Apr 212013
 

 

Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.

* * *

SECTION 4: HOW IS CHRISTIANITY TO UNITE? – A Vision

Chapter 14: Strengthening the Individual

 

Christianity has been in a state of increasing division since its inception. Consider the 2nd century observation of the Greek philosopher Celsus who wrote that Christians “…slander one another with dreadful and unspeakable words of abuse. And they would not make even the least concession to reach agreement; for they utterly detest each other.” Although a known opponent of early Christianity, the words of Celsus ring true to this very day causing one to ask… How is Christianity to Unite?

The four chapters of Section 4 answer the question by examining the unification process from the smallest unit of Christianity—the individual—to incrementally larger units including the family, church and community. This is a concept Shuster calls the Model of Christian Unity. As each unit is strengthened spiritually the impact on society is not merely cumulative, but rather exponential as a result of spiritual synergy.

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The desire of Jesus Christ in the unification of his disciples was the subject of his heartfelt prayer to God the Father when he pleaded “that they may be made perfect in one,” with Christ dwelling within the disciple and God dwelling within the Savior (John 17:23). Each of the four chapters examines the Biblical case for strengthening the entity along with the forces that divide and unite.

The most basic unit in the kingdom of God is the individual comprising the first rung in the Model of Christian Unity. The Savior said “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” and as branches nourished from the same vine we are to “bringeth forth much fruit: for without me [Jesus Christ] ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

The cornerstone scripture for strengthening the individual comes from Luke 22:32 with Jesus telling Peter “…when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” In this passage the Savior teaches a profound yet simple lesson that those who are converted are to strengthen those who are not. Because conversion is a continual process it may be more accurate to say that those who are more mature in their conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ (along the Christian Continuum) should lift up and help those who are not as far along.

Through the conversion process individuals are strengthened in both faith and works. The 16 Believing attributes and the 16 Practicing attributes from the Chapter 13 exercise are covered in detail allowing participants of the exercise to examine their scores leading to an action plan of improvement.

32 attributes—16 relating to faith (believing) and 16 relating to love and works (practicing)—can easily overwhelm even the strongest of Christians. Just remember, spiritual growth is a journey and not a destination. The prophet Isaiah taught “precept upon precept… line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28:10). We are all a work in progress on earth laboring on these things everyday with the goal of continuous improvement, not overnight perfection. Next we look at strengthening the family.

Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.

 

Apr 192013
 
Tour Schedule

Product Details

  • Title: Replacing Gentry
  • Author: Julie N. Ford
  • Paperback: 286 pages
  • Publisher: WiDo Publishing (April 9, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1937178315
  • ISBN-13: 978-1937178314
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:Replacing Gentry

When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.
Despite the cadaver’s warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry; and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.
What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past, ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.
A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.
My Review

I already knew that Julie N. Ford knew how to write a great romance, but now I know she also knows how to write a fantastic mystery/suspense novel. From the minute you meet Marlie and she becomes involved with the rich senator, Daniel Cannon,  so quickly you know that something is up. As the pieces unfold in this novel, everyone is suspect. I felt for poor Marlie not knowing who to trust, her husband or another man, Johnny, that she was so attracted to. Even until the very end you still are wondering and trying to piece things together.

Replacing Gentry is a novel full of lies, betrayal, murder, a cult, conspiracies and of course some romance. The ending is a surprise, but I think I had it figured out several chapters before the end. You will love this new novel by Julie N. Ford. It is now one of my favorites!

Meet:Author Julie N. Ford

Julie N. Ford graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a Marriage & Family Counselor. She is the author of two women’s fiction novels, The Woman He Married and No Holly for Christmas, published in 2011. In addition, she wrote a romance/chick-lit novel, Count Down to Love, also published in 2011. Count Down to Love was a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. Her next novel, Replacing Gentry, is due for release April 9th, 2013.
Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one hedgehog.

