Monday, April 29, 2013

EXCERPT: 7 Days With Adam by Jay Speights



Synopsis: 7 Days With Adam is a brilliantly crafted work about Adam, the first man, who visits the author and shatters many of his core beliefs about God, creation, the basic nature of humans and this world. He has astonishing revelations about his and Eve's real legacy. After the 7 day visit, he leaves the author enlightened with actual exercises, prayers and meditative techniques that we can all use to access our Divine Inner Power and achieve mastery in our lives. This book is a testament to the value of storytelling in spirituality, and to disciplined spiritual practice, as well as being attuned to the Higher Self and Divine Inner Light that is in
all of us.
EXCERPT

Once I was calmer, I slowly lifted my head to gather in all of his features. He was not  black and also not white, not red, not yellow, not brown. His skin had an unusual hue. It  had a color that was unlike any other skin tone I have seen. Looking at his face was like  seeing the faces and features of the entire world carefully and masterfully crafted into one  neat package. His hair was uniquely blended… from kinky to straight to curly. His eyes  were slightly almond shaped. His lips were full. His nose had a European flare.  So there sat the daddy of us all. Put all of us together, black-brown-red-white-and yellow, and you get Adam. He was a composite. Yes, the Genesis man looked like all of us… or we all look like him… or something like that. 
His clothing was a little strange. He was wearing what might best be described as a  combination of a business suit and a heavenly robe. Funny! What great designer from up  there helped him with that outfit, I wondered? I thought you could call his style “Urban  Cosmos.” Adam cleared his throat again, breaking the silence. Unknowingly, I had just  taken another moment, albeit a much deserved one. I had to say something. 


THE AUTHOR

 Jay Speights is an award winning author, chaplain, spiritual coach, and Director of The New Seminary, the oldest Interfaith Seminary in the world.  His multi-faith approach has lead him to continuously search for common universal truths about God, creation, and existence. Jay believes we must always strive to be attuned to our Higher Self, which is reflected in his discipline of prayer, meditation, daily spiritual practice and writing.
For many years he was a contributor to The Washington Times Online Edition and religionandspirituality.com, where he provided social, spiritual, and political commentary focused on getting people to interact and relate on a higher level. A November 2009 Post from his Washington Times Blog , motivated the City Council of Washington, DC, to pass a resolution declaring March 20, 2010, "Polite Day". The resolution was the result of his post asking the DC Government to appeal to DC residents, political leaders and commuters to be more polite and civil as they move about their neighborhoods and business in the city. In November 2007 he received the Humanitarian Award from The Punjabi Literary Society for Distinguished Commentary at Lincoln Center in New York for his commentary about the how Sikhs are subjected to harsh treatment because of their faith and cultural tradition
Jay is a graduate of Howard University, where he earned a BA in Political Science and  MA in Public Affairs. In 2005, he graduated from The New Seminary For Interfaith Studies in New York, was ordained by The Interfaith Temple also in New York, and  is enrolled at Wesley Theological Seminary for postgraduate work in Ecumenism. He has two grown daughters and lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife Damaris, two dogs and bird

Connect with the author: Facebook | Twitter | Website

BUY NOW LINK: Amazon  | Barnes and Noble 


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

BLAST and GIVEAWAY: 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!

REVIEW: Seduced by Power by Kimberly Kinrade



Title: Seduced by Power
Series: Seduced #3
Author: Kimberly Kinrade
Published Date: March 18, 2013
Publisher: Daring Books
Format: ebook
Pages: 153
ASIN: B00BWT3OEW
Copy provided by: Innovative Online Book Tours
Genre: paranormal romance
Add to: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: Forbidden passions. Deadly secrets. A love that will stand against it all.
In Seduced by Power, the final book in Rose's Trilogy, Rose and Derek face the greatest threat to their love, and lives, as they are forced to make painful choices to save those they love the most.
They give everything they have to end the battle against Rose's mother and retrieve that which was stolen from them. But will it be enough to save them?


