Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Blog Tour: Why is the Sky Blue? by Shabana


Children's Book

While playing at the beach, two boys begin to wonder why the sky is blue and ask their mother to explain the reason to them. As they are very young, their mother needs to decide how best to explain to her boys. She discusses the phenomenon of the blue sky in a manner that even her six year old can understand. While addressing their initial query, the boys come up with several other related questions, and the mother answers them all with simple facts and drawings. To make it easier and more interesting, she performs a fun experiment with her boys, which shows them why the sky is blue at sunrise and red/orange at sunset.

The book is a must have for all those curious kids who are trying to make sense of the world around them, and for all those parents who want to satisfy their curiosity.




Shabana, a Canadian, spent her early years in various countries and now lives with her husband, two sons in Singapore.
She has a Master’s degree in Education from Newfoundland and a Master’s in Business Administration from Windsor, Canada.
She worked for a telecommunication company in Canada and Singapore for thirteen years as a marketing and business development professional. She’s currently working as a Director at a consulting firm, and serving as the Vice President/room parent co-ordinator of the PTA at her sons’ school.
She loves to read both fiction and non-fiction books. Her kids are also avid readers and love performing experiments and finding out how things work. She conducts weekly experiments with them based on their interest and level of understanding.
It was her boys’ curiosity and endless questions that led her to write her first book, Why is the Sky Blue?  
She plans to write a series of non-fiction books on thought-provoking and interesting topics for children.

Facebook page is www.shabanamuhajirauthor
twitter page is @shabanamuhajir


Links to Buy 
Book is now listed on www.bookdepository.com with free shipping worldwide.


Monday, July 29, 2013

Blog Tour: Cassie Scot by Christine Amsden


New Adult / Paranormal Romance/ Mystery
Date Published: 5/15/2013

Synopsis: Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

My Review
I think this book is original. That pretty much sums it up for me. Its New Adult, Its Paranormal, Its Mystery/Detective, its got a little bit of everything and is perfect for the reader who isn't sure what they want to read next. 

Cassie's character is very well developed and she really is a kick butt heroine. She is someone readers will be rooting for from the very beginning! 

The plot keeps the reader on their toes and has an ending you will not see coming. Definitely a great start to a new series, I'm a fan! 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.
When she's not writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing, usually at Savvy Authors. She also offers professional editing services. She maintains a book review blog on her website with occasional writing tips thrown in for the fun of it.
Christine lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and two children. 

 

LINKS TO BUY

From Publisher’s Weekly:

“In this entertaining series opener, Amsden (The Immortality Virus) introduces readers to the eponymous Cassie, a decidedly mundane member of a magical family. …Readers will enjoy Cassie’s fish-out-of-water struggles as she fights magical threats with little more than experience and bravado.” 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Blog Tour: Master of Plagues by D.B. Reynolds


YA Fantasy
Date Published: 8/16/2012

Mystical powers. Cosmic adventure. Universally dynamic forces. A gifted individual has been commissioned to take part in of all these phenomenal occurrences.
     Stuart Duffelmeyer is an NYU student who is targeted by eight of his egomaniacal college classmates once they learn he wants to find a beautiful date for the night. His classmates lure him to a sleazy motel where they play out a heinous prank. His night ends in utter disappointment after learning that his classmates only used him for their perverted entertainment purposes. Stuart suffered severely as a result of their callous behavior and feels he must get even with his tormentors.
     A chance encounter allows him to discover a magical Hebrew talisman with indescribable powers. Stuart is taken away from Earth and into the far regions of another galaxy once the talisman is consecrated. The spirit of his one-time chief advisor, Rabbi Irwin Wedemeyer, explains to him that the talisman will grant him miraculous powers over all the creatures and elements of the Earth. Rabbi Wedemeyer insists that Stuart not abuse the powers bestowed upon him. He returns to Earth and quickly seeks out his vengeance.
     Stuart’s absolute domination over Earthly creatures and elements brings plagues of unspeakable horrors into the lives of his one-time tormentors. He finds closure once his former college classmates return to offer their apologies to him. He also finds fulfillment by using his powers to intercept the transgressive acts inflicted by the immoral people of society. This stirring tale delivers the purest message of magic and morality.

YouTube Video


My Review:

I really did enjoy this Fantasy Novel. It was young in spirit while about older characters if that makes any sense. 

The plot was fun and easy to follow. I wish the characters would have been a bit more charismatic and drew me in a bit more so I felt more of a connection. That was the only downfall for me. 

It had a great theme about revenge and consequences that I think can resonate with many people.

All in all it was a great Fantasy read.



D. B. Reynolds is an author, screenwriter, computer expert, and a chartered member of the Writer’s Guild Association, the Writer’s Lab and the Writer’s Place.  D. B. has published articles on various subjects in several literary magazines. In 2002, he made a guest appearance on the nationally-syndicated television show,  The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, to talk about his experiences in foster care and the present state of foster care. His newly published fantasy novel, Master of Plagues, was written to enlighten readers about the powerful correlation between magic and morality. D. B. currently resides in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.
Website:  www.dbreynolds.net

Twitter:  @SUCCESS4DR


Friday, July 26, 2013

Blog Tour: Crashing the Congressman's Wedding by Elley Arden


Contemporary Romance
Date Published: 7/15/2013

Alice Cramer is tired of being pitied for her family’s transgressions, so she resolves to break out of the gutter and into the spotlight. As long as her local congressman can forget about their checkered past and help her secure a federal grant to open Harmony Falls Little Theatre, she’ll be the brightest star in town. But when Alice stands up in church and stops the congressman’s wedding, she dives headfirst into fresh scandal.
Why is Harmony Fall’s golden boy, Justin Mitchell, speeding down the interstate sans a new wife but with the local drama queen he’s been trying his whole life to avoid? Alice Cramer may have saved him the hassle of an arranged marriage to a woman he didn’t love, but she’s put a business transaction big enough to save an entire town in jeopardy–not to mention his reputation.
Soon Alice and Justin are dredging up and indulging in an attraction that threatens all their dreams and aspirations. But what if life together is the dream that matters most?


My Review
Wow, I need the laughs that I got from reading this novel. 

The plot itself is a little far-fetched only because of the arranged marriage aspect of it. Maybe if it was set a bit in the past it would have made more sense, but everything that came out of the actual arranged marriage seemed like it could definitely happen. 

There was a musical part to this book which I really enjoyed. The family was very entertaining with all of their many issues. 

This was just an all-around funny, sweet, easy Contemporary Romance read. 


LINKS TO BUY


Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness.
Elley has been reading romance novels since she was a sixteen-year-old babysitter, sneaking Judith McNaught and Danielle Steele novels off the bookshelves of the women who employed her. She started her first manuscript when she was twenty-five, writing during babies’ naps. A total of three children and ten years later, the manuscript was complete. Little did she know, her journey to publication was only beginning…
Elley writes provocative contemporary romances for Crimson Romance.





Thursday, July 25, 2013

Blog Tour: The Wolves of Calderwood-Dead Angels


Horror/Urban Fantasy
Date Published: 3/16/2013

Early morning and a woman lies dead in the street, her end violent and strange. 
A man loses his mother. A detective finds himself caught between, between the city and  the underworld. A wolf wanders aimlessly in search of a killer, in search of an end. All  three are haunted by ghosts of half-remembered moments; all three, trapped in a city,  this city that holds its secrets loose and its citizens tight. This city of dogs. This city of  demons. Calderwood.

My Review

Definitely on the darker side of Fantasy, Dead Angels follows the lives of several people. 

Madelyn Serrato does a wonderful job of portraying her gritty world and describes everything in a way that will have readers believing they are actually there.

The characters are flawed in a good way, they are the type of characters that keep readers flipping pages to see what will happen. I think this is a great start to a series! Look forward to seeing where Serrato takes us next.





Madelyn Serrato was born in California and attended college in Washington, where she received a BA in Psychology.  

She currently resides in Arizona and will start medical school by the end of the summer. When not writing, she   enjoys boxing, reading, and watching terrible movies with friends. Wolves of Calderwood has been a labor of love   for many years and is her first published novel. Join her mailing list at 
http://eepurl.com/Bx6FL.

Contact information: 



Blog Tour: Keeper of Reign by Emma Right


Young Adult Fantasy
Date Published: 5/19/2013

Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? 

For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. 


Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.



My Review:
A fantasy Novel that appeals to the younger crowd as well as the older one. There was something about this book that made it seem innocent. There is fantasy, but it is magical and mystical instead of dark or haunting. If that makes sense... 

Emma Right does a great job of bringing the reader into the world. Very descriptive and easy to follow without getting bogged down by details.

The characters were charismatic and approachable, making it easy to enjoy reading about them and care about what happens to them.

Definitely a nice young adult Fantasy! 

Links to Buy

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.
Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children. 
Visit Emma Right at her home site and blog for tips and ideas about books, homeschooling, bible devotions, and author helps of various sorts: www.emmaright.com and follow her on facebook emma.right.author




Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Book Review: Matt Archer: Legend

First of all an apology as I meant to have this up on the same day as my post for the tour, but completely spaced. Sorry!


YOUNG ADULT PARANORMAL/FANTASY

My Review:
Series such as this are always hard to determine if they will continue at the level they started or if things will start getting unbelievable and forced. Book one was amazing, Book 2 was amazing, and guess what? Book 3 is amazing as well. This is a series and an author who has a grasp on her characters/world and continues to bring it to life in a way that draws the reader in! 

Matt Archer has grown so much from book #1, I think this is seeming less adolescent than it started and the storyline is really growing with him. I love being able to notice growth and changes in a character because realistically we all change from year to year. 

I am addicted to this series and will definitely be highly anticipating the next installment. 

Buy it from Amazon

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Blog Tour: The Unofficial Story of Kyle B. Johnston


Young Adult - Romance
Date Published: 5/22/2013
Companion Novella to The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club

Kyle B. Johnston is looking for a girl. A nice one. One who actually wants to be with him this 
time. His friend, Emma Parker, offers to help him improve his image. in return he agrees 
to set her up with a good guy. When Kyle starts to see Emma as something other than a 
friend, he keeps it a secret.
But what Kyle doesn't know is that Emma's been keeping a secret of her own.

My Review:

I'm a huge fan of J.C. Isabella's writing and really enjoyed the Unofficial Zach Warren Fan Club, so I was definitely looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint. There is something so real about JC Isabella's writing. I just seem to really connect to all of her characters. This makes for a quick and light read, you should definitely pick it up, only $.99! 




J.C. Isabella is the author of Chasing McCree and The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club. Ever since she discovered romance novels in high school, she has been a self proclaimed fan. This led to penning her first YA . When she isn't thinking up new recipes for the cookbook she hopes to one day write, she is brainstorming a new novel and listening to country music. She lives in the tropics of Florida with her big fat Italian family and ornery feline companion.


Twitter @jcisabellabooks



Monday, July 22, 2013

Blog Tour: Relentless by Molly M. Hall


YA Paranormal
Date Published: 4/29/2013
Dark Prophecy, Book 2

"Out of the darkness and into the fire. The truth changes everything."
The discovery of who and what she is changed Kat Matheson's life forever, revealing a world she never knew existed. A world filled with ominous spirits, mystical beings and dark magic. And a powerful ruler who will stop at nothing to achieve his ultimate goal: her death. Now, in her fight to stay alive, and to protect those she loves, Kat begins the battle to take back what's hers.
Teaming with the enigmatic Lovell, Kat searches for the clues that hold the secret to her destiny. Clues that take her to places she never imagined, exposing her life—and her heart—to dangers she never saw coming…


My Review will be posted soon...

I’ve spent most of my life in Colorado and currently live just outside of Denver. I write my books on a laptop perched atop a rather creaky desk, surrounded by two crazy and loving cats. I love to travel and have visited 27 of the 50 states, as well as Canada, Ireland and England. And there are still a lot of places I want to go.
I spent entirely too many years in the gray dullness of the corporate world, imagining something more exciting as I punched numbers on a keyboard. During that time, I worked on a degree in English Literature, but never quite managed to complete it. Mostly because I was too busy reading and creating fantasy worlds in my head. It’s actually my love of reading and imagining that led me to take up writing full time. I thought I should finally give all the characters in my head a voice.
Music is a huge part of my life and plays a big role in the creation of my books. Although I listen to everything from Johann Sebastian Bach and Dvorak, to Glen Miller and Bobby Darin, to Rihanna and Nox Arcana, as well as movie and video game soundtracks, there are two bands whose music is practically my lifeblood: Daughtry and Linkin Park. I will listen to or see them live anytime, anywhere.
I’m a fan of British television, Doctor Who (favorite doctor? David Tennant. Let the debate begin!), The Vampire Diaries, Japanese animé, Ghost Hunters, MI-5 and Eureka. And anything featuring James McAvoy. And I probably would never be able to unwind without That 70′s Show.
When I’m not reading and writing, you'll probably find me listening to music, practicing yoga, working on my very inadequate French, playing piano, enjoying a lovely glass of red wine or champagne, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph.

Contact Links

Twitter - @mollymhallbooks






Release Blitz: The Prelude by KaSonndra Leigh


The Prelude - Release Blitz
By KaSonndra Leigh
New Adult / Contemporary Romance
Date to be Published: 7/3/2013


"The Prelude is the part of a song that pulls you in, hypnotizing you with beauty."

After finishing design school six months ago, Erin Angelo left her tragic past behind in the States and started a new life in Milan, Italy. Burying the grief, silencing her demons, and living a life without any real attachments has worked well for her so far. But when Erin secures her first real job as a budding clothing designer, her controlled world is shaken to its core by the mysteriously sexy director of the local symphony.

Alek Dostov is a man who knows what he wants and how to get it. He's successful, hot, the son of a millionaire, and women all over the world flock to see one of his performances. For Alek, Erin represents the ultimate challenge: sexy, smart, and unaffected by his charms...or so she thinks. Just like Erin, Alek avoids attachments that leave him emotionally vulnerable. But unlike Erin, his pursuit of all things pleasurable is ruthless.

Knowing how wary they both are concerning any kind of committed relationship, Alek finds a way to pursue Erin, satisfying the intense attraction between them without sacrificing the freedom they both enjoy. Sometimes the deepest passion brings out the darkest emotions. And Erin finds herself completely unprepared for the forbidden world of the young maestro and his truths and even his secrets, as she struggles to deal with her own.

Music, passion, betrayal and forbidden love spun together in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

**This novel contains intense sexual situations and mature language. It is intended for an audience at 18+ years of age.**

EXCERPT

Alek is used to getting his way with women.  I probably let him go a little further than I should've done the night of the showing; but hell, I am human and my body has needs. Okay, so we know he has confidence down, and he's damn good with his hands.
But what about the rest of his package?
Can he move that sexy body of his the way I suspect he can?
Well, I guess we'll find out. Choosing one of Milan’s largest nightclubs turns out to be a great idea according to Alek. I’m surprised, but then, not really. There’s this surreal battle going on between us. You know the kind, the type where either one or the both of us will give in to whatever this thing is that we’re feeling for each other. And not even the heated atmosphere of the wildest and most controversial club in Milan can do a thing to hinder the outcome.
“You’ll beg me to kiss you before it’s all said and done,” he told me a few nights ago.
“We’ll see who begs who first, won’t we, Mr. Sexy as Hell?” I lead him to the center of the dance floor. The beat is a thumping disco tune that drives through every part of my body. It is so not helping me to gain the lead in this battle. I turn around, lift my arms and make the first move. “Show me what you got, Mr. Maestro.”
“We’re on, Erin Angelo.”
So arrogant. So sexy. Dangerous is the word I think I’m looking for and hooked is the one I’ll do anything to avoid. Alek moves close to me, his body grinding against my hips. He’s in no way shy about letting me feel how hard he has become. I’m instantly taken aback to that place from a week or so ago, the one where he gave me an orgasm that turned me into a puddle of ooze. Moving back, he takes my hand, laces his fingers with mine and begins moving to the beat.
Holy hell. I’m so in trouble. A guy who can dance like this… Let me repeat it for you, you’re so in trouble, Angelo.
Part of me feels all bubbly inside while the other half is terrified because now Alek’s arms have circled my body. We’re grinding and jerking to a beat that I swear was created just for sex. The words “bang, bang, shot you dead” blast through the speakers. It’s a tune called “Gang Bang” where the singer essentially says she killed her lover because she’s afraid of falling for him, but she used sex instead of a gun to do it. The meaning behind the lyrics hits too close to home to even think about.
The club spins. This man intoxicates me. Everything about him oozes sex. He’s passing the damn can-he-move test and shooting me dead with desire at the same time.

KaSonndra Leigh

Author Bio

Author of the Lost Immortals Saga and the Path Seekers Series. I’m also a mother, blogger, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. I believe in karma, coffee, and seriously wish that the producers of Xena would bring my favorite show ever back.

I was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when I’m not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals). Most of my characters are based on people that I’ve met throughout my travels and adventures. People tend to stop and start conversations with me as if I’ve known them my entire life. Does this freak me out? Not really. My mom says that one day I’ll get kidnapped by one of them. I told her that if it weren’t for these lovely people then I wouldn’t be able to create the stories that I do.

Some other common tidbits…hmm. I’ve watched the movie Under the Tuscan Sun almost 200 times. Seriously, the way I see it is if I keep watching it enough, then suddenly the house that Diane Lane lives in will magically appear in my backyard. I know. I have a huge imagination!
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