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:

•  Starting Now by Debbie Macomber

I've had a few more giveaways, so if you haven't entered in them yet, please do!

• Ice County by David Estes: 5 copies of Fire County, 2 copies of Ice Country
• Chivalry and Malevolence by Rae Z Ryans: Swag Pack and Autographed book
• Legend of Mickey Tussler by Frank Nappi: $50 Amazon Giftcard

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

AMAZON

SMASHWORDS

FOLLOW THE TOUR:

April 4:

Teen Blurb: Promo.
The Cover Contessa: Review.
Witchy contessa: Review.
Bookaroo- Ju: Promo.
I read and Tell: Guest Post.
Fandom Fanatic: Promo.
Julia Baby Jen's Reading Room: Promo.
Ohana Day Academy: Promo.
Mythical Books: Promo.
Sab The Book Eater: Promo.
Author Roxanne Kade: Promo.

A Goddess of Literature: Review.

Librarian's Pick: Promo.

2013 Bring Out the New Me: Promo.

Me, you and my Shelf: Promo.

I am a reader not a Writer: Promo.

April 5:

Lola's Reviews: Review.
Mallory Heart Reviews: Promo.
Recent Reads: Promo.

Kahlolily's Reads: Promo.

Fundimental: Promo.

My Own Stuff: Promo.

Books, Books and More Books: Promo.

Kimberly Lewis Novels: Promo.

I know that Book: Interview and Promo.

April 6:

Happy Indulgence: Interview.

Bookworm Lisa: Guest Post.

Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews: Promo.

Vanilla Moon: Promo.

Second Book to the Right: Promo.

That Girl Reads: Promo.

Think Books: Promo

Renee's Library: Promo

Happy Tails and Tales: Review.

Sapphyria's Book Reviews: Promo.

April 7:

Words to Dreams: Review and Guest Post.

Bunny's Review: Guest Post.

The Stuff of Success; Promo.

My Devotional Thoughts: Promo.

Feature and Follow Friday #18

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
6. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
8. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Have you ever read a book that you thought you would hate -- ? Did you end up hating it? Did you end up loving it? Or would you never do that?

No, I have never attempted to read a book I thought I would hate, and I never will. Why put myself through that? I read because I like to read, because I want to read, because I want to read THAT book. Why put myself through that torture?

Every book I read has to intrigue me at some level, even if it is very vague and minuscule.

Blast and Giveaway: Chivalry and Malevolence by Rae Z. Ryans

Chivalry and Malevolence

When the Unseelie Court sentences an innocent man to death, the elven Princess Morgana cannot sit idly by as the human Knight perishes. The Queen calls her pathetic and worthless. It does not change how Mori feels about the old laws of Alfheim. These rules punish the faultless, lesser races of the Nine Realms of Odin.   Purchase Chivalry and Malevolence on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords Of the nine, this realm of the Light is home to many mythical creatures. The portal gates remain forever closed to the human race. However, neglected for centuries, a Knight from the realm of Earth enters the Light. Holding onto his faith and code of honor, he holds stoically in the face of capture and death. Princess Mori remains his only hope, but to save him, she must first save herself.

About Author Rae Z. Ryans

Rae Z. Ryans loves to create mythical lands and characters that entertain, promote equality, and love. She writes for both children and adults in her world of Six and Twenty. When she is not writing, Ms. Ryans spends her days chasing after her own children, and dreaming up new adventures.

Follow Rae Z Ryans: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon
Check out Rae Z Rayns Release Day Party on April 4th on Facebook 12 - 4 CDT There will be fun and prizes and you can chit chat with the author! HERE

Wicked queens, knights in shining armor and dragons oh my! Chivalry and Malevolence was a book I read in one sitting. It appealed to my love of fae, elves, dragons and the UnSeelie and Seelie courts. I was hooked. ~Jen @ The Crafty Cauldron
I loved the way the author created such vivid imagery in describing the setting and characters in the fae world of Alfheim. ~ Lisa@ Mommy Reads too Much Acting Balanced - Excerpt
Chivalry and Malevolence is an lovely blend of romance, strength and adventure. Princess Morgana's journey from insecurity to empowerment is relatable for every young woman. Jessi @ Mama's Got Flair 
Gina's Library - Excerpt
Taking Time for Mommy - Review
Andi's Book Reviews - Excerpt
Generations of Savings - Excerpt
Adventures Frugal Mom - Excerpt

The author is giving away a Swag pack and autographed book. Fill out the Form Below to Enter. Open to US Residents
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour and Giveaway: The Legend of Mickey Tussler

The Legend of Mickey Tussler

In the late 1940s, the minor league Milwaukee Brewers are foundering yet again and manager Arthur Murphy is desperate. When he sees seventeen-year old Mickey Tussler throwing apples into a barrel, he knows he has found the next pitching phenom. But not everyone is so hopeful. Mickey’s autism—a disorder still not truly understood even today—has alienated the boy from the world, and he is berated by other players and fans. Mickey faces immense trials in the harsh and competitive world of baseball while coping with the challenges inherent to his disorder. An honest and knowledgeable book about overcoming adversity, and the basis for the television movie A Mile in His Shoes, Mickey’s powerful story shows that with support and determination anyone can be triumphant, even when the odds are stacked against him. Purchase The Legend of Mickey Tussler on Amazon.

