Sunday, September 30, 2012

Review ~ Better than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts

Better Than ChocolateBetter Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: ARC for review
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description: Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly….

Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother's attempts to help aren't helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It's enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake's also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there's something even better than chocolate

My thoughts: Samantha Sterling has just been given a heavy load to bear. Her newly deceased step-father has left the family business in financial ruin. Somehow she needs to save the company in a few months because the bank has called in the note on the loan.

Her small tourist town has been impacted by weather, there isn't snow. When you are a community that capitalizes on winter weather, it puts the community in a financial bind. Samantha's sisters come up with a way to help the community and their chocolate factory, will it be enough or is it to late?

Better than chocolate is a fun book to read. Samantha finds herself in some very awkward moments. She handles them with as much grace as she can muster. Her sister's are fun sidekicks. The three of them make a great team and an interesting story.

The romance in the story is not the prominent theme, but is ever there to worry an linger in Samantha's mind. Blake is the manager of the bank calling in the loan. It is the last thing that he wants to do and somehow he needs to convince Samantha that he is on her side and wants her to succeed.

The the book has some adult humor, but not intimate sexual content. I think anyone who likes a romance will enjoy this book.


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Discover "Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado" by B.K. Bostick


I love to feature books that are good for all age groups in a family.  When I was contacted and asked to let my readers know about a new book published by Cedar Fort (one of my favorite publishers), I said "yes".

The book is Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado by B.K. Bostick. This is the second book in a series.

 Book Description: The Dead Man’s Treasure has been stolen! When Huber receives a revelatory message from a girl in Spain regarding the treasure’s location, the gang hatches a plan. Convincing their parents they are part of a study abroad program,Huber, Scott, and Hannah travel to Salamanca, Spain- an old city full of secrets.
While in pursuit of their goal, the group becomes dangerously entwined with a secret society called the Brotherhood of Coronado- a ruthless organization led by three self proclaimed kings, bent on reacquiring the lost fortunes of the Spanish empire for nefarious purposes.
Their only hope of finding the stolen treasure and escaping the city with their lives requires trust in new found friends and in a cloaked figure who reveals clues leading to the Brotherhood’s hiding place. But in a city of strangers, who can you trust?  
With a plot that will keep you guessing, Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado is a study abroad adventure you’ll want to be a part of!



About B.K. : B.K. Bostick, author of Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado and the best selling book, Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure, resides among the magnificent Rocky Mountains. In addition to writing, he has spent his career in education. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Utah and his Masters in Psychology from Utah State University. He has worked as a teacher, after school program coordinator, teacher mentor, and currently as a counselor for the Open High School of Utah. He loves spending time with his lovely wife, son and two dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys eating cheetos and watching old episodes of the Twilight Zone.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Book Blast - Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure



Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure











A paper found.
A secret revealed.
A girl's life changed forever.

Myra Gibson's life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the guest house tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.



Reviews:

"All I can say is wow! Beverly Stowe McClure knocked this one out of the ballpark. The story of Myra and her search for the truth touched upon one of the fundamental needs of all children (and teens): the need for a father in their lives. ... The school librarian at the middle school where I teach is already looking into buying a copy for the school library. It's that good."
~Award Winning Author Darby Karchut- http://darbykarchut.blogspot.com

"Beverly did an awesome job with this book. Myra's character and the decisions she make throughout the book are believable. Her friends, family and love interest, Jeremy, are all characters that the readers can relate to."
~Peggy Tibbetts - http://www.peggytibbetts.net/



About the Author:

When Beverly Stowe McClure was a child she hated to read. Even though her eighth grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to the National High School Poetry Association, and it was published in Young America Sings, an anthology of Texas high school poetry, she hated to write. In spite of her rocky relationship with books, she attended Midwestern State University, where she read too many books to count, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. She taught in elementary school for twenty-two years. Reading Dr. Seuss to her sons and Newbery winners to her students made Beverly realize what she’d been missing: Reading was fun.
Now, she reads most every day. She also writes. Her articles for children’s magazines, many of them about activities her classes did in school, have been published in leading children‘s magazines. One article was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Anthology, Grades PK/K. Her doggie story appeared in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

Beverly’s five novels for teens and tweens are published by small Indie Publishers. Her YA historical novel, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, is a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Novella Division. The book also is a finalist in Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards, Teen Fiction, and is an Honor Award Winner in the Reader's Favorite Book Award Contest, YA Category, as well as an Honor Winner in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards, YA Category.  Listen to the Ghost was a finalist in the 2003 Dream Realm Awards. Her first picture book came out in June 2011. Her latest book, Life on Hold, is a YA contemporary novel. She lives in the country with her husband, two cats, and a variety of wild critters that come to visit.

