31 July 2014

Book Blitz: Goodbye To You by A.J. Matthews + Giveaway!


Goodbye To You by A.J. Matthews
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Synopsis: Europe? Nope. Mexico? Nope. Key West?

Not me. This summer, I'm playing nursemaid to my sister. Yeah, I know. Relatively good looking twenty-two-year-olds don't spend the summer bedside in the cancer ward, but that's the plan - until my sister threatens me with bodily harm unless I get on the plane.

That's when I met him. He likes me. Really likes me. But more than that, he loves my boobs -- like can't get enough. I have no idea how to tell him that they'll be gone soon. Courtesy of a preventative double mastectomy. Yep. That's what testing positive for the breast cancer gene mutation will do to a girl.

But don't feel sorry for me. I'm enjoying him, holding on until the last possible minute, while I muster up the strength to tell him, and watch him walk away.






Meet The Author:

I wrote my first book at six. A retelling of The Three Little Pigs, illustrated by my grandmother, the book was never picked up and was self-published instead, glued to cardboard with a cover fashioned from wallpaper scraps.

Today, I write stories featuring nice guys (or nice guys in-the-making) in between my other jobs writing research reports for a commercial real estate company, refereeing two young daughters, navigating the teen waters with a too-cute-for-his-own-good son, spoiling a neurotic cat, and making my darling, patient husband shake his head. I'm also an autism mom, chocolate enthusiast, sports-watcher, nacho-eater, and beer-drinker.

A Maryland native, I live in North Carolina now, but dreams of the beach fuel my fantasties, and my characters can often be found strolling in the sand or sailing along a coast.

Author Links:
Facebook

Guest Post:
My hands drift over his arms and shoulders, caressing the taut muscles under the hot surface of his skin. The smell that’s ever-present—salt and coconut-scented sunblock—is enhanced by the scorching afternoon sun. I don’t need another drop of alcohol for the rest of my vacation.
I could get drunk from inhaling him.
His large hands cup my butt, holding me up, and strong fingers knead at my soft flesh as he stands on his toes in the shallows.
My lips are a whisper away, and he breathes in my moan before I close my eyes and lower my head.
A shower of fireworks goes off behind my eyelids.
Shay answers my groan with his own, and he weaves his hands into my hair. My scalp tingles as he pulls me deeper into his kiss. I wind my arms around his back, slipping a few fingers into the waistband of his trunks. My fingers explore the hard planes of muscle under his scorching skin where back meets quite firm backside.
Shay tears his lips from mine, and a sense of loss sweeps over me until he traces hot kisses across my cheek, my ear, and down my neck. 
Then he reclaims my mouth again in a soft, searching kiss.
I whimper, my heart thudding, threatening to explode from the confines of my chest. This is madness, but that doesn’t stop me from returning his kiss with equal ferocity. He tastes bitter and tangy and oh, so sweet. I can’t get enough of his delicious mouth.
I want more. My hands take on a life of their own, moving from his back to his arms to his hard chest with a desperate, grasping yearning.
He wants me. His erection presses against me, and with just the right movement, I could orgasm right here.
I want him with a ferocity I’ve never known. I’d been touched before, all over my body. 
But no man has ever touched my heart.
Until now.
I am so fucked.
A bell sounds from the boat, smothering the electrical current sparking between us.
The signal to return. Time to head back to shore.
I’m sad, but grateful. A little more time and he could have convinced me to slip off my suit and get it on in the water.
This man is too hot for his own good—and mine.
I regret now I have to go with Bennie tonight, and that we won’t be back until late.
I’m all about supporting a friend and showing some love, but I’ve got an itch for a beautiful Irish boy that needs to be scratched.
Hard.

Giveaway:

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30 July 2014

Book Blitz: Where You Are by Alla Kar + Giveaway


Where You Are by Alla Kar
Release Date: July 29, 2014
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Synopsis: Got boy problems? Call Laney Scott. She's good for advice, a shoulder, or a swift kick where you need it. When her roommate Bethany gets her heart broken, yet again, it's Laney to the rescue. But Laney's harboring a secret. She's nursing her own broken heart. She and her friends come up with a plan to break Aiden and set it into play. Laney wants Aiden to pay for what he's done to Bethany. She will make him fall in love with her, so can break his heart.

