Friday, May 30, 2014

Blog Tour ~ "Goddess Born" by Kari Edgren + giveaway

Goddess Born Tour

Tour Schedule



Goddess Born

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mythology

Book Description: Pennsylvania, 1730 Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal. A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it’s Selah’s sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there’s no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed. When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope—that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch. But when news of Samuel’s death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice—forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?


My thoughts: I really like the genre of mixing mythology with modern day. This book took a different turn. It took another favorite genre of mine, Historical Fiction, and added the mythology. It was a great mix for me! I enjoyed reading this book.

Selah is a descendant of the Goddess Brigid. She has the gift of healing. She can see in her mind what is ailing her patient and then use her powers to fix the problem. She is bound to help anyone who asks for her help. The good thing, is that she likes to help others. This makes her gift something she treasures, rather than a burden.

The book is set in the early 18th century. Selah lives among the Quaker's and a preacher misunderstand her gift, threatening that if she doesn't marry him, he will expose her for witchcraft. A very serious charge during the time period. Fortunately for her, she puts him off because she is betrothed to her cousin. She must marry a relative who she doesn't have to hide her gift from.

The world seems to conspire against her. As her father lies dying, she travels to pick up her fiancee, only to find that he died on the voyage from Ireland to the Colonies. In a desperate measure she purchases the contract of an Indentured Servant, and has him pose as her cousin. She has a fake wedding and travels back to her home.

I wish I could say that her trials and accusers disappear, but that would be too easy and make for a book that wasn't as interesting. I enjoyed the many layers of plot that were laid. There were many people who could the villain in this book. When it looked as if I had it figured out, another person seemed to have a motive. The book keeps you guessing.

I loved the story of Selah and Henry. They are both put in a difficult situation, but come to a stormy peace for their circumstances. They both seem to be content, but both have fragile feelings for each other, they are easily hurt by a wrong action or word. They are fiercely loyal to each other, which is the glue that holds them together.

This book is a clean New Adult. There is sexual innuendo, but that is as far as it goes.









Read an Excerpt
********************
Quakers throughout the room had put their silence aside, and the meetinghouse began to hum 
with their voices. More than a few people demanded that Nathan reveal the witch. 
 “You’ve given your warnings,” John Lewis called out above the other voices. “Now 
give us her name!” 
 Nathan stared at me with unabashed hatred. “The spirit commands me to reveal the 
witch!” he thundered, pointing a finger in my direction. “It was Selah Kilbrid that I saw in vision, 
selling her soul to the Devil.” 
 A hushed silence fell over the meetinghouse as every eye turned in my direction. I sat 
ramrod straight under their gaze, my chin slightly raised. Nora and Anne kept a firm hold on 
each of my hands. Henry was poised to spring at the first hint of danger. 
 “You’re mistaken, Nathan,” Anne said calmly. “Selah is not a witch.” 
 “The spirit is not wrong!” Nathan cried. His nostrils flared and his eyes blazed like a 
maniac. “Selah Kilbrid is the Devil’s whore!” 
 Confusion and shouting took over the meetinghouse. Several women hurried to get a 
safe distance away from me. 
 “Mark Flanders lost a heifer two days ago,” a man shouted from the crowd. 
 “It died of acorn poisoning,” William yelled back angrily. 
 “Maybe it was Selah and she just made it look like the cow had eaten too many acorns,” 
another shouted. 
 “Maybe you need to shut your mouth before I come over and shut it for you!” William 
shouted, standing to face the man. 
 “Let the witch speak for herself!” the man yelled back.
 During this exchange, Henry came over and pulled me protectively to his side. Nora 
and Anne also stood, keeping close. Allison started to walk toward me, only to be stopped by her 
mother, who looked uncertain. When William joined us, Henry leaned over to whisper 
something in his ear. William nodded and then hurried toward the back door. 
 I stood stone still, my heart pounding painfully as my name spread through the crowd 
outside, bringing more people into the meetinghouse to see me. The space in the middle quickly 
disappeared, taken up by those being pushed forward to make room. 
 “Order!” Gideon bellowed, standing on a bench. “We will have order in God’s House!” 
 One by one, people fell silent, waiting for what the Elder would do next. 
 “Selah, please step forward,” Gideon instructed. 
 I did as he bid me, brushing past Nathan on my way. Henry stayed at my arm, a threat 
to anyone who dared harm me. 
 “Selah, are you willing to answer some questions?” Gideon asked. He was all 
seriousness, but from the concern in his eyes, I knew he meant to help. 
 I nodded and turned to face the crowd. Looking out at the mass of people, I was 
amazed by my complete lack of fear. 


