Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama  and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.





1. What is your holiday wish for your family?  That we have a great christmas season and remember it's not all about getting






2. What is your Christmas morning tradition? The kids get the stockings before the adults wake up ( buys us grown ups a few extra mins of sleep time) Then we turn on the christmas music and tear into the presents






3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be? A new car ( mines on the frets)






4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?We have holiday share time ( basicly at get together with friends and bake goodies while the kids run around playing)






5. What games did you play with your family growing up? board games and cards as a teen we had a nintendo so all the kids in the neighbor hood gathered at our house to play Mario






6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood? on christmas eve we open 2 presents. One is always Pjs and the other is our ornament for the year






7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip? Somewhere north so we could have a white christmas






8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year? My kids want an X-box 360, I want the fable 3 game and Tim wants a psp


 

Contest over at One Savvy Mom ( You don't want to miss)

One savvy Mom is giving away a Toshiba Helios Black 17.3" Satellite Laptop PC
with AMD Athlon II P320 Processor. Lots of ways for extra entries!!!http://savvycouponmommy.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-gift-guide-2010-toshiba-helios.html
Well What are you waiting for? Get over there and enter and Good Luck all!!

Whirlpool by Vivian Arend Review

                    Whirlpool
                         Forces of Nature Book 2
            Coming Tomorrow

Genre- Paranormal Romance - Merfolk
Length- 118 pages 
From Samhain Publishing

Soft shoulders and dangerous curves…


Braden can’t deny he’s always wanted Chelsea, but getting involved wouldn’t be fair. She has college and big dreams ahead of her—he has no desire to leave Jaffrey’s Cove. Plus, there’s the fact merfolk women often take more than one lover. Share her? Not in this lifetime.

When Chelsea’s plans for the future fall apart, the only bright spot remaining is Sheriff Braden Marley. She’s been angling for a shot at the gentle giant’s heart—and the rest of him—for a long time. Except he not only holds her at a maddening arm’s length, he somehow manages to keep other men away, too.

Enter Jamie Powell, a human marine archaeologist who’s in town for a cataloging project. His instant chemistry with Chelsea inspires her to try a sexy new tactic: make Braden jealous enough to stop dragging his feet and start leaving his shoes under her bed.

The ensuing storm generates a boatload of complications none of them saw coming. A forbidden attraction no amount of merfolk magic can erase. And the danger that their secrets could be exposed to the outside world…

Warning: Seductive shimmering lights, a sexy interlude on the strip club floor, mysterious Spanish lovers, and a trio caught in an eddy of intense sexual attraction. Swim at your own risk.

 I received this ARC thanks to Vivian Arend

MY THOUGHTS-
                       I have been so caught up in Vivian's Granite Lake Wolves series that some how book 1 of the Forces of Nature series passed me by, But this is a stand alone book so it was quite alright to jump right into it. And I'm glad I did.
                       A hot read right out of the gate. The characters really drew me in, from the bull-headed Sheriff to the sexually- frustrated Chelsea and of course we can't forget about the super-smart but endearingly forgetful Jamie. Did I mention that this is a M/F/M book ? No?, well now I did. And on that topic I will say there are M/f/M scenes but they're by no means over the top extreme.
                        Now I haven't read alot of Merfolk books so I found it to be a breath of fresh air . A happy , up-beat story that made me giggle in places and left me with a warm and fuzzy feel-good feeling.
                                       I Really Recommend


