Friday, October 30, 2015

Blast: My Book Cave


My Book Cave – Free & Discounted Ebooks


Movie-like Ratings for Books?
Have you ever started reading a book, only to be shocked at the content? Or have you ever read a book that bored you to tears with its lack of heat or action? Well, someone has finally created a site for you, taking the guesswork out of finding a good read that hits your comfort level. The best thing is that the books are always discounted and there is no cost to subscribe.

My Book Cave is the company behind this ingenious idea. The concept is simple.
Just sign up for the genres and ratings you want to see, choose your heat, violence, and swearing comfort level, then My Book Cave delivers ebook deals to your inbox. Rating include All Audiences, Mild, Mild+, Moderate, Moderate+, and Adult.

And right now, My Book Cave is having a huge giveaway with two ereaders and three cash gift cards. Just for signing up, you’re entered to win one of the ereaders. Visit My Book Cave to sign up or check out their blog for the rest of the prizes.

Happy reading!


P.S. If you’re an author and have a fantastic book you’d like to feature for free on My Book Cave, come on over. They’re always looking for great books.


$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 11/18/15

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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Thursday, October 29, 2015

Book Review: Sapphire by Sarah Fay Olson


Sapphire, by Sarah Fay Olson
2014, 358p, YA Adventure/Romance
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



In the kingdom of Asteria, Layla has dreamt of nothing but royal balls and falling in love. On her sixteenth birthday, she receives the invitation to the annual Autumn Ball and it doesn't seem like life could get any better when the Prince falls for her. But the fairy tale is short-lived as Layla soon learns the truth about her murdered parents and is given a sapphire that changes her life.

Layla's parents died when she was young and she was raised by Betsy and Robert, who weren't her real aunt and uncle but treated her well. When she was 16, she was excited to attend the Autumn Ball at the palace. She met Prince Richard and they had a whirlwind romance. When secrets were revealed, Layla's life turned upside down and her life would never be the same.

Layla was young, naive and innocent at the beginning and she made some poor choices. There was also key information that was withheld from her which might have made a difference. She was a bit sullen and angry when she was given certain knowledge but over time, she was able to make better choices and decisions. I liked that there were real consequences for choices that Layla made.

Layla was difficult for me to like at first because she was a bit annoying but she did get to the point where she grew up and became very likable. By the end, I was cheering for her to be able to express her true feelings to a certain someone.

She has a good friend, Charlotte, who leaves at the beginning and then she meets up with again later. They were there for each other in the good times and the bad. Charlotte's brother, Tristan, was a soldier in King Luther's army and helped the rebellion from there. 

This book has some great characters and a fun storyline. I enjoyed the pacing and didn't feel that the story lagged. It wasn't difficult to predict what would happen but I still enjoyed reading it and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Content: A few mild swear words and a short intimate scene without details


Sarah Fay Olson began writing her debut novel Sapphire during her senior year in high school. She enjoys reading young and new adult books that are full of adventure and romance. When she is not reading or writing, Sarah enjoys horseback riding, hiking, playing the violin, and watching movies. She currently resides in the beautiful state of Montana.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Blog Tour/Reviews: I Wish and Wishing for You by Elizabeth Langston


I Wish, by Elizabeth Langston
2014, 312p, YA Contemporary Romance
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy for an honest review



What Lacey needs is a miracle. What she gets is a genie with rules.

Lacey Linden is hiding the truth of her life—a depressed mom, a crumbling house, and bills too big to pay. While her high school classmates see a girl with a ready smile and good grades, Lacey spends her evenings seeking ways to save her family. On a get-cash-quick trip to the flea market, Lacey stumbles over a music box that seemingly begs her to take it home. She does, only to find it is inhabited by a gorgeous “genie.” He offers her a month of wishes, one per day, but there’s a catch. Each wish must be humanly possible.

Grant belongs to a league of supernatural beings, dedicated to serving humans in need. After two years of fulfilling the boring wishes of conventional teens, he is one assignment away from promotion to a challenging new role with more daring cases. Yet his month with Lacey is everything that he expects and nothing like he imagines. Lacey and Grant soon discover that the most difficult task of all might be saying goodbye.

Lacey's life is rough. After her stepfather's death, her mother hasn't been able to cope with life so she has taken on the responsibility of running the household. She has an 8-year-old brother, Henry, and she works hard to make sure he has a somewhat normal life. While at the flea market one day, she picks up a music box which she soon discovers is housing a handsome genie named Grant. He is able to grant one wish per day for a month which need to be humanly possible.

It was fun to see the changes Lacey went through during that month. I can't imagine how difficult her life was and it had to have been a relief to have someone to lean on and help her out. She was fun to get to know as she dealt with friend, family and relationship issues. I honestly wasn't sure where the romance would be in this book and was a little surprised at the direction it went. I enjoyed it, though, and also wasn't surprised at how it left off.

Grant, the genie, went through lots of changes as well. At the end of each chapter, he submits status reports to his boss and we get some insight into his thoughts and feelings. He's not impressed with Lacey at first but his opinion changes over time and he learns valuable lessons throughout the book. 

This was a fun book to read from beginning to end! When I got done, I was glad I had the next one to start reading right away!


Praise for I Wish

From School Library Journal (I Wish #1)
Langston wisely limits the power of wishes, so there can be no easy fixes to complex problems. [The story] is all the better for it, putting the focus on the compelling and sympathetic characters.

… the denouement offers enough twists and unresolved questions to have readers wishing the next book was already available.

From K-books blog:
I Wish is a fantastic storyline, with a dash of romance that is perfect for any YA fan. I can’t recommend it enough.

From Reese’s Reviews blog:
This is definitely one of the most beautiful and amazingly written books I’ve ever read. Elizabeth Langston has written a fantastic story that drew me in from the first page.


Wishing for You, by Elizabeth Langston
2015, 268p, YA Contemporary Romance
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy for an honest review



She’s a girl who can’t remember. He’s the guy she can’t forget…

It’s her final semester of high school, and Kimberley Rey is curious to discover what will come next. She needs to pick a college, but her memory disability complicates the choice. Will her struggles to remember make it impossible to leave home?

Help arrives through an unexpected and supernatural gift. Grant is a “genie” with rules. He can give her thirty wishes (one per day for a month) as long as the tasks are humanly possible. Kimberley knows just what to ask for–lessons in how to live on her own.

But her wishes change when a friend receives a devastating diagnosis. As she joins forces with Grant to help her friend, Kimberley learns that the ability to live in the moment–to forget–may be more valuable than she ever knew.

We meet Kimberley in the first book (she's friends with Lacey) and learn more about her in this one. She had cancer when she was young and now has short term memory loss. When a friend confides in her, she finds ways to help him live life on his terms. Their relationship took a different turn than I originally thought it would and I thought it was perfect. I found it interesting to see how she coped with memory loss on a daily basis and how it affected her mother and their relationship.

Kimberley is completely different than Lacey and I thought the author did a fantastic job of conveying that. This book had a totally different feel to me. It was more emotional and brought tears to my eyes a few times. New characters were introduced and we got to find out what was going on with other characters from the first book. 

I didn't find myself racing through this book like I did I Wish, but it was still enjoyable. I have to admit that I got distracted with the romance from the first book and where it was or wasn't heading and those scenes were some of my favorites due to the drama factor. It's not hard to guess the next person that Grant will be helping and if that book was out, I would have been just as anxious to start it as I was this one. I'm excited to read more because I definitely want to see how this ends!

Excerpt:

A puff of blue smoke curled from the center of the pocket watch, swirling lazily in the air before dissipating near the foot of my four-poster bed. In its place appeared one of the hottest guys I’d ever met—every bit as gorgeous now as he’d been the last time I’d seen him months ago. “Grant?”

“Hello.” He watched me calmly, his hands clasped behind his back.

He hadn’t walked through the door. He’d simply materialized out of the blue smoke, which ought to have been impossible but clearly wasn’t. There were plenty of things wrong with my brain, but hallucinations were not one of them. “Where did you come from?”

“I live in the watch…”



Author Elizabeth Langston

Elizabeth Langston lives in North Carolina, halfway between the beaches and the mountains. She has two college-age daughters and one old husband. When she’s not writing software or stories, Elizabeth loves to travel with her family, watch shows on dance or Sherlock Holmes, and dream about which restaurant ought to get her business that night.



Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 11/11/15

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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Book Blitz: The Finding You Series by Candy O'Donnell




Candy O’Donnell lives in California.

At the age of twelve, she wrote her first mini book, filled mostly with what took place with her mother and her long tedious bout with leukemia. It was a short story told as extra credit when she suffered a sprained ankle and had to be out of school for over two months. School officials refused to believe a word of what she had written until her grandmother, her guardian back then, entered the school with the truth. Everything she had written down was exactly what took place. Unfortunately, her mother succumbed to the disease.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and culture. After living with her aunt and uncle for over five years, she wished to explore her uncle’s native heritage, and did so with vigor. She also has grad units in criminal justice.


Twitter: @Candyodonnell

Amazon Author Page:
FB Angel’s Fan Page:
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Compassion is within us all, we just need to delve deeper to find it.

When we have compassion for ourselves, everyone else falls into place.

Understand how to be compassionate toward yourself and those around you.




 How does one discover happiness?

After long bouts of unhappiness, I discovered something buried within me. What I kept buried deep inside me was joy and happiness. At times I did not deeply love myself and others, I did not love with compassion, or see myself as one with others. Unhappiness stems from our pain and suffering, but we can let go of unhappiness. This journey is not easy and after digging through the pain and fear, I found happiness.


US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YF8SUU0



 WHAT IS YOUR PASSION?
The deeper we go into who we are, the easier it is to find our passion. A passion is anything we love doing, celebrating, or hold near and dear to our heart. Do what you love. Your passion can be anything creative!




Let's take a look in to Finding Your Compassion!

Introduction:

When we water the seed of compassion, something miraculous takes place as love grows to greater heights and we find ourselves having compassion not only for those around us, but for any living thing.
~Candy
 And a few fun Facts about these books!

1) I wanted to write these short books to enlighten others minds about how to discover what has been hidden within each of us.

2) Each brought out something different within me, and I wanted to share this with others.

3) I personally enjoyed writing these short books for others. After hearing from readers how much information is within each, they feel the need to re-read them numerous times.

4) Non-fiction is one of the genres I will be writing more of and it is my desire for others to learn more about their Happiness, Passion, and Compassion!


Make sure you follow along on the event page to see all the participating bloggers. https://www.facebook.com/events/940806372653444/


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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Book Reviews: Magelica's Voyage and The Rescue by Louise Courey Nadeau


Magelica's Voyage, by Louise Courey Nadeau
2014, 48p, Children's Fantasy
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Magelica's Voyage is refreshing, new, fun, and inspiring. Who ever heard of a girl being hatched from an egg the colour of sapphires? Magelica doesn't know where she came from or who she really is. But when she's transported to the Isle of Dreams in a flying bathtub, she launches into an adventure of discovery, and learns that wonderful things can happen when she uses her imagination, believes, opens her heart and trusts in love. Come fly with her and discover for yourself the power of imagination, gratitude, believing in yourself, and love! In this special first voyage, fantasy, adventure, magical illustrations, empowering messages, and a wonderful cast of enchanting characters come together as Magelica takes young girls and the special people in their lives on a fun, inspiring voyage about making your life magical. Did you notice that Magelica is wearing a Magical Feather Necklace? If you would like to own one and share in its positive energy and power please go to Magelica's website.

Also available in Spanish and French.

The first thing you notice about Magelica is that she has green hair and wings. A woman named Gri has raised her and told her that she was hatched from an egg. Magelica starts the story wondering who her parents are. She meets a wet fuzzy ball named Odin who takes her for a magical ride in her bathtub to help save the Isle of Dreams, an island on the back of a turtle, so they can find the missing Prince William. She meets Queen Raya, who is able to tell her a little more about herself and explains the power of her feather necklace.

This is a fun read! My 11-year-old daughter and I took turns reading it and we enjoyed it. It's a great introduction to a magical world. Magelica has plenty of questions which will hopefully be answered throughout the series. The illustrations are bright and fun. At the very end, there are a couple of pages which talk about what Magelica learned as she used her imagination, believed, opened her heart and trusted in love. There are questions which will help spark a discussion on those topics. We were excited to have the second book to start reading right away!




Magelica's Voyage: The Rescue, by Louise Courey Nadeau
2015, 49p, Children's Fantasy
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



When Magelica dreams of the prince lost on a deserted island, she realizes that it could lead to his rescue. She returns to the Isle of Dreams to tell Queen Raya what she knows. Can they save Prince Will before it's too late? Will the power of laughter and love be enough?

Magelica has returned home and dreams that Prince William is stranded on a deserted island. She knows she needs to help so she goes back to the Isle of Dreams to share what she knows and help bring the prince home.

I liked that she momentarily struggled to return to the Isle of Dreams. The cute, fuzzy, purple ball, Odin, meets her right away and takes her directly to the queen. She sees old friends and meets some new ones and has new adventures where she learns more about herself and this new world she's entered.

My 11-year-old daughter and I enjoyed reading this book, too! Even though she usually reads thicker, more involved books, we loved that we could easily finish a book together and we were both ready for more when it ended. The illustrations are bright and fun! We have a pet tortoise so we especially enjoyed the turtle pictures. Like the first book, this one has three pages at the end which discuss what Magelica learned: wonderful things can happen when she laughs, when she believes in herself and when she trusts that life will guide her. These lessons are valuable for children, teens and adults! We were sad when we finished that we didn't have the next book to read.

This was a great bonding experience for us. We also received feather necklaces that we enjoyed wearing while we read these books and which remind us to believe in the magic of life!


A marketing and advertising executive, a tireless fundraiser for many charities, a painter, gardener and mother to two daughters and two sons, Louise’s passions keep growing. Sensing the need to do more for young children in our challenging world and inspired by life itself, Louise created MAGELICA, a young girl with fairy blood and her own questions about life. In the first book of Magelica’s Voyage trilogy, Louise takes our winged heroine along with her fun and wacky friends to new worlds of magic and adventure, where the reader discovers the magic of life and the power of love and how faith in the unknown can create confidence and a sense of empowerment . More than a decade in the making and with new stories underway, Louise and MAGELICA intend to spread their magical feathers and create a bond with children and their caregivers around the globe. 

Book Blast: The One Who Sees Me by Kandi J. Wyatt


The One Who Sees Me by Kandi J. Wyatt

Teenage slave girl Faru’s life has been turned upside down when she discovers she’s been traded to a new master, forcing her to leave all she‘s ever known. Upon her arrival, Faru meets a friend, Cailean, who helps her adjust to life in the strange location. Life settles into a new pattern, and romance blossoms between the young friends. But as soon as they plan to get married, another proposal comes about – one that cannot be ignored. Being a slave means not always marrying who you love.

On a daring journey to heal her heart, Faru encounters the Existing One. Will she trust Him and do His bidding even if what He requests is so hard?

Follow Faru’s tale in author Kandi J Wyatt’s retelling of a Biblical story found in the Old Testament book of Genesis, showing that when things don’t make sense, God will guide the way.


Praise for the book

“Kandi Wyatt has taken historical fiction and elevated it to a higher level. Her world building pulls you in and puts you right in the middle of the adventure. This is why I love her books.” – Sandra Stiles

“Well worth the read. Kandi has done an wonderful job bringing this captivating story to life!” – Christianonfire2 on Goodreads

add to goodreads


Excerpt

My most recent book is The One Who Sees Me. It is about a slave girl, Faru, who is exchanged for a wife for the king. She finds herself in a new home with a new master and life is always going up and down. We’ll join her in chapter 2 when she is leaving her home for the new one:

The carriage pulled to a halt, and Lord Cegrol looked up from where he sat. The ride had lasted close to half a glass, Faru estimated, and in that whole time, the lord had not said a single word to her, nor had he looked up from his folded hands. Now he graced Faru with a smile. It was a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.

“What is your name, child?” his musical voice inquired.

“Faru, milord.”

He seemed to see her for the first time. His eyes took her in, and Faru felt the heat rush to her face.

“Well, Faru, welcome to our home away from home.” He paused as he looked out the window.

“It is nothing like my Castle Fearann, but it is comfortable.”

They descended from the coach onto a cobblestone drive surrounded by blooming rhododendron plants. The whites and pinks softened the harshness of the reds. Beyond the bushes, Faru noticed the house that loomed up above her. The dark bricks were a stark contrast to the stone she was accustomed to. Lord Cegrol led the way up wide, winding stairs to the front door. Torches on either side flickered against the brickwork, which seemed to trap the light instead of sending it out to welcome the master home. As Cegrol opened the door, he was greeted by a portly, elderly lady.

“Lord Cegrol, welcome home. You must be exhausted. Let me get your cloak. You just go up to your den. I’ll have Trystan bring you your evening meal.”

“Thank you, Kadi,” Lord Cegrol replied. “I would appreciate that. First, though, we need to help Faru get settled.”

“Don’t you worry at all about that. I’ll take care of everything.”

Lord Cegrol nodded and slowly plodded up another wide staircase. The motherly woman turned to Faru.

“And you are?”

“My name is Faru, ma’am,” the young slave girl replied, trying not to fidget with her long curly hair.

“Lord Cegrol told me your name. What I want to know is, why are you here?”

Faru shivered, not just from the draft that flickered the candles in their sconces, but also from the internal cold.

“Ma’am, a glass ago, I was preparing my mistress’s evening meal as I have done since I was old enough to help my mother. The queen came and brought me to a parlor where King Cyning and Lord Cegrol and Lady Cwen sat. King Cyning walked off with Lady Cwen, and my mistress showed Lord Cegrol and me to the door where the carriage was waiting. Lord Cegrol brought me here. I do not have anything with me. I am at your disposal.”

“You are right about that,” the woman said. “I am Kadi, the housekeeper. Anything that happens in this house, I direct. That includes you.”

Kadi paused, sizing up the new servant before she continued. “What besides serving meals are you good at?”

This was territory that Faru understood.

“I clean rooms. I’ve done some cooking, but more so, just helping the cook prepare food. I’ve taken care of little ones so others can do their work, and I’ve been taught to weave.”

“I see,” Kadi stated, pursing her lips. “You won’t have much opportunity to take care of children in this household unless it is servants’ children.” She stood, looking Faru up and down before she continued. “I suppose for tonight, you can just get settled in. Tomorrow is early enough to start. Follow me.”

Author Kandi J. Wyatt

Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite and colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.”














$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 11/18/15

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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Monday, October 26, 2015

Blog Tour/Review: Party Style by Gemma Lynn Touchstone


Tour Schedule


Party Style: Kids' Parties from Baby to Sweet 16, by Gemma Lynn Touchstone
2015, 192p
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Make memories your children will treasure forever. As the creator of PartyStyle.com and editor-in-chief of Party Style magazine, Gemma Touchstone knows how to make children’s celebrations memorable. And with her help, you’ll want to find any excuse to party! Packed with easy and elegant DIY craft ideas, cool themes, and must-read entertaining tips, this book shows you how to party in style.

This book caught my attention because it's full of ideas for kids' parties. I struggle in the creativity department and know that I can use some help. This book is fantastic!!

In this book, Ms. Touchstone starts with the basics: create a party planning folder and determine the what, when, where, who and how. In the next chapter, there's a quiz to determine your party style. I am classically classic: love clean lines, preppy colors and classic party activities and tend to consider guests and organization over other aspects of the party.

The next thing to do is determine the theme and location. At the end of the book, she shares pictures and ideas for parties she's planned and there are some fun ones that can get the creative juices flowing!

There's tons more: timeline checklist (starting 6 weeks prior to the party, which I thought sounded hefty until I realized that I would need that much time to make sure I got everything done), modern day etiquette and formalities, and decorations and tips for a successful party. Then comes the menu selection. This section is lengthy and full of ideas which will be a hit for all ages from small children to teenagers (and even adults)!

This is a book that is packed with helpful information! I will be referencing it often in the next few years and I'm already feeling more confident that I can pull off creative, fun parties without being too overwhelmed! If you're always looking for fresh, new party ideas or are creatively challenged like me, this is a book you will want to own!

Get your autographed copy here!


Plane Party

Small Card Front

Information and Events:
  • You can get over $2,500.00 worth of exclusive party printables with your Book purchase for download off of the www.ILovePartyStyle.com web site 
  • The Book Kick off party for the PARTY STYLE book will be in Orange County, CA at the CAKE expo at 5:00 Pm October 17th. Tickets are available on Living Social. Get more info www.cake-expo.com 
  • Gemma Touchstone will be teaching pin worthy parties at the pinners conference in Salt Lake City, UT Nov 6th & 7th and you can save 10% on tickets with ticket code partystyle
  • Gemma Touchstone will be speaking at ISSE along with Colin Cowie and some other amazing speakers and you can save $500.00 on your ticket when you mention PartyStyle Book Tour
  • Find Gemma at the OC DATE NIGHT MARKET March 11th https://www.facebook.com/DATE-NIGHT-Market-964563633581813/timeline/?ref=hl
  • For more dates on her Tour around the USA Please visit the Blog www.GemmasPartyStyle.com 
  • Gemma's Next HOLIDAY HOSTESS is already in the works and will be out in time for the holiday season in 2016 

About the Author:

Gemma Touchstone is a leading authority on global party styling trends from the early identification of up-and-coming party themes, to premier event styling, food presentation and is an early adopter of the social media revolution in her field. She’s the publisher and author of two stylist industry magazines, a leading industry blogger and has been a regular stylist for Hollywood stars from the movies and TV. Gemma has spoken about global party styling mega trends, blogging and the social media revolution at conferences and business events around the country.

As a publicity expert Gemma has worked with business owners, stylists and international companies that want to leverage the free publicity in traditional and social media to establish their credibility, enhance their reputation, promote new products, or get the word out about a favorite cause or issue.



Giveaway ends November 15th

THE GRAND PRIZE is a kitchen aid mixer, IPAD Air, Honeycomb Decor Pack with multiple sizes and colors, Bakers Bling sanding sugar in several colors, $100.00 gift card to Home Goods, $100.00 Gift card to Michael's Craft Store and an Autographed copy of the book, and a 3 ft LOVE Balloon Set. These are Gemma's Must haves for the perfect party.

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Book Blast: Framed and Burning by Lisa Brunette



Lisa Brunette is gearing up for her new release of Framed and Burning: Book Two in the Dreamslippers Series. Release date is November 27, 2015 and pre-orders are being taken now for this new novel.


Framed and Burning, Book Two in the Dreamslippers Series
Published by Sky Harbor LLC

# of pages TBD since it's a pre-order

November 27, 2015 pub date

Genre: Mystery

Book Synopsis:


The Dreamslippers are a family of private investigators who have the ability to "slip" into your dreams. The first book in the series, Cat in the Flock, was published to critical acclaim and is trending at 4.5 stars on Amazon with 35 reviews. In Framed and Burning, someone sets fire to Mick Travers’s art studio, killing his assistant, and Mick won't give an alibi. His dreamslipping sister--the eccentric Amazing Grace--is convinced he's innocent, but her granddaughter and the police aren't so sure. Was it Mick, or is something darker behind the fire?

ADVANCED PRAISE

"Framed and Burning is the second book in the Dreamslippers series. It’s easy to follow and hard to put down, making readers who may not have read the first book race back to give it a try!"  - InD'tale Magazine

"Lisa Brunette continues to develop vibrant characters in a stunning story that will keep you reading well past your bedtime!" - On My Kindle

PRE-ORDER ON EBOOK NOW FOR $1 OFF!

Only $2.99 if you order before November 27, 2015 - price goes to $3.99 afterward.

In the U.S. - Amazon - Apple iBookstore - for all iOS devices - Barnes & Noble - for the Nook - Kobo - numerous devices - Smashwords - for Kindle, Android, and most other formats

Outside the U.S. - pricing and discount varies - Amazon Australia - Amazon Canada - Amazon UK - Nook UK - Kobo International

About the Author: 

Lisa Brunette is the author of the Dreamslippers mystery series. Book One, Cat in the Flock, is an indieBRAG honoree title that has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, Midwest Book Review, Readers Lane, and others.

Brunette is a career writer/editor whose work has appeared in major daily newspapers and magazines, including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Woman, and Poets & Writers. She's interviewed a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, a sex expert, homeless women, and the designer of the Batmobile, among others.

She has story design and writing credits in hundreds of bestselling video games, including the Mystery Case Files, Mystery Trackers, and Dark Tales series for Big Fish and AAA games for Nintendo and Microsoft platforms.

She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from University of Miami, where she was a Michener Fellow. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in Bellingham Review, The Comstock Review, Icarus International, and elsewhere.

She's also received many honors for her writing, including a major grant from the Tacoma Arts Commission, the William Stafford Award, and the Associated Writing Programs Intro Journals Project Award.

She blogs at www.catintheflock.com and has been a guest-blogger for Author magazine and Dr. Chris Michaels's blog.

Brunette is a member of Mystery Writers of America and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.


Saturday, October 24, 2015

Blog Tour/Review: Casters of Doovik by McKenzie Wagner


Tour Schedule

Casters of Doovik, by McKenzie Wagner
2015, 304p, Middle-grade Fantasy
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



All her life, Meg has lived within Doovik’s walls—walls meant to keep the dangerous creatures outside from coming in. But when a curse drives her from Doovik, Meg and her friends must battle mythical monsters and follow clues to break the spell and get home. From the author of the Benotripia series, this thrilling fantasy will have your heart racing!

I met McKenzie at a Costco signing for Benotripia a few years ago and was impressed with her. She's young and, since my daughter wants to be an author, too, she looks forward to reading her work. We were both excited to see that she was coming out with a new book.

During an important ceremony, a curse hit Doovik which turned everything to lava. Five children survived: Meg, Peter, Tessa, Eric and Dylan. The barrier came down which separated them from the outside world so they entered the unknown. They found themselves in a world they knew nothing about and needed to figure out what was happening and who to trust. They quickly learn that they have a short window of time in which to save their homes and families.

I enjoyed the imagination of the author as she described the adventures the characters had. There were times that I got a little lost as the story jumped around quite a bit. The POV alternated between each of the five main characters so it took me a while to keep them straight. It takes them a while to gel but they learn to work together to fight their common enemy, once they determine who that is. They learn a lot about themselves and the others along the way and life-changing facts are revealed to them.

I have to say that I wouldn't have guessed this book was written by a 14-year-old if I didn't already know it. I was impressed with a lot of what she did. Sure, there are things that could have made the story flow better, but it was still enjoyable. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work in the future and the growth that will come over time. This is a fun, action-packed adventure that kids (and adults) will enjoy!


About the author:

McKenzie Wagner is 14 years old and already has four published books under her belt. An ambitious girl who began writing at the age of seven, McKenzie is best known for “The Magic Meadow and the Golden Locket,” published at age 10, and the Benotripia trilogy, the last book being released when she was 13. Inspiring thousands of kids to follow their dreams, McKenzie has visited several elementary schools across the state of Utah and done numerous book signings in Costco, Barnes & Noble, and Hasting stores. When she isn’t writing, McKenzie spends her time reading, acting, singing, hoping Peter Pan will take her to Neverland, and adding to her collection/army of stuffed animals.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Blog Tour/Review: Papa's Book of Mormon Christmas by Emma Rae Parker


Tour Schedule

Papa's Book of Mormon Christmas, by Emma Rae Parker; Illustrated by Alexa Terry Hanson
2015, 32p, LDS Children's Christmas Picture Book
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Six-year-old Alice would rather get toys than a book any day. But when her grandfather explains that this book is different, Alice begins to see why their first-edition Book of Mormon is so special to her family. Set in the early 1900s, this charming story is the perfect picture book to read with your family as you gather round the Christmas tree.

Alice is an active, sweet six-year-old. She asks her Papa to tell her a story. He tries but she keeps interrupting him, haha. He is finally able to catch her attention and tells her a story about the book that saved Christmas. She's not too impressed with that gift and states that she would rather receive toys. While they're frosting cookies, he's able to hold her attention long enough to tell her the story about the night he met Nephi and how this special book helped him through a rough Christmas. She's enthralled and receives her own special gift that Christmas.

Alice and her Papa have a great relationship. He's patient with her and she loves to hang out and have fun with him. Their conversations were realistic as she was pretty focused on toys and needed to be drawn into his story. This book is only about Alice and her Papa. It seemed a little strange to me that there was no mention of her parents and that they weren't there on Christmas Day, either. 

The illustrations are bright and fun and bring the story to life. This is a book I'm excited to share with my children this Christmas season. I love how simple Christmas was and the excitement of a book for a gift. I do generally give my children books for Christmas and they love them. Usually. ;) This is a book that the entire family will enjoy reading together!


About the author:
Emma Parker graduated summa cum laude from Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in English and Creative Writing. She was born and raised in Southern California and currently lives in Utah to work her dream job as an acquisitions editor for a publishing company. “Papa’s Book of Mormon Christmas” is her first book. You can learn more about Emma at emmaraeparker.com.

About the illustrator:
Alexa Terry Hanson is a true-blue California girl born in Chico, California. She discovered her talents at a young age, and as the years went by, her skills continued to develop. After a few years of college, she returned home and fell in love with her husband. They currently live in California, where she has had many experiences and opportunities as a freelance artist with companies such as TOMS Shoes and Disney Television Animation Studios. Every day she continues to create new characters and new worlds using her artistic talents, and she could not be happier.
 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Book Review: Frankie Dupont and the High Seas Heist by Julie Anne Grasso


Frankie Dupont and the High Seas Heist, by Julie Anne Grasso
2015, 148p, Middle-grade mystery
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Frankie Dupont seems to catch odd-ball cases in the most unlikely places. You would think he would be used to it by now.

When his next case lands him on a luxury cruise liner full of devious chocolatiers with ulterior motives, Frankie will be expected to solve the crime, even before it's committed.

Although his mind is certainly up for the challenge, Frankie realises his stomach is yet to find its sea legs.

Book 4 in the Frankie Dupont Illustrated mysteries.


This is the fourth book in the Frankie Dupont series. I have enjoyed them all and this one was no exception! Frankie's dad is invited to share his expertise with Madame Marie Fontaine, the owner of a ship setting sail for Antarctica. Frankie, his cousin Kat and their friend Amy go with him. Once they get there, they are surprised to learn that Madame Fontaine needs his help with a potential crime, not one that's actually happened. Frankie, Kat and Amy meet Maddie, Madame Fontaine's granddaughter, who wants their help to solve a mystery of her own.

Frankie works on honing his detective skills to solve Maddie's case and Kat and Amy, along with his dog, Sherlock, are great helpers. They make a good team as they work together to figure out what's going on. The two cases are connected and interesting tidbits are uncovered along the way to solving the case.

This is a fantastic series for young readers! The mysteries are challenging and are only part of the story. Frankie and his friends are interesting, smart and determined. There are fun illustrations which bring the story to life. These books can be read in any order but, since they're fun to read, you might as well start at the beginning and read them all! I'm looking forward to more Frankie in the future!


Here are the links to my reviews for the other books in this series:
Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor
Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco
Frankie Dupont and the Science Fair Sabotage

With a background in pediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to encourage and inspire them.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Danny and their little elf, Giselle.