Friday, August 30, 2013

Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore – Blog Tour, Review






FINDING SHEBA by H.B. Moore

An Omar Zagouri Thriller

An ancient legend is reborn . . . One that might prove the Bible false.

For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of King David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumbles onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claim to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen’s secret burial place. An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal crimes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.


Author H.B. Moore

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.

Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management–which has absolutely nothing to do with writing novels. But at least she can balance a mean checkbook and color-coordinate her kids’ school clothes.


My Review: Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore

5 STARS

This is my first book that I have read of Heathers but not the last. I had a hard time putting the book down last night. Read until I couldn't anymore. Boy was it exciting and fascinating to read about the area. I would love to read more of Heather's books.

Finding Sheba tells of a race to find Queen Sheba's casket. That different religions and different nations believe she lived or did not live in certain countries. Some wanted the truth out and others did not if it was against what they wanted found. (I want to find out more facts about the things and events mentioned, countries.)

It weaves the storylines of three groups till they meet and merge again coming up to understanding or finding more about Sheba. I loved it.

Omar is a spy for Israel but he hates his boss and even though he pretend to be different people from different cultures and religions. He likes and respects most of them. While he is pretending to be Palestinian and help build a tunnel beneath the Israeli border they break into a tomb with lots of writing on walls. He is ordered to take the cameras he has already hidden in the tunnel and get back across the border.
When Omar is taking out the cameras in the middle of the night he goes into the tomb and takes pictures and looks at the walls. He is sent on another mission right away into a different country. He gives his two notice.

It also at times goes back to 900 AD and follows Queen Sheba and we slowly learn her story.
The other line it follows is Jade who is writing her thesis on Queen Sheba and is doing an internship with Dr. Lyon's about Queen Sheba but he is murdered. She still travels to Egypt to work on her thesis meets with Dr. Lucas Morel who was working with Dr. Lyon and they work and travel looking into different leads into Sheba's life.
There is so much drama and action in this novel. It has murder, spies, conspiracies, different religions even cannibals. You are never sure who to trust.
I wish I was a writer and could do a better to express how much I liked getting lost into this book. It is a fun clean read.

I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it when finished on their blog tour.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Forbidden: Discover the Legend (Wolf Sirens #1) by Tina Smith blog tour


Wolf Sirens Forbidden Media Kit
Publisher: Indie Publication Date: July 2012 Genres: Paranormal/fantasy/romance/suspense
When Lila unwillingly moves to the country town of Shade, she can’t imagine the life-altering events that lie in wait for her. Shade has a curfew and has always been surrounded by myths. A central feature of the town is its famous statue of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, whose spirit is said to protect the innocent.
Lila falls in with a group of intriguing teenagers with luminescent eyes and soon she is drawn into the shadowlands of fantasy and reality, where destiny collides.
A mysterious local girl, Cresida, warns her to stay away, but Lila is drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Cresida knows their fatal secret and she is honour-bound to protect those who are endangered. But she underestimates Lila’s passion for the mysterious and charismatic clan of youths. Lila begins to feel a call she cannot ignore. Yet her heart is filled with vulnerable desires that begin to turn the underworld upside down, for both hunter and hunted, as she learns they have been waiting for her…
Inspired by the legend of the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is an intimate tale of unrequited and forbidden love in the underworld, a masterpiece of romance fantasy.
A compelling debut novel about how love and fate chooses you. Inspired by Grecian demigod Artemis and the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is sure to enthral all lovers of the fantasy, romance genre.


About the Author:
Tina Smith is an herbalist, dog lover, Piscean and mother with a fondness for strong female protagonist's. A love of the fantasy genre and the deep exploration of dark and evocative subjects inspired Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The sequel Fever further unfolds the tale of the heroine femme fatale, on her journey in the underworld between the lands of myth and reality.
Purchase link:
Amazon
Giveaway
International: a Rafflecopter giveaway

US: a Rafflecopter giveaway


My Review Forbidden: Discover the Legend
4STARS

Mostly it is high school typical of every high school, You have your clicks, don't fit in, don't get along with your parents. You have a crush on someone and someone different likes you. All the regular teenage dramas except you learn that some of the teenagers are not teenager or even human. That jealousy can kill you. That the weird girl has a reason for being different. That their is more differences around than just country over city.

Lila's parents got a divorce and her mom has moved back to the town she grew up it. It is cheaper to live in the country than the city. Lila's first few days of school she realizes that she does not fit in. No one even talks to her. Her mom does not care about her.
Then when she meets someone Cresida she tries to tell her about the werewolves. That they want her. Cresida is different. She used to be one of the popular kids. Now she stays off by herself.
The cool kids invite her to join their group that is competing in dance troupe they are short one girl. They start to pressure her to come watch them. They make her feel like she belongs.
One of the cool guys Reid becomes her boyfriend fast. Lila ends up sleeping with him but all she can think of is another boy Sky.
Cresida is still watching her. Warning her away from the group and than telling her it might be better if she does hang with them.


I cared about the characters. I wanted things to workout for Lila. It is funny that Lila's mom was worried more about her when she was doing good then when she was sneaking out drinking and having sex.
As a parent I did not like how fast and easy Lila and Reid got together. Especially when she was thinking about Sky Reid's best friend.
The Mythology of where and how the werewolves came to be really has not made sense to me. Maybe as the next book comes out I will see and understand that part of the story more.
Some of the werewolves are much older than high school age. Werewolves look really young and fit. You can't just tell how old one is by looking at them.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. I hate having to wait for the next part of the story.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

DiSemblance book Blast & $50 amazon or Paypal gift card giveaway

 




DiSemblance




DiSemblance




Jason Tanner’s life has always been different from the ordinary citizen’s. It started when he was an infant and his parents were only teenagers. A computer science prodigy, Lloyd attended MIT but left a pariah in the eyes of the school’s dean—but a computer physics genius in the eyes of his primary investor. Then his theories and ideas created a holographic machine and their world shrunk as contact with the outside world became less and less frequent. A computer prodigy now himself, Jason is about to learn that the world never waits for you if you have the ability to change it: it will come for you.




Detective Bruce Durante has been handed the case of the Comfort Killer, a serial killer so named because he appears to abduct terminally ill patients before returning their corpses to their families in refrigerated coffins. When he picks up the trail, it leads straight to the home of Lloyd Tanner.




Jason has been living life through the world of Lloyd’s invention and wishing he could carry on a relationship with Boston, the beautiful girl next door. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, he is brought back to reality in a hurry. He is forced to destroy all of the planted evidence—and finds he is being targeted as the killer’s new fall guy. But the secrets of his father’s invention run deep and Jason, his brother Isaac,Boston, the Comfort Killer, and Detective Durante hurtle towards one another on a deadly collision course that leaves everyone’s life hanging in the balance.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble


Shanae




Author Shanae Branham




I am a professional writer with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in grammar. I have also attended several years of classes and workshops in screenplay writing at the Los Angeles Screenplay writer’s Expo.