Laney's ex-boyfriend Lachlan Hems is back in Florida, still Australian and sexy as hell. His best mate Lucas is getting married, and he is in town for the show. He just didn’t realize Laney would be there … in another guy’s arms, or that seeing her again would have such an effect on him. After the incident in high-school, he vowed to never care for her again. But sometimes fate has different plans.

When Laney’s resolve crumbles, Lachlan is the only one that can put her back together again.

Where You Are is the start of a three-books new adult series from Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestselling author Alla Kar.



Goodreads

Meet The Author:
I go by Alla Kar. I live in the Deep South with my husband, Chihuahua and pit-bull puppy. I love to bring southern gentlemen, alpha males and all things new adult to life. I am an Amazon Best-Selling Author!

Author Links:
Blog
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook


Guest Post
Lachlan character profile
Character Name: Lachlan Hems
Age: 22 years-old
Hair: Short and dark. (Brown.)
Eyes: Green
Height: Tall
Body Type: Lean, tall and fit. 
Friends: Lucas
Frenemy: He doesn’t have them. Either he likes you or he doesn’t.
Career: Chef. 
Goal: To own his on restaurant. 
Like: Cooking, baking and Laney. 
Love: Laney Anderson. 
Fears: Losing the person that means the most.
Strengths: Persistence.
Weakness: Jealousy. 
Good qualities: Lachlan is hard-working, loving and protective. 
Turn ons: Sexy, snarky, short blondes! J
Turn offs: Liars.
Background: I can’t tell much because it’s a surprise in the book. But Lachlan moved to Jacksonville Florida from Australia when he was small. Lucas took him under his wing and that’s where he met Laney. After a year of awesome, something tears them apart and he moves back to Australia. Lachlan comes back to Florida for Lucas’ wedding and there he’s reunited with Laney! 

Giveaway:



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Thanks for stopping by! :)

28 July 2014

Early Review: Mary: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan

Mary: The Summoning by Hilary Monahan
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Book Format: ARC
# of Pages: 256
Synopsis: There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her. 

Jess had done the research. Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them--Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna--must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go. 

A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror. 

Once is not enough, though--at least not for Jess. Mary is called again. And again. But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered.

A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary--and Jess--before it's too late?

Meet The Author:
Hillary Monahan is Eva Darrows is also an international woman of mystery. Holed up in Massachusetts with three smelly basset hounds, she writes funny, creepy things for fun and profit.
















My Review:
I received Mary: The Summoning by Hilary Monahan from Around The World ARC Tours and this is my honest review.

Finding out there was a fictional book about Bloody Mary was exciting for the sole reason that me and my best friends used to play “Bloody Mary” at summer camp when we were younger. Of course nothing came of it but for a couple young girls we had fun scaring the crap out of ourselves! 

My initial thoughts about the main characters are that I dislike Jess for so many reasons. I hate her type of people, shes the type that bosses around her friends and makes them feel bad. She is not a true friend in any way whatsoever. Shauna and Kitty kind of annoyed me because they could not for the life of them stand up for themselves when Jess was clearly treating them awfully. My favorite character was Anna by far because she knew how to stand up for herself especially against Jess and it was awesome.

Monahan did a phenomenal job describing all of the creepy scenes with Mary, and just describing Mary in general. Another thing the author did well was throw in twists that im sure no one saw coming. From page one there was action and it went on throughout the whole book, I could not stop turning the pages. Can I just say Jess totally got what she deserved, enough said. Overall I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Favorite Quote: 
“I hope Mary eats him,” she said.
“Kitty!” (Pg 98)

27 July 2014

Review: Taliesin Ascendant by Megan Joel Peterson

Taliesin Ascendant by Megan Joel Peterson 
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Book Format: Paperback
# of Pages: 378
Synopsis: The war isn't over. And new enemies await. Life on the run hasn't been easy, but so far, Ashe has survived. But now Carter has ordered her to leave the Hunters and find her family's people - an order she can't refuse, no matter how much she wants to stay. Following his command will bring her into an unknown world, however - a world filled with new enemies and old prejudices that will demand more of her than she can imagine, at a cost higher than she'll ever be willing to pay.