Now I popped over to Vivian's Website http://vivianarend.com/ for all those who want to go explore and I napped an Excerpt for you all so enjoy

~~~EXCERPT~~~




Jamie perched on the arm of the loveseat, staring at her. “Chelsea, can I ask a personal question? Feel free to tell me to take a hike, but…what’s up with Braden?”

“What do you mean?”

He checked his watch. “He’s going to arrive in twenty-seven minutes. He’ll pace around the room, look you over carefully, grunt in my direction, then disappear into the kitchen.”

The giggles in her belly started to rise. How had Braden thought he could slip anything past this observant man? “He comes home to make lunch, that’s all.”

Jamie’s expression betrayed his disbelief. “He’ll call out to see if you want anything, remember at the last second that I’m here and add my name to the question. After we both turn him down he’ll sit there…” Jamie pointed to the table, “…and watch us while he eats. Actually, he’ll watch you. Then he’ll clean up, come and ask me if I need anything, tell you to behave yourself and he’ll leave after one final dirty look in my direction.”

She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her laughter rang throughout the room and Jamie joined in. When she could speak again her amusement still sounded in her voice.

“Three days and you know what he’s going to do?”

Jamie pulled his wallet from his pocket and drew out a twenty. He slapped it on the coffee table. “If he deviates from the norm, you win the twenty.”

Chelsea smiled. “I’m not betting against you. That’s exactly what he’s going to do.”

“So the question remains, what’s up?”

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Immaculately dressed in dark slacks and a crisp cotton shirt, he looked like he should be in a New York office, not digging through fishing nets and seashells. He was night and day to Braden’s casual jeans or sweats when out of uniform. Damn if she didn’t find them both attractive.

“Braden thinks I need to find a boyfriend.”

Jamie slapped his hands together and pointed at her excitedly. “So that’s what those cryptic comments he made back in his apartment were about.”

His gaze darted over her, the admiration in his eyes clear. This time he wasn’t analyzing what kind of dancer she was. Heat spread over her skin, her heartbeat picking up.

“What comments? What did he say to you?”

“He let me know that when my girlfriend joined me she was welcome to stay in the apartment with me. When I told him I was currently unattached, the grunting began.”

“Oh Lord, not the grunting.”

“Yeah, the grunting and the questions. ‘You think Chelsea is good-looking?’ he asked.” Jamie rolled his eyes and gestured at her, his hand sweeping the length of her frame as if he were at a carnival, gesturing in the main attraction. “I asked if he’d been diagnosed with a brain condition.”

“You didn’t!”

“Chelsea, I’m missing a piece of the puzzle. I think you like Braden, and the man is obviously head over heels attracted to you—”

“Really?”

“Really. So why does it seem like he’s trying to hook us up? At least for the duration of the time I’m working this job?”

Chelsea flopped back in the loveseat, her head resting on the opposite arm from where he sat. How much could she say so the lines of privacy for the shifters of Jaffrey’s Cove remained uncrossed? She sniffed. How could she explain when she wasn’t sure herself why Braden was acting so strange?

She kept it simple.

“The only thing I can come up with is that he thinks we’re not right for each other. For some misguided reason he’s being noble and refusing to get involved with me. I guess he’s approved you as a backup boyfriend, so he’s pushing us together.”

“Backup boyfriend. Hell, I feel like we’re back in eighth grade. But he actually wants you for himself, so he’s still checking in the hopes nothing happens. Got it. No wonder he’s pissed at me.”

Chelsea sat up and touched his leg. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but while I like you a lot, I really want Braden. I have forever.”

Jamie frowned. “Right back at you. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not looking to hook up with anyone right now. While you’re very attractive, I don’t need a girlfriend.” He tapped his fingers on his thigh, brushing her hand accidentally, and Chelsea sucked in a breath. She might know what she wanted, he might know what he wanted, but their chemistry was potentially explosive. She tried to pull her hand away but he grabbed her wrist, held her still.

“I have an idea if you’re game.”
“Involving Braden?”

He gave her a mischievous grin. “He’s on the edge. I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to convince him that his idea isn’t what you two really need. So as long as I’m not in danger of losing any teeth, how about we do a little playacting?”

“To try and make him jealous?”

Jamie nodded.

Chelsea thought fast. Maybe that was what Braden needed to nudge him over and finally not only admit he wanted her but act on it.

The idea held possible dangers though. She’d been without a lover for a long time, and Jamie was damn attractive in his own way. She bit her lower lip. The sexual fever burning in her veins was difficult enough to control at the best of times. If they pretended to get intimate, she might not be able to hold back.

She lifted her chin. If Braden didn’t react, then…to hell with him. Getting involved with Jamie for a bit of fun would hurt no one. Neither of them was looking for forever, and she really needed to gain back some control of her life.

“What are you thinking?”

Jamie pointed to the twenty. “Let’s start by making him mess up his routine. Give him a little something to look at. Just talk quiet to me, like you’re sharing secrets and stand close. Start pushing a few buttons. See what happens.”

“What if he doesn’t respond?”

“Then I get to spend the twenty and buy you dinner. That should go along with the goal of making him jealous.”

Chelsea grinned at him. “How about if he doesn’t react then we bump it up another notch. I’ll take you to the Grotto where I dance and you can spend the twenty on the floor. Deal?”

“Deal.”

They shook hands, the mischief in his eyes shifting to something that made her sex tingle. Tension floated in the air.

“Maybe we should do a test run before he gets here.” His voice had dropped a notch and a shiver raced over her skin as he tugged on her fingers, drawing them closer until her body was flush with his. “Just to make sure it’s going to look believable.”

He lowered his head and brushed their lips together.

More news to share

Possess Me By Rg Alexander is coming out on August 3rd (august 3 is looking really exciting to my book shelves). Here's a bit about it ...

In the Big Easy, there’s a legend women long for: a sexual voodoo spirit who can fulfill their darkest fantasies. And in these three steaming-hot novellas, he helps three New Orleans couples achieve the ultimate satisfaction…

In Release Me, Allegra heads down to New Orleans to heal her wounds, but she never expects to lose her heart to such a quiet, troubled man as Rousseau. She’s even less prepared for the scorching, sexual spirit within him-and what he can do to her…

In Reclaim Me, Ben has loved Michelle as long as he can remember. But his beautiful artist has a way of running away from life-and what the pair could be. Leave it to the infamous spirit to help Ben prove to Michelle where she belongs: in his embrace…

In Redeem Me, it’s All Saints’ Day, the one day the voodoo spirit can walk the world in the flesh. When he bumps into Bethany, she might just be the reincarnation of a girl he once loved. Passion ignites, but can the couple overcome past mistakes and have a real chance at love?

POSSESS ME is available for pre-order right now on Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Borders.
And If thats not exciting enough, Over at the Smutketeers they are having a week long party to celebrate. Full of Obession and Possession , Contests and Guest Bloggers. Stop on by and join em Smutketeers

News to Share : Under the Northern Lights By Vivian Arend

K so I know I said I would be back But unfortunately I have been laid up in the hospital recently ( no nothing major just in for some treatments ) and I didn't bring my notes with me so I'm having to put off my welcome back party for a future date . SO SORRY y'all. But I have heard some news I thought I'd share with everyone
Vivian Arend has a book coming to print  Under the Northern Lights which is book 1+2 of the wildly popular Granite Lake series . Here's a little about the book ::

