Tuesday, June 11, 2013

REVIEW: Keyser Run by JL Austgen

Title: Keyser Run
Series: Evelyn Morgan #1

Author: JL Austgen
Publishing Date: Feb 1st, 2012
Publisher: Dreampipe Publishing
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: Evelyn Morgan is a newly minted team leader placed in charge of one of the FBI's elite anti-terrorist squads after tracking a world-renowned assassin for most of her adult life. Tasked with discovering the original sources of funding for a terrorist cell operating in a suburb of Washington, D.C., she is quickly ensnared in an international conspiracy when all contact is lost with the terrorists. While scrambling to find the terror cell, Morgan uncovers a plot more sinister than she could have thought possible. One of her agents wants her dead, and will stop at nothing to accomplish the goal.

Review: I'd like to thank the author and publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm usually not one for political intrigue and espionage, but I really enjoyed reading this book, from the very beginning. The author did a great job of keeping up the action and suspense up to a level that kept the book moving. It kept me guessing all the way up to the very end, and I loved Evelyn.

Monday, June 10, 2013

BLAST and GIVEAWAY: Indigo Incite by Jacina Buchmann


Indigo InciteThere are no secrets Sixteen-year-old Tyler believed that his extra-sensory powers were a secret, but when his twin brother, Toby, is kidnapped by a covert government agency, he realizes that he has no secrets, and he has nowhere to hide. He’s not alone Now, in order to save himself and rescue his brother, Tyler must call upon the help of four strangers. Unknown to each other, Eddie, Liliana, Grace, and Sarah share a common bond. They are Indigo Children. With extra-sensory powers of their own, they must unite with Tyler in order to maintain their freedom. Unexpected romance They’re on the run. They’re on a mission. Romance is a distraction that Tyler can’t afford. But sometimes, the heart has a mind of its own. Time is running out Will they find Toby before the agency finds them first? Find out in Indigo Incite, Book One of the Indigo Trilogy.

Jacinda BuchmannAbout Jacinda Buchmann

Jacinda Buchmann lives in Arizona with her husband and three children. She graduated from Carroll College, in Helena, Montana, with a B.A. in elementary education and later received a Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, in school counseling. After spending several years as a teacher and later a school counselor, she now spends her time writing, any free chance she can get, that is, when she’s not spending time with her family or creating a new concoction in the kitchen.

Follow Jacinda Buchmann:Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Sunday, June 9, 2013

INTERVIEW: Nonnie Jules, author of THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?
*My daughters were the INSPIRATION  behind this book and people who, after having met my daughters, ask "HOW DID YOU DO IT?" are the MOTIVATION behind the book.  My daughters are just so WONDERFUL, I wanted to put into book format exactly how they turned out the way they did.  I wanted every Mom to experience what I have in raising daughters that are truly (ALMOST) PERFECT!  And lastly, I wanted to give those Moms a blueprint for getting there.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC WRITING STYLE?
*I don't think that I have a specific writing style.  I typically write the way that I'm feeling at that moment.  Most of my writing stems from real life events, things that I see going on around me, and also personal experiences.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE TITLE?
*The title "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS" was an easy one.  I didn't entitle it 'THE GREAT MOMMIES' GUIDE'... for a reason.  I wanted Moms to know that they didn't have to be GREAT or PERFECT to raise (ALMOST) PERFECT daughters.  I wanted them to feel that being a GOOD MOMMIE was enough to do the job.

IS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR BOOK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FOR READERS TO GRASP?
*I'm glad you asked this question because there are definitely a couple of  messages that I want readers to get from this book.  These messages resonate throughout and they are simply:  1)  YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.  That translated here means, what you put into your daughters is what you will get out of them.  If you take the time to teach them how to be their best, they in turn will only give their best;  and 2)  BEGIN TEACHING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!  The first time I felt both of my daughters move inside my tummy, was the first time I began teaching them.  I would have daily conversations with them, knowing that they could hear me and that on some strange level, it was all sinking in.  Honestly, my daughters came out (almost) perfect!  It's like while they were inside the womb, they had notepads (or with this generation...IPads) and they were jotting everything down.  I remember a friend of mine who had given birth to her daughter 6 months prior to the birth of my firstborn, saying to me (after a visit to my home):  "You are going to have to take all of this breakable stuff and put it away!" I have never once had to move or put away any breakables in my home.  My daughters would stand and touch these things, ever so lovingly and gently, as if they knew, "these were not toys and I had better be careful".  My friend has been a regular in my home for all the formative years of both of my daughters, and she always comments on HOW AMAZING IT IS that they didn't break anything.  START TEACHING EARLY is the lesson here!