My Review:
I received Taliesin Ascendant by Megan Joel Peterson from the author and this is my honest review.

Taliesin Ascendant is the second book in the Children and the Blood trilogy by Megan Joel Peterson. In this sequel we follow Ashe on her mission to expose the Blood to the rest of the world, as well as Cole and Lily on their mission to just survive. In the first book sisters Ashe and Lily were separated and both think the other is dead so you can imagine my hope for them to reunite in this book. 

80% of the book was dedicated to Ashe and her being put to work by her “people” since she is basically the queen, and about 20% was dedicated to following Cole and Lily. Thats the first thing that I did not like because I really think there should have been equal parts for both Ashe and Cole & Lily. 

The action parts in the book I loved because they kept me turning pages, but the in between parts like when they had Ashe reading all those papers really bored me to tears so that was a downside. I found that I like the Cole & Lily parts a lot more than I liked Ashe’s parts and that was probably because they were shorter and to the point. Ashe’s parts seemed to just drag on. 

Another thing that I don’t really like about this series is that there is absolutely no romance between anybody. The closest thing to any romance was the one married couple but other than that there was squat. I almost wish that Lily was older so that her and Cole could have struck something up. Hopefully in the third and final book things will be better maybe Ashe and Cole will get together I think that would be pretty cute.

Overall this book was probably my least favorite in the trilogy so far. But I am not going to give up on it because I did enjoy the first book and I’m not going to just stop reading because one book in the trilogy was a bust. I do plan on reading book three because I do have it. But I am not going to dive into it right away because if I do I might not like it since it took me so long to read the second book I need a little break before I dive in again.



26 July 2014

Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Book Format: Paperback
# of Pages: 358
Synopsis: By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. 

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

My Review:
I bought Wither to put an honest review of it up on my blog.

Wither is a story of a 16 year old girl named Rhine who is captured by the society I guess you would call it, and she’s thrown in a van with a bunch of other teenage girls who could possibly be wife material for Linden Ashby. Her and two other girls are picked and moved to the mansion to be married and to live in the mansion with each other as sister wives. 

When I first read the back of this book I was very intrigued by what it said. They die at young ages and their involved in polygamous marriages. It sounds so crazy and weird but this book had no problems holding my attention especially once it started getting towards the end I couldn’t put it down. 

Rhine is such a strong girl. She’s torn from her life forced to leave her twin brother alone all by himself and forced to marry this older guy whom she doesn’t even know. But the whole time she stays calm because she knows in her heart that she is going to find a way to escape. Her other sister wives though are very different from her. The oldest Jenna resents everything she doesn’t like her husband she hates living in the mansion she even hates her sister wives for awhile and this doesn’t really change but I can understand why. Cecily the youngest sister wife is the complete opposite of Jenna. This is the life she’s always wanted to live in a mansion and to be married to a rich older man and she loves every second of it. 

This society is so crazy, I can’t imagine living in a world where boys die at the age of 25 and girls die at the age of 20. We just wouldn’t have lives and it so sad, I mean these young girls are being forced to have babies only to die before these babies can even recognize their mothers. That’s one reason why this book is so intriguing I loved the mystery of if they are going to find the cure to this curse. 

In the end I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars it was incredible but some of the scenes dragged on for a bit long. But don’t fret because I will be reading the second book! I need to know what happens next J


23 July 2014

Early Review: Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Vivian Apple At The End Of The World by Katie Coyle
Publisher: HMH Books For Young Readers
Release Date: January 6, 2015
# of Pages: 272
Book Format: ARC
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.









