Book Spotlight/Giveaway: Bearskin by Jamie Robyn Wood

I'm excited to review this book on September 21st and just received my copy in the mail!! The author is currently offering a giveaway for a signed copy of her book which will end September 24th. In order to give all of you plenty of time to enter, I've decided to share that with you now! Here's some information on the book with the giveaway below:

Bearskin, by Jamie Robyn Wood
2015, 288p, YA Fantasy



When Conrad, Moiria, and Heppson’s evil enchantress mother tries to convince them to follow her dark ways, they must each decide where the line lies between good and evil, magic and mythology. Based on a lesser-known fairy tale, this young adult book features an impossible romance, an intricate plot, and twists you won’t see coming.

Note: The release date for this book is 
September 8, 2015

Amazon * Books & Things * Barnes & Noble

About the author:

Jamie Robyn Wood is a full-time wife and mother and a part-time fantasy writer and essayist. Jamie never imagined the wind could blow so hard and so cold until she moved to the Midwest. Now she prefers to hunker inside the house with a cup of hot chocolate and a story to write. Bearskin is her first novel. She, her husband, their five children, and their “pet” squirrels currently reside in Coralville, Iowa.

This is what's included in the giveaway (Open to US Only):

1. A signed copy of Bearskin with a bookmark the author awesomely designed at midnight.
2. A bag of chocolate covered cinnamon bears. 

Here's the link to the author's post for you to leave a comment on how you plan to share her book.

Ends 9/24/15

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Blog Tour/Review: Scripture Princesses by Rebecca J. Greenwood

Tour Schedule

Scripture Princesses, by Rebecca J. Greenwood
2015, 144p, LDS Non-fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



As a daughter of God, she is royalty. This beautifully illustrated book features all your little princess’s favorite scripture heroines. Each chapter tells the story of a different scripture princess, from Rachel and Leah to Abish and the Lamanite Queen, and even Emma Smith. With women your little girl can look up to, this book makes a perfect present for baptisms, birthdays, or any occasion.

I love this book! It features stories of sixteen women, or princesses, in the scriptures. At the beginning of each chapter, there are different qualities to look for as you read. For example, the first chapter is "Be wise, like Eve." Some others are "Be loyal, like Ruth," "Be prayerful, like Hannah" and "Be brave, like Esther." I like that because, while it's not the only quality that particular woman possesses, it will help a young reader turn to her when she's looking to be more brave, prayerful, etc., and she will be able to relate to each woman in a certain way.

Each story is simplified for young readers and is a fantastic introduction to real heroines. The author gives additional references at the end of each chapter where you can learn more about each princess. In the Introduction, the author also brings up the point that each princess had faith through hard trials. They faced things that we may face, like infertility or childlessness, government oppression, being uprooted from our homes, loved ones falling away from God, and much more. 

I also love the illustrations! They feel authentic and help bring the stories to life. The illustrations are in black and white and the more I thought about it, the more I loved that idea. My daughter can color in the pictures which will make this book even more meaningful to her, both now and in the future. This book is well researched (including the illustrations) and well written and it will make a great addition to any gospel library. It will make a great gift for any young reader and will give your daughter plenty of women to look up to and emulate!

Click for a FREE downloadable coloring page!

Check out the author's website where you can download and print even more coloring pages!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Books & Things

About the author:

Rebecca J. Greenwood studied visual art with a music minor at Brigham Young University. She is a multimedia artist, illustrator, comic creator, and designer with a love of stories. She has worked in publishing for the last six years. Rebecca lives in Utah with her husband, where she listens to audiobooks, cooks experimentally, has an interest in alternative health, and constantly has a new project in mind. Visit rebeccajgreenwood.com to experience more of her art and projects.

Website  * Twitter

Book Reviews: Ishel and Stone Guardian by Theresa DaLayne

Ishel, by Theresa DaLayne
2015, 61p, YA Paranormal Romance/Mythology
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Trapped between duty and desire, even a goddess is forced to choose.

When Ishel falls madly in love, the Mayan goddess is left with a choice. Fulfill her royal obligation and marry the god of war, or follow her heart and elope wit the deity who has true claim over her heart--Kinich, ruler of the sun.

Determined to have Ishel as his wife, the god of war will stop at nothing to ensure their betrothal. Left with no other choice, she flees the heavens. But there is more at stake than even a goddess can foresee. An unexpected surprise awaits...One destined to challenge her immortality.

Without the goddess to tend to mankind’s plants and flowers, the middle world will surely perish. And how will she live on to protect the single person who needs her most?

This book was short, but I absolutely loved it!! It's a great story of forbidden love. Ishel is a Mayan goddess who is in love with Kinich, ruler of the sun. However, she has been promised to Nacon, the god of war, who she does not love. Nacon is tough and easy to dislike but he shows that he does love Ishel. She makes a choice which changes everything and there are real and lasting consequences.

I read this in one sitting and was mesmerized by this story. I could feel how Ishel was torn between her love for Kinich and her responsibility to her father to marry Nacon. Kinich is tender and easy to love while Nacon is cold and determined to marry Ishel. We learn about Ishel and her father's responsibility to the Stone Guardian. Things change before the end of the story so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out as the series continues. 

Currently FREE on Amazon Kindle and Nook!

 Kindle * Nook

Stone Guardian, by Theresa DaLayne
2015, 300p, YA Paranormal Romance/Mythology 
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Zanya Coreandero is a seventeen-year-old orphan with only a single friend and no hope for a normal life. Diagnosed with anxiety and night terrors, no one believes her cuts and bruises are a result of an evil entity, and not a brutal case of self-harm.

When Zanya is kidnapped, she meets a group of gifted Maya descendants, each with a unique ability. Gone from a nameless castaway to the only hope of mankind, Zanya is forced to make a grueling decision: bond with an enchanted stone and save mankind from rising underworld forces, or watch helplessly as Earth falls victim to a familiar dark deity from her dreams. This time, he’s playing for keeps.

When a dark-eyed timebender takes interest in Zanya's mission, it's unclear if his intention is to help, or if he's on a hell-bent mission for revenge. Wary of falling for a man with a major secret and a tainted past, Zanya fights to keep her distance. If only her heart gave her a choice.

***Reprint comment*** Main character's name has been changed to Zanya.

I actually reviewed this book a couple of years ago and the author contacted me recently to see if I wanted to read her updated and improved version. I jumped at the chance since this was a series I found interesting but had never finished reading (partly because, to date, it hasn't all been released). As I read the review I previously posted, I didn't notice a lot of differences, other than the main character's name, which was Ashley and is now Zanya. My review is pretty much the same as before with a few slight changes. 

Zanya and Tara start out in an orphanage for the insane and, when a fire alarm goes off one night, they chase after a little girl, get lost in the woods, walk into the fog and wake up in Belize. Zanya and Tara are brought up to speed on Zanya's true identity and her destiny. They meet new people and learn about the gifts they have and what Zanya should have but hasn't ever developed.

Tara meets Peter and Zanya meets Arwan, who she's interested in and then Jayden appears from her past to stir things up. Her cousin Hawa is someone I hope we get to know a little more about. There's also Renato, Zanya's uncle, who they look to for guidance and direction, and Marzena, who looks like a child (the same girl they thought was lost in the woods at the orphanage).

While in the orphanage, Zanya had terrifying dreams where a man always appeared and she learns that his name is Sarian. He's the general of the underworld forces and is trying to get Zanya to join forces with him so he will be all powerful and take over.

They all have to take on Sarian, which is scary but gives Zanya a chance to start figuring out how to use her powers and they turn to someone who they aren't sure they can trust. At the end, something major happens and Zanya and Arwan set off on a dangerous mission.

I like the story and the way the characters interact with each other. I feel like there's still lots to learn about them as they have just met and are getting to know each other better. Arwan definitely has some secrets. We're given major clues as to who he really is so it will be interesting to see what happens. I'm looking forward to reading more!

Content: Swearing, including four uses of the "f" word

Currently $.99 on Amazon Kindle and Nook!

Kindle * Nook

Theresa DaLayne is a north-south-east-western kind of girl with a quirky personality to match her nomad life. Born in California, she migrated to three different cities in Washington State, a tiny island in Alaska, North Carolina, and finally to the suburbs of Ohio where she currently lives with her husband, three kids, vegetarian cat, and her ungrateful fish.

Always on the lookout for a new story, Theresa is a shameless eavesdropper and will take anyone who provides inspiration and mold them into a character without a second thought. She enjoys writing both paranormal and contemporary stories, considering her mind wanders between worlds of fantasy while she’s forced to live in the real world, very much against her will.

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Blog Tour/Spotlight: The Singularity Series by Susan Kay Quinn

Tour Schedule

The Legacy Human by Susan Kay Quinn

What would you give to live forever? Seventeen-year-old Elijah Brighton wants to become an ascender—a post-Singularity human/machine hybrid—after all, they’re smarter, more enlightened, more compassionate, and above all, achingly beautiful. But Eli is a legacy human, preserved and cherished for his unaltered genetic code, just like the rainforest he paints. When a fugue state possesses him and creates great art, Eli miraculously lands a sponsor for the creative Olympics. If he could just master the fugue, he could take the gold and win the right to ascend, bringing everything he’s yearned for within reach… including his beautiful ascender patron. But once Eli arrives at the Games, he finds the ascenders are playing games of their own. Everything he knows about the ascenders and the legacies they keep starts to unravel… until he’s running for his life and wondering who he truly is.

The Legacy Human is the first in Susan Kaye Quinn’s new young adult science fiction series that explores the intersection of mind, body, and soul in a post-Singularity world… and how technology will challenge us to remember what it means to be human.

 Amazon

Praise for The Legacy Human

“This book is Hunger Games (without the violence or controversy) meets Divergent.”

“This story is so intense I felt I couldn’t get a proper breath.”

“Science fiction with philosophical depth!”

EXCERPT - The Legacy Human (Singularity #1)

“I will buy it from you.”

“Um…” I’ve missed something, but I’m not sure what. “You already own it.”

“You would not be looking to sell it, if you didn’t need the money.” Her voice is soft with compassion. “And I can’t bear to part with any of your works. It seems a fair exchange. Do you agree?”

Embarrassment flames my face, but I can’t afford to say no. “Yes.”

She rewards me with a dazzling smile that sweeps away my embarrassment. “Good! I’ve already transferred the untraceable chits to your account.”

Untraceable. She’s already figured out the money’s going toward something illegal. And yet she’s breaking the law, no questions asked, all because it’s what I need and she wants to keep my art. She’s always been generous, always given me exactly what I need, effortlessly and with grace, but this… I don’t have words for this thing she’s doing for me. I don’t believe in angels, but if I did, Lenora would have to qualify.

I am so hopelessly lost when it comes to her.

I concentrate on handing the painting to her, resisting the almost overwhelming urge to touch her. Hug her. Make some excuse to get closer. It shames me to want something from her that no decent ascender would give. A pet can kiss its master, but the master won’t kiss back. Not the way I want her to. Lenora is buying my art because she’s kind and decent… and all my base human brain can think of is putting my hands on her.

And how soft her ascender lips would feel.

“Thank you.” My words are hushed. There’s shame in my eyes, so I drop my gaze to the floor.

The Duality Bridge 

What does it mean to be human? Elijah Brighton is the face of the Human Resistance Movement. He’s the Olympic-level painter who refused an offer of immortality from the ascenders—the human/machine hybrids who run the world—in solidarity with the legacy humans who will never get a chance to live forever. Too bad it’s all a complicated web of lies. Worse, Eli’s not even entirely human. Few know about the ascenders’ genetic experiments that left him… different. Fewer know about the unearthly fugue state that creates his transcendent art—as well as a bridge that lets him speak to the dead. But the Resistance is the one place he can hide from the ascender who knows everything the fugue can do. Because if Marcus finds him, he’ll either use Eli for his own nefarious purposes… or destroy him once and for all. The Duality Bridge is the second book in the Singularity series and the sequel to The Legacy Human. This thrilling new young adult science fiction series explores the intersection of mind, body, and soul in a post-Singularity world.

 Amazon

Author Susan Kay Quinn

Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the Singularity Series, the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, and the Debt Collector serial, as well as other speculative fiction novels and short stories. Her work has appeared in the Synchronic anthology, the Telepath Chronicles, the AI Chronicles, and has been optioned for Virtual Reality by Immersive Entertainment. Former rocket scientist, now she invents mind powers, dabbles in steampunk, and dreams of the Singularity. Mostly she sits around in her PJs in awe that she gets to write full time.

 Website * Facebook * Twitter

$25 Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/6/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Blog Tour/Review: Baptism & Boomerangs by Sherrie Gavin & Tatiana Lawton

Tour Schedule

Baptism & Boomerangs, Written by Sherrie L.M. Gavin & Illustrated by Tatiana Lawton
2015, 32p, LDS Children's
Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Baptism brings us soaring back—just like a boomerang—into the arms of our loving Heavenly Father! With colorful artwork, a fun story, and insightful analogies, this book helps parents and children discuss the importance of our first crucial covenant in God’s plan of happiness. Entertaining and uplifting, it makes a great gift for all your favorite eight-year-olds.

I was drawn to this book by both the name and and the cover. The artwork inside is just as colorful and fun as the cover! Amara and Jack head to Sydney with their parents to visit their grandparents and for Amara's baptism. She's excited to be there and they have lots of fun! Amara soon confides to her parents that she's nervous about what comes after baptism. The next day, her grandfather takes her and Jack to the park where he answers Amara's questions and explains how baptism and boomerangs go together.

I loved this book from beginning to end! I enjoyed learning more about the Australian culture, both through the story and the pictures, and especially the grandfather's explanation of the boomerang. When Amara was worried, her family rallied around her to make sure her questions were answered and she felt comfortable with baptism and all it entails.

This would be a fun gift to give someone that's getting baptized, along with a boomerang, of course! It might be helpful to read it with them beforehand in case they have some of the same questions and would be a gateway to address any other concerns.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Books & Things

About the author:

Sherrie Gavin was born and raised in upstate New York, USA. Always looking for romance, adventure, and with a love of writing, she travelled to Australia and fell in love with a true Aussie bloke named Bruce. ‘Sruth! They married and began adventuring together, joined by two beautiful daughters who are the loves of their lives. Sherrie has been lucky enough to have contributed to Linda Hoffman Kimball’s Relief Society anthologies and The Exponent II. She also thinks that everyone should try throwing a boomerang at least once.

About the illustrator:
Tatiana Lawton was born in Brisbane, Australia, but was raised up north on the sunny beaches of the Sunshine Coast. She was born with a love for life, art, and storytelling, and her pusuit to study a degree of film and animation came as no surprise to family and friends. Moving back to Brisbane, Tatiana completed her four-year degree. Since finishing her degree, she has been freelancing as an artist, contributing to short films as a concept artist, character designer, and storyboard artist. Tatiana has drawn her inspiration for this book from her Australian heritage and her appreciation for eternal families.

Release Day: Seconds Before Sunrise by Shannon Thompson

Seconds Before Sunrise Release Day!

Don’t you just hate it when you have to wait years between books in a series to release? Well, you don’t have to worry about that this time around. The Timely Death Trilogy is releasing in full this summer and fall, and today, the sequel—Seconds Before Sunrise—released!

What are book blogs saying about this award-winning paranormal romance?

“Addicting and ironic, haunting and mystical, hilarious and sophisticated.” 

- The Novel List

“Left me breathless.”

- Inkwell & Paper

“The perfection addition.”

- YA Book Reviews

If you haven’t checked out the first installment, Minutes Before Sunset is FREE. Find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads, but here is the information for the sequel, Seconds Before Sunrise.

Two nightmares. One memory.

“Chaos within destiny. It was the definition of our love.”

Eric has weeks before his final battle when he’s in an accident. Forced to face his human side, he knows he can’t survive if he fights alone. But he doesn’t want to surrender, even if he becomes the sacrifice for war.

Jessica’s memory isn’t the only thing she’s lost. Her desire to find her parents is gone and so is her confidence. But when fate leaves nightmares behind, she decides to find the boy she sees in them, even if it risks her sanity.

Click here to read my review.

Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

And don’t forget! The last installment, Death Before Daylight, releases September 15. 

You can also win prizes on August 28 via the CTP Find Your Next Read Facebook Party! Author, Shannon A. Thompson, will be there, and she would love to see you there. In the meantime, she’s giving away prizes via her newsletter and website for writers and readers. She hopes you’ll join the Dark.

Happy reading! 

Book Blitz: Conversations with Mother Goddess by Natalie Kawai

Natalie Kawai is a Spiritual Teacher and Guide. Born on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, she now lives in Hawaii. Clairaudient from birth, she has always been haunted by the mysteries of life, why we are here, and our role in the universe.

Moved by her intense desire always to go deeper in understanding the whys of the whys, she found the voice of the Great Mother of Creation twelve years ago. Since then, she has studied relentlessly with the Supreme Being in a constant and intense dialogue. This practice led her to understand why a gulf still exists between our divinity and our humanity. Under the Great Mother of Creation’s guidance, she founded LST™—Light Speed Transmutation—a radical system to restore our lost consciousness and drive out the last part of our ego.

Website * Facebook * Google+ * Twitter

Buried in our soul forever, there is a piece of us that has not as yet been activated. That piece is the lost consciousness, the missing link guiding us to wholeness. As human beings, we have sought wholeness and connection with each other in the best way we know how by mimicking and emulating Source as we understand it.

Unfortunately, we cannot find wholeness because we have been missing part of who we are. As a New Era dawns for humanity, we now have to complete the process by gaining the consciousness we lost when we first incarnated at the beginning of time.

Natalie Kawai has found the key to completing that process. In Conversations With Mother Goddess, she shares what she has learned through her dialogues with the Great Mother of Creation. Part
explanation of humanity’s origins, and part conversation about how humanity can move into a new and complete future, this book will bend your mind in new and surprising ways, preparing it for the next step in your soul’s evolution.

Discover the part of you that you have always been yearning for, but never knew how to find. Join others in this exciting journey to restore harmony, creativity, and peace in all of us. Then prepare yourself to help bring about Heaven on Earth! It will happen if we all make the effort….

Grab your copy of the book today!

Conversations with Mother Goddess * Amazon

Snippet Time!

"Can we be totally fulfilled, satisfied in our humanity?

The purpose of being in humanity is to feel the gap between your original oneness with Source and what occurred upon incarnation.

The momentary separation of your essence from your Source causes you to be in pain, whether you admit it or not, and therefore, it's a motivation to experience life and recover the lost pieces. You will feel fulfilled in your humanity once you have recovered all of yourself because then your earthly experience will be one of delight and free creativity."

 

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www.jayfaulkner.com

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rebeccairvine.blogspot.com

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Grand Finale Blitz: Guardians of the Heart by Loree Lough

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're sharing the Grand Finale for

Guardians of the Heart

By Loree Lough

Nell and Asa have guarded their hearts, but to let love in, they'll have to let go.

We hope you enjoyed finding out more about their story.

If you didn't get a chance to get to each stop, you can go back and check them out now...

Launch - Author Interview

And how do you develop your deep POV?

I love living in the heads of my characters, and accomplish it (and avoid ‘head hopping’) by writing each scene from a specific character’s point of view. It’s almost as though I take up residence in their brains (like a parasite! LOL). When I’m thinking their thoughts, reacting to what other characters do and say, deep POV is a lot easier.

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"Loree Lough has written this story in an easy to read voice. The pacing is excellent. She kept my attention and I really came to like the characters." 

Worthy2Read - Nonna's Authentic Spaghetti Sauce

As any ‘on a deadline’ author can tell you, we’re really, really good at procrastinating. We tidy drawers, organize closets, poke around in our flower beds. And we cook. One of my favorite recipes was handed down by my Italian grandmother’s family. I hope you’ll enjoy it, too!

Zerina Blossom's Books - They Called Her Shoog Guest Post

The summer I turned ten, a pretty little redheaded girl moved into the house on the corner. Her parents and older siblings called her Shoog…and it was Shoog who introduced the kids on our block to a whole new way to spend our summer days...

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"A sweet heartfelt romance that reminds us of the importance of forgiveness – of other people and especially of ourselves. With true, likable characters and a plot brimming with all the great elements of a story, Guardians of the Heart will gently refresh your soul."

Christy's Cozy Corners - A Promise to Jake, Part 1

When a mysterious package arrives shortly before Christmas, a wealthy author is forced to remember what’s truly important about the holy day…and about life.

Writing Pearls - Review

"This was a surprising out of bounds romance. It was clean, well-written, with strong characters that become a part of your reality."

underneath the covers - Excerpt

Regrettably, no one was hiring. Few things scared her more than the prospect of being homeless and destitute. Nell sat on the steps of the bank, held her head in her hands and tried to pray. She’d said countless prayers for others—in church, others on her knees before bed—but couldn’t remember the last time she’d prayed for herself. Did she remember how?

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I loved Asa and Nell! Asa puts on a rough front but does care about others while trying not to. He feels guilt for some things he did in the past and needs to learn to forgive himself. Nell was sweet from the beginning! What I loved about this book is that the author didn't just tell me; she showed me."

Tell Tale Book Reviews - Excerpt

Oh, what he wouldn’t give to go back in time to the little house on the outskirts of Denver that always smelled of fresh-baked bread, where he’d never gone hungry and never felt cold, thanks to his ma’s talent for turning scraps of cloth into warm quilts.

Babs Book Bistro - Review

"I could not put this book down it was wonderful. . . . A nice relaxing read that brings out the love and coziness."

Mommabears Book Blog - A Promise to Jake, Part 2

He stared at the blinking cursor. "I've let you down big time, Jake," he said, eyes on the blank white screen. Maybe telling his friend’s story would ease his conscience. Squaring his shoulders, Homer pulled out the keyboard drawer and gave his knuckles one last crack, and began to type:

Wishful Endings - A Promise to Jake, Part 3

FIVE YEARS LATER:

"Homer, schweetheart," Bobby said, "so what's up with your answering machine? I've been trying to get hold of you for days."

"Don't have one up here." Don't want one, don't need one.

Reading Is My SuperPower - Special Author Interview

Me: You are such a prolific writer! (5,000,000 copies in circulation – 108 books, 72 short stories, and over 2500 articles in print) Where do you get your inspiration for so many new plots and characters?

Loree: Inspiration is everywhere. Literally. I’ve come up with story ideas while reading a dog-eared old magazine in the doctor’s waiting room. At the grocery store. In the movie theater. Here at home, watching the TV news or reading the Sunday paper. Sitting on a bench at the soft ice cream parlor, listening to the conversation of patrons on the next bench. Talking to a neighbor over the back fence. While on hold to make corrections to a DirecTV statement. I could go on (and on!), but I think you get the idea!

Singing Librarian Books - Review (Author Interview here)

"Throughout the novel Loree has brought her characters to life in a true and heartwarming way. I would recommend this novel to Christian, historical fiction, romance readers."

Colorimetry - Excerpt

They carried their bowls to a nearby bench and sat down to enjoy the treat, and Asa realized immediately that they were facing the wrong direction. Fifty yards due north, he had a direct line of sight to where Gus and Nell sat, munching fried chicken, corn bread, and apple slices. Oughta be you sitting there, he thought.

Guardians of the Heart

(Secrets on Sterling Street, #2)
by Loree Lough

Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 272 pages
August 3rd 2015 by Whitaker House

Nell Holstrom wanted no part of her grandfather's barren gold mine that had taken the lives of her mother, father, and younger brother; even if there may still be hidden wealth inside. Instead, she went to Denver and took a job as housekeeper at the old Stone Hill Inn.

Asa Stone was barely more than a boy when his father dragged him and his brothers to fight with Colonel John Chivington. But Asa refused to participate in the raid on the peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe; and when the smoke cleared, his father and brother lay among the slaughtered. Besieged by guilt, Asa wandered the West for years before returning to Denver to rebuild the old inn he'd inherited. 

Together, Nell and Asa work hard to restore Stone Hill. But when disaster hits the inn, Asa retreats into despair and Nell is forced to return to her family's mine. Asa faces the hard fact: He'll never be the man Nell deserves. Can he overcome the dark secrets of his past? And will Nell still love him when she learns the truth?

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

The First Book in the Series

Currency of the Heart

(Secrets on Sterling Street, #1)
by Loree Lough

Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 256 pages
January 1st 2015 by Whitaker House

Young widow Shaina Sterling hates living a lie. Desperate to keep bill collectors from the door, she secretly sells valuable possessions piece by piece, and hopes Denver’s elite never discover that his lavish lifestyle left her a near pauper.

She’s unaware that as her husband lay dying, successful rancher Sloan Remington made him a promise. And Sloan guards her secrets as carefully as he looks after her safety.

When fire devours Sterling Hall, leaving her homeless and penniless, he brings her to Remington Ranch to manage his household. His kindness makes Shaina beholden to him … and threatens to expose the secret that could destroy him.

Will trials and tragedies bring Sloan and Shaina together?