I love suspense thrillers and am a master at plot and character development. I enjoy stories with happy endings. I promise all my readers that when they put one of my books down or walk away from one of my movies, they will be enthused with excitement and joy. This does not mean there will not be some sad parts, because you have to feel the bitter in order to understand the sweet. In fact, I have struggled with Dyslexia my whole life, so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when DiSemblance won a Silver metal in the fantasy/science fiction category at the eLit awards in 2012.




 

Website * Twitter * Facebook


 

disemblance tourTour Schedule



 









BookBlast Giveaway




$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash




Ends 9/13/13





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, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.




 




a Rafflecopter giveaway


A Cowboy To Come Home To (Cadence Creek Cowboys #3) by Donna Alward



A Cowboy to Come Home to by Donna Alward

4 STARS

This is a nice romance story to read. I liked the characters. it was fun and pleasant escape.
It is a clean romance.

Melissa Stone owns the flower shop. She has been divorced for three years after she got her husband in bed with another woman. She also found out her good friend Cooper knew and did not tell her. Melissa has not talked to Cooper since. She avoids him.

Melissa had a crush on Cooper years ago but he did not see her as a girl. Then her husband took notice of her.

Cooper was not interested in Melissa when she had a crush on him. Then when it was too late he realized that he loved her. He did not know how to tell Melissa the truth.

Now they are talking and trying to see where it might lead to. If they are both willing to risk their hearts again.

Fast read. It leaves you with a smile and pleasant feeling.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when done by Netgalley and Harlequin.
Published July 1st 2013 by Harlequin Romance 256 pages ISBN: 0373742487

Description below taken off of NetGalley.

Friendship?
Melissa Stone has done a fine job of avoiding her former best friend Cooper Ford. She was devastated when she discovered her husband was cheating on her, and felt doubly betrayed that Cooper had known all along.…

Forgiveness…
But she can’t ignore him forever—especially now that they’re working together on a charity project! And as she and Cooper get closer again, she confides in him her plans to start a family—alone.

Fatherhood!
Cooper wants to be there for her this time—but would he really consider being the father of her baby…?

Keeper of Reign by Emma Right book tour




Keeper of Reign

Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it?
For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema.
Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn’t get himself killed first.


Author Emma Right

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn’t have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.

Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.




My Review: Keeper of Reign by Emma Right

5 STARS

This is a fantasy action book. Lots of drama, action, danger and mystery. It keeps your attention you are not sure who to trust or not to trust. Who died or did not die. It is a clean entertaining book that I want to read the next book in the series.


The plot had lots of twists and turns I did not expect. Lots of interesting characters like giant bugs some good some bad. The races of different people all were cursed at the same time and became really short. With the Elfies the shortest. They live in trees and hide under mushrooms for safety because they are so small.

The Keeper families are hidden from each other to protect them7 The keepers have to keep their book safe, if they lose their book it is easier to lose their lives. Their are 5 keeper families and their books needed to end the curse.

Jules Blaze is one of the main characters in the book. He is sixteen. His family is one of the Keeper families. Each keeper family as part of the curse has only one child. But Jules has four siblings. He is the oldest.

His Grandparents are missing. Someone came and told them that they died. Jules wants to go search for them. But his little sister follows him so he takes her back home. The next day all 5 children are out playing and they don't make it back home before dark. When they get their they run into their neighbor 16 year old Miranda. Their house is all broken up. Their mom is missing. So is their book.

Their father is away at war he is a General in the army. They are not sure what to do next. They decide to go to a neighbor's house and right after they get close it burns up and they fall down in a gopher tunnel deep underground.

In the next kingdom over they go to see if they can find their family. In that kingdom the ruler Gehzurolle wants all the elfies dead and the keepers and their books brought to him. He wants to end the curse too. armies of Scorpents can smell elfies. They like to torture their captives. But the Elfies have Lanterns that can hide them.

Their are traitors to be found that causes some keepers to be caught. Their are 7 kids trying to find their missing families and they get separated a few times and reunited back and forth. Trying to rescue different members of their families and their books. They meet friends and enemies along the way with interesting creatures like giant butterfly. I liked where the book ended with a little cliffhanger.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by NetGalley , Telemachus Press (PB). Also asked to be part of its book tour too.
May 18, 2013 PUB Telemachus Press Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members' Titles ISBN 9781939337696

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Do or Die Great Escape Winners


FromLori Caswell

ToLori Caswell







And the winners are...

results powered by Random.org

Entry #598Jenna C.

Entry #257Victoria Z.

Entry #162Michele D.

Entry #179Lori H.

Entry #838Ashley M.

Entry #63Nancy S.



The first four names drawn won 1 copy of the book and a $10 gift card to their choice of Amazon or B&N. The last 2 won copies of the book to be sent.



Emails have been sent to the winners to collect their mailing info and gift card choice. I will pass everything on to the author.



The Rafflecopter widget is showing the winners if you had that in your post. You can publicize the winners in any way you wish.

Congratulations everyone.

Big Sky Wedding (Parable, Montana #5) by Linda Lael Miller


My Review
3 STARS

Big Sky Wedding is finally Brylee's story. Brylee has not been to happy since she was left at the alter by Hutch. He ended up marrying someone else. Brylee threw herself into her business and made it a success. She lives in her own apartment on the ranch that she and her brother own.

Newcomer to the area is Zane Sutton. Zane was a rodeo champion turned actor and decided to come to Montana and live on the ranch his brother Landry and him had bought years ago. Zane leaves a note and a big check to his housekeeper back in LA. Zane's house needs work badly he is sleeping on a air mattress.

Landry calls him up and tells him his father dropped off their half brother 12 year old Nash. They really don't know him. His mother is out of the picture. Landry is supposed to go on a business trip overseas tomorrow. So he is putting him on a plane and Zane better meet the plane.

Nash does not have much and his life had not been to stable. At least when he and Landry were kids and his dad took off they had their mom's love. Things were tough but they were together. They went shopping and bought some groceries and beds. Then before they get to comfortable Zane gets another call on his cell from Cleo. She is mad that Zane just took off and left her. She was too old to look for a different employer. She orders him too buy her a first class ticket in two days.

Zane had met Brylee on his property and liked her a lot first of all. When she saw his dog the next day and read his collar she came over to give him a lecture. Slim was starving and she could not believe he was not taking better care of his dog. Zane had just got the stray from the pound before moving here. He had not time enough yet to make a difference.

Zane's idea of a simpler life has not going as planned. He now had his brother living with him, dog, housekeeper and his ranch was torn up getting it fixed like Cleo wants. Even Landry shows up to see what the ranch they had bought and split looks like.

