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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Book Blast + $100 Giveaway: King of Bad by Kai Strand

King of BadKing of Bad

Jeff Mean would rather set fires than follow rules or observe curfew. He wears his bad boy image like a favorite old hoodie; that is until he learns he has superpowers and is recruited by Super Villain Academy – where you learn to be good at being bad. In a school where one kid can evaporate all the water from your body and the girl you hang around with can perform psychic sex in your head, bad takes on a whole new meaning. Jeff wonders if he’s bad enough for SVA.

He may never find out. Classmates vilify him when he develops good manners. Then he’s kidnapped by those closest to him and left to wonder who is good and who is bad. His rescue is the climactic episode that balances good and evil in the super world. The catalyst – the girl he’s crushing on. A girlfriend and balancing the Supers is good, right? Or is it…bad?


kaiAuthor Kai Strand

When the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fire and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died, the end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for younger children Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults.





BookBlast Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 8/15/13

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 http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Monday, July 29, 2013

Review: A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker


A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker, AF, 2013, 234p, Rating=5
Source: paperback copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Adult content: sex

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...
High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls.
As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger.
When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose.
From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.

Oh wow!  What a pleasant surprise.  I wasn't crazy about the book cover (actually the color scheme) but once I started reading I was hooked.  There was something hypnotic about Ms. Parker's writing and this was my kind of love story.  It had heart, adventure, mystery, magic, twists, and a love triangle that rocked!  I seriously did the squeeze-chest-shoulders-giddy-claps with a big grin after finishing the read because I was so happy. 

I'm a bit apprehensive about reading the rest of the installments because I loved the ending to this so much that I don't want anything shaken.  As far as I'm concern, this book was perfect as is.  I was fulfilled. Yet, I want to experience and revisit this type of adventure again so I'm definitely continuing.  I've fallen in love with the world of Tallenmere!

Let me tell you why this romance novel worked for me.  It was tender, exquisite, passionate, and down right heartfelt.  It had the elements of Disney's Brave mixed with Pirates of the Caribbean and Robin Hood in family dynamics and adventure.  I giggled, I cried, and I cheered.  It really was an intoxicatingly fun read. 

Thank you Ms. Parker!  You are now on my list of favorite authors.  :)

Purchase your copy now:




Saturday, July 27, 2013

Six Word Saturday

(Click on image to join the fun!)

BOTH ENDS. AH, JOYS OF PARENTHOOD!

Yeah, one of my little ones is sick today.  Appears to be the stomach flu.  Poor baby. :(

Friday, July 26, 2013

Author-Book Profile with Interview: A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker

Ms Parker tells me that she's in a big convention right now and feeling invisible among celebrities.  I just finished A Ranger's Tale and loved it!  To me she's a celebrity!!


Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger's Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and the second in the fantasy romance series, Serenya's Song, was published in April 2012. The highly anticipated third book, Hearts in Exile, has already received some great reviews. The Tallenmere series has been likened to Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series, but is probably closer to a spicy cross between Tolkien and Mercedes Lackey. Mysti's other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, and Christmas Lites II. Her flash fiction has appeared on the online magazine EveryDayFiction. She has also served as a class mentor in Writers Village University's six week free course, F2K. Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.

Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
A Ranger’s Tale evolved from my love of all things Lord of the Rings (thanks to Orlando Bloom as Legolas, especially *drool*), romance, and my love of fantasy roleplay computer games. Caliphany actually was inspired from a character I played on Everquest II.

Where are you from?
Buckner, KY, where the summers are hot and the winters are weird.

When and why did you begin writing?
My mom said I carried a pencil and paper around from the time I could walk. I learned to read when I was three, so I guess it’s my love of words and the best way I can express my creativity. Especially as a mom of three young kids, writing keeps my brain from becoming mombie mush.

Which writer would you consider a mentor?
I honestly learn something from every writer I come in contact with. Most have taught me something valuable along the way, and many others are great at encouraging me when I’m ready to throw in the towel.

Which if any of the characters is a lot like you and why?
Caliphany contains bits and pieces of me. I’m not quite so impulsive, but I’m loyal and passionate about the people and things I love.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?
It began as a novella, so thanks to another writing mentor who graciously told me I was trying to cram a novel into a short story, I had to work hard at expanding it into a readable story of a reasonable length. It took a few drafts and a lot of time, but it was worth it.

