Blog Archives

Release Day Blitz: Seven of Kings ( Drowning in Lies Part One)
Author: Aoife Marie Sheridan
Genre: Romance/Paranormal/High Fantasy
Dates:1st of March
Hosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours

Blurb:
Chaos reigns throughout the seven kingdoms of Nirra. Fighting for their lives as their Kings wage war against one and other, the people are used as pawns.
While the search begins for a woman who will birth the strongest heir to the throne, a healer runs from a fate she doesn’t want to embrace, a witch finds out about her powers, and a traumatized amnesiac struggles to remember who she is.
In a world at war and with no control over their own destinies, they are all drowning in lies. Only the strongest will survive.

EXCLUSIVE TO RADISH

Author Bio:
USA Today Bestselling author Aoife Marie Sheridan lives in Ireland, has two leprechauns and a hawthorn tree in her back garden, that she guards day and night against the mischief fairy folk.
When she's off duty she loves to write, read and drink tons of coffee. Oh, and she eats’ lots of chocolate, LOTS of chocolate!

To find out more about Aoife Marie Sheridan you can visit her at:

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Blog Tour,Guest Post & Giveaway for The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan! [Ends 3/10/18]

2/27/2018

Book Details:

Book Title: The Company Files: 1. The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan
Category: Adult Fiction, 251 pages
Genre: Thriller, Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage
Publisher: Winter Goose Publishing
Release date: December 2017
Format available for review: ebook (mobi & PDF), limited print copies (USA only)
Tour dates: Feb 12 to March 2, 2018
Content Rating: PG + M (No bad language but there is an attempted rape scene, and some violence.)

Book Description:

In 1948, Vienna was divided among four powers: France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Jack Marshall had served with Walker during the war, and now, working together for The Company, they are tasked to do the inconceivable. Could former Nazis really be recruited to assist the U.S. in the atomic race? As their team moves forward, they quickly discover they are not the only ones looking for these men. And the others in the search may just have the objective of murder.

In this tale of historical noir, of corruption and deceit, no one is who they say they are. Who is The Good Man in a world where an enemy may be a friend, an ally may be the enemy, and governments deny everything?
Buy the Book:
Amazon
Add to Goodreads

My Review: (LAWonder10)
War is exhausting. Under Jack Marshall's lead, Walker and Whitaker served in Army during World War 11. Whitaker was the "muscle" and always in the forefront protecting his comrades. Walker was attached to "Grable" and had a remarkable memory for details. None of the three would allow the other to get hurt without sacrificing himself.

Now the War was over and Marshall had been called to sort out Nazi War Criminals and help clean up War "aftermath".

Marshall had gone home to the states but only heartache remained there so when Jack asked him to serve with him in this new espionage assignment, Walker gladly accepted. However, he would half to learn German which seamed impossible.

Whitaker was a little reckless so was near and available when Marshall called him to assist.
By the time Walker started in this new occupation, Whitaker never showed up. Signs of something foul pointed to him, but Marshall and Walker cpuld not accept oit. They had to find him.

Atrocious crimes were being done to former Nazi camp officers It was up to them to find the guilty party.

Leslie was the only woman operative and found it difficult when most of the men would not respect her as an equal or take her position seriously.

Sheldon was a former Russian/Jew and a camp survivor. He was also a "person of interest".

Little did they know how often their paths would cross.

The variety of character development was done very well. The scenes were portrayed graphically. The reader could easily feel a part of the story. The Book Cover would not catch the "browser;s" eye. The image was very confusing and this reader was unable to connect it to the story. However, the Title was "fitting" enough.

This is a story of early espionage, War torn areas and rehabilitation post war. Many little known events "come to life". The major content of the story was very well written and kept the reader's interest. Although the beginning pages and the ending broke the "flow" and felt somewhat disconnected.

*Reader beware, there was some sensitive sexual situations with some explicitness. There is also some :strong" language.
*This book was gifted me with no requirement for a positive review.
This is my honest review.
I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating.

GUEST POST:
Ways to Better Writing
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty, — that is all
               Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”
Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats

Be an active reader.
    It is one thing to read widely and wildly; another thing altogether to read actively. Undo or redo your critical reading skills. Take a pencil, or use the highlight feature in your digital reader, and underline words, circle phrases. There is something about the neurological synergy in engaging the text on the page. Words and Structure come alive.

Notice the use of language.
    It’s fashionable today to eschew adverbs, yet Fitzgerald used a lot of them. It’s almost a law to use monosyllabic words and write clean because Hemingway led a revolt against nineteenth-century prose. Guess what? Long periodic sentences are back. Borrow Brooks Landon’s Building Great Sentences from your local library.

Know when to use the flyswatter.
    Allow the story to dictate syntax, but know your grammar. Austen was a repeat offender for using double-negatives. Lucia Berlin, a speed demon, loved to hate commas. Both Dickens and Joyce deployed run-on sentences. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be taken to task in workshops today because he loved to use the passive voice. Faulkner started sentences with conjunctions and played havoc with time and tense.

Be ethical about what you put out into the world.
    Be true to your story and your characters, but ask yourself whether you need all the profanity, the sex, and the violence. Is it for effect, or necessary for the story? There was a time when profanity conveyed a grittiness. Few people are prudes, but most are desensitized to darkness and shadows. Perhaps there are more elegant ways to convey the scandalous. Dialogue with subtext. A closing door. The hint of something seen, but not full described. Just a thought.

Act professional.
    Some people like white clam chowder, while others prefer the Manhattan version of the soup. Respect a person’s right to an opinion and say “Thank you for reading.” And don’t sink to the level of responding to someone who writes with venom. Ditto for agents who pass on your query; editors who reject you, and the Silence when nobody answers you. A professional rolls up the sleeves and goes back to the desk and writes.

Meet the Author:

Gabriel Valjan is the author of The Roma Series from Winter Goose Publishing. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, where he enjoys the local restaurants, and his two cats, Squeak and Squawk, keep him honest to the story on the screen.

