A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill

Genre:
Non-Fiction, Memoir

Publisher:
Bell Bridge Books

Release Date:
April 2010

Format:
EBook (also available in paperback)

This is from Amazon.com:

Book Description
Publication Date: April 7, 2010

The true life story of a dog who changed everything for one woman. For the first time in my life, I didn't need to pretend, I didn't need to be tough: I only needed to be honest. "I have cerebral palsy. I walk funny and my balance is bad. I fall a lot. My hands shake, too. That means I'm not so good at carrying things. And if I drop stuff, sometimes it's hard to just bend down and get it." I waited anxiously for the interviewer's response. She smiled. "It sounds like a service dog could be great for you." So began Leigh Brill's journey toward independence and confidence, all thanks to a trained companion dog named Slugger. The struggling college student and the Labrador with a "a coat like sunshine" and a tail that never stopped wagging became an instant team. Together, they transformed a challenge into a triumph. Together, they inspired and educated everyone they met. Now, Leigh honors her friend with the story of their life, together.

My thoughts...

This is a touching, sweet story of a woman facing many personal and physical challenges. She gets help from an unexpected source...a service dog. A very special service dog named Slugger.

"A Dog Named Slugger" is written at a fast-paced rate letting readers share Brill's difficult journey from college to adulthood as well as dealing with cerebral palsy. Slugger sounds like a sweetheart. Whether you are an animal lover or not (or a cat lover like me), I think readers will be touched by this book. This story will grab everyone's heart, just make sure to have a box of tissues handy.



For reading challenges:

What an Animal Reading Challenge
2011 Show Me The Free Reading Challenge (From Kobo)


Disclosure: This book is from my own collection and read for my own enjoyment.

Touchdowns and Potions by Markee Anderson

Genre:
Romance

Format:
Ebook

Publisher:
Smashwords

Release Date:
August 2010

Real estate agent Jenna Steele is on a mission. She wants to earn enough money to put her younger sister through school. When she gets a client with a mansion to sell, she hopes it will help her in her goal but instead it just disgusts her. The owner of the mansion is a well known football player, Andy McKnight, and his mansion is a mess. There's no way she will be able to sell this pigsty.

To complicate her life, another client of Jenna's spills a love potion on her and suddenly men are falling all over their feet to get to Jenna. Some of them aren't very nice to her including a boss who attacks her at gunpoint when she refuses his advances and a mob at a grocery store insisting she belongs to them. She's both delighted and suspicious when her hero turns out to be Andy McKnight, who declaires his love for her. She can't help wonder if his feelings are genuine or influenced by the love potion.

This is a cute romantic comedy that makes you smile. After reading quite a number of intense books, it was nice to sit back and relax with this cute tale. It's a quick, light read by a "new-to-me" author. I'm definitely going to be reading more by Anderson, especially when I need something to "pick me up" after a hectic week.




For reading challenges:

2011 Show Me The Free Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge


Disclosure: I bought this book from Kobo. It was 99 cents and I had a $1 off coupon, which made the final price free! All opinions are my own.

Ecstasy by Bella Andre

Genre:
Romance

Format:
EBook

Release Date:
February 2010

Charlie is a well-known popular published author of erotic romances. Candace is working hard to become just as successful in the same genre, but she’s a novice and needs help. When her favorite author offers his help, Candace is more than willing to accept it.

Charlie arranges his schedule to give Candace the lessons she needs to help her writing career. This means “on-the-job” training in the world of erotic romance. Charlie only meant to assist the aspiring author in her career, he never expects to fall in love with her.

Candace finds herself falling in love as well, but she’s also determined to be a successful writer. She betrays Charlie in her excitement to be an author. Can Charlie ever forgive her?

I’ve never read a Bella Andre book but I’ve heard so much about her books that I had to try one and this one was hot! Scalding, in fact! My ereader nearly melted. LOL! The book isn’t all about sex, there’s a storyline here, too, and it was very well written. I’ve already downloaded a few more books by this author. They are a nice diversion from the stress of a regular work day.

If sweet romances are your thing, don’t read this one. But, if you like your romances spicy, this one’s for you.

