Review – Cross Waves by Amanda Uhl @AuAuthor @GoddessFish

.

I first saw the Mind Hackers series when a tour popped up for Dark Waves, a novella, by Amanda Uhl for Goddess Fish. I am happy to say I read both of them and will have them reviewed before the Dark Waves tour on 9.6.22. So be sure and check back.

Cross Waves (Mind Hackers Series, Book Two)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Cross Waves by Amanda Uhl is the second book in the Mind Hacker series. I must say, the books just keep getting better.

Peter is in charge of the CMU unit, the US government’s Cognitive Mind Unit, responsible for guarding the minds of scientists and leaders across the world.

Geneva is the most powerful trainer. Trainers aid Hackers while entering the minds from a distance. Every hacker works with a trainer.

Geneva and Rolf are a perfect match, though they both fight working together. Her brothers have no use for him, but his dark reaches for her light.

Now, Rolf’s sister is missing. Geneva has an extraordinary tracking ability, able to read someone’s aura, and is a human lie detector. They will have to work together if they hope to find her. All Rolf’s senses scream danger, but he and Geneva continue on.

The legend of the crystals: some of which were stolen from Geneva’s murdered mother. Julia had a dream talent and dreamt of Geneva’s mother’s murder. She is also Geneva’s best friend and Rolf’s sister.

At times, I worry about the CMU. Are they legit? Do they have an ulterior motive, an agenda of their own? Of course, any secret, clandestine government organization can be corrupted.

I am only half way through and my emotions are getting ramped up. I can’t relax and enjoy the book. I’m too tense, eager to read on, faster, gotta know. I can’t figure out what’s going on. Who is doing what? Who’s good? Who’s bad?

Geneva’s brothers really tick me off…dismissing her. It’s a wonder they don’t get her killed. But, they will sacrifice their lives to keep her safe. Will it come to that? There are more characters that have a role to play, some good and some bad. You will need to read Cross Waves for yourself if you want to know it all. 🙂

But, I will tell you that I love a good villain and we do get to know his thoughts and feelings while he is doing all his badness. I was kept in the dark for a long time about who he was, but I had plenty of time to revel in his badness. A good bad guy makes the story so much more interesting for me.

WOW! I could only quit reading to do the necessities. I quit taking notes and ignored Mr Wonderful and everything else that was going on around me. If Paranormal Romantic Suspense is your cup of tea, this is a must read series.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Cross Waves by Amanda Uhl.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

She can kill with a thought.
Gifted with an explosive psychic talent, Geneva Ericksen can’t risk letting Rolf Jorgensen in her life. If she does, she might accidentally kill him. But when Rolf’s sister goes missing, Geneva and her extraordinary abilities may be his only hope to find her.

He’s hiding a deadly secret.
Rolf‘s not about to let Geneva slip away from him, even if it means protecting her from his dark gift. As Rolf and Geneva trail his sister, they soon uncover a life-threatening plot: someone is attempting to profit from stealing and trapping their power in crystals.

To outsmart the enemy, it will take all their combined strength. But can they trust each other enough to survive?

ABOUT AMANDA UHL

Amanda Uhl

Award-winning author Amanda Uhl has always had a fascination with the mystical. Having drawn her first breath in a century home rumored to be haunted, you might say she was “born” into it. After a brief stint in college as a paid psychic, Amanda graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre and a master’s degree in marketing. Over the past twenty years, she has worked as an admissions representative and graphic designer, owned her own freelance writing company, and managed communications for several Fortune 500 companies, most recently specializing in cyber security. Amanda is an avid reader and writes fast-paced, paranormal romantic suspense and humorous contemporary romance from her home in Cleveland, Ohio. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find Amanda with her husband and three children, gathering beach glass on the Lake Erie shoreline or biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visit her online at www.amandauhl.com.

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon / Bookbub

MY AMANDA UHL REVIEWS

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Giveaway – Call My Name by Jenni Ogden @iReadBookTours @jenni_ogden


 

Join us for this tour from Aug 18 to Sep 14, 2022!

