Beck Valley Books

Interview with author of Mother's Curse, Thaddeus Nowark plus SIGNED BOOKS & $50 AMAZON GC GIVEAWAY and more....

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Please enjoy this interview with Thaddeus Nowak, author of the exciting and beautifully written YA fantasy, Mother's Curse, and its sequel, Daughter's Justice.

Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including a Kindle Fire, $450 in Amazon gift cards, and 5 autographed copies of each book.

1. Stephenie surely defies stereotypes. Born a princess, but a tomboy. Cursed as a witch, but a likable relatable character all the same. How did you go about creating her character?
Stephenie was born in my imagination many years ago. It was during a time I was struggling with another story. To help "get my creative juices flowing," I started to write random scenes with random characters. One scene I wrote was about a young girl who was alone in a public house where a conflict broke out, and she had to fight her way out. Well, I kind of fell in love with the character and had to find out who she was, where she was going, and why she was alone in the world. In making that discovery, I crafted the current story arch that is the Heirs of Cothel Series. It took some time to work out her past and what her life would be like growing up as a witch and how the damaged relationship she has with her mother would affect her. Based on those factors, her break from what would be typical for a princess seemed natural. Which then led me to think of the girls I had grown up with and the women I know today; many of them are tomboys and are not afraid of getting dirty and running about the woods. So it just seemed natural that Stephenie would be that way as well: a strong young lady who has her own motivations and agenda, but is compassionate and can sympathize with others, even if she cannot fix all of their problems. As a bit of trivia, many aspects of that original scene are in Mother's Curse.

2. Did you face any special challenges writing a female lead character, given that you are a male author?
Yes and no. I grew up surrounded by girls. My family had the only boys in the neighborhood for many years, so all my friends were female and that does give me something to draw from. When writing Stephenie, I try to get into her head and see the world through her eyes. Occasionally, I need to refocus and make sure she would really react in a particular way. The good thing is I have had her in my head for so long that I usually have a pretty good idea of what to write for her. My bigger challenges come with some of the other female characters and making sure I am true to them.

3. The tension between Stephenie and Sergeant Henton is one of my favorite parts of the book. How did you develop their relationship using such subtlety and not hitting us over the head with cliché romantic dialogue?
I am glad the subtlety of their relationship is being noticed. I had one reader tell me they were worried that I might fall into one of the overused traps they see in so many YA novels. Once they realized I had not done that, they were ecstatic. I can say this approach in the story is very much me. I am something of a romantic, but I don't care for most of the stories dubbed as "romance". Do people act in stupid ways when they are trying to attract other people? Of course, but too many stories seem to force stupid decisions upon the characters to ratchet up the tension. Too many times, that is done through obvious misunderstandings that could be resolved with half a minute of conversation that the characters work very hard to avoid. My goal is to never have a character deliberately sabotage their relationships for stupid reasons (at least not a character I respect). If things work or don't work, I want there to be more substance to the reasons. I want the investment in the relationship to be greater, and so the emotions stronger. Perhaps I've watched too many classic movies, but there is something very powerful about what is never said aloud between people.

4. The Kingdom of Cothel is at war. Could you tell us more about the front lines Stephenie is so desperately trying to escape to?
At the opening of Mother's Curse, Cothel, and most of the other countries to the west, are fighting against an invading army that sailed in from the Endless Sea. These invaders have many witches and warlocks in their ranks and are overwhelming the holy warriors and soldiers of the people who live around the Sea of Tet. These Senzar invaders have killed royal families and left countries without rulers. Stephenie's father was quick to join the battle because his oldest daughter was married to the crown prince of Esland and one of the first to be killed. The Senzar spent most of their focus driving toward a prominent mountain range in the middle of the land between the Sea of Tet and the Endless Sea to the west. Their main forces have yet to cross over Cothel's boarders. However, they are on the doorstep of the country and Cothel's forces are low on supplies and reinforcements. Stephenie's desperation is to reach her father and brother, the King and Crown Prince, because she fears her mother is plotting something that could put them and the people of Cothel at risk.

5. Although firmly rooted in the fantasy genre, Mother's Curse and Daughter's Justice remain quick-paced engaging reads not mired in the details of exotic lands or creatures. Why did you decide to depart from the genre with regards to this important aspect of storytelling?
While some fantasy novels feature lengthy descriptions and details about the various inhabitants, to me Mother's Curse, Daughter's Justice, and the subsequent books that will be in the series, are foremost about the main characters: Stephenie, Henton, and Kas. The backdrop of the world, while important, really is a backdrop and I have tried to embrace the idea of less being more. I am proud of the world I have created, but I am also willing to let the nuances soak in over time as they become relevant to the story. For those who like to find out more about the lands Stephenie has to explore and the history I have created for those lands, I try to put some extra information up on my website. I've been adding to it slowly, but have had requests for more information and will work to increase the frequency of the postings.

6. Which authors, film makers, and other sorts of storytellers serve as your primary influences in crafting this book series?
This is a good question. In all my reading, I cannot recall consciously thinking I would like to expand on a specific idea in my own stories. I am certain all the things I have read have had significant subconscious influences. I grew up with a mixture of the classics (Isaac Asimov, Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin, and Arthur C. Clarke) and contemporary writers such as Joel Rosenberg, Barbara Hambly, Jane Lindskold, and Kate Forsyth. There are, of course, many more I did not list. From TV and movies, I would tend to pull more influences from the scifi realm. For conscious influences, I would say I really liked the whit and humor of Farscape and how the characters got along. The only thing I can say I remember the actual spark of the idea was from the movie High Spirits. That movie lent me the idea that over many years ghosts would fall into a trance and continually relive an aspect of their lives, no longer aware of the world around them until something disturbed their environment.

