Book Tour with $25 Giveaway: Forget Me Not and Remember Me by Stacey Nash

Forget Me Not

Anamae is drawn into a world which shatters everything she knew to be true.
Since her mother vanished nine years ago, Anamae and her father have shared a quiet life. But when Anamae discovers a brooch identical to her mother's favorite pendant, she unknowingly invites a slew of trouble into their world. They're not just jewellery, they're part of a highly developed technology capable of cloaking the human form. Triggering the jewellery's power attracts the attention of a secret society determined to confiscate the device - and silence everyone who is aware of its existence. Anamae knows too much, and now she's Enemy Number One. She's forced to leave her father behind when she's taken in by a group determined to keep her safe. Here Anamae searches for answers about this hidden world. With her father kidnapped and her own life on the line, Anamae must decide if saving her dad is worth risking her new friends' lives. No matter what she does, somebody is going to get hurt.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Excerpt

Easing the door closed, I climb out of the attic and head to the bathroom to clean my dust-covered hands. Water rushes from the spout and splashes against the sides as the basin fills. A reflection of me staresback at me from the mirror, my dirty hand clutching my aching chest. Today everything feels so raw, open, andfresh, like it only just happened. She should still be here.
Rubbing my hands clean, I delve into my pocket for the jewelry. Bringing it to my collar, I pin the brooch into my blouse. The hard edges prick my skin. My thumb brushes over the smooth, round sides of the pendant and when I pull it over my head, the chain catches on my hair. After I twist it through the tangle so it finally falls cool against my skin, it nestles in the hollow of my throat. I pick it up between my fingers and with reverent slow strokes, rub my thumb over the shiny yellow center—the pendant Mom never took off.
A shiver shoots up my spine and out through my limbs like an electric current, zapping every cell, everyfiber, every part of my being. Walking on graves, that’s what Mom would have said. Maybe it’s an omen abouther.
I plant my palms on either side of the full basin and peer into the still water, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. The water reflects only the cream ceiling. That can’t be right. I do a double take.
My chest tightens. I hold my hand up, but I can’t see it—not my arm, not my chewed fingernails, not my leather watch on my wrist. Where am I? Mouth gaping, I look into the mirror again, but I see nothing.
Not even my face.
I dip my finger into the warm, reflection-free water. Circles ripple in ever growing rings, but there’s no image. My gaze flits to the mirror, but I see only the open door. I have no reflection.
My stomach flutters like a thousand butterflies are trying to escape it. I slap my palm onto my chest, and I can still feel me. I must be here. When I slide the pendant over my head, my reflection blinks onto the mirror. Huh? Pulling it back on, my hand brushes the cool metal. The ripple goes through me again. I look into themirror, and once more my reflection’s gone.
I grab my hairbrush from the drawer and wave it around in the air, but its image isn’t cast in the mirroreither. It has to be magic, but that’s only in fairytales. Will’s not going to believe this, not in a million years. I pull the pendant over my head and my reflection returns. No way. It can’t be, but it is. I’m almost certain it’smaking me invisible, but how?
I put it on—invisible. Take it off—visible.
It doesn’t make any sense. How can something like this—like those video games Will plays—even exist? It must be a magical artifact or some kind of prank. My shoulders shake with a chuckle while I stare atmyself in the mirror. This is unreal. I bet he’s gone right back to working on his car. He’ll love this. Ha! Now let’s see who found the weirdest treasure. I slide it back on and wipe my damp hands on my jeans. Watch outWill, I’m going to sneak up and scare the life right out of you.

Praise for the Book

"Forget Me Not is a tension-fueled, adventurous and brilliantly written novel that shows the dangers and powers of a controlling environment . If you are a fan of George Orwell’s classic “1984″ you will LOVE this book." ~ Heidi, Amazon
"I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Aussie author Stacey Nash. The tension, the twists and turns throughout, the web of intrigue – all had me glued to the pages." ~ Brenda Telford, Goodreads
"Find a comfy spot to read Forget Me Not by Stacey Nash, I devoured this story in one sitting. I’m not sure what I was expecting when I picked up the novel, however, I did enjoy the story. Technology, betrayal, and battle all shared equal parts in this debut novel." ~ Amazon customer
“I love the new world Stacey has created here which is right up with any other speculative fiction I have read. If you love a good conspiracy theory story, you will love this.” ~ Emmaly, Mundie Moms blog.

