TinasBookReviews: November 2013

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Saturday Spotlight with Heather Walsh and Giveaway of The Drake Equation

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

HEATHER WALSH

~Author of Dented Cans and The Drake Equation~

A Tale of Two Covers

by Heather Walsh-2013

I created the cover for my first novel, Dented Cans, completely from scratch. I think I got a little too caught up in the can-do indie spirit. I literally bought a can of cling peaches (they were generic, however) and dented it myself with a hammer. Then that can and I had a very long photo op, until I was able to capture it just so.

Here’s a nice before and after shot.

{For even more detail on this exciting feat, you can click here: http://www.hwalsh.com/cover}

But for my next novel, I knew that a hammer and a Stop & Shop Rewards card was not going to cut it. My biggest problem was that the title of my novel sounded like something you’d find in your college Astronomy 101 class. I was afraid people would be looking for sample quizzes at the end of each chapter. My agent suggested adding “A Contemporary Love Story” on the cover, and I am glad I did. I have already had a few people tell me how excited they were about my novel, about how they love Frank Drake’s equation and the search for other life forms out there. The primal need to prove we are not alone in this vast and beautiful universe, etc. And then they saw the subtitle.

Well then.

Not everyone digs a love story, I guess.

So subtitle in hand, I went to a professional cover designer name Damon. I gave him the general idea of what I was looking for, stressing to please make sure the cover did not scream I AM A TEXTBOOK. And boy, did he deliver.

I just love my cover. When I asked him to please include two lovers on a beach under a starry sky, I imagined they would be walking on the sand. But instead he put them on this pier that seems to be part of the ocean itself, and you wonder if the tide is receding and granting them more space to continue their journey, or if it’s instead going to envelop them at any moment. And of course they are under that gorgeous sky that most of us rarely get to see in our land of light pollution.

So for any indie writers out there who are wondering, hmm, should I make my own cover with a 30-day trial-version of Photoshop and a $1.49 worth of canned goods, or should I hire a professional, I hope I have shown why the latter might be the more prudent way to go. It’s definitely not the cheaper option, but you get what you pay for.

Heather Walsh grew up in North Haven, CT, fantastically close to Pepe's pizza.

She received a B.A. in English at Mary Washington College, which has been renamed to, drum roll please... the University of Mary Washington. This was after a failed attempt to name it Washington & Monroe University, because there aren't enough schools honoring dead Virginian men already. Heather graduated Phi Betta Kappa and summa cum laude, which sounds kind of fancy but really means she took easy classes.

She taught high school English in Brooklyn for one year, where she loved the students but not the system. She then joined corporate America and worked there for too many years as an IT trainer, project manager, business analyst, and SQL dabbler (select * from Drake_Equation).

She currently lives in Brookline, MA with her husband, Mike DeLucia, and their two children. Her first novel, Dented Cans, has sold over 5,000 copies.

GIVEAWAY

Today Heather is giving away one eBook copy of her new book The Drake Equation. Everyone is welcome to enter, just fill in the form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

She’s a Democrat, he’s a Republican. She spends her days fighting global warming at an environmental non-profit, he makes his living doing PR for Bell Motors and their fleet of SUVs. But as soon as they meet, Emily Crossley and Robert Drake realize they have encountered their intellectual match.You’re never challenged, he tells her. You’ve surrounded yourself in a cocoon of people who think exactly the same way you do. She hurls the same accusation back at him, and the fiery debates begin.

Despite both of their attempts to derail it, there is no denying that they are falling in love. But their relationship is threatened by political differences, Robert’s excessive work hours, and Emily’s fear of losing her identity as she falls deeper in love. Can their love survive?

The Drake Equation is a tale of modern love and all its complexities.

~Thanks Heather for being on the spotlight today, The Drake Equation sounds fun. To learn more about this author check out:

GOODREADS~WEB

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving {2013}

Happy Thanksgiving friends and fellow readers. May your day be filled with blessings.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Saturday Spotlight with Sarka-Jonae Miller and Giveaway of Between Boyfriends

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

SARKA-JONAE MILLER

~Author of Between Boyfriends~

I Am not my Character
by Sarka-Jonae Miller

CC-Photo

Like clockwork, every time I tell people I wrote a novel they ask if I'm my character, to which I give a resounding NO! I'm not sure why I am so emphatic, why I'm almost offended that anyone would think I'm like Jan Weston. Probably some deep psychological issue that I don't want to face. The truth is that I really like Jan. She's very unique in that she's willing to take a hard look at herself and make a change. In that way, we're similar. But I did not grow up in a wealthy, two-person household on Coronado Island. I wasn't spoiled, I've never jumped from relationship to relationship, and I am an excellent student. I was a teacher's pet while Jan is more of a “slave for you” type, more concerned with her boyfriends than her education, her friendships, or her self-respect.

