A Life Through Books

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Destined for Dreams by @ginnamoran #review

Blog Tour: Destined for Dreams by @ginnamoran #review
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Young Adult Paranormal
Date Published: 12/1/2014

Seventeen-year-old Nadia Petrov is an outcast in her tight-knit community of people with special abilities. Nadia must invade people’s dreams to survive. She sneaks into sleeping victims’ rooms, slips into their heads, and then turns their dreams into horrifying nightmares.
When a new girl arrives at her compound, Nadia can’t resist giving the girl a nightmare. In the dream world, Nadia discovers Hunter Sullivan, a soul trapped in the girl’s mind. Intrigued by Hunter, Nadia secretly builds a relationship with him in the dream world, and they find solace through each other.
Unable to accept a love fated for dreams, Nadia must risk losing the safety of her community to help Hunter get back to his body before he’s lost forever.

Review 

 Its a premise that has been done before in the fact that the main character falls in love with a guy who is used to hunting her kind. I loved the spin the author put on it to make it her own. Nadia creates nightmares and once she sees Hunter in a dream for the first time, she is hooked. 

 I enjoyed everything from the characterization to the plot and romance. This was a wonderfully paced Paranormal Romance.




Ginna Moran is a writer living in Austin, Texas but originally from Southern California. She started writing poetry as a teenager in a spiral notebook that she still has tucked away on her desk today. Her love of writing grew after she graduated high school and she completed her first unpublished manuscript at age eighteen.
When she realized her love of writing was her life's passion, she studied literature at Mira Costa College in Northern San Diego. Besides writing novels, she was senior editor, content manager, and image coordinator for Crescent House Publishing Inc. for four years.
Aside from Ginna's professional life, she enjoys binge watching television shows, playing pretend with her daughter, and cuddling with her dogs. Some of her favorite things include chocolate, anything that glitters, cheesy jokes, and organizing her bookshelf.
Ginna is currently hard at work on her next novel.
  

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Monday, May 11, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Aerisia by Sarah Ashwood #review

Blog Tour: Aerisia by Sarah Ashwood #review
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Fantasy
Date Published: April 16, 2014

The mystery of other worlds is not one Hannah Winters ever thought she’d solve. However, the day she spots a brown-robed stranger with a magical staff in a neighbor’s field is the day she also discovers Aerisia, a magical land beyond Earth’s sunset.

Here in Aerisia, Hannah is believed to be the Artan, a legendary heroine prophesied to deliver Aerisia from the Dark Powers. Plenty of people, including the Simathe, a race of immortal warriors, and the Moonkind, people of the Moon, are willing to help her discover her true identity, but Hannah’s just an ordinary girl from Earth. She doesn't have any latent magical abilities and she’s not the Artan. However, her allies aren't seeing it that way. Neither are her enemies. In fact, Hannah’s life is in jeopardy nearly from the moment she arrives in Aerisia. And becoming the Artan may be the only way to survive…

Review

I think this novel has a great premise and the world that Sarah Ashwood has created is very fun. I did find the main character a little difficult to connect with. She grew on me, but it took some time. 

 I loved the addition of Mythology into the story. 

 The romance was a great balance with the fantasy. I am definitely interested to read more from this series and author. 

Sarah Ashwood grew up in the wooded hills outside the oldest town in Oklahoma. Sarah is author of the Sunset Lands Beyond Trilogy, the poetry volume "A Minstrel's Musings," and the novella "Amana," along with numerous other published works. In her imagination, she soars effortlessly through historical and fantastical worlds. In real life, she lives (mostly) quietly at home with her husband and sons. Find Sarah on her Sarah Ashwood Facebook author page, on her Sarah Ashwood Goodreads page, or on Instagram where she goes by @runnerwritermom.
Instragram: @runnerwritermom
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Excerpt Giveaway