Remember Me

An exciting new adventure from Stacey Nash, set in the world of The Collective.
When all is lost, she must remember...
Anamae Gilbert managed to thwart The Collective and rescue her father, even though his mind is now a shell. Determined to stop Councilor Manvyke hurting her family again, she's training to become an active resistance member and falling hard for resistance fighter Jax Belfry. But things never sail along smoothly - Manvyke wants retribution and Anamae's name is high on his list.
After a blow to the head, she awakes in an unfamiliar location unable to remember the last few weeks. She can't believe the fascinating new technology she's seeing. She's the new kid at school, and although weapons training comes with ease, something feels off. Why does the other new kid's smile make her heart ache?
And why does her gut tell her to run?
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Author Stacey Nash

Stacey Nash writes adventure filled stories for Young Adults in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. She loves to read and write books that have a lot of adventure, a good dose of danger, a smattering of romance, and KISSING! Hailing from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, she loves nothing more than immersing herself in the beauty and culture of the local area.
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Blog Tour Schedule

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Out Today! -The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook by Christina Dymock

My printed copy is in the mail.  Thank you Ms Dymock!  But in the meantime, she also sent me an ebook copy.  I took a quick browse and saw a segment on facts and tips about slow cookers.  I also noticed that she gave each recipe a personal touch by briefly talking about it.  I like that.  A story behind the food makes for a lively cookbook. Anyway, I'm looking forward to trying out the recipes.  There's tons of variety!  I'm always a busy bee so I certainly could use a free hand when I can.  So be sure to come back later for my review but meanwhile, check out what others are saying (below and on the tour) about the cookbook and pick one up today ..fresh off the press!!  ~Oh, if you happen to be in Utah on the 27th, go check out her launch party ..see details below.

Tour Schedule

It's every busy mother's dream-come-true: dinner that makes itself! With the help of your trusty slow cooker and these healthy, easy recipes like Peppery Cilantro Salmon, Sausage Stew, and Dark Chocolate Mini Cakes, you can put dinner on the table even on the craziest of days. Don't let the whirlwind of life stop you from feeding your family the food they deserve -- delicious, home-cooked meals straight from your slow cooker.

What others have said about The Hungry Family:

"The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook is so much more than a cookbook. It's like having an expert in the kitchen with you, holding your hand and helping you every step of the way.
It is a delightful compilation of "oh I'm so gonna try this one" recipes, tutorials for all levels of proficiency which are entertaining to read, and photos to tempt your salivary glands by saying "pick me, pick me!".
-Syndey Cline
Author of Feeding The Masses

"If you are looking for satisfying meals, you have come to the right place. Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook is the tool you need for making delicious dishes your family will devour."
- Shauna Evans
Author of Sweet and Savory:Award Winning Recipes Made Easy, Skinny-licious: Lite and Scrumptious Recipes for a Slimmer You, and 30-Minute Meals for Families

About the Author:
Find her: Facebook | Website

Christina Dymock was once at a dinner party where her husband was teasing her about the frosting-to-cupcake ratio on her dessert. The woman sitting across from them sniffed her delicate nose and said, "If my husband gave me a hard time about my frosting I'd quit baking. That'd show him." To which Christina's husband replied while pointing at his speechless wife, "Try to stop her!"

Christina divides her time between the kitchen and her computer and books and her family of six. (Naturally, the family gets the biggest share.) Because she reads everything, she also feels compelled to write in several genres.

Author of Young Chefs, 101 Things to do With Popcorn, and The Widow's Mite

Get it now here:

Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway: Savor by Kate Evangelista

Savor by Kate Evangelista, AF -New Adult/Paranormal, 2013, Review ebook, 295p, Rating=5
Source: provide by author through tour host in exchange for an honest review
Content: Mature and explicit content. Not recommended for readers under 18yo

I'm Dakota Collins, a tough talking, eye patch wearing, workaholic photography student. Why am I important? Well, maybe because I get to spend an entire month with Vicious, only the sickest indie rock band out there.

You see, I needed a subject for my Spring Showcase introspective in order to graduate. During a chance encounter at a club I'd been sent to cover for the Daily Gossip, our ironically named college paper, the features writer I usually teamed up with introduced me to the band--by accident, I might add. It involved a run in with a scary, bald bodyguard. Anyway, long story short, I signed a contract to take pictures of Vicious.

