Margay Leah Justice: The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen: Review: Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baro...
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Margay Leah Justice: BlogFest 2012 - Giveaway!
Margay Leah Justice: BlogFest 2012 - Giveaway!: Hello all! I am participating in BlogFest 2012! For this event, I am giving away an ecopy of my book, Sloane Wolf, to one lucky read...
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Journey in Time Blog Tour and Giveaway
Journey in Time
by Chris Karlsen
BLURB:
TRAPPED IN TIME
London attorney, Shakira Constantine, finally agrees to spend the day with her handsome client, Alex Lancaster. While riding in the countryside, the couple finds themselves caught in a time warp and transported back to the 14th century, and an England preparing for war. Everyone believes Alex is the Baron Guy Guiscard...a baron who died in the upcoming battle.
If they can’t discover a way to return to the 21st century, Alex will have to sail with the army to certain death. Shakira will be left alone to survive in the alien and terrifying medieval world.
EXCERPT:
Nothing made sense. Whether it was a crazy university project, a period movie, or re-enactors too into their roles, she didn’t care. This was not the weekend she envisioned. She wanted to leave. The atmosphere, the people, and the looks they gave her made her uneasy. She didn’t know what was going on with Alex. Why did he know everyone? Why had his manner suddenly grown so stiff and imperious? What about this place made it so dangerous for them?
She had enough.
Alex must’ve sensed her anxiety. He interrupted his conversation and was at her side in a matter of seconds.
“I’ll help you dismount.” He took the reins from her firm grip and lifted her down to the ground. “Come.” He offered his arm and tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow.
“No.” Shakira refused to move. “I want to go home.”
He looked ill, green around the gills, like he was seasick.
“You can’t.”
My Thoughts:
I tried to get into this book, but it just didn't succeed in capturing my attention. I don't know what it was. I like time travel stories. I like historicals. I just couldn't get into this one.
So, I will let the blurb and excerpt speak for themselves and let you decide. Like it or leave it?
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.
My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream.
I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, four rescue dogs and a rescue horse.
Links: http://www.chriskarlsen.com/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/chriskarlsenwriter
http://pinterest.com/chriskarlsen/
Giveaway:
Chris will be giving away a digital copy of her thriller, "Golden Chariot" to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a $50 Amazon gift card to another randomly drawn commenter during the tour. One randomly drawn host will receive a $20 Amazon GC.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Book Spotlight: One Last Lie by Rob Kaufman
One Last Lie – A Novel
Where it came from and where it’s going…
“Can I have your sperm, please?”
Three years ago this question came out of my best friend’s mouth – a woman I’d known for many years and had never asked for anything more than a sip of my Caramel Machiatto. She talked about her motherly instincts and the ticking of her “biological clock”. It seemed she’d given it much thought, talked with many people and was now ready to proceed. Apparently, I was the last to know.
I was stunned and speechless, although quite flattered. I grabbed her hand and asked for a few days to think about it.
Coincidentally, I was having lunch with my lawyer the next day and I brought up my friend’s question – which was now my new problem.
She dropped her fork. “Absolutely not!” she snapped.
“Why not?” I snapped back.
“The law is too unclear. Even if she says that she doesn’t want money or support, she might change her mind. What if she’s really a nut and her pregnancy hormones put her over the edge? Seriously, what if she’s unstable?”
“She’s not,” I said adamantly.
“But what if she is?” she insisted.
“She’s not,” I insisted back.
“But what if…”
“She’s not.”
And that was the beginning of One Last Lie.
In the end, I didn’t give my friend the sperm she’d asked for. I decided our friendship was too important to jeopardize. After I told her I couldn’t help her out, she never spoke to me again, so I guess I made the right decision.
On the positive side, the experience was the start of my best book so far – One Last Lie – a novel that has made people mad, sad, happy and most importantly, it has made them think.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Margay Leah Justice: Author Spotlight: Kathy Rygg, author of Animal And...
Margay Leah Justice: Author Spotlight: Kathy Rygg, author of Animal And...: HOW TO HELP KIDS DISCOVER QUALITY BOOKS by Kathy Rygg I’m wearing two hats as I write this post—one as an author ...