You see, Jan is one of those girls, the ones who break plans with you at the last minute because their boyfriends called, the ones who think they're in love with every guy only to viciously malign them after the relationship ends, the one who bends over backwards for the guy she is with all while molding him to fit her perfect ideal... yet good luck getting her to do anything for you. If you're thinking she sounds like a brat, she is, but I've never know any woman who didn't have a friend like that in high school or college. I did, several actually. And thus sparked a fantasy involving my crazy friends maturing and becoming reliable, supportive, and respectable people, people like the friends I share my life with now. The fantasy of grabbing my crappy friends by the shoulders and shaking some sense into them developed into a curiosity of why some women (and men) are like that in the first place. And then I wondered, what could they really do about it? This is how Between Boyfriends was born. I like to say it's a story about finding one's way before finding the One.

So, what did I do? Date a lot of guys? Treat my friends like crap? Spend thousands of dollars on footwear to walk a day in the life of a spoiled rich girl with no self-esteem? Ha, I wish, sort of. To be honest, I'm not really a shoe person. I know, a chick-lit writer who doesn't much care for shoes; I'm a walking contradiction, but I have excellent posture. What I did was read a lot of personal development books (yes, self-help) that explained to women how to change their beliefs about themselves and get men to treat them better. By reading between the lines, I got a glimpse into what was at the root of this addiction to dating, or like the song says an addiction to love.

Relationship hoppers see men as validation of their worth. Good grades, money, lots of friends, a big salary, nice shoes... all of those things contribute to a positive self-image, but for various reasons the fixation becomes a relationship, and not just any relationship, but one with a boy who others think has value. It's a whole complicated thing that I'm sure Dr. Phil could explain better than I could (well, maybe), but at the end of the day this research helped me understand Jan and create a real character with deep insecurities, false beliefs about herself, and messed up priorities. Jan is someone who desperately needed to learn to get validation from herself, not men. What makes her so special is that she's willing to do the work to become a better person, and underneath she is a very sweet, compassionate, and creative individual. She's brave too and open-minded. Okay, maybe we have some things in common.

I had so much fun writing about her growth amidst all the hilarious things that happen to her. She's a character that you love to hate and then love to love.

Sárka-Jonae is a novelist, publicist, and journalist, among other “ists” there aren’t room for. Her novel writing career began with Between Boyfriends, an edgy chick-lit book for women who’ve been ”between boyfriends”, which is much cooler than being single.

Sárka-Jonae is a graduate of Syracuse University. Before writing full-time, she was a personal trainer and massage therapist, helping people tone up, slim down, and chill out. In her free time, SJ loves to dance in flash mobs, in music videos, on speakers, or at home in her underwear. She practices kung fu and yoga, was briefly a Buddhist nun, and travels extensively for ”research”.

GIVEAWAY

Today I have one eBook copy of Between Boyfriends. Everyone is welcome to enter just fill in the form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

At first glance, twenty-one-year-old Jan Weston has it all: a gorgeous boyfriend, fun friends, and wealthy parents who take care of all those pesky credit card bills.

Then her boyfriend dumps her, her friendships fall apart, and her parents cut her off. Suddenly without money, without a man, and without a plan, it's time for Jan to grow up.

Determined to get her life back on track, Jan decides it's time to make it on her own. Can she find her way as a single lady in San Diego? Can she fix her friendships, her job prospects, and her hair? And can she keep her vow that she'll never date again, even after she meets a guy who just might be perfect for her?

Thanks Sarka-Jonae for being on the spotlight! Find out more about this author at:

GOODREADS~BLOG~FACEBOOK

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Book Review~Forgiving Lies by Molly McAdams

October 29, 2013 by William Morrow

Paperback, 368 Pages

New Adult- Romantic Thriller

Review Copy-TLC Book Tours

Warnings: Sexuality, language, violence, date rape

3.5/5 Stars- For readers 18&up

Undercover cop Logan “Kash” Ryan can’t afford a distraction like his new neighbor Rachel Masters, even if she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. To catch a serial killer, he needs to stay focused, yet all he can think about is the feisty, long-legged coed whose guarded nature intrigues him.

A matter of lies . . .

Deceived and hurt before, Rachel would rather be a single, crazy cat lady than trust another guy, especially a gorgeous, tattooed bad boy with a Harley, like Kash. But when his liquid-steel eyes meet hers, it takes all of Rachel’s willpower to stop herself from exploring his hot body with her own.

A matter of love . . .

As much as they try to keep it platonic, the friction between them sparks an irresistible heat that soon consumes them. Can Kash keep Rachel’s heart and her life safe even as he risks his own? Will she be able to forgive his lies . . . or will she run when she discovers the dangerous truth?

Thoughts

You know that saying the truth shall set you free? Well these characters know nothing about it, and basically Forgiving Lies builds upon this concept; the danger of lies and the freedom that comes with truth.

After a horrific experience with a long time crush Rachel is feeling confused, vulnerable and lonely. Without support from her best friend (crappiest best friend in the New Adult genre ever) or any family around, Rachel deals with a lot of crap by herself. When the next door neighbors, Kash and Mason, two undercover police officers manage to worm their way into her heart, life takes some unexpected twists. A tad confused over her intense attraction to Kash Rachel does her best to keep things at friends level, still reeling from her past trauma its hard to take the next big steps with him.

