R.I.P. to Bestselling Author Francis Ray

My condolences and prayers to the family of Francis Ray who recently passed away. She was one of my favorite authors and a benevolent person. She gave books to me on several occasions to giveaway on my blog. She would also send my winners nice notes in the mail. I'll never forget her kindness and generosity. Thanks Ms. Ray for your contribution in my life. It means so much when successful authors reach back to help those trying to ascend on their own journey. I will always remember your kindness.


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman’s University. In 1999 and 2000 she was nominated for Texas Woman’s University Distinguished Alumni Award. Ms. Ray’s titles consistently make bestseller’s lists such as Blackboard and Essence Magazine. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. She has written over fifty titles to date. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, The Atlantic Choice, and Borders 2008 Romance Award for Bestselling Multicultural Romance. IF YOU WERE MY MAN was selected as Written magazine Book of the Year.THE TURNING POINT, her first mainstream, was a finalist for the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award.


Ms. Ray will have five titles released in 2013. First up is her 50th book ALL I EVER WANTED, February 26, 2013, then $1.99 eBook ALL OF MY LOVE, May 14, 2013. Next is AFTER THE DAWN, June 18, 2013. ALL THAT I NEED, is slated to hit stores July 2, 2013. At the end the year, we will get a chance to catch up with the Graysons series, Rio Sanchez in ALL THAT I DESIRE, October 29, 2013.


Below is the announcement given to fans of Francis Ray on her Facebook page.


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Dear Readers and Friends!

I am writing with great loss and sorrow in behalf of Francis Ray's family to inform you of Francis' passing and that an Official Announcement will soon be forthcoming from Francis' family and Publisher. Pertinent information will be provided at that time and the family appreciates the love and support you are showing.


This is a huge tragedy for everyone who has been a fan of Francis Ray and to all who knew her. Therefore, you can understand that the family would appreciate respecting their need and desire for privacy during this sad time.
Please do share that the family has made the decision to only communicate through this Francis Ray Fan Facebook Page.

The family would appreciate help in sharing this information and directing all to Francis' Facebook Fan Page where all expressions of support and love can be given to Francis' family.


Sincerely,
Shannon Aviles
More Than Publicity


For more info and updates visit: francisray.com or www.facebook.com/FrancisRayAuthor

A Seductive Kiss by Francis Ray: Book Review

Product Details:
Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Received: By Publisher
Mass Market: Paperback: 304
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; First Edition
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031253647X


Synopsis: 
YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON FRIENDS:
Dianna Harrington is known throughout the world as "The Face"-the stunningly beautiful spokesmodel for her family's fashion empire. She could probably have her pick of any man she wants. But Dianna would rather kick back and relax with a good friend-namely Alex Stewart, who she's known, and harbored a crush on, her whole life...


BUT CAN YOU TRUST YOUR HEART?
Ever since they were kids, Alex has been Dianna's protector and pal, a shoulder to cry on. But as the brother of her best friend, Alex always seemed untouchable. Now a handsome, successful New York lawyer, Alex never realized how lonely Dianna's life has been-or how innocent she is in the ways of love. Alex wants more than anything to reach out to her, to heal her heart. But is his desire worth the risk? After a lifetime of longing building up between them, somethings gotta give. Maybe all it takes is just one kiss...


Review:
In the fifth installment of the Grayson Friends and Family series, we see Dianna Harrington, a famous model since she was a teenager. She is the face of her family's modeling house, The House of Harrington. She often believes that her family is using her for their own selfish pursuits. She in turns feels unloved and despite her beauty she has low self-esteem. Dianna's childhood friend, Alex, wants to pursue a relationship, but knowing Dianna's low self-esteem and her feelings of being used by people who supposedly love her, he is hesitant to take their friendship to the next level. But Dianna has a proposition to take their relationship further. Now it's up to Alex to see if he will take the risk of getting the love of his life or lose his longtime friendship with the woman he loves.

