Friday, November 10, 2017

The Ghost Chronicles 2 by Marlo Berliner ~ Blog Tour Guest Post & Giveaway!

 
On Tour with Prism Book Tours


The Ghost Chronicles 2
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 17th 2017 by Teddy Blue Books

**If you love ghost stories and the paranormal, then THE GHOST CHRONICLES series is the perfect new read for you!**

What's there to fear if you're already dead?
Plenty.
Michael and Sarah now know for certain, there is a destination after death.
They also know they better find their way out of the afterlife fast, before the devil claims Michael's soul.
What they don't know?
Before they can get to heaven...
they may just have to go through hell.
Inspired by the legend of a haunting at the famous Angel of the Sea bed and breakfast in Cape May, NJ*

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Guest Post
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Book Tour Launch for
The Ghost Chronicles 2
By Marlo Berliner

What’s there to fear if you’re already dead?
Plenty.
Come along with us as we continue to delve into what it might be like to be a ghost in the afterlife. Meet Michael and Sarah, learn more about the setting, feel a little romantic tension... We hope you enjoy what you find! 


THE GHOST CHRONICLES 2 is a YA paranormal with adult crossover appeal and it is the second book in my Ghost Chronicles series. The story continues Michael’s ghostly adventures in the afterlife, now with Sarah by his side. Here’s the blurb for the book:

What’s there to fear if you’re already dead?
Plenty.

Michael and Sarah now know for certain, there is a destination after death.
They also know they better find their way out of the afterlife fast, before the devil claims Michael’s soul.
What they don’t know?
Before they can get to heaven…
they may just have to go through hell.

One of the things I’ve done with THE GHOST CHRONICLES series is to have my characters visit different historical settings. I just love researching these places and diving into the rich history. I try to include not necessarily the obvious places and facts, but instead those that speak to me. Those that whisper, “Tell my story.” One of the places I wrote about in THE GHOST CHRONICLES 2 is Congress Hall, a historic hotel in Cape May, NJ. Congress Hall was first constructed in 1816 as a wooden boarding house for guests to the new and up-and-coming seaside resort of Cape May. With 108 guest rooms, the proprietor, Thomas H. Hughes, called it "The Big House." Locals, thinking it too big to be successful, dubbed it "Tommy's Folly." In 1828, when Hughes was elected to the House of Representatives, he officially changed the name of the hotel to Congress Hall. It burned to the ground in Cape May's Great Fire of 1878, but within a year, its owners had rebuilt the hotel in brick, making it the first brick building in Cape May.
Over the years, Congress Hall turned out to be anything but folly. With its grand architecture and sophisticated elegance, Congress Hall attracted many a famous visitor. Four US Presidents, including Benjamin Harrison, vacationed at Congress Hall and Harrison even made it his official Summer White House. John Philip Sousa, the famous marching band composer, regularly visited Congress Hall with the US Marine Band and even composed the "Congress Hall March", which he conducted on its lawn in the summer of 1882. The Congress Hall March is performed to this day every July 4th during Congress Hall’s fireworks and gala.
There is a tour that you can take of Congress Hall which I highly recommend.





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Other Books in the Series

The Ghost Chronicles
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 298 Pages
November 17th 2015 by Teddy Blue Books

Can Michael get to heaven before the devil gets him first, and if it means leaving Sarah is he sure he still wants to go?

Michael Andrews had everything – a loving family, a great girlfriend and a promising basketball career. That was before the accident that took his life. Now, he’s a ghost, wandering among the living, struggling to understand why he’s stuck. All he wants is to move on.

That is until he meets Sarah, an attractive young girl who died just as tragically as he did. The only trouble is falling in love and binding oneself to another soul is forbidden, for it may keep one or both of the souls bound to earth for longer than they should be.

To make matters worse, there’s also a danger in going too far with Sarah, because the “joining” of two souls in the afterlife is also strictly forbidden and they don’t know what will happen if they do go that far. Each time they touch they can feel the boundaries of their energies slipping perilously into one another.

Things get even more complicated as Michael learns he’s being pursued. Demons are after him because he’s a marked soul, a soul the devil wants very badly for some unknown reason.

So, maybe falling in love in the afterlife isn’t such a good idea.


