Tanya Contois's Blog

My Boyfriend the Squire by Tracy Kauffman Review

Welcome to my stop of My Boyfriend the Squire book tour hosted by Charisma Media.

Title: My Boyfriend the Squire
Author: Tracy Kauffman
Genre: YA Fantasy

Buy Links:
http://tracykauffman.yolasite.com/
http://www.amazon.com/My-Boyfriend-the-Squire-ebook/dp/B00BE9EWVO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-boyfriend-the-squire-tracy-kauffman/1114319743?ean=9781622124190

Book Description: 

On her way to see her brother in Italy, Lucinda is transported back in time to the Middle Ages. There she is mistaken for a young princess named Grace. King Charlemagne has done something to the princess and his wife, Countess Hildegarde. The countess has been turned into a tiger because of a magic wish by the king. The countess prays for deliverance of herself and her daughter. Lucinda was brought back in time from Alabama to help the countess, since she is the spitting image of Princess Grace. Lucinda meets a squire training for knighthood and falls for him. Meanwhile, Lucinda is taught to act like Princess Grace while she tries to find out what happened to the countess and the real princess. After freeing them both, the countess helps Lucinda go back home to Alabama. But Lucinda misses her squire after she returns home, only to meet a friend of her brother’s who looks just like the squire. Will Lucinda be reunited with her true love? My Boyfriend the Squire is a time travel romance for the ages.

Review:
As soon as I started reading this I knew I was going to like it. Time travel, the Middle Ages and Romance a perfect combination. I loved Lucinda's character and Chadwick. However I was not so keen on Chad.
The plot was simplistic it seemed to scoot past things that a 30 something year old would say "wait a minute have I missed a page" but for a young teen this would be perfect.

I would give it a 4/5



About The Author:
Tracy Kauffman is a Christian fiction author of Young Adult and Children Stories. She grew up in North Alabama, where she still resides with her husband and daughter. She loves taking cruises and traveling with her family. Her favorite place that she has been to is the Grand Canyon.

Tracy has an associates degree in Nursing. She is a registered nurse and works part time in a local nursing home. The rest of the time she spends her time writing books and marketing them. Her titles include: Gwendolyn’s Wish, Southern Adventures, Richard the Lionheart, My Boyfriend the Squire and Captain Honey Bear Saves Goldie Locks.

Tracy started writing poetry at a small age and won the title of editor in her school newspaper, when she was in second grade. She had her first poem published in a online writing contest called, The Cosmetology Student. She decided to write her first book, Southern Adventures, when her son left home for the Air Force. She loves writing and hopes to be able to inspire her readers into living a happy healthier life. She feels like her own life experiences have made her a better writer.

Learn more about her by visiting her website or blog.
Tracy’s website: http://tracykauffman.yolasite.com
Her blog: http://tracykauffman.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KauffmanTracy
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/TracyKauffmanFictionAuthor?ref=hl  


Main Characters:

 Lucinda Norman is a shy, sixteen years old from Alabama. She has one brother Caleb who is in the military in Italy. She is a very pretty young girl, with flowing brown hair and brown eyes. She usually caught the eye of boys her age.

Chadwick de le Ga’lant is sixteen years old and the perfect picture of a Renaissance period squire. His appearance gives the impression of courage and chivalry. He has served in the castle from an early age. Sir Lassiter de le Naphtali is his trainer and has been like a real father to him.

Chad Collins is in the military with Lucinda’s brother in Italy. He is from Alabama too but has ancestors dating back to France. He has dark skin and is the spitting image of Chadwick.

Caleb Norman is Lucinda’s brother. He is stationed in Italy in the military. He is very protective of his little sister and doesn’t want to accept her dating his friend.

Robert Norman is Lucinda’s father and is outspoken, but somewhat lenient when it comes to his daughter. Whatever Lucinda wants he pretty much gives her.

Maria Norman is Lucinda’s mother. She is the opposite of Robert. She is more shy like Lucinda. She is caring and compassionate but goes along with whatever her husband says.