What I Liked: The tenderness of their romance. It was delicate and gentle as with all of Francis Ray's novels. You get a sense that the author cares about her characters because she gives them traits and characteristics that readers can relate to. I love her female characters, such as Dianna, have some wits about them. We get to see Dianna come into her own as an independent woman, searching for love and taking risks. At times, she can be a little naive and it was frustrating to read. But once she began to discover who she was as a woman, it was nice to watch her blossom. We also see Alex, an attorney, who is smart, loving and caring, but wants the woman he loves to be happy more than anything. Alex was by far my favorite character in the book. Together, Dianna and Alex tip toe around this romance that lingers in the air and as a reader you know when the match strikes, it's going to be good. This book is also in a series, but you don't need to read the other books, to know what's going on. It definitely stands on its own.

What I Didn't Like: It wasn't much I didn't like, except the romance took too long, as with most of Francis Ray's novels. She loves to have the romance simmer. For me simmer is good, but then it starts to fizzle and I become impatient. I want them to open their eyes, see the love there and get it on. And then perhaps when it's going good, throw in some turmoil. But that's not how Ms. Ray writes. She takes her time. And so with that, you'll have to make up your own mind.

I highly recommend this book.

I give it FOUR STARS


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Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my blog and to the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop. There are over 260 blogs participating in this hop, hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and I Am A Reader, Not a Writer.

Well, this will be the last giveaway hop I participate in for the rest of the year. It's near Christmas and I need to concentrate the gift giving closer to home. So I wanted to make this last one really special. 

What am I giving away?

I will be giving away (3) three prizes open to U.S and International participants. Each prize is a gift box filled with books and goodies. How will the winner choose the prize? The first winner chosen by Random.org through Rafflecopter will get first choice, then the second winner will choose, and the the third winner will get the remaining gift box.

What are the rules?

1. Must be a follower of my blog via GFC, RSS or Email. 

2. Let me know in the comments section below if you are a U.S. or International resident.

(If postage is too much, I may opt to give a $25 credit towards purchases at The Book Depository instead.)

That's it. All other entries on the Rafflecopter are optional. If you decide to tweet about the giveaway on the Rafflecopter form, don't worry about pasting the URL, just tweet it. I think pasting is such a hassle. Plus, I get a notification whenever someone does. :-)

What are the gifts? Well, let me show you instead. Everything shown inside the gift box is included along with the gift box too!

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Gift Box 1

The Gift Box 1
What's inside?

Let's Take A Peek.

It's a brand new Da Vinci Code
Special Edition DVD Set,
along with three books,
The Da Vinci Code,
Angels and Demons
and A New Prospect
by Wayne Zurl

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Gift Box 2

Kids Fun Book
Bundle and
Gift Box

A jumbo pen, two pencils,
a jumbo coloring book,
two stencil rulers, an etcha
sketch type drawing board,
3 boxes of card games
& 4 color stamps.

Includes books, Amy HodgePodge
The Secret's Out, One Brother
Too Many &
Standing Against the Wind.
Two sealed dvds,
March of the Penguins
and Osmosis Jones

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Gift Box 3

Include The Night Circus,
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen,
Trouble Don't Last Always
by Francis Ray, Leaving Atlanta
by Tayari Jones and Embracing
Destiny by Suzanne Purewal

A gift box with carrying handle.
Very spacious and can
be used to hold or carry
clothes, makeup, etc.

Conair Massager,
one vanilla cookie candle,
one coffee mug,
bookmark, two journals
and a planner

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That's it. Have fun entering all the other giveaways on the Book Lover's Giveaway Hop. For a list of other participating blogs, click List of Blog Hop Participants.

GOOD LUCK!

*Also, stop by and enter my 1,000 Followers Kindle Giveaway for a chance to win a new Amazon Kindle eReader. Valued at $99! And it's Free! Click Kindle Giveaway for more details to enter. Giveaway ends just in time to receive the Amazon Kindle for the holidays.

Book Review: Trouble Don't Last Always by Francis Ray

Mass Market Paperback: Trouble Don't Last Always
Length: 389 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperback; First Edition
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250000343
Received: By Publisher

Synopsis: Amazon
Desperate to escape her abusive marriage, Lilly Crawford files for divorce, then slips away from her small east Texas hometown with little more than the clothes on her back. She points her twelve-year-old car east, hoping to find a new beginning. When her car breaks down in Louisiana, Lilly finds unexpected employment as the caregiver for a wealthy neurosurgeon named Adam Wakefield, who lost his sight in a recent carjacking. At first, this handsome, brooding man reminds her too much of the angry husband she left behind and she reminds him of how far he has fallen from the self-assured man he once was. But as the two spend long days together, an unexpected bond develops---one that will be deeply tested. For Lilly must confront her violent husband before she can ever hope to move on and truly discover a second chance at life and love.