A Very Special In the Moonlight with Katharine Ashe!
The Five Ingredients of a True Hero
by
Katharine Ashe
I’m not shy about admitting it: I am enormously fond of a tortured hero. Every hero I’ve written and my favorite heroes from other authors’ fiction — romance and all other types— are tortured or at least massively conflicted in some epic, primal way. There’s something so powerfully moving about a man’s journey from pain to happiness. And the more insurmountable obstacles he must tackle to reach that happiness, the better. I’m thinking of heroes like Aragorn, the lost lord of Gondor in Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, challenged both from within his beleaguered soul and by the forces of evil all about him. It’s a violent, tumultuous journey he travels, yet finally, fully he finds his rightful place on the throne and the king’s heart within him.
But just because a man has a complicated, unsavory past doesn’t necessarily make him a good guy in the end. No, ma’am. Quite the contrary in many cases! A troubled fellow can much more easily end up villainous than heroic.
So what makes a real hero? Especially in a romance novel, what makes a man worthy of a wonderful heroine?
I’ll give you a hint: It’s not his bulging muscles.
I offer you now The Five Ingredients of a True Hero.
- A noble heart. I don’t care if he’s a duke or a Navy SEAL or a corporate executive or a pirate; nobility of heart has nothing to do with nobility of bloodline or profession. Here I hearken back eight centuries to the venerable medieval tales of old. The knights of the Round Table, El Cid of the Spanish Reconquista, and all the greatest warriors whose stories were told and retold to peasants and aristocrats alike were each possessed of one remarkable quality: sincere dedication to those in need. Whether those in need were the king, the people of a besieged castle, or a damsel in distress, a great knight never wavered in his duty to protect those unable to protect themselves. Unflagging bravery is part of this equation. A great hero is confident of his warrior prowess and prepared to fight for others no matter what the cost.
- Smarts. No wars were won through foolishness, rashness, stupidity, or lack of forethought, and no villains were ever completely thwarted by a loaded musket or a pretty face. Bravery, big guns and baby blues only go so far. My favorite heroes are those who use their brawn and beauty in service to their brains—the Harry Potters, Odysseuses, Scarlet Pimpernels and Neal Caffreys of fiction. Smart men are a turn-on for my heroines.
- A Sense of Humor. I like my heroes serious and purposeful. But a man who can’t laugh at himself is either far too conceited and self-conscious or just plain dull. If he can make his heroine laugh, I love him all the more. Better yet, if his reaction to her joyful laughter is the pressing urge to throw her on the bed (or floor or table or wherever suits quickest) and have his way with her, then I lose my heart to him entirely.
- Friends. While I’m quite fond of loner-heroes (and tortured heroes are often loners), a man’s closest companions can tell a lot about him. A man who’s won the friendship of men of good character stands high in my estimation. If his friends show him loyalty, affection and love (in their masculine way), he’s a hero I can trust and love too.
- Humility. The least heralded yet perhaps most important quality of a truly great hero is his constant desire to do better, to fight harder to right all wrongs, and his entire lack of arrogance about his accomplishments. Medieval tales are full of warriors whose over-confidence bring them low. Humility — the understanding that true greatness is something yet to be achieved — is the surest mark of a man that is already great indeed.
So there you have it. Combine all ingredients, mix, bake and voila! — the perfect hero. But don’t forget to frost with big, yummy muscles. ;)
Katharine Ashe is an award-winning author of historical romances set in the Regency era. Her newest book from Avon Romance, How a Lady Weds a Rogue, features a hero with a noble heart, remarkable intelligence, a penchant for teasing his heroine, friends that are deeply dedicated to him, and a great deal of humility. Oh, and he has big muscles too.
Visit Katharine at her website.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Uncontrollable Launch!
Yay! Uncontrollable is out today!
Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. Johannes. Untraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".
Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."
If you like a page turner, you will love this series!
Head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.
To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.
Book Summary
As 16-year-old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program".
While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants.
After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues.
Little does she know, she is being hunted too.
On Sale Now!
Uncontrollable is on sale in paperback and ebook at all major
booksellers including Amazon, iBooks/Apple (coming soon),
Smashwords, and B&N.
