REVIEW: Shaun the Sheep: The Flock Factor by Martin Howard

I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW.

Title: Shaun the Sheep: The Flock Factor
Author: Martin Howard
Year of Publication: 2014
Genre: Childrens
Format: Ebook
Length: 77 pages
First Line: “Shaun sniffed the stench wafting from the pigsty and leaned against the wall.”

Summary: Who will rock the talent show, chickens or sheep? Characters from Shaun the Sheep step from screen to page in the first of an original illustrated fiction series.

It’s talent-show time on the farm, and the roosters and chickens are banding together in hopes of beating out their rivals, the sheep. Meanwhile, Shirley, a sheep whose flair for singing is as large as her frame, has a big problem — a massive case of stage fright. Can Shaun the sheep convince his jittery friend to wow the mole judges and take home the prize? Shaun the Sheep fans both old and new will flock to this funny, original story inspired by the internationally popular animated TV show.

Review: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Shaun the Sheep: Flock Factor won’t be released until November 2014 as of July 2014. It feels super early to put up a review for this book, but the publisher put up an ARC on Net Galley.

A huge con to the publisher putting this book up for review on Net Galley so early was that the artwork, a key piece to any childrens book, was actually incomplete. All of the art was marked as ‘SKETCHES–FINAL ART TO COME’. That’s great, but doesn’t help me to review this one bit.

What I quite enjoyed about Flock Factor was that it seemed and even read like a very plausible episode for Shaun the Sheep. I could very well see this happening. Which in the end, kind of had an odd down side to it as well. Since it is a plausible episode, and an average story from Shaun the Sheep is about 5 or so minutes, you start to get this annoyed feeling like why is it taking so long to get through something that could have been done in 5 minutes? Also the author tried to emulate the style of Shaun the Sheep with the descriptions and such. But it is clear that it works much better on screen than on paper.

Worst part: It was a bad call on the publisher to give out an ARC for a childrens chapter book without the final artwork.

Best part: That I could easily picture this being an episode.

Grade: C

Recommend For: Fans of Shaun the Sheep or Timmy Time.

Other Books by This Author: Germs!: An Epic Tale on a Tiny Scale! and Witches at War!: The Wickedest Witch

Blog Tour-Wedding Dreams by Savannah Leigh‏

Lily Kramer is a thirty-something, single wedding planner. Her business is failing and she has no way to save it. Drew Hamilton is a self-proclaimed lifetime bachelor who reluctantly agrees to be a groomsman in his friend’s wedding. When things go south, he consoles the wedding planner and sparks fly. 

Drew’s mother has always wanted to see her only son married and happy, but he’s not interested in a relationship. When Drew and Lily hook up, he sees the answer to his mother’s wish. Drew offers Lily enough money to save her business if she agrees to stage a wedding and live with him to give his mother her wish, before she loses her mind to dementia. 

Neither one of them is ready for what happens to their lives when they take on this charade.

Amazon  Amazon CA Amazon UK

 

“Well, I’m here now. What do you want to do?” I raise one eyebrow, hoping he’s thinking the same thing I am. 

“I thought we’d have a glass of wine on the back patio and talk. Then we can have dinner and see where the night goes from there. How does that sound?”

I try to hide my disappointment at his plan. I was hoping to have him as an appetizer and go from there. I can’t believe my sex drive is revved up after only being with this man twice. 

“Sure, sounds like a plan to me. What kind of wine do you have?” I’m not a wine expert, but I know what I like. 

“I’ve got a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or a Pinot. Is there one you prefer?”

“I’ll start with the Chardonnay, please.” It’s my favorite, but I’m not going to tell him just yet.

Drew pours the wine, takes my hand, and leads me out to the patio where he first proposed this idea of marriage. I hadn’t taken the opportunity to admire the view the last time I was here. If this is going to be my home, I think I should take a look around. There’s the patio, which is covered over about six feet by a deck above. The large grill and a patio table are on one side. Beyond the patio is a beautiful in-ground pool with an infinity edge. I love swimming pools. On both sides of the pool are large grassy areas that seem to go on forever. 