About the Author


Marlo Berliner is the award-winning author of THE GHOST CHRONICLES, her debut book which was released in November 2015 to critical acclaim. Marlo writes young adult, women’s fiction, and short stories. Marlo is represented by Eric Ruben of The Ruben Agency.

When she's not writing or editing, Marlo loves reading, relaxing at the beach, watching movies, and rooting for the Penn State Nittany Lions. After having spent some wonderful time in Pittsburgh and Houston, she’s now back in her home state of New Jersey where she resides with her husband, two sons, and a rambunctious puppy named Max.


Tour Schedule

October 30th: LaunchHarlie's Books & Mythical Books
October 31st: Wishful Endings
November 1st: 100 Pages A Day
November 2nd: Beck Valley Books
November 3rd: Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
November 6th: Mel's Shelves
November 7th: Colorimetry
November 8th: Min Reads and Reviews
November 9th: Brooke Blogs
November 9th: The Bookworm Chronicles
November 10th: Bookworm Lisa
November 11th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

$20 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends November 15th

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Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Christmas at Cade Ranch by Karen Rock (Blog Tour with giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Christmas at Cade Ranch
(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1)
by Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
November 7th 2017 by Harlequin

The Christmas they never had.

James Cade has one priority: keep the family ranch running smoothly in the wake of his younger brother's death. With Jesse's ex, Sofia Gallardo, and her young son, Javi, stranded at Cade Ranch over Christmas, this task just got a lot harder. The longer Sofia and Javi stay, the harder it is to imagine the ranch without them. James couldn't save his brother from his inner demons, but he can give his nephew a secure future. Maybe more—if he can figure out how to trust Sofia, and stop feeling like he's betraying Jesse. Because trying to stop thinking about beautiful, determined Sofia is impossible.

My thoughts:  It is early for me to be reading Christmas books.  I usually don't like to start anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

This week I have had the good fortune to read three books centered around the Christmas Season and it has been wonderful.  All three of them have had a central theme about second chances, helping out those who are less fortunate, and are generally about loving others.  I need these themes in my life. I need the reminder about what the season is about, even if it is out of Holiday order.

Sofia is an amazing character.  She has endured many hardships and overcome drug addiction.  She keeps it together for her young son, Javi.  He is the center of her world and she does all that she can for him.  It is heartbreaking to think of a young mother with little to no income, on the brink of starvation, carving out a better life for her and her son.

The Cade's are a pretty incredible family.  They were rocked by the death of Jesse, Javi's father.  He was the son who they couldn't save from addiction.  His older brother, James, has taken it upon himself to be the protector of the family.  He doesn't want to see his mother hurt again, and that would include getting Sophia and Javi out of her life before they become attached.

As I stated above, this is a story about second chances.  I also found the themes of redemption, second chances,  and forgiveness in the book.  This book can really be read at anytime, even though it centers on the Christmas Season.  The messages that it contains are good for anytime and help me feel a little more thankful in the month of November.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars.

Source: I received and electronic copy of the book from Netgalley.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.






About the Author

In a quest to provide her ELA students with quality reading material, educator Karen Rock read everything out there and couldn't wait to add her voice to the genre. In addition to her work as a Young Adult romance novelist, she's now an author for Harlequin's Heartwarming line and thrilled to pen stories that moms can share with their teenage daughters. She's loved Harlequin books since she spent summers going through her grandmother's Presents books that she passed along in paper grocery bags each year. As half of the writing duo J.K. Rock, Karen also pens young adult romance. When she's not busy writing, Karen enjoys scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes, reinventing her gardens to suit her moods and occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels, who have yet to understand the concept of "fetch" though they know a lot about love. For more information about Karen's upcoming books, check out her website.

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Other Heartwarming Books by the Author

Tour Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card along with print copies of HIS KIND OF COWGIRL, UNDER AN ADIRONDACK SKY AND A COWBOY TO KEEP by Karen Rock, TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH by Elizabeth Lowell, THOSE TEXAS NIGHTS by Delores Fossen and FAMILY TREE by Susan Wiggs.- US Only.
- Ends November 15th

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Falling For a Duke: A Timeless Regency Collection

Falling for a Duke by Rebecca ConnollyFalling for a Duke by Rebecca Connolly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: received ebook to review
Genre: Regency Anthology

Book Description From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean & Wholesome Romance, comes FALLING FOR A DUKE.