Links:
http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/beverlymcclure
http://www.goodreads.com/beverlysmcclure
http://www.facebook.com#!/beverlysmcclure




$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
Ends 10/4/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Defending Happiness ~ Q&A with Amy Shea

Book Description: Defending Happiness, and Other Acts of Bravery is a book about fighting for your bliss. The collection of stories demonstrates how one woman faced off with breast cancer, online dating, and motherhood, using audacity and wit to not only survive, but repeatedly reclaim her human right to happiness.

Q&A with Author Amy Shea!
********************

Q.   The essays in your new book reveal a middle-aged woman who confronts issues such as aging, dating, and rebelling.  How do life’s events shape your writing?

A.  My life shaped my thinking, which in turn shaped what I decided to write about. Facing difficult circumstances early on, I felt at first only a general survival sense, a “go the other way” feeling to the concrete things like where I lived, the lack of money, the danger, etc. I didn’t know what it was I wanted but I knew what I didn’t want. But I did understand, though very young, a responsibility about the whole thing, that it was all on me to change it. I saw happiness as a very active pursuit, though it did take some maturity to come understand the difference between pleasure and happiness. So, as a writer, I always have the choice to write as a victim—”let me tell you how horrible this has been” sort of thing—which would be a betrayal, as that is not how I approach life, or I can write from my true nature, as someone who faces what is, and chooses to write about that experience.

Q.   You also write of overcoming a number of challenges, losses and setbacks.  How do you find the fighting spirit to handle what comes your way?

A.  I would not use the word “overcoming.” I didn’t overcome cancer. I had it; it happened. And that’s true of anything I write about. That’s the point, really, that life isn’t something to be overcome. It’s something to be responded to in the way you wish to respond, and not fighting it because it hasn’t met your ideal. I couldn’t change that I had cancer. I could, however, decide that I would do my best to keep dancing—which I have done all my life—and not waste time wishing that dancing was less of an effort, the way it had been before radiation therapy. Dancing makes me happy, so I defended that and kept doing it. I didn’t stop because it didn’t look the way it once did during that time.

Q.   One of the tragedies to befall you was the loss of your brother, who was murdered by your cousin.  How did you come to terms with this shocking loss?

A.  One of the things that happens when a young handsome man is murdered in a “tabloid-like” way by his lover, who was also my cousin, is that there are no rules for how to behave. And that turned out to be a valuable experience, because I was able to experience that kind of divine release from custom and convention, as Socrates has put it. And that felt right—to act oddly under such odd circumstances, instead of trying to pack life back into its previous shape. What surprised me, however, was that it stayed with me. I never quite snapped all the way back into a conventional way of responding to life after that—and that has kept my brother with me all these years. He was dramatic and very beautiful, and liked to be a little shocking. So, him leaving me with this lack of conventionality is a sweet reminder of him that allows me to feel as if I’m carrying on for him, in a way. Not as a kind of mimicry, but as a gift he left behind for me. I’d still rather have him here, but that is not what is.

Q.  A survivor of breast cancer, you know that life is precious.  What bits of wisdom can you share with us after having confronted the end of life?

A.  That you are going to die. That’s it, really. Cancer helped me to stop thinking about happiness as THE BIG THING. A lot of us have one of those: when I retire, I’m going to FILL IN THE BLANK. I wanted very much to write this book, it was a big thing in my life, but my happiness is hardly limited to this book. It’s the dozens of choices I make in a day, from taking time to eat something lovely instead of just having toast because it’s easy, or walking in the rain because I love doing that even though it’s messy. Whatever it is, defend it from any belief that it doesn’t matter. It’s what your life feels like to you, and that matters.

