Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop (US)

Thanks Mary at Bookhounds and Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting this hop.

I have a few books in different genres.  Today I am going to give away a book that is the aftermath after a man made  disaster and mystery.

One October night, millions died when the air suddenly became unbreathable. Miraculously left alive, Martin Fall journeys home to Los Angeles and watches as society collapses all around him, leaving him to pick up the pieces. But when he’s recruited for a dangerous mission, he must confront his tragic past to rescue a technology that could save the earth from destroying itself

This giveaway is for US addresses only and for ages 18+.  Entry is through the rafflecopter form below.  Terms and Conditions are to the right and posted in the bottom of the form.  The book is gently used. It is the copy that I received for review and has been read once. a Rafflecopter giveaway <!-- end LinkyTools script –>

Book Spotlight ~ "The 2-Minute Marriage Project" by Heidi Poleman

Marry the one you love and love the one you marry. It sounds simple enough. But staying in love turns out to be a whole lot different than falling in love. In a world of constant distraction, marriage experts agree that the little things matter a lot. "The Two-Minute Marriage Project" explores the little things couples think, say, and do to stay in love for the long haul. Supported by expert studies, interviews with happily married couples, and years of personal experience, author Heidi Poelman shares the simple secrets that keep love alive. Whether it s choosing an attitude of gratitude, leaving a love note, giving a welcome-home hug at the door, or calling just to say hello, "The Two-Minute Marriage Project" is full of simple ways to love the one you married, two minutes at a time."

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

About the author:  Heidi Poelman is the author of A is for Abinadi: An Alphabet Book of Scripture Heroes and The Two-Minute Marriage Project: Simple Secrets for Staying in Love. Heidi received her degrees in communication from Brigham Young University (BA) and Wake Forest University (MA). When she’s not writing, cooking, cleaning, or carpooling, Heidi loves playing outdoors with her family, going out for date night, and reading bedtime stories. She lives in Utah with her husband and three children.

"Willow Springs" by Carolyn Steele ~ Blog Tour

Visit the Tour Page!

Discover true love on the Utah frontier! Crissa Engleson is searching for a new life in the town of Willow Springs when she attracts the unwanted attention of a miner—and falls in love with a handsome Express rider. Laugh and cry with Crissa as she escapes her past to find love and helps the townspeople along the way.

My thoughts:  I am currently about half way through the book and I am enjoying it.  Yes, I am running behind again.  I have my excuses, but I'm sure they won't interest anyone else but me. :)  At this point in the story it would get about a 4 rating.  I am excited to keep reading to see where the story takes me.

Crissa is an immigrant from Sweden.  She is trying to escape a past that is shadowy.  Hints are dropped here and there.  I am currently working on putting the pieces together to figure out where she has been and what is the past that is traumatizing her.  There are two men who are a big part of the plot from the beginning.  One is Garth, a miner, who has decided that he will dominate Crissa, he has tried physically, but Crissa is tough.  He scares her because of her past.

The second is the express rider, Drake.  He is handsome and kind.  Their relationship (?) is complicated.  He seems to be interested in Crissa, but escorts another woman around town.  He is definitely sending mixed messages.

A third man has just entered the scene.  He may or may not be a private investigator seeking her out, bringing her back to a past that she is running from.

The book is very interesting.  It is set in Utah.  Crissa crossed the country with Mormon pioneers, but she is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  Born and raised in Utah, Carolyn Steele was introduced to western novels at a very young age by her grandfather, the son of a gold miner. She has been writing technical and marketing communications for most of her adult life. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in numerous national magazines. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Utah. Married and living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Carolyn loves researching obscure history then weaving it into stories. She also enjoys family dinners with her children and grandchildren, photography, travel, golf, reading, and all forms of needlework. 

Blog Tour ~ "One Dirty Bowl" by Christina Dymock

Visit the tour page!

Quick desserts and even quicker clean up mean more time with your family and friends, and less time in the kitchen. With One Dirty Bowl, whip up show-stopping desserts like Hazelnut Puffs, Peanut Butter Truffle Bars, and White Chocolate and Strawberry Cupcakes, all while dirtying just one bowl. Grab your bowl and get ready to bake!

My thoughts:  YUM!  This book has a variety of goodies that will please someone/anyone in your house.

I love to have a go to book for deserts.  (Yes, I admit to having a massive sweet-tooth.)   One thing that I appreciate about this book is that I don't have to have several bowls dirty after the desert is finished.  I love having homemade goodies for my family, but I really hate clean up!

