Giveaway: The Swiss Affair by Emyliah Hall

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books, Traveling With T has another giveaway! Ya’ll know how I LOVE giveaways- and I’m so excited to be able to offer you, the readers of Traveling With T, another book giveaway!

The details: Just check the Rafflecopter link at bottom of page for your options to entry and then cross your fingers! The giveaway is open to only US/Canada folks (sorry!) The book will be released Jan 28th (so the giveaway starts a few days early on Jan 18th and ends Jan 31st.)

Summary from The Swiss Affair by Emyliah Hall:

For Hadley Dunn, life has been predictable and uneventful. But that is before she spends her second year of college abroad in Lausanne, a glamorous Swiss city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Lausanne is imbued with the boundless sense of freedom Hadley has been seeking, and it is here she meets Kristina, a beautiful but mysterious Danish girl. The two bond quickly, but as the first snows of winter arrive, tragedy strikes.

Driven by guilt and haunted by suspicion, Hadley resolves to find the truth about what really happened that night, and so begins a search that will consume her, the city she loves, and the lives of two very different men. Set against the backdrop of a uniquely captivating city, The Swiss Affair is an evocative portrayal of a journey of discovery and a compelling exploration of how our connections—with people, with places—make us who we are.

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Single By Saturday by Catherine Bybee (giveaway & excerpt)

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Traveling With T is a stop on the Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee blog tour. This is a huge blog tour- with bloggers reviewing, posting excerpts, and chattering away about the latest book by Catherine Bybee. Plus, Catherine is having a super-fab giveaway (Kindle Fire, 1 set of signed books, a $20 Amazon gift card, and 2 sets of swag). Even more- this super-fab giveaway, this super-stupendous, made of awesome giveaway is international. Yes, folks, you read that word. INTERNATIONAL.

I’ll wait while you catch your breath from screaming and jumping for joy at that news……….

Check out the other stops on the blog tour by visiting here & show some love on Twitter by using the #SinglebySaturday hashtag!

Photo Credit: Provided by Author’s Publicist

SINGLE BY SATURDAY

The Weekday Bride Series, Book Four

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

January 07, 2014, First Edition

Paperback & Kindle

KAREN JONES:

The petite blonde married a Hollywood star, yet she’s the one who spends every day playing a part: The part of a happy wife. A year ago, she agreed to wed a famous actor to diffuse rumors about his personal life. Now, her divorce sits just around the corner, along with a five million dollar payout. However, as she prepares to exit her fake marriage gracefully, her drop-dead-gorgeous brother-in-law walks through the door… and into her heart.

ZACH GARDNER:

Dark-haired, blue-eyed hunk, Zach, crashes Michael and Karen’s fancy one-year anniversary party, determined to meet the wife his brother hid from their family. But sparks fly the moment he and Karen see each other. When the famous couple decides to visit the whole Gardner clan, Karen must keep Michael’s secret under wraps in front of his questioning relative… including Zach, the man who could be the real love of her life.

PRAISE FOR SINGLE BY SATURDAY

“The fourth outing in the Weekday Brides series captures readers’ hearts and keeps them glued to the pages until the fascinating finish. Romance lovers will feel the spark fly … almost instantaneously.”

–RT BOOK REVIEWS, TOP PICK!, 4 ½ STARS

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Excerpt for Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

This man was gorgeous, and if she were one to believe in instant attraction, her body responded to him with a fierceness she didn’t think possible. Maybe this was what the women gazing at Michael experienced that she did not. This wild thrill of discovery that led to possibilities only the big screen could fulfill.

Instead of letting her imagination get the best of her, Karen flattened a hand over her stomach and attempted to act unaffected. “Do I know you?”

The sex personified blue-eyed man stepped toward her. It took effort for her to hold her ground.

Sensing her unease, he held still, looked around the both of them as if noticing the caterers running about and guests arriving behind him, and said simply, “Zach Gardner.”

The smile on her face stayed. The name tickled at the edges of her consciousness. Memories flashed behind the veil of her mind until she narrowed her focus. “Michael’s brother?” she whispered.

Zach gave a small nod and swept his eyes down her frame. When his eyes met hers again, he masked whatever he’d been thinking, then he smiled and said, “And you’re the wife none of us have met.”

Not a lot shook Karen. She’d managed the role of Michael’s wife under the ever-present scrutiny of paparazzi, producers, actors, and fans . . . but the man standing in front of her did what no one else could. He made her question her decision to marry.