Brylee is coming out more and more socially now and just not working. She is also scared to trust a guy now.

I like that now that Zane realizes that Nash needs someone at first was not happy but steps up to the plate and takes care of Nash and when he promises something he will keep his word. He remembers his childhood and how his father would come and go. He plans to make Nash a part of his family give him stuff he needs and wants.

This romance novel is all about relationships between different people and what they want in the future. Their is a couple of love scenes towards the end of the book that I skipped over. It kept my attention and I read it in one setting. Did not want to put it down. I do want to know Landry's story and hope the next book is his.

I was given this book to read and asked in exchange to give honest review of it by NetGalley and Harlequin.
08/28/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin HQN ISBN9780373777747 384 pages

Description below taken off of Goodreads.

The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, cordially invites you to Parable, Montana-where love awaits. Wedding bells are ringing in Parable, Montana, but Brylee Parrish hasn't enjoyed the sound since being jilted at the altar by Hutch Carmody. She's over Hutch now, and running a multimillion-dollar business is challenging enough for this country gal. So she should avoid falling head-over-boot-heels for A-list actor Zane Sutton. He's come home to his rodeo roots, but Hollywood lured him away once and just might again. Yet everything about him, from his easy charm to his concern for his young half brother, seems too genuine to resist....

Zane didn't come to Parable for love-but count on a spirited woman to change a jaded cowboy's mind. Problem is, Brylee's not convinced he's here to stay. Good thing he's determined to prove to her, kiss by kiss, that she's meant to be his bride.

Against the Mark (Raines of Wind Canyon #9) by Kat Martin


My Review: Against the Mark

4 STARS

This is a nail bitter. Every time you think they are safe something else comes up that puts them back in danger. Lots of drama, action, suspenseful, good characters, humor and too many details of love scenes.

Haley Warren has not seen her father for years. He left her mother for a different woman. Now Betty Jean Warren the other woman called her up and said her father was murdered. Haley leaves Chicago and is staying with her Aunt Ellie. Her Aunt introduced her to Tyler Brodie a P.I.

Tyler will look into her father's death and discover if it was murder or a accident like the police think it was. Tyler is good friends with Ellie. In fact the office is in her guest house on her estate. His partner and wife live on the upper floors of guest house.

Haley wants to help search for answers to her fathers life and death. She finds her father for past 5 years has been living a whole different life. That the truth her mother told her was not the whole truth.

They find a whole lots of questions when they were searching for answers. Also his two computers one was missing a hard drive and other had a virus on it. His house had been broken into after his death. That a lot of things had to go wrong for the boat to explode.

Their was a big case he started to investigate three years ago of two Art pieces were stolen from a museum that were worth millions still on the black market. He had found new information the week before he died.
Then Betty Jean was attacked and put in the hospital and warned to stop looking into her husband's death and if she did not convince Hayley to stop she will be next on their list.

The two cops who are investigating the death are taking the easy out. They don't believe it was murder and Betty Jean was just a home invasion gone wrong.

Hayley has not had good luck with men in her past. She even has been wondering if she is gay, but she is really attracted to Brodie. Brodie has lots of different girls calling him up but he does not answer his phone.

It keeps your attention the whole book and you want everything to work out Tyler and Hayley.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in exchange to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
08/27/2013 Pub Harlequin Imprint Harlequin MIRA 400 pages ISBN 9780778314677


Description below taken off of NetGalley

The perfect murder is a work of art

In one catastrophic instant, Haley Warren's estranged father was taken from her. She never got the chance to reconnect with him, so now she's doing it the only way she's got left: by proving the explosion that killed him was no accident.

When Tyler Brodie, the provocative and handsome P.I. hired by Haley, discovers that her father was investigating a suspected art theft, he knows his death is no coincidence. After all, tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen art could motivate a thief to go to any lengths—including getting rid of anyone poking around where they don't belong.

As Haley and Ty get closer to the truth, the truth gets ugly: Did Haley's dad know too much…or was he in on the take? And although Ty's a consummate professional, he's having trouble focusing on the facts of the case, and not the figure of his gorgeous client. The two are determined to get to the bottom of the case, even if it means they die trying.

Hero (The Thunder Point #3) by Robyn Carr



5 Stars

I have enjoyed getting to know Thunder Point and was excited to read this third novel Hero. It's is a small town close to the beach in Oregon. This one brings new characters into town, changes some characters, old familiar characters we get to see how their life is going. Some action, lots of drama, new friends forming, new family ties getting stronger. Some romance and a couple of love scenes that I skipped over. Mostly it tells about life.

Devon McAllister is walking down the road early one morning wearing a backpack and carrying her daughter 3 year old Mercy. When Rawley Goode picks her up. Rawley recognizes her style of dress and hair as belonging to a commune away off he offers her a ride and breakfast at the bar he is on his way to open. Rawley has had some bad times in the past. He wants to help her get on her feet.

Devon decides to trust Rawley for Mercy's sake. She lets him take her home but first to walmart buys some clothes for Her and Mercy. While she is picking out a couple of pants for both of them she sees Rawley has bought groceries and more important a car seat for her daughter safety.

Rawley is in his 70's and has no family left. He lives in a house and does things for the bar. He does not talk a lot. He served three tours in Vietnam. He has been homeless and starts to open his home and heart to Devon and Mercy.

Cooper and Sarah decide on a date for their wedding. Sarah is leaving the coast guard. They arrange musical houses and plan to build a new home close to the bar.

Spencer is living in Cooper's RV but is looking for a better place for him and Austin. He is the new football coach and is trying to get past loosing his wife, and parents in the same year. Austin now has two dad. Cooper and Spencer are working together to build good friendships between them. He is lonely.

Devon gets a job working for the new clinic in town. She is pretending that Rawley is a distant cousin and when things did not work out he offered her a place to stay. When really she escaped the commune with the help of one of the other woman's help. She had to stay because she could not leave without her daughter. The commune was getting dangerous.

I read this book the day I received it and look forward to reading more books by Robyn Carr in the future. She makes communities that anyone would love to live in where they care about each other and want to help. That you can't help to want to come see what they are doing next in their town.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when finished by Netgalley and Harlequin.
08/27/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin MIRA 384 pages ISBN 9780778314592

Description below taken off of NetGalley

www.robyncarr.com

With warmth and sensitivity, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr shows readers that falling in love can be the bravest act of all.

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind…just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it…and sometimes, you find a hero.

Bones of the Lost (Temperance Brennan #16) Kathy Reichs


My Review

4 Stars

Don't like the cover I like the UK better. I am always surprised how much a cover on a ebook makes me either want to look at book or turn me away from one.
This is the first Temperance Brennan novel that I have read. I admit to being a fan of the T.V. series Bones. Their is a lot different but a lot the same especially the tone of the book. I hope to be able to read more of Kathy Reich's books in the future.

