Guest Post by Author Lisa Becker: Online Dating

Online Dating Inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click
By Lisa Becker

I first met my husband while wearing my pajamas. Really! No, we weren't at some kinky singles party. I was sitting comfortably in my apartment and he was hanging out in his. But, I will never forget his email introduction via an online dating service, which invited me to check out his profile. It was sweet, endearing and intriguing enough for me to log on to learn more about him.  After a week of emails, followed by a week of phone calls, we met for our first date - a traditional dinner and movie outing. Even before I opened the door to greet him, I knew he was "the one."  Considering he lived 30 miles away, I'm not certain our paths would have typically crossed. But after nearly 13 years together - including 10 years of marriage (which in Los Angeles is apparently no small feat!) and two beautiful daughters, I have no doubt he is my soul mate.

After my now-husband and I met online, I was recalling some of the hilarious experiences that I had during the whole online dating experience.  How could I forget the guy who started every story (no joke!) with “My buddies and I were out drinking one night.”  I decided to capture some of them in writing and, from there and based loosely on my own experiences, my novel Click: An Online Love Story emerged.  The entire story is told in emails between our heroine, Renee Greene, her three best friends and the gentlemen suitors she meets online. The format felt like a modern way to tell the story that fit the topic, and allowed readers to develop an intimate relationship with the characters.

Clearly, I’m a big fan of online dating and find it to be a useful tool for young professionals who are busy working and finding it difficult to make the right connection at the gym, bar, coffee shop or grocery aisle. I say, people today are “married” to their cell phones and laptops, so why not use that technology to really get married, right?

While Click doesn’t end with a wedding (sorry for the spoiler!), during Renee’s road to happiness, we find many advantages to online dating.  My five favorite are:

·    On Your Own Terms – Online dating provides a relaxed, anytime and on your own terms experience.  Share as little or as much information as you want.  Avoid people you are not interested in.  Communicate at your convenience.   But, don’t send a message at 2:30 am.  Nothing smacks more of desperation than an email from someone trolling the Internet for a date in the wee hours of the morning. 

·    Multi-Tasking Enabled – Flirt while filing your taxes.  Chat and trim your nails.  Meet a mate while making breakfast.  It’s a well-known fact that women are great multi-taskers.  Take full advantage of that skill.  As Shelley, the over-sexed character in Click says to the about-to-try-online-dating Renee, “A whole host of hot and horny single men that I can review, chat with, judge and mock – all while sitting in my office looking very busy.  Maybe I should give it a try myself.”

·    Trade the “Meat Market” for the “Meet Market” – Now you can avoid the “meat market” scene of bars and clubs and instead enjoy a “meet market” – an international bazaar (but let’s hope not too bizarre) of prospective mates.  The Internet allows you to make an online introduction to thousands if not millions of people around the world.  So, if you want to meet someone in Katmandu, well then, can do!

·    Save Time, Money and Energy – Let’s face it.  Dating isn’t cheap.   It takes time, money and, likely your most valuable and scarce resource, energy.   With the “try before you buy” environment of online dating, you don’t have to meet for a drink, grab a coffee or sit through a long dinner only to discover there’s no physical attraction, you have nothing in common, conversation is lacking, etc.    

·    Rejection Made Easy – In Click, Renee gets an email from someone halfway across the world looking to meet someone willing to move for him.  After sending a polite and diplomatic “thanks but no thanks” email message, she proclaims to her friend, “It’s so much easier to reject someone over that Internet than in real life.  Score one for online dating!”   While rejection is easier for both parties when done online, it’s important to remember that people still have feelings.


As I've said many times before, if it happened for me, there's hope for you.  So log on and take a chance. To purchase Click or Double Click, please click here. To follow updates on the Click saga and share your stories about online dating, visit the Click Facebook fan page.

Book Review: Convict Dad by P. Ryan Hembree

This is an easy reading, engaging, cozy mystery.

Convict Dad 

by P. Ryan Hembree

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Heart Ally Books (February 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0985374055
• ISBN-13: 978-0985374051

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Christian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description:
As a child, Fae Kardell stands helpless while police handcuff her father and drag him away to a police car. A jury later convicts him of murdering two young girls. Fae knows he's innocent. From behind prison walls, Royce Kardell finds a way to cope with his incarceration and maintain an active role in his family. Fifteen years later when Fae returns to her hometown to close the family home after her mother's death, she hears a deathbed confession which proves her father's innocence. As the real killer lurks nearby, details of the girls' deaths surface, but is it enough to justify her dad's release from prison? If she pushes for a new trial and she succeeds, her father could be freed-or-if she fails, he could get the death penalty.