I should have known their handsome yet way too serious for his own good bassist, Luka Visraya, wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself. He's gorgeous and all, but the way he smiles spelled trouble with a capital L. I'm in for a long month with him around.

Crazy stuff happens and then some I can't explain. So, if you want the skinny on Vicious and the events revolving around my stay at Lunar Manor, read my story.

Holy cliffhanger, Batman! I didn’t see that ending coming and that’s what made it so thrilling. I cursed in shock then I saw the epilogue and hoped for some answers and found none. The sneak peak for book #2 followed and by then I was pacified. In all, Ms Evangelista’s evil scheme (just kidding) worked because no reader in their right mind would stop at this book and not find out what happens next.

I don’t know what to make of the leading characters. If I’d met Luka in real life I’d run. Run the other way, very very fast! His possessiveness screamed trouble, as in signs of potential domestic abuse kind of relationship. But as a fictional character, his sexiness forgave any and all flaws. Then there’s Dakota. A woman scarred, literally and figuratively, exuded obscurity. Confident in projection but in truth was a lost soul. Mix the two and you’ve got chemistry gone awry!  They were insanely likeable. So that made for a swift page turning experience. Plus, their mysterious past that needed to surface got me hooked to the end. The entire story was too stinking off that it was brilliant!

Oh that's not all. My memory is incredibly bad. So much so that I completely forgot how this ties in with the author's young adult book, "Taste", which I absolutely loved. No wonder certain characters and places seemed familiar. I looked back at my review of "Taste" and sure enough three of the characters showed up. Good golly. I need extra strength dose of Gingkoba! Even so this book took in a new life. The paranormal aspect wasn't secured until the very end so before then the read had the adult romance fiction feel to it. Then that ending. Can't talk about it enough. That just sealed the deal. I may have found some scenes racy and language vulgar but all that was forgiven and forgotten. I'm so ready to ready book #2, NOW!

Girl, Ms Evangelista.  You. Can. Write! Therefore. I. Am. Still. A. Big. Fan!

Excerpt:

“Dakota Collins!”
I lowered my camera. The use of my full name never came with good consequences. I blinked my vision back at her even if I wanted to spend the rest of the night taking his picture. Sweat rose over my upper lip. I may just have found my subject for the Spring Showcase.
The only problem?
I had to find a way to convince him to be in my project. Something told me this wouldn’t be easy. By the way my heart beat in my ears, drowning out the music and Silvia having a fit in front of me, I wanted it too much. I wanted him too much.
“This the guy you were saying?” I showed Silvia the picture I’d taken. This seemed to pacify her because she sidled closer, mesmerized like a moth to a flame.
“Luka Visraya,” she said with a moan like she’d just tasted the most luscious chocolate before taking a long gulp of her cocktail. The name didn’t register. Silvia must have noticed my blank expression because she continued. “He’s the bassist for Vicious.”
Still no pings of recognition in my head.
She slapped her thigh. “Where have you been? It’s weird that you haven’t heard of them. Their songs are on the radio like every second.”
Of course I hadn’t heard of them. I liked listening to country and I hardly kept up with current events.
“Name one?” Okay, I had a name. Luka. Exotic. A bassist. Part of a band I should know about. So he’s famous. I slowly felt my chances of asking him to be my subject slip from my grasp. If he was someone famous, fat chance he’d say yes to a graduating photography student like me. I just about deflated when Silvia mentioned one of their songs. “Oh, I know that one!” By accident. It played in the radio of the cab I rode in to Sacrifice. I stared at the picture of him then lifted my gaze to where he sat. “He’s gone.”
“What?” Silvia whipped around in time to come face to face with a wall of man. “Whoa!” She pushed at him. “Watch it, buddy!”
“Give me the camera,” he said in a threatening tone.
Big. Beefy. Bald. The three Bs that made up the quintessential bodyguard.
I clutched my DSLR closer to my chest and looked up at him with my good eye. “And why would I do that?” The patch didn’t seem to intimidate him because he just reached out. So much for my Bond villain aspirations. I moved away from his grubby hand. No one touched my camera but me.
Despite her size, Silvia came between me and the mountain. “We’re here to cover Sacrifice for our college paper. You don’t have the right to take away my colleague’s camera.”
Yeah! You give it to him, Silvy.
Not that I couldn’t take care of myself. But if Silvia wanted to play hero, I wouldn’t stand in her way.
“What seems to be the problem here?” a soft, authoritative voice chimed in.
The bodyguard moved aside to reveal the Gothic Lolita. She stood at just about the same height as Silvia, but she possessed an older aura even if she seemed to be our age.
“She’s been taking pictures,” Baldy said.
Lolita’s kohl eyes landed on me then shifted to my camera.
“As I was saying to the big guy,” Silvia explained. “My colleague and I are covering the opening of Sacrifice.”
“For what paper?” Lolita asked without taking her eyes off me. I clutched my camera like an extra appendage. In some ways it was. After losing half my sight, I relied on my camera like an extra eye, seeing the world through its lens. I would rather die than lose it.
“The Daily Gossip,” I said before Silvia could answer just to relieve some of the awkward tension building in me under her gaze. “We study at Wexler U.”
She tilted her head, crossing her arms.
“Okay,” I quickly stammered out. “I get that the name of our paper sounds like a tabloid, but the Daily Gossip is a cool campus paper.” The last part maybe only I believed since Silvia raised her eyebrow at me, but Lolita and the mountain didn’t have to know that.
No one spoke after that. Even in a noisy club, the silence in our group rang in my ears. Not waiting for the situation to get any more awkward, I plowed forward with my own selfish intensions.
“You know Luka.” I said it more as a statement, but it came out like a question.
Lolita nodded.
“I’m Dakota Collins and I’m graduating this spring. I was wondering if Luka would be interested in—”
“What would I be interested in?” a smooth voice joined our group.
The walls of my throat closed, chocking the rest of what I had to say. All eyes turned to Luka. Silvia dropped her empty glass. It bounced off the bodyguard’s shoe and landed in a clatter but didn’t break. Even with my height, I still had to look up at him.
“What are you doing here?” Lolita admonished. “You should be backstage.”
One side of his lips came up. God. Without the scowl, his face lit up. I had to stop the urge to lift my camera and start snapping away. And his eyes were piercing blue. The kind that stretched over my mother’s farm in the summer. Damn.
Seeing him up close, I knew I’d give any one of my kidneys for a chance to take his picture in a formal shoot.
“We have five minutes. Chill, Yana.” He tugged at one of her pigtails.
“Luka,” Silvia managed. “I’m a big fan. Will you sign my chest?”
Bypassing my petite colleague, Luka’s intensely blue gaze studied me. He reached out and I flinched back. His fingers almost grazed my patch. What the hell was the matter with him? Trying to touch my eye patch was tantamount to poking a bandage over a wound and asking the person if it hurts.
Gothic Lolita—Yana—yanked Luka’s arm down. “I’m so sorry!” Her whole aura changed. She went from all business to panicky. “My brother sometimes forgets his manners. He didn’t mean anything about touching your…” She bit her lower lip, maybe trying to keep herself from saying the wrong thing.
That little faux pas cleared my head of the Luka haze and spurred me into action. “Luka, will you let me take your picture for my final project?” I didn’t know where my courage came from, but I knew if I didn’t take this chance, I’d regret it. I had to have him as my subject.
Still not removing his gaze from my face, like my patch transfixed him, he tilted his head to one side very much like his sister did earlier.
“Luka, don’t!” Yana said, but from the consideration on Luka’s face, she was too late.
“You’re a photographer?”
“Yes.” I nodded, in case the word wasn’t enough.
“And you’d like me to be the subject of your project?”
God yes! This time, I could only nod. I didn’t want him to see how eager I was. And I couldn’t live with myself if I embarrassed myself further.
I waited with baited breath.
It seemed everyone in our group waited with baited breath for what the golden god had to say about my brazen request. I soon realized when Luka spoke, everyone listened. The way he pronounced every word precisely yet still spoke so smoothly, like butter on warm toast, captured everyone’s attention. To say he captivated us was an understatement. Something in me certainly wanted to hear him keep speaking. He could read from an accounting textbook in that voice and no one would get bored.
“I need to know that you’re good,” he finally said.
Something about his words seemed to hold a different meaning. I must have missed the alcohol in the soda Silvia had given me. Maybe I was drunk and this was all a blackout dream.
“What are you saying?” Yana faced Luka all the way now, her petite form all rigid.
He unleashed a full on megawatt smile my way. I almost had to cover my eye from it. At my side, Silvia gasped. Her long nails dug into my arm. Like staring at the sun, I couldn’t take my gaze away from him no matter how bad it was for me.
“We’re about to perform. I want you to take several pictures then send them to Yana. If she approves, we’ll see about your request.”
Then, like smoke, he disappeared into the crowd.