Follow the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Here is the tour schedule

Giveaway:
Prizes: Win a $10 Amazon gift card (Open int’l to wherever Amazon delivers / 1 winner)
(ends March 10, 2018)

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INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY by DEBORAH HEAL! [Ends 3/21/18]

2/26/2018

Holding On: an inspirational romance (Love Blooms at Bethel Book 1) by Deborah Heal

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 10, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1545464677
ISBN-13: 978-1545464670

A modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Ruth—a sweet romance about courage, loyalty, and second chances.When Julia passes through the small town of Coldwater, driving her screeching pickup with her mother-in-law and everything she owns in the RV they’re towing, all she wants is to get Helen settled on what’s left of the family farm and hurry back to civilization.
Julia’s still mourning her husband, and so romance is the last thing on her mind. But whenever Neil Ashe shows up, the attraction between them flares—even though his divorce has left him leery of city women, and she’s not interested in muscle-bound farmers, no matter how handsome they may be.
Julia soon realizes she’s going to have to stick around to help Helen hold on to her forty-acres because someone is after them. Besides, how could she leave her mother-in-law to the tender mercies of the legalistic bullies who have taken over Bethel Church? They pick at Helen like Job’s “friends,” telling her God has cursed her. Why else would her husband and both sons die in tragic accidents?
Julia is determined to deal with everything on her own, just as she’s been doing ever since Lucas died. But Neil thinks it’s his job to make all their problems go away. Will Julia stubbornly go it alone, holding on to both her pride and the memory of her husband, or will she ask Neil to come to the rescue—and into her heart?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I was born in Eldorado, Illinois (Be sure to pronounce that with a long A.) but grew up in Woodburn, a tiny village in Macoupin County. We lived in a house over 100 years old and I often wondered about the people who had lived there so long before.

My husband Bob and I farmed and raised a family there in Macoupin County. When the kids were old enough I went back to college, majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. Afterwards, I taught high school English, including creative writing, composition, grammar, and literature. I loved teaching young people, except for grading compositions of writers who didn't want to write, leaving me no time to do what I had always wanted to do—write.

I remember one time when I was four. I scribbled furiously on my paper, and then took it to show Mommy. “Is it writing?” I asked. “No, not yet,” she answered. I went busily back to scribbling with my stubby pencil in just the same way, it seemed to me, grownup writers did, hopeful that the next time I showed her, the lead on the paper would have been transmuted into fine words.

I was in 8th grade when I first began to get the dream of being a published author. We had to write a story and mine was a scary one about being unjustly confined to a mental hospital. (The author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may have stolen my idea.) My teacher wrote on the top of my paper:

Be sure to give me a signed copy of your first book!

It's been a long time since 8th grade, but that dream at last came true with my first book Time and Again.

MY INTERVIEW with DEBORAH HEAL:
You were raised in an interesting community. What was special about it?

You know how it is. The place you grow up is special to you, whether it is to anyone else or not. Woodburn is only a tiny unincorporated village—a bump in the road, a very small road at that. But I learned from reading the county history books in our library that it once had been a thriving little town. Abraham Lincoln actually delivered a political speech there in 1840 and visited it and other villages in the area on more than occasion, including the now defunct Miles Station, the setting for my first book Time and Again.

I love Historical places!
You used part of this area as the foundation for your Time series. What led you to use the different areas in your books?

They tell you to write about what you know, so that’s what I did. I didn’t feel competent to write about the big sweeping topics, such as the Civil War or the life of Abraham Lincoln. So I zeroed my lens in on the small topics that no one else was writing about. Every little town or village has plenty of history worthy of being retold. And most of it is, or should be, universally relevant to readers everywhere. Even so, I’m amazed that I have readers in the UK, Australia, Canada, and even India.

I think, not so unlike us who are interested in areas of other countries...
You taught High School for many years. Have there been instances when you implemented this experience in creating individuals or script in your books? If so, give a few examples. If not, from where do you get the inspiration to create the characters and dialogues?

I believe everything I have experienced, every person I have known, makes an impact on my writing to one degree or another. I can’t think of anything specific from my high school classes that appeared in any of my novels. However, several characters in my short stories were inspired by real people and events in my own life. I give those stories away free to anyone who subscribes to my newsletter. You can find out how to do that on www.deborahheal.com.

Quite a few people I have known outside the classroom are the inspiration for various characters in my books. I find it quite cathartic to make mean, nasty people into the villains of my stories. Naturally, I change the names to protect the innocent!

We never know what we say or do will be reflected in places we would never anticipate!

Your first three mysteries had an element of genealogy & time travel in them. The second series, ‘Rewinding time’ -which I unfortunately didn’t get the opportunity to read – continued with the same genre, correct? At least one of these were based on the Trail of Tears. I truly would like to read them one day soon. This is such a toughing event in history. Tell us a little about the content of this series.

Yes, the Rewinding Time Series actually has even more of a genealogical theme. Eleven-year-old Merrideth from the trilogy is now all grown up and a history professor at a small college. She uses the same amazing software to virtually rewind time in order to see the past as it really was--Something I’ve always personally dreamed of doing—both for her historical research and her sideline genealogy business.
Each of the five novels in the Rewinding Time Series deals with a different historical event in various small southern Illinois towns. Book one tells the story—or rather one small part of the story--of some of the earliest pioneers to the Illinois Country in the 1790s. Book two deals with the heartbreaking story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears as it pertains to their cold, miserable journey through southern Illinois. Book three is about river pirates on the Ohio River who preyed on pioneers coming down the river on flatboats. Book four imagines what it was like when Charles Dickens visited the small town of Lebanon, Illinois during his tour of America. And finally book five tells about the building of the largest collection of Sears catalog houses in the world in Carlinville, Illinois.

I am certain I would enjoy them every bit as much as I enjoyed you "Time" series!
This newest book - Holding On – is a slightly different genre. Tell us how it is different and will it be part of a series or a “stand alone”.

While the other books have an element of romance in them, Holding On is my first all out Christian romance. It is book one in a three-book series called Love Blooms at Bethel and is a retelling of the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz, which I always thought was totally romantic. The over arching theme of the series is about the struggles in a church between those who try to live by grace and the hypocrites who want everyone to live by their man made rules. Nothing pleases me more than when reviewers say Holding On is more substantive than most typical romances. I did try to make it so.

Yes, that is one of my favorite Old Testament stories, as well.
What is you next “big project”?

I’m working on the second in the series, Two Hearts Waiting. It is set in the same small town and church and some of the earlier characters reappear, but the main character is new. Life keeps interrupting me, but I hope to have it done mid-year.

Within the next five years, what goals would you like to have fulfilled?

God willing, I’d like to write a stand alone romance about a very interesting Scottish ancestor of mine who ended up a slave in the sugar plantations of Barbados. And I plan to write a children’s story for each of my five grandchildren. Two are already written and just need to be illustrated. It’s very fun and satisfying to give them such a gift.

That all sounds so exciting!

Thank you Deborah for this interview and for your generous donation of Holding On to the Lucky Winner of this Giveaway! (U.S./Can Winner will receive a Print Copy, otherwise an International Winner will receive an e-copy)
Follow Deborah Heal on: Website |Amazon Author Page |Facebook Page |Twitter
Download my FREE eBook "Charlotte's House" and other exclusive inspirational stories HERE.

Be sure to Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chances of Winning your own FREE Copy!

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Cries of the Eagle Michael E. Nathanson - Review by LAWonder10!

2/24/2018

A "must read" for ALL Americans! Amazing insights on Terrorism and the FBI!
The Northern California Book Festival recently awarded Cries of the Eagle an Honorable Mention in the Fiction category at their 2016 event.

