Amnesty by Jo Noelle spotlight Giveaway $25 Amazon or Paypal Cash

Amnesty by Jo Noelle
Cassie is going to heaven—if she can get amnesty from hell in the next twenty days. Her assignment is to change the eternal destination of a girl in Albuquerque to earn admittance into heaven.
No sweat.
But when Cassie returns to earth during her three-week, mostly-mortal assignment, her old habits get in the way, (apparently habits don’t die when you do), the partners assigned to help her are anything but helpful, and it turns out the girl she is supposed to help is the only enemy she made on her first day of school.
Oh, I’m so going to hell.
Things aren’t all bad—it helps to have a hot angel on your side. Mmm-Marc. Even though he’s all about heavenly business, Cassie would like to make it personal.
Assignment with benefits.
This young adult novel is a coming of age story with a clean romance, packed with action and suspense.

Amnesty Excerpts

Blurb #1

If closing my heart were as easy as closing my eyes, I’d never see again. Heaven and earth could pass away and I wouldn’t know, wouldn’t care. Instead, I open my eyes to my face filling the mirror, trying not to really look, but I do. I see my mom’s eyes, so blue they were nearly black in striking contrast to her golden hair. My dad’s sweetheart face shape, though his had a stronger jaw. I only see their faces in mine now, and maybe I’m imagining it, trying not to forget. My hand quivers before I press my finger to my lips and smooth gloss over them. Knowing my eyeliner would smear if I gave in to thinking about my parents, I distract myself to think of something else—the music blasting from the hall, the slight hum from the lights around the mirror, the smell of beer tainting the masses Reece and I burrowed through to get to the upstairs bathroom. Breathing. Think about breathing.

Reece pulls the shirt down over her head, then shakes out her hair, twisting toward me. “What do you think, Cassie?” Like always, she’s changing as soon as we get to the party, having shopped in my closet before school. The flowy blouse has three triangular cutouts along the front and more in the back, definitely putting it in the sexy category, which is why I own it and not Reece. Her mom would have a breakdown if she saw the clothes her daughter really likes to wear—and her mom thinks I’m the bad influence. The royal blue makes Reece’s eye color pop and her face more vibrant—natural beauty the rest of us work hard to fake.

“Amazing, which is what I told you when you talked me into buying it.”

“Trade you for my riding boots.” She’s already sitting on the toilet lid, pulling them off.

“Deal.” I sit on the side of the tub and kick off my ankle boots. “Remember when we had friendship bracelets in seventh grade?”

“Yeah. Now we have friendship boots.” Stepping her heel into the second boot she asks, “Is Hugh coming?”

“Don’t know.” Don’t want to see him since he dumped me today.” My hand drifts to my stomach, but as soon as I notice I pull it away, not sure where to put it. I’m not telling Reece until the morning—why ruin the evening for both of us? My plan is to party tonight and sort it out tomorrow.

Reece steps to my side, looking at my eyes in the mirror. “Why don’t you know?”

“I just don’t. He messed up. Or I blew it. Who cares—we aren’t talking anymore—it’s over.” Thinking if I begin digging through my purse, maybe she’ll drop it, I pull my bag into the sink and rummage around.

“Like you broke up?” Her face looks sad, devastated, as if my breakup with Hugh would be as traumatic as a breakup between her and Korbin. “Maybe you’ll get back together tonight.”

My face makes a grimace before I can stop it. “So not happening. We weren’t all lovey, like some couple I know. I barely liked him.” Reece begins to open her mouth. I imagine she would make some encouraging comment like, “It takes time.”

But before she speaks up, I finish, “It’s too late now.” Hoping that closes the subject, I begin straightening my shirt. I’m not ready to talk about how much of a disaster that relationship has become.

She hugs me and whispers, “It’s never too late for love.”

When I fake a gag reflex, she punches my shoulder.

 Get your copy from AMAZON.com


Author Jo Noelle
Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids. She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains. Oh, and by the way, she’s two people—
Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team.
They began writing separately several years ago but found the process much more fun when they started collaborating. They are debut authors, with Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life as their first completed work. Other titles include Newbie and Damnation.
Deanna attended college before marrying and starting her family.
Canda received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Reading Specialist endorsement, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Her day job focuses on teaching teachers and children about literacy.