What is your favorite chapter or part and why?
I will always fondly remember the scenes where Galadin dove off his ship to return to Caliphany after leaving her in Faewood. He sneaked up to her campsite and killed a wolf that was about to attack. She flung herself into his arms and knocked him to the ground. It really showed their love for one another when they were both too stubborn to admit it. It also showed how truly unprepared Caliphany was to be out on her own, even when she insisted on it.

What has been the best part about writing this book?
Watching a beautiful love story unfold and seeing how unexpected some of the scenes and character actions came about. I loved all the surprises!

What would you like your readers to grasp from this book?
Be yourself, not what the world expects you to be.

Do you have a specific writing style?
My writing tends to be straightforward and minimalist in nature. I love challenging myself to write concise, but vivid descriptions that allow readers to see the story and NOT the words.

How would you describe your current writing environment?
Cluttered and sporadic. Such is a mom’s life.

What did you learn from writing your book?
That my mom was right: I can do anything if I really put my mind to it.

Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, but only if I keep at it and never give up.

What are you reading now?
I just finished “All in the Mind” by Jenny Twist—a beautiful, timeless love story about an elderly couple who inexplicably grow younger after an innovative treatment. I’m getting ready to read “The Clockwork Princess”—really loving steampunk right now.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve always loved romance and classic fantasy—it was a no-brainer.
Is there any particular writer that influenced you?
So many, but Tolkien, Charlotte Bronte, Mercedes Lackey, Stephen King, Lillian Jackson Braun, Victoria Holt influenced me the most in my early days.

Do you experience writer’s block? If so, what do you do?
Yes, so I do chores or spend time with the kids or play Skyrim until the writing bug returns.

What are some books that you liked growing up?
The Hobbit, Jane Eyre, Black Beauty, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Silver Wolf, The Little House books, and every Little Golden Book I could find. I also had this set of Funk & Wagnall’s wildlife encyclopedias that I devoured and still have.

How did you come up with the title?
Not sure, really, except that it seemed to fit.

What do you do for fun?
I love playing the PC version of Skyrim. We also love the zoo and watching movies on the big screen. When I get some peace and quiet, I love to read a great book.

What are some of your hobbies?
Besides Skyrim, I like to bake and occasionally cross-stitch.

Can you tell us about your next book?
I’m already working on Book Four of the series, entitled “No Place Like Home”. It’s destined to be really intense with probably the most formidable villain I’ve written so far.

Favorite ice cream?
Chocolate

Which do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook

What is your pet peeve?
People not putting their shopping carts back in the corrals!

How did you come up with the names of your characters?
I try to match them with their race. High-elves like Caliphany, for instance, have more formal-sounding names. Wood elves like Jayden Ravenwing have names involving nature.

Who do you see playing your main characters in a movie?
Caliphany: Scarlett Johanssen; Galadin: Bradley Cooper; Jayden: Karl Urban

What advice would you give a new writer?
Never give up: work on your craft!

Are you a morning person or night owl?
More of a mid-morning person these days
.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Good chocolate (think Ghirardelli or Godiva) and red wine, preferably together

If you were stranded in an island, which book would you want there?
Too hard!!! Can I have my Kindle and a solar-powered charger?

If there is something you could change about this book, what would it be?
I’d probably expand it even more. I think the pacing was still a bit rushed here and there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for stopping by Ms Parker.  It's good to have you here.  I disagree about expanding even more, I think the pacing was just right! 

Dear Readers, I thoroughly enjoyed  A Ranger's Tale!  Come back Monday for my full review.  In the meantime, purchase this book now [recommend to adults] ..click on book image or Amazon links below.  :)



In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...
High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls.
As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger.
When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose.
From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.