Q.  You sound fiercely independent.  Marriage just didn’t agree with you but you love to date. Is marriage an unrealistic institution today?

A.  No, not at all. I’m just not temperamentally suited for it, at least not traditional marriage, but I have dear friends who have great marriages. From what I can tell, they are based on friendship and cutting each other a wide swath to be themselves. I do think marriage should always be a custom-made suit, however. I think many couples approach it following a parental paradigm or something they’ve already seen, often without even realizing it, when what they want in both their hearts is to create the kind of structure that suits them both as unique individuals. I often think that I might have been able to be married if I could have found a man who saw the value in us having separate houses, and checking accounts.

Q.   One of themes presenting your writing is the advancement of women and how your generation broke through some significant barriers. Where do we stand as a society, in terms of the roles we see men and women occupy? 

A.  Gender relations are always going to involve a healthy dose of détente, because men and women are really wired differently. But, the social empowerment of women has colored even the most traditional aspects of relationships, like having children and marriage.  I see it in young women all the time. There’s a sense of value that women feel now that I don’t think existed at this level when I was young, and that changes the entire dynamic, in a good way, even if it’s difficult at times. Women expect friendship from their husbands—something my mother’s generation would have never even thought about. That makes me feel very optimistic.

Q.  You rage against aging.  Are you winning the battle?

A.  I’ve won the battle against raging, but not aging. Aging is shocking when you first start seeing changes, which I talk about in the book. And I felt angry and set up by it. But that was another opportunity to really question what I was associating aging with. It felt like one big ending, and that  turned out not to be true at all. Yes, of course, there are things that are different, and even ended. But, as an independent woman with a killer wardrobe, well, I have to tell you, I’m having a great time. Aging
was another opportunity to defend my happiness from a myth that life was winding down when, in fact, this is a whole second adolescence, but without the acne.

Q.  You grew up as one of seven in abject poverty.  Did you buck the odds just by growing without getting shot or pregnant as a teen?

A.  I was more afraid of getting pregnant than shot, actually. We were raised Catholic, and being an “unwed mother” meant a ticket straight to hell, whereas if you were shot and had recently been to confession, you could end up with your own cloud. I think one can grow up in poverty, and that’s one thing, but being poor and unsafe is something else entirely. Growing up in a housing project was incredibly dangerous. It was only as an adult that I fully realized how much the idea of safety motivated some of my early decisions. But there is also an amazing spirit in the people who come from there, some of whom have come forward to buy my book, feeling very happy that we made it out. Some of us didn’t. 

Q.  What advice would you give to young women today?

A.  Find your bliss, and be prepared to defend it, because resistance and distortions are a part of life. And those things come from both outside and inside of you. And keep your sense of humor. Wit is often the quickest way to the truth. And a man without a sense of humor will be intolerable to live with, so figure that out early on in the dating process.

Q.  What inspired you to write your book and where does the title, Defending Happiness and Other Acts of Bravery, come from?

A.  I’ve written all my life. My first short story was published when I was a teenager, and I have published a lot of poetry over the years, which I still love to write. But I began to feel very interested in talking about life in a direct way, and just began one weekend writing the first story, the one on motherhood. Then I wrote another and another, realizing very soon that I was writing a set of stories linked by the philosophy that it took bravery to be happy. I don’t think of happiness as a soft thing. When I picture happiness it’s always wearing a black motorcycle jacket. I mean, just watch kids. What happens when someone takes their happiness away? It isn’t pretty. I can identify with that, though I’ve learned not to bite and kick.

