#SPOTLIGHT and #GIVEAWAY: Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver by Bobbi Carducci

Title:  Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver

Author:  Bobbi Carducci

Published:  July 26th, 2014

Publisher:   Open Books Press

Genre:  Creative Non-fiction, Memoir

Recommended Age:  13+

Synopsis:

Bobbi Carducci’s life was about to change. Her ill father-in-law’s odd behavior was a mystery when he came to live with her and Mike. For the next seven years Bobbi did everything she could to save him from himself – while he tried to convince everyone that he didn’t need her and that she was crazy.

A nonfiction that reads like a novel, Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver, is the story of a real family dealing with one of the fastest growing issues of our day. Caring for seriously ill family members at home. Meet Bobbi Carducci. Laugh, cry and pray with her as she does the hardest job she ever loved.

Every 26 seconds another person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in the U.S.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

Excerpt from Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver:

For fifteen years I’d known him as my gentle, henpecked father-in-law. A man who longed for a little peace and quiet and always seemed eager to please. As saddened as I was by my mother-in-law’s passing, I had believed that living in my home, free from the constant yelling and criticism, he’d come out of his shell and begin to enjoy life.

Sitting in a hospital parking lot so many years later, I was just beginning to discover how very wrong I’d been.

Had he been pretending all these years? Is the real Rodger the one who announced to the nursing staff that I’m useless and no damned good? Does the medicine he takes every day allow him to be himself, or does it mask his true nature? Who is this man who lives in my house and paces the halls late at night? .. .

Where did I go wrong? What did I miss and how can I make sure this doesn't happen again? Those questions and more went unanswered as I covered the miles between the hospital and home, my mind and body too tired to cope with the guilt I felt at that moment. Despite all my good intentions, I’d let him down.

About the Author:

Intrigued by TV doctors, Bobbi Carducci told everyone she was going to be a brain surgeon when she grew up.  When she couldn't bring herself to cut up a frog in biology class she realized she had to find another way to get inside people’s heads and became a writer instead.

Bobbi was an in home caregiver for her serious ill father-in-law, Rodger, for seven years. Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver is the first book in a planned Caregiver series depicting the true stories of people caring for loved ones at home.

Bobbi Carducci is a former senior staff writer for the Purcellville Gazette, a small Washington, D.C. area newspaper. Her short stories appear in the Chicken Soup for the Soul and Cup of Comfort Anthologies as well is in print and online magazines.

Bobbi’s book for young readers, Storee Wryter Gets a Dog, received both a Mom’s Choice Award and a Living Now Award for Excellence. It was also named A Best Dog Book for Young Readers by Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer.

For three years she wrote a monthly book review column for About Families Publications before resigning to concentrate on writing Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver and her blog, The Imperfect Caregiver. Bobbi also writes regularly on care giving for AgingCare.com and The Caregiver Space.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Blog | Website

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• A print copy of Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver (US only)
• An ecopy of  Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver (Int)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#REVIEW: Exodus: Shadow of the Mountain #1 by Cliff Graham

Title: Exodus

Series: The Shadow of the Mountain #1

Author:  Cliff Graham

Published Date: May 5, 2015

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: paperback

Pages: 303

ISBN: 9780764214752

Genre: biblical fiction

Add to: Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: Caleb and Joshua Roar to Life in this High-Impact Old Testament Saga
Two men were brave enough to tell the truth about what awaited the Hebrews in Canaan. This is their story. From the slave pits of Egypt to the efforts of an eighty-five-year-old Caleb as he drives out the last of the giants, Shadow of the Mountain is a vivid portrait of two of God's chosen champions, and a meditation on masculine mentorship and the challenges and blessings of growing older.
For the sake of his new God and his loyalty to his friend Joshua, Caleb will not spend his twilight years resting, but taking the battle to the enemies of God's people until his dying breath. From his early days as a mercenary for Pharaoh in Egypt watching the Hebrews suffer under the yoke of slavery, all the way through a desperate fight with giants in the dark forests of the hill country, this is a story filled with epic battles, gritty intensity, and supernatural events that made Graham's Lion of War series a hit. Shadow of the Mountain is sure to ignite a love for the Old Testament in popular culture.