 

Apr 172013
 

15877612The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume

Author: Lisa Rumsey Harris

Publisher: Sweetwater Books (Cedar Fort)

Published: November 13, 2012

ISBN13: 9781462110261

FTC FYI: Received a PDF in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

With her love of sweaters, goofy hair, and awkward manners—not to mention her family curse—Treasure Blume knows love is not in her future. That is, until she matches wits with Dennis Cameron, a divorced chef with a six-year-old daughter. Full of mischief, mayhem, and laugh-out-loud humor, this is an unlikely love story you’ll want to read over and over again!

My Review

4 out of 5 stars.  This book is a delight.  I thought it was so funny.  I was laughing out loud many, many times.  Treasure is an amazing lady.  I felt bad for her at times, but she is a pillar of strength.  Treasure is a genuinely nice person, who truly wants to help others.  Even if she is cursed.  This book has a great message of kindness and love, with a lot of humor.

Excerpt

Micaela went into the bathroom to change while Miss Treasure stood guard. When she came back, she handed the Ziploc to Miss Treasure who (as agreed) stuck it in her non-descript bag. Together they went back to class. Miss Treasure put the bag in the closet and started math time. She hadn’t even had time to think about the wet-pants episode until right now, with Micaela’s dad staring her down.

“Mr. Cameron, I’m so sorry about the situation with Micaela today. I guess we couldn’t get a hold of you . . .” Treasure started to say, intending to explain that she had handled the situation and that he didn’t need to worry.

But she didn’t get that far before Dennis jumped in. It bugged him that she called him Mr. Cameron instead of Dennis, like he was an old man with a walker. “Well, it’s not like you tried very hard, from what I hear,” said Dennis with heat. “Did you even try to find me? Or did you just hand her off to the office? Bonnie says she was sobbing, and for Bonnie to notice, it hadto be bad.”

Treasure glanced out the glass rectangle in the door. Micaela was absorbed in her lima bean observations, sitting on the concrete sidewalk. “Of course I took her to the office, Mr. Cameron. That’s school policy.”

“I don’t give a flip about policy. I care about my daughter, and obviously, you don’t.”

So that’s the way it’s going to be, is it? thought Treasure. It wasn’t an unfamiliar scenario. People often accused her of their own inadequacies. Projection. Her father had taught her the term.

“She trusted you, and you betrayed her . . .” Dennis said.

At this point, Treasure went icy. Accused of betrayal and buying the children’s affections in the same day? She wasn’t going to apologize for doing her job. And frankly, she was not in need of another verbal beating right now. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. I do care about your daughter, and I didn’t betray her, but obviously, you feel that you did,” Treasure said.

“How I feel is none of your business,” said Dennis. He felt his ears turning red. Most likely, they’ ll explode off my head, he thought.

Reacting to his obvious anger, Treasure began to blurt. “And obviously, based on your response time, you must not have thought it was much of an emergency at all.”

Dennis was too mad to speak. He sputtered, trying to begin several sentences, unable to get them out. “Don’t tell me to . . . You have noright . . . Of course I . . .”

Luckily, it gave Treasure time to imagine her mental duck. I am a duck’s back, she mentally intoned. These words roll off me like water.  She drew a deep breath and started to speak in a low tone. “We took care of the problem. You’d know that if you had taken the time to talk to Micaela before you barged in here. Did you even speak to her?”

Treasure looked at him, waiting for him to spit out the venom that was clearly pooling in his throat. She wasn’t angry anymore. Instead she was a little bit sad. She’d liked this man. She always chose his line for lunch, eager to see how he arranged the food on her tray. Based on his plating alone, he was more suited to Kitchen Stadium than the lunchroom.

With a nearly convulsive effort, Dennis swallowed and closed his eyes. He raised his hands and drew them through his surprisingly thick hair. Treasure had never seen it outside of a hair net before. It was nice: reddish brown and shaggy, a bit like the ears on an Irish setter. Then he looked up at her: “I want you to know that I blame you for this.”

