Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” —Groucho Marx

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Presenting S C Montgomery's Cover Reveals Promo

Cover Reveal for Lines in the Sand and
Two Blue Lines
by SC Montgomery!


It's finally here! The cover reveal for Lines in the Sand and Two Blue Lines, SC Montgomery's new Crossing the Line series.

Genre: Young Adult
Lines in the Sand Release Date: October 10th
Two Blue Lines Release Date: October 23rd




 Blurb for Lines in the Sand (Prequel Novella for Crossing the Line series):

Two best friends. One emotional adventure.

When Reed Young and Jonah King unearth some mysterious remains at their favorite beach hangout, their summer is thrust into an exciting tailspin.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, they embark on a heartrending journey to find out the truth . . . and make it right.

But neither of them expected the secrets they would find.



Blurb for Two Blue Lines (Crossing the Line, Book #1):

His fear . . . Her secrets . . . Their choice.

What if the only girl you’ve ever loved lied to you?

Lied to everyone?

Those two blue lines changed everything for Reed Young and Melissa Summers. In more ways than one.

And now, he must decide for himself . . .

Man up or walk away?


SC Montgomery has created an emotional tale of first love, difficult choices, and impossible secrets.  A deliciously angsty debut you need to read for yourself.


***Reader Warning*** Two Blue Lines is the emotional, honest story of two teenagers whose lives are about to change forever.  While not glorified, or portrayed in detail, there are themes of sexual assault and teen pregnancy, as well as allusions to teenage drinking and some foul language.  It is all meant to create an honest, relevant novel, but please be aware and read only if you’re comfortable.


***To be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo. Buy links available soon.





SC Montgomery is a self-proclaimed nerd and readaholic.  She has dabbled in telling stories since she was very young by letting her imagination play out with her Barbie dolls and her bestie many a weekend.  She also writes Contemporary adult romance under the pen name Shauna Allen, and it was in one of those novels that the YA bug bit when she wrote in a teenager loosely based on her own son.  Her first story, The Summer of Lettie, was penned as a gift for her mother, but was published with her blessing, and it’s just taken off from there.

SC is married with three teenagers of her own, who give her plenty of inspiration and advice, and are a constant source of laughter and new terminology.  Besides writing, she loves reading, movies, singing and dancing reality shows and going to the beach.

You can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/RLQQz









Praise for Two Blue Lines:
An emotionally intense story about two teens having to grow up way before their time . . . Hard to put down, this story will stay with you for a long time.

-New York Times bestselling author C.C. Hunter
















 
 
 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Cracks in the Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby--A Review





SYNOPSIS:

Cracks in the Sidewalk is the tale of a mother's love for her daughter and the unending search for her missing grandchildren. It is a story filled with courage and compassion. Only by clinging to her faith and reaching out to children in need can Claire McDermott hope to rebuild her life and open her heart to happiness.

Claire is an old lady when the letter she has been waiting for finally arrives bringing news of the grandchildren she lost some twenty years ago. Over the years she has written thousands of letters and most probably not one of them ever reached it's destination--but what if one did? Can a single letter change the lives of four people.

Claire is about to find out; and three young adults will discover that letters are a journey of the heart that transcends time and distance.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:


I love Bette Lee Crosby's writing and she forever surprises me with her words and the stories she relays to her her readers.   Cracks in the Sidewalk was a heavier read than I am used to but still held hope for the future of the protagonist, Claire McDermott.  From the earliest pages, my heart was riveted to Claire's story.   And probably the fact that I also am mother and grandmother sealed my fate in caring about Claire and her family.

Imagine watching your only daughter die from a debilitating brain tumor.   Imagine your son-in-law walking out on her and fighting tooth and nail not to allow his children to visit her.   Imagine him taking his kids and fleeing into the world with no forwarding address and no inclination to ever allow the grandparents on his wife's side to see those kids again.   And then one day, one of the grandkids calls...

This was a well written book and was just heartbreaking when the mother of three small children passed away.   Add heartache upon heart ache, custody battles, the death of the judge, the son-in-law virtually kidnapping his children and never allowing contact with their loving grandparents, the death of the Grandfather,   and still there remained hope.   The book provoked anger and tension, tears of sorrow and a feeling of utter defeat followed by the homecoming between grandmother and grandchildren.   A great tale of Family Love and how it never wavered.

