take this year by the horns and run with it like it’s a million dollars. 

Explore. Learn. Expand. Uncover your potential and your greatest talents.

What direction are you headed towards? What’s your potential? What’s your outcome? Are you a general or are you just a common laborer?  Just some food for thought as we all begin a New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Bring it 2012 I’m ready.

Sitting at the airport… The Adventures of Big Balls Peanut Butter and Jelly, my degree, and my dog!!!!

There I was in Raleigh, NC waiting for my 5:50 pm flight to Charlotte… where I had to wait again for my connection to NJ…

I don’t get it, why do I have to stop in the same state? How annoying is that? A trip that would normally be no more than 2-3 hours, if that, turns into an 8(Counting from time I arrive at the Raleigh airport to my home) hour VOUAGE!!! Arggggg!!!

So there I was, I figure “I am going to be waiting for a while so why not start working on a blog post!?” Yay!

Some time ago I was at work eating lunch and thought of how boring my lunch was and decided to spice things up but before I could even begin my lunch decided to take a stand and have a word with me…

        We exchanged some words and it tried to stand its ground, but it didn’t look very promising…

Then I won and my lunch learned its lesson…

But any who as I announced I finally graduated and this week I received my degree and was absolutely stoked as well as overly emotional.

This is a big step for me and is only a promise to myself of how much I really can get accomplished.

YAY!!

In addition to my degree and my crazy kick ass peanut butter and jelly lunch shortly after my return from Raleigh, NC David and I got a DOG!

We didn’t plan it …entirely. Since David has the worst allergies in the world (seriously, we recently went to the allergist and his tests resulted positive for almost everything) we had been looking at what kind of breeds we could get that would be ok with him. We came up with Chinese crested as #1 and possibly a poodle or a yorkie.  Well, one day we decided to go to the pet shop just to see what kind of dogs they had and prices, we didn’t plan on purchasing anything. In fact on our way to the store we said that if anyone asks how they can help us we could just say that we are looking for a Chinese crested, the chances of them having one are so we should be ok. Well we get there are of course didn’t see any Chinese crested’s. We are looking at other puppies and the woman comes over to offer her services and the conversation went a lil like this:

David: “Oh, no we are just looking, and it doesn’t look like you have the kind of dog we are looking for.”

Saleswoman: “oh well, we get new pup’s in all the time, what kind of dog are you looking for?”

David: “Well I have really bad allergies and we are looking for a Chinese crested, they are really rare.”

Saleswoman: “OH MY GOD! We have one in the back! He has been here about 4 weeks and no one wants him, they think he is ugly, let me get him hold on!”

(Saleswoman goes to get the puppy)

Mickey:  ::Groan:: oh no…

She brought the puppy out and he was so cute! We got a great deal and I am absolutely smitten with my puppy!

Introducing

Martini Acevedo

He loves warm corners

And sleeps long hours

And thinks he can get away with a lot….

Well, that’s all for now folks! Stay tuned, new review coming soon!
Until Next Time,
Happy Reading to All!!!
The Night Reader ;)

Saucy Saturday: Don’t call this a comeback! I’ve been here for years reading books and shaking my rear!

I know it has been a really, really long time and I want to say my bad people, my bad! But after the New Year started, things got kinda crazy between a new promotion and trying to finish school and frankly, focusing was the name of the game! (BTW’s Happy New Year all!  Hey, better late than never!!! )

But HEY! Guess what I did at the end of July!!???!!!??!?!?!?

I finished school!!! YAYAYAYAY!!!!

I did! I did! I di-id! As of the end of July (even though my official graduation date is 7/5/11) I am officially a college graduate!

WOOP WOOP!!!

I actually graduated earlier than planned and with more credits than required! I was supposed to be done in September and graduation would take place in October but I decided to take the Berlitz Spanish test in order to finish with some credits and finish as quickly as possible. I took the test, got 9 out of 10 and was granted a total of 15 credits when all I needed was 2 because I was going to take a last class and then the 2 would have been all that was left. Now that I ended up with more credits than needed I’m kinda kicking myself in the ass because I could have taken the test way earlier and I would have saved a lot more time and a lot more $$$!!! But oh well, you live and learn.

My last class was suppose to be a creative writing class which I was Super UBBER excited to take but I ended up not needing it and I was withdrawn : (

But it’s ok; I am really trying to plan for an entire creative writing MFA program. Until then I will keep learning and creating on my own. (If anyone has any good MFA program suggestions, do tell, please!!?!?!? I have been doing crazy amounts of research and have some in mind but would love any input and suggestions possible!!!)

As you can tell from the looks of things my blog has deff been under construction, and gosh dern it things will look awesome by the time I am done!

I am determined!

So now that school is done for a while, I am really trying to get back to blogging, and in order to get back into the swing of posting regularly  I will be starting off with what I would like to call “Saucy Saturday’s”!! In which every Saturday I will post something new, may it be a review, perhaps a hot-steamy-saucy induced adoration post or maybe a simple posting, but stay tuned to find out what it is each week!