A devastating explosion leaves a wake of death and destruction in a suburban Dallas high school.

Senior Agent Gerry Bolton and Special Agent Jan Hanson of the Dallas FBI take on the case of the apparent bombing, with little to go on. No manifesto has been revealed to declare the perpetrator’s identity or rationale, although terrorism is suspected. A later grotesque crime adds a further burden of urgency to the FBI’s efforts.

Aziz Malawi, a bright young Muslim engineer, is puzzled by a friend and coworker’s failure to return to work from his vacation. He decides to check on him at his apartment. What he discovers sends him to the police, where he is immediately viewed as highly suspicious, is interrogated, and subsequently bumped up to the FBI for further scrutiny.

It becomes clear to the FBI that Aziz is not a person of interest in the bombing crime, but quite the opposite - a devout American patriot, and a Muslim, who detests terrorism and terrorists. He entreats the FBI to allow him to become an active part of their investigation, which stretches from Dallas, Texas to Dearborn Michigan.

Aziz joins the hunt for the loose thread that will ultimately unravel the fabric of a crime with a much deeper meaning and far-reaching impact than ever imagined. His sleuthing draws him into a world of danger that challenges his every resource and that of his FBI handlers who are sworn to protect him.

As pieces of the greater puzzle begin to fit together, a grieving father, deeply struck by the tragedy of the crime surrounding his son’s death receives new hope, through an extraordinary gift brought to him by an unexpected benefactor. He must first confront himself, and stare down the evil that took his son and threatened to destroy his family in the process.

MY REVIEW:(LAWonder10)
This is an outstanding, gripping story of catastrophes instigated by terrorists, and of the FBI, and brave individuals who want to be a part of righting wrongs. At a time the Federal agencies are under scrutiny, this novel reminds all that there are still very noble, dedicated men and women with integrity, who still faithfully serve these United States of America, to make it safe.

This is a captivating story of events, similar to recent events, resulting from radicals and terrorism. Michael A. Nathanson has amazing insight into the activities of terrorists and the dangers they create. They are ruthless and have no sense of humanity anbd should never be ignored.

Although "cleanly" written, it was necessary to add some graphic violent scene to make his point. The characters are so well-developed that one feels connected to them or appalled at them. The scenes are vividly created and the reader finds himself/herself feeling presnt in them.

This is presently a "stand alone" yet ends in a way that could easily be turned into a series, which this reader hopes it will.

The Title and Cover are perfectly created and "fitting" for the book's content.
*This was gifted to me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review.
I offer a Five Stars rating.

Excerpts
CRIES of the EAGLE

“Many spawn of the Great Satan would be eliminated shortly, the less to infest Allah’s world.”
‘Ibrahim Tecani sat in the charmed calm of the boutique coffee shop patio in Flower Town, Texas contemplating that which he was about to do and his life to this point. At twenty-nine years of age he was in, what many would call, the prime of his young life, yet he already felt old and had a heaviness in his soul. Some would call him handsome. His dear mother certainly did. This was all the female affirmation Ibrahim had received in his life, as there was no wife for him and by custom he did not date. He considered himself to be a bit of a nerd as the westerners called it. Oh well. There would be time for many women friends in Paradise. Allah has promised.’

‘This couldn’t be! Ibrahim was a terrorist? He felt betrayed beyond words. He could not comprehend this. Aziz loved America. All of Aziz’s family loved America. He was so grateful for being an American citizen, for growing up here, and for the opportunities this country afforded him. This country was a force for good, and had defended the freedom of many people and gave so much aid around the world. This was his country. His grandfather and grandmother had emigrated from Egypt in the 1950s. His mother and father were born here. They were proud Americans, all. Aziz was not naïve. America wasn’t perfect, not at all, but it was a radiant jewel in a world with a lot of dark places. He could have been born in and living in some of those dark places now! Aziz had counted Ibrahim a friend. He thought of Ibrahim as one of his best adult life friends, the kind you meet in your work and develop a good professional relationship, but also a great social friendship. They were both about the same age, and seemed to have much in common. How could Ibrahim talk like this? This was garbage . . . so wrong! What did Ibrahim do after his video?’

‘The chairman took his breath and began anew. “There was one strong common goal between all, to one day hear the ‘cries of the eagle’ as America fell from greatness, and its symbol, the great predator bird, was dashed to the ground in defeat.” The chairman again scrutinized Ali’s expression. It was important to know how his young inductee was holding up. Seeing the facial response he sought and sensing an open vessel, he continued to pour out his narrative.

‘“Ali . . . you are right. I am no better than you in God’s eyes. I agree completely. There are plenty of bad examples of we Christians out there who seem to be full of darkness rather than light. And yes, there have been some very evil people in history, some claiming to be Christians, who did despicable things in the name of Christianity. If we are honest, the same could be said of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, as well as any other beliefs, right? The common denominator is human beings. We’re all a mess.’

New York born and California raised, Michael E. Nathanson comes from a family of writers (his father is well known for his book THE DIRTY DOZEN), and has held a lifelong dream of one day weaving a good story that also points to hope and light in a darkened world.

Prior to committing to being a writer, Michael has served as National Sales Manager for a medical products company in the healthcare industry, as Regional Sales Manager for a consumer product manufacturing company catering to mass retail markets, as VP of Sales for another consumer product manufacturing company catering to mass retail markets, and spent 15 years as CEO and partner in a privately held promotional marketing company.

During a business trip in the 1980s he traveled to an Arab Muslim country and became fascinated with Islamic religious culture, worldview and the repressive social system there. After 2001 his interest increased, in not only the politics of Islam, but also terrorists, terrorism and its mindset.

Michael believes ‘there is a segment of the Muslim population that is radicalized and very dangerous to the world, yet we cannot forget that it is just a segment of a very large religious population. That population still needs to be represented by positive heroes. I want the reader of my book to meet some rich characters and also hear a clear gospel message of hope and love that our world so desperately needs today.’

“Cries of the Eagle” is Michael E. Nathanson’s first novel. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Jan, and they joyfully serve together in the marriage ministry at their church – Marriage Counseling and Reconciliation Counseling. They have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild in 2017.

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The Stars Above Northumberland Blog Tour& Giveaway! [Ends 3/2/18]

2/23/2018

The Stars Above Northumberlandby Anita Stansfield

Published February 1st 2018 by Covenant Communications - 240 pages

Her husband is dead. But far from grieving, young widow Lady Meriwether Sturgess feels nothing but relief and release. After enduring years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her cruel husband, Meri is drawn to the comfort of the one place sure to offer healing both for her and her children: Rosewell Manor. The home of her beloved Aunt Annibel is the site of her happiest childhood memories, and it promises the new beginning for which she longs. Just as she settles into life at the manor, Meri is granted a delightful surprise. Elliott Rosewell has come to stay, as he often has since childhood. Meri and Elliott had once been close friends, and each concealed long-harbored feelings for one another. Their warm relationship is quickly rekindled, and despite the sorrows and secrets they each conceal, they discover that their friendship has blossomed into love. But a relationship that seems to promise happily ever after quickly begins to unravel as devastating truths from both Meri’s and Elliott’s past surface, and their chance at happiness together may be lost forever. . . .

MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
This is a touchstone Historical romance with an edge of suspense.

Shockingly, a woman with two young children learns of her husband's accidental death. As soon as the funeral was over, she fled to the home of the aunt and uncle who had raised her most of her life. She needs the type of comfort their home offers. She made her excuses to her mother-in-law and made the ling journey... She wasn't going back!

This novel's content has adventure, rehabilitation, longing, retribution, suspense, and family relationships in it. It, also, addresses the subject of verbal and physical abuse.
This was very well written except in a couple of places it slightly dragged.
I offer a Four Stars rating
*This was gifted me with no request of a positive review. This is my honest review.

Anita Stansfield has been a queen of romantic fiction for more than a decade. Her work has shattered the stereotypes of romance novels with her trademark ability to combine great storytelling with intense psychological depth as she focuses on the emotional struggles of the human experience. Her novels cover a huge spectrum, from the eighteenth century to the present, from heart warming to heart stopping. Hundreds of thousands of readers agree: Anita Stansfield's characters and the lives they lead are not easy to forget. Anita also writes mainstream historical fiction (Horstberg Saga) under the name Elizabeth D. Michaels. The first book in that series is called Behind the Mask.

Schedule:
*Feb. 26th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/ , http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com
*Feb. 27th: http://www.charissastastny.com/blog
*Feb 28th: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com
*March 1st: https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com
*March 2nd: http://www.kindleandme.com, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com

GIVEAWAY!

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With the Click, I Thee Wed Book Blast & Giveaway! [Ends 3/18/18]

2/23/2018

With this Click, I Thee Wed by Bonnie R. Paulson
“Uh, oh, what did I do?”
A lonely divorcee…
A rancher who can lose everything…
One website that matches them for marriage…
They have to learn about the importance of decisions and family or lose their one shot at love.
Stuck in a town where everyone knows her and her ex-husband, Rachel is distinctly aware of who chose his side – everyone – and who chose her side – no one. Even her hairstylist won’t schedule her.
But when she finds herself alone with a bottle of chianti and the internet, Rachel stumbles upon Clickandwed.com. The survey is easy and clicking “I Do” seems to be the magic button she’s been searching for.
Before she can snap out of her decision, she finds herself packed and flying across the country to meet her new husband.
Would her new life be better or worse than the hell she left behind?

Praise:
First, there is no cliffhanger!! That is important to me so I am assuming it is important to others as well. This is a very unusual story. it starts off with the heroine being recently divorced from her dirt bag, cheating, lying ex-husband. She has moved back home since she has nothing to show for the years of marriage – he got everything and she is depressed. She moved back in with the two people who should love her and support her no matter what. That is not the case. I have never seen two more hateful and unloving parents as these two. They belittle and do everything in their power to let her know she is nothing more than an embarrassment and a disappointment. It is very easy to hate these two.
I will start by saying that I have not read a book by Bonnie R. Paulson that I did NOT like. I love the way she writes and I love the things she writes about. I find that when I read her books that I get pulled into them and can’t stop until I reach the ending.
Being afraid that happiness is something not for either of them, yet finding it. In the most delightful way makes this a fun read.

EXCERPT:
It was amazing what a good night’s sleep could do. I stretched my arms above my head and straightened my legs, stretching my toes. Linen sheets cradled me in smooth warmth. My bare toes slid between the material.
But wait, I had fallen asleep on the chair.
My eyes snapped open and I stared wide-eyed at the foreign room with a country-style of decorating.
Peach and cream wallpaper graced the walls until it hit an Oak wainscoting. Fluffy cream carpet spanned the length of the room which was lightly furnished with an oak dresser gilded with brass handles, an oak nightstand with a brass lamp and cream lamp covering, long cream and peach-lined curtains hung to the floor over the window, oak-paneled doors led to a large closet, and the bed was four-poster with a peach and cream duvet. Four fluffy pillows and who knew how many other blankets hid under the duvet, creating a cloud sensation around me.
My bags rested neatly beside the dresser, stacked there by size. My shoes and socks had been placed neatly beside them and my coat draped on the handle of the closet. My jeans were folded and resting on the dresser top.
My jeans.
I didn’t take my jeans off.
In fact, I hadn’t taken anything off. I hadn’t even come upstairs.

Author Bonnie R. Paulson
Real people, real loss, real love. USA Today Bestselling author, Bonnie focuses on the emotional thrill of the romance, the discovery of self and the dynamic forces at play to both pull and push love growth. With 6 children and her own eternal romance at home, Bonnie lives her own dream every day. She's spoiled with blessings and wants to share the joy of ever-after possibilities with others. Whether it's a happy-ever-after or a happy-for-now, the emotions will leave you story drunk for days, if not years. Feel good romances with sweet twists. Or is it Sweet romances with bold twists? You decide. You'll be able to say where you were when you closed the book. Surviving all things real and coming out better on the other side. Some of her favorite authors are Robyn Carr, Pamela Kelley, and Christine Kingsley.
!Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway
Ends 3/18/18
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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The Solis by Kat Ross Review tour & Giveaway! [Ends 3/1/18]

2/23/2018

Book details:
Solis (Fourth Talisman #2) by Kat Ross
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: February 19th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Synopsis:
In the second volume of the Fourth Talisman series, Nazafareen’s path takes a twist, setting her on a journey into the heart of the maelstrom…
It’s been a thousand years since the Avas Vatras tried to burn the world to ashes. A thousand years since they were imprisoned in the brutal wasteland called the Kiln. But revenge is a dish best served cold—even, apparently, by the children of fire.
In Delphi, Nazafareen joins forces with the followers of Dionysius to rescue her friends from the Oracle’s dungeons and seek out the three talismans whose extraordinary powers stopped the Vatras before. With her own breaking magic growing stronger by the day, she must walk a razor’s edge to control her volatile temper. And if the Vatras find the talismans first, their last hope will die.
In the frozen wastes of the Valkirin range, Victor strikes an uneasy bargain with bitter enemies to keep his tenuous grip on the Maiden Keep. The other holdfasts are coming for him. But it’s an enemy within Val Moraine’s walls that may prove to be his downfall.
Goodreads | ~ Purchase: ~ Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo |

VICKIE'S REVIEW:
Solis - Kat Ross 1-26-2018
This story is an awesome continuation of Nocturne. It's a really good story full of romance, fantasy and lots of elemental magic.
This book is very captivating. It is easy to follow and flows well from chapter to chapter.
The characters are well-developed and interesting to get to know.
I find it fascinating to see how many different magical powers that are woven into the story.
I would highly recommend this book to the readers who love magic, fantasy and romance.
I give this book a literary rating of 5/5
written by vickie

