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Review: I Want You Back by Lorelei James
Lorelei James
Want You Back Series, Book 1
Expected publication: April 2nd 2019 by Berkley
New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James kicks-off her Want You Series with a Lund family cousin hot enough to melt the ice and mend a broken heart.
Former NHL star Jaxson Lund has returned to the Twin Cities, but he's at loose ends, unsure if he belongs at Lund Industries, or where he stands with Lucy, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Mimi. Despite the signs she'd like to leave him in the penalty box, the attraction burning between them reinforces his determination to prove that he deserves a second chance…
Lucy Quade is in a good place with a steady job, a nice apartment, and a well-adjusted daughter, which is why she's hesitant when Jax insists on co-parenting. It's not that Lucy doesn't trust Jax…she's just unconvinced he can handle multiple responsibilities when he's been singularly focused on playing hockey. But when issues arise with Mimi, Lucy's shocked at how levelheaded and paternal he acts, giving her a glimpse of the Jax she used to know, the sexy, sweet man she fell for years ago.
Once Lucy lets her guard down, Jax goes all in to show her how good they are together, but will their past remain too large an obstacle to ever overcome?
Ms. Lorelei James rocked my reading world hard with I Want You Back. In a world created within written pages, Ms. James takes a fantasy like situation, enriches it with real life trials, temptations and events giving this reader her first 5 star read of the year.
Jaxson Ludd had everything any man could want. The beautiful woman at his side, the angel of a daughter, a family that loves and supports him and a career that he loves. Jaxson tossed a good bit of that out the window when his fame and excess became more important than his real life. Jaxson hit rock bottom, paid a price, got help with his addiction and is back. Ready to make amends, right some wrongs and be the man he should have been before.
Lucy Quade's life has been shaken up once again. Basically easing her daughter as a single parent. Now with the ex back, and to stay, he's found a way to insert himself into her everyday life. While happy that her daughter has her father in her life on a more regular basis, the emotional turmoil, both good and bad, that man creates within her, makes Lucy crazy. He all but broke her, yet he creates so much for and within her, she can hardly see straight.
There are so many things I loved about I Want You Back. Two people who came together to learn to be good parents for their child. Jaxson and Lucy are an amazing couple who worked painstaking hard to get themselves where they wanted to be. The baggage these two carry would cost a good portion of Jax's fortune to fly. The characters are complex with layers that have layers. They grow personality and together throughout the story. I loved Jaxson stepping up to be a real father, not just the fun dad who gives and gives. While Jax royalty messed things up, Lucy was not without fault and she owned up to it. The way Ms. James places the flashbacks of the story are seamless and comes off like a daydream. While giving wonderful insight to the characters and story. I adore the solid family bonds and connections. Which if you have read Ms. James you will know is one of the pieces of the foundation of her stories.
I Want You Back is an emotional, eye opening and thought provoking read. Jaxson and Lucy will break your heart, put it back together all while dancing a slow dance of attraction and chemistry, remembering the past while trying to have a future. Ms. James gave me everything I needed, wanted and more.
Disclaimer- I'm not a sports fan in any, way, shape or form. Actually hate sports is a description for what I feel about sports. Hockey plays a huge part of I Want You Back and yet not enough to outright over power the story. There was a particular blow off some steam skating session that turned into a very humorous scene that I very much enjoyed.
Tags: 5 STAR READ, I Want You Back, Lorelei James, review, Want You Back Series
ARC Review: Bewitching Bedlam by Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam
Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam Series, Book 1
Published January 9th 2017 by Nightqueen Enterprises LLC
As Maudlin and Aegis prepare to open the Bewitching Bedlam to guests, they immediately find themselves embroiled in a battle for customers. Ralph Greyhoof, the owner of the Heart's Desire Bed & Breakfast, doesn't like to share. The conflict heats up when Maddy finds a local witch dead in the rose garden. The woman looks a lot like Maudlin and suspicion falls on Ralph. But Maddy knows that, as competitive as Ralph is, he wouldn't resort to murder. Maudlin and Aegis set out to find the killer, even as their own relationship is put to the test. Aegis's old flame has returned, determined to win him back, no matter what it takes.
With Bewitching Bedlam, Yasmine Galenorn has just given me everything thing I have been wanting in a fresh paranormal read.
Maudlin "Maddy" Gallowglass may have just become my favorite of Ms. Galenorn's lead ladies. She's hands down a total kick a** woman. Maddy has lived a long life, made history, loved and lost. Hundreds of years running, fighting and maybe even reeking a bit of havoc. Maddy is smart, strong and independent. A talented witch and an amazing friend. Maddy's personality shines through the pages. She funny, snarky and powerful in more ways than one. Maddy is a complex character whom I very much connected with. Her charm and charisma make it very easy to like her, once I got to know Maddy, I was fascinated.
Aegis is a smoking hot vampire musician. He just enough alpha to make me purr. He what I call the perfect romantic vampire. He commanding but not overly aggressive. He respectfully and caring.
Excellent world building, a few plot twists and amazing characters make Bewitching Bedlam a fantastic read. Ms. Galenorn has outdone herself. First the world building- is truly excellent. An island that is 95% pretcom is the playing field for the Bewitching Bedlam series. I love the mixing of so many paranormal beings. You can almost feel the magic coming off the pages. The town itself is almost like a character. It has a personality that is all its own. Next, the plot twist- Ms. Galenorn kept me engaged and guessing through the entire story. Just when you think you got it, something will happen and change it all up. Characters- the cast of the story rock. Yes, all of them. Personality shines through, even with secondary characters. Making the story that much more enjoyable. Sandy is flamboyant, funny and bold. She is a riot and I absolutely loved her. Characters I really didn't want to like found a way do so. Many characters have a long history with many ups and downs, creating a deep layer to this tale.
Bewitching Bedlam is just what I have been wanting/needing in a paranormal read. The first full length book of the series is like a breath of fresh air. We've got every kind of paranormal creature you can think of, humor and sass, a touch of suspense, multiple layers of depth and personality and some smoking hot romance. What more could I ask for? A quick moving story with a fully engaging plot. Bewitching Bedlam will satisfy all of your paranormal needs.
A copy of this title was provided for a review.
Posted in ARC, Paranormal Romance, Review, Urban Fantasy
Tags: 5 STAR READ, ARC, Bewitching Bedlam, Bewitching Bedlam Series, Nightqueen Enterprises, Paranormal romance, paranormal suspence, PNR, review, romance, shifters, Urban Fantasy, vampires, witches, Yasmine Galenorn
Review and Giveaway: Rock Steady by Dawn Ryder
Rock Steady by Dawn Ryder
Series: Rock Band, Book 2
Second in Dawn Ryder's sizzling new Rock Band series.
HE KEPT IT CASUAL
Superstar guitarist Ramsey's reputation as a bad-boy rocker is exceeded only by his dedication to his music. He's worked hard for the success of his hit metal band Toxsin, and he intends to enjoy it—completely. When a jilted groupie gets back at him for a one-night stand with an intimate—and completely inappropriate—tattoo, he needs it fixed, and fast. Sparks fly between Ramsey and his new tattoo artist, and Ramsey finds himself hoping for more than new ink.
UNTIL SHE MADE HIM WANT MORE
When a high-profile tattoo job lands Jewel an invite on Toxsin's latest tour, she can't say no. It'll be great exposure, after all. What she's really worried about is ruining the gig by hooking up with the first guy to completely rock her world. She knows she should resist—Ramsey's not the kind to stick around for a morning after. But the way he makes her feel—as an artist and a woman—could be worth any risk.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WwbVD7
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!ndigo: http://bit.ly/1N8pB5H
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Dawn Ryder is the erotic romance pen name of a bestselling author of historical romances. She has been publishing her stories for over eight years to a growing and appreciative audience. She is commercially published in mass market and trade paper, and digi-first published with trade paper releases. She is hugely committed to her career as an author, as well as to other authors and to her readership. She resides in Southern California.
Connect with Dawn
Website: http://www.dawnryder.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dawn-Ryder-541256915951279/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawnryder_write
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Letter from Dawn
Summer-
That word brings a ripple of anticipation to everyone who has been longing for warm weather, sandals, beaches, carnivals, and so much more. Rock Steady is the perfect summer time read. It's hot, it's edgy, it's got bad boys—hey, what would summer nights be without a little misbehavior? And the one thing I really wanted Rock Steady to have was a lack of people shooting at people.
Don't get me wrong, I love to write a hard suspense plot but sometimes, you want to read a good, hot, romance without all the life and death struggle. All the edge, all the heat, but with a focus on the personal issues that come with having to make a relationship work beyond the physical attraction.
Rock Steady will take you back onto the road with Toxsin. Now for anyone who thinks Rock Stars have it all easy, take a look at Rock Steady and you'll get a little taste of the dedication it takes to be a mega super star. Personally, I have a deep respect for those who can apply their talent to the concert stage. It's a hard job, one that requires team work to accomplish a show that is mind blowing for the ticket holders. A fabulous voice isn't the only requirement.
For those who picked up Rock Me Two Times, you going to get the chance to see Ramsey, god that he is, meet his match. It was a blast to write this book and I'm eager to present it to all of you.
Dawn Ryder
DawnRyder.com
Excerpt from ROCK STEADY
"Pissed off your girlfriend?" she asked pointedly.
"She wasn't really a girlfriend."
Jewel clicked her tongue and looked back at the cheery blossoms. "By the look of that, she disagreed with you on the topic. She must have taken you to Spike Collar."
Taz was typing into his cell phone as she spoke. "Makes sense. You surfaced right around where that tattoo parlor is on the map."
"Just don't go back there," Jewel warned as she went behind the counter and pulled a blank sheet of paper in front of her.
"Why not?" the blond asked. "I've got half a mind to have my lawyer pay them a visit."
Jewel didn't look up from what she was drawing. "Won't do you any good. They never touch a client without a release of liability signed and sealed, with video footage to back it up. Whoever was gunning for you did her homework. The gals at Spike Collar don't like guys, and they really don't like any males who try to charm them." Jewel cast a look at Ramsey. "You are exactly the sort they hate. Bet they popped a bottle of champagne the second you cleared the doorway with that little gem."
Taz made a low sound under his breath.
But Ramsey was watching her. She felt his attention tightening, focusing on the motion of her pen as she inked a design on the paper. He'd sent a shiver down her spine before, but now he was warming her insides, melting her core slowly with the absolute devotion he was giving her. She looked up, locking gazes with him.
Her insides churned.
And her toes curled.
She'd never felt so connected to another soul. It was his doing, and she realized that his arrogance was something he'd earned.
That fact slapped her across the face and sent her into a full meltdown. He was the sort who could captivate.
Which was a damned dangerous place to go.
It wasn't like she had any personal experience with it. Still, she felt like she was on pins and needles. The sheer level of sensitivity the guy was able to elicit from her was off the scale. It was fascinating to say the least.
As well as a really bad place to go when he looked like he could afford to hire her.
She looked back at her work, forcing herself to focus on the art and get a grip on herself before he knocked her flat. Sweat popped out on her forehead, but her hands responded perfectly. Art was like a living force inside her. A place she could take refuge in as well as being a gift she might share. She let it consume her, the drawing coming to life beneath the strokes of her pen. It was a little like giving birth: first she had to let it grow and form before it was ready to breathe.
"That is smokin' hot," Taz said as he leaned on the counter to peer at her work.
"You're good," the blond said in a tone full of awe.
Ramsey reserved judgment until she'd shaded in the last few areas on her sketch. When she lifted her pen, he swept it up and studied the drawing. It was a metal dragon crawling down his abdomen toward his cock. Its front claws would be where the cherry blossoms were, and its tail would wrap around his lean hip and onto his lower back. It wasn't a reptilian dragon. It was a steel one, a merging of metal and mythical creature.
His eyes narrowed as he studied it, seeing more than just the black lines. He was seeing the attitude she'd tried to capture and portray. His expression gave her a hint of the man inside him. She got the impression he spent a lot of time covering up that man with his didn't-give-a-rat's-ass attitude.
But she saw it.
His attention shifted to her, their gazes locking over the edge of the paper. For a moment, she caught a flicker of understanding in his eyes. Just a moment of awareness, a few seconds when he admitted to himself that she saw him.
Really saw him.
It didn't last long. In fact, she found herself questioning if it had really been there, when his gaze hardened and sealed her out of that place he was determined to keep private.
"You recognize me," he said.
It wasn't a question, but she felt inclined to answer anyway. "It isn't hard to peg you for a metal-head when you're wearing nothing but leather and have a stud bar through your nipple."
"I'm a metal god," he said.
"Right," she countered, feeling a rise of heat in her cheeks. "I'm good at what I do."
"You are," the blond interrupted. He was studying her portfolio. "So why are you working the graveyard shift?"
"I wanted to work at the best shop in town. That left me to choose between Spike Collar and here," Jewel said without hesitation.
"But you're not a lesbian," Ramsey finished for her. "Bet that was a bit of a problem with getting hired over at Spike Collar."
"Definite ripple in the pond," she confirmed. "Not on my side, mind you. They just don't like straight girls. Shame really, they know how to do tats."
"So do you." Ramsey was thumbing through the pictures of her work. He had that businessman expression.
"Who are you?" she gave in and asked. All three men looked up at her. "I mean, since it sounded like you were trying to impress me."
"Impressing you will involve more than my name," her client said.
His lips curved, and his expression became sensual. He flattened his hand on the counter between them and leaned toward her. In one flat second, it felt like her breath caught in her lungs. She was hyperaware of him, fighting not to take a step back. There was a flicker of approval in his dark eyes as she managed to stand her ground.
"Count on that fact." Her voice had turned raspy, but his arrogance was rubbing her pride raw. "I do tats. Only tat's for pay. So if you've got a problem understanding boundaries, the door is behind you. There's another place up a couple of blocks that opens in a few hours."
Taz reached over and shoved Ramsey. "I told you not to piss her off." He shook his smart phone in the air between them. "She's the best in the nearest three cities—checked her out." He turned to look at her. "Your references rock. Why are you working in this dump?"
"Because my boss might be a prick, but he's also got twenty-five years' experience, and references to top mine. I want to learn from the best, and there are a few things you can't learn from anyone but a master."
Taz nodded. "True, even if some masters are egomaniacs."
"You didn't answer me." Jewel aimed her inquiry at Ramsey. "Who are you?"
"Ramsey, Taz, and I'm Syon," the blond answered. "We're members of a band called Toxsin."
She bit back the snide, Yeah, right, that tried to escape her lips.
But they were all standing there looking pretty confident. She reached over and tapped "Toxsin" into the laptop on the countertop. Their website was the first thing to come up. She clicked on the link.
"What the fuck are you doing roaming the streets?" She looked between the screen and the three guys standing in front of her. It was weird, to say the least, to have the pictures from the screen living and breathing in her shop. "Don't you have people to deal with stuff like this?"
Ramsey eyed her from where he was lying on the counter. "I'm a hands-on sort." He covered her hand with his, stroking the back of it.
Jewel ended up taking that step back. Victory flashed through his eyes as she sent him a sharp look.
Taz punched him in the shoulder again.
"How's that 'hands-on' thing working for you tonight?" Jewel said. It was a barbed comment, a challenge. Hell, it felt like she'd smacked him across the jaw with a white glove and dropped it at his feet.
The way his eyes narrowed confirmed he felt the same way. For one split second, she half feared he might just flip the counter out of the way or jump over it.
"Let's focus on the problem," Syon said. "We need this fixed—discreetly, quickly."
"No joke." Jewel happily changed thought tracks. She pulled one of the shop disclosure agreements up onto the counter. The tightly packed lines of legal mumbo jumbo didn't give her the same sense of comfort they normally did. Ramsey grabbed it and yanked the top off a pen before boldly scrawling his signature across the bottom line.
Taz was flipping the lock on the front door.
"Good idea," Jewel agreed. She didn't care for the fact that she had to take a breath before getting her feet to move.
Ramsey flopped down on her worktable, popping his pants open. They were custom, all right, the right side of them shaped perfectly to contain his cock.
The guy had an impressive package.
She ended up stopping halfway around the counter, earning a smirk from him.
"Don't let my fame make you nervous," Ramsey teased her.
"Typically, I worry about my clients taking their displeasure out on my hide." She made it to her stool and sat down. Her workstation was normally the place she felt most comfortable.
Today, she felt like the padded stool was full of spikes.
"So what's your problem with me?" Ramsey asked.
She wasn't going to answer that.
Not a chance.
She turned half away from him and sterilized her hands.
"Cat got your tongue?" he asked.
Jewel turned back toward him and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
What a man animal.
She really needed to get a grip and enjoy the moment. She was pretty sure she was never going to get the chance to work on so fine a specimen again.
"I'm thinking you wouldn't think twice about filing a lawsuit against me, signature on a release form or not," she said.
His expression turned serious , his eyes narrowing, his lips thinning. "I don't get my kicks out of using my money to pin my mistakes on other people. I own my fuckups."
It wasn't what she'd expected him to say.
But she liked it.
A whole lot.
Integrity was something most people sold out on. Especially when it came to admitting they'd made dumb mistakes.
"I'm beginning to see why the gals at Spike didn't refuse to do your girlfriend's dirty work."
Ramsey leaned his head back. "She wasn't my girlfriend."
"I'm guessing that was the problem."
He'd closed his eyes but opened them and looked at her. "Guess it was. But I didn't lie to her."
He really did own his screw-ups. It was there in the flat acceptance on his face. He looked past her to his bandmates. "I'm good. You guys can shove off."
"Not a chance." Syon settled himself on the other worktable. "Those little pink flowers will take us all down."
"Yeah." Taz sat down behind the counter and claimed her laptop. "Besides, I don't trust you to be polite. Jewel is a lady."
Ramsey made a low sound under his breath. "I bet she gets naughty with the right company."
Jewel didn't look up from where she was cleaning the skin on his abdomen. She was no stranger to personal jabs, especially off-color ones.
What surprised her was the way her pulse leapt.
She needed to get a grip.
"That's what I'm talking about," Taz said. "She's an artist, like Kate."
"Yeah," Ramsey agreed. "Sorry, I'm still a little buzzed. Talking out of my ass."
Jewel warmed under the single word of praise. She got the impression Ramsey didn't hand out undeserving compliments. She ended up looking into his eyes because he was watching her.
"Kate made my pants." He gestured at his buddies. "She makes all our leather gear."
"She's good." Jewel picked up her sketch and began to position it. "I see my share of leather around here. The good, the bad, and mostly the ugly."
"She's the best," Syon added without opening his eyes. "Even has good taste in men."
Ramsey snorted. Syon offered him a single-finger salute.
"Aren't you guys cute," Jewel muttered.
"There's nothing cute about the part of me you're looking at."
She should ignore him.
Should, but she wasn't going to. Jewel looked up and caught Ramsey grinning at her. "Did you want this done sometime before Christmas?"
"You wouldn't let me go on stage wearing flowers…would you, Jewel?" He tried out his puppy eyes on her.
"The idea is growing on me."
He made a soft humming sound beneath his breath. "I like a girl who plays rough."
Which was just enough of a reality slap to get her focused. He was an animal, the prowling kind.
And she was already living on the edge enough.
She got the drawing in position and transferred it onto his skin.
Canvas.
Normally the word helped her tune out everything but the art.
Yeah, well there wasn't much of anything that was normal about Ramsey.
Ramsey is the definition of a rock star bad boy. Raw, egotistical and all Alpha. The man is confident in every sense of the word. Ramsay lives up the rockstar life to the fullest until he gets his ass handed to him, potentially scarring his and the band's image by a vindictive woman. When taking corrective measures Ramsey gets blindsided by an amazing artist who twists him in every way possible. His talent and cockiness make you want melt and smack him one in the same.
Jewel is a spitfire of a woman struggling to make her name as a tattoo artist. An intelligent woman with a background in marketing that is too stuffy to allow her artistic side to breath. Jewel gets the score of a lifetime when the lead guitarist of highly famous band rolls in the tattoo shop during one of her many midnight shifts. She counters his sarcasm with sass, leaving a deep impression with more than just her ink. That impression leads to what could be the biggest opportunity of her life or the hardest fall she will ever take.
Dawn Ryder entices, titillates and seduces readers with artistry, passion and raw emotion with Rock Steady.
Ramsey and Jewel are fun, feisty and have chemistry off the charts. They challenged each other, hit all the right buttons to infuriate and captivate all at the same time. They are overwhelming and wrong hit all the right buttons to infuriate and captive the all at the same time.
Jewel and Ramsey are overwhelming and combustible. The chemistry intense and the passions on fire.
Ms. Ryder's attention to detail not only shows her talent as a writer but as an artist as well. Intricate details paint an in depth picture and project the feelings within the music and the art.
Combined the personality, charisma, and charm of the characters, a fast-moving plot and feeling like you've been sucked into the rockstar life, Ms. Ryder gives her readers the Rockstar fantasy with Rock Steady.
Rock Steady is the second book of the Rock Band series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. However I recommend reading Rock Me Two Times to enjoy this series to it's fullest.
A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team selection.
A complimentary copy was provided by netgalley for an honest review.
Posted in ARC, Book Obsessed Chicks, Giveaway, reviews
Tags: 5 STAR READ, A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection, ARC, Contemporary Romance, Dawn Ryder, netgalley, review, Rock Band Series, Rock Romance, ROCK STEADY, Sourcebooks Casablanca
ARC Review: Contant Craving by Melissa Schroeder
Constant Craving
Task Force: Hawaii, Book 3
Harmless Publishing
She might trust him with her life but she's not too sure she can trust him with her heart.
Charity Edwards has never been a woman who liked to compromise–not at work and definitely not in her personal life. So, when TJ Callahan appears on the scene as their FBI liaison, she decides to take a chance on the slow talking Texan.
TJ doesn't like undercover work, but thanks to an old case, he has been tasked to do just that. He uses his position to infiltrate TFH to investigate Charity, a woman well-known for her hacking skills. His almost instant attraction he has to Charity makes it impossible not to blur the lines and he soon finds himself falling for the impossible woman.
When his assignment is revealed, Charity wants nothing to do with him, but she has no choice. Thanks to TJ's investigation, Charity's life is in jeopardy and he will do anything to protect her–even if it means sacrificing himself.
Melissa Schroeder nails romantic suspense.
Charity is a live in the moment, intelligent and caring woman. Fun and straightforward. A geek through and through. She's a fun spitfire, that you want on your side. TJ was born into geekdom, making him destined for the life. He's kind of quiet, laid back and good at what he does. He's caring and kind with just enough alpha to make you more than want him.
A suspense plot that keeps your brain moving with chemistry and personality that keeps you moving through the pages. Constant Craving shines with what Melissa does best. Characters with depth and quirks that make the read fun along with the suspense. Steamy passion and amazing chemistry that make the pages sizzle. Constant Craving is everything that I love about Melissa's work. She draws you in, keeps you there, and makes you want more. Along with trying to figure out a way to life the good life in Hawaii.
Constant Craving like the other books in the Task Force Hawaii series is my new favorite of Melissa's work.
An advanced reader's copy was provided for an honest review.
Tags: 5 STAR READ, ARC, Contemporary Romance, Harmless Publishing, hawaii, law enforcement, Melissa Schroeder, review, Romantic Suspense, Task Force Hawaii
ARC Review: Rush by Robin Covington
Robin Covington
A MacKenzie Family Novel
Published February 16th 2016 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
From Liliana Hart's New York Times bestselling MacKenzie family comes a new story by USA Today bestselling author Robin Covington…
Atticus Rush doesn't really like people. Years in Special Ops and law enforcement showed him the worst of humanity, making his mountain hideaway the ideal place to live. But when his colleagues at MacKenzie Security need him to save the kidnapped young daughter of a U.S. Senator, he'll do it, even if it means working with the woman who broke his heart …his ex-wife.
Lady Olivia Rutledge-Cairn likes to steal things. Raised with a silver spoon and the glass slipper she spent years cultivating a cadre of acquaintances in the highest places. She parlayed her natural gift for theft into a career of locating and illegally retrieving hard-to-find items of value for the ridiculously wealthy. Rush was the one man who tempted her to change her ways…until he caught her and threatened to turn her in.
MacKenzie Security has vowed to save the girl. Olivia can find anything or anyone. Rush can get anyone out. As the clock winds down on the girl's life, can they fight the past, a ruthless madman and their explosive passion to get the job done?
Atticus Rush is a jaded, ex special forces turned mercenary and security contractor. Hes is a hard, take no prisoners, push you to the edge type of man. All alpha and is able to get what he wants, how he want it. A man not to be messed with. His personal demons weigh heavily on his psyche. His exquisite body, quick tongue and no nonsense ways leave readers in thrall of Atticus.
Olivia -Livvy- Rutledge-Cairn is one kick ass lady. Born a princess Livvy found within herself a skill set make her a Master Thief. There is nothing this woman can't track down and fine. She's as beautiful and sexy as she is cunning and dangerous. This sensual woman can more than handle herself.
Robin Covington's contribution to the MacKenzie family will have your pulse racing and breathless with desire. Livvy and Atticus have a history with some up and down and ton of combustible chemistry. A tortured, broken hero and woman that's just as strong as he is. Both alphas and commanding in their own right. And both get to each other like no other.
Rush is a fast paced novella that hit you in all the right spots. Action, suspense, and intense passion. Robin Covington gave readers an intense hit to the romance pallets with Rush!
Review copy was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review. Receiving a complimentary copy of this title does not affect the outcome of the review.
Tags: 5 STAR READ, ARC, Evil Eye Concepts, Ink Slinger PR, Liliana Hart's Mackenzie Family Series, MacKenzie Security, review, Robin Covington, romance, Rush
Release Day Review: Sketch by Laramie Briscoe
My name is Devin, but everybody calls me Sketch. I opened my own tattoo shop two years ago, and I've finally gotten to the point where I'm going to be able to give my wife everything she's ever wanted. I'm going to be able to take time off and spend a day a week with her. In fact, tonight, I stopped and grabbed some wine, got her flowers, and those chocolates she likes.
What I wasn't prepared for was to be met at the front door by her carrying her sh*t out.
She loves me, but she's not in love with me anymore. What kind of bulls*it excuse is that? I've left her alone too often, I've been completely focused on one goal, and apparently she's sick of waiting.
So here I stand. Half the man I was, p*ssed as f*ck, because while I was busy making a better life for us, she was under the impression I was leaving her lonely. I know one day she'll see what I've been doing has been for us, and when that day comes… She can damn well come crawling back to me.
A Tattoo Artist – A Husband – An Alpha Male Who
Makes No Excuses
ARE: http://bit.ly/SketchARE
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jVGjHv
Amazon UK – http://bit.ly/SketchUK
Amazon AUS – http://bit.ly/SketchAUS
Amazon CA – http://bit.ly/SketchCA
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/SketchBN
Google Play: http://bit.ly/SketchGPL
iBooks: http://bit.ly/SketchIB
Kobo: http://bit.ly/SketchKB
For a sneak peak of the Prologue & Chapter 1 –http://bit.ly/LBSketch
I had the wonderful fortune of being introduced to Ms. Briscoe's work by a fellow reader and friend who I trust when she says need to read this. Through the journey of her stories I have gotten to see Ms. Briscoe grow tremendously as a writer. In a little under two years she has made her way into one of my favorite authors spots. With her latest work, Ms. Briscoe has truly stepped to a new level that far exceeds any expectations I have come to develop in her work.
Sketch is raw, real and deep. This is a book that hits close to home in a big way. Falling in love is the easy part, maintaining it is where it gets real. Ms. Briscoe hits it right on with Sketch. Relationships are filled with emotion, both good and bad. Communication is the key to keeping everything level, and as relationships are filled with emotion, both good and bad. Highs and lows. It's how the couple communicates to get through it. Sketch and Nina's story is so real it gave me chills as I was reading, and had me looking back on my own feelings in my ten year running relationship. There is no way you will not feel something while reading Sketch. And you will be proud to say #IGOTSKETCHED!
Sketch is Ms. Briscoe's best work. Her voice as a writer is shining through creating magic with her words. A five star read and a top read for 2016.
Laramie Briscoe is the best-selling author of the Heaven Hill Series & the Rockin' Country Series.
Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie Briscoe has published over 10 books. She's appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. She's been called "a very young Maya Banks" (Amazon reviewer) and her books have been accused of being "sexy, family-oriented, romances with heart".
When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on her DVR. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband (the Travel Coordinator) and a sometimes crazy cat named Beau.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaramiebriscoe
Website: https://www.laramiebriscoe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laramie_briscoe
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/Fi4N9
Every day during release week you will find a new giveaway on Laramie's facebook page. Be sure to hop over and enter to win any one of the amazing prizes she will be giving away!
>> https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaramieBriscoe/ <<
Posted in ARC, Giveaway, Release Day Blitz, Review
Tags: 2016 Top Read, 5 STAR READ, ARC, Contemporary Romance, Giveaway, Laramie Briscoe, Release Blitz, review, romance, Self-Published, SKETCH, tattoos
ARC Review: Hostile Desires by Melissa Schroeder
Hostile Desires
TASK FORCE HAWAII, Book 2
Published January 5th 2016
As a cold case heats up, two former adversaries discover there is a thin line between love and hate.
TASK FORCE HAWAII, BOOK TWO
Seven years ago, Dr. Elle Middleton's world crashed and burned. She has rebuilt her life and found comfort in her work as the medical examiner for TFH. When a new case leads to a cold case, she is beyond excited for the challenge, until she finds out the one man she wants to avoid is her partner on the case.
Graeme McGregor isn't any happier with the assignment. The doctor gets under his skin in more ways than one. He's avoided her and his attraction by keeping his distance from her, but working with her has made it impossible to resist taking a little taste.
One kiss leads to another…then to a full blown affair. But even as they draw closer to each other, secrets from that long ago murder rise to the surface. The killer's determination to stay free leads to a dangerous confrontation that puts both of their lives in peril and could leave TFH in shambles.
Melissa Schroeder has hit a new plateau with the exquisite seduction of suspense and emotional depth in her newest release in the Hawaii Task Force series, HOSTILE DESIRES!
Elle is not quite the woman she shows to the world. Suffering a past that would most could never fathom, she chooses to live on. A brave and strong woman that keeps people at an arm's lengths to protect herself, who is filled will sweetness and sass.
Graeme, oh my! Let me pause to melt for a minute or five. An Alpha of the best kind. Strong, commanding and sexier than words can describe. Loyal in every sense of the word. Graeme hold a kindness and gentle manner that makes him sweet and romantic. Add in that Scottish brogue that you're mind automatically switches to whenever, he's on the page. Hence, pedal on the floor!!!
I said this with Melissa's first book in the Task Force Hawaii series and I will say it again with HOSTILE DESIRES, this is her best work. Ms. Schroeder knows her characters well, how to shake up a plot and keep readers turning the pages. Perfectly balanced romance and suspense, HOSTILE DESIRES intrigues the reader and makes them want more. Graeme and Elle are perfect for each other and watching them get there was worth every page. Our friends of the Hawaii Task Force add to the humor, wit and drama making HOSTILE DESIRES a fabulous suspenseful read with more emotional depth than you would expect.
Tags: 5 STAR READ, ARC, Contemporary Romance, Harmless Publishing, Hostile Desires, Melissa Schroeder, review, Task Force Hawaii
ARC Review: Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn
Autumn Thorns
Whisper Hollow Series, Book 1
Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: October 27th 2015 by Jove
In an all-new series, New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn invites readers to Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living and the lake never gives up her dead…
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I'm Kerris Fellwater, and when I returned, I inherited my grandmother's house—and her gift. As a spirit shaman, it's my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don't always stay buried.
When I was little, I was told my mother ran off. But now it looks like she was murdered. With the help of my mysterious neighbor Bryan, we begin to unravel the mystery of her disappearance, and in doing so, unearth a dark force seeking to bury Whisper Hollow. Now I must work with the dead, rather than against them, because our enemy will do whatever she can to destroy the town, and she means to start with me.
Yasmine Galenorn raises the hairs at the back of your neck with the first book of her new Whisper Hollow series, Autumn Thorns.
The Town of Whisper Hollow has a personality that's dark and mysterious shining through the pages as much as the unique and charismatic characters do. Ms. Galenorn's intricate world building weave together lore and legend with her own twists giving a fresh feel in the paranormal world.
One of the things I love most about Ms. Galenorn's writing is the secondary characters play as much of a roll as the primary. Autumn Thorns is no exception. Each character has their own brand of personality, spunk and mystery with an eclectic talents that shape this story. Trying to figure out who was friend or foe keeps the reader on their toes while becoming immersed in the mist of Whisper Hollow.
Enchanting, enthralling and dark. Autumn Thorns is Ms. Galenorn at her best. Action, mystery and passion consume the reader while leaving them looking over their shoulder. A fantastic Urban Fantasy/Paranormal read!
I was very lucky to receive a print Galley copy of Autumn Thorns directly from the author.
All reviews are honest and of my opinion.
Posted in ARC, Release Day, Review
Tags: 5 STAR READ, ARC, Autumn Thorns, Jove, Paranormal romance, PNR, print galley, Release Day Review, review, Urban Fantasy, Whisper Hollow Series, Yasmine Galenorn
ARC Review: Seductive Reasoning by Melissa Schroeder
Seductive Reasoning
Publish Date: Oct. 12, 2015
Join Melissa Schroeder for a new Harmless spinoff series filled with suspense, hot men, and breathtaking romance.
TASK FORCE HAWAII
Even paradise has a dark side…
Working with local, state, and federal agencies, the men and women of TASK FORCE HAWAII work on cases ranging from bank heists to terrorism. A diverse team filled with ex-military, law enforcement, medical, and technical support, they are Hawaii's last defense against the worst criminals.
Resisting her might just kill him.
Former Army Special Forces Officer Martin "Del" Delano has enough on his hands chasing a serial killer and heading up TASK FORCE HAWAII. He definitely doesn't need the distraction of Emma Mitchell. From the moment they meet, she knocks him off his feet, literally. Unfortunately, she's the best person to have on the team to make the connections to help them catch their killer.
A temptation she can't ignore.
For Emma, it's hard to ignore the lure of a man like him. Tats, muscles and his Harley cause her to have more than a few fantasies about Del. He'd never be interested in a geek like her, but she can't resist toying with him. When she pushes the teasing too far, she ends up in his bed. She convinces herself she can handle it until the moment he steals her heart.
A killer obsessed.
Del can't help falling for the quirky genius. She's smart, funny and there's a sweet vulnerable side to her that only he can see. As Emma gets more involved with the investigation, she becomes the target of the psychopath. When the danger escalates, Del promises to do anything to save the woman who not only captured his heart but also his soul.
Seductive Reasoning is a fast paced, character driven book that keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot keeps you on the move and guessing, while quirky, sassy and witty characters draw you in for the ride. Del and Emma's attraction and chemistry is off the charts that creates a lovely sexual tension. The secondary cast of characters demand the same attention as Del and Emma. Intriguing readers to want their stories as well. Passion and personality are two thing I have come to expect from every Melissa Schroeder book I read, she has never failed me.
Melissa Schroeder once again has captivated this reader with a perfect balance of page turning suspense and steamy romance. There is no genre of romance that Mel can't nail. Seductive Reasoning, in my opinion is her best work to date and a perfect romantic suspense read.
Tags: 5 STAR READ, Cops, Harmless Publishing, Melissa Schroeder, Mystery, romance, Romantic Suspense, suspense, Task Force Hawaii
ARC Review: Beneath These Scars by Meghan March
For 48 hours (from 9/21 – 9/23), Beneath These Scars will be specially priced at $2.99. Grab your copy now before the prices increases to $4.99!!!
Beneath These Scars by Meghan March
Date of Publication: September 22, 2015
I'm the guy you love to hate.
In every story in my life, I seem to end up playing the villain—and I've got the scars to prove it.
That role works fine for me, because I'm sure as hell not anyone's hero. I run my life and my empire with an iron fist—until she knocks my tightly controlled world off its axis.
She's nobody's damsel in distress, but I can't help but want to save her anyway.
I guess we're about to find out if there's a hero buried … beneath these scars.
BN (Nook)
About Meghan March
Meghan March is the author of contemporary and erotic romance novels.
Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She's also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she's ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.
Find Meghan March Online
SWEAT DRIPPED INTO MY EYES as I bounced on the balls of my feet. Someone had to be calling out how much time was left in this round soon. My pride was on the line, and there was no way I would hand it over to Con Leahy. He'd already gotten the girl, and I wasn't about to let him humiliate me in the ring in this piece-of-shit New Orleans gym too.
My muscles burned, but that was nothing compared to the heat of victory—or the sting of defeat. What had started out as a boxing lesson had quickly transformed into an all-out brawl for dominance and respect.
Only you would pay a million dollars to get your ass kicked, Titan. The voice in my head mocked me as I bobbed and weaved. But I hadn't paid a million to get my ass kicked. I'd done it because that night at the charity auction I'd been drunk, pissed off, and determined to prove a point—he might've gotten the girl, but I was still the one with the power. I got a sick sense of satisfaction that every time Con bought something for his gym and these kids, he had to think of me.
I swung with another right hook. The blow connected with Con's jaw and snapped his head to the side.
Yeah. That's right. But my mental cheer came a moment too soon, and pain exploded in my left side.
Shit, that's going to hurt tomorrow.
I stumbled back but threw myself forward again, shooting out my fist with an uppercut that knocked Con back a step. This was how it had gone for the last several minutes—trading punches and circling each other.
There was no love lost in this ring, that was for damn sure, and I was ready for this to be over. I would walk out of here with every bit of the respect I was owed. Fuck anyone who thought otherwise.
Con moved toward me and the circling started again. The cheers and chants from the crowd surrounding the ring in the old warehouse gym seemed to grow every time I glanced beyond the ropes. A flash of blond hair caught my eye as I stepped left and Con shifted to the right.
She threw her head back and laughed at something said by her redheaded friend, Elle. I turned my attention back to the man in front of me, but my focus wandered again when a huskier, sexier laugh echoed through the room.
My eyes strayed from Con for a second too long as I tried to track down the source of the laughter. Pain burst through my jaw, catching me by surprise, and I stumbled back into the ropes. Using their momentum, I shoved off to the side, my pride stinging from my momentary lapse in concentration. Embarrassed and now thoroughly pissed off, I surged forward and attacked.
One punch. That was all I landed before the bell rang, signaling the end of the round and my very expensive "lesson."
I pushed off Con, and my knee might have slipped as I stepped back . . . and caught him directly in the balls. It was probably an accident. I huffed out a chuckle, but Con didn't share my humor.
"Goddamn it!" he roared. "Are you fucking serious?"
It was like stabbing a bull with a matador's sword, but I was ready for him. I jumped out of the way as Con charged, and shifted into a defensive stance when he swung.
"Should've expected a cheap shot from you, motherfucker." Unrestrained anger flashed over his face as every shred of coaching mentality fled, along with that smug superiority he'd been giving me.
Good. You aren't better than me, Leahy. I could buy and sell you a hundred times over.
He might've gotten the girl, but I wasn't going to let him get away with her clean. I wanted blood.
"Should've expected you to strut around this ring like a fucking cock of the walk," I shot back.
Con feinted and swung again, but I'd been studying his movements. I bobbed and weaved, and got the hell out of the way.
I threw my own punch as soon as I had a clean shot. It landed just below Con's left eye, splitting the skin over his cheekbone and sending blood spattering everywhere.
The taste of victory was sweet. "First blood," I said under my breath.
Apparently my words weren't quiet enough because Con's head snapped up and he glared at me with disgust, as if I needed to be put down like a rabid animal. "This ain't a fuckin' duel, you piece of shit."
"It sure isn't a friendly competition either."
"Paid a million to get that cheap shot in, didn't you?"
My lips twisted into a mocking smile. "I sure didn't pay a million to have you show me up."
Con dropped his hands and shook his head. "Just when I thought you weren't a complete fucking asshole."
"You were wrong," I replied, turning for the ropes.
Con's fists lifted and before I could react, one connected with my cheekbone. The instantaneous gush of blood told me I'd have a scar to match his, but it didn't matter. One more scar wouldn't hurt my banged-up face.
I roared as I charged, but I didn't get the chance to retaliate. Shouts filled the room, and beefy arms wrapped around my body, holding me back.
"You're not half bad when you're not being a shady rich prick," Lord's voice said in my ear.
I lunged toward Con, but Lord's grip only tightened. "Get your goddamn hands off me," I growled at him.
Leaning closer to my ear, he lowered his voice. "When you calm the hell down and realize you're making an ass of yourself in front of a bunch of kids and women."
I glanced out to the crowd and read disgust on so many faces, including Vanessa's. Like it mattered what a single goddamn person in this gym thought of me. I could buy and sell them all.
Lord was still holding me back when Con came toward us. He yanked his gloves off and wiped at the blood still dripping from the gash on his face.
"You're also not half bad when you're paying attention—and when you're not throwing a knee into my nuts. But I think you've overstayed your welcome."
I jerked at the arms trapping me. "Call off your dog, and I'm gone."
"You ever want another round, it's gonna cost you two million next time," Con said.
"For another chance to make you bleed? I'd pay even more."
Con nodded to his brother, and Lord let me go. The crowd had already started to disperse. The only person in the building who probably didn't want to run me down in the parking lot was my COO, and arguably my friend, Ryder Colson. And he was nowhere to be seen.
Instead of Colson, I saw a group of women moving toward the door—Vanessa Frost in her white cotton dress, Elle Snyder in her yellow retro number, and two others I didn't know. One looked familiar with tanned skin the color of honey, her hair in dark waves, and a curvy body displayed by a funky teal dress with hot-pink polka dots. She hooked her hands on her hips, and that husky laugh echoed through the room again. Apparently she was the one who had distracted me in the ring. My eyes didn't move from her to take in the fourth woman.
Colson came up beside me. "Who knew there'd be so many hot pieces of ass in this shit warehouse?"
I turned toward him. "Give any of them a shot, and you'll probably find yourself bleeding on the floor."
Ryder shrugged off my comment. "Go get your shit. I'll wait."
He was gone before I could tell him he didn't need to wait around for me. But then again, he was my only ally in a building full of people who undoubtedly would have preferred to see me KO'd on the floor of the ring. Just one more place I'd never be welcome.
Good thing I didn't give a fuck.
I'd showed up, gone toe-to-toe with Con, and had taken back a piece of my pride. That was enough.
For today.
I was already thinking of hiring a trainer as I went for my bag.
Meghan March seduces her readers perfectly with the man should not want.
Lucas Titan makes you want to strip your clothes off and slap him upside the head within two minutes of meeting him. An egotistical, dominating, and power hungry man, who's this amazing complex character that you would have never seen coming. Irritating and enticing, once Lucas has sank his claws in, there's no stopping this sinful wicked man.
Yve Santos is a sassy, snarky and will lay it out like it is. She's not afraid to go toe to toe with the best of them. Yve has am amazing strength that keeps her moving forward, when most would retreat and hide. Yve surprised me at the powerhouse of a woman she is.
I never thought I would ever say I like Lucas Titan. If you have followed Ms. March's Beneath Series you know Lucas is not a good man. Everything he does benefits himself in every way. Rude and crude are great description of this man. And now we learn the other of side of man who I thought couldn't feel.
Lucas and Yve challenge each other on every level. Hate with attraction, that moves to sexual tension like none other, to insatiable chemistry. This dirty talking arrogant man needed the right kind of woman to stop in his tracks, question himself, and look beyond his wants. Seeing what love does to this hard ass man makes Beneath These Scars a top read of 2015.
Review copy provided by netgalley
Tags: 5 STAR READ, ARC, Beneath Series, Beneath These Scars, Billionaire, Contemporary Romance, Meghan March, New Orleans, Rockstar PR, romance


