Guest Post & Contest with Author Brenda Pandos

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Today on My Overstuffed Bookshelf, I have the pleasure of introducing you to author Brenda Pandos. Brenda is the author of The Emerald Talisman and The Sapphire Talisman.  So let’s see what Brenda has in store for us!
What’s a day in the life of a writer for you? 
      I have to laugh because some days I wish that was my only responsibility. My life isn’t that simple. I’ve become good at juggling. I’m a mom of two little guys (2 and 5), a wife, have another business on the side and volunteer at my church. Life is far from simple, though I do my best to streamline it. 

      So really, the question should be “How do you find time to write?” My secret is really my husband. Without his help, I don’t think I’d get any writing done. He’s a gem of a man being the cook and errand runner. We share housework and laundry duties.  

      But, the main thing is, I don’t watch TV (hardly). It’s on for the kids during the day, but off at night. That’s when I write or work on my other projects. Don’t get me wrong, I love TV, especially reality shows, but I had to carve out time somewhere. I also get a sitter during the day 1 or 2 times a week for a few hours. 

      So typically my day starts with my littlest asking “Wanna get out” from his room around 6:30-7:00. We do the “check email, eat breakfast, get ready, get brother up for school, clean-up house, laundry” shuffle. Some days I get a sitter or am able to find a moment to organize and write a tiny bit (or reread from the night before), but mostly it’s all about my youngest and his needs. Somewhere in there I do a tweet search for any reviews and stalk myself on Goodreads. It’s a sickness. At noon, I pick up the older one from school, we have lunch, then the little one naps (hopefully for two hours). I squeeze in more work. Little one gets up, Daddy comes home, we have a snack then go to the gym. Night-time routine consists of baths, dinner, kids running through the house like Indians, corralling them up and reading a story, prayers and hopefully bed by 8:30. Hubby and I crash on the couch (and he literally crashes) and I write in quiet. Or Farmville. That’s another sickness I have. 
For fun, I thought I’d include who I’d want to play my characters in a movie: 
      Charlie Weber would make a stunning Nicholas. Blake Lively is adorable and perfect for Julia. Matthew Czuchry (as a blonde) would make an excellent Phil. But, these could change tomorrow if I find someone that fits better.
Thank you so much for stopping by Brenda!! 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brenda Pandos is a web-designer who lives in California with her husband and two energetic children. Shortly after the birth of her second son, Brenda’s oldest was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder that turned her world upside-down. Her life became round the clock feedings with a newborn and a daily stream of tutors working to help her son. She craved a meaningful escape. The main concepts of THE EMERALD TALISMAN came to her in the wee hours of the morning as she reminisced the good old days when she lived with her best friend in the Santa Cruz Mountains. As a young girl, Brenda was a hopeless romantic, constantly lost in a fantasy world in her backyard of knights on white horses, mermaids and evil villains. As a teen, shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Interview with a Vampire intrigued her. With the encouragement of a friend after writing one chapter, she continued on to complete her first manuscript. THE EMERALD TALISMAN is a compilation of what the author would like to happen if she ever happened to encounter a real vampire.

For more info on Brenda, visit her site(s):
–Website
–Blog
–Twitter
–Facebook

The Emerald Talisman is available for purchase here

————————————————————————————————–
CONTEST!!
Thanks to Brenda, she has generously donated a copy of The Sapphire Talisman for one lucky person to win! 
RULES:
1. USA and Canada only please.
2. No need to be a follower of my blog, but I would love it if you would be!
3. Please leave a comment with an email address for initial entry.
EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Share this contest in a blog post! 
(leave a link in a separate comment)
2. Tweet the following:
I want to read The Sapphire Talisman by @brendapandos !!
(leave a direct link to your tweet in a separate comment)
CONTEST ENDS ON JAN 22, 2011
GOOD LUCK!!!

Never Too Hot by Bella Andre

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NEVER TOO HOT
Author: Bella Andre
Source: Purchased

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bantam (May 25, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0440245028
ISBN-13: 978-0440245025

SUMMARY:

A TOUCH IGNITES. A FIRE BURNS. AND THE HEAT HAS JUST BEGUN.

