 Author, English Teacher, and Bookworm Lindsay Detwiler recommends her top picks. A book with a * is one of Lindsay's top ten favorite reads!
Funny Reads: 1. The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich 2. Nosy Neighbors by Janet Evanovich 3. Wife for Hire by Janet Evanovich * 4. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty 5. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes 6. The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris Historical Fiction: *7. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah 8. At the Water’s Edge by Sarah Gruen 9. Water For Elephants by Sarah Gruen 10. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys *11. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 12. The Book Thief by Marcuz Zusak Teen Reads Still Relevant: 13. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han 14. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 15. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page 16. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight 17. What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen 18. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher 19. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 20. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Love stories 21. Reckless Abandon by Jeanine Colette 22. Pure Abandon by Jeanine Colette 23. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks 24. Where the River Ends by Charles Martin 25. The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes 26. Lady Sun by Marni MacRae 27. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire 28. Larkin’s Letters by Jax Jillian *29. Inconceivable! By Tegan Wren 30. First Sight by Danielle Steel 31. The Beach House by Jane Green Dealing with Women’s Issues: 32. The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty 33. The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty 34. The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson *35. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 36. A Good Yarn by Debbie Maccomber 36. Tempting Fate by Jane Green To Make You Think: *37. Room by Emma Donoghue 38. 1984 by George Orwell 39. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston 40. Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy *41. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 42. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 43. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo 44. The Help by Kathryn Stockett 45. Life of Pi Yann Martel 46. Flowers for Algernon Daniel Keyes 47. Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson 48. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood Memoirs: *49. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerrman *50. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah 51. Randy Pausch The Last Lecture 52. Dream New Dreams by Jai Pausch *53. Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius 54. The Bite of the Mango by Mariatsu Kamara 55. I am Malala Tragic But Beautiful *56. The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley 57. The Good Wife Stewart O’Nan 58. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
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*See this article on the Huffington Post**
I’m a cosmetic junkie, but I’m also an animal lover. When I realized a few years ago my 2 biggest passions were not supporting each other, I was devastated. I loved my makeup, but I couldn’t stand the fact that many cosmetic companies test products on animals. Making the choice to go cruelty-free was initially hard, but I’m glad I did. In the past few years, a lot of companies have taken up the mission of offering cruelty-free products, making it easier to make the switch. Here are 8 reasons I went cruelty-free and the benefits of my choice. 1. The Beagle Freedom Project
This organization’s video started it all for me. Seeing the look on those dogs’ faces when they touched grass for the first time after being rescued… I lost it. I made the decision to support companies who didn’t test on animals.
2. Laboratory Chimps Released to Sanctuary Video
The first video got me interested in cruelty-free. This video solidified my stance against animal testing in general. Whenever I think cruelty-free is too hard, I just think of how hard the lives of these animals were. Spending more time choosing my products is not a major hardship compared to the hardships faced because of animal testing.
3. Overall Justice For Animals
I have always been obsessed with animals. Using products that support cruel practices toward them is unethical and goes against who I am at the core.
Supporting a mission doesn’t always mean you have to devote bundles of money or time. Sometimes it’s just about being more conscientious in your day-to-day choices. Buying cruelty-free products is a small way I can help better the lives of animals. 4. Cruelty-Free Products Are Good For Your Skin
Many of the products I use now that are cruelty-free lack harsh chemicals. Many products are vegan, so sensitive skin sufferers can rejoice at the lack of harsh ingredients.I notice I suffer from less breakouts since making the switch.
5. Many Quality Brands Offer Cruelty-Free Products
The easiest way to find a cruelty-free product is to look for the leaping bunny symbol. Some companies use a different bunny symbol, but there are sometimes questions about the legitimacy of the claim.
Be sure to look for clear markings that the product is cruelty-free. Some products will spell it out for you. Some organizations are trying to make it easier for consumers to know they are purchasing cruelty-free products. See this website for more information about the leaping bunny campaign. Some of my favorite cruelty-free brands include: Urban Decay, It’s a 10 Hair Care, Paul Mitchell, and The Body Shop. 6. Beauty Subscription Box: Petit Vour
I love, love, love getting beauty boxes in the mail but had to stop my subscription when I realized I was getting products tested on animals. Enter Petit Vour. This beauty subscription service costs $15 a month. They send you a box with four beauty products that are cruelty-free and vegan.