The lead character is Tempe Brennan a forensic anthropologist. She is smart, strong will and determined to find the answers to her case. She travels over to Afghanistan to dig up some remains as evidence on a article 32 hearing. Her daughter is over their serving. I like Tempe Brennan.
The characters are believable and some are likable while others are not.
The book really does not make me care about the characters and their lives. It does about how many people are sold into slavery each year. Especially females. I wish I could do something to help stop it like Dr. Brennan does.
A Teenage's body is found the cause of death is a hit and run accident they think. No one has come forth about who she might be. The police are at a dead end and ask Tempe to look at the bones. She is determined to help find out who she was and who killed her. She even bugs the cop from Afghanistan.
She works a few cases at a time some just take hers a few minutes of looking at ex-rays of bones that are wrapped.

There is some drama that happens to Dr. Brennan over in Afghanistan also someone threatening her in her home.
I liked the book and would read more of them.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
08/27/2013 PUB Scribner 336 pages ISBN9781439102459


Description below taken off of Goodreads.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with her sixteenth riveting novel featuring forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan, whose examination of a young girl killed in a hit and run in North Carolina triggers an investigation into international human trafficking.When Charlotte police discover the body of a teenage girl along a desolate stretch of two-lane highway, Temperance Brennan fears the worst. The girl’s body shows signs of foul play. Inside her purse police find the ID card of a prominent local businessman, John-Henry Story, who died in a horrific flea market fire months earlier. Was the girl an illegal immigrant turning tricks? Was she murdered?

The medical examiner has also asked Tempe to examine a bundle of Peruvian dog mummies confiscated by U.S. Customs. A Desert Storm veteran named Dominick Rockett stands accused of smuggling the objects into the country. Could there be some connection between the trafficking of antiquitiesand the trafficking of humans?

As the case deepens, Tempe must also grapple with personal turmoil. Her daughter Katy, grieving the death of her boyfriend in Afghanistan, impulsively enlists in the Army. Meanwhile, Katy’s father Pete is frustrated by Tempe’s reluctance to finalize their divorce. As pressure mounts from all corners, Tempe soon finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that extends all the way from South America, to Afghanistan, and right to the center of Charlotte. “A genius at building suspense” (Daily News, New York), Kathy Reichs is at her brilliant best in this thrilling novel

Declan's Cross by Carla Neggers



My Review
3 STARS
Sharpe & Donovan book 3

This is I believe the third book in the sharpe and Donovan series. I have enjoyed reading all 3 of them. Wish my memory was like it used to be. The story bounces from Ireland to U.S and back & forth. It covers art theft now and ten years ago, missing person/murder? Lots of secrets.
Their are four Donovan brother's from small town in Maine. Colin works for the FBI deep undercover but he tells everyone he works in office. Colin right now went to Ireland to unwind after his last mission. His girl friend Emma Sharpe followed him over.

Emma has interesting background. She grew up in Maine about 10 minutes from the Donovan' hometown but they did not meet till the first book Saints Gate. She was almost a nun. She left that and came over to Ireland and worked with her family's business in art recovery. Emma than joined the FBI and works in art crime.
Julianne Maroney is from the same hometown as the Donovans. She is trying to get over falling for Andy Donovan. So when she met Lindsey and had the chance to come over to Declan's Cross. She jumped at it. It was a fast decision.
Andy emails Colin that Julianne is headed for Declan's Cross and wants to make sure all is okay with her.
Julianne was supposed to be met at airport by Lindsey and wasn't. So she decides to rent a car and make her way to Declan's Cross. She is not too happy to be met there by Colin and Emma. But later she is glad that they are their.
I admit to being lost a few times in this story. With a art theft ten years in the past, With Emma's family working the case still. To Lindsey being missed. I was never right in my guesses where the story was going. Lots of drama, secrets people are keeping. A few love scenes.
I liked it. But I enjoyed the first two of the series better.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
08/27/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin MIRA 320 pages ISBN:9780778314639
Description below taken off of Netgalley.

An escape to an idyllic Irish seaside village is about to turn deadly in this riveting new novel by master of romantic suspense Carla Neggers
For marine biologist Julianne Maroney, two weeks in tiny Declan's Cross on the south Irish coast is a chance to heal her broken heart. She doesn't expect to attract the attention of FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan—especially since a Donovan is the reason for her broken heart.
Emma and Colin are in Ireland for their own personal retreat. Colin knows he's a reminder of everything Julianne wants to escape, but something about her trip raises his suspicion. Emma, an art crimes expert, is also on edge. Of all the Irish villages Julianne could choose…why Declan's Cross?
Ten years ago, a thief slipped into a mansion in Declan's Cross. Emma's grandfather, a renowned art detective, investigated, but the art stolen that night has never been recovered and the elusive thief never caught.
From the moment Julianne sets foot on Irish soil, everything goes wrong. The well-connected American diver who invited her to Ireland has disappeared. And now Emma and Colin are in Declan's Cross asking questions.
As a dark conspiracy unfolds amid the breathtaking scenery of Declan's Cross, the race is on to stop a ruthless killer…and the stakes have never been more personal for Emma and Colin

High Country Rebel by Lindsay McKenna


My Review
4 STARS
This is the third book lately that has bear attack in it. Makes me want to stay out of the mountains. High Country Rebel starts off getting your attention and keeps it with drama, action, interesting characters, romance and too many sex scenes and good, loyal, trained dog.

Talon was a Navy Seal with PDST. He was taken hostage, and rescued with the help of his dog. He was medically discharged. Because of his PDST he has walked from California to Wyoming to his home. He is almost close to Jackson Hole when a late winter storm has come. Talon has been sending most of his pay home to his mom who is fighting breast cancer.
Talon knows he is in trouble. He is sick, freezing in blizzard. Zeke his dog had saved his life many times over seas. He is well trained he is worried about what would happen to Zeke.

Cat is a paramedic and a fire fighter. She is on her way to her part time job as a wrangler when she sees Talon. She stops the car. Talon gives signal word Allow to Zeke so he knows that she is helping Talon not a threat. Cat takes him to the Bar H the closes place. Their is no way to get him to the hospital for help.

Cat starts him on iv liquid and gives him antibiotic that she keeps in her first aid bag in car. Cat has her own problems dealing with her abusive childhood to her recent ex-boyfriend who tried to hit her and now is stalking her.

Gus who owns the Bar H is a kind special lady. Her granddaughter Val came home to help her run the ranch and ended up marrying Griff. Even as Talon is fighting fever she tells him that he has a job and a place on the ranch. She watched Talon work with his father at the neighbor ranch before he joined the Navy.

Talon's mom has almost given up fighting against her cancer. This is her second round with the cancer. It is good for her that Talon is back home.