Not the first time I’ve heard that, thought Treasure, but instead she drew herself up and mustered all the dignity she could. “For what, Mr. Cameron? For the small capacity of children’s bladders?”

“Yes,” said Dennis, “and for poisoning her against lima beans. If she won’t eat them, I’m holding you accountable.” And with that, he slapped the top of a desk and left the room.

Treasure Blume Blog Tour Banner

 Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Publisher

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Cedar Fort

 

Apr 152013
 

Belonging to Heaven - Gale SearsBelonging to Heaven

Author: Gale Sears

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published Date: April 2013

Hardcover: # of pages unknown

Genre: Historical Religious Fiction

ISBN# 978-1-60907-159-2

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free digital review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

***Scroll down for details on how to enter the Belonging to Heaven Blog Tour Giveaway***

Summary

Descended from the Hawaiian royal line, Jonathan Napela became one of the first—and most influential—converts to the Church in Hawaii. A man of intelligence, social status, and wealth, he used his considerable reputation to further the gospel in his native land. He developed a lifelong bond of brotherhood with Elder George Q. Cannon, helping to translate the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian and establish a gathering place for the Hawaiian saints in Laie, Oahu. But when his beloved wife, Kitty, was stricken with leprosy, Jonathan made the defining decision of his life. He would leave his life of privilege to become her caretaker and spend the rest of his life on Molokai, the island of lepers. To those who suffered similar heartbreak and banishment, Jonathan’s self-sacrifice became their lifeline. Based on a true story, this is an extraordinary novel of a man who chose love in the face of death.

Review

Gale Sears has a passion and talent for historical fiction. I was reminded of this once again while reading Belonging to Heaven. This fictionalized retelling of the history of the LDS Church’s early beginnings in Hawai’i was full of memorable characters, spiritual experiences, and inspirational sacrifices.

I didn’t know much about George Q. Cannon or the events surrounding the early days of the Church in the Hawaiian Islands (then known as the Sandwich Islands). I haven’t seen any of the movies made about those events, either. Reading Belonging to Heaven was not only an education for me, but also revealed a desire to learn more about the efforts of George Q. Cannon and others.

Beyond learning some Church history, I was swept into the story of the early Hawaiian Saints, particularly Jonathan Napela. The author’s portrayal of this dedicated elder and his relationship with George Q. Cannon was moving and memorable. The first part of the book was mostly about “Missionary Cannon” and his work on the islands. The last half of the book, though, was focused on Jonathan Napela and his efforts to continue to build the Kingdom of God on the earth during what would be the most difficult circumstances of his life.

Readers who love history, particularly Church history, will enjoy Belonging to Heaven. It is a book about love, sacrifice, dedication, and faith. I was easily pulled into the story, not because there was a fast-moving plot, but because of how well the characters’ stories were told. I was moved to tears more than once. This story will stay with me for a long time.

Visit Gale:  WEBSITE | GOODREADS

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Apr 142013
 

 

Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.

* * *

SECTION 3: WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—A Categorization

Chapter 13: What Kind of Christian are You? Take the Test

 

Christians in America are spread out among those who are departing, feeling adequate, hesitating, and laboring (understanding there are very few who are latent). These Christians—meaning all Christians—move along a continuum based upon the exercising of faith unto works in an often erratic and volatile way. There may be a time when a Christian is inactive and disillusioned only to be inspired by a life-changing event that increases their faith towards becoming a more active Christian. Conversely, there may be a time when a Christian is active and faithful only to lose motivation and interest in life towards becoming a more inactive and indolent Christian.

The question of “Are you a Christian?” now becomes irrelevant and is replaced by “What kind of Christian are you?” The Christian community can eliminate the judgmental spirit of deciding who is a Christian and who is not by moving to a more useful and productive dialogue of where believers are along the Christian Continuum.

Christian Continuum

To accomplish this author Eric Shuster developed a unique exercise that accurately categorizes individuals into one of the five Christian types (Departing, Adequate, Hesitant, Laboring and Latent). The exercise contains 32 simple questions divided into three parts, all of which are answered on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • Part One of the exercise evaluates individuals on a primary set of five attributes relating to belief (or faith). If the participant is not a Believing Christian then the test is concluded.
  • Part Two of the exercise evaluates individuals on a secondary set of Believing Christian attributes. The eleven attributes in part two measure the depth of belief using tenets that are closely associated with faith in Christ and support the belief system of the Christian.
  • Part Three of the exercise evaluates individuals on a set of Practicing Christian attributes. The sixteen attributes in part three measure the degree to which the individual is a Practicing Christian ranging from weak to strong.

After completing the exercise the scores are added up on two different axes: 1) the Believing attributes on the vertical axis (or the y axis from your high school math days) and 2) the Practicing attributes on the horizontal axis (or the x axis). The simple calculation and plot shows the participant exactly where they are on the continuum at the time of the exercise. Readers can use the manual form provided in the book or immediately complete the exercise and discover what type of Christian they are at www.findyourchristianity.com.

The remainder of chapter 13 is dedicated to helping the reader interpret the results, along with an enlightening exercise of charting the five Christian denominations discussed in chapter 7 onto the Christian Continuum—an revealing exercise you won’t want to miss.

Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.

 

Apr 122013
 

 

StarCursedbyAshleyLaveringProduct Description

Title: Star Cursed (Curse of the Beast book 2)

Author: Ashley Lavering

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance/ Beauty and the Beast Retelling 

Paperback: 276 pages 

Publisher: Silvermist Publishing LLC (February 19, 2013) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 0985570334 

ISBN-13: 978-0985570330

 Tour Host: Lady Amber’s Tours

FTC FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by : Sheila

 

Book Description:
Seventeen-year-old Tayla will never forget Beast’s fiery-venom spreading through her body like an infection. Now, with her best friend Chel’s help, she must find a human true love before the last petal falls from her enchanted rose or the full moon will transform her into a wolf forever.

 But Tayla never expected that her biggest obstacle would come from inside—a wolf presence threatening to take her very soul. At every turn, the she-wolf exploits Tayla’s weaknesses and gains enough control to sabotage her dates. Tayla struggles to control her unruly wolf and her forbidden attraction to Beast. But can she resist his southern charm, the she-wolf’s attraction to his alluring scent, and still fall in love with a human?

Tangled in a web of wills, Tayla must risk everything to break the Curse of the Beast. With failure and possible death looming overhead, Tayla will do anything to find true love. But will one moon cycle be long enough to conquer her wolf and remain human? Or will she become a permanent member of Beast’s pack? Find out in the second installment in the Curse of the Beast series.

Excerpt From Star Cursed

 

Brayden held the door open for me as I climbed out of the car. I tried not to cringe seeing the movie house again, but I couldn’t stop my lips from pulling into a hard line. My wolf felt my unease and paced in my mind, adding to my nerves. I knew Brayden was different from Kyle. There was no comparison, but that night still haunted me, and seeing the place where Kyle had assaulted me left me a bit unnerved.

“Are you okay?” Brayden’s hand rested lightly on my lower back.

“Umm.” I shook the bad memories and turned a smile on him. “Yeah. Sorry. It’s been awhile since I was here last.” Like months. He looked confused, so I lied, “It just looks different. That’s all. Why don’t we get our tickets?”

“All right.” He still looked unconvinced, but let it go.

We arrived at the ticket booth and both spoke at the same time, “Two for Lights and Brimfire.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I looked off to the side of him. “I just thought, that well, since I asked you and all…”

He chuckled. “Tayla, it’s okay.” I looked up at him and the smile on his face tugged mine back into place. He continued, “And I always pay, even if the girl asked me.” He winked at me and my knees wobbled from the fuzzy warmth creeping into my stomach. A rumble of agitation pushed through from my wolf, but it only gave me more confidence that this guy was it.