Links to Connect With Catherine Bybee

www.catherinebybee.com

catherinebybee@yahoo.com

catherinebybee.blogspot.com

twitter.com/catherinebybee

Photo Credit: Provided by Author’s Publicist

BIO:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned novels Wife by Wednesday, Married by Monday, and Not Quite Dating. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

Giveaway Information: Super fab giveaway- Kindle Fire, 1 set of signed Bride Books, 1 $20 Amazon Gift card, and 2 sets of swag. This giveaway is international and ends January 27th.

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River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

Photo Credit: Goodreads

This book was sent to Traveling With T by Putnam Books.

River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

13 years ago, Lucy Sullivan was saved from a night of horrors by a guardian angel, Mason Fletcher. Lucy, embarrassed about being taken away from the party- especially by the boy she has a crush on, is not aware of the near danger she was in. Mason, seeing Lucy as a kid, just knows he needed to save her from what evils were planned for the night. After Lucy is safe at home, Mason goes back to the party- where a confrontation with the ring-leader of danger, Tristan Brinker, happens. Within a few days of the party- Brinker is missing- presumed dead due to a drug deal gone bad.

13 years later, Lucy- grown up, more confident, and contented with her job as a forensic genealogist, returns to Summer River. Her return is about her Aunt Sara, who has recently died with her friend Mary in a car crash. Lucy and Mason see each other when she returns- and there is a spark- Lucy is not the kid she once was and Mason’s charms have developed with age nicely. The first night back in town for Lucy does not end well- she and Mason discover a body in the fireplace of Sara’s house- a fireplace that was shoddily covered up. Did Sara kill a man? And could this man be Brinker?

Lucy is determined to get to the bottom of the situation. And the deeper she digs, the more she finds out that everything has it’s roots in that night 13 years ago. With Mason’s help, Lucy is able to start putting pieces together- and even begins to question the car crash of Sara and Mary’s.

Danger, drugs, romance, suspense, and wine country- all combine to create a story that is fast paced and worth a read.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my first Jayne Ann Krentz book- and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. With the roots of the story happening in a party in town- and secrets, sins and blackmail happening over a course of 13 years- most of the characters have a reason to be a suspect. Slowly, though, the reader begins to understand that there is more to the story than meets the eye. The romance between Lucy and Mason is enjoyable- and the mystery is also good.

If you are looking for a book with equal parts romance and suspense- I’m recommending Broken Road by Jayne Ann Krentz.

*This book was provided to Traveling With T by Putnam Books in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Photo Credit: Harlequin

This book was sent to Traveling With T from Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Elizabeth Scott is over rich and entitled men. In her job as a teacher at an exclusive private school, a rich and powerful man has set out to make her life miserable- and Elizabeth needs a break. One day, while showing her sweet dog at a dog show- she sees another rich and entitled man- a man that has a brusque and aloof air about him. A man that makes her pulse race. Elizabeth sees a Mr. Donovan Darcy- a good looking and rich man- and while attracted to the physical aspects, the personality leaves her a bit cold. After the dog show is over, Elizabeth knows she won’t see this man again- he has his own estate in England- and Elizabeth can quit thinking about his level of hotness that makes her pulse race.

Well….. maybe….

When Elizabeth is offered a temporary job grooming dogs for shows in England- she jumps at the chance. To leave behind the scandal in New York, to be with dogs that she loves, to have a clean slate. So Elizabeth says “au revoir” to New York and crosses the pond to London. To find out that her neighbor is Mr. Darcy. Upset at first, Elizabeth is not sure what to do. Slowly, though, she and Mr. Darcy begin to interact in a friendly way- they begin to learn bits and pieces about each other’s life- and an attraction, though neither wanted to admit, grows between them.

The romance between Elizabeth and Donovan Darcy is not a smooth one- especially when news of what happened in New York reaches England. Will Elizabeth throw away an opportunity at love, at finding herself- because she misjudged Donovan Darcy? Or will she see the man he is- behind the wealth and entitled life- the man that he truly is?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

First, when an author writes about Mr. Darcy- certain expectations are naturally expected. Darcy is a man that is a “good-looking character”. Teri Wilson shows that in spades. Of course, the original Darcy also has certain rules of courtship to abide by- but in current time- not so much. So this Mr. Darcy is a bit more free to show his attraction- and Teri writes a Darcy who has romance, but is also more current in courting. Which is all good things!

Before I read Unleashing Mr. Darcy, I had read 2 or 3 fiction books that had a WWII theme. I was due for something light and enjoyable- and Teri Wilson provided it. The interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth were humorous at times- and while I had a basic idea of how this book would end- Teri did provide some twists to the story that I enjoyed.