Their are a lot of good people that are willing to help others when they can. Lots of people have helped Talon's mom while he served over seas.

Their is a lot of drama, Zeke is a awesome dog and saves lives overseas and here in Wyoming.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give a honest review in exchange by Netgalley.
publication: August 27th 2013 by Harlequin HQN 384 pages ISBN9780373778515

Description below taken off of Netgalley

"Talented Lindsay McKenna delivers excitement and romance in equal measure." —RT Book Reviews
Battle-weary former Navy SEAL Talon Holt’s top priority is to defend his own. With a military dog to care for and his traumatized soul to mend, he hitchhikes from California to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hoping for a fresh start and to be with his ailing mother. But he can’t outrun the ghosts of war—especially when a ferocious storm forces Talon to accept the help of paramedic Cat Edwin. The gorgeous rescuer wants to heal his wounds inside and out, but the fear in her arresting blue eyes calls to his instinct to protect.

Trust just doesn’t come easy to Cat, who, thanks to a troubled past and a violent ex, tries to keep Talon at arm’s length. Yet attraction draws them together despite the very real danger each of them brings to the other. Now Talon is driven to save Cat, even when it leads to a high-country showdown that could cost them love…and their lives.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Pelican Bay with Jesse Giles Christiansen Blog tour


Book Details:
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Published by: Imajin Books
Release Date: (July 20, 2013)
Number of Pages: ~300

Synopsis
Some things are better left alone…

After Ethan Hodges discovers an undersea cemetery just off the beach of Pelican Bay, South Carolina, he seeks answers from a grandfatherly fisherman named Captain Shelby. The captain wants the past to remain buried, and he warns Ethan to stay away. But Ethan doesn’t listen.

Ethan’s best friend and secret love interest, Morgan Olinsworth, joins in the investigation, unearthing intriguing secrets about the mysterious fisherman. When Captain Shelby is suspected of murder and disappears, a manhunt ensues, revealing a truth that unnerves everyone in Pelican Bay.


About The Author
Jesse Giles Christiansen is an American author who writes compelling literary fiction that weaves the real with the surreal. He attended Florida State University where he received his B.A. in English literature. His newest novel, “Pelican Bay,” focuses on a very old fisherman, Captain Shelby, and the mysterious happenings linked to him surrounding a nosy, sea-battered beach town (release date: July 20th, 2013, Imajin Books). One of his literary goals is to write at least fifty novels, and he reminds himself always of something that Ray Bradbury once said: “You fail only if you stop writing.”

My Review: Pelican Bay

4 STARS
Pelican Bay is not your usual mystery book. There is plenty of mystery, suspense, interesting characters, murder or accidents? The story weaves back and forth in time. The book keeps your attention and wanting to know what is really going on.

At the heart of the story is a very old fisherman Captain Shelby. Everyone who knows him says he was old as far as they can remember.

Ethan Hodges was raised by his grandmother after his parents died at sea. He is really the only one who gets along and close to Captain Shelby. Ethan loves the ocean. He lives in the tiny village of Pelican Bay. He has loved Morgan forever.

Morgan does not love Ethan her best friend. She is shy and the town librarian. She lives with her father the town doctor.

Ethan notices some weird rocks in the bay. He dives down and finds out it is a old graveyard. No one remembers that it was their. He gets one name off of one of the headstones and with Morgan's help they start to look into the past of Pelican Bay.

Captain Shelby wants the past to be left alone and he warns Ethan to not ask questions.

Weird accidental deaths happen around the Captain. Some blame him for the deaths and remembers previous deaths that have happened around him long ago in the past.

Sometimes I was mixing up all the different Captains in the story, but that was my faults and not the story. I like Ethan and have mixed feelings about Morgan. I can understand reading all the time and escaping into books. She tries to be honest with Ethan about her feelings.

I would read more books by Jesse but I don't know if I want to read all 50 books that he is planning to write in his career but I would like to read more of his work.

I was given this ebook to read and in return asked to be part of Pelican Bay Book tour,

GIVAWAY ecopy of Pelican Bay!
I get to share with my readers one ebook of Pelican Bay. To enter leave a comment with your name and email. So I can get a hold of winner. Starting Aug. 26 to Sept. 3 2013. Only U.S. open to win.
So enter and enjoy Pelican Bay if your the winner. If not buy a copy and enjoy a good story.

Tour Participants

August 26 – readalot - Review & Giveaway
August 27 – fundinmental – Review & Giveaway
August 28 – Books4Tomorrow – Interview & Giveaway
August 29 – SavingFor6 – Review
August 30 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Interview & Giveaway
August 31 – Kaisy Daisy’s Corner – Review & Giveaway
September 1 - Brooke Blogs – Review, Interview & Giveaway
September 2 – Must Read Faster – Review
September 3 – THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK – Review
September 4 – Musings and Ramblings – Interview & Giveaway
September 5 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review & Giveaway
September 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview

Sunday, August 25, 2013


A Good-Lookin’ Man by Marcia Lynn McClure

A Good-Lookin’ Man by Marcia Lynn McClure
Excerpt

However, in an instant—in less than a breath or the bat of an eyelid—the elusive pepper spray hiding somewhere in her purse was all but forgotten. For standing before her—right there before her, not three feet away—was the best-looking, most gorgeous, handsomest man she had ever seen in all her life!

“No, seriously,” she thought out loud with lingering bewilderment at how perfectly stunning the man standing before her was, wearing a worn pair of Levi’s, dusty cowboy boots, and a short-sleeved, plaid-print, snap-up shirt that hung open, revealing a bronzed, perfectly sculpted torso that was simply a mass of muscles. She was so unsettled by the man’s appearance that she wasn’t sure whether she was whispering aloud to herself or her car.

Either way, the man asked, “Beg your pardon, ma’am?”

“Oh…oh, nothing,” Fairlee said as she began rummaging in her purse again. But the man’s presence and appearance had entirely rattled her. As her awe-inspired brain obviously quit sending out instructions to the rest of her body, Fairlee felt her purse slip from her hands—watched in humiliated dismay as its contents tumbled out and scattered over the shoulder of the road.



Author Marcia Lynn McClure

Marcia Lynn McClure’s intoxicating succession of novels, novellas, and e-books, has established her as one of the most favored and engaging authors of true romance. Her unprecedented forte in weaving captivating stories of western, medieval, regency, and contemporary amour void of brusque intimacy has earned her the title “The Queen of Kissing.”

Marcia, who was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has spent her life intrigued with people, history, love, and romance. A wife, mother, grandmother, family historian, poet, and author, Marcia Lynn McClure spins her tales of splendor for the sake of offering respite through the beauty, mirth, and delight of a worthwhile and wonderful story.