We picked the seats right in the very middle. To me they were the best seats in the house. I wasn’t sure about the movie. It was some war movie. I felt bad that Beast had to be subjected to it. At least he hadn’t had to run here. He had insisted on drive his own truck.

I felt Beast slink in behind us. He was a few rows up, wearing his trademark black trench coat and kept his head low. As people filled into the theater, they gave him a wide berth. I didn’t blame them. Honestly, he looked like the grim reaper or something.

The lights dimmed in the theater and the previews started. I offered Brayden a licorice. He smiled, and my heart stuttered. Even in the dark, his smile lit the world.

“Thanks for coming,” I whispered.

“No problem.” He grabbed another licorice. “Thanks for the invite.”

“Hey.” I shouldered him. “That’s my licorice,” I teased.

He shoulder knocked me back. “Then you shouldn’t have given me the first one. Now I’ll eat the whole bag.”

I made a great show of hiding them in my jacket and we both chuckled. He was easy that way. I didn’t feel like I had to be someone else. Not like with Kyle.

Why am I thinking of him?

I mentally scolded myself and relaxed back in my chair, leaning close to Brayden. He didn’t scoot away and hope warmed my chest. I was careful to only breathe through my mouth and had practiced clamping down on my wolf senses, not wanting a repeat of the gym scene. The heat of his arm against mine was comforting, and the way he periodically gave me sideways glances made my heart flutter.

The movie started but I was too focused on Brayden to watch. That was until the battle scenes demanded my attention. My wolf was riveted to the carnage on the screen and, to my horror, was licking her lips. I almost dry heaved right then. I shrunk from the movie and from her. I covered my eyes with my hands, praying it would stop her blood lust and my rolling stomach. I’m sure I whimpered or something equally as embarrassing, because Brayden lifted the armrest and pulled me close. I snuggled into his chest.

“We can leave,” he whispered, tickling my ear.

“I don’t want you to miss your movie,” I responded, trying not to breathe as I was happily surrounded by his strong arms.

He squeezed me close. “All right.”

My nose pressed up against his shoulder, a potential happy place for me if it wasn’t for my wolf. I was too close and could taste the tang of animal blood on my tongue. I quickly closed my mouth. When I was forced to breathe, the smell of farm animals was strong, but not as strong as the metallic smell of blood. It all reminded me of the first time I met him.

The smell overwhelmed my senses and I felt my control slip. I closed my eyes, focusing on restraining the wolf struggling against her cage. She wasn’t going to ruin this for me. I refused to pull away, but the thought of dead animals was too disturbing, and the smell was stronger than that day in the gym. My mind wandered from its task. Had he killed an animal today? But the horror that should have washed over me was replaced with a heady need. I breathed deeply and pressed my body closer, quickly losing control. The smell was delightfully tantalizing and my stomach grumbled, transporting me to a childhood memory of Aunt Lily’s jello cake.

My mouth watered, as I pictured the cake. It smelled so real that I could almost taste it. I opened my mouth and skimmed the cake with my lips, biting down softly. My teeth met more resistance than I was expecting. I was about to bite down harder when large fingers slid between my teeth preventing me from my dessert. I growled and threw my head back, only to have Beast’s strong arms capture me in a vice grip around my torso. 

“What the—?”

Brayden’s voice snapped me out of my delusion of a childhood dessert. My eyes flew open and I took in his disgusted expression as he rubbed his neck. His hand came away wet with my saliva. His gaze darted to his left shoulder where his shirt was several shades darker, thanks to my drool. Horror washed through me, but before I could utter a word of apology, Beast tugged me out of my seat and hauled me out of the theater. I could still hear Chel and Brayden.

“Oh,” Chel said. “Eww. I’m so sorry. Maybe her blood sugar was low.”

“What?” Brayden’s disbelieving voice sliced me. How would he love me now?

“You know people do all sorts of weird stuff when their blood sugar is low,” Chel explained.

“Oh, like biting me?”

I could imagine his eyes narrowing in anger.