Struggling to keep his own secrets Kash is finding it hard to resist Rachel. Having to lie to this girl who had become his friend, his lover is tearing him apart. Oh the drama....but in these characters case the real drama lies within the lies, at some point everything will come crashing down and the truth will be if Kash and Rachel are strong enough to overcome it.

While I overall enjoyed this book, it took awhile to dig in and capture Kash and Rachel's chemistry. The dialog in spots were great, and there were some very intense, sexy and smart moments, but at times the writing was frustrating, and the dark themes blended with the intense sexy were somewhat peculiar. Fabulous characters aside, for this book and previous books I've tried from McAdams, Im still trying to mesh with the her style and presentation. With that being said, I love the fact that McAdams takes big risks with her story telling and I appreciate the direct departure of cliched scenarios.

Fans of new adult will gobble this one up, the cliffhanger and exciting end alone is worth reading this book, a first for me in the new adult romantic thriller category.

Molly McAdams grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband and furry, four-legged daughter. When she’s not diving into the world of her characters, she can be found hiding out in her bedroom—surrounded by her laptop, cell phone, and Kindle—and fighting over the TV remote. She loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm … or under one in a bathtub if there are tornadoes. That way she can pretend they aren’t really happening.

Visit Molly at her website, read her blog, connect with her onFacebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

The Saturday Spotlight with Meradeth Houston and Giveaway of The Chemistry of Fate

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

MERADETH HOUSTON

~Author of The Chemistry of Fate~

Character Inspiration
by Meradeth Houston- 2013

Every once in a while I receive comments on my book about how it has such a great “message.” These always give me pause: I totally didn't’ set out to write a message-oriented book, and in my head that’s not what I was going for. But apparently there’s one in there J. After thinking about it a while, I've decided I kind of like the thought. Here’s why:

My main characters belong to the Sary (I made them up, so don’t worry if you've never heard of them before!), who are charged with helping people out when they’re in need. Usually this is to try and keep people from taking their own lives, but other times it can be as simple as lending a helping hand when it’s needed—giving someone a pen in the grocery line, or even offering a smile, finding a way to make a day a little brighter. I think we've all had an experience or two when someone’s been there to help out when we've been in a jam.

My personal story of someone coming to my rescue was after being in a serious car accident. A beamer blew a stop sign going about 60mph and rammed into my car, spinning us through an intersection, into another car, and eventually into a ditch. My husband and I were supremely lucky we weren't seriously injured (we got away with a broken leg and broken ribs). After being whisked to the ER—separate ones, as hubby looked really bad at the scene—I had no way to contact anyone to help. My family was out of town, I’d lost my cell, and obviously had no car. Stuck doesn't even begin to cover it.

That’s when I received a major helping hand in the form of an old friend who was a nurse in the ER. She happened to recognize my name, and completely took care of me. She helped me find pants (mine had to be cut off—can I just say embarrassing?), get me home, then track down my husband and help him home. I have no idea what I would have done without her. That night, she was totally my Sary.

So, if in any small way through my books I point to ways to help one another out, I’m definitely happy. I also love hearing other’s stories of times they've received a helping hand—I’d love it if you chimed in with one in the comments! I share stories on Friday’s on my blog, too, and am always looking for new voices and tales to share J.

And because I love this (even if it is an add), I have to share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceTBF1Hik5I#t=19

Meradeth’s never been a big fan of talking about herself, but if you really want to know, here are some random tidbits about her:

She’s a Northern California girl, but now lives and teaches anthropology in Montana.When she’s not writing, she’s sequencing dead people’s DNA. For fun!

She’s been writing since she was 11 years old. It's her hobby, her passion, and she’s so happy to get to share her work! If she could have a super-power, it would totally be flying. Which is a little strange, because she’s terrified of heights.

GIVEAWAY

Today Meradeth is giving away one eBook copy of The Chemistry of Fate. This is open to everyone please just fill in the form to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“They are everywhere, can be anyone, and are always the last person you’d expect.” When Tom stumbles across his grandfather’s journal, he’s convinced the old man was crazier than he thought. The book contains references to beings called the Sary, immortals who are assigned to save humans on the verge of suicide. They certainly aren’t allowed to fall in love with mortals. Which the journal claims Tom’s grandfather did, resulting in his expulsion from the Sary. As strange as the journal seems, Tom can’t get the stories out of his head; especially when he finds the photo of his grandfather’s wings.

Tom’s only distraction is Ari, the girl he studies with for their chemistry class.

Ari has one goal when she arrives in town: see how much Tom knows about the Sary and neutralize the situation. This isn’t a normal job, but protecting the secrecy of the Sary is vital. If Tom is a threat to exposing the Sary to the public, fate has a way of taking care of the situation, usually ending with the mortal’s death. While Ari spends time with Tom, he becomes more than just an assignment, but how far can a relationship go when she can’t tell him who she really is? When she finds out just how much Tom actually knows about the Sary, Ari is forced to choose between her wings, and her heart.

THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE is a companion to COLORS LIKE MEMORIES and is set before the latter takes place. It is geared toward an upper YA, or New Adult audience.