AUTHOR BIO:
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She's the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day, the Fourth Element fantasy trilogy (The Midnight Sea, Blood of the Prophet, Queen of Chaos), and a new gaslamp mystery series that opens with The Daemoniac and continues with The Thirteenth Gate. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. For more information about Kat's books, come visit her at her Website.
Author links: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads |

Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

A paperback copy of Nocturne (book 1)

This grand prize giveaway - ends March 1st:

1 Comment

Book Tour & Giveaway for Focus On Love By Candee Fick! [Ends 2/28/18]

2/22/2018

Focus On Love (The Wardrobe Dinner Theater #2)
by Candee Fick
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 192 pages
February 13th 2018 by Bling! Romance

Free-spirited Elizabeth Foster turned her back on her father's photography business to pursue musical theater, but a career on the stage remains second to a career behind the camera. The possibility of a one-show contract means she's a few weeks from unemployment forcing her home, and her dreams of pursuing professional photography reemerge. With photography and theater opportunities unfolding before her, Elizabeth faces her biggest challenge yet—listening to her heart.
Meanwhile, sought-after photographer Ryan Callahan has put his career on hold to help his sister's family, but the promise of a bigger assignment could lure him away so he can begin building a family of his own. With professional opportunities and personal obligations pulling at him, Ryan faces his toughest challenge—balancing family, relationships, and work.
If given the choice, what dreams would develop for Elizabeth and Ryan? And will they learn to trust each other enough to focus on love?
Goodreads│Amazon

Focus on Love - Candee Fick 1-22-2018

This is a good story. I enjoyed the positive attitudes and give and take of the characters. I feel that the characters are well-developed and easy to get to know. It is easy to feel their emotions.

The title fits the story well.

I would highly recommend this book to other readers. It is a sweet love story and also has several life experiences that the characters have to make decisions about and then endure them.

I give this book a literary rating of 5/5
written by vickie

Other Books in the Series

Dance Over Me (The Wardrobe Dinner Theater #1) by Candee Fick
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 268 pages | September 2016 by Bling! Romance

Danielle Lefontaine, a fledgling actress raised to the lullaby of Broadway, searches for her long-lost brother and her place on the stage, but a jealous cast member and numerous fruitless leads threaten to drop the curtain on her dreams and shine a spotlight on her longing for a place to belong.
Meanwhile, Alex Sheridan is living his dream except for someone to share it with. When Dani dances into his life, he hopes he’s found the missing piece to his heart but fears the bright lights of the stage could steal her away. Will the rhythm of dancing feet usher in their deepest desires or leave them stranded in the wings?
Goodreads│Amazon

About the Author
Candee Fick is a multi-published author in both fiction and non-fiction. She is also the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy with her day job, writing, or coaching other authors, she can be found cheering on the home team at sporting events, exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.
Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

Tour Schedule
February 12th:
Launch
Hearts & Scribbles
Remembrancy
February 13th:
Release Day Celebration Event on Facebook, 6-8 PM MT
Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
Teatime and Books
February 14th:
The Power of Words
Tell Tale Book Reviews
February 15th:
I Am A Reader
February 16th:
Reading Is My SuperPower
Colorimetry
February 19th:
Paulette's Papers
Wishful Endings
February 20th:
Faithfully Bookish
February 21st:
Cafinated Reads
February 22nd:
Among the Reads
Locks, Hooks and Books
February 23rd:
Rockin' Book Reviews
underneath the covers
February 24th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway
There are two specific prizes below for this tour. You can also find a giveaway on Goodreads here and another release celebration giveaway here.

1ST PRIZE: 1 winner will receive autographed copies of Catch of a Lifetime, Dance Over Me and Focus On Love, as well as a $25 Shutterfly gift card
2ND PRIZE: 1 winner will receive an autographed copy of Focus On Love
US only
Ends February 28th

1 Comment

Happy Endings Book Club by Kylie Gilmore blitz & Giveaway! [HURRY! Ends 2/25/18]

2/21/2018

Happy Endings Book Club Boxed Set Books 1-3 by Kylie Gilmore
Publication date: January 10th 2018 | Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Book 1: Hidden Hollywood
She’s on top…
When superstar actress Claire Jordan researched her role for the Fierce Trilogy movies, she never expected the bond she feels with the author and her romance book club aka The Happy Endings Book Club. Soon Claire finds herself confessing her secret longing for a regular guy—no more egocentric wealthy players—and the book club is all too ready to help. In disguise as a regular girl, she’s all set for a date with book-club-approved Josh Campbell.
He’s on top…
Billionaire tech CEO Jake Campbell is weary of gold-digging women, especially the glamorous superficial types. So when his identical twin, Josh, calls in a favor, asking Jake to step in as him on a date, Jake figures one of Josh’s cute girl-next-door types might be just what he needs. One night of passion with the sweet girl next door leaves Jake wanting more, except she seems to have vanished.
Sometimes a Happy Ending is just the beginning.
Book 2: Inviting Trouble
Madison Campbell has worshipped her older brother’s best friend, Parker Shaw, for as long as she can remember. So the night before he leaves for the Air Force, she decides he’s leaving town with her virginity. All she has to do is transform her tomboy self into a sexy woman with a bit of borrowed makeup and some creative fashion choices. The results? One drunken kiss that Park doesn’t even remember.
Ten years later, no man has ever gotten close to her heart the way Park did. And now that he’s back, the very unfeminine Madison refuses to blow her second chance. But when her bold attempts to snag his attention (“Oops! Dropped my towel.”) fail miserably, she does something completely insane—she caves to a makeover from the meddling matchmaker in charge of The Happy Endings Book Club. Hey, Park, you want some of this? Madison is about to find out.
Book 3: So Revealing
The last thing Charlotte Vega needs is a cocky HOT stuntman like Ty Campbell in her life. But when he pulls the ultimate stunt—a sexy romantic gesture that ends with a charming invitation to a sunset dinner cruise—she finds him impossible to resist. Cue disaster.
Their rocky first date goes from bad to worse when his yacht (okay, it’s actually borrowed) gets stranded in deep mud. Turns out there’s nothing Ty can do but wait hours and hours for high tide with no power, no way to cook dinner, and a hangry sexy-as-hell woman.
But Ty is determined to salvage the date so he starts a game to pass the time. Only what Ty learns makes him realize he may have just botched a date with the perfect woman. How will he ever win her now?
The Happy Endings Book Club series continues with Book 4, Formal Arrangement, plus more!
Happy Endings Book Club Series
Book 1: Hidden Hollywood
Book 2: Inviting Trouble
Book 3: So Revealing
Book 4: Formal Arrangement
Book 5: Bad Boy Done Wrong
Book 6: Mess With Me
Book 7: Resisting Fate

www.goodreads.com/book/show/37912732-happy-endings-book-club-boxed-set-books-1-3?from_search=true" target=" Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play | Goodreads
99¢ for a limited time only!