If you haven't read Untraceable, you can get it in paperback and ebook
at all major booksellers including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords,
and B&N.
Author Bio
S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.
S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult). Untraceable was also recently named a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Indie Book of the Year (YA)
After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.
Connect!
Follow S.R. online on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest
You can also sign up for her newsletter to keep up on author or book news.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Careful by Isobella Jade: Blog Tour and Giveaway
Book Description from Amazon:
After Estella Montclair is killed in a texting and driving crash, what remains of her face and body is devastating. But not all of her has died. During the first month after her death, Estella's spirit travels among her living friends and family. Her best friends Zara, Eva and Jett show her how pain and sorrow can break apart or strengthen a bond. She also sees for the first time that loss can spark revenge, catastrophe can come without warning, and we all have secrets. She wonders if her chance for love with Phoenix has passed her by, and if out of sight truly means out of mind. And maybe one day the girl who caused her death will admit her mistake. While adjusting to a new state of being, Estella struggles to face the limitations that come with death, but blossoms by recognizing she can still touch the lives of the people she once knew so well.
Order in print and as an ebook:
About the Author
Isobella Jade is an author, petite model and a wizard of self-promotion. Her modeling memoir Almost 5'4" is her personal memoir about being a shorter-than-average model in NYC, the ins and outs and highs and lows of striving to beat the odds. Her graphic novel Model Life was released in November 2009 and Short Stuff is her collection of on-the-job experiences that took place after Almost 5'4" and includes modeling tips for shorter girls. Her most recent work is a new YA novel called Careful, the first book of the Careful, Quiet, Invisible series.
Website
Twitter username
Book trailer:
Seventeen.com featured the book in their book club:
I was recently visiting my hometown in Syracuse, NY and chatted with ABC affiliate News Channel 9 about the book:
Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund: Spotlight and Review
Unending Devotion
by
Jody Hedlund
My Thoughts:
Although well-written and researched, this book just didn't capture and hold my attention like I thought it would. I liked the premise, but it just took too long evolving and I lost interest quickly, which is never a good sign. I read a lot of books and if my attention is not caught and snagged early on, it usually won't be later on.
But, as I'm certain this is the type of book that will appeal to someone who likes sweet historical romance, I will let the blurb speak for itself. And if you want to snag my copy, just let me know in the comments below. I will be happy to pass it on to one lucky reader.
About the Book:
Michigan, 1883
Michigan, 1883
In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?
Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer’s assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan–and the sights of Connell McCormick.
Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.
Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell’s help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what’s right cost them both everything?
Meet Jody:
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of "The Doctor's Lady" and "The Preacher's Bride". She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.
Visit her website: http://jodyhedlund.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Super Book Blast Virtual Tour and Giveaway: Heroes Live Forever by Chris Karlsen
Heroes Live Forever
by
Chris Karlsen
BLURB:
Elinor Hawthorne has inherited a house haunted by the ghosts of two medieval knights, Basil Manneville and Guy Guiscard. Basil is the man of her dreams, her knight in shining armor. She falls in love with him and he with her. Basil soon realizes she needs to live a normal life, a happy life with a mortal.
A lifetime later fate intervenes. Basil, still in love with Elinor, is told her spirit lives on in a young woman and he is given another chance at life to find her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
He turned her around and untied the laces of her dress. His fingers lingered at each sliver of exposed skin the open laces left. The gown fell away from her shoulders and rough palms eased the sleeves down, freeing the arms. He inched the dress over hips, unwrapping her like a gift, the silk pillowing at her feet like a bronze cloud.
GIVEAWAY!
Chris will be giving away a digital copy of her thriller, "Golden Chariot" to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a $50 Amazon gift card to another randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Author Bio:
I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.
My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream.
I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, four rescue dogs and a rescue horse.
Links: http://www.chriskarlsen.com/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/chriskarlsenwriter
http://pinterest.com/chriskarlsen/
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Crashers by Lindy S. Hudis, Guest Post and Kindle Fire Giveaway
Crashers - How Not to be a Victim of One.
By Lindy S. Hudis
Of the 10 million or so automobile accidents reported each year, one out of five of them may not even be accidents at all. In fact, they just may be a planned or “staged” accident – one of the fastest growing types of fraud in the country today. If you drive a car, you could be another victim.