Website * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 6/1/15
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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 Blog Tour Schedule
May 11th
I Am A Reader – Spotlight
Dreams Come True Through Reading – Review
EH Canada – Spotlight
Musings of Immortals – Spotlight
Julie Antonovich Reece – Spotlight
The Bookish Ailurophile – Spotlight
Periodical Gazette – Spotlight
May 12th
Cassandra M’s Place – Review
LOVE. WITHOUT YOU – Spotlight
Room With Books – Spotlight
Coffee Books & Art – Spotlight
Spiced Latte Reads – Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
Susan Heim on Writing – Spotlight
May 13th
Romorror Fan Girl – Review
Strands of Thought – Spotlight
StoreyBook Reviews – Spotlight
Books Direct – Spotlight
Bound 2 Escape – Spotlight
LeahSay’s Views – Spotlight
Mommabears Book Blog – Spotlight
Diana’s Book Reviews – Spotlight
May 14th
Extaordinaryreads – Review
Tifferz and Her Sisterz Book Reviewz – Spotlight
Pink Fluffy Hearts – Spotlight
Here We Go Again… Ready? – Spotlight
FLY HIGH! – Spotlight
May 15th
Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog – Review
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Spotlight
Sassy Book Lovers – Spotlight
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Spotlight
readalot – Spotlight
Mary’s Cup of Tea – Spotlight
May 16th
Wishful Endings – Review
Cuzinlogic – Spotlight
Zili in the Sky – Spotlight
May 18th
Little Miss Drama Queen – Review
Lisa’s Research & Reviews – Review
Literary Chanteuse – Spotlight
Desafío In The City – Spotlight
deal sharing aunt – Spotlight
BookHounds YA – Spotlight
May 19th
Sarah Aisling – Review
City of Friendship Fangirl – Review
XoXo Book Blog – Spotlight
CBY Book Club – Spotlight
Beck Valley Books – Spotlight
May 22nd
A Novel Kind of Bliss – Review
Books Are Sanity!!! – Review
Mythical Books – Spotlight
Davids DIY – Spotlight
Gustosa Giveaways – Spotlight
Curling Up With A Good Book – Spotlight

Blog Tour: A Far Gone Night by by John Carenen

A Far Gone Night

(Thomas O’Shea Mystery, #2)
Mystery – Thriller
Perfect Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Neverland Publishing Company, LLC (September 8, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-0990314851


Synopsis:

Suffering from insomnia, wise-cracking tough guy Thomas O’Shea goes for a late-night stroll through the peaceful streets of Rockbluff, Iowa, and finds himself pausing downtown on the bridge that spans the Whitetail River. When he glances downstream, something catches his eye…something that looks like a body. He scrambles down to the riverbank, pulling the body of a young girl from the water. The girl is naked, with two bullet holes in the back of her head. Ever suspicious of law enforcement, O’Shea chooses not to mention the bullet holes when Deputy Stephen Doltch, on routine patrol, discovers him at the river’s edge.

When the coroner’s report lists the cause of death as “drowning,” Thomas confronts the coroner, but his questions are met with hostility. Then the coroner and his wife disappear, along with the body of the dead girl.

Teaming up with his friend Lunatic Mooning and Clancy Dominguez, an old buddy from his Navy SEAL days, Thomas and the other two men join together to bring justice to the dead girl, a quest that takes them to the Chalaka Reservation in Minnesota, seedy businesses adjacent to the Chalaka Casino, and straight into the world of organized crime.

A fast-paced story, laugh-out-loud moments and familiar, quirky characters from Carenen’s debut novel, Signs of Struggle, continue to enliven the complex world of Thomas O’Shea. Once again, Thomas gears up to find answers that will reveal who put the bullets in the girl’s head, why she was killed, and her identity, which may hit a little too close to home…

About This Author

John Carenen, a native of Clinton, Iowa, graduated with an M.F.A. in Fiction Writing from the prestigious University of Iowa Writers Workshop and has been writing ever since. His work has appeared in numerous popular and literary magazines, and he has been a featured columnist in newspapers in North and South Carolina. A novel, Son-up, Son-down was published by the National Institute of Mental Health.

His debut Thomas O’Shea mystery novel, Signs of Struggle, was published in October of 2012. A Far Gone Night, the long-anticipated sequel, continues the exploits of the enigmatic protagonist and the quirky characters of Rockbluff, Iowa.

John is currently an English professor at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. He and his wife live in their cozy cottage down a quiet lane in northern Greenville, South Carolina. He is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Boston Red Sox.