Disclosure: I got this book free from Kobo Books as a promo, not for a review. I’m reading and reviewing this on my own. All opinions are my own.




For reading Challenges…

2011 Show Me The Free Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

Genre:
Paranormal

Format:
EBook

Release Date:
January 2011


Andrea Cole is a demon slayer. She kills all demons, including vampires. When she learns that her lover, Kaden Quinn, was turned into a vampire by an evil monster, she must choose between her love of Kaden or her loyalty to her people.

Kaden is horrified that he has been turned into his worst nightmare, a blood sucking vampire. His horror increases when his lover is tossed into his prison – to be his meal!

Andrea and Kaden work together to figure out a way out of this. They are determined to stay together, but it looks impossible since Kaden hasn’t figure out, yet, how to control his hunger.

This is a short story, about a 100 pages and part of the author’s Demonica series. It’s not a genre I have had a chance to read much of lately, but I’ve always enjoyed books with vampires and other demons. This was a fast-paced read and I enjoyed it. It made me want to read more of the series.




For reading challenge…

2011 Show Me the Free Reading (book received free from Kobo)

Cruise Ship Chronicles: Cozumel Cool by James Vaughn

Genre:
Romance

Publisher:
Smashwords

Format:
Ebook

Release Date:
January 2011

This was a fun, short romance set on a cruise ship heading for Cozumel. James and Jodi have always been best friends. Both of them need a break from their everyday busy lives and what better escape than a trip to Mexico? They each have brief romances on board the ship, but it never feels quite right. Is it possible the only romance they really want is with each other? After all these years, it doesn’t seem possible.

I enjoyed this. It was a quick, hot romance. It fit in with my vacation mode. I wasn’t on a cruise ship but I was in Mexico. The characters were likeable and, even though it was a short book, you could get a real feel for these characters. I received this one free from Kobo Books.

I noticed there are a series of books by this author set on cruise ships sailing to different places. I already have them downloaded to my Nook. I intend to read them all. Now that I’m back in reality, I need an escape and these will make a good one.



For reading challenge:

2011 Show Me the Free Reading Challenge

2011 Show Me The Free Reading Challenge

This is the perfect challenge for me! I love this! Since I got my Nook in March, I can't tell you how many freebies from Barnes & Noble, as well as other Ebook sites, I downloaded. Almost everyday I'm downloading three or four free books. I have over 700 books on my Nook and most of them were free. This is the perfect way for me to start reading them. If you'd like to join in the fun, click the button above to sign up.

Here is how it works:

* Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained e-books which you got for FREE for your e-reading device. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.

* Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States.

* Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage.

* Please Note: If you don't have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon's Free Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.

* The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You can join at anytime.

* e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.

* Every month in 2011, I will make a post for the Show Me The Free Reading Challenge so you can link your reviews.

* Those that link their reviews will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a different prize each month, such as an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a bookmark, or a GelaSkins for your E-Reader. Winners will be announced at the end of each month.

Challenge Guidelines:

* If you blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.

* Non blogger must publish reviews on some type of public domain such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble to enter the monthly giveaway.

* When you post your book review, you MUST say how you obtained the free read. Please make your source clear.

* You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.

* Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but galley e-books DO NOT count. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble.

* Any linked reviews that do not meet the guidelines will not be entered into the monthly drawing for the prize of the month.

Levels:

Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Super Saver: 30+ Books

I'm going to do the Coupon Clipper level for 12 books.

I'll list my books here...

1. The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber (from B&N)
3. What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown (from B&N)
2. Time Zone by Tom Lichtenberg (from B&N)
3. Hour of the Hunter by J.A. Jance (from B&N)
4. Code Blue by Richard Mabry (from B&N)
5. Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy (from B&N)
6. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kay (from B&N)
7. Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll (from B&N)
8. A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill (from Kobo) Click for review
9. Touchdowns & Potions by Markee Anderson (from Kobo) Click for review
10. Cruise Ship Chronicles: Cozumel Cool by James Vaughn (from Kobo) Click for review
11. Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione (from Kobo) Click for review
12. Ecstasy by Bella Andre (from Kobo) Click for review