Q.  Is life ever as you expect it or hope it to be

A.  No. It’s far more wonderful and frightening than that. I think it’s harder than we expect, and more rewarding than we ever imagined. It seems to me that the collective human experience of life not ever matching up with an ideal should be encouragement enough to throw out the whole concept of applying ideals to people’s lives once and for all. Using an ideal to make a toaster is one thing; to try to make a life, that’s ludicrous. Find your unique bliss in all the moments of your day, and defend doing it. That’s work enough for any of us. 
********************

About Amy: AMY SHEA is the Executive Vice President of Brand Development for Brand Keys, Inc. in Manhattan and is the founder and president of Amy Shea Consultancy, Inc., a brand research consulting firm. Her clients include Microsoft, Delta Dental, and the US Army.  Her work has been recognized by the David Ogilvy Excellence Award in Research, with both a Grand Ogilvy and First in Category for her global work with IBM. In 2008 she was recognized by the Advertising Research Foundation with a Great Minds Award in innovation. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Marketing Research Program, Amy’s academic background also includes an undergraduate degree in creative writing, earned with the University of New Hampshire, with joint studies at Harvard University.  She also co-authored a business book, The Certainty Principle.

Her writing career began as a teenager when her first short story was featured in a national magazine at the age of 13. She has continued to write throughout her life, publishing poetry in numerous literary journals and anthologies. Amy is the recipient of the prestigious Dylan Thomas Poetry Fellowship in Paris, sponsored by the Paris Review. She was also invited for a coveted residency at the artist’s retreat, the MacDowel Colony, and was awarded a Wesleyan University poetry fellowship.

She blogs often, including posts on Salon. She has been interviewed, in connection with her branding company, by the New York Times, Media Post, Daily Beast, and numerous business publications.

Amy resides in Hoboken, New Jersey. For more information, please consult www.DefendingHappiness.com 

Jane Austen retelling "So Into You" by Cecilia Gray (Blog tour/giveaway)


So Into You (The Jane Austen Academy Series, #2: A Modern Retelling of Sense & Sensibility)So Into You by Cecilia Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review for ATOMR tour
Genre: Teen Retelling of Jane Austen

Book Description:  Modern retelling/based on Sense & Sensibility.

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they're about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Meet sweet and sensible Ellie who hasn’t met a problem her mom’s yoga mantras can’t fix. But when her parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?



My thoughts:  This is a cute and fun book of teenagers who go to the Jane Austen Academy. A core group of friends each get to have their story told. Their motto after all is "We Shall Be Heard".

In this particular story Ellie is going through a crisis. Her parents want to remove her from the school and take her to a foreign country. The goal in the book becomes how to keep Ellie enrolled in the private school. They do some crazy things and face some heartache and setbacks on the way.  The part that I like is that the friends stick together and help each other out.

This is a great book for teens and Jane Austen fans.


Follow the Tour!

Giveaway!  Use the rafflecopter to enter the contest. :)  This giveaway is found on all of the tour stops.  It is hosted through ATOMR tours  It is also an International giveaway.. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links to find Cecilia Gray!

Where can you purchase a copy of the book?




See my review of the first book at this LINK!

See the Trailer: 

#Free today and tomorrow on Kindle (9 /26 - 9/27) - Sing to Me

Book Description: 
Senior Prom is just a few weeks away, and Rylie’s long time crush asked her to go with him. Wow! Could things get more perfect? Oh, except her mom is making her earn the money for her dress, mostly by cleaning all the dead bugs out of their house, and a guy in choir is making her life miserable. Then her mom lands her a steady babysitting job and things start to look up. She’ll have her dress in no time and a two year old is better than bugs any day. Unfortunately, she’s in for a big surprise when she shows up for her first night on duty. One moonlit lullaby and Rylie realizes she’s in trouble. What do you do when you have everything you wanted… and you don’t want it anymore?

Sing To Me is a Young Adult novella (approx. 21,000 words).




Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Blog tour ~ "Bride of Fae" by L.K. Rigel



Book Description:  A love more powerful than magic or time.
Beverly Bratton has a safe, mundane life. No drama. No magic. Since her parents died, she’s cared for her little sister Marion and worked at the Tragic Fall Inn. When a fairy’s charm sends Beverly a hundred years into the past-and into the path of a banished fairy prince-nothing will ever be mundane or safe again.
The regent of the Dumnos fae is turning the court from light to dark, and there’s nothing the rightful king, Prince Dandelion, can do about it. The mystical coronation cup which he needs to become king has fallen into human hands. When he meets a human woman with access to the cup, everything changes. Beverly is fascinating as well as useful-but of course Dandelion doesn’t love her.
Love for a fairy is rare. Love with a human, impossible. But when Beverly and Dandelion are thrown together in a battle against both wyrd and fae, they learn that in Dumnos the impossible happens every day.