Author Links:

www.curlylarryandme.wordpress.com,

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4721052.John_Carenen?from_search=true,

https://www.facebook.com/CarenenJohn


Purchase Links: 



Amazon    B&N

My review: A Far Gone Night by by John Carenen

4 STARS

A good story with lots of drama, violence and action.  Reminds me a little like Terrell H Griffen books.  I like the characters. I like that they try to give justice even if they don't do it by the book.

Thomas O’Shea is the main character.  He worked in the past for the government Black Ops.  He lost his wife and two daughters.  He is curious and has skills to back him up.  On one hand he can be full of violence and on the other hand he is a Christian.

One night while he couldn't sleep as he was walking downtown and crossed a bridge he saw a body in the river.  He ran down into the river and was able to get her out.  While he was moving her he felt two bullet holes in her back of head.

The cops and coroner call it drowning. Thomas knows that is not right.  He starts to look into it and the coroner and his wife disappear with all the evidence including the body of the 15 year old girl.

With his two friends Lunatic Mooning and Clancy Dominguez,  help they go to seek justice for the girl and it leads them to the Chalaka Reservation in Minnesota.

Thomas says a lot of the same things a lot like he likes when a women winks at him or pat his but.  He is ready to like someone knew but she is not ready for his life choices.  He likes to drink a lot to me.

I would not mind reading the first book in the series or future books about Thomas O'Shea.

I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give honest review and be part of A Far Gone Night book tour.

Tour Participants

May 13 – deal sharing aunt – Review, Interview, Print Giveaway
May 14 – readalot – Review
May 15 – Omnimystery News – Interview 
May 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
May 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Guest Post, E-Book Giveaway
May 18 – Community Bookstop – Review
May 19 – Musings and Ramblings – Guest Post, E-Book Giveaway
May 20 – Frankie Bow – Guest Post
May 21 – Tea and A Book – Review, Guest Post, Print Giveaway
May 22 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post

Blog tour: ‘Ian Quicksilver by Alyson Peterson

About the book:
Nerdy foster kid Ian just found out it’s up to him to save the galaxy. But the only way he can do it is with help from the hottest girl in school, Arianna—who doesn’t remember that she and Ian are exiles from another planet—or that they’re betrothed. So . . . that’s awkward. Funny and full of twists, this is one sci-fi adventure you won’t want to miss!
 

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing & Media (May 12, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1462116299

ISBN-13: 978-1462116294

About the author:
Alyson Peterson lives in a mountainside gully –of all places– in northern Utah with her neurotic, shed-tastic dog, two ninja kids, and superhero husband.  She spends her time painting, breaking bones at her Martial Arts class (mostly her own) and reading as many books as she can get her hands on.



My review: Ian Quicksilver by Alyson Peterson

4 STARS

This is a fun adventure series, With main characters that are 15 years old they have to meet and fall in love and get married by their sixteen birthday or their two planets will die.

Ian is a 15 year old nerdy foster kid.  It is not a good foster family.  Ian is from the planet of Bankhir a race of warriors . He finds out that he is a prince on his planet.  He has to find the princess of Garfel and marry her before his sixteen birthday.

Corbin is a gym teacher that picks on Ian a lot until he reveals the truth and gives Ian back his memories.

Arianna has no memory of her life on Garfel all she knows is she is different from other kids.

Garfel produces magic and Banikhir warriors use the magic.  But they are fighting between each other and getting weaker.  So they decide to send the two away from there homes and predjuces.

Silivus the magician has tricked the two planets and is stealing there magic.  He wans Ian to fail and Bankhir to give up hope of winning.

I want to read the next book and find out what happens next.

I was given Ian Quicksilver to read by Cedar Fort Publishers.  In return I agreed to give honest review and part of it's blog tour.

Ian Quicksilver” blog tour schedule:
May 10: Blooming With Books
May 11: Jorie Loves a Story
May 12:
May 13: Readalot • Mel’s Shelves
May 14:
May 15: Inklings and Notions
May 16: She Calls Me Mama Leisha
May 17:
May 18: MuseInks
May 19: Our Time in Juvie
May 20:
May 21: Wishful Endings
May 22:
May 23:
May 24:
May 25:

Blog Tour: Dying Brand by Wendy Tyson (An Allison Campbell Mystery #3) Giveaway $25 Amazon gift card

Dying Brand (An Allison Campbell Mystery Book 3)
Publisher: Henery Press (May 5, 2015)
Paperback: 262 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1941962596
E-Book ASIN: B00THLRDPS

When image consultant Allison Campbell attends an award ceremony to honor a designer friend, she’s thrust into a murder investigation. Only this time, it’s personal.

