Pulled by A L Jackson/RABT VBTour

Guest Post:

Please welcome our guest today, A L Jackson   (loud and wild applause)
Her topic:  

How to Avoid the Slush Pile

Hi everyone. I’m A. L. Jackson, author of Pulled and Take This Regret, and I’m excited to share with you all today my tips on avoiding the slush pile. As an author and the co-owner of a small publishing house, I know submitting a manuscript can be one of the most nerve-racking steps we ever take as authors. We sit in front of our computers biting our nails, refreshing our email hour after hour, waiting to hear something back.

All the while, our submissions are sitting on someone’s desk waiting to be reviewed.

So how do you keep your manuscript from hitting the slush pile once someone does look it?

First, be sure you follow the publisher or agent’s submission guidelines to a tee. If you miss something or ignore instructions, your manuscript will most likely be rejected before the editor or agent even reads the first line.  Be sure that you don’t come across as someone who doesn’t know how to follow instructions or someone who just doesn’t care about them. Both are red flags.

Second and most important in my opinion is ensuring your book immediately hooks the reader. The writing should be strong and raise questions that make the reader want to continue on to get those answers. Don’t start with backstory on your main character or over-describe the setting. Get right into the conflict and then weave those other details in later. Be sure the first few pages are both clear and interesting.  The reader should be intrigued, but not confused, and most definitely should not be bored.

Be sure the portion you’re submitting has been carefully proofed and is formatted correctly (again check for submission guidelines to find out if a specific format is requested). Taking these small steps show you’re serious about your submission and are committed to your writing. If an editor is spending more time noticing typos or wonky formatting, it will distract from your writing. 

Take the time to ensure your submission stands out from the masses. These three points above can mean the difference between opening an email with a rejection letter or one asking to see your full manuscript. 

Wishing you all luck with your writing endeavors!

 And we wish the same for you Mz Jackson!

Contemporary Romance

Title: Pulled

Author: A. L. Jackson

Date to be Published: 4/5/12

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Synopsis: 

Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream of, a love they believed bonded them together for life.  When their world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions. 

For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their heart.  In an attempt to escape the pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side.  

Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago.  

But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart? 

Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have.

Author Bio:

 

A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Publisher Author Site
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Links to Buy

Amazon

My Review:

 Amazing.   Pulled was romance at it's finest.   And I loved it.   Sometimes teen age love fades, but sometimes it is so strong and holds a future for both the boy and the girl.  Daniel and Melanie had a special kind of love....one that entwined their very souls and pulled at their hearts for nine long insufferable years.   Ever pulling them back together despite the lies and despair that had kept them apart, each of them speaking to the other across many miles and heartache.   I could not hope for less than a happily ever after ending!

Ms Jackson wrote a heart rending love story.  Her characters were young and touching and oh so full of life.      Their drama was born of misunderstandings and deceit from those around them.  Their hearts were always linked.   As the story progressed we saw growth in both  main characters and healing.   The writing was smooth and inviting as well as riveting....I certainly could not put the book down.   I would give this story...a GREAT read!

 4 winks    

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    For additional Reviews and information, follow the tour:

September 3 - My Cozie Corner

September 4 - Insomnia of Books

September 5 - Wonderland Reviews 

September 6 - Dive Under the Cover

September 7 - LovLivLife Reviews

September 8 - I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read

September 10 - Just Bookin' Around

September 10 - My Escape

September 11- Literature Lovers Labyrinth

September 12 - Books and Needlepoint

September 13 -The Book Maven 

September 14 - My Reading Addiction

September 15 - Sweeping the USA

September 16 - The Solitary Bookworm 

September 17 - A Date With a Book

September 17 - Reader Girls

September 18 - The Story of a Girl

September 19 - Beth Art From the Heart 

September 20 - Paranormal Wastelands

September 21 - Taking One Page at a Time

September 22 - Paranormal Wastelands

September 23 - For the Love of Film and Novels

September 24 - Up All Night Reviews

September 25 -Crazy Four Books

September 26 - The Adventures Within 

September 27 - 

September 28 - Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

 

 

  *Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

TRANSCEND By Christina Fonseca/ BLAST

Synopsis:

All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart. 

Sent to die in a sanatorium, Ien’s obsession for Kiera grows unbearable. Tortured by thoughts he can’t escape and the truth of his monstrous disfigurement, he flees, desperate to exact revenge on the people that ruined his life – his parents. But, vengeance is empty. Betrayed by those closest to him, Ien discovers that the price for his happiness may be his sanity.

Set amidst the landscape of New York's Gilded Age, and inspired by Phantom of the Opera, TRANSCEND exposes the fine line between love and madness.

Praise for Transcend:

 

“So powerful, so deep, and dark. It took me on an amazing journey into places most people fear to go...leaving me breathless.”

~Heather McCorkle, Author of To Ride A Puca 

“…hauntingly dark and achingly beautiful. A story of love, loss and obsession set against the decadent backdrop of historic New York that sucked me in and wouldn't let go, from the first page until long after I'd finished.”