My Review: I'd like to thank the author and Innovative Online Book Tours for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 
It was the third book in a series and while the ending was expected, there were a few twists that were unexpected, and some that were heart-wrenching. The author made me care for each of the characters and hate some, but there was one whom you couldn't help but sympathize with.
Overall, I found the whole series to be well-written, without much of a pause between the books, which was good. It was easy to finish one, then pick the next up a few weeks later and pick up exactly where I was before. The most enjoyable part to the entire series for me was the Shakespeare quotes at the beginning of each chapter. 
I'm going to miss Rose and Derek. 

Monday, April 22, 2013

BLAST and GIVEAWAY: Tin God by Stacy Green

Tin God

Getting pregnant as a teenager and being coerced into giving her baby up for adoption left a festering scar on Jaymee Ballard’s life. Trapped by poverty and without many allies, Jaymee nearly gives up hope of getting her daughter back after her best friend is murdered. Now, four years later, a wealthy woman with legal connections hires her as a housekeeper, and Jaymee gathers the courage to seek her help. But Jaymee’s last chance ends up in a puddle of blood in one of the historic antebellum mansions in Roselea, Mississippi.
I just murdered your wife…again.
An unsigned letter consisting of six horrifying words turns Nick Samuels stagnant life upside down. Stuck in emotional purgatory since his wife’s unsolved murder four years ago, Nick is about to self-destruct. The arrival of the letter claiming credit for his wife’s murder and boasting of a new kill sends Nick to Roselea, where he and Jaymee’s worlds collide.
Jaymee and Nick realize exposing the truth about her daughter’s adoption is the only way to solve the murders. Up against years of deception, they rush to identify the killer before the evidence–and Jaymee’s daughter–are lost.
But the truth doesn’t always set the guilt-ridden free. Sometimes, it destroys them.
 

About the author

Born in Indiana and raised in Iowa, Stacy Green earned degrees in journalism and sociology from Drake University. After a successful advertising career, Stacy became a proud stay-at-home mom to her miracle child. Now a full-time author, Stacy juggles her time between her demanding characters and supportive family. She loves reading, cooking, and the occasional gardening excursion. Stacy lives in Marion, Iowa with her husband Rob, their daughter Grace, and the family’s three obnoxious but lovable canine children.
You can find her debut novel, INTO THE DARK as well as TIN GOD in both digital and print.
Website / Amazon Author Page / Facebook / Twitter / Literary Addicts

Purchase Tin God on Amazon


Purchase Stacy Green's other books Welcome to Las Vegas and Into the Dark
 Follow the Tour Stacy Green is giving away a swag pack for her tour. Open to US Addresses. 2 Winners Fill out the Form Below to Enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Book Blast and GIVEAWAY: Demon by Laura DeLuca

DemonDemon

When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn. It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus. Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.

Laura DeLuca


About Author Laura DeLucaLaura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.

Follow Laura DeLuca: Website | Facebook | Twitter |GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

Reviews:
Bookworm Babblings
The Crafty Cauldron
Niki's Book Corner
Central Bargains Writers and Books
Mommy Reads too Much
Taking Time for Mommy

Excerpts
Andie's Young Adult Books
Janictaz 3      

  Giveaway Prize: Fill out the form below to Enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

BLAST and GIVEAWAY: The Gatekeeper's Daughter

The Gatekeeper's DaughterThe Gatekeeper's Daughter

In The Gatekeeper's Sons, Therese and Thanatos, the god of Death, met and fell in love. In The Gatekeeper's Challenge, they did everything they could to be together, even break an oath on the River Styx. But the Olympians don't tolerate oath-breakers. In this final book in the trilogy, The Gatekeeper's Daughter, Therese may have finally succeeded in becoming a goddess, but if she wants to remain one, she'll not only have to discover her unique purpose, but also make some allies among the gods. Artemis sends her on a seemingly impossible quest across the world, while Than searches for a way to appease Ares. To make matters worse, her aunt's baby's life hangs in the balance.