A former boyfriend is dead, slain on the streets of Philadelphia. His widow claims he was meeting with Allison, yet Allison hadn’t spoken to him in years. Nothing about his death—or life—makes sense. When compromising photos from their past arrive at Allison’s office, they raise more questions than they answer.

Driven to find justice, Allison deconstructs the image her ex had created for himself, looking for clues about the man he’d become. As her hunt for the truth unveils secrets, Allison’s past and present collide—with deadly results.

Books in the Allison Campbell Mystery Series:
KILLER IMAGE (#1)
DEADLY ASSETS (#2)
DYING BRAND (#3)
Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Wendy Tyson’s background in law and psychology has provided inspiration for her mysteries and thrillers. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Wendy has returned to her roots and lives there again with her husband, three kids and two muses, dogs Molly and Driggs. Wendy’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals, including KARAMU, Eclipse, A Literary Journal and Concho River Review.


Author Links:
Webpage: www.WATyson.com
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/wendytysonauthor
Twitter: @wendytyson
Purchase Links
Amazon       B&N             Kobo            Google Play



My review: Dying Brand by Wendy Tyson  (An Allison Campbell Mystery #3)

4 STARS

This third book of Allison Campbell is all about relationships.  We get to see more of Allison's past,
with her sisters, Jason and even a lover.  We see Vaughn's relationship with Mia and Jamie.  Lots of connections.

Allison gets a phone call telling her Scott a old flame was murdered. Then she gets naked pictures of her and Scott in the mail.  In Scott calendar he had Allison down for a meeting the day he died.
Allison wants to figure out why someone is sending her the photos, What was Scott up to with her name.  She tries to keep her investigating a secret but that does not work.

I like Allison.  I want her to be happy with Jason.  I can understand that their relationship has up and downs and need to workout there relationships.

I worry about Vaughn and his future relationships.  He and Allison work together very well.

This mystery has lots of twists trying to figure out who and why Scott was killed.  It keeps you guessing till the end.

this is a clean read.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Henery Press .  In return I agreed to give a honest book review of Dying Brand.



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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 5 – Musings and Ramblings – Interview

May 6 – Queen of All She Reads – Review, Guest Post

May 7 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Interview

May 8 – Brooke Blogs – Guest Post

May 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – Spotlight

May 10 – Off

May 11 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post

May 12 – readalot – Review

May 13 – View from the Birdhouse – Spotlight

May 14 – Off

May 15 – MysteriesEtc – Review

May 16 – Mystery Playground – Interview

Blog Tour: The Final Reveille by Amanda Flower Giveaway Gift Pack

The Final Reveille
(A Living History Museum Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Publisher: Midnight Ink (May 8, 2015)
Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738744735

As the director of Barton Farm, a living history museum in Ohio, Kelsey Cambridge is underpaid and underappreciated, but she loves every minute of it. Determined to keep the struggling farm open, she plans to impress the museum’s wealthy benefactress, Cynthia Cherry, with a Civil War reenactment on the farm’s grounds.

Unfortunately, the first shot in the battle isn’t from a period soldier. It’s from Cynthia’s greedy nephew, Maxwell, who fires a threat at Kelsey to cut the museum’s funding. The next morning, things go from bad to worse when Kelsey discovers Maxwell dead. Now Kelsey is the police’s number one suspect, and she must start her own investigation to save Barton Farm . . . and herself.

About This Author

Amanda Flower, a two-time Agatha Award-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. She also writes mysteries as national bestselling  author Isabella Alan. In addition to being an author, Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

Author Links:

Website: http://amandaflower.com/
Pen Name Website: http://isabellaalan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramandaflower
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aflowerwriter
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3412728.Amanda_Flower
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aflowerwriter/
Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N

My review: The Final Reveille by Amanda Flower ( A Living History Museum Mystery#1)

4 STARS

This is a cozy read that takes place on Barton Farm a living history museum in Ohio.  It is also during a civil war reenactment on the farm. I would love to have seen it.

