A Tag Team Giveaway Event – Stunning New Cover for Apocalyptic Novel – Wormwood by D H Nevins

Posted on July 16, 2014 by fundinmental

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Welcome to my Tag Team Events!

Laura and I are the Tag Team Bloggers.

You can find Laura at fuonlyknew.

We Tag Team an author and publish our posts at the same time.

Whether it’s for a cover reveal, giveaway, review, interview, or something more, the author will be tagged by us and you will be alerted to go to Laura’s blog or mine to see additional content. It’s really fun to see how differently we view the same book and you get an extra chance to win with our giveaways!

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D H Nevins is here today to tell you how excited she is to share the new cover for Wormwood and how it came about.

Welcome, D. It is wonderful to have you here today. Take it away.

The Alternatives

It was exceedingly difficult to select my favourite cover. Every mock-up Derek created was incredible in its own right, and it would be a shame not to share them. So in all their glory, here are the other options he came up with.

The third one—the one with the wing obscuring the girl’s face—is so amazing, I’d very much like to use it as the cover for my sequel, Angel of Shadow.

What do you think?

I think it would be awesome D. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. ^_^

A New Cover for Wormwood

First of all, before I say anything else, let me introduce Wormwood’s new cover. Oh, and before I do that, I should forewarn you that I’m a tad biased about this…

The New

This beauty took my breath away the moment I saw it. As an author, I couldn’t ask for a better representation of my work. And I’m kind of picky—so that says a lot! The image projects a mood that reflects the feel of my story so perfectly, I knew the cover artist understood Wormwood on multiple levels. But even if we’re just talking aesthetics, well, although I am most definitely biased, I think this is one fantastic-looking cover!

The Old

I originally had a different cover for Wormwood. It was a simple black and white etching by Gustave Doré, depicting a fallen angel reaching towards the heavens. The sheer turmoil apparent through the angel’s expression and pose not only fascinated me, but seemed a perfect depiction of the conflict raging through Tiamat, a half-angel in Wormwood. However, the etching–although classic–was hardly a trendy cover. The story itself was very well-received, but I found that people had trouble getting past the antiquated-looking cover in order to take a chance on reading what was within. My love for the cover, it seemed, was a lonely one!

The Cool How

About a month ago, I was contacted by cover artist extraordinaire, Derek Murphy. He had read Wormwood and subsequently offered to make up a new cover for the book—for free. Surprised, flattered and curious about the vision he had for Wormwood, I heartily agreed.

Then, as you know, the resulting cover blew my expectations out of the water! Its impact was immediate.

Why it Works

The image depicts the book genre clearly. The colour contrast is striking, which catches the eye instantly. Plus, it’s incredibly professional.

It also fits the story.

On a literal note, the protagonist is a strong female, adept with a crossbow, yet still out of her element. However, she would never admit it. I could see this in her stance. Yet the cover holds so much more than a simple literal representation of Wormwood. Derek recreated the feel of the book perfectly. The mixture of light and darkness remind me of a review Wormwood once received which, in part, said, “The lines will be blurred between good and evil, love and hate, truth and lies, and hero and antagonist.” The hazy fusion of sunlight and shadow reflect this beautifully. The unsettled, foreboding skies mirror the mood of this dark, post-apocalyptic story, and the falling feathers are a nice touch. They hint at the half-angels in the story without hitting potential readers over the head with their existence. The fact the feathers are broken and falling is also perfect, but I hesitate to say why… after all, I don’t want to spoil the most exciting parts of the book!

My Thanks

Naturally, I wouldn’t be sharing this with you if it wasn’t for Derek Murphy. His outstanding covers and unprecedented talent can be seen on his website, CreativIndie Covers. Have a look at http://bookcovers.creativindie.com/

And of course, I would like to extend a huge thanks to Sherry Fundin for her generosity in allowing me to ramble on about my new cover here on her blog. Thank you so very much, Sherry!

Thank you D. That is a fascinating story of what teamwork and the generosity of the indie and blogging world can accomplish.

Now for a little video entertainment to round off your eye candy fix.

After this fantastic trailer, which is so descriptive of the world devastation in the book, please continue reading for my review.

My 5 Star Review of Wormwood by D H Nevins

I won this book through fuonlyknew’s blog. I would like to thank Laura and D. H.Nevins for the giveaway.

Right off, the cover grabbed me. I didn’t know what to think of the title, but as you read the book, you will find out what it means.

The writing is excellent. Wormwood starts out fast and holds your attention throughout. The description of the devastation made me able to visualize the world around them. I can’t find the words to describe it myself, but D. H. did a great job of it.

The actions of Tiamat will make you question things yourself. Is God a kind, gentle person, or is he vengeful and vindictive? And what about angels?

As I was reading I kept thinking of Supernatural. I watch the reruns on TV most mornings. This book reminded a lot of how God and the Angels treated humans on the show. If you’ve watched it, you’ll know exactly what I mean. God has his own agenda and the angels will follow it, us humans are along for the ride.

The relationship between Kali and Tiamat, and Tiamat and God, was creative and complex. For me, it raises more questions than answers. I am sure most everyone has asked “Why Me?” more than once.

The biodegradable soap made me chuckle along with Kali. Tiamet was thoughtful, like when he supplied her with toiletries and clothes, but he stood away from her emotionally and physically.

The things that happened to her, could make the strongest person give in to the misery, horror, devastation, desolation, abuse………..

This is an amazing apocalytic/dystopian novel that will take you into another world. The details and descriptions enabled me to visualize the surroundings and characters as they struggle to stay alive long enough to find their destiny. Very well done and I can hardly wait to read the sequel, Angel of Shadow. Happy writing D!

SYNOPSIS

Against a devastated landscape, a legion of one hundred fierce half-angels is hell bent on purging the Earth of all humans. But one of them, the tormented Tiamat, struggles against his mission, and when he rescues a beautiful woman named Kali, he finds the attraction as troubling as it is dangerous. Can Kali trust the one creature who could be responsible for her ultimate demise?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D.H. Nevins was born in Toronto and currently lives in a quiet area of Ontario, surrounded by forests and lakes. By day, she is a personable, friendly school teacher. By night, she silently chuckles as she writes about destroying the world. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, camping, flying around on her motorcycle or dabbling in live theatre.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Wormwood by D H Nevins.

GIVEAWAY

In celebration of the new cover, D H Nevins is giving away 5 ebooks of Wormwood to 5 lucky commenters. Please leave your email address and answer the question:

Which cover would you choose and why?

This is a Tag Team Event sponsored by fundinmental and fuonlyknew. For another chance to win, go HERE.

Giveaway ends July 30, 2014.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See The Evil – Joe by H D Gordon with lots of goodies & Giveaway

Posted on July 8, 2014 by fundinmental

I have tons of good stuff to share with you – my review, a guest post and poem by H D Gordon, an excerpt, the book synopsis and a giveaway.

Sooooo, let’s begin.

GUEST POST.

I would like to start by welcoming H D Gordon to my blog today.

I am honored to have you here today H D.

I suppose I should tell you why you should read JOE, but if the blurb about a school shooter, a young stuttering clairvoyant girl who tries to stop it, and six people who will all be in the line of fire come the day of the shooting doesn’t do it for ya, I’ve probably lost you already.

So, since I plan on releasing a poetry book soon (find me on Twitter or Facebook if you care to be updated) how’s about a little poetry? This one is an oldie but a goodie. I wrote it a while ago but it remains one of my favorites. It’s honest. Read it out loud if you want to truly dig the rhyme scheme, and dream on, brothers and sisters.