Meet The Author:
Katie Coyle grew up in Fair Haven, New Jersey and has an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Her debut novel VIVIAN APPLE AT THE END OF THE WORLD (previously released in the UK as VIVIAN VERSUS THE APOCALYPSE) will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in January 2015. Her short fiction has appeared in One Story, The Southeast Review, Cobalt, and Critical Quarterly. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, and blogs at katiecoyle.com.




My Review:
I received Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle from Around The World ARC Tours for my honest review.

I chose this book, ultimately because the synopsis pulled me in. But I have to admit after the first few chapters I was not sure that this book would be for me. The first probably quarter of the book is about religion, basically how Vivian believes and the beliefs of her parents and other people. Before I put the book down for good though, I started to realize that the book was not telling anybody how to believe it was just telling a story about something that happened in a world where believers and non believers are split in two.

The farther I got into the book the more I liked it. The characters started to come more to life, the story line picked up and kept my eyes glued to the pages, I loved it. On to the characters, I enjoyed Vivian because although she did not believe in what her parents did she was still respectful and still loved her parents a lot. Which was the complete opposite of Harp who hated her parents and rebelled every chance she got. But as the book went on I started to love Harp like she was my own best friend. 

The road trip, and few stops along the way were by far the most entertaining. Peter was a sweet guy and I am glad the girls allowed him to tag along. Sparks between him and Vivian could have flew a little earlier but overall I was happy with what I got. Peter did something stupid near the end that broke my heart, which is why I am hoping there is a second book to resolve that situation. 

Overall I gave the book a 4 out of 5 stars, It like I said was slow at first but it quickly picked up and got interesting. But that is no surprise road trip books are always good right?

Favorite Quotes:
“That I’m the hero of my own life story.” “It isn’t my mother, and it isn’t Harp. It’s me.”


17 July 2014

April - May - June Wrap up 2014



I'm finally catching up, all the links to reviews are on the youtube channel so click the video to see everything :) Thanks for stopping by!

15 July 2014

Cover Reveal: Complexity by Cindy Ray Hale

Today is the cover reveal for Complexity by Cindy Ray Hale. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. Cover design by Virginia Rose Hodges Photography and Cindy ray Hale. Cover photo taken by Virginia Rose Hodges Photography. Cover models are Emily Hodges and Casey Phelps. Hair and makeup is done by Tone' Jackson of TJ Styles.

complexityComplexity (Destiny #2.5)
by Cindy Ray Hale

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Young Adult

Blurb:
Olivia Clark likes to tell herself she’s too focused on following all the rules to pay any attention to Hudson Brown, the wealthy longboarder who lives up the hill. But the more he comes around, the harder it becomes to resist his charm. Then when a terrifying crisis strikes her neighbor Liliana Watson, Olivia is faced with one of the most difficult decisions she’s ever had to make. When the lines between right and wrong begin to weave into a pattern of complexity, will Olivia have the courage to follow her heart and still make the most selfless choice of all?

You can find Complexity on Goodreads

Complexity excerpt:

Liliana continued on her rant about her mom's latest control tactics, but I wasn't listening anymore. Across the room, a boy with messy blond hair was casually leaning against the wall of the cafeteria, gripping the straps of his backpack and talking to the high school chemistry teacher. He caught me staring at him and a corner of his mouth quirked up. I turned away, cheeks flaming.
“Who’s that?” Sara asked.
“I have no idea,” I said. “He looks like he loves himself too much.”
“He kind of does, doesn’t he?” Sara clicked shut the lid of her lunchbox. “Don’t look, but he’s totally checking you out right now.”
And of course I looked. He was still there, staring with that smile. Great. Yet another guy I’d probably have to reject.
“Not that he’d have a chance with the untouchable Olivia Clark,” Liam Goshen said from a few seats down.
I pretended I didn’t hear him and turned to Liliana to change the subject. “Do you think I’ve mastered my audition piece enough to get better than fourth chair this year?” Talking about my flutist abilities was better than listening to Liam go off on me for rejecting him last spring. Him and about five other guys. It wasn’t like he wasn’t hot. He totally was. But I didn’t date.
“Olivia, all you’ve done all summer is play your flute. I’m pretty sure you’re first chair material now,” Liliana assured me.
“You think so?”
“Sure.”
I smiled, and as I did, my eyes slid of their own accord to where the blond boy was still standing. He met my eye again and turned and slipped from the room.