So far this year I have gotten loads of awesome reads under my belt! I have so many reviews to do it is ridiculous and I can't wait to get started.

So, without further ado for our first Saucy Saturday my very short review of:

Dracula in Love

By: Karren Essex
Pgs: 384
Genre: Fiction
Publish Date: August 2010
Author Website: http://www.karenessex.com/draculasynop.html

Karren Essex tells the story of Dracula from Mina’s point of view

with some twists and turns that would many readers.
“Dracula in Love” is well written and successful in adding the depth of a personal touch to it. The reader can easily relate to Mina’s feelings and fall in love along with her.

However, it was anticlimactic for me, misleading, in some areas a disappointment. I got all wound up and excited while reading preparing myself for the big sex scene or the moment in which I feel elated that Dracula and Mina are together and I feel like the scenes where I guess that was supposed to happen just did not suffice… I felt like I was revving the engine but it never got the car started. The story was lacking that special …mph… for lack of better ways to describe it. Would I read it again, unfortunately I would not. I don’t really want to get into the story for those of you who are going to read it; in addition, you know what Mama say’s “if you’ve got nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all”.

For those out there who have read it what do you think? Good, bad, great story line?

Let’s Discuss!

Until Next Time,

Happy Reading to All!!!

The Night Reader ;)

Better late than never!

                                 First off I want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays!

Second, I want to apologize for not writing in sooo long. Things have been pretty wacky lately, ever since my step-daughter's birthday bash (which was a blast! We had so much fun at the skating rink!) I have had something to do every weekend. Then of course the holiday's crept up on me like I was the hot dumb chick in a scary movie about to get sacked by the funny-looking-tormented-as-a-child murder!  

                  Any who, next I want to get into 1 of the 2 blog post's I promised.

 Meeting Nicole Peeler! OK, OK. I know, I know...  It's really really late... but as the very cliche saying goes- It's better late than never! So, as readers may know November 6  was the Nicole Peeler book signing, 2 hours away in Lancaster, PA. I was so excited as it was the first time I had ever gone to something like this. There have been a few that I wanted to go to, however, unfortunately I was unable to because they were during work/school hours or they were absolutely way too far and inaccessible to me. So, after reading the beginning to her series I started to look around her website and noticed that she would be in Lancaster, PA and got really excited. I wanted to learn about how she got to where she is and how in the world did she come up with Jane True. In addition, from what I read about her and from her I thought she was a creative genius. So, I asked my 15 year old niece, who pretty much goes everywhere with me, to tag along. I had already been telling her about the books so she was more than willing and excited to come. My sister had mentioned that she was interested in attending, although, she opted out last minute. Which I was not mad at!

Hmmm... Does that make me sound like a nasty little sister? I guess it would... Well, you have to know my sister to understand me and where I am coming from. I love her dearly! I do REALLY !!! But there are times where I sure want to kick her A$$!

Our trip was long but sure was fun! It was like a girls only mini road trip! I have got to say, NJ has really spoiled me as I was appalled at the fact that I had to pump my own gas in PA!!!

Having to pump my own gas aside I had a blast and think I might just have to do it again on Jan 29, 2011. Which is when Nicole Peeler will be at the same Borders in Lancaster, PA, which is shortly after the release of her third book! Tempest Legacy!! I can't wait to get this on my nook!!!!

                                          Here are some pics we took on the way!

                         We could not believe the exits went so high, 333, and that was not the highest
                            we started at. I think we started at about 346 and our exit was 286!!!

We don't look related at all! Jeeze!! 

Could you tell we are city girls!?!?! Cows never cease to amaze us even though we now live minutes from a bunch of farms!!! LOL!! 

 Moving right along, this was this first time I had a attended something like this and was so UBBER excited! I arrived a lil past 2pm and left a lil past 5pm. Nicole Peeler was gracious enough to bless us with a reading from book 2 "Tracking the Tempest"!!

She also shared with us her inspirations, likes, methods, and let us know a lil more about her characters and the wonderful world she has created! She was so natural and REAL! It really was treat meeting with her and seeing how down to earth she is in addition to how much she cares about her work, and about her readers! For some one like me, who loves to read and hopes to one day have something to do with the world of books and publications it makes the dream that much more real. It actually feels attainable! Nicole Peeler connects with her readers and constantly keeps them on their toes while going out of her way to stay connected and in tune with them! How you ask? Her blog is constantly updated! She runs contests (I just won one might I ADD!!! WOOP WOOP!! I am getting the MP3 CD audio book of her first novel Tempest Rising!) and post's video blogs that have sneak reads, in addition, her tweets are hilarious!
                                             In short, Nicole Peeler = AWESOME!