7. How did you write the interactions between Stephenie and her mother without wanting to strangle the latter? And how did you craft such a formidable villain despite her maternal relation to our loveable hero?
Well, first off, I love my own mother, so no parental issues there. I do know she got a few questions when other people first saw the title and read Mother's Curse, but having been an early reviewer of the story, she's also a strong supporter. For Stephenie and her mother, I wanted the interaction between the two of them to be very toxic and antagonistic. Years of mutual hate meant they knew how to push each other's buttons and get under the other person's skin. Some of it I think I may have pulled from my experiences working in sales and dealing with difficult customers, but mostly it came from the number of years I worked in what was effectively the advanced support team of a crisis management center. Our job was to help people recover large computer systems that were in real trouble. It was high pressure work and not everyone could handle the customers who were themselves under incredible stress. A big part of the role was simply human psychology, empathizing with the customer and helping to make sure they knew you had their best interests at heart. It was really more managing the people than actually working to repair and troubleshoot the databases. A natural side effect of learning how to help reassure people in a crisis is an insight into how one could hurt people. Hopefully, I've managed to put those years of experience to good use in making believable villains.

8. Have any experiences, personal quirks, or people you know worked themselves into your writing? If so, how and where?
Well, not so much in Mother's Curse or Daughter's Justice. There is a lot of me in the characters, especially when it comes to the pragmatic nature of several of them, but I did not really draw from any other people. As a kid, I spent a fair amount of time gaming with my friends and that has lent me the ability to quickly imagine another person, craft some personality traits, and put on a different hat to play that part. However, the next book, tentatively titled Daughter's Revenge, will feature someone close to me in the pages. I've had numerous requests to include a character for our horse, Dollar (original show name was Silver Dollar due to a white mark on his withers about the size of a silver dollar). So, in book three, look for Stephenie and others to spend some time on horseback, and Dollar to be along for the journey.

9. When not writing, what do you like to do with your free time? Tell us something whacky and cool!
Free time? I don't quite understand the question. :-) I have had to narrow down my list of hobbies and "want-to-dos" considerably over the years. There is just not enough time in the day. However, the primary activities I keep up with include: Hiking. Though we lack any mountains to make it challenging, I try to spend time on a couple local trails. It is excellent time for working out specific plot details in my head. This year I have two different vacations planned, both of them involve a week of hiking with my wife. One will be in North Carolina, and the other will be on the west coast. I often mix photography in with the hiking. My wife and I are generally landscape photographers who want trees and mountains in almost every shot, though I do like shooting soft water. I'll definitely post a few shots of my vacations online after each of those trips. I also try to keep fit at the gym, but that unfortunately slips from time to time. However, I need to get back into proper condition to hike 15+ miles a day in the mountains with about 35 pounds of gear (cameras, lenses, and a tripod gets heavy). And of course, I read a lot of novels when I can. Though lately that has also been hit and miss. I always feel guilty reading something else when I can be working on my own novels. But sometimes I just have to take a day or so of solid reading and knock out a book simply for the joy of it.

10. What's next for the Heirs of Cothel Series, and when can we expect book three?
Book 3 is tentatively titled Daughter's Revenge. I will let the title imply what it will. As I have already alluded to, Stephenie and others will be going on another road trip, this time using horses. She will learn more about herself and continue to grow as a person. There will be a couple of new characters introduced, but aside from that, I don't want to give too much away. Regarding the release date, the first two books have released in the first quarter of the year. I am am aiming to move that up some, but a lot of things have to come together with the proper timing to make that happen. I will definitely keep everyone posted about when to expect book 3 on my website as things get closer.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Mother's Curse and Daughter's Justice eBook editions are just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing either or both of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include a Kindle Fire, $450 in Amazon gift cards, and 5 autographed copies of each book. All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!
To win the prizes:

Get your copy for just 99 cents
BONUS: The sequel is also discounted to 99 cents
Enter the Rafflecopter contest below
Visit the featured social media event

Mother's Curse is a coming of age story about the youngest Princess of Cothel and her efforts to save her father and brother from her mother's schemes, while at the same time, coming to terms with what it means to be a witch.

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes.

Daughter's Justice continues Stephenie's journey of discovery, where she must overcome national opposition to her being a witch as well as lead her friends and protectors on a mission to stabilize her countries finances.

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes.

Thaddeus Nowak is a writer of fantasy novels who enjoys hiking, photography, and the outdoors. Visit Ted on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Guest Post by author of The Emerald Ring, Dorine White plus Book Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Cleopatra’s Legacy Book 1- The Emerald Ring. A new action packed middle grade fantasy series from debut author, Dorine White.

Guest Post by author Dorine White

Many people believe that the road to publication is fast and easy. It is anything but. The Emerald Ring is my third manuscript. The first one I spent 3 years sending out, all to rejections. The second one is in a drawer waiting its turn. I jumped ahead to the third, because it felt like the right time for it. I spent a full year querying agents. Nothing. Agents are hard to get. They often only take on 1 new client a year.

Next, I went the editor route. I had great responses here. I got back many personal notes, and several times the manuscript went all the way up to the acquisitions committee, but, never a contract. After a year or so, I put it away and began editing my second manuscript.

I was just about to send out that manuscript when I felt that I should try one more time for The Emerald Ring. I sent it out to four more publishing houses. One day I came home and checked my email. There was a reply from Cedar Fort Books. I didn’t think much of it because up until that point nothing had turned up. When I opened the email, I sat in shock. They were offering a contract! I was so excited that I called my husband into the room to confirm that I was reading the email right.

Then the publication process began. It is long and time consuming, but the excitement carries you through. Now as my release date approaches I am overwhelmed with gratitude. It took almost a decade to get my debut novel published. There was a lot of waiting and wondering, but there were also a lot of wonderful friends that I met along the way.

So, what is The Emerald Ring about? Here is my own personal take:

The Emerald Ring is a fast-paced, action filled read for young readers. Kids won't get bored as they follow Sara's adventures.

Sara herself is a Guatemalan/American girl who yearns for adventure, but is crippled by nightmares. She also has a deep fear of becoming like her mother, who suffers from panic attacks. Sara evolves throughout the story, taking on her fears head first, and in the final scene, asks for her friends to turn out the lights. A total reversal of the first scene.

Cleopatra and Egypt are main themes of the novel, along with magic. For animal lovers, Cleopatra's cat takes a major role in the story as she guides Sara through her shape-shifting transformations and teaches her the magic uses of the emerald ring.

A fun-filled magical adventure with bits of history.

Exclusive sneak peek at chapter 1 for readers! ClickHere.