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 lives in the Philippines and writes full time.

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Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan

Yay, Book #3 is here!  This is a fantastic series ..action packed and a nail biter (Books #1 and #2)!  Looking forward to seeing how it all ends.  ~Look for my review of this book in January. 

The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan
Publication Date: November 21, 2013

The fate of the fae world is in her hands ...
Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.
As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets even more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amazon | Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer | Pinterest

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Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in a fantasy land of her own making. After completing a degree in genetics, she decided science wasn’t for her—after all, they didn’t approve of made-up facts. These days she spends much of her time immersed in fantasy land once more, writing fiction for young adults.
When she isn't writing, she's reading (duh!), catching up on addictive TV series, and baking things that almost always include chocolate.

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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!

Tour Schedule

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?
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BOOK TRAILER:



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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.

Kate Evangelista | Twitter

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"10 Things I Wish I'd Known About Being An Author That I Didn't Know Before" by Laura Overdeck

I am happy to have Ms Overdeck back with us.  It was an honor to be invited to be part of this blog tour.  Today, I asked her to talk about "10 Things I Wish I'd Known About Being An Author That I Didn't Know Before".  Let's see what she said ...

Oh, be sure to stop by the other blogs on the tour for more fun facts and maybe surprises.  See tour stops below.

Oh, oh, be sure to swing by the Bedtime Math website to get daily math problems by email, get the app, interesting posts, and of course to get the book (Amazon link provided below)!

Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2013)
By Laura Overdeck; illustrated by Jim Paillot

Our mission: to make math a fun part of kids’ everyday lives.

We all know it’s wonderful to read bedtime stories to kids, but what about doing math? Many adults are uncomfortable with math and numbers, and too often we hear the phrase, “I’m just not good at math!” For decades, this attitude has trickled down from parents to their kids, and we now have a culture that finds math dry, intimidating, and just not cool.

Bedtime Math wants to change all that. Inside this book, families will find fun, mischief-making math problems to tackle—math that isn’t just kid-friendly, but actually kid-appealing. With over 100 math riddles on topics from jalapeños and submarines to roller coasters and flamingos, this book bursts with math that looks nothing like school. And with three different levels of challenge (wee ones, little kids, and big kids), there’s something for everyone. We can make numbers fun, and change the world, one Bedtime Math puzzle at a time.

Learn more about Bedtime Math at Macmillan.com!

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10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Being An Author That I Didn’t Know Before

There are some things that we all know about being an author, whether we’re authors ourselves or not. “Write what you know,” set a routine, create a quiet space – these are common wisdom. But upon beginning my adventure first as a daily math blogger and then as a book author, I quickly learned a few new lessons – some amusing, some painful, and some downright surprising. Bedtime Math began as a fun daily math problem that my husband and I did (and still do) with our kids. Once I started writing them down for the public, that daily commitment introduced a huge new pressure in my life. The project eventually led to a book deal with Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group - a very happy outcome, but with some lessons along the way.

1. Writing gets better if you look at it twice - preferably with a night of sleep in between. I suspected this after grinding through last-minute deadlines in college, but this truth really hit home when I had to generate a new piece of writing every single day.

2. Writing gets better when another person looks at it. No matter how passionate you are about your content and your style, honest critics will take it to a new level, if you’re willing to endure whatever discomfort that brings.

3. Writers need a thick skin. When you write from the heart, you’re really putting yourself out there in a vulnerable way. Will people like what you write? Will they think it’s funny, poignant, whatever else you’re aiming for? To handle that vulnerability you have to have conviction about your mission, because not everyone will be on your side.