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A prevalent theme in this book is how life doesn’t end up quite the way we dream it will in our youth. In this book, the author has written a whole backstory to a character who is only mentioned a few times in the Bible: Caleb, of Caleb and Joshua. In here, Caleb comes from the Kezzanites, and goes to Egypt to find his fame and fortune through being an artist, a carver of beautiful images. Instead, he ends up being sponsored to be in the Scorpions, an elite group of Egyptian warriors, where he excels. This puts him directly in the palace when Moses and Aaron approach the Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt.

This is a fascinating book that shows a firsthand account of the ten plagues of Egypt from the Egyptian point of view, but doesn’t actually get to them until the last half of the book. The author does a spectacular job of really fleshing out Caleb, giving him a back story, and yes, using artistic license with it. Caleb must have been some important figure in the Bible, for with the thousands upon thousands of Israelites that were alive during the Exodus, many of them were never named. The storyline has just enough action to keep you reading, though the beginning I admit, was a bit slow and dry for me.

#REVIEW: Lifting the Veil by Kate Allenton

Title: Lifting the Veil

Series: Veil/Dixon Security Services #1

Author:  Kate Allenton

Published Date: June 30, 2014

Publisher: Coastal Escape Publishing LLC

Format: ebook

Pages: 170

ASIN: B00LE12VX8

Genre: paranormal fiction

Add to: Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: Unemployed accountant Sophie Masterson never dreams that a trip to Salem on Halloween night will change her life forever. When a birthday gift of a psychic reading is thrust upon her by her best friend, Sophie has no choice but to play along. She wants the winning lottery numbers but, instead, receives something far more ominous—a warning of things to come. Being told her own clairvoyant abilities will soon surface should be enough to send any woman running to hide. Throw in the possibility that something sinister is headed her way and all she wants is an easy out. 
When asked to help her brother, the police chief, with some easy filing, she’s sure that her problems are over. She now has an income, a job, and a safe haven where she can relax. What she doesn’t expect is that one of those files will be the catalyst to set the wheels in motion for the predictions to come true. 
Detective Jack Love has a hard time following instructions. When his latest bust gets him benched, and shoved in the cold case filing room, the last thing he expects is to be tasked with babysitting the chief’s sister. When unqualified and in-need-of-medication Sophie gets the crazy idea to play detective on a case gone cold, there is little he can do to dissuade her from investigating. 
Attempting to keep her clairvoyant abilities a secret, Sophie Masterson thrusts herself into a cold case where the dead are multiplying, the clues are disappearing, and the hunky cop assigned to play babysitter is a nonbeliever. She doesn’t hold out much hope for solving the case, much less keeping her secret, especially when the dead seek her out to tell their tales. 
When Sophie plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with winner takes all, it’s no longer the dead that scare her, but Jack Love. Surviving with her heart intact now ranks at the top of her list.

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Kate Allenton, and I wasn’t too disappointed by it. I was kind of avoiding reading this book because it sounded awfully cheesy to me. When I finally sat down with it, I was hooked. The author writes in such a way as to keep the reader engaged from the first paragraph to the last page. The writing is descriptive enough to be able to visualize it, and yet not too wordy as to become tedious and bog the reader down in details.

The main characters of Sophie and Jack could have been fleshed out a little more, especially Jack. You could see his attraction growing for Sophie, but besides what he says, you don’t see it very often. I think Sophie let go of her secret a little too quickly, and those who learned about it, accepted it a little too easily.

The sex scenes between Sophie and Jack were graphic, but the usual graphic, definitely no fade to black scenes. So if it bothers you, either skip over them, or just don’t read the book. But if you choose to not read the book, you’re missing out on a good story.

The storyline itself reminded me of Ghost Whisperer, the old television show with Jennifer Love Hewitt, especially the way Sophie handled the scene with the bad guy and his wife.

Overall, not a bad book, and I will be looking for more from this author.

Indie Book Fest: Sign Up Now!

 

Indie BookFest 2015 is a three-day event celebrating indie/hybrid/traditional authors and artists and their freedom of expression. Join some of your favorite authors for three days filled with a book signing, sessions, lunch, author meet and greets, an after party, and great fun! You won’t want to miss the sessions throughout the day, where panelists will be speaking on a variety of topics relevant to readers, book lovers, and writers. Indie BookFest 2015 will be held at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fl., on July 31, August 1, & 2, 2015 The Caribe Royale is located just 1.5 miles from the Walt Disney World® area!

 

Over 60 authors representing indie, hybrid and traditional publishing will be featured at this premier author and reader event. Keynote speaker is multi-award winning author Jana Oliver. This weekend is all about readers connecting and finding new authors to love. There are reader panels, a Fan Fare where readers can hang out with the authors, a Gothic Romance party, a gourmet luncheon, Author sponsored parties, and a book signing.

