Blog Tour ~ Review of "Mattie" by M. Ann Rohrer

Mattie by M. Ann Rohrer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre:  Historical Fiction


Book Description: “Mattie” is history made alive as we follow a young woman through a crisis of faith, life threatening adventures, and heartbreaking romance. Twice, she falls in love with the wrong men before returning to her roots in Mexico to marry the man she didn’t know she loved. Then suddenly, war descends on her happily-ever-after, and Mattie must bring to bear her budding faith and indomitable spirit to survive.



My thoughts:  Mattie follows the life of Martha Ann Sevey. She is eleven as the book opens in the early 1900's. She lives in a Mormon Colony in Mexico. Her story starts as her family is getting ready to bury her polygamous father. She has a large family with the usual family dynamic of squabbling siblings. Her life is simple.

As a teen things change when she leaves Mexico to live with an older sister. She goes from girl to Young Woman and faces many challenges associated with growing up. Men, they are always a huge learning curve for any girl. Going from a quiet colony to a worldly town makes the transition a little more difficult. She faces challenges that will test her faith, her resolve, and her determination. She is a strong character.

I enjoyed the book from the opening pages. It caught my attention and my interest. I love M. Ann Rohrers writing. This book is historical fiction, a genre which I enjoy. This book hit the mark for me and I give it a solid recommendation.

About M. Ann Rohrer: Martha Ann Robinson Rohrer was born in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. At age nine, she moved with her family to Toquepala, Peru, South America, where they lived for ten years. After attending Juarez Stake Academy in Mexico her sophomore year, she returned to Peru and finished her junior and senior years through correspondence. In 1965, the family returned to the United States, settling in Tucson, Arizona. Ann served a two-year mission to Mexico City, Mexico Mission. She is married to John Rohrer and they live in Pasco, Washington. They have five boys, one daughter, and at present, thirteen grandchildren.

To follow the tour: use this link to Cedar Fort Books.

Book Teaser ~ "The Emerald Ring" by Dorine White

Coming May 14, 2013- Cleopatra’s Legacy Book 1- The Emerald Ring. A new action packed middle grade fantasy series from debut author, Dorine White. Read below for an excerpt not found in the published book!

"Egypt- 30 BC

The velvet pouch hurtled across the room. Its cords whipped behind it and tangled in the servant's outstretched hands.

Cleopatra's tense voice rent the atmosphere. "Hurry, there's not much time." The horrified servant looked down at the lumpy sack resting in his palms. The queen continued, "I'm placing all my trust in you. Don't let it fall into Roman hands."

The servant's legs trembled. He knew his own life was worth nothing compared to the precious objects imparted to him.

"I will not fail you." The words fell from his lips in reverence. "Your legacy will be safe."

The queen paced the floor in determined strides. Her short black hair bobbed against a tan face. Her eyes met his. "On your life, see that it is! I'll not allow Egypt conquered so easily."

He stuffed the precious bag into his linen tunic and left the royal bed chamber. Halfway down the hallway he abruptly stopped mid stride and quickly ducked down a narrow side passage. His timing was perfect as he avoided two Roman Centurions lurking in the torch lit corridor, but he collided with one of the queen's maid servants. The wicker basket she held awkwardly in her arms wobbled and an angry hiss emanated from within its dark confines. The maid cast him a nasty look before hurrying on to the queen. He knew the queen's plan was now in motion and rushed to leave the building before the chaos began.

Just as his bare feet touched the hot desert sand the sound of running soldiers filled his ears. The deadly asp had done its job. He paused to catch his breath, pressing his back against the palace walls. The last ruler of Egypt felled by a snake. His head shook in frustration, and then he hurried on to find the royal historian and give him the first piece of the royal treasure."

The adventure of The Emerald Ring begins...

Exclusive sneak peek at chapter 1 for readers! ClickHere.