My thoughts:
I read Trouble Don't Last Always some years ago when it had a different title called The Turning Point. It has now been re-released with a new title and a new cover. Trouble Don't Last Always also had a different cover before this current one above. I like the new cover, however something about the old cover conveys the sentiment of the title much better. When I began reading it a second time, I didn't know I had previously read it. The more I read, the more familiar it became to me. I guess the new cover and title threw me off. I enjoyed it, even the second time around.


What I liked: 
The relationship between Dr. Wakefield and Lilly feels organic. It develops naturally. It's presumable that Lilly would have issues trusting another man, so it's nice to see them fighting against what I as a reader could already foresee; true romance. I appreciate the author, Francis Ray, giving Lilly such fortitude amidst adversity, especially as an abused woman trying to escape a terrible marriage. It was a delight to see Lilly come into her own even during Dr. Wakefield's periods of distrust and animosity due to the violent carjacking that left him blind. I also enjoyed the relationship between Adam's mother, Eleanor Wakefield and Jonathan Delacroix. To watch Jonathan's devotion to Eleanor and her children is something magical. I love it when a man loves another man's children as if they are his own. So when Eleanor becomes a widow, Jonathan and Eleanor have a chance to explore upon feelings that were never examined deeply before. This subplot is a mature romance that was just as enjoyable to see unfold as was Lilly and Adam Wakefield.


What I Didn't Like:
Sometimes the romance lingered a little too long. As a reader I could sense early on that these couples would ignite. But at times their romance felt like wet matchsticks unable to strike a flame.


Conclusion:
I know Trouble Don't Last Always is about romance. But it's also about two victims who realize they are stronger than they initially thought. Through reliance on family and each other, they discover love, hope and the realization that trouble doesn't last always.

I highly recommend this book. I give it 4 1/2 STARS 

*** If you think you'd enjoy this book, stay tuned for my giveaway starting at midnight that will include Trouble Don't Last Always, plus many more goodies as I give away three gift boxes bursting with wonderful items just in time for the holidays. 

Please don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you thought about the book review :-)

Weekend Update

Hey all. Hope everyone is having a great weekend thus far. My week has been so hectic and out of order. I dislike being disorganized so when life throws in a wrench, I have to reprogram. So here's what I did this crazy, yet blessed week.

I read three books. I haven't read that much in a short period in quite awhile. But I have some book tours coming through so I had to. Which is actually great, because otherwise I may have put it off to do a host of other things. I read Seductive Kiss and Trouble Don't Last Always by Francis Ray as well as A New Prospect by Wayne Zurl. Can't wait to tell you all about them in the coming weeks. I also have tons of blogs to catch up on this weekend, so I'll make my rounds this evening. Can't wait to see what my blogger buddies have been up to.

I will have several guest blog posts coming up in November as well. Some of the authors guest posting will be Barbara Kyle, Wayne Zurl, HP Mallory and GG Vandagriff just to name a few.

Halloween is coming and so I couldn't decide what to give out to the little kiddies, I suggested bags of popcorn to my kids like, Karen, (one of my blog followers) suggested. But my 12 year old daughter responded, "Are we going to be that house in the neighborhood that hands out lame treats?" Of course, I had to give her the side-eye. So I have decided on my old trusty favorite, bags of potato chips. 

I am also coaching my daughter's basketball team this year. Ask me if I have ever coached basketball before. Go ahead ask me. .....Nope. Never. Na-da one time. So this ought to be fun, eight spunky 12 year olds and one determined, destined to win mom who gives one hellava mean side-eye and don't make me come on the court mom stare. Amazingly, there are two other moms coaching in the same age bracket who have never coached either so I feel confident that I can atleast keep up with them. My daughter says she think we will have the best team. That really made me smile. I have been reading book after book on girls basketball, watched over 100 youtube videos and took notes like it was a midterm exam coming up. So wish us luck.