~Thanks for sharing your story today Meradeth and for being on the spotlight, To find out more about this author check out:

Web~Pinterest~Facebook

Friday, November 15, 2013

Partnered Post~Online vs. In-store Book Purchases

Buying Books Online vs. In-store

Do you know reading can possibly help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Studies show that being mentally stimulated is one way of decreasing the chances of getting the dreaded illness. Reading can also be very therapeutic and lessen stress levels; not that you need any more reason to sit down with your kindle or favourite hard copy! While the introduction of the World Wide Web brought many a book shop to their proverbial knees, it also opened up an entire new outlet where people could purchase books – online. Below is a list of pros and cons for buying your books both online and in-store:

Online

Technology has definitely made life so much easier; purchasing books included. However, there can be some disadvantages to buying online:

Pros:

Book availability - with online book sellers, it’ll be very easy to search for a certain book with a few keystrokes and clicks. There’s no need to leave the house to visit several book stores if you’re looking for a hard to find volume.

Second-hand book options – It’s easier to find a pre-loved book if you’re hunting for one online, particularly a rare one. You can search online book sellers at classifieds websites like Quicksales or the online Salvos stores.

Affordability – Buying books online can score you books at lower costs since online sellers don’t need to pay store rental fees. There’s no doubt that buying books online allows you to score better deals than in-store – if you’re willing to put in the time to research and scour the internet for the best deal. Some online book sellers also waive taxes and shipping fees. This means more money for you the reader – possibly to buy more books!

Cons:

Payments – You’ll need a credit card or Paypal account to make online purchases. Also be sure to check the seller’s customer service ratings to be to avoid getting scammed.

Waiting time – Your newly ordered books arrive in your eager hands for at least a couple of days so if you’re desperate to start peeling back the pages, you’re better off heading to your local book shop.

Incorrect orders– This doesn’t happen often, but there is a possibility you might end up with the incorrect order and have to wait while the book is returned, exchanged and sent back to you.

The old-fashioned way of buying books has its good and bad sides, too. Read on to find out the advantages and disadvantages of buying books in a store.

Pros:

No need for credit cards or a Paypal account - Getting paperbacks from a store is the best way to go if cash is king for you.

Quality – You can inspect the book before paying for it or check if there are any damages; you can’t do this if you’re buying books online.

Speediness – Once you’ve paid for your books, you can take them home and read them right away. No need to wait for the delivery!

Cons:

Cost – Physical book shops pay for staffing fees, rent, and electricity. Part of the book sales will cover the book shops’ expenses which is why it is generally cheaper to buy online.

Convenience – You need to leave the comforts of your own home to look for the books you want, and may need to visit a few stores if the first one you visit is out of stock. This will become an additional expense for you.

Ebooks – ebooks are sold online, therefore if you’re after a book you can read on your tablet then you’ll need to shop for these online!

Wherever you get them from, buying books is a fairly enjoyable task I think most would say. The important thing is you weigh up the pros and cons of both methods and go with the one which works best for you. If you wish to go the online route, make sure that you’re buying from a reputable online book retailer or seller, and that you are buying the correct copy you’re after. Alternatively if book shops are your thing, call before dropping by to ensure they have the copy you want in stock.

~Provided by Quicksales.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Book Review~The Preservationist by Justin Kramon

October 15, 2013 by Pegasus

Hardcover: 288 pages
Review/TLC Book Tours

Adult- Thriller

Warnings: Violence, mild language, mild sexuality

3.5/5 Stars

To Sam Blount, meeting Julia is the best thing that has ever happened to him.

Working at the local college and unsuccessful in his previous relationships, he’d been feeling troubled about his approaching fortieth birthday, “a great beast of a birthday,” as he sees it, but being with Julia makes him feel young and hopeful. Julia Stilwell, a freshman trying to come to terms with a recent tragedy that has stripped her of her greatest talent, is flattered by Sam’s attention.

But their relationship is tested by a shy young man with a secret, Marcus Broley, who is also infatuated with Julia. Told in alternating points of view, The Preservationist is the riveting tale of Julia and Sam’s relationship, which begins to unravel as the threat of violence approaches—and Julia becomes less and less sure whom to trust.

Thoughts

Diving into Justin Kramon's The Preservationist had its challenge in the beginning half, the story which moved along nicely due to its leisure and simple style failed to connect me to any of the characters. Dialog felt flat and without knowing much about main character Julia, who for the most part acted very robotic in her display of emotions, left me feeling so disconnected......of course later on in the story once her relationship begins to develop deeply with Sam and reaching the exciting end that pulled the entire book together I was left eating crow.

In this case I perhaps judged the book to soon, the reasoning for disconnect and frustration with Julia as a character worked perfect after the reveal, it was truly a unique twisty read. Everything that frustrated me in the beginning was everything that tied the end together. I love psychological thrillers, but they are hard to review to the lack of info that can be shared, but what I can say is that the novel is quiet until almost the end, but those last 50 pages are the thrilling long fall after the climb to the top.

