Teaser Tuesday

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 
Anyone can play along! 

Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 The Retreat by Dijorn Moss

"We all mess up sometimes. Lord knows I do, but the scripture says that the Lord makes us new mercies every day. So you do not have to carry your past into your future.  You can decide to land anew and God is waiting for you.  No matter what you've done."

P.53

 

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Giveaway - The Betrayal by Sheila Hendrix

Today you have a chance to win a copy of this book!  Please be sure to check out my previous post here to find out more about the book!

To Enter:

• Leave a comment with your e-mail address letting me know that you would like to enter

Optional extra entries:

• Follow Sheila on her blog The Dark Circle
• Be a follower on my blog Black Diamond's Book Reviews

Giveaway will end on March 25th at 6pm EST. Winner will be selected using Random.org. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be selected.

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission

Guest Author Sheila Hendrix

Nuture Virtual Book Tourz

It is my pleasure to introduce author Sheila Hendrix today on my blog!  She is the author of The Betryal.  Let's find out a little more about her!

Sheila Hendrix - Author Bio.

Sheila Hendrix is a native of Alabama and resides there with her husband of sixteen years. She has no children except for her nine dogs. She is the author of the Young Adult series, The Dark Circle. She also does reviews for two magazines. Writing has always been a dream of hers. She is a nurse at a psychiatric hospital and a youth correctional facility. She is currently working on other books in the McCannon brothers series.

Sheila Hendrix Interview

First of all Sheila, I would like to thank you for taking the time out for this interview! 

If you have to describe yourself with one word, what would it be?

Headstrong

What did you do before you were a writer?

I’m actually a nurse for a psychiatric hospital. I’ve been doing that for 20 years.

How long did it take you to write The Betrayal?

About a year, off and on.

What is the main source of inspiration for your writing?

I had a nightmare. Things don’t usually scare me but this one dream scared me to death. When I finally calmed down and thought about it, I figured it would make a good story, so I wrote it.

Is there a place you go for inspiration to write?

I love the outdoors and I like to go out on my back deck and just let my thoughts wander.

Are you reading anything right  now?

I am reading Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts.

What is one food item that you can’t live without?

Dr. Peppers. I go into withdrawls if I don’t have one every morning. LOL!

What do you like to do when you are not writing (hobbies, etc.)?

I love to read, camp, hike and work in my garden. I also like to go to craft shows and flea markets and I love to travel.

What advice would you give to those aspiring writers out there?

Don’t give up. If you have a story that needs to get out, let it out. Don’t quit and don’t let anybody tell you, you can’t. If you have a dream, make it happen.

Is there anything else about yourself that you would like your readers to know?

I’m Irish. I have a fierce temper and I don’t know when to keep my mouth shut. It gets me in all kinds of trouble.

What is next for you in 2011?

I’m working on the second book in McCannon brothers series. It’s a prequel to The Betrayal.

How can your readers contact you?

My website is http://sheilahendrix.com/

My blogs: http://sheilahendrix.blogspot.com/ or http://thedarkcircle.blogspot.com/

They can also send me an email. Shendrix726499@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much for taking the time out to answer my interview questions!

You’re welcome Cheryl and thanks for having me on your blog.

The Betrayal by Sheila Hendrix

Two brothers hunt the supernatural so we don't have to. Eighteen year old Zachariah McCannon was forced to grow up fast. His parents left him to raise is younger brother, Matthew. No easy task. Matt has powers and because of that Zack stays on his toes to keep him safe. When a demon ask Matt a question, "How far will you go to save your brother," Zack replies, "As far as I have to." Now evil is after them and if they're not careful, neither will be able to escape!

Check out The Betrayal Tour Page Here:

http://nurtureyourbooks.com/vbt/index.php?cID=80

View: My Review of The Betrayal

Giveaway!

I will be hosting a giveaway today as well.  Check back for the giveaway!