The main backer for the farm is Cynthia Cherry. She is getting older and only has one relative Maxwell.  Maxwell is telling Kelsey Cambridge that she will lose her funding when he starts taking over for his Aunt Cynthia. The next day he is found dead on the farm.

Kelsey is a divorced mom who has the running  of Barton Farm.  She lives in the cottage on the farm with her 4 year old son and her father only in the summer. Kelsey is the main suspect for the murder. So she is looking for the real guilty person. 

There are plenty of suspects, drama, history, colorful characters and personal family issues and even romance. The story is fast paced mostly taken place in one week time. 

The war gets rough with fights, murder and thefts. One of the Generals is also the police chief and is really into reenactments so he does not want the battle and dance cancelled.

I would love to read more mysteries set at the Living History Museum. Can't wait to see what happens next at Barton Farms.

I was given this ebook to read from Net Galley and Midnight Ink . In return I agreed to give honest review of The final Reveille and be part of its blog tour.

 

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 ur Participants
May 7 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
May 8 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review
May 8 – View from the Birdhouse – Interview
May 9 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review
May 9 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Guest Post
May 10 – Marie’s Cozy Corner – Review
May 10 – Nadaness In Motion – Guest Post
May 11 – readalot – Review
May 11 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
May 12 – Laura’s Interests – Review
May 12 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Guest Post
May 13 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post
May 13 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review
May 14 – Carstairs Considers – Review
May 14 – Frankie Bow – Interview
May 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
May 16 – Girl Lost In a Book –Review
May 16 – MysteriesEtc – Review

Blog Tour The Corpse with the Sapphire Eyes

 






The Corpse with the Sapphire Eyes
(A Cait Morgan Mystery)
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: TouchWood Editions (May 5, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1771511209


Synopsis:

It’s Cait and Bud’s wedding weekend and for the first time she feels like a bride—or at least, she’s supposed to. But then the rain won’t quit, the supposedly romantic Welsh castle feels creepy, and there’s a dead body on the stairs.

What first appears to have been the untimely, unfortunate, and accidental death of their wedding choirmaster quickly reveals itself to have been a murder. And when a series of mysterious events occur around the castle, Cait, Bud, and Cait’s sister Sian tackle the case of The Corpse with the Sapphire Eyes, attempting to solve the mystery before another sinister event can ruin their destination wedding.

.

About This Author

Originally from Wales, now-Canadian Cathy Ace writes the Cait Morgan Mysteries. In The Corpse with the Silver Tongue her foodie criminologist sleuthed in the south of France. The Corpse with the Golden Nose found Cait sniffing out a killer in BC’s vineyards. The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb met her when she was meddling in murders in Mexico. This time Cait is caught up in a true closed-room mystery in a classy casino restaurant in Las Vegas. When not helping Cait solve traditional, closed-circle mysteries, Cathy’s a keen gardener, ably assisted by her green-pawed chocolate Labradors.

Author Links:
Website:  www.cathyace.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cathy-Ace-Author/318388861616661
Twitter: @AceCathy
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3913679.Cathy_Ace
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N

 My review: The Corpse with the Sapphire Eyes

4 STARS

This is a cozy mystery with interesting characters. There is plenty of drama, mysteries, treasures and murder.  It is a clean read.  Some of the secrets you can guess others I did not see coming.

Cait and Bud's wedding is going to take place in Wales in a castle. Of course it does not go as planned.  It is raining and cold.  Now a body is found at the bottom of the stairs.

Cait Morgan is from Wales but has lived in Canada for years. She is smart and can remember everything she sees.  She is a professor of Criminology at University of Vancouver.

Bud Anderson is a retired detective of homicide.  Bud is a widower.

The suspects are limited to those that are in the Castell Llwyd.

The setting was in Wales.  There was some words in Welsh too. I have not read much about Wales and I am Welsh from 4  generations ago my family lived in Wales.  I need to learn more about the Country and people.

 It is set in a great big castle that has been added on a few different times over the years.  Makes you want to go exploring.

Some of the story is at a slower pace.  There is a bringing all the suspects together scenes a couple of times.  As Cait asks questions and hints of things but says nothing till the big reveal scene.