If you like romance, read this. If chick lit is your cup of tea- read this. Needing a laugh and a story that you sink into and just enjoy? Read this.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy takes a beloved character and shows him as a dog lover. I mean what could be more cute than Mr. Darcy with a dog? Nothing!

*This book was sent to Traveling With T by a publicist at Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

The Edwin Drood Murders by Christopher Lord (A Dickens Junction Mystery)

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Are you a Droodist? If so, you have found a book that will entertain! Not a Droodist? Still in luck- folks- because the mystery holds appeal for lovers of Dickens or not.

The Edwin Drood Murders by Christopher Lord

The Droodists have arrived in Astoria. It’s a fun filled weekend festival designed for fans of Charles Dickens work. Maybe fans is too tame of a word to describe some of these characters, though, as they are quite educated and taken with the work of Dickens. Simon, one of the hosts of the weekend and owner of Pip’s Pages, is excited about the weekend. A weekend spent with fellow Droodists- oh my! The only wrinkle in the weekend that Simon can see is that he just asked his boyfriend, Zach, to move in with him- and Zach did not immediately agree to this. Simon, though, will soon learn that there will be plenty more wrinkles in the weekend than he could ever think.

What do you get when you combine a movie star, a blogger, scholars who have opposing opinions, a family friend and a man who claims to be named Edwin Drood? A recipe for disaster…. or murder. The conference starts out fairly well- with one scholar claiming to have absolute proof of the missing pages of Charles Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Naturally this announcement has everyone in a-flutter; could it be after all these years that there is more to this story? Some, in the group, are a-flutter for reasons that are nefarious.

When a priceless ring and the potentially priceless artifact are missing, Simon knows there is trouble. Trouble increases ten-fold when a body is discovered. Simon must rely on his skills to help find the guilty party. Luckily for him, his partner, Zach, is also a reporter and agrees to help him- even though he is not as knowledgeable about Dickensian trivia as Simon.

Can Simon solve the mystery before anyone else is murdered? Will the potentially priceless artifact be found? And will Zach agree to move in with Simon? To find out the answers to all these and more- read The Edwin Drood Murders by Christopher Lord.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

I have a confession: While familiar with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, I must say that is the only work of his I am knowledgeable with. However, when the publicist contacted me about the possibility of reviewing The Edwin Drood Murders, I was intrigued- the cover, the story, the characters all had something that was calling to me. So, I let my lack of Dickens knowledge not bother me- and accepted this book.

If you are concerned you need to be a fan of Dickens to understand this book- you don’t! Next thing- this is the 2nd book in the A Dicken Junction Mystery– and while you may want to go read the first book, The Christmas Carol Murders– again, to enjoy Edwin Drood- not necessary!

The characters- oh my- the characters. A blogger who is mildly annoying at times- but who Christopher Lord manages to give a unique voice (and a current sounding voice with use of words like hawt) to is quite memorable. Each character has something that makes them unique and at the same time, a viable suspect in the nefarious acts. There are plenty of red herrings for the reader to examine and rule out.

The ending- when Simon gathers everyone together and reveals what he knows reminds me of those murder-mystery weekends you watch on TV (think Golden Girls or Saved By The Bell)- but I liked that. As the reader, you may have figured out a piece or 2- but it’s nice to have it all spelled out.

Recommended for fans of mystery, cozy mystery or just a good story!

*This book was provided to me by a publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Giveaway: Turn Up The Heat (collection of stories by Lori Foster, Christie Ridway, & Victoria Dahl)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books ( yay for Harlequin!) I have a giveaway copy of Turn Up The Heat. It’s 3 different stories by Lori Foster, Christie Ridgway, and Victoria Dahl- and the cover looks pretty steamy.

Here is the synopsis from the book from Harlequin:

Love Won’t Wait by Lori Foster

Brendan “Brick” Carlisle is used to women falling at his feet, so shy waitress Merrily Loveland is a breath of fresh air—and an irresistible challenge. But before he can make his move, Merrily comes to him with an offer he can’t refuse. If only their “no-strings” pact didn’t leave him wanting so much more….

Beach House Beginnings by Christie Ridgway

She might have avoided Crescent Cove, California, for years, but no-nonsense Meg Alexander is confident she can handle a brief trip home. What she doesn’t count on is the spark of desire she feels for Caleb McCall. Can a weekend in paradise convince her to give love a second chance?

Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl

Photographer Eve Hill had always told herself that sexy Brian Stewart was off-limits. But now he’s back in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Eve can’t resist their long-denied attraction. When the reality turns out to be hotter than the fantasy, Eve might end up getting more than she bargained for….

If this book sounds like your cup of tea- simply comment on this post for a chance to win! Giveaway is open to US/Canada only (sorry!) Giveaway runs from December 15th- December 27. Winner will be notified December 28th.

And if you like this giveaway- maybe you’ll “like” me on Facebook? Or follow me on Bloglovin?

Giveaway: Love A Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Hello readers of Traveling With T! Ya’ll know how much I adore a giveaway- and I’m always so giddy when I can offer another giveaway to the readers. Seriously, over-the-moon!

Harlequin Books (whoooo to them!) has given me another giveaway opportunity- and one that I think will be super-great!

I have 1 copy of Shannon Stacey’s first print book, Love a Little Sideways) to be given away to a lucky commenter (US/Canada only)! Simply comment on this post for your chance to win! Giveaway ends December 3 at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced December 4th.

Synopsis of Love A Little Sideways (from Harlequin)

Liz Kowalski is heading home to Whitford, Maine—this time for good. Eager for her family, a fresh start and some fun, she doesn’t count on being rescued by the chief of police her very first night back in town. Drew is everything she’s not looking for…so why is she still so attracted to him?

After a brief, forbidden rendezvous at her brother’s wedding, Drew Miller expects Liz to return to New Mexico and stay there. He’s searching for someone to settle down with, not a casual fling with his best friend’s sister. But when they’re stuck together on the annual Kowalski camping trip, things start going a little sideways. Keeping their hands off each other proves just as impossible as keeping their secret from becoming public knowledge.

Amid family, mud and melted marshmallow, Liz and Drew try to fight what’s growing between them. But a little time alone, a lot of chemistry and too many opinions might be just what it takes to bring together two people so determined not to fall in love.

Gift Ideas for Book Lovers (Part 2)

This weekend, with the temps dipping down in the 40’s during the day- and even colder at night, the holiday visions danced even more in my head.

If they were dancing in your head as well- here are some more suggestions for books for the book lovers in your life!

To read part 1, visit here!

Women’s Fiction

Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

Photo Credit: Amazon

My first Beth Hoffman book- and boy was it a treat. Beth wrote a book that made me laugh and cry- and feel good and warm and fuzzy. Her main character, Teddi, was a character with flaws, and tons of potential. Teddi is also dealing with an incredible loss. She’s real and honest and lovable. Here is my review of Looking For Me.

Time Flies by Claire Cook

Photo Credit: Amazon

High school reunions make some feel nostalgic, others feel nauseous. Claire Cook takes a rite of passage and spins a story that is funny- but sweet. Her character Melanie is dealing with a divorce- and finding out that life does not end- in fact, it may get better. Here is my review of Time Flies.

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

Photo Credit: Amazon

Susan Rebecca White tells this story with such feeling and emotion. Her characters, the storylines- all worth reading. This story reminds people of what life and love is really about- and how we, as people, want to have someone in our corner- someone who sees the real us- and accepts us 100%. Here is my review of A Place At The Table.

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapirio

Photo Credit: Amazon

Love, lust, betrayal….. and the art world. Fantastic story- a mystery, a story divided into 3 sections- and art. Claire is flawed- she’s made mistakes. She’s also paid for her mistakes by being blackballed in the art world. When she makes a deal with the devil- will Claire come out on top? Or even more of a pariah? Here is my review of The Art Forger.

Finding Colin Firth by Mia March

Photo Credit: Amazon

Mia March’s 2nd book, Finding Colin Firth, is the same bubbly goodness that readers came to expect from her after Meryl Streep Movie Club. Plus, who doesn’t like Colin Firth? Highly recommended for readers who just want to be entertained! Here is my review of Finding Colin Firth.

NonFiction

Learning to Fly: An Uncommon Memoir of Human Flight, Unexpected Love, and One Amazing Dog by Steph Davis

Photo Credit: Goodreads

The story of Steph Davis- the things she overcame to find happiness- all with a dog by her side and the notion to learn to be a skydiver- something that goes against her climber personality. Steph’s story is an interesting one- and one that is worth a read. Here is my review of Learning to Fly.

Gods of Mischief: My Undercover Vendetta to Take Down The Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang by George Rowe

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Tough. Gritty. Entertaining. Interesting. The insider look into a tough motorcycle gang is not a story for the soft-hearted. It’s tough at times- but overall, nonfiction lovers will enjoy. Here is my review of Gods of Mischief.