Release Day Blitz: Gates of Perdition by @Rpkraul #giveaway & #excerpt

Release Day Blitz: Gates of Perdition by @Rpkraul #giveaway & #excerpt
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Mystery/Thriller/Horror
Date Published: 1/31/2015

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Mary watches in awe as a man plays guitar at gloomy Indianhead Reservoir. His skill is astonishing. But Mary is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This man is a physiological oddity who suffered wicked abuse at the hands of his foster parents—for which he took revenge. He wants to be normal and whole again, but a manipulative psychiatrist has wakened the demons.
Mary will spend her last days chained in a basement—until she bears the child of a madman the media will call the Indianhead River Killer.
He will become Pennsylvania’s most prolific serial killer, and he will wreck the lives of the people in Belcorte. Twin Peaks meets The Silence of the Lambs in GATES OF PERDITION, the prequel to MIRRORS OF ANGUISH.



Excerpt

Kurst Hellerman pulled a gold key from his pocked and unlocked the door to the study.
It was then that Arthur Townsend met the Monster of Belcorte. He sat in Hellerman’s study, tucked in the leather lounge chair. His eyes were closed. Immediately Arthur noticed the scars from his abusive background. His foster parents, Kurst said, had been devoutly religious. His foster father, in fact, had been a minister. The upbringing of this patient—Kurst called him Patient X—was riddled with malevolence.
When they had entered the room, Patient X’s eyes had flickered open, but he did not speak. Only the heaving of his chest indicated his heart still beat, that blood still surged through his veins.
Kurst circled the leather chair, stood behind the patient, and placed a palm each on his shoulders. “I’ve brought a friend. Would you like to meet my friend?”
Patient X’s gaze traveled from oblivion and fell on Arthur. One side of his face was so badly burned that he looked half human and half … something else. Maybe an opossum, its fur burned down to its pink skin.
As Arthur would replay that image in his mind the next several weeks—as the months traveled by, he would remember it as an image of great horror. And sometime he would wake in the black of night, startle and jump up in bed, and that face, that terribly ruined face, was imprinted in his mind.
For now, though, he felt a wave of sadness—a sadness that squeezed his heart and pricked at his throat. Who had done these things to another human being? What cowardly monster? That his parents were responsible, that this man had suffered at the hands of parents who worshiped a figurehead named Jesus—likely a delusional schizophrenic like the Muslim Muhammad—left him not terribly surprised. And despite this wave of sadness, Arthur felt threatened. He was compelled to leave the room.
Patient X said, “I can smell her perfume on you. Where is she?”
Who was he referring to? Heaven forbid, was it Margaret, or was it one of his self-aggrandizing hussies who sat in his—
No, it was Margaret. He hadn’t lectured, not since this morning. With the word “who” on his lips, Arthur gazed across at Kurst, who was lost in his own delusional grin, those eyes burning like pilot lights.



About the Author


Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations and more coming soon.
R.P. was enamored of horror from a young age, where he would sneak down to the family room with his mother sleeping, turn on that big console television--think 1970s here--and watch a double shot of horror on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater.
He then took to creative writing, borrowing pieces of his favorite films. Today, he writes a unique blend of literary mystery and horror—throw in some crime now and then. It's one part H.P. Lovecraft and one part David Lynch and one part Kurt Vonnegut—and probably some other stuff, too. He is author of three books: Mirrors of Anguish, Demon of the Fall, and Gates of Perdition. He also co-authored Dangerous Grace, a soon-to-be-released erotic thriller.



Author Links



Purchase Link



Giveaway

ebook copies of MIRRORS OF ANGUISH





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Friday, May 8, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Finding the Way Back to Love by @TompkinsFalls #review #giveaway

Blog Tour: Finding the Way Back to Love by @TompkinsFalls #review #giveaway
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Contemporary Romance
Date Published: February 4, 2015

Gwen Forrester, Ph.D., 32, gifted psychotherapist and beautiful widow, is stuck in a rut, dating hotties on the fast track. What she really wants is a life partner who’ll help her raise a family and make a difference in her home town, Tompkins Falls. New in town, Officer Peter Shaughnessy, 30, has recovered from the gunshot wound he suffered in a drug bust in the city of Syracuse, but he’s still smarting from his ex-wife’s betrayal and, before that, the years of abuse from his alcoholic father. It feels like fate to Gwen when her very-pregnant niece Haley trips the security system at Gwen’s lakeside home and Officer Shaughnessy takes the call. By joining forces to help Haley, Peter and Gwen discover they’re a good team. Long, exhilarating canoe trips convince them they’re on the same page with their life goals. Then a destructive squall lands them on the rocks, and a night of stormy passion reveals painful truths that drive them apart. Are they willing to go to any length to find their way back to love?
    
Purchase Link




Review

 I loved the fact that a woman who had been through so much found such a protective and wonderful man in this novel. Yes there were ups and downs just like with any relationship, but I think that this is one of those novels where Gwen really found a perfect match for her. 

 Gwen as a character is so easy to love. She has her issues and has dealt with quite a bit, but she has overcome and is strong despite that. 

 Peter is a wonderful lead as well. He will have you swooning before it is all said and done due to his complete sweetness. 
Born in the upstate-New York village known as the Birthplace of Women’s Rights, Katie O’Boyle loves the Finger Lakes in every season. That’s why she set her Lakeside Porches romance novels in Tompkins Falls on Chestnut Lake. To the outside world, she is a tech-savvy college professor. To friends and readers, she is the author of warm-hearted romance. She recently finished writing book four of the Lakeside Porches romance books and novellas and is planning book five.
Twitter: @TompkinsFalls
Goodreads: Katie O’Boyle


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Thursday, May 7, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: The Bicycle Waltz by Paul and Jean Zimmer #review

Blog Tour: The Bicycle Waltz by Paul and Jean Zimmer #review
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Women's Fiction
Date Published: November 20, 2014



Haunted by a traumatic incident in his past, Alan Christiansen desperately wants to learn how to dance.  After several failed attempts, he stumbles onto Choreographed Ballroom Dance (Round Dance), and begins to make progress.  His instructors, Ray and Shelly Tenrio, are famous in the Round Dance world, popular choreographers and featured teachers on the festival circuit.  Once married, they are now divorced, but Ray seeks a reconciliation.   Shelly's world is turned upside down when one of her nephews is diagnosed with a rare case of thyroid cancer.  As his parents fly around the country searching for answers, it falls to Shelly to care for his twin brother.  Uncomfortable with children in general and boys in particular, she turns to Alan for help.   Thrown together with the sort of man she used to disparage, she discovers hitherto unsuspected talents and depth in Alan, and unsuspected and somewhat unwelcome feelings in herself.  In the end, Shelly must choose between the sort of life she's always known with Ray and a life she's only glimpsed with Alan.  Along the way, we learn about round dance, romance, thyroid cancer, Silicon Valley startups, the wit and wisdom of Bill Watterson, and what sort of vegetable goes best with tuna-chip casserole


Purchase Links

Review 

I found this to be a super quick and lite read about something that I had never read about. I like the fact that we are introduced to Round Dancing and the authors do a great job of dumbing it down for those of us who are not familiar with the dance/style. 

This story is not just about dancing though, the authors manage to touch on several different themes while introducing compelling characters who are easy to feel for. 




Paul and Jean Zimmer are first time authors.  “The Bicycle Waltz” began with casual remark by Jean that it would be great if somebody were to write a book featuring their favorite pastime, Choreographed Ballroom Dance (Round Dance).  That is, somebody else should write such a book.

But then a story began to form around a germ of an idea Paul had while watching some instructors at a dance festival.  Pretty soon, the story had taken on a life of its own.  Scenes played out across the kitchen table and the characters became like old friends, crying out to have their story told.  Before they knew it, the book had practically written itself.

Paul is, by training, a computer chip designer.  He has worked at several large companies, including Hewlett Packard and Cisco, as well as several start-ups, so he had the knowledge to describe this world to readers.  He has written many award-winning technical papers, but these are (or are intended to be!) non-fiction.  Writing fiction required something of a leap of faith.  

Jean trained as a speech therapist, but left the working world to become a full-time mom when their twin sons were born.  She is an avid reader, and she knows what makes a story flow.  Her detail-oriented approach was the perfect balance to Paul’s impatience to get on with the story, and she thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help craft a story herself.

In addition to their twin sons, the Zimmers have a daughter.  It is her thyroid cancer story that Matthew lives in “The Bicycle Waltz”.

The Zimmers have traveled far and wide, and lived in Germany and England.  They currently live in Roseville, CA, near Sacramento, where they are active in the local Round Dance community.  
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Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: The Evolution of Lillie Gable by @kristenotte1 #review

Blog Tour: The Evolution of Lillie Gable by @kristenotte1 #review
2:00 AM0 Comments


Young Adult Contemporary
Date Published: March 31, 2015


Meet Lillie Gable-
high school sophomore, outgoing, beautiful, athletic, and funny...

She is the life of any party. Her boyfriend, Jake, is a smoking hot senior, and Lillie is on track to be a starter on the varsity girls' basketball team this year.

But trouble looms behind the façade. Lillie's home life is a wreck. Her father is hiding a secret, and Lillie is determined to find the truth, even if it tears apart her family.

While she searches for the truth about her father, the last thing Lillie needs is a feud with Angela Barrett, the brass, bleached blonde senior who is the queen of the rumor mill. Angela is determined to ruin Lillie's reputation because she has set her sights on Lillie's boyfriend, Jake.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Lillie can't return to the life she once knew. Does she have the strength and resolve to forge a new path now that everything is changing? 



Purchase Link



Review

This is a fantastic Young Adult Novel that really captures the spirit and struggles of a teenager. There is a lot going on in Lillie's life and a lot she has to overcome and deal with. I think the way that Kristen Otte has written this novel has really made the reader find the main character compelling. You will feel for her throughout her journey and route for her to find her way. The pacing was spot on and I enjoyed the writing style as well. 


Kristen Otte is an author who calls Cincinnati, Ohio, her home. Her mission is to bring joy and laughter to people young and old with stories. She writes books for children, teens, and adults. In her free time, she can be found running, reading, coaching basketball, playing board games with her husband, or walking her crazy dogs, Zelda the Pug and Peach the Boston Terrier.
Learn more about Kristen and her books at kristenotte.com.
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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Adventure Blog Tour

Blog Tour: Descent of the Gods by Mark G. Cosman #review

Blog Tour: Descent of the Gods by Mark G. Cosman #review
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Fantasy Adventure
Date Published: October 2, 2014



In their self-indulgent realm, the gods know no suffering until the end of their time. Compassion is the only portal through which they can escape the self and its eventual demise, but without suffering, compassion cannot be recognized. Thus they seek compassion in the human domain where happiness and sorrow abound. 
Once there, they engineer a superior humanoid race and are soon distracted by the delight they find in the daughters of men. The gods become the extraterrestrial visitors of our collective memory. 
The ageless story follows the adventures of the god Quay, his love of Daya, a humanoid, and their entanglement in the eternal web of impermanence, unrelenting consequences and death amidst a background of war, famine and geologic cataclysm.


Purchase Links

Review

I personally liked the fact that Mark Cosman has really blended Mythology/Fantasy with Philosophy. This is a novel that is fun with adventure yet makes you think as well. Reading this novel will keep you on your toes. The pacing was very well done, I found the novel to flow quite effortlessly. 


Mark Cosman’s writing began when his daughter, Berlyn, was murdered following her high school prom. It was when Mark left the rubble of his beliefs and assumptions to go in search of answers to the most profound questions we ask ourselves. “A Flower in the Snow” is a result of that odyssey.
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