Read an Excerpt from "Under the Desert Moon" by Emma Meade

Book description:17 year old Erin Harris spends her time daydreaming, hoping to escape her small town life in Copperfield, Arizona. When a movie crew arrives unexpectedly to shoot a vampire film over the summer, Erin’s small town world changes forever. 
Erin is positive she has seen the star, James Linkin before in a thirty year old TV show. He hasn’t aged a day. How is this possible? Erin is determined to find out, but how will James handle the scrutiny of an all too intelligent teenage girl?




Read the Excerpt: 

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

James raised his eyes finally.  “I’m sorry, Erin.  I didn’t mean to-” he paused, searching for the right word, “unnerve you.”

            “You didn’t,” Erin replied automatically, but in actuality she was feeling distinctly unnerved, disturbed even.  Those eyes, so strange, almost trance-like.  Her earlier giddiness had completed evaporated. 

            “Are you sure?” James persisted.

            Erin was quiet for a moment, thoughtful.  “Oh my God,” she burst out loudly.

            James had been leaning towards her slowly but now froze.  “What?” he asked uncertainly, seeking to make contact again with her eyes.

            “I’ve seen you before,” Erin said.  “You looked so familiar to me in Casey’s Diner the other night.” 

James only looked at her blankly. 

“But that’s impossible,” she said.

            “What is?”  James’ tone was straining for a detached, almost bored air, but there was an underlying edge of anxiety.

            Erin looked straight into his eyes without him having to urge her this time.  “There’s this old TV show I watched with my mom when I was a kid.  They showed re-runs on cable from time to time.”

            She noticed how his knuckles clasped tightly.

             “It was a sitcom, and the older kid in it, the college hero of the family-” Erin paused.  “He looks like you, James.”

            Silence.  Then James stood and laughed, but it was forced sounding, and somewhat off balanced.  He stared down at her.  “They say everyone has a double, Erin.”

            Erin rose to meet his gaze.  She stepped closer to him.  “I haven’t seen it in years but the resemblance is-”   What was the word?  “Uncanny.”

            “Uncanny,” James repeated dully.

            “Yes,” Erin whispered.  “My mom had a crush on that guy.”

            “Did she?”  James smiled, and his tone was warm again.  “I’ll have to catch this show sometime, check out the resemblance,” he said, confident and at ease once more.

            “I don’t think they run it anymore,” Erin said, studying him.

            James shrugged.  “Don’t dwell on it kid.”  He slapped her on the shoulder like they were old pals.

            His touch was cool and she quickly moved back from him.  James’ hand hovered in the air for a moment, seemingly undecided about what to do next.  He put it back in his pocket. 

Those eyes, Erin thought again.  Like a cat, a big cat, a panther.

            James stepped back from her now.  “Got to mingle inside some more,” he said, backing further away.

            Erin nodded, and watched him slink gracefully inside the warehouse.  She was thinking of that television show.  They didn’t show that program these days, but her mother had bought it on video.  Where were those tapes? 

Erin sat back down and switched on the camera.  Even if she could find them, she didn’t have a VCR anymore.  Did anyone in Copperfield own one? 

The photo of his eyes loomed up at her.  She’d add it to her Sight collection.  Animal eyes, watchful, predatory, and waiting.

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

Spooktacular Hop

Thanks I am a Reader, Not a Writer for sponsoring this book hop.  This one is HUGE.  I had to look through it a couple of times to find my link and verify shipping information.  I even had my glasses on and a hard time finding it! :)

I am going to have three winning opportunities today.  The first two are US due to shipping expense and the third is international.

Book #1 - This is an anti-bullying month and I was sent two copies of this book from the publisher.  Here is my review of it.  I will be giving the second book to a winner today.  It's hardcover and a wonderful children's picture book.

Book #2 - This book was sent to me a while ago.

The synopsis is long at Goodreads.  Here is the Link so you can find more info if you are interested.

 Book #3 ~  This is the International portion of the giveaway.  The winner will get to choose one book that they would like that is $10.00 or less (US currency).  I will ship one book from the  book depository or a kindle edition of a book may be chosen that I will gift to the winner.

Rules:  In the rafflecopter form indicate which prize you would like to win.  I will give the first randomly drawn winner their choice, and then continue for the second and third drawing.  You must be 13 or older to enter the contest. If you are under 18 you must have parental permission to enter.  By submitting information on the form, you are acknowledging that you are in compliance with the rules.  This contest will close at midnight on Halloween night. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review ~ "Into the Pumpkin" by Linda Franklin

Into the Pumpkin by Linda Franklin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Children's Holiday Picture Book


Book Description:  The fun of Halloween comes alive in this beautifully illustrated children's book. The drawings, done each year by the author on the eve of Halloween, follow various "Halloween" characters as they prepare to celebrate this mystical holiday -- pumpkins, witches, bats, ravens, black cats, scarecrows, spiders, ghosts, and more. Should they have their party in the graveyard or the pumpkin patch? Should they dress up or simply go as themselves? Take a ride on the witch's broom and enter the pumpkin for a magical trip both you and your kids will not soon forget. Pre-K through 6th.


My thoughts: This book is a good addition to the Halloween Children's picture books. It is told in an easy rhyme that is appealing. The pictures are lovely with a haunting look to them. It describes many of the typical Halloween creatures and their activities on Halloween night.

I enjoyed this story.  It isn't my favorite Halloween picture book, but definitely worth checking out.

"Emily's Trial" by Natalie Wright - Read an Excerpt

Emily's journey began two years ago when she became a modern Celtic Priestess. Armed with a magic dagger and the powerful golden torc, she was entrusted with sacred magic and ancient wisdom.

But even a Priestess can know desire, feel temptation, and yearn for love. Will passion entice Emily to use the sacred magic in a forbidden way? Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily’s Trial?

The Journey Continues . . .

YA Paranormal/Fantasy

Title:  Emily's Trial (Akasha Chronicals #2)

Author: Natalie Wright

Date published: Oct 2012

About Natalie Wright:  Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes.

Natalie enjoys travel, good wine, and excellent food shared with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, now lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a high rise in a big city.

“Books are my friends, ideas my passion.

Find her at:  Blog /Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / YouTube / Wattpad / Pinterest

Read an Excerpt!

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

The Apocalypse didn't start with four horsemen, harbingers of the horror to come. It didn't start with a plague, or pestilence, or even zombies rising from the dead.

It came slowly, and without warning. It crept up on people in the shadows, no more than a vague darkness that spread like an unseen cancer.

And it wasn't set into action by a divine hand. A teenage girl was the catalyst for the End Times.

I should know. I'm the one that started it.

I didn't plan to. I didn't want to start the End Times, and I'm not evil.

Madame Wong taught me to tell the truth, and so here it is. I'm the one responsible for the Apocalypse. And this is the story of how I unwittingly unlocked the door to the darkness; of how a Priestess of the Order of Brighid, entrusted with powerful magic that was supposed to be used for the benefit of all humankind, unleashed a force that would destroy it instead.

And it all began with desire.

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

Purchase links:

Paperback:

 CreateSpace: http://bit.ly/UJuq9M

 Amazon: http://amzn.to/QscryF

 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/RdAscm

 Powell’s: http://bit.ly/R4hBS9

 E-Book:

 Smashwords*: http://bit.ly/UJuq9M

               *At Smashwords you can download the version of your choice – for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, PDF, etc.

 Amazon for Kindle: http://amzn.to/R58yyW

 Apple iBookstore: http://bit.ly/UWeGeg

Pingo and the Playground Bully by Brandon Mull ~ Review

Pingo and the Playground Bully by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Children's Picture  Book
Source: Received from Publisher to review

Book Description from Amazon: In first grade, Chad and his imaginary friend, Pingo, meet other kids and their imaginary friends: Gary protects the galaxy with Sparky the robot; Tiffany helps save the day with Awesome Girl; and Dustin can hide Mr. Bob in his pocket. One recess, after defeating a clan of lava monsters, Chad and his friends decide to have a contest to see which imaginary friend is the smartest or the strongest or the sneakiest. However, when Jeremy, the schoolyard bully, and his imaginary friend, Grunt, decide to prove that they re the best, Pingo saves the day by befriending Jeremy and Grunt and inviting them on an adventure down the Amazon River. We re all good at different things, and that makes friendship fun. Let s go play! A delightful, full-color picture book about the power of kindness and the importance of including others.

My thoughts: Chad has a wonderful imaginary friend named Pingo. In fact all of Chad's friends have an imaginary friend and together they have wonderful adventures.

Unfortunately, the playground bully also has an imaginary friend and they terrorize the others. When faced with an unfriendly situation, Pingo saves the day!

This book is well illustrated and full of imagination. I love that it deals with the problem of bullying. This book shows a non-confrontational way of dealing with the bully and would be a great opening to talking to younger children about what they can do when facing a bully.

Maui Widow Waltz by JoAnn Bassett ~ Book blast w/giveaway

Maui Widow Waltz

Even "death do us part" couldn't spoil her wedding day plans... Wedding planner Pali Moon is thrilled when a would-be bride shows up at "Let's Get Maui'd" inquiring about a lavish beach wedding. That is, until she learns it must be on Valentine's Day, just nine days away. Oh yeah,and one other little hitch: the groom disappeared at sea a week earlier. But the bride's convinced he'll be found safe and sound, so she's got a plan--and a man--to do a proxy ceremony if necessary. The day before the big nuptials a man's body washes ashore on a South Maui beach. Has the groom finally shown up? If so, what's it going to be--a wedding...or a funeral? This is the FIRST book in the "Islands of Aloha Mystery Series".

Author JoAnn Bassett

JoAnn Bassett grew up in Seattle, but always preferred palm trees to pine trees. She owned a firefighter training business and raised a son, always hoping to someday make a day at the beach an everyday reality. In 1996, she and her husband bought a home on Maui and made the dream come true. Purchase on Amazon. Follow the author on: Website | Facebook | Twitter The author is giving away an Islands of Aloha Gift Box, with signed print copies of the first three books in the "Islands of Aloha Mystery Series" along with great Hawaiian goodies such as Kona-style coffee, special tropical tea, yummy bath products with paradise scents. It's like a quick trip to Hawaii--without the annoying TSA pat-down! Open to US/ Can Residents 18+. Ends November 4. Fill out the for below to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jane Austen giveaway hop

  I LOVE Jane Austen Books!!  Thanks I  am a Reader, Not a Writer and vvb32read for hosting this giveaway.

My life has not gone as planned lately.  After a week of hospital with my husband's ruptured appendix and complications, my brain is very fried!  Instead of me picking a Jane Austen inspired book for you, how about the winner gets to pick a Jane Austen inspired book that they want to read?  I will ship one Jane Austen inspired book to one luck winner.  It just has to be $15.00 US or less.  It will come form the Book Depository.

Rules:

Winner must make their own choice of a Jane Austen inspired book under $15.00 US.
Must be 13 or older to enter.
See my full giveaway policy in the right sidebar.
Use the rafflecopter form to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson (blog tour/giveaway)

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic copy for review
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book description: Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.

Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?

My thoughts:  This books is so cute!  It is  light and very fun.  I love the banter and one upping that Taycee and Luke throw at each other.  They really need to resolve all of their issues and get together. :)

Taycee is pulled into being the bachelorette to help save her small town.  The farmers are struggling.  Farms are going under and the remaining farms are trying to survive.  Her best friend comes with the idea to do their own bachelorette show on the internet to raise the needed money to help out the farmers and save the town. Taycee is not informed that she is the bachelorette until the wheels have been in motion for a while.  She really doesn't have a choice but to participate.

Before she knows that she is the bachelorette she nominates Luke to be one of the bachelors.  She is trying to get even with him.  She still is holding a grudge from when she was 14 and he left for college, leaving her and her broken heart behind.  Her goal changes, she is trying to do everything in her power to have him voted off the show.  The viewers get to say who stays and who goes. Her ideas are original and fun.

This book is one of the books that you sit down and read because you need a break.  This book comes at a perfect time for me, because I really need a break! It's clean and fun, my favorite kind.

About Rachael: Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Links to find her: Facebook / website / twitter / goodreads / amazon

Giveaway': The giveaway runs until October 31st.  Here is what you could win.


Grand Prize
    Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette (Ebook for International winner)
    $15 Amazon Gift Card
    Copy of the DVD Sneakers (US only)

Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette

3 Kindle Ebook Copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase Links: 

Rachael is discounting her Amazon kindle book to 99 cents until the end of the month.  You can take advantage of the offer.  The Amazon link on the right will get you to the page.