Here is the official review from the Romantic Times

“Burke pens a first-class novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the end with its many plot twists.  Not only is the mystery aspect of this story well-written, the romance is equally interesting.  The heroine’s plight, growing up in foster care, and the hero’s unloving mother only add to the many great layers of this story.  If all this isn’t enough to make you want to buy this read, Burke and the publisher are donating proceeds to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.  Brava!” ~  Cindy Himler, Romantic Times

What Filipe said on the Biggest Loser last night hit home for me, and impressed his fellow contestants. He wants to be an inspiration for others in his community though weight loss. His goal is to get others motivated to loose weight. I loved seeing him keep his word. At the end of the show we saw him hosting classes in his own backyard which just goes to show you that you don’t need a big gym to get going on your weight loss goal.

Now I’m not one to be center of attention, actually I hate it which is why I decided to donated my royalties to make a difference. I have had a few people question my motivation for donating my royalties to the fight against breast cancer. To me this is just one of many worthy causes I want to include in my life. Do I think my donation will make a big difference? Will it be the donation that will finally find a cure? Of course, I don’t. However if it helps on woman to get tested and find her lump early on and gives her a better chance to beat the disease then yes it was worth it.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. On this gorgeous Monday, I need your help. Actually I need your votes.  It seems my cover has been nominated and made the top 30 covers for April contest of The New Cover Awards.  All you have to do is go to http://thenewcoveycoverawards.blogspot.com/ and select the cover you prefer. I’m hoping you’ll vote for #4 – DEADLY SECRETS (my book).

Please help me win this award

Well its official CBC has cancelled WILD ROSES. I am so disappointed. There were quite a few of us who watched this show week after week and wanted more. It looks like we won’t be getting more. They also pulled the plug of SOPHIE and put the STEVEN AND CHRIS show on hiatus. So basically they are getting rid of all Canadian made shows with the exception of the news (I bet they considered linking in to US networks for that as well) or close to it?

I am truly disappointed on the lack of Canadian made TV shows. Now all we get is American TV shows for the most part.

Here’s hoping CBC comes back next year with more Canadian made TV shows?

I just found out that I got a 4 star review from RT. Woo Hoo! This is so cool!

I have been sitting on pins and needles waiting to get this review. Now I haven’t seen the whole review, but I’m thrilled with the rating. I’m hoping the review itself is just as great. I can’t wait to read it. Now I have to wait until I can get my hands on a copy of the June issue of Romantic Times to read it. Grrrr

Here’s hoping I gets me tons of sales!

RT Rating

I just finished what I consider to be one of the best books of 2009. IF HE’S WICKED is a wonderful historical romance that will make you fall in love with romance books.

IF HE’S WICKED will make you wish for your very own wicked man. This delicious historical romance is filled with suspense and paranormal experiences to entice all readers. This is a new series from the author who has brought us wonderful medieval highland stories.

I have loved Ms Howell’s work for years. My favorite book of hers is HIGHALND WARRIOR, Fiona’s story. How could I not love a heroine known as Fiona of 11 knives and who takes on a hero almost twice her size? Chloe, the heroine from IF HE’S WICKED, is almost just as good, but I hate to say HIGHLAND WARRIOR is still my favorite. However I do have a new secondary character and that’s Anthony Chloe’s step-son. Did you know he has “pretty hair”? I have to say I loved reading about the men’s reaction to that comment and never tired of it throughout the book. LOL

Well done Ms Howell IF HE’S WICKED is definitely a keeper even if it didn’t kick HIGHLAND WARRIOR off the top rank of your books. I look forward to the second book in this new series

Has reality TV gone too far? I’m not a big fan of reality TV. I do watch some of it like Biggest looser. However I think that shows like the Biggest Looser and Dancing With The Stars might just be pushing their contestants too much for our viewing pleasures. We love to see the pounds go down and the higher marks, but we have to remember the contestants haven’t been active or danced so much in their lives. Dancing With the Stars had to replace 2 stars before the season even started and has since had something like 2 or 3 more injuries. Last night we heard that Lara on the Biggest Looser has a hip injury. It may not sound life threatening but an injury like that could very well limit their physical abilities later in life.

As much as I like to watch these shows and get inspired by the weight loss, I think they have gone too far. It’s time to pull back and remember these are people we are dealing with not things. Does that mean the shows should end? No of course not, but they should reduce the pressure and expectations of the contestants though.

Today I’m celebrating my 37^th birthday. Will I hit the town or take the day off and go to a spa? None of those. However a day at the spa would have been nice. I’m simply happy with where I am right now. Yep I’m single and happy. Rare I know, but true.

Usually in the months before my birthday I think of all I had wanted to do that haven’t been done or dreams that haven’t come true. This year wasn’t any different, but what I did about it is. I decided to accept that some dreams are just not meant to happen and to be happy where I am now.

What are my plans? Well I brought an ice cream cake to work so we can all have some after lunch. Tonight I’m heading over to my parents and the home where I lived throughout my teenage years to celebrate my birthday.  So all in all I have a great day planned!

Hey everyone,

I got another fabulous review for Deadly Secrets. This one came from Manic Readers. Here is what they had to say.
 

“Deadly Secrets was a very entertaining mystery-romance. It kept me guessing who the murderer was all the way until the end of the book and you won’t believe who’s the accomplice… Deadly Secrets is a story I would recommend for most anyone to read and I commend Ms. Burke for donating proceeds to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.” Victoria Lyn, Manic Reader.
 

For the full review click here

A few months ago to sign up for Google Alerts. For the most part they have been about my own blog, but today I got a great surprise. I was notified about a site talking about me and my book.

I’d like to send a shout out to Untreed Reads. They posted a nice little blog yesterday about Deadly Secrets with a link where his loyal readers can purchase a copy of the book. Click Here to see the post.

Thank You Untreed Reads!