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday What Are You Reading

~Mailbox Monday~  
is hosted by Laura of I'm Booking It during the month of March
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Received signed copy from the Author for Review (I did purchase e-book from Amazon as well):

Valentine by D.V. Hent

Purchased signed copy from the author:

Confessions of a Cheating Man by RAW

-------------------------

Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and Reviewed Last Week:
Twisted Obsession by P Dotson, Page turner!  5/5 diamonds, Review posted: 3/12

Book Tours This Week:
3/15 The Betrayal by Sheila Hendrix, Nurture Your Book Tour Stop (review already posted)

Tentative Reviews for This Week:
The Retreat by Dijorn Moss
The Pussy Whispers by Dean Jean-Pierre

On My Nightstand:

 © 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Book Review - Twisted Obsession by P Dotson

About The Book:

The young and innocent Allexis escapes the hands of one abusive man only to run into the arms of another. After months of suffering humiliating abuse at the hands of her father, Allexis flees to Virginia to live with her sister. Things seemed to setting in place until she is instantly swept off her feet by the ruthless Kane with his mysterious charm. When Kane's eyes landed on Allexis it was instant connection to his troubled past. And it didn't take Kane long to woo the naive Allexis in under his seemingly charming spell. With Allexis by his side he is determined to amend his past mistakes through her, but at what cost. Unfortunately for Kane Allexis should be the least of his worries. Take a ride into this sorted tale of lies, sex and abuse. Will Allexis be able to free herself from Kane's grasp, or will she find herself entrapped in his "Twisted Obsession"..

from Goodreads

My first reactions when I finished:

I loved this book!  I couldn't put it down!  Kane scares me and I wonder what is going to happen in the next book.  Can't wait to read it and find out!

My Review:

Allexis is such a sweet girl, but what happened to her at home by her dad was terrible.  I am glad she went to live with her sister Tina.  It's too bad that she got mixed up with Kane though.  He seemed like a sweet enough guy to her at first, but then he started to show what his true colors are.  I was scared for her and hoped that she would hook up with Joey.  I can't wait to see in the next book what happens!

I love the cover!  It's very different from any other book cover I've seen.  This book had such a great flow to it, and the font in this book made it very easy to read which I loved.  The characters were very believable and the author did a great job building her characters.   

I am really looking forward to reading more of P Dotson's books!

Favorite Character:  Allexis. 

Least Favorite Character:  Kane.

Quote: P. 94

Allexis started up the car.  Their conversation left her wondering.  She wondered what he meant when he said he would be the father that her real father couldn't be. And she wondered what he meant when he told her don't play games.  

5/5 Diamonds

Highly Recommend Purchasing This Book!

 

Book Details:
Title: Twisted Obsession
Author: P Dotson
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: Paperback; 194 pages
Source:Sent to me by the author

 

Visit the author's website and purchase the book here:  pdotson.com

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the author P Dotson. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

 

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 
Anyone can play along! 

Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress by Megan Van Eyck

P.14

As I sat emotionally torn between wanting a harmless flirtation to redeem my waning vibrancy and a growing friendship to nourish something unshakably lonely and desperate at my core, it hit me that I was sitting alone, waiting to having a secret lunch with a married man at a restaurant that was about an hour's drive from either of our homes.  In that instant, it occurred to me that he might have misunderstood my intentions.

P.70

There was no passion, no need, no longing, only habit.  I felt trapped with a man who wanted me to stay with him out of principle instead of out of love.  A loveless life was not something I planned to endure alone.  I hoped my affair could either make my life bearable or perhaps change it altogether. 

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday

~Mailbox Monday~  
is hosted by Laura of I'm Booking It during the month of March
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

I bought these two books from Brian W. Smith:

 

Donna's Dilemma by Brian W. Smith

The S.W.A.P. Game by Brian W. Smith

 Brian W. Smith graciously gave me these three books for review:

Broken Appointments by Elaine Flowers

Black Beauty by Elaine Flowers

It's Morning by Elaine Flowers

--------------------------------------------

I received this book from the author for review

Woman Worship by Dean Jean-Pierre

---------------------------------------

I also received this book from the author for review:

Twisted Obsession by P Dotson

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Book Review - If You Don't Tell by D.V. Hent

About The Book:

Laela

With only six months left until she's finally married, a sheltered Laela Booker wants to experience life before she ties the knot. Motivated by an erotic dream, she ultimately decides to ask Quinton about a ménage. After embarking on a quest to find the perfect partner, she finds much more than she had ever hoped to... 

Quinton

Quinton James would like nothing more than to marry his fiancée, Laela and start his long life journey as a 'one woman' man. She's almost perfect for him: pretty, educated and most importantly, sexually adventurous. But as his past and present clash with his future, one temptation seemingly follows another. Even with the possibility of a ménage with his fiancée on the horizon, a newly discovered secret may lead him back towards his old life and into the bed of someone else.

Simone

Recently married and dealing with bouts of depression, Simone Hall struggles to keep her home in one piece. Pressured by her family to stay in a loveless marriage and suspecting her husband of infidelity, her life slowly begins to unravel. Soon, she finds herself resenting everyone--including her best friends' Laela and Quinton's "perfect relationship" and searches for solace in all the wrong places.

from Goodreads


Watch the Trailer:

Book Video Trailer: If You Don't Tell @ Yahoo! Video

My first reactions when I finished:

Wow! This book was amazing! I also said: "What--that's it?",  "What happens next".  The author left me wanting more!

My Review:
I had to take a break while reading this book and read another book for a book tour.  I didn't want to put this book down AT ALL.  When I was able to get back to it, I had no problem picking up where I left off.

Laela and Quinton seemed like the perfect couple, but they both had issues that they needed to deal with.    He had so many women in his past, but he wanted to turn a new leaf and marry Laela and be faithful to her, but can he?  Laela, on the other hand, would like to try a threesome.  Who would be #3 in their threesome, and will they even go through with it? 

This book was highly erotic and had a great story to go along with it.  I really don't think the scenes could have been any steamier!  The sex in this book was scorching HOT!  I admit, I was highly aroused while I was reading this book.  The characters were well thought out and I really felt connected with them. They seemed so real to me. They had so many things going on, and their lives all got intertwined.  I was excited to see how it would all end up!   I found my heart racing at times and my heart sinking at other times.  

I loved also how each chapter was a different character's point of view, and under the character's name the day and time was listed. 

I am surprised that this is D.V. Hent's first book.  I am really looking forward to reading more of his books!

Favorite Character:  Quinton. of course!  I want to see what he does next!

Least Favorite Character:  Mike.  He seems like just a jerk to Simone. I was very surprised what was revealed about him at the end though.  I didn't see that coming at all.

Favorite New Words From This Book:
Mandingo (p.34)
Slorny (p.52)

Favorite Quote (that doesn't give too much away): P 31.

The kiss lingered on my lips; I licked them, hoping to rekindle the sensation, but it was a little too late.  My body craved the feeling she'd left.

5/5 Diamonds

Highly Recommend Purchasing This Book!

 

Book Details:
Title: If You Don't Tell
Author: D.V. Hent
Publisher: Naughty Ink Press
Pages: Paperback; 325 pages
Source: Purchased

 

Visit the author's website:  Naughty Ink Press.com

Buy the Book Here: Amazon 

Disclaimer: I purchased this book. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

 

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Book Review - Love You More by Lisa Gardner

 

About Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner is the New York Times bestselling author of thirteen novels. Her Detective D. D. Warren novels include Live to Tell, Hide, Alone, and the International Thriller Writers’ Award-winning novel The Neighbor. Her FBI Profiler novels include Say Goodbye, Gone, The Killing Hour, The Next Accident, and The Third Victim. She lives with her family in New England.

Lisa’s latest book is Love You More. Visit her online at http://lisagardner.com/.

 

 

 WHO DO YOU LOVE?

One question, a split-second decision, and Brian Darby lies dead on the kitchen floor. His wife, state police trooper Tessa Leoni, claims to have shot him in self-defense, and bears the bruises to back up her tale. For veteran detective D. D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is their six-year-old daughter?

AND HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO . . .

As the homicide investigation ratchets into a frantic statewide search for a missing child, D. D. Warren must partner with former lover Bobby Dodge to break through the blue wall of police brotherhood, seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper’s mind while also unearthing family secrets. Would a trained police officer truly shoot her own husband? And would a mother harm her own child?

. . . TO SAVE HER?

For Tessa Leoni, the worst has not yet happened. She is walking a tightrope, with nowhere to turn, no one to trust, as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. She has one goal in sight, and she will use every ounce of her training, every trick at her disposal, to do what must be done. No sacrifice is too great, no action unthinkable. A mother knows who she loves. And all others will be made to pay.

Love you more . . .

(from Goodreads)

 

 

Love You More Virtual Tour

  My thoughts:

 This is the first book that I have read by Lisa Gardner, and I want to thank the Pump Up Your Book Tour for letting me be a part of this tour!

 

Love You More was a fast paced book!  I was trying to figure Tessa out.  What was up with her and her husband's relationship and why did she kill him.  I kept wanting to know also what happened to their 6 year old daughter.  Tessa really seemed like a good mother.  Nobody had any complaints about her, but then when I found out a little about something that happened in the past, I just didn't know what to think.  Detective D.D. Warren wants to get to the bottom of what has happened.