I would recommended this book to readers who enjoy illusive thrillers, the build up is long but the reveal is worth it. Fans of crime drama and mystery's will enjoy as well.

Justin Kramon is the author of the novels Finny (Random House, 2010) and The Preservationist (Pegasus, 2013).

A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he has published stories in Glimmer Train, Story Quarterly, Boulevard, Fence,TriQuarterly, Alaska Quarterly Review, and others. He has received honors from the Michener-Copernicus Society of America, Best American Short Stories, the Hawthornden International Writers’ Fellowship, and the Bogliasco Foundation. Find out more about Justin at his website and connect with him on Facebook.

~Thanks to TLC Book Tours and Pegasus for review copy

COVER REVEAL- featuring A.L Jackson's Come to me Softly and Giveaway

COME TO ME SOFTLY by A.L. Jackson has a cover and we get to share it with you today! Isn't it gorgeous! Read all about Book 2 in the Closer to You Series coming SUMMER 2014!!

Come To Me Softly (The Closer to You Series, Book 2)
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: Summer 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance

Cover reveal organized by: Shh Moms Reading, Literary Mania Reviews, and Brandee’s Book Endings

From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Quietly comes a scorching new adult romance in the Closer to You series................

A second chance at life…

A second chance at love…

Jared Holt never thought he deserved either—until he found both in the arms of Aly Moore. Aly has loved Jared for as long as she can remember, and she’s more than ready for the future they’re making together. But Jared can’t help remembering his own family. And he’ll never forgive himself for what happened to them. How can he allow himself the very happiness he once destroyed?

To live a life worthy of Aly, Jared knows he has to stop running and finally put his past to rest. But when he decides to face his demons head on, he encounters more than he bargained for: a dangerous mix of jealousy, lies, and dishonest intentions. When those intentions threaten Aly, Jared loses all control, giving into the rage that earned him his bad boy reputation years before. And he’ll fight to protect her no matter what it costs…even if he destroys himself in the process.

EXCERPT

I gasped when strong arms wrapped around me from behind. Then I melted when he buried his face in my neck. Jared spun me around and pressed me up against the cool metal of my car door. His hands were on my face, in my hair, slipping down my sides before he brought them back up to force me to look at him. “Thank you.” Desperation poured from him, his hold increasing as he stared down at the shock I felt lining my face. “Thank you for fucking believing in me, Aly. For getting me.”

Fear lashed across his face. Or maybe it was remorse. He swallowed hard, his voice hardened with strain. “I’m scared to think of where I’d be right now without you.” That fear that had flashed on his face coiled in my stomach. Because I didn't know where he’d been. Had no idea where the last three months had taken him. How far. How low. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“You’re here with me now.” I had to believe that was all that mattered.

He grimaced. Gripping my face, he leaned down and kissed me, hard and demanding. There was no soft affection, none of the playfulness from upstairs. This was a seal. A branding. He jerked back. A storm raged in the blue of his eyes. “Don’t think I can’t see all those questions burning in your mind, Aly. And I may not have all the answers right now, but we are going to figure this out. Do you understand me? I promise you that.” And I saw it all there, the torment that plagued Jared, this beautiful man who had lost his way, the one desperate to find his way home.

Join us for the COME TO ME SOFTY Cover Reveal Party happening all day today! A.L. will be hanging out talking books, boys, and giving away a ton of special prizes from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm MST! Join the Party HERE!!

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, and If Forever Comes.

She 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 children. Look for Come to Me Quietly and Come to Me Softly coming soon.

Facebook † Goodreads † Website

GIVEAWAY

And don’t miss the COME TO ME SOFTLY Cover Reveal Giveaway. Prizes include an A.L. Jackson Ultimate Signed Paperback Collection, signed COME TO ME QUIETLY paperbacks, treats from Sweets by Steph, and prize packs from Molly McAdams, Gail McHugh, Raine Miller, Gretchen de la O, Kim Karr, and Madeline Sheehan!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Saturday Spotlight with Christine Feldman and Giveaway of Pastels and Jingle Bells

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

CHRISTINE FELDMAN

~Author of Pastels and Jingle Bells~

Pastels and Jingle Bells: Heavenly Bites Novella #1

It was probably inviting the worst kind of karma to be contemplating murder during the holiday season of all times, but that didn’t phase Trish Ackerly in the slightest as she stared through her bakery’s storefront window in shock.

It was him. Ian Rafferty, bane of her junior high school existence. She’d know that face anywhere, despite the changes in it. Sure, he was a couple of feet taller now and certainly broader shouldered, but as he glanced away from the winter scene she had painted on the window only yesterday and at a passing car that whizzed by much too fast on the busy city street, the profile he presented to her confirmed it. Yes, it was him. That same nose, the odd little scar above his eye, the familiar way he quirked his lips…

Her eyes narrowed. Ian Rafferty. That miserable, mean-spirited little—

Then he turned his face back to the window, and Trish gasped and dropped to the floor before he could spot her staring at him.

“What on earth are you doing?” came Nadia’s voice from behind the counter.