~ Michelle McLean, Author of Treasured Lies (Entangled, 2012)

“ The story is disturbing and intense and utterly unique…”

~ Ali Cross, Author of Become

“…thought-provoking and emotionally heart wrenching. I haven’t felt this way after reading in quite a while!”

~ Jen from Geekygamergal's Musings

“It is such a powerful and deep story; it will leave you completely breathless.”

~ Brooke from The Cover Contessa

Availability:

Publisher: COMPASS PRESS

ISBN: 9780985180478

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13559187-transcend

Buyer information will not be available until mid-Sept, but it will be available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine retailers.

Additional Titles by Christine Fonseca include:

DIES IRAE (a Requiem Novella),

LACRIMOSA (Requiem Series #1)

MEA CULPA (a Requiem Novella).

Jpeg cover URL – http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/Christine_Fonseca/Transcend.jpg headshot URL - http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/Christine_Fonseca/ColorAuthorpic-med.jpg

About Christine Fonseca

School psychologist by day, critically acclaimed YA and nonfiction author by night, Christine Fonseca believes that writing is a great way to explore humanity. Her many titles include TRANSCEND, DIES IRAE, LACRIMOSA, MEA CULPA, and in nonfiction: 101 SUCCESS SECRETS FOR GIFTED KIDS and EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS.

When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can be sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter. Catch her daily thoughts about writing and life on her blog.

For more information about Christine Fonseca or the series, visit her website – http://christinefonseca.com or her blog http://christinefonseca.blogspot.com.

The Inn At Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber/Review

How I have longed for Macomber's return to Cedar Cove through the Inn  at Rose Harbor!  And it was worth the wait!!

Jo Marie Rose purchased the Inn from the Frelingers and promptly changed the name in honor of her deceased husband, Paul Rose.   The purchase of the Inn and subsequent move to Cedar Cove was to be her new beginning.    Jo Marie was still grieving the loss of her husband.  Her first guests, Josh, was in town to claim his personal items before his estranged stepfather passed away, and Abby arrived to attend her brother's wedding.   Both returned to Cedar Cove with baggage and intended to leave town immediately after their purposed visits.  And the last member of the wounded and battered occupants at the Inn was Rover, a black and white mixed mutt, who adopted Jo Marie as his new mistress.  The Inn itself became a place where its occupants could heal from their emotional wounds and  find peace in the depths of their hearts.

Once again, Debbie Macomber, comes through with flying colors.   She speaks to the heart of her readers through characters that are believable; characters that anyone of us could have experienced much the same pain and shame.   It was interesting also to see just a bit of the supernatural in this work between a handyman having a feeling that Jo Marie needed his help , Jo Marie "feeling her husband", Abby hearing her friend's voice from beyond the grave and Rover's selection of his adoptive parent.


 I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 Winks!   Count 'em

I purchased the above book for my own reading pleasure.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.

Happy Reading Peeps !

FFF. #8.....Thank God we're at week's end!

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 Weekly Question:  

Q: What hyped up book do you think was not worth all the talk?

My answer:   I Don't read books because of the hype.  So I can't answer this.  I read a book by the blurb or synopsis and if it fits my interest;  though with doing book tours I may run into a book that slips by my personal parameters on occasion.

Final Life by Rose Garcia/ Book Tour-Giveaway SG

 

 

 

A Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Book one in the Transhuman Chronicles

Eight lives. You'd think Dominique would get it right, but she's failed every time. Now on her final life, Dominique must discover the secrets of her past before confronting the Transhuman hunter who wants to kill her for the last time. Farrell, a mysterious Transhuman protector, and Trent, a hot guy from school, want to help. But it's up to her to get it right.

 

 

Character Bio--

 

Benjamin Stone as Farrell Walker

Eyes: Green
Hair: Dirty blonde
Height:  6’2”
Body: Lean and Muscular
Personality type: Reserved and Mysterious

What would you do if a super gorgeous guy came to live with you because his parents were out of town for an extended work assignment? That’s what happens to Dominique Wells in Final Life when Farrell moves in. To make matters more complicated, Farrell’s appearance coincides with some freaky stuff that starts happening to her. Dominique begins having mysterious visions of a red desert and a menacing evil presence. And Farrell? Well, she can’t get him out of her mind. I’d say more, but I don’t want to give anything away! Suffice it to say, Farrell is very important to Dominique. And hot!

My Review:

 Every teen age girl loves hot guys and if they are nice besides, well who's to complain?   Dominique is irritated by the move from Elk Grove Michigan to Houston Texas.   She hates the idea of being the new girl in town mid-year....and life just gets weirder and weirder for her.   Her first new friend, Infiniti, is quite a character and introduces her to tarot card reading, the ouija board and Jan across the street and her numerology system.    Infiniti is on her first life, but Dominique is on her ninth and final life.   And she is marked for certain death.   Not only is she finding her days numbered, but the hottest boy in school is her new admirer and his competition is found in the form of Farrell (see above).  Her parents are watching over Farrell while his parents are overseas......and he is one HOT dude.   All is not as it seems and Dominique needs truth to help her sort through and save her own life as well as the future of the world itself!