What criminals find most alluring about this type of fraud, is that it is difficult to prove. This is why the “crash for cash” accidents continue to be a growing problem. How fast is this growing? The National Insurance Crime Bureau states that as recently as 2009, there were around 85,000 questionable insurance claims reported. That is up 43% from 2008. It may not be bank robbery, but this crime is here to stay.
There is also an array of professionals who are recruited to participate in this type of fraud. Attorneys, doctors and various “victims” - sometimes referred to as “cappers” and “hammers” - all collaborate to misrepresent facts to fraudulently obtain insurance money. The results of this are skyrocketing costs for insurance premiums, medical insurance, and various other expenses. This crime costs the insurance industry literally hundreds of millions each year.
Staged automobile accidents usually include these types of situations: fake auto accidents with phony injuries, falsification of reports about cars being hit, and “victims” being added to fake accident reports.
There are several types of scams involved in these particular crimes:
1) Swoop and Squat – A vehicle, the “hammer car”, will cut you off in traffic (the swoop) and suddenly slams on the brakes (the squat) which results in a rear-end collision. The suspect car has “victims”, or “stuffed passengers”, who claim to have painful neck and back injuries, even if the collision was at a low speed.
2) Sideswipe – A fraudulent “victim”/ driver could deliberately ram you at a busy intersection.
3) “Helpers” – You could be approached by a friendly stranger at the scene of an accident. They may seem like they are trying to “help” you, but in reality they will try to bully you into seeking treatment at a specific medical clinic, a specific attorney, or an specific body shop for the repairs on your car. This person could be a “capper” – an individual who recruits various people into his network.
What can you do to avoid being a victim? The answer is to be proactive, not reactive. First, never tailgate. It’s dangerous, and makes you an easy mark for any unscrupulous drivers. Second, glance into your rear view mirror every 8 seconds to observe the drivers behind you. Keep a safe distance between you and them. Third, look beyond the car in front of you while driving. Keep your eyes up and on the road at all times. Never drive distracted. If you follow basic common sense advice while driving, you can be rest assured that you, and your passengers, will remain safe, and you won’t be a victim to any dishonest drivers.
About the Author:
Lindy S.Hudis is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied drama. She is a former actress, having appeared on such television shows as “Sunset Beach” and “Married with Children”. Her romantic murder mystery, Weekends, is currently available from Lachesis Press. She is also a filmmaker, her independent short film “The Lesson”, which she wrote, produced and directed, screened at the Seattle Underground Film Festival. She is co-owner of an independent production company called Impact Motion Pictures. She and her husband Steve, a Hollywood stuntman, have just completed the screenplay adaptation of Charmaine Hammond’s best selling book, “On Toby’s Terms.” She lives in California with her family.
Visit Lindy on the web at www.crashersbook.com.
To get your paperback copy of CRASHERS: A TALE OF CAPPERS AND HAMMERS by Lindy S. Hudis at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crashers-A-Tale-Cappers-Hammers/dp/1936332272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338825994&sr=1-
To get your ebook copy of CRASHERS: A TALE OF CAPPERS AND HAMMERS by Lindy S. Hudis in the Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/Crashers-A-Tale-Cappers-Hammers/dp/1936332272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338825994&sr=1-1
Visit Lindy S. Hudis’ publisher’s page:
http://www.bettieyoungsbooks.com/authors/LindyHudis/index.htm
Like Lindy S. Hudis on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=736712042
Follow Lindy S. Hudis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Lindyscribe
Follow Lindy S. Hudis at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10311165-lindy-hudis
Like Lindy S. Hudis at LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=17714000&trk=tab_pro
Visit Lindy S. Hudis film production company: http://www.impactmotionpictures.com/
About the Book:
Fraudulent car accidents is a multi-million dollar racket, involving unscrupulous medical providers, personal injury attorneys, and the cooperating passengers involved in the accidents—and who also receive a portion of the illegal proceeds. Such is the fate of newly engaged, Nathan and Shari, whose joy is tempered by the dark cloud of mounting debt.