Book Blog Tour ~ "Life is Too Short" by Connie Sokol

Tour Schedule

 

The Life is Too Short Collection by Connie E. Sokol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Woman Self Help

Book description:  Are you looking for a fabulous life boost today? The Life is Too Short series is just what you need. Written by Connie Sokol—mother of seven, author, speaker, and amazing matching sock finder—these humorous self-development columns give you just the right amount of fun and functional. Originally written for a major newspaper and magazines, you can now enjoy the entire collection in one book. Put your feet up and laugh as you relate to time-tested tips on being a woman, wife, and mother. You'll learn the cozy stuff of how to adjust expectations, have faith in your dreams, and lighten up in motherhood. And, you'll learn a few life skills such as easy spring cleaning, simplifying the holidays, and creating successful goals. It's the perfect gift for any woman! Short, funny, insightful, these quick power columns are ideal anytime, anywhere, to rejuvenate your mind and soul.


My thoughts:  I don't read many self help books, mainly because I have determined that life is too short for boredom. Connie does not bore me, in fact I find myself enjoying every word she puts on the page.

Her writing style is quick and full of whit. She brings the challenges faced by women into practical and doable situations. She helps me to determine what is important, and mostly that I am important. Being a wife and a mother is hard. She uses her life situations to illustrate that point, and show joy and humor in motherhood.

She adds many real life situations, a grandmother who wants to clean up her yard but unexpectedly is watching grandchildren.  Why not have them help and have a fun activity?  A child who tells her mother to smile more.  People doing good works and still living productive family lives.  This book is full of situations that will bring a smile to your face and a realization that you can do it!

Amazon

  Review from I Love to Read & Review Books:

For some laughter therapy read this book! I LOVED the funny stories in each chapter followed by a LIFE TIP to help you put into practice the things you just learned...and as an added bonus...there is a BOOK PICK to further your enlightenment on the subject.

 

Author Connie Sokol

Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly contributor on KSL TV “Studio 5,” and regular blogger for KSL "Motherhood Matters." She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is the author of several books including the award-nominated romance Caribbean Crossroads, the 8-week Challenge program of Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, Life is Too Short for One Hair Color Series, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats.

Website * Facebook

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card Ends 5/7/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent 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 http://www.iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Support Author's Charity Book Giveaway for One Fund Boston - aiding the victims

We are helping to spread the word about  this amazing book giveaway that was created to aid the victims and families of the 2013 Boston Marathon Attack. Many best-selling authors have donated books  in response to this cause. The books are grouped into bundle packs and a winner will be selected randomly through Rafflecopter for each bundle. Visit the book giveaway site for more details and how to enter.

If you do not want to enter to win a bundle, please feel free to make a donation using this link. It will take you directly to the organization donation site.

The auction will run from April 21-April 30th.

Book Bundle #1

In the Name of Love

SIGNED copies of:

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Easy by Tammara Webber

Fallen Too Far & Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

FATE by Elizabeth Reyes

CRUSH by Nicole Williams

Disastrous by EL Montes

Book Bundle #2

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

SIGNED copies of:

Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

What a Boy Wants, What a Boy Needs and Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn

Sleep My Child by Eyvonna Rains
ebooks: Shark Bait & The Other Fish in the Sea by Jenn Cooksey

Book Bundle #3

Just the Way You Are

SIGNED copies of:

Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

Inhale Exhale by Sarah Ross

Destined to Change by Lisa Harley

Music of the Heart by Katie Ashley

Wide Awake by Shelly Crane

Book Bundle #4

I Walk the Line

SIGNED copies of:

The Thoughtless Series by SC Stephens

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Until I Break by M. Leighton-ARC

Collide by Gail McHugh

Book Bundle #5

Stand By Me

SIGNED copies of:

Love Unscripted & Love Unrehearsed by Tina Reber

Collide by Gail McHugh

Love Em’ or Leave Em’ by Angie Stanton

On The Island byTracey Garvis-Graves

Book Bundle #6

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

SIGNED Copies of:

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

Naked, All In by Raine Miller

Collide by Gail McHugh

Signed Wreck Me, ebook Restore Me by JL Mac

Book Bundle #7

Superstition

SIGNED copies of:

Awaken and Avenged by Sarah Ross

Darkride and Crossfire by Laura Bradley Rede

Book Bundle #8

Whole Lotta Love

SIGNED copies of:

Fall Guy & Perfectly Unmatched by Liz Reinhardt

Lengths & Depths by Steph Campbell

Charade & Freeing Carter by Nyrae Dawn

Destined to Change by Lisa Harley

A Prior Engagement by SL Scott

Book Bundle #9

Maybe I'm Amazed

SIGNED copies of:

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

Inescapable, Intuition, Indebted and Incendiary by Amy Bartol

Book Bundle #10

Ain't Too Proud to Beg

SIGNED copies of:

The Proposition and The Proposal by Katie Ashley

Chocolate Lovers Series by Tara Sivec

His Perfect Passion and The Undoing of a Libertine by Raine Miller

Sponsors

The Autumn Review

All the amazing authors who donated their books

Introducing "Through the Valley Love Endures" by Eddie David Santiago

Through the Valley Love Endures

What if death came for you today? Would you be ready?

Forced to face his own mortality, Eddie Santiago fought to stay alive in a broken world. His incredible journey through heartbreak, abuse, and adversity left him with one truth: every life makes a difference.

This is the true and compelling story of his supernatural quest through the valley of death, doubt, and darkness. Eddie provides a passionate story that will capture the attention of even the toughest skeptics.

Angels, demons, heaven, hell, Jesus and the devil: are they fiction, or are they more real than anything else in the world?

About Eddie David Santiago

Eddie David Santiago has worked in the mental health/substance abuse field since he was 18 years old. He holds bachelor degrees in both psychology and religious studies and has provided counseling related services for multiple mental health, substance abuse and human service agencies. In addition, he earned his master’s degree in counseling along with certification in educational administration.

With over fifteen years of counseling related experience, Eddie founded the organization L.E.A.D. (Love Endures And Delivers) which offers interactive group trainings, seminar sessions, speaking opportunities for groups of all ages and crisis counseling sessions.

THROUGH THE VALLEY, LOVE ENDURES is based on Eddie’s early collection of writings, through which he found his voice. He seeks to inspire others to find their voice and share their own stories. Eddie resides in the Midwest with his beautiful wife Sarah and their three amazing children, Faith, Isaiah and Makaylah.

Fill out the form below to Enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour!

Purchase Links:


 Paperback copy for $14.99 Create Space

Blog Tour ~ " A Glimpse of Her Soul" by Stuart Jaffe

A Glimpse of Her Soul by Stuart Jaffe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: YA Paranomral/ Action / Horror

Book Description:  When 16-year-old Gillian Boone discovers that a secret message has been etched into her soul, her world of normal teenage life is destroyed. Now, bizarre monstrosities seek to kill her so they can read this message as her soul departs and use its information to escape back to the world they came from.

Though she has the aid of her father and some new friends, there is only one who has the real power to help. A rogue monster named Jackhammer Jack. But he might want her secret, too, even as he helps her evade the clutches of those pursuing her. With threats surrounding her, Gillian will have to lead her allies in a struggle for survival - a struggle all the more treacherous when her allies are just as dangerous as her enemies.

Filled with action, excitement, magic, romance, and mystery, A Glimpse of Her Soul is a pulse-pounding ride you're sure to enjoy. And just the kind of genre bending you've come to expect from a writer whose motto is Fantasy Knows No Bounds!

My thoughts:  Gillian's life is turned upside down when she discovers she bears a mark on her soul that attracts "callers", aka demons, monsters, etc. Callers are trying to find their way back to "Spirit" (heaven?) and want to look at her soul as she dies to find their way back.

Gillian has many opportunities to fight the callers and keep her soul and life intact. She has an unexpected ally, who is a caller himself, to help her survive and achieve her potential.

At first glance, the plot seems a little off the wall. It doesn't take long for the thought to diminish and the story becomes enjoyable. This book has twists and turns that keep interest and the plot moving in an interesting direction.

I would really have liked to see the characters develop a little more. From the get go, Gillian is exposed to danger and action scenes. She doesn't have much time to let us get to know her.

There is some swearing, with the use of the "f" bomb once.

Stuart Jaffe

Stuart Jaffe is the author of The Max Porter Paranormal-Mysteries, The Malja Chronicles, The

Bluesman series, and much more. His short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and

anthologies. He is the co-host of The Eclectic Review - a weekly podcast about science, art, and

well, everything. For those who keep count, the latest animal listing is as follows: one dog, four

cats, one albino corn snake, one Brazilian black tarantula, three aquatic turtles, one lop-eared

rabbit, twenty chickens, and a horse. Thankfully, the chickens and the horse do not live inside

the house.

