A Life Through Books

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Secrets in the Snow by Roz Marshall

Blog Tour: Secrets in the Snow by Roz Marshall
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Women's Fiction/Drama/Sports

Collection of 3 Novellas

The White Cairns Ski School early season collection (Episodes 1-3)
When her ski instructor husband is delayed from returning to Scotland, it falls to Jude Winters – creative graphic artist, mother and home-maker – to assemble a team of instructors and get the season started for ailing White Cairns Ski School.

 It's a challenge that's way out of her comfort zone, especially since even the seemingly confident and extrovert ski instructors are hiding mysterious pasts or secret longings that might threaten the equilibrium of the ski school.

 As they battle sabotage, stormy weather and accidents in the first months of the winter season, can she turn things around and keep the wolf from their door until her chief instructor gets back from New Zealand?

 REVIEWS
"The words just flashed by. I forgot I was reading. I love the characters."

"Great story with an excellent ending that will leave you wanting, nay, needing more."

 "I liked this story. It was quick and entertaining. It played out in my head like a movie"

 “Secrets in the Snow” is a collection of the early season stories from the 'White Cairns Ski School' novella series about a Scottish snowsports school.
It’s a character-driven drama with an action setting, youngish-adult protagonists and romantic elements. If you enjoy early evening TV drama series like Downton Abbey (with mountains instead of mansions), Glee (with skiing instead of singing) or The Musketeers (with snowploughing instead of swashbuckling), then this might just be for you!




My Review


This is just the beginning of a Serial/Collection of Novellas. The first 3 installments prove to get the reader familiar with the characters and back drop. The world of Snow and Skiing is not something I'm accustomed to as I am from Texas, but I found this to be a wonderful step away from my reality. There is a lot going on here. You follow several characters along their journey, there is lots of Action and Drama involved. I am very interested to see where Roz Marshall takes these characters next.
I'm a big critic of Plot and Pacing, but this novel really manages to flow smoothly. This put together with the multi-deminsional characters really makes this a solid read!
BUY LINKS




Roz lives in Scotland with her husband and the obligatory dog and cat. She has been writing since childhood, including screenwriting, songwriting, web pages and even sentiments for greeting cards!
The White Cairns novellas are written from experiences Roz had whilst working as a ski instructor in various Scottish ski resorts and slopes - they do say you should 'write what you know'!
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Monday, May 5, 2014

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Becoming the Chateran by @SJAisling #giveaway and #Review

Blog Tour: Becoming the Chateran by @SJAisling #giveaway and #Review
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Fantasy
Date Published: February 1, 2014

When Princess Rhea’s actions inadvertently condemn two innocent knights to death, she wakes to the hard reality that not even nobility is above the law. All her attempts to remedy the situation only complicate it, however, until she finds herself a fugitive in her own kingdom, having dragged her best friend into the trouble, as well. Their only hope for pardon? To accompany Sir Paladin and Sir Zephen in their sentence:

Slay, or be slain by, the Dragons of Sama-Ael-Fen.

Travelling incognito, they meet with more malicious Phoenixes than could be coincidental, discover the mysterious disappearance of numerous citizens, and come face to face with a reawakened evil power. With the kingdom oblivious to the connection of these dangers, it’s up to Rhea and her outlaw companions to stop the rising threat and redeem their names – if they can survive their quest.

Review
S.J. Aisling has found a way to ensnare readers into her world and connect them with her characters in a way that you feel trapped with them, in a good way. I felt what they felt and I understood their desires and motivations. 

 There is a lot of information to take in, beting the first of a series, but it is well executed and never felt bogged down by descriptions or getting caught up.

 Everything from the vivid imagery to the plot that kept me as the reader on the edge of my seat was well done. I think this was a great start to the series and I am anticipating the next installment. 

BUY LINKS




Stacia Joy has always loved to tell stories and invent fictional lands and characters. But she never considered becoming a writer herself until age thirteen, when, inspired by a pretend play she invented with a friend, she wrote the first draft of Becoming the Chateran. The story has since expanded into what will become The Chateran Series. Stacia Joy also writes in several other genres, including steampunk and paranormal/science fiction, and occasionally writes poems about buffalo.
Wanting to be able to show others what her imagined universe looks like, Stacia Joy taught herself to draw by studying the work of illustrators like Alphonse Mucha, Arthur Rackham, Kate Seredy, and Jan Brett. She also received training in illustration and graphic design at Madison Area Technical College, and plans to become a full-fledged freelance illustrator before long.