4. Test out your ideas on the public before diving in. Writing a book is a huge undertaking, and it’s better to make that investment already knowing whether your idea has market appeal. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean running it past family and friends who love you. A second opinion from people in the business, such as agents or already successful writers, is a huge help. Or try writing a blog, and see what reactions you get from online strangers. This is how my blog became a book: people liked the material, so by the time I approached publishers, I had emails from readers asking me to write a book.

5. You can’t always be creative on command. It’s great to have a general routine, but there has to be flexibility in it. I’ve learned the hard way that “creative mode” is a fickle, fleeting thing, and forcing creativity when the juices aren’t flowing can be unproductive and frustrating.

6. Stay well ahead of deadlines. If you have to write frequently, it’s really important to give yourself a buffer, to allow for those non-creative spells that surface at inconvenient times.

7. There’s a higher standard for online content. These days everything you write becomes permanent and public, and your words will follow you the rest of your life. It’s good to think about possible repercussions at all times!

8. There’s a higher standard for technical content. Anything with numbers or facts can be officially wrong, so therefore people will pounce on you if it is. That can be humiliating, so for those who are tackling writing that’s fact-based, it‘s essential to show drafts to sharp-eyed reviewers.

9. The importance of saying no. It’s really important as a new author to establish your brand – really, as if you were an Oreo or a new car model. In this day and age, there are so many opportunities to write online alongside a hard-copy book. These venues give great exposure, but that doesn’t necessarily help if a site doesn’t mesh with your mission and material. It’s good to decide up front what kinds of sites you aren’t willing to tackle, so you have the discipline to say no if and when they do crop up.

10. Virality can be evasive. One always hopes that great writing showcased online will be forwarded to others. However, this depends on the target market. My Bedtime Math blog is only mildly viral, with about 1% subscriber growth weekly. Why isn’t it better? A children’s media property finally explained that if you’re targeting 30-something and 40-something parents, your material is unlikely to go viral because they didn’t grow up with social media. This crowd doesn’t “like” things, share them, or post comments as frequently as younger readers. Depending on your target market, you may or may not benefit from virality
.
~Laura Overdeck, Author, Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2013)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for sharing your experience, Ms Overdeck.  Looks like you've had many trials and errors and have grown from them (I especially wouldn't have thought about #10).  I sense that an author ought to have a specific mission statement in mind so as to have a central focus and be diligent in not compromising it.  Overall, great insights!  Continued success to you.  Our household definitely enjoy Bedtime Math and telling friends all about it. :)

Tour Stops:

1. Monday, July 8 - Jinky 
2. Tuesday, July 9 - Susan
3. Wednesday, July 10 - Ken  
4. Thursday, July 11 - Bekah 
5. Friday, July 12 - Samantha 
6. Friday, July 19 - Christopher

Blog Tour & Review: Are We Special by Jeffrey S. Reber & Steven P Moody

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour for Are We Special by Jeffrey S. Reber and Steven P. Moody.  Following my review you will find info on the authors, book video, tour schedule, and tour giveaway.  Happy reading!

My Review

Are We Special by Heffret S. Reber & Steven P. Moody, LDS, Self-help, 2013, 267p, Rating=5
Source: provided by authors in exchange for an honest review

Are We Special? examines the source of the feeling experienced by so many of us and portrayed in so many films and books, that we are more than merely mortal beings and may even be chosen to fulfill some special destiny. Drawing upon the scriptures and the teachings of modern-day prophets, Are We Special? contrasts the true, divine origin of this special feeling with the worldly counterfeits propped up by the Adversary that lead us away from the love of God and produce feelings of pride, selfishness, and despair.

Are We Special? provides insights from the gospel that are reinforced by psychological research and the authors' therapeutic expertise that will help the reader become more vigilant against the subtle manifestations of the Adversary's lie and more receptive to the resources God has provided us to know how truly and wonderfully special we all are.

This book began with a premise that we once lived with Heavenly Father and when we came to earth, the separation from Him caused a void in us that longed to be filled.  This book ventured the psyche of man in his relationship with God to identify how we fill that void.  Guided by the principles found from the teachings in the LDS* church, the authors came up with a system of ideas to help us understand why we think and do what we do.  They categorized this theory into personality quadrants (Pharisees, Egoists, Nihilists, Disciples)**, using a combination of belief in the TRUTH or LIE.  At any given time, one can be found in a quadrant.  The best quadrant to be is "Disciples", where you accept the truth and deny the lie.