I could get used to this. I shake my head trying to clear my head. I shouldn’t be thinking like this when our relationship is fake.

Drew pulls a chair out from the table for me before sitting down. Such a gentleman. I smile at that thought, and when I look up he’s staring.

“What?” I can’t help but grin.

“Nothing, just that you have a beautiful smile.”

Okay, my panties are wet again. How is it he keeps doing this to me?

“Um, thanks?”

Drew smiles again and I can feel my cheeks heat up. I’ve got to stop blushing in front of him.

“So, Lily, is there anything in particular you’d like to do on your days off?”

Oh, there are plenty of things I want to do, but I’m not sure I can say them out loud right now.

“Well, I haven’t really thought about it. I have until Monday, so I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

“Monday? I thought you had a wedding this weekend.”

“Nope. The bride postponed due to a family emergency. I don’t have anything going on until Monday, so . . .”

“Wow, that’s great. I’m sure we’ll find a way to fill the time.”

That statement holds promise. I smile at Drew and try to convey my dirty thoughts with my eyes.

When I reach my room, I stop short at one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.

Lily is curled up on my bed, her hair splayed out on the pillow, and she’s sleeping. She looks so peaceful and content; my dick twitches at the thought of burying myself inside her. My heart rate speeds up and I realize I really like this view. I want to have it view every day. Fuck. There go my plans to keep things simple. I’m falling in love with Lily. I didn’t see that coming, but I kind of like the idea. As I change my clothes, I wonder how this woman got under my skin so quickly.

I know I should let her sleep, but I have to touch her to figure out if what I’m feeling is real, if I want to put my heart on the line again and risk it being crushed. I climb carefully on the bed and she rolls toward me, but doesn’t open her eyes. I brush a few strands of hair away from her face and she smiles. That smile pushes me over the edge. I know I want this woman in my life, and I’m going to do what I can to keep her. It’s a foreign feeling, one I’ve fought for years, but it feels right. I pull her into my arms. She makes a small moaning sound and curls into me. She’s soft where I’m hard and we fit together like we were made for each other. I relax and get lost in the rhythm of her breathing. Soon, I’m dozing, too.

 

J.A. Hensley wrote her first books under the pen name, Savannah Leigh. Her debut novella, With This Ring, reached #1 on Amazon’s Top 100 Free Erotica list. She loves smut of all kinds and is a reader first. J.A. is constantly working on a new project, whether it’s writing or working in her craft room. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter, and spends her days teaching college students about social work and human sexuality.

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Blog Tour-Bastian’s Storm by Shay Savage

Event Organized by ❤MaE Book Tours & Promo Stars Services❤

Summary

Sebastian Stark just isn’t cut out for normal life with a girlfriend in the hot and humid city of Miami. All in all, he’d rather be back on the island where it was just the two of them, and he could keep everything in balance. The bar down the street tempts him daily, but he’s determined to remain strong. Adjusting to normal life is difficult, but Bastian is doing his best to keep himself together and the nightmares away. Raine’s happy, and that’s what matters to him the most.

But not all nightmares can be driven away.

When Bastian’s former mentor comes into the picture and presents him with an ultimatum, Bastian slips into old habits. Though he wants to shield Raine from the truth, the shady circumstances of his past form into a hurricane he can’t control. In an effort to protect her, Bastian has no choice but to throw himself back into his old job – death match tournaments – just one last time.

Dropped into the arctic wilderness with weapons loaded, Bastian has to compete against representatives from major crime lords all over the states. He’s studied his competition, he knows their weaknesses, and he’s ready to battle for the woman he loves. There’s only one opponent in the mix that causes him any concern. In order to guarantee Raine’s safety, Bastian will be pitted against the key hit man for Chicago’s largest mob family – a guy who’s known as one hell of a shot.