text:
Home > About Jamia > Centres > Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research > About our partners
Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research
Programmes/Courses
Objectives and Activities
Former Faculty Members
National Resource Centre for Alternative Care (NRCAC)
About the NRCAC
Our work at NRCAC is tri-fold
What services does the NRCAC provide?
Convergence – Other Organisations & Services
About Foster Care
Legislative Framework: Indian Overview
Foster Care and Adoption
Types of Foster Care
Who can foster?
What responsibilities do we have to fulfil as foster parents?
Can we choose which child to foster?
Common issues in fostering
Specific concerns about fostering
About our partners:
Save the Children : Bal Raksha Bharat, commonly known as Save the Children India, is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of children in the India. While Save the Children has been working in India since 1960s, however, Save the Children India formally came into being as Bal Raksha Bharat in 2008 and has since then reached 6.1 million children through its efforts. Save the Children India has joined hands with Jamia Millia Islamia to work in the field of ECCD by helping set up and sustain the Centre for Early Childhood Development & Research.
Save the Children India is an advocate for children's rights and has programs in the following areas: Child Protection; Education and Child Development, Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition, and Removing child poverty. Save the Children also responds to domestic emergencies and natural disasters such as Floods in South India, Drought in West India, Uttarakhand floods, Floods in Jammu & Kashmir. For details please see www.savethechildren.in
Rainbow Fostering: Rainbow is a long established independent fostering agency in the UK founded in 1998 . They have a breadth of experience with a team of professionals dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for the children and young persons. Rainbow Fostering Agency works in partnership with the local authorities, voluntary agencies and other bodies to ensure the child's needs are met.
Rainbow Fostering and CECDR, Jamia Millia Islamia have recently entered into a memorandum of understanding whereby Rainbow Fostering shall support the NRCFC.
For details please see www.rainbowfostering.co.uk
CERI: Children's Emergency Relief International (CERI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving orphaned, oppressed, impoverished and abused children around the world who are disproportionately affected by poverty, war, famine, natural disasters, human trafficking and other such atrocities. CERI has its operations in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa and South Asia.
CERI is the international arm of BDFC, a global system of health and human service non-profit organizations founded in 1944. To date 10,883,327 people have been impacted by BCFS programmes.
CERI has been a part of the foster care work in CECDR since the beginning. CERI has lent highly committed, passionate and skilled personnel to the CECDR to help develop the foster care programme.
For details please see www.cerikids.org