********************



2013 RWA Golden Heart© Finalist
2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semifinalist
  ABNA Publisher Weekly Reviewer Set in the colony of Pennsylvania in 1730, this riveting novel begins as 18-year-old Selah Kilbrid runs into Quaker minister Nathan Crowley, a man who “labor[ed] under the delusion that [Selah] would soon be his wife” despite the fact that she was betrothed to a man on his way to America from Ireland. Nathan tells Selah that if she refuses him, he will have her “charged as a witch” because of her ability to heal the sick. To avoid Nathan’s plan to marry her the following Sunday, she leaves for Philadelphia to wait for the arrival of her betrothed and marry him before returning home. In Philadelphia, she discovers that her betrothed has died at sea. She then purchases Henry, an indentured servant, and convinces him to pose as her husband and help protect her from Nathan. As the story continues, the reader learns of Selah’s family history and the powers she possesses; Selah is half human, half goddess. It's important that her secret stay safe, because if discovered, she could be killed. The characters are well developed and relatable; the reader empathizes with Selah and her plight. The fast-paced plot is exciting and keeps the reader guessing and in suspense. The end leaves room for a sequel, which, after such a tremendous beginning, would be anxiously awaited. A clear winner!




Kari Edgren  Author Kari Edgren Kari Edgren did not dream of becoming a writer. Instead, she dreamed of everything else and was often made to stay inside during kindergarten recess to practice her letters. Despite doting parents and a decent school system, Ms. Edgren managed to make it through elementary school having completed only one book cover to cover – The Box Car Children, which she read approximately forty-seven times. Things improved during high school, but not until she read Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude in college, did she truly understand the power of a book. Ms. Edgren aspires to be a Vulcan, a world-acclaimed opera singer, and two inches taller. She resides in the Pacific NW where she spends a great deal of time torturing her husband and children with strange food and random historical facts. Ms. Edgren hasn’t stopped dreaming, but has finally mastered her letters enough to put the stories on paper.




  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/22/14 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Blog Tour ~ "Immersed" by Jennifer Griffith + giveaway (A Ripple Effect Romance)

Immersed tour


Immersed by Jennifer Griffith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre:  Clean Contemporary Romance



Book Description: Lisette Pannebaker speaks five languages and has a brilliant business plan—personal language immersion. Clients can hire her to shadow them and speak all day in any language they need to learn for business or travel—whatever. But there’s a major hitch: she’s far too pretty. Clients with less than honorable intentions sign up just have Lisette at their side. Solution? A make-under. Way under.It works like a charm. None of her male clients show her the least bit of interest. Until… Erik. Erik Gunnarsson is charming, kind, and smart—everything she’s ever looked for. Even though he seems to have a secret and she swore she'd never date a client, Lisette is tempted to shed her disguise—even if it means jeopardizing her career.


My thoughts: I love the concept of this series. Different author's taking one of the secondary characters in a previous book and giving them a story. It's fun to see a character that we met in one book, and discover their personality/hopes/dreams in another.

In this story Lisette is a beautiful woman, who is too beautiful. She has launched her own business. She helps people who want or need to learn another language. She stays by them during the day for their contracted time, and speaks to them in the language that they want to learn. It is an Immersion program. It would work well, if the men didn't think of her as their own personal escort, trying to take liberties that are not offered.

Her dilemma takes a new twist when she makes herself under. The beautiful woman is no longer beautiful when she meets her clients. This works well for a year and a half, until Erik hires her to help him with his English. Erik is handsome and kind. The kind of man that she would like to know as herself, rather than the frumpy women he has hired.

I really enjoyed the characters of Lisette and Erik. There are some fantastic secondary characters that provided a great comic element. The book is well written and flows at a quick pace. It was easy to get caught up in the events and anxiously await the page turn and continuation of the story.

This novella is the sixth in the series, but can be read as a stand alone.