My Thoughts:  This is the second book in the series.  While I was able to read and follow along, I think that I missed some information that would have been helpful to me from the first.  That being said, this book shows a side of the fae that is whimsical and political. 
The book begins with Beverly and her sister surviving a car accident that killed their parents.  There are aspects of the accident that deal with the fae and the details are left a little fuzzy.  There is a reason for this.
Once again, I haven't finished the book.  The past couple of weeks have been very crazy for me and I have had a hard time finding the time to sit and read without my children fighting or going to one of their games.  I apologize.  I sincerely hope that things will settle down for me soon.  Only a few more weeks of kids football games!
I can say that what I did read was entertaining.  I cannot give any content warnings, because I didn't  read all of it.  I can say that I believe this is an adult  book.  
I liked the way in which the fae are portrayed.  It is more to what I think they are.  Whimsical on the outside and conniving on the inside.  Thanks to Promotional Book Tours and LK Rigel for giving me the opportunity to read the book.  I will be finishing it and posting completed reviews at Goodreads, LibraryThing and Amazon.  You can check there for the final word of my thoughts.
Click on this link to check out all of the tour stops!  You will also find a rafflecopter form to enter a contest.

Buy on Kindle /  Nook

Monday, September 24, 2012

Blog Tour ~ "The Last Year" series by Trisha Leigh





 Book Descripition: In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots. 

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone. 

Then she meets Lucas, everything changes. 

Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race. 

It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.
And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.




Book description:  Althea and Lucas barely escaped the Others’ clutches in the autumn, and were separated in the process. Alone and on the run from the cruel alien race determined to exterminate her, Althea struggles to adapt and survive in a world she never imagined. 

When a boy named Pax appears out of nowhere, he quickly recognizes Althea for what she is – a human/Other hybrid just like him. Althea begs him to help her find Lucas, but Pax refuses, intent on following his own mysterious agenda. 

The Others’ presence continues to devour the planet’s resources, and if history is an indication, they won’t leave until Earth is destroyed beyond repair. Althea and Pax sense the only way to save themselves – and maybe their home – is to understand the powers simmering inside them. 

Together they push the limits of their capabilities in the quiet Wilds, but are soon confronted with a terrifying fact: no place is safe from the relentless pursuit of the Others.

Least of all their own minds.



My thoughts:  Wow.  (End of review, I'm done.)  I was surprised by how much the stories took me in and enthralled me. The books that come to mind when I read this are "The Giver" by Lois Lowry and "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer.  I wouldn't compare this book in any way to them, they just have some of the same feeling and similarities in circumstance.

Althea is a unique person in her society.  Everyone is content and happy.  The adults work from home and are not allowed from their homes.  The kids go to school where they are taught by teachers via a monitor. Somehow it all stays organized, must be the brainwashing by the Others.

Earth has been conquered by an alien species, the others.  They control minute details of human life.  They even control the protein that is placed on their tables for dinner.  It's kind of spooky what they have been able to accomplish.

Somehow Althea remembers things that she shouldn't.  She knows that she spends different seasons with different families.  She wonders how she can suddenly show up in her "parents" lives and they don't wonder where she has been.  She doesn't know why this happens to her, she only knows that it does.

Althea also suffers from trust issues. She knows that she can't tell any one else that she doesn't think like they do.  It will just call attention to the Others that she is trying to avoid.  There are two new boys who come into her life.  Lucas and Deshi, they both are different from everyone else, can she trust them and finally have a friend?

I will admit that at the time of writing this review, I have not finished the second book.  I'm pretty sure that I will be up all night wanting to find out what happens next though.  I may add a little note at  the bottom with my final thoughts.

I would definitely recommend that you pick up these books.  Particularly if you are a lover of dystopia or science fiction.

Follow the tour!

Giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to ATOMR tours for setting up this tour and letting me be a part of it.  I did recieve eBook copies of both books for review purposes.

