I'll Be Home for Christmas (review and suggestions for helping soldiers)

                                        

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Jessica Scott is a wonderful novella that includes characters introduced in the novel Because of You.

My review:

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jessica Scott is a poignant novella from the ‘Coming Home’ series that gives a glimpse of some of the costs of war, both physically and emotionally.  Much of the story is told from wisecracking Vic Carponte’s point of view and it is particularly emotional as a life-changing experience is told from his perspective.  There are hints dropped about events that take place in the novels which are part of this wonderful military romance series but this particular novella can be read as a stand-alone with no problem.

Military romance tales are unique in their combination of pulse-pounding action and their glimpse into a strictly regimented world that is populated by those who push themselves beyond the limits that average people comply with.  The really well-written stories allow those of us who have little or no experience with this arena to get an idea of what takes place when human frailty encounters lofty (or not so lofty) ideals.  This author does a wonderful job of immersing us in this world, undoubtedly due to her own personal experiences and this novella is a shining example of her dexterity.  Those who are new to her writing will be drawn into the series and those of us who are already fans will enjoy the chance to get another view of some of the characters we have grown attached to.  I was delighted to get a chance to get to know the man behind the lighthearted facade even as I ached for the challenges he and his wife face and I look forward to reading more of the exciting stories that continue the saga of all of these personable characters.

(offered to Night Owl Reviews
A copy of this title was provided in exchange for an honest review)

This delightful novella is only $0.99 and is a great way to get to know this author's writing style and become enamored with some fantastic characters.  (Be advised, if you click on this link and purchase ANYTHING during this visit, I will get a small percentage of the sale...so thank you!)
I'll Be Home For Christmas (Amazon link)

Don't forget that Jessica has a 'Spread the Cheer' contest going on at this link

The other titles in the "Coming Home" series:


                   




Suggestions on how you can reach out to some of our deployed soldiers who appreciate support and contact with those of us they are representing and keeping safe:


Operation Holiday Card...please contact Kim, at the SOS Aloha Blog.  For more details please see this link.


AnySoldier.com  It is heartbreaking to read through the requests for basic things like shampoo and deodorant (although be warned that some of the wishlists get pretty expensive, maybe suitable for fundraising efforts?).  Make sure you investigate what kinds of things can be used...e.g. only certain kinds of very thick cotton socks are appropriate and be advised that food items must be prepackaged.  Link  You will need to register on the site and to send the site managers themselves a donation to help keep the site itself running.

Soldiers' Angels  I am much less active in this organization than I used to be (and I am thankful that the folks I adopted through this site have returned home safely!) so please make sure you pay attention to all of the hoops that have to be jumped through.  There is a section specifically for letter writing if your funds are tight but you have the time to reach out to a soldier or two.  Link

Books for Troops  I am not as familiar with this organization but was told about it by Her Royal Hotness Sabrina York, lol. Please contact Ebony at this link for more info.

Wounded Warrior Project is always looking for donations to help support our wounded veterans.  Link

Operation Paperback also helps provide books to both deployed soldiers and their families here at home.  Link

And, last but not least, the brave souls and inspirational couple that I keep an eye on through their blog are the amazing Taylor and Danielle.  My blogpost about them is at this link and you can read postings about their life at this link. Their courage and cheerful attitude continues despite the immense sacrifice they have made for our country.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions about logistics of packing a care package to send to soldiers or for tips about what include or not include in either the letters, cards or care packages.  There are definitely rules to comply with!  Donations are always welcome because, be advised, the shipping itself can get pretty costly.

Bargains on Amazon, upcoming titles from Shiloh Walker and a contest

There are some fantastic bargains to be had on Amazon right now.  If you don't have a Kindle (I share your pain, lol)...there are a free apps that can be used on most electronic devices, just download them from Amazon.  Please be advised that most of these are ADULT titles!


A fantastic military romance novella is available from Jessica Scott (be warned, tissues will probably be required!).  Whether you are familiar with the 'Coming Home' series or not, this is a wonderful read.  Those of us who are fans of the series are delighted to get to know more about Vic and if you are new to the series, you get a quick introduction to some of the characters and your interest piqued about a great set of books.  My formal review will be available in a few days but suffice to say that it was a wonderful read.
                                         
I'll Be Home For Christmas (A Coming Home Novella) (Amazon link)

Delilah Devlin and friends have a fantastic boxed set of military romance that will be available soon!


Uniform Desires (Make Mine Military) (Amazon link to pre-order)



Pamela Clare has an appetizer to keep us temporarily satiated while waiting for the next thrilling I-team novel!
                                                  
First Strike (I-Team After Hours) (Amazon link)

For those who like spicy BDSM...the combo writing team of Harlem Dae (Lily Harlem and Natalie Dae) has a special just for you!


Sexy as Hell Box Set (Amazon link)



and...Shiloh Walker has a new set of romantic suspense novellas coming out early next year!  More info at this link.

Update:  There's a Wicked Warriors Blog Hop taking place right now...you can start at the delightful Tara Lain's blog at this link.