Read an Excerpt
********************

Erik Gunnarson was unbelievable. Her mouth went dry when she saw him. Lisette hadn’t seen anything this good in months. Years. Maybe ever. At least not in person. Sure, in movies, when men were all filter-lit and filmed from just the right angle, they might have looked this good, but not in person.
Suddenly the room was far too hot for this stupid fuzzy pumpkin sweater with the shoulder pads. And this wig? She felt like a blooming fool in it.
“Hello. I’m Lisette Pannebaker.” She extended her hand, but immediately saw it tremble. His olive skin. Those dark brown waves in his thick hair. She could feel her voice quavering. Tiny beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip, and she touched the side of her eye, then her neck.
He looked up at her, looked puzzled a moment, and then gave her a crooked smile before standing to shake her hand. When he touched it, the trembling went into high gear, like she’d received an electric shock. Did he feel it too?
“Ah, you are speak the English now. I see.” His voice was like…butter. He cleared his throat and said, “I am please to meet you. My name is Erik Gunnarson.”
The accent came heavy, and the lilt was definitely Scandinavian. She’d lived in Norway, traveled all the Scandinavian countries. Was he Danish? He looked Danish. Lots of Danes she’d met had darker hair. Like Erik’s.
With effort she remembered to speak to him. “Where do you come from, Mr. Gunnarson?”
He squinted and shook his head, a sign she’d seen a thousand times before in these meetings, so she asked it more slowly.
“I come from Reykjavik. No.” He puzzled a moment and then continued. “A village…near…Reykjavik.”
Oh, Iceland. She wanted to ask him all about his life there, his upbringing, his family, his plans for a family of his own, and could she please be the mother of his children?
Get a hold of yourself, Lisette. She nearly slapped herself. This had to be professional. What a crying shame, too. He had such a nice crooked grin. And those upper arms. While most clients wore stinky sport coats over golf shirts or boring business suits and ties, Erik Gunnarson wore a plain grey Henley shirt—and looked like he’d just been at Henley itself, pulling the oars in the Thames. Those triceps. Who did he think he was? Thor?

********************

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 Jennifer Griffith
studied French, German, Japanese, and a wee bit of Spanish in her school days. Her grandmother was Norwegian, and Jennifer grew up with lots of Scandinavian traditions floating around, including fabulous cardamom laced cookies called Krumkaker, made on a fancy waffle iron. However, she’d never dream of trying to teach someone any of those languages. And she might botch the cookies. Instead, she writes novels in English, drives her five kids a million places, and laughs with her husband, who came up with the plot for Immersed because he’s just a cool muse like that.
  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/9/14 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. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Blog Tour ~ "Airel" by Aaron Patterson and Chris White




AirelAirel by Aaron Patterson & Chris White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre:  YA Paranormal

Book Description:  Airel: The Awakening is a young adult paranormal romance about the angel Kreios who falls so deeply in love with a woman that he chooses to fall from heaven to be with her. She gives birth to a daughter in Arabia, 1250BC. The girl is pursued ferociously, relentlessly by an enemy in the deepest darkness.   In present day, Boise, Idaho is just a girl: Airel. She's just your average high school student...who turns out to be anything but average. It's because of who she is, because of her ancestry, because of her lineage. Past and present collide as what has been twisted comes dangerously unraveled.


My thoughts:  Airel would technically be classified as a YA book because one of the main characters is seventeen years old. But, there is another story going on unfolding in the pages of this book about Kreios. This is more of an adult story. I would say that this is a book that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Airel is a young woman who's life begins to change when a really cute boy moves into the school and her body begins to undergo changes that are abnormal. Then to top off everything she witnesses a murder and then she is stalked by the killer. She begins to fall into the obsessive love pattern that we see in so many YA novels and learn about who she is and her role in the universe at the same time.

Kreios is a fallen angel. His story is told about his fall and the woman he loved. The child that they had and then the war to stop the evil from spreading and killing the rest of the fallen angels and his daughter.

Somewhere in the middle the two stories merge and the destinies of Kreios and Airel collide and become one. Airel learns what the true meaning of love is, and to be able to truly love she must be whole and healthy emotionally.

I found the beginning of Airel's story to be predictable. I was pleased that the author's turned the story around. Definitely worth taking the time to read this story.



Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Read an Excerpt
********************

I WOKE UP THE next morning with the never-ending headache and dried tears on my face. I couldn’t remember much about what had happened after I’d come home yesterday. I had a vague recollection of Kim putting me to bed and Mom coming in at some point with a worried look on her face.
I did remember parts of a nightmare. There was a black figure—a horrible, cloaked presence trailing black tar coming after me. I had to admit that scared the crap out of me. Dreams could be weird sometimes, that much I knew from experience, but I’d never had any that were quite so vividly terrifying.
Lying in bed, processing, I tried to wriggle out from the remains of yesterday. It had wrapped me up in a cocoon of thoughts and a tangle of blankets. I finally realized that I had swapped ends in the night; my head was at the foot of my bed and my feet were on my pillow. Whoa, I must have slept rough—rougher than usual, anyway. After a few minutes, I pulled myself up on my elbows and looked at the clock. Wonder of all wonders, it was still early and I had time before school. I struggled out of bed—backwards—and trudged to the bathroom. Guess bad dreams have good points to them. At least I have time for a decent start to my day. Maybe today will be better.
Inevitably, I thought about him—the boy who I felt knew me. Michael Alexander fluttered into and around my thoughts, and I started to blush again. I couldn’t explain what was happening to me. Why do I react like this to him? It was really weird, because I could see his face just as clearly as if he was standing right in front of me. Normally I couldn’t do that with guys I liked. Come on, Airel. Get a hold of yourself. You haven’t said two words to him, and you like him already? What a moron. 
I turned the shower to super-hot and waited for the warmth to kick in. I looked in the mirror and noticed that the normal dark circles under my eyes were surprisingly faint this morning. I would have thought that after a day and night like I’d just had, I’d look like the corpse bride. 
I flashed my fake smile into the mirror, and that made me smile for real. I didn’t really think I was “all that,” but I knew I had a few good things going for me. I felt like I looked really good today, and I had just rolled out of bed. That made me smile even more.
After a long, hot shower, I pulled on my blue jeans and my favorite T-shirt—the one with Bob Marley on it. I pulled my hair back in a ponytail. I always had to do that after a shower—otherwise, it would get frizzy and curl like no one’s business, turning into a puffball or a fro.
I headed downstairs, not having to sprint for once. Our house was like most, with several bedrooms, a family room, and a big kitchen. The upstairs was where my room was, plus my parents’ room and two spare rooms: one for guests, one for Kim. She stayed the night at least three times a week. Most of the time she just slept on the floor in my room, even though Mom had set her up with her own, and we would end up talking all night. So her room was mostly just a landing place for all her junk. 
I put two strawberry Pop-Tarts in the toaster, noticing for the first time that it was raining outside. Great. One last day of sunshine yesterday and I was sick for most of it. I made a mental note to grab a light jacket before I left the house. I felt fine today, I noticed. Other than the bad dream, I felt good. I looked good, and I knew it. I wanted to get out and do something after school, but figured it was too cold and rainy.
I nibbled my Pop-Tarts, which tasted good all the way down to my painfully empty stomach. I really hoped I’d be able to keep it down today. Michael’s face presented itself in my memory. I tried to banish him from my mind. I had to squash any thought of him—I didn’t need or want that kind of drama in my life right now.
I grabbed my jacket and started for the door, trying not to wake my mom. She never slept in and today was her day off, so I knew she would want to. She was like most moms. Protective and maybe a bit overbearing, but she meant well and I knew it. She worked at a flower shop. Not that she had to, but she liked to keep busy. 
Since I was an only child and in school most of the day, she would climb the walls all alone if she didn’t do something, so Dad had told her to go find something she would enjoy. She found a little shop called Just Flowers and started working there years ago. I teased her constantly about being so old-fashioned—such a stereotypical housewife, working at a flower shop—but she loved all things plants. If it was nice out, she could be found without exception in the yard, planting, digging, or pulling weeds. We had the nicest yard in the neighborhood. 
As for Dad, well, I wasn’t sure exactly what he did, but he was gone a lot. He was a sales rep for some company or other—it didn’t matter much to me. He was a quiet guy and didn’t bring his job home. He got bonuses sometimes, which we always used to go on family vacations. Those times were the happiest for me, when we were all together.
Last summer was the best. Dad took us all to Disney World, and I even got to bring Kim along. Her mom was cool with stuff like that. Kim’s dad left when she was young, so she was basically part of our family. 
The rain was really coming down, so I ran to my car, hoping to dodge the raindrops. I opened the driver’s door to my Honda and got in. Before I could turn the key, I felt a horrendous, debilitating pain dragging razor blades up and down my arms and legs, deep inside me. “Owww,” I shrieked before I could stop myself. But then, just as fast as it had come, it was gone, and I was left sitting there in its wake, hyperventilating and wondering what was wrong with me.