Hidden Hollywood Excerpt:
Claire bit her lower lip. “Dammit. This is why I can’t have real relationships. I can’t trust anyone.”
“You can trust me.”
She sighed. “I don’t even know you.”
“Get to know me.”
“Jake…” She looked away.
“One date, the real deal. Jake and Claire.”
  She was tempted. He could tell. She didn’t give him a no right away and now she was searching his face, looking for the truth. He leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers, coaxing. He pulled back and met her eyes, fully prepared to do this all night if he had to. Coaxing, charming, easing his way in. He’d thought coaxing would be too difficult with the way he wanted her, but having her pull away was much harder.
  She spoke quietly. “You don’t want that kind of spotlight on you. It’s not pretty.”
It wasn’t a no.
“I want you, and whatever comes with it, I don’t care.” He cradled her face with both hands. “I want Claire.”
  She closed her eyes, and he dropped his hands to her shoulders, sliding them down the satiny smooth skin of her arms to her hands. He took her hands from behind her and pulled them forward, just holding them. She didn’t pull away. He sensed she was leaning toward letting him in.
  Finally she spoke, the words filling him with elation. “We’d have to keep it quiet.”
Not that he wanted to keep it quiet. He just wanted to be with her so much he was willing to play the game her way. For now. He kissed her softly and spoke against her lips. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes.” She shoved him away. “Now stop kissing me. One date. Jake and Claire.”
“Why do I have to stop kissing you?”<p>“Because you want to get to know me, remember?”</p>
“I can get to know your body first. Get reacquainted.”
  She laughed. “Yeah. I’ve heard that one before.”
He figured she probably did. Everyone wanted the sexiest woman alive. He’d seen the magazine giving her that honor and her bikini body splashed everywhere. He knew that kind of attention didn’t always bring out the best in people, and he realized he had to stand out from the pack.
  He stepped back and helped her off the table.
“Such a gentleman,” she teased.
“It’s all an illusion,” he replied, not bothering to hide the edge of unsatisfied lust in his voice.
“Story of my life,” she said breezily. “I’ll text Hailey to let you know when I’m free.”
“At least give me your number now that we’ve established how much you lust for me.” She laughed, and he grinned. “I’d like to stop going through other people.” He pulled his cell from his pocket, punched in the code, and handed it over.
  She typed her number in while saying, “I never give this number to anyone. Only a handful of people have it on a need-to-know basis. Can you handle that kind of responsibility?”
“What do you think?” It was an honor and, hell, he’d earned it with all his restraint.
  She met his eyes, fire back in hers. “I hope so. I swear I will hunt you down—”
  He cut her off with a kiss. Not a gentle one. The kind that said he’d be taking what he wanted and she’d damn well like it. She sagged against him.
  When he was good and ready, he broke the kiss and snagged his cell from her limp hand. “Later, Claire Jordan.”
  She fought back a smile and then beamed a big one at him, stunningly beautiful in her well-kissed, hot-for-him state. “Later, Jake Campbell.”
  He grinned and headed out the door. Now that was more like it.

AUTHOR BIO:
Kylie Gilmore is the USA Today bestselling author of the Clover Park series, the Clover Park STUDS series, and the brand new Happy Endings Book Club series. She writes humorous romance that makes you laugh, cry, and reach for a cold glass of water.

Kylie lives in New York with her family, two cats, and a nutso dog. When she's not writing, wrangling kids, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her flexing her muscles all the way to the high cabinet for her secret chocolate stash.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Newsletter | Facebook | Goodreads |

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

$25 Amazon Gift Card

Grand Prize giveaway (this giveaway is set up and managed by author, not Xpresso Book Tours):

1 Comment

Spotlight Tour & Giveaway for GOLDEN GREMLIN by Rod A. Walters![Ends 3/3/18]

2/21/2018

2 Comments

Book Details:
Book Title: Golden Gremlin: A Vigorous Push from Misanthropes and Geezers | Author: Rod A. Walters
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 228 pages | Genre: Humor
Publisher: Omega Man Press | Release date: November 2016
Tour dates: Feb 12 to 23, 2018
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Mild and indirect innuendo to both sex genitalia, a short essay about the fictional "AssBook," an essay on current health-care talk, a teaser "is his cord long enough?" to get readers to choose a short piece on electric cars next, etc.)
Book Description:
Written to make Dave Barry, Lily Tomlin, and Ben Stein laugh, Golden Gremlin: A Vigorous Push from Misanthropes and Geezers delivers the experience of a balanced life, and the wisdom to like most of it, and then laugh at the rest of it. What the heck, Barry lives in Miami, habitat of geezers, and Ben Stein is one. The world really needs that push, vigorous or gentle, from misanthropes & geezers, the world’s most valuable golden gremlins. Misanthropes pretend to not like or need other people, but in reality, they merely prefer their own company much of the time. Geezers, aside from that silly name, also like their own company quite well. Both share the virtue of seeing the world calmly. You get pointy bite-sized life pointers from these experienced gremlins, told in easy bite-size chunks. Laughter included in the price! Two out of three wouldn’t be bad either.
Life is good! So laugh a little at yourself on the way through these pointy essays, and that will buy your laughing at the world’s simpler parts, guilt-free.

Golden Gremlin comprises about 70 short essays bundled into six topic areas:

NATURE: boys, ugly drivers, and coffee cups in the ‘fridge.
WORDS: the real meaning of Caucasian and Genre.
BUSINESS: deafness at the economics conference, and getting on AssBook.
KITCHENS: sushi chefs, and truth about manna.
HISTORY: when Hell froze, and Attila the Honey.

Golden boy gets to be GOLDEN GREMLIN: experience overcomes certainty.
What things could possibly be more important!