My Review: a Good-lookin Man

5 STARS

I give it 5 STARS because at the beginning Marcia wrote that she wanted a good lighthearted romantic escape that would give her and others a book to giggle through. She succeeded.

I was smiling through the book. I could not believe some of the things that Fairlee would say right in front of Lash Lantry.
Fairlee is a college student who has come to stay with her Aunt and Uncle during the summer and help them. She talks to herself when she is alone or even when she is not. She is funny and warm.

This is the book to read if you want a short book that is a fun romance. It leaves you smiling from reading it. The characters are happy and bring laughter to each other and the reader. It is a clean romance.

At the back of the book Marcia tells where she got inspiration for certain scenes in the book.

After the couple of books that tore at emotions and were on deep issues it was so nice to read a fun romance.

Most of the book takes place on a farm were Fairlee is visiting in Colorado. Where Fairlee the city girl is glad to enjoy the farm except for eating the animals she has fed herself. Some things I knew about living on a farm and others I enjoyed learning about.

The pace of the book was good and fast.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it and be part of its Blog tour.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

The Reluctant Blogger by Ryan Rapier





5 STARS

Boy this book draws out the emotions for me. I laughed and cried. Saw myself in a few of the situations and having some of the same feelings. In other characters I saw people who made the same choices. It was real to me. Ryan touched a lot of hard topics in one LDS book.

I am a widow and faced a lot of the same feelings and situations as Todd faced.

Todd is the main character who is having a hard time coping with his wife's death. He was facing depression and went for help. But he is having a hard time asking and talking about what he is facing.

Since Todd has troubles opening to his Dr. He is asked to write a blog about what he is feeling and what is going on with his life. It will be just between the two of them.

A lot of the book is set in the Dr. office and writing about what is going on around him and how he handles certain problems.

Todd is a father of three little kids. He is struggling with his feelings and with the people around him.

I don't want to say much about the other problems that happen in the book that he has to learn how to cope. Sometimes I agree with him and others I personally made other choices. I think in a lot of ways Todd made better choices.
It will definitely make you think about different reactions and situations that come up. Have tissue handy.

This ebook was given to me to read and in exchange I was asked to give honest review from NetGalley and Cedar Fort.

Published August 13th 2013 by Bonneville Cedar Fort INC. 432 pages ISBN:1462112544
Description below taken off of Netgalley.
Dr. Schenk, I don’t know if what I’ve written amounts to a breakthrough or not, but I hope you know how difficult this was for me. I also hope this proves how serious I am.

Todd knows he is in a bad place. That’s why he went to a therapist in the first place, and that alone took a lot of doing. So when Dr. Schenk threatens to stop their sessions unless Todd puts in more effort, he grasps at the last available straw: a personal blog that will force Todd to confront his demons.

Ever since he lost his wife, Todd has not been the same. He’s been forced to Single Adult activities at church, and everyone seems to expect him to just forget Marci and get married again—especially when he meets Emily, who makes him smile and starts to bring him out of his depression. But dating again is hard when Todd has three kids of his own, not to mention an overbearing father and friends with their own problems.

This beautifully woven and emotional tale is both heartbreaking and humorous. Championing friendship, love, and family, Ryan Rapier deals adeptly with the everyday struggles we face as well as the strongest ties that keep us together. You’re sure to fall in love with this magnificent tale of redemption, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

Bridal Armor by Debra Webb

3 STARS

I liked it but felt like the ending was rushed. I think it needed to be longer or something. It had a lot of different familar characters and some I had not read about. Lots of drama, action. romance and snow. Their is also a bomber on the loose and a Russian
attack helicopter in Colorado.

For most of the book you are not totally sure who to trust. Who is setting up who? In fact I still am wondering parts of it.
Thomas Casey niece is getting married. He is giving the bride away. Most of the guests are working for CIA, Specialists or for the Colby Agency. So security is tight and everything should be okay for the wedding. They have rented out the whole hotel for it.

When Thomas lands in Denver just beating a big snow storm that no one saw coming. He is met by Johara di Rossi a agent he worked with and got close years ago. She asks him to come with her. When they get to the car Thomas had rented it blew up. His quick reaction saved them.

They got in Jo's car and away they thought from the enemy. Every time you think they were safe something else happened. Jo saw one agent follow her and thought he might be responsible for it. Thomas trusts that agent that she saw at the airport.

Grant assignment was to follow Jo around and see what she is up too and report to the assistant director who was in charge while Thomas was on vacation. He thought it would be easy since she has been on a desk for the past 4 years. He lost her. He did find out that the car that was bombed was his director. Now he was missing too.

Everyone is worried when Thomas does not show up on time first because of snow. Then all calls go direct to voice mail. He has missed checks in. That is not normal.

Their are a few love scenes that I skipped over. If you have read most of the Colby Agency: Specialists than you would be glad to see all the characters from previous books. I have read some and know some of the back stories but their are a lot of them that I have missed.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
publication: August 20th 2013 by Harlequin Intrigue 224 pages ISBN:0373697104

Description below taken off of Goodreads.

Two agents' forgotten love is rekindled in USA TODAY bestselling author Debra Webb's Colby Agency: The Specialists series. Someone was out to get Thomas Casey. His profession had taught him to trust no one. So when Johara di Rossi abducted him on his way to his beloved niece's wedding, Thomas assumed the worst—despite their intimate history.

Though attachments made him vulnerable, Thomas was haunted by regret for walking away from Jo years ago. No other woman had stirred such intense desire in him. Now, snowbound in an isolated cabin, with a determined enemy from his past closing in, suspicion begins to melt away as the embers of their passion reignite.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Social Insecurity by Kate Eileen Shannon Blog tour review & guest post


Social Insecurity
by Kate Eileen Shannon

Social Insecurity cover
Book Details
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: CreateSpace
Release Date: March 28, 2013
Number of Pages: 242

Synopsis
Brigid Kildare is not your typical hard boiled private eye. But she doesn’t pretend to be. No matrimonial. No child custody. No bodyguard or surveillance work. No process serving. Brigid is strictly data. Asset searches, background searches, computer security, pre-employment screening, and basically any type of records research is what she deals in. And you really could not expect anything else. After all, your average five foot tall, blue eyed, blond (one friend describes her as looking like a Christmas tree angel) is rarely the person you would send out after a bail jumper. Oh, and there is that whole one leg thing – ADA aside, most people don’t think of an amputee as the go to person for a security job.

But in SOCIAL INSECURITY, the first in the Brigid Kildare Mystery Series, professional PI, Brigid Kildare, turns amateur sleuth when old ladies in the Federal Hill area of Providence start to go missing and she can’t get the police to believe her. As her assistant and long time friend, Kevin, puts it: “Honey, if an old lady like Jessica Fletcher can do it, a one-legged PI and her gay PA can do it too!” Brigid solves the mystery, along with an odd cast of friends and family, but not before four old ladies have died, she has caught the eye of a handsome Providence detective, and she discovers that not everyone who is close to her is what they appear to be.