I rated this a five wink read.



Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  I purchased a paperback copy of this book for my personal collection.  

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fall In Love with Books Giveaway--Gliterary Girls Media Promo









We love our authorsCome celebrate with usWhats not to love redone
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KIRSTEN OSBOURNE
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Kirsten Osbourne hails from the state of Wisconsin, but has lived in Texas for almost thirty years. She is a mother, a writer, and a wife. Married to the love of her life for fifteen years, she knows that true love exists and wants to share her vision of love with the world. Writing is something she has always loved and plans on doing for a long time into the future. As Kirsten Osbourne, she writes contemporary romance as well as historical. As Morganna Mayfair, she ventures into the realm of paranormal romance. She invites you to join her in her world of fantasy and make believe where there is always a happily ever after at the end.
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MICHELE WOLFE
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Growing up between the Rocky Mountains and the city of Denver in Colorado, gave me a life-long love of both. I suspect my experiences were similar to others my age in the 70s and 80s; summers in one-piece bathing suits; bicycle riding without a helmet; vacationing in the family station wagon; skiing down the local mountains. I am the youngest of three girls and lucky enough to be supported by friends and a loving extended family.
I loved drama, singing, gymnastics and ice skating. And I was never without a good book, no matter where I went. Soon after finishing college and becoming a teacher, I decided I wanted to explore the world. I took long road trips, spent time at Martha's Vineyard, and fell in love with the ocean and California, which eventually became my home. Four years after moving to Los Angeles, I discovered two things that changed my life. My husband was the first. We fell in love hard and fast. Twenty-two years later, we are fully, after a lot of hard work, co-dependent and co-evolved, and very happy about both. The second discovery was a passion for teaching adults English as a Second Language in a poor immigrant community in East L.A. I'm still there, too. My husband and I have two handsome sons, Caleb Justus and Joshua William. They are our pride and joy. Caleb is in the Army and Joshua is finishing high school. And I should mention our 'girl' Sophie, who loves running to and fro on our walks, dancing in the kitchen, her tail-wagging in joy. Being a busy teacher, mother and wife made finding time to write a challenge. When I started my first novel, there was no space in our little home to write except at the kitchen table. I diligently carved out time on the weekends and eventually took my laptop to coffee shops and writers' groups to finish it. When writing, I let the story and characters come to me in their own time, in their own way. I am inspired by music and art, which often influence a scene or a conversation in my stories. I hope my writing inspires others and makes people think and feel. And of course be entertained. I am working on my next novel, also about a work of art, this time a painting at the Museum of Modern Art in Rome.
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LYNETTE ENDICOTT
Adjusted HeadshotLynette Endicott grew up in Illinois, met her husband in Western Nebraska, lived 25 years in Kansas where their daughter was born, and has been in Fresno, California since 2000. She has a son-in-law (who lives with her daughter nearby), and has rescued a dog, a bird and three cats. She and Ollie, her terrier mix, volunteer as a team at the local library, where children read to the dog. At a youth camp when she was 14 the editor and teacher of a writing class challenged her to submit something to his youth magazine. She did and it was the first of 10 articles and stories accepted by the publication over the next few years. Nothing like front end success to keep her writing! Lynette enjoys reading contemporary romance and speculative fiction and writes both. Her debut book, Starting Over Book One: More Than A Job, and two more books in that series, The Return of Joy and Finding Her Voice are available now. The first three of the Time After Time Saga with Tami Dee are available now, including Animal Instinct, Survival Instinct and Pioneer Instinct. The fourth in the series of six, Protective Instinct, will release in August 2014. Because she didn't have pets until after her 50th birthday the animals she enjoys find their way into all her books. Usually you will also find a character with a disability as part of the day to day fabric of the story. In More Than A Job, Paige works in services to people with disabilities until she loses her job and starts over. In The Return of Joy, Atlas, the yellow lab, becomes a Therapy Dog. In the Time After Time series animal helpers assist the hero and heroine in all six of the books in the series.
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DEBRA PARMLEY
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Debra is a multi genre author born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Springfield, OH. She has lived just outside Memphis, TN since 1997. Debra attended Marywood University in Scranton, PA and was the first student to win first place in two categories of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Beta Epsilon Chapter writing competition, in creative prose and in informal expository. Her poetry was published in literary journals while attending college. She holds a BA in English Literature. When she graduated she asked her academic advisors which genre she should concentrate on. None of them would advise her because she showed strength in each area. Advice at the time and for many years afterward was to concentrate in one area and to focus on one genre. But only she could decide which one.
In 2012, Debra decided this was not working for her and forged her own path. This meant writing in more than one genre and working on more than one manuscript. She no longer believes in writers block. She believes in finding joy in the act of writing and in allowing her muse to play. For Debra, writing is about joy. Today she teaches Creative Writing classes locally, passing on what she has learned and finding the joy in teaching as well. Debra traveled and worked as an independent travel consultant. She has visited thirteen countries. She has worked in banking, newspaper advertising, as recycling cocoordinator for the City of Bartlett, as an office manager, and as a belly dance instructor. When not writing, Debra enjoys dancing, history, primitive archery and medieval reenactment, travel, yoga and meditation. It is one of her greatest pleasures to hear from her readers.
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LM PRUITT
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L.M.Pruitt has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember. A native of Florida with a love of New Orleans, she has the uncanny ability to find humor in most things and would probably kill a plastic plant. She knows this because she's killed bamboo. Twice. As a result, she's not allowed to walk in the gardening department of any store without supervision. She's also not allowed in the card aisle of any grocery without an escort since she'll spend thirty minutes opening cards and laughing for no good reason. She continues to make her home in Florida in spite of the heat and mosquitos and shares her home with two cats. One of them smart, the other not so much.
 