Attending Authors

View the Schedule of Events $75 Buys an Entire weekend pass which includes all of the parties and the luncheon Saturday! Buy Tickets HERE ~~~~~~~~~~~ Are you a blogger? Get a blogger media pass for $50! Help us promote the event! It includes all of the above as well as a casual Author/ Blogger breakfast. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Book your HOTEL! We have special pricing for our event. ~~~~~~~~~ Stay up to date on news. Join our Facebook Group  

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#COVER #REVEAL: Before I Break Short Stories by Alec John Belle

Alec John Belle

These short stories are releasing two weeks apart from one another, from different character perspectives, they will lead up to the main event of the release of Before I Break. These stories are FREE and will be posted on Author Alec John Belle's Blog Before I Break and the short stories are young adult focusing on LGBT and social issues.

Capricious:  In this haunting prequel short story to Before I Break, Jake struggles with the idea of religion, homosexuality, and life as he deals with an obvious mental illness.

The Winter of Harms:  In Avery's journal, read to uncover the start of Avery's depression, and the mistake that almost takes his life.

Turmoil:  As Melissa gets into her relationship with Cyril, she can't help but look at other girls.  But Melissa loves Cyril, right?

Synopsis for Before I Break:

“When religiously raised Cyril Hayes begins his junior year at East Hill High School, every choice he makes suffers a greater consequence, and while facing challenges of friends, family, and love, learns that hate and intolerance are also a very large part of our world today.

Cyril Hayes is seemingly just like any other male his age. He has the perfect girlfriend, Melissa Summers, his best friend, Jake Rivers, and a lawyer father who brings home enough money to support his family and then some. When Cyril begins his junior year, he doesn't expect his life to spiral out of control when he meets Avery Branson, the new kid in school who has a big secret: he's gay.

At first, Cyril doesn't handle this truth well, due to the way he was raised, but as the story progresses, he ventures deep into the reality of homosexuality and begins to accept Avery for who he is. Not everyone is happy with Cyril's new friend, including Jake, who believes that homosexuality is a sin and is refusing to change his beliefs.

But Avery isn't the only one at East Hill with secrets, and soon a tragedy will strike, knocking Cyril's world completely off balance and leaving a scar on his heart that will change his view of humanity all together.”

Click here to add to your TBR

Social Media Links:

WattPadd: http://www.wattpad.com/user/AlecBelle

Blog: https://alecjohnbelle.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alecbellefanpage

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/blB_4v

#COVER REVEAL: Worth of Souls Series by Bonnie R Paulson

 

 We are so excited to share the covers for this amazing series - Worth of Souls. The first book will be released July 6, book 2 July 8, and book 3 July 10 but you can pre-order NOW so they come to your eReader the day of release!

Cost of Survival, Book #1

Anger isn’t an emotion anymore, it’s more of a survival mode I can’t afford to let go. My dad predicted World War III would happen in his life, but he died two years before… with my brother… …before Mom and I walked in search of refuge from the bombing. Strengthened by her faith, Mom never feels alone. But me? I don’t know what to believe or where to turn. Someone once said keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but I disagree. Friends scare me the most. They know me and my mom. Nothing about them is safe. The ones in charge… Control everything… Crud, I’ve started crying because I’m scared I won’t survive World War III. But a bigger part of me is scared I will. My mom is bleeding in my arms and she’s making me promise to follow her three rules. Pray. Don’t trust anyone. Stay alive. How long do I need to break all three? Amazon iBooks Nook Kobo Exchange Rate, Book #2 I’m pregnant and I couldn’t be more excited. But the community Bodey, his dad, and I live in has rules. Rules that make Mom’s rules seem like safety nets. Only 200 people are allowed at a time. My baby will make it 201. The leader is making me choose someone from our house to die so there will be room for my child. Either I make the decision or they take… my… Even in the craziness that the world has become, I refuse to believe only 200 can live in it at once. The “community” is safe-ish, comfortable. We have food, warmth, and there isn’t immediate danger of being robbed while we sleep. Doesn’t it make sense we’d have to exchange something for all that? I’ve survived this long. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe I should die so my family can live. Or maybe I can get through the lines and find a people worth sacrificing for. Amazon iBooks Nook Kobo Worth of Souls, Book #3 Come back every day for new changes to win! a Rafflecopter giveaway Running for my life and six months pregnant, I’m terrified but confident in my decisions.With my love and family behind me, captured by the same man who chases me, I have only a small window to find help. The baby needs to come out eventually.Nobody said the end of the world would define people so much. Everywhere I turn I have to prove my worth.Mom was gone before I learned my value lay in my eyes. Not others. But how would that save Bodey? How could my worth change how the world me spins? If I can’t figure it out, everyone I love will die, trapped in a place where even following the rules won’t protect us. Amazon iBooks Nook Kobo     Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane. Follow on: Facebook / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Newsletter / Literary Addicts / Amazon