Final Life is a smooth, fast read and it was quite enjoyable.   I loved the characters, Dominique and Infiniti especially.   They were certainly good together!   It would be hard to make a choice between a normal teen, like Trent and a paranormal like Farrell, but Ms Garcia took care of that very neat and tidy.   I appreciated that being settled.   And this could be a stand alone book if you never took it further.    But I hear this is only book one in the Transhuman Chronicles....so there is more to come if you desire it!   I think I can not wait!!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Author Bio:

Rose Garcia is a lawyer turned writer who’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy. From a very young age, she often had her nose buried in books about otherworlds, fantastical creatures, and life and death situations. More recently, she’s been intrigued by a blend of science fiction and reality, and the idea that some supernatural events are, indeed, very real. Fueled by her imagination, she created The Transhuman Chronicles—a series of books about people who have overcome human limitations. The first in this series is Final Life. Between juggling family life with her husband and two kids, Rose is working on the companion to Final Life. So stay tuned!

 

Links :

My Website

My Facebook

My Twitter

My Goodreads

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.

Revolution by Shelly Crane/ VBT SupaGurl

  Revolution : A Collide Novel
The final book in the series!!

Blurb:

In the fourth and final installment, everything is on the line. Merrick's life is in the balance and Lily is their only hope. Ellie and her new powers are miraculous, but also problematic; if she's with the bunker family, they won't be able to sense when the Lighters are there. There are many new members to the bunker and sparks will fly, and with the food shortage, they will all have plenty to deal with. Miguel is intrigued with Rylee, her past and her spunk. Ryan and Elli are barely scratching the surface of their relationship. Cain and Lillian will have to deal with Daniel, who has no qualms about showing his true feelings for her. And Sherry and Merrick…what will happen to this happenstance family who have worked so hard to come together? Can they all survive? Can they all withstand the new enemy that is right outside their door? Can they beat the Lighters, once and for all…

 Author Bio: Shelly is a YA author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. They currently reside in everywhere USA as they happily travel all over with her husband's job. She loves to spend time with her family, binge on candy corn, go out to eat at new restaurants, buy paperbacks at little bookstores, site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read.
Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.
                                                                                                                                                                          

My Review:

I loved this series and especially the last book.   Even though the world was fading into the apocalypse, human life goes on....There is life and death and new life.   The cycle continues whether things are good, bad or indifferent.   This series told of hope, love, and was filled with undaunting human spirit.   For me, it was actually inspiring.   Many times life hands out lemons and we need to enjoy the day for today and appreciate the many little things we take so for granted.

Thank you so much Shelly for writing a series so far from my reading genre, but so engrossing and so full of LIFE!   I enjoyed every page and every character!  

                                                                     4

                                                      

 

 

Character Guest Post:

How much say do you have in the action as written by Shelly Crane?

Character : Jeff  (one of Beth Art's favorite characters)

Uh, hi. My name is Jeff. I'm a Keeper, but my charge died a while back. Now I just try to take care of my Marissa. She's pregnant...with my child. It's still just crazy to think about. One more thing Mrs. Crane threw our way as a curve ball.

You know, Mrs. Crane is a slave driver sometimes. She lets us think that things are moving along, smooth and finally settling, and then wham! No more peace. She's constantly throwing things out there that screw up the cogs in our well oiled machine.

As far as how much say I have, I think I have all of it. *Grins smugly* You see, Mrs. Crane doesn't actually write her books, her characters do. She may throw some things our way, but we pretty much run the show around here. Every time I'm leaving the bunker or punching someone or staking a Lighter, it's because I want to be.

Mrs. Crane, thanks for creating us, but we'll take it from here.

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.

 

Catalyst by Shelly Crane...a review

Good Morning Peeps!

Ready for my review of the third book in Shelly Crane's series Collide?   I just finished it and you know, I really hate the words....."This is the end for now."    LOL

The battle raged on in book three and so many close calls....betrayal in the midst of the ranks, fighting the lighters, finding the new folks  who are loner bands of rebels.....and loving.  The ever growing band of rebels, work hard, fight hard, and love hard.  But if I divulge much I will spoil the plot and the story, so I will divulge only this; if you love the good guys, you will hate the bad guys!  And I assure you, you will love the good guys.   To say they are a virtual band of misfits is fitting, but more so, true to our countries roots, they are more a melting pot coming together to save themselves and their freedom!

I absolutely adore what I have read so far.  The story is engrossing and moves fluidly and it sticks with you way after the, "This is the end for now".

Have a happy reading day my Peeps...I'm off for I think, the final installment, Revolution!!