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Afraid to Dream

By: H. D. Gordon

There is an uncertainty, that’s so certain it’s almost absolute, half of me is staring wide-eyed at the future and never blinking once as fireworks and sparklers blaze in my eyes, as I look, and all of it, so close, so obtainable, so much better than even it can seem

I’m almost afraid to dream

That I could do the things I’ve seen others, though there are few, that I could do those things, maybe even better than most would have me do, but really, I’m just afraid to grow old and never realize my potential, to watch myself settle into something, someone, I was never meant to be

I’m almost afraid to dream

That I could be successful, wildly so, if only I could tie, wrap up and secure in chains, the little girl who found out, maybe a little too early, that fairytales don’t come true, and who shakes her head and imposes more sensible life goals, if only I could chain her down and force her to sit in a back corner room of my mind until she could read what I mean

She’s way too afraid to dream

That they were wrong. All wrong. Wrong when they thought me fool and failure, wrong when they knew I had talent and said you’re going nowhere, the same ones who will love me when it all comes together and some of them love me truly but what does it matter when they help me believe

It’s okay to be afraid to dream

As long as I dream, and dreams I do have, they haunt me and taunt me to grab with everything in me, reach for the sunrise and horizon, just keep reaching and reaching until my arms ache, and keep giving me reason to say, it’s okay, you’re doubt is okay, I’m just another girl who knows her way, and I’ll reach until I can reach no more, and I’ll follow some rules and I’ll break even more, but sometimes, it gets harder and harder to breathe

That’s when I’m afraid to dream

Because dreams wash away, they sway and they gray and then all of a sudden you’re empty, left with a large hole in your soul where a dream is supposed to be, and you’ll squint and you’ll strain and still it gets harder to see, but there, there, back in that corner a something blazes, and it’s far and it’s faint and it’s crude and it leans but it means

What is life without hopes and dreams?

Lovely, H D. I am a dreamer and I enjoyed the poem tremendously.

I hope you enjoy the tour and my review. Feel free to drop by any time.

MY REVIEW

H D Gordon never ceases to amaze me with her ability to spin a tale. Joe reads as if it is a character study of people just living their lives. Her characters are superbly developed, with individual personalities that we can all relate to because they are like the people around us. There are six main characters, but I came to know some of the others pretty well. One person led into the next to the next. H D wove them together so naturally, I could see how we are all connected, creating a continuity of life. Each character has wishes, desires, hopes, plans and problems.

Don’t forget to live for today, it can all change in a second. That is the feeling I have while reading. There is tension, suspense and a feeling of doom. I know something bad is coming and I’m waiting for “the shit to hit the fan”.

“Evil is not just a thing of fairy tales. Evil is real and it walks among us.”

“That’s life baby and that shit ain’t always fair.”

My name is Joe and I draw my visions and premonitions. Some people think I’m strange. Well, who isn’t? I am a bit paranoid and mistrustful. I am a recluse, because of my stutter and gift. I write because I need to tell my story. I am 21 and just an average girl, except for my gift. I am taking the semester off from UMM – University of Midwest Missouri State. I am not hero. I only step in because of guilt. (But she puts her life on the line repeatedly over and over for others).

John became Joe’s friend after meeting in class. They were not in love, just friends. John had lost his love, Jade. Was she lost forever? She was back and wanted to see him on Monday. Monday a new day, a new week and new hope for John.

Nikkie and Claire – her sisters – are as different as night and day. Nikki is the black sheep of the family. She lives as if there is no tomorrow. Claire feels trapped. She is the good girl, the one expected to succeed. Claire would have loved Nikki’s freedom. She smoked pot, but only her roommate knew. What would everyone, her family and peers, think of miss-do-gooder if they knew? Claire was always planning for tomorrow. Claire is weak. She’s so afraid of life, the thought of retirement is terrifying.

Claire says to Nikki, “I’ll tell you this, you’re not going to be lying on your deathbed wishing you had spent more of your life working.”

Nikki “When you become aware of people’s natural inclinations and limitations, you can understand them and if you don’t expect from them what their nature doesn’t give, you’ll never be disappointed.” Great words to live by.

Best friends – Kayla and Kyle, sound a bit like Barbie and Ken. Giving and did not like or want attention. They were underestimated by others and like it that way.

I have a very good feeling about Mr. Landy.

Merion is one of Joe’s college teachers. He was going to let her retake her test on Monday, even though she had not planned on being at school that day.

Eric had an important appointment on Monday and needed permission to be out of town. He had worked so hard for this moment. What do you think will happen?

Michael is intrigued by her. She stood apart from others.

The Decider saw a raven sitting on top of the jaguar that is situated on the slight rise overlooking the Quad. Yet, it wasn’t there. Ravens are known to denote foreshadowing. Joe called him the shadowman.

Psychopath – he wants to leave a legacy of dead bodies. He feels he is greater than Hitler. He feels that others think him simple, but he thinks he is smart. He is meticulous. He has a face that hides the monster inside. He hates everyone. He believes in the “Survival of the Fittest.”

Joe – I see visions and I draw. Motherfucker. I have an awful obligation to do what I can. What to do? Would she fail in this also?

I love H D Gordon’s writing style. I don’t think it would matter what genre she wrote in. Her ability to spin a story is of the highest caliber, as are the stories themselves. I have read numerous books by her and loved them all. Joe, Book II is now out.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received the ebook in return for an honest and unbiased review. Thanks H!

This is an awesomely beautiful and captivating cover.

I love it, and I mean LOVE it, for its simplicity and suggestion of what is to come.

Look deep into her eyes, before you look deep into her soul.

Genres: Paranormal Thriller, Supernatural Thriller, NA, Thriller

Tour Promo Price: $2.99

BLURB

A psychopath planning a massacre. A stuttering young girl with disturbing visions of the future. Six ordinary people who will all be in the line of fire come the day of the disaster.

Joe Knowe is not a boy. She is twenty-one years old, and she sees things before they happen; bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. A madman is going to shoot up the college Joe attends. The trouble is, her gift is stingy on the details she needs to divert the impending tragedy. Now, Joe has four days to figure out the mystery and save the lives of many.

From the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga comes a tense tale that glimpses the mind of a genuine psychopath, follows an unlikely hero, and explores real-life terror in a race against time that will leave the reader breathless.

EXCERPT

Prologue

~The Decider~

It was a Monday.

The worst days are typically Mondays. But this one was alright. Different, sure, but alright. He’d made plans for today. He’d not only made plans, but acquired the artillery to back them up. Put them into action. Bang-Bang.

One song had played on a continuous loop in his apartment for the past three days.

Come Monday

He didn’t much care for music. Never really had, but this particular song amused him. Perhaps would have comforted him. If he were able to feel any emotion required to be in need of comfort.

It’ll be all right

He couldn’t wait to see their faces, to watch as they fled and cowered in fear. In fear of him. The thought of it all made his heart leap in his chest. And, oh, what a wonderful sensation that was. Potent. They should fear him. Hell yeah, they should. He could take his pick, and he would. They just didn’t know it yet, which was great, because they would know soon. They would know today.

Come Monday

He drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel in time to the tune, but had no mind of doing so. He was excited. Such a rare, beautiful thing this was, this excitement. The anticipation of it all, all his plans coming to life, of all their….faces. He bet some would try to beg, and wouldn’t that be amusing, to watch them crawl at his feet? They would know in that wonderful moment right before he ended their worthless existences that he had made the decision.

I’ll be holding you tight.

He reached down and brushed his fingers across the semi-automatic pistol sitting atop the passenger seat. It was the smallest of the lot, but his favorite. His baby. In the end, it would relieve him of his existence as well, but oh, the wonders the two of them will have seen together. He thought about what they would say in the news about him and his…decisions. Lunatic, Gunman, Madman…Massacre.