Three brand new Regency Romance novellas by Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van, and Janelle Daniels

ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly. Lord David Chambers has one goal—to put his father’s Scotland estate to rights. Even if it means leaving in the middle of the London Season and avoiding the matchmakers. As the second son of a duke, David looks forward to facing the wilds of Scotland, and trying to make something of himself and prove his worth to his father. But David’s not prepared for the censure he receives from the local Scottish gentry, especially Ceana Shaw, the baronet’s daughter who not only mistakes him for the duke himself, she seems determined to think the worst of David. 

VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van. Eliza Mail had found the perfect place to live out her days as a young widow, away from the pain of her past and lost love. Seemingly by chance, Eliza’s childhood neighbor, Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton, comes to her village for a visit. Eliza hasn’t seen Liam in over five years, and his presence panics her. Will he reveal what he knows to her friends and neighbors, destroying her current life? Eliza must avoid Liam at all costs, but he seems equally determined to flush her out of hiding. What happens if Eliza’s past does not stay where it belongs . . . in her past? 

I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels. Madeline Maybury will do anything to be invited into the inner circles of the ton. She takes on a challenge from a high society lady to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. When she finds Ethan alone and explains that she needs to kiss him, instead of turning her away, he’s amused. He also obliges. Madeline believes she can report back and achieve all of her ambitions. Instead, she’s given an even greater task. Once she accomplishes it, she realizes that the Duke of Hargrave is a very different man than she expected, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love.



My thoughts: Pure goodness. That is what you will find in this collection of novella's. There is charm, mistaken identity, fun, whit, humor, dares, and long lost love found again.

This is another wonderful addition to the Timeless Regency Collection. "Falling for a Duke" is not your typical book of romancing the gentry. There is a diversity in characters and station. I loved reading how love could be kindled in unique situations.

You can never go wrong with any of the Timeless Romance Collections. The stories are always diverse, developed, and full of humor. I highly recommend.



Online Purchase Links:


Monday, November 6, 2017

The Forgotten Carols - Giveaway for tickets!



I love the Forgotten Carols!  The music is beautiful and the message is touching.  I cry whenever I watch it or listen to the music.  I have the CD and it has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  To celebrate the season, I am posting the giveaway on my blog.  If you aren't familiar with "The Forgotten Carols" now is a good time to come to love them and make them a part of your Christmas traditions.



Q & A with Michael McClain


1. What is your favorite Forgotten Carol scene?
I have so many scenes in THE FORGOTTEN CAROLS that are “favorites” for a variety of reasons.  But I’m surprised, performance after performance, how often something touches me differently and teaches me something that I’ve missed in performances past.  It’s the gift of doing this show for 26 years.  I keep learning things, understanding things, and feeling things that bring me closer to the One Christmas is all about…the One who we remember…It’s about remembering what’s been “forgotten” when it comes to the meaning of Christmas. 


2. Do you have a favorite snack you enjoy while traveling to each tour city? 
I'm a diabetic, so this is sort of a trick question.  I crave chocolate cake donuts, but have to eat Kind Bars.  That’s the reality, but the truth is, I cheat sometimes…and take a little bit more insulin to make up for it.  Don’t tell anybody :)

3. What do you enjoy most when you’re on the road performing? 

The older I get the more exhausting it is to be traveling from place to place…but the joy of that travel when it’s with people I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to pieces.  The cast and the crew make it a joy beyond measure.  


4.       During the last song when the audience is hand-in-hand singing, what emotions do you feel from the stage? 

When the encore segment of The Forgotten Carols happens, I find myself focusing on the meaning of “together forever”.   Is it something that we hope will happen someday, somewhere down the road, or is it something we can feel right now, this moment?  Some nights I feel like I should sing a different lyric for families that can’t buy in to the idea of an eternal connection, for whatever reasons, and the appropriate lyric for them would be, “We can be together, whatever, today”.  Some nights, thinking about my own family and the challenges we face, those words are a great comfort and a celebration of now.  I believe that what happens to me, and many people who attend The Forgotten Carols, is that together in that moment, we feel the love and peace and comfort that comes at Christmas time to remind us that we are never alone, and the One whose birth we celebrate is ALWAYS with us.   Here’s a news flash for you, my blogger friends.  I’M ADDING A NEW CAROL TO THE SHOW THIS YEAR that I think will shine a beautiful light on that thought.  Hope y’all come and hear me sing it!!!