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AMY L. GALE
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Romance author by night, pharmacist by day, Amy Gale loves rock music and the feel of sand between her toes. She attended Wilkes University where she graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. In addition to writing, she enjoys baking, scary movies, rock concerts, and reading books at the beach. She lives in the lush forest of Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, six cats, and golden retriever.
 
       
 
JENNIFER SILVERWOOD
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]ennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it's the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town.
After attending three different universities without managing to square a degree, she decided to the next logical thing; become a writer. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of the Heaven's Edge series, Stay and Silver Hollow.
 
LAUREN MARIE
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LaurenMarie spent years writing and dreaming of being published. After spending many years wanting to write the ultimate thriller and become the next Le’Carre, Clancy, or Turow, she decided to try romance. She admits, with a huge smile, she’s never had so much fun. Lauren lives with her four cats in Western Washington State. When she isn’t pounding the keys, she is an amateur paranormal investigator. She formed her own group in 2006 to hunt ghosts and some unusual experiences have put in an appearance in some of her stories. Lauren is currently working on a contemporary romance called the Canon City Series.
 
JILLIAN HART
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Jillian grew up on her family's homestead on Washington state, near Carnation, Washington, where she raised cattle to pay for her college tuition, rode horses through the pristine foothills of the Cascade Mountain range and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning an English degree from Whitman College (what better way to go through college than to constantly read books?), she traveled, worked in advertising, taught Sunday school and volunteered before becoming a writer. When she's not hard at work on her next story, Jillian can be found chatting with a friend, stopping for a café mocha with a book in hand, and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
 
LARA NANCE
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Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cites throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres, but the basis of all of her stories is a great tale that will take you on an adventure of imagination.
If you want to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you've come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales to paranormal romance and adventure, she's willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, along with a touch of romance. Her first paranormal romance, Memories of Murder, won RWA's New England Chapter's readers' choice award in 2012 for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as an award of merit as Best Book from a Virginia Author in the Holt Medallion contest. In 2013, her novel DraculaVille - Discovery in New York, won the Rudy award for best novel with romantic elements. Lara's newest endeavor is under the name L.J.Nance, a children's book series titled: Lyra's Ocean World. The first book is out now: Lyra to the Rescue. The illustrator is Karen Webb. Most of Lara's books are in print, electronic and audio format, with others soon to follow. Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn... However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories. Lara loves to weave interesting true historical tidbits into her fiction which invite the reader to explore further after the novel is finished. Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie, Rio.
ANGELA KNIGHT
Adjusted Headshothave been writing erotic romance since 1996, when my first novella appeared in Secrets Vol. 2. In June, 2004, Jane's Warlord, my first novel, was published, followed by FOREVER KISS in July, 2004 the anthology HOT BLOODED in September, and MASTER OF THE NIGHT in October. MASTER OF THE MOON, my next book, hit the USA Today list for three weeks, much to my amazement. Since then I've been writing like a lunatic and having a wonderful time.
I've been married to a wonderful man for more than twenty years now. He's a senior investigator with our county sheriff's office. As a result, I know an awful lot of cops, which is one reason I love putting police procedural elements in my fiction. I also spent ten years as a reporter, which gave me a collection of war stories you would not believe. My husband Mike and I have one son, Anthony, who is in his twenties now.
 