About the Author

My name is Dorine White.

My first book in The Cleopatra's Legacy series, The Emerald Ring which has just been published by Cedar Fort Books on May 14, 2013. It is a middle grade fantasy novel.

I am a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and the PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers Assoc.). I highly recommend joining either if you want to become a children's author or illustrator.

Author on Facebook Author's Website Author on Twitter

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF THE EMERALD RING

ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE THEIR OWN HARDCOPY OF THE BOOK
TWO RUNNER-UPS WILL RECEIVE THE EBOOK

Open Internationally
Ending on 9th June 2013 at 11.59pm EST

Enter Below and Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

The Storm Bottle by Nick Green plus $25 Amazon/Paypal Gift Card Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

The Storm Bottle
Swimming with dolphins is said to be the number one thing to do before you die. For 12-year-old Michael, it very nearly is. A secret boat trip has gone tragically wrong, and now he lies unconscious in hospital. But when Michael finally wakes up, he seems different. His step sister Bibi is soon convinced that he is not who he appears to be. Meanwhile, in the ocean beyond Bermuda’s reefs, a group of bottlenose dolphins are astonished to discover a stranger in their midst – a boy lost and desperate to return home. Bermuda is a place of mysteries. Some believe its seas are enchanted, and the sun-drenched islands conceal a darker past, haunted with tales of lost ships. Now Bibi and Michael are finding themselves in the most extraordinary tale of all.

Book Trailer

Praise
'I loved it... An absolute winner.' - LA Weatherly, author of the Angel Burn trilogy
'A writer who knows how to grip the imagination, make you sit on the edge of your chair, and make you laugh out loud.' - Michelle Lovric, author of The Undrowned Child, The Mourning Emporium and The Book of Human Skin
'If you only ever buy one Kindle book in your life (although that sounds a bit unlikely, now that I stop and think) this has to be it.' - The Bookwitch blog.

Author Nick Green Nick Green is a UK children's and YA author, best known for his trilogy The Cat Kin, published in the UK by Strident Publishing and in Germany by Ravensburger, and also as a BBC audiobook. He has appeared on BBC radio talking about his books, and has been shortlisted for two UK children's book awards. He regularly does school visits and other children's literary events. The Storm Bottle is his first straight-to-Kindle novel.

Twitter * Website

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/26/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

WINNERS of the SIGNED BOOK Giveaway for Swallowtail by Sheri Meshal are...............

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:37:00 +0000

THE THREE LUCKY WINNERS OF THE

SWALLOWTAIL SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY

ARE

KERRY A-D

DELEEN P-F

KERRI C-W

CONGRATULATIONS !!

Special thanks to our wonderful author, Sheri Meshal, for the prizes xx

Haven't Won ??

Don't Worry !!

You can still buy this fantastic book here.....

printed book ebook version

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Book excerpt from Mother's Curse by Thaddeus Nowak plus SIGNED BOOKS & $50 AMAZON GC GIVEAWAY and more......

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:32:00 +0000

Please enjoy this excerpt from the exciting and beautifully written YA fantasy, Mother’s Curse, by Thaddeus Nowak.

Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including a Kindle Fire, $450 in Amazon gift cards, and 5 autographed copies of each book.

Feeling slightly better for having a bit of light to keep with her, she continued down the street, occasionally looking through a window to see the remains of a room. After the third storefront she passed, she wondered at the reason all of the furniture and even drapes, carpets, and accessories had been left behind. Even in the desperate flight from Antar, people were still taking their belongings. They removed their drapes, even ones far less decorative then what Stephenie suspected were here. Why would everyone desert a city and yet leave almost everything behind as if they were simply going across town to visit a friend? She was hesitant to consider an answer. This city had been deserted and abandoned for a long time. Antar castle and city above had been there for as long as memory could recall and the original castle even before then. Had any of those above known about a city deep in the rocks under their feet, there would have been stories.

Stephenie used her stolen crystal to look into a shop that reminded her of a bakery, with a large oven in the back wall and the remains of shelves still partially attached to a side wall. The sparkle of something shiny and shaped like a pendant caught her eye. Looking closer at a mass on the floor, she paused and then stepped quickly away from the window as a shiver of fear rolled down her spine.

She closed her eyes, but the unmistakable image of a human skull laying on the floor would not leave her sight. She shivered again and looked up and down the street. Perhaps they didn’t leave.

Mustering her courage, Stephenie slowly approached the window again. She forced herself to look at the mass on the floor. Wiping away some of the dirt on the window, she could make out the arms and runners of a rocking chair mixed with what was likely clothing and the decayed bones of the person who’s head had rolled several feet away after the chair had collapsed. Bits of hair and desiccated skin clung to the skull, which was fortunately staring away from the window. The person died sitting in a chair and no one came to remove or bury the body?

Stephenie sniffed the air and thought about the strange odor she had been noticing since she had entered the city. It was a musty sweet smell. “Is this a plague city?” She felt her throat tightening with each breath and again quickly retreated from the window. She turned toward the way she had entered the city, ready to run back to the large doors and flee, but the dryness of her throat and the sound of water stopped her. If this is a plague city, then I am as good as dead and I might as well die after I’ve had something to drink.

Slowly, she turned around and continued down the street, no longer bothering to look into the store fronts. The rot and death they held did not interest her anymore.

She passed several side streets, but continued following the slowly turning main street because the sound of water was getting louder in the direction it was heading. After a short time, the street opened into another large plaza at least a hundred feet in diameter. Several streets exited the round plaza, but at the very center, lit with several points of glowing light was a fountain. Its water pushed up from a center mound and cascaded down several stone statues into a series of white marble bowls. The fountain was a dozen feet high and thirty feet across.

Drawn by thirst, Stephenie quickly reached the edge of the fountain and could feel a cool mist splashing over her. Knowing she would die slowly and painfully from whatever disease had killed the residents of this city, she did not care if the water was poison as long as it tasted fresh. Taking a small sip, she tested the flavor and found it cleaner than what she was used to in the castle. Scooping up more water with her hands, she drank deeply before noticing how dirty her hands had become. After quickly rubbing away the dirt, she moved a couple feet away and continued to drink until her stomach felt full.