A chance encounter with a stranger in whom Shari confides her troubles proves fortuitous: he tells her of a get-rich-quick scheme that will put her and her fiancé on easy street. Seduced by the chance to move from hard times to good times in no time, Shari takes the carrot offered her, and finds herself acting as a “stuffed passenger”—the “victim” in a staged auto accident. The act goes according to plan and Shari gets her payday, but getting out and breaking free of the insurance fraud underworld will take nothing short of a miracle.
A modern day cautionary tale, Crashers is a true-to-life novel that uncovers how the innocent get lured into the scheme of “cappers” and “hammers.”
A riveting story of love and desperation, greed and redemption.
KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
My Name is Jake by Jennifer Turner, Review
Blurb:
My Name is Jake‘ is a colorfully illustrated, rhyming book for kids centered around a boy named Jake. Each page leads the reader through an activity that rhymes with Jake. Rhyming books for kids are perfect for young children, or early readers just beginning to put letters into words and rhyming them together.
My Review:
This is a sweet little book for young children that focuses on things that rhyme with the name of the book's focal character, Jake. The pictures are vibrant and brightly colored, which will appeal to all young readers, and the story is rather charming and captivating, which will appeal to the parents. All in all, a sweet little gem of a book.
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Miracle Inspector by Helen Smith: Book Spotlight and Giveaway
About the Book:
The Miracle Inspector is a dystopian thriller set in the near future. England has been partitioned and London is an oppressive place where poetry has been forced underground, theatres and schools are shut, and women are not allowed to work outside the home. A young couple, Lucas and Angela, try to escape from London – with disastrous consequences.
“…this is an absolutely exceptional piece of fiction, a work of art befitting the best in socially-conscious literature.”
– Journal of Always Reviews
“…Only occasionally does a piece of fiction leap out and demand immediate cult status. Alison Wonderland is one.”
– The Times
“…Smith is gin-and-tonic funny.”
– Booklist
“Smith has a keen eye for material details, but her prose is lucid and uncluttered by heavy description. Imagine a satire on Cool Britannia made by the Coen Brothers.”
– Times Literary Supplement
“…this is an absolutely exceptional piece of fiction, a work of art befitting the best in socially-conscious literature.”
– Journal of Always Reviews
“…Only occasionally does a piece of fiction leap out and demand immediate cult status. Alison Wonderland is one.”
– The Times
“…Smith is gin-and-tonic funny.”
– Booklist
“Smith has a keen eye for material details, but her prose is lucid and uncluttered by heavy description. Imagine a satire on Cool Britannia made by the Coen Brothers.”
– Times Literary Supplement
About the Author:
Helen Smith is a member of the Writers Guild of Great Britain and English PEN. She traveled the world when her daughter was small, doing all sorts of strange jobs to support them both – from cleaning motels to working as a magician’s assistant – before returning to live in London where she wrote her first novel which was published by Gollancz (part of the Hachette Group).
She is the author of bestselling cult novel Alison Wonderland. She writes novels, poetry, plays and screenplays and is the recipient of an Arts Council of England Award. She’s a long-term supporter of the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture and mentors members of an exiled writers group to help them tell their stories.
Her latest book is the dystopian thriller The Miracle Inspector.
Visit her website at http://www.emperorsclothes.co.
Friend her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ emperorsclothes
Become a fan at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Friend her at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Pick up a copy of The Miracle Inspector at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-
Giveaway!
Helen is giving away an e-copy of her book, The Miracle Inspector, to one lucky reader, so comment away!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Pam of Baylon Virtual Book Publicity Tour and Kindle Fire Giveaway!
About Pam of Babylon:
Pam Smith lives a charmed life as a well-to-do Babylon, N.Y., homemaker in a large house by the water. In her 50s with her children grown, Pam is happy with her exemplary husband Jack. After he has a heart attack on the subway, however, she finds out more than she ever wanted to know about Jack. Pam must confront a series of revelations that unmask a life she realizes she only thought she knew, and the losses and disappointments she discovers give color and understanding to a man markedly different than he appeared. Uncovering secrets and betrayals far worse than her most vivid nightmare, Pam retreats to their meticulous Babylon beach house, the one refuge she has to put the pieces of her life together and move toward ultimate forgiveness.