Grand Prize
Kindle FireKindle Fire HD Pre-loaded with: Mail Order Melody by Kirsten Osbourne Montana Hearts by Jillian Hart Stolen Gifts by Rasha Selim Trapping the Butterfly by: Debra Parmley Love Bites by Angela Knight Winged by L.M. Pruitt One Touch at Cobb’s Bar and Grill Blissful Tragedy by Amy L. Gale
Paperback: Draculaville Part I by: Lara Nance The Three Graces by: Michele Wolfe Stay by: Jennifer Silverwood
Second Prize
Sara_Banner 1Paperback of The Three Graces by: Michele Wolfe and a Graces Necklace of your choice Tea Gift Basket with Signed copies of Lynette Endicott’s Starting over series Paperback of Stay by: Jennifer Silverwood Paperback copy of Draculaville I by: Lara Nance and a stuffed bat Paperback copy of Blissful Tragedy by: Amy L. GaleThird Prize:
Sara_Banner 1 Digital Copies of: Mail Order Melody by: Kirsten Osbourne Montana Hearts by: Jillian Hart Stolen Gifts by: Rasha Selim Trapping the Butterfly by: Debra Parmley Love Bites by: Angela Knight Winged by: L.M. Pruitt One Touch at Cobb’s Bar and Grill Blissful Tragedy by: Amy L. Gale Stay by: Jennifer Silverwood The Three Graces by: Michele Wolfe[/col]
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Monday, September 22, 2014

Sweet Tea and Secrets by Nancy Naigle--A Review






SYNOPSIS:

Adams Grove is mourning the loss of Pearl Clemmons, known for her award-winning chocolate pecan pie and the best unsolicited advice in the county.


When Jill returns to settle her grandmother’s estate, she’s greeted by a Clydesdale-sized guardian dog who doesn't seem to be earning his stripes (although he drools on them pretty well), and Garrett Malloy, the ex-fiancé she left behind a year ago.

Jill insists on staying at Pearl’s amidst a string of break-ins that have sleepy Adams Grove wide awake and locking its doors. Jill’s past with Garrett becomes the least of her worries when she learns that their lives are in danger. She is the only person standing between a desperate conman and a secret from Pearl’s past.

Will Pearl’s past kill any chance of Jill and Garrett’s future together?

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:


This was a southern sweet romance with a mystery included.  It was well written and well plotted.  The characters were believable and real.   I loved Aunt Pearl and could feel why the townfolk all loved her so.  I have felt the sorrow from losing someone so dear, so it was easy to relate to Jill and her grief at having lost her only remaining relative.   When Jill returned to Adam's Grove it took her a while to get over her anger with the man who had broken her heart, Garrett Malloy.   While I could understand, I wanted to shake her and scream at her to get over it!!   It was so very obvious Jill and Malloy were meant to be.

While living in Aunt Pearl's house, Jill stumbled upon a box  of old love letters written between Pearl and JCP, and therein began the mystery...also the fear.  Someone had been in the house and locked Jill in the hot attic,   On such a hot day, she could have died if she hadn't had the sense of mind to escape as she did.  And there were many more attemps of foul play as well.

It was a very well written book and a good story.   I did at times get lost in the conversation of who was speaking.

 I very much enjoyed this read.  I rated it a 4 WINK read.


Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  This was a book my mother loaned to me,  

Friday, September 19, 2014

The Artsy Girl-In Bronze by T A Pack--A Review & Giveaway

Gliterary Girl Book Tours presents the blog tour for THE ARTSY GIRL-IN BRONZE by T.A. Pack.
TA Tour Banner
About THE ARTSY GIRL - IN BRONZE
LoweA burned-out teacher puts Kayla Carmichael, a naturally gifted art student, in charge of a group of class clowns, misfits, and troublemakers who are painting a mural on the back of Sandpiper Public High in Daytona Beach, Florida. Can Kayla help her classmates become artists—or at least get them to stop playing games on their cell phones? Kayla also has to deal with possibly insane heavy metal musicians, a gift shop manager who acts as if he’s running a Fortune 500 company, a guy with a vivid violet voice, and an already wealthy teen tennis player who’s about to go pro. Meanwhile, Kayla hopes to get wealthy herself by selling T-shirts she designed. She tries to decide if a manipulated photo she took with a stolen camera is worthy of a national award. And she wonders why she wants to hear—and see—that violet voice more and more.
You can purchase all formats of THE ARTSY GIRL - IN BRONZE at Amazon.

About Author T.A. Pack
TAPackHeadshotT.A. Pack’s short stories have been published in several literary journals, including The Sonora Review, Thinker Magazine, The Louisville Review, and LEO (Louisville Eccentric Observer). THE ARTSY GIRL - IN BRONZE is his first novel. He’s a writer and editor in the Communications Department at Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. The school district has more than 100,000 students, and Thomas has written nonfiction articles about many of them, including dozens of artsy students. He and his wife have two teen daughters. His mother, as well as his sister and her family, live in the Daytona Beach area, which is the setting for his novel.
T.A. loves to hear from his fans and hope you will follow him on the following social media:

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FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:

It took  awhile for me to really enjoy what I was reading in this book.   But at about the halfway point, Pack drew the story together and I understood and enjoyed....the rest of the story, (to coin a phrase).  I rather enjoyed the chapters individually up to that halfway mark, but I questioned what the point was and if I would get it.    And then I did.    The story became cohesive, understandable, relatable and enjoyable.

Pack's protagonist, Kayla, was good at art in many different venues.   She found her peace in art and in doing it well.    She was a teenager finding her way and in this story, she "cheated" in her photography.  She was also cheated out of a t-shirt design and sought revenge.   She learned from her boyfriend's band that her revenge plan wasn't going to work....everybody cheats or lies.   Her character developed beautifully in this story and when she finally yielded to the pressure and walked away from the project she was involved in..her friends came to her assistance and saved the day.   Well at least to the point, Kayla could continue on with the finishing touches needed to bring the project to fruition.

It was indeed a charming story and it left me chuckling.   I  loved the ending and I loved the smile it put on my face.   If I had to use one word to describe this story, I would use---hopeful.

I rated this a 4 Wink Read and I was glad that I did finally get it.