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks Makes Runway Debut for New York Fashion Week
Su salida es efectiva el viernes, 2 de agosto.
Published at 8:28 am on February 14, 2017
Philipp Plein promised something different for his first turn at New York Fashion Week and delivered with a huge crowd packed into the monolithic main branch of the public library, live music courtesy of Nas and The Kills — and Madonna turning up last minute on his front row.
Dynamic designing duo Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, meanwhile, performed a high-wire act, presenting not one but both of their fashion lines — Oscar de la Renta and Monse — simultaneously. Carolina Herrera called her show her "white shirt" moment, a celebration of her favorite garment. And Proenza Schouler said adieu to New York for now as it prepares to show in Paris.
Plein, reveling in his disruptor status and usually a mainstay in Milan, didn't disappoint. Social media viral sensation Jeremy Meeks, the "hot felon," was on his runway alongside rappers and an army of people dressed as Statues of Liberty entertained his guests, along with Times Square's Naked Cowboy.
Martin Luther King Jr. 1 hour ago
The German designer promised and delivered something different, with a hashtag rallying cry of his very own launched days in advance on Instagram: "Let's Make NYFW Great Again."
Did his giant black and silver puffer coats and luxe sportwear deliver? It was a tad hard to see the clothes from the cheap seats, but Plein the businessman is making a retail push into the U.S. market, coveting consumers here as his discerning next step.
"This dream came true for me tonight," Plein said, making the unusual move of addressing the crowd before the show after Nas performed to help get everyone all warmed up. "Even my girlfriend is here and she didn't have a seat."
The point?
"It's all about having fun," the affable Plein told the horde.
And you know what? It kinda was.
Madonna was accompanied by photographer Steven Klein and joined in the crowd by Kylie Jenner, Tiffany Trump (Secret Service in tow) and Paris Hilton. The handsome, blue-eyed California con Meeks, with the teardrop tattoo on his face, was joined on the meandering runway by rapper Designer and graffiti artist Alec Monopoly, who goes anonymous by covering his face with a bandanna.
So why New York?
"I killed Milan. I did the biggest shows ever in Milan. There was nobody who could really compete with us anymore, so the next step was to come over to New York. America is one of the biggest economies in the world. We're coming to America, and the people that ask all these questions tonight, 'Who the (bleep) is Philipp Plein?' You know, I'm here to answer the question," Plein said in an interview backstage before the show. "It will take a while before they get to know us, but that's why we're here."
Meeks' searing blue eyes and perfect cheekbones lit up the runway after doing the same on the internet in 2014, after his arrest for gun possession in a gang sweep in Stockton, California. Police there posted his mugshot on Facebook and women went wild. He had a record for auto theft and has served time in both state and federal prisons, so why put him in a fashion show?
"We're all bad boys," Plein said. "I'm a bad boy."