Relieved of her thirst, she sat down next to the fountain and buried her face in her wet hands. She sobbed with frustration and relief in one confused wail. While she would not die of thirst, how was she going to get out and warn her father and Joshua about her mother’s betrayal? She cradled her cut arm in her lap and leaned back with her eyes closed. I’ve got light and some water, but what good would warning everyone do if I bring a plague to them? She shook her head. Damn it, why do the gods hate me so? Fundamentally, she knew her tie with Elrin, even if a result of her mother’s doing, was her real damnation. She could not bring herself to worship the demon god and she dared not seek out the other gods for fear the priests would sense her connection to Elrin.

Opening her eyes, she stared at her foot prints along the cobbled street. A lone trail to remind her that she had to do whatever it was she was going to do on her own. There was no one to help her.

She sat silently staring into the distance for some time. Then she blinked her eyes, uncertain that she was not imagining it, but after a moment, there was definitely a strange luminescence moving down the street. As it grew closer, she scrambled to her feet, recognizing the dim outlines of a human form. The apparition was moving in her direction. She quickly moved away from the fountain, but as it closed on the fountain, it appeared not to notice Stephenie at all. Instead, it held its, or her, hands as if carrying something. When it reached the fountain, it leaned over as if scooping up water.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Mother's Curse and Daughter's Justice eBook editions are just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing either or both of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include a Kindle Fire, $450 in Amazon gift cards, and 5 autographed copies of each book. All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

Get your copy for just 99 cents
BONUS: The sequel is also discounted to 99 cents
Enter the Rafflecopter contest below
Visit the featured social media event

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes.

Daughter's Justice continues Stephenie's journey of discovery, where she must overcome national opposition to her being a witch as well as lead her friends and protectors on a mission to stabilize her countries finances.

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes.

Thaddeus Nowak is a writer of fantasy novels who enjoys hiking, photography, and the outdoors.

Visit the author on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

WINNERS Update

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:30:00 +0000

WINNER OF THE

$25 GIFTCARD IS

JESS W

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

WINNERS OF THE

PRIZE PACKS ARE

TINA M

KERRY A

SHELLY H

TINA H

LECEA L

AND THE WINNERS FOR THE

EBOOKS ARE

DEEPAK M

TERRI S

KIMBERLY S

MEGHAN S

DARLENE M

APRIL H

JENNIFER M

GABRIELLE L

SARAH D

KRISTIE H

CONGRATULATIONS !!

THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE

$25 GIFT CARD AND GIFT BAG IS

AMBER H

CONGRATULATIONS !!

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

BOOK TOUR - It's Just A Dog by Russ Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:30:00 +0000

What if your dog died and then came back as a ghost…that could talk? Would you welcome him back with open arms or run away scared to death?

This is the premise of IT’S JUST A DOG, a new novel about love, loss, and one man’s dog who rises up yapping from the grave.

Charlie Keefe is not just your typical dog lover –– he’s a world famous dog painter, a.k.a. “The Picasso of Pooch Portraits”. Unfortunately, Charlie’s beloved muse, Pete, his lovable Jack Russell terrier, has just died. And he’s totally devastated by the loss of his furry best friend.

So, after months of grieving over his dearly departed soulmate, Charlie reluctantly agrees to foster a new puppy –– a cute Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Brownie from the local animal shelter. Soon after, Charlie is surprised to find himself falling head over heels with this new puppy girl, his ‘Rebound Dog’, as he calls her –– as well as being romantically attracted to Janelle Jordan, the head hound at the dog rescue.

But then complications arise when the ghost of his old dog, Pete, mysteriously reappears one night and comes back to haunt him and the new puppy –– setting off a bizarre chain of events that throw Charlie’s life, career, and entire belief system into chaos!

If you’ve enjoyed such classic dog books as The Art of Racing in the Rain and A Dog’s Purpose, then you are bound to find a place in your heart for IT’S JUST A DOG.

IT’S JUST A DOG is not just for dogs. It’s for anyone who has ever lost a pet –– and learned to love again. If you’re a feel-good fan of dog books, make IT’S JUST A DOG your special treat!

Author Russ Ryan's Website

Russ Ryan and his late dog, Charlie Dickens

Aside from being a dog lover and a dog widower, RUSS RYAN has written and developed screenplays with the Hollywood producers of American Pie, Final Destination, and Fireflies in the Garden. He was also a writer on a really bad teen comedy, National Lampoon’s Repli-kate, starring Eugene Levy. This is his first novel.

In addition, he is the creator of Meansheets, a vintage movie poster blog that focuses on the greatest artists and illustrators from the 1940′s-1980′s.

"Follow my Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads pages"

Buy the book from....

Amazon.com - printed book

Amazon.com - ebook

Amazon.co.uk - printed book
Amazon.co.uk - ebook

Barnes and Noble

As an added bonus, 50% of the sales during the book’s initial 3-month summer launch (through Sept. 2, 2013 – Labor Day) will be donated to Muttville, a San Francisco-based senior dog rescue, which believes that every dog deserves a happy ending.
If you want to learn more about Muttville Dog Rescue, please visit their website.

amazon.co.uk amazon.com

WINNERS OF THE DAYNIGHT GIVEAWAY ARE......................

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:31:00 +0000

WINNERS OF THE DAYNIGHT GIVEAWAY

ARE

SUSAN B
BRYNNA N
LEANNE G
JULIE L
DOVILE
SUE F
KIM R
ADELA C
SHELLEY S
VANNAH B
ROBIN G
CASSIE P
BRIANNA
JESSICA N

CONGRATULATIONS !!

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

WINNER OF THE Brood X $300 Home Depot Gift Card Giveaway is......................

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:26:00 +0000

WINNER OF THE

Brood X $300 Home Depot Gift Card Giveaway

IS

Daraya

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

MVM Giveaway Linkup !!

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:34:00 +0000

Welcome to the best Giveaway Linkup on the web hosted by Moms with Voices Media! This is a great place to list and find giveaways hosted all around the blogosphere by some great bloggers.

List your giveaways below.
Hop over and enter 1 or 2 (or all) of the giveaways! If you're the lucky winner, we'd love to hear!