~~~

UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS                                                  

Coming August 3, 2010



A split second is all it takes to pull the trigger on destiny



Contains the following two novellas

Wolf Signs

Robyn’s deafness doesn’t stop her from taking the back country trip she’s been craving. Meeting a hot, ripped hunk-of-male at the Yukon cabin starts cravings of a different kind. And raises questions about wolves, mates, and duels to the death.



He wanted a quiet retreat before challenging for the pack Alpha position. Keil wasn’t planning on meeting his mate or discovering she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf to go along with her attitude…

Wolf Flight                                                                         

                                                                                                       

 Tad’s workaholism keeps his bush-pilot company in the air, and his inner werewolf in check. Letting it lose would mean compromising his human principles. Then Missy re-enters his life, and their chemistry is off the charts, pushing him closer to the step he’s not sure it’s safe to take.

A wolf pack is a dangerous place to have secrets, and Missy’s corrupt Alpha has sniffed out her carefully hidden Omega powers. Her only choice is to get to Tad, and hope like hell his untapped powers are strong enough to negate her own…


Warning: Contains nasty Alphas, secret Omegas, and yup—predestined mates. Includes dangerous use of sarcasm and hot wilderness nookie.

And to celebrate she's having a week long party Starting 7-27 through 8-3 (The day of the release) over on her blog http://vivianarend.com/blog/ so stop on by and maybe win a prize .

Meandi Corner is closing temporarily

I know what you all are thinking.  Has it been open lately anyway? Some of you have probably been wondering if my TBR pile has fell on me and the rescue crew not been able to find her yet? Has alien abducted her and then got annoyed and dropped her off on a planet that has no net? Maybe her computer went out and I'm still waiting on the Pony express notification?
Well in short- The answer is none off the above . All though come to think of it 2 sounds kind-of close. But really I'm in the process of major upheaval. I am moving and my lord I don't know how people move cross country when I am simply moving 2 states and it's a pain.
So we are simple going to close the Corner for a part of the summer. We will be back On July 20th and I have a Welcome Back Party scheduled with lots of prizes. And I have a review of Cameron Glenn's Cupid's Overlook coming.
I hope to see everyone there and I will post a quick reminder close to that date .
Until then follow me on twitter @meandicorner and I will miss you all.

Or if you still need me feel free to e-mail me I will get back to you even if it takes a few days.

Off on my voyage into the Dark ages -

Traveling Story at Romance in the Backseat

Please stop by and give it a read and of course vote on it.Come get involved cause you never know a part of the story could be posted on our little blog. And as always stop and tell me what your reading or just whats on your radar for the month And Authors feel free to send me info on your new releases cause we would love to hear about that too.I knowI have been neglecting yall and I'm so sorry Life got busy recently but I will be back with awesome post soon. Now back yo the topic. Stop in And telling I sent you over who knows that could lead to great things

Romance in the Backseat