Excerpt from THE ARTSY GIRL-IN BRONZE by T.A. Pack
When she was seven, Kayla went to a birthday party for Brenda Scroggins, a girl in her class at Dolphin Spray Elementary. A lot of Brenda’s classmates called her Bossy Brenda because she always had to have her way and had to be the center of attention even when it wasn’t her birthday.
At the party, almost everything she said started with It’s my special day .... As in: “It’s my special day, so I get to open my presents right away—and I get to pick the party hat you’re going to wear.” “It’s my special day, so we’re going to play with my guinea pig now. He doesn’t bite hard.” “It’s my special day, so we’re going to watch The Little Mermaid. I’m going to sing all the songs and fast forward through the other parts.” After the movie, the party girls had strawberry cake with strawberry icing and strawberry ice cream with strawberry sauce. Brenda said, “It’s my special day, so everybody has to put strawberry sauce on their ice cream.”
It wasn’t even the kind of sauce Kayla liked. She liked thick topping with big chunks of strawberry in it, but Bossy Brenda made everyone soak their ice cream with a runny, blood red sauce from a plastic bottle. When Kayla tried to squirt it on her ice cream— right when she squeezed—the bottle slipped sideways. She sprayed a big spot of red on the plastic tablecloth, and the other girls laughed. Kayla slumped down in her chair so far that her eyes were level with her plate. “Don’t worry about that, honey,” Brenda’s mom said. “I’ll clean it up later.” Then she went into the kitchen where everybody’s mom except Kayla’s was drinking coffee. As soon as Mrs. Scroggins left the room, Brenda started telling her guests what was wrong with their birthday presents. She already had a bazillion stuffed dolphins, she told Jennifer. She didn’t like Junie B. Jones books, she told Kayla. In fact, she didn’t like books at all. And she didn’t like board games with spinners because they made her dizzy, she told Jill. And speaking of board games, Sandy knew good and well that Brenda had wanted Trouble for her birthday, not Sorry. She’d wanted Trouble because she liked that plastic bubble in the middle. She liked making the popping sound. Sandy, who lived next door and was Brenda’s best friend until that exact moment, didn’t like being lumped in with and lectured to in front of the other girls, and she angrily reminded Brenda that it was Sorry—not Trouble—that they’d played until almost eleven o’clock at her house. She was positively sure it was Sorry because she’d had to help Brenda read the cards and Trouble doesn’t have any cards.
And she was absolutely positively sure it was Sorry because Brenda had said, “They should call this game Not Sorry,” and she’d laughed and shouted “Not sorry!” every time she got to do something mean to one of Sandy’s game pieces. Kayla hated arguments. They were full of scary fireworks—bursts of red and yellow that covered her field of vision. The colors weren’t ugly, but they were too bright and changed too fast, which gave her a headache and made her feel wobbly. To distract herself from Sandy and Brenda’s argument, Kayla used her plastic spork to doodle in the straw- berry sauce she’d squirted on the table. Sandy was one hundred percent absolutely positively sure that Brenda had said Sorry was the most fun game she’d ever played, and Sandy had been excited about giving it to her, but now, on her birthday, Brenda certainly was not acting like a nice little girl like her mom was always telling her to do. In fact, Brenda was acting like a little butthead. A birthday butthead. 

 
To celebrate the blog tour of THE ARTSY GIRL-IN BRONZE, T.A. Pack will be giving away a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card to one grand prize winner, a $25.00 Gift Card to Amazon to the second runner up and an ecopy of THE ARTSY GIRL-IN BRONZE to the third runner up. Please check out each blog and enter the giveaway every day for more chances to win. All entries must be received by September 22nd before midnight. a Rafflecopter giveaway 150760_333452583434737_641615838_n

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Father of Fear by Ethan Cross--A Review

Ethan Cross, how do you do this????   And why do I enjoy reading your thrillers from the dark side of life?   Is it me, or is it you?   If I have trouble sleeping...do you?

SYNOPSIS:

A father returns home to find that his family has been kidnapped and the only way to save their
lives is for him to kill another innocent person…

So begins a journey that will force Special Agent Marcus Williams of the Shepherd Organization to question all that he believes, unearth his family's dark legacy, and sacrifice everything to save those he loves. In order to stop the serial murderer whom the media has dubbed the Coercion Killer, Williams must enlist the help of one of the world's most infamous and wanted men...the serial killer Francis Ackerman Jr.

Rippling with intensity, charged with tension, and brimming with a relentless spirit of humanity, FATHER OF FEAR is the latest evidence that Ethan Cross is one of the finest suspense novelists on the planet.


FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:

Ethan Cross asked on facebook who wanted to read his latest writing.  I responded and was quickly mailed a paperback copy!   Cross is an author  who can hold his reader hostage with the tapping of a keyboard that produces a thriller in every sense of the word.   Father of Fear was a first rate thriller--dark and pushing the limits of sanity.   And yes, there was a lot of blood.

Marcus Williams was our protagonist and a member of the Shepherd Organization.   His past was dark and lonely.   He knew he was the biological son of a serial murderer and he knew his older brother had suffered at the hands of their father in ways that were horrifying.  His Older brother, Francis Ackerman Jr, was also a notorious serial killer.    Marcus's job was to remove serial killer's from the streets of America.  It wasn't easy to walk in his shoes.

He questioned his being....would he eventually become like his father and brother?    Did he enjoy killing, even in the name of right?   Those were some of his fears.   It didn't bother him one bit to push
the limits or color outside the box when it came to doing his job and some felt he was going maverick.
He needed a rest...time away from the job...something else to occupy his mind until it could be restored and renewed.    What he got?    Let's just say, Daddy had other plans in mind.