The last was his favorite.

If things went according to plan he may be able to take out a hundred, hundred-fifty people. If the bombs he’d built went according to plan he would take out many more. Hundreds. He dared to dream even thousands as he cruised down Highway 71 toward the Wilker campus of the University of Midwest Missouri State. UMMS for short. He hated that. Stupid fucking acronym. Man, he hoped his bombs worked. He’d followed the instructions on the internet as precisely as he could manage, but wiring the timers on the damn things had been tricky. It didn’t really matter, though. He would watch them fall to him either way.

In fact, he knew just what they would do.

They would be heartbroken and crying to their mommies. They would light candles and say prayers and mutter condolences, like any of them were even intelligent enough to give a shit about another worthless human being. The police chief and reporters would call him a madman, a psychopath, a murderer. They would analyze the video journals and poetry he left scattered about his apartment. And they won’t learn a damn thing. Because that’s how fucking stupid they were.

Oh, and there would be a body count. If things went according to plan, if the rockets’ red glared and bombs burst in the air, they would stamp his Decisions in the book of records.

The worst massacre in the history of the U-ni-ted States of Amer-i-ca.

The thought made his heart soar.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

H. D. Gordon is the bestselling author of THE ALEXA MONTGOMERY SAGA, THE JOE KNOWE SERIES, and THE SURAH STORMSONG NOVELS. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty five years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

Connect With H.D. Gordon: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Joe by H D Gordon.

GIVEAWAY.

Win a paperback copy of Joe! Enter through Goodreads.

Show H D some love and let her know what you think of the cover, blurb, my review, her bio, whatever strikes your fancy.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Unofficial Book Trailer and Cover for Joe, Book II, by H D Gordon

Guest Post and Review – Shooting Stars, A Surah Stormsong Novel by H D Gordon

Review of Redemption: Book IV of The Alexa Montgomery Saga by H D Gordon

Awesome new cover for Half–Black Soul by H. D, Gordon

FANGED MANIA # 8 – Review of The Rise: The Alexa Montgomery Saga, Book III by H. D. Gordon

Fanged Mania #4 – Giveaway/Review of Half Black Soul by H. D. Gordon

Blood Warrior by H D Gordon

Like Fairy Tales? Take a look at Bootie and the Beast by Falguni Kothari

Posted on July 8, 2014 by fundinmental

Everything about Bootie and the Beast by Falguni Kothari sounded like such fun that I had to sign up for the tour.

Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think.

SYNOPSIS

Fairytales don’t end with True Love’s Kiss, they begin with one…

Diya Mathur (aka Beauty), celebrated supermodel and Party Princess of India, is adored by everyone. She works hard, plays hard, and has the biggest shoe fetish on the planet. But after she purchases one baby bootie, Diya’s reputation is in ruins. There’s only one place to escape the rumours – Texas, under the protection of her lifelong friend, and secret love, Krish Menon (aka the Beast).

Financial whizz-kid, CFO and entrepreneur, Krish is a brooding workaholic with a charisma that still brings Beauty Mathur to her knees. He has no idea, of course! They’ve shared a bond since childhood – a special friendship that thrives on sparring, teasing and goading – but with Diya back in his life and under his roof, Krish’s latent desire for her explodes. And when he finally admits to the secret that has never allowed him to commit to any woman – especially Diya – everything changes. Krish might finally realise how much he wants his Beauty. But he won’t get her until Diya has tamed her Beast.

Top 10 things Krish Menon stresses over

1)    Diya Beauty Mathur.

2)    His love-hate relationship with his parents.

3)    His need to be in control…especially with his emotions and drinking.

4)    His love for Diya that he’ll never admit to out loud for her sake. She deserves better than him and his problems. He was glad when she broke of their engagement.

5)    He’s going to help her find the perfect husband. And then she can be that man’s problem forever.

6)    He’s very good at crunching numbers and making profits but he’s sick of it all. There has to be more to life than making pots of money. He needs to find out what that “more” is.

7)    He doesn’t get fashion at all. Not that he’s a bad dresser…just there should be more to life than fashion. And he’s not a fuddy-duddy, no matter what Dee-Dumbs says.

8)    He’s simply going through an existential crisis.

9)    Which brings him back to point #4: He shouldn’t get involved with Diya—no matter the temptation. Not when he’s stressing over so many personal issues.

10)   And for some reason if he does end up marrying Diya—and that’s a big IF—then it will be on his terms and his terms only.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Falguni Kothari is a non-traditional homemaker who accidently tripped on a misplaced soccer ball and fell down the writer’s rabbit hole. Having no more experience with the whole writing/publishing shebang than being a voracious reader and movie buff, it more than surprised her that she could, in fact, write a full-length novel.

Now, several manuscripts down, when she is not trying to find a way out of her many domestic duties or cajoling her Latin dance coach to compose a rumba on Bollywood music, she is found embroiled in some or other scandal—sorry, creating stories—on her ever-faithful laptop.

She’s authored Bootie and the Beast, It’s Your Move, Wordfreak! and Scrabbulous Impressions, a short story. She rumbas across a whole smorgasbord of Social Media daily and loves to connect with most living things.

Website / Twitter: @F2tweet / FB Author Page / Blog / Goodreads / Google+ Pinterest

BOOK LINKS

Amazon UK / Amazon India / Mills and Boon / Harlequin India / Flipkart

It’s Your Move, Wordfreak

Click on the cover to grab your Amazon copy of Bootie and the Beast by Falguni Kothari.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Tour for Along the Watchtower by David Litwack – Guest Post & $100 Giveaway

Posted on June 16, 2014 by fundinmental

GUEST POST by David Litwack

Welcome, David. I am so happy you were able to join us today.

Why I write speculative fiction?

I’ve always been suspicious about absolute reality. Different cultures see the world so differently. As anyone who has ever spent extended time in a hospital or a war zone knows, you’re sense of what’s real can be easily fragmented. We conveniently choose to construct a world view that suits us—at least until something challenges it. That’s the role of the writer. What better way to challenge our view of reality—and therefore enable the potential for change—than to invent new worlds and show how characters cope with them.

There’s a poem I heard long ago by Wallace Stevens:

Children picking up our bones
Will never know that these were once
As quick as foxes on the hill . . .

And least will guess that with our bones
We left much more, left what still is
The look of things, left what we felt . . .
And what we said of it became
A part of what it is . . .

Our sense of reality in many ways defines the way we live, but it’s constantly evolving. The job of the artist is to be the catalyst for changes in the way we see the world. By telling what we saw and how we felt, we can change the perception of reality and therefore how people see themselves and, ultimately, how they behave. What better way to do that than to write speculative fiction about alternate worlds.

David Litwack, author of There Comes a Prophet, Along the Watchtower, and The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky

www.davidlitwack.com

Thank you David. I hope you enjoyed your time with us.

A Tragic Warrior Lost in Two Worlds…

Author: David Litwack

Publication Date: June 13, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy (13+)

A Tragic Warrior Lost in Two Worlds…

The war in Iraq ended for Lieutenant Freddie Williams when an IED explosion left his mind and body shattered. Once he was a skilled gamer and expert in virtual warfare. Now he’s a broken warrior, emerging from a medically induced coma to discover he’s inhabiting two separate realities. The first is his waking world of pain, family trials, and remorse—and slow rehabilitation through the tender care of Becky, his physical therapist. The second is a dark fantasy realm of quests, demons, and magic that Freddie enters when he sleeps.