Check out her website here , follow her on twitter @nicolepeeler and if you are a Tempest fan already and can't wait till Jan 1st, 2011! Check out an interview with Anyan  here and an interview with Ryu here! (Courtesy of Melissa, @MeiLHay! Thanks Melissa!! They are ubber cool go check 'em out!!!)

              Nicole I had a blast THANK YOU!! Hopefully I will be seeing you again on Jan 29!!

I'm back!!

It has been some time since I have written a "ME" post. I have had to do work on the blog  for school lately.

I recently finished my communications capstone with Ashford and am now off from school until 12/7, which is when I start my first Entrepreneurship class! I am very proud to say that I achieved an "A" in this class and got a GREAT grade for this blog assignment. I want to thank everyone who helped with their valuable feedback and AWESOME comments and ideas!! Thank you Nicole Peeler for motivating and inspiring me with your greatness!  I was unsure if I was going to keep it going considering the class was going to be over and I was going to begin other classes, however, I have had a FANTASTIC time blogging everything from my assignments to the "ME" posts. Therefore, the blog post's shall continue, it maybe not as often but I am going to try really hard to keep it up!!! I am going to continue providing book reviews, insight and discussions on communications, updates on what is currently happening with me, and of course updates on school and my classes. In addition, this class has helped me in realizing how much I love to read and write which has helped me to notice the possible world of publishing for career opportunities, as well as inspire me in so many ways! I have started thinking about the possibilities of graduate school and perhaps achieving a MFA in creative writing, writing popular fiction, writing in general or in English. I know I LOVE the world of literature, writing, publishing and all that great stuff so I sure do plan on ending up somewhere in the vast universe. At the end of my Entrepreneurship minor I am going to be taking a creative writing class that I am so UBBER excited to embark upon. This class will assist me in beginning to make various career decisions. Hopefully this is the beginning of a WONDERFUL thing and I am so excited about it I can cry!!!

Keep your eyes peeled as I will be working on posts soon regarding how my journey to Lancaster, PA to meet Nicole Peeler went (even though it was a few weekends ago) and my review on the recently read Dracula in Love by Karen Essex.

Can't wait to bring you more...
Until next time everyone!!
Happy Reading  My Friends!!!
<3 Mickey

Functionality Of The Blog!

When I first started this course I was excited that I had to begin a blog. I had been thinking about it for some time but kept pushing it back, afraid to commit to any one subject and afraid of what was going to happen once I started. Would I be able to keep it up, would I have followers or am I going to hate it instead of love it? I didn’t even know where to begin. Although this class gave me reason to go through with it, whether I liked it or not this had to get done, at least for a short period of time, and from there I would be able to know whether I would want to continue or not.  Well, when it came time to create the blog I was given a structure.  I mean I expected nothing less from school, however when I was finally confronted by the words “Professional Blog” I blanked. I kept thinking to myself “What is a professional Blog?”  I was so lost and had no idea what to write about.  Well one day speaking with my sister, while having my stepdaughter present, my sister asked, “What exactly is a BLOG?” Briana, my stepdaughter looked at her like she had three heads and said “Titi, a blog is a website where someone writes whatever they want to write, kind of like a journal but on a website! Enough said, I didn’t even have to answer my sister. Now, I knew for sure my sister would not be able to help me with figuring out a professional blog; I was climbing this ladder solo.  After much contemplation and correspondence with the Professor, I was able to come to terms with the professional blog as a website where I would discuss something I enjoyed minus the curses, angry fits and down right unprofessionalism.  So reading, writing, anything having to do with reading and communication would be the main focus of my blog.  So in a nutshell the purpose of my blog is to entertain, update and discuss various books and topics such as communications and anything that has an affect on communications. Being as though I have many topics being discussed in this blog the design was difficult to mange.

            When I first started my blog I wanted something nice and calming in the background to invite people in instead of repel them. Although I loved the background, I hated that it wasn’t very “me”. I kept playing around with some until I found one for a while. However, during the week where we critiqued each others blogs, a classmate pointed out that my posts where difficult to read because of the way the layout ran all the blog post’s together. The layout made it look like I had one big, long post, instead of individual posts.  I searched, tweeked and messed more until I was able to find a template that individualizes each post making it easier for the reader and the writer. I also used one of the simplest layouts to make it as user-friendly possible. I didn’t add too many ad’s or gadgets because I didn’t want the reader to become overwhelmed with all of the side notes and not pay attention to the important portion of the blog; the content.

            The contents are mainly focus on anything having to do with my hobby of reading, technology and communications.  Some are my personal experiences and some are from previous schools assignment, which fit the blog so well. Although I love entering my fun narrated personal blogs I wanted to show that I also have the capabilities to provide a well though out, professional assignment as well.

            Many think this blog is for the younger computer based individual, however, this is not true. These posts are for the typical adult blog reader because of the nature of some of the adult novels I read. I hope this blog is enjoyed! <3