June 2017 - A Life Through Books

Friday, June 30, 2017

Adventure Blog Tour

Blog Tour: Deity's Soulmate by @kernerangelina

Blog Tour: Deity's Soulmate by @kernerangelina
1:00 AM 2 Comments
YA Fantasy and Adventure
Date Published: April 1, 2017

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From author Angelina Kerner (Seven Hours: Challenge Accepted) comes an all-new fantasy series about Gardenia, a daughter of Athena, and her 100 years of coursework on how to create whole new worlds and subjects of her own.

A sheltered schoolchild in a realm of condescending gods and goddesses, Gardenia goes to Earth on a dare to  witness the unsavory side of mankind for herself.  Believing she can do better, she undertakes the formation of an entire galaxy, but without permission from Zeus.   

Zeus disciplines her by assigning an epic 13-fold creational lesson destined to take her a century to complete.  But he is taken aback once more when she makes an odd choice.  She vows to fulfill this knowledge quest by tracking down a lost race of dragons, and discovering the secrets they’ve kept since time began.

Searching the universe to meet even one dragon may be a fool’s errand, but that’s the least of her worries.  For ancient wartime resentments linger between the nations of dragons and deities, and some dragons would attack Gardenia on sight!  

Yet she ventures out undaunted, learning unexpected things about nomadic life, tender love, and mortal peril along the way.  The biggest surprise of all, though, goes by the name of Ri.  Ri may be the man of her dreams, the voice in her head, the dragon she’s seeking, or all these things and more...
Meanwhile, the Fates brew sordid plans of their own and Hera jealously sets traps and trials for Gardenia at every chance.  What’s a young goddess to do?  Flight or fight?


About the Author


Angelina Kerner, a Pisces, was born during the Chinese astrological year of the Snake, which she absolutely adores. Angelina loves snakes, and was once allowed to feed one a rat. That was an experience of a lifetime.

She moved around during her young years from Novosibirsk to Kaluga in Russia. Finally settling in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, her teenage years were spent dancing in troupes and performing on stage. The dances ranged from waltz to tango, from Jewish to Russian, and finally belly dance. She was accepted into six out of seven universities, and decided to stay close to her family. Angelina pursued a psychology degree until she saw graduates working for Starbucks and then decided to pursue another career path in the department of Social Sciences. The difficult coursework, her job, and finding her life partner inspired her to turn to writing which, at the time, wasn't so much a hobby as a way to escape daily routine.

She worked on countless stories, never really finishing them, but came to understand that flash fiction wasn't for her. After finding an online community where she met her best friend, her writing flourished, making publication a possible next step. She is now the author of one published novel for both young adults and adults, and aspires to publish her other fantasy and crime fiction works soon. Her next project involves a competition for a beautiful phoenix. That novel will, hopefully, make its debut in 2017 or 2018. Angelina currently divides her time between her family, work, writing, and a lot of cats.

Visit her website at www.kernerangelina.live

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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: In Black & White by @Lavenderpages #review

Blog Tour: In Black & White by @Lavenderpages #review
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  Romance
Date Published: June 7, 2016
Publisher: Chamomile Books LLC


Micah Winters always knew that she was different. It was the pigment of her skin and the texture of her hair that revealed that she was a woman from biracial parents. For five decades, Micah’s African American mother has remained silent about Micah’s estranged father (Sidney Irving). It is not until after Sidney Irving’s death that Micah learns that she is the daughter of the legendary novelist and screenwriter. Now with her mother’s memory fading away from Alzheimer’s disease, Micah can only rely on a novel that was written from her father years ago to understand her parents past during the time of segregation in the United States. Micah’s once simple life is not so simple anymore as she tries to make sense of an unfamiliar world as she inherits her father’s wealth and private past. With an abandoned heart, Micah must forgive the past in order to discover who she really is.

Review
The story really grabs the readers attention from the get-go. Catherine Lavender does a great job being descriptive and allowing the reader to feel like they are immersed in the world and time. 

 I was surprised at how fresh and how many surprises there were in this story. What a wonderful job of keeping the reader invested in the series and its characters! 

Characterization is key in any novel and I felt like Micah was a great main character with real problems that the reader can relate to. She was easy to get behind and root for through the novel.

A nice romantic treat for Romance fans. 


Catherine Lavender is from Baltimore, Maryland but now resides in the sunshine state of Florida with her miniature schnauzer named Ripken. She is an animal activist, as well as a supporter of the organization First Book which helps supply literature for underprivileged children. In her spare time, Catherine enjoys reading classic literature and playing the acoustic guitar.


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Blog Tour Giveaway

Blog Tour: Dangerously Yours by @AMGriffinbooks #interview #giveaway

Blog Tour: Dangerously Yours by @AMGriffinbooks #interview #giveaway
2:30 AM 2 Comments

Sci-Fi Romance
Date Published: June 6, 2017

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Kane Epps divides his life into two distinct parts—before the alien invasion and after. Before the invasion, he had a pregnant wife and a high-powered job. After the invasion, he’s left with only himself and his hatred for all things alien. He channels his bitterness by captaining a vessel of renegade humans—space pirates who don’t think twice about taking what they need. 
Princess Sa’Mya is on the run. She and a few trusted advisers fled her home planet only to be captured by the sexy, dangerous Captain Epps. He claims to hate aliens but can’t seem to resist touching her or kissing her…everywhere. As Kane introduces Sa’Mya to ever-increasing, unimaginable realms of pleasure, the princess becomes determined to earn his trust. She’s used to getting what she wants. And this time, what she wants is Kane Epps. 

Publisher’s Note: This story was previously published by Ellora’s Case under the title Dangerously Yours and has been revised for re-publish by the Author.

Reader Advisory: This space-opera romance contains some good old-fashioned voyeurism.


 Interview
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
The hardest part is trying to write when the characters aren’t talking to me. I can get a first draft of a book done in a month if the characters are chattering away, but when they are silent it’s a wrap. I can force myself to type to get words down “on the paper”, but this only ends up frustrating me to no end. It’s best to wait it out. Which may be a day, week or months. (oh, the joy)


What songs are most played on your Ipod?
I don’t have an ipod (lol). But I keep Prince on rotation. Some authors use music to help them write. I can’t. I need to hear the voices. lol


Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
A long while ago I had both. I only ask for other authors or a few trusted readers to read my work in progress when I think that I’ve strayed or if I’m feeling that something is missing and need their input. I keep saying that I’m going to go back to critique partners but then I feel guilty asking someone else to read my stuff when I know that they’re so busy with their own writing.


What book are you reading now?
I just finished reading the Novel of the Edge series by Ilona Andrews. LOVED that series. Nothing is currently queued up on my Kindle at the moment (because I’m supposed to be writing).



How did you start your writing career?
My mother is a writer and although she never published I remember her sitting at her typewriter, clicking away, from a very young age. She always encouraged me to write my thoughts down, no matter how outrageous I thought they were. I’ve always written stories, but one day I was so wrapped into one that I finished it. I was fortunate enough to get that first story published with Ellora’s Cave and from there my life has pretty much been an open book!


Tell us about your next release.

The next release is Dangerously His, the 4th book in the Loving Dangerously series. It’s JB’s story (who we meet in Dangerously Hers). JB is a care-free guy who is just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. I love JB and hope that you will too!



About the Author



A. M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She’s a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.

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Contemporary Contemporary Romance

Mainstream Romance Blast from @evernightpub: Rising From the Ashes #excerpt #giveaway

Mainstream Romance Blast from @evernightpub: Rising From the Ashes #excerpt #giveaway
2:00 AM1 Comments


Rising from the Ashes (Flame Kissed Series) by Charity West
Contemporary Suspense
Flame Kissed, 1

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Kaycee Witherspoon barely escaped her last relationship with her life. Now that she has a fresh start in a new town, she feels like she can finally breathe. But is she relaxing her guard too soon? When she finds her tires slashed and her apartment broken into, she has to wonder if her past isn’t quite so far behind her.

Zarek O’Donnell doesn’t know much about the new assistant at his fire station except that her mesmerizing curves and bewitching smile have him under her spell. Even though she laughs easily and seems to light up around him, he can tell that there’s something darker haunting her. His protective side rises to the surface whenever she’s near, and he knows he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe.

When the lines of past and present begin to blur, there’s only one thing Kaycee knows. This time she might not escape. If she wants the new life she’s forged for herself, she’ll have to fight to keep it.


Buy the Book




Excerpt

“You have to be exhausted after working until this morning and then dealing with my apartment this afternoon.” I nibbled my bottom lip. “What if I made dinner? I haven’t eaten yet, and I’m sure you haven’t either.”
“I have a better idea. Why don’t we order some pizzas and watch TV for a while? We can sit on the couch and just relax for the rest of the night. Put on PJs and kick back.”
I arched a brow. “You own pajamas?”
“Well, I own pajama pants. Does that count?”
Holy Jesus, was he seriously going to run around without a shirt? Because I wasn’t sure my hormones could handle it. The hint of muscle I could see through his t-shirts was enough to make me drool. I didn’t think I could handle bare skin. Although, it would be a nice distraction from my problems, as long as I could keep my hands to myself. I wasn’t going to make any promises, though. A shirtless Zarek might be too much temptation.
He smirked, and I realized I was staring like an idiot.
“You just pictured me shirtless, didn’t you?” he asked with laughter flashing in his eyes.
My cheeks flushed. “No. Of course not.”
His grin widened a little, and he shook his head, clearly not believing me.
“If you tell me what you want on your pizza, I’ll place the order while you get comfortable.”
“I knew you were anxious to get me out of my clothes.”
My whole face felt like it was on fire. Before I could embarrass myself further, I bolted from the room and went to get a drink from the kitchen. I’d made a fresh pitcher of sweet tea last night and hadn’t touched it yet. By the time I’d poured myself a glass and returned to the living room, I could hear the shower going. I set my glass down and went to change into a tank and sleep shorts. They were old and comfortable, but they showed enough skin to be considered sexy. Do I want Zarek to see me as sexy?
I’d thought we would be roommates, co-workers, and nothing more. But the more I got to know Zarek, the harder it was to resist him. I’d felt that instant spark when we’d met at work on Monday, and I had to wonder what that spark would feel like if our lips touched. Would I feel the zing all the way to my toes? Just being near him was enough to make me tingle with awareness. I thought about him in the shower and wondered if he was as sexy dripping wet as I imagined him to be. I gave myself a mental slap, changed into my pajamas, and then returned to the living room. I couldn’t order the pizza yet since Zarek hadn’t told me what he wanted on his. I hadn’t paid close attention at work when the crew had ordered enough pizza to feed a small army.
I heard the shower shut off, and a few minute later, he wandered into the room.
My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, and I nearly choked on my own spit as he sank onto the sofa next to me. Holy hell, he was hot as fuck! His broad chest was well-muscled and his abs … I nearly fanned myself. As I whipped around to face the TV, before I got caught staring, I absently wiped at my chin to make sure I hadn’t been drooling.

About the Author

Charity West is a young adult/new adult romance author who has always had her head in the clouds. She had her first crush when she was four, and it lasted for six years. Then she quickly fell head over heels for another boy, until she had to move away and leave him behind. Jumping from one boy to another, she finally found a keeper when she was twenty, and she’s been married to him ever since.

By the time Charity was twelve, she was sneaking her mother’s Harlequin romances and reading them in secret when she was supposed to be asleep. Teased throughout middle school and high school for the bodice ripper covers on the books she openly read in class, she knew that one day she wanted to write her own happily-ever-afters.


Keep up to date with book news and visit Charity's website: http://charitywest.webs.com/about-charity



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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: On the Edge of Death by @CiaraBallintyne #review

Blog Tour: On the Edge of Death by @CiaraBallintyne #review
8:34 AM1 Comments

EPIC FANTASY
Date Published: 22 April 2017
Publisher: Evolved publishing

All the Left Hand of Death wants is something to call her own, but is the price too high?
Ellaeva, the fated avatar of the death goddess, is desperate to track down her missing family but the trail is decades old. Instead, she discovers her battered and bloodied sister priestesses driven across the Jerreki border on pain of death. Ellaeva must turn aside from her personal quest to investigate the murders, only to find her parents have been taken into the heart of the conflict.
Lyram Aharris, favoured son of the royal line of Ahlleyn, is the only living person she trusts to help her infiltrate the enemy stronghold and uproot the horror they find there, but their chequered past threatens the mission. Accompanying him is his crown prince, the one man Lyram wants dead above all others.
Now Ellaeva must face down the darkness in her soul before a dark god is brought into the world.
At the boundary of life and death, all oaths will be tested. 


Review 

This is a very imaginative Fantasy. There was a lot of time to get used to the world that Ciara Ballintyne has created, but once I understood the world, I was truly invested.

I liked that this was fantasy but also had many other qualities that made it lovable to readers of other genres as well. 


Ciara Ballintyne grew up on a steady diet of adult epic fantasy from the age of nine, leaving her with a rather confused outlook on life – she believes the good guys should always win, but knows they often don’t. She is an oxymoron; an idealistic cynic. Her debut work is Confronting the Demon, and In the Company of the Deadis her first book to be published with Evolved Publishing. She holds degrees in law and accounting, and  is a practising financial services lawyer. In her spare time, she speculates about taking over the world.
Twitter: @CiaraBallintyne
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Blog Tour Excerpt

PROMO Blitz: Nowhere is Home Since You Left by Madeleine Zeldin #excerpt #nonfiction

PROMO Blitz: Nowhere is Home Since You Left by Madeleine Zeldin #excerpt #nonfiction
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Death, Grief, Bereavement
Date Published: 1-6-2017
Publisher: Cygnet Publications, Cygnet Media Group Inc.

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When her beloved soul friend husband, Gerald, passed away a few years ago, and her friends and sons moved to distant cities, she found herself alone for the first time in her life.

Gerald, a professional artist, had his studio in their home. Their home was always filled with family life, art, music, joy and playfulness in the garden.
After his passing, the silence was loud. The joy was gone — her paradise — a lost paradise.

She had two choices, either to fall apart or to get on with life.  She chose the latter and traveled to find a home, a community — however - nowhere was home - since he left.
In writing Nowhere Is Home … Since You Left, Madeleine Zeldin shares her insights, emotions, and true life experiences as she journeys solo throughout the years following the sorrowful death of her soul mate, internationally renowned artist, Gerald Zeldin. She presents years of storytelling based on travel journals she wrote while traveling to countries such as Mexico, Philippines, Ecuador, France, Spain, and California, U.S.A.  Zeldin also reveals the intensity of the pain and sorrow experienced in her grief, along with the fulfillment, satisfaction and logistics of international travel. In her travels she volunteered in the medical field and gave help where help was needed. She brings inspiration to those of her generation, the 60’s, who find themselves alone.

Through her evocative tales of adventure, Zeldin reveals this life-changing knowledge to the world!

But ultimately where is Home?


EXCERPT



Finding Your Path

“Do not go where the path may lead.

   Go instead where there is no path

And leave a trail.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

When i travel to faraway places, i like to experience the local flavour … and often write a ‘sketch’ of my experiences …

My purpose in writing these travel journals … these ‘sketches’ …
is to share with you my adventures and cultural experiences of these places … the road less travelled …


saw two lovers on the beach this evening …

they were gentle and sweet …

one walked up to a bag of garbage that someone thoughtlessly left on the beach …

he tore the bag apart and started licking some juice 
from the juice box …

the female slowly walked over to her friend … and coyly looked at him … as if to say …

may i share … they both started licking, then stopped …

they looked at each other and rubbed noses …

as their lips gently touched …

their slender grey proud bodies strolled away graciously

when the dogs came to chase

these donkeys away …


as we were looking down at the clear ocean from the high cliffs … 
we saw the outline of a shark …

swimming around the shoreline far below … just where we were going to go snorkelling …

so the tour guides … all young ecuadorians with a sense of humor…

said they would keep us safe and took us to another spot … 
but not far off …

around the other side of this small island …

not sure whether to quite trust these young men …

as we were swimming in the deep waters way out in the pacific … 
i asked one to watch out for sharks …

he said not to worry … 
the only shark i would have to watch out for… was him …


last night i tripped and broke my toenail 
and did not want to cut it off …

so bought some crazy glue … for fifty cents … 
and glued my nail together …

the only problem … i glued the tip of my finger to my toenail …

was almost impossible to pull it away …

so now my finger tip is part of my toenail … 


About the Author

Professionally, Ms. Zeldin has been engaged in nursing and teaching. She has successfully advocated for changes in the medical field, along with homebirth and Midwifery. In her travels to out of the way places, she has been a keen observer of people and distant cultures, often writing a 'sketch' of her experience.

Madeleine is an advocate of advocacy.

Madeleine believes we can all make a difference.

Throughout her adult life she has successfully advocated for change. When she felt change was needed, she rallied. She lobbied. She started a group or joined a group.

In the late '70's, when her town council was considering tearing down old heritage properties in the name of 'Progress', she helped start a group of interested citizens in order to save these heritage properties. 'Progress' was stopped and many heritage buildings were saved due to the group's diligence.

Again in the early '80's, Madeleine herself changed local hospital policy to allow midwives to accompany couples in the birthing room, after the hospital refused to allow her midwife to enter.

She belonged to a group of informed parents who advocated for changes in the policies for vaccinations.

Madeleine volunteered at the local Health Center and advocated for improved health care for refugees. Improvements were made.

She successfully advocated for her soul-friend, late husband Gerald's medical care throughout their six year battle with cancer. Many important changes were implemented in our medical system due to her persistence.

Madeleine has been ahead of her time in her generation. She had many professions throughout her life including social worker, teacher, registered nurse. She also joined a group of midwives and again successfully advocated for choices in childbirth.

However, she considers her most important achievement as being a mother and grandmother. She has instilled in her family a sense of love and empathy and has taught them to love the earth and its people.

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Monday, June 26, 2017

Blog Tour Giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Sanctuary by @authorlaurie #giveaway #interview

Virtual Book Tour: Sanctuary by @authorlaurie #giveaway #interview
12:00 AM 2 Comments

Inspirational romance
Date Published: June 20, 2017
Publisher: Random Moon Books (indie)

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Hardworking, successful lawyer Nora Ramsey, was at the height of her career. Now, she's questioning everything in Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina.

When she accepts her aunt's dilapidated estate as her inheritance, Nora is plagued with misgivings and doubt. When one of her newly inherited horses takes ill, she prays for guidance and receives it in the form of veterinarian Shaw Flynn. 

Dedicated and rugged, he assists Nora through the trying time. In Shaw, she sees someone gentle, caring and deeply devoted to God. The more she’s with him, the more he inspires her to embrace her own faith. And as their relationship blossoms into a something real and beautiful—like the coastal sunsets of Murrell’s Inlet—Nora stumbles upon Shaw’s deepest secret. Her trust is destroyed and the wisdom of her life-changing decision shaken as the future she envisioned is threatened.

As the truth becomes clear, can she find forgiveness within the sanctuary of her heart or will his betrayal destroy her faith in him once and for all? 
Interview

Hello!  I'm so happy to join you today to celebrate the release of my new book, Sanctuary.  It's Book 1 of my new series of inspirational romance, Murrells Inlet Miracles.


What is the hardest part of writing your books?
I would have to say, it's finding the time to do all the writing that I'd like to do!  You see, I have a full-time "big job" that takes up probably 80% of my waking hours.  I'm blessed to have it, and it's been a great career over the span of close to 35 years.  But I've also fit my writing career into the nooks and crannies of my free time for 17 years, and I'm rapidly approaching the time where I want to pull my writing into the forefront!



What songs are most played on your Ipod?
I discovered country music in the last 7 years or so, and now that's all I listen to.  My favorite artist is Brad Paisley, and I also enjoy Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney.


Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
Yes, I have both.  They're all fellow writers and we help each other make our books the best they can be, by reciprocating these services.  It's so helpful to get a fresh eye on my books because by the time my beta readers get it in their hands, I've literally been through it 5 times.  By that time, if something obvious is staring me in the face, I'd probably miss it!


What book are you reading now?
I just finished, The Way Home, by fellow inspirational romance author Belle Calhoune.  Next up on my Kindle is Pawleys Island by Dorothea Benton Frank.


How did you start your writing career?
It was 1999.  I was on a business trip to Atlanta, Georgia.  I had the weekend free and decided to do some sightseeing, so I went to the Margaret Mitchell House.  This was the tiny apartment within a boarding house where she wrote the majority of Gone with the Wind.  She typed her masterpiece on an old manual typewriter on a TV tray in her living room, and threw a beach towel over it when she wasn't writing.  It took her ten years to finish, while she got married, worked at a newspaper, broke her leg, convalesced, etc.  You know, while she lived her life. But she kept writing, even though she had no idea what an American literary treasure she was creating.  Something about that inspired me.  I went right back to my hotel room and plotted out a novel that had been in my mind for weeks.  The next day I started writing and I never stopped.  I finished that book and published it as Whispers of the Heart, my first published novel.


Tell us about your next release.
I'm excited to be starting a new series, following the completion of my first series, Pawleys Island Paradise.  Sanctuary is Book 1 in my new Murrells Inlet Miracles series of inspirational romance.  It features Nora Ramsey, a smart, hardworking lawyer whose life is successful and busy and productive.  Then, she's thrown for a loop when two things happen:  her law partner is investigated for a crime that she may or may not have been involved in, and her favorite childhood aunt dies, leaving her the chance of a new life, a new home, and a new purpose.


Along the way, she meets handsome veterinarian Shaw Flynn.  In him, she visualizes what this new lifestyle could be like, away from the stress and strain of the big city.  In the peaceful beauty of the Low Country of South Carolina. In the gaze of his eyes, and the easiness of his smile.  She likes what she sees.  Until a secret comes to light which shakes the very foundation of her dreams.

About the Author


Award-winning author Laurie Larsen leads a double life.  During the day she's a respected Project Manager in the fast-paced world of Information Technology.  After dinner and a glass of wine, she becomes a multi-published author of Christian fiction grounded in today's modern world.
Laurie's been published for 17 years, but feels she finally found her writing "niche" in 2009 when her first inspirational romance, Preacher Man was published.  It won fans, accolades, and the prestigious EPIC Award for the Best Spiritual Romance of 2010.  From then on, her path was clear.  She was put on this earth (in part) to tell love stories combined with a strong message of faith.  Her Pawleys Island Paradise series is a much beloved, at times best-selling series of six books following Leslie and Hank, and the Harrison clan, as they face the daily challenges of life while trying to include prayer and praise.  Reviewers say the books are heartwarming, life-changing and an example to follow for including God in your life.

Laurie loves the beach (obvious to anyone who's read the Pawleys Island Paradise series) and she's fondly looking forward to a day (not too far away) where she can retire from the demanding day job, and spend her days living at the beach and writing novels.  Until then, she travels back and forth between Illinois and South Carolina just as often as possible. 

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Friday, June 23, 2017

Childrens PROMO

PROMO Blitz: Chatur the Laundry Man by @KommuruBooks

PROMO Blitz: Chatur the Laundry Man by @KommuruBooks
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Children’s Book
Date Published: October 2016

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What can a business man, a lazy donkey, and an elephant teach kids about success and friendship? Read along to find out in this playful romp by the award-winning author of The Magic of Friendship!
Chatur the Laundry Man is a funny, lighthearted story with a subtle lesson. Chatur thinks of nothing but growing his business, but his friend Gadhu the donkey keeps telling him to take it easy. When Chatur has a bright idea to get more business, things seem to be going his way but take an unexpected turn. Will Chatur learn that sometimes success takes a little time and patience?

Praise for Chatur the Laundry Man:
"5 Star ... a humorous tale.. illustrations are comical.. highly recommended.." - Readers Favorite Review

".. kids will receive 3 fine messages the value of hard work, what happens when a push for profit supersedes quality of life, and how different approaches to work and play yield very singular results." - Midwest Book Review


About the Authors


Subhash and Sujata Kommuru are a husband and wife team, known for their award-winning range of children’s books. They aim to introduce the vibrant culture of India to the children of the United States, the country which has been their home for several years.

Subhash began writing when he became a father. He created stories for his young son about his own childhood in India, to help his son understand the culture and values of his heritage.

Subhash’s wife, Sujata, is an illustrator, who soon began creating pictures to accompany her husband’s words. Her illustrations bring to life the colorful images of her own Indian childhood, giving children a vivid insight into a diverse culture.

Together, Subhash and Sujata offer children the chance to experience the life of an Indian child, and understand a culture vastly different from their own, while enjoying the simple similarities shared by children all over the world.

Their books are entertaining at the same time as being educational, and they have been honored for excellence by the prestigious Mom’s Choice Awards.

With universal themes including friendship and the importance of self-expression, Subhash and Sujata’s books provide children with an all-important introduction to the diversity of the world they live in. Read them together and they’ll become firm favorites that your child will enjoy again and again.

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Thursday, June 22, 2017

Blog Tour Interview

Virtual Book Tour: The Buddha Made Me Do It by @marlamartenson #interview

Virtual Book Tour: The Buddha Made Me Do It by @marlamartenson #interview
12:00 AM1 Comments



Spiritual Memoir
Date Published: 5-25-16
Publisher: Cupid’s Press

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What starts as a search for a decorative Buddha statuette leads one woman on a spiritual journey that will change everything.

Marla lives the good life in Los Angeles—house, pool, her own business helping Cupid find love for LA’s most discriminating singles. Her handsome and ardent hubby Adolfo performs at an exclusive steak house in Beverly Hills. He tends to scoff at Marla’s green juice, vegan diet, yoga, and daily affirmations and can be a teensy bit of a control freak.

A discarded Buddha statuette that Adolfo suddenly can’t live without sends Marla searching through New Age boutiques along with her skeptical friend Julie. They are soon schooled by a charismatic “Goddess,” delving ever deeper into self-realization, conversations with angels, pendulums, candle “Magick,” Reiki, crystal healing, and more. Attend a Hindu Bajan? Sure. Orgasmic Meditation? (Wait, what…?) Maybe not that one. 

Growing in her spirituality, yet exceedingly frustrated with some of her persnickety clientele—aging men who see themselves as Dorian Grays, worthy of exquisite young women—Marla’s world is shifting. She achieves certifications as an energy healer and encourages Julie to sample the concoction Julie calls “green gunk” and other healthy practices to help her conquer an addiction to unavailable men. Marla deepens her communication with the Beyond while Adolfo, always so practical, asks, “Have you lost your mind? Are you hearing voices? Angels aren’t real, come on!” Matters grow worse when certain psychics warn of “dangerous low-vibrational entities” and rabidly disagree with each other. 

Her alternating universes give Marla spiritual whiplash, yet she discovers the LITE way to balance the human carnival with a transformational spiritual journey.


Interview
What is the hardest part of writing your books? The hardest part is being able to carve out big chunks of writing time. I’m a business owner (boutique matchmaker) and that has to come first. So, I steal as much time as I can away and get in some good writing. It feels so good when I can actually take a half a day to do that.

What songs are most played on your ipod? Well, I don’t have an ipod, but I have some music on my iphone. I rarely listen to it. When I write, I write in silence.

Do you have critique partners or Beta readers? My only critique partner is my editor Peggy. She is amazing, and between the two of us, we manage to get to where I want to go with the story.

What book are you reading now? I’m reading a VERY unique novel called, The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson. It was made into a film starring Nicole Kidman.

How did you start your writing career? In 2006 I decided to write a dating advice book. I got lucky and the publisher, Hampton Roads picked up the book. It was called, Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate Is Waiting. From that day on, I got the writing bug. I was hooked, it was so much fun.

Tell us about your next release: I have the first chapter written on a Cozy (murder mystery) I got a great idea while up in Seattle, so I’m giving it a shot. It’s a genre I’ve never tried before, but I’m up to the challenge!

Love, Marla


www.marlamartenson.com



About the Author


Born in Tacoma, Washington, “The City of Destiny,” Marla was destined to move to Los Angeles where she shoots her arrow of love on a daily basis as a professional matchmaker, helping countless couples connect with their soul mates.

She is the author of three memoirs, Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, Hearts on the Line and The Buddha Made Me Do It.

Marla has been interviewed on the Today Show, WGN Chicago Morning News, San Diego Living, Urban Rush, CTV Calgary, Better TV, KUSI San Diego Morning Show, and over 100 radio shows including Coast to Coast AM with George Noory.

Her husband Adolfo has asked her, “Marlita, do you want to go to the moon too?” referring to her many interests—a true Gemini. Yet nothing has fascinated her like her profound adventure far beyond the moon and into the vastness of cosmic spirituality.

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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

non-fiction PROMO

Release Blitz: Your crossroads. Your choice. by @ejapicello

Release Blitz: Your crossroads. Your choice. by @ejapicello
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Non Fiction / Self-Help
Date Published: June 2017 
Publisher: Page Publishing

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Welcome to my diary, my journey, as I tripped and crawled through the darkest time in my life- when I witnessed  people that I held incredibly close to me shatter my very existence with their words and actions. The things within this book spine are extremely raw and exceptionally real. You and I are going to get very close, the details in this book, although oddly general, are incredibly specific. Yes, I realize what I just said and as you read my words you will see what I mean. As you silently gasp and mentally bitch slap me, please be kind because my story is just that - my story. It is not any more or less special than yours. In fact the only difference between our stories are the choices we made at each of the crossroads in our lives. For most of my life the choices I made were not based on my happiness but on everyone else’s. This book describes what I have experienced in my journey to finding my happiness and hopefully never letting it go. Sadly, it took me thirty six years to find the strength I need to detoxify my life and self-view and find someone who is worthy of my awesomeness. Thirty six years to shatter the negative foundation I had built shatter the ultimate representative I created to hide behind and begin the process of building a new foundation. Only this foundation will be built on strength, confidence and above all, happiness. So take a minute or thirty and sit with my story for a while. You never know what you might find out.


About the Author


Welcome to my real, crazy, emotional, probably too honest journey. I am an everyday girl in this everyday world trying to keep my head above water and within the pages of this book you will learn about the things that have broken me down and the steps I am taking to build back up. You will see, my new friends, this story is written in a unique, general, conversational voice, which was my choice. I want you to be able to picture yourself in my shoes, relate my trials and tribulations to yours and see that you too can find your happiness. Even if you don’t realize this yet, every single one of us possesses things inside of ourselves that we didn't know were there. It took my life taking a crazy right turn and dumping me at the lowest possible point before I could see the strength within myself. We are not defined by what we do, we are defined by the choices we make. I decided when I put pen to paper that I want my choices to start defining me as strong, confident, secure and above all else, happy. So, who am I? How about I tell you who I was. A self-loathing shell of myself who put everyone else’s happiness before my own. Herein lies my story to find that happiness and all of the ups and downs along the way. See who I was and who I am trying to become and maybe, somewhere in there, you will find out a little about yourself too.

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Twitter: @ejapicello
Instagram: @ejapicello

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Friday, June 16, 2017

Blog Tour Interview

Virtual Book Tour - Split Second by Kelli J Miller #interview #nonfiction

Virtual Book Tour - Split Second by Kelli J Miller #interview #nonfiction
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Biographies and Memoirs
Date Published: April 4, 2017

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When does the American Dream turn into a trap?
What does it mean to succeed?
What really gives meaning to our lives?
 Kelli Miller never had to worry about it – she had it all: a family, a career, a sprawling home, even an executive title.  She thought she’d escaped her Midwestern roots and was sailing towards a golden future.  Then, in a pivotal moment, confronted with the shadow of death, she found herself suddenly awake to the grim reality:  the dream had consumed her life, and left her lost and alone.

In Split Second, Kelli tells the story of how she set herself free, and recommitted herself to the most important pieces of her life:  family, community, and a new openness to experience.  It is the story of one woman’s journey to find out what really matters and where her happiness ultimately lay.


Interview

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

One of the hardest parts of writing my books is allowing myself the time to capture the words when they are ready to come out (the inspiration to write does not come on a schedule).   Another challenge is allowing the words to get down on paper without judgment.  I am at my best when I let the words flow out unrestrained.  


What songs are most played on your Ipod?

When I am in the gym training to climb mountains, you will find me listening to Flo Rida or Eminem.  When I’m enjoying time with my husband, we’ll be listening to Jason Aldean or U2.  When I am writing, I love listening to Parijat. Suffice it to say, I have an eclectic mix of music interests!


Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

I’m pretty sure my family would feel some relief if I would find a critique partner!  My husband and kids are my beta readers.  A few friends are published writers – they are usually eager to read my work too.


What book are you reading now?

My interest in books is an eclectic mix too.  My husband and I are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in October, so I am reading “One Step at a Time: A climb up Mount Kilimanjaro”.  I just started reading Mike Dooley’s latest book “From Deep Space With Love” which is challenging my beliefs.   And I’m thinking about taking a Machu Picchu adventure, so I’m reading and loving “Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time”.


How did you start your writing career?

I started writing in my early teens to find my way through a complex web of emotions surrounding my brother’s untimely death.  I kept writing through high school and college, but instead of taking the time to publish my writing, I focused on raising a family and my technology career. When my father passed away, I found the will to publish my writing.  You could say I have been writing my whole life!


Tell us about your next release


I have an abundance of ideas – family history, a love story, social issues, and climbing Kilimanjaro to name a few.  I’m sure the next release, whatever it is, will surprise everyone, including me!


About the Author


Kelli Miller is a business executive specializing in Information Technology.  Her career includes thirty years working for some of the largest, most successful companies in America.  Kelli recently returned to her roots, farming her family’s farm with her husband, while continuing her technology career with a local mid-size manufacturing firm. Kelli is the mother of three. She loves to travel, hike and spend time in the simplicity and raw beauty of nature. 

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