When not immersed in writing or art, Stacia Joy spends her time playing the piano and folk harp, composing music, Irish dancing, singing at the top of her lungs, and learning new things. She also enjoys helping with children's ministry at her church, and currently resides in the Madison, Wisconsin area with a kitten named Lord Peter Whimsey.
GIVEAWAY
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Excerpt Giveaway

Blitz: Steel Rose by @NighttoDawn1 - Giveaway and Excerpt

Blitz: Steel Rose by @NighttoDawn1 - Giveaway and Excerpt
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Steel Rose - PROMO Blitz
By Barbara Custer
Horror/Sci Fi
Date Published: February 1, 2013

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The denizens of hell attack. The zombies feed. She’s their meal.

Sometimes they come back. At least the Kryszka aliens do. Their leader injects captured humans with a drug, turning them into zombies. Yeron escapes the Kryszka Colony, hoping to practice medicine on the humans who fear him. Alexis—a patient—is afraid too, until his seductive attentions arouse her. Despite his experimental drug, severe arthritis leaves her too weak to handle most guns. The Kryszka troops and zombies who break into the hospital are hungry. Very hungry. How will she fight them?

EXCERPT

Shattering glass. Plodding footsteps. IV poles crashed to the floor. Glass shards tinkled, punctuated by low-pitched groaning from the rear elevator, the exit Hoffman had claimed to seal.
“Dear God, help us.” Alexis reached for her gun.
“What are you doing? Guns are forbidden on this floor, and…Oh, my God!” Ms. Grese cupped her hands over her mouth. Her authoritarian demeanor vanished, replaced by horror-stricken pallor. “Where are the officers?”
“You think our visitors give a shit?” Alexis scuttled toward the door, feeling vulnerable. The vest didn’t protect her face or hands, but the intruders wouldn’t care about that either. She shoved Ms. Grese ahead of her, pushing with her mind, Yeron beside her. “Run!” she hollered.
As the creatures poured through the ward, a stench crawled down her throat, the stink of things many days dead. Moaning drowned out the sound of Ms. Grese’s cries, a continual chant of “hungry.”
Skeletal figures in tattered rags skirted around Mark, who fired at any who got too close. Their tendons flashed gray against cold cobwebs of rib and knuckle. The flesh that quivered through widened skin tears had the sheen of rotting meat. The skin resembled cracked leather. Weeds sprouted on some of the figures’ necks and hair, the way they did in her nightmares. They made their way to the desk, where two nurses sat. The two women jumped up, both screaming. One of them opened fire with a Glock.
The armed woman was her mother.

Barbara Custer

Author Barbara Custer photo BalloonBarbaraoftheBalloons_zps8d83586e.jpgBarbara lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she works full time as a respiratory therapist. When she’s not working with her patients, she’s enjoying a fright flick or working on horror and science fiction tales. Her short stories have appeared in numerous small press magazines. She’s published Night to Dawn magazine since 2004.
Other books by Barbara include Twilight Healer, City of Brotherly Death, and Close Liaisons. She’s also coauthored Alien Worlds and Starship Invasions (both now out of print) with Tom Johnson. She enjoys bringing her medical background to the printed page, and then blending it with supernatural horror. She maintains a presence on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and The Writers Coffeehouse forum. Look for the photos with the Mylar balloons and you’ll find her.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Eternal Press | Website

Giveaway

$10 Starbucks Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway   

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Saturday, May 3, 2014

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: My Grandfaterh's Pants by @TegonMaus #review

Blog Tour: My Grandfaterh's Pants by @TegonMaus #review
6:55 AM1 Comments



Contemporary Paranormal Fiction
Date Published: January 31, 2014

    My grandfather, who went by Henry his entire life, was really born Francis Michael Laskin.  On occasion a few of the older relatives would call him Frank, a name he neither acknowledged nor accepted.  I had never understood it as a child but...  now in my early thirties, everything I knew about the man, his entire life, those that loved him and those that tried to control him all became clear and it all began with a pair of my grandfather's pants.
My Review
What an unexpected treat! The concept of this story was very imaginative and he really delivered in the execution. It was witty and I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts. On the other hand, it had a great deal of action and kept me on my toes. 
            I was raised pretty much the same as everyone else... devoted mother, strict father and all the imaginary friends I could conjure. Not that I wasn't friendly, I just wasn't "people orientated". Maybe I lived in my head way more than I should have, maybe not. I liked machines more than people, at least I did until I met my wife.
         The first thing I can remember writing was for her. For the life of me I can't remember what it was about... something about dust bunnies under the bed and monsters in my closet. It must have been pretty good because she married me shortly after that. I spent a good number of years after inventing games and prototypes for a variety of ideas before I got back to writing.
         It wasn't a deliberate conscious thought, it was more of a stepping stone. My wife and I had joined a dream interpret group and we were encouraged to write down our dreams as they occurred. "Be as detailed as you can," we were told.
         I was thrilled. If there is one thing I enjoy it's making people believe me and I like to exaggerate. Not a big exaggeration or an out right lie mine you, just a little step out of sync, just enough so you couldn't be sure if it were true or not.  When I write, I always write with the effort of "it could happen" very much in mind and nothing, I guarantee you, nothing, makes me happier.
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Friday, May 2, 2014

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: I, Kwan by K. Hippolite

Blog Tour: I, Kwan by K. Hippolite
3:00 AM1 Comments


Retrofuturistic DieselPunk
Date Published: April 4, 2014

For over a thousand years, a powerful oligarchy known as the Worldwide Order of Lightnings has oppressed us. With the help of the prying eyes of the chronomancers, the Lightnings have torn us from our homes; have forced us to do their bidding; have stripped us of our rights, even our names.

I have spent my life in hiding. Please understand that an unrated telepath like me is a commodity, not a person. If it s not the thought-police come to call on me, it s the Lightnings, or worse, a suitor who won t accept no as an answer.

Peace. Security. Love. They all elude me. When I manage to grasp a little of them in my shaking hands, they are all but snatched away by outside powers beyond my control. My heart groans with black tears from all this folly.
BUY LINKS

My Review
This series of Novella's starts off wonderfully with KWAN. There were a few things that struck me a little off by the writing style, but nothing major. The characters and the journey they go through in both Kwan and Unfit. Most of the characters were easy to be drawn to however there were a few instances I was a bit confused by their place in the novel. The problem for me came in the last installment. The journey had such a build up and I found myself invested only to be a bit bummed by the ending. Overall this was a very interesting take on a genre that I am not hugely knowledgeable of. It can definitely fit with fans of Fantasy/Dystopian/Sci-Fi and the like.


K. Hippolite
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Book Cover Contemporary Romance

Cover Reveal: Roadtrip to Redemption by @AuthorLaurie - #excerpt & #giveaway

Cover Reveal: Roadtrip to Redemption by @AuthorLaurie - #excerpt & #giveaway
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Roadtrip to Redemption - Cover Reveal
By Laurie Larsen
Inspirational Romance
Date Published: Early May

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It started out a trip to lose old memories.  It became a journey to find her heart.

Leslie Malone faces an empty, lonely summer.  Her marriage is over. Her daughter is overseas, living her dream.  Her students are enjoying a carefree summer break.  What's the purpose of her life if she's not a wife, mother and teacher?  The idea of a roadtrip beckons her.  Aimless wandering? Or inspired discovery?  A woman of faith, she asks God for His guidance, then does her best to follow His direction.

Hank Harrison is a quiet man, good with his hands, but short on words.  He's paid a heavy price for not forgiving his son for horrible mistakes made years ago, mistakes with vast consequences.  Leslie is an answer to his prayers, and together, they begin to mend their futures.

Neither of them plans to fall in love.  Will the worst summer of Leslie's life become the season that redeems them both?


EXCERPT

Chapter One
The manila envelope in her hands grew heavier the longer she stood there, her name – Leslie Malone – printed on the front in black magic marker blurring as unwanted tears threatened to erupt.
“Lady?  Excuse me?”
She jolted at the voice.  She gave her head a shake, pulled a brusque hand over her eyes.  “Yes.  Sorry.”
Relief flooding the courier's face was unmistakable.  After all, the last thing he needed was a crying woman when he was just trying to do his job.  He couldn’t really help the fact that he worked for the biggest jerk of a lawyer in town.
He held out a clipboard and a pen and pointed to a line.  She signed her name and handed it back.  He made a quick escape off her front porch, down her driveway and away in his truck.  Were those his tires squealing?  Or maybe that was her imagination.
She sighed and returned to her foyer, closing the front door behind her.  In all fairness, it wasn’t necessarily Tim’s lawyer who was the jerk – Tim himself had that honor.
She stepped into her living room and sank onto the sofa.  No time like the present.  She slipped her finger beneath the sealed flap of the envelope and ripped it open.  She pulled out a small stack of papers and flipped through them before turning back to the front page.  The contents didn’t surprise her.  She’d sat through a full day of court, answered the lawyers’ questions, shared a mountain of documents she’d gathered at her lawyer's request, and listened to the judge’s decisions:
•       Their marriage was over.  Almost twenty years of matrimony -- gone.

•       They’ll sell the house and split the profits.  And they’d split up all the “stuff” according to the inventory they’d both agreed on.

•       They’ll share Jasmine’s college expenses, their contributions proportionate to their incomes.

•       She’ll get half of his 401K when he retires, based on its current balance.

•       He’ll pay child support until Jasmine graduates and gets a job.

She sniffed and tossed the papers on the coffee table.  Her lawyer had been pleased with the settlement, especially that last point.  Leslie would take her word for it. At this moment, she couldn't care less. But was it possible their lives together had resulted in five neat bullet points?  What had once been a loving marriage and family, now was a bunch of legalese.
The phone rang and she jumped.  By habit, she rose and glanced at the Caller ID.  She puffed out a breath and smiled.  “Jaz!  How’s it going?”
“Fantastic, Mom.”
Her daughter’s voice always brought a smile to her face.  From toddler to teen, and now as a young woman.  “Your semester will end before you know it.  It’ll be nice to have a break from school, huh?”
“Well, yeah.”
She caught the slight hesitation but plowed ahead.  “It sure will be good to have you home, Jaz.  The house is awful quiet these days.”
“I bet.”
A tone in the softly spoken words made Leslie scurry to find a new topic.  She knew Jasmine pitied the state of her parents’ marriage.  But today was not a day to delve into it.  Tears were too close to the surface at any given moment to tempt them.
“Have you checked with the diner?  They might need you to waitress this summer, and with me off school, we’ll have a lot of time together.  I was thinking of some fun things to do – plant our garden, try new recipes, maybe we can even plan a vacation, just the two of us.”
Leslie winced at the forced cheer in her tone and bit her lip.  Jasmine would recognize it; she was way too sensitive in general, and too close to the subject of Leslie’s destroyed marriage, to dismiss the subtlety.  The last thing she wanted to do was make Jasmine take sides, or to feel sorry for her at this stage of her life.
Although, with her dad’s full-blown mid-life crisis, complete with a toupe, red Corvette and thirty-year-old divorcee girlfriend, the proper side to take was clear.  At least in Leslie’s opinion.
“Mom, listen.  I won’t be coming home this summer after all.”  She cleared her throat and paused.
“What?”   Leslie heard music playing behind Jasmine’s voice.
“Something really exciting has come up.  An opportunity I don’t want to turn down because although it’s not, um, the best timing … I know I’d regret it later if I didn’t go.”
A little hand gripped Leslie's heart.  She drew a deep breath and forced it out.  “Jasmine, spill.  What are you talking about?”
Her daughter’s words tumbled over themselves.  “A few months ago, I applied for a summer abroad program in Paris.  I never, ever thought I’d get selected because it’s so totally competitive.  It’s a chance for college students all over the world to work in the Paris fashion scene for three whole months.  Go backstage of the runway, work with models, designers, marketers, buyers, retailers.  It’s an unbelievable internship and only the top fashion students are selected.  I really didn’t think I’d have a chance but guess what … I was chosen!  I found out today!”
A weird buzzing filled her ears.  Leslie stood squarely on her two feet and yet, the room was beginning to spin.  She slumped into the chair beside the phone as if her spinal column had become a cooked noodle.  The pause lengthened into an uncomfortable silence.
“Mom?  Are you still there?”
“Yes,” she finally spit out.  “You never even told me you’d applied for a summer abroad, honey.”
“I know.  Honestly, Mom, I didn’t think I had a chance, so why bother?  It’s really an honor.  It’ll be something I’ll remember my whole life, and it’ll be great for my resume.”
“Okay, okay, Jaz.  I hate to be the voice of reason here, but have you thought of the logistics?”
“What do you mean?”
Leslie sighed.  “The biggest one I can think of is, how much does it cost, and how are we going to pay for it?”
“Oh, that’s taken care of, Mom.  Don’t worry about it.”
“You mean, you got a scholarship?  It’s a no-cost internship?”
Jaz cleared her throat again.  “Not exactly.  I mean, there’s a cost, but it’s okay.  Dad said he’d pay for it.  In fact, he gave me his credit card number and told me to charge the tuition and fees.”
A chill crept down Leslie’s spine while goose bumps popped on her arm.  “You called Dad about this before you called me?”
She winced.  Not the most mature of questions to ask – but give her a break:  she was new to this divorce stuff.  “One day” new, in fact.
“Well, yeah, I mean … before I could accept the internship I knew I had to be able to pay for it, so I, you know …”
Leslie nodded.  “Went with your best option.”  Of course Tim would be able to pay for a summer abroad.  His doctor’s salary loomed like the Statue of Liberty, her own teacher’s salary lingering almost unnoticed in the shadows.
“Well …,”
Leslie detested the uncomfortable silence but couldn’t bring herself to say anything cheerful to alleviate it.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I …”
“No, I understand.  I’m not sure I could’ve helped you anyway.  I would’ve tried, though.”
“I know.”
For the next few minutes Jasmine chattered about the internship, the work, the classes, the travel.  She was excited for her, sure she was.  Of course she was!  She hoped she showed all the appropriate enthusiasm. But when she hung up, reality hit her upside the head.
She’d be alone all summer.
Leslie closed her eyes and sat still, her mind serving up an image of what her summer break would be like.  No husband, no job to go to, no Jasmine to brighten her days.  Long days spanning ad infinitum with no plans.  Or at least, nothing important to do.
What was the purpose of her life now?  What was she put here to do, if it wasn’t to be wife, mother and teacher?  Prayers helped; she’d learned that time and time again.  If nothing else, she usually felt better after verbalizing her requests and getting them out there.
Her spoken words echoed in the empty house.  “Lord.  I know You’re there.  Somewhere in all this mess that my life has become.  It hasn’t been the most stellar of days, and You know that.  But come on, how much can one person take?  My marriage is over, my daughter will be gone all summer.  Not even a job to get up and go to everyday.  Nothing, but my new monotone life.”  She sighed.  “Solitude is completely overrated.  Give me strength to deal with my new reality.  Amen.”
She stood and made her way to the kitchen.  What on earth was she going to do with herself?

About  the Author : Laurie Larsen

Author Laurie Larsen photo LegacyofLiesLaunch_zps3b215ea8.jpgA Project Manager by day in the fast-paced world of Information Technology, Laurie escapes to her fictional worlds by night.  About to celebrate 15 years as a published author, Laurie has released eight full-length novels and one novella, with plans to release a new series, starting with Book 1, Roadtrip to Redemption in May.  Laurie has written in a number of romance subgenres:  contemporary romance, women's fiction, Young Adult fiction and inspirational romance.  Her 2009 release Preacher Man, won the EPIC Award for Best Spiritual Romance.  Her new series, Pawleys' Island Paradise returns her to her award-winning genre of Christian-themed love stories.  Laurie is known for her tender treatment of everyday life with just a touch of worst case scenario.
Authors Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

Giveaway

epub or Mobi version of Preacher Man

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: The Atheist's Prayer by @amyrbiddle - #bookreview

Blog Tour: The Atheist's Prayer by @amyrbiddle - #bookreview
2:00 AM0 Comments


Dark Comedy / Contemporary
Date Published: February 28, 2014

   
    After a solar eclipse, nineteen people were found dead in a remote area of the California National Forest. They were lying in a circle, holding hands and wearing plastic fairy wings. 
Years later, on the other side of the country, no one in the southern city of Jefferson is concerned about fairies or fairy-worshiping suicide cults. Except for Candy. She might not have proof, but she’s damn sure it’s going to happen again. 
The problem is, Candy is a coke-dealing stripper and the only person who will listen to her is an alcoholic mall Santa named Hank, who’s only listening because, well…she’s hot. 
There are seven days until the next eclipse.



My Review

In the mood for something with a little more depth but without the emotional breakdown? This was such a great novel to read about something more serious with a comedic twist. 

The way Amy Biddle is able to bring each character and their religious views or lack there of to life and not point fingers or throw stones was so perfectly done. I found myself laughing out loud at so many times. As a mother, I particularly loved the views on the thoughts of children.

I really enjoyed this!



Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Amy now spends half of her life at sea and the other half wherever the hell she pleases. An avid traveler and dangerous daydreamer, she is most at home when surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains or the great blue sea. In her spare time, Amy co-runs Underground Book Reviews, a website dedicated to finding and reviewing quality, independent novels. Her short fiction and poetry has been published by a smattering of online publications including Every Day Fiction and Revolt Daily. 

Book Blog (review site for indie books!)
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