About Don’t you Forget About Me:
When charming, seemingly devoted Jack Smith dies, his wife and his two girlfriends are astonished to learn that they were not the only love of his life, and that, in fact, Jack was a rogue who was carrying on secret affairs with other women.
Shattered by grief and stunned by Jack’s betrayals, these three women, Pam Smith, Marie Fabian, and Sandra Benson, find themselves suddenly thrown together. They could have despised one another, jealously guarding their private memories of their time with Jack and hating those they perceived to be their rivals, but instead, the women begin to realize there might be strength in numbers and in shared pain. Slowly, they begin to open their hearts to one another. They bind together to try to make sense of their lives and to try to heal the terrible shock.
About Dream Lover:
The third book in the Pam of Babylon series, Dream Lover is a compilation of character studies of the women and one man who Jack Smith left behind. Slowly, they make their way to the Long Island village of Babylon for an audience with his widow. No longer in denial and stronger than she thought possible, Pam Smith is able to confront the horror of her marriage in its totality as she draws a new picture of the man she was married to. The new discoveries she makes empowers her and she is able to maintain her strength and the grace and compassion she’s known for. Truly a formidable woman, Pam conquers her worst demons in Dream Lover.
About the Author:
Suzanne Jenkins lives at the west Michigan lakeshore with her husband, two dogs and two sheep. Her latest books are Pam of Babylon, Don’t You Forget About Me and Dream Lover.
To get your copy of PAM OF BABYLON by Suzanne Jenkins at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Pam-Babylon-Suzanne-Jenkins/dp/1461135923/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310645577&sr=1-1
To get your copy of DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by Suzanne Jenkins at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Forget-About-Book-Babylon/dp/1466219009/ref=pd_sim_b_2
To get your copy of DREAM LOVER by Suzanne Jenkins at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Lover-Book-Three-Babylon/dp/1468126237/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Pick up your copy of PAM OF BABYLON by Suzanne Jenkins at Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pam-of-babylon-suzanne-jenkins/1104205831?ean=2940013633056
Pick up your copy of DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by Suzanne Jenkins at Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-you-forget-about-me-suzanne-jenkins/1108113721?ean=2940014047722
To learn more about Suzanne Jenkins, visit her website: http://suzannejenkins.net/
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Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Sovereign Hope by Frankie Hope: A Review
Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was: since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.
The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy stalking her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, determined on dragging her out of her truck.
The moment Farley lays eyes on Daniel, everything changes. However, regrettably for Farley, her life isn’t set to change for the better. She is drawn into a world that will shake apart everything she thought she ever knew. There are truths out there that she must learn: who her father really was, and what it means to have his blood flowing through her veins; that a person’s soul is their only real currency, and there are people who would do anything to take hers; that loving someone can hurt so much more than hating them; but, most importantly, when your future is predestined, there is little you can do to change it.
Farley Hope is prophesied. Her coming has been awaited for hundreds of years. She is destined to end the tyranny of the Soul Reavers.
To do so she must die.
(from the author's website)
My Review:
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. For one thing, it just jumps right into the action without any build-up, so I started out just as confused as Farley about what the heck was going on. And you know what? It worked. Because I had to figure out what was going on, just like Farley. It wasn't long before I was totally sucked into the story. And what a story it is!
I read a lot of books with paranormal elements, adult and young adult alike, and I am constantly on the lookout for something different - you can only read so many books about vampires and fairies without feeling like it's all been done before. Well, this book is definitely different in so many ways and that is a very good thing. First, the plot. All I can say is 'Wow!' The world created by the author is at once stark and full of hope and this duality sort of runs through it to the end. And to the very end, you're kept wondering, 'Is she really going to die? Is there no other way to fulfill the prophesy?' Well, I won't give away the ending, but I will say it was spectacular - an incredible resolution to the problem. Does that mean Farley forfeits her life to save everyone else? Well, you're just going to have to read it for yourself to find out. But don't worry, it's well worth the read! And the whole theme of the prophesy? Unique, edgy, seat-of-your-pants suspenseful.
