Barbara Silkstone's Blog, page 8

The Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Series has been n...

The Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Series  has been nominated for 


Click here to vote for Series of the Year!
Thank you from Wendy Darlin, Roger Jolley, Darcy Bone,Fiona Feelgood, Petri Dische, Tickemoff, and the rest of the cast of crazies.

Kindle Fire Giveaway December 2013

 

 Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)   This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".
All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" GiveawayThe winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)
  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
      December Kindle Fire Giveaway #2 Sponsors
I Am A Reader, Not A WriterFeed Your ReaderDarker PassionsAuthor Talia JagerThe (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old GirlKelly P's BlogKelly's Lucky YouLeahSay's ViewsAuthor Bella StreetAuthor Bonnie BlytheFeed Your Fiction AddictionBlogging the BelovedFae BooksAuthor Kelli BeckBarb's Wire - eBooks & MoreMumbleBee Inc.MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women I Know That Book!NESSAROXThe Reporter and the GirlMy Story That I Like BestJessica Loves BookAuthor Jennie SherwinCandace's Book BlogAttack of the Books!Author Elizabeth SeckmanAuthor Rosanne RiversAuthor Carole LanhamAuthor Jennifer L. WeilThe Real Bookshelves of Room 918Author David Pandolfe Author Georgina Young-EllisAuthor C.J. BurrightAuthor Derek RempferBook CrushinLaloba PressAuthor Louise CaiolaAuthor Becky MonsonWrite Story EditingBookworm LisaAuthor John D. MimmsAuthor Heidi GarrettStanley and Katrina Pet AuthorsAuthor Carol Davis LuceAuthor A. WrightonThe Late Bloomer's Book BlogImmortal Ink PublishingCircus of Lost SoulsAuthor Inger IversenAuthor Tracy JorgensenAuthor Christy HayesAuthor Lisa C. Temple  Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

 There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7".  Ends 1/1/

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 1/1/14 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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win a Gift Pack for a Morph fan

Win a special gift pack for the Morph fan on your holiday list


Win the perfect holiday gift pack for the Morph fan on your list. One winner only. Post a comment  below to enter the drawing. All names will be placed in Isis the Cat's treat dish. She will pick one winner on the morning of Saturday, December 7th. 

The Gift Pack includes:
  A signed paperback copy of Zo White and the Seven Morphs

                                                          Zo White and the Seven Morphs


                              An audio copy of COLD CASE MORPHS

COLD CASE MORPHS 
 And
A Morphsuit – sent to you direct from the home of Morphsuits, Edinburgh, Scotland. Your choice of one of the colors from the Seven Morphs… Green, Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Orange, Purple.
Check out their Facebook page… over 1.3M LIKES



            Morphsuits on Facebook             https://www.facebook.com/Morphsuits
Remember to comment below to enter.PG13 Appropriate

Big Al's Books & Pals - Review of Cairo Caper

    Click here to view:  BigAl's Books and Pals


BigAl's Books & Pals has become known as one of the top reviewing sites. To be recognized by B&P is like having pixie dust sprinkled on your day. No nonsense reviews that tell it like it is. I was thrilled and honored to have my newest release CAIRO CAPER recently reviewed.





                                                         For more Cairo Caper click here


Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin
Genre: Humor/Mystery /Adventure
Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words
Availability    Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: NO  Smashwords:NO  Paper: NOClick on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store
Author:
Barbara states on her blog, “My writing history began humbly enough when I started an underground newspaper in Catholic grade school. I was threatened with excommunication by the nuns so I went further underground. I’ve packed many adventures into my life excusing even the disasters as ‘material for my next book.’… I enjoy doing playful things with language, blending two distinct words to create a new word…  I now write criminally funny fairy tales ripped from the headlines… shaken, not stirred, and served with a twist and a chuckle.”
This is Ms. Silkstone’s third novel in her Wendy Darlin series. She has three other comedic mystery books along with her “true fiction,” The Adventures of a Love Investigator, 527 Naked Men & One Woman. Silkstone contributed to the anthology Indie Chicks and The WG2E All-For-Indies Anthologies: Spring Hop Edition. Her books are also available on Audible.com. You can connect with Ms. Silkstone at her new blogalthough she’s been messing with us by posting recently on her old blog, too. Her facebook page is yet another option.
Description:
Wendy Darlin joins her archaeologist boyfriend, Professor Roger Jolley, in a quest across Egypt looking for a lost artifact for the Egyptian Antiquities Society that will assist them in locating Antony and Cleopatra’s burial tomb. All they had to do was get from Cairo to the Temple of Taporisis Magna alive. However, not everyone is who they say they are and they find themselves running for their lives.
Appraisal:
The non-stop action starts in the first chapter with Wendy hurling a large glass ashtray, the only weapon she could find, into the nose of an assassin on their sixth floor hotel room balcony in Cairo, sending him toppling over the railing. His body apparently disappears from the sidewalk and Wendy and Roger are followed on a comedic run through a crowded Egyptian market place. Poor Wendy, she is one smart gal and very capable, but things just seem to happen to her. Unsurprisingly, Wendy soon becomes instrumental in being able to fulfill their quest.
With the addition of characters like Habib, Petri Dische, and librarian, wannabe-author Fiona Feelgood, who was looking for her own Egyptian treasure and material for her book Erotica for Dummies, put me in mind of Silkstone’s own true fiction book, TheAdventures of a Love Investigator. Then there is the mystery of who is legit and who is involved in the antiquities black market. The way Ms. Silkstone plays with words is unrivaled and the way she incorporated segments from favorite movie clips was genius. She uses sharp wit throughout her stories, her plots are strong, and the action nonstop. I really enjoyed reading about Wendy and her tomb raiding adventures and hope to see more of Habib and quite possibly Tickemoff, the friendly street peddler, in future Wendy Darlin books.
FYI:
This story stands on its own, and is young adult appropriate.
Format/Typo Issues:
No issues with editing or formatting. 

Rating: ***** Five stars

Posted by BooksAndPals at 8:00 AM

Advice to the Love Shorn

Be sure to click on the Advice to the Love Shorn tab at the top of the page! … 



Listen as your favorite mystery / thriller heroes dish relationship advice to characters from other books.




Sasha McCandless advises Wendy Darlin on how to kick-butt yet maintain your femininity. 
A Marriage of True Minds

Be sure to click on the Advice to the Love Shorn tab…&nbs...

Be sure to click on the Advice to the Love Shorn tab… 



Listen as your favorite mystery / thriller heroes dish relationship advice to characters from other books.


Coming Soon… 


Sasha McCandless advises Wendy Darlin on how to kick-butt yet maintain your femininity. 
A Marriage of True Minds

Last day to take part in the Audio Extravaganza Ente...

Last day to take part in the Audio Extravaganza 

Enter Raffle here:

Welcome to my stop for Hoppin the Boxes.I'm hosting Donna...

Welcome to my stop for Hoppin the Boxes.
I'm hosting Donna Fasano
Did you know that Eight Authors are presenting their Boxed Sets with Excerpts, Character Bios, and PrizesWho is participating?Barbara Silkstone with the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed SetCheryl Bradshaw with the Sloane Monroe Boxed SetChristy Hayes and the Golden Rule Bundle Donna Fasano and the Single Daddy Club Boxed Set Faith Mortimer and the Diana Rivers Mystery Set M.P.  McDonald and the Mark Taylor OmnibusMelissa F. Miller and the Sasha McCandles  SeriesSibel Hodge and the Sibel Hodge Box SetThis tour will run from 11 – 18 NovemberAnd there is a Giveaway!Reader drawing is internationalGrand Prize Winner :  $60  Giftcard to Amazon or Barnes and all eight boxed setsFirst Prize Winner:       $40 Giftcard and all eight box setSecond Prize winner -   4 (winner’s choice) boxed sets
But now, let me present




The Single Daddy Club Boxed Set  ~ 
Purchase Now:  Amazon § Barnes §  iTunes  §  Kobo  §  Audible




From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Donna FasanoThree bachelor dads are about to be single no more!
The Single Daddy Club: Derrick, Book 1 The Single Dad
Ex-military man Derrick Richmond. Solitary and satisfied...until little Timmy was dropped into his lap and Derrick had to learn to be somebody's daddy.
The Single WomanSchoolteacher Anna Maxwell. Fate might have denied her a family of her own, but Anna still had plenty of love to give, if only someone would notice.

The SolutionAnna would teach Derrick all he needed to know about kids. Father and son would give Anna some precious memories. Then the schoolteacher and the single dad would go their separate ways. Unless one little boy figured out a way to make Miss Maxwell become his mom!

The Single Daddy Club: Jason, Book 2Desperate DaddyWidowed police officer Jason Devlin. Taking care of his baby girl was usually a piece of cake - until his housekeeper quit, leaving Jason desperate enough to hire the first qualified person who rang his doorbell.

Damsel in DistressRunaway heiress Katie Smyth. The pampered debutante was about to take on her greatest challenge--her first job...as a nanny.
Doorstep DealJason was thanking his lucky stars that Katie had shown up at his house. She was the perfect nanny for his little girl--and beautiful beyond belief, leading Jason to rethink his single status. But just wait until he discovered who this nick-of-time nanny really was!

The Single Daddy Club: Reece, Book 3The only remaining single guy in the Single Dad Club, Reece Newton. Marriage may be the answer for his friends, but not for this contented father of one. Of course, the right woman could change his mind...

Endangered BeautyWoman in hiding, Maggie Dunlap. When someone ransacked her house and put her life in jeopardy, the lovely lady had nowhere to run--except into Reece's protective embrace.Eventual Bride?Against his better judgment, Reece offered Maggie a safe haven in his home. Her mere presence changed the lives of father and son more than he ever dreamed possible. But would Maggie ever get the bachelor dad to the altar?

About Donna FasanoDonna Fasano is a three time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, and a Golden Heart finalist. Her books have sold over 3.6 million copies worldwide and have been published in nearly two dozen languages. Her books have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #17.Follow Donna at Website  §  Blog  §  Facebook  §  Twitter 
Excerpt from The Single Daddy Club: Derrick, Book 1
Purchase Now:  Amazon §  Barnes § iTunes  § Kobo  § AudibleThen he saw light and the soft, muffled sounds of movement coming from the room farthest down the hall. "Bingo," he whispered. He stopped in the doorway and blinked. The room seemed alive with a profusion of color and movement. It was in direct contrast with the drab gray paint of the walls of the hallway. Large, tempera-painted leaves dangled from the ceiling, twirling slowly on their string tethers. More larger-than-life autumn leaves were plastered to the windows. These were made of tissue paper causing the late-afternoon sunlight to glint in vibrant rainbow hues. One corner of the room was obviously a play area, and Derrick was surprised at how the books, games and blocks were in such disarray. "Mr. Richmond." Derrick swiveled his attention and his gaze in the direction of the soft, feminine voice that called his name. The slim, petite woman was standing in front of the bulletin board on a small, child-sized chair. The stapler clutched in her slender hand was folded open, and she was evidently using it to secure bold, blue cutout letters to the board. But what Derrick noticed above all else was the fact that her clothing was as colorful, maybe even more so, than the classroom itself. The filmy, sheer material of her turquoise skirt was very full and hung nearly to her ankles. His brain registered an underskirt of some dense, dark fabric. The sash gathered around her trim waist was purple, her simple cotton pullover was bright red. A draping of purple glass beads hung from her neck and her small, dainty ears. And when her arm dropped to her side, Derrick heard the tinkle of numerous colorfully enameled bangle bracelets as they slid to her wrist. He'd taken so long simply gazing at her in silence that when he finally did lift his eyes to her face he felt... embarrassed. But he immediately forgot his chagrin as he became lost in her eyes. They were a piercing green. And interesting. Filled with merriment. Her full mouth was drawn into a small smile. She reached up with her empty hand and plunged her fingers into the mass of her full, multilayered hair that was so black and shiny it gleamed blue in the overhead light. "Please come in." Hearing her soft, pleasant voice for the second time seemed to knock him out of his stuporous trance. She stepped down from the chair, placed the stapler on her desk, and walked toward him. "You are Timmy Richmond's father?" she asked. "I'm Miss Maxwell." "Actually... I'm... um..." He let the words trail. Why couldn't he find his tongue? Or collect his thoughts? He reached out instinctively, took her hand and shook it. Her skin was warm and silky smooth. Miss Maxwell's laughter was light, like the tinkling of far-off bells. It seemed to echo inside his head, making him feel strange, as though he were grinning like a fool, yet he knew for a fact there was no smile on his face. "It's okay," she said. "There's no need to be disconcerted. Your reaction is quite normal. My appearance can be somewhat... overwhelming to some people. Most people, actually."
Excerpt from The Single Daddy Club: Jason, Book 2
Purchase Now:  Amazon § Barnes  § iTunes  §  Kobo § Audible
The concrete sidewalk that led to the front door was short. Katherine raised her hand to knock, but then looked down at the suitcase she carried. It certainly would look odd for her to be bringing luggage when she had come to inquire about a job. She stepped off the small front porch and tucked the case behind the large yew bush growing beside the front door. Inhaling deeply, she smoothed her hand over her hair, then down the front of her creamy silk blouse. She took a moment to steel herself and then reached up to knock on the metal screen door. Thick doubt swarmed around her head like a dense mass of buzzing bees. What in the world did she have to offer Jason Devlin? She'd never worked at a paying job in her whole life. Her pampered existence had prepared her for nothing except shopping for the perfect wardrobe. What if he found out she was running from— No, she told herself, don't go there. Forget about that. He won't find out. She couldn't let it happen. Another question bombarded her: why would this man choose her to care for his precious baby girl? A second wave of dread hit when she realized that he very well might have already found the perfect babysitter for his daughter. Her nurse friend had said she'd heard that the man was having trouble keeping a sitter. But if he'd hired one who was doing a fine job... if he was no longer looking... Don't panic, she told herself. The worst he could do was say no. The front door opened, and Katherine felt her eyes go wide. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't control her surprise. The bleary-eyed man who stood before her looked more than a little rumpled. The new growth of whiskers on his jaw was tinted a burnished copper, only a shade or two lighter than his russet-colored hair. His lips were pressed firmly together, and Katherine couldn't tell if he was angry or irritated or just plain in a bad mood. A tiny twinge of fear pinched her gut, but then she focused once again on his gaze. Looking beyond the bloodshot whites of his sky blue eyes, Katherine could clearly see that the man was tired, really stressed-out. He looked so haggard, in fact, that her heart went out to him. It looked to her as if he hadn't slept a wink last night. "Good morning," he said. Then his mouth twitched with the beginnings of a smile—a smile, Katherine thought, that was sure to have been quite charming. But evidently he didn't have the energy to hold the expression for long, and she watched him sigh and lean heavily on the doorjamb. "Are you okay?" The question slipped from her lips before she was able to stop it. Now he did find the stamina to smile. And Katherine was right, his smile was charming. Actually it was more than that. "Yeah," he told her, "I'm okay." His smile broadened as he added softly, "Thanks for asking." A moment of silence followed, a moment during which Katherine actually found herself blushing and helplessly averting her gaze from him. Blushing? She, a woman who dined regularly with congressmen and senators, was blushing? Why, she'd shaken hands with not one, but two, U.S. presidents, and she couldn't believe she was finding it hard to look this man in the face. Why in the world would that be? Gathering her wits about her, Katherine tipped up her chin and looked him directly in the eye. "Are you Jason Devlin?" "I sure am," he answered. "What can I do for you?" There was something in his expression—something she couldn't quite put her finger on that caused her to look away again. Although she conquered the urge, she could feel her hands begin to tremble. This is silly, she silently scolded herself. But whatever was prodding her gaze to turn aside was now making her insides churn and her brain go spongy. "Well," she began, "I have a friend... a nurse who works at the Children's Hospital in Salisbury—" she paused to swallow, and she quickly ran her tongue across her lips before continuing. "Anyway, my nurse friend has a friend... and she lives here in Bayview. In fact, she's the wife of one of your police officers... well, not one of your officers. What I mean to say is... one of the officers you work with." Perspiration broke out across her forehead, even though it was a cool spring morning. This was going terribly. She'd excelled in her diction and public speaking courses. Her mother had thought the subjects were important ones, seeing as how Katherine was surely destined to be the wife of a politician. So why was she having such a difficult time clearly communicating her thoughts to this man? She noticed that Jason Devlin's brows were raised as he obviously waited for her to get to the point. "So, well... anyway," she stammered, "the friend of my friend—" Automatically her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips. If Katherine had one wish in the whole world right now, it would be for a cool sip of water. "She told me that you might be in need of a babysitter... for your little girl." There, she thought, it was out. Finally. She blinked several times, her heart pounding against her rib cage as she awaited his response. He laughed; and her heart nearly stopped. A frown bit deeply into her brow. It wasn't a huge laugh, nor a loud one. Just a small, weary chuckle. But what did it mean? Why would he laugh at her? Her hopes plummeted. The tears that welled in her eyes took her completely by surprise. Turning away, she said, "If you already have someone—" "Wait. Hold on." A note of desperation strained his words as he called out to her, and she heard the screen door open with a squeak. The urgency she heard had been easily identified because she had felt it so keenly herself lately. Hope returned with a vengeance, and she turned back toward him, her eyes riveted to his. "Mr. Devlin," she said without thinking, "I really need a job. If you need someone to watch your daughter, then I hope you'll consider me for the position."
 Excerpt from The Single Daddy Club: Reece, Book 3
Purchase Now:  Amazon § Barnes § iTunes  §  Kobo §  Audible


She made a great fuss over placing her briefcase and overnight bag on the upholstered chair that sat in one corner of the room. "The chest of drawers is empty," Reece said. "And there should be plenty of space in the closet. There're hangers in there too. You'll find clean towels in the linen closet across from the bathroom." He talked quickly, trying, Maggie knew, to regain that same sense of normalcy he'd conjured on the drive from her house. "I'll bring fresh sheets for the bed," he went on. "The mattress is firm. I hope you like lots of support." Reece sat down and gave the edge of the mattress a little bounce, and she knew he was looking at her, waiting for her to offer some sort of response. "I'm sure it'll be fine." But the words were strained at best. Maggie knew it, and Reece had to notice it too. Her gaze darted to the bed, and then back up to his face. In the periphery of her vision, she saw him smooth his palm across the spread, and for some reason, that simple action seemed to change everything. The awkwardness swirled and thickened and metamorphosed into something new, something strangely intimate. Whatever it was, it had Maggie feeling terribly aware of each second that passed, completely perceptive of each move of Reece's body, each breath she herself inhaled. Obviously, he, too, was cognizant of this... this thing. And that's exactly how Maggie had identified it—a living, breathing, feeling thing. What the hell? Reece stood up and moved to the window. The suddenness of his brisk action was like an unexpected snapping of fingers that jerked her to attention. She blinked, and the thing seemed to dissolve into nothingness. The air seemed to clear and was once again breathable. "Let me get out of here," he told her. "You have some unpacking to do." He looked at his watch. "And I'm due to meet with my buddies. You know, the guys I told you about? I hope you don't mind if I go out for a while...." "Oh, of course not," she told him, feeling that he couldn't walk out that door fast enough to suit her, yet at the same time, she didn't ever want him to leave. It was such a curious and odd sensation. One that baffled the heck out of her. With a quick smile and a nod, he was gone. Maggie didn't move from her spot there by the chair. She stood listening to him descending the stairs, wondering if what she and Reece had experienced just a moment ago had all been conjured by her imagination. The scary thing was, she knew imagination had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Be sure to see the other stops on the tour to see more from .....






Giveaways! Reader drawing is internationalGrand Prize Winner :  $60  Giftcard to Amazon or Barnes and all eight boxed setsFirst Prize Winner:       $40 Giftcard and all eight box setSecond Prize winner -   4 (winner’s choice) boxed sets
Entry-Form


Be sure to follow the other stops (there are 60) on the tour by going HERE for the linky list 

Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider nominated for Series of the Year...

Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider nominated for Series of the Year
 Click here to vote:  Awesome Trilogy / Series of the Year



Every vote counts... Thank you!

Hopping the Boxes

Announcing Hopping The BoxesEight Authors are presenting their Boxed Sets with Excerpts, Character Bios, and PrizesWho is participating?Barbara Silkstone with the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed SetCheryl Bradshaw with the Sloan Monroe Boxed SetChristy Hayes and the Golden Rule Bundle Donna Fasano and the Single Daddy Club Boxed Set Faith Mortimer and the Diana Rivers Mystery Set M.P. McDonald and the Mark Taylor OmnibusMelissa F. Miller and the Sasha McCandles SeriesSibel Hodge and the Sibel Hodge Box SetThis tour will run from 11 – 18 NovemberGiveaways! Reader drawing is internationalGrand Prize Winner : $60 Giftcard to Amazon or Barnes and all eight boxed setsFirst Prize Winner: $40 Giftcard and all eight box setSecond Prize winner - 4 (winner’s choice) boxed setsBlogger Drawing All participating bloggers will be entered to win one of 2 Gift Certificates one for $40 and 1 for $20 (Amazon or B&N)

The form "Hopping the Boxes - Sign ups" is no longer accepting responses.If you are wanting to participate and will post on 11 November for the entire tour- please send an email to info@iam-indeed.com 
Subject line: Please include me in Hopping the Boxes.