Sophomore Campaign

It’s 1949 and eighteen-year-old pitching phenom Mickey Tussler is back with the rejuvenated minor league Brewers in the sequel to The Legend of Mickey Tussler (the basis for the television movie A Mile in His Shoes). Despite Mickey’s proclamation that he will never play baseball again after last season’s violent conclusion, his manager—and now surrogate father—Arthur Murphy cajoles the emotionally fragile, socially awkward boy with autism into giving it another shot. Mickey reluctantly returns to the field and must once again cope with the violence and hatred around him. When a young African American player joins the team, the entire team is subjected to racial threats and episodes of violence, one of which Mickey witnesses firsthand. Struggling to understand such ugliness and hatred, and fearful of reprisal should he tell anyone about what he has seen, the boy’s performance on the field suffers. Mickey now must deal with a side of human nature he scarcely comprehends. Purchase Sophomore Campaign on Amazon.

About Author Frank Nappi

Frank Nappi has taught high school English and Creative Writing for over twenty years. His debut novel, Echoes From The Infantry, received national attention, including MWSA's silver medal for outstanding fiction. His follow-up novel, The Legend of Mickey Tussler, garnered rave reviews as well, including a movie adaptation of the touching story "A Mile in His Shoes" starring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder. Frank continues to produce quality work, including Sophomore Campaign, the intriguing sequel to the much heralded original story and the just released thriller, NOBODY HAS TO KNOW, which received an endorsement from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille. Frank is presently at work on a third installment of his Mickey Tussler series and his next thriller. He lives on Long Island with his wife Julia and their two sons, Nicholas and Anthony.  

Follow Frank Nappi Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Follow the Tour
The Author is having a contest for a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Starting Now by Debbie Macomber

Title: Starting Now
Series: Blossom Street
Author: Debbie Macomber
Published Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Format: ebook
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0345533534 
Copy provided by: NetGalley
Genre: fiction
Add to: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Synopsis: #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns to Seattle’s beloved Blossom Street in this heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what’s truly important in life.
For years Libby Morgan dreamed only of making partner in her competitive, high-pressure law firm. She sacrificed everything for her career—her friends, her marriage, her chance at creating a family. When her boss calls Libby into his office, she assumes it will finally be good news, but nothing can prepare her for the shocking reality: She’s been let go and must rebuild her entire life . . . starting now. 
With no job prospects in sight, Libby reaches out to old friends and spends her afternoons at A Good Yarn, the local knitting store. There she forms a close bond with Lydia, the sweet-natured shop owner; Lydia’s spirited teenage daughter, Casey; and Casey’s best friend, Ava, a shy yet troubled girl who will shape Libby’s future in surprising and profound ways. 
As A Good Yarn becomes a second home—and the women a new kind of family—Libby relishes the different person she’s become. She even finds time for romance with a charming and handsome doctor who seems to be her perfect match. But just as everything is coming together, Libby must make a choice that could forever change the life she holds so dear.
Warmly told and richly textured, Starting Now is filled with the promise of new beginnings and the unending delights of companionship and love.

My Review: I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for review. This was the first Debbie Macomber book I've ever read. My mother-in-law has been after me to read some of her books and I never got around to it.
After reading this book, I'm kicking myself for not starting sooner. There's no death-defying action, or paranormal creatures in it. But it makes you feel good, reading this book. You really start to care about the characters, and towards the end of the book, I was pacing as I was reading, wanting to kick the major character for doing what she was doing. I wanted to shake her by her shoulders and say, "What the heck do you think you're throwing away?!"
It's been awhile since I've felt that emotionally invested in a character.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's the time again! Monday...the day where I'm loading up on coffee to get myself through today.

I look back at last week's list and I'm amazed....I got through a number of books, but others I wasn't able to start on. Disappointing but this week, I promise to do better!

So this week looks like (based on tour schedules and the like):

1. Starting Now by Debbie Macomber
2. Forgotten by Sarah J Pepper
3. Witch Love by Emma Mills
4. The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen

I know I'll definitely get two of these done this week. I'm only about 90 pages away from finishing the first already. I can hope for more, but with Girl Scouts again this week and the start of softball practice this week as well, it doesn't look very promising.