7. Cruelty-free is Affordable
Initially, making the switch to cruelty-free was tough on the wallet, but many low-price products are now surfacing.
Sonia Kashuk, ELF, Pacifica, and NYX are my favorite bargain-priced product, butthis article discusses several other affordable cruelty-free products as well as items to avoid. 8. Cruelty-free Products Promote a Better Global Vision
Cruelty-free Products Promote a Better Global VisionOnce I opened my eyes to the realities of animal testing, I couldn’t put mascara on and pretend it was okay. I couldn’t keep buying brands that tortured animals while I was a self-proclaimed animal lover.
Buying cruelty-free products has helped me feel better about the way I’m living and about how I’m contributing to a better global vision. Isn’t this a big part of what the beauty industry should be about? Making the Switch to Cruelty-Free Making the Switch to Cruelty-Free Beauty
Going cruelty-free is a big decision, and it does mean you’ll have to leave some brands behind. It will also mean you will make mistakes. I’m not perfect in my mission to go cruelty-free. I’ve struggled with abandoning some favorite brands.
However, making a conscientious choice to support cruelty-free brands will ultimately lead to more ethical relationships between beauty products and animals, a win-win for both areas. If we beauty junkies unite with the common mission of ethical products, perhaps the industry will listen to our goals and help us achieve them. Have you gone cruelty-free? What are your favorite products? 
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Can eight become one?
Meet Lola Murray—and the seven other personalities who live in her head… A patient at the Rosewood Hospital for Mental Wellness, Lola struggles to cope with Dissociative Identity Disorder—or as she calls the many egos, alters. Their names are Maria, Tim, Clare, Zoe, Frog, Rabbit, and Samantha—all ranging in age, gender, and with wildly different personalities. But with five women and two men battling to live their lives through Lola, it’s only a matter of time before someone wins… Therapy sessions threaten the survival of the group… With the help of Lola’s therapist, she’s able to better understand the many personalities living in her head. They are like life-long friends, and their presence is all Lola has ever known. Without them, she’d be in this big world all by herself, and that is even more paralyzing than the alternative her doctor has suggested—merge all seven personalities into one, dominant Lola. Fifty-one years is long enough… With release from the hospital coming up fast, Lola’s alters scramble to prevent being erased. But after fifty-one years of hosting their lives while struggling for her own—when will it be her turn to live? Lola has to consider life outside of the institution. Friends, a job, and maybe even romance—how will she function with so many people making choices for her? As her first act of independence, Lola must decide. Will she live the rest of her life as herself, or as Lola, party of eight? Find out in Erin Lee’s Alters, book one of the “Lola, Party of Eight” series. ***FREE THE WEEK OF JUNE 27 ON AMAZON*** ***ALWAYS FREE FOR KINDLE UNLIMITED USERS*** Get your copy of Alters today at: http://amzn.com/1680585533 Writing a novel is a big decision. Check out my video to help determine if you're ready to start writing your novel. I give you five questions to ask yourself before making the decision to tell your story and write your book.  I’m 28 and happily married to my junior high sweetheart. We have steady jobs, a house, two vehicles, a mastiff, and more cats than I’d like to admit to.
But we don’t have any kids. This October will mark 5 years since our wedding. I wish I had $1 for every time in those 5 years I’ve been asked when we’re going to have kids. The truth is, once you say “I do,” children become the expectation. This is okay, to an extent. It’s just part of the carefully plotted equation society sets before us. When you choose to break that equation, people start to wonder why. I’ve seen so many blogs and articles about motherhood, but I think it’s time we talk a little about my subgroup, the childless. Here are things no one tells you about being a childless 20-something after saying, “I do.” 1. You’ll be asked about your biological clock… by everyone. For me, I’m lucky in the respect my childlessness isn’t breaking my heart. I’m perfectly fine with holding off on motherhood until my thirties. I don’t cry at the emptiness of our spare bedroom. I can walk right by a rack of baby clothes without blinking. For many women, this isn’t the case. Being childless is not a choice, a privilege, or an accepted state. For many women, being childless is a source of constant pain. My childless state has made me more aware of the pain these women endure. I experience it when every restaurant wishes me a Happy Mother’s Day. I experience it when my bank teller asks me why we don’t have kids yet, or the mailman, or the lady at the mall, or every other person I come across. It seems like asking, “Why don’t you have kids yet?” has become an acceptable conversation starter with any married woman. For me, I smile and just shrug. I’m happy with my life currently. What bothers me, though, is how our society doesn’t stop to think about the other childless women, the women who are literally falling apart with the wish for a child. For these women, it must be hellish being constantly reminded of their childless state by every stranger who thinks it’s acceptable to point it out. 2. People will demand a reasonable explanation why you don’t have kids. Are you traveling? Are you still in college? Are you saving the world? Simply stating, “No, we don’t have kids yet,” is not sufficient for most people. If you’re married, female, and in your 20s, then surely you want children immediately. There must be a very, very good reason you don’t have children yet. I’ve found, “We love Netflix,” or “We like spending money,” or “We’re taking our time” read as selfish answers not deemed as acceptable. The truth is, people are wary of 20-somethings who are married, stable, and simply don’t want children yet. I’d like to think people in 2016 could be open-minded enough to realize there are simply different lifestyles. I’m not so sure this is the case. My husband and I are not celebrities. Work keeps us busy, but we’re good multi-taskers and could manage. We’re certainly not traveling the world or saving it. Most nights, we sit in front of the television or he plays video games while I read. Some weeks, our biggest excitement is a spontaneous trip to the mall. We are not living a Gatsby-style life. So why don’t we have kids yet? Because. That’s why. 3. Everyone will assume you have baby envy. “Do you want to hold him?” These are the words I fear the most. However, every new mom assumes because I don’t have a baby, I’m dying to get my hands on every single one I come near. This is not the case. Sometimes I fear the mothering gene skipped over me. Most women see a baby and “ooh” and “aah,” crowding around to make a fuss. I usually try to find the closest corner to pick my nails or stare at the wall or do just about anything to avoid holding the baby. It’s not that I don’t like your baby or think it’s awesome you have one. But not all women are naturals with babies or dying to hold one. Still, as a childless woman, you will be given the privilege of being first in line to hold a baby because clearly you must have baby envy. 4. People will assume you are living a life of luxury. “You wouldn’t understand.” These are the words I’ve heard from countless tired parents when they’re discussing their child’s latest all-night rant about Barney or Cheerios or any other thing children have a tantrum about. The truth is… I can’t understand your struggle as a parent, nor do I claim to. I don’t know what it’s like to have a child screaming over a candy bar at the grocery store. I don’t know what it’s like to change diapers or buy formula or breast feed or find a daycare. I don’t know what it’s like to host a birthday party for five-year-olds or deal with potty training accidents. However, I do have my own struggles. Just because I’m not a mom doesn’t mean I’m sitting on the couch eating chocolates, watching soap operas, and taking naps (okay, so to be fair, I do those things from time to time). However, a childfree life is not a carefree life. Life isn’t easy, kids or not. 5. You will be excluded. Motherhood and fatherhood lead to friendship clubs the childless are excluded from. Childless couples are left behind as friends with children move on to groups of parents. My husband and I have seen this happen with so many couples who were our close friends. I don’t think it’s intentional. Life with a baby is busy, it’s challenging. It’s different. Plus, when the baby grows up, suddenly it makes more sense to spend time with other couples who have children. It’s about having someone to share experiences with, to share playtime with, to share tips with. My husband and I can fill none of these needs. Sure, we can offer our mastiff as a playdate, but that usually doesn’t suffice. As a childless, married 20-something, you will find yourself on the outs. I think we’ve learned not to be bitter about it or to ask why. I think you just have to accept life changes, people change, and circumstances change. Handling Life as a Married, Childless 20-something Being childless has its benefits. I get to sleep in on Saturday mornings. I don’t have to watch rated G shows in the middle of the day. I don’t have to worry about serving healthy, kid-friendly meals or making cupcakes for the PTA or going to pediatric appointments. I don’t have to spend an inordinate amount of money on talking dolls or remote-control cars. I