*********************
About the Authors

   Aaron Patterson is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author of over a dozen novels. He writes hard-boiled thrillers and young adult fantasy. He was home-schooled and grew up in the west. Aaron loved to read as a small child and would often be found behind a book, reading one to three a day on average. This love drove him to want to write, but he never thought he had the talent. He wrote Sweet Dreams, the first book in the WJA series, in 2008. Airel is his first teen series, and plans for more are in the works. He lives in Boise, Idaho with his family.

Chris White is an award-winning author and editor, and is co-author of the Airel Saga with Aaron Patterson. Chris also writes psychological thrillers under the nom de plume Jet Deaver, and has penned some short stories as C.P. White. He blogs occasionally about writing and the journey of the Christian artist at C.P. White Media Blog and lives in Idaho with his family.

  Praise for the Book “This is not your typical fallen angel story. It is one that has left me breathlessly waiting for the next one in the series.” --Sandra Stiles, Amazon review  
 “A beautifully written and crafted fiction about teenage innocence, faith, loss and love. A must read for teens and adults alike." --Vincent Zandri, International Bestselling Author of The Remains, The Innocent, and Concrete Pearl  
 “This was such a unique twist to the common way angels are portrayed…. The struggle between good and evil is the forefront of this great story!” – Courtney, Amazon review


  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/16/19 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.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Launching the Dystopian Tour

A Prism Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the Launch for
THE DYSTOPIAN TOUR!
What will the future bring? We're featuring several possibilities. Come along and check them out!

May 28: What Tomorrow May Bring #1

Goodreads - Amazon

Follow 11 authors into 11 dystopian tomorrows, where the dark portions of our humanity have taken hold of today, where the fabric of society is torn and greed consumes us all. Follow us down a dark path.

Titles in the boxed set include:
Open Minds, Susan Kaye Quinn
The Moon Dwellers, David Estes
Prison Nation, Jenni Merritt
daynight, Megan Thomason
Stitch, Samantha Durante
The Girls from Alcyone, Cary Caffrey
The Narrowing Path, David J. Normoyle
The Rain, Joseph A. Turkot
Virulent: The Release, Shelbi Wescott
External Forces (Bonus Chapters!), Deborah Rix


May 29: Terra by Gretchen Powell
 
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Kobo - Apple Store

Terra follows protagonist Terra Rhodon through a dystopian future where the planet’s natural resources have been depleted and the rich and powerful have fled to cities in the sky.


May 30: Stitch & Shudder by Samantha Durante
  

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.


June 1: Contributor & Infiltrator by Nicole Ciacchella
  Picture
Goodreads - Amazon

When the Great Famine threatened the existence of mankind, the Creators saved humanity. Humanity has been their loyal subject ever since.


June 2: What Tomorrow May Bring #2
Goodreads - Amazon

Follow 11 authors into 11 dystopian tomorrows, where the dark portions of our humanity have taken hold of today, where the fabric of society is torn and greed consumes us all. Follow us down a dark path.

We will be sharing excerpts from these titles:
Open Minds, Susan Kaye Quinn
The Moon Dwellers, David Estes
Prison Nation, Jenni Merritt
daynight, Megan Thomason
Stitch, Samantha Durante


June 3: Among the Joyful by Erin Eastham

Everyone knows that it’s a citizen’s duty to smile; negative emotion is a social contagion, an aggressive act against society. For Alaire Larkin, staying positive has never been a problem.


June 4: The Annihilation of Foreverland & Foreverland is Dead by Tony Bertauski
 

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Google Play - Kobo - iTunes

When kids awake on an island, they’re told there was an accident. Before they can go home, they will visit Foreverland, an alternate reality that will heal their minds.