Purchase:




[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Review: Lifestyles of the Great & Spacious by John Bytheway


Lifestyles of the Great and Spacious by John Bytheway, NF, Self help -LDS, 2013, 159p, Rating=5
Source: provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

With every passing day, the unforgettable imagery in Lehi’s dream becomes more real and more relevant. In our modern world, we can literally hear the taunts and see the pointing fingers of people like those in the great and spacious building. We find ourselves clinging with greater energy to the rod of iron as we work through the massive mists of darkness toward the tree of life. In Lifestyles of the Great and Spacious, John Bytheway looks at Lehi’s dream, and with his characteristic humor, comments from Church leaders, scholarly insights, and personal experiences, he expands our understanding of these precious verses of scripture.

This was my first taste of Mr. Bytheway's work and looks like it won't be my last!  This latest in his series of scripture commentaries was a treat.  This one focused on Lehi's dream found in 1 Nephi 8:4-35 from the Book of Mormon.  For those not familiar with this scripture, in summary it is about Lehi's (a prophet in the Americas, about 600 B.C.) vision of the tree of life where he partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise.  In this dream he sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, the mists of darkness that enshroud men, and the ominous great and spacious building (see book cover for artist rendition).  The author described the rod of iron as the guide/guard rail in the strait and narrow path that leads to the tree of life.  Whereas the mists of darkness was blindness to the path but subject to the mocking of those in the great and spacious building who swayed travelers away from the strait and narrow.

Breaking the scriptures down to few verses at a time, we find the author's "thoughts, insights, and observations".  This made for a concise and thoughtful presentation of the meaning that can be found in what the author pointed out about Lehi's dream as have been called the "parable of the paths", comparable to Jesus' "parable of the four kinds of soil" found in Matthew 13 from the Holy Bible.  Hence, the dream was an illustration of ones choices to a path of life ... (1) Start the narrow path, overcome by the mists, get lost, (2) Start the narrow path, partake of the fruit, be ashamed, wander off, get lost, (3) Start the narrow path, hold fast, partake of the fruit, stay, or (4) No interest in the strait and narrow, move directly toward the building.

The last two chapters tipped the star rating to the top for me.  Up to that point, the author went into laying out Lehi's dream and explanations.  Now the author concludes with what the people in the great and spacious building could be saying to those in the path today (like, "You're an overzealous fanatic.", "Why are you trying to convert people?", or "You think you're better than us.") and how to "heed-not" to the scoffing and answer with the Savior in mind.  Love it! Overall, I gained understanding from the wealth of information and wise counsels and felt the truthfulness in those words.

Excellent book!  A great tool for ponder and study.  I could also see myself using excerpts from this book should I ever give a "talk" (lesson speech) regarding "agency".



I'm Late, I'm Late for an Important Date!

I apologize, I'm running a bit late.  Please come back later today for my review of Lifestyles of the Great & Spacious.



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Author-Book Profile: Blucy by Julia Dweck



Blucy by Julia Dweck; Illustrated by Erika LeBarre
Xist Publishing, pub date 8/13/2013, #978-1623955397, E-Book, 40p

Once in a blue moon, a special pet comes along...

Description:
When Mandy adopts the best cat at the shelter, she doesn’t realize it has a big secret and an even bigger personality. Featuring rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations, this picture book is an adventure for all cat lovers.
Included in this ebook are fun cat facts for kids and several cat themed activity pages.

Key Points:
Author: Julia Dweck is the author of over 20 beloved children’s ebooks and active in the book-blogging community.

Illustrator: Erika LeBarre used chalk pastels to create the dreamy coloring of Blucy and her adventures.

One crazy cat: Blucy connects with children in her picky-eating antics and love for playing hide-and-go-seek.

Pet adoption: On a deeper level, Dweck has created a story that resonates at the heart of pet adoption. Even though Mandy’s adopted pet doesn’t turn out how she expected, Blucy is a greater treasure than she could have ever hoped.

Early Reviewers are Saying...
"Julie Dweck scores another winner with Blucy! This book is beautifully illustrated, features solid rhyming verse, has a most unusual main character in Blucy the cat, and will surely be loved and appreciated by all cat-lovers.” -Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"The illustrations are absolutely exquisite. I honestly wish I could purchase every one of them to put upon my toddlers walls.” -Julie Ann Grasso

About the Author:
Julia Dweck writes children’s stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia’s background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read and what makes them giggle. She’s collaborated with leading artists in the world of children’s literature to produce over 20 eBooks. Her titles have garnered placement on Amazon’s bestsellers in children’s color picture books multiple times with two #1 bestsellers: PIE-RITS and Zombie-Kids. Julia’s ebooks have also been featured on Barnes and Noble and the iBookstore. In her spare time, she is a designer of educational adjuncts for children’s literature, and has worked with such notable publishing houses as Penguin Young Readers. Julia presented at the 2011 National Center for Family Literacy, demonstrating her creative use of technology in the classroom.