Trailer:

Chief Complaint: Brain Tumor Cosmic Blast & Giveaway

Chief Complaint: Brain TumorAt 57 years old, I thought I was the poster child for fifty-year old healthiness: I competed in triathlons, rode in 100 mile biking events and ate a healthy diet chock full of organic vegetables. Then I discovered that I had a brain tumor the size of my wife’s fist. My memoir chronicles the first year I spent addressing tumor-related health issues: preparing for my first operation, discovering a dangerous skull infection, having the infected portion of my skull surgically removed, learning about my substantial vision and cognitive losses, undergoing rehab and radiation treatments, and learning to live with my “new normal.” And, as best I can tell, the phrase “new normal” is the medical community’s code words for “You’re alive, so quit bitchin’.” As my health changed, so did my sense of humor. My humor started out superficially light-hearted prior to the first operation; transmogrified into gallows humor after several subsequent operations; and leveled out as somewhat wry-ish after radiation and rehab. Topics I write about in the book include:
How not to tell everybody you have a brain tumorWhy it’s a lot of work to die in this countryWhy I had difficulties in naming my tumorHow I negotiated bathroom visits with “Nurse Don’t-Bother-Me”Why I could prove that I was the “dumbest guy in the room”Why someone compared the back of my head to a diseased goatHow I flunked a job interview with myselfThis is a book for anybody interested in memoirs about people dealing with personal crises, for patients trudging through rehab, for caretakers helping victims of serious illnesses, or for anybody looking for an unexpected chuckle from an unlikely subject. Purchase Chief Complaint: Brain Tumor at Amazon.com
About John Kerastas I've worked at a global advertising agency, at several technology start-up companies and as a free-lance writer. Currently I spend most of my time blogging, speaking and writing about brain health, brain tumors and rehab. I speak to hospital rehab groups, stroke and aphasia groups, and last summer spoke at the American Brain Tumor Association's annual "Patient and Caregiver" conference. My charity and non-profit efforts includes work through the Taproot Foundation on behalf of Apna Ghar (a Chicago-based non-profit providing domestic violence services to immigrant communities). I also go on Appalachia Service project trips through my church, participate in Early Response Teams that follow first responders into disaster areas, and teach and certify Early Response Teams through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (e.g.UMCOR).
Follow John KerastasWebsite | Facebook | GoodReads  
GiveawayThe author is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Open to US & Can residents only Fill out the form below to enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Book Tour) Theft is Legal Book Review & Giveaway

Book DescriptionThose of us who have always lived in America speak of the economic “crashes” our country has experienced and survived. However, we have never experienced genuine economic collapse, or the terrifying reality of a country where central banking and inflation have led to anarchy. Author Svetoslav Elenkov gives a uniquely valuable first-hand account of life in a country torn apart by economic disaster, and shows the connections between money, central banking, inflation, and the real impact on everyday people of corrupt and short-sighted government policies. Experience what it is like to live in a world where violence erupts as protests are ignored; where the powerful send men armed with shields and batons to assault citizens innocently celebrating at a party. Immerse yourself in a world where government buildings are attacked, where AK-47s open fire, where RPGs wreak havoc. Learn about what causes these extreme conditions, and what we, as citizens, need to know about both prevention and survival in a worst-case scenario.  
ReviewI found Theft is Legal an educational book which would benefit those who quite business minded. Buzz Bomb Marketing Strategy and how to do it successfully. Rants about rules and regulations. A fictional tale of The Ruins of Currency Island which although fictional it made a lot of sense. The book is mainly fact, with lessons and recollections. Great book.
Four Stars
Purchase from -AmazonBarnes & NobleOutskirts Press
Trailer


Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Radio Murders: The Collectors Giveaway