June 5: The Breeders & The Believers by Katie French
 
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble

Sixteen-year-old Riley Meemick is one of the world's last free girls. When Riley was born, her mother escaped the Breeders, the group of doctors using cruel experiments to bolster the dwindling human race.


June 6: What Tomorrow May Bring #3 
Goodreads - Amazon

Follow 11 authors into 11 dystopian tomorrows, where the dark portions of our humanity have taken hold of today, where the fabric of society is torn and greed consumes us all. Follow us down a dark path.

We will be sharing excerpts from these titles:
The Girls from Alcyone, Cary Caffrey
The Narrowing Path, David J. Normoyle
The Rain, Joseph A. Turkot
Virulent: The Release, Shelbi Wescott
External Forces (Bonus Chapters!), Deborah Rix

Tour-Wide Giveaway
Ends June 15th.

US Only Giveaway
Print copy of Terra + bookmarks
Print copies of Stitch & Shudder + bookmarks
Print copy of Among the Joyful

Internationally Open Giveaway
Amazon GC $15 (Megan) + $10 (Erin) + $10 (Samantha)
11 ecopies of What Tomorrow May Bring
Ebook of Terra
Ebooks of Stitch & Shudder
10 e-book copies of the complete Contributor trilogy, including book 3 (Kindle only)
Ebook of Among the Joyful
Ebooks of The Annihilation of Foreverland & Foreverland is Dead
Ebook of A Taste of Tomorrow Boxed Set
5 ebooks of The Breeders & The Believers

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Book Tour Spotlight ~ "The Only Boy" by Jordan Locke + giveaway

only boy tou
The only boy



The Only Boy by Jordan Locke Mary is stuck in Section One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent her from exploring the vacant city to find out. Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed. Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him. Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries.






Read an Excerpt
********************

I place the biology textbook on a stainless-steel table, flip through the yellowing pages and stop on a cross-section of a woman. Her organs are carefully illustrated—heart, lungs, uterus. The next page is missing. Not ripped out. Cut, as if sliced with a surgeon’s scalpel.

The library at home has the complete book. I’ve seen the missing page—the anatomy of man. An extinct creature, as far as anyone knows.

A voice from behind says, “What are you reading?”

My shoulders tense when I turn to see Mary. None of the girls at home looked like her—dark eyes, perfectly straight nose and full, round lips. Her hair brushes my cheek as she leans over. She shouldn’t be so close. I ease the book shut and try to look calm.

“We studied biology last year,” she says. “Did your teacher go over it?”

In Section Seven, we self-studied, but she doesn’t need to know that. “No.” I carry the book to the shelf.

She follows. “You should read the part on genetics. It’s really interesting.”

I slip the book between a car manual and a medical dictionary. “I’ve read the whole thing.”

“But you said you hadn’t studied it yet.”

To avoid her gaze, I stare out the window at the abandoned skyscrapers and trash-covered barriers. “Don’t you have class or something?”

“We’re on lunch break.”

I growl. “Go eat.” My voice is too husky, too deep.

“I was tryin’ to be nice.” She turns to walk away.

I grab her wrist to stop her. Her skin is warm and smooth.

“What are you doing?” She wrenches her arm free. “You’re gonna end up in the pit.”

I step away, and she hurries toward the door, shoulders back and chin high. The loose-fitting hospital gown can’t hide the curve of her figure.

I want to touch her again.

********************





Jordan Locke
 Author Jordan Locke Jordan Locke lives in Connecticut with his wife, two lively daughters and a well-behaved whippet. A graphic designer by trade, his creativity spilled over into the literary world. After years of writing, reading and learning the craft, his fifth novel, The Only Boy, brought him offers of representation from two well-known agents. Now, after the dog is fed and the kids are in bed, you will find him tapping away at the keyboard.

  Blog Tour Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/8/14 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review ~ "Knight Assassin" by Rima Jean

Knight AssassinKnight Assassin by Rima Jean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  Netgalley ~ review
Genre: Historical Fiction with Supernatural Elements

Book Description: Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft. When a mysterious stranger tempts Zayn to become the first female member of the heretical Assassins, the chance to seek her revenge lures her in. She trains to harness her supernatural strength and agility, and then enters the King of Jerusalem's court in disguise with the assignment to assassinate Guy de Molay, her mother’s condemner. But once there, she discovers Earic Goodwin, the childhood friend who still holds her heart, among the knights—and his ocean-blue eyes don’t miss a thing. Will vengeance be worth the life of the one love she has left?