WHAT BOOKS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE MOST?
*I do a ton of reading and these days, I typically read a lot of health and fitness books, but anything that's teaching how to become better at something, or self-improvement books, they probably have a home somewhere on my bookshelf.  I will have to say though, that the one book that stands out as having influenced my life the most is LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott.  I read this book for the first time when I was in 6th grade (only a few short years ago...just checking to see if you're still awake).  I was so moved by the fact that these sisters were so very close and loving of one another, that it stayed with me and I held on to it.  When I had daughters of my own, I instilled in them the importance of being a GREAT SISTER always, and always putting family first.  My daughters are very loving towards one another and I'm very thankful for that especially in light of the fact that I don't have that closeness with my own sisters. I credit this book for putting before me that model which I needed to steer my own two in the right direction.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE, WHICH WRITER WOULD YOU CONSIDER A MENTOR?
*Again, I'd have to go back to Louisa May Alcott.  I loved her writing as a child and I love going back re-reading LITTLE WOMEN even now as an adult.  So, let's give her the honor of serving as my writing mentor.

HOW MUCH OF THIS BOOK IS REALISTIC?
*The entire book is realistic.  In fact, what you will find inside the covers of this book are real life situations, with a tip on how to effectively deal with each and every one.  Every tip in this book is one that I have used, and continually use to rear my daughters, one being a young adult now and the other a teenager.  They never get too old to learn, so it is our job to continually re-inforce those core values which we'd like for them to exhibit and live by.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
*I am a reader of a lot of books at one time.  I know this may sound crazy to many, but my mind can literally handle all the confusion, chaos, drama and instruction coming at it all at once.  Say for instance, when I'm enjoying a nice bubble bath, there is a book beside the tub.  When I'm waiting in a lobby or at the hair salon, there is a book in my car for me to grab and take inside.  If I'm upstairs lounging in my WRITING ROOM (my own personal escape), there is yet ANOTHER DIFFERENT book there.  So, let's just say right now, I'm reading it all.
ARE THERE ANY NEW AUTHORS THAT HAVE GRASPED YOUR INTEREST?
*Speaking of new Authors, YES! there is one that I am anxiously waiting to get my hands on a copy of her book!  Her name is Taylor Fulks and her book is "MY PRISON WITHOUT BARS".  There is so much buzz about this book and this person, that just as soon as I'm done writing my own novel, her book will be the first one I sit down to read.  She and I communicate and although we have never met in person, we have definitely connected on another, more deeper level.  I think she is VERY genuine and all that you will hear about her is that she is genuine.  So, yes, she will be my next read, for sure!  But, I have to say that since becoming a published Author and getting into this NEW WORLD of writing and books, I have been introduced to Authors who I'm intrigued by. The writings of Jeri Walker-Bickett, Molly Greene and a host of bloggers such as Julie Richie are all on my top list of Authors who's work I will now follow.
WHAT PROJECTS CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?
Well, I have a children's book entitled "KIRSTEN AND THE BIG BLUE TREE" due out at the end of June, 2013 and an as-yet-to-be-titled novel, with an expected release date of August, 30, 2013.  This novel is highly anticipated by those who have read only the first two chapters.  It will offer a lot of unexpected twists and turns that will have everyone hanging on tightly to the sides of their seats.  And this is while you're just reading it!
ACTUAL TIP FROM "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS:

*TEACH HER HOW TO RESPOND TO INSULTS WITH CLASS. Simply by saying "THANK YOU!" with a really big smile on her face and walking away.  The Bible (Proverbs 12:16) says: "The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult." I'm sure you've heard the old adage 'kill them with kindness'.  This is the perfect way to do it.  The Bible (James 1:19-20) also says: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." There is no need to respond to insults in any form or fashion, if your daughter so chooses.  That will really throw the person who is slinging the insult right off balance and soon, they will learn that your daughter is not phased at all by their little "digs".  The perpetrator will soon give up and move on to insulting someone else.  Hopefully, that person's Mom will have read this book, too and taught the very same lesson.  Next.

Message to you and your readers:  I would like to first give many THANKS to Kristin Plausky for hosting me on this leg of my tour.  Even faced with many obstacles (of the technological kind), she made it a point to let me know that the commitment which she had made to host me on her blog, was one that she took very seriously.  Kristin, I am in awe of you for doing that.  It shows a lot  about your character, which means the utmost in my world!

To all the readers who took the time to stop by and support The (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS Blog Tour, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  I hope that you have enjoyed this piece as much as I have enjoyed sharing myself, and my book with all of you. 
 
Please visit www.nonniejules.com to register for a $25 Visa Gift Card (which will be awarded at the end of the tour). 
Also, follow me on Twitter @nonniejules.com, Facebook (Nonnie Jules) and my blog  "WATCH NONNIE WRITE!" at www.nonniewrites.wordpress.com
 
You may purchase your very own e-book copy of "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS", 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love! at www.viewbook.at/B00CP62O56 for ONLY $.99 (for a limited time)

Thanks again for all your support and continue to follow the tour at www.nonniejules.com where a new stop is HIGHLIGHTED daily!