have a lot of freedom. But this freedom is accompanied by condescending looks, nosy questions, and classifications as selfish. Being childless, especially as a married 20-something, puts you on the outskirts of your peer group. Someday, I may find myself a married, 20-something mom. Until that day, though, please know there’s more to being childless than meets the eye. Our identities should not be based on how many dependents we claim. The most important thing I think all 20-somethings should remember, childless or otherwise, is that in life, you have to be confident enough to go your own path. You’re on your own time. Don’t rush it for anyone. —- For more reading on this topic, check out my article “Stop Asking Me When I’m Going to Have a Baby” on Ripped Jeans & Bifocals Blog. Also check out my post on the Huffington Post. Please remember to ‘like’ the below Facebook page & follow the Twitter page, in order that you can be tagged in the interview status once posted. I also have an author page detailing my upcoming books if you may be interested: https://www.facebook.com/LifestyleAndLiterature www.twitter.com/LifestyleAndLit www.facebook.com/SophiaValentineAuthor Author Interview Here are the author interview questions to promote your book/s, writing and share your social networking websites. When responding by email, please also attach a picture of your most recent book/s and a photograph of yourself. If you are able to promote the interview too online, please do so. PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS USING THIS ATTACHMENT AND RETURN TO [email protected]. Bio: (Appox 100 words.) Samie Sands is the author of the AM13 Outbreak series, which has been published by Limitless Publishing. She has also had a number of short stories published in some very successful anthologies. To keep up to date with her work, check out her website at http://samiesands.com. 1.What got you into writing / what made you sit down and actually start something? I always wanted to start writing; I just never had the courage to do so. Over time the idea for Lockdown kept rolling over and over in my mind until I felt like I had to write it down, and it just went from there... 2.What is a usual writing day like for you, how is it structured? I have a lot of responsibilities – just like most other writers – so my writing day can be a little chaotic! I get to it whenever I have time, there’s definitely no structure – it can be early in the morning, or late at night. 3.Do you get writers block? If so, how do you overcome it? Yes, and it’s horrible when it strikes. I get over it by doing everything else that needs to be done, jobs that I’ve been putting off due to lack of time, so by the time I get back to it, I have nothing else plaguing my mind. 4.Are you a plotter or pantser when it comes to writing a story? I always have a rough plot, but I learnt early on that what I think I want to happen, often changes once I start writing and I get to know my characters a little better. 5.Are you traditionally or self-published? The AM13 Outbreak Series is traditionally published by Limitless Publishing, but I also have some self published anthologies. 6. What was the publishing process like for you? Any advice to aspiring authors? The publishing process is a fun one! It’s certainly an experience if you’ve never done it before. I would advise aspiring authors not to give up, every author gets rejected, you just have to keep on trying! 7.What has been your highlight since becoming a published author? People emailing me who have loved my books – there isn’t a better feeling as an author than that! 8.Can you share a little of your most recent book with us, including genre and targeted audience? The AM13 Outbreak series has very recently been published, and it’s a NA zombie themed series, but it isn’t your typical gore and violence. The characters are not the usual hero of apocalyptic books. There is the girl-next-door type, the OCD sufferer, and the zombie author...just to name a few. 9.What tip would you give to new authors when trying to build a fan-base / get followers and market their books? (What to do and what not to do.) It’s trial and error, but one of the best things is to talk about things other than just your books. Connect with people, talk to them about what they’re doing. Competitions can be successful too. 10.How long on average does it take you to write a book? It takes me a while because I like to do numerous drafts to get it right. Often, once I’ve written something and I come back to it after a break, I notice lots of things that I missed the first (or second time) around. 11.Tell us about the book cover/s, how the designing came about, whether you had much input etc. I gave my ideas to the designer, and Deranged Doctor Designs did an amazing job with that. What they came up with was even better than what I had in my imagination. 12.Apart from writing, what do you do in your spare time? My hobbies include reading, swimming and watching anime. Feel free to include your: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Blog. http://samiesands.com http://www.facebook.com/SamieSandsLockdown http://www.twitter.com/SamieSands http://samiesands.blogspot.co.uk 
Let’s be clear: my dad is not a classical literature loving kind of guy. Even though his only child is an English teacher, he would probably tell you Shakespeare is unnecessary and the classic writers were conceited intellectuals looking to impress someone. But every time I read Fitzgerald’s most popular work, I think of my father. Not because we lived in a Gatsby-style mansion growing up or threw lavish parties. Not because my dad is a throwback to the 1920s (the eighties is his preferred decade). I think of my dad when I read Gatsby solely because of the quote above. Because these are the words my dad engrained in my mind from an early age… and these words are the reason I am who I am today. Who My Father Is
My dad is the dad from a different generation of men. He is not of the “let’s talk about our feelings” generation or the “tweet about everything that happens to you” generation or the “words hurt” generation.