 

This book was really hard to put down and really kept my attention.  There was so much action going on, and I really couldn't wait to get to the end to see how it all turned out.  I had no idea that the end would turn out the way it did.  I was not disappointed in this book at all and look forward to reading more books by Lisa Gardner!  I highly recommend this murder/mystery!

5/5 Diamonds

 

Book Details:
Title: Love You More
Author: Lisa Gardner
Publisher: Bantam
About the Book:  Paperback Advance Reader's Edition, 356 pages
Source: Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tour

Disclaimer: I received this book from the Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tour. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

 

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Review - Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey

About Emily Sue Harvey

Emily Sue Harvey, author and speaker, writes to make a difference. Dozens of her upbeat stories and articles appear in Chocolate for Women, Chicken Soup for the Soul, women’s magazines, websites, and other anthologies.

Her first hardback novel, Song of Renewal, was released by The Story Plant in July, 2009.

An expanded paperback version of Song of Renewal, plus three novellas and two more full-length novels (Homefires and Unto These Hills) will come from The Story Plant in 2011.

About Flavors

Emily Sue Harvey’s first novel, Song of Renewal, was praised by New York Times bestselling author Jill Marie Landis as “an uplifting, heartwarming story,” by bestselling author Kay Allenbaugh as a work that will “linger in the memory long after readers put it aside,” and by Coffee Time Romance as “a must-read book for anyone doing a little soul searching.” New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry said, “It captures your attention, and whets your appetite for more,” while Peeking between the Pages called it “quite simply a beautiful book.”

Now, in Flavors, this master storyteller of the human heart sweeps us along with twelve-year-old Sadie Ann Melton as she enters a life-altering season. The summer of 1950 will change everything for her. For in that summer, she will embark on an odyssey at once heartbreakingly tender and crushingly brutal. At times, she will experience more darkness than she has ever witnessed before. At others, she will thrill to lightness and joy she never imagined. By summer’s end, the Melton women in Sadie’s journey – loving her, coaxing her, and commanding her – will help shape her into the woman she becomes. And they will expose Sadie to all of the flavors of life as she savors the world that she brings into being.

Filled with charm, wisdom, and the smorgasbord of emotions that comes with the first steps into adulthood, Flavors once again proves Emily Sue Harvey’s unique ability to touch our souls with her unforgettable stories.

Visit Pump Up Your Book! to read an Excerpt from the book.

  Three Reasons Review

1) Reasons I Chose This Book:

• Of course, the first reason I chose this book is because I got an e-mail from the Pump Up Your Book Tour looking for people to review it!
• Before I even read anything about this book, the cover really caught my eye.  Who can resist a book with beautiful flowers on the front?

 2) Reasons You Liked or Disliked This Book:

•  Reading this book was like taking a trip down memory lane.  I know it takes place in the 50's, but there were so may memories that came flooding back to me along the way in this book.
• Sadie Ann Melton was spending the summer at her grandparents and was looking at a hay baler and the sights and sounds reminded me of the barn that used to be behind my parent's home that is no longer there because it was so old and had to be torn down..
• They went to the Saturday night drive-in and got Pepsis and popcorn.  I could just remember times from my childhood when we used to go to the drive-in!  I can just taste the ice cold Pepsi and the crunchy popcorn!
• I loved this quote from the book: p.19 "To me, life is a huge pie, each slice a different flavor.  Childhood is definitely lemon."
• Sadie found out a lot about herself this summer.  She had some hard truths revealed to her, and she really grew up this summer.
• Sadie camped out with her grandparents and it reminded me of camping at my grandparent's cabin.  I could just smell the campfire and the love of my family all sitting around and having a good time.  At the cabin there was no phone or TV just the good old cabin and the wildlife.  The river ran behind the cabin and we could hear the people floating by on their canoes.
• Everything that happened in Sadie's life had a flavor and I just loved how she put the flavors with the moment.
• There is nothing in this book that I disliked-I loved everything about this book!

3) Reasons You Are Recommending This Book:

•  This is just an all around excellent book that is sure to bring memories back from times when life was a lot more simple.
• I want to thank Emily Sue Harvey for bringing back so many wonderful memories from my own life. There was a lot of flavor packed in this short book!

5/5 Diamonds

 

Book Details:
Title: Flavors
Author: Emily Sue Harvey
Publisher: The Story Plant
Pages: Paperback; 120 pages
Source: Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tour

Disclaimer: I received this book from the Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tour. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

 

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.