About Author Eva Pohler

Eva Pohler writes fiction for teens and adults and teaches writing and literature at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she lives with her husband, three kids, two dogs, and two rats.
Follow Eva Pohler: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon

Click over to these blogs to read their reviews! The Crafty Cauldron The Stuff of Success Identity Discovery Bookworm Lisa SnifferWalk Books Central Bargains Writers and Books Interview at Literary Addicts

Fill out the Form to enter to Win! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

#PrayforBoston



The ones responsible for this tragedy will win, only if we forget the victims' names.

Krystle Campbell, native of Medford, MA, (where I live now)


Martin Richard, native of Boston, MA


Lu Lingzi, of China
 
 

GUEST POST: The Twins from A Scholar's Journey: The Divine Tempest


I am thrilled to have my very first guest post!

Hi there, my name is Herrick C. Erickson-Brigl and I am the author of A Scholar’s Journey: The Divine Tempest. Thank you for having me!

The twins Jadice and Aedan were surprisingly well received by reviewers thus far, so I thought that today would be a great time to talk about them. Both of the twins are officers in the white guard, an organization in the city that maintains law and order, which is also directly affiliated with Dol’ron the god of justice and retribution. Diametries is the speaker or voice of Dol’ron which gives him a lot of religious power and pull with the organization, which is the way the twins get involved in the first place. I created them to balance out Diametries who is the primary antagonist of the first book.

The twins were meant to give the reader a sense of true goodness that represents the city. Just because one of the high authorities is hunting these two, doesn’t mean that represents the organization as a whole.

I think of the two, Aedan is my personal favorite. I really liked writing his character because Aedan is a bit of a jokester like myself,  he  has brains and is an good person. Not everything quite clicks for him in the beginning of the story but over the course of the book he puts the real story together.  (How are Penndarius and Soren guilty? What really happened? Were they the perpetrators crime in the first place or victims?)  He also very quickly begins to question Diametries and the speaker’s own involvement.  He can think for himself and he isn’t just a loyal pawn, which I think adds credence to his character.

Jadice is the second twin and the larger of the two brothers. Another difference between the two is that Aedan is an officer through and through, while Jadice is also quite religious and worships the god of justice and retribution. Jadice has a different journey from his brother. I always envisioned Jadice, as a paladin (holy warrior) that slowly begins to question his faith. Throughout the first day/book you get to see how far Jadice will fall and he becomes a living example of what happens when someone gets caught in the middle of a power struggle.
I think one of the draws of these two characters is their sense of right and they would do anything to help those in need.  Through them, you see how the pursuit of justice in an unjust world can tear two siblings apart. 

This is my third guest post. If you want to check out the other two and some excerpts from the book, a link to the book tour page is below. Also, don’t forget to check out the Kickstarter to order your copy of The Divine Tempest.

Thank you for having me and have an absolutely fantastic day!
-        Herrick C. Erickson-Brigl

Monday, April 15, 2013

It REALLY is Monday! What are you reading?

So last week got away from me.... *looks guilty* but this week isn't going to!

This week's books are:

  1. Marked for Vengeance by SJ Pierce
  2. Seduced by Power by Kimberly Kinrade
  3. The Never by Kristina Circelli
  4. Through the Valley Love Endures by Eddie David Santiago

BOOK BLAST: Heiress Bride by Cynthia Woolf




Heiress Bride 
by Cynthia Woolf.


For fans of Historical Romance, we welcome today the second instalment in the Matchmaker & Co. Series:

Heiress Bride.


Quick Facts
Release Date: March 15th, 2013.

Genre: Historical, Romance, Western.​

Formats Available: Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo.





Book Synopsis

Heiress Ella Davenport survived a carriage accident that killed her father.  Her life saved in exchange for savage scars marring her beautiful face.  Her friends, socialites, showed their true colors, casting Ella from the social circles and leaving her a social pariah. Even her wealth can't buy her the kind of marriage she wants. Desperate to find a husband who can accept her despite her scars and, without knowing about her money, she seeks to become a mail order bride.  Matchmaker & Co. has a new client.