About the Illustrator:
Erika LeBarre has always been exposed to art one way or another as she grew up. Her father worked as a car designer for the big three, and her mother is a ceramicist. Erika’s parents always encouraged her creative side. Drawing was her favorite thing to do, especially dinosaurs and monsters as subject matter. Erika graduated from the College for Creative Studies with a BFA in illustration. After graduating, she worked at an art studio with other illustrators and designers for over four years. Since then she has worked as a freelance illustrator out of her home. Her life has come full circle by having the opportunity to teach at the College for Creative Studies.

Connect with Blucy:
https://www.facebook.com/BlucyTheBlueCat
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18211273-blucy
http://pinterest.com/xistpublishing/blucy-the-blue-cat/
Use #Blucy to join the conversation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI8CY83c_oo
Get 20% presale copies here http://amzn.to/1bsq4uV



[Helping authors promote their books. Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Teaser Tuesdays: Lifestyles of the Great and Spacious by John Bytheway


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB @Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Satan wanted equality of outcome (...). The Father's plan was for equality of opportunity." pg77



Monday, July 22, 2013

Review: Penumbras by Braden Bell


Penumbras (Middle School Magic #2) by Braden Bell, YR, 2013, 305p, Rating=4.5
Source: paperback copy provided by publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
Book Website | $25 Giveaway | $50 Giveaway

Conner Dell didn't mean to blow up the school bus. Or the bathrooms. In fact, he only wanted to go to sleep and possibly dream about Melanie Stephens. But explosions had a funny way of happening when Conner and his friends were around. *** Conner Dell wants to be good--he really does. But he is terrified that he might be turning into a Darkhand, especially when new powers start to surface. What's worse, the Stalker is following Conner, but no one else seems to be able to see him. The Magi think he might be hallucinating, the guilt of what happened in the Shadowbox keeps weighing on him, and his relationship with Melanie Stephens is complicating things. Even for a Magi, Conner knows his life is anything but normal.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Website (discounted to $9.99) 

Having not read the first book, I spent a good part of the read trying to get a handle on who's who and what's what.  I think that if I had read the first installment, then it wouldn't have taken me as long to get a feel for the adventures that was laid before me.  No matter, the briefing was there (one too many for me ..got repetitive), it just took me a little longer to get into the groove.  Maybe reading this when I was tired and sleepy didn't help either.  But whoa, did I perk up towards the last quarter of the book!  There were predictable moments (hint: light vs dark) but I'm kidding myself.  They were more a reader's wish come true.  "Please, please don't let this be", you beg the read, and boom!, there's hope.  So although you can guess where it might surely go, you can't really be certain that the author will take you there.  But when he does take you there (or nearly there), then you cry, you smile, and you're promising yourself to read the next installment even if it means skipping a meal to pay for it.  Truly, a beautiful book with an equally handsome cliffhanger.

The returning trio Magi students were great compliments to each other (physical, mental, spiritual).  They, along with the teachers, fed life to the book.  The addition of Pilaf was fantastic.  He's my favorite and not only because I thought of rice at every mention of his name (hehe) but that he's innocently charming.  I'm especially looking forward to seeing him in the third book and Dumbledore, I mean "this man".

I enjoyed the creation of the characters that accented their unique gifts.  I like the message that such unique talents breathe confidence and purpose.  Moreover, I really admired the lovely relationship between the teachers and students.  Teachers really do care about their students in this middle school and will go to great lengths to protect them  ..vice versa.  Most of all, I like the subtle teaching of the principle that spiritual support (the Comforter, *term not from the book*) always abides and can overcome all darkness, even at the most bleakest moments.  Cliché, but never too old for me!





Saturday, July 20, 2013

Six Word Saturday: San Francisco...

(Click on image to join the fun!)

San Francisco Here We Come, YAY!