“Umm,” Chel hesitated, obviously surprised I had actually bit him. “Was it just a nip? I don’t see any broken skin.”

That news sent a trickle of relief over me. At least, I hadn’t drawn blood.

“That isn’t the point. She bit and slobbered all over me. My animals don’t even get me this bad!” he hissed back. His voice sounded like he had stood and was walking out of the theater as well. Chel didn’t respond. I’m sure she was trying to process the whole thing.

“And who was that guy?” Brayden asked.

“Oh, just a friend.”

“She has some stalker friend to pull her from dates when she starts biting them?”

“No.” She giggled nervously. “I guess you smell so good she just wanted a taste.”

I cringed, mortified even more than I already was. Way to go, Chel, now I really want to hide. The night air hit my face as we exited the theater house. Beast strode a few yards more before depositing me against the wall, where I slumped down to the ground and hugged my knees.

Almost too low for me to hear, Chel’s date, Dalyn, responded, “You can take a taste of me anytime you like, Chel.”

“You’re all nuts,” Brayden said.

“Wait, I’ll drive you home,” Chel called after him, her voice getting louder as they neared.

“Don’t bother. I’m safer walking.” He pushed open the door. Our eyes met for a moment before he stormed off. 

I hung my head. “Oh, Beast,” I whispered. “What have I done?”

To my surprise, he chuckled. “So you nipped him?” He shrugged his shoulders but the mirth was still there.

I glowered at him. “Then why did you swoop down and carry me off if you didn’t think it was a big deal?”

“The nip wasn’t what I was worried about, but the real bite you were going to give him next would’ve drawn blood, and then it was unlikely you’d be able to stop.” His lips hitched upward. “That would have really made your wolf crazy.”

“That meddlesome she-devil!” I ground out between my teeth. “She ruins everything.”

“If you’d learned to control her better, you would’ve smelled the animals on him and stayed far away from him in the first place.” His eyes twinkled as if laughing at an inside joke.

Before I could retort, Chel came out of the doors, her date trailing behind her. “Dalyn, will you start the car for me and bring it around?” She tossed him her keys before he responded.

“Sure.” He eyed me with a mischievous glint. I felt Beast vibrate with an inaudible growl. I agreed. Dalyn’s look sent chills up my spine, like he was assessing a hooker or something. Yuck! I was definitely telling Chel to stay away from that one.

With Dalyn in the SUV and out of hearing, Chel demanded answers. “What just happened?”

I scowled at my knees. “He must’ve slaughtered a cow or something yesterday because his stench was so much stronger today, and my wolf got the better of me.”

“But you bit him?”

“It’s her! I would never do that. Eww. He must think I’m a freak.” I groaned, placing my head in my hands. “He was so perfect, too.”

Chel patted my shoulder, but it wasn’t soothing; nothing was, with this wolf in my head.

“You know what the worst part is?” I ask, looking up to see Chel raise her eyebrow. “She tricked me. She used my memory of Aunt Lily’s jello cake to convince me to bite him. I didn’t even know she could do that!”

“Jello?” Chel asked.

Beast cleared his voice.

“What?” I demanded.

“That isn’t exactly true,” he said. I lifted a disbelieving eyebrow at him. “Just hear me out. The smell, it was delicious to you?”

“Only after she tricked me into thinking it was cake. If I had consciously thought of it as blood, animal, whatever, I never…” I couldn’t say the rest.

“That is where you are wrong.” Beast paused until I looked up at him. “To your wolf, animal scent and blood are delicious, and so the best way you could understand those feelings was to relate it to cake.” His voice lost its teacher tone when he got to the last word and turned more playful. “It must’ve been some delectable cake. Maybe my blood lust would curb a bit if you made it for me.” He winked.

“Shut up.” I smacked him in the leg, but couldn’t resist the smile that spread across my lips. I had my wolfish friend back and was determined to side-step as many rift-creating topics as possible. 