After my noontime haircut today (which was long past-due -- it was starting to look like I was wearing a dessicated sheepdog on my head), I went in search of food. Problem: I was in San Francisco's Union Square, where tourists (and tourist traps) are aplenty but good (and healthy) food is scarce.
I decided to try Hubert Keller's Burger Bar. The San Francisco location been open for a few months now, but despite my love of all things sandwiched between (whole wheat) burger buns, I've avoided it because: (1) I've been trying to stick to my P90X diet (especially while at work), (2) I can't stand Union Square, and (3) the early reviews have been decidedly un-good. Still, it was close by, and I was starving.
I sat at the bar and ordered a buffalo burger. Buffalo (or, actually, bison) meat is relatively low-fat and low-calorie, though I promptly offset all the fat- and calorie-savings by topping the patty with avocado, cheddar cheese and a fried egg.
My take? The bun was too dense, and it was smeared with butter. (I ended up scooping out the insides of the buns anyway -- a trick I learned from a friend who wanted to simultaneously reduce her carb intake and create a pocket for all the extra toppings so they wouldn't fall out of her burger.) The cheddar was too mild to register any flavor, and the burger was way too big and unwieldy. And the price (over $20) was obscene.
That said, the buffalo patty was pretty damn good; it was savory and juicy, and went well with the avocado and runny fried egg.