The eBook version of my book is almost complete. I can't wait to tell you about that journey, the ups and downs and the downs and the ups. I have learned a lot of lessons, so many it definitely requires it's own post in the future.

Lastly, I have been staying the course on my eating healthy and exercise regimen. I have lost 4.3 pounds this week. Yay! I'm so excited. Tired from exercising, but excited. Weight Watchers has helped. I like getting the gold stars for my booklet.

Well, that was my week, how was yours?

P.S. Don't forget to stop by and enter the Spooktacular Giveaway. The prize is a $50 gift card to Amazon.com or $50 in purchases at the Book Depository. Good Luck!

5 Eye Catching Book Covers

There is old adage, "Never judge a book by its cover," but readers most certainly do when it comes to purchasing a book. What a buyer notices first is generally the cover. It's what draws the reader in like a perfectly orchestrated spell. If done properly, the potential buyer will pick up the book, read the back, the inside jacket, and then flip through a few pages and perhaps even read a few. But it is the book cover that has to make the first impression, it is the major ingredient in selling a book. A potential buyer spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds looking at the back. Those few seconds have to make a major impact.

Elements that tend to draw me in are the type of font used in the title, the size of the font, the quality of the cover art and the colors used in conveying what the book is about. Vibrant colors tend to draw me in as well as dark, moody colors like grey and black. If it's vibrant colors being used; I instantly think happy, fun and excitement. Dark and moody colors conjure up sentiments of struggle, adversity and hardship. The colors used in the design of the book help me to decide if I'm in the mood for that particular theme or subject.

So here are some interesting and eye catching book covers I came across this past week. Tell me what you think about them and let me know about some of the book covers you've seen that stood out or compelled you to pick them up.

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"Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning

This book cover is gorgeous up close. The picture does not do it justice. But it is one of my favorites because I picked it up, took the jacket cover off and put it back on, touched it, flipped through the pages and then took a picture of it so I could remember to order it when I got home. The cover has a designed transparent overlay on top of an artful hardcover which makes the cover appear to have 2D  like effects. If you look closely, you will see in the middle of the book cover there is a picture of a woman's back, with a tattoo of birds wings on it. It's a play on the eyes, because I hadn't notice it when I first took the book off the shelf. I still don't know what the book is about, but I want it, so I guess the cover is a success.



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"The Green House" by Mario Vargas Llosa

I am very fond of this cover simply because the girl on the cover is beautiful. She is not a glamorous beauty. She is not dripping in jewels, standing in stilettos or posing with eighteen inches of hair down her back. It's a simple, quiet beauty. She also looks troubled, which peaked my interest. So I picked up the book and again I took a picture.

 



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"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" by Francis Ray

I am a lover of art, especially paintings. And this cover looks like a painting, as if someone labourously drew this cover with care. It's a piece of art that I would certainly hang on my wall. Also, I could imagine the wind against the woman's back as she stood by the window. It was a hot day when I saw this book, so I immediately thought, "that must feel good."




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"Fault Lines" by Nancy Huston

Look at this child's face. Her pale eyes give a piercing, haunting stare. I don't know whether to be afraid of her or afraid for her. Magical how a photo can do that; make you uncertain. Which I think is a success. It's best to have the reader uncertain as to whether they want to buy the book as oppose to being sure they don't want it. At first glance, I thought the book was about a ghost. Look at the background. It's dark and moody. Why would a child be out in the dark? Where's her mama? Then looking closer, I thought maybe she's sad, troubled, abused or lost. I still don't know. But I'm sure I'll find my way back to this book to find out.




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"The Weird Sisters" by Eleanor Brown

This book cover is simplistic. The font is what drew me in, along with the white background. I thought the cursive green font and the white background complimented each other. The cover wasn't over-designed or too busy. The title of the book helped, because I have sisters, so I instantly thought, weird sisters, hmm sounds interesting. I have sisters. I wonder how weird these sisters are? Is it a pair of sisters or three or more? The cover told me nothing else. So it left me intrigued. Now had it shown three sisters standing, doing nothing or perhaps clobbering each other upside the head, I likely would've kept it moving. But that goes to show, sometimes simple is better. Leonardo da Vinci said it best, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”