Review:
As a child Fae was sent to live with her Aunt when her father was convicted of murdering two teenage girls. Fae’s father always claimed that he had been framed. His wife and daughter believed him but the stigma of conviction still shadowed their lives, especially Fae’s as even her cousins taunted her.

Fifteen years later Fae has returned upon the death of her mother to close up her childhood ‘home.’ As she works on the property she discovers that there are friends in town who have supported her mother throughout the years of trauma. Fae is called to visit a patient in a nursing home who confesses that Fae’s father is in fact innocent as she witnessed the murders and the burying of the bodies. But the true killer is a prominent member of the town so Fae has to proceed cautiously.

Fae’s Mother and father found a strong faith with the help of a local pastor and his wife. Pastor Morrow and Trina invite Fae to dinner where she meets their older son, Cliff, who is home for a rare visit.  Fae tells the family about the confession and the true murderer. Cliff, a State Trooper, is able to call in the FBI to dig up the bodies.  Now the hunt is on for evidence to tie the crime to the true murderer.

The murderer realizes that some investigation is going on and sets about, through threats and bribery, to try to keep the interest down or drive it away. Also, he knows he has to get his drunken sluggard of a brother out of town before he says something incriminating.

The author uses a series of children’s books as a tool that kept Fae and her parents connected which I thought was quite clever. I enjoyed the suspense and mystery of the plot as well as the gentle romance between Fae and Cliff. I also appreciated the quiet, determined strength Ms. Hembree portrays through the faith of the characters. There is a message of forgiveness that is nicely shared too.

The writing is light and easy. Although the story started just a little slowly it only took a couple of chapters to pull me in. Then it read very smoothly and quickly. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean language, cozy mystery, sweet romance and evidence of faith in a story.

I received this at EPICon 2013 from the publisher for and honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my Print Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 30, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 1, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Mailbox Monday 9/23/13

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.
For SEPTEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Yolanda of Notorious Spinks Talks Books.
[Starting September, Bob of Beauty in Ruins will be the new back-up host for Mailbox Monday.]

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received two audio books for review, purchased one Audible and picked up a few free ebooks. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two Audio books from Audiobook Jukebox for review:

Shadows of Glass: The Ashes Trilogy Book 2
    by Kassy Tayler
    Narrated by Nicola Barber
        Series: The Ashes, Book 2

and


 

The Chronology Protection Case

 (Dramatized)
    by Paul Levinson
    Narrated by Mark Shanahan, Full Cast

Won

NONE

Purchased

I had a $5.00 credit with my Audible Subscription so I purchased this Daily Deal special for $2.95. Surprisingly most of the Daily Deal specials are already in my library. :-) This suspense thriller has good ratings.

Suspect

• UNABRIDGED
• by Robert Crais
• Narrated by MacLeod Andrews

Free

I also downloaded a handful or two of free Kindle Titles linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? September 23, 2013

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a bumpy week with my flu/cold this week. But reading was still very good.  I finished six books and posted only three reviews so I'll be posting more this week (I hope).  I posted two features, one with Giveaway.
I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I did a little visiting early in the week but will need to catch up again.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts plus win post:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? September 16, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday 9/16/13. 

• BookBlast Feature and Giveaway: Darkest Worlds: A Dystopian Anthology

• Book Review: Darkest Worlds: A Dystopian Anthology, Dystopia; my rating 4.25.

• Blog Tour Spotlight: The Funny Adventures of Little Nani by Cinta Garcia de la Rosa

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 20, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/19.

• Audio Book Review: Monster Hunter Incorporated by Larry Correia, Fantasy, Action; my rating 4.75. 

• Saturday Snapshot September 21, 2013 Bahamas Cruising - Nassau.

• Book Review: Color Me Bad, a Novella, by Sharon Sala, Contemporary Women's Fiction; my rating 4.0. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #118 Comment Giveaway 9/21/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/27.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 22, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible

Second Grave on the Left: Charley Davidson, 
Book 2
    UNABRIDGED
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 2
I enjoyed this second book and will get more in the series soon. :-)
Click on Title for full Book Description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Darkest Worlds: A Dystopian Anthology 
Katie French (Author), S.K. Falls (Author), Zoe Cannon (Author), A.G. Henley (Author), Kate Avery Ellison (Author), Megan Thomason (Author)
Spotlight, Giveaway and Review linked above.
Click on Title for full Book Description.

3. Print

Sisterhood 
by Deleyna Marr
I enjoyed this paranormal and suspense book received at EPICon 2013 in March. I will post a review and giveaway late this week.
Click on Title for full Book Description.

4. eBook/Kindle

Always on My Mind (A Lucky Harbor Novel)
by Jill Shalvis
Tour Giveaway Link 9/23/13 through 10/4/13; 
Review to post 9/26/13.
I enjoyed this romance which read quickly.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
"Count on Jill Shalvis for a witty, steamy, unputdownable love story." -- Robyn Carr, New York Times bestselling author of Harvest Moon
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING
After dropping out of pastry school and messing up her big break on a reality cooking show, Leah Sullivan needs to accomplish something in her life. But when she returns home to Lucky Harbor, she finds herself distracted by her best friend, Jack Harper. In an effort to cheer up Jack's ailing mother, Dee, Leah tells a little fib - that she and Jack are more than just friends. Soon pretending to be hot-and-heavy with this hunky firefighter feels too real to handle . . .
No-strings attachments suit Jack just fine - perfect for keeping the risk of heartbreak away. But as Jack and Leah break every one of their "just friends" rules, he longs to turn their pretend relationship into something permanent. Do best friends know too much about each other to risk falling in love? Or will Jack and Leah discover something new about each other in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

5. Audible

Free: Whodunnit? Murder on Mystery Island
    by Anthony E. Zuiker
    Narrated by Gildart Jackson
    Series: Whodunnit?, Book 2
This was a fun, fast listen. I'll post a review soon.
Publisher's Summary
Ten excited co-workers arrive at the beautiful Avondale Resort on a remote island in the middle of the Caribbean, having been told that they are being rewarded for their hard work and productivity. But their relaxing tropical getaway soon turns into a murderous nightmare.

After an extravagant first night dinner, the guests retire to their lavish suites only to be awakened by an ear-splitting bang. They rush to the smoking parlor to find Jordan, the company’s intern, dead - a massive hole in his chest. Giles, the consummate English butler who seems to be in charge, announces that they must solve the crime or be the next victim.

The killer, who has booby-trapped the island and cut off phone and Internet connections, is hiding among them. Is it the HR representative with a penchant for Bloody Marys, the twenty-two-year-old claims processor with the purity ring, or perhaps the head chef of the company cafeteria? The killer plays with their minds, inviting them to explore the beautiful resort, from the infinity pool with the high dive to the white sand beach complete with jet skis and snorkel gear.

Anthony E. Zuiker is the creator and executive producer of the CSI franchise, which includes CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, and CSI: NY. His mystery reality show, Whodunnit?, is his first foray into unscripted television. He lives in Los Angeles with his three children and his wife, Michelle.

Whodunnit? Murder on Mystery Island is performed by the show's host/butler, accomplished narrator Gildart Jackson.
©2013 Anthony E. Zuiker (P)2013 Audible Inc.

6. Audio/MP3

Once
By Morris Gleitzman
Read by Morris Gleitzman
Published by Bolinda Audio
This was surprising.
I'll post a review later in the week.
I received this from SYNC YA.
Description:
Felix lives in a convent orphanage in Poland. He is convinced his parents are still alive and that they will one day come back to get him. When Nazi soldiers come to the orphanage Felix decides to escape and make his way home.The journey to find his parents is a long and difficult one, as Poland is occupied by the Nazis and a dangerous place for a Jewish boy. Felix manages to live and look after himself and another orphan, Zelda, with the help of a kind dentist, Barney, who is hiding and looking after a number of Jewish children. When the Nazis discover them, Barney makes the ultimate sacrifice for the children – electing to go with them on the train to the death camps, rather than taking the option of freedom offered by a Nazi soldier, one of his grateful patients.

Line Edits/Releases:
New Release:

Valstain, The Pelaguis Game, Book 1 
by R. J. JeromeYou fool. Armageddon is weeks away, right under the Church’s nose, and the Order that is appointed to watch and protect the world doesn't even realize it.
Through The Pelagius Game series, R.J. Jerome introduces the reader to Valstain, the magical realm between Heaven and Earth.
Valstain follows the life of Timothy Anderson as he reveals his haunted past to Father Michael Olshefski, the new headmaster of The Pelagius Order. The Order’s seminary is the training ground of a secret religious society whose job is to find and prepare gifted warriors to fight evil.
But someone on the inside has a different idea. ...
Valstain is a must read for anyone interested in fantasy adventures with plenty of sword fights, vibrant characters, and intricate plot twists.
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Paranormal, Occult
Pages: 425, Novel

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link: TB Posted Wednesday.

Currently reading:
1. Audio

Shadows of Glass: The Ashes Trilogy Book 2
    by Kassy Tayler
    Narrated by Nicola Barber
        Series: The Ashes, Book 2
I am enjoying Book two of this dystopian adventure.
Reviewing for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Wren’s world has changed. The thing that she fought for - escaping the dome - has come to fruition, but it’s not the paradise she thought it would be. Most of the shiners have died, and according to James she is to blame for many of the deaths, a burden which sits heavy on her shoulders. Still some have survived and Wren is determined to keep them safe as they fight to establish a home outside while hiding from the rovers who have weapons that can kill from far away. But as long as she has Pace she knows everything will be fine. Still Wren wonders, as she sees the smoke that continually pours forth from the dome, how did her friends inside fare? Will they ever find out if Lucy, David, Jill, and Harry, along with Pace’s mother survive the explosions?

Meanwhile, someone else has also seen the smoke. A band of explorers from across the sea arrive in an airship, curious about the dome, and offer help to those who survive. When Wren meets the handsome Levi Addison, she suddenly questions her love for Pace as Levi offers to show her the world from his airship. Does she really love Pace? Or was it just the circumstances that made her think she did? Meanwhile, word arrives from inside via Pip, and Wren is forced to go back inside the dome, a thing that terrifies her more than anything else, to save her friends. Once she’s back inside will she be able to escape again?
©2013 Kassy Tayler (P)2013 AudioGO

2. Print

My Lady Quicksilver
by Bev McMaster
 This addition to the series has good conflict
and is reading more quickly than I expected.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
I will post review with ARC Giveaway
the first week of October.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
"Deftly blends elements of Steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results...darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy."—Booklist Starred Review for Kiss of Steel
In the mist-shrouded streets of a steam-fueled London, a clockwork army is on the rise, vampire blue bloods rule the streets, and war is brewing...
I Will Come For You...
He will find her no matter what. As a blue-blooded captain of the Nighthawk Guard, his senses are keener than most. Some think he's indestructible. But once he finds the elusive Mercury, what will he do with her?

It's his duty to turn her in—she's a notorious spy and traitor. But after one stolen moment, he can't forget the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her, or the sharp sting of betrayal as she slipped off into the night. Little does Mercury know, no one hunts better than the Nighthawk. And his greatest revenge will be to leave her begging for his touch...

3. eBook/Kindle

Hallowed Eve
by Suza Kates
I am reading this for review for the author during blog tour of her new release.
This review will post October 3, 2013.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 18, 2010
Something terrible happened in Pine Creek.

Eve Taylor must return home for her grandmother’s funeral but has every intention of making it a short visit. Too many memories live in the small town where she grew up, memories of a Halloween best forgotten.

Trey Rainwater has been waiting for Eve. He knows she’ll be staying for longer than she’d planned and has every intention of making sure she does. He has a promise to keep.

Eve and Trey find themselves thrown into a deadly combination of riddles, murder, and a love that won’t be denied. As the moon hovers in the October sky and Halloween grows closer, Eve must fight her own personal demons while learning to trust the man who protects her.

The past has come back to life, and a killer is stalking the small town of Pine Creek. He’s waiting for his Hallowed Eve.

I am really lagging but still listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.] I have been remiss and not keeping up with daily reading with my DH.

Line Edits: Still working. Several more releases being prepared for the next few weeks. I am still working on new print formatting this week.

I've enjoyed adding books as I go this month and I have read everything on my list! :-)

September Scheduled
9/26/13 Always on My Mind (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis Review and Tour Giveaway Link

Sourcebooks
  My Lady Quicksilver by Bev McMaster (reading)

Hachette - Forever
    A House Divided by Kimberly Lawson Roby- This book is about family 'drama' and not for me. I do not like one of the primary characters and am not interested enough to wade through the mean, selfish attitudes.

NetGalley:
   I may browse for new choices.

AudioBook Jukebox
     Shadow of Glass by Kassy Tayler (listening)
     The Chronology Protection Case by Paul Levinson

From TBR Collection - Monster Hunter, Incorporated (posted)
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 22, 2013

Today I wanted to share about an artist that our Sunday School mentioned earlier in the year. There are several interviews and videos regarding Akiane who began painting at age 4 when she had visions from God. She also writes poetry to go with her art and she composes music on piano. She is awesomely talented and blessed.
The video I have set below are images of Akiane's art set to the song "What if God Is One of Us."
I hope you enjoy the wonderful images as well as the song.

A Verse for Today
Joel 2:28 (NIV)
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions..."

I give thanks that God shares the beauty of His world through the talents of simple people, even children.