Chel bit her bottom lip. “I’m not sure I can fix this, Tay. A little drool I could explain away, but…”

My frown was back. I’d lost Brayden. “Thanks for trying. I guess we should stay away from cowboys.” I gave Chel a rueful grin.

Chel puffed out air and rubbed her temples. “Friday night is a cancel then.”

“Oh?” Why did things always go to crap?

“Yeah, one of Brayden’s roping buddies. But after he hears Brayden’s story, he’ll be canceling before I get a chance to do it.” She gave my shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll find a replacement.”

“Ah!” I buried my face in my hands. “Why did she have to bite him? Stupid wolf.” She growled at me and nipped at my mind, causing a throbbing headache.

Beast crouched down to my level and tucked a finger under my chin. His touch held soothing warmth, but I fought it. I deserved to feel the crushing weight of my actions. The pressure on my chin increased until I could no longer resist his strength. My face tilted up to him, but I refused to look him in the eyes. At least, in that I still had the power to defy.

“Stupid is the last word I’d use to describe you.” As if by its own accord, my gaze lifted and was met by the warmth coming from his eyes. His thumb grazed my jaw, and both my wolf and I trembled ever so slightly. He noticed my reaction, and his eyes lit with mischief. “And if he had been a werewolf, I guarantee you would’ve gotten a different response.”

I couldn’t breathe. What he implied was too direct to misinterpret. A horn blasted, and I jerked, breaking the spell. Beast lifted his head to look at Dalyn, giving me the needed release to breathe.

 tourbannerstarcursedbyashleylavering

My Review

Star Cursed is the sequel to Curse of the Beast by Ashley Lavering. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, I would suggest doing that first. It could be read alone, but why do that to yourself. Having the background story will make the second book a much more enjoyable read. Tayla is back with more troubles than before. She not only has her old boyfriend to deal with but also The Beast. This book has it’s share of great romance and super angst. Can I just tell you how much I love The Beast? My heart breaks for him as he tries to do the right thing for Tayla. He loves her so much, but knows that she would be better off and having the curse broken. 


You will love this retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a werewolf twist. I can promise you that you will be sitting on the edge until book three is in your hand.

Available as E-book: Kindle, Nook, Smashwords; and  paperback: Amazon

 

Add to your Good Reads shelf:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16155124-star-cursed

 

Author Bio:Untitled1

 

 

A nomad at heart, I currently claim Nevada as my home. I have a wonderful husband and two young children that put up with my “writing time.” When she’s not pondering a spell that will magically calm the ferocious winds that plague the air around her, you can find her, with notepad in hand, frantically jotting down ideas in those short moments between caring for her girls and working full time at the Elko Institute for Academic Achievement.

 Art and science have always been my yin and yang. Throughout my college career, I shifted between the two, but in the end I graduated with a Bachelors of Mathematics and Science from the University of Wyoming.

Charging into adventures and discovering something new has always been a passion of mine, but as a teenager I used to run screaming from a reading or writing assignment. Looking back, the irony isn’t lost on me. Now you can’t catch me without a book in hand or without an open word document. Every time a new idea pops into my mind my heart races and my hand twitch to write it. In that moment, I have my writer’s high and pray it will sustain me through thousands of hours of revision.

 Ashley’s Links:

 Amazon Author Page link: www.amazon.com/author/ashleylavering

Amazon Links for Ashley’s books:

Curse of the Beast http://www.amazon.com/Curse-of-the-Beast-ebook/dp/B007YVYJUK/ref=la_B007ZXQR0C_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341002105&sr=1-1

Facebook Page link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curse-of-the-Beast/162476580509579

Facebook Profile link: http://www.facebook.com/ashley.laveringauthor

Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/AshleyLavering

Website/Blog Link: Creative Thoughts: http://www.ashleylavering.blogspot.com/

Goodreads Book link, for each book:

Star Cursed (Curse of the Beast bk 2): http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16155124-star-cursed

Goodreads Author Page link:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5750992.Ashley_Lavering