#SPOTLIGHT and #GIVEAWAY: Alex in Wonderland by RJ Hore

Title:  Alex in Wanderland

Author:  R.J. Hore

Published:  May 5th 2015

Publisher:   Champagne Book Group

Genre:  Fantasy

Recommended Age:  12+

Synopsis:

A mismatched modern married couple, Alexander and Alexis, find themselves in an alternate universe when their fight over his latest purchase goes all wrong.

How would you feel if you were considered to be the latest saviors of the land, with hints of a slow and painful death as your reward? All they have to do is fulfill an ancient prophecy. Their traveling companions: the priest, the protector, and the thief are all suspect. Everyone seems to be out to stop them.

A tale of adventure and romance, filled with pitfalls and leering villains. Did anyone mention there might be hungry dragons too?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt from Alex in Wanderland:

     Alexander’s stomach churned. He was kneeling, sprawled on a floor of cold stone, not bare hardwood. Head spinning, eyes closed, he reached out for something to cling to and grabbed hold of fabric and flailing arms.

     Alexis screamed in his ear. She doubled over as though ready to bring up supper—if she'd had any. She clutched at him and opened her eyes.

     His ears buzzed as if his head hosted an unruly crowd of cicadas. The world outside continued to revolve.

     Alexis opened her mouth again, but no further sound came out. Her clenched knuckles bulged white where they gripped his arm.

     He clung to Alexis shaking, and using her as a prop, staggered to his feet. The world around him slowly came into focus and the sensation of sickening movement ceased.

     A loud ringing sound echoed inside Alexander’s skull. Was that the doorbell? Who could that be? It didn't sound like the doorbell, more like a Chinese gong. Where did that come from?

     They clung together like a pair of drunken dancers, and then steadied. The sky above glowed with a million stars displayed through parting clouds. Darkness stretched to the horizon, except for the shimmering ring of a thousand pinpoints of flickering light somewhere at his feet.

     Alexander’s straining eyes accustomed to the gloom and he stared around. He stood, clutching Alexis and swaying on a platform, or maybe it was a flat roof, at the top of what appeared to be a high building. A loud ringing echoed through the night. Someone pounded on a gong, a large one by the sound.

     “What was that?” Alexander gasped. His stomach did a flip-flop.

He smelled wood smoke, or perhaps some sweet incense. Alexis held a firm grip on his arm.

     She moaned. “What happened? Oh, my head.”

     “The Twins have come, The Twins have come,” someone shouted hoarsely from close behind him.

     A roar rumbled up from far below. He turned around, Alexis still hanging on tight to him.

     A round, bald man garbed in a yellow robe stared at them wide-eyed. The glow from a nearby torch gleamed gold off his nose ring. He shouted, “Quick, acolytes assist them.”

     A half-dozen men, equally hairless and garbed in what appeared to Alexander to be lemon-yellow bathrobes, rushed forward from behind a high, triangular archway and pressed around them, bowing and bobbing like a flock of hungry pigeons. The newcomers surrounded the clinging pair, reaching out for them with painted nails.

     “Get your filthy hands off of me,” Alexis cried out.

About the Author:

Ron can be found sailing on Lake Winnipeg when he not writing novels or critiquing for an on-line magazine. He won a national short story contest for a ghostly love story but his preference is for longer works. Writing as R.J.Hore his medieval-style fantasy novels include the completed Dark Lady Trilogy, and The Queen’s Pawn, which may also turn into a trilogy. Knights Bridge is a novella in the same style, but a bit darker. Ron also writes a series of novella-length fantasy detective tales, six published so far. These are available in print collections: the Housetrap Chronicles Volume 1 and 2. All his novels and novellas are available as ebooks with most of the novel-length now in print as well.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Website

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• A PDF ecopy of Alex in Wanderland

Giveaway is International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway