Battle of the Runway Songs!!!!

Hello there

So I have two songs that I am completely in love with,

but have no idea which one to use on the runway in April... 

 

Help me out?

 

Ellie Goulding VS. Benny Benassi

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Minnesota Remix)

 

 

or Benny Benassi feat. Channing - Come Fly Away (Soha & Adam K)

Now Available: My Dearest Friend by Hazel Statham

Robert Blake, Duke of Lear, is a man of intense emotions who loves deeply and protects fiercely.
Devastated and wracked with guilt by the death of his younger brother, Stefan, in the Peninsular War, he readily agrees to aid Jane Chandler to bring her seriously wounded brother back from Portugal. Much against Jane’s wishes, he decides to accompany her and together they embark on the hazardous mission to retrieve the young soldier.  However, the journey holds many revelations, not least of all the abiding friendship and growing love between the two travelers.


That special love is put severely to the test by the treachery that awaits them upon their return to England, when a tenant of Jane’s former home invades their lives, maliciously creating jealousy and misunderstandings for his own nefarious reasons. Can their friendship and love conquer the emotions that threaten to tear them asunder or will the perpetrator emerge victorious? 

"My Dearest Friend is a passionate tale of the great love and trust that Jane and Robert discover that will last a lifetime if they can endure the treachery of others. Hazel Statham will keep you turning page after page as your experience the heart felt journey and struggles these two lovers face in the endeavours to find true happiness." ~ 4.5 Blue Ribbons, Romance Junkies  

"My Dearest Friend is a very tender love story about two people who are dearest friends first before marriage. The characters are likeable and their expressions almost dance across the pages. The reader cannot help but be caught up in their life. Ms. Statham blends all the right elements that breathe life into this well-written classic that I recommend." ~ 4 cups, Coffee Time Romance  

"My Dearest Friend is a magnificently well-written story of love and the obstacles that can come between two people when they fall in love. As things from the past threaten to destroy their happiness, the couple will have to learn to let go and trust in the love they have for each other. Ms. Statham has truly given readers an enjoyable and relaxing read that will have you glued to the pages from the beginning until the end. A marvelously written, warm, relaxing read." ~ My Shelf  

"The author does a wonderful job of showing what it was like for men and women during this era. The dialogue in the story is logical and easily followed. The characters are quite interesting. This is a sweet historical romance that I feel readers will enjoy." ~ The Romance Studio  

Available here

Dreamheart Spotlight # 34

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!

DISCLAIMER: This post contains a photo of implied female nudity in an artistic context.

“I grew up being ‘prepared’ to become a Miss America contestant”, said aspiring model Jojo West.  “As a child my mother placed me in beauty pageants. I took etiquette classes and modeling classes.”

While haute maintenance from the outside Jojo’s childhood experience in the industry hasn't always been glitter and sparkle. “In my teens I interviewed with John Casablanca, but was told I was a bit too ‘fat’”, she said.  “ I wanted so badly to be picked up [by] them that I began to practice unhealthy eating habits, to put it bluntly I developed an eating disorder.”

During that time, Jojo stopped modeling completely.   “[I] realized that I wasn't prepared for it. I hadn't learned to love and accept my own uniqueness …”  

After a 15 year hiatus from modeling, self-exploration and improvement, Jojo is returning to the scene with a new attitude. 

“I decided to re-enter the modeling industry last year”, she said.  “I felt it was time to go back into the work I never stopped thinking about!”

“When I decided to start modeling again I knew that the most difficult thing for me would be doing nude or implied work, mostly because of the insecurities that most women have. That’s why I decided my first shoot should be implied and nude. It was a good decision. After seeing the final images it gave me the confidence to continue. I saw myself as others see me. Many shy away from nudes or implied  I see it as expression and art. The human form is beautiful regardless whether it’s a size 2 nude model or a size 10 nude model. Art and beauty are all about perception.”

Jojo’s personal growth and self-acceptance is an inspiration to women everywhere.  “A lot of people don’t know about my struggles with eating disorders or depression when I was younger; [yet] I’m always willing to discuss them and share my experiences”, she said.

“I've always wanted to show the world that being beautiful isn't just about having a pretty face and being a size “, she said. “ Beauty is the embodiment of intelligence, confidence and kindness bundled up into the amazing creation that is the human form and sexy is a state of mind!  Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!”