For more giveaways, sweeps and contests, check out our Giveaway Group on Facebook.

Join our facebook group

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

BOOK TOUR - Guiamo - Book 1 of The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo by Marshall Best

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:58:00 +0000

A historical fantasy series which starts in 60 B.C. and spans hundreds of years covering many of the historical legends, myths, battles and people of England, Scotland and Ireland. It is the story of young Guiamo Durmius Stolo, abandoned at the age of 10. Through the kindness and wisdom of others, his inventive and courageous spirit and a gift from the god Mars, Guiamo will change the world.

Guiamo Book One - In 60 B.C., ten-year-old Guiamo Durmius Stolo, an exceptionally gifted Roman orphan, is abandoned in Gaul . Left to fend for himself, Guiamo is set onto a path of legend. Recognized by the gods as having world-changing talents, he is given a weapon that changes his destiny and the world's forever.

Combining legitimate legends with actual historical events, Marshall Best weaves an epic story that portrays the ancient world as it might have been, a world which the ancient historians recorded as fact; a time when gods ruled the earth and strange creatures dominated the land. It is the era of civilized conquerors exploring distant and primitive new lands. Scant recordings left to us today by ancient writers only touch on the fringe of the fantastic and brutal reality that existed in those distant lands of the west. Into this age, young Guiamo enters the world stage as the great game-changer, and by his hand the gods and beasts become destined to disappear into myth and legend

Author Marshall Best's website

"The book was full of powerful and inspirational characters. I could easily relate to many of Guiamo's challenges as he matured from a child to a young man. I can't wait to read the next book in this series." - review from Amazon.com

"A captivating story of a 10 year old boy abandoned in Rome during the era of Julius Ceasar." - review taken from Goodreads

Marshall Best is an avid reader, father of six and business owner. In the past several years he has found his love of writing as well. What began as a desire to write a story for his children has evolved into a nine book series.

Marshall has done extensive research into the history behind the legends, people and places of England, Scotland and Ireland involved in his books. He loves being able to weave real people and legends into his stories making them come alive. He is definitely a writer that tends to the details often mapping out timetables, calendars, geneologies, etc. that pertain to his book to ensure that it is as realistic as possible.

Marshall also enjoys putting real life issues into his books, delving into a bit of philosophy while entertaining with orcs, dragons, magic and battles. He is someone who loves a grand adventure but makes sure it's not a shallow one.

"Follow my Blog, Facebook, Twitter and my Goodreads pages"

Buy the book from......

Other books in the Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo

Cumoro (Book 2)

Guiamo Durmius Stolo sails in 55 B.C. with Rome's 7th Legion as Julius Caesar invades Britain. But Caesar has not before encountered the Fomori, a dominion of wicked creatures which wage war against the human inhabitants and dominate much of Britain. Armed with his god-made spear, Guiamo joins with the tribal kings against their Fomori foe when Caesar departs.

Morlanos (Book 3)

Having destroyed the Fomori in Britain , Guiamo Durmius Stolo decides in 51 B.C. to bring the Cruthin people, once slaves to the Fomori, to Ireland , but encounters the Fomori who reside there as well. Guiamo discovers that the gods venerated by the Druids are unworthy. The gods are displeased with him and begin to work against him.

Inis Emain Ablach (Book 4)

In 50 B.C. Guiamo Durmius Stolo finds himself victor over the detested Fomori whose leader, Cichol, is slain and those few who survived are scattered. Guiamo explores the secret places where Cichol kept his most important secrets and discovers there the treasures of Cichol's master, the goddess Domnu.

amazon.co.uk amazon.com

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Guest Post by author of Sweet Mercy, Ann Tatlock plus Book Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Tour Schedule

Sweet Mercy

Stunning coming-of-age drama set during the Great Depression and Prohibition

When Eve Marryat's father is laid off from the Ford Motor Company in 1931, he is forced to support his family by leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, and moving back to his Ohio roots. Eve's uncle Cyrus has invited the family to live and work at his Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.

Eve can't wait to leave St. Paul, a notorious haven for gangsters. At seventeen, she considers her family to be "good people," not lawbreakers like so many in her neighborhood. Thrilled to be moving to a "safe haven," Eve soon forms an unlikely friendship with a strange young man named Link, blissfully unaware that her uncle's lodge is anything but what it seems.

When the reality of her situation finally becomes clear, Eve is faced with a dilemma. Does she dare risk everything by exposing the man whose love and generosity is keeping her family from ruin? And when things turn dangerous, can she trust Link in spite of appearances?

Barnes & Noble * Amazon * Bethany House

Guest Post from Author Ann Tatlock

How fun to be a guest on a blog that originates in the UK! My husband Bob and I honeymooned in England. Sort of. It was 1992 and I was on staff of a magazine that sent me to England to do a story. When I was given the assignment, Bob and I were engaged. We decided to go ahead and get married right before the departure date so Bob could accompany me. Of course, the magazine’s staff photographer came along too. So there we were, the three of us jetting to London. And it was a working honeymoon to boot. But what a time! We drove all over the country interviewing folks and finally ended up in Scotland where, a week later, we flew home from Glasgow.

One of the London stories we like to tell is how we were down in the underground waiting for a train when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. I didn’t understand what was said. I only knew that suddenly everyone had disappeared. “Come on,” Bob yelled, tugging at my hand. “It’s a bomb! He said to evacuate!” And so we, like everyone else, ran up the stairs and back into the sunlight. We were the last ones out. The photographer was on the sidewalk waiting for us. Turns out it wasn’t a bomb at all, just another threat.

Enough reminiscing. And you may be wondering what this has to do with my book, Sweet Mercy. Well, not much, really—except that the main character, Eve Marryat, also lived in a time when you could never be sure whether a bomb might go off or someone might be gunned down on the sidewalk in front of you. In fact, Eve was walking in downtown St. Paul, MN, with her parents one afternoon when a car drove by with a machine-gun sticking out the back window, and next thing Eve knew the man ahead of them lay in a bloody heap on the steps of a Jewish deli.