Uncontrollable by SR Johannes launches today!


 Uncontrollable is out today!

Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. JohannesUntraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.

To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.

Book Summary

As 16-year-old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too. 

On Sale Now! 

Uncontrollable is on sale in paperback and ebook at all major
booksellers including Amazon, iBooks/Apple (coming soon),

If you haven't read Untraceable, you can get it in paperback and ebook
at all major booksellers including AmazonAppleSmashwords,
and B&N.


Author Bio

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes.  Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult). Untraceable was also recently named a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Indie Book of the Year (YA)

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. 


Connect!

Follow S.R. online on her websiteTwitterFacebook, and Pinterest

You can also sign up for her newsletter to keep up on author or book news.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

"Demons" by Heather Frost ~ Blog tour/giveaway!


I am excited to share with you the second installment of the Seers Trilogy by Heather Frost.  This book continues on from Kate's and Patrick's life as guardian and seer.  I love the way that Heather portrays their love for one another and the dangerous life that they live.

Patrick is immortal and a guardian.  He is the guardian of Kate.  Their relationship is complicated because they are in love.  That is unusual for a guardian and seer.  The problem that they face is the demons.  The demons are out to get Kate.  She has unique abilities that the demons want.  There is also a complication where the guardian's may not  be as immortal as previously thought.

I love that the book is told alternating from Kate and Patrick's perspective.  I love to know each of their voices and points of view.  The book is told in the first person.  I like this approach because it helps me connect with the characters.  I understand their thoughts and feelings.

Heather writes with a clear voice.  Her story is easy to follow and well thought out.  I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.  I received an electronic copy of the  book for review purposes.

This is a great series for people of all ages.  There is the romance, adventure, mystery, and action in this book.  It's a clean read.

I am not scheduled for a giveaway as part of the blog tour, but today is my birthday.  I thought that I would share the first and second book with one lucky person.  Just to celebrate.  Both books will be gifted through Amazon's kindle.  You can install an Amazon kindle app to just about any electronic device.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Paranormal YA



Here is the book description:  Demons are not just killers, they are also masterminds.
Kate’s life is far from normal. She can see Auras, her boyfriend is immortal, and her powers make her a target. But now that the Demon Lord is hunting her, things are about to go from dangerous to truly deadly. Packed with action, mind-blowing plot twists, and characters you can’t get enough of, this is a fast-paced, heart-pounding read from cover to cover.





About Heather: Heather Frost was born in Sandy, Utah, and raised in a small Northern Utah town. She is the second oldest of ten children, and she has always been an avid reader and writer. She graduated from Snow College and is currently attending Utah State University. She enjoys playing the flute, listening to all types of music, and watching a wide variety of movies. Ever since she wrote her first short story—at the age of four—she has dreamed of one day becoming an author. Demons is her second published novel. Visit www.HeatherFrost.com to leave her a message, or learn more about her and the Seers Trilogy.

Heather's Links:   Website /  Facebook / Goodreads


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Jeanz Book ReadNReview/Moonlight, Lace, & Mayhem/

LDS Women’s Book Review/Min Reads & Reviews/

Sweeping Me/Love of Books/

CherryMischievous/Literary Timeout/The Crooked Word/Deea’s Journal/


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A Casual Reader/I am a Reader, Not a Writer/Mundie Moms/Umbra Dragostei/Librarian Mouse/Roro Is Reading/Hardcover Feedback/Fic Talk/Fic Talk/Imaginary Reads/The Write Path/
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The Phantom Photographer/Live to Read/Book Haven Extraordinaire/Splash of our Worlds/Literary R&R/That Bookish Girl/Why Not, Because I Said So/Getting Your Read On/Queen of the Clan/Books R Us/


Bookworm Lisa/Shattering Words/


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Nightly Reading/Anatea’s Bookshelf/LDS Bookstores/Realm of the Sapphired Dragon/Le Grande Codex/Skyway Avenue/





Giveaway: Use the rafflecopter form to enter.  You must  be 13 or older to enter.  See my full giveaway policy in the sidebar.  Good luck and thanks for stopping  by! a Rafflecopter giveaway