My copy of this book is all marked up and frankly, stained with tears.  I found it to be very insightful, edifying, hopeful, and especially caring.  It not only provided the "what" to thought processes but the "why" and so I came out of the read armed with the power of knowledge that can help me succeed in truly filling the "void".  Such power came from the scriptural and prophetic words that were cited.  The author's personal examples also strengthened my understanding.  Overall, my spirit felt the truth of the admonition that were being conveyed.  God's message of love radiated in this book and seeped to my heart.  It was and is an amazing feeling.  Read this book and you will feel it too.

Moving, truthful, and empowering ..period.

Footnote:
*LDS: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

**	Accept the Truth	| Deny the Truth
Accept the Lie	| Pharisees	| Egoists
Deny the Lie	| Disciples	| Nihilists

Amazon * Deseret Book

About the Authors

Jeffrey S. Reber holds a PhD from Brigham Young University in psychology. He’s an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at BYU. His publications look at the relationship between religion, psychology, and interpersonal relationships. He has also worked with LDS Family Services and has served as a bishop.

Steven P. Moody received his master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Southern California. At USC, his clinical work focused on families, including marital therapy and relationships. Steven has worked as a counselor with LDS Family Services. He is now a therapist in private practice specializing in both relationships and addictions.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 6/16/13

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Blog Tour + Giveaway: I, Spy by Jordan McCollum

Welcome to my stop in this tour.  A wonderful stop it is because the author has generously offered an e-copy of this book to one of my readers (stay tune for my review in August)!  Enter through the Rafflecopter form below.  ~Thank you very much, Ms. McCollum.  I'm looking forward to reading this.  :)

Oh, within the tour, Ms. McCollum is also giving away $25 Amazon gift card, a freebie of this book's prequel, and discount to purchase I, Spy.  Sweet!!  Read further for details. 

We're celebrating the launch of I, Spy! Read on to find out more about the book, get a cool spy tip for your daily life and download a free gift! Then find I, Spy on Amazon, Kobo, and JordanMcCollum.com!

About the Book

Canada is probably the last place you'd expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets—and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there’s one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too—until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn't the only thing suffering. Now to save her secrets and her country, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.


More about I, Spy | Add I, Spy to your Goodreads to-read list!

Advance praise

The edge-of-my-seat undercover operations kept me turning pages, and just when I thought the story would go one way, plot twists sent it down another path. Thrilling, adventurous, and romantic, this book has it all for an Alias fan.

— Jami Gold, award-winning author

Jordan McCollum’s debut novel is a delightful combination of mystery, action, and romance. Talia’s CIA training and almost OCD caution feed her quirky humor while exposing her very human fears and insecurities. Add in her boyfriend Danny, and it's enough to twist your heart.

— Donna K. Weaver, author of A Change of Plans

Clever, suspenseful, and charged with political intrigue and romance, I, Spy is the perfect combination for a fun and captivating read!

— Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of Monarch

About the author

An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don’t want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most—she’s a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

The clue!

As part of the debut of I, Spy, Jordan is hosting a contest to figure out the song that inspired the story. Collect clues at each blog stop and use your spy skills to piece together the clues to win a $25 Amazon gift card! How to enter.

The clue for this stop is:

The I, Spy song shares its title with a 1963 doo-wop song.

The freebie!

Thanks for participating in this launch tour! As a free gift this week, Jordan is giving out free copies of Mr. Nice Spy, an I, Spy prequel novella. Simply to go http://JordanMcCollum.com/store/. You can also get 40% off I, Spy!

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Review: Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer.  A big thank you to author, Julie N. Ford, for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Don't forget to swing by the Tour Page for other fun stops in this tour. Ms Ford is also giving a generous Giveaway for this tour, $50 GC to Barnes and Noble, so be sure to enter that below!

Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford, AF, 2013, eARC, 252p, Rating=4
Source: provided by author in exchange for an honest review

When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.
Despite the cadaver's warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step-sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry, and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.
What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.
A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.

I've only read one other book from this author, Count Down to Love, and I see versatility!  CDTL was a lot romance but here in Replacing Gentry, Ms. Ford spiced things up a bit and worked in mystery and historical fiction.  I like the Cali-girl thrown to a Nashville-country life scenario.  This translated to a heroine that would have spunk and surely to stir things up.  Marlie certainly stepped on some toes and that brought danger in her midst.  So was she able to figure things out in time?