To read reviews, please visit Rod A Walters' page on iRead Book Tours.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Add to Goodreads

GUEST POST:Bible Verses for Bad Weather [from “Captain [OF] America,” t.b. published August, 2018]
Here we stood, in another one of those gray, sloppy, half-rainy, half-chilled Thursdays trudging into the second grade classroom. Bill Stang was struggling with his boots at the back of the room, ooffing and grumbling near his desk and trying to pull them off. The teacher barked at him to take off his galoshes in the cloak room.
“Galoshes,” huh? The day is ugly enough already without hearing a dumpy word like that. Galoshes. Splashes. Slop. I knew that she meant “boots,” but I heard myself repeating “galoshes” to myself just to hear its ugliness from my lips. Having heard me mumble, the teacher told us that “overshoes” was what some people called them. That sounded better, and these ugly boot-overs really did go over the shoes. Back in those days half the boots—galoshes—came as pairs of thick, black unchewable rubber things with four buckles that could pinch your finger if you weren’t quick. Never try these buckles without socks, either.
Okay, galoshes. I’ll remember that, but not for boots. I’ll say “overshoes” first. I hope.
By Sunday school the rain and slop still hung around, just as gloomy as Thursday past. Sunday school got invented to keep us kids herded in a loose corral until the 11:00AM major church service. Here in Sunday school our junior herd got more or less entertained and educated in Sunday school things by the ample supply of Sunday School Mothers. Nice ladies with a tough job, who organized us after we removed our galoshes. Then one read the first bible verse from Colossians.
Whaaa?
Now, I wasn’t born yesterday. I knew very well that the Colossians guys didn’t wear galoshes. The two words did sound pretty close. Besides, the Colossians had to be people like those pictures at the back of the Bible, all those well-coiffed, blondish Fertile Crescent people who wore those really white bathrobes. Clearly, Colossians lived in sandy and desert looking places, and they wore some kind of sandals on their feet. No galoshes anywhere.
Wouldn’t you know it, the next Bible verse came from Galatians.
Where are the Galatians from?
Answer: “Galatia.”
Oh. That clears it up.
“Farther away, up in the mountains,” one of the adults added helpfully.
I get it. Like, Vermont. It gets cold and rainy in Vermont, so maybe these Galatians guys did wear galoshes on their feet. Probably not, but thinking about all those Galatians oofing and struggling with thick, black unchewable rubber galoshes with four buckles took up my thinking muscles for the rest of Sunday school. Galatians may have called their boots “galatias.” Probably not.
The 11:00AM major church service felt shorter that day. I spent the whole hour thinking about galoshes, Galatians, and Colossians. I wondered if the second graders in Colossians and Galatians wore galoshes to Sunday school. I wonder if they pinched their fingers in one of the galoshes buckles. Maybe they said bad words when that happened. I hope they wondered about me worrying about them.

ABOUT the AUTHOR:
Rod Walters lives and writes in upstate New York to prove he can be an all-season writer. Since he wants everybody to be all-season persons no matter her or his circumstance, his writing aims sharply toward the practical—without turning into one of those godawful do it ma’ way authors. Life, after all, is practical hour by hour. Self-described as “old enough to know better, and he probably is,” his former life as Army officer, engineer, and administrative assistant could not have better prepared him to write both light and more serious short pieces pointing to creating a balanced life. Chuckling at yourself usually makes a good takeoff, he says. Giving up having to be certain makes for a good landing, especially for one’s friends! Then again, who the heck wants to live a balanced life? Mostly everybody does. That’s why he now writes. Although many friends nudge and badger him to be a Facebook and Twitter butterfly, he tries not to spend many numbing hours a day with circular keyboard tapping. Writing works better.

Connect with the Author: Website

Here is the tour schedule.

Enter the Giveaway!
Prizes: Win a paperback copy of Golden Gremlin. One winner will also receive a $25 Amazon GC. 5 winners total / open to wherever Amazon ship
Ends March 3, 2018

2 Comments

Book Tour & Giveaway for Necessities by Boyd Taylor and the Donnie Ray Cuinn series! [Ends 3/7/18]

2/20/2018

Be certain to enter the Giveaway at the end of this posting, if you haven't already entered!

Book Details:
Book Title: Necessities by Boyd Taylor (Book #4 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series)
Category: Adult Fiction, 225 pages | Genre: Suspense Crime Fiction
Publisher: Katherine Brown Press | Release date: December 5, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (In the 4th book, there is a murder and elusions to sex. Some profanity..)
Tour dates: Jan 3 to Feb 28, 2017

Book Description:
Donnie Ray Cuinn returns to Austin to defend a war hero accused of murder. David Lewis lost both legs in Iraq, but he has overcome his nightmares and his disabilities by sheer willpower. He has learned to run and to box and is a successful newspaperman with a beautiful wife and son. Now the nightmares have returned and he must stand trial for murder. With twists that never seem to end, this gripping legal thriller is filled with suspense and indelibly drawn characters dealing with love and betrayal.
Although NECESSITIES is the 4th book in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series, it is a stand-alone novel.
OTHER BOOKS in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series:

MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
Of all the books of the Donnie Cuinn series, so far, this I found to be the most enjoyable! This Book #4 had references to sexual situations but never in detail. It, also, contained very little profanity, which this reader truly appreciated.

A large portion of this book centers on the lives of -"the Monkey House" character David Lewis. The story began as, David's life took an amazing turn upward. This tale centers on his life, and his interactions with other for a few years. Then the unthinkable happens and he needs a good lawyer! He persuades Donnie to represent him.

The trial is very interesting, yet short. This novel will captivate the reader, "catching him/her off guard" with a surprise ending!

The characters, once again, feel real! The scenes are easily visualized. The Cover depicts the story well and the book Cover is slightly excessively graphic but is a good "fit". The Title... I had a problem in attributing it, strongly, to the story content.

I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no requirement for a positive review. This is my honest review.

HERO (Book #1 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series)
Book Details:
Category: Adult Fiction, 180 pages | Genre: Political Suspense
Publisher:  Katherine Brown Press | Release date: November 9, 2015
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some Explicit sex and a lot of profanity)
Tour dates: Jan 3 to Feb 28, 2017
Book Description:
When budding historian Donnie Ray Cuinn stumbles upon an old letter in the musty bowels of the Texas State Archives, he believes he has uncovered the true story of Sam Payne's valiant, or perhaps not so valiant, capture of Mexican leader Santa Anna during the Battle of San Jacinto. Cuinn's findings are published in a local magazine. But the article eventually becomes fodder in the gubernatorial race between Democratic upstart Bob Braeswood and Republican favorite Sam Eben Payne V, the great-great-grandson of the Texas hero. Braeswood is intent on exploiting the past, while Payne will do anything to suppress it. In the ensuing battle, Donnie finds his beliefs, not to mention his relationships, stretched to the limit in the first novel of the Donnie Ray Cuinn series.

The Antelope Play (Book #2 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series)
Book Details:

Category: Adult Fiction, 260 pages
Genre: Political Suspense
Publisher:  Katherine Brown Press
Release date: July 25, 2015
Format available for review: print & ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF or gifted Kindle copy)
Will send print books to: USA
Tour dates: Jan 3 to Feb 28, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some minor cursing.)

Book Description:

When Austin native Donnie Cuinn accepts a job as an associate in a Texas Panhandle law firm, his boredom and disdain for Velda, a sleepy Texas town, is forgotten when he gets caught up in a struggle over water rights, possible radioactive contamination of the nation's largest underground fresh water supply, and the violence of an invading Mexican drug cartel. Along the way, Donnie learns to respect the local rancher, whose brother is at the center of the troubles, and to come to terms with the violent death of his young Mexican wife.

