Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 126

Dragon Defender Blog Tour ~ Giveaway

About the BookTitle: Dragon Defender (Dragon Defense League, Book #1)Author: J.A. BlackburnPublication Date: October 19, 2013Publisher: Pip & GreyNumber of pages: 242Recommended age: 10+Summary (Amazon): For over a thousand years dragons have existed in secret . . . Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can't figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter's twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother's disappearance. What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined - where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter's uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it's Peter's turn.
* Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association 2013 Literary Contest *    
More Buzz About the Book"We read an advance copy of this book on kindle earlier this year and our 5th grade son read it twice and is anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Great adventure, really kept our interest reading it together at night. This was one of the kids books I most enjoyed reading myself as well. The characters and the plot are well developed, and appealing to a wide range of kids (both genders). The writing is sophisticated but easy to understand, not 'dumbed down' like many kids books. The subject of dragons was so well crafted that it's easy believe that dragons just might exist, after all." ~ 5 Star Review, Leigh A., Amazon"Reminiscent of the Fablehaven series (with just the right touch of Harry P.) this middle grade book is both an adventure and a pleasure...Fast-paced and full of wonder, this book takes middle grade readers on a vivid journey from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico; where jungles, ancient ruins and local folklore add to the enchantment that Peter finds when he discovers that dragons are in fact, real. As a former elementary school teacher, my strong feeling is that kids will eat this book whole, and then turn to searching for dragon eggs in their own backyards!" ~ 5 Star Review, Grace W., Amazon"Dragon Defender was an absorbing action packed read! The author pulls you in from the first page and I'm not sorry to say I read it all in the first day. I'm 33 but still! This is a fun book for a chapter a night with your 5 year old (my son is loving it so far) or for yourself. The characters are well developed so you feel like you're really there, and the dragon is so believable. I'd venture so far as to say I had to remind myself that dragons don't really exist.... or do they?" ~ 5 Star Review, MGC, Amazon 
Purchase
Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) 
About the Author: J.A. Blackburn   J. A. Blackburn lives in Seattle, Washington in a small white house overlooking the sea with her husband, Jason, her son, Camden, and their dog, Bella. Dragon Defender is her first novel.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads Interview with Jenny 1.  As succinctly as possible, tell us why someone should read your book.
People, and kids especially, who are looking for an unapologetically rip-roaring, fast-paced adventure that’ll keep ‘em on the edge of their seat from the first to the last chapter. And to get a different take on dragons.
2.  Where did you draw your inspiration from for your characters? 
Peter, the main character and our unlikely hero, is an introverted but likeable guy who spends a lot of his time tinkering with electronics. When I was trying to get to know Peter, I kept thinking about my husband, Jason (who, by the way, did the cover and inside illustrations for my book!). They’re both passionate about their interests, self-reliant, and introverted. Peter’s not the kind of kid who makes friends right away and is just as likely to spend time alone, fiddling with something, than out being social. But when someone needs help, he’s the first person to stick his neck out. He absolutely won’t tolerate cruelty. And you won’t find a more loyal or brave friend. Xana is the spunky rich girl that Peter meets in the jungle. She’s modeled after several girlfriends I’ve had over the years. She talks before she thinks, is honest to a fault, and frequently states the obvious. She’s also fun, happy to take charge, and completely up for a good adventure – the perfect person to pull Peter out of his shell. Mario was inspired by some of the children that I met while visiting Mexico. They were very poor – selling gum on the sidewalks to tourists and living in shanties outside of town. But they had a genuine happiness that has always stuck with me. I tried to capture that with Mario – even though his circumstances were hard, he was positive. A great guy – loyal, genuine, maybe a bit wistful.
3.  When did you first start writing your book and when did you finish?
I started writing in earnest in March 2012 although the idea had been mulling around the back of my head for several years before that. Once I started I couldn’t stop and would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, long before the sun came up, pour a steaming cup of coffee and hunch over my laptop to type feverishly. I had a finished draft by October that year and started querying agents.
4.  What is YOUR favorite part of the book?
Perhaps ironically, my favorite scene was the most difficult to write. It’s the scene where Peter is lost in the cave and trying to find a way out. I wanted it to be a real nail-biter and full of suspense, the kind of scene where you just have to keep reading, to see what happens. I struggled to describe what was happening when Peter’s flashlight when out and he couldn’t see anything – to make it realistic but also let the reader know enough about what was going on that they could follow along and not feel lost. I had to rewrite that scene a lot of times and it just wasn’t working. Then we were on vacation in Maui and I signed us up to go on a self-guided cave tour. We shut off all of our flashlights and I pretended I was Peter. I actually acted out the whole scene, in the dark. People thought I was nuts. But it helped. Now it’s my favorite scene – when I read it, I’m totally there with Peter.
5.  What is the main message you want to convey to your readers in your books?
True bravery is standing up for people or animals that need help. Just because something seems a certain way; just because a lot of people believe it is that way, doesn’t mean it’s true. There’s magic to be found when you look beyond appearances. And also . . . dragons just might exist. How do you know they don’t? J
6.  Can we expect more books from you in the future? 
Yes! I’m halfway done writing a story about a girl named Violet who travels to a parallel fairy world to rescue her twin sister who was kidnapped by fairies. I’m having fun creating evil fairies. Next after that will be the second Dragon Defense League book – The Mountain of Ice & Fire, in which Peter goes to Iceland to help his uncle rescue the Nidhogg dragon from its mountainous lair, before the ICERA (Icelandic Road Administration) unknowingly blasts it to smithereens. The Knights get involved and everything goes south in a hurry. The third Dragon Defense League book will take place in Australia. Which reminds me, I’d better get writing!
Dragon Defender Blog Tour Schedule (2014)January 6Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)Victoria Simcox (Interview)January 7The Dragyn's Lair (Dual Reviews)Cherry Mischievous (Guest Post)January 8Reading and Sharing (Book Review)January 9Brooke Blogs (Review)Carpinello's Writing Pages (Author Interview)January 10The World of ContestPatti (Author Interview)Bound 4 Escape (Review)January 11Deal Sharing Aunt (Review)January 12Mythical Books (Guest Post)Book Room Reviews (Review)January 13The Hippie Bookworm (Review)Books Direct (Author Interview)January 14BeachBoundBooks (Review)January 15A Year of Jubilee Reviews (Review)January 16Reviews By Karen (Review)Stitch Says (Author Interview)January 17We are the Noisy DinoFamily (Review)Musings by Jay Faulkner (Guest Post)January 18Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)January 19Lakshmi Gosyne (Guest Post & Review)January 20Sher A. Hart: Written Art (Review)WS Momma Readers Nook (Guest Post/Excerpt)January 21Mel's Shelves (Review)January 22Cassandra Lost in Books (Review)Word Magic: Articles & Tips for Authors (Review)January 23Tales of a Bookworm (Review)January 24Dawn's Disaster (Review)Identity Discovery (Guest Post)January 25Jemima Pett, Princelings Author (Review)January 26When I Grow Up I Wanna Write a Kids Book (Review)Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)  * $50 Blog Tour Giveaway * Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest runs: January 6th to January 31, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, J.A. Blackburn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway   

Eve Hallows Book Blast & Giveaway

EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHIVERS (BOOK 3)So far, Eve's summer vacation has been uneventful, but when her grandparents—traveling all the way from the monster world known as Gravesville—appear at her doorstep, she learns that the URNS Director has gone missing. Worse, a new director, bent on destroying humans, has taken over URNS. Eve and her family are no longer safe in the human world, and as they race to escape this new threat, Eve stumbles into a trap, which forces her back to Gravesville along with her family and friends. But once there, everything goes adorably wrong, and her best chance to get out of this mess is to seek out The Book of Shivers and the elusive author Sedrick Creach—the only creature who knows the secrets of the Nightmare Books. Unfortunately for Eve, searching for Sedrick and the next book in the series will reveal uncomfortable details about her own murky past. Once again, Eve and her friends find themselves on an incredible adventure—one that involves underground battles with bloodthirsty creatures, a lightning-fueled train, and some unexpected new allies. Hilarious and bone-chilling, this third book continues the story of an unlikely hero trying to save not one, but two worlds … This time around, though, Eve's not sure she can even save herself.
Purchase Amazon * Barnes & Noble 
EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS (BOOK 1)For fourteen-year-old Eve Hallows, life can be summed up in one word—horrible. She has the most horrible friends. She lives in a horrible old castle. Even her family is a bunch of horrible monsters. However, in the monster-inhabited world of Gravesville—a world where messages are sent through Ouija boards, jack-o’-lanterns get facials to suit their moods, and the worst thing Eve has to deal with are those annoying zombie tourists who overrun her favorite graveyard during the Halloween season—horrible means wonderful. And everything for Eve is perfectly horrible. But her life is about to go head over heels when a mysterious group known as The Source starts terrorizing Gravesville. Now she must move to the human world—where everything is opposite ... and for Eve, that's absolutely adorable! Praise for Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks:
"Move over, Neil Gaiman’s CORALINE and THE GRAVEYARD BOOK … make room, Lemony Snicket’s A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS … you’ve got company and competition for shelf space!" -- THE HORROR FICTION REVIEW"WOW! What an absolutely horrible book (horrible meaning fantastic!) ... This book was laugh out loud funny. I loved when Mom accidentally turned people to stone. Dad's crazy attempts at running a pizza store were just hysterical." -- KIDS 'N' BOOKS "This is the perfect book to be read aloud, read at night under the covers or simply devoured in one sitting. Robert Gray’s Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks simply shines with all of its fun creepiness, compelling characters and stellar writing. A MUST read for any MG fan!" -- WORD SPELUNKING "Eve Hallows is highly imaginative without being too complex for its target audience. Fall in love with Eve, her friends and her family of adorable monsters. Lose yourself in a light read that will remind you of those days when your English teacher just want you to read something, anything. This book is it. The one that you wish you read when you were in grade school." -- JOYOUS READS "Overall, this book was fantastic. It presents an admirable role model as well as a strong family unit which will benefit young readers. When so many books right now have presented teens in a not-so-flattering light, it is so wonderful to find a book like this one." -- BOOK COVER JUSTICE PurchaseKindle * Amazon * Barnes & Noble EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHADOWS (BOOK 2)Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring! So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn't be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source.With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve's beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn't what it's cracked up to be.All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows....Praise for Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows: "This book was perfectly horrible! Horrible meaning amazingly awesome, of course. Eve's world once again sucked me in and would not let go until this part of Eve's story was finished" -- LILI LOST IN A BOOK "This is a perfect combination of YA, Horror, Paranormal and Fun!" -- BOOK LOVERS PARADISE "I love love love Eve. She's a strong, awesome, female character that I would be delighted to recommend to any little girl. (No sexism at play here, boys will love this book too!)" — MUST READ FASTER "I absolutely love this series and cannot wait to keep reading the fun adventures of Eve Hallows. Mr Gray has such a fantastic style of writing and his books are such fascinating tales, that everybody should read them for the fun factor. The topsy turvy lingo, adorable creatures and imaginative Gravesville, make one horrible book." — TURNER'S ANTICS  
PurchaseKindle * Amazon * Barnes & Noble Tour Schedule Author Robert Gray Robert Gray is a writer. If that job description doesn’t impress you, how about fantasy writer? Too general? Well, he doesn’t get insulted if you call him a horror writer. If horror’s not your thing, then scratch out horror and replace it with suspense. And for the kiddies, you can slap on a YA or MG in front of that title. Gray lives in Bushkill, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.
Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads
   

 Book Blast Giveaway Details  $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/26/14 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 -- ~Inspired Kathy~

Yogi's Curse ~ Blog Tour & My Review

About the BookTitle: Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #2)Author: Lars GuignardPublishers: Fantastic PressPublication Date: September 9, 2013Pages: 340Recommended Age: 8+ Summary Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they're attending Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school itself is a little strange. Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible. But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun, too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe's roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they've been asked to lift the Yogi's Curse. It's not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don't even know what the Yogi's Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them. Now, if they're going to save the day, Zoe and Zak are going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can't stop him, nobody can.   My Review
Zak and Zoe are back together for another fun filled escapade. This time they are attending the Moonstock Himalayan Academy for Boys and Girls, high in the mountains in India. Moonstock is very different than the school they attended in America; for instance, the student’s main source of transportation is riding on elephants; parrots monitor the halls and ornery, monkey security guards keep a watchful eye over the school. These kind of strange practices are not at all what Zoe was expecting and at first she feels quite homesick; however, Zack, her best friend, is attending the school as well, which is somewhat of a comfort to her.

At Moonstock, the boys and girls are separated, limiting Zoe and Zak’s time together. When they do see each other, usually at meal time, Zak seems preoccupied with his new past time―vloging: video blogging, though it won’t preoccupy him too long, once the real adventure starts. 

There are many kids, from all over the world, at Moonstock and it isn’t long before Zoe meets some interesting acquaintances. A few of them are, her new roommate, Anita, from England, Jill her replacement roommate from Alaska, and Amanda … well, putting it lightly she’s kind of a jerk.

Though Zoe and Zak are getting to like the school, other than the crappy meals, strange things begin to happen. For instance, Anita disappears from the school―seemingly into thin air―and Mr. Muk is looking uncannily like the deceased Mukta, the yogi master from book 1, Ghost Leopard.

The adventure blasts into full gear when Zoe and Zak make it their mission to break the Yogi’s curse. They sneak out of the school and ride a magic carpet (doormat) into the easterly night sky, find a glowing elephant tusk which turns out to be a telephone, (you’ll have to read the book to find out what the mysterious voice says through this telephone) get chased by birds, mean monkeys, and rack their brains to solve a mysterious riddle.

Zoe will use her new yogi powers and Zak his dependable Stryker whip, to fight the evil forces they seem to be encountering on a regular basis.

Like Ghost Leopard (book 1) Yogi’s Curse is filled with nonstop action from beginning to end. There is  lots of humor and a great deal of Lar’s fantastic imagination  as well as the real culture, history, and  mysterious beliefs of India described throughout the book. The story is fun and fasted paced and will keep you intrigued up until the last page. I recommend this book to tweens, teens, and adults who may  want to unleash the adventurous kid trapped somewhere inside them.



Purchase
Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (Audiobook) 
The Buzz"I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon "I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon"Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon 
About The Author: Lars Guignard   Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple. He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list here: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 
The Yogi's Curse Blog Tour Schedule (2013/2014)December 15Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)December 16Brooke Blogs (Review) December 17Houseful of Chaos (Review)December 18For the Love of Books (Review) Mary-andering Among the Pages (Review)December 19Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Review)December 20Fiona Ingram (Review)December 22We are the DinoFamily (Review) December 24Fantasy Fun With Kirstin Pulioff (Review) December 26Black Words - White Pages Kids (Review) December 29Victoria Simcox (Review) December 30Stitch Says (Review)December 31 Bound 4 Escape (Review) January 2The World of ContestPatti (Review) January 3Carpinello's Writing Pages (Review) Best Kids' Reads (Review)January 5Bibliothecary Prescriptions (Review) January 6 InKspired: A Blog (Review) January 7GeoLibrarian (Review)January 8Bookworm for Kids (Review)BeachBoundBooks (Review)January 9Generation iKid (Review)Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)January 10Books, Reviews, Etc. (Review)January 11Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom (Review)January 13Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)January 14Dalene's Book Reviews (Review)Leave No Book Behind (Review)  ** Be sure to look for the upcoming Blog Tour for Book 3 in the Zoe and Zak Series, "Tiger Temple" coming January 15, 2014. ** 

Winter Reads Boxed Set Blast ~ Giveaway

    Sit back, relax in your favorite reading chair and enjoy 15 Winter Reads from 15 bestselling YA authors. There is something to delight every reader in this box set – paranormal romance, futuristic sci-fi, historical, time travel, and contemporary. Many of the Indelibles have given you access to both the first and second books in their series – you’ll be reading well into the New Year!
LIMITED TIME BOX SET - from 15 bestselling YA authors ON SALE 12/29 - 1/11 for just $1.99Amazon * Barnes & Noble15 Winter Reads includes: 
The Iron Butterfly by Chanda HahnEscaping an experimental prison, Thalia tries to hide her past and her gifts, from her friends. But her past isn’t always easy to escape, especially when it hunts you down.Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website 
Tremble (Celestra Series) by Addison MooreSixteen year-old, Skyla Messenger is a dead girl walking. When her newly remarried mother moves the family to Paragon Island, to a house that is rumored to be haunted, Skyla finds refuge in Logan Oliver, a boy who shares her unique ability to read minds.Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads 
Exiled by RaShelle WorkmanVenus wakes to find herself no longer on her home planet of Kelari, but on Earth with a week to get back or she'll die.Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Goodreads * Wattpad
Dragonfly by Leigh Talbert MooreGossip Girl meets VC Andrews in this contemporary family saga. Love, lies, and betrayal become the new normal when Anna enters the world of Jack and Lucy Kyser.Amazon * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Pinterest 
Open Minds and Closed Hearts by Susan Kaye QuinnWhen everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Wattpad * Goodreads 
Untraceable by S.R. JohannesWhen Grace's forest ranger dad disappears on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, & nature to prove he’s alive. Torn between a new hot boy and cute ex, she heads into the wilderness to find her dad. Soon, she is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder.
Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Goodreads 
How to Date an Alien and How to Break Up With an Alien by Magan VernonAlex Bianchi takes an internship at an alien operations center to pad her college applications but doesn't plan on falling in love with one of its residents. But as Alex’s senior year progresses, everything changes and she can’t figure out if it is interstellar or if it is just time to break up with an alien.Twitter * Facebook * Website * Goodreads 
Flutter of Luv by L.M. PrestonDawn, the neighborhood tomboy, is happy to be her best friend’s shadow. Acceptance comes from playing football after school with the guys on the block while hiding safely behind her glasses, braces, and boyish ways. But Tony moves in, becomes the star Running Back on her school’s football team, and changes her world and her view of herself forever.Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Goodreads  
Watched by Cindy M. HoganIt takes more than a school trip to change Christy's life. It takes murder.Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads   
Clockwise and ClockwiseR by Elle StraussA follow up to Clockwise, Casey and Nate travel back in time and race against the clock to rescue Casey's rebellious brother Tim from frontline battle in America's civil war.Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Wattpad * Goodreads   
Glimpse (Zellie Wells #1) and Glimmer (Zellie Wells #2) by Stacey Wallace BenefielWhile working together to figure out what their shared vision means, Zellie discovers that Benjamin is a worthy friend and mentor. If only he could keep his hands off of her - if only she wanted him to...Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads 
A Spy Like Me by Laura PaulingAfter dodging bullets on a first date, Savvy must decide how far she'll go to protect the ones she loves.Blog * Twitter * Goodreads 
Grasping At Eternity by Karen Amanda HooperAn eternal soul mate, a supernatural family who has known her for centuries, and lifetimes of erased memories: this is Maryah Woodsen’s life. She just doesn’t know it yet.Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Goodreads 
Lacrimosa by Christine FonsecaIn the world of angels and demons, one thing is clear - some sacrifices should never be made. Even for love.Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Google * Goodreads * Pinterest 
The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkleThe town of Spruce Knoll hides many secrets—and many dangers, among them are that the untimely death of Eren’s parents was no accident and that she is far more than she realizes.Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Wattpad * Goodreads
  Giveaway Details  $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/11/14 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 authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway -- ~Inspired Kathy~

Jack's Diabetes ~ Spotlight & Review

Diabetes is not just a word to 12 year old Jack. It has changed the way he lives his life. Jack has learned not to just cope with a disease but he has learned he can live his life the way he wants while successfully treating his diabetes. This book was inspired by a young man I met who was just becoming acclimated to his insulin pump and diabetes. I gathered from our conversation that he was shocked to discover kids could have diabetes. In addition it appeared that his peers were equally uninformed about diabetes and the variety of treatments available. This book’s goal is to help elementary age children better understand diabetes and its treatment.
About The Author I often wonder who am I. Am I a retired computer guy with 30 years of experience in microcomputers, a retired school teacher and counselor with 10 years of experience in the schools, an innovative baloney slicer who had the first video vending machine in Pennsylvania? Am I a father or grandfather? The role you chose to play is the one you are at the time of the show. Some roles overlap and are played simultaneously. Some roles are never to be repeated. I am someone who cares about the people around me, who wants to improve the society we all live in, who hopes on a daily basis to leave the planet a little better than it was the previous day and who is cognizant that the impact I have on the world is minimal. Tilting at windmills is a part of my character as is a deep love for all those who need to be loved. In my own mind I am a complex, multi-layered, unique character in the kaleidoscoping drama of life.
Sometimes I write merely to keep my head from exploding with ideas. I've always had a need for self expression which runs the gamut through performance, many types of media expression and word. I greet and end each day with the hope that I might make some small change that will improve life for someone. Some of what I write is to entertain, hopefully with some redeeming aspect being illustrated. My naivete and cynicism clash with great frequency. 25 years of working with technology challenged my intellect but did little for my soul. I write to nourish that part of me that needs to feel like I am positively impacting life.  


 
wbentrim@gmail.com
My Books
Azure Dwarf's Horde of SciFi&Fantasy Blog
Pick of the Literate Blog
Money Saving Tech Tips Blog

My Review
William has incorporated his knowledge of diabetes into an easy and informative read. Jack is a normal adolescent, enjoying his school life and little league baseball. However, he develops unusual symptoms―drinking large amount of water, mood swings, excessive urination and more. His parents are concerned and so they take him to sees the doctor. Jack gets the sad news that he has developed type 1 diabetes. The doctor educates Jack on how to live a normal and productive life even with diabetes. And that is what Jack does. This book is packed with great information, such as the latest technology and medical advances to make diabetes patients able to live comfortable, normal, happy lives. It is directed firstly toward children who have developed diabetes, but I think it’d be great for anyone wanting to know about the disease. Illustrated nicely with colorful pictures, Jack’s Diabetes makes a great discussion book for families, friends, educational institutes and doctor’s offices. 

Holding On Forever ~ Blog Tour

YA Bound Book Tours is organizing a Blog Tour for: Holding On Forever by Cecilia Robert. This tour will run from December 13th to December 27th.  This is the sequel to Truly, Madly, Deeply You.  Blog tour schedule below:
Holding On Forever (Truly Madly #2)By Cecilia RobertRelease Date: December 2013
Book Summary: Liese is finally moving on with Frey by her side. But sometimes letting go is the hardest part, and trusting is a risk one has to take. In between her practicum and spending time with Frey whenever he is town, she fights her insecurities, and wins. Then something happens and Frey's priorities momentarily shift, making her second guess their relationship. Suddenly, going back to their former best friends status has never looked so appealing.
 Frey's life has never shined so bright now that Liese is his. But there is a part of him that is shrouded by memories he'd rather have them buried where no one can touch them.  Not even him. But even buried memories and people can't stay hidden for forever. What Liese doesn't know is that Frey isn't about to let go so easily, and he will throw in everything he's got to stop her from leaving him. He has waited an eternity for her. Giving her up is not an option.
Book One(linked to Goodreads)
About the AuthorCecilia Robert  writes YA, NA and Adult. Her motto: Passion rules. She enjoys writing stories about people finding love in the most unexpected of places, and also about people finding their true purpose in life coupled with adventurous journeys, whether it's urban, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary or paranormal romance. There's always a happy ever after, no matter how long it takes for the characters to get there. When she's not working in her full time job, she dons her supermom cape, or in most cases find herself trapped between the pages of a book in search for a hero who'll make her swoon with just a look or a word. Her favourite form of therapy is knitting. Best. Therapy. Ever.
Author Links:        
Blog Tour Schedule:December 13:V's Reads - ReviewShooting Stars Reviews - ExcerptDecember 14:Fictional Reality - ExcerptHowling Books and Design - Excerpt
Kelly P's Blog - Promo PostDecember 16:A Dream Within A Dream - ExcerptDecember 19:Vanessa E. Peay Blog - http://www.vanessaepeayblog.blogspot.com- Promo PostVictoria Simcox's Blog  - http://victoriasimcox.blogspot.com/- Promo PostDecember 20:Good Books & Good Coffee - ExcerptMy Reading Room - http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com- ReviewDecember 21:Alwaysjoart - http://alwaysjoart.blogspot.com/- Promo PostStephanie Parent YA Author - http://www.stephanieparent.blogspot.com- ReviewDecember 25:Mythical Books - http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/- Promo PostRumpled Sheets Blog - http://rumpledsheetsblog.wordpress.com/- ReviewDecember 27:I Heart YA Books - http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/- Promo Post2 friends, promote your books with us - https://www.facebook.com/groups/301139446688226/- Reviewdeal sharing aunt - www.dealsharigaunt.blogspot.com- Promo Post

Othello Cover Reveal

Othello (Shakespeare for Everyone Else, #2)by C.E. WilsonRelease Date: 2013
Summary from Goodreads:
Shakespeare’s work features some of the most memorable stories and characters ever created, yet for too many curious readers the combination of ultra-dense dialogue and unfamiliar historical settings make tackling the Bard’s work something between a tedious chore and a confusing mess of bird-bolts and quondam carpet-mongers.

While it’s nearly impossible to replicate or improve on these works, it is (thanks to their timeless nature) possible to make them more accessible to a wider audience.
In this Young Adult retelling of one of William Shakespeare’s most memorable plays, join C.E. Wilson as she breathes new life into Othello, the second book in her series Shakespeare for Everyone Else.
About the AuthorC.E. Wilson is currently living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and her two dogs and two cats. They are all the loves of her life. When she’s not writing young adult fantasy novels, she enjoys writing short stories on her Deviant Art page. She loves to write stories involving giants and little people (also known as GT) and nothing helps her to write more than Coca-Cola and glazed doughnut holes.



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Cover Reveal Organized by:

The Skinwalker's Apprentice Cover Reveal

The Skinwalker's Apprenticeby Claribel OrtegaRelease Date: 02/24/14
Summary from Goodreads:
New York City 1984: It’s Emerald Kipp’s sixteenth birthday, and nothing has changed. She’s still the biggest loser in school, she’s still trying to find a place for herself and yeah, she’s still a witch. Her last year of high school is turning out to be the worst yet, and Emerald thinks it can’t possibly get any worse. Unfortunately for her, she’s dead wrong.

East Hampton, NY 1658: The Pennyfeathers are the black sheep of their small English settlement. As hard as they try to keep the family secrets just that, the magical bunch just can’t seem to fit in. But when a High Priestess witch chooses 16-year-old Margo Pennyfeather as an apprentice, Margo’s luck finally begins to change. What she doesn’t know, is there’s a lot more to her apprenticeship, and to being a witch, than she could ever imagine
Discover the mysterious beginnings of The Empire Witch Series in "The Skinwalker's Apprentice: An Emerald Kipp Novella."
About the AuthorClaribel Ortega is a graduate of the SUNY Purchase journalism program, and got her start writing for the school’s Independent Newspaper. There, she quickly rose the ranks from editing the student’s often times hilarious ads and ramblings on the back page of the paper to staff and feature writer.After graduation, Claribel worked as a reporter for The Rivertowns Enterprise, a local paper in lower Westchester County, New York. As a reporter, she enjoyed going to board of education meetings and texting the town mayors about the line at Starbucks.Today, Claribel works for The Combined Book Exhibit, a book marketing company in Westchester NY.She lives in New York with her really awesome boyfriend, her suspiciously intelligent yorkie Pancho Villa and is surrounded by an impenetrable fort of books she gets from her job.
“The Skinwalker’s Apprentice” is her first book, and cheese is her favorite food.
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Cover Reveal Organized by:

UNREQUITED ~ Cover Reveal

UNREQUITED by Emily SmithRelease Date: 2014NA (17+) PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Book Summary:UNREQUITED is An Interview with a Vampire meets Meet Joe Black.
In the town of Belle Ridge there are doctors, lawyers and teachers... but there is only one vampire. Will Leighton has become an expert in making a life for himself amongst the unsuspecting small-town inhabitants, as the high school history teacher. He has spent hundreds of years crafting an identity and routine that make him feel almost human, but he is always missing that important final element, love.
Ashton Wallace is beautiful, smart, and angry. She was forced into an eternal existence, and now her family has moved her away from everything and everyone she knows. In Belle Ridge she is supposed to finish high school and start her life again, but how do you make plans for the next several centuries?
Will has never met another of his kind, and is immediately intrigued by Ashton. He longs to show her that the perceived vampire lifestyle, so popular in storybooks, is far from reality...but will she let him be a friend and guide in this new existence? Can Ashton accept Will into her life, or will she be led astray by a dark stranger with whom she shares an unknown connection?
About the AuthorWhether writing stories to entertain her younger siblings, or typing up an essay for a class, Emily Shaffer has been a writer for as long as she can remember.  Her stories may have changed from talking cartoon frogs to angsty young adults, but her goal to write a compelling story remains the same.  When not writing, she lives in Nashville and enjoys all the music, food, and excitement that city has to offer.  Her first novel, the well-received chick-lit title That Time of the Month was self-published on Amazon in 2012.  Her latest novel, as the others before, are fueled by diet soda and pie.
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Release day of Stealing Promises

Today is the release day of Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney!

Purchase on Amazon      Purchase on Smashwords
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
 Promises are made to be kept, never stolen. But that’s exactly what happened to Victoria Blane and Levi Manor. Tragedy strikes their perfect relationship leaving Victoria struggling to overcome the darkness that threatens to bury her.
With Victoria’s life in tatters she decides that running away is easier than dealing with her troubles. But when a friend finds her on the floor in her kitchen, she knows it’s time for a change.Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone. He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever.Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. He becomes her champion, her life line… her sunshine in the darkness. But is Victoria ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?
Teaser

The next morning Victoria was surprised to find it drizzling outside. She snuggled further under the quilt but when she reached over for Levi, he wasn’t there. She groggily opened her eyes and started to sit up looking for him, but he wasn’t inside the small cabin.

Wrapping the quilt around her body she shuffled over to the window to look out and see Levi rearranging some things in the truck. She opened it slightly and called out to him, “Morning, did you have breakfast yet?”
He waved back at her, there was mud down his jeans but he looked relaxed and almost cheerful. “No not yet. I’m trying to get down to the main house to get us some, it was included with our stay. God damn truck is stuck in the mud.”

Victoria sighed deeply, so much for getting to see the small town that was close by. “Well I packed some snacks.”He smiled back at her and shrugged his shoulders and walked into the cabin taking off his muddy boots upon arrival.  He walked over to Victoria and delivered a light kiss on the cheek, “How did I get so lucky?”
She smiled back at him devilishly, “Can’t tell ya. So what’s the grand plan for today vacation planner?”He laughed at her teasing, “You’ll just have to wait and see won’t you?”
She set her lips into a thin line, Victoria didn’t like surprises very much.
“Don’t worry about it. Just eat your granola bar.”After they ate and Victoria had gotten dressed Levi led her to the back of the cabin to a small trail. “I think you’re really going to enjoy this.”They walked through the cool spring air while trees shed sprinkles on them. They walked in silence, hand-in-hand over small rocks and twigs, through the mud until Victoria finally heard rushing water. “Is that a waterfall?”Levi smiled at her. “Nope. I did you one better.”As they continued to walk they came upon a clearing with a small hot spring receded into the ground. There were rocks set up around it clearly put there by nature while others had been moved by people to keep clothes dry and supplies away from the steam. Victoria smiled and pushed Levi playfully. “You know I didn’t bring a bathing suit!”

Levi kissed her on the lips pushing his body against hers, “Of course I know that.” He quickly began to strip, taking his hoodie and shirt off in a flash. Victoria watched with interested eyes as he turned to her, his tanned muscles rippling beneath the light rain. He walked over to her and wrapped his hands around her body to bring her closer. “You’re going to join me, right?”  He whispered hotly in her ear.

About Brina Courtney

Brina Courtney is a new adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She’s spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.
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