This was an in depth thriller about family and how we treat one another, how we affect one another...how we perceive our lives.   It certainly involved the decisions we make and their consequences.   What makes us human?

Cross has created a well plotted thriller with lots of twists, turns and surprises.   He has well fleshed out characters.   His Father of Fear will take your breath away as you wait to comprehend the next words on the page.  He may not be a household name yet, but mark my words, his name will be in the not too distant future....excellent writing--a great read!

I rated this book 5 Winks!



Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like. I received a complimentary copy from the author or the author’s representatives in exchange for an honest review.

 

Monday, September 15, 2014

All Good Deeds by Stacy Green--A Review

Our lives are full of choices.   Not one minute of our lives passes without a choice being made.  Hopefully we learn from the choices that were a mistake or led to undesirable consequences.   Hopefully we can live with our choices and decisions.   Ultimately, we are accountable for each one of them.

SYNOPSIS:

Lucy Kendall lived her life in a strange mixture of carefully calculated moves and impulse decisions. Cracking the skull of the man who molested her sister and attacking her was impulse. Spending half her teenage years drinking and acting out were calculated cries for attention from her narcissistic mother followed by impulsive rages at her lack of concern.

The decade spent working in Child Protective Services before becoming a private investigator taught her two truths. One, CPS failed miserably in protecting children. Two, Lucy was more than willing to do it for them, meting out her brand of dark justice in spite of her own fear of death. But Lucy's crusade is compromised when a self-proclaimed sociopath offers to help — and leaves her no choice but to accept it.

When eight-year old Kailey Richardson is abducted, it sets off a chain of events linked to Justin Beckett, a suspect in a life-changing case in Lucy's past. The path she's chosen since dealing with Beckett has been dark and terrifying — but she has no idea just how deep she will go or where the twisted road will take her.

She's about to find out.


FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:

I finished reading Green's All Good Deeds several days ago and usually, I try to write my review within 24 hours so I don't forget anything important.   I had to take a step away from this book.  It was powerful and had a profound affect on my soul.   I doubt that I will ever forget this writing.

I have read several of Stacy Green's books but this thriller, was her most masterful to date.  Her characters are flawed and questioning their lives.  Lucy Kendall used to work in child protective services.    She saw and felt it all.   Her mother was definitely lacking in maternal skills and that is perhaps part of why Lucy could not reconcile herself to a job where the children were failed time and time again.  Thus, the change in her life, from government worker to private investigator with a part-time job of taking care of justice on her own...permanently.

Pedophiles.   Active pedophiles were who Lucy sought out for her special brand of justice.
which brought up questions like, can they be reformed?  And if not, why release them back into society at all?  I thought Green handled her subject matter realistically and her story, although a thriller,flowed smoothly, making sense and touching fibers of my being that I don't care to look at very often.   Two of the main characters had been abused by their parental caretakers at early ages and the question for them was, will I follow in these same footsteps?   The answer was, it is up to you to choose...it's a choice for most of us.   There are those whose brains are wired wrong and they have given in to the urges hidden deep and dark within.  For them, there may be no reformation, no place of redemption and no happily ever after.

This was definitely a topic of interest as it rears its ugly head in all levels of society, the rich, the poor, the weak, the strong, no matter your color or race and it's a situation as old as mankinds'  very existence.

As horiffying as child sexual abuse is, I think Stacy Green produced a very believable story and touched on so many things on the fringes of the perpetrator and their actions.   An excellent and yet such a sad read for anyone whose life has been affected by abuse.

I rated this book a 5 Wink read.


  


Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like. I received a complimentary copy from the author or the author’s representatives in exchange for an honest review.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Granted Redemption by Katie Mettner--A Review

My wise friend once told me two things that I believe to be truth.  One of those things concerned why teenagers are such a pain in the tush.  It is in preparation for parents letting go of these teens when it is time for them to leave the nest.   If our children remained cute and sweet, we would never be able to let them go and become who they are meant to be.

The second truth, according to jdl, is that God made sex pleasurable so that we would procreate..otherwise we would be too rebellious to comply with His request that we do so.  I believe this also is true.