My dad is best described as stoic and realistic. He is never once to mince words about how tough the world is. He’s not afraid to tell you your idea or your actions or your choices are going to be a disaster. Feelings? Well, he’d rather not talk about them. He’d rather you take action and do something to fix your circumstance than just talk about how much the world hurts. I can remember coming home from kindergarten crying because I had no friends. My dad’s response? “You’re right. You don’t have friends. No one does.” After some glares from my mother, he shrugged. Now, years later, I can appreciate my dad’s advice. He was trying to teach me to be independent, to count on myself, to be my own advocate. Not quite reassuring advice for a five-year-old, but his heart was in the right place. My dad is a strong-willed and determined man. I’ve never seen him cry in my twenty-eight-years of life. Some modern parenting experts would probably talk about how detrimental this is for a child’s psyche, but I disagree. Growing up, I saw my dad deal with a lot of hard times and frustrations. But he didn’t sit and pity himself or look for reassurance. Instead, he planted his feet firmly on the ground and worked out the situation. He taught me to be stubborn in the face of struggle. He taught me to stop talking about it and just get the job done. He taught me that life is tough, so you have to be tougher. My dad is from an “I only use cash,” “Rock music is the best,” “Shorts shouldn’t be longer than your knees,” kind of generation. He’s from a generation that believed only hard work would allow you to succeed. He’s from a “toughen up” kind of generation, a generation not afraid to do hands-on work. It is because of these ideals I am who I am today—persistent verging on stubborn and not afraid to work for my goals. He taught me to value school, to do my best at everything, and to make good choices. He taught me when someone tells you something is impossible, to go after it anyway. He taught me to be focused and to never quit working for what I want. These have all helped me live the life I sought. However, it is the lesson he taught me about others that has had the biggest effect. 
My Dad and Fitzgerald: The Gatsby-Like Lesson
Although my dad taught me to be determined and tenacious, he also taught me things often overlooked in our world.
Compassion. Empathy. Humility. From an early age, the lesson I heard from my father was one I would later read in the pages of Fitzgerald’s classic. He taught me that no matter how smart I am, no matter how high I climb in my chosen field, no matter how many people know my name, I should never forget how lucky I am to have had the opportunities I had. I can remember my dad watching Goodwill Hunting, the story of a brilliant custodian overlooked by the “intellectuals” at Harvard. My dad loved the symbolism in it. “You might think you’re the smartest or the most successful. But there will always be someone out there who could outdo you if given the opportunities you were given. Remember that.” It was an ordinary day, but I’ll never forget those words. As I strive for my goals and try to achieve my definition of success, I always think about this. My dad taught me to work hard, to be a perfectionist, and to never settle for average. But he also taught me not to get cocky, not to stomp on others to achieve success, and not to forget how blessed I’ve been. He taught me that the most successful people remember to help others when they can. He taught me never to get too caught up in success that I forget to be thankful or that I see myself as better than others. My dad taught me to be confident without be condescending. He taught me to never forget there are others who would do anything for the opportunities I have. He taught me not to waste my talent or the chance to do something with it. Helping Others: What My Father Does Best
My dad doesn’t just preach the idea of being thankful for the advantages you’ve been given. He takes action.