Or will secrets—and the cost of exposing them—drive them apart forever?

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Yes, it's true: Once upon a time, best-selling author Loree Lough (literally) sang for her supper, performing before packed audiences throughout the U.S. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two for the "grandorables," but mostly, she just writes. (And writes.) Over the years, her stories have earned nearly 100 industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 7 movie options, and over 80 4- and 5-star reviews.

There are more than 5,000,000 (yes, that's FIVE MILLION) copies of Loree's books in circulation, and in September of 2015, she'll have 108 books (fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults) 72 short stories, 2,500+ articles in print. To date, she has received 50,000+ letters from fans (a carton of books goes to Meredith P. in Joliet, IL -- which she has elected to donate to her local library --for writing the 50,000th letter)!

Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, college and high school writing programs both here and abroad.

A writer who believes in "giving back," Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and other worthwhile organizations.

She splits her time between her home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, and shares both with her real-life hero Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of lighthouses, wind chimes, and "wolf stuff."

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Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

Print copy of Guardians of the Heart

Kindle copy of Guardians of the Heart (to be gifted through Amazon)

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Ends August 29th

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Book Blast: Super Bad by Kai Strand

Super Bad by Kai Strand

The world is in chaos. Violence and thievery reign. And with the supers still balanced, it’s only getting worse. Without good versus evil, the supers care less and less. In order to restore purpose, the world needs its super heroes and its super villains, but the one who balanced them in the first place is missing.

Sandra’s concern over finding her brother, Jeff, isn’t her only problem. Her pathetic excuse for super powers has left her needing a new ankle. And though she’s still very much committed to her boyfriend, Source, she’s growing unreasonably attracted to Set, the boy who double crossed Jeff by stealing his girlfriend.

When Sandra is taken and held as bait by some kids who want to unbalance the super world, it becomes the inciting event that changes things for supers everywhere and forces them to answer the question, “Hero or villain?”

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Excerpt

 

The classroom door opened and Sandra glanced toward it, along with the thirty other kids in the room. She snickered and raised her eyebrows at Lexa when a young man wearing a Hermes costume, complete with wings fluttering on his heels, floated in.

 

“I’m not gonna lie,” Lexa leaned over to whisper. “I hope a draft lifts his skirt so we can see what’s underneath.”

 

Sandra giggled. “My guess is bun huggers. Gold lame to match his shiny winged cap.”

 

Lexa waggled her eyebrows. “Shiny gold buns. I like.”

 

The teacher frowned at the young man. “Can I help you?”

 

“I have a delivery for Sandra Tohler.”

 

Sandra gulped. This couldn’t be anything besides embarrassing. A tidal wave of heads turned toward her causing her cheeks to flush with heat.

 

Seeing where everyone’s attention settled, the Hermes guy floated between the rows of desks and came to rest near hers. “Sandra Tohler?”

 

Reluctantly, she nodded.

 

He cleared his throat before delivering a soliloquy in a clear, resonating voice that Sandra was sure the students in classrooms across campus would hear.

 

“Sandra, oh Sandra, my lovely, stormy vixen, hear my humble plea. Your essence has absorbed into my every thought and now I wonder how I will sit for my exams. Will I answer essay questions by describing the intense sable color of your hair, or the enticing moss of your eyes that makes me imagine us lying in each others arms in a fairy forest?”

 

Sandra’s forehead hit her desk with a loud thunk, her voice a mumble against the surface. “Please stop. Go away.”

 

But the Hermes guy continued in his orator’s voice. “I’ve relived our kiss uncountable times. Your lips were velvet soft, but demanding.”

 

A chorus of “Ooo,” erupted through the room.

 

Praise for the Book

I have enjoyed every minute I’ve spent with the characters of the Super Villain Academy world, but I have to say that this is my favorite book of the series. There’s action, romance, and a show down I didn’t see coming. –Mary Waibel, author

This is a great series and I am disappointed that it’s over. I will miss these characters. I may just have to reread the three books again! – Amazon customer

[Y]ou’re in for an exciting ride with Jeff and the other superheroes. Told from different point of view characters you get to see inside the heads of the major players. Sometimes that’s a bit scary. –Beverly McClure, author

Author Kai Strand

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and a short story blog, Lightning Quick Reads, Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults.

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Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/6/15

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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