About Kate Eileen Shannon
Kate Eileen Shannon is a Writer, Artist, and sometimes Real Estate Agent – as she says, ‘a purveyor of ephemera and bagatelle’. Trifles. Little things. Here today, gone tomorrow. In other words, a little of this, a bit of that.

She has had three husbands and two children; lived in Ireland, Rhode Island, and Florida; owned a brake repair shop, an art gallery, a farm, and a boat building business; been a Realtor, a title examiner, a real estate closer, and a government employee which led her straight to being unemployed, laid off, made redundant.
Kate is currently living in Rhode Island overlooking the water and a lighthouse; with her husband, Dick Thomas (who won’t let her have a cat); where she spends her time painting, drawing, and of course working on the next book in the Brigid Kildare mystery series, MEDITATED MURDER.

Web page
Blog
Facebook page
Twitter

MY REVIEW:
4 STARS
I really liked Social Insecurity. Can't wait for the next one. I can see many ways for that book to go.
This is a cozy mystery new series. I would love that compound to live in. Fun cast of characters, kept me guessing about who the murder is.
This setting is in Rhode Island but it leaves the series able to go anywhere in the future.

Brigid Kildare is a P.I. who does computer only data information. She has only one leg but does not let it get in her way. She bought a city block and made a compound with three houses to be built with really condos. She lives in one and the third floor of hers is where her mom lives with her husband George. Her brother lives in one condo, her father, her good friend and the twins teacher. She has custody of her little brother and sister. Her new tenant is detective who works under her father .
Brigid is keeping some secrets even from her dad. She won a major lottery she is worth 200 million dollars. Plans to build one more house in complex. So room to add lots of new characters.

Brigid has noticed that three old ladies in her neighborhood have gone missing. No one believes her. Even her father. They did look in but they all moved out. They have no relations. Left letter to manager that they were moving but told no one. Brigid does not believe that. Their rent was only 300 dollars a month because Brigid was paying the rest.

Earl who is moving into her apartment with his two children is going to take a new look at the case especially now that a fourth woman has moved out. He can only do so much until it is proven to be a crime. Earl and Brigid used to be friends in kindergarden.

There are a lot of suspects. but no motives, no bodies until things start heating up and Brigid is attacked. The group of friends work together to try and figure out what happened to the Old ladies and when did it happen and why.
I would want to read this series. I hope the next book comes out soon.
I was given this ebook and asked to give honest review and be part of its blog tour.


GUEST POST: Kate Eileen Shannon
Thank you so much for having me on readalot.

I thought I would talk about some of the characters today because I touched on it a little bit on the last tour stop. I keep a ‘character bible’ because I don’t want to forget important facts about the character. I put down everything from date of birth to eye color to food favorites they may have expressed along the way. I notice when an author makes a mistake, contradicting something about a character mentioned in an earlier book in a series. But to keep them real in my mind, I also assign a picture to them. Sometimes just a picture I found someplace and sometimes someone I actually know. And when it is someone I actually know I give them some of the characteristics of that person – with their permission. Those people I have used don’t get at all confused but some people who know me do – I have to keep saying, “It is all fiction!!”

Except for one character who is very real. Mike Campbell. There really is a Mike Campbell. That’s his real name. He really is my handyman. And he really is as slow as portrayed in the book. If Mike tells me he’ll have something done tomorrow, I say, “So I can figure on two weeks?” The fictional Mike is so like the real Mike, I figured we would no longer be speaking. So either he is lying when he says he read the book or he is very understanding.

Brigid Kildare is based in large part on my late daughter. Because if she was still here, as soon as she knew I was writing a book, she would have insisted on being the star of it. Really an amputee, high heel loving, athletic, blue eyed blond who really was a bit bossy like in the book. And before anyone says gee, she slipped – Brigid is mentioned as being five feet tall and five feet two… Not a slip. Brigid lies about it. Comes out in book two.

Earl looks like a Providence Police officer (and Rick Fox) who I once sold a house to. No other similarities.

George looks like my husband but my husband has none of George’s bad qualities. But everyone who knows us recognizes him right away. Partly because when my husband introduces himself he says, “Dick Thomas. Hell of a guy.” I stole that with his permission.

Maurice is based on a pimp I used to know who was always trying to recruit me. He was extremely handsome and wore a cape. I saw him every morning as I dropped Brigid off at nursery school. He brought the children of his girls to school every morning. He was a very charming guy but I kept my office job.

Damien has a lot of my son’s qualities and his looks. The twins are based on a picture of adorable twin grandchildren of a friend of mine. We really did have an Old English Sheepdog named Kennedy. But the real Brigid’s horse was named Beau, not after Michael Collins as in the book. Aisling was the real Brigid’s best friend’s name but there the similarity ends. There really was a Kevin, named Kevin. He was my secretary many years ago and just as flamboyant as the fictional Kevin. Sadly, he passed away years ago. Patricia is not me in anything but a date of birth. Far too nice and not strong or a fighter like me as will be seen in the second book. Most of the other characters in this book are just pictures I found. Although there will be a real person with their real name in book two. I needed a witch so I got a real one’s permission.

So you see, the characters are fictional, just a few have some characteristics of some real people. I am actually planning to put the character bible on my website as soon a I get the time between my writing and blogging. That way, the readers will be able to ‘see’ the characters in their mind as they read the books. If they like to form their own image, that’s good too.

Thank you again for having me here and let me just mention the second book, Meditated Murder, will be available shortly. And as I am explaining on this tour, it is a serial as opposed to a series. Visit some of the other tour stops to find out what that means (no repetitive backstory). Be sure to comment at each stop to increase your chances of winning one of the books and be sure to leave your email address. I’ll be announcing the winners on my blog one week after the tour closes, on September 9th.

GIVEAWAY:Tour Participants
August 19 – Omnimystery News Guest Post
August 20 – Kaisy Daisy’s CornerReview & Guest Post
August 21 – Socrates’ Book Review Blog Guest Post
August 22 – Mommasez…Review & Guest Post
August 23 – readalot Review & Guest Post
August 25 - Chloe Gets A Clue Interview
August 26 – Dru’s Book Musings Guest Post
August 27 – Musings and Ramblings Review & Guest Post
August 28 – Melina’s Book Blog Guest Post
August 31 – Must Read Faster Review & Guest Post
September 1 – A Chick Who Reads Review & Guest Post
September 2 – THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK Review

5 autographed paperback books will be given away across the tour

with the entry being simply leaving a comment.

The chances of winning increases with blog visit each blog and leave a comment.


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Keeper of Reign Book Blast




 




keeperKeeper of Reign




Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it?

