Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 106

Afterburn Re-Release

I have another release today. Finally, after being off the market for seven months, Afterburn is now available to the public once more.

Afterburn is an IR military romance featuring a woman aircraft mechanic. I put a lot of myself and issues I struggled with on the job in this one.


***
Blurb:
Crystal is an enlisted mechanic with a tragic past. Grant is an officer and a pilot with a broken heart. When faced with a difficult decision, will Crystal choose wisely or lose the best thing that ever happened to her?

The love between them burns hot, but their relationship won't stay fueled if they can't beat the obstacles in their way. Besides breaking the fraternization rules, Grant and Crystal have the difference of race between them…but can they prove to the rest of the world, and to each other, that love is color blind?

Afterburn is about overcoming one's past, not judging others, learning to forgive, and what it's like to be a woman in a "man's world".
***
The book is novella length and has some language and sexual content, but the story far outweighs the sex. This is not erotica.
Below is an excerpt, a brief look into the troubles Crystal is facing and how Grant is helping her through.
"You called about a leak?" Crystal wasn't surprised to find Grant, looking immaculate in his flight uniform, leaning against the fuselage of his Falcon. She peered up at him from under her cap, trying to look coy, but knowing she failed miserably. She was still shaking from her encounter with Swenson. She heard her tools rattling in her tool bag.The smile on Grant's face that had greeted her faded. "What's wrong?" He reached out a hand and touched her shoulder. His casual stance tensed, his body looking ready to battle any and all of her demons.Crystal took a deep breath. "I'm okay. Just those problems at work I didn't want to talk about." She turned away from him, not wanting him to see the tears that filled her eyes. "Where's that leak? Which wing?" She dropped her bag onto the tarmac, lowered herself to her knees, and began removing fasteners of different sizes. "What size is it?" She kept her head down, avoiding his probing eyes."The only leak is in my heart. It doesn't need a fastener, only for you to smile." Grant's soft voice rolled over her as he crouched down beside her. The smell of his cologne tickled her nostrils, bringing to mind memories of their wonderful weekend together. His kindness was her undoing. Much to her embarrassment, she began to cry. Tears fell into her canvas bag, wetting the tools of her trade.Grant was on his knees beside her now, and he kept a lookout as he put his arms around her and let her sob, offering her shelter and comfort. He made soothing sounds, held her tight, and waited.Feeling safer and reeling from all her conflicting emotions, Crystal finally began to talk. In a tearful voice wracked by an occasional sob, she told Grant about that morning, about the declined promotions, about how she dreaded walking into her shop every day. It felt as though a leak was fixed in her own heart, no fastener or sealing required, just the love and strength of a caring man. If only all of her problems could be solved like this...When she had told him everything, she sat back on her heels and waited, wary at the clouds of anger on Grant's face. He stared at her intently. "You need to go to EEO." He reached out and brushed a tear off of Crystal's face. "No one, no woman or man, is supposed to put up with discrimination or harassment over what they are. The military has a zero-tolerance policy. I've been there, Crystal, and I know you can fight it. We all deserve to be treated equally.""I'm afraid," Crystal whispered. "Who will believe me?""I believe you." Footsteps sounded behind him, and Grant straightened and stood next to the jet wing, blocking Crystal's tear-stained face from view. She heard him quietly conversing with someone. When she saw the military boots walk away, she waited for Grant's face to appear below the jet again. He held out a hand to her."I have to do a practice CAP." He pulled her to her feet, grabbing her bag with his other hand.She nodded, stood on shaky legs, and brushed off her coveralls. "Are you sure there isn't a leak I need to fix before you go? Combat Air Patrol maneuvers are no light thing. Was that really a fake call? Is your jet fueled?" Her words came out in a rush of nervousness. Her fiasco from the morning was forgotten in light of her sudden, new concern. She didn't want to watch him fly. Her feelings for him were growing too strong. A picture of her dad came to her mind. "I think I'll be going now. I can't watch you fly now that I...that I..." Her voice trailed off. She didn't dare say it. Didn't dare say the "L" word or that she cared for him deeply. It was too soon.Grant placed his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from leaving. His voice was deep and serious. "Fake call. I just wanted to see you. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." He gave her a reassuring squeeze. "With me at the controls and you as its mechanic, this jet will perform wonders in the sky. We make a good team—in more ways than one."

Mark Afterburn TO-READ on Goodreads.Get your copy on Amazon.

Stolen Peace: The Untold Story of the Spanish Conquest by Gloria Bond

First of all, thumbs up to Gloria Bond for writing the only historical novel I can find on the subject of the Tainos and the destruction the Spanish inflicted upon them. Her research is amazing and her characters really come alive.

When Columbus "discovered" what is today Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, the islands consisted of a peaceful people called the Taino. Except for an occasional Caribe attack, they lived in utter peace and solitude. They believed that their god, Yocahu, would reward them for being peaceful people and as a result, they never defended themselves nor fought amongst each other. Unfortunately, this peaceful existance meant they were ill equipment and ill prepared to defend themselves from the Spanish Europeans and their swords.

This is the story of a people before and after Columbus. What led to their downfall? This novel explores all the factors involved, tells how the Spanish raped the Taino women, enslaved anyone over fourteen years of age, cut off people's hands, and wiped out an entire race. The tragedy of the Tainos is that they thought Columbus was Yocahu and treated him as such. Their later disappointment ran deep.

The main characters are Neef, a crippled Taino boy that overcomes many obstacles with his own people and with the white men, Princess Anacoana, Columbus (called Colon in the book), Mateo the cabin boy, Basamanaco the trader (and adoptive father to Neef), and one lone warrior that sacrifices himself in hopes of saving his people.

Beautiful story and very well told. The only reason I fail to give it four stars is the prose is just awful at times. Thee, thy, and thou just do not fit the island scene. The Spanish come across as hicks with their own speech full of th's and n's.

Favorite passage: "Neef thought in his heart: I was never a crippled boy, nor will I ever be one. It's these people who are crippled, for they can only see my outward appearance, but not how well I can think, or what I can do."

This book was formerly called Sons of Yocahu and I've been informed it has went through more editing as well had a cover makeover.

Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Anna Kelly

Title: Forgiving Patience Author: Jennifer SimpkinsHeroine: Anna Kelly
 Anna Kelly’s innocence was taken from her at just six years old. Not only was she sexually abused by someone who was supposed to protect her, but she had to live with that person for many years and keep the abuse a secret from her mother. Eventually, she broke her silence, but too much emotional damage was done. As she got older, she felt like she would never know what it would feel like to be wrapped in a man’s arms before making love and not want to cringe. At eighteen she felt her only hope was to flee town and make a fresh start somewhere new. But eleven years later, when friendship calls, she returns to her hometown and all the painful memories from her childhood. Showing more strength than she would ever give herself credit for having, she explores a sexual relationship with her high school love.
If you were to ask her, Anna would first blush, and then laugh at being called sexy. Trying to draw attention from a man has never been something she’s set out on doing. But intentional or not, she does cause heads to turn. Her strength to overcome such terrible circumstances is just one of the things that make her undeniably sexy.
Blurb:

Anna Kelly had no intention of returning to her hometown of Patience, Tennessee. At eighteen, feeling powerless from an abusive childhood and heartbroken from her high school sweetheart, she needed to put distance between her and the small town. Now, eleven years later she's invited to her best friend's wedding and has no other choice but to return. Though she feels much stronger the second time around, nothing can prepare her for when she sees her ex again.

After a baseball injury, Jake limped back into Patience, damaged and angry. Throwing himself into remodeling Anna's childhood home has given him purpose again. He is just getting his life back together. He can't risk sending it all back to hell again, but the woman who broke his heart has whipped back into town...and she wants her house back. In hopes of reminding Anna of what she ran away from all those years ago he makes her an offer she can’t refuse—three dates, that have Anna rethinking Patience...and the life she was supposed to have with Jake.
Buy Links:
Secret Cravings PublishingAmazonAReBookStrandB&N
To Connect with Jennifer:
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Fast Forward by Juliet Madison

This is already going on my "best books of 2013" list and I'll be watching greedily for anything else this author puts out.


I laughed so hard...and I sniffled from "I'm so touched" tears more than twice.

Imagine..You're 25, you're whole life is ahead of you, you're a supermodel with a sexy cameraman beau...what more could a girl ask for?

But then you wake up 50 and find you have two kids, a roll of fat, a husband named McSnelly, and wrinkles!

Kelli has one day to figure out why she's suddenly time-traveled 25 years in the future, what happened to change her life course, and decide what she's gonna do about it.

So incredibly funny!!! There's futuristic stuff, sarcastic wit, some kind of spandex bodysuit that may endanger the entire female race...I really can't say anything that will do this book justice. Let's just say I like to read in bed, in the wee hours of the morning, and my husband will be sleeping next to me...and I laughed so hard, I woke him up.

Here's what our heroine thinks as she's about to go bungee jumping with the son she woke up to find she had.

"...imagined myself launching off the edge to hang precariously above the water. I shuddered as I envisioned all my saggy bits sagging upside down, my loose turkey-neck sing falling over my face, covering my mouth and nose and cutting off my air supply. This could be fatal in more ways than one."

And this:

"Would you like a paper bag?" the receptionist asked.
"What for? Do you mean to put over my head? Geez! I know I'm not looking my best but have a little compassion!"

This is not the life Kelli envisioned, but if she learns to be...less materialistic and open herself to the joys around her, she may see things in a new light. And this is so well written that when the heroine sees an ugly old lady and an unappetizing life, I saw it too. And when she begin to see herself and what was around her in a new light, so did I. When she cried, I cried. When she laughed, I laughed.

This story was a real feel good story with a strong moral. Enjoy life. Go for your dreams and don't let others tell you what you should do, what is better, or not to pursue something. Be yourself, not what society thinks is cool. And...some of the best things in life are the simplest.

5 stars. I bought this on Amazon.

Jewels from the Heart Gift Card Winner

The winner of the Jewels from the Heart gift card is Molly Rockwell. Molly, I emailed you last night. Please check your email. You have one day left to inform me you have received notification.

Unplanned by Sarah Biglow

A prenatal yoga studio in Boston brings together four expecting women who forge friendships that will carry each one of them through their unplanned pregnancies—and beyond.
Shannon feels under-appreciated by her husband after he makes it clear that she should be the full-time caregiver for baby number four. Lisbeth is pregnant with twins and wants her parents in their lives, but will they ever accept that she is happily married to a woman? Renee's boyfriend, Bryce, decides he is not ready to be a dad and leaves Renee to figure it out on her own. Struggling with an alcohol addiction since college, Erika continues to drink after finding out she's pregnant. AA meetings help, but will she get her life straightened out before her baby is born? After meeting at Maternal Instincts Yoga studio in Boston, these women practice yoga, endure hardships, and overcome obstacles to become lifelong friends.
Excerpt:

By three thirty that afternoon, Lisbeth pulled into the parking lot of a little diner in Cambridge. She spotted Shannon’s van a few spots over and hoped she wasn’t too late. She walked in and spotted her friends in a nearby booth. Pointing to them, she smiled and nodded to the hostess before walking over.

“Sorry I’m late,” she apologized and squeezed into the booth beside Erika.

“Don’t worry. We haven’t ordered yet,” Erika said.

“You look flushed,” Renee said.

“I was rushing around after work. They had a surprise shower for me.”

“Lucky. All I got at work was a whiny two-year-old who threw French fries at me,” Erika said.

“See what you’re giving up,” Shannon teased.
“I’ll pass on the tantrums, thanks.”
“How are you doing?” Lisbeth asked Shannon.

“Things aren’t exactly great. But we’ve started going to a counselor. We’re working on our communication and we’ve managed to decide on a name for the baby. Aiden. What about you? Does Rachel’s brother have a name yet?”

“No. I feel so bad.”

“What if we all write down a random name and see what sounds best?” Renee suggested.
“This from the girl who has her daughter’s name but is keeping it under lock and key like it’s a national secret,” Erika said.

“I like that idea,” Shannon said. She pulled a bunch of napkins out of the dispenser and passed them around.
Lisbeth watched her friends scribble names down and pass them to her. She looked through them smiling and laughing as she read the suggested names. She was sure some of the other people sitting around them gave her dirty looks.

“What?” Shannon asked.

“Which one of you wrote down Evan-Michael-Jamal.”

Erika raised her hand.

“He’s got two last names as it is. Can’t make his life hell by giving him three first names.”
“He’d be unforgettable though.”
Lisbeth shook her head and flipped to the next one. “Patrick wouldn’t be too bad. I’ll keep that one.”

The last one. “Nicholas isn’t too bad either.”

“Sure, pick the traditional names,” Erika said with a wink.

Before Lisbeth could tease her back, their waiter arrived with four waters and two chocolate milkshakes.
“Oh that looks good. I’ll have one of those,” Lisbeth said.

“Sure. Are we ready to order?” the waiter asked.

“We still need a few minutes,” Lisbeth said.

He nodded and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. Lisbeth turned to the menu in front of her and flipped through it.

“You guys have any preferences?”

“Something big and greasy,” Renee answered.

“Aren’t we the poster child for health,” Shannon said.

“I have a craving. Onion rings.”
“Oh that sounds good. Let’s order two.” Erika agreed.

“What would Carolyn say?” Lisbeth asked with a smirk.

“She’d say to steady our breathing."
“I’m so glad I met you all. You’ve made the last six months amazing,” Lisbeth said as the waiter came back with her milkshake.

Buy Links: Musa Publishing Amazon Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Sarah grew up in Connecticut. She spent a lot of her childhood studying dance and music (piano and voice). She sang in her school and church choirs before discovering her passion for writing. She is now a licensed attorney and works for a state agency in the field of employment law.

Unplanned is her debut novel and quite appropriately, was inspired by a course during her first year of law school. She now lives in Massachusetts with her significant other and when not working on other writing projects enjoys reading and watching TV. She runs a TV recap blog with a friend.

Author Links: Site Facebook Twitter

Combat Barbie by Heather Long

I have one complaint. Let's get that out of the way. I want a NOVEL featuring this heroine and her Female Engagement Team. She is awesome and what she does is amazing. Very strong and sexy heroine.


Mary Phillips is a former beauty queen who decided she wanted to use her brain, instead of her beauty and went on to find herself...in the Marines. She's fearless, she's tough, she's witty. When she's home on a deployment, she runs into the nerdy guy from high school, only he's not a nerd anymore.

This was a short story, so I'm going to make this a short review as to not give anything important away.

Love the heroine. She's part of FET. "We work with the women and girls and in the outlying villages and in the cities. We offer them opportunities, listen to their concerns, get them feedback and answer their questions."

I'd love to know more about this. Thus, my whining above.

The hero of this...it's not a jerk aka alpha male that's so popular nowadays. He's a man comfortable in his own skin and situation. Just my type. He is not intimidated by this woman's strength and the flirting between them was great. It built the relationship between them in the right amount of time for a short story. It didn't feel like, "Wham! Hi, there my name is .... Want to have sex?"

The author did a terrific job. She respects the military with this story and yet offers up a side of sensual sex.

Favorite quote:

"All we have are moments. When you make the moments count--that's what matters."

Five stars. I got this through Sizzling PR in exchange for an honest review.

Incantation by Alice Hoffman

Every time I sit down and read a book about the Spanish Inquisition, I'm shocked all over again. What pointless and horrid brutality. And though I've read a story with this theme and plot before, it still impacted me.


Terrific writing style and prose, though I have to say the dialogue being all italics instead of in "s is disconcerting.

You have a girl in Spain during these troubled times...she notices little things. Her family crosses themselves differently, doesn't eat pork, has mysterious visitors, etc. She discovers they and her are Jews. The wrong person finds out and you can imagine the rest.

I couldn't help but think the girl was stupid though, because in light of her knowledge, she should have left the boy alone. It's not like she can marry him anyway. She's Jewish and he's not and back then that was not done. So I had an eye rolling moment, but it was a good read.

Though aimed at teen readers, adult will find themselves just as engrossed and on the edge of their seats as jealously tears a family apart.

Four stars. This book was obtained via a swap program.

Giveaway and Interview! Jewels from the Heart Talks About Her Art

Today, I'm doing something different. This is a book blog, but it's also a woman's blog. We talk women, women's rights, all things women! And women love jewelry! I want to introduce to you today, an artist of jewelry. I met her through a friend and received two beautiful necklaces from her shop Jewels From the Heart.
Please join me as I interview Crystal Sleeper founder and creator of Jewels from the Heart.
Tara: Jewelry making is another form of artistic expression. What made you choose this as your artistic outlet?
Crystal: I wanted to make a few Mother's Day gifts and decided to make some simple wire and bead flowers in vases. They turned out great. So my friend saw these pea pod necklaces online and asked me if I could make her one since I had made the flower vases and they were so pretty. I figured, why not? I made one and couldn't stop. I was addicted to beading from then on out!
[image error] Crystal's favorite piece.
Tara: What's the most rewarding thing about making jewelry?

Crystal: There are a few things I like about making jewelry. First and foremost is knowing how happy the recipient is with their new piece of jewelry. I've always been that way with gifts. It makes me unbelievably happy to make others happy. The other is the peace and serenity it brings me when I work. It's like reading, I can escape into my own little world. Sometimes I just concentrate and veg out and other times I listen to a good ebook.

Tara: I see a lot of trees of life pendants on your page. It seems to be a popular item. Is that your specialty?
Crystal: That's what I get the most requests for. I enjoy making them the most I think. A lot of personality and originality can go into one of those pieces. A lot of the customers personality too since I work with them throughout the whole process to make sure they get exactly what they want.

Tara: What's the most memorable piece of jewelry or item you've made and the story behind it?

[image error] Crystal: There is one item that I will never forget. It wasn't even something some one ordered, per say. I had a friend contact me about buying a bookmark to put into a care basket for a lady. What I later found out was that that lady was a mother to a 5 year old little girl diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type1 which has caused tumors to grow on her optical nerve endings. Her only treatment is chemo because of the area of the tumors, and there is a fifty percent chance she will go blind. So, being a mother myself, especially with a daughter around the same age I know I had to do something for the little girl. I had found out that she was scared she was going to be ugly when her hair fell out due to the chemo, so I wanted something bright and colorful to make her feel good. Something she could look at even on her worst days and maybe feel just a tad bit better. I thought about it and made her a little piece of nature for her side table that she could take anywhere with her. A beaded tree in a colorful glass base that I glued jeweled flowers all over. I didn't even charge my friend for the bookmark for the mother. I just wanted to hopefully brighten these peoples lives what little I could. I hear the little girl is doing fine right now.


Tara: Thank you for being with us today, Crystal. And on that note, I'm pleased to announce, I am giving away ten dollars for one lucky reader to use toward anything in Crystal's shop. Enter using the rafflecopter below. U.S. entrants only. The winner will be allowed to choose something from Crystal's shop and get ten dollars off. Please note: If the item you purchase is 15 dollars, you will owe her 5 PLUS shipping. This is to be treated just like a gift card. You will be responsible for the difference. Crystal shall be prepaid ten dollars for your purchase. Contest runs all weekend. 
Thank you for joining us today!
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HerStory is Told! Release Day Party & Giveaway

In ancient times, women were regarded as sacred. They were thought to hold the mystical power of creation—responsible for the continuation of our species. With the rise of Science and Religion, these myths were dispelled and their plight began.
HerStory: Fiction Honoring Women’s History Month is a collection of Flash Fiction and Short Stories from today's top authors featuring female characters that exemplify strong strength of mind, body, and character. Some of these tales are based on real people while others are purely fictional. However, all are standing up for themselves and what they believe in.
Grab yourself a glass of wine or favorite hot beverage and get comfortable as you read about the lives of women who will light the fire in your soul.
It's finally here. HerStory. Available to the masses. And to honor release day, we're having a party. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win some terrific prizes. *U.S. residents only*


Here's what's up for grabs.



GRAND PRIZE
First Grand Prize First Grand PrizeBecause they have the same agenda: empowering girls/women, Keira's Kollection owner Mr. Wagstaff has graciously agreed to donate a Strong is Beautiful T-shirt. One very lucky woman is not only going to walk away with a paperback copy of HerStory and be empowered through words, but she will also be showing her empowerment right there on her shirt.




And that's not all, the grand prize winner also gets a pair of earrings from Cathy from Etsy, who runs Yesware. The earrings sparkle one side and have a message on the other side: the greatest story never told.

Only, we're telling it, the authors of HerStory. We are telling it.



SECOND GRAND PRIZE


Author Laura DeLuca has donated an incense diffuser to go along with some handmade soap from Greenchild Creations.


And we're throwing an e-book into this mix. Why soap and diffusers? What does that have to do with women's history?


In HerStory, Mathilda of Ringelheim runs a bath house. It seems appropriate to honor herstory this way.


AND as Mathilda seems to know, every woman needs soap and every woman needs time to relax. So one lucky winner will take a nice long shower with her fantastic handmade soap, set her diffuser on a table, and curl up with HerStory on her kindle. Who says you can't be relaxed and empowered at the same time? (and smell good)




THIRD GRAND PRIZE
Another donation from Laura DeLuca: an ebook, a Japanese tea set, and an Oriental incense diffuser. How does this tie into HerStory?



In Please Stay, Asuka, a Japanese wife of the 1600s, is preparing the evening meal while awkwardly trying to discuss a matter--somewhat delicate--but of great importance with her husband.


As you get lost in your ebook, in Asuka's story (penned by Becca Diane), you can pretend you are there. Perhaps you feel your husband's penetrating stare. But you serve him his tea, straighten your spine, and say what needs to be said...then wait, breath held, for his reply, incense lightening the tension in the air...



FOURTH GRAND PRIZE
One lucky winner will have a chance to make their voice heard on the radio...with a $25 Amazon gift card burning a hole in their pocket!



HerStory goes behind the scenes to locate the stories of women who lived, laughed, and touched the lives of generations...



Now, here is your chance to have your story told to the world....or your mother's...it's your chance to talk about the most inspiring woman or women in YOUR life. Shout it out! Tell listeners everywhere about this amazing person. Honor her!


This prize is being donated by Indie Reviews Behind the Scenes.



PRIZE 5, FOUR WINNERS, FOUR TINS OF EMPOWERMINTS


Four of these tins of mints are being donated by the Unemployed Philosophers Guild. That means four lucky winners are going to win a tin of mints to carry around in their pockets and every time they look at the tin, they'll be empowered!


The tin is also the perfect size to serve as a pillbox once the mints are gone. This is something you can keep for a LONG time.



PRIZE 6, TWO WINNERS, CROSS STITCH WALL HANGINGS
Author and editor Tara Chevrestt has a secret addiction and hobby. It makes her feel like an old lady, so she keeps it under wraps, but now the truth is out...



She likes to cross stitch!!!
And with the suffragette tales (Sister Suffragettes by Dahlia DeWinters and Chevrestt's own From You No and Silent Suffragette) in the back of her mind, she found a pattern on Etsy by Patternbird and set to stitching.
Two lucky winners will walk away with these. They are 3.25" by 6" and have a hard backing so they may be placed on a wall.




PRIZE 7, ONE WINNER, FLAPPER-STYLE HAT



Donated from Rakestraw Book Design.






Toni Rakestraw, one of the HerStory contributors, is stitching this hat so one lucky reader can--in her mind--march in a suffragette parade as she reads HerStory. Or perhaps this is something Margaret Sanger would have worn as she leaves the workhouse in The Woman Rebel.



PRIZE 8, ONE WINNER, ONE PAINTING



You've heard the term multi-published and many of HerStory's authors can place that before their name, but how about multi-talented?


Author Morgan Summerfield can not only write as she shoes us in Adella, but she can paint too! She is kindly donating a painting 27" wide by 11" high, titled Morning Poppies. The frame is handmade with real wood and she stretches all her own canvases. It is hand-painted-by her!-in multi media.


Prize 9: ONE WINNER, ONE PENDANT


And last, but certainly not least, we have a lovely Coco Chanel quote pendant donated by the lovely Jewelry Designs by Lula. One winner will win this delightful pendant that says  A girl should be two things: WHO and WHAT she wants.


We could not have said it better.

Enter for all prizes using the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is for three weeks. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond with their snail mail addresses. After 48 hours, new winners will be chosen.


Thank you and enjoy HerStory! Be empowered! Learn something. Believe in yourself and womankind.

Buy links:
Barnes & NobleSmashwords



a Rafflecopter giveaway