cindyAbout the Author:
Cindy Ray Hale lives in a little slice of wooded heaven near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and children. She spends way too much time following up-and-coming musicians on YouTube and dreams of joining their ranks one day. She’s a bit of a health food nut and can’t live without her daily green smoothies. She tries to stay sane as she juggles writing with four kids, staying active on social media, and keeping up her book blog at http://cinnamoncindy.blogspot.com/. In addition to writing and self-publishing two Young Adult Contemporary novels, she has also written articles for "New Era" magazine and The American Preppers Network.

For more information on The Destiny Trilogy and Cindy’s upcoming books visit http://destinybycindyhale.blogspot.com/ or follow @CindyRayHale on Twitter.

You can find and contact Cindy here:
- Website
- Website for destiny
- Blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Google+
- Pinterest

And there’s an awesome giveaway hosted by the author to celebrate the cover reveal of Complexity. Here’s what you can win:
- 25$ amazon gift card
- e-copy of Destiny
- e-copy of Synchrony
- Casey L Bond prize pack

For a chance to win enter the rafflecopter below:
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14 July 2014

Book Blitz: Tortured Souls by Kimber Leigh Wheaton


Tortured Souls (Orion Circle #1)
Release Date: July 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option.

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.


When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.


But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.


Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.


Available from:

Praise
“Tortured Souls was a wonderful YA read. It was light and enjoyable all the way through. From the romance, to the thrills, this book was fantastic. YA lovers, this is definitely a book you'll want to check out.” ~ Farrah at Imagine a World

“Tortured souls by Kimber Wheaton........ omg!! Great book!!!! This is one you don't want to miss out on.~ Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock

“The plot is wonderfully spooky with just the right amount of suspense and mystery to keep the pages turning.” ~ James Luby– Amazon Reviewer

About the Author
Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. She is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.


Author Links:
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GIVEAWAY:
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Book Blitz Organized by:

12 July 2014

In My Mailbox - June 29, 2014 (The lost video edition)


Afternoon amazing people, its Saturday and I just realzied I have no post for today so why not a book haul?! I hope you all enjoy seeing the books I have received recently! :)





The Books: 

Bought:
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
The Book Lovers Jounral 
College 101: A Girls Guide To Freshman Year by Julie Zeilinger 
Grim

For Review:
Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
The Vampires of Manhattan by Melissa De La Cruz
 That Night by Chevy Stevens
Wanted Dead or in Love by Kym Brunner

Borrowed From Work:
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty 

Giveaway:
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you again soon :)





11 July 2014

Cover Reveal: Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above





Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above by Robert Polk
Adventures, Anaiah Press


Blurb:

Twelve-year-old Declan Parker was born with only one eye, but all he seems to have trouble seeing in proper perspective is himself.  All he wants is for kids to see him as normal before he starts a new school in the fall. To that end, he sets out to make money helping with his dad’s tree care business.

Unfortunately, when his dad lands in the hospital after a climbing accident, Declan’s surgery hopes are wrecked. His only hope remains in a neighbor girl and her uncle, a wounded army veteran. Can they help him save his dad’s business, or will Declan’s once-courageous drive turn into total despair?

Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above is a well-crafted story about a strong, dauntless young man who redefines the value of self-reflection. Declan is a character you won’t be able to forget.

Welcome to your new favorite book…


Release Date:
October 7, 2014


Book Links:
Anaiah Press: www.anaiahpress.com



Author Bio:

 Robert Polk lives in western Nebraska where he shares his love of books and the great outdoors with his wife and seven children. He is a former school counselor, business owner, and tree climbing arborist. Robert participates in his church and local community, currently serving on several non-profit boards.


Author Links:
Website: www.stmercy.com
 
Imagination Designs