What is Accessibility, Really?

My family and I want to go away for the Independence Day holiday, as millions of people do. But if you're disabled, it's that much harder. Forget about flying anywhere. No thank you! Driving (or in my case, being driven) is annoying enough. Sitting for long hours in a car makes my back hurt, not to mention it makes the swelling in my legs that much worse. Sometimes I need a vacation from my vacation!

So you've arrived at your destination. Now what? You've spoken to a live person and made your needs known, right? A nice lady at the hotel assured me that though they did not have any accessible rooms available, they would have a shower chair handy, put grab bars in the shower, and install a raised toilet seat for the length of my short stay. Free of charge!This is the Holy Grail of hotels, I tell you. Go to the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn in Lancaster, PA if you can! https://bird-in-hand.com/bird-in-hand-family-inn/

I've been to London, and they assured us that the hotel was accessible, and so was the room. Ha! Mind you, it was a Holiday Inn, so we thought, of course they're accessible. American ones are! Not the case. My mother had to do a lot of lifting that trip. Good thing we were only there four days.

I just researched another hotel in another location, with another well-known name. They say the room is ADA-accessible and meets all the requirements. I just looked at the pictures of the room. The shower, while for once being an actual shower, has a lip on the side! I wouldn't be able to get my wheelchair close enough to the shower chair to transfer. Not without someone's help. If you're going to call something "accessible", make sure I can actually access it! We shouldn't need someone's help to do the easiest things like brush our teeth or take a shower. We can do it ourselves at home; why not on vacation?

Review: SEALs of Honor: Mason

SEALs of Honor: Mason by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That is one useful birdcall.

I like the author's inside joke with the reader.

Oh, he can talk but she can't? Such a double standard.

Haha, he knows your name, babe!

Whose job was it to look after the prisoner? Because they failed.

Well that's keeping her quiet. Did they not think Daniel would have friends?

She's quite smart.

I'm sure her brother would have never told her the bad parts of his stories.

She's crabby when she's sick.

Whoo-ee, she has no fear, does she. But poor Johann.

Damn bureaucrats sent soldiers into danger without all the facts? Grr.

Heck, they should have embedded a tracking device under her skin.

Ooh, that was smart. I could never make myself bleed like that, though.
Love a lady who rescues herself.

She's got her priorities straight.

Err...So the same guy who was pressuring her a year ago, coincidentally when her company was hacked, is trying to hack in again. And she doesn't see a connection?

Ugh, it's a trap, people!

Checkmate goes to Tesla Landers.

Her father knew who the bad guy was and never said anything?

I got a free copy from Amazon.

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NOAH by Cristin Harber Cover Reveal

We are so thrilled to announce that Cristin Harber is participating in the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers series! You can find out more about the series and her title, NOAH, below! Plus - see the beautiful cover!

Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won't want to miss a single one!

NOAH releases December 5th! It's a standalone contemporary romance, but Titan readers with a keen eye might see an Easter egg.

Preorder NOAH now on iBooks!

Be sure to sign up for Cristin's Newsletter to find out when more links go live!

ABOUT CRISTIN HARBER

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy, steamy romantic suspense and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller.

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Team Titan Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Expecting the Billionaire's Baby

Expecting the Billionaire's Baby by Andrea Laurence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hmm, wonder why she went right for rich babies as her target audience.

Sure, lots of mothers work. Chip and her father sound like sexist pigs.

What's more important, your social standing or your daughter, idiot?

Damn. Talk about having something to stick in people's faces!

Lot of hassle just to see an old girlfriend. And what if she finds out Deacon got her the interview?

Simone sounds flighty. I can definitely see her as a Mean Girl.

Did this guy just order for her? Oh, hell no!

Love is supposed to be unconditional.

Can we clone him? I want a Deacon.

I hate her parents more and more with every page.

Okay, now I'm hungry. And thirsty.

She should stay and hold her head up. Although, France.

Well, that's giving a little boy a lesson in sex ed he won't forget!

Pompous twit. And why are you taking this lying down, Deacon? You're richer. So what if he has more "class". You're a better human being.

This must be some ring.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.


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LOCKE AND KEY Cover Reveal

LOCKE AND KEY by Cristin Harber is coming May 2nd and we're so thrilled to share the cover with you! Check out the full cover below and find out more about LOCKE AND KEY!

ABOUT LOCKE AND KEY (Releasing May 2nd)

THE STOIC SPECIAL FORCES OPERATOR

There’s only one person to blame for darkening the last years of Locke Oliver’s military career: Cassidy Noble. And damn if he doesn’t have to save her from the side of a frozen mountain.

Even after the job is done, he can’t shake the woman from his thoughts. He blames her for the deaths in his Army unit so many years ago, and he’s not ready to let that go. It’s driving him to the point of distraction, and now his Titan Group boss says to get his act together or get out.

THE FEISTY, FALLEN REPORTER

Cassidy is a disgraced journalist, once accused of treason—Or she’s an American hero. It depends on who you ask. She’s on a mission to rebuild her name and started with a simple question but discovered a complex web of spies and possible human trafficking.

Titan Group believes in her.

Locke does not. Until he can’t deny the truth any longer about the past or what she’s uncovered in her investigation.

BECOME AN INSEPARABLE TEAM

Cassidy volunteers to go undercover. Locke would do anything to stay by her side as she slips into the network and is sold to the highest bidder. All is going right until everything goes wrong. Nothing is as they expect including falling in love with the woman he thought he hated.

Preorder LOCKE AND KEY now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

ABOUT CRISTIN HARBER

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy, steamy romantic suspense and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Team Titan Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Ah, Cop Shows

We all assume cop shows have at least some basis in reality, right? There's usually someone who advises the writers and actors on how a real cop/agent acts. So then are supposed to think our law enforcement officers act like this? I hope not.

1. They announce themselves. Then act surprised when the criminal doesn't immediately throw up their hands and say, "You got me! Take me to prison right now." So let me get this straight.  All cops have to do is say "stop" and the criminal stops? Well, NYPD, I'm ready for ya!

2. The main characters are MENSA candidates. No one can solve it till they get there, man. Duh! Everybody else is just a stand-in for the shot. Who cares if they've had hours on the case, and miss obvious clues in front of them? They're not the big-name actors! Their characters can't be expected to think for themselves!

3. Any guest star from another bureau is the enemy. If you're a cop, the FBI are full of themselves and will take over your case and not let you do nuthin'. If you're FBI and the CIA shows up, they've got to be spooks and are taping all your conversations. You're not even safe in your own apartment.

So, what have we learned? Cops and other law enforcement officers are not that incompetent. Don't believe everything you see.

Review: Falling Hard

Falling Hard by Pamela Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ugh. I can't stand people like Mrs. Beech. "Your husband's dead, but at least your kids are a consolation prize!" Um, no.

Team members don't get paid? That's horrible!

Gosh, it really is a small world.

What the hell kind of sport is that?!

So. Cute.

People are stupid.

His house is now cleaner than mine will ever be.

Way to make her feel guilty, idiot. You know you are interested in her.

Really, man? Women regularly "happen" to fall on your penis?

His sister sounds like a crappy person.

Oh, God! Kids? This is why I could never be a doctor or a nurse.

So his father beat him but not his mother?

Who gave this kid permission to use explosives? Idiot!

Haha, way to announce to the whole town that you're having sex! Don't be surprised if it's in the paper tomorrow.

Ooh, giving him a key is serious.

Whoa, damn, Sacha!

God. No wonder he has nightmares.

It's good that he recognizes when he needs help. Now if only he would let Ellie in.

"Partner" sounds stupid. Just say "boyfriend".

Men are crazy.

I hope she got that on video.

Parents should never have to bury their kids.

Good Lord, I didn't know a flashback could come on so suddenly.

Dammit, her parents had one job to do! Two kids, two grandparents.

Such cute kids.

Pauline is a jerk.

Awww.

Okay, I need tissues.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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