Trish huddled behind a tall metal trash can and glanced up through her dark bangs at her startled friend and business partner only to remember belatedly that they had company in the shop, namely wizened little Mrs. Beasley, whose startled eyes blinked at her from behind enormous tortoise-shell spectacles.

Well, there was little help for it now. “That guy,” Trish hissed, jerking one thumb in the direction of the window. “I know him!”Both Nadia and Mrs. Beasley peered intently through the glass. “Mmm,” said Nadia appreciatively a moment later. “Lucky you, girlfriend.”

“No, not lucky me! That guy made my life a living hell in junior high. He’s a jerk, he’s a bully—“

“He’s coming in here, dear,” Mrs. Beasley interrupted her, with obvious interest in her voice.

With a squeak of alarm, Trish shuffled hastily behind the counter on her hands and knees and hunched into as small and inconspicuous a ball as she could.

Nadia blinked. “Trish, are you out of your—“

“Sh!”“Oh, you did not just shush me—“

“Your window art,” his voice continued, and Trish straightened ever so slightly at the mention of her work. “It’s fantastic. Can I ask who painted it?”

“Absolutely,” Nadia returned, turning her attention to getting the coffee he requested. “My business partner, Trish.”

“SHH!” Trish insisted again, knowing full well that she’d pay for it later, and then she pulled her head down into her shoulders as much as her anatomy would allow.

The bell on the door jangled cheerfully then, and a gust of cold air heralded Ian Rafferty’s arrival.

“Hi, there,” Nadia greeted him brightly, surreptitiously giving Trish’s foot a little dig with one of her own. “Welcome to Heavenly Bites. What can I get for you?”

“Cup of coffee would be great for starters,” came a voice that was deep but soft, and far less reptilian than Trish expected. She cocked her head slightly to better catch his words and heard the unmistakable sound of him blowing on his hands and rubbing them together to warm them. “Cream, no sugar.”

“Sure thing, honey.”

“Is she around, by any chance?”

Nadia glanced down at where Trish sat scrunched up and did what Trish thought was a very poor job of suppressing a smirk. “She’s, um, indisposed at the moment. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve got a couple of windows that could use a little holiday cheer. Think she might be interested in the job?”

Nadia gave Trish another brief sideways glance.

Trish shook her head frantically.

“Tell you what. Leave me your number, and we’ll find out.” Nadia stepped out of reach before Trish could smack her leg.

“Great, thanks. Here’s my card.”

“I’ll see that she gets it, Mr.—“ Nadia glanced at the card. “—Rafferty. Here’s your coffee, and you, sir, have a very nice day.”The bell on the door jingled again, and Trish cautiously poked her head up long enough to verify that Ian was indeed gone. She then ignored the fascinated look Mrs. Beasley was giving her and fixed an icy stare on Nadia. “I’m going to kill you. How could you do that?”

Nadia tossed her dark braids over her shoulder. “Hmph. Shush me in my own shop…”

“I don’t want to talk to that guy! I don’t want to have anything to do with him.”

“He seemed nice enough to me,” her friend returned, shrugging unapologetically. “And easy on the eyes, too.”

“And single,” put in Mrs. Beasley eagerly, one wrinkled hand fluttering over her heart. “No wedding ring.”

“Of course there’s no ring! No woman wants to marry the devil!” Trish sank back down onto the floor and leaned back heavily against the shelves behind her.

“He used to be the devil,” Nadia corrected her, examining the business card he had handed to her. “Now he’s ‘Ian Rafferty, Landscape Architect’. And he’s a paying customer, Trish. Face it, you could use the money.”

“Forget it. I’m not so hard up that I’d go crawling to Ian Rafferty for a job.” Trish scowled and folded her arms across her chest. “I have my dignity, you know.”

“Yeah? Why don’t you get up off the floor and tell me all about your dignity.”

“Oh, shut up,” Trish muttered, getting to her feet and snatching the card from Nadia’s hand. Wadding it up, she tossed it in the direction of the trashcan and stalked into the bakery’s kitchen.

Christine S. Feldman writes both novels and feature-length screenplays, and she has placed in screenwriting competitions on both coasts.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her ballroom-dancing husband and their beagle. Find out more about her at Goodreads and at Christinefeldman.com

GIVEAWAY

Today I have one eBook copy of Pastels and Jingle Bells to giveaway to a TBR reader, just fill out the copter for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trish Ackerly never expected to cross paths with Ian Rafferty again, but when she spots the former bully of her childhood years through her bakery window, she thinks she may just have been given the best Christmas gift ever: the opportunity to finally give Ian the comeuppance he deserves.

But clearly she does not have a knack for this whole revenge thing, because before she can make good on her plans, Trish gets inadvertently drawn into Ian’s life in an unexpected way that lets her see just how different the man is from the boy he used to be. In fact, much to her astonishment, she actually starts to like the guy.

A lot.