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Cold nights ahead for NELA
By Barbara Leader;
Northeastern Louisiana is expected to see the lowest temperatures of the season so far this week as an arctic front chills the weather.
As the cold approaches, area service agencies are gearing up to handle the needs of those without heat or shelter.
National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Stevens said the lowest temperatures this week will be early morning Thursday and early morning Friday.
Thursday night temperatures are expected to drop to 24 degrees. The lowest temperature so far this winter was 25 degrees recorded on Nov. 14.
When temperatures drop below 35 degrees, the Salvation Army on Hart Street in Monroe opens for emergency occupants.
In an emergency, the group waives the requirement for residents to have identification with them to check in.
At this time, the shelter has seven available beds for men, three for women and two spaces for families.
City of Monroe spokesman Rod Washington said that the Salvation Army serves as the primary shelter, with the city serving as back-up.
"They haven't expressed any need," he said. "But, if the need warrants, we will be ready to help with the community centers."
The West Ouachita Senior Center has heaters and blankets available for Ouachita Parish seniors who have no or limited means to heat their homes. To claim assistance, seniors may visit the center at 1800 N, Seventh St. in West Monroe on Wednesday from 7:30-4:30.
The Ouachita Council on Aging will also offer blankets for loan to seniors. To qualify for the blankets, seniors must provide proof of income and complete a material aid form.
As nighttime temperatures drop, the chance of precipitation diminishes. Stevens said there is really no chance of precipitation, but still there are reasons to be cautious when driving.
"There are no travel problems anticipated," he said. "But, drivers need to be aware that any place there is standing water, it will probably freeze on the coldest mornings."
Follow Barbara Leader on Twitter @barbaraleader1.


I've been having more migraines than usual lately, so my mom brought over an article from an AARP Magazine that mentioned the effects of ginger on migraines. The article also mentioned the research behind a few spices that improved brain health and I wanted to share it with you guys. Plus, I'm throwing in some other health benefits found for each of these as well.
Even though I highly value western medicine, I also believe there are a lot of curative properties in food and spices so, when there is the opportunity to explore using edibles rather than synthetic chemicals with side-effects (known and unknown), I'll stick to the food-based ones thankyouverymuch. Plus, the environmental impact of growing ginger, garlic and the like is minimal in comparison to manufacturing pharmaceuticals and dealing with the health impacts of drug side-effects.
Studies done at the Headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri have shown that more than 80% of migraine prone patients with mild headaches who were treated with a combo of ginger and the herb feverfew managed to ward off their migraines. After two hours of taking the herbs, 48% were pain free and for another 34%, the pain stayed mild.
Ginger doesn't just help fight migraines, motion sickness, morning sickness, nausea and heartburn, it also does a number on cancer cells. A study done at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells. A different study also has found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
If you are feeling depressed over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, you might want to think about saffron instead of a pharmaceutical anti-depressant. In 2007, University of Tehran researchers discovered that a dose of saffron works as well as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression. It was found that 30 mg of saffron per day was just as effective in treating depression as taking 20 mg of Prozac.
Did you know that the rate of Alzheimer's disease in India is 1/4 the U.S. rate? Researchers at UCLA think they know why. They did a study in mice that showed that curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric and gives curry that distinctive yellow color, broke up brain plaques of amyloid beta. Amyloid beta is the abnormal protein buildup that is significant in Alzheimer's patients.
Adding more turmeric to your diet might help stave off Alzheimer's in the future. If you are not too worried about dementia, you might be interested that the spice is also used as a treatment for arthritis and has been shown to be effective in preventing some kinds of cancers and killing cancer cells in some studies.
Garlic has long been known for its many benefits, but it may also be helpful in fighting brain cancer. A 2007 study in the journal Cancer cited that garlic compounds eliminated brain cancer cells. The organo-sulfur compounds that are found in garlic have been identified as effective against glioblastoma, a brain cancer that generally delivers a death sentence with it.
To take advantage of any potential anti-cancer benefits from garlic, researchers suggested that you cut and peel a piece of fresh garlic and let it sit for fifteen minutes before eating or cooking it. This time allows for the release of an enzyme (allinase) that produces the anti-cancer compounds.
If you are interested in pursuing the health benefits of these, but don't like the flavors, you might want to look into the supplements that are on the market, but be careful of too many false claims and look for brands that are well known and trusted. You don't want to end up with a capsule full of filler.
My husband gets terrible seasickness and ginger pills helped him tremendously. I also drink ginger tea when I'm feeling queasy and it's AWESOME.
I was just reading in the paper this weekend about a book called "Grow Your Own Drugs," by James Wong. He apparently does a BBC program by the same name. It sounds like a good resource for this sort of information.
I try to get all of my nutrients and health benefits from the food I eat rather than rely on supplements as much as possible. I know a lot of herbs and teas and their historical health uses and misuses - that was how I started really delving into green living. I think spices and herbs and conventional medicine can complement each other but I'm not going to give one up for the other either. Many of our conventional medicines are better concentrations of the active ingredients in herbs and spices. The scariest thing to me is that over the counter supplements do not require warning labels like over the counter drugs do which makes people believe that taking too much of a particular herb for a too long doesn't have any ill health side effects - which it can. Some people can have sensitivities to herbs and spices just like they do with conventional medicines.
Do you have a citation for the migraine study? I'd like to see exactly what they did...Feverfew has essentially the same chemicals as asprin. If you give someone asprin and ginger, it's probably not the ginger that cured their headache.
That said, I love ginger and will certainly eat some next time I have a migraine.
The most helpful non-prescription thing for my migraines has been CoQ10... it's a supplement, not a spice, but I'd still rather take it than medication that makes me stupid.
There have been a lot of migraines and headaches in the blogosphere lately. I've never had one and hope it stays that way!
Also wanted to let you know that since using that wine hair lightener my scalp has been so dry and itchy. Must have been the alcohol... which makes sense now.
Not to be cynical, but life expectancy in the USA is about 10 years more than in India. That might explain why there is less dementia. That said, eating a varied and balanced diet can only be a good thing.
I had no idea that spices could be used as medicine. Way cool! Thanks for sharing. What is saffron?
This is a very healthy post! Thanks for all the great info!
I used to get a lot of migraines too. Mow I avoid them by not eating mature cheeses, avoiding too much sulphur in my wine, eating every few hours. I hardly get them anymore.
My husband used to get them too-when he went down to one cup of coffee a day from like 6!
Thanks for the great info! I'm growing some herbs to help us stay healthy as well.
I just had a conversation about saffron the other day, regarding how expensive it is ($500/lb or something). I knew someone whose grandma harvested her own from crocuses that had been growing and spreading for years. They had so much they didn't know what to do with it, and gave me a big baggie! I don't love saffron, it's a bit strong for me, but I think I might grow some myself, now, hearing these benefits. It would be fun to harvest with my kids.
Thanks for the tip about the garlic. I always just press it straight into the fry pan. Just harvested by first batch of garlic (about 10 clumps). They turned out kinda small but smell really good. Gonna try to incorporate some of those other spices into my cooking.
Oh Crunchy! Thanks for this information! I have taken myself off of anti-depressants but feel I still need a little 'help'. Maybe a low dose of Saffron will fit the bill.
In the weeks since then, I have kept taking it, and my headaches are probably reduced overall by about 75%. For someone who previously had a tension headache nearly every day along with regular migraines, this is a Godsend. I have kept my doctor in the loop, and he said he plans to investigate feverfew.
Oh, I haven't known this before that herbs and spices are also great for our body. This is cool! Thanks for the wonderful write-up!