Nathan Ravenclaw was run out of town by the father of the girl he was courting once he discovered Nathan's Arapaho Indian heritage. It didn't matter he was a successful rancher, businessman and a positive member of society.  The white community suddenly saw only a half-breed. Even his money couldn't buy him a wife. That was ten years ago.  He moved and rebuilt everything that cold rancher took from him except a wife.  Matchmaker & Company can get him a wife.  But Nathan is not expecting the beauty that waits for him on the train platform.  Though he still lacks the ability to trust, he determines that she will be the wife and mother he needs.

Can these two people find love and healing together? Or are their scars too deep to bridge the gap between trust and acceptance?

LINKS:


Excerpts

She arrived in Denver on April 6, 1868.  A date she would forever remember as the start of her life.  It was almost like another birthday.
The weather was cold with the wind off the plains toward the mountains.  The buildings weren't as tall as in New York, but the wind still whistled between them and over the platform where she stood.  She was glad of her good wool coat and lined boots.  They kept her warm while she waited for Mr. Ravenclaw to find her.  There wasn't anyone else wearing a veil so she didn't think he'd have much problem identifying her.
She wasn't really sure what she expected, but it wasn't the tall, devastatingly handsome man that approached her.  He had a square jaw shaved clean and a tiny dimple in his chin.  Black eyebrows slashed over his eyes, the color of which was hidden by the shadow from his hat, pulled low on his head.  For once she was glad of her veil.  He wouldn't be able to see her mouth hanging open, gawking at him.
"Miss Davenport?"
"Yes.  Are you Mr. Ravenclaw?"
"I am."
She held out her hand.  "Ella Davenport."
He removed his glove and enveloped her hand in his big one.  His fingers brushed the skin of her wrist just above her glove.  The tingle that traveled clear to her toes was unexpected and her gaze snapped up to his.  She looked up into the most beautiful blue eyes.  They seemed to question what was happening between them as much as she did.
He held her hand for what seemed like a lifetime and they simply starred at each other.
"Miss Davenport…."
"Ella.  Please."
"Ella.  I would like for you to lift your veil."
"Are you sure you want to do this in public.  It can be…shocking."
"I'm sure."  He squeezed her hand and then let go.
"Very well."  She lifted the heavy lace, prepared for him to be taken aback by the ugliness of it.  She wasn't prepared for him to lift his hand and gently trace the scar all the way from her left eye over her cheek and down her neck to the top of her collar.
There was no disdain on his face.  His blue eyes took in everything and accepted it, but even so he said the last thing she expected.
"You are a very beautiful woman."
She stood there with her mouth open until he raised her chin with his knuckle.
"Why are you surprised?  Surely you have heard the compliment before."
She shook her head to clear it and find her tongue.  "Not since the accident, except from my brother.  But he's biased.  He loves me."
"He but states the obvious.  Your scars do not detract from your beauty."
"I must thank you because good manners dictate it.  However, I believe we should see about getting you some glasses."
He laughed.  A rich, deep baritone.  "I'm glad you have a sense of humor."
She stared back at him, incredulous, "Who was joking?"



The Author

Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.
Their closest neighbor was one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006.
Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.
She worked her way through college and went to work full time straight after graduation and there was little time to write. Then in 1990 she and two friends started a round robin writing a story about pirates. She found that she missed the writing and kept on with other stories. In 1992 she joined Colorado Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. Unfortunately, the loss of her job demanded she not renew her memberships and her writing stagnated for many years.
In 2001, she saw an ad in the paper for a writers conference being put on by CRW and decided she'd attend. One of her favorite authors, Catherine Coulter, was the keynote speaker. Cynthia was lucky enough to have a seat at Ms. Coulter's table at the luncheon and after talking with her, decided she needed to get back to her writing. She rejoined both CRW and RWA that day and hasn't looked back.
Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.

Find more about her at: www.cynthiawoolf.com



Don't miss her tour starting on May 2nd!

There will be interviews, guest posts, reviews and a super giveaway!