 Author LINKS!    

website * blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Purchase Links!

  Amazon US A Glimpse of Her Soul (Gillian Boone)  * Amazon UK * Nook *  Kobo


Follow the Tour!

Virtual Book Tour April 2 - April 30

April 2 - Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Meet and Greet

April 3 - My Reading Addiction - Review

April 5 - Texas Book Nook - Review

April 8 - Pixie Dust Reviews - Review/Interview

April 9 - Taking it One Page at a Time - Review/Guest Post

April 10 - Known to Read - Review

April 11 - Owlnestly Reviews - Review/Guest Post  

April 13  - My Cozie Corner - Review

April 14 - Lets Get Booked - Review

April 14 -  Offbeat Vagabond - Review/Guest Post

April 17 - The Fiction Connection - Review

April 17 - Waiting on Sunday to Drown - Review

April 19 - Lets Get Booked - Review/Guest Post

April 20 Gimme the Scoop Reviews - Review

April 21 - Books, Authors, Blogs - Review/Guest Post

April 22 - Bookworm Lisa - Review

April 23 - Musings of a Blodger- Review/Interview

April 24 - Books and Their Worldly Realm - Review

April 25 - Frankie Blooding - Review

April 26 - Read-A-Holicz - Review/Interview

April 27 - Book Referees - Review

April 28 - Total Book Geek - Review

April 29 - Must Read Faster - Review

April 29 - The readers Hollow - Review

April 30 - The Solitary Bookworm - Review

April 30 - RABT Reviews - Review

All information can be found at the RABT page!

Launching the Blog tour for "Daynight" by Megan Thomason

On Tour with Prism Book Tours...

It's time to leave Earth and cross over to the other side... it's not as far away as you think!!


Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn't typing away on her laptop, she's reading books on her phone—over 600 in the last year—or attending to the needs of her family. Megan’s fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac. Daynight is Megan's first published novel, but fourth written one.

Goodreads * Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Welcome to the "Second Chances" daynight blog tour! Over the next few day/nights I am really excited to share with you:

- Over $300 of daynight-related prizes as a giant THANK YOU to the thousands ofdaynight early adopters and those who have yet to enter the twisted world of The Second Chance Institute and Thera. Want to prepare for Exile? Or an overday date with Ethan? Have breakfast for dinner? Glam it up in Garden City? There are *12* prize packages to be won! We'll introduce a new package every day of the tour so you'll have a second, third & so forth chance to win.

- The launch of clean slate complex (a daynight story)... For those who have read daynight you can learn more about what the SCI is up to on Earth (surely nothing good). For those who haven't read daynight this is a great way to get your feet wet...test the waters so to speak. I warn you though...the SCI's like Jaws Jr and the giant school of barracuda I encountered on my recent vacation--pretty from a distance, but up close they've got a lot of bite ;).

- Posters, teasers and guest posts about the themes of daynight and clean slate complex... Plus, I'm fully prepared to sneak in some nuggets about what to expect in the daynight sequel, arbitrate.

Thanks again for joining us on the tour and for your support of daynight. I'm grateful for all of you and humbled by your support.

- Megan Thomason

author of daynight

* The Tour *

Become an SCI Recruit
The Second Chance Institute (daynight's Dystopia)

April   22 - Launch!
                - My Seryniti - Review
                - Little Library Muse
           23 - Tressa's Wishful Endings
                - Buckeye Girl Reads - Teaser
                - Marked by Books - Review
                - Red Headed Bookworm

Welcome to Thera!
Building Thera

           24 - Coffee Books and Me
                  Stressed Rach
                  Snuggling on the Sofa - Review
           25 - Christy's Cozy Corner - Teaser
                - All Fantasy Words - Review

Kira * Blake * Ethan
Character Backgrounds & Posters

           26 - Susie Q-Pons and Giveaways - Review
                - My Passion for Books - Review; Ethan
                - Paranormal opinion - Blake
                - The Cozy Reading Corner - Kira
                - Book, Books, the Magical Fruit - Teaser
                - Bookaroo-Ju - Teaser
           27 - Bookworm Lisa - The Characters
                - Getting Your Read On - Review