My thoughts: Knight Assassin was different from what I expected. There was more depth to the story and the plot had a few interesting aspects that I enjoyed.

Zayn has lived a simple life with her mother. After refusing the chief's son, her world is turned upside down when her mother is accused of witchcraft, burned, and Zayn brutally raped by her mother's murderer. She is offered the opportunity to seek revenge and learn the ways of the assassin.

The man who murdered her mother was a Templar. I have always been fascinated with the Templar Knights. The book is set in Jerusalem, after the Templar's have the city. Zayn's mission is to kill the knight who ruined her life. She takes intrigue to a wonderful level. She plays the part of both a lady in waiting and an assassin well. She waits and bides her time, until she can strike.

Zayn is deadly. She has otherworldly powers, she's smart, a quick. She has a weakness, her capacity to love. Eadric is a boy that she knew as a youth. He has been her champion when he rescued her as a child. They cross path's again, but are on opposite sides. She is an assassin, he is a knight. Her heart tells her that neither matter.

Zayn goes through many situations in this story. I loved seeing her growth as a person. She learns that life is not simple, there is not one side that is completely right. She sees the hate that comes in the name of religion, the intolerance of the time period. I liked the message that there is good in the different cultures. That even though people may be of different religions, they don't have to hate each other because of it. She grows to love Franks, Assassins, and Templars. She was raised as a Muslim.

I would not recommend this book to younger readers. There is violence. There is sexual innuendo, and there is a rape. The book doesn't describe the events in detail, but because of the material, it may be difficult for a reader who is not mature.



Monday, May 26, 2014

Book Review ~ "Fresh Courage Take" by Dean Hughes

Fresh Courage Take by Dean Hughes

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from publisher to review
Genre: LDS Historical Fiction

Book Description: The United States turned a blind eye when the Mormons were driven from Missouri to Illinois and finally out of the country altogether. How can the government—and Brigham Young—now be asking the Mormons to come up with 500 able-bodied soldiers to assist in the war with Mexico? And how can Will Lewis be asked to join the Mormon Battalion when it means leaving Liz and their two little boys on their own in the wilderness? How many sacrifices will be required in order for the Saints to create Zion?
And in modern-day Nauvoo, Jeff and Abby Lewis are facing challenges of their own. Juggling family priorities, professional responsibilities, and Church callings becomes and almost impossible feat. It is clear that building Zion in the latter days will require sacrifices, just as it did in the time of Jeff's ancestors.
In this concluding volume of the Come to Zion trilogy, beloved novelist Dean Hughes provides a unique perspective on the struggles and sacrifices—and ultimate joy—of faithful Saints in any generation.


Bonnie's Thoughts:  The story of the Saints making their way out west is always awe-inspiring. And this story is nothing less than that. The courageous lives of both Will and Liz and Jeff and Abby can easily be compared to any Pioneer and Modern-day Saint. Yes, the challenges are different since we as a society have evolved. But to each time, those challenges are burdens and require humility and prayer. Their courage to accept what the Lord has offered is fantastically portrayed as well as their true feelings, that at times, is not what the Lord asks of us. They are human, and have those feelings of anger and pride. But their path to humility is encouraging and uplifting. 

The angle of the trek West he chose to write about was different, but spiritual still. Liz is resigned to stay with the Saints in Winter Quarters while Will is persuaded to join the Mormon Battalion. The separation is difficult to say the least, but worth it in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed learning of this endeavor of the Saints. I can also relate to Jeff and Abby as they struggle through life with children, jobs, and marriage. Dean Hughes is such a fantastic writer, and I enjoy all of his books. I can only hope that one day he might decide to continue the story of these two marvelous examples.

~Bonnie~




About the Author: DEAN HUGHES has published more than 100 books for readers of all ages, including the bestselling historical fiction series Children of the Promise. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University and master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Washington. He has taught English at Central Missouri State University and Brigham Young University. Dean and his wife, Kathleen Hurst Hughes, served a mission to Nauvoo, Illinois. They are the parents of three children and grandparents of nine.