I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give a honest review of The Corpse with the Sapphire Eyes and be part of it;s blog tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Participants
May 5 – View from the Birdhouse – Interview
May 5 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
May 6 – Babs Book Bistro – Review
May 7 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – Review
May 8 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Guest Post
May 9 – readalot – Review
May 10 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
May 11 –Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Interview
May 12 – Tea and A Book – Review, Interview
May 13 – MysteriesEtc – Review
May 14 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post

Blog Tour: The Boxford Stories by Kristen Carson review & Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

The Boxford Stories by Kristen Carson
‘Welcome to the world of the Runyons and the Feldsteds, two Mormon families in 1970s Maryland. Far from their Western American roots, they cling to each other like exiles clutching a precious box of topsoil from the old country.
“In The Boxford Stories you will meet Ada Runyon who always turns to Ruthalin Feldsted when she needs an ear—sharing her deepest confidences, her everyday musings, and her bits of horrified gossip. Yet Ada dies inside whenever Ruthalin’s country-cousin manners poke out in public.
“Latham Runyon, a history professor, and Erval Feldsted, a hospital engineer, bond every Sunday night over gooey desserts and vigorous religious discussion, a game their children call Stump the Rabbi. Underneath their balding heads and graying temples, each man desperately seeks a sign that God would choose him as a buddy.
“The Feldsted and Runyon children, running breathlessly through each other’s houses and backyards, have long considered each other substitute cousins. However, Ginni Runyon plots to change herself from the girl next door to the girl Marc Feldsted can’t live without.
“And when Boxford’s Mormons mix with the rest of the town, everybody could use a field guide to the other species.
“Laugh, cry, and shake your head with the Runyons and Feldsteds as they make their way through the decade that brought us leisure suits and urban decay.”

AMAZON

Praise for the book:
“Standouts include “Gypsy Holiday,” in which Ada’s anxiety over family friends not coming to Thanksgiving devolves into a stark admission of her loneliness and inability to connect with outsiders; “A Little Five-Minute Thrown-Together Something,” which lays bare the squirming insecurities of teenage crushes; and “Flirting Lessons,” which sees Ada’s teenage daughter, Ginni, taking a cross-country road trip with two friends that leads to panic when one goes missing. These stories are unexpected in their subtlety as they explore the reality of what it means to be Mormon—and human.”
–Kirkus Reviews
“’In an almost Faulknerian way, Carson finds the pulse of ambition and uses that tick to reveal the inner voices that can haunt us all, if allowed. We should be looking to the eternities, of course, but in the meantime, we have so many other things to worry us onward into the night, or at least until the next priesthood interview.”

–Association for Mormon Letters on “‘Atta Boy” in The Boxford Stories

Author Kristen Carson

“Kristen Carson was born in Idaho, the caboose baby in a family of six girls. She studied at Brigham Young University.
“Hearing tales of how green the grass was elsewhere, she pledged to move east of the 100th Meridian. Even though she’s never lived in the #1 place on her list (Lexington, Kentucky–have you seen those beautiful bluegrass hills?!), she enjoyed her years in Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Indiana.
“Kristen’s stories and articles have appeared in The Indianapolis Star, Chicago Parent, Indianapolis Monthly, Dialogue: a Journal of Mormon Thought and Irreantum.
“She and her husband are the parents of four adult children.
“She loves her two cats for their affection, their paranoia and their sense of entitlement. She takes long walks wherever she goes, because she thinks the best way to see the world is at 3 miles an hour. She loves cooking. All the chopping, stirring and inhaling lend the perfect capstone to her day.
“Kristen is also an avid reader. No doubt she won’t live long enough to finish all the books on her list. Her favorite authors are Herman Wouk, Diana Gabaldon and Tom Wolfe.
“Check out her blog, where she writes about whatever she’s reading and cooking.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

My review: The Boxford Stories by Kristen Carson

4 STARS

These are short stories about two Mormon Families  the Runyons and the Feldsteds, two Mormon families in 1970s Maryland.  The stories catch the human side of these families trying to live there faith with all their faults  and good points.  They made me think about what would I do in there place and what I should do.  It has a sense of humor and a sense of realism in them.

The first story is The Gilded Door.  It deals with a movie house turned to showing XXX movies.  They try and do something about it.  I hate the end picture but it happens over and over again.

Follow Me, Boys shows how not following the advice of safety of dating can really have bad consequences.  How scared  to have a teen just take off with someone she just met.  As a mother  you worry about your girls making right choices and being safe. 

These stories are told in a way that keeps you wanting to see what happens next in there lives.

I was given this ebook to read and in return I agreed to give honest review and be part of The Boxford Stories blog tour.

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