Then there are the characters. I haven't been this wowed by a cast of characters in a single story in a long time. Usually, there are a few I like, then a bunch I couldn't care less about. Not so here. I really liked all of the characters - well, except for the villains, but I'm not supposed to like them, right? Farley is a pretty amazing character. She strikes all the right chords here and is a well-balanced character who is dealing with the loss of her mother (who simply vanished one day) when her life is turned upside-down by strange beings bent on killing her - and the gorgeous stranger who saves her. Enter Daniel. Everything you could want in a hero, he's handsome, moody, serious - and will lay down his life to save you without hesitation. His story is pretty amazing as well and just adds so much depth to the overall story and how it affects Farley. They are good foils for each other and you can't help but root for them. You want them to get that happily ever after and you grieve alongside them when it appears that they won't.
Then we have Agatha and Aldan, Tess and Oliver, and a cast of others that just add so much to the story. I absolutely adored Agatha. I thought she was a wonderful secondary character and played well with all the others, whatever the situation called for. I loved how protective she was of Farley, and how nurturing. She supplied the mothering influence that Farley so sorely missed when her own mother went missing. Tess is a wonderful friend for Farley. Even when she's got a bone to pick with Farley, Tess is still there for her - supportive, loving and comforting. We should all have friends like that.
I could probably go on, but I won't - because that will cut into the time that you should be reading this book! I, for one, am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Demons by Heather Frost: Book Spotlight and Giveaway
“Demons”
by
Heather Frost
Prologue (Part 2)
Fear Dearg
Present Day—Midnight
New Mexico, United States
I waited. There had been so much waiting the past few weeks. But it was nearly over now.
I stood in a small city park, just beside the pool of yellow light cast by the lone street lamp. It was a quiet night—no cars could be seen, and even the sounds from the highway were distant, as if muffled by the dark. Humans were asleep in their homes, unsuspecting of the evil that lurked in their midst. Unaware of me.
All at once I heard a car approaching down the otherwise quiet street. I straightened, angling my long body toward the sound. In seconds a pair of headlights flashed across me as the car came out of a side street and pulled toward the park, coming to rest against the curb. The lights switched off, but the car continued to run. I heard the power locks disengage, and I stepped up to the passenger door in front of me. I pulled it open before ducking smoothly inside.
There was no illumination in the car, yet from the glowing light outside I could see the scarred face of the driver. A man I’d seen many times but never really spoken to. Takao Kiyota was his name.
He was reaching into his jacket, pulling out a thin spray bottle. It appeared to be innocent perfume, though I knew differently.
He handed it over sleekly, skipping a greeting and moving on to the warning. “There isn’t much. Only one guaranteed potent dose. You cannot fail.”
I took the bottle and stuffed it into my own pocket without bothering to study it. “I never do.”
Kiyota’s head dipped once, allowing that, before he continued. “The Demon Lord assures me your target will be susceptible. Romero reported as much when his Seer saw him at the club last week.”
“I’m sorry I missed O’Donnell. I was in the area.”
The Demon Lord’s personal Seer smiled, but it was completely chilling. It was a smile I knew well, for it was identical to mine. “Yes, that was a pity, wasn’t it?”
I glanced out the windshield, my words firm. “I will be doing this differently than originally discussed.”
“How differently?”
“I’m unwilling to approach O’Donnell so directly. This situation requires a bit more finesse.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
My nonanswer was answer enough.
The Demon Lord’s Seer spoke deeply. “Very well. But you must not forget the stakes. There is more than the Demon Lord’s fury to risk.”
“I’m perfectly aware of the risks. That’s the reason I’m here. I would not entrust this Seer to anyone else. Kate Bennett is mine.”
The Seer seemed to consider his words carefully. When he spoke, his voice was low. “You’re sure she’s the one?”
“I’m positive.”
His lips compressed into a thin line. “If you’re right, she’s worth more than the Demon Lord first imagined.”
Again, I didn’t bother to comment. Instead, I got right to the point. “I could use your talents, if you can spare a couple of days.”
Kiyota’s answer was immediate. “My orders were to see that you have everything you need.”
I smiled darkly, fingering the bottle in my pocket. “Excellent.”
Giveaway:
Heather has kindly offered an e-copy of Demons for one lucky reader! So comment away for a chance to win.
Where to find Heather:
Website: http://heatherfrost.
Goodreads Author page: http://www.goodreads.
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