Romance

The Sassy Belles by Beth Albright

Photo Credit: Goodreads

When Blake O’Hara Heart’s best friend forever, Vivi, gets herself into a bit of trouble- Blake is there to rescue her. And Blake learns plenty about life, love, and teaches the readers about the power of friendship along the way! If you like your characters with lots of sass and fun- this is a book for you. Here is my review of The Sassy Belles (along with my review of Wedding Belles and Sleigh Belles– the other 2 books in this fun trilogy.)

Giveaway: What The Bride Didn’t Know by Kelly Hunter

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Another giveaway! Harlequin Books is providing Traveling With T with another giveaway for a lucky commenter! Thanks Harlequin!

Summary from Goodreads:

Shh, it’s a secret!

Special ops expert Trig Sinclair is a man’s man, and that means he knows the cardinal rule of the bro code and no matter how dynamite Lena West is, as his best friend’s younger sister, she’s strictly off-limits!

But when a secret mission to Istanbul sees Lena and Trig pretending to be married (and sharing a bed!), he finds himself in a whole new world of sweet torture. But if Trig thinks playing the honor-bound hero is tough, it’s got nothing on how Lena feels when she discovers what her groom is really hiding.

Want to win? Comment for a chance! Giveaway is open to US/Canada- and runs from November 19th-26th. Winner will be notified November 27th! Please leave your email (you may use the AT and DOT).

Sleigh Belles by Beth Albright

Photo Credit: Harlequin

In the previous two books, Sassy Belles and Wedding Belles, the lovely Dallas Dubois has shown the readers just how far she will go to get the story (or a man!) Dallas, while beautiful, has not shown the readers (or the people of Tuscaloosa) that she is the kind of woman to be friends with or to trust. But, if you know women like Dallas, most often- there is a reason for their behavior. Sleigh Belles tells Dallas’s story- and makes readers who may have wanted to strangle Dallas in previous books- love and understand Dallas. Similar to how Emily Giffin showed the other side of Darcy in Something Blue– Beth Albright shows that there is more to Dallas than the self-centered, beautiful package that Dallas appears.

Dallas is not happy. She’s weeks away from finding out if she will be the new anchor or will be looking for a new job- and would rather have her beautiful hair cut by Edward Scissorhands than become the director of children’s Christmas play. But, the director is sick and Dallas’s boss insists that she take the reigns. So, she does- and hopes it’ll not be as bad as she thinks. Turns out, it’s worse. The children aren’t listening and Cal Hollingsworth- a friend of Lewis, Blake and Vivi- being around is causing Dallas frustration. Cal is the boy that Dallas had a secret crush on in high school- and Dallas is trying to keep her cool around him because they are different as night and day.

Cal is not exactly pleased to see Dallas, either. Oh his eyes enjoy the curvy goodness of Dallas- but he remembers her as the Ice Queen and it seems that she has not changed as he watches her interactions with the children. One day, though, Dallas encounters a girl that pulls at her heart strings- and reminds her of life from long ago. Seeing Dallas soften makes Cal wonder if he misjudged Dallas- and the two decide to get better acquainted.

As Cal and Dallas begin to spend more time together, they find themselves falling in love. Until Dallas gets some blasts from the past that cause her to begin putting the walls back up that she had just let down. Will Cal and Dallas find happy ever after? Or will Dallas always be unlucky in love?

Dallas’s personal life is a mess- and her professional life is almost as messy. She’s worried about the anchor job and wonders what will happen if she does not get the job. When someone steals Baby Jesus from the Nativity scene of a Tuscaloosa resident- Dallas is on the case, even though she’d much rather have the harder news stories. Could the missing Baby Jesus help lead Dallas to happiness?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Sleigh Belles, by far, is the most heartwarming of the Sassy Belles series. While the other 2 books have more humor, fun and sass- Sleigh Belles tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. The reader learns more about Dallas’s past and why Dallas is the way she is. Beth Albright had to dig deep and work hard to show that there is way more to Dallas than the hair and the body that won’t quit- but, by golly, she did.

And not to worry- there is plenty of mention of those 2 Sassy Belles- Blake and Vivi- but this book is mostly Dallas’s time to shine and to learn that love and friendship have been closer than she ever imagined.

Recommended for readers who want something sweet and heartwarming to read during the holidays- with a heavy dash of romance. Grab a copy of Sleigh Belles and a cup of hot chocolate- and enjoy a story that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.