With Jojo’s return comes a new set of goals more realistic and palpable.
“A lot of models or aspiring models envision themselves with a 6 page spread and a being on the cover of Vogue. Not to say that I wouldn't jump at the opportunity (who wouldn't ) but my goals are modest, mostly. I would love to be published in a magazine or catalog. However, if it doesn't happen right away or ever, I wouldn't be discouraged from continuing my career as a model. It’s something I enjoy doing. Ideally, I would love to be picked up by an agency that works with “plus” size models. I think the fashion industry needs more of them.”

With three languages under her belt, Jojo also has certifications in medical and dental lab assisting and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  And yet she is still not easily fit into any one cookie cutter stereotype.
“Most people are shocked to find out I consider myself a goth chick”, she exclaimed. “ I’m so chipper and happy and most associate goth with being angry and sad. I like dark colors; black, purple, blue, they’re just great! My musical tastes are so varied I couldn't be identified as just one, but overall I prefer rock and industrial some of my favorite artists are: VNV Nation, Velvet Acid Christ, Aesthetic Perfection, Garbage, Evanescence and Ani Difranco to name a few.”

Jojo went on to explain, “I am very well spoken, to the point that I normally don’t understand slang terms or Ebonics  I am also quite chatty. Those that work with me often have a hard time keeping a straight face. I like to make others smile, laugh and feel comfortable so I often tell jokes or silly embarrassing stories about myself to make everyone relax.”

Jojo is not currently signed to an agency. Yet her maturity, self-confidence and intelligence are sure to make it easy for others to work with her, in front or behind the camera.

Whatever the future holds for Jojo, she’s taking life one step and runway at a time.
“I’m planning to audition for Full Figured Fashion Week (FFFW) in DC but I think I may be a few sizes too small to make the cut. There are some other auditions coming up I’m hoping to attend. Unfortunately it seems that there aren't many designers in the area working with curvier models. It would be great to meet those that do!”

Want to know more about this Dreamheart?
To contact Jojo for bookings and/ or additional information:

Website

Email: mmmodeljojo@gmail.com

 Facebook

 Twitter

Credits:  Image 1 (Beauty, head shot): Chubs Photography (College Park, MD); Image 2 (Implied): Patrick Cocuna (Annandale, VA); Image 3 (Red top): True Story Studios (Alexandria, VA); Image 4 (Boudoir): Dave's Photography (Falls Church, VA)

Jojo has such an inspiring outlook on the industry due to her experiences; and I truly appreciated her honesty.  It was an absolute pleasure to air her story here, and I hope you readers can appreciate it as well.  Be sure to show Jojo some love!
Thanks for tuning in!  Be sure to check out next week's Dreamheart Spotlight!

Now Available: The Outlaws by Jane Toombs

One decent man, an attractive young woman, and a teen-aged boy obsessed with a legendary bad man--all caught in the crossfire of the West's bloodiest range war. 

After Billy the Kid and Mark Halloran rescue what's left of the Nesbitt family from an Apache attack in the New Mexico Territory, the fate of the young daughter and the teen-age boy are sealed. Tessa's attracted to Mark and Ezra suffers a severe cause of hero-worship over Billy, wanting to be just like him. Soon all of them are involved in the cruelest range war in the history of the West--the bloody Lincoln County war. How can Tessa protect her brother from trailing after Billy? And how can she be drawn to a man who is on the opposite side of this range war?

Available here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7QX6M0

From the Review Pile #25

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page on Thursdays.

This meme is to showcase books that you've received for review, yet haven't yet gotten around to reading.   This gives the book some extra publicity.

The Still Point of the Turning World
by Emily Rapp
Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: March 7th 2013 by Penguin Press HC, The

Like all mothers, Emily Rapp had ambitious plans for her first and only child, Ronan.  He would be smart, loyal, physically fearless, and level-headed, but fun.  He would be good at crossword puzzles like his father.  He would be an avid skier like his mother.  Rapp would speak to him in foreign languages and give him the best education.
But all of these plans changed when Ronan was diagnosed at nine months old with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare and always-fatal degenerative disorder.  Ronan was not expected to live beyond the age of three; he would be permanently stalled at a developmental level of six months.  Rapp and her husband were forced to re-evaluate everything they thought they knew about parenting.  They would have to learn to live with their child in the moment; to find happiness in the midst of sorrow; to parent without a future.
The Still Point of the Turning World is the story of a mother’s journey through grief and beyond it.  Rapp’s response to her son’s diagnosis was a belief that she needed to “make my world big”—to make sense of her family’s situation through art, literature, philosophy, theology and myth.  Drawing on a broad range of thinkers and writers, from C.S. Lewis to Sylvia Plath, Hegel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Rapp learns what wisdom there is to be gained from parenting a terminally ill child.  In luminous, exquisitely moving prose she re-examines our most fundamental assumptions about what it means to be a good parent, to be a success, and to live a meaningful life.