Book Details:

Book TitleCall My Name: A Novel by Jenni Ogden
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  384 pages
GenreLiterary/Women’s/Bookclub Fiction
Publisher:  Sea Dragon Press
Release date:   April 2020
Formats Available for Review: print (USA only), ebook (MOBI FILE (FOR KINDLE), EPUB, PDF, NetGalley download), audiobook (Findaway download, NetGalley download)
Tour dates: Aug 18 to Sep 14, 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M: Has childbirth/abortion/adoption/surrogacy themes, the brief description of a rape in the past by a Japanese guard of a prisoner in a POW camp in Sumatra in WWII (not explicit but of course disturbing and violent). A mention of cannabis smoking when characters are young, mild in-context use of f-word and other expletives.

Continue reading

Review – The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks #TheLiarsCrown #NetGalley

@abigailowenauthor THE LIAR’S CROWN – 1st in a new #yafantasy trilogy coming 8.30.22! #yafantasybooks #yabooktok #fantasybooktok #newadultbooks ♬ Lost – Crim3s

I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen.

The Liar’s Crown

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love a good Prologue. It can hook me quick, and Abigail Owen has done it in The Liar’s Crown. I am a huge fan of hers and she did not let me down.

Hesperia served Eidolon, the King of Tundra. He is a charming liar who has tasked her with cursing the child. The child is one of two, a twin, and Hesperia defies the king, cursing the other child. Twins: one is Enfornae, who she blessed, and the other is Hylorae. What does it mean? I shall have to read on to find out, but I am very curious of what the repercussions will be, for the children and for Hesperia. We shall find out when Eidolon comes for the Queen of Aryd.

One twin will rule, the other is a secret body double in dangerous situations…to die in her place. Sounds sucky to me.

I am Mereneith Evangeline XII of Aryd. There are six dominions, each named for their ruling goddess. She is a tool. A nonperson. She turns her back on Cain, her best friend, when the Queen dies. She has things she needs to do, and he can’t help her.

The Shadowwraith, alone, villified.

I loved traveling the vividly created dominions, the magicals and the humans. I want to share so much about the characters, Raven…and Meren…but that would spoil things for you. I will say, they are magical, lonely, tools to be used. A man made of evil shadows. A woman who is an echo of the queen to be. I love when peripheral characters are as important to me as the main characters.

OMG. I was swept away with the shifting sand, hiding in the shadows, filled with fear for Meren, a heroine that will sacrifice herself ,while trying to save others and her new found love from the evil that is determined to rule the dominions. Nonstop action. Pacing that brought so many chilling thrills that made me want to read until I reached the end…I got lost and didn’t want to come up for a breath of air.

The story is not finished, but it did stop at a good place, if that is possible. I hope you are writing fast Abigail.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

One born to rule. One to forfeit…

Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.

Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.

As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.

Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.

ABOUT ABIGAIL OWEN

Multi–award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic. Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.  

Website & Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Bookbub

MY REVIEWS FOR ABIGAIL OWEN

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Giveaway – Veronique’s Journey by Patti Flinn @XpressoTours

Véronique’s Journey
Patti Flinn
Publication date: September 1st 2022
Genres: Adult, Historical

In 18th century France, the choices for a young black woman of modest means are slim.

Véronique Clair loves her parents and their small home in the countryside of Burgundy but dreams of using her talent for sewing and embroidery to make her own way, without having to rely on a man.

When Véronique’s well-meaning parents find her a suitor of elevated station their happiness turns into her despair. Véronique must make the difficult choice between agreeing to an arranged marriage–with its promise of elevated status in society–or embark upon an unpredictable journey across France and into a world she’s never known.

…for a young woman of honor, only the heart can guide the way.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

EXCERPT:

The pastor began to speak but was interrupted as a former childhood friend of mine entered behind us, causing many of us to turn around and look. She was red-faced with embarrassment. Big with child and holding onto the hand of two small children on either side of her and sporting a freshly blackened eye. She held her chin up and hustled her babies into a seat as her husband came in behind her, his face a mask of arrogance, daring anyone to say anything. He took the seat beside his family, slouched in the chair like a pouting child.

I leaned to whisper to my mother, eyes still on the man. “He will beat or breed her to death. The bastard. When he was courting her he had nothing but fine words about how well he would treat her. Now she is stuck with him, forever.”

“Oui,” Maman nodded, her pretty features turned down in a frown. “It is a shame. He is angry that he is a married man…”


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Giveaway – Saving The Seas by Nancy Carlisle @iReadBookTours


 

Join Us for This Tour from Aug 15 to Sep 2, 2022
 
Book Details:

Book TitleSaving the Seas for the Purple and Green: A Story of Cleaning Up the Ocean by Nancy Carlisle
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  34 pages
Genre:  Juvenile fiction/science & nature/environment
Publisher:  Sage Green Press
Release date:   March, 2022
Content Rating:  G. There is nothing even close to PG or R in this book, it is totally G

Saving the Seas for the Purple and Green gives children the hope of making a difference. Washed Ashore is honored to have our work highlighted.” — Angela Hazeltine Pozzi, Founder of Washed Ashore

“A simple, relevant, and informative read that gives kids a positive outlook on what can be done to reduce our impact on the ocean.” — Taylor Lane, Creator of the Cigarette Surfboard

Book Description:

A young girl loves the tide pools that she sees on her runs by the ocean, but one day notices garbage amongst the colorful creatures she finds there. Along the beach she meets conservationists cleaning up the beach who educate her about the dangers that trash pose to ocean life. She decides to help also.
 
Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads
 
 
Meet the Author:

Nancy Carlisle is an author and illustrator who writes hopeful books for kids that interweave facts and fiction about the environment and global responsibility. During her 38-year career as a sustainable architect and researcher, her focus was on the environment. She led work nationally and internationally on sustainable and energy efficient buildings and communities and won awards for collaboratively designing award-winning sustainable buildings, a laboratory campus, and improving the energy efficiency of U.S. laboratories. Since retiring, Nancy has worked as a volunteer teaching English as a Second Language and mentors first generation college students. She is a strong advocate against plastic waste not only because it pollutes our oceans and water but also because it contributes CO2 to our atmosphere.

Nancy enjoys the outdoors and international travel. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Environmental Journalists. She studies botanical illustrating and French language. 


connect with the author: website
 
Tour Schedule:

Aug 15 – Character Madness and Musings – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Aug 15 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 16 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Aug 17 – Booking.with.janelle – book review / author interview
Aug 17 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review / giveaway
Aug 18 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Aug 18 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Aug 19 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Aug 19 – Hall Ways Blog – book review / giveaway
Aug 22 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review / author interview / giveaway
Aug 23 – Reading is My Passion – book review / giveaway
Aug 23 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
Aug 24 – FUONLYKNEW – book review / giveaway
Aug 24 – Triquetra Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 25 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / giveaway
Aug 26 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Aug 26 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 29 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Aug 30 – Kam’s Place – book review
Aug 30 – Captive Dreams Window – book review / giveaway
Aug 30 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 31 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 1 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
Sep 1 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 2 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

SAVING THE SEAS Book Tour Giveaway


 

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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5 Stars for Surviving Doodahville by Ashley Fontainne #AshleyFontainne

I have been reading Ashley Fontainne’s novels ever since I won some. She is a must read author for me. AND, what an amazing cover!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

WOW…Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen can sure pen a novel. I only have a half page of notes, because the power of Doodahville was so intense, gripping me, not letting me stop to even jot a note or two. All my emotions came to life, at times overwhelming me.

An impending death, and Gail, Kevin, and daughter, Kassandra are off to Daltville, Arkansas. A small town, small minds, small everything.

I quickly grew to love Gail. She is badass, take no prisoners, kick your ass, leave me and mine alone. At times she cracked me up, other times I wanted to be beside her fighting the good fight.

Kevin and Lurlene are no slouches in planning ahead. Kassandra is a teenager moving from Southern California to small town Daltville, as if teenage angst isn’t already enough. It is a culture shock. At times she feels like life is over for her, but there are also many benefits, which she will learn in time.

The kitten…HA HA HA HA HA.

Racism rears its ugly head on many of the pages. It is the south, so I find that is no surprise and I love the way she handled it in the novel, along with all the nasty secrets and ongoing issues from them.

I have read a lot of Ashley Fontainne’s work, and she easily crosses genres. Her mother, Lillian Hansen did a fabulous job in this collaboration.

Looking at the fun cover, I underestimated the power of Doodaville. Southern living, fraught with danger and secrets that come to light with disastrous results for some, for others freedom. The marvelous characters rise above their situations, sharing love and hope with those who need it. I also went down memory lane from the 1980s. Many scenes were taken from Ashley’s personal experiences, so maybe that’s why they read like true life.

I CAN SEE THIS AS A GRAND MOVIE (along the lines of Gone With The Wind) OR A TV SERIES.

WARNING: Tissues may be required.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Surviving Doodahville by Ashley Fontainne.

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“Filled with powerful scenes and great characters! Brings the ’83 Old South to vivid life. One of my all-time favorite reads! Loved it! ~ Janelle Taylor, NY Times Bestselling author

The summer of 1983—the era of big debt, big hair, and big dreams. Seventeen-year-old Kassandra Lawson is excited about starting her senior year of high school. She has a crush on a local hunk, and her best friend, Valley Girl extraordinaire, Liz Hendricks, insists on helping her snag the hot guy—for sure!

July starts out uneventful for Kee and her parents. Her father, Kevin, is a partner at a CPA firm, and her mother, Gail, works as a secretary at the police department. The small family lives an idyllic life in sunny Hacienda Heights, California.

1983 also brings upheaval and strife for the Lawson clan. A death in the family forces Kevin and Gail to make the painful decision to pack up and move to Kevin’s hometown of Daltville, Arkansas.

Each face daunting challenges adapting to their new lives. Gail and Kee aren’t quite sure they can handle the culture shock. They encounter social and racial issues they never faced on the West Coast, strange food, weird dialects, odd customs, and wicked secrets that have the potential to destroy their family.

More than just a coming-of-age story, Surviving Doodahville explores family bonds, racial barriers, and just how much a person is willing to sacrifice for others. The tale is full of humor, action and a touch of mystery, making it a fun romp into the past.

ABOUT ASHLEY FONTAINNE

Ashley Fontainne

Award-winning and International bestselling author Ashley Fontainne enjoys stories that immerse the reader deep into the human psyche and the monsters lurking within each of us. She writes in numerous genres including mystery, suspense, horror, sci-fi and sometimes poetry.

Ashley lives in Arkansas with her husband and is the proud mother of one son and grateful daughter of co-author, Lillian Hansen. To learn more about her books please visit https://ashleyfontainne.net/

Website  / Facebook  /  Pinterest

MY ASHLEY FONTAINNE REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Where You Are by Felice Stevens @XpressoTours @FeliceStevens1

Where You Are
Felice Stevens
Publication date: August 29th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Former model and B-list actor (B meaning really bad) Isaac Seidel is now a NYC firefighter on special assignment in the one-horse town of Serenity, Pa. But all work and no play makes Isaac a dull boy, and when he hooks up with the most explosive one-night stand he’s ever had, it looks like country life might not be so boring after all.
Especially when the guy he thought he’d never see again turns out to be one of the volunteer firefighters he’s expected to train.
Levi Everett is a master at pleasing everyone—except himself. He’s spent his whole life hiding who he is and what he wants. It’s a lot more complicated now that he’s going to be seeing gorgeous Isaac Seidel every day. How is he supposed to pretend he’s straight when he and Isaac can’t keep their hands off each other?
Isaac has made it clear he’s only interested in friends with benefits, so when he returns home to NYC, Levi knows he’s gone forever.

Until he isn’t.

Trust doesn’t come easily to Isaac—he’s been hurt and used before. But Isaac is unable to forget the man he left behind, and in a shocking move, he makes Levi an offer that could change their lives forever. Now it’s up to Levi to put himself first, risking the love of his family, to go after his dreams—dreams that were unimaginable before Isaac but are now within his reach.

Because love is wherever Isaac is, and it’s the only place Levi wants to be.

Where You Are is a sweet and steamy, age-gap MM romance featuring two smoking hot firefighters who can’t seem to keep their hands off each other or their clothes on whenever they’re together. It’s filled with found family, first time love, a swoony happily ever after, a well-meaning but nosy mother, and plenty of good old country fried chicken.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Is this seat taken?”

Levi’s grip tightened on his bottle of Stella before answering the man who stood by his side. He was gorgeous—tall and dark-haired, with a gleam in his blue eyes and a slightly wicked but charming half smile tugging at his lips. He looked somewhat familiar, but Levi knew if he’d ever met him, he would’ve remembered.

“No. It’s not.” Anxiety sang through his blood as the man slid into the empty seat next to him.

“Great. My first time here. Seems like a cool place. Not many like it, I’m gathering.”

Levi swallowed. “Uh, yeah, me too. And I don’t think so.” Nervous and unsure what he should say or do, he kept quiet.

“Hey. Don’t worry. I’m not a serial killer or anything.” The man appeared to be nice, but Levi wasn’t taken in.

“Would you tell me if you were?”

The man laughed. “No, I suppose you’re right.” He pulled out his driver’s license and held it up. “See? That’s me.”

Isaac Seidel.

Levi noted the address in New York City and wondered what he was doing in the middle of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “I wasn’t fishing for information. My name’s Levi, by the way.”

“I know you weren’t.” Isaac signaled the bartender. “Another beer, Levi?”

Levi shrugged. “Sure. Thanks.”

He watched Isaac chat easily with the bartender as he opened their bottles of Stella. And despite his teasing about serial killers, Levi couldn’t help a frisson of fear. Was he crazy to do this? Maybe there was someone in town.…God, he hoped he wasn’t going to throw up from nerves. He hadn’t done that since he was a little kid.

“Here’s to new friends,” Isaac said, then raised a brow. “And maybe more?”

“New friends. And maybe.” He clinked Isaac’s bottle and took a swallow. Warmth settled in his belly, and he took another sip, feeling Isaac’s steady blue eyes on him. Seemed like Isaac had the same thing on his mind, and a thrill built up inside Levi at the thought of Isaac being his first.

“What do you do, Levi?” Isaac’s appreciative gaze ate him up, and Levi’s breathing accelerated. “You’re in fantastic shape.”

“I own a bar with my brother, so lifting all those cases of beer and liquor helps.”

“I’ll bet. No need for the gym.”

“We don’t even have one in my little town. You’d have to travel a few miles to get to one. But most of the young guys who work on the farms don’t need it, or they lift at home.”

“Makes sense. All that country living.” Isaac finished his beer. “In the city we can run in the park or work out, but most people belong to a gym.”

Figuring he needed to add something to the conversation to let Isaac know he was interested, he cleared his throat. “You’re in pretty good shape yourself.”

Isaac let loose that crazy, sexy smile. “Thanks for noticing.”

About to ask what Isaac did for a living, Levi froze when Isaac set his bottle on the bar and leaned in close. The cool scent of his aftershave sent a hot punch of lust through Levi, and he found himself swaying toward the man until their lips almost touched.

“Care to take a walk with me?”


Author Bio:

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, because just like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

Felice is the 2020 Lambda Literary Award winning author in best Gay Romance. She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe. If she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her watching reality TV or procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice’s Breakfast Club.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Amazon / Pinterest / Bookbub


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
XBTBanner1

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Hope And The Hedgehog by Tom Vaughan @iReadBookTours


Join us for this tour from August 15 to September 2, 2022!

Book Details:

Book TitleHope…And The Hedgehog by Tom Vaughan
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  100 pages
GenrePhilosophy/Spirituality/New-Age 
Publisher:  Choir Press 
Release date:  May 2022
Content Rating:  G. It has no swearwords or sex scenes.
 
Book Description:

Hope…. And The Hedgehog is a ‘pocketbook philosophy for the present age’, a digestible exploration of the meaning of life which aims to unpick the big questions most of us spend our lives avoiding: how did life begin, how does it end, and what happens to us after we die?

Is there life after death? Is there a higher power? Or, is life one big cosmic accident; a clash of particles and atoms and one big bang? Tom looks instead at the power of faith and spirituality which he separates from religion. While he does not attempt to present any definitive argument, he looks at all sides, gathering thoughts from history’s most influential philosophers and scientists.

He makes the proposition that, between only two possible explanations for the existence of life, there is a greater likelihood of the one over the other. He believes in the importance of opening up our minds and finding more of a sense of purpose and direction in life – a view that, as we look towards a post-lockdown future, will resonate with many people.

“I chose the book’s title Hope … and the Hedgehog because hope is one of the principal drivers we resort to as human beings when confronted with a challenge to which there is no obvious solution. In the case of this book, that challenge is a very prickly issue: how we came into existence. It is an issue that we are all drawn to, but at the same time we do not want to handle or investigate too closely. Like the proverbial elephant in the room, we know that little hedgehog is there, we just prefer to leave it be – even if, in the end, there is no avoiding it.”  – Tom Vaughan, May 2022. 

 BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

 

Meet the Author:

Tom’s life has come full circle from his first career as co-founder of the successful chain of Juliana’s discotheques, which he started in the 60’s and grew to be the world’s largest entertainment group of its type at the time, with offices in London, New York, Singapore and Sidney. With no scientific, philosophical or theological training and few school qualifications but armed with heaps of life experience as an entrepreneur, Tom switches gear with his latest work Hope…And The Hedgehog to take on the role of ‘everyman philosopher’, creating a new book that makes people stop and think. 

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook

Tour Schedule:

Aug 15 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Aug 16 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Aug 17 –@bookswithstace – book review
Aug 22 – Books are a Blessing – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 24 – Literary Flits – book review / giveaway
Aug 25 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 26 – @just_another_mother_with_books – book review 
Aug 29 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Aug 29 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Aug 30 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Aug 31 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Sep 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sep 2 – Kam’s Place – book review 
 

Enter the Giveaway: 

 HOPE…AND THE HEDGEHOG by Tom Vaughn Book Tour Giveaway


 

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Giveaway – The Foundation Of Plot by Elena Hartwell @partnersincr1me @Elena_TaylorAut

The Foundation of Plot by Elena Hartwell Banner

The Foundation of Plot

by Elena Hartwell

August 1-31, 2022 Book Tour
 

Synopsis:

The Foundation of Plot by Elena Hartwell
Structure underlies every story, but without a strong foundation, even well-written sentences can fail to result in a marketable manuscript. The Foundation of Plot defines the components of a story arc, details the differences between plot and story, and covers common errors writers make. It also includes exercises which apply concepts to works in progress or new projects. Drawing on the author’s decades of storytelling and teaching experience, this short guide provides the framework for fiction, narrative nonfiction, and memoir, walking writers through a first draft, the repair of a failed manuscript, or any draft in between. For experienced authors and first-time writers alike, applying the concepts outlined in this manual can help launch a submission from the slush pile to the bookstore shelf.  

Book Details

Genre: Nonfiction Published by: Elena Hartwell Publication Date: July 19, 2022 Number of Pages: 97 ISBN: 9798986020600 Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | IndieBound
 

Read an excerpt:

Section of Chapter One: The Foundation of Plot

Raw doesn’t mean terrible. It’s just not ready for prime time. Foundation—story structure—underlies everything that writers produce. No matter how avant-garde a literary work might appear on the surface, dig deep enough and a skeleton lies underneath. Solidifying that underlying foundation can come at any point during the writing process. It could be in an outline before writing a single sentence, much as a carpenter uses a blueprint to build a house. Or it could be during a rough draft, determining the foundation through trial and error with character and action, like a dancer experimenting with choreography while the music plays. What’s important is that the process suits the writer for each individual project. For one project, a writer might benefit from building an outline first, while another project might evolve better with an organic method, discovering the foundation during a first draft. There’s no right or wrong about writing from an outline or relying on an organic process—only that the writer finishes that often stubborn first draft. Some writers mix and match, starting by writing organically, then creating an outline partway through, or changing the original outline completely as scenes begin to unfold. Or writers might create a simple outline, then figure out the bulk of the project while building the scenes on the page. It’s never too late to make repairs. Even after multiple drafts, a writer can still improve a manuscript’s foundation. Regardless of when the writer pays attention to foundation, the manuscript will continue to evolve through each rewrite. From the first inklings of an idea to the final, polished manuscript, writers—whether they know it or not—shape and reshape the foundation of their work. One concept that will be useful before going deeper into foundation is the difference between story and plot. Once that concept is clear, it may be easier to identify what does or doesn’t work in a current project.

Story Versus Plot

As used in this guide, story is all-encompassing. It includes what happens before a book starts, everything in all the scenes, and everything that occurs off the page. It even includes what happens after the manuscript is finished, when the reader’s imagination runs wild after “the end.” Plot, on the other hand, is made up solely of the events on the page. One error writers make in their early—and sometimes even late—drafts is to include parts of the story that aren’t necessary for the plot or leave out scenes a reader most needs on the page. This comes back to foundation. Those errors would be like using either too many joists to hold up a floor—making it heavy, cumbersome, and expensive—or not enough joists—causing the floor to fail the first time it bears weight. In both of those instances, the writer has confused story and plot. Falling in love with our own words, our characters, and the scenes that play out in our heads are constant dangers for writers. We want to include everything we research and invent. Sometimes this causes us to start too early in the lives of the characters and include scenes that are potentially beautifully written and explore behavior, motivation, and backstory but don’t move the plot forward. We love our characters and believe a reader will be just as curious as we are about every aspect of their lives. Readers, for the most part, want to follow a series of connected events leading to a satisfying conclusion. They don’t want to read a series of unconnected events that send them in circles or down alleys that ultimately lead nowhere. That is not the same as sending a reader down a wrong path for dramatic effect, as in a mystery where the detective follows the wrong lead. That experience can add to the plot, as a wrong lead can increase suspense. But it can be a problem if a detective goes down a wrong path and learns nothing from it. Readers want each road the writer takes them down to add to the overall story—even when that road teaches the protagonist what they don’t want or what won’t solve the problem at hand. A detective determining who isn’t the culprit can be just as important—and satisfying in its own way—as when the detective catches the killer. Readers may not be able to put this concept into words, but we’ve all heard comments like, “it took several chapters before I got into it” or “the writing was fine, but nothing happened at the beginning” or “I lost interest halfway through.” Those are instances when a writer likely included material the reader didn’t need—no matter how good the quality of the writing. Don’t confuse well-written sentences with a well-written book. High quality paints and canvases and excellent brushstrokes can still turn out an unsuccessful painting. A solid manuscript is more than just well-written sentences, beautifully crafted paragraphs, or even interesting chapters. A solid manuscript has a clear story arc, with each scene in each chapter adding to the whole and building a solid foundation. — Excerpt from The Foundation of Plot by Elena Hartwell. Copyright © 2022 by Elena Hartwell. Reproduced with permission from Elena Hartwell. All rights reserved.
   

Author Bio:

Elena Hartwell PHOTO CREDIT MARK PERLSTEIN
Elena Hartwell has spent years supporting writers and constructing stories. Her award-winning and bestselling works include the Eddie Shoes mysteries and All We Buried (written under Elena Taylor). Her plays have been seen around the US and UK, garnering critical acclaim and stellar reviews. As a developmental editor she has worked with hundreds of writers, most recently as senior editor and director of programming for the boutique editing house, Allegory Editing. She regularly teaches writing workshops and enjoys helping others achieve their writing dreams.

Find Elena Hartwell Online:

www.ElenaHartwell.com
Writing Blog: The Mystery of Writing
As Elena Taylor: ElenaTaylorAuthor.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @elenahartwell
Instagram – @elenataylorauthor
Twitter – @Elena_TaylorAut
Facebook – @ElenaTaylorAuthor  

Tour Host Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!    

Giveaway:

This is a giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for Elena Hartwell. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
 
Thank you for your interest in this tour!

Find Your Next Great Read at Providence Book Promotions!

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Sherry’s Shelves – 8.28 – 9.3.22

Hi Everyone. YAY! Chase Elliot finished fourth last week and we got free fried pickles from Hooters.

Mr Wonder spent almost a week cleaning and painting our patio. I LOVE IT! I still have a few chairs to clean up and some stuff to put away, but it’s looking good. The concrete gets sooo hot when the sun beats down on it, so I’m hoping the light color helps. We used to have a gazebo, but with all the wind I felt that was a losing battle. We were lucky if they lasted a year. So, we have this great umbrella…for now.

And a pizza for a job well done.

Stay safe and have a great week.

LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

COMING UP ON fundinmental

  • Sherry’s Shelves
  • Giveaway – The Foundation of Plot by Elena Hartwell
  • Giveaway – Hope and the Hedgehog by Tom Vaughn
  • Giveaway – Where You Are by Felice Stevens
  • Review – Surviving Doodahville by Ashley Fontainne
  • Giveaway – Saving the Seas by Nancy Carlisle
  • Giveaway – Veronique’s Journey by Patti Flinn
  • Review – The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen
  • Giveaway – Call My Name by Jenni Ogden
  • Review – Cross Waves by Amanda Uhl
  • Ghosts and Legends of Genesee and Lapeer Counties by Roxanne Rhoads
  • Tackling The TBR
  • New Release Review – Magnum Opus by Caitlin Marceau
  • Giveaway – Intergalactic Exterminators Inc by Ash Bishop
  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!