Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Book Blast: Mid Century Mayhem by Bella Street


Mid Century Mayhem by Bella Street

Modern day Nashville and 1950s Detroit clash worse than an IKEA futon and a plaid Barcalounger when a free-spirited interior designer and a strait-laced automotive engineer find themselves in another time.

TOMS-wearing Olivia Haugen and Madras-shirted Kyle Daniels have no idea why they’ve ended up in 1954 Michigan, but it’s probably not because of all the swank mid-century furnishings. Discovering the reason might have something to do with a wily salvage warehouse owner and her not-so-little shop of secrets.


Praise for the book:

“Wow this book just drew me right into it from the start.”–Diana K.

“Loved it. Details of the past were so real, you felt you were there!” –Amy B.

“This book was amazing. It was funny, harrowing, nerve-racking, and just plain awesome!!!” –Tiffany T.

add to goodreads

Excerpt

“It’s about to storm,” Constance said, dutifully changing the subject. As if manifested by her words, the sunlight disappeared and a rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. She pursed her lips. “So I guess you’re heading home to that feckless man-friend of yours. Clayton, wasn’t it?”

“It’s Troy.” Olivia tilted her head. “Clayton was last month.”

Constance rolled her eyes. “I’m going to start making a list so I can keep track.”

“It’s not that bad,” Olivia protested. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“If it’s a lack of drama you want, you should lay off artists and musicians.” The shop owner sniffed. 

“You should be looking into more mature men like—”

“Your nephew Kyle—that pinnacle of malehood and maturity, or so I’ve heard.”

“It wouldn’t kill you to at least meet the man one of these times.”

“And disappoint you when he fails to pique my interest?”

“You can’t know that,” Constance said, exasperation in her tone.

Olivia arched a brow. “You said he’s an engineer. And thirty years old. Could he sound any more exciting?”

“He’s level-headed, has a great career—”

“And is such a catch that he’s still single at his advanced age.”

“Don’t get smart with me.”

Smirking, Olivia shrugged. “I’ve heard this before. It’s all a retread.”

“That’s what you get here in spades. Retro retread.”

Olivia patted her lightly on her head. “Let’s keep the retro to home décor, shall we?”

Constance crossed her ample arms over her chest, her expression mulish. “I’m not kidding about the demand of mid-century inventory. You’re going to have to find another access point if you want the good stuff. And grab one of those umbrellas by the door or you’ll get yourself soaked to the skin.”

***

Kyle Daniels pressed himself against the brick storefront behind him, his body just inches out of the sudden downpour. The slight overhang of the building, however, failed to stop the rain from splashing onto his shoes. He frowned. The shoes were new—as were his pressed trousers, which were becoming speckled with moisture.

That ridiculous door jingle sounded and he peered through the sheet of rain to see a customer leaving the salvage shop, umbrella poised high over her head.

Not just any customer. He’d seen that white-blond hair and lithe figure before.

Olivia Haugen—the answer to all his dreams, according to Great Aunt Constance.

Kyle had caught a glimpse of her a few times—usually leaving the shop—and every time he saw her, his impression was the same. She was artsy, high-strung, and flighty.

And he hadn’t even met the woman.

Just the way her pale hair floated around her face vexed him. How could she stand it getting in her eyes all the time? She drifted down the sidewalk in a vague, dreamy way—even in the rain. Didn’t she realize she could trip on the broken sidewalk? Or get mugged by a stray criminal? She seemed completely unaware of her surroundings.

And when he saw her climb into a yellow and blue Mini Cooper, painted with the bold lettering of House Whisperer Inc., he had all the information he needed to come to a reasoned, logical conclusion.

She was a nonstarter.

A pointless pursuit.

Besides that, he knew in his gut that she’d never give him the time of day. He’d come in contact with females of her ilk before, and knew a meeting with her would be accompanied by an amused yet dismissive look coupled with the usual disdain for his attire. Madras shirts and Dockers apparently provoked rolled eyes and barely suppressed snickers. Kyle figured she’d go for the type of guy in skinny jeans and V-neck T-shirts that revealed a bony sternum.

And there would be hair gel. Lots of it.

Sorry, Aunt Constance. This dream of yours will just have to crawl into a corner somewhere and die. 



Author Bella Street

#1 Amazon Bestselling author in Time Travel & Gothic Romance!

Living so close to Nashville has provoked Bella to take up fiddle lessons. Until her tunes no longer sound like amorous alley cats, she writes weird romance (which includes Gothic romance, science fiction romance, apocalypse, time travel, paranormal, fantasy romance, New Adult–and possibly sasquatch).















$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/31/15

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Blog Tour/Review: A Boy Back from Heaven by Celeste and Matthew Goodwin



A Boy Back from Heaven, by Celeste and Matthew Goodwin
2014, 128p, Christian Non-fiction, Inspirational
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Standing above his hospital bed, Celeste and Billy Goodwin watched in horror as their young son Matthew’s eyes rolled back in his head and he became unresponsive for several harrowing minutes. Doctors called the episode a medical anomaly, but what really happened can only be described as a miracle. Discover the truth about heaven through a child’s eyes as you read Matthew’s account of his walk with angels and his shocking revelation months later about the angels’ identities.

I enjoy reading near-death experiences and am especially interested when it's a child. I was a little surprised that this book focused more on the health issues Matthew had and there were only a few mentions of his experience. His experience itself wasn't long or detailed but meant a lot to him and his family. Because of it, they were able to find peace with death and the afterlife and are able to share that with others.

I can't imagine the fear his parents felt when he was getting sick for apparently no reason. I've never had blood pressure issues but can imagine how scary it would be for me to deal with, not to mention a child. Their story on what happened and how they got answers was compelling. They relied a lot on their faith to get them through a difficult time. Experiences like this can tear families apart and I liked that they were able to strengthen their family during many difficult years. Celeste and Matthew had a lot put on their shoulders and, while I'm sure they had their breakdown moments (who wouldn't?), they dealt with the situation very well. Celeste learned a lot medically and is now an advocate for pedatric hypertension.

I believe in prayer, heaven and angels, and while their beliefs don't exactly line up with mine, I enjoyed their story. It's a great book for anyone that is struggling with the loss of a loved one or if you enjoy real-life medical drama with a faith element.


Celeste Goodwin, pediatric hypertension advocate, is a Christian speaker, patient advocacy presenter, national award-winning mom, and founder of the National Pediatric Blood Pressure Awareness Foundation. Her passion to help others is evident by the dynamic presentations in which she uses humor and her love of God to encourage change. Through her writing and speaking, Celeste encourages others to never lose faith and to always rely on the power of prayer. She ignites thought provoking transformations in the hearts and minds of those she communicates with. Her effectiveness is evident by the honors she has received, such as being selected by Disney owned Babble.com, as one of 2011’s Top 100 Moms Changing the World in the education division. Celeste was honored as Baton Rouge City Social Magazine’s January 2012 Extraordinary Woman. Celeste has appeared on local and regional news, radio, and television programs. She has also been featured in varying print media.

Book Blast: Thirty-Three Going on Girlfriend by Becky Monson


Thirty-Three Going on Girlfriend

***The highly anticipated sequel to Becky Monson’s bestseller – Thirty-Two Going on Spinster!***

Julia Dorning thought she would die a lonely spinster. That was until nine months ago, when her world was turned upside down. Now she’s got a dream career as a bakery owner, and a relationship with handsome Jared Moody—a life she never thought possible.

Just as she’s starting to feel comfortable in her new life, Julia is invited to battle it out on national television making cupcakes. An amazing opportunity, if she can muster up the confidence to do it, that is. Then, out of the blue, Jared goes and throws a rather large wrench in their relationship causing Julia to have to make some big decisions. With her two trusted confidants off in wedding la la land, Julia is on her own to figure everything out.

Left to her own devices, will Julia be able to work things out for herself? Or will she make a disaster of it all? Find out in Becky Monson’s sequel to Thirty-Two Going on Spinster!


Praise

“After reading the first book, I have been waiting impatiently for this one. I was not disappointed. I laughed so hard, it was a fun read that left me with a good feeling.” -Amazon Reader

“Get ready for another crazy ride with Julia Dorning. This sequel not only lives up to expectations of the first, but surpasses it!” – Author Kathryn Biel

“After what seemed like an age of (impatient) waiting, I finally got my hands on the next instalment of Julia Dorning’s life. And it was worth every single finger drumming minute.” -BestChickLit.com

add to goodreads

Excerpt

I can’t believe I am here.

I can’t believe I’m standing here, gazing lovingly at Jared, surrounded by our friends and family, on this amazing beach with this marvelous sunset, as we make these vows—these incredible, sure-to-make-you-cry vows—to each other.

The colors are all muted, antique tones of pink, yellow, gold. My bouquet is practically bursting with soft pink roses.

My makeup is not whorish, as my sister, Anna, would have preferred, and my hair is done in perfect, long curls, half pulled up with a small, antique jeweled clip. Simple. Understated. Exactly what I wanted.

And then there’s my dress. My dress is spectacular. It’s timeless, really, just slightly off-white, an off-the-shoulder bodice with details of stunning Chantilly lace and a sweeping train. I heart it. I heart it all. Especially Jared. In his classic suit—none of that penguin stuff for him—he looks like something out of a style magazine. His pants and jacket are perfectly tailored, and he wears the antique pink tie just because I want him to.

I glance over at my bridesmaids—my baby sister Anna and my dearest friend, Betsy Brown—gazing at us with bright smiles. Anna’s has an ever-so-slight look of jealousy, but I beam at them. This is the perfect day. My perfect day with Jared.

“Do you, Jared Nathan Moody, take Julia Warner Dorning to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, until death do you part?” the officiant, dressed in white, asks Jared.

“I do,” he says simply.

“And do you, Julia Warner Dorning, take Jared Nathan Moody to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, until death do you part?” the priest asks.

“I do,” I say as I stare into Jared’s eyes. His are filling up with tears, and I begin to well up too.

“Then by the power that is vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wi—”

“JULIA! What the hell? What are you doing in my dress?” Anna’s screeching pulls me out of my fantasy. “Geez, I leave you alone in here for ten minutes, and you think it’s okay to put my wedding dress on? Mom! Tell her to take my dress off!” Anna stomps her foot in a ridiculous, childlike manner.
My mom comes in the room just after Anna and puts her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Julia dear, what are you doing?”

“Nothing! Geez, I was just seeing how it felt, that’s all. Stop pouting like you’re ten,” I say to Anna, who is practically throwing an adult version of a temper tantrum.




Author Becky Monson
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.














Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/28/15

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, January 5, 2015

Blog Tour/Review/Author Interview: Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly


Tour Schedule

Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly
2014, 239p, YA Suspense/Thriller
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Thea’s overprotective parents are driving her insane. They invade her privacy, ask too many questions, and restrict her online time so severely that Thea feels she has no life at all. When she discovers a new role-playing game online, Thea breaks the rules by staying up late to play. She’s living a double life: on one hand, the obedient daughter; on the other, a girl slipping deeper into darkness. In the world of the game, Thea falls under the spell of Kit, an older boy whose smarts and savvy can’t defeat his loneliness and near-suicidal despair. As Kit draws soft-hearted Thea into his drama, she creates a full plate of cover stories for her parents and then even her friends.

Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really “gets” her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit’s allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a true-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea’s life spins out of control.

This book deals with an issue that is every mother's nightmare--your daughter becoming emotionally involved with someone on the internet. My daughter is starting to use technology more and more and I've had multiple conversations with her about what is and isn't appropriate. When she gets a little older, I will definitely give her this book to read.

Thea and her best friend, Janie, like two boys, Tim and Josh. The girls are looking forward to these boys asking them out but something else happens at the bus stop which leaves them both humiliated and embarrassed. A few weeks later, her brother's friend tells her about this cool online game, Skadi, so she starts to play. She meets a boy, Kit, who she becomes friends with. He has some big problems that she helps him deal with and their relationship starts to grow. He starts pressuring her for more and more personal information and she slowly starts to give into him, not realizing the harm she's placing herself in. Thea believes Kit is who he says he is but others are warning her that he might be someone else entirely. She's willing to break all sorts of rules for him but is Kit worth all the trouble she puts herself in?

Thea is likable. She's a typical teenager that just wants to fit in and when she has a difficult time at school, she turns to a new hobby. She made some poor decisions but was pressured by someone she came to trust. Her parents kept reminding her of their rules but once she started breaking them, it became easier to do. She started to lie to everyone, even her friends, to keep the extent of her relationship with Kit secret. While Thea made some poor choices, she never became unlikable. I kept wanting her to smarten up so nothing serious would happen, but felt her actions were typical of a trusting teenager.

I also liked Janie and Tim and thought they were good friends to her throughout. Janie tried talking sense into Thea but friendships at that age can be tricky. I wasn't sure about Tim after the first time we met him, but grew to love him and looked forward to the time they spent together.  

Once I started this book, it was hard to put down until I finished. The suspense built throughout and the reveal surprised me. The fact that it's fiction based on fact was chilling to me. It's a good book to start a conversation with your teen about the dangers of the internet and the importance of not giving out personal information to anyone! This is a book that every mother and teenage daughter should read.

I'm so glad I was able to interview the author to get some more information on this book and also get to know Margo Kelly better!

Author Interview

1. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I wrote a lot of poetry when I was young. (I don’t write poetry anymore.) And I always wanted to be a writer … or ruler of the universe … they’re kind of the same thing. But I honestly considered myself a writer way back in elementary school when I wrote a poem about rollerskating.

2. What inspired you to write Who R U Really?
The inspiration for my debut novel, Who R U Really?, came when my daughter was nearly abducted by an online predator.

3. What was the hardest scene for you to write?
The scene where the mother and daughter played Scrabble was the hardest scene for me to write, because that happened in real life. The events that immediately followed the game also happened. As I wrote the scene, I got very emotional. Writing it from my daughter’s perspective rather than my own made it even more challenging.

4. Who is your favorite character? Least favorite?
Favorite = Tim … Least favorite = Kit

5. Is there anything else you would like to say about this book?
Yes! Audible recently acquired the rights to produce an audiobook for Who R U Really?! I am very excited about this. It will be interesting to hear those online chats read out loud!

6. What are some of your favorite books and what book are you reading now?
I just finished reading Partials by Dan Wells, and I really enjoyed it. Some of my favorite books that I read in 2014 (I love that I can check Goodreads to refresh my memory!) include Legend by Marie Lu, I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and The Archived by Victoria Schwab. I highly recommend them all, and you can read my reviews of them on Goodreads.

7. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to make quilts. I love to go camping. And I love to read.

8. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Revise. Revise. Revise. Finishing the first draft of your manuscript is an awesome accomplishment, but do not stop there. Revise it. Find a fellow writer to critique it. Revise it. Find another person to critique it. And revise again.

9. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thanks! The support and encouragement I’ve received during the launch of my debut has been amazing.

 
Praise for the book:

“Kelly’s first novel is a suspenseful page-turner with multiple suspects, a little bit of romance, and a strong but not overbearing message.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Suspenseful novel that’s guaranteed to give readers goosebumps–particularly as events heat up toward the end. A good choice for families to read together.” –School Library Journal

“Who R U Really? is a fantastically creepy book that is surprisingly realistic and totally engrossing…. Once I opened it, I couldn’t close it. Who R U Really is a satisfyingly unique YA thriller that left me guessing up until almost the very last page…. This book is very realistic and I really enjoyed the writing style.” –Tempest Books

“Based on actual events, the story should be required reading for all teens.” –VOYA Magazine

Author Margo Kelly

Margo Kelly is a native of the Northwest and currently resides in Idaho. A veteran public speaker, she is now actively pursuing her love of writing. Who R U Really? is her first novel. Margo welcomes the opportunities to speak to youth groups, library groups, and book clubs.





Blog Tour Giveaway

1 print copy of Who R U Really?

Open to US only

Ends 1/12/15

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Launch: Parched by Georgia Clark


A themed tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're LAUNCHING the BOOK TOUR for

Parched
By Georgia Clark

Robots, renewable resources, and romance get tangled together in this thrilling futuristic adventure novel about a utopian city struggling to keep its peace.

January Tour Schedule

More About the Author and Parched

1. What is your motivation behind Parched? Why did you want to write it?

I suppose most writers answer this question with something like, ‘X was a deeply personal story I just had to write’ or ‘Y is an important topic more people should be taking about’. But here is the truth: I wrote Parched because I was unemployed and didn’t have a lot of friends. It was 2010, I had just moved to New York from Sydney with all the bright-eyed optimism of a pilgrim. Getting a great job, finding a lovely apartment with lots of natural light and making some good friends would be a piece of cake, I thought. Cut to me, one year later, living in a rickety Williamsburg apartment with part-time nudists and full-time cat hair, writing this book because I have two friends, and both of them are nudists. I distracted myself from this by writing a great, big action-adventure story with equal parts action, romance, and drama. I also wanted an excuse to explore the ethics of artificial intelligence and alternative economic systems, because, quite frankly, ethics of artificial intelligence and alternative economic systems are important topics more people should be taking about.

2. What do you hope readers take with them when they read your book?

An umbrella, enough change for a taxi, and if you’re wearing shoes with heels, a pair of flats that fold up. If you mean this question less literally, then I’d say, Parched is about a girl who joins a rebel underground group to fight for what she believes in. I hope this book inspires readers to do the same. Either join an actual rebel underground group and let me know when your meetings are, or find people who are passionate about what you’re passionate about, and make something together.

3. Do you have a favorite scene?

In my book, I like the scene in Part Two where Tess and Hunter talk in the florist. It’s tense and sexy and dramatic. In someone else’s book, I love the scene where Katniss first enters the arena. It was so exciting, I was practically frothing at the mouth.

4. Share something about you that is unique - maybe about how/where you write... or favorite snack foods?

As I was writing this novel, I was reading it aloud to my mum over Skype. I live in Brooklyn and she lives in a tiny beach town in Australia. Not only was it good for me to read it aloud to hear how everything was working, but Mum’s a very enthusiastic audience. Whenever I asked if there was anything I should change, she’d reply in a bewildered voice, ‘No! It’s just so good!’ and I’d smile smugly and pour myself a glass of wine.

Georgia is gearing up to teach a short, online writing class about writing sci-fi through a Lit Reactor course. Want to go check it out and join? Go HERE! Begins January 14th.

Parched
Parched
by Georgia Clark
YA Romantic Sci-Fi
Hardcover, 312 Pages
March 14th 2014 by Holiday House


"A gutsy teen living on an arid, depleted Earth two centuries in the future faces danger and shocking revelations when she covertly joins a subversive group.

Sixteen-year-old Tess lived in Eden, a seemingly idyllic, domed city where access to information and water is regulated by the governing Trust. After a rogue robot killed her scientist mother, Tess fled with a terrible secret to the desperate, arid Badlands, where she’s recruited by Kudzu, explained to her as a “nonviolent collective working to undermine the Trust and free the Badlands.” Learning Kudzu plans to destroy Aevum, the Trust’s latest advanced robot, Tess reluctantly returns to Eden, where she finds the luxurious life morally unconscionable and secretly trains with Kudzu. Living with her uncle, who’s involved with Aevum, Tess is strangely attracted to his sympathetic assistant, Hunter. During a Kudzu raid on the Trust’s lab, Tess discovers that Aevum will be used to eradicate all inhabitants of the Badlands—and that Hunter’s not what he seems to be.

Tess’ first-person, present-tense voice lends chilling immediacy to her no-nonsense story of mixed loyalty, disturbing secrets, and ethical dilemmas associated with diminishing natural resources and scientific experimentation.

Bold futurist adventure with unusual romance, riveting action and ominous ecological red flags." —Kirkus Reviews


Georgia Clark is an award-winning Australian author and performer currently living in Brooklyn, New York.

While allegedly studying a BA in Communications (Media Arts & Production) at the University of technology, Sydney, she instead became an activist in the student movement and spent too much money making terrible short films.

After graduating, she became a professional hipster as Editor of The Brag, a free, weekly music magazine. This lead to her starting a band, the not-at-all seminal electro pop trio, Dead Dead Girls. This experience formed the basis of her first novel, SHE’S WITH THE BAND, published by Australia’s largest independent publisher, Allen & Unwin in 2008. SHE’S WITH THE BAND was distributed in the U.S. and the U.K. in 2011 and attracted five-star reviews.

In 2007, Georgia won a national pitching competition at SPAA, the Screen Producer Association’s annual conference, for Starts At Sunset, a one-hour drama/comedy about vampires who play in a band.

Georgia has worked as an acclaimed freelance teen and lifestyle journalist for over ten years. She is published in Girl’s Life, Cosmo, CLEO, Daily Life, Sunday Life and more. She has worked as the acting Features Editor and senior contributor for Australia’s number one teen magazine, Girlfriend. She has also attended writers’ residencies in Martha’s Vineyard, California and Portugal, and received grants for her work.

Georgia moved to New York from Sydney in 2009. Here, she performs improv comedy and writes from the New York Writers Room, which involves eating macaroons and drinking many, many cups of tea. A play she co-wrote and performs in, PICKLES & HARGRAVES, AND THE CURSE OF THE TANZANIAN GLIMMERFISH, will be on in the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

$20 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Signed copy of Parched (US only)

Ends January 25th


Prism Book Tours

Friday, January 2, 2015

Book Review: The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby


The Twelfth Child, by Bette Lee Crosby
2012, 240p, Historical Mystery
My Rating=4.5 Stars
Source: Own a Kindle copy



Trust, love and friendship — Abigail Anne Lannigan searched for these things all her life; now, when she is at the tail end of her years she teams up with a free-spirited young woman, a nobody from nowhere, who suddenly moves in across the street. It’s an unlikely friendship which comes under suspicion when a distant relative, claims embezzlement. One million dollars is missing and only Abigail knows the truth of what happened – but, she’ll never get the chance to tell.
 

The Twelfth Child, a novel rich with emotion, humor and tenderness, explores the splintered relationships of a Shenandoah Valley family and their willful daughter’s struggle to survive America’s Great Depression and overcome the past.

Bette Lee Crosby contacted me a while ago to review this book and I was happy to tell her that I actually already had a copy! It was a book that looked like it would interest me so I had previously picked it up when it was offered for free. I was looking forward to reading this.

Abigail Lannigan was born in 1912 and has a twin brother, Will. Her father really only ever wanted sons. She never has a great relationship with her father and it gets worse when her mother dies. She's expected to marry a boy her father chose for her and makes a drastic decision to get out of it. Her life significantly changes after that and she experiences good times and bad.

Most of the story occurs during Abigail's older years so we mostly learn about her life through flashbacks. Right away, we meet Destiny Fairchild, a spunky young woman who moves in across the street from Abigail. She's also had a tough life and they become great friends.

Abigail has a nephew, Elliott Emerson, who introduces himself to her brother Will when he learns that Will sold the family farm for $1 million and change. When Will died, Elliott assumed he left the money to Abigail and is angling to receive it for himself but Abigail is the only one who knows where the money is and she never even told Destiny about it. Elliott learns of Abigail's death eight months later and sets out to get his hands on what he believes should be his. He's not likable at all and is obviously after the money but tries to pretend like he cares about Abigail and Will.

I enjoyed getting to know Abigail! There were times that I cheered her on and other times when I felt sad for her and what was happening in her life. Her life definitely had it's share of hardship and I liked how she made the best of every situation. I also loved Destiny. She was truly a friend to Abigail, keeping her company and taking care of her. She was so trusting and that caused some problems for her. I particularly loved her ending.

If you enjoy books that illustrate the strong relationship between women, no matter their ages, this is a book you will enjoy! I loved the hint at the end that there's more story to be told. I enjoyed reading Abigail's story and look forward to reading more books by this author!

Content: Mild swearing; brief sexual assault with minor details; premarital sex with minor details.


Author Bette Lee Crosby

Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

“Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.”

Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win another fifteen literary awards, including the Royal Palm Literary Award, The Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal.

A third book in her Wyattsville Series is scheduled for release in January 2015 and the third book in the Serendipity Series will follow in the Spring of 2015.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Blog Tour/Review: A Grave Inheritance by Kari Edgren


 photo 726d1a2c-6f57-443c-b2d4-cc0d3eeae2ab.png


02_A Grave Inheritance_CoverPublication Date: December 1, 2014
Carina Press
eBook; ASIN: B00OHV6MFA
Series: Goddess Born
Genre: Historical/Paranormal/New Adult/Romance
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the tour host for an honest review

Add to GR Button

Selah Kilbrid may descend from the goddess Brigid, but her heart beats—and breaks—the same as any human. Yet enduring the scorn of London's most noble lords and ladies is a small price to pay for a chance at true happiness. Selah would endure much more for love, and her betrothed, Lord Henry Fitzalan, is prepared to challenge anyone foolish enough to stand in their way—even another goddess born.

But when a captivating young gentleman draws Selah into a world shadowed by secrets, she is forced to confront her darkest fears. What if some differences are too great to overcome and a future with Henry is doomed from the start?

With these doubts threatening her impending marriage and the very last of Brigid's fire draining from her soul, a violent attack on an innocent child pushes Selah to the very edge of her power. She must find a way to cross into the Otherworld and regain her strength—or forfeit the streets of London to death and disease.

I enjoyed the first book in this series. You can learn more about it and find my review here. My only minor complaint about the first book was that the pacing seemed slow at times. I definitely don't have the same complaint with this book since it moved at a much faster pace, and I loved it!!

At the beginning, Henry is already in England and Selah is preparing to join him. She has an odd experience before she leaves which shakes her up a little bit. When she gets to England, she and Henry have to act more formal with each other since lots of eyes are on them due to a prior commitment Henry made before he met her. Henry is able to appease her but she does doubt him quite a bit throughout this book.

I love Henry and Selah! There were obstacles and complications for them to overcome and they each had someone else vying for their affection. They also had plenty of people working to keep them apart. At one point, Selah isn't sure if she completely trusts Henry and has to decide what her feelings for him are.

There are also some great side characters--James Roth, Henry's personal secretary who Selah doesn't get along with, Selah's best friend, Nora, and her mother Lucy, who are both Quakers that travel to England with Selah, and Lady Catherine Dinley, the young widow who welcomes Selah and her friends into her home and helps her through some dicey situations.

A lot is revealed in this book about Selah and she finds others who are like her. I love Ms. Edgren's writing--I felt like I was there in England with them and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. There were some great twists and the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more. I'm definitely looking forward to book 3!! 

Content: Minor swearing. Kissing. Clean!

Buy the eBook

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

03_Kari EdgrenAbout the Author

Kari Edgren is the author of the Goddess Born series. In 2010 and 2011 she was a semifinalist for the Amazon Break Through Novel Award. In 2013, she was a RWA Golden Heart finalist. Ms. Edgren enjoys writing both historical and contemporary fiction, so long as there’s a spark of paranormal. She resides on a mountain top in the Pacific Northwest where she spends a great deal of time dreaming about the sun and torturing her husband and children with strange food and random historical facts.

For more information please visit Kari Edgren’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Sign Up for Kari Edgren’s Newsletter.

A Grave Inheritance Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 2
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Thursday, December 4
Review at A Book Geek
Review at I'd So Rather Be Reading

Friday, December 5
Spotlight at The Reader's Hollow

Monday, December 9
Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Wednesday, December 11
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Monday, December 22
Review at The Mad Reviewer

Friday, December 26
Review at The Book Nerd

Monday, December 29
Review at Peeking Between the Pages

Tuesday, December 30
Review at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews

Thursday, January 1
Review at Mel's Shelves

Friday, January 2
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Monday, January 5
Review at Book Babe
Review at The True Book Addict

Friday, January 9
Review at Romantic Historical Reviews