Yep, my cute little family leave for San Francisco tomorrow for our "big" summer vacation.  I'm so excited!  However, this is our first very long drive with the kids so I might be singing a different tune later.  That said, suggestions for a fun-smooth drive are welcomed.

Oh, other than the obvious, Golden Gate Bridge/Alcatraz/Lombard St., know of other attractions that we should visit?

Bummer that I get nauseous while reading in motion or I'd get a lot of reading done!  Maybe I'll try Playaway digital audio ...just don't know how well it'll work with kids' DVD movie noise in the back and hubby's radio at the front.  Perhaps I can get the kids to wear headsets/earphones.

Let me know if you join this meme so I'll be sure to swing by ..or you can leave your six words in the comment.  :)

Friday, July 19, 2013

Blog Tour with Book Trailer, & Giveaway: Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista

Welcome to my stop in this tour.  Thank you AToMR Tours for hosting and allowing me to be part of this event.  Of course, a big thank you to author, Kate Evangelista.  I am a fan of hers and think highly of her writing skills.

Alright, now on to the tour!  Here's some fabulous information about the new book.  Check it out and see if it's your cup of tea.



Title: Romancing the Bookworm
Author: Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Genre: Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Expected release date: July 9, 2013

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.
It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.
Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme.
Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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BOOK TRAILER:



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 photo KateEvangelista_zps52fa82f6.jpg

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.


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AUTHOR SPONSORED GIVEAWAY:

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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Author-Book Profile with Interview, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Penumbras by Braden Bell

I am happy that Mr. Braden Bell is visiting with us today.  His book Penumbras (second installment to the Middle School Magic series) came out last week and he is here to talk about it.  We also get a treat of getting to know him a bit through the following interview.  But that's not all!  He is also sharing links to his giveaways ($25; $50) ...SWEET!


Braden Bell grew up in Farmington, Utah and graduated from Davis High School. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theatre from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in educational theatre from New York University. He and his wife, Meredith live with their five children on a quiet, wooded lot outside of Nashville, Tennessee, where he teaches theatre and music at a private school. An experienced performer, Braden enjoys singing, acting, reading, gardening, and long walks with the dog.

“Penumbras” is a somewhat unusual title. Can you explain it?
 A penumbra is a vague, shadowy, area, neither fully light nor dark. The Kindling, the first book in the series was about the sparking of new and exciting powers. This particular book follows the characters as they confront the complex consequences of those initial events and confront the shadowy places in their own hearts.

How did you get the idea for this series?
One night during a sky-splitting spring thunderstorm, my kids came home from a church activity and told me about a man they had seen driving home. He had a black cape and was walking across people’s yards in the storm. Wondering about who he was and what he was doing triggered the idea for the book.

What is your background?
I am a middle school choir and theatre director at a small private school. I’m the father of five children and the husband of one wonderful wife.

Beyond the characters, are there any other events based on real life experiences?
There is a sad scene towards the end between Dr. Timberi and one of his students. While it is not an exact replication, being a theatre director means I have dealt with disappointed and/or angry students (and parents!) for many years. I tend to have a pretty thick skin. However, there are occasional times when this gets to me. This scene was actually inspired by a particularly difficult confrontation with a student of whom I was quite fond. I wrote the scene as a way of working through the incident—and ended up keeping it. The only other thing that might be based in reality is the degree to which teachers truly do care about their students. I don’t think the students often realize just how much teachers and other adult figures care about them and what they would do to protect and help them.

What is your favorite thing to do, besides reading or writing?
My wife and I love to watch old movies, or adaptations of literary classics. Nearly anything by the BBC! I also love working in my yard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Bell!  It's heartwarming to hear that there are teachers/adult figures that truly care about their students and would do much to protect and help them. 

I'm looking forward to reading this book and participating in the blog tour.  --Readers, be sure to come back this coming Monday for my review!