Deep in the cool green mountains of the Adirondacks, wounded firefighter Connor MacKenzie has come to rebuild the 100-year-old MacKenzie family cabin—and to be alone. A horrific blaze has left him scarred inside and out and certain of two things: He’ll get back on his Hot Shot crew no matter what it takes, and any woman who ventures too close will not stay long.

Ginger Sinclair has been burned by a different kind of fire. Having just escaped from a bad marriage, she’s retreated to the safety of the lakeside vacation town in upstate New York to start a new life. She’s done with men, with relationships, with the danger of desires that can rage out of control—until she unexpectedly encounters Connor MacKenzie. As a hot summer on the lake grows ever hotter, they find themselves sharing a cabin and a romance that will swiftly engulf them both.

MY THOUGHTS:

First of all, let me start by saying that I am usually a big fan of this author.  Almost every book I have read by her, I have enjoyed.  With this book, I felt let down after eagerly anticipating Conner’s story. If you have read the other books in this series, you know that Conner was severely burned and scarred in the earlier books.  Now Conner is fighting through the pain of scarring and trying to get his life back in order.  He is on his last appeal to join the Hot Shot crew again, something he desperately wants more than anything.

When Conner goes out to his families cabin expecting solitude while he renovates it, he unexpectedly comes across Ginger renting the place.  His Grandparent’s failed to mention this to him, and now finds himself under the same roof as the curvy and attractive woman. 

While I enjoyed the love story that author created between Conner and Ginger, I feel that the author let us down with the suspense in this book.  It was predictable on so many points, had little action outside the bedroom, and too many side stories going on that I couldn’t fully enjoy the story of Conner and Ginger.  By the end of the book I felt a little disappointed.  I wanted so much more from Conner and Ginger, but I was too distracted by all of the other characters trying to find their happy ending as well.

Overall not a bad book, but not one of the authors best works.  This could be read as a stand alone without reading the previous books, but to get the full impact of Conner’s history and personality I would recommend reading the other books first.

MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

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RULES OF ATTRACTION
Author: Simone Elkeles
Source: Contest Win

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (April 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802720854
ISBN-13: 978-0802720856

SUMMARY:


When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading the first book in the series featuring Alex and Brittany, I quickly dove into the story featuring Carlos and Kiara.  If you remember from the first book, Carlos is Alex’s younger brother.  The book starts out with Carlos on his way back to America after leaving his Mom in Mexico.  He is suppose to come live with Alex because he has been getting in trouble and Mom is feeling afraid for him.  


Right off the bat, you can see that Carlos has a big chip on his shoulders.  He resents his brother for leaving his family in Mexico and he makes Alex aware that he doesn’t intend to follow his rules. When Carlos is ordered by a judge to live with Alex’s professor, he his finds himself fighting his attraction to Kiara.  Of course, Kiara finds Carlos mysterious and sexy, but they both fight the chemistry that is brewing between them both.


I really liked this book.  Usually sequels do not live up to my expectations, but this one held its own rather nicely.  While I enjoyed the alternating point of views the author uses, I didn’t feel the instant attraction between Kiara and Carlos.  It felt rushed and forced at times.  I wanted the slow build of attraction like we read about with Alex and Brittany.  I understand that this was a different situation with different characters, but I wanted to see Carlos fall in love with Kiara at a reasonable pace.  I felt that they were both pushed into it.


Overall a wonderful book that leaves me anxiously awaiting the third book in the series that will feature the youngest brother Luis.  Forget the rules and bring on more attraction full of sexiness!


MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

IMM: In My Mailbox (18)

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In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren
Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!
PURCHASED:
Someone Like You by Susan Mallery
Caine’s Reckoning by Sarah McCarty
Nauti Nights by Lora Leigh
Awakened by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast


FOR REVIEW:
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
Angel by James Patterson (ARC)
It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare (ARC)
Death’s Sweet Embrace by Tracey O’Hara

FROM PBS:
The Missing by Shiloh Walker
Everlost
The Uninvited
The Lighter Side of Life & Death
Broken by Shiloh Walker
The Absolute Value of -1
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine
Feel free to share with me in the comments a link to what you received this week!





WINNER!!!

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The contest for the copy of Sinful has now ended.  Using Random.org the winner is:
Congrats!!! I will be emailing you shortly to get your info to send to the authors! Enjoy the book and I want to give a special thank you to Sara and Staci for donating a copy!