Ethan Justice Origins (Simon Jenner)

Giveaways, Swag and the Whole Nine Yards of Carolina Girl by Virginia Kantra

As a Goodreads First Reads Winner I have the pleasure of receiving Carolina Girl by Virginia Kantra. I’m super excited to receive her novel and I also have the pleasure of announcing giveaways!!! Yes that’s right a huge amount of sway for Carolina Girl. Virginia Kantra is doing TWO big giveaways to celebrate the upcoming release on Tuesday, June 4.

 

The lovely ladies of Book Binge are giving away a copy of Meg and Sam’s story. Contest Ends: 6/4/13 (release day!) @11:59pm. US Only. Enter by leaving a comment at Book Binge.

 

And at Plot Monkeys, fabulous Carly Phillips is sponsoring a big beach giveaway - beach book, beach towel, and beach tumbler!

 

Leave a comment at the Plot Monkeys blog here. Winner announced Sunday.

Good luck! Happy summer and happy reading!





Diane Chamberlain's Necessary Lies and The First Lie

So I’m pretty excited to see that there’s a prequel to Diane Chamberlain’s Necessary Lies that is coming out in just a couple of days. You should definitely check out The First Lie, which is the prequel to Necessary Lies.

                   

        

Diane Chamberlain is the international best-selling author of 22 novels published in more than a dozen languages. Her complex stories combine intrigue and suspense with

engrossing family drama.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She also lived for many years in

San Diego and northern Virginia before making North Carolina her home.

Diane received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State

University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker and a

psychotherapist in private practice, working primarily with adolescents. Diane’s

background in psychology and her work in hospitals have given her a keen interest in

understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create living, breathing characters.

 

Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her shelties, Keeper and

Cole. She has three stepdaughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. She loves

interacting with her readers through her blog, on Facebook and via speakerphone and

Skype calls with book clubs. She's currently at work on her next novel. (Photos and bio were used from Diane Chamberlain’s website. Click Here )

 

To get your copy of The First Lie, Click Here

To Preorder your copy of Necessary Lies, Click Here (Comes out 9/3/2013)

Review 5: Fyrelocke (R. Christopher Kobb)

  

Title: Fyrelocke

Author: R. Christopher Kobb

Publisher: MoonPepper Press

Date Published: 5/24/2013

Format: PDF

Source: ARC via Publisher

Genre: Fantasy

# of Day's to Complete:  2 Days

Synopsis:

In a cave, deep within the cliffs of Brighton, lies a curious stone. No ordinary rock, the Fyrelocke has a dark and intricate past.

Twelve-year-old inventor Jack Boomershine believes it a practical joke when a mysterious text message directs him to it. But finding this powerful stone sets in motion an entangled clockwork of events that draws him ever deeper into an adventure in wich his inventions are useless.

As things spin out of control, Jack must find his way through a hidden world of magic with vehicles that fly themselves, a telepathic creature—and an ancient evil with an unfathomable plan, determined to ensnare Jack in it. (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads)

Overall:

I would recommend Fyrelocke to any younger children, friends and family that enjoy reading a light fantasy novel. The characters had their own personalities that really stood out throughout Kobb’s novel. The way that Jack and Chase were two best friends and the way they interacted and complemented each other. The characters didn’t feel flat to me at all and the reader really gets to see different sides of them throughout Kobb’s novel. How seemingly nutso Madame Puffin is more intelligent than she lets on, or that extremely creepy Cankrots are more than just evil goons. I really enjoyed the adventurous plot with all the different twists and turns, in which, some I wasn’t even expecting. I couldn’t put Fyrelocke down and had no real problems with the pacing and Kobb was able to paint a picture in my head and I absolutely loved all of the illustrations that were scattered throughout the book.

abookandalattee’s Rating:

            abookandalattee gives Fyrelocke 4 Stars

Author Information:

R. Christopher Kobb lives in North Aurora, Illinois, with his daughter. He’s an avid reader and artist, this is his first novel. To learn more about any upcoming events and new releases, go to www.rckobb.com . If you have a Goodreads account and would like to Fyrelocke add it to your “want to read” shelf here. MoonPepper Press can be found here as well.

            Twitter: @rckobb

My Travel List

▪ Mukul, Nicaragua
▪ Southeast Africa's Secret Coast
▪ Sydney, Australia
▪ Myanmar

Mother Seas Turtle Month

Stephanie Lisa Tara presents Mother Sea Turtle month!  Mothers need to stick together; whether scaly, feathered, furry or skinned! And to celebrate this Mother's Day and the release of her newest turtle book, Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book—which is the companion follow-up to her first international bestseller, I'll Follow the Moon—Stephanie Lisa Tara is giving away 2 gorgeous, large plush sea turtles (26"L x 8"H x 16"W) to reviewers!

 Dear Turtle Activists,

I want to thank each and every one of you for your tireless dedication and love to our cause! I have written this book FOR YOU! I dedicate this book TO YOU! 120 pages of fotos, facts and fun!

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book has a primary goal: SAVING SEA TURTLES FROM EXTINCTION. A portion of proceeds from this book go to charitable organizations like the Turtle Foundation (www.turtle-foundation.org) of whom my first turtle book, I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON—is a proud sponsor.

If you are new to us—please join with us, for together, holding hands, we can effect change. Yes—really! xoxo. SAVE GREEN SEA TURTLES on Facebook (www.facebook.com/.../Save-Green-Sea-T...) is our hugely popular hang-out—tens of thousands of Activists-strong. Please join us!

NOW—prepare for something totally new and amazing!

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book is not your typical scientific turtle book: my special book is all about having FUN! Enjoy the mini FLIP-BOOK in the corners and create a movie of your own! Click the ebook pages—or thumb through manually in the paperback—YOUR CHOICE!

I've written these chapters in a fun, chatty voice—you know, the one YOU use when talking up your favorite topics! Don't be surprised if you find yourself giggling as you turn pages! Enjoy breathtaking photography, incredible facts, and way-out wow'ing surprises that these millennium-old creatures have to share.

AND: TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE! Yep! Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book is my second turtle book—it's a perfect TWIN to my first international bestseller, I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON: buy BOTH TOGETHER for your shelf. Two little twins; one a fable, one fotos, facts & fun.

So, in closing...please accept this deeply personal gift from me, your faithful sea turtle leader, the turtle-lady, or Stephanie Lisa Turtle - as I was renamed recently by a fan—from my heart to yours.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE CAUSE TO SAVE SEA TURTLES FROM EXTINCTION!

I've always believed that magic hides in special places. As a child, people would often stare at my bright red hair, which was very, very bright indeed.
Unfortunately, I developed a bad habit of making up rhymes about all of them, and they soon became funny characters. I didn't have much time to think about being different; fanciful lyricisms danced in my head, and no one was safe!
Since then, I've come to believe that storytelling has the power to inspire a deep love of language and learning. Words tripping off the tongue in somersaults that stick to your thoughts like taffy-- those are the things that stay forever in the mind.
I've lived in many special places: on a farm, in a city skyscraper, on a tropical beach, and in the beautiful country of France. Now I live in northern California, between the redwood forests and the sea. Even though I'm an adult, I'm still as silly as ever.
Many nice words have been used to describe my books, such as fun, engaging, delightful, and whimsical. Some folks say that I deliver timeless messages of love for kids and parents to share again and again; this makes me very happy. I hope that you'll enjoy my stories, too. Captivating children with language is something that I believe in, and I strive to live my life with this always.
--Stephanie Lisa Tara
www.StephanieLisaTara.com
stephanielisatarabooks@gmail.com

Cause pages (each supports a book's vision):

Facebook page for Save the Polar Bears | Facebook Page for Save the Green Turtles | Facebook Page for Save the Redwood Forests

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Personal Sites:

Facebook | Amazon | Website

Giveaway:

15 lucky people will win a copy of Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book. You must be 13 or older to enter. Open to US addresses only.  Giveaway runs from May 12th to June 12, 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Two lucky reviewers will win a Melissa and Doug Giant Plush Stuffed Sea Turtle that retails at $34.99 and measures 26"L x 8"H x 16"W.  You must review Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book on Amazon to enter.  This giveaway runs from Mothers Day, May 12th to June 12th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And you can still enter to win a Kindle Fire! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why Canines are your Best Friend

Loyal, lovable creatures are surprisingly wise. No wonder dogs and other creatures are man's best friend.

 

Do you have a pet that is extremely wise? If so, what kind of animal is it and why do you think it's wise?

 

I'm excited to hear everyone's comments!

Review 4: You Belong To Me (Marlie Bridges)

Marlie Bridges “You Belong To Me”

Author: Marlie Bridges

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date Published: 

Format: Kindle

Source: World Literacy Café, Amazon

Synopsis:

Erin Reilly wants to live life on her own terms far away from her psychotic ex-husband, Daniel. However, when she moves half-way across the country, pulls her life together, and falls in love with corporate lawyer Colin Marshall, Daniel follows her.

Colin's belief in love and desire for a family were abandoned with a woman's betrayal. And he questions his own capacity for love, until he meets Erin and is willing to test the boundaries of his heart.

Through a series of devastating events engineered by Daniel neither of them believes they can ever achieve their dreams.

But Colin proves he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for love and help Erin discover the strength and courage she needs to conquer her fears and the monster who tries to destroy them both.

Erin wants the American dream. Colin wants to give it to her.
But can they escape the nightmare that threatens their very lives?

# of Day's to finish:  2 Days

Cover Photo:

I love the design and cover art. It’s what drew me in from the beginning, it’s well laid out design and color is perfect.

The Writing Score:

         5 out of 5 Stars for The Writing Score as it was outstanding! I know of several books that I just couldn’t get into due to the writing style and wouldn’t keep my interest. With Marlie Bridges “You Belong To Me” that definitely wasn’t a problem!

Recommendations:

If you like intrigue mixed with smoldering romance then this is definitely the book for you! “You Belong To Me” is competent and sophisticated.

Memorable or Forgettable:

Definitely memorable – The twists and turns that kept coming with every page made you not want to put it down at all!

Rating:

            5 out of 5 Stars

Review 3: If You Stay (Courtney Cole)

Author: Courtney Cole

Publisher: Lakehouse Press

Date Published: 2/9/2013

Format: Kindle

Source: Amazon

Synopsis:

24-year old Pax Tate is an asshole. Seriously. He’s a tattooed, rock-hard bad-boy with a bad attitude to match. But he’s got his reasons. His mother died when Pax was seven, leaving a hole in his heart filled with guilt although he doesn’t understand why. What he does know is that he and his dad are left alone and with more issues than they can count. As Pax grew up, he tried to be the kid his father always wanted; the perfect golden boy, but it didn’t work. His dad couldn’t overcome his grief long enough to notice and Pax couldn’t keep up the impossible perfect façade. So he slipped far, far from it. Now, he uses drugs and women to cope with the ugliness, the black void that he doesn’t want to deal with. If he pretends that the emptiness isn’t there, then it isn’t, right? Wrong. And it’s never more apparent than when he meets Mila. Sweet, beautiful Mila Hill is the fresh air to his hardened frown, the beauty to his ugly heart. He doesn’t know how to not hurt her, but he quickly realizes that he’s got to figure it out because he needs her to breathe. When memories of his mother’s death resurface from where he’s repressed them for so long, Mila is there to catch him when the guilt starts making sense. Mila is the one…the one who can save him from his broken troubled heart; from his issues, from the emptiness. But only if he can stop being an asshole long enough to allow it. He knows that. And he’s working on it. But is that enough to make her stay?

# of Day's to finish:  3 Day’s

Cover Photo:

Courtney Cole’s “If You Stay” cover photo is totally awesome! It was the first thing that drew me into clicking on the description and which I ended up purchasing the book.

The Writing Score:

            5 out of 5 for the writing score of “If You Stay” just because it was one of the best reads that I’ve read so far by Courtney Cole.

Recommendations:

If you’re looking for a good summer read that involves a beautifully written romance novel that shows a lot of emotion. Then this is a book to definitely add to your TBR list!

Memorable or Forgettable:

“If You Stay” is a memorable book for me, and especially the letter from Pax’s mother which absolutely grabbed my heart.

Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

My Opinion:

Now I always love a good romance book and Courtney Cole definitely hit that spot with “If You Stay”. It was beautifully written but yet there were times when I couldn’t stop reading. Putting my kindle down wasn’t an option until I found out exactly what happened. As I mentioned earlier in my review that the letter from Pax’s mother really tore my heart up with the emotions that were displayed. Courtney Cole did a phenomenal job with “If You Stay” and the best part of it all – NO CLIFF HANGERS!!

Read One for $.99 and get 10 Beach Reads as a FREE Gift

How would you like to buy one beach read for 99 cents and get 10 beach reads as a free gift? If you’re like many people, you’d love to load up your e-reader with beach reads for summer vacation, but don’t have time to spend browsing retail sites clicking on book covers. Every day on Twitter, book lovers tweet pleas such as “Help! I need reading suggestions!” That’s the focus of #BeachReadSOS – to help book lovers load their e-readers with quality books so they won’t need to call SOS. SOS also refers to Sink or Swim, the fictional TV game show featured in Stacy Juba’s mystery novel of the same title. The show takes place on a Tall Ship and contestants must walk the plank, including her heroine Cassidy.. After she returns to her normal life as a personal trainer, Cassidy needs to call SOS for real when a killer follows her every move.

 

Anyone who buys Sink or Swim before June 1, 2013 (it’s on sale for 99 cents for a limited time at many retailers) can contact Stacy for 10 free books through her BeachReadSOS promotion. The free books represent a wide range of popular genres including romantic comedy, mystery, suspense, thriller, contemporary romance, and fantasy, and are only available for free through this promotion.

Stacy is also highlighting bargain beach reads from the 10 donating authors, so visit her blog for the list of free gifts as well as some fantastic, inexpensive books to keep you entertained this summer and beyond. She will be posting individual spotlights for bargain beach reads throughout May.

Visit BeachReadSOS at http://tinyurl.com/BeachReadFree10 so you can get organized now, relax later!

In addition, Stacy is also highlighting bargain novels relating to the themes of reality TV and television in general, and she’ll be publishing interviews with contestants from shows such as Survivor, Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance, Bachelor Pad, Shark Tank, and much more.  Check out the list at http://ow.ly/kDQVU and get a headstart on summer reading!