Sunday, April 14, 2013

REVIEW: The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen


Title: The Boleyn King
Series: Anne Boleyn Trilogy
Author: Laura Andersen
Published Date: expected May 14th, 2013
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Format: ebook
Pages: 386
ASIN: B00ALBR6F0
Copy provided by: NetGalley
Genre: historical fiction
Add to: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Synopsis: Just seventeen years old, Henry IX, known as William, is a king bound by the restraints of the regency yet anxious to prove himself. With the French threatening battle and the Catholics sowing the seeds of rebellion at home, William trusts only three people: his older sister Elizabeth; his best friend and loyal counselor, Dominic; and Minuette, a young orphan raised as a royal ward by William’s mother, Anne Boleyn.
Against a tide of secrets, betrayal, and murder, William finds himself fighting for the very soul of his kingdom. Then, when he and Dominic both fall in love with Minuette, romantic obsession looms over a new generation of Tudors. One among them will pay the price for a king’s desire, as a shocking twist of fate changes England’s fortunes forever.
My Review: I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 
I love Phillippa Gregory's novels. I loved watching the Tudors, and yes, I'm slightly obsessed with Anne Boleyn. So when I saw this, I just had to read it. I don't regret a single page. This book was so well-written, I can't wait to read the next! 
The book itself read almost like one of Phillippa Gregory's, but on the premise of what if? What if the stillborn baby had been bought to term and lived? I've always seen Anne Boleyn as one of the great tragedies and mysteries of the English history. And her greatest accomplishment is not the Anglican church, although that is pretty impressive, but the girl child that Henry dismissed out of hand, the great Elizabeth. 
The romance threads in it was just enough to keep me hooked and left me waiting for more. I need to know how this plays out!

Week in Review

Hi everyone, it seems like ever since I got this promotion, I've been struggling to keep everything balanced as smoothly as it was before. Please be patient with me while I try to get through this transition. Eventually, I will be able to juggle everything as well as before.

In the meantime however, I've had a few reviews and such on this blog this week:

Free book until April 17th on Amazon! Beyond the Western Sun by Kristina Circelli
 I'll be reviewing one of her other books later on next month, I just had to grab this one too!

Reviews:

Excerpt:


Saturday, April 13, 2013

FREE: Beyond the Western Sun by Kristina Circelli APR 13-17


Beyond the Western Sun

Beyond The Western Sun

*Book One in The Whisper Legacy* A gripping journey into the heart of Native American legend, "Beyond the Western Sun" follows the epic struggle of Whisper, a young female Cherokee apprentice, on a harrowing adventure into the Land of the Dead to save the captive son of Ian Diavya. Together they face insurmountable odds, conquer terrible demons, and in the process, find a strength and courage within themselves neither knew possible. What they don't know is that these early adventures are only tests, for to save Ian's son, they must also stop the evil-minded Raven-Eater from unleashing his Army of the Dead to destroy the living world. As the Army of the Dead marches closer to the Western Sun, as Whisper leads them deeper into the Land of the Dead, and as the truth behind Cole's death is slowly revealed, Ian discovers that the fate of both worlds depends on his courage, his humility, and the life of his son. An epic saga of hope, redemption, and undying love, "Beyond the Western Sun" is what all fantasy adventures must strive to be: a complex, intricate examination of human emotion set within the context of worlds known only in our imagination. And in this regard, "Beyond the Western Sun" is a stunning achievement. Melding fantasy and legend in an epic quest, the third novel of her young career signals the arrival of Kristina Circelli as a master storyteller. Creating the indelible character of Whisper, vividly portraying the worlds that she and Ian must traverse to accomplish their goal, and capturing their human frailties, hopes and fears with depth and touching sincerity, Circelli reminds us with stunning precision the greatness we are all capable of, and the heavy price our actions can rend.

Download Beyond the Western Sun FREE between April 13th - April 17th.

About the Author

Kristina Circelli A lover of the written word since the time she first picked up a pen, Kristina Circelli shares her passion for fiction in her multi-genre novels. Circelli is the author of several fiction books, including The Sour Orange Derby, a young adult novel about family and childhood imagination steeped in southern traditions; Beyond the Western Sun and Walk the Red Road of The Whisper Legacy, which centers on Native American cultures and the legends that come to life in the spirit realm; and The Helping Hands, a book that follows a gang of friends who rescue abused children. Currently, Circelli works as a copywriter, author, book editor, and creative writing professor at the University of North Florida, where she received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English. She resides in Florida, with her husband and two kittens.