Book Website

Conner Dell didn't meant to blow up the school bus. Or the bathrooms. In fact, he only wanted to go to sleep and possibly dream about Melanie Stephens. But explosions had a funny way of happening when Conner and his friends were around. *** Conner Dell wants to be good--he really does. But he is terrified that he might be turning into a Darkhand, especially when new powers start to surface. What's worse, the Stalker is following Conner, but no one else seems to be able to see him. The Magi think he might be hallucinating, the guilt of what happened in the Shadowbox keeps weighing on him, and his relationship with Melanie Stephens is complicating things. Even for a Magi, Conner knows his life is anything but normal.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Website (discounted to $9.99) 

EXCERPT:


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[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Review: Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista


Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista, AF, 2013, 309p, Rating: 2
Source: ebook copy provided by AToMR Tours in exchange for an honest review
Adult content: language and sex

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.

It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.

Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme.

Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?

I was so looking forward to reading this!  I think highly of this author's writing skills.  I devoured a couple of her YA books (Taste; Reaping Me Softly).  I figured it would be wonderful to see what she does with adult fiction.  Well, her writing skill is still top grade.  Unfortunately, this new adult novel just didn't work for me.  A potentially good plot turned sordid and flat. 

When I got to chapter 5, I was rolling that my side ached.  I thought that this was going to be a fun read.  Almost immediately thereafter I found otherwise.  It was just carnal-thought-banters between the main characters, Tamara and Xavier.  Back and forth between the two were merely details of their lust for each other.  That took away any semblance of seeing them as a romantic couple finding true love but sole descriptions of their want to get into each other's pants.  Granted it's a normal feeling to desire someone that intensely but as a reader I want to know it's coming from somewhere substantial.  It didn't and I was sorely disappointed.

I saw the YA writing creeping in this novel and I think that's partly where this book went wrong.  Tamara and Xavier were in their early twenties so immaturity can still be a factor but their mindset were very teenager giddiness.  This book is marketed as an adult fiction, so I expect mature characters even if they're young adults.  Yes, adults can find themselves acting immature when a "hottie" comes their way but it's for a moment and they're back to reality.  Tamara and Xavier didn't live in this reality so their "relationship" didn't resonate with me.  The story then became superficially seedy instead of a warm romance I was hoping for.  Even the mysterious "plan" unfolded to a letdown ..that is to Tamara's reaction because I actually thought it was romantic!  Yet with all of this, the ease of finishing the book was there.  I may not be liking where it was not going but the storytelling was fairly engaging enough to see it through so kudos again to Ms Evangelista on her descriptive writing skills.  Next time though, focus more power to the brain instead of down south.



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Giveaway: Kindle Fire, $199 Amazon GC, or $199 Paypal

GUEST POST:
Kindle Summer

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7".


Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

 
The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)


Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)


Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

  1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
  2. Feed Your Reader
  3. New Adult Addiction
  4. Jessabella Reads
  5. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Somthing Year Old Girl
  6. Books Unhinged by StacyHgg
  7. S.A. Larsen - Writer's Ally
  8. Author Inger Iverson
  9. The Geeky Gamers
  10. annakyss
  11. Everyday Word Magic
  12. Candance's Book Blog
  13. Page Flipperz
  14. SMI Book Club
  15. Laurie Here
  16. Feed Your Fiction Addiction
  17. Phantasmic Reads
  18. The Book Bellas
  19. Please Don't Remove MarGreat's Glasses
  20. Author Jennifer Laurens
  21. J.C. Valentine
  22. Holly Hood
  23. Young Adult Novel Reader
  24. Author Heather Bixler
  25. Literary Meanderings
  26. Suspense Author Kim Cresswell
  27. Mother Daughter & Son Book Review
  28. Meredith's Musings
  29. Auggie Talk
  30. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
  31. Author Lena Sledge
  32. LoriTheAuthor
  33. Author Dianne Venetta
  34. Curling Up with A Good Book
  35. MyLadyWeb
  36. Fae Books
  37. Bea's Book Nook
  38. Girls with Books
  39. Ketch's Book Nook
  40. Turning Pages
  41. Bookhounds
  42. Karey White
  43. My Devotional Thoughts
  44. Author Talia Jager
  45. Author Helen Smith
  46. Sher A Hart: Written Art
  47. Author MK McClintock
  48. Word to Dreams
  49. Buku-Buku Didi
  50. Tasty Book Tours
  51. Readerlicious
  52. Romance Bookworm's Reviews

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire.

Sponsor a future Kindle Fire Giveaway by signing up HERE.

Ends 8/15/13

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 http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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