A fun contest (or two)

There is a fun feature starting on Lisa Renee Jones' blog on April 1, 2013 that was the brainchild of the inventive cook Rae.  She has gathered a collection of recipes that are fun and easy and even better, there is a contest...if you leave a comment AND if you tell them that The Reading Addict blog sent you, if you win I will too!  Please browse there throughout April at this link (and I will try to remind readers to return at various times throughout the month!).  Kudos to Rae for this fun and delicious addition to Lisa's blog.

            

The contest is to remind you about Lisa's delicious Inside Out trilogy which began with the suspenseful and erotic, If I Were You.  My Night Owl review is at this link.  Be warned, this title ends in a cliffhanger...but Lisa has found a way to keep you occupied while waiting for the next title to release (Being Me is due to be released in June 2013) and is doling out journal entries from the woman at the foundation of the search described in If I Were You.  The exquisite covers on the series, Rebecca's Lost Journals, remind you of the sensual nature of these vignettes and they add to the mystery surrounding this suspenseful description of a pair of women and the charismatic and dominant men they become involved with.  My Amazon review for Rebecca's Lost Journals, Volume 1:  The Seduction is at this link.  The next novella in the series is Rebecca's Lost Journals, Volume 2:  The Contract and my Amazon review is at this link.  Rebecca's Lost Jourmals, Volume 3:  His Submissive is being released in April and the fourth volume will be out in May!

                



 
  

Ok...back to the contests...don't forget to visit Lisa Renee Jones' blog starting April 1 at this link and leave comments (and PLEASE mention that you were sent there by The Reading Addict) and we will keep our fingers crossed, lol.  Enter now in the If I Were You contest at this link.

Just Breathe has been released! (adult title)

Just Breathe  
by Kendall Grey is finally out! (Adult title)  This is the third volume in the fascinating trilogy that started with Inhale and continued with Exhale.  If you haven't read either of those titles yet, Inhale is free in e-book version on Amazon (click on the cover below).  I am currently reading Just Breathe and will post my review when I have finished.  I am part of Ms Grey's blog hop and will be hosting a couple of her characters on January 23 and I invite you to visit her webpage and enter her contest at this link.  I was delighted to read about the funds that the author has raised to help educate people about whales and other cetaceans.

             



He made a deal with the devil to save the woman he loves…

After a terrible accident rocks the foundation of their relationship, Australian Sentinel Gavin Cassidy and whale biologist Zoe Morgan call it quits. Gavin can’t forgive himself for shattering her trust, and being with the sexy rock star is killing Zoe. Literally.

But love—and duty—are powerful motivators, and alliances are forged in the most unlikely places. With the key to salvation locked inside the mind of an unconscious child, Gavin must find another way to snuff out the Fyre Elementals before millions of humans die, or make good on his deal with the devil and lose the one he loves. Again.

* JUST BREATHE contains graphic sex, language, and violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18

** All profits from sales of the JUST BREATHE Trilogy will be donated to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face

Blind Destiny and other Grimm's Circle titles (adults only )

Please continue reading only if you are an adult

Blind Destiny 

by Shiloh Walker is the latest in her Grimm's Circle series.  These are definitely different from the typical fairy tales and combine very erotic reads with creative explanations for some of the familiar characters that have been reimagined in multiple venues over the years.  I remember being shocked at the difference between the cartoon of Gulliver's Travels and the actual book itself by Jonathan Swift (not least of which was the method for extinguishing fire that Gulliver used, yech) and the actual tales by the Brothers Grimm are usually very different from the Disney reworkings.  This series is just as radically different but fascinating although I think I reached my personal tolerance for blood and gore in this particular story.  I am not a big fan of horror stories which is probably why I don't like zombie tales either.  That being said, I really liked Luc and was sad for him in a previous story (Tarnished Knight) so I was very glad to see that he is finally moving on.  I have mentioned before that I have a morbid fascination about blindness, having always feared as a child that I would lose my sight someday and be unable to read all of the books that I was dying to get to so I have always been intrigued by the idea of borrowing someone else's eyes to see.  Luc has this ability and is able to use his companion animal's eyes for short periods of time as well as the eyes of those around him who give him that privilege.  It's a fascinating twist to the story.

My Goodreads review of Blind Destiny is at this link.

There is a contest for a unique 'angel's feather pendant' to celebrate the release of Blind Destiny at this link.

There are multiple novellas in the series (and some have been released with two in one volume so make sure you look at the descriptions if you are purchasing the stories.

The first two novellas in the series are in The First Book of Grimm, Candy Houses and No Prince Charming.  My Amazon review is at this link.  The third and fourth novellas are in The Second Book of Grimm, Crazed Hearts and Tarnished Knight (which has some of Luc's story).  My Amazon review is at this link.  The fifth novella is Locked in Silence and my Amazon review is at this link.  The reviews are under ELF2060 and as always, a 'yes, this was helpful' vote is appreciated if appropriate.

There is also a free read in this series if you would like to get a feel for the style but be forewarned, it is definitely not meant to stand alone and seems to have evoked very strong responses in those who read it and were unaware that it was erotica.  It is meant to transition between novellas 2 and 3.  I Thought It Was You (please click the cover below)


  







The novellas: