Bookworm Lisa~

Having a Book Blast for "Rift Healer" by Diane M. Haynes

2013-06-18T03:30:00.000-06:00

Rift Healer

Rift Healer is the first installment of the 'Forest Magic' series, a Young Adult Fantasy/Romance set in Central and Western Massachusetts. After a minor earthquake, the enchanted forest in Bidwell, MA, is infested with monster-spewing rifts. Gisele Westerfield's great nephew, the gifted Micah, and his distant cousin, Selena, arrive to assist. Together with Gisele's summer students, twins Haley and Lacey, they will try to heal the magical forest. Much to the consternation of the beautiful Selena, Micah identifies Haley as The One whom he'll share his future. But after witnessing a terrifying display of Micah's Gift, Haley cools to his advances and unexpectedly discovers her own Gift-- she can heal the earth. Monsters, mayhem, and teenage angst follow the small group as they confront evil in the forest and a dangerous prediction that 'one will fall'. Will they heal the rifts in time? Can they save the unicorns? And is Haley really destined to be with Micah?

Amazon

Author Diane M. Haynes

Diane has lived in Massachusetts all her life where early on, her artistic talents were fostered, though her skills as an "excellent report writer" were often noted in previous employment. On her brother Rick's birthday, November 16, 2004, seven months after his death, she woke from an amazing dream which would not fade. She outlined the dream, made a few quick notes and days later produced a 12 page short story. After deciding her story was interesting but incomplete, she began writing her first novel, using her dream as its climax. She now believes the dream to be a 'Spirit Gift,' sent by her brother. Diane continues to reside in Central MA with her husband and a very naughty Basset Hound named Basil and his new adopted sister-Basset, Ruby, both of whom cleverly wreak havoc on the Haynes' formerly well-ordered lives. She spends her time writing, reading books about writing, talking about writing, painting with watercolors, antiqueing and attempting to train a very reluctant Basil and a willing, but highly comedic Ruby.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/4/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Living Your Covenants Every Day by Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt

2013-06-17T04:00:00.000-06:00

Tour Schedule

Living Your Covenants Every Day The little things we do on a daily basis don’t just matter—they can make all the difference. Intentional daily acts focused on covenant-keeping will bind us to the Savior as we are deliber- ate and determined to follow Him in small and simple ways. Drawing upon the teachings and lives of ancient and modern prophets, author Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt identifies patterns of truth that encourage increased commitment to covenant relationships while diminishing the binding grip of the adversary. Included are chapters on the need to be consistent in covenant- keeping, on recognizing Satan’s tactics and lies, on undoing self-destructive routines, on the role of the Spirit to help us both feel and follow promptings, and on the power of daily scripture study and prayer in establishing habits that reinforce and sup- port our commitment to the Savior.

Amazon * Deseret Book

Author Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt is currently an assistant visiting faculty member at Brigham Young University and a recent addition to Deseret Book’s Time Out for Women events. A former seminary and institute instructor, she earned a PhD from Arizona State University in lifespan developmental psychology, focusing on women and social issues. She is married to Jed Platt, and the couple lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Website * Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/27/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal ~ "Immortals" by Ednah Walters

2013-06-17T02:00:00.000-06:00

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something… Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology but that doesn’t stop her from falling hard for him. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her or that she saved him by making a deal with Norns—Norse destiny deities—the same Norns who have now erased his memories of their past together to punish her. So Raine comes up with a plan... She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again. But before Raine can put her plan into action, the Norns return. This time, they demand she protects Eirik Seville, her best friend since childhood, from an evil so dark even the Norns are scared. But you know what they say about well-laid plans… Caught between protecting Eirik and convincing the stubborn, cocky Torin St. James that the two of them are meant to be together, Raine's life slowly unravels. Friendships are tested. Enemies become allies. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.

Release Date: August 5th 2013 by Firetrail Publishing

About Edah: EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans. Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS. Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six.

* You can visit her online at www.ednahwalters.com or www.ebwalters.com.
* Connect with Ednah: Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Vote For Torin St. James at The YA SISTERHOOD Crush Tourney on June 17th.

Enter the reveal giveaway using the Rafflecopter.
This contest is not sponsored by Bookworm Lisa. This is being handled through Hidden Passion Reviews. Click on the link below to be taken to the form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This may become the ebook cover. Here is a sneak peak at what it might look like.

New Release ~ "15 Minutes" by Jill Cooper

2013-06-15T02:00:00.001-06:00

15 Minutes

I have 15 minutes to save my mother’s life…. 15 minutes is all the Rewind Agency gives you in the past, but for Lara Crane it’senough time to race through the city, find her mother, and stop her from being killed in a mugging that happened over ten years ago. But that’s not how it happened. The story she’s been told all her life is a lie and when Lara takes a bullet meant for her mother, her future changes forever. The love of her life acts like a stranger. Her simple life is replaced with a giant house, glamorous clothes and a new boyfriend. Except someone knows her secret. And he will try to stop her at every turn as she races against the clock to unravel a dangerous conspiracy. 15 Minutes is an edgy high octane YA thriller that can be described as Back to the Future meets Inception where the people Lara trusts change in an instant. She is in a timeline she doesn't understand, and is about to make one fatal mistake as she faces an enemy so familiar, he’s family.

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Fill out the form to enter. This contest is being hosted by the author and she is responsible for prizes. It ends July 3. Digital is open INT and sunglasses to US Only

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Book Blast for "Culture Shock" by Jeanette Pekala

2013-06-15T02:00:00.000-06:00

CULTURE SHOCK is a witty tale of mystery and romance with a large helping of southern hospitality.

Macy Holmes is a seventeen-year-old socially-isolated introvert since her best friend's death a year ago. When her family decides to move from Manhattan to the quaint country town of Bougainvillea, Florida, Macy finds she's in a completely different world. Macy is no longer the outsider hiding behind designer clothes when she is sought out by three strange students, one of whom she is particularly interested in. The more time she spends with Chad the more things don't add up. When his true identity is finally revealed, Macy is pulled into a supernatural society with its saturation of inhabitants residing in Bougainvillea.

You would think she has enough on her plate, but no, then her dreams become infiltrated by an external magical force, Macy and her band of supernatural misfits must find the culprit behind the magic-induced nightmares. They must dodge zombie assassins, shifty shape-shifters and high school bullies in order to stop this perpetrator before Macy, her friends or her parents pay the ultimate price. Especially when Macy has the sneaking suspicion that these dreams are reality...

Excerpts from Culture Shock by Jeanette Pekala

There were two guys and one girl. The girl had severely long red wavy hair and flawless fair skin. She was supermodel skinny. Heroin-addict supermodel skinny. Her back was to me so I couldn’t get a good look at her face.

The first boy was sitting next to her. His back also to me, but when I first caught them spying, I noticed something peculiar about this boy. He was wearing a black hoodie, with the drawstrings tied so tight, the hood was covering nearly his whole face. He had dark aviator glasses on and gloves. Seriously, it’s like ninety-something degrees outside. Why on earth would you wear gloves? His skin, what was showing of it anyways, was even paler than the girl’s.

***

We found a spot over by the water free of sawgrass. It was a beautiful view. On the back end of the lake was a dense forest. It was dark just beyond the first set of trees. That was the only end of the lake that had remained uninhabited. There was a syrupy mist rising slowly off the surface of the water. It was creepy, but romantic in a sinister way. The sights, sounds, and smells all mingled together to create a scene an artist would love to capture with the stroke of his brush.

About the Author

After finishing her degree in Sociology from the University of Florida, Jeanette Pekala had no idea what she wanted to do with her life.

While her husband was deployed overseas, she focused on what she loved to do, write, where she has finally found an outlet for her overactive imagination.

She lives a not so normal life just a wee bit north of Bougainvillea where she resides with her husband and two children working on Shock Wave, book 2 in the Culture Shock Series.

Buy Links

Amazon eBook

Amazon Paperback

Createspace Paperback

Barnes & Noble (Nook)

Contact Links

Enter to win:

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Evertaster Blog Tour ~ By Adam Sidwell (Review/Giveaway)

2013-06-14T03:30:00.000-06:00

Tour Schedule

The Buttersmiths' Gold by Adam Glendon Sidwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: Received to Review

Genre: Middle Grade Action/Adventure

Book Description: BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and

through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

My thoughts:This is a cute addition to Evertaster. It is the story of the Buttersmith's and how they came to have the best butter in the world.

Torbjorn and Storfjell are two lovable vikings in Evertaster. They share the story of their clan with the pilot, also from Evertaster. The history of their clan is divinely touched. It is fun to have Nordic Mythology mentioned in this tale.

The story is imaginative and full of and adventure. Vikings fighting trolls, stuff great adventure is made of. Sometimes it's hard to come up with the words to explain the creativity in a book, for me this is one of those times. I would recommend reading Evertaster first. Then pick this up! This quick novella will make more sense after reading Evertaster.

Purchase at: Amazon

Evertaster, Book #1:

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

I have read and reviewed Evertaster. Check out my thoughts at this LINK.

Purchase at:

Amazon * Book Depository

Book Trailer

Author Adam Sidwell In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

Website Twitter Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/2/13 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://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $25 US. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get "Never Too Far" Free on Amazon until the 15th!

2013-06-14T02:00:00.000-06:00

FROM JUNE 13th to 15th find this amazing book FREE on Amazon!

NEVER TOO FAR

by Thomas Christopher

Quick Facts

Release Date: May 10, 2012

Genre: Science Fiction/ Adventure/ Dystopian

Formats: Kindle, Paperback.

Book Synopsis

A harrowing story of love and survival. In a future of scarce resources, where the possession of gas and diesel is punishable by death, a teenage boy and a pregnant girl must save their impoverished family. They risk their lives on a terrifying journey to sell stolen fuel on the black market.

KINDLE

GOODREADS

** No sex, very little bad language, some violent scenes**

Excerpt:

Mary surprised Joe by knocking his arms away. She was stronger than she looked. Then she swept her legs off the bed and sprang to her feet. She took two steps and turned to face him as if to prove there was nothing wrong with her. But there was definitely something wrong. She wavered a moment. Her already white face turned ghostly. Her eyelids trembled. She seemed to realize she was becoming faint, and what that meant.
“I’m fine,” she said. “You don’t have to go.”
Joe got ready to catch her in case she fell, but somehow she held herself steady.
“It’s okay,” Joe said. “Just sit down. I will go find some food.”
Joe inched toward her. He was afraid to grab her again because she might try to wrench free once more and really fall. When she coughed, her little shoulders jerked and her round stomach jumped. Her head was drooped low and her hair hung down so he couldn’t see her face at all.
“Come on, lay down,” Joe said.
She didn’t move. Joe stepped toward her, but before he could put his arms around her, she tilted forward and rested the crown of her head against his chest. He slid his arms along the sides of her hard belly and around her waist. Then he shifted her toward the bed again. She moved like a bundle of empty sacks in his arms. He set her gently on the bed before he bent down to lift her feet onto the sheets.
After he sat in the chair, Mary asked him, “What if you don’t come back?”
“That’s not going to happen,” Joe said.
“How do you know?”
“I just know. You have to trust me.”

The Author

Thomas Christopher grew up in Iowa. He received his MFA from Western Michigan University. His short stories have appeared in The Louisville Review, The MacGuffin, Redivider, and Cooweescoowee. He was also awarded an Irving S. Gilmore Emerging Artist Grant and was a finalist for the Matthew Clark Prize in Fiction. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and son.

Learn more about him here: http://thomaschristopher.weebly.com/

Also find him on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

DOWNLOAD THE BOOK HERE.

#TEAMTORIN ~ Have you joined the Torin street team from Ednah Walter's "Runes"?

2013-06-14T01:30:00.000-06:00

Recently I posted a review of Runes by Ednah Walters.

She is working hard to have her character Torin as the YA Crush Tourney winner.

If you are interested, here are some things that you can do to help.

1) Change your Twitter, Facebook, Google+, whatever, avatar into the cover of Runes OR the button up top.

2) TWEET #TEAMTORIN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN and rally your followers!

3) If you have a blog, I want you all to write a Post on why you loveTorin(which shouldn't be to hard to do) and all your favorite Torin quotes on the 16th. He battles on the 17th, so be sure to mention that too!

4) Put the button for Team Torin all over the internet.

Or and if you have not got to read Runes yet, then get up and get your copy now. You don't know what you have been missing.

It's $2.99 on Amazon Kindle!

Get Caught Giving ~ The Summer of A Million Gifts ~with Deseret Book (Giveaway)

2013-06-13T15:25:00.001-06:00

Deseret Book is kicking off a Summer of A Million Gifts

Prizes include an 8-day cruise, a missionary wardrobe, a wedding reception, and daily gifts!

Deseret Book is looking to give back this summer with its Summer of a Million Gifts. The store’s customers can anticipate random daily in-store gifts and an opportunity to win one of three grand prizes.

In June, one lucky customer will win an 8-day Caribbean Cruise with Alex Boye, British-born LDS singer and songwriter, courtesy of Morris Murdock Travel. In July, another will win a missionary wardrobe courtesy of Mr. Mac. And in August, one couple will win a wedding reception courtesy of Temple Square Hospitality.

The giving will take place online and in person at every store throughout the summer months. Each day on Deseret Book’s official Facebook page and in Deseret Book stores, an associate will give a gift to at least one customer a free pass to Lagoon theme park, double Platinum points, a free book at check-out, an act of service, or some other free prize.

More information about the Summer of a Million Gifts can be found online at DeseretBook.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/deseretbook, or in any of Deseret Book’s retail locations.

To start this wonderful campaign, Deseret Book is giving away a $50 Gift Card to one of it's stores, they even have an on-line store, for those who don't live close to one.

Fill in the rafflecopter form to enter. This is sponsored by Deseret Book, they are handling the announcement of the winner/prize distribution and the form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Trouble with Toads" by Danyelle Leafty" ~ Blog tour

2013-06-13T04:00:00.000-06:00

Tour Schedule

The Trouble With Toads by Danyelle Leafty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic copy for review
Genre: Fairy Tale (Middle Grade/Tween)

Book description: Once upon a time a young girl wanted revenge. But first, she wanted to be beautiful. Twelve-year-old Bettony has read enough stories that begin with ‘Once upon a time’ to know what happens to the ugly stepsisters at the end, and she’s determined to escape that fate by any means necessary—even by magic. Unfortunately, when it comes to magic, there is no place for regret, refunds, or exchanges. Even if you accidentally turn your older sister into a toad. If Bettony wants her Happily Ever After to end well, she’s going to have to find a way to turn her sister back into a person before their mother finds out she’s been dabbling with magic and grounds her for life. Tracking down the family magic turns out to be surprisingly easy. Now, if only it came with directions . . . THE TROUBLE WITH TOADS (45,000 words) is the first book in a new upper MG series The Secret Stepsister Society. The second book will be released Summer 2013.

My thoughts: This is a fun book for kids!

Bettony is an "ugly stepsister" who wants to be pretty. She is jealous of her beautiful stepsister "Dersire". She thinks that life is unfair and that her life would be much better if she were pretty.

She takes matters in her own hands and visits her witch Grandmother. Her grandmother reminds her that magic may not be what she wants and that she can have "no regrets". A spell is performed and potions given.

In an accident with a potion, her sister is accidentally turned into a toad. Bettony's enemy becomes her ally when they work together to set things right.

This book is a conglomeration of many fairy tales. There were many times where I caught myself thinking that it resembled a different fairy tale. It is a cute and fun book. I was surprised that there wasn't a definite ending. There will be a sequel and I am sure that it will also be fun to read and inspire imagination.

Amazon

Author Danyelle Leafty Danyelle Leafty writes upper MG and YA fantasy, and is the author of THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA series. Danyelle has always loved fairy tales, and prefers stories where someone gets eaten, or at the very least, transmogrified. Much of her inspiration has come from fairy tales, because as G.K. Chesterton so aptly states, "Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." In her spare time, she collects dragons, talking frogs, and fairy godmothers. She also collects books, and one day hopes to make a house out of them. She enjoys learning languages, fiddling with her harp, and perfecting the fine art of mothering. (It's a lot like trying to herd chickens during a lightning storm while a goat stampede is going on.) One of her heroes is Albert Einstein, particularly for the following quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The most important thing is not to stop questioning."

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/28/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway 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://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $25 US.

Book Review ~ "Peace River" by Jaclyn M Hawkes

2013-06-13T02:30:00.000-06:00

Peace River by Jaclyn M. Hawkes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance (LDS)

Book Description: The police didn't understand the danger, but she did. Her father had always been abusive, but now, with a ten million dollar Thoroughbred farm on the line, and a powerful bookie leaning on him, her father had become out of control. But how do you get away and take a world famous stallion with you? Carrie was getting desperate when a handsome and honorable but thoroughly cynical rodeo cowboy from Wyoming happened to show up with a horse trailer. He didn't ride a white horse, but he was definitely a knight in shining armor.

He'll protect her from the mob, but can she survive falling in love with a bull rider?

My thoughts: Carrie is in a dangerous situation, her father is trying to use her inheritance to pay off gambling debts. He is wrapped up with some dangerous people and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Her friend sees an ideal situation, two rodeo cowboys have stopped in the diner where she works, Carrie could go with them and cook for them while they are on the road. Carries father wouldn't know where she is and it will keep Carrie and her valuable stallion safe.

Rossen and Slade are good men, willing to help out and protect Carrie, who takes the name Isabel to guard her identity.

This was a fun book for me to read. I enjoyed the storytelling and romance that ensues between Isabel and Slade. They needed each other to find peace and happiness.

This book has an LDS background. The religion is not the prominent part of the story. It is a love story of two people finding each other and at the same time finding a love and trust in God.

I reviewed the second book in the series "Above Rubies" on June 11th. Here is the link to the review.

Purchase links:

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Book Depository

Join the Scavenger Hunt for Elana Johnson's ABANDON

2013-06-12T04:00:00.000-06:00

Today we're here to celebrate the completion of the Possession series by Elana Johnson! ABANDON came out on June 4, and I hope you've been participating in the series scavenger hunt! Today I'm bringing you one of the stops! Once you know what city in the Association we're visiting today, GO HERE to fill out the form to enter to win today's prize (a series swag package), as well as an overall scavenger hunt prize: signed paperbacks of the entire series, as well as digital copies of the two short stories (REGRET and RESIST) that round out the Possession series + a $50 Amazon gift card.

“Emotion pumps through every scene of this thriller. Given all the urgency and action, the novel’s ending may surprise readers as the heroic adventure turns into a tragic love story.” –School Library Journal

“The end is satisfying in a full-circle way and is set up for a third novel in this world. Some recent dystopian novels with a similar them are the Matched series by Ally Condie and the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver.” –VOYA “A thrilling, fan-pleasing sequel.” –The Deseret News

Available now!

The fight for independent thought becomes a matter of life or death in this sizzling and intense conclusion to the Possession trilogy.

Your clue for the scavenger hunt today: This city is surrounded by lakes. And go Fiktshun where Rachel has an exclusive guest post by Elana -- and another clue to discover which city in the Association we're visiting! Then be sure to ENTER TO WIN the grand prize signed paperback giveaway + Amazon gift card. To enter the daily swag package giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway If you get lost, you can always go to Elana's blog to find your place. Happy hunting!

"Above Rubies" by Jaclyn M Hawkes ~ Blog tour

2013-06-11T04:00:00.000-06:00

Above Rubies by Jaclyn M. Hawkes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic copy for review
Genre: Contemporary Christian romance (LDS)

Book Description: His chivalry was strangling her. He thought he was helping her—and in truth, he was. She was in desperate straits. But as honorable as he was, he was also breaking her heart. Her attraction was drowning him. When World Champion rodeo cowboy Rossen Rockland and his friends rescue a young runaway who has been abused by her foster father and take her home to his parents’ ranch, he expects her to turn out to be a pain in the neck. And sometimes she is. It doesn’t take him long to figure out that she has way more than her allotment of troubles—and far more than her share of gifts. Lovely, talented, and ravingly brilliant, Kit Star is too young, unbelievably humble, and oh, so loveable. Knowing that she needs his protection and time to grow into her potential, Rossen also figures out that what she really is, is a pain in the heart. Watch for more of the Rockland Ranch Series!

My thoughts: Every damsel in distress wishes for a knight in shining armor to whisk her away from her troubles to a happily everafter.

Kit is in the midst of trials. She has run from a foster home where she was sexually abused. She is seventeen, pregnant, and being attacked by a gang member on the streets of Vegas, when her knight shows up in a truck to take her to safety.

She feels less than worthy, but can't help the undeniable attraction to her knight, Rossen. He is also honorable and treats her with great care and affection. Unfortunately for her, he wants her to experience life as a young woman and not settle down immediately. But she is a treasure, her price is above rubies. Many men see it and want her by their side. The question is if Rossen can look past his preconceived notions and grasp Kit before it's too late?

I enjoyed reading this story. There were moments were it felt a little slow and others where it went a little too fast. The pacing issues were nit significant enough to stop me from feeling drawn in and developing a desire to find out the next path that Kit and Rossen woukd take.

This is a second book in a series. I have not read the first, but felt like this could be a stand alone. It has a very Christian background story with emphasis of LDS doctrine.

amazon

Tour Schedule

Praise for Above Rubies:

I absolutely could not put this book down. It had me laughing, crying, angry and pretty much every other emotion. I can not wait for the next one in the series to come out. Keep them coming!!! ~Addicted to Books

Read an Excerpt:

********************

Girl, what are you doing? As Rossen Rockland began to fill his truck with gas, he shook his head as he watched a slender young girl walking alone in the dark carrying a guitar. She was anything but safe out by herself in Las Vegas at almost one o’clock in the morning. Down a side street he could see a number of teenagers hanging out in an unruly bunch. Even though he was from a part of Wyoming that didn’t have a problem with gangs, he still recognized one when he saw one. They were making hand gestures to another group of youth who appeared near the rear of the station, not far from the young woman and he heard himself repeat out loud, “Girl, what are you doing?”

His best friend and roping partner, Slade Marsh, had gotten out to double check the horses in the trailer they were pulling and wash the windows, while Slade’s fiancée, Isabel remained in the cab. Even at this hour of the night, Las Vegas was just really getting going and she was more secure inside in this wide open party town.

The three of them had just come from the last round of the National Finals Rodeo, where the two men had taken top honors in their events. They'd reached their ultimate rodeo goals, but now, as tired as they were, they just wanted to go home. They’d been on the road rodeoing for most of the year, and it had been a great ride. But the season was over, Christmas was a mere ten days away, and they intended to be home on their ranches in Wyoming by morning. The entire National Finals had been a roller coaster of not just rodeoing, but several other troubling instances as well, and the three wanted to leave the hubbub of the City of Sin behind, and return to the peace and serenity of the mountains.

Almost as if Rossen’s thoughts had started it, the girl was approached by a cocky youth from the gang hanging out behind the station. Even though Rossen’s tanks weren’t yet full, he returned the nozzle to the pump and jumped back into the truck. As Slade climbed back into the passenger seat, Rossen drew his and Isabel’s attention to what was going on as the heavyset young gangster approached the girl. She immediately turned around and started walking in the opposite direction, but the youth simply turned and followed her. As he dogged the young woman, Rossen gunned the truck toward the girl, all three of its occupants tense at what they were watching take place.

The gang member followed the girl for a moment, then grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her toward the back of the station as Rossen and Slade slammed out of the idling truck. Rossen yelled, but it was only swallowed up in the music that issued from the station speakers and they started to run.

It all happened so fast they couldn’t stop it as the girl slapped her aggressor and began to fight him. The much larger youth backhanded her, sending her reeling into the building. Her guitar was knocked away and shattered as it hit the pavement and the gangster jerked her arm up behind her back, turned her and slugged her full in the face. The blow knocked her backwards. She stumbled off the curb, tried unsuccessfully to put an arm back to break her fall and then slammed into the asphalt on the back of her head. Rossen was horrified when the young woman lay sickeningly still.

Arriving seconds too late, Slade punched the gang member, doubling him over, and then slamming his face into his raised knee, as Rossen bent to the still form on the pavement.

At that moment Isabel shouted and began to gesture at something around the corner of the building. She was pointing and yelled, “Get her inside quick, before they get here!” Rossen scooped the unconscious girl off the street and quickly climbed into the rear door Slade held for him, then Slade jumped into the driver’s seat, pulled out of the station and onto the freeway, literally closing the door as he drove away.

Slade drove as fast as he dared with a trailer full of horses, while Isabel bailed over the seat to help Rossen try to stop the girl’s bleeding. At first, they couldn’t believe a nose could bleed that much, but it took only a moment to find she also had a two inch gash down the back of her head that was gushing blood. They quickly depleted the supply of napkins in the cab and went through a pillow case and then Isabel’s soft jacket, before the flow even slowed. It wasn’t until then that they noticed her left arm bent at a strange angle, and it felt like hours more before they sighted the hospital sign posted at the freeway exit, and pulled off the interstate.

********************

Peace River (Book 1)

The police didn't understand the danger, but she did. Her father had always been abusive, but now, with a ten million dollar Thoroughbred farm on the line, and a powerful bookie leaning on him, her father had become out of control. But how do you get away and take a world famous stallion with you? Carrie was getting desperate when a handsome and honorable but thoroughly cynical rodeo cowboy from Wyoming happened to show up with a horse trailer. He didn't ride a white horse, but he was definitely a knight in shining armor. He'll protect her from the mob, but can she survive falling in love with a bull rider?

Praise for Peace River

"Give me a clean romance, humor and a good looking cowboy and I'm a happy girl. LDS fiction isn't always my favorite but I really enjoyed the characters and adventure in this book." ~Carol - Goodreads "There was plenty of action, adventure and danger to keep me guessing just how everything was going to turn out. I didn't want to put it down until I finished! Jaclyn Hawkes is one of my favorite LDS romance authors. You really can't go wrong with any of her books that you pick up!" ~Cathy -Goodreads

Amazon

Author Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.

Website

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/26/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog tour - "Runes" by Ednah Walters with a tour giveaway!

2013-06-10T03:00:00.000-06:00

Runes by Ednah Walters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Contemporary Mythology ~ New Adult

Book Description: Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father s disappearance, her mother s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her. Raine is drawn to Torin s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run. Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

My thoughts: Ednah Walters writes fascinating books. In this book she tackles Norse Mythology. She seems to keep coming up with ideas for books that fascinate me, and she keeps the fascination alive.

Raine is in high school and living a normal teenage life. Her world is turned upside down when she has a new neighbor move in, Torin St. James. He takes all that she knows and believes and adds a new spin on her view of life.

This book is full of surprises, so I really don't want to say too much about it. I enjoyed reading it. Of course, everything I have read of Ednah's YA books I have enjoyed. I look forward to reading the things that she will publish in the future.

Content Warning: Intense kissing, may plant ideas into your head to find your significant other and do some smooching yourself. :)

About Ednah: Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS. Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six.

You can visit her at these links:

Facebook * Twitter * website * Goodreads

Read an Excerpt:

********************

I read the response from the coach. The swim team had Ultimate Frisbee game in the park tomorrow afternoon and tryouts in a few weeks. I responded to his e-mail then headed to the garage.

Most of my kind, when not working, found a hobby to keep them preoccupied. Motorcycles were my thing. There was not a single engine I couldn’t dismantle and put together again, tweak or modify for maximum performance. My interest started when the first steam-powered motorcycles were built in 1800s. By then, I had gotten tired of using portals. I even bought one of the first commercially available motorcycles with an internal combustion engine.

My latest was a Harley. V-twin engine. Top of the line. I loved it. I was almost done modifying it to my specification, but I couldn’t work in this garage. I glanced around and shook my head. Didn’t the Sevilles ever throw away anything? There were way too much crap stored in the place, majority of them old electronics—TV, computers, gaming consoles.