Trouble is, Ian doesn’t know who she really is, and explaining it to him is going to be a little difficult now—which is bad news, because Trish is starting to realize that all she really wants for Christmas this year…is Ian.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Book Review~ Finding It by Cora Carmack

Finding It by Cora Carmack
October 15, 2013 by William Morrow Paperback
Paperback, 320 Pages
Review Copy/TLC Book Tours
New Adult- Contemporary Romance
Warnings: Excessive drinking, sexuality, language, references to sexual abuse
4.5/5 Stars (18&up)

Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong . . .

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She’s having the time of her life . . . or that’s what she keeps telling herself.

It’s a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you’re afraid you won’t like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey’s loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey’s mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

Review

Kelsey Summers, a small character we briefly got to know in Losing It, has actually lost it......

Lost her sense of worth, her connections to her friends and all the things that made her life make sense. With college over and graduation a thing of the past, Kelsey really has no aspirations for the future, but instead of sticking around watching her all her friends fall in love and move on with life and careers, Kelsey hops a plane to Europe to live out an adventure. Running away from her problems and trading one country for another really doesn't equal an adventure though and instead of redefining her life, Kelsey spends night after night in a haze of drinking and causal sex that quickly loses its excitement. The big adventure isn't turning out to be what she had hoped for.....until the night she meets Jackson Hunt.

Former Marine and fellow traveler Jackson Hunt stumbles upon Kelsey one night at a local bar, they have instant chemistry but instead of wasting that chemistry on one night of sizzling casual sex, the two actually strike up an intense friendship and decide to travel together. A nondrinker himself, Jackson shows Kelsey the beauty of Europe, the sights and sounds outside of clubbing that shes been missing and the true excitement of traveling the unknown. Being with Jackson makes Kelsey happy and his carefree attitude begins to bring something out of her that has been lurking under her guarded cage of loneliness. Unable to let people see who she really is, her walls are sky high and as she begins to trust Jackson the cracks in her walls start tumbling as she slowly yet like a freight train falls for Jackson. Against all sense, being together and traveling the country side makes sense, and with each new stop the duo embarks on, Kelsey's resolve to show Jackson who she really is gets closer. While passion ignites between them, Jackson still holds back pieces of himself, and as the days melt into weeks, the tension, the temptation to take it further and the secrets begin to catch up with both of them.

In a nutshell Finding It was a traveling book of adventures, from its valleys in Italy to the Gothic architecture of Prague, every stop was a building block in character development. Paired with hot {Im looking at you hand in the hotel scene} tension, and an explosive build up, this story had an array of surprises, including a strong female lead who I grew to adore, and most important the pleasant surprise in the growth of Carmack's writing. When I finished the last page I had to utter a little sigh of ahhhhh, because I loved everything about this book, the plot, Jackson, Kelsey, and its marvelous unpredictability.

A delightful mesh of flawed yet endearing characters, Finding It is a road trip you definitely want to take.

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She’s done a multitude of things in her life—retail, theatre, teaching, and writing. She loves theatre, travel, and anything that makes her laugh. She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love too.

Find out more about Cora at her website, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

~Thanks to William Morrow and TLC Book Tours for Review Copy!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Book Spotlight~ Matthew Reilly's The Tournament

The Tournament by Matthew Reilly
November 12, 2013 by Pan MacMillan Australia
Paperback, 432 Pages

The year is 1546.

Suleiman the Magnificent, the powerful and feared Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, issues an invitation to every king in Europe:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR FINEST PLAYER TO COMPETE IN A CHESS TOURNAMENT TO DETERMINE THE CHAMPION OF THE KNOWN WORLD.

The English delegation—led by esteemed scholar Roger Ascham—journeys to the glittering city of Constantinople. Accompanying Ascham is his pupil, Bess, who is about to bear witness to events she never thought possible.

Barbaric deaths, unimaginable depravity and diplomatic treachery unfold before Bess's eyes, indelibly shaping her character and determining how she will perform her future role...as Queen Elizabeth I.

EVEN A PAWN CAN BECOME A QUEEN.

Matthew Reilly’s The Tournament will hit book stores November 12, 2013 and returns with yet another thrilling tale in the series. This follows the success of his previous novels—Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7, Scarecrow, Hover Car Racer , Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones and The Five Greatest Warriors— which have so far sold approximately 4 million copies worldwide. Below is an excerpt from the the official synopsis (as seen here) of the acclaimed author’s latest work of fiction:

~From the looks of it, The Tournament by Matthew Reilly is going to be packed with everything that we've come to expect from a Matthew Reilly novel: mystery, intrigue, adventure, a number of highly thought out twists and turns, and a truckload of action, which in Reilly’s own words would be “too big for Hollywood”. Much blood will be shed throughout the pages, as the narrative deals with a frenetic game of chess which reaches beyond the board, using humans as the real pawns of the game. More than that, it is a story of the ascension of an ordinary woman ascended towards royalty.

The Tournament will be available online from Bookworld, and other major book retailers on November 12. Find out more about this author at Matthewreilly.com or Goodreads.

Hailing from Australia, Matthew Riley is the talented best-selling author of ten novels. A number of these novels have been optioned by film studios for feature films or series production. He released Contest back in 1996 when he was only 19; which was his first published book.