America was in the midst of Prohibition (1920-1933), an era in which the government outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcohol. And as soon as the feds said no one could drink, everyone wanted to drink. Moonshine was made everywhere and genuine liquor was brought in over the borders and bootlegging became a lucrative business for a whole bunch of folks who didn’t mind working on the wrong side of the law. Prohibition ushered in the Golden Age of Gangsters in America, with men like Al Capone and Bugs Moran raking in millions by providing the drink for a thirsty nation.

In 1931, St. Paul was a safe haven for criminals. That’s why Eve was thankful to leave St. Paul and move to Mercy, Ohio, where her uncle Cyrus owned the Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge. For Eve, the island was a paradise where she could finally feel safe. No more gangsters. No more money launderers, kidnappers, murderers or prison escapees living next door. And no more bootleggers to deal with either.

But people and places aren’t always what they seem. Sometimes, we don’t even fully know our own selves. I hope you’ll join me on Marryat Island where Eve discovers more than she bargained for, including the meaning of Sweet Mercy.

Ann Tatlock

Ann Tatlock is the author of the Christy-Award winning novel Promises to Keep. She has also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association "Book of the Year" in fiction for both All the Way Home and I'll Watch the Moon. Her novel Things We Once Held Dear received a starred review from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly calls her "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths, and her lovely prose reminds readers why it is a joy to savor her stories." Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, North Carolina.

Website * Facebook * Goodreads

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a copy of 3 of Ann's Books Sweet Mercy, Travelers Rest and Promises to Keep Open to US & Canada Only Ends 5/21/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Excerpt from Journey of Promise by Vickie Hall plus $25 Amazon/Paypal Gift Card Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Tour Schedule

Journey of Promise
When converts Richard and Leah Kenyon leave Wales and heed the call to Zion, they are unprepared for the toll exacted by the journey. To face the incredible odds mounted against them they call upon the Lord's tender mercies to see them through and strengthen their love for one another. Their story will remind you where to turn during your trials.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Book Excerpt

The boat’s six boilers churned with monstrous pent-up energy, waiting to drive the steam power forward and commanding the craft up river. The strikers, men in charge of the engines, monitored their pressure gauges and all appeared within range as the firemen fed the hungry furnaces.

As the passengers neared the waiting gangplank, a deafening blast assaulted their senses. A tremendous and unexpected boiler explosion sent a third of the vessel sailing into the air. Bodies from the ship went flying in all directions, some into the river, some raining on land along with splintered shards of jagged wood and twisted bits of metal.

Great plumes of hissing steam stretched into the sky, spraying all in its path for a considerable radius. Anyone who inhaled the steam died instantly, while others succumbed to excruciating burns caused by the heated water and sprays of steam. Screams of pain and shouts for help erupted in the aftermath as the debris from the explosion settled all around.

Those on the bank were shocked and stunned, momentarily frozen in time as the catastrophic event unfolded before them. Gradually their senses were drawn from the shock, and they raced toward the carnage, screaming and praying.

The furnaces of hot coals were exposed and splayed throughout the deck, making the possibility of fire a serious threat. Hissing vents of scalding steam continued to spew from the exposed boilers. The trapped crewmen screamed for help but their fates were sealed and their cooked flesh peeled from their bones without effort.

Within minutes, chains of people were assisting the wounded from the boat. A fire erupted near the engine house, small at first, but it rapidly accelerated. The enormity of the wreckage was astounding, made even more surreal by the encroaching fire.Piteous cries could be heard from beneath the ruins. Many of the crew tried to douse the fire with buckets of water, but it soon became pointless and futile, and they abandoned the attempt. They took up axes and started to chop through the wreckage trying to free those they could. Within a few more minutes, the fire drove the men back and they were forced to desert further pains to save anyone left alive. The horrifying screams of those trapped without rescue grew to a sickening crescendo as the fire neared. They begged for mercy as the flames began to lap at their extremities and then their voices fell silent, their torturous end completed.

All That Was Promised
In 1847 Wales Methodist Minister Richard Kenyon converts to Mormonism. Richard’s newfound faith is put to the test when he faces the anger of his former congregation, his wife’s indecisiveness, his brother’s betrayal, and the murderous intentions of misinformed villagers.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Vickie Hall
Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Links:

Blog * Website Facebook * Goodreads

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/26/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

WINNER OF THE RAYMOND HAK COUTURE RING IS.....................

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:30:00 +0000

THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE

RAYMOND HAK COUTURE RING

AMY B

CONGRATULATIONS !!

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

WINNERS UPDATES ........................

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:30:00 +0000

THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE

$25 AMAZON/PAYPAL GIFTCARD

JESS W

CONGRATULATIONS !!

THE LUCKY WINNERS OF THE

I HAVE PEOPLE PRIZE PACKS

ARE

TINA M

KERRY A

SHELLY H

TINA H

LECEA L

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

THE LUCKY EBOOK WINNERS

ARE

DEEPAK M

TERRI S

KIMBERLY S

MEGHAN S

DARLENE M

APRIL H

JENNIFER M

GABRIELLE L

SARAH D

KIRSTIE H

CONGRATULATIONS !!

THE LUCKY WINNER

THERESA

CONGRATULATIONS !!

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Book Review - The Searcher by Ray Dacolias

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Book Review

The Searcher

by Ray Dacolias

Book Description

Joaquin Bridger is a former soldier who settles in the town of Redwood, becomes a police officer, marries, and has a daughter. He and his family live there peacefully for ten years, and then tragedy strikes.

His wife and daughter are killed in a confrontation with bank robbers, and he blames himself. He quits the police force and begins a wandering, aimless life around town, walking wherever he goes—silent, brooding, filthy. He exists like this for five years.

The majority of people in town see him as a man who is mentally disabled. Few people dare bother him.

Then one day, John Slaughter, the man who was responsible for the death of Joaquin’s family, comes back to this town. After robbing the bank with his fellow criminals, he kidnaps a young girl as he gets away. Joaquin recognizes the man, and gives chase. Thus, the tale begins.

Slaughter is no ordinary criminal. He has bases of operation across the country, and he is involved in nefarious activities with foreign and domestic criminals. He never stays too long in one spot, making it extremely difficult for Joaquin to track him across the vast wilderness.