In his dreams he is Frederick, Prince of Stormwind, who must make sense of his horrific visions in order to save his embattled kingdom from the monstrous Horde. His only solace awaits him in the royal gardens, where the gentle words of the beautiful gardener, Rebecca, calm the storms in his soul. While in the conscious world, the severely wounded vet faces a strangely similar and equally perilous mission—a journey along a dark road haunted by demons of guilt and memory—and letting patient, loving Becky into his damaged and shuttered heart may be his only way back from Hell.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo

The urge to write first struck when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the night when lightning flashed at sunset followed by northern lights rippling after dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter’s editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic.

Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue a career, in the process becoming a well-known entrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned. His novels include: There Comes a Prophet, Along the Watchtower, and the newly released The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky.

David and his wife split their time between Cape Cod, Florida and anywhere else that catches their fancy. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

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To get your copy of Along the Watchtower or to learn more about David Litwack, click on the cover below.

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Giveaway: A $100 Amazon/B&N Giftcard or a Book Depository shopping spree of the same value, plus two print copies of Along the Watchtower will be given away. Open Internationally. Ends 7/7.

Open Internationally. Ends 7/7. .

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway for A Life Less Ordinary by Victoria Bernadine

Posted on February 12, 2014 by fundinmental

The cover of A Life Less Ordinary by Victoria Bernadine made me smile as soon as I saw it and I had to find out more.

Come on and join the fun. Read the excerpt and enter the giveaway below.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction
Length: 371 pages
Release Date: December 10, 2012

BLURB

For the last fifteen years, Rose “Manny” Mankowski has been a very good girl. She turned her back on her youthful fancies and focused on her career. But now, at the age of 45, she’s questioning her choices and feeling more and more disconnected from her own life. When she’s passed over for promotion and her much younger new boss implies Manny’s life will never change, something snaps. In the blink of an eye, she’s quit her job, sold her house and cashed in her pension, and she’s leaving town on a six month road trip.

After placing a personal ad for a traveling companion, she’s joined in her mid-life crisis by Zeke Powell, the cynical, satirical, most-read – and most controversial – blogger for the e-magazine, What Women Want. Zeke’s true goal is to expose Manny’s journey as a pitiful and desperate attempt to reclaim her lost youth – and increase his readership at the same time. Leaving it all behind for six months is just an added bonus.

Now, armed with a bagful of destinations, a fistful of maps, and an out-spoken imaginary friend named Harvey, Manny’s on a quest to rediscover herself – and taking Zeke along for the ride.

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EXCERPT

Manny walked in her door, looking tired and feeling worn out. She wondered ruefully why the only thing not on a schedule was the time she could leave the office. She dropped her purse on the table and hung up her coat and keys. With a tired sigh, she walked into the living room and plopped into the armchair. She closed her eyes as Harvey walked out of the kitchen with a glass of white wine and began to rub her shoulders. He again looked impossibly handsome, this time wearing a sweater and jeans. She sighed in imagined bliss, and looked at him with sad eyes.

You have no idea how much I wish you were real.

In a blink, he was gone–and the phone was ringing. For a split second, Manny considered not answering it.

There’s your chance to talk to a real person, Harvey murmured.

Probably a telemarketer.

Probably Rebecca. Or Daisy. They’ll worry if you don’t answer.

All right, all right.

Manny heaved herself to her feet and walked to the phone.

Maybe I’m glad you’re imaginary after all.

She caught a glimpse of his grin as she answered the phone.

It was Rebecca, asking her to go out the next night.

“I don’t know…” Manny sighed.

“Oh, come on–you’ll have fun! And seriously–you haven’t gone out with us in months!”

“I’ve been tired…”

“You’ve been tired your whole life I think. You need to break out of this rut you’re in! Come out for a few drinks and dancing with me and Daisy. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a good-looking guy and be swept off your feet into a red-hot love affair.”

Sounds like a plan to me.

Yeah, ’cause that’ll happen.

“I’d love to go dancing,” Manny said to Rebecca, “but the guy is just a figment of your imagination.”

“Only because you don’t put any effort into it. Seriously, it’s not healthy to do nothing but work and go home. That’s how people go crazy you know.”

“Huh. You mean next thing you know I’ll be talking to my imaginary friend?”

Harvey grinned wickedly and Manny abruptly turned her back to him.

“Exactly!” Rebecca said. “Come on–what do you say?”

“Okay, okay,” Manny sighed. “Tomorrow night–the usual place?”

“Yep–and sound like you’re actually looking forward to it, okay?”

“I’m sorry. I am looking forward to it–it’ll be fun.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria Bernadine (a pseudonym) is, as the saying goes, a “woman of a certain age”. After twenty-something years of writer’s block, she began writing again in 2008. Victoria enjoys reading all genres and particularly loves writing romantic comedy and post-apocalyptic science fiction. What those two have in common is anybody’s guess. She lives in Edmonton with her two cats (The Grunt and The Runt). A Life Less Ordinary is the first novel she felt was good enough to be released into the wild.

Victoria’s: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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To pick up your copy of A Life Less Ordinary by Victoria Bernadine, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

Entry -Form

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tag Team Event-Don’t go in the Water!-Delta Legend by Kelan O’Connell GP Review & Giveaway

Posted on January 22, 2014 by fundinmental

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Welcome to my Tag Team Events!

Laura and I are the Tag Team Bloggers.

You can find Laura at fuonlyknew

We Tag Team an author and publish our posts at the same time.

Whether it’s for a cover reveal, giveaway, review, interview, or something more, the author will be tagged by us and you will be alerted to go to Laura’s blog or mine to see additional content.

It’s really fun to see how differently we view the same book and you get an extra chance to win with our giveaways!

Be sure to follow us to be kept informed of future tag teaming events.

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Celebrating the release of Delta Legend in paperback!

I loved this book. Creatures and Monsters, of one kind or another, are some of my favorite stories. I love getting lost in the fantasy of another world.

Read my review and enter the giveaway for a signed paperback at the end of the post.

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A Guest Post from Kelan

THE RIDE OF SUSPENDED DISBELIEF

Writing Urban Fantasy Adventure is a bit like creating a wild new theme park ride. It’s a really fun gig. If done right, readers will happily board your attraction and stay engaged through the whole crazy ride, ping-ponging between anticipation, fear, laughter, and satisfaction.

As a novelist, I have to make sure my story has all the necessary elements required for a great ride, and suspended disbelief is a key element in good fantasy fiction.

In Urban Fantasy, fantastical things happen in the modern world as we know it. Undoubtedly, the biggest challenge of writing for this genre is creating a sense of isolation in our modern world. Considering the sheer number of humans crawling all over the planet armed with multiple means of connecting, this can be a formidable task. Enter the all-important selection of location.

The setting for Delta Legend goes by both the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the California Delta. I refer to it by both names in the book. Though surrounded by populated cities, the heart of the Delta retains a sense of isolation due to its vast expanses of farmland and seemingly endless waterways that snake on for 1000 plus miles. That’s right—one thousand.

A picture of California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, with Suisun Bay at left-center and the Carquinez Strait at far left (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was definitely challenging to describe this unique region in a way that would give people who’ve never been there a visceral sense of the place. Luckily, I have a couple things going for me in this regard. One, I have a background as a screenwriter, so I write visually. And two, I spent a good deal of time in the California Delta from the time I was 15 until I was in my mid 30’s. And let me tell you, no matter how old I got, swimming or waiting to get picked up on a water ski in the Delta, always freaked me out a bit. Anything could be lurking in those deep murky waters.

Photo by Kelan

Of course, if anything like what happens in the book were to actually happen in the Delta, it would be extremely hard to keep it on the down-low, but that’s where the all-important suspended disbelief and sense of isolation come into play.

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When 16-year-old Oakland teenager, Calvin Pierce, makes a bad decision and winds up getting arrested, his mother is quick to take action. Determined not to lose a second son to the drug and gang violence of the inner city, she sends Calvin to spend the summer working for his great uncle in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

There in the predominately white region of agriculture and recreational boating, Calvin’s a fish out of water with a chip on his shoulder. But when severed body parts are discovered floating in a slough, his summer of proving himself takes on new meaning.

Something deadly is lurking in the deep, murky waterways of the Delta. Now the daunting task of containing the living incarnation of a mythical creature falls to Calvin and his ragtag posse of oddball characters.

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My Delta Legend Review

To see my full review, go HERE.

I won this book in a Giveaway on fuonlyknew’s blog. Thank you Kelan and Laura for the giveaway.

When I first picked this book up all I saw was a monster in the water, super, right up my alley. I love these stories. As I read along, it became apparent it was much more than that. Kelan did a great job with the small town descriptions and details of the people lives that brings them together to save their town and themselves, detailing their acts of heroism, growth and change, bringing out the best in people.

Something in the water. Awesome – I could hardly wait to begin reading. Is it bigger than Jaws? You’ll have to read it to find out.

I love creature stories, so it’s easy for me to rate this one very high. The cover was over the top. Simple, yet complex, as you delve into the eye trying to see what’s there. The cover and title related well to the book, it’s important to me that they do.

I really got a feel for the small town setting, where the cafe was the focal point and you could hear all the latest gossip. The cops even hung out there. I used to visit a small southern town in Mississippi, and their local hangout was a gas station, where everyone would meet, drink colas and play checkers. Very ……….quaint? Does your town have a local hangout?

The characters were well developed and realistic. I could picture them in my mind and relate to them easily. Some of the characters were hateful and disgusting, others so much like your next door neighbor, just living their lives. When Kelan described Huestes as a Weeble, I busted out laughing . It brought back memories of buying them for my son when he was young. Can’t you just picture Huestes? “Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down.”

Kelan laid a good base in the first half to crank it out in the second half.The suspense kept building and I kept waiting for the creature to appear. Every time someone went near the water, I was waiting for the monster to get them. Just like Jaws. Don’t go in the water. How many times do you have to be told, don’t go in the water. LOL!

The Lochness Monster, Bigfoot, Aliens……would you believe someone’s story, or would you have to see for yourself?

There were two surprises at the end. One I saw coming and I figured Kelan threw that one in to distract me from the other one, which I didn’t see coming. I am a voracious reader, so when the author throws in a surprise or two, it makes my day. Keeps me on my toes.

Even though there is a Book II, this tied things up nicely, while leaving it open enough to continue the story. I can hardly wait to find out what happens next, so I hope you are busy writing, Kelan.

The history leading to the legend was well-developed and detailed, going in to depth about Chinese history in relation to building the Transcontinental Railroad and the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta.

I can absolutely see this as a movie. As I was reading along, the scenes played out in my mind as the story unfolded. I saw the ending as if I was watching it on the big screen.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a young adult, Kelan O’Connell spent her summers aboard a family houseboat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Apparently, she still harbors suspicions about those deep murky waters. Though she’s been writing in one form or another since the age of 20, Delta Legend is her debut Young Adult Crossover novel.

Kelan began writing in college, creating character monologues as a way to stand out in auditions while also cranking out sketch comedy. She holds a degree in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University and has worked in the Entertainment Industry in Northern California and Los Angeles, among her many other day jobs.

She currently lives in Northern California with her partner, Sound Engineer/Producer Tom Size, and the incredibly spoiled pets of Camp Runamuck.

Website / Blog / Goodreads

Wanna come along for the ride? It’s fun … and a little scary.

To get your copy of Delta Legend by Kelan O’Connell, click on the cover below.

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I have my eye on you.

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GIVEAWAY

Kelan O’Connell always has some of the most fantastic giveaways and this one is no exception. International.

1 (one) signed paperback to a lucky commenter.

Leave your email and let me know:

Does your town have a local hangout, where all the latest gossip can be heard?

This is a Tag Team event – for another opportunity to win, go to fuonlyknew.

Giveaway ends February 3, 2014.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special Giveaway & Guest Post for The Bitches of Brooklyn by Rosemary Harris

Posted on December 13, 2013 by fundinmental

The title, The Bitches of Brooklyn, made me laugh.

I love it, so I wanted to share it with my favorite peeps.

Take a look at the cover. Simple yet inviting.

Paperback: 322 pages
Publisher: Chestnut Hill Books (October 2, 2013)
ISBN-13: 978-0989697019
E-Book File Size: 469 KB
ASIN: B00E3XMPN0

SYNOPSIS

Are they really bitches? That depends who you ask…Rachel, Clare, Tina and Jane are four friends awaiting the arrival of a fifth at a secluded Cape Cod bungalow where they spend an all-girls weekend every summer. But this time the fifth woman doesn’t show. Instead she sends a note that reads – “I’ve run off with one of your men.”

Has she? Is it a prank? Do they run for the phone or try to enjoy the weekend without her?

Fun, flirty and filled with Harris’ trademark snappy dialogue and quirky characters forced to reevaluate their marriages, their friendships and their memories, The Bitches of Brooklyn has been called “a cross between Pretty Little Liars and Sex and the City.”

Purchase Links: Amazon B & N

Elaine Viets, author of Catnapped! has said “the best female buddy book yet. I dare you to put it down!”

Inspired by a classic Hollywood film, The Bitches of Brooklyn is for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Susan Isaacs and every woman who’s ever had a best friend and wondered…is she really??

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I would like to welcome Rosemary Harris to my blog. I love guest posts and I hope you all enjoy what Rosemary will share with us today.

The Bitches of Brooklyn guest post

By ROSEMARY HARRIS

Ever felt like you were sitting in the middle of a scene from a book or movie? One that’s already been written or one you could see yourself writing?

I had that feeling about three years ago and it was the inspiration for my new book, The Bitches of Brooklyn.

Four friends and I had planned an all-girls weekend in Sedona. We had discussed and agonized over the location for months (we’d be coming from all parts of the country and wanted to be fair in terms of time and expense.) One of us even created a spreadsheet so we could compare the various choices. (She’s an accountant, so we forgave her.) And then, at the eleventh hour, one of us had to cancel. If I’m not mistaken she had lobbied hardest for the place we finally decided on. That first night – without her – was interesting.

We didn’t trash her (hint about the book?) But after a few glasses of wine I started to think, hmmmm what if she DIDN’T have a last-minute work obligation? What if it was something else…

Happily she didn’t suffer the grisly fate my missing character did in the first draft of the book. And she didn’t do what my fictional character ultimately did but that was the genesis of The Bitches of Brooklyn.

In it the four women at the heart of the story, childhood friends named Jane (a bakery owner), Rachel (a vet), Clare (an unemployed producer) and Tina (a teacher and fledgling novelist) receive a cryptic note from their missing friend and they spend the weekend eating, drinking and reevaluating their friendships, their marriages, their jobs and their memories. But when Monday comes, these babes want answers. And they go to vastly different lengths to get them.

Having written a few cozy mysteries, it was a lot of fun not to feel obliged to have bodies dropping all over the place and to have a non law enforcement professional irrationally inserting herself into a crime scene. Think Paula Holliday with misdemeanors instead of felonies! And…halleluiah…unlike most cozy heroines, they get to have sex.

There’s a fair amount of humor – because I can see the humor in practically anything. And if you liked Paula, Babe and Lucy, I think you’ll have fun with The Bitches of Brooklyn.

I love finding out what inspired an author to write their novel. Thank you, Rosemary, for sharing your story. I look forward to reading The Bitches of Brooklyn.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About Rosemary Harris

Rosemary Harris is a native Brooklynite, like some of the characters in The Bitches of Brooklyn. A former bookstore manager and television executive, she’s the author of the Dirty Business mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Paula Holliday. Her debut novel, the Agatha and Anthony-nominated, Pushing Up Daisies (Minotaur), was followed by The Big Dirt Nap, Dead Head and Slugfest. The Bitches of Brooklyn is the first in a new series. Rosemary is past president of Mystery Writers of America’s NY Chapter and Sisters in Crime’s New England Chapter.

She lives in New York City and Fairfield County, CT.

She blogs with seven other mystery writers at www.jungleredwriters.com.

Visit Rosemary at www.rosemaryharris.com

Like her on facebook at www.facebook.com/RosemaryHarriswriter

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To grab your copy of The Bitches of Brooklyn, or to check out another Rosemary Harris book, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

Bitches goody bags include:

(insulated tote, plastic champagne glasses, Bitches tank top with a copy of the book.)

Entry is easy. Leave your email address and answer the question:

What do you look for in a best friend?

GIVEAWAY IS OVER. WINNER: ANNA S.

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Tour Participants

December 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – KICK OFF SPOTLIGHT!!!
December 2 – Mystery Playground – Interview, Special Giveaway
December 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review, Giveaway
December 4 – Books-n-Kisses – Review, Guest Post
December 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review, Giveaway
December 6 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Giveaway
December 7 – dru’s book musing – Guest Post, Giveaway
December 8 – Thoughts in Progress – Review, Giveaway
December 10 – Darla King Series – Interview
December 11 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post
December 12 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Interview, Special Giveaway
December 13 – fundinmental – Guest Post, Special Giveaway
December 14 – According to Squenn – Review, Interview
December 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Interview

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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A Christmas Treat Giveaway- Swept Away for Christmas

Posted on November 22, 2013 by fundinmental

SWEPT AWAY FOR CHRISTMAS

by MJ Fredrick, Tanya Michaels and Trish Milburn

BLURB

Christmas isn’t always snow-covered with a frosty chill in the air. Sometimes it’s sandy beaches with balmy breezes.

And sometimes we find love in the most unexpected places, a place like Starfish Shores.

Here Comes McBride

Shelby James has only truly loved one man — but Finn McBride broke her heart when emotional baggage from his past came between them. Now, Shelby is serving as maid of honor at a beach wedding where Finn is the best man. Will reuniting with Finn be a Christmas miracle, or the worst mistake she’s ever made?

Two Hearts a Leaping

After a break-up with her high school sweetheart, Harley Blume retreats to her brother’s home in Starfish Shores to lick her wounds and figure out what she’s doing next. But her brother is in the Coast Guard reserves and heading out of town, leaving her in the care of Liam Channing, his best friend since they played college football together. She’s never been able to keep her tongue in her mouth when good-looking, easy-going Liam is around. How is she going to find her way if she can’t keep her balance?

Cruisin’ for a Kiss

When Avery Phillips loses her magazine job right before Christmas, she heads back home to Starfish Shores to spend the holidays with the grandparents who raised her. The plan is to hit the job search hard so that she has a new position when the New Year arrives. What isn’t part of the plan is heading up a remodeling effort at her family’s beach motel or falling for the man helping to save the business into which her grandparents put a lifetime of work. As Christmas draws closer, will Avery stick to the original plan to leave town again or take a chance with Luke Taylor and a new life she never expected?

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EXCERPT

I chose this excerpt because it made me laugh out loud when I read it.

Two Hearts a-Leaping

by MJ Fredrick

The pole bent under the weight of the fish’s fight, and Liam put his hand over Harley’s to show her how to reel it in, how to let the fish play it out, then reel it back in. Impatient, she tugged the pole away and worked it herself, using the rhythm he’d showed her, a rhythm that he shouldn’t be thinking was like sex, with its give and take.

Seriously, Sam had been gone a little over twenty-four hours. Liam should have better self-control than to be lusting over his sister already.

He leaned over the edge of the boat, joined by Mia, to watch for the fish. A mackerel, most likely, and depending on the size, it might be good eating. He’d bet she’d let him clean it for her, if she wouldn’t let him help her bring it in.

“What is it?” she asked breathlessly.

“Don’t see it yet. You doing okay?”

She nodded shortly, concentrating on the pole and the reel and the rhythm. Her scarf had fallen loose and her hat was on the deck and her face was flushed, her eyes bright. God, he wanted to kiss her. Bringing her out here had been a bad, bad decision. At least in the bar, on the beach, he could walk away, she could walk away.

He needed to walk away now. He popped to his feet and crossed the deck to retrieve his fishing net. Mia followed, then headed back to the edge of the boat, her tail whipping furiously. Liam leaned over to look. Sure enough, she’d hooked a mackerel. He grinned.

“You want to reel him in, or grab him with the net?”

“I’ll reel him in.”

Liam reached over with the net, guiding the end of the pole to aim the fish, and scooped. He lifted the heavy flopping fish into the net so she could see it.

“Did you bring your phone? You could text a picture to Sam.”

She fished in her pocket and handed it to him. He traded her for the net, which she had to hold with both hands, while he opened the camera app and snapped a shot. Since she was bobbling the net, he tucked the phone in his own pocket and took the net from her.

“Dinner tonight?” he asked as she stared at it.

“Oh, no, I can’t eat him. Let’s throw him back.”

“Are you sure? He’s a good-sized one, and I have a chest right over there for our catch.”

“No, I don’t think I want to eat him.”

“If I catch something, will you eat it?”

“I guess, sure.”

He reached into the net and with some difficulty, snipped the hook from the fish’s mouth, and was about to dump him back into the ocean to swim away.

“Wait!”

He froze and looked over his shoulder at her.

“You said Mia would lick him.”

“Right.” He looked from woman to hopeful dog, reached into the net for the wriggling fish and grasped it in both hands before offering it to the dog.

Mia sniffed the length of the fish, then swiped her tongue along its length. Harley was still laughing when he tossed the fish back in the water.

And then Mia jumped in after it.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MJ Fredrick knows about chasing dreams. Twelve years after she completed her first novel, she signed her first publishing contract. Now she divides her days between teaching elementary music, and diving into her own writing—traveling everywhere in her mind, from Belize to Honduras to Africa to the past.

She’s a four-time Golden Heart Award finalist, and she won the 2009 Eppie Award with Hot Shot and the 2010 Eppie with Breaking Daylight. She was a 2012 Epic Award finalist with Don’t Look Back.

Website / Blog / Newsletter / Facebook / Twitter

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Four-time RITA finalist Tanya Michaels is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than thirty books. Her stories incorporate the same elements she values in real life—community, family and a sense of humor. Her current releases include the popular Colorado Cades trilogy for Harlequin American Romance.

She lives in Atlanta, GA with a very patient husband as well as two kids and a dog who are plotting against her. When not writing, reading, or spending time with her family, Tanya watches entirely too much TV. She’s also made Twitter her virtual home. Join her there to hear about her life as a writer and the outrageous things her kids say.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

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Trish Milburn is the author of contemporary romance for Harlequin American Romance, paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne, young adult fiction for Bell Bridge Books and indie publishes her romantic suspense, women’s fiction and other titles. She’s a two-time Golden Heart award winner, a fan of walks in the woods and road trips, and is a big geek girl, including being a dedicated Whovian and Browncoat.