After struggling to get a publishing deal and self-publishing Contest, Pan Macmillan took Reilly under their wing after realising the talent he obtained with putting words on paper. With a publisher backing him, he released his first industry-produced novel, Ice Station, which became Reilly’s very first taste of monumental success. As mentioned, he then went on to publish a number of action-packed novels; and Reilly’s latest is sure to pack the same literary punch that all his former novels.

Pick up your copy of The Tournament at BookWorld and other book retail stores. Also today for TBR readers you can pick this title up on Hardback or audio at a special discount of 5%. Use Code BW-SEO14

Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Saturday Spotlight with Angela Blount and Giveaway of Once Upon a Road Trip

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

ANGELA BLOUNT

~Author of Once Upon a Road Trip~

Creative Madness

by Angela Blount- 2013

It's been said that writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. As one who walks the line between reality and imagination, I'm inclined to agree.

Like many authors, I "hear" voices in my head. It's okay, though--I'm the one who put them there. ^_^ I know not to let them come out to play in public, or allow them bait me into an argument at the dinner table. (By junior high I discovered that such things were not only not socially acceptable, but tended to get people around you talking about psychologists and medication.

Of course, I've always been aware that the characters in my mind aren't real. They're figments...the lively offspring of an overactive subconscious. But I also know they've grown up and are ready to be written about when I can empathize with them--slip on their personality like a glove and feel what they would be feeling in any given situation. I know it's time to tell their story when I wish they were real. (Or, as is the case with some of my villains, when I'm grateful they're NOT.)

This all might sound a bit odd to those who aren't storytellers by nature. But this cohabitation with a cast of invented personalities is simply a part of my creative process. For the most part, I just set the stage--picture a scene and drop my selected characters into it. They interact, and I eavesdrop. But occasionally these non-existent people do, say, or react in some way that I don't understand. And so, I have to pull them out and start interviewing them. "Why would you do/say something like that?" "Why do you feel that way?" "What does that remind you of?"

Again, it's best not to employ this technique out loud or in public.

But for my latest book, Once Upon A Road Trip, I forced myself outside of this "crazy" comfort zone. Because in order to write an honest memoir, I had to trade made-up characters for memories. Instead of inventing the fictional, I revisited the actual. It's one of the most difficult things I've ever done.

I started out thinking creative non-fiction would be easy to write. All I had to do was record things that happened during an eventful period of my life, just as I remembered them. I quickly discovered that to convey any significance at all, I had to tap the depth and breadth of the emotions that accompanied those memories. That part required a certain degree of reliving the past. Some of those recollections I was glad to dwell in...but others were more of a traumatic replay of confusion, embarrassment, and pain I'd left behind along with my teenage angst. (Okay, so...MOST of the angst is behind me. >.>)

The worst part? There was absolutely no way to divert myself by dropping in a super-powered alien or crazed were-badger to lighten the mood.

I had to tell the truth for an entire book, and I had to do it in such a way that (hopefully) wouldn't put people to sleep. To do that I decided to write a majority of the book in 3rd person limited. Not something commonly done with memoirs, but not unheard of. It gave the story more of a fiction feel, while removing the maddening obstacle of me having to write "I...I...I..." all over the place.

Did it work? I'll let readers be the judge.

As for me...while I'm glad to have finally told my real life story, I'm also relieved to have my mental workings back on the people and places that only exist in my head. There's no telling what they've been up to while I was otherwise occupied.

Angela N. Blount is a Minnesota native, transplanted to the deep South-where she currently resides with her understanding husband, their two children, and a set of identity-confused cats. She is a former book reviewer for RT Book Reviews, a memoirist, freelance editor, sporadic poet, and webcomic artist.

In her spare time, Angela enjoys reading, coffee shop loitering, questionable attempts at horticulture, and all things geeky.

GIVEAWAY

Today Angela is giving away one eBook (version of choice) of Once Upon a Road Trip. To enter please just fill in the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eighteen-year-old Angeli doesn't “fit in.” She’s never been on a single date, and she lives vicariously through an online world of storytelling. With the pressures of choosing a practical future path bearing down, she needs a drastic change. Too old to run away from home, she opts instead to embark on a solo 2-month road trip. But her freedom is tempered by loneliness — and anxiety tests her resolve as she comes face-to-face with her quirky internet friends.

Aside from contracting mono and repeatedly getting herself lost, Angeli’s adventure is mired by more unforeseen glitches — like being detained by Canadian authorities, and a near-death experience at the hands of an overzealous amateur wrestler. Her odyssey is complicated further when she unwittingly earns the affections of two young men. One a privileged martial artist; the other a talented techie with a colorful past.

Bewildered by the emotions they stir, Angeli spurns the idea of a doomed long-distance relationship. But she is unprepared for the determination of her hopeful suitors. In the wake of her refusal, one man will betray her, and the other will prove himself worthy of a place in her future.

Angeli sets off in search of a better understanding of herself, the world, and her place in it. What she finds is an impractical love, with the potential to restore her faith in happy endings.

A true story with an unapologetically honest outlook on life, love, faith, and adventure — Once Upon A Road Trip is a coming-of-age memoir.

Pages

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