Sylvia, the girl Slaughter kidnapped, is nearly nine years old when the story begins, and as she meets other girls who were also taken by Slaughter, she learns how to survive as she awaits rescue.

Back in the town of Redwood, Sylvia’s mother, Juanita, does whatever she can to search for her daughter. She also knows that Joaquin is searching for Sylvia, and this brings her some comfort.
Joaquin has been helped, from the beginning of the search, by two men who believe in him—a U.S. Marshal, and a police officer from Redwood.

Joaquin searches for the child across several Western states. As he tracks Slaughter, he also deals with the loss of his wife and daughter, and his failed life the last five years.

Along the way, as he regains the rich frontier heritage of his forefathers by learning to co-exist peacefully with Nature, he meets a big man called the Giant. It is the Giant who teaches Joaquin how to live in peace and harmony with oneself; it is the Giant who teaches Joaquin simply how to live.

Our Book Review

It is a long time since I picked up a book and gone wow after the first couple of pages, but this book made me do exactly that.

The authors descriptive writing of both the characters and their surroundings draw the reader in and you actually envisage yourself being there alongside them.

You follow our hero on a trail of excitement and dogged determination in his quest. After being haunted by the killing if his family our hero begins a life of homelessness and wandering. When the man who is responsible of the killing of the heroes family robs the local bank and kidnaps a young girl our hero sets off to find and return the girl.

The writer will touch the hearts of every parent and release their worst nightmare their child being snatched and taken by a stranger.

The methods and survival techniques used by Joaquim (our hero) in tracking the kidnappers is expertly described and the emotions he is feeling make you believe you are travelling alongside him .

The writer also spends a lot of time on the villain of the piece and you get a feeling and the understanding of his motives, which makes you want him to be caught and receive justice.

The reason that I really love this book is the authors use of language and descriptive terms which enhance the characters bringing each and everyone of them to life .This author has a unique style of writing which will appeal greatly to any reader and I strongly recommend him.

This book carries a really strong message of hope and faith when you believe you have nothing left to live for. Something comes along which shows that God made you for a reason and you have to survive to find your true path and learn to live again.

Our Rating

amazon.co.uk amazon.com

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

WINNERS of The Traces of Kara Giveaway are............................

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

WINNERS OF THE

TRACES OF KARA

$10 AMAZON GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY

ARE

R FLAVIN

C RENEE

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Special thanks to author, Melissa Foster, for these prizes xx

Haven't Won ??

Don't Worry!!

You can treat yourself and buy a copy of Traces of Kara still :-)

amazon.co.uk amazon.com

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Help Bring Home Madeleine McCann, TODAY IS HER 10TH BIRTHDAY – #Blogging4Madeleine

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

http://findmadeleine.com/home.html

Whilst on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday 3rd May 2007,
a beautiful and loved little girl was horrendously snatched from her TRUE loving family and kin

Today is Madeleine's 10th Birthday

Somebody Somewhere......
Somebody somewhere knows that little piece of information that could find Madeleine
Somebody somewhere knows they can help end this families tragic nightmare
Somebody somewhere, no matter how they try, can not lay what they know to rest
Somebody somewhere can never forget, even for second, the burden they carry
Somebody somewhere is weighed down with guilt but can help
Somebody somewhere realises that this little girl is not to blame
Somebody somewhere knows they must do the right thing to find true peace
Somebody somewhere knows that now is the time to put things right
Somebody somewhere, is that YOU?

This is the latest age-progression image of Madeleine, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police

Contact information to report any sightings or information, no matter how small you think it is

Your local police force immediately,

AND +44 845 838 4699 or investigation@findmadeleine.com

OR Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

"Madeleine is a warm, life-enriching little person who has always been a wonderfully loving and caring big sister to Sean and Amelie."

http://findmadeleine.com/home.html

The #Blogging4Madeleine Campaign has been lovingly arranged by AMummysView

It is also International Missing Children Day on 25th May and there's a Big Tweet campaign for it, if you can help spread the word please go here and missingkids.co.uk

PLEASE DON'T REGRET NOT HELPING ANY LONGER

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Jade and the Tooth Fairy by Jacinta Zechariah

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Sat, 11 May 2013 08:30:00 +0000

A magical tale about a little girl called Jade who stays up to meet the Tooth Fairy and goes to fairyland with her. She is also in for a pleasant surprise when she finds out what happens to all the teeth the Tooth Fairy takes!

Buy the book

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Smashwords

"Fairies and magic, castles and flying, Santa and treasures-- JADE AND THE TOOTH FAIRY is guaranteed to appeal to the imaginations of our wee ones." - Eileen Schuh, Author

The illustrations are perfect for the book, and the story and rhymes are amazing. I wish I had this book when I was a child. Losing my teeth wouldn't have been so frightening! I would definitely recommend this book. The only downside is that it is so good, you won't want it to end. Hopefully, Jacinta Zechariah will write more soon! Excellent job! - Amazon.com

About the Author

Author Bio Jacinta Zechariah (nee Dias) lives in London, UK with her husband and 3 children – 2 daughters and a son. She loves travelling and being with her family. She has a teaching degree with a Masters in Literature but now spends her time writing and marketing her book. When she is not busy with her children she is busy writing her future books and content for her blog. She began writing at a very early age when she and her sister would make little paper books where she would write and her sister would illustrate. She writes poetry and has had a few poems published in anthologies. Jade and the Tooth Fairy is her debut book and has been written with her daughter Jadyn in mind. She loves writing and would love to inspire more people to get involved in reading especially children.

Find the author on
Author's Website

Amazon.com Author central

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

amazon.co.uk amazon.com

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

New poetry book, Acorn, for Yoko Ono

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Acorn, according to New York-based independent publisher OR Books, is an extension of the "intricate strands" Ono first wove together in Grapefruit, the "book of instructions and drawings" she published in 1964. The book, which comes out in June, is "classic Yoko", said the publisher, "full of intriguing and surreal exercises [which invite] the reader to uncover profound and often complex truths, in words and imagery that are playful and accessible".

OR Books described the Acorn manuscript as “an extension” of Ono’s 1964 art book, Grapefruit. Ono has collaborated with other writers on books, but this is her first book published by herself in nearly 50 years.