Cleaving
daynight's Controversy of "Cleaving"

           28 - Fantastical World of Wonders - Review
                - Pause Time
                - A Backwards Story
                - Beck Valley Books
           29 - I Am a Reader, Not a Writer - Teaser
                - Books Mystify - Review
                - Mel's Shelves - Review

Vacation on Earth!
Escapism

           30 - The Broke Book Bank - Review

                - Letters to the Cosmos - Review

                - Arriane Cruz 

                - Candace's Book Blog

May      1 - Life of a YA Girl - Review

                - Fuonlyknew - Teaser

                - Jack's Junk Drawer - Review

Risking Exile
Dystopian Survival 101

             2 - A Tiffyfit's Reading Corner - Review
                - Lovin' Los Libros - Review
                - Paulette's Papers
                - Becky's Barmy Book Blog 
             3 - Backing Books - Teaser
                - Book Snob - Review
             4 - Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks - Recipe
                - Living a Goddess Life - Review; Recipe

Clean Slate Complex

             5 - Mortality Bites
                - Sab, The Book Eater
                - Deco My Heart - Review
             6 - Passion and Life - Teaser
                - The Reading Diaries - Review
             7 - Grand Finale Blast!!

daynight
by Megan Thomason
Paperback, 324 pages
Published November 26th 2012 by Creatspace

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Earth’s benevolent non-profit by day, Thera’s totalitarian regime by night. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance™. Reality: the SCI subjects Second Chancers to strict controls and politically motivated science experiments like Cleaving—forced lifetime union between two people who have sex. Punishment for disobeying SCI edicts? Immediate Exile or death.

Meet Kira Donovan. Fiercely loyal, overly optimistic, and ensnared by the promise of a full-ride college scholarship, Kira signs the SCI Recruit contract to escape memories of a tragedy that left her boyfriend and friends dead.

Meet Blake Sundry. Bitter about being raised in Exile and his mother’s death, Blake’s been trained to infiltrate and destroy the SCI. Current barrier to success? His Recruit partner—Miss Goody Two Shoes Kira Donovan.

Meet Ethan Darcton. Born with a defective heart and resulting inferiority complex, Ethan’s forced to do his SCI elite family’s bidding. Cleave-worthy Kira Donovan catches his eye, but the presiding powers give defect-free Blake Sundry first dibs.

Introducing...  the new Novella:  FREE for the Tour!
On Smashwords!

clean slate complex
by Megan Thomason

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Worldwide non-profit and do-gooder organization. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Life(TM). Reality: hidden behind every kind act is a dark agenda designed to gain control and force societal and moral extremes. Currently, the SCI’s pushing Project Liberate, a program to woo the poor and downtrodden into their Clean Slate Complexes—where “everything is provided” from jobs to food, shelter, clothing, and education. Unfortunately, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there’s a catch…

Meet Alexa Knight. Feisty, tough and currently homeless in Los Angeles, Alexa agrees to help the SCI in return for medical care for her sick mother. When she starts to suspect there’s more to the SCI than meets the eye will she believe Adam—the boy who saved her life and the SCI’s biggest champion, or Joshua—the attractive enigma who sings about conspiracy theories and pretends to be someone he’s not?

Full of action, humor, romance, twists and turns, clean slate complex is a companion story to the highly-praised dystopian novel, daynight. It can be enjoyed before or after readingdaynight.

LINK: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFQY0JY

daynight Second Chances Giveaway:

Choose what you enter to win wisely. Your stay on Thera may be extended indefinitely.

Highlighting a different giveaway every daynight of the Tour... International Winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate and US Winners may choose $25 GC in lieu of Prize Package.

US only. International winners will receive $25 Amazon gift certificate. US winners can opt to receive $25 Amazon gift certificate in lieu of any prize package.Open only to those who can legally enter. 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 on Rafflecopter and Grand Finale posts as well as emailed and the winner 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 Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and Prism Book Tours and sponsored by Megan Thomason. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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