Follow Author Kristina Circelli: Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Friday, April 12, 2013

REVIEW: Witch Love by Emma Mills



Title: Witch Love
Series: Witch Blood series #3
Author: Emma Mills
Published Date: Feb 14th, 2013
Publisher: self-published
Format: ebook
Pages:  208
ASIN: B00BF9HHOW
Copy provided by: I Luv Tours / author
Genre: supernatural
Add to: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Synopsis: With the reappearance of a lost love, Jess flees to the only people who can help her control her increasing powers and gain independence – her family’s coven. But with a bruised heart can Jess learn to forgive or will she find new love in the United States? Witchlove, the third installment of the Witchblood series, is a new adventure that takes Jess from New England to Voodoo country in the South.

My Review: I'd like to thank the tour company and the author for providing me a copy of all three books in exchange for an honest review. I have to say, this was a much better book than the second book. It was a much smoother transition from book two to book three, compared to the transition between books one and two.
The one part I found the most interesting was the places where the characters were....Malden, Massachussetts (literally next door to the town I live in now), and outside of New Orleans, Louisiana (where I was born and raised).
The story line itself leaves a little to be desired, but it was enough to keep me going through the story. The cliffhanger at the end of the second book was resolved in a rather expected way, so I was kind of disappointed in that.
Overall, though, it was enough of a suspenseful book to keep me going through to the last page.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

EXCERPT: The Legend of Mickey Tussler by Frank Nappi

The Legend of Mickey TusslerThe Legend of Mickey Tussler

“What the hell is wrong with Mickey?” Murph asked. “Did something happen out there?”
“I think it was Lefty,” Danvers said. “That jackass was jawing at him from the dugout, and making all kinds of gestures. I put a stop to it but I think it may have rattled him.”
Murph saw the boy struggling, and was quick to intercede. “Hey, Mick, what’s going on pal?” he said. “Everything okay?”
The boy did not move. Just stood there, catatonically, his fragile soul naked in his glassy eyes. He was remembering the last time he saw Lefty. And he could still hear the assailant’s voice, cold and vituperative, and the pathetic cries of Oscar, his favorite pig, after Lefty plunged his boot into the porker’s side, killing it instantly. Then there were the hours that followed, with Sheriff Rosco, and all the questions. So many questions. The recollection was overwhelming. Frightening. He just wanted it to all go away.
“‘Slowly, silently, now the moon, walks the night in her silver shoon…’”
Mickey, come on now. We’re not doing that now. There’s no need. You’re home here. We’ve got a game to play here. Hear that crowd? Listen to them. They all came for you.”
The boy’s affectations were unchanged. He continued to stare vacantly, rocking back and forth, trying desperately to drive the hateful memories out of himself.
“This way and that, she peers and sees, silver fruit upon silver trees.”
Murph put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and squeezed gently.
“Hey, Mick, you’re okay. Save that poem for home. Come on now. Just you and Boxcar. Like always. Focus on that glove. Nothing else. Toss that apple right to the glove. Just like you used to do for Oscar. Right to the target. Can you do that for me?”
Maybe it was his manager’s touch, and the way Murph’s urgency flowed through his fingers and into Mickey’s body like some electrical charge. Or maybe it was the mere mention of the name Oscar, said out loud, that made the difference. Maybe it was both. Whatever it was, the boy began to free himself slowly from the demon that had seized him. He blinked several times, as if cleaning the lens to his mind’s eye, and stopped his recitation of the poem.
“Oscar didn’t like Lefty, Murph,” he said. “No sir. Mickey don’t like him much either.”

Murph grinned and shook his head. “Don’t sweat it, kid. Nobody here does.”
The Brewers took the field moments later, led by their ace and fan favorite,Mickey Tussler. The crowd was bristling with an untamed enthusiasm, waving placards professing their unconditional love for the “Baby Bazooka” and chanting his name. In the wake of his superhuman exploits on the field, and all of the misfortune and injustice that had befallen him elsewhere, Mickey had become a cult hero of sorts.