You're probably no stranger to the new neutral when it comes to interior design, but don't overlook this trend for nurseries too. If you're looking for furniture in a color other than white but you're not sure how far you'd like to stray away...try grey. The Boardwalk Collection by Young America features the sandpiper weathered finish color mixed with pieces in the starlight white finish. Choosing furniture in a grey hue keeps your room up to date with the trends and neutral so you can easily coordinate with any color story in the future.
While it's a little overly ambitious to DIY your entire nursery's decor...we love incorporating one or two DIY projects throughout the room. Easy coordinating accessories can be fun projects that become a family project with a future big sister or at your baby shower. The Isabella Collection by Young America pictured above showcases a simple do-it-yourself project for hanging pictures. Painted metal trays with a ribbon attached not only match the fun 'Bliss' paint finish from Young America but also easily change your favorite photos held up with simple magnets.
Make it his or her own by showcasing the name you chose for your family's newest addition. Whether you pondered long and hard or you already had the name picked out for years, use a single letter, a monogram, or a full name as decor around the nursery. Using letters as decor can help coordinate a color story and create a personal mark on your baby's room. The All Seasons Collection by Young America decided to showcase Jake's name on the wall to tie in the furniture's espresso finish.
When it comes to nurseries and smaller rooms it's always beneficial to choose furniture that can serve two purposes! Young America is known for multi-use furniture like cribs that adjust along with your growing kids to reach different stages of toddler beds and a twin bed. The All Seasons Collection pictured above showcases Young America's single dresser and changing station. This versatile piece provide ample storage and a changing area for baby.
Whether you're preparing for baby's arrival, re-designing your toddler's room or renovating your tween's abode you'll find what you need at Belfort Furniture. Visit our Kids showroom - building #2 - for a full Young America gallery display along with Legacy Classic Kids, Smartstuff furniture, and accessories to complete your rooms. We love guiding you through children's room designs and we're here to help you create beautiful rooms for your homes so visit our Dulles, Virginia Furniture Showroom today!