I haven't tried the Roll-Over Cookie bites, but that is next on my list.  Cookies made in small muffin tins with Rolo candies.  The description says that the outside of the cookies are crunchy but the insides are soft. That sounds like heaven in a cookie to me.  

Below is the introduction to the Small and Scrumptios recipes section.  (The cookie-bottom individual cheescakes are my favorite - picture on bottom right of cover)

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

Whether it’s petits fours,

cookies, candy pieces,

or mini cupcakes,

small desserts are all the rage.

After a satisfying meal, it’s nice

to have a little taste of something

sweet; it’s like putting on just the

right necklace to complement an

outfit. When you make smallersized

treats, it’s possible to sample

one of each without feeling as

though you’re wasting good food.

Keep this in mind if you’re serving

a crowd since people are likely to

sample everything.

Just because these desserts look

delicate and there are a lot of them

doesn’t mean they have to take a

lot of time. These sweet treats are

easy to put together and are sure

to satisfy.

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

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Books & Things

About the Author: Christina Dymock graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Public Relations. She has been published in Woman’s World Magazine and several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and she is the author of 101 Things to do With Popcorn. She resides in Central Utah with her husband and four children. You can follow their cooking adventures at teachingyoungchefs.blogspot.com.

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Blog Tour Spotlight ~ "Tortured Souls" by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

 Tortured Souls
The Orion Circle #1

Kimber Leigh Wheaton

YA Paranormal Romance
June 29. 2014
Sea Dragon Press


Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option.

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

Read an Excerpt

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

“I’m a member of an exclusive club at school, the Orion Circle. Perhaps you’ve heard of us?” he asks, cocking his head to the side.

My eyebrows shoot up at his admission, and I stumble a bit on a crack in the sidewalk. He grabs my elbow to steady me. Not trusting my voice to work, I nod in response. Of course I’ve heard of the secretive Orion Circle—everyone has. Speculation as to the nature of the club runs the gamut from academic to secret society.

The moment we enter the park, Kodiak prances in excitement, eager for the wild trails up ahead. This time of morning wildlife sightings are plentiful. Kodiak lunges at a squirrel crossing our path. I make a clicking noise with my tongue, and the dog reverts to his obedient behavior. Pavement gives way to a dirt trail, forcing me to slow my pace due to the uneven footing.

“I think you should come to our meeting this afternoon. I’ll find you later today and give you an invitation.”

His offer blindsides me, and I nod like an idiot, my head bobbing a few too many times. Somehow I manage to smile at him before returning my gaze to the trail. Wow, the Orion Circle and Logan in one day. I feel like I’m floating on a cloud until a rock brings me back to Earth. After stumbling a few steps, Logan’s hand on my arm is the only thing that keeps me from falling.

If I continue to run down this dirt trail, I’m afraid I might fall to my death. It seems I’m having a hard time seeing anything other than an image of Logan’s handsome face. I glance up at him, surprised by the concern etched across his face.

“Are you okay? You didn’t twist your ankle, did you?”

“No, I’m fine, really,” I reply as a hot flush creeps from my neck to my face. “But my mind is a million miles away, and I’m afraid I’ll break a leg on this trail if we keep going.”

“We’ll head back, then,” he says before turning to walk back to the park entrance.

“Thanks for understanding,” I say, relieved we are walking rather than running.

“I only got a glimpse of your vision,” he says in a soft voice. “It was bad. Real bad. Don’t worry, I’ll help you, I promise. I think you’ll feel a lot better after the Orion Circle meeting.”

His words fill me with warmth along with a feeling of contentment. Perhaps this vision isn’t so bad. I mean, it brought me closer to Logan, after all.

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

Amazon * Goodreads

About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

Website * Twitter * Goodreads Author Page
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Tour-Wide Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

1 Signed Print Copy - US Only

5 sets of signed bookmarks - US only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eleven Author's are giving away an Amazon giftcard~ Summer Fun!

What would you do with a 

$175 Amazon Gift Card?

11 authors have come together

to give you some SUMMER FUN READING

and a $175 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

Click on the image to read a summary of each book :)

GIVEAWAY ends 8/31/14 

No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older and legally able to receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. This giveaway is not associated with Rafflecopter, Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway was organized by I Love to Read and Review Books :) 
and sponsored by the participating authors.

A.L. Sowards

Christy Monson

Ashley Lavering

In This Together Media

J. C. Whyte

Debbie Peterson

Rebecca Belliston

Rebecca H Jamison

Rachelle J. Christensen

Alivia Anderson
Julie Coulter Bellon

Book Review ~ "How Much Do You Love Me?" by Paul Mark Tag

How Much Do You Love Me? by Paul Mark Tag
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Book Description:  Lovers James and Keiko marry quickly before James goes to World War II and Keiko to an internment camp. Sixty years later their daughter Kazuko, born in the camps, uncovers a secret that could overwhelm the family. Discover the very definition of human love and self-sacrifice in this saga of war, mystery, and romance.