That being said, what defines spicy christian reads?    In two words or less, Katie Mettner defines spicy christian reads.   Mettner states it this way, " My stories tend to sit on the outside of the Christian ring where the hero or heroine is questioning their beliefs, are angry with God, are trying to cope with some tragedy in their life or, in some cases, all three. That doesn’t mean the hero or heroine doesn’t love God, they are just in their darkest valley at the moment, and they are looking for the greener pasture HE promises them. The person they meet in that valley is the one HE trusts to be that pasture, and my stories are the journey to that realization.


Is it the thrill they are looking for? No, they are looking for the connection two people make when they make love for the first time, as a couple in love. They are looking for the commitment, the love and the surrender you give the other person when you give yourself to them, and they want me to show them, not tell them. Note, I said make love, because that is what it is in my stories. Remember up there when I said, “I don’t look at what I write as s-e-x”? That’s because I look at it as committing, expressing and receiving love."   These are quotes from Katie's blog, The View From the Other side.  (http://katiemettnerbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-is-spicy-christian-romance.html)

SYNOPSIS:


A lifetime ago Grant Harris was an Australian surfer at the top of his sport, until one wave changed his everything. Fifteen years later, Grant has become bitter, lonely, and disillusioned. Hoping to jump start his career he accepts a position in Duluth Minnesota, with no way of knowing how quickly his life was about to change.

A lifetime ago Carla Coffers was a runaway teen with no family, no money and no hope for a future. Fifteen years later, she’s a successful business woman as owner of Carla's Kinky Café, on beautiful Lake Superior. Her friends think she’s got it all, but Carla still yearns for the one thing she never had. 

A cup of coffee, a car, a confession and a cross come together to grant him redemption from his past and give him hope for the future.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:

Call me old fashioned, but I still much prefer leaving an intimate scene up to my (the reader's imagination).  However I do like Katie Mettner's writing.   She has some great stories, good plots,  and wonderfully flawed characters.   Her characters are always looking to be better than the perception they have of their broken lives.   As Katie writes from her heart about their wounds and their developing walks with God, there is healing for the character and also for the reader.  I love how she is able to weave a story and incorporate God's love and messages for all of us.  

There is always a lot of growth in Mettner's characters as they learn to trust in one another as well as trust in God.   Granted Redemption portrayed all of the elements mentioned above.   Both Grant and Carla were broken people, carrying a huge bag of past horrors, guilt and sorrow with every step they took!   Both believed in God, but they were wounded and feared being hurt further in their journey.   Mettner brought them together, gave them their "spicy" relationship and they found healing in their love of one another and in the God that loved them so.

This was a very enjoyable read and my heart was touched by this wonderful tale of redemption.

I rated this a four wink read.



Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight--A Review

Have you ever had a dream that seemed so real and it was so sensual and you could just beat yourself for having awakened from said dream/sleep?   I can relate to that type of dream sleep, but usually, they never recur...at least for me.



SYNOPSIS:

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.

A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.


From My Perspective:

Spoiler Alert:  read on at your own risk if you have not read this book.

Meeting Destiny was a paranormal read and very enjoyable.   I really like Nancy Straight's writing style; it flows smoothly.   She is able to create strong and independent main characters.   Lauren has a sixth sense...for danger.   She just needs to learn how to use and assess her sixth sense.

She learned she could communicate with Rewsna telepathically.   I perceived that Rewsna was like an overseer(?).     She clued Lauren in to the fact that her Destiny (Max) needed to be awakened to long forgotten memories and Lauren held the key.   Max would be every woman's fantasy lover.  He came on strong early in the story, but his character seemed to weaken as the story progressed.

There was a lot of incredible action in this story.  First a burglary at the diner she worked in, then a dilemma at the mall where she feared for her friend's life,  helping the guy she had been suspicious of but learned she had sensed danger for him rather than from him and his destiny, and finally her trip into the mountains with Max that ended with Lauren waking two and a half years of being in a coma.

The ending of Book one seemed kind of rushed with so many questions unanswered.   Straight can hold your attention as you long to learn and read the rest of the story.

I rated this a 4 Wink read!




Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.   I purchased this E-book for my personal Kindle collection.