As I child, I saw my dad using his talent for cars to help so many who were going through tough times fix their cars, only charging them for parts. I saw him give his time and talent to help others who were struggling. We were never rich, but he knew there were always others out there who were worse off. Thus, he never turned down a time to help others, to show his gratitude for the life he had by helping others make their lives better. I saw him giving his last few dollars to a woman at a grocery store because she couldn’t pay for her bill. At the time, those were the last few dollars in his pocket, but he gave them up selflessly. I’ve seen him help countless stray animals, fork over cash for a good cause, and offer his time to help out when he’s needed, no questions asked. My dad is a proponent of the Gatsby quote, but he’s so much more. Because he showed me you don’t have to be living like Gatsby to make a difference. You don’t have to have millions of dollars or lavish cars or illustrious contacts to change someone’s life. You just have to be willing to acknowledge the advantages you have and how they could help others, no matter how small. My dad is a stoic realist. He doesn’t believe in talking about feelings or living life through your smartphone. He hates debit cards, and he hates rap music. He often tells me the eighties were a much better decade. My dad is a dad from a different generation, but I’m thankful for that. It is because my dad is who he is that he helped me become the woman I am today. So classic-literature lover or not, I am blessed to have a father who taught me to be tough, to be perseverant, to be humble, and above all, to be compassionate. Happy Father’s Day to my dad. 
  Title: NOTHING LIKE THE FIRST TIME (The Sweet Romance Series Book 1) Author: KEREN HUGHES Synopsis: *This NA Contemporary Romance story contains sexual content and language aimed at a mature audience. 17+* Carly Summers and Greyston Sterling were each other's first kiss, first sexual experience, first love, first everything. They had a love that was made to last. That was until Grey took a job as a freelance photographer that took him to the other side of the world. When it came down to a choice between his career and his girl - he chose the career. He's travelled the world and seen sights he wished Carly was there to experience. He's had relationships along the way but nothing meaningful. Carly has had relationships but nothing that lasted. No-one could compare to Grey. Now, 10 years later, Grey's back in town and wants to see if they can rekindle what they had all those years ago. But how can they if he's engaged to somebody else? Nothing Like The First Time is a tale of how nothing compares to your first love. There are trials and tribulations Carly and Grey must overcome on their way back to each other... what if they can't get over the obstacles life throws at them? *This book can be read as a stand-alone or as part of The Sweet Romance Series* Add to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20411538-nothing-like-the-first-time Title: READY TO LOVE AGAIN (The Sweet Romance Series Book 2) Author: KEREN HUGHES Synopsis: For Alyssa Young, life has never been easy. But the hardest thing of all was two years ago when her husband Ethan committed suicide… Moving town was her only option, she had to get out of the town where she grew up and all the buildings and people reminded her of what she had lost. She found a new job at Emerging Butterfly Publishing House and that was where she met editor, Chase Williams. Although she has no romantic interest in him, he pursues her… Of course he's good looking. He's also smart, funny, and she loves spending time with him. But Alyssa can't put the past to rest. He wants Alyssa to open up to him and fall in love with him the way he fell for her the moment he met her. Can Chase convince Alyssa that the time is right and she’s ready to love again? *This book can be read as a stand-alone or as part of The Sweet Romance Series* Add To Goodreads Here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22908594-ready-to-love-again Author Bio: Keren lives in the UK and is an avid bookworm. She fondly remembers the days where she would lie in her bedroom away from distraction and get lost in the world of make believe. Her first real memory of reading something she fell in love with was The Hobbit. In her teenage years, she became addicted to Point Horror books like RL Stine's The Boyfriend, but she also enjoyed light Summer reads like What Katy Did and What Katy Did Next. Over the years she has come to realise that she is a bit of an OCD freak about books. They have to be in perfect condition without the slightest bit of damage. She has been a book reviewer for the last few years and a book hoarder for a LOT longer. You can NEVER have too many books! Her shelves are bulging and overflowing but she always wants "just one more book". Keren had her first book published by Limitless Publishing in November 2013. It's a YA Paranormal Romance novel called Stolen. Her second book was published with LP in May 2014. This time, an NA Contemporary Romance called Nothing Like The First Time. She couldn't have been more surprised when NLTFT appeared on the Amazon Best Seller list. That was a dream come true. Keren is currently working on more NA Contemporary Romances for you to fall in love with. Keren loves hearing from her readers. You can reach her by email at [email protected] Visit her author blog here: www.authorkerentshughes.wordpress.com Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/keren.hughes.92 Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/kerentshughes 
 PAIN by Amanda Mackey
★✯ SYNOPSIS ★✯
Life is sweet in The Sanctuary—until Lillian Harris is thrown the curveball of her life.