Purchase The Legend of Mickey Tussler on Amazon. 
Follow Frank Nappi Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

It's....not Monday, but what are you reading?


What happened? Monday came and went and I totally dropped the ball on this post....sheesh, well, better late than never, eh?

Alright, so this week's books are:

  1. Witch Love by Emma Mills
  2. The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen
  3. The Never by Kristina Circelli
  4. Marked for Vengeance by SJ Pierce

REVIEW: Forgotten by Sarah J Pepper


Title: Forgotten
Series: The Fate Trilogy #1
Author: Sarah J Pepper
Published Date: Ovt 5, 2012
Publisher: Neximus Publishing
Format: ebook
Pages: 396
ISBN13: 9780988246904
Copy provided by: author
Genre: fantasy, paranormal
Add to: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis: Gwyneth’s chronicle began long before she witnessed her family being brutally murdered and lost her sight. Living as an orphan, her world is anything but black and white. She sees her vivid future that promises suffering and death. Cursed with these visions, Gwyneth pretends to be like everyone else, until a dangerously charismatic, young man walks into her life. From the moment Jace lays eyes on her, he refuses to believe Gwyneth is normal. He knows information about her past that only a psychopathic stalker could dig up. He reveals her dirty secrets. Unbeknownst details of Gwyneth’s former life unfurl.
Unsure of what to believe, Gwyneth searches for answers that lead to her inconceivable fate. However, the ancient truth she uncovers is more dangerous than any high school romance she’d bargained for. Gwyneth is drug into an inevitable battle brewing between immortal Gods and ageless Hunters – both of which have sworn to swear to kill her if deemed necessary.
My Review: I'd like to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a strange book. The premise of the story is good. She's one of the Fates reborn, and has no idea. In fact, if it were written a  little clearer, this probably would have been one of my favorite books this year. But it was so confusing. It was the visions the main character has that messed the book up.
However, its the visions that push you to keep reading, at least they did for me. The visions had me so confused that I needed to keep reading in hopes that it all congealed correctly and answered my questions. They never did, and at the end of the book, I was left wondering, what exactly happened.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Week In Review

Another week is gone, its amazing how the days fly! I'm eagerly awaiting the warm weather to finally stay up here in Boston. I'm so tired of wearing heavy coats.
My new promotion at work has been keeping me so busy that it's been hard to read as much as I want to, but I promise, eventually I'll find the time. I'll re-learn how to juggle everything again.
This week hasn't been very busy with reviews, only the one:
I've had a few more giveaways, so if you haven't entered in them yet, please do!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

PROMO and GIVEAWAY: Ice Country by David Estes




Ice Country (The Country Saga #2)
by David Estes.

Book Synopsis

Dazz, a hard-edged, fun-loving Icer, likes fighting, particularly while at his favorite watering hole. However, while recovering from a particularly bad break up, his decision to engage in a brutal pubroom brawl leads to a series of events that thrust him into a dark and mysterious scandal involving King Goff, the ice country ruler.
When his seven-year-old sister is abducted in the dark of night, Dazz pledges to do whatever it takes to get her back, embarking on a quest that threatens to rip apart the very fabric that's barely holding his shattered family together.
Along the way he meets a group of unlikely allies in the form of a travelling group of fire country natives. Can Dazz, when joined with his best friend, Buff, and new tan-skinned friends, defeat the King and his guards before it's too late for his sister?






PRAISE FOR "ICE COUNTRY":
-"5 stars! David Estes creates captivating and original worlds that you love to get lost in!" Alexandria Theodosopoulos- Goodreads
-"Richly filled with new characters and story without leaving the old behind...a seamless transition into another side of a fantastic world." Kerri Hughes- Goodreads




Quick Facts
Release Date: April 4th,2013.

Genre: YA Dystopian.

Formats Available for Purchase: Paperback (only at Amazon) Kindle, epub and Smashwords.