Pushing my bike outside, I heard a car start and looked up. Raine was backing out of her driveway, but her eyes were on me. Her car shot backwards and slammed into something.

********************

To read more ~ visit the blogs hosting tomorrow!

You can find the schedule at this LINK!

Where can you purchase a copy?

Amazon (US) * Kindle (UK) * Kindle (CA) * B & N * Smashwords

Giveaway!

There is an amazing giveaway that is tour wide. I am posting the rafflecopter form, but this contest is not being handled by me. Enter your info into the form. Look at the pictures to see what you could win....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review ~ "Isabella Rockwell's War" by Hannah Parry

2013-06-08T04:30:00.000-06:00

Isabella Rockwell's War by Hannah Parry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic copy from author to review
Genre: Tween Historical Fiction

Book Description: Raised in 1820’s India, twelve year old Isabella Rockwell can ride and shoot as well as any of the soldiers in her father’s regiment. These skills, however, are of no use to her when she finds herself on the frozen streets of London, orphaned and alone.
Tormented by guilt over the deaths of those who loved her, she vows never to be responsible for anyone’s life again. If she can scrape together enough money, she will return to India. But Isabella cannot shake the creeping feeling that something is not right; that something threatens not only her new best friend, but the throne of England itself.
Having survived this far on her wits alone, will Isabella escape back home to India? Or will she stay with Alix, a girl whose fate seems to be tied up with Isabella’s own? A fate which will have consequences far beyond those Isabella could ever have imagined.

Winner of the Children’s 12+ Fiction Category at Winchester Writer’s Conference, UK. 2012.

My thoughts: Isabella is devastated when her father disappears on a regimental mission in India. She lives in India and loves the culture. By many she is considered a native, and likes to think of herself that way.

She is shipped off to England after a failed attempt to find her father. She is to learn a trade as some sort of a servant, but she doesn't go along with the plan. Almost immediately she runs away after setting her feet in England. She finds refuge with street children and learns a new way of life. Unfortunately it's not an honest way of life. While scoping out a wealthy neighborhood she is in the right place at the right time and saves the life of Princess Alexi.

I knew this book was historical fiction, but for the life of me, I couldn't think of an heir to the throne named Alexandrina Hanover. So I googled it! Her middle name is Victoria... Queen Victoria. For some strange reason, that made the book a little more fun for me.

Isabella finds herself thinking like a soldier, remembering all that her father taught her to unravel a plot to kill the Princess. I had to keep reminding myself that Isabella is twelve. She is a very smart young woman with a great head on her shoulders. She also saves the day.

This book has a great cast of characters. I really liked the street kids. I wish that there would have been a little more of them, even when she was staying with Alexi.

One thing that I love about a historical fiction book for kids, is that it may lead them to want to know more about history. You never know, they may want to find out if there was a Princess named Alexi? Then they could learn about Queen Victoria.

Amazon * Book Depository

Book Review ~ "Today" by Amanda Tru

2013-06-07T03:30:00.000-06:00

Today by Amanda Tru
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: I purchased this one!
Genre: Christian Time Travel Romance

Book Description: Hannah was supposed to get married. She was supposed to live happily ever after. And she was definitely NOT supposed to ever time travel again.

But when Hannah’s fairy tale turns into a nightmare, she discovers seemingly random events in the past have a deadly reality for the man she loves. She now must use what she learned to protect him from pursing a path that would cost him his life. But certain secrets may cause irreparable damage.

When tragedy strikes, will Hannah be able to face today with no happily ever after in sight?

My thoughts: This is the third installment in a series that I am so glad that I read. There is another book coming, I wish it were out now, because I would be reading it at this moment.

Hannah and Seth are finally married, but her time travel hasn't abated. Once again, on her honeymoon she is pulled into the past. This time she learns information that is dangerous for her family. She doesn't change anything. I find it interesting that she is only pulled to places and times that make a difference for her life.

This is another short book, but well worth the reading. It has several Christian elements and is a page turner. It's clean, other than Hannah is stuck wearing a negligee around a hotel trying to find something to wear after time traveling on her honeymoon. (It's very humorous.)

It's $2.99 on Kindle

This is my June pick for the Just For Fun 2013 challenge.

Book Promo ~ Bait by K.C. Blake

2013-06-07T03:00:00.000-06:00

BAIT (Order of the Spirit Realm #1)

by K.C Blake

Quick Facts

Release Date: April 24th, 2013.

Genre: YA Paranormal/Urban Fantasy.

Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Sony.

Book Synopsis

At sixteen, Bay-Lee Bishop is not a typical girl. The last thing she wants is to be popular, but flying under the radar is nearly impossible when you’re the tallest kid in the eleventh grade. She works hard to maintain a steady C point average, never raises her hand in class, and avoids extra-curricular activity of any kind. The other students would be shocked to learn she’s living under an alias, relocating at her uncle’s whim, and hiding from monsters who want her dead because she’s Van Helsing’s daughter.

Life is weird. Then everything changes. A reaper uses her closet to cross over from the Spirit Realm right before her father whisks her away to a new school. This is the school she was born for, the school where she will learn to hunt and kill monsters, but it isn’t what she imagined. Students hate her, her mentor refuses to help her, and wraiths are murdering hunters on their birthdays. She is laser-focused on training. Love is not an option for her. Try telling that to her heart.

Excerpt

The knowledge she was no longer alone in bed should have scared the crap out of Bay-Lee and normally it would have, but she was still floating on the fragments of a blissful dream. The soft whisper of a lover’s hands surfaced with her consciousness. She’d been dreaming about being in love, the kind that inspired people to die for each other, the Romeo and Juliet sort of love. Beyond that nothing seemed real to her.

An odd smell pierced the veil of sleep, and she wrinkled her nose. Jack Daniels?
The next thing to grab her attention was the feel of a hard body crowding her on the narrow mattress.
Warm breath lightly blew a trail down her face from forehead to mouth like the soft wings of a butterfly brushing against her skin. Fingers slid up one arm to curve around her shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered, and she smiled up at the gorgeous stranger. Fantasy wove a complicated tapestry with reality, and she decided she was still dreaming.
The dark-haired boy’s gaze settled on her lips. She could practically read his mind. He wanted to kiss her until neither of them could breathe. Still living on the leftover residue of an imagined love, she was going to allow it. A tingling sense of anticipation had her nearly breathless already.
She closed her eyes again, mentally preparing for the kiss.
She waited.
The bed creaked as he leaned in to give her what she desired most. His hot breath teased her lips, and the smell of whiskey intoxicated her. She clenched her hands into tight fists, grabbing and holding bunched up bedding, silently willing him to hurry before she came to her senses. Outside of this moment nothing existed, not school, not her boyfriend, not the troubling circumstances that forced her to constantly move from state to state, nothing.
When her lips remained cool and untouched, she opened her eyes to find the boy staring down at her with pure contempt. A menacing light emanated from his eyes. He parted his lips on a soft growl, reminding her of a werewolf, and her blood turned to ice.
“You ruined my life,” he whispered in a semi-harsh tone, accusing.
Wide awake now, facts hit her like an avalanche. A stranger was in her bed, her gun was in the dresser, and he was big enough to overpower her. Feeling vulnerable made her sick to her stomach. It also filled her with unquenchable anger. How dare this stupid boy invade her bedroom, her bed, and threaten her!
Speaking in a firm tone without the slightest quiver, she asked, “How did you get in here?” He rolled off the mattress, no hurry, while she pulled the sheet higher to hide the bunny pajamas. They were ridiculous, sky blue with fluffy scampering white rabbits. Knowing her hair was a mess, she automatically reached up to smooth it down. At the last second she stayed her hand. Why should she care if he thought she was pretty? “Did Connor let you in?”
Her uncle wasn’t known for having the greatest judgment in the world.
The intruder grinned and took a two steps back until beams of moonlight exposed the left side of his body. Tall and muscular, the guy was built better than any of the boys at school. If she had to guess, she would say he was between eighteen and twenty-two. Utterly masculine, he also had a lot of features girls would be envious of, long lashes, thick hair, and beautiful eyes. They were the most amazing shade of green, like a place deep in the forest after a violent thunderstorm.
He grinned as if hearing her thoughts. “I thought it was every teen girl’s secret fantasy to have me in her bedroom. Was I wrong?”
It was then she recognized him, Tyler Beck, lead singer for the notorious band Bad-Rock. There was a celebrity in her bedroom. Gulp! For a moment she forgot to breathe. How was it even possible? Why would a rock star come to her home in the middle of the night? She had to be dreaming.
He picked the CD collection off the edge of the white wicker dresser and carelessly leafed through them, lips twisted in disgust. A few of the CDs wound up on the floor.
She blinked. “Am I... dreaming?”
“No.” The grin changed to a smirk. “I break into the homes of random girls all the time... just to talk. Being a rock star doesn’t keep me busy enough.” He raised an eyebrow and held up the next CD in the shortening stack. “Seriously? I wouldn’t listen to this if someone had a gun to my head.” He flicked it to the floor. “Your taste in music sucks.”
Although the CDs in his hands were a mixture of Country and Jazz, she loved Classic Rock like her dad. The discs didn’t belong to her. Nothing in the ridiculous girlie neon orange and pink room did with the exception of a few sentimental items she dragged from place to place, but she wasn’t going to explain her way of life to this intruder. If she wanted to bare her soul, she’d see a psychiatrist. Knowing it was a dream didn’t make her feel any better about him going through what he thought were her personal belongings.
“Why did you kill those people?” she asked out of curiosity. An image of dead bodies on a night club floor surfaced in her mind. It took effort not to shudder. “What did they ever do to you?”
He laughed, throaty and deep, sexy. The sound dried the inside of her mouth and she clenched her teeth, feeling betrayed by her own body. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t felt this way about a guy before. Why now? Why this murderer?
“What did they do to me?” he repeated her question. “Nothing.” Then he pointed a finger at her. “You, on the other hand, ruined my life.”
“Stop saying that. I don’t even know you. Before you killed those people I wasn’t aware we were on the same planet.”
“Ouch.” He placed a hand over his heart as if she’d wounded him. “So you aren’t one of my many adoring fans, huh?”
He put what was left of her CD collection on the dresser and reached for the tiny television, flipping it on without seeking permission. An old sit-com with a noisy family brought the square screen to life.
“No, I am not a fan. I don’t follow you on Twitter or turn the volume up when one of your dumb songs comes on the radio. I never think about you. Why are you in my head now?”
“You tell me. It’s your—”
“Dream. I know. You don’t have to keep saying it. I get it already.”
“Until this dream ends, what do you want to do?” His hungry gaze locked on her face, and he bit his lower lip as if he was once again thinking about kissing her.
Close to panicking now, she froze. The kisses she shared with Gavin were brief and passionless and always for the benefit of those watching. What would it feel like to kiss someone she actually wanted? Her skin burned from just looking at the guy. The chemistry between them had the potential to blow the roof off the house. If he touched her, she’d probably spontaneously combust.
Tyler Beck, the hottest rock singer on the planet, the boy every girl fantasized about stared at her with desire in his eyes. He planted a knee on the bed near her foot. His hand landed next to her upper thigh. The other knee and hand joined them on the mattress. Slowly he crawled up her body, careful not to touch her until he was once again hovering over her mouth. In a husky whisper he repeated, “What do you want to do? Talk? Fight? Make out?”
The challenging tone sent a chill through her, a bad sort of chill. Doubts surfaced. What if this wasn’t a dream? Maybe a monster had crossed over from the Spirit Realm in a Tyler Beck disguise to kill her. She needed to do something quick. If she died, it would be her own fault for being so stupid.
Her hand slid under the pink pillow behind her head to grab the ancient dagger she slept on. Gripping it hard, she prepared to attack. Something in her eyes tipped him off. Before she could bury the blade deep in his chest, he leaped off the bed without warning, flying backwards. He stumbled and hit the wall near the dresser. A picture of a girl sitting in a garden rocked sideways before falling off the nail.
“Another time then,” he mumbled before disappearing.
Bay-Lee blinked at the empty space where his body had been. A shaky laugh escaped her open mouth. She was dreaming. There wasn’t a monster out there that could vanish into thin air. Relaxed now, she collapsed on the mattress, breathing through her mouth. Something was seriously wrong with her, having a hot dream about a psycho rock star.
Maybe she should seek therapy.

The Author

Born and raised in California, I fell in love with writing while reading The Outsiders. Then I fell in love with Stephen King's writing style. I enjoy reading many types of books, but YA Paranormal is my favorite. I used to write for Harlequin under a different name. So that's my background. Exciting, no?

Find more about her at: http://kasi-kcblake.blogspot.com

B&N

Tour Giveaway

A digital copy at each blog. So Follow the tour and you will get plenty of chances!

Tour Schedule

June 5:

Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews: Interview and Review.

I know that Book: Spotlight

June 6:

Marked By Books: Review

Chasm of Books: Guest Post

June 7:

Bookworm Lisa: Promo

Books, Books The Magical Fruit: Spotlight

June 8:

My Devotional Thoughts: Promo

June 9:

A Book Lover's Library: Guest Post

June 10:

Mythical Books: Interview

June 11:

Wors to Dreams: Spotlight

June 12:

Fandom Fanatic: Review

Pure Jonel: Review

June 13:

Lindsey Gray ~ Author & Reviewer: Review

Indy book Fairy: Interview and Review

June 14:

Jody's Book Reviews: Promo

Emily Unraveled: Review

June 15:

That Girl Reads: Guest Post and Review

Paperback Princess: Interview

Book Blast ~ Evertaster : The Buttersmith's Gold by Adam Glendon Sidwell

2013-06-06T03:35:00.000-06:00

The Buttersmiths' Gold

BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and

Purchase on

Amazon

About The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.

Evertaster, Book #1:

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

I have read Evertaster and Loved It. It is such a cute book. If you want to see my review...Here is the LINK.

Purchase on

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Book Trailer

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Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/30/13 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://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $50 US. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Intoducing "Crushing" by Elena Dillon ~ with a tour giveaway

2013-06-06T02:25:00.000-06:00

Crushing

As a pampered and adored daughter of a wealthy Southern family Rory's life was seemingly perfect until her troubled childhood crush moves back in across the street forcing her to choose between him and the life that has been chosen for her. As if that isn't enough, her quiet island town has turned dangerous. A good friend has gone missing, lending truth to the rumors of a serial kidnapper. In her quest to help she becomes a target and will have to make choices about love, friendship and the inevitable sacrifice that they both require. Elena Dillon’s blog /Twitter /Facebook /Google+ /Goodreads / Literary Addicts Elena lives and writes in a suburb North of Los Angeles. She has never lived anywhere besides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her two kids and three dogs, although really the bulldog is the fourth child who has never matured beyond the toddler stage. A self proclaimed nerd, she has been writing since she was a child. She has only recently, however, come out of the closet about this to her family and friends. They now understand better, but not completely, why she talks about characters in stories as if they are real people. Follow the Tour Elena Dillon is giving away a beach basket and a $50 Amazon Gift card for her tour. a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Yesterday" Blog Tour ~ By Amanda Tru

2013-06-05T03:30:00.000-06:00

Tour Schedule

Yesterday by Amanda Tru

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: Received PDF to Review

Genre: Time travel/romance

Book Description: Her yesterday was five years ago. What will her tomorrow bring?

When HANNAH KRAEGER saves a family injured in a car accident, she has no idea she has changed events in the past. Waking the next morning, Hannah discovers her yesterday was really five years ago.

Each trip Hannah takes through time changes the timeline and her own life. With help from DR. SETH MCALLISTER, Hannah must unravel the mystery of why she time travels and who she actually is before the strange ability costs her future, the man she loves, and even her life.

YESTERDAY is a thrilling Christian Romantic Suspense filled with unexpected twists, mystery, and romance.

My thoughts: Hannah has fears. Her fear of driving in the dark leads her on a dark mountain road without cell phone coverage. She almost runs into a woman who desperately needs help saving her family who have gone through a railing and are crashed down into a ravine.

The problem that she faces when she rescues the family, is that it didn't happen in her time, it happened five years earlier. When she saved the family, she took them to the inn, that will be owned by her sister, and was fortunate that a med student was present to help the family. The DR is Seth, she and Seth have an immediate attraction and longing for each other.

This book is intriguing. I read it in a day, it's really only a Novella in length. This is a book to read when you just want to be entertained and pulled into a story.

It's a clean romance with a Christian emphasis.

Amazon

The Locket by Amanda Tru
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received PDF to review

Book Description: Hannah suddenly finds that she has time travelled once again, but this time is different. After helping save a woman's life, Hannah discovers that she has completely altered the timeline and thrown her very existence into jeopardy. Facing life-threatening effects upon returning to her own time, Hannah is then given a death sentence: if she time travels again, she will die. Now, Hannah must solve the clues to her own identity and find a way to save her own life before she is once again sent spiraling through time. Will her mother's locket hold the key to both her past and her future? Has she just found the love of her life only to lose him? Could God have a plan for Hannah amidst the chaos?

My thoughts: The Locket is the second book in the Yesterday series. This story picks up right where the first left off. I was very engaged in the story of this book. It could be that I read it immediately after finishing Yesterday . I knew the characters and knew the history.

I couldn't put the book down. This is another Novella length story. Amanda Tru knows how to pack in the information and plot into a small frame. I admit that before I had finished the last sentence I went to Amazon and purchased the third book, Today . I can't wait to continue the story.

Amazon

Author Amanda Tru

Although I loved my job as an elementary school teacher, I am now very blessed to be mommy to three adorable little boys and living my dream of being an author. I have a vivid imagination and have always been easily entertained by the stories in my head. Fortunately, I also love to paint those pictures with words. I like writing a wide variety of genres, and my current book list includes everything from a Christian time travel / romance series, to an action-packed suspense, to a romance involving a woman who likes to anonymously play matchmaker. Although I enjoy historical, Christian, paranormal, suspense, and everything in between, my books all have one thing in common--I love to surprise my readers with the unexpected. I currently have 7 books available for kindle, nook, and paperback. My family and I live in a small Idaho town where the number of cows outnumbers the number of people.

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Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/17/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trailer Reveal ~ "Revived by Grace" by Emma Clay

2013-06-04T03:30:00.000-06:00

Revived by Grace Emma Clay Metokos Press Christian Memoir

Emma Clay lived a life of rebellion, led astray by her own desires and her attraction to an indulgent life and a difficult man. This book is her memoir, telling the powerful story of her downward decline and the way God brought her back to himself through his love. Moving between personal storytelling, Biblical reflection, and political application, Revived by Grace is a book that speaks to the wounded place in all of us that can be healed only by the grace of God.

ABOUT EMMA CLAY

Emma Clay is a writer who shares her own experiences about her encounters with self and her bad decisions. She shares how she transformed a life that seemed hopeless and seeks to give answers to your own questions. She is dedicated to sharing her true stories with others, in the hopes they will avoid the same pot holes, pitfalls, and detours in their own lives. She loves people, and her need to share this love will hopefully encourage others to find their own way. Her latest book is the Christian inspirational memoir, Revived by Grace. Visit her website at www.EmmaClay.com.

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The Best Book Ever Hop (Int)

2013-06-03T21:14:00.002-06:00

Picking a best book is nearly impossible for me. There are so many great books out there and I love too many of them. Thanks to The Best Books Ever and I am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting this hop. There is a list of the Best Books Ever and categories. I have chosen to give away a book that I have recently read that fits Week #1 ~ Fairies. It could also go into week #55 ~ 2013 books that I was looking forward to. If you want to see all of the week and the list. Here is the LINK

.~Becoming a winter queen will make Ilyenna as cold and cruel and deadly as winter itself, but it might be the only way to save her people from a war they have no hope of winning.~
Mortally wounded during a raid, seventeen-year-old Ilyenna is healed by winter fairies who present her with a seductive offer: become one of them and share their power over winter. But that power comes with a price. If she accepts, she will become a force of nature, lose her humanity, and abandon her family.

Unwilling to pay such a high price, Ilyenna is enslaved by one of the invaders, Darrien. While in captivity, she learns the attack wasn’t just a simple raid but part of a larger plot to overthrow her entire nation.

With the enemy stealing over the mountains and Darrien coming to take her to his bed, Ilyenna must decide whether to resurrect the power the fairies left behind. Doing so will allow her to defeat Darrien and the other invaders, but if she embraces winter, she will lose herself to that destroying power—forever.

I recently reviewed this book and gave it 4.5 stars. Here is the Link to my review.

To enter use the rafflecopter form. You must be 13+ to enter, If under 18 do so with parental permission. There is no manditory entry for this contest, pick one to enter, more options give more entries. Odds of winning are based upon the number of entries. My full giveaway policy is in the sidebar. By entering you stating that you are in agreement and in compliance with the policy. This contest ends on June 10, 2013. If you live in the US, this book will be coming from Amazon, outside of the US from the Book Depository.

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Book Review ~ "A Change of Plans" by Donna K Weaver

2013-06-03T04:30:00.000-06:00

A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received electronic ARC from Rhemalda for review purposes
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description: When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He's everything her fiancé wasn't, and against the backdrop of the ship's make-believe world, her emotions come alive.
Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it's hard to get away from someone when you're stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn's fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

My thoughts: Lyn and her best friend Elle take a cruise as the year anniversary of Lyn's fiance's death and betrayal approach. Lyn is not interested in romance...period. She is still stunned and suffering from trust issues.

Enter the dashing Doctor. Braedon gives her that sparkly, tingly feeling with just a touch. She is afraid of a fairy tale and shipboard romance and runs. Unfortunately (fortunately in my opinion) you can't run far on a ship.

A run in with pirates and being stranded on an uninhabited island make running impossible, and romance commences. (YAY)

I enjoyed this book. I kept on reading and at times near tears as I read the struggle for survival that Braedon and Lyn endured. This book isn't as much about the romance as it is about the journey and trials. The techniques for survival are something to keep in mind for any kind of emergency situation.

It is a clean romance.

About Donna: I'm a Navy brat who joined the Army and has lived in Asia and Europe. Because I sailed the Pacific three times as a child, I love cruising and wish I could accrue enough vacation time to do more of it with my husband. We have six children. Our eight grandchildren live all over the world. At fifty, I decided to study karate and earned my black belt in Shorei Kempo.

After doing city council minutes for twenty years, I decided to write something a little longer and with a lot more emotion--and kissing. My debut novel, A Change of Plans, is being published by Rhemalda Publishing and comes out in June 2013.

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Review ~ "Winter Queen" by Amber Argyle

2013-06-02T05:00:00.000-06:00

Winter Queen by Amber Argyle
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Electronic ARC for review
Genre: Fairy tale ~ older YA to adult

Book Description: ~Becoming a winter queen will make Ilyenna as cold and cruel and deadly as winter itself, but it might be the only way to save her people from a war they have no hope of winning.~

Mortally wounded during a raid, seventeen-year-old Ilyenna is healed by winter fairies who present her with a seductive offer: become one of them and share their power over winter. But that power comes with a price. If she accepts, she will become a force of nature, lose her humanity, and abandon her family.

Unwilling to pay such a high price, Ilyenna is enslaved by one of the invaders, Darrien. While in captivity, she learns the attack wasn’t just a simple raid but part of a larger plot to overthrow her entire nation.

With the enemy stealing over the mountains and Darrien coming to take her to his bed, Ilyenna must decide whether to resurrect the power the fairies left behind. Doing so will allow her to defeat Darrien and the other invaders, but if she embraces winter, she will lose herself to that destroying power—forever.

My thoughts: Ilyenna travels through many emotional paths throughout this book. She is the daughter of the clan chief at the beginning facing the unknown as her father, brother, and men of the clan heed the call of their neighbor who are being attacked.

To save her father and brother she bargains with death and is marked in their place. A bargain is struck with the winter fay to become their queen and save her life.

Amber Argyle has written a story that is captivating. The plot seems straightforward until she reveals layer upon layer of intrigue and sub-plots. Ilyenna's choice is complex and the many circumstances that lead her to her ultimate decision are heartbreaking. Ilyenna's strong character is fueled by her capacity to love and make sacrifices for her loved ones.

I enjoyed my time in this story. It is well written and drew me in. When I finished I was sad to let go of the story and immerse myself into the book.

There is some violence and a sexual content without being descriptive.

Book Review ~ "The Marked Son" by Shea Berkley

2013-06-01T04:30:00.000-06:00

The Marked Son by Shea Berkley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance

Book Description: Seventeen-year-old Dylan Kennedy always knew something was different about him, but until his mother abandoned him in the middle of Oregon with grandparents he's never met, he had no idea what.When Dylan sees a girl in white in the woods behind his grandparents' farm, he knows he's seen her before...in his dreams. He's felt her fear. Heard her insistence that only he can save her world from an evil lord who uses magic and fear to feed his greed for power.Unable to shake the unearthly pull to Kera, Dylan takes her hand. Either he's completely insane or he's about to have the adventure of his life, because where they're going is full of creatures he's only read about in horror stories. Worse, the human blood in his veins has Dylan marked for death...

My thoughts: Dylan has been uprooted, moving from place to place, all of his life. His mother has a need to find men who love her and dump her. She can't stay after the dumping and needs to move on, dragging Dylan with her.

She finally brings him to the family ranch she ran away from as a teen. He finally meets his maternal grandparents and finds there is a mystery to the identity of his father, a secret his mother will not reveal.

It is at his grandparents that his dreams meet his reality. The girl he has always dreamed of is a part of a parallel realm, accessible from the ranch. All is not well, a tyrant seeks to gain control of the kingdom and Dylan is at risk.

I enjoyed reading this book. Shea Berkley has done a wonderful job at creating an interesting story. Dylan and Kera are the focal voices of the story. Part is told from Dylan's POV and part from Kera's. Between the two of them, the story unfolds and is explained well.

There is some light swearing, violence, and a few kissing scenes.

Bookworm Lisa~

Having a Book Blast for "Rift Healer" by Diane M. Haynes

Rift Healer

Author Diane M. Haynes

Living Your Covenants Every Day by Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt

Cover Reveal ~ "Immortals" by Ednah Walters

New Release ~ "15 Minutes" by Jill Cooper

15 Minutes

Book Blast for "Culture Shock" by Jeanette Pekala

Evertaster Blog Tour ~ By Adam Sidwell (Review/Giveaway)

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"The Trouble with Toads" by Danyelle Leafty" ~ Blog tour

Book Review ~ "Peace River" by Jaclyn M Hawkes

Join the Scavenger Hunt for Elana Johnson's ABANDON

"Above Rubies" by Jaclyn M Hawkes ~ Blog tour

Praise for Above Rubies:

Peace River (Book 1)

Praise for Peace River

Author Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Blog tour - "Runes" by Ednah Walters with a tour giveaway!

Book Review ~ "Isabella Rockwell's War" by Hannah Parry

Book Review ~ "Today" by Amanda Tru

Book Promo ~ Bait by K.C. Blake

Book Blast ~ Evertaster : The Buttersmith's Gold by Adam Glendon Sidwell

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Intoducing "Crushing" by Elena Dillon ~ with a tour giveaway

Crushing

"Yesterday" Blog Tour ~ By Amanda Tru

The Locket by Amanda Tru My rating: 5 of 5 starsSource: Received PDF to review

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Author Amanda Tru

Tour Giveaway

Trailer Reveal ~ "Revived by Grace" by Emma Clay

ABOUT EMMA CLAY

The Best Book Ever Hop (Int)

Book Review ~ "A Change of Plans" by Donna K Weaver

Review ~ "Winter Queen" by Amber Argyle

Book Review ~ "The Marked Son" by Shea Berkley

The Locket by Amanda Tru
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received PDF to review