Lillian is perfectly happy cocooned within the lofty perimeter fence of The Sanctuary. Her Sanctuary—a vast oasis for rescued lions, tigers, and elephants. The animals are her world. So when Lillian’s dad tells her a nineteen-year-old criminal who’s fresh out of prison is coming to The Sanctuary as part of a rehabilitation program, Lillian is more than a little apprehensive. She interacts with animals more than humans—and definitely not criminals.
Justice Armstrong is more arrogant than a Silverback, but something darker lurks behind his eyes…
It isn’t until Justice swaggers toward her from the parole officer’s car—pierced, confident, and more than a little hot—Lillian knows she has her work cut out for her. His stare has the power to rob her of all thoughts. His words, although crude and nefarious, bring a part of her to life she never knew existed. How is this criminal suddenly turning her world upside down?
He has the power to drag her to the dark side....
Pain is his drug of choice, a vice he can’t survive without. Then he meets Lillian Harris. Little miss hellcat. Fiery, strong, and all woman. She challenges him at every damn turn, and watching her tame those fierce big cats makes his need for her that much stronger. He wants to do things to her…wicked things. She makes him crave pain in a whole new way.
When a teen with a dark past bumps heads with a feisty rescue worker, will it be love over lust—or a matter of life and death?
★✯★✯ AMANDA MACKEY ★✯★✯
Amanda Mackey was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when she was 12 years old with her family, where she has lived ever since. She has loved books since an early age and is an avid reader. This has helped lay the foundation for her writing. She's published 2 non-fiction books and has her a fiction novel titled, Instinctual out now.
Instinctual is a 2 book series. Book 2 will be out Sept. 30 2014. Amanda hopes to make writing her full time career.
LIMITLESS PUBLISHING: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/amanda-mackey/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AmandaMacey43
Saved By a Soldier by Alison Mello Release Date: June 14, 2016 Publisher: Limitless Publishing SynopsisPatricia Ann Fitzgerald is no man’s arm candy… Refusing to entertain her mother’s ridiculous notion that she should become the perfect little housewife for her ex-boyfriend Ben, Patty escapes to her father’s lake house to focus on what matters most to her. She has to break through her writer’s block and start her next book. Medically discharged from the service and suffering from PTSD, Carter Montgomery is still trying to get his life back in order… When Carter's father Jackson suggests a week at the lake, it's not only so he can gain a little clarity about his future. Jackson has other plans for his recovering son, intending for him to watch over his best friend’s daughter while she’s on a solo writing retreat—an idea that doesn’t please Carter at all. Patty finds it hard to get any work done when her attention keeps diverting to the handsome stranger next door… Patty is persuaded to attend a charity event, despite knowing her ex will be in attendance. When Ben rudely interrupts Patty’s dance with her father and drags her off the floor, Carter is quick to intervene. He’s tired of admiring Patty from afar, and refuses to see her treated that way. Ready to ditch the stuffy event, Patty escapes with her savior someplace where they can finally talk. Ben always gets what he wants, and he isn’t willing to let Patty slip away… Patty fights to preserve her blooming relationship with Carter from the critical eyes of her mother and the scheming ways of her ex. Will Carter manage to get his life back in order in time to save Patty from the life she never wanted? Tagline: “She had his protection, but she wanted his love.”
About the author Alison Mello is a wife and stay at home mom to a wonderful little boy. She lives with her amazing family in Massachusetts. She loves playing soccer, basketball and football with her son. After having her son, Alison started reading again and fell in love with Contemporary Romance. Reading made her happy and gave her something to do when she had downtime. As she started to read more, she started to notice things she really enjoyed in a book and things she didn’t. She began to have ideas for writing one of her own. One day she literally woke up and started writing. She realized that if there was ever a time for her to write, it was now. She had a part time job to give her something to do. The hours at work were slow and she was bored with what she was doing, so while her son was off enjoying his friends over summer vacation she got started. Alison finished the first book in two weeks and decided that she really enjoyed writing, so she kept going. She already had ideas in mind for books two and three, so she kept writing. That is how the Learning to Love Series was born. Somewhere along the line, one of my Beta readers convinced me that Michael, a character from Finding Love, needed his own story. That is when Alison added the fourth and final book. Alison hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoyed writing them. She’s so glad she started this writing journey and hopes you will stay with her for the ride. Chasing Dreams is scheduled to release in April and the first two books of the Love Conquers Life series will be out this summer!
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