For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema.

Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.




 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble


 









 




emmaAuthor Emma Right




Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.




Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Pinterest


Keeper of Reign copy

Tour Schedule


 









BookBlast Giveaway




$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash




Ends 9/5/13




a Rafflecopter giveaway






 




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, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Helga: Out of the Hedgelands Blog Tour Spotlight & Givaway $25 gift card to Amazon or PayPal



Helga tour

Tour Schedule


 




Helga: Out of the Hedgelands




Twelve-year-old Helga has more danger in her life than most beasts her age—Wrackshee slavers after her, a vicious attack by bandits that nearly kills her, a race against dragons pursuing her, and leading a daring rebellion to save her life and rescue friends and family from the insidious WooZan. And that is just the beginning. But what do you expect when you are a young beast who just can’t see the stupid rules of the world making any sense? Helga can’t accept things as they are and ends up taking on not just one, but two all-powerful, supreme tyrants in two different realms.




Helga never intended to lead a revolution. It just sort of happened because she wouldn’t go along with the “rules of normal” that keep tyrants in power and entire societies enslaved. Beginning on a dangerous quest to solve some mysteries in her own past, Helga leads her quirky comrades on a journey that will not only forever change them, but upset ancient civilizations.




As an author, I’m drawn to eccentric, unexpected characters: those who surprise because they hear a distant galaxy, see a different music, create their own fragrance rather than get hooked on a soundtrack; the child who has her own ideas about how the emperor is dressed; the lunatics and rebels who tell stories on the boundaries. Helga’s unusual story will take readers to worlds they never imagined—definitely a whole new ride.




Time and again, the unconventional heroine and her eccentric comrades overcome ominous tyrants and black-hearted slavers, not by battling to the last beast standing, but by being the first beast to think differently.




Helga: Out of Hedgelands is divided into three books which introduce the epic saga of the Wood Cow clan and their role in overturning centuries of slavery and tyranny. This story will continue in additional volumes of the Wood Cow Chronicles now in development. Over the series of current and future volumes, the entire history of the Wood Cow clan, the fall of Maev Astuté, and the coming of Lord Farseeker to the Outer Rings, will be told.




 

Amazon


Book Trailer









 


Author Rick Johnson




I am a native of the Great Plains, having grown up on a farm in the Platte River Valley of western Nebraska. I love the wild beauty of the Plains and nearby Rocky Mountains--the too hot, too cold, too empty, too full of life extremes. Typically, the awesomely diverse and the awesomely stark are much the same, even as they are different. Although I have lived in Michigan, North Carolina, and British Columbia, the western plains, mountains, and desert are in my heart.




As my day job, for over thirty years I have been a faculty member and administrator in higher education. Teaching broadly in the liberal arts, including creative writing, my professional publications include educational materials, poems, and 28 stories for young readers. During my spare hours, I have also collected and carefully studied the records of former times upon which the Wood Cow Chronicles are based. It is my privilege to bring this astonishing saga to light.


The Wood Cow Chronicles have been researched and written with the irreplaceable assistance of Barbara, my beloved wife of more than thirty-five years, and our children. Indeed, the essential research into the history of the Wood Cows has been conducted during the odd hours of family reading and storytelling "around the campfire" as we say--even when there is no campfire! This research continues and grows richer as our family expands across generations and continents.




 


Blog Tour Giveaway


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash




Ends 9/3/13

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway






 







Helga Excerpts








Suddenly the kayaks slowed, pausing about twenty yards away—close enough that the Wrackshees’ awful stench covered the area with a suffocating blanket. Using only hand signals to communicate, the slavers silently peered here and there for any sign of their prey. The razor-sharp tips of dozens of small throwing lances, carried on bandoliers slung over the Wrackshees’ shoulders, shone red in the moonlight. Helbara knew that terrible things happened to beasts hit by those poisoned tips—going mad with thirst, eyes bugging, bleeding the color of grass. Each time the gaze of a Wrackshee seemed to fix on the spot where they were concealed, Helbara trembled on the edge of panicked flight. To do so, however, would mean certain capture or death. They were trapped. With every ounce of inner strength, Helbara held her panic in check.

__________________

FoRoar-2036 gasped for breath, struggling to climb the steps in the biting cold. Every muscle in his body protested. He was too tired to go on. Every sense told him he was too weak to continue. Yet, still he went on, his breath shooting out in great white clouds. Gasps of moist breath, instantly shock-frozen into icy puffs, marked his progress. He clutched his sacred stone tightly to his chest. The heavy stone made it hard to keep his balance on the ice-covered stairway, worn to a slippery gloss by the constant pad of reed-boots passing over the ice.

“Can’t walk...any...further...AIEEEIYAHHH!...” FoRoar-2036 hesitated in confusion, wondering in his semi-frozen stupor if the fearful scream was his own. Too late, he tried to grasp the cloak of the Hedgie walking in front of him. Clutching vainly after the flapping folds of his friend, he watched helplessly as SaRimm-2036 collapsed from cold and exhaustion, and pitched sideways off into the abyss. FoRoar-2036’s eyes filled with icy tears, but he kept walking. He had no choice. Barely inches separated one stair-climber from another in a line that stretched for miles in both directions. Step, step, step—the stair-climbers endlessly moved up the stairway toward the castle, Maev Astuté, each bearing his or her own sacred stone. To stop in such a line, on such a narrow and treacherous stair, with no guardrail or helper except one’s own courage, could mean that dozens might stumble and pitch off into the abyss. The line could not stop—no matter what.

__________________

The key to a successful run of the dragons to the Hedgelands was speed. Once the monitor caravan was loaded and the monitors were fully awake again, the monitor train had to make the passage between Norder Crossings and the Hedgelands before the monitors grew ravenously hungry again. A skilled Dragon Boss knew precisely how to make the run to the Hedgelands with great speed. Mudpot was the best of them all. Stuff the monitors with shark, load while they dozed, then as they began to stir, set a swift—and tasty-smelling—runner at the front of the caravan. For the runners it was a chance to escape the fate of the slave works at Tilk Duraow. As the runner ran for life and freedom, the monitors raced after the scent of their next meal. The faster the runner, the faster the caravan traveled. If the runner was fast and strong enough to endure the grueling race, he or she might stay just ahead of the monitors all the way to the slave works and win freedom. Runners that faltered or stumbled became an impromptu snack for the monitors. A Dragon Boss wanted the fastest, strongest runner possible. A failed runner meant delay and other problems as the lead monitors snacked, and then turned sluggishly sleepy—while the rest grew dangerously restive. The delay could be even longer if replacement runners turned to “shakes and gibbers”—quivering piles of terrorized flesh unable to stand, let alone run. When “shakes and gibbers” struck it could hold up a Dragon Train for days while new runners were brought from Norder Crossings.