Add this to your TBR pile on GoodReadsand/or buy it on Amazon!

I received an ARC paperback copy of this novel in the mail via Penguin Press. The synopsis alone had me on the verge of tears.  My husband and I have had numerous misfortunes in the children department.  In this day and age where women who have full capabilities of bringing forth life and free access to diverse means of disposal should things not be "perfect"; it's touching to see a mother cope, embrace, and LOVE in spite of flaws!  I look forward to reading this one and I'm prepared to have the Kleenex at the ready. 

Tour Stop {Guest Post/Giveaway}: Oxford Whispers by Marion Croslydon

The story behind the covers of OXFORD WHISPERS By Marion Croslydon

My original idea for the cover of Oxford Whispers was directly inspired by the covers of the Twilight saga. I loved its simplicity and symbolism. I have to admit not being a big fan of the stereotyped romance novel covers: half-naked dude next to an almost-as-naked chick. So we went for a simple red rose (which plays a role in the story) on a black backdrop. I liked it, but I knew deep down it lacked vibrancy and didn’t really match the story and the characters.

That was when I met (online) the fabulous Claudia McKinney at PhatPuppyArt. I loved her covers. Lately she’s done the absolutely unforgettable cover of On Dublin Street by Samantha Young, which features a couple about to kiss each other! I normally don’t like that, but with her it was so tasteful and sensual at the same time… She introduced me to her photographer Teresa Yeh. These two ladies have been truly amazing to me and I’m forever grateful.

They directed me towards a more modern feel by carefully choosing models, while keeping the mystery element of the novel through the digital work on the background, lights etc…

The first cover shows Madison only. I wanted it that way because the book is about a girl’s journey first and foremost. I wanted a really modern feeling to it and the photo does capture that, IMHO. For the second and third book, we have both Rupert and Madison. My favorite part in this process: choosing the models! Going through their portfolios was so much fun.

About The Author

In addition to being an author, I work as an entrepreneur, wife and mother-of-one but spend a good deal of time with books, DVDs and listening to my mp3 player; all for the sake of inspiration, of course.
My debut series, The Oxford Trilogy, has been a blast to write because I can indulge in my favorite types of music: Country and English rock.
My main goal as a writer is to make readers dream bigger and cause their hearts to beat a little faster.
Since my writing is all about sharing dreams and stories, I love connecting with fellow readers and authors.

Website | Twitter | FaceBook

About The Novel

Oxford Whispers 
(The Oxford Trilogy #1)

by Marion Croslydon
GoodReads | Amazon

Paperback, 324 pages

Published October 8th 2012 
by Carlux Publishing

Madison LeBon is dead set against the dead.
Her fresh start at Oxford University is a brand new beginning. She finally has a chance to turn the page on her psychic powers and cumbersome voodoo heritage. Snakes, dolls, ghosts, and spirits: Farewell…
Not quite.
When the tragic lovers in a painting—the subject of her first history class—begin to haunt her, she must accept her gift before life imitates art. The lovers warn her against their own nemesis, a Puritan from the English Civil War. Unfortunately, said nemesis is now going all homicidal on Madison.
College becomes more complicated when she falls hard for Rupert Vance, a troubled aristocrat and descendant of one of the characters in the painting. With the spirit of a murderer after her, Madison realizes that her own first love may also be doomed…

(1) Print Copy of OXFORD WHISPER - International, 

and (8) eBook copies of OXFORD WHSIPERS - International 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Tour Stop is courtesy of AToMR Tours!

We Love You Wednesday Winner

This weeks winner in the Books We Love "Be Our Valentine" Contest is

Teresa Komorski

Teresa, please visit our website at http://bookswelove.net/ 

and choose the eBook or Spice eBook of your choice. Send the title to bookswelove@shaw.ca

Congratulations and thanks for being a loyal Books We Love newsletter subscriber! 

At Books We Love we LOVE our newsletter subscribers. This month, three lucky subscribers are going to win the three prizes pictured. One Chocolate Tower and one Godiva Tower. We're also giving away a sweet bundle of five romance ebooks.

That's all you have to do, simply be a subscriber! Everyone on the mailing list will have the chance to win the ebook or Spice ebook of their choice each week through Feb. 14. Watch our blog on the next five Wednesdays for the winner's names to be posted.

Contest running now through Feb. 14, 2013. Winners announced in the Feb. 15 newsletter.
 
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Thanks for supporting Books We Love and Happy Valentine's Day!