   
The Radio Murders: The CollectorsCorner an injured animal and you have created a most dangerous adversary.Corner an industry and you have created danger and unpredictability. Radio in America is trapped in a snare of its making and one by one the players desperately try to find a path to survival. This much is true, the rest is pure entertainment. Talk show host Bill "Crash" Kradich believes he is a player. He has a stage in the third largest market in the country, Chicago, but he is smart enough to see it slipping away. While his peers are hastening the inevitable, Kradich seizes the opportunity presented by forces both seen and unseen. His sister goes mad and in the process exposes the deadly pursuits of her murdered husband and a group known only as The Collectors. While the storm of deceit and vengeance closes on the horizon, Kradich and his producer use the events to create a new form of talk radio, one devoted to "real-time murder: the motivations, prevention and consequences." Their success is more costly than anyone imagined. Purchase The Radio Murders: The Collectors atBlack Rose Writing (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Barnes & Noble  
About Author Chuck CollinsChuck Collins is a 40-year veteran of radio, mainly in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland and Akron). He began writing for the love of it at age 9 and attributes his abilities to, “the only reason I graduated high school.” In radio he created award winning ad campaigns and learned the craft of voice performance. He also rose through the ranks of management to become a senior manager of one of the most influential and successful locally owned radio groups in the country. He began The Radio Murders in 2002 and has worked to hone these stories into sharp, thrilling, puzzles that are populated with vivid characters and dramatic places. The first release, The Radio Murders: The Collectors, is actually the second volume and drops the readers into a torrent of deceit, mystery, ripping radio ambition and, of course, murder. (for BRW Author of the Month) Favorite Authors: Classics: Vonnegut, Falkner, Doyle, Twain Contemporary: Erik Larson, Doris Kerns-Goodwin, Candice Millard, Tom Reiss (can’t read contemporary fiction for fear of pollution) Other Talents: Professional Radio Host and Programmer, Voice Artist – recording my own audiobook Photography Hobbies: Gardening Follow Chuck CollinsWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads GiveawayThe author is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card & 5 Signed copies of the book. Open to US, Can and UKFill out the form below to enter!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of "The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt"

Ebook: The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt
Author: Ilana Waters
<ilanabethwaters@yahoo.com>

A Review of "The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt" Book I of Hartlandia

Author: Ilana Waters

This review may contain spoilers (but I try not to).
This was submitted to me for an honest review. I received no compensation except the free book copy.

Author's synopsis/summary:
“Ten-year-old Stanley Delacourt loves his quiet life in the peaceful village of Meadowwood. At least, he does until his best friend is killed. Then the town library—where Stanley lives and works—is burned to the ground. The individuals responsible for both tragedies are a nasty group of soldiers. They work for the kingdom’s new leader: Christopher Siren.
 No one understands the rules Siren’s creating. They don’t know why breaking them means death, or why the leader is so keen to destroy books. And no one can figure out where the former queen and king disappeared to—or if they’ll ever return. With the grown-ups too fearful to take action, Stanley vows to confront Siren. He plans to get answers and demand justice. Little does he know that his journey will involve sword-wielding knights, kidnapper fairies, and dark magic.
Stanley has only two allies back home. One is an intimidated witch named Meredith. The other is a young apothecary called Sophie—who may have enchantment problems of her own. Can they help him discover the reason behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?”


Review:
I like the author's bright voice in describing Stanley, his friends and their adventures and misadventures.
I enjoy it when a book is a bit slow to start for the sake of character development, because as soon as we were introduced to Stanley and his wonderful library, the story became quick paced and a swift read-through.
The magic in the story runs the gamut from magic seven-league boots to pentagrams and incantations.
Unlikely final confrontation between villain and hero, but I did enjoy the theme that, when all is said and done, you just can't go back to the way it was before.
As I already mentioned, I did enjoy the author's voice and many gems were sprinkled throughout the story such as: Oberon's comments on why fairies are unlikely to get involved in wars: "'...fairies... don’t feel things the way you do... Fairies live for centuries—sometimes thousands of years. We forget that mortals don’t have the time given to us. We know that heartache wastes their precious years until they are nothing but lonely piles of dust...Fairies live for the pleasure of the moment. We prefer not to die for noble causes. Death means an end to our merrymaking, you see. Oh, there are a few among us who pursue more than pleasure. But mainly, we’re cowards,' he said cheerfully"; scenery descriptions such as "...small pointed evergreens, sticking like nasty spikes out of the earth surrounded the castle...like Christmas trees turned mean"; and Stanley friend Sophie inventing her spell to help him: "...she wrote as fast as she could. Words leaked sideways and nearly ran off the page..."

Upon seeing Stanley Delacourt: where he came from, his friends, his loyalty, his determination.... he changed during his adventure... his friends changed, all permanently. I guess I changed, too.

Links:
http://www.ilanawaters.com/
http://www.ilanawaters.com/try-a-free...
https://twitter.com/ilanawaters
http://www.amazon.com/The-Adventures-...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-a...
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Dark Secrets by Shona Husk spotlight and giveaway

DARK SECRETS
by Shona Husk




Carina Press
18 February 2013
ISBN: 978-14268-9511-1
Kindle | iTunes | Barnes & Noble
Six years ago, Haidyn Mast left his home and his betrothed Anisa to follow his magical calling. Too weak to join the Arcane Guild and too ashamed to return home, he has made a life as a prostitute--to all outward appearances. In truth, he sells his mind but not his body, using magic to let his clients experience their most secret fantasies while his hands stay clean. Even the Lawman, the arbiter of justice in Reseda, is one of his clients, but Haidyn would rather not know the extent of that man's depravity.

Though successful, Haidyn is shunned as a whore and his lack of formal training is causing his power to grow out of control. He's ready to retire and leave the city, but when he sees his Anisa standing at Lawman's side, he knows he must rescue her from the abusive enforcer. Risking his life and his sanity, he devises a plan, knowing that failure will mean death for him, and a lifetime of torment for her...



Shona Husk Bio



Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn't looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she weaves new worlds and writes heroes who aren't afraid to get hurt while falling in love.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, Carina Press and Sourcebooks.
Printable Book List
Connect with Shona:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads




Shona Husk's
DARK SECRETS Blog Tour Schedule


02/03 - GraveTells
02/04 - I Smell Sheep
02/05 - United by Books
02/06 - The Reading Café
02/07 - Romancing the Book
02/08 - Bookworm 2 Bookworm
02/09 - All Things Books
02/10 - All The Fun Starts After Dark
02/11 - Close Encounters with the Night Kind
02/12 - Cocktails and Books
02/13 - Book Lovin' Mamas
02/14 - Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies Oh My!
02/15 - Book Monster Reviews & Literal Addiction
02/16 - Ramblings From This Chick




GIVEAWAY INFO:
Shona is giving away an eBook of DARK SECRETS to one winner at each tour stop.


Please email the NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS & PREFERRED EBOOK FORMAT of your winner to bookmonsterpromotions@gmail.com when your giveaway ends.

My review of Bite Me by Mike Faricy from Julie Newberry

Ebook: Bite MeAuthor: Mike FaricyFiction, This review may contain spoilersI was given this by the author for an honest reviewSummary: Another Dev Haskell tale, read them all in any order you wish. In Bite Me, wise cracking, back slapping, wrong thinking PI Dev Haskell has just landed his dream job, providing security for people who don't need it in the first place. That all changes once someone shoots at them in broad daylight. Things quickly fly out of control and Dev suddenly finds himself under the police microscope, literally tied up in a relationship and dodging a growing pile of bodies that all seem to be linked to him. Another in the entertaining Dev Haskell series from Minnesota's Master of the Bizarre, Mike FaricyThe ReviewI read this book first not knowing there was a series going on here, I should have read the other books in the Dev Haskell series first, although you could quite easily read this and know exactly what was going on, He seems to be always in the wrong place at the wrong time, but  that just added to his charm, This story had me laughing, Poor Dev, he really did get into some scrapes, I loved the plotline, very twisted, just what I like, would recommend this as a stand alone or part of the series, Though I have not read them yet, I will do, Highly recommend this 4.5/5 Buy link & where to find the authorAmazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/Bite-Me-ebook/d...

My Review of Peer inside my Soul & see me by De Ann Townes from Julie Newberry

Ebook: Peer Inside My Soul and See Me
Author: De Ann “Native” Townes Jr
Poetic
This review may contain spoilers
I was given this by the author for an honest review
Summary: In the stillness of my mind as the world around me communicates with a creative passion that touches my heart to reveal and release an overflow of profound poetry from deep within the recesses of my very soul. I flow with an artistically unique rhythm that is all my own. Step into a world created to sooth, centre and expose the senses. I’m artistry through fluent and flowing poetry in motion and I’m letting it flow……..
The ReviewI am not really into poetry, but I do believe poetry does have a place in our society, the author of this book had me gripped, I love the words and how she managed to put them into perspective for me to understand, the words were so beautiful and the context was amazing, You could feel every emotion she must have felt when writing this book, I don’t really have a favourite as there were several which I really adored, I will be looking out for more from this author, she has changed my mind about poetry in general, Highly recommended, 4.5/5
Buy link & where to find the author
Amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/Peer-Inside-Sou...
Amazon.co.ukhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Peer-Inside-S...
Goodreadshttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
Facebookwww.facebook.com/DeAnnNative?...

My review of The Taming of Ilona by Riley Steel from Julie Newberry

Ebook: The Taming of Ilona
Author: Riley Steel
Fiction, Paranormal,
This review may contain spoilers
I was given this by the author for an honest review
Summary: Ilona lives a simple life in the seventeenth century. She is the youngest daughter of a farming family and is the apple of her father's eye. Then her world is turned upside down when her father sells her hand in marriage to an older wealthy businessman. Cut off from her family, raped and abused, Ilona struggles to cope with the hand she has been given. She befriends a local business woman and friend of her husband, Katrina, who teaches her how to fit into higher society. When she falls pregnant, she tries to see it as a blessing and make the best of her new, brutal life. But Ilona is desperate to know what it is like to be held tenderly and in her hour of need, turns to her friend and asks her to arrange one night, one night where she will know love and passion. She is introduced to Redvick, he is tall dark and gorgeous. Un-natural sparks fly between them, their passion is undeniable and Redvick is forced to reveal his true nature. Their love is forbidden but they are soul mates, connected in mind body and spirit but how can they ever overcome their impossible situation and be together.
The ReviewThis is the second book in the series by the author, the first being Red’s Robin, I loved that one too, this one was like Holy Moly, it had it all, Slavery, domestic abuse on a grand scale, Forbidden love, Vampires, Fantastic sex, everything you would want in a drama, I love the character Ilona, she had such a happy childhood, but then her father sold her to a business man who wanted her to breed him a son, there was no love involved, however this did not stop her husband abusing her to which anyone else would have killed themselves, I felt so Sorry for Ilona having to deal with it on a daily basis, Ilona had one friend in all the drama in her life, Silvette, but she was a slave and could only help her out so much, then she met Katrina, a magnificent woman, who was not the normal run of the mill female for the age, she helped Ilona to have a night of total passion and love, something in which she was sadly lacking, fortunately it turns out that her one night stand, was with Redvick, A vampire who felt that Ilona was his soulmate, this is where things started to change for Ilona, She found love, I was so happy for her, This book had me crying, laughing, I was very pleased that we met Red & Robin from book 1 in this one, it tied them both together, I can’t wait for book 3, Highly recommended to all my friends, 5/5
Buy link & where to find the author
Amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/Taming-Ilona-Va...
Amazon.co.ukhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Taming-Ilona-...
Goodreadshttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
Facebookwww.facebook.com/nicola.ormer...

y Review of The Valentine by Elizabeth A Lance from Julie Newberry

Ebook: The Valentine
Author: Elizabeth A Lance
Fiction, Historical,
This review may contain spoilers
I was given this by the author for an honest review
Summary: Lady Madeline Ryder wants an exciting life with a handsome, enticing Pirate King. Her aunt and her father, however, have very different plans for her. They have given her until Valentine’s Day to become engaged to their idea of the perfect man. Madeline is resigned to meekly do as she is told, until a chance meeting on the street has her stumbling into the arms of Lord Samuel Powell, Duke of Wiltshire. One look in his mischievous, twinkling blue eyes and Madeline is ready to fight for what she wants, true love. Now Madeline has two weeks to convince her family that Sam is her perfect Valentine, despite his past, and that love will always conquer all.
The ReviewWow, I loved this one, I am not a great fan of historical as sometimes they can be too much about what a person is wearing instead of on the storyline, this one is an exception, there was some comments made about the clothes, but it was more about the story, which was wonderful, a great love story that conquers all eventually, If you love a happy ending then this is the one for you, I loved Lady Madeline, she may have been from a previous period but she could quite easily fit into the present time, she was no simpering female, the women were always married off to whomever the parent or guardian felt was befitting them, in some cases, this made young ladies marrying a man twice her age, but that is not going to happen to Lady Madeline, she will do everything in her power to persuade those around her that she should marry Lord Samuel Powell, but this man comes with a past that all in her life disapprove of, except one, her uncle & maid, this leads to meetings in private, I loved this book and would highly recommend to all who love a great love story, regardless of era and to those who love historical romances, 4.5/5
Buy link & where to find the author
Amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/The-Valentine-e...
Amazon.co.ukhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Valentine...
Goodreadshttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
Facebookwww.facebook.com/ElizabethAnn...