The Monkey House (Book #3 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series)

Book Details:

Category: Adult Fiction, 212 pages
Genre: Political Suspense
Publisher:  Katherine Brown Press
Release date: May 29, 2015
Format available for review: print & ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF or gifted Kindle copy)
Will send print books to: USA
Tour dates: Jan 3 to Feb 28, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some adult language and elusion to sex.)

Book Description:

This, the third Donnie Ray Cuinn book, pits Donnie against the old friends and new enemies guilty of land fraud and corporate greed. Donnie returns to Austin from his law practice in the Texas Panhandle to confront All-American football player Wesley Bird, his former best friend. In the company of beautiful, athletic Anna Kaye Nordstrom, Donnie experiences the "new" Austin of glitzy condos, trendy restaurants and social media. He also revisits the "old" Austin of barbecue, power politics and greens versus developers. Donnie finds that not much has changed.

Meet the Author:
BOYD TAYLOR lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their Havanese dog Toby. Necessities is the fourth novel in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series. In a former life, Boyd was a lawyer and a corporate officer. A native of Temple, Texas, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in government and an LL.B. from the law school.

Boyd's first novel "Hero" was prescient in its story about fake news. His second novel, "The Antelope Play," dealt with drug trafficking in the Texas Panhandle, an unfortunately accurate forecast. The third, "The Monkey House", involved commercial development of a large green space in the center of Austin, all too familiar to Austin residents. Whether his upcoming novel "Necessities" predicts future events with the accuracy of the earlier books remains to be seen.
Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway:
Prizes: 5 winners will each get a paperback copy of Necessities. One winner will also get a $25 Amazon.com gift card. 25 winners will get an ebook copy of Necessities (open to USA only - 30 winners total)
(ends March 7)

1 Comment

The Zookeeper's Secret: Finding Your Calling in Life by Jeffrey A., Bunderson, Stuart Thompson Book Tour & Giveaway! [Ends 2/23/18]

2/20/2018

The Zookeeper's Secret: Finding Your Calling in Life by Jeffrey A., Bunderson, Stuart Thompson
Paperback: 168 pages | Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (February 1, 2018)

ISBN-10: 1524403342 | SBN-13: 978-1524403348

SYNOPSIS:
Perhaps your professional and other life ambitions are simply a means to an end—a way to pay the bills or pursue a lifestyle. But what if there was something more? What if you could have success and fulfillment in equal measure? In response to these fundamental questions, Professors Jeff Thompson and Stuart Bunderson draw on research, personal experience, and gospel truths to dispel common myths that can stand in the way of seeking your true calling, the work that brings the greatest meaning and satisfaction to your life. Is there only one true calling for you? Can you still find your calling if you choose to stay at home? What if your calling doesn’t pay enough to live on? Discover the answers to these questions and many more as you learn to tap into the spiritual gifts of God and realize how your talents can bring gratification to your life and blessings to those around you. Brimming with practical activities and applications, this guidebook to pursuing your ideal life’s work will inspire the confidence you need to translate aspiration into action.

MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
This outstanding self-help book is primarily written for members of the L.D.S. Church, but it can be converted to assist any person of integrity.

It is often difficult to give self-help books a high rating since they often require a lot of, necessary, but tiresome statistics. However, The Zookeeper's Secret is entertaining, enlightening, and is a hands on book which enables the reader to gain full benefit towards self-fulfillment in his/her quest to discover his/her calling in life.

This instructive book offers step-by-step ways to make the most of one's life and in finding one's true meaning in life.

One very impressive excerpt, speaking of jobs not initially sought after, states. "...the happiest and most successful of these people, never lost sight of their passions and dreams. They simply found different ways of expressing those passions and dreams".

The book Cover is very interesting and totally depicts the content within the book's pages. Unfortunately, for the "browser", most would not stop to take a closer look...it could use a little more color to "catch the eye". The Tile is perfect, although it would be beneficial to increase to size o "Finding Your Calling in Life".

The Title, 'The Zoo Keeper's Secret' is based on a little known fact. Though most Zookeepers are college educated, they get very low pay and never receive fame or recognition, yet are passionate about it and are the happiest employed group of individuals according to well over a thousand surveyed zookeepers. You must read this book to find out. "Why?"

I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating.
This book was a gift with no requirement of a positive review. This is my honest review.

Schedule:
*Feb. 19th: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/
Feb.20th:https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
*Feb 21st: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
*Feb. 22nd: http://thoroughlyhere.blogspot.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/adults
*Feb. 23rd: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

1 Comment

Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep Blitz & International Giveaway! [Ends 2/22/18]

2/14/2018

Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep by Victoria James
Published by: Entangled Bliss | Publication date: February 12th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Connor O’Leary knows nothing about babies, families, or good women, yet he’s up to his ears in all three. Coming to Shadow Creek, Montana was meant to be a new start for this former oil rigger, but he had no idea that fresh beginning would include a baby on his doorstep and a hot nanny he can’t stop thinking about. Diapers, feedings, and late nights soothing his little bundle of surprise were definitely not on his itinerary.
The last thing Haley Thomson expected to see is the reclusive Connor with a baby in his arms. Before she knows it, she’s volunteered as nanny—temporarily. Helping out with baby Rosie is a dream come true and fills a space in her heart she believed will never be filled. But falling for Rosie’s hot and sexy bachelor daddy is not on her to-do list…but boy would she ever like it to be…Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:
She stopped crying and opened her eyes, and he swore to God in that moment, when her large blue eyes latched onto his, when he felt a jolt of recognition run through his body, that this was his kid.
Except she was scarier than him, especially as her mouth opened wider and she let out a roar that would scare the crap out of a bear. What the hell was he going to do? Jack. Jack knew about babies—he had two.
He grabbed his phone and called his friend. “Yeah?”
“I have a situation,” he managed to choke out.
“Take a cab.”
“No, you idiot, I’m not wasted, I’m at home. You need to get over here. Now.”
He heard grumbling, muttering, and then finally, “Be there in ten.”
“Wait. Bring baby things.”
“What?”
“Baby things. Like, whatever a baby would need to, you know…live.”
“Oh man, this is starting to sound really bad.”
He hung up the phone and looked down at the baby. His daughter. Or Tess Junior, as the name on the birth certificate stated. He was going to have to change that when he applied for paternity. If he applied. If she was his.

Author Bio:

Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Victoria always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples and a cardboard cover) and did all the illustrations herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day again.

In high school she fell in love with historical romance and then contemporary romance. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design and then opened her own business. After her first child, Victoria knew it was time to fulfill her dream of writing romantic fiction.

Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

Sign up for Victoria's Newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming releases and exclusive giveaways, follow her blog for daily antics and insight into her daily life, and get to know her on twitter and Facebook. She loves hearing from readers! www.victoriajames.ca

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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This grand prize giveaway - ends Feb 22nd:

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Curiouser and Curiouser by Melanie Karsak blitz & U.S, Giveaway!

2/14/2018