Excerpt
It all starts with a girl. Nay, more like a witch. An evil witch, disguised as a young seventeen-year-old princess, complete with a cute button nose, full red lips, long dark eyelashes, and deep, mesmerizing baby blues. Not a real, magic-wielding witch, but a witch just the same.
Oh yah, and a really good throwing arm. “Get out!” she screams, flinging yet another ceramic vase in my general direction.
I duck and it rebounds off the wall, not shattering until it hits the shiny marble floor. Thousands of vase-crumbles crunch under my feet as I scramble for the door. I fling it open and slip through, slamming it hard behind me. Just in time, too, as I hear the thud of something heavy on the other side. Evidently she’s taken to throwing something new, maybe boots or perhaps herself.
Luckily, her father’s not home, or he’d probably be throwing things too. After all, he warned his daughter about Brown District boys.
Taking a deep breath, I cringe as a spout of obscenities shrieks through the painted-red door and whirls around my head, stinging me in a dozen places. You’d think I was the one who ran around with a four-toed eighteen-year-old womanizer named LaRoy. (That’s LaRoy with a “La”, as he likes to say.) As it turns out, I think LaRoy has softer hands than she does.
As I slink away from the witch’s upscale residence licking my wounds, I try to figure out where the chill I went wrong. Despite her constant insults, narrow-mindedness, and niggling reminders of how I am nothing more than a lazy, liquid-ice-drinking, no-good scoundrel, I think I managed to treat her pretty well. I was faithful, always there for her—not once was I employed while courting her—and known on occasion to show up at her door with gifts, like snowflake flowers or frosty delights from Gobbler’s Bakery down the road. She said the flowers made her feel inadequate, on account of them being too beautiful—as if there was such a thing—and the frosty’s, well, she said I gave them to her to make her fat.
She was my first ever girlfriend from the White District. I should’ve listened to my best friend, Buff, when he said it would end in disaster.



The Author:
David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife and soul mate, Adele, who he’s now been happily married to for more than two years.
A reader all his life, David began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and has completed 14 novels, 12 of which have been published. In June of 2012, David became a fulltime writer and is now travelling the world with Adele while he writes books, and she writes and takes photographs.
David gleans inspiration from all sorts of crazy places, like watching random people do entertaining things, dreams (which he jots copious notes about immediately after waking up), and even from thin air sometimes!
David’s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, an obsessive Goodreads group member, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table. He loves responding to e-mails, Facebook messages, Tweets, blog comments, and Goodreads comments from his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends.

Learn more about the author at: http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com




Tour Giveaway

Tour Wide giveaway: 5 e-copies of "Fire Country" (The Country Saga #1) and 2 e-copies of "Ice Country" (The Country Saga #2).
Rules:

  • There will be 7 winners.
  • The giveaway is open internationally.
  • Winners have 48hs to claim their prize since the moment they receive the email.
  • Do not cheat! :P






Remember to check BOOK 1 in "The Country Saga": Fire Country.

Synopsis:


In a changed world where the sky bleeds red, winter is hotter than hell and full of sandstorms, and summer's even hotter with raging fires that roam the desert-like country, the Heaters manage to survive, barely. 

Due to toxic air, life expectancies are so low the only way the tribe can survive is by forcing women to procreate when they turn sixteen and every three years thereafter. It is their duty as Bearers.

Fifteen-year-old Siena is a Youngling, soon to be a Bearer, when she starts hearing rumors of another tribe of all women, called the Wild Ones. They are known to kidnap Youngling girls before the Call, the ceremony in which Bearers are given a husband with whom to bear children with. 

As the desert sands run out on her life's hourglass, Siena must uncover the truth about the Wild Ones while untangling the web of lies and deceit her father has masterfully spun.









FOLLOW THE TOUR:


I know that Book: Interview and Promo.

April 6:

Happy Indulgence:
 Interview.
Bookworm Lisa: Guest Post.
Sapphyria's Book Reviews: Promo.

April 7:

Words to Dreams:
 Review and Guest Post.
Bunny's Review: Guest Post.