In addition to the paperback and ebook editions, OR Books is publishing a collector's edition of Acorn, bound in cloth, boxed, and signed by the author in a numbered edition of 285 copies. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the advocacy organization Autism Speaks. The collector's edition will ship in July.

"It’s nearly 50 years ago that my book of conceptual instructions Grapefruit was first published. In these pages I’m picking up where I left off. After each day of sharing the instructions you should feel free to question, discuss and/or report what your mind tells you. I’m just planting the seeds. Have fun." —Yoko Ono, from the introduction to Acorn

PRE-ORDER NOW AND GET 15% OFF

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

MVM Giveaway Linkup !!

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:56:00 +0000

Welcome to the best Giveaway Linkup on the web hosted by Moms with Voices Media! This is a great place to list and find giveaways hosted all around the blogosphere by some great bloggers.

List your giveaways below.
Hop over and enter 1 or 2 (or all) of the giveaways! If you're the lucky winner, we'd love to hear!

For more giveaways, sweeps and contests, check out our Giveaway Group on Facebook.

Join our facebook group

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

UK - 60 Selected £0.99 Amazon Kindle Books

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:34:00 +0000

60 selected Kindle books available for £0.99 each until 11:59 pm, May 9, 2013 - click image.

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Book Humour - How Attractive?

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Fields of Elysium by A B Whelan Spotlight Post plus SIGNED BOOK / $25 Amazon/Paypal Giftcard / Swag Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Tour Schedule

Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan
How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Goodreads * Facebook

PRAISE
"The novel's take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans." - Kirkus Reviews

"I expected a good love story with a paranormal twist. I got so much more. I think you should take the chance and read it. Let this book take you on the adventure, fall in love." - Young Adult and Teen Readers

"Fields of Elysium is a fabulous read. ... Whelan paints her faith into the fabric of her story with deft, light brushstrokes, making her work accessible to all, no matter their spiritual beliefs or background." - Readers Favorite

"I escaped into this fantasy world, author, A.B.Whelan, created and I didn’t want Molly to go. From detailed descriptions, to sweet romance, and to all the twist and turns in the story, it had me captivated from page one." - Mary Ting, author of the Crossroads Saga

"Whelan's writing is very vivid and descriptive. It's more formal than the average YA novel, but I enjoyed the lyrical and mesmerizing quality to it. I thought the overall story read like a fairy tale--very sweet." - Megan Thomason, author of Daynight

Author A.B. Whelan
A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California. While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

$25 Tour Giveaway
PLUS

A gift bag of one signed copy of Fields of Elysium, a scrabble-tile pendant on a necklace, and a fridge magnet

Ends 5/15/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://www.iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com

Helping traditional local crafters around the world @novica

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon Martin) — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:39:00 +0000

I really wanted to bring your attention to a wonderful site called Novica, incase you still had not come across it. Novica provide a wonderful way for local artists and crafts people around the world to showcase their homemade talents and beautiful quality items worldwide, without which they would only rely on local trade or tourism. The best part is that there is no charge for them to display their items on the website.

I was really touched when I came across the site a while ago now as it reminded me of a similar purchase I made in Bulgaria. We took a day trip into the REAL Bulgaria, away from all the tourist resorts into a lovely old small village where all the locals displayed their handmade crafts in front of their homes. It was a beautiful place and we loved going round each stall looking at all their wonderful produce. We decided on a small handmade rug which has been part of our home ever since and has always reminded us of the local folk. Unfortunately some years later now it's looking a little worse for wear but I begrudge parting with it, which is why when I came across the Novica site I completely understood the importance of buying these special, unique and hard to find goods that you probably could not get unless you were again on holiday.

They sell a wide range of goods such as special gifts, home decor, paintings, clothing, jewellery and gift cards, but for me my first thought was rugs!! It was quite simple to browse the rugs from the different sizes or rugs from different countries or from the curated collections. That was something else I noticed, if you love Pinterest your going to love this, you can actually make your own collection boards for the products, designs or artists that you love by curating them and your collections can be shown on the main site, which can also be shared on your social media sites.

I chose a beautiful wool Inca Cross rug from the Andes (Titled "Cruz Inca" in Spanish). I really liked the way the product page included information on the rug maker, Zosimo Laura, as well as being able to find other items made by him.

'Zosimo Laura was born in the department of Ayacucho, the capital of Peruvian handicrafts, on April 4, 1964. He comes from a respected family of weavers and, like his grandparents and brothers, he has learned the marvels of this art.

For Laura, his greatest inspiration is the pleasure his work produces in others. He intends to pass down the techniques used since ancient times by creating captivating products of superb quality.

Like many other residents of the Ayacucho countryside, Zosimo and his family were forced to abandon their homeland due to turmoil and violence. They moved to an urban center where they faced innumerable obstacles. However, Laura's dedication has allowed him to succeed in a new city. He says that soon he will teach his children the textile art, although they are still in school and too young to begin.

Zosimo utilizes alpaca, sheep wool, and cotton in the fabrication of his pieces, while both natural and synthetic dyes create the enthralling blend of colors. The two-pedaled loom is his primary tool.'

When the rug arrived it was wrapped so beautifully that I had to take a picture to show you.

I also received a lovely small gift card with the makers information and rug details as well as a postcard showing some alpacas.

'Precisely woven of virgin wool, the Andean cross was a sacred emblem for the Inca. Zosimo Laura combines brilliant colors for this beautiful scatter rug. It is edged with hand-tied fringe.'

The rug itself is absolutely beautiful, so well made and soft to the touch.

I was quite surprised by the rugs thickness. The colours of the rug really stand out and what makes it so much more special is knowing that it has come from traditional methods from a local crafter that will be helped with the purchase, just like I would have bought if I had been on holiday there.

Whilst on the site I also had to take a look at the jewellery section, there are some gorgeous pieces of jewellery available from Amethyst Dangle Earrings , Garnet Dangle Earrings , Amber Earrings , to Silver Pendant Necklaces and Silver Cocktail RingTake a look at the Novica website, you will not be disappointed.

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"My treasured Bulgarian rug full of wonderful memories."

Sharon x

http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com