Although the mystery kept me turning the pages, it was the tender story of Marlie's fight for her family that brought me smiles.  She was driven and had purpose, both excellent qualities that will get her answers.  She needed answers because things kept getting creepier and creepier.  Yet amidst the mysterious uncertainties, the love story was the cornerstone that would give strength to reinforcing her determination.  She believed in her husband Daniel and optimistic about forming a solid relationship with her twin step-sons as well, so she had to find out the entire truth for their sake and her own.

There was a lot going on in this book and usually that would open up for a lot of criticisms but everything tied in by book's end.  The twists and turns had me gasping and wondering who's good and bad.  It was a thrill to walk through it all through Marlie's account.  I was pulling for a good outcome right up to the very end!

This was a fun and exciting read.  I'd recommend it to those who wants a bit of a mindbender with a soft sidekick.

The release date came earlier than expected and so it's now available!  Moreover, for a limited time it's on sale for $1.99.  Cool.




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Review: Aura by Rebecca Talley

 

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour hosted by Kathy @I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.   A big thank you to author, Rebecca Talley, for providing me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Don't forget to swing by the Tour Page for other fun stops in this tour. Ms Talley is also giving a generous Giveaway for this tour, $25 Amazon GC or Paypal, so be sure to enter that below!

My Review

Aura by Rebecca Talley, YA, 2012, 337p, Rating=2.5

"I half-turned to her and shrugged, still processing what I'd seen, or at least what I thought I'd seen, in Ms. Neal's eyes—like they weren't hers. Obviously, they were her eyes, but it looked like she'd plucked them from someone else's head. A dead someone else's head."
In the fight between good and evil, Light is your only weapon.
Crystal Scott finally feels like a normal teenager. She has a lead in the high school play, a best friend, and a gorgeous boyfriend. With prom only a few days away, Crystal’s ordinary life seems perfect.
Endowed with great Light because of her virtuous choices and her inherent gifts, Crystal’s aura has become visible to those with the ability to see auras. Unfortunately, her power has also attracted the attention of demons intent on destroying all Light.
When Vincent Crandall, the human host for a powerful demon, discovers that Crystal’s Light is strong enough to disrupt the connection between demons and their hosts, he realizes she may be able to sever the connection altogether. Determined to stop her from interfering with his plans to rule the world, he sends operatives to neutralize her Light.
After the operatives fail to disable Crystal, Vincent decides he must harness her power for himself. He kidnaps her parents, and Crystal is thrust into battle against a demon army she didn’t even know existed. With the help of a mysterious young man and his mother, Crystal must learn to use the power within her before Vincent kills her parents and exploits her Light.

I was quickly drawn into the book by the suspenseful beginning and it made me happy. However, I was just as swiftly disappointed to find out that the mystery was not played out well enough to make it a fabulous read. It seemed to me that the author wanted to make sure that the message of “good prevails evil” to come across that instead of having the story tell it, she spelled it out. I want to be challenged. I want to read between the lines. I want spunky character developments that would have me wanting to swing punches alongside of them. I want exciting action sequences that would have me eager to turn the pages. Instead this read was a bit flat and predictable. Yet, I can’t ignore the good this book did communicate. That is, the more you let good into your being, the more powerful you are to defend yourself from evils and also how that goodness becomes an aura that shines for all to see and feel.  No brainer really but a message worth admonishing to the young adults that this is geared to, so for that I commend the author.  Thus, may our light of goodness ever so shine brightly that we may bask in the blessings it offers.

About the Author

Rebecca Lynn Talley grew up in the gorgeous seaside city of Santa Barbara, CA. She met, and married, her husband, Del, while attending Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She currently lives in rural Colorado on a small ranch with a dog, too many cats to count, and a herd of goats. She and Del are the proud parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children.
Rebecca is the author of a children's picture book, Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), a children's chapter book, Gabby's Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), four novels, Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), and Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012). She has also authored numerous children's stories and articles for both print and online magazines.
When she isn’t writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house. She has folded at least one million loads of laundry, baked hundreds of batches of chocolate chip cookies, and eaten 5,478 gallons of ice cream.

Tour Giveaway

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