text:
Pro Kabaddi League to commence on December 22
By Rajan Nath -- December 16, 2021 1:52 pm -- Updated:December 16, 2021 1:52 pm
PKL Season 8: Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 8 is scheduled to commence on December 22. The tournament will be held without any spectators.
The player auctions for the season were conducted on August 29-31, 2021 in Mumbai. Keeping the health and safety of the players and all stakeholders in mind, this year the league will be held without spectators, at a single venue in Bengaluru, moving away from the traditional caravan format.
Also Read | Pro Kabaddi League: UP Yoddha to face defending champions in opening match
Speaking on the return of Pro Kabaddi League Season 8, Anupam Goswami, CEO, Mashal Sports and League Commissioner, VIVO Pro Kabaddi League said: "We are privileged that Season 8 of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League will be hosted in Karnataka, especially as this state is very significant geography for kabaddi and PKL fans in India."
Also Read | Pro Kabaddi League: Will James Namaba Kamweti be X factor for UP Yoddha?
"Bengaluru has all the facilities for the conduct of big competitive sports events with best safety practices, and we look forward to demonstrating this with PKL Season 8," he said.
Welcoming the league to Karnataka, the honourable Chief Minister of the state, Basavaraj Bommai said: "Kabaddi is a genuine indigenous sport of India and very popular in Karnataka. We welcome and support the conduct of forthcoming Pro Kabaddi Season 8 in our state."
The league will implement protocols to comply with government regulations and guidelines and will work with specialised safety agencies to implement stringent safety practices and create a biosecure bubble, a first for any professional indoor contact sports league in India.
Season 8 of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network (SSN) and Disney+Hotstar.
Pro Kabaddi League 8
PKL Season 8


text:
package com.intellij.lang.html.structureView;

import com.intellij.icons.AllIcons;
import com.intellij.ide.IdeBundle;
import com.intellij.ide.structureView.StructureViewTreeElement;
import com.intellij.ide.structureView.impl.xml.XmlStructureViewTreeModel;
import com.intellij.ide.util.treeView.smartTree.*;
import com.intellij.openapi.editor.Editor;
import com.intellij.psi.xml.XmlFile;
import com.intellij.ui.PlaceHolder;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;

import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.Collection;
import java.util.Comparator;

class HtmlStructureViewTreeModel extends XmlStructureViewTreeModel implements PlaceHolder<String> {

  private final Collection<NodeProvider> myNodeProviders;
  private String myStructureViewPlace;

  private static final Sorter HTML_ALPHA_SORTER = new Sorter() {
    @NotNull
    @Override
    public Comparator getComparator() {
      return new Comparator() {
        @Override
        public int compare(Object o1, Object o2) {
          String s1 = SorterUtil.getStringPresentation(o1);
          String s2 = SorterUtil.getStringPresentation(o2);

          if (isTagPresentation(s1, "head") && isTagPresentation(s2, "body")) return -1;
          if (isTagPresentation(s1, "body") && isTagPresentation(s2, "head")) return 1;

          return s1.compareToIgnoreCase(s2);
        }

        private boolean isTagPresentation(final String presentation, final String tagName) {
          // "head", "head#id", "head.cls"
          final String lowerCased = presentation.toLowerCase();
          return lowerCased.startsWith(tagName) &&
                 (lowerCased.length() == tagName.length() || !Character.isLetter(lowerCased.charAt(tagName.length())));
        }
      };
    }

    @Override
    public boolean isVisible() {
      return true;
    }

    public String toString() {
      return getName();
    }

    @Override
    @NotNull
    public ActionPresentation getPresentation() {
      return new ActionPresentationData(IdeBundle.message("action.sort.alphabetically"),
                                        IdeBundle.message("action.sort.alphabetically"),
                                        AllIcons.ObjectBrowser.Sorted);
    }

    @Override
    @NotNull
    public String getName() {
      return ALPHA_SORTER_ID;
    }
  };

  private static final Sorter[] ourSorters = {HTML_ALPHA_SORTER};

  HtmlStructureViewTreeModel(final XmlFile file, @Nullable Editor editor) {
    super(file, editor);

    myNodeProviders = Arrays.asList(new Html5SectionsNodeProvider());
  }

  @Override
  public void setPlace(@NotNull final String place) {
    myStructureViewPlace = place;
  }

  @Override
  public String getPlace() {
    return myStructureViewPlace;
  }

  @Override
  @NotNull
  public Sorter[] getSorters() {
    if (TreeStructureUtil.isInStructureViewPopup(this)) {
      return Sorter.EMPTY_ARRAY;  // because in popup there's no option to disable sorter
    }

    return ourSorters;
  }

  @Override
  @NotNull
  public Collection<NodeProvider> getNodeProviders() {
    return myNodeProviders;
  }

  @Override
  @NotNull
  public StructureViewTreeElement getRoot() {
    return new HtmlFileTreeElement(TreeStructureUtil.isInStructureViewPopup(this), (XmlFile)getPsiFile());
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Issue AM 8.1 RADIUS does not allow double quotes as part of RADIUS secret and notes.
Error: "Could not connect to RADIUS server. Contact customer support."
1. Log on to Security Console in AM 8.1 SP1.
4. Save the client and you will notice the error: "Could not connect to RADIUS server. Contact customer support."
It appears if the double quotes are used in RADIUS secret, when try to save the client, the above error appears.
Cause It appears if the double quotes are used in RADIUS secret, when try to save the client, the above error appears. This is reported as a defect AM-29347.


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Successful event planning starts with possessing good communication skills, being highly organised, and having the ability to follow up with vendors until completion. Preparation before, during, and after is crucial in helping reach your desired objectives.
With our event planning and management e-learning course, participants will learn how to anticipate and solve common planning issues for any small event such as informal gatherings, up to complex meetings. Effectively troubleshooting will help insure a happy and enjoyable event.


Businesses across Northern Ireland continue to be disadvantaged by poor road access to their key GB markets, according to ferry company Stena Line.
It has raised concerns with local political and business stakeholders to increase the focus and necessity of addressing a critical infrastructure deficit which impacts a range of key NI business sectors including manufacturing, food production and tourism.
The company argues that while road connections in Northern Ireland have been better at keeping pace with economic development, a situation which will be greatly enhanced once work starts on the York Street Interchange project, the same cannot be said of key roads in Scotland, specifically the road network to and from Loch Ryan, which handles approximately 45% of NI trade with the rest of the UK.
Paul Grant, Stena Line's Trade Director (Irish Sea North) said: "We have been working hard over a number of years to try to get key road improvements made on the A77 and more importantly the A75 heading south from Scotland. Despite significant investments by ferry operators between NI and Scotland, including Stena Line's new £80m port and terminal facility at Cairnryan, which included the introduction of two larger ferries, successive administrations have been unable to commit the necessary capital resources to carry out these vital road upgrades.
He added: "Local politicians need to engage with other stakeholders to get the Scottish and Westminster governments to work collaboratively to push for a fit for purpose road network system on both sides of the Irish Sea. The dualling of the A75 will be a long-term infrastructure project which could take a number of years to plan and complete.


After Tuesday's night's debate, pundits and political observers will certainly analyze how the Democratic candidate Secretary Hillary Clinton and the Republican candidate Donald J. Trump fared on the debate stage. Americans with varying political ideologies will take their corners and try to convince the other that their candidate is superior, no matter what happened at the debate. In one of the most polarizing times in American history, we are facing a startling truth. There's no debate about this: The next president will face a challenge in governing our nation.
The losing campaign and candidate may accept the result of the election. However, the acceptance of the voters of the losing candidate are another thing altogether. The vitriol seeping through the American political discourse doesn't reflect difference on policy or legislative approaches. Rather, the chatter about over-the-top rhetoric and advancing proven falsehoods by fact-checkers has dumbed down our politics – and our democratic system.
Admittedly, our political preferences can color our view of how we view candidates, political parties and how the Constitution of the United States should be applied. While this differences persist, why should it be too much to ask for respectful disagreement and willingness to compromise for the greater good? The next president will face an American family, broken by polarized factions and fears. He or she will take the oath of office with those cheering them on to be successful – and others wishing they would fail. Does this paint a dire picture of the United States? Absolutely. But, it can be changed by courageous leadership on both sides of the aisle and outside of the political party system. This courage may not be awarded in the polls, but it will be rewarded in national and global progress.
The intensity of campaigning for an office does not match the acumen and tenacity needed to govern a diverse nation like ours. Governance requires conversation, informed debate, policy sessions and the creation of legislation. Governance requires a command of facts, not peddled fiction. As a nation, our future is dependent upon what we, the citizens, demand of our politics. If we're not demanding decent debate while in the midst of an election, what does that say about our governing future? Our country cannot afford the absurdity of an unpredictable campaign bleed into actual policy that affects everyday Americans. The challenge of governing after this election is real. Whether or not we as a nation will rise to the challenge of our times is still – well, debatable.