REVIEW: The Faerie Prince by Rachel Morgan

Title: The Faerie Prince
Series: Creepy Hollow #2
Author: Rachel Morgan
Published date: May 27, 2013
Publisher: self-published
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Synopsis: Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn’t forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current ‘sort of friend’. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to ‘collect’ as many specially talented faeries as he can find—and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi’s problems.

Review: I'd like to thank the author for giving me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. I haven't read the first of the series, so I was a little leery of reading the second in a series. It's burned me before, to the point where I had given lower ratings because I couldn't understand things that were going on and couldn't get into it.
However, thankfully, this book never entered into the "second in a series" issues. It was easily enough of a stand alone, where it could be read without having to read the first. And I loved this book! I want to read the first, and most definitely the next!
The author did a great job of introducing the characters and making us care for them, especially Violet and Ryn. The action started from the very beginning and kept up throughout the entire book

Friday, June 7, 2013

No computer?

Yes everyone....my home computer's motherboard burned out a month ago or so and I've ben keeping up from my laptop. Well, last Sunday I came home from work, to find that my wonderful children had played around where it was and it fell off the table where it was....

Lesson learned: a smashed screen is not covered under warranty... *sighs*

So until I can afford to get another computer, I'll be trying to keep up from the library.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

BLAST and GIVEAWAY: All for Hope by Olivia Hardin

 

All of Hope

To protect her heart, he left her behind. To protect her life, he’ll leave the life he's made behind. Sometimes the safest distance between two hearts is no distance at all… Kidnapping a baby wasn’t something Hope ever dreamed she would do. But she’s been burned by the legal system before, so when the court places her friend’s child into the custody of an abuser, she takes matters into her own hands. She steals the baby and fakes her death, hoping to make a clean getaway. She planned every detail, except one. Her high school sweetheart and best friend, who left her years before, sees her at a gas station. Hope thinks all is lost, until he offers to help them. Brennan had always been the love of Hope’s life, but he never wanted to be. She knows she cannot depend on him for long. However, as each day passes, it becomes painfully obvious that she is in way over her head. She goes with him, intending to keep him always an arm’s length away to protect her heart. But being on the run together sparks the old flames that once burned between Brennan and Hope. Families, friends, and lovers must band together to save an innocent baby and a daring woman or both of their lives will be destroyed. Together, they’ll do it All for Hope…

Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author – Olivia Hardin realized early on how strange she was to have complete movie-like character dreams as a child. Eventually she began putting those vivid dreams to paper and was rarely without her spiral notebooks full of those mental ramblings. Her forgotten vision of becoming an author was realized when she connected with a group of amazingly talented and fabulous writers who gave her lots of direction and encouragement. With a little extra push from family and friends, she hunkered down to get lost in the words. She’s also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and is sometimes accused of being artistic, though she’s generally too much of a perfectionist to appreciate her own work. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband and their puppy Bonnie.
Connect with her Online - Blog * Goodreads * Twitter* Facebook * Literary Addicts

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Monday, June 3, 2013

TOUR and GIVEAWAY: Ripple by E.L. Farris


Ripple

  When high-powered attorney Helen Thompson discovers that her fifteen-year old daughter has been sexually assaulted, she takes drastic measures. Finding herself in trouble, Helen must relinquish control and put her faith in a process she knows to be flawed. As a team of lawyers, therapists and women from a safe house help Helen and Phoebe find hope and healing, a sociopath lurks, waiting for his moment to strike. A lyrical, dark fairytale that will resonate with fans of women's literature and psychological thrillers, RIPPLE delves into the nature of evil, without seeking to provide final answers to the issue of what makes a human commit evil acts. And while the author takes readers to scary places, she ultimately shines a light on the human condition and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the face of great tribulation.

Purchase on Kindle / Paperback

About Ex-lawyer E.L. Farris is a born-again, marathon-running married mother of three who resides in Northern Virginia. What else do you need to know about me? I talk a lot. I write a lot. I adore my husband. I adore my children. What else? Well, I run. I’ve been running since I turned 14. I started to run then and I’ve been running ever since. Whenever I stop running, I land in a lot of trouble. I ran through a childhood that could well be described as hell. I ran through major depressive episodes and often teetered one step from the edge of a breakdown. Through running, I held onto my sanity, my sobriety, my life and my belief in God. Each step I take, no matter how physically painful, draws me a shade closer into my better angels. And the steps have become painful over the years, which is how I earned the nickname Phoenix. Some mornings I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus and the truth is, I was. I survived a collision with a metro bus, and it’s fair to say that the accident messed me up. And yet I keep rising from the pyre of a burning fire and as I run I realize that as long as I hold the Holy Spirit inside me, my spirit will never die.

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Autographed copy of Ripple, A Tale of Hope and Redemption
Autographed copy of I Run, A Novel
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