My thoughts: Keiko and James were in love. They didn't realize how hard it would be for a Caucasian man and a Japanese Woman to marry and live together during WWII. James would leave to serve his country and Keiko would leave to an internment camp.

The overall feeling of the book for me was sadness. It wasn't overwhelming, it was present throughout the book. As the book begins, it is the year 2000. Keiko has suffered a stroke and is in a coma. James has Alzheimers and is in a care center.

As Keiko lies in her hospital bed, she listens to her son, daughter, and sister talk. She is able to reminisce about her secret courtship with James and her life in the camp. The thoughts take new turns as an old friend from the camp comes to visit her. He was the fiancee of her twin sister who passed away at the camp. His visit brings questions of Keiko's life and family secrets.

I was unaware that during the time period that marriage between a white/asian couple was only legal in a few states. I was saddened by the sub-standard conditions that people of Japanese descent were forced to live in. It is unthinkable that a race of people would be forced to leave their homes, livelihood, family, and friends because of fear. I have read a few books about the Japanese internment camps and I remain unimpressed/disgusted with the US government for lack of understanding and letting fear rule policy.

This book was very interesting. It shows the love that people can have for one another. It shows eventual acceptance of the unusual from family. The major point of the story is sacrifice.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

The Void ~ Saints and Soldiers Movie

Movie Synopsis:  Germany, May 1945, the twilight of WWII. On a final mission deep in the Harz mountains a U.S. tank crew discovers a platoon of Germans, including three infamous Panzer tanks, preparing to ambush allied supply trucks.

Before the war, Sergeant Jesse Owens, was a product of segregation and racial discrimination. Forced by law to ride in the back of the bus and disenfranchised from the political process. As the Germans bear down on the Americans, Owens fights the Axis powers for a freedom he and his fellow African American soldiers have never felt.

With a deadly game of cat and mouse quickly unfolding, Owens and his predominantly white tank crew find themselves out-gunned and out-manned by the German Panzer tanks. Several in Owens’ crew are reluctant to put their faith in a black tank driver despite their dire circumstances. With tension and fear beginning to manifest Owens knows they must put aside their differences to stop the enemy from their deadly plan. Knowing that a victory over the Nazis means a victory for racial justice, Owens and his men find a way to work together to save hundreds of lives in a desperate battle against the greatest odds they have ever faced.

On July 31st I had the opportunity to see a screening for Saints and Soldiers: The Void.  It was an amazing opportunity!  I am grateful that I didn't miss it and that Deseret Book sent me an invitation.
This is a movie that will always be good no matter where you see it; but seeing it on a big screen added a layer of excitement.  I saw this film at the Megaplex Theater at Thanksgiving Point, located in Lehi, Utah.  One of the bonuses of attending the screening was the Q& A with the movie's producer, director, and five of the actors.

Q& A with the actors.

This movie takes a non-traditional look at WWII.  The difference is the concept of the plot.  The movie deals with bigotry.  The bigotry was the way African Americans were viewed and treated by the Caucasian population.  It is a very sensitive matter that was dealt with  head on.  It was quite the experience to see the movie from the viewpoint of Sergeant Jesse Owens.  The actor playing Owens, Danor Gerald, did a wonderful job.  In the Q&A after he said that he would wait until the rest of the cast and crew had eaten before he would go get some food.  It was similar to the treatment blacks would have received during the time period.

The story made me think about the different battlefronts that African American soldiers were involved in.  They had the "opportunity" to fight for a country that didn't acknowledge their worth as people. Even though Sergeant Owen's was mistreated, he still did his best. He went out of his way to save lives.

The movie is based on interviews with men who served during WWII.  It was a fun bit of information to find out that one of the tanks in the movie was the original used by one of the men interviewed.  The director, Ryan Little, stated that the series of movies is when a moment of humanity is discovered in war.  There were several of those moments in this film.

This movie opens on August 15th.  Go see it on the 15th or 16th.  Ryan Little stated that the first two days are critical to how long movie theaters play it.  This is the third movie in a series.  You do not need to see the first two to appreciate or understand this movie.  If it's not playing at a theater near you, REQUEST IT!

FREEDOM is WORTH
the FIGHT

I am currently running a giveaway of the first two DVD's.  It ends tomorrow, August 14th.  Be sure to enter. It's for US addresses.