Twitter / Facebook / Website

GIVEAWAY

The authors will award a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?

The tour dates can be found by clicking on the banner below.

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To get your copy of Swept Away for Christmas, or learn more about the authors, click on the cover below.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Giveaway & Guest Post – Granny Hooks A Crook by Julie Seedorf

Posted on November 19, 2013 by fundinmental

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Granny Hooks A Crook
by Julie Seedorf

This is such a fun title and cover, I just had to share it with all of you.

Did you get a chuckle or two from the post?

What is your Granny like?

Granny Hooks A Crook (A Fuschia Minnosata Mystery)

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Book Details
File Size: 294 KB
Print Length: 200 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1939816122
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (July 10, 2013)
ASIN: B00DVL2CVU
Cozy Mystery

Synopsis

Granny leads a secret life in the small, unique community of Fuschia, Minnesota. It’s not just her all junk food diet, multiplying pets, or her shocking bedtime attire that makes Granny one in a million. No, Granny is an undercover cop, charged by “the Big Guy” (the town’s police chief) of preventing theft in local stores. Granny takes her job seriously and daily foils many shoplifters using her trusty spiked umbrella and amazing acting skills. When some startlingly brazen burglaries begin to occur that Granny can’t solve, along with mysteriously appearing bad guys, disappearing clerks, and misplaced Corvettes, Granny begins to wonder if she isn’t ready for the wrinkle farm. Maybe, it’s fortuitous when she accidentally-on-purpose falls in the lap of an attractive older gentleman who is soon roped into her wild adventures, as they try to figure out what’s happening in their little town.

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Guest Post

GRANNY IS AS GRANNY DOES

I am a Granny. A Granny can be many things. Some Grannies bake cookies. Some Grannies sew clothes and blankets for their Grandchildren. Some Grannies are very good at taking care of a Grandchild. I don’t think I would qualify as any of those types of Grannies.

I do bake but only when my Grandchildren are here. My granddaughter, at a Grandparents day at her school, wrote that she loved to bake with me. I have her fooled. It is something I do because that is what you do with your grandchildren but it is not something that I do when they are not here.

I have made them quilts and sewed some quilts and other crafty items for them. They think I sew. I don’t sew unless it is something specific they ask for. My sewing machine doesn’t see the light of day unless it is a grandchild project. Yes, there are those types of Grannies that actually do those things all the time. They don’t have to fool their grandchildren by only doing it when their grandchildren come into their home.

I write about Grannies. Granny in Granny Hooks A Crook is a little unbelievable but I like fantasy. Granny is the best and most mischievous parts of my mother. She is the part of me that wants to be more daring. She is someone that looks old age in the face and wins. She lives in a community that is weird to say the least. But the rules in Granny’s community defy all the rules that we have that constrict us in our real communities. Fuchsia, Minnesota is the dream of a dreamer (me)that likes color in a world of colorless houses and doesn’t believe in the tight restrictions that keep us old people from believing we can be anything else but sick and useless.

My grandchildren took me out of a world of reality; taught me how to dream again and brought me back to a self I had lost when the real world intruded upon my dreams. I am like Granny, a little deceitful when it comes to letting them believe I am a baker, a cook and sew maker. That is a small part of the Grandma they know.

They know me as a woman that can take a computer apart and put it back together. They know me as a woman that can weave dreams into stories. They know me as a person that acts silly, rides some (small) roller coasters, dresses in pink and purple and likes weird, weird earrings. The Granny in my book Whatchamacallit? Thingamajig?, is a lot like me. My grandchildren helped me write this book. They know I will help them weave their dreams.

I had a Granny, actually two of them, but one I am going to highlight today. My Granny died when I was six years old and I have come to believe at my old age that Grannies never leave. They whisper and watch over our shoulders and give us strength courage and weird ideas. At least I am convinced mine did.

I did not tell my publisher what I thought the Granny in my book should look like. I didn’t communicate that. When the cover came back it was exactly as I pictured Granny. I suspect there was help from above when the illustrator created the cover. I was wearing the t-shirt I designed with Granny’s picture on the shirt as I was driving to a book signing. For some strange reason I started remembering and thinking about my Granny that died when I was six. I could not get her out of my head and then I realized why. The Granny on my book cover was an exact clone for my Granny. Granny in my book looked like my Granny. She had the same body, the same glasses, the same hair and the same nose and the same lips. I was sure and I couldn’t wait to get home to compare the two. I found a picture and yes, they were twins. I cannot tell you how moved I was at that moment.

If you are a Grandma or a Grandpa, let your light shine into the hearts of your grandchildren. Let them know who you are and who you were when you were young. Whatever your talent is as a Granny, it is your talent. Your Grandchildren will love you for it. If you want to be a little deceitful about one or two small things, like the Granny in my book and like me with my baking skills, I think it is ok. It means that you are stretching yourself to do something you might not be good at for someone you love. Just remember to have a sense of humor if you burn the vegetables. That is what I am known for in my family. That legacy about me will live on forever.

My Grandma died when I was very young. I don’t remember her baking or her sewing as she was in her 80’s when I was 6. She didn’t move very fast and I didn’t have her for very long but I will tell you what made her special to me and what I remember.

I remember her orchid crème that she always used. The smell even today reminds me of her. I remember her siting on her bed and letting me comb her long thin hair into a bun. I remember her smile. I remember her hugs, and now I also know she has never forgotten me. How else could my Granny in my book look like my Granny in real life without it being planned? Only Granny knows.

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About The Author

Julie Seedorf owns her own computer repair business, but her secret undercover job is writing. Her column “Something About Nothing” for a Minnesota newspaper is about nothing, which is what we talk about most of the time, always with something underneath the conversation. Julie has been a wife, mother, grandmother, housewife, barmaid, salesperson, activity director, full time volunteer and more. Her motto is, “If you dream it, you can do it.” Her Fuchsia Minnesota, published by Cozy Cat Press is her first journey in her undercover career. Having lived in small communities in Minnesota all her life, she knows the richness and uniqueness that only a small town can bring and with a little humor and imagination, she transforms those experiences into her imaginary Fuchsia community.

Webpage / Goodreads: Julie Seedorf / Twitter: @julieseedorf,

Blog / Facebook / Column

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Excerpt

Granny didn’t always like to get up in the morning. It seemed a waste of a good bed to get out of it so early in the morning. First, Granny would wallow in the warmth. She would squirm a little and enjoy the softness of the mattress. Granny would then open one eye to see if it was light yet. If it appeared that the sun was up, she would open the other eye very slowly, not wanting to get too excited. Getting up too fast always made her head spin.

Granny would then stick her big toe out of the blanket, trying to determine the weather. Her big toe was a good barometer. If it started turning blue, she knew it was cold and her toe was going to throb on and off for the day. If it stayed red, Granny knew that it would be a good day for her flip flops, even though she wasn’t supposed to be wearing them. Her kids harassed her about wearing her flip flops, something about not walking properly and being at risk of falling. She couldn’t make them understand that at her age she was always at risk for falling, so why not live dangerously in her flip flops.

Granny always looked around first before attempting the final lift out of her bed. She had to make sure there weren’t any kids or grandkids visiting before she threw off the covers. At her age it was easy to forget if her kids and grandkids had stayed over. Occasionally, she forgot they were there even before she climbed into bed. It didn’t bother her that her memory was a little foggy. It was a good excuse to use when she needed to get out of something she didn’t want to do, or if she got caught somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be.