Win tickets to a show nearest you!
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A Season of Love by Carla Kelly ~ Blog Tour


A Season of Love: A Christmas Anthology by Carla Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from publisher to review.
Genre: Regency Christmas Anthology

Book Description At Christmastime, love is just a wish away! Join master romance writer Carla Kelly in this joyful celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Set in regency England, these Christmas tales will take you from dangerous adventures on snowy roads to cozy little cottages, filled with holiday mischief. Five fun stories in one book!



My thoughts: I consider myself to be a huge Carla Kelly fan and I have read many of her books, I have yet to get through them all. I appreciate her honesty in a story. She has an amazing way with words and I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.

This is a collection of short stories told around the Christmas Season. All of the stories have been printed before, but I was surprised that I haven't read most of them. That surprised me, because, I read everything of hers that I can get my hands on.

This anthology follows the pattern that Carla uses in her books. The couples are not the uppercrust, but the everyday people you would find in Regency England. They are the workers, the humble, or those who have fallen from grace. The stories are full of humor, laughter, and service. She brings clarity to the time period and makes the time period more fascinating to me.

If you have read some, but not all, and do not mind re-reading stories, this would be a great book to add to your collection.



Online Purchase Links:


About the Author:  Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for Borrowed LightMy Loving Vigil Keeping, and Softly Falling.


Visit the Tour Stops:

11/01/17Ashley-Ziegler
11/02/17Life is What It’s Called
11/03/17Heidi Reads
11/06/17Bookworm Lisa
11/08/17Blooming With Books
11/09/17Rockin Book Reviews
11/10/17Singing Librarian Books
11/12/17Jorie Loves a Story
11/13/17Wishful Endings
11/14/17A Little Too Jolley


Sunday, November 5, 2017

The Nativity Pageant by Neil Johnson




The Nativity Pageant by Neil Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source; Received from the publisher to Review
Genre: Christmas Play

Book Description:  Would you rather read the nativity story or be a part of it? Using simple stage directions, easy-to-find props, and a script that's straight from the scriptures, this book helps you act out the familiar story of the first Christmas for your friends and family. Start a new tradition this season with a simple pageant you'll look forward to performing year after year.



My thoughts: This is a little pamphlet that is perfect for a family, a church, or a neighborhood production celebrating the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The cast can be as few as 6 people.

The pamphlet has two main speaking narrator parts, I could see a family sitting and reading this on Christmas Eve, each taking part in the narration. There are stage directions telling the shepherds to kneel by the Christ Child, the angels appear, Mary swaddles the babe, etc. It is a simple and effective way of remembering the reason for the Christmas Season. The book has songs to be sung at certain times in the story. Sacred music brings a special spirit. Having the songs sung at pivotal points adds a dimension to the scene and brings a new understanding to the moment.




Online Purchase Links:



Excerpt:
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Narrator 1: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Narrator 2: And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
(Joseph leads the “donkey” with Mary on its back [or Joseph and Mary walk together] to the stage left side of the room.)
Narrator 1: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David:
(Mary gets off the “donkey,” stretches her painful back, and sits.)
Narrator 2: To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Narrator 1: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
(Mary puts “baby” into the cradle and stares at him lovingly.)

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Visit the tour stops:

Nov 1 Pebbles and Piggytails
Nov 2 A Bliss Complete
Nov 3 Bookworm Lisa
Nov 5 Rockin’ Book Reviews
Nov 7 Katie’s Clean Book Collection
Nov 7 Singing Librarian Books
Nov 9 I Am A Reader
Nov 10 Aubrey Zaruba
Nov 11 Author Laurisa White Reyes
Nov 13 What’s Up Fagans?
Nov 14 Compass Book Ratings
Nov 14 LDS and Lovin’ It
Nov 15 A Lively Hope
Heidi Robbins