A guy named Evan Arden.

Genre Romantic Suspense/ Erotica

Publication Date June 19th 2013

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About the Author

Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, two children, and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, and loves soccer in any and all forms. During the fall, she coaches her daughter’s soccer team. Though she currently works in the technology field, her school background is in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.

Connect with Shay Savage!

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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Cover Reveal:The Fragile Fall by Kristy Love‏

I’ve destroyed everything in my life and now I’m left with nothing. 

Alone and scared. 

Broken and shattered.

But I’ve found a way to deal with it. 

Instead of all the pain being on the inside, I make the outside ache too. Anything to make it easier to breathe.

Until one beautiful morning when I look outside and see her.

She tries to help me…

But I’m lost.

And I’m not sure I can ever be found.

 

August was winding down. School had started and I was spending some time with Will and Jax before my night class. 

Well, that had been the plan. 

Jax ended up leaving early to go hang out with his girlfriend, which left me alone with Will, something I avoided at all costs. I couldn’t fight my feelings if I were alone with him. He had offered to leave with Jax, but it wasn’t his fault that I couldn’t control my feelings, so instead, I sat by the pool while Will swam laps. I loved watching the way his muscles flexed under his skin. I could watch him move all day.

I felt like I was baking in the sun, so I moved to the side of the pool, dangling my feet in the water. I didn’t want to disturb Will, so I bent over and cupped some water in my hand, then rubbed it over my skin to cool off. Pouring some water over my neck and back, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool water against my hot skin. When my eyes opened, Will was standing in the middle of the pool, staring at me. His eyes were heated as he watched the water drip down my skin. I bit my lip, not wanting to break his trance. I liked the way his eyes felt on me. I liked that I didn’t have to pretend that I didn’t want him.

“Hot?” he asked. His voice was huskier, sexier.

“Yeah, a little.” He swam over to the side of the pool and put his hands on my thighs. My breath caught in my throat. 

His eyes never left mine as he rubbed his thumbs over my skin. “I could help you cool off.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked breathlessly. I didn’t recognize my own voice. 

His hands moved further up my thighs until they were on my hips. He moved me closer to him until he was standing between my parted thighs. “Yeah.” 

Our eyes never left each other. Chills raced over my skin even though the sun was intense, but when his hands moved behind me, I realized what he was trying to do.

“No, no, no!” I squealed, attempting to get out of his grip. He overpowered me and threw me in the pool. I resurfaced, spitting and wiping water from my eyes. Will smirked as I tried to swim away, but he caught me and pulled me closer, tucking a strand of hair over my shoulder. My entire body was pressed up against his. I could feel his breath skating over my skin … his heart pounding … his muscles moving…

It took my breath away. 

He brushed more hair out of my face and ran a finger down my cheek. “Are you cooled off?” I nodded and leaned closer to him, wanting to curl up in his arms and never leave. “Good.” 

His eyes studied my lips as they parted. I wondered if he would kiss me. I wanted him to. God, I wanted him to kiss me so badly it had become a physical ache. His arms tightened around me and I found it harder to breathe. I was dizzy with the closeness of Will and how incredible it felt to be in his arms. I had never felt this way before.

I didn’t want it to end. 

The sliding glass door opened, pulling Will and me out of our trance. Jax and his girlfriend Lindsey stood on the deck. Lindsey was smirking, but Jax had his arms crossed over his chest and his eyebrow raised, a slight scowl on his lips. Will dropped his arms and moved away. I missed him immediately. I wanted to move closer to him and tell Jax to leave, but I couldn’t. 

I had to be strong.

  

From the time she was old enough to form words into sentences, Kristy Love has been writing stories. She attended La Roche College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Writing. When she’s not writing, Kristy can be found with her nose stuck in a book or spending time with her family and friends.

She lives with her husband and two girls in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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