Usually, if Granny remembered before she went to bed that her kids and grandkids stayed over, she would dress in her granny gown pajamas. It was what they expected of someone her age and she didn’t want to ruin their expectations. But when Granny was by herself, she occasionally slept in the nude and occasionally she wore her hot pink, silk shortie nightgown with red hearts on it. Or she might wear her purple leather PJ’s that stated Sexy Granny and I Know It.

Granny’s secret PJ’s always made her smile before she went to bed. It made the creaky body and the saggy skin feel better. She still felt like that sexy granny inside. Her mind never did keep up with her body.

There were times her kids would visit unexpectedly in the morning and have breakfast waiting for Granny when she stumbled into the kitchen from her warm bed. She could see the horror on their faces if they caught her in anything other than her granny pajamas. She would be sent to the wrinkle farm faster than she could lose her flip flops.

Tour Participants

November 14 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post, Giveaway
November 15 – Community Bookstop – Review
November 16 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
November 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
November 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review, Giveaway
November 19 – Mochas, Mysteries and More – Guest Post
November 20 – fundinmental – Guest Post, Giveaway
November 21 – Musings and Ramblings – Guest Post
November 22 – readalot blog – Review
November 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight
November 26 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post

GIVEAWAY

One e-copy or paperback (Winner’s Choice)

Paperback U.S. Mailing Addresses only

Entry is easy peasy. Just leave your email and answer the question:

What is your Granny like?

Giveaway has ended.

Winner: Emma M. Congratulations and happy reading!

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To get your copy of Granny Hooks A Crook, or learn more about Julie Seedorf, click on the cover below.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Release, Excerpt & GP – Reclaim My Heart by Donna Fasano

Posted on November 11, 2013 by fundinmental

Now with Montlake Romance – Release Day TODAY 12 November, 2013

On becoming a Montlake Author:

Let me tell you about my wonderful publishing experience! I have to back up a little bit… to this past spring. I self-published a romance titled Reclaim My Heart. The book received great reviews immediately, and it sold well from the beginning. Very well. In fact, during the first week of August I was enjoying a mug of coffee while perusing the USA Today Bestseller’s List (my usual Thursday morning routine), and I nearly choked when I saw that Reclaim My Heart was sitting at #123 on the list. A couple of days later I was contacted by an editor from Montlake. She told me she’d read one of my books months before and had been keeping an eye on me. She said she’d read Reclaim My Heart and loved it. Now, what author doesn’t love to hear that? She made an offer I couldn’t refuse.

The Montlake editor and the design team loved the cover that was on the indie version of the book; however, Amazon had trouble licensing the rights to the image. So we searched for weeks before finding the picture that’s on the current cover. I love it! And I hope my readers do, too.

I’m happy to be writing romance novels for Montlake. I feel wanted and appreciated, and it can’t get much better than that in the publishing industry!

~Donna

Title: Reclaim My Heart
Author: Donna Fasano
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Pages: 282
Formats: Paperback, eBook, AudioCD
ISBN: 978-1477817988
Purchase Now: Paperback § eBook § AudioCD

About The Book :

Sixteen years ago, Tyne Whitlock cut all ties to her past and left town under the shameful shadow of a teenage pregnancy. Now her fifteen-year-old son is in trouble with the law, and she is desperate for help. But reaching out to high-powered attorney Lucas Silver Hawk will tear open the heart-wrenching past in ways Tyne never imagined.

Forced to return to the Delaware Indian community where Lucas was raised, Tyne and Lucas are tempted by the heated passion that consumed them as teens. Tyne rediscovers all the reasons she found this man irresistible, but there are scandalous secrets waiting to be revealed, disgraceful choices made in the past that cannot be denied. Love is a powerful force that could heal them both—if the truth doesn’t rip them apart.

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Excerpt

From Chapter Two”Oh, wait. There’s someone here to see you.”
He frowned. “I don’t have time today.”
“I know, I know.” Martha looked apologetic. “I tried to explain that your schedule is packed, but she insisted on waiting—”
“She?”
Martha glanced down at a pad on her desktop. “A Ms. Whitlock. Tyne Whitlock.”
Lucas stared. Blinked. Then he reached up and tugged at his tie, wondering who the hell shut off the room’s air supply.
“She’s waiting in your office. I tried to tell her your schedule was full, but…” Concern sharpened Martha’s tone. “Are you all right? She said she knew you. That you were old friends. That she’d only take a minute of your time. Should I not have let her in?”
Martha droned on and he watched her lips move, but he didn’t hear a word of what she said. A blind-sided punch wouldn’t have stunned him more than hearing that name. He lifted his hand and nodded at Martha to let her know everything was okay even though he had no idea if it was or not, then he turned and headed down the corridor.
“Don’t forget Larry and Nate. They’re waiting!”
Martha’s warning sounded like a distant echo.
Tyne. Here. In this building. In his office.
What had it been? Twelve, thirteen… no. Sixteen years. He scrubbed his fingers across his jaw.
He turned the corner and came to an abrupt halt. At the end of the corridor, the door of his office stood ajar. He saw Tyne’s perfect profile as she sat in a straight-backed chair staring at something out of his line of view.
In an instant, Lucas was catapulted into the past.
Darkness surrounded them like a cloak. Tyne’s soft sobs tore at his heart. Of all the girls he’d dated—and there had been more than a few—only she brought out in him a fierce compulsion to protect.
He swiped away her tears, the dark color of his thumb a stark contrast against her creamy white skin.
“I don’t understand them, Lucas. I never will.”
“Don’t worry,” he crooned. “It’s going to be all right. Trust me, babe. They can’t keep us apart. You’ll be eighteen soon too. We can do what we want then. Go wherever we want.”
He cradled her, his back supported by the massive pin oak. And when she stopped crying, she pulled away from him and gazed into his eyes. Her sweet face wrenched his heart and caused heat to spark his desire. Never had he wanted a girl the way he wanted Tyne. Raw need coursed through him.
She cradled his face between her palms and drew him to her. Her lips were hot against his. The kiss grew hungry, their breathing labored.
“Our love will last forever,” she whispered against his mouth.
He heard the question in her quavery tone, responded to her need for reassurance.
“Forever,” he groaned, tugging her down onto the mossy ground.
Lucas tilted his head to stare at the carpet in front of his shoes and gulped in the artificially-cooled air as he dragged his way out of the past. The grip he had on his attaché case made his hand throb almost as much as the memory had caused his groin to go all achy and needful.
Of course, their love hadn’t lasted forever.
He was within steps of the door when Tyne glanced in his direction. Nuances of various emotions passed across her face. And it was a striking face, Lucas couldn’t deny it. The years had refined her features—
She stood, smoothing her palms across the fabric of her skirt.
—and ripened her body. Her eyes were the same vivid blue he remembered, and her white-blond hair was still long and straight. He could easily recall the silky feel of it brushing against his bare chest. As teens, he’d thought of them as the perfect juxtaposition: she, all sunshine and light, he, dark like the night.
He forced his gaze back onto her face.
“Tyne.” He entered his office, puzzled by the strain in his voice. What really confused him was the fact that he couldn’t seem to get his tongue to form anything more.
“Hi, Lucas. It’s been a long time.” Her lush mouth pressed into a nervous smile, and his gut tensed.
He wanted to smile back. He truly did. With every fiber of his being. To let her know that he’d survived the sprawling interim since they’d parted just as well as she obviously had. But he couldn’t smile. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think.

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About Donna Fasano

Donna 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.

What others are saying about Donna’s books:
“…complex, funny, and realistic…” ~Wilmington News Journal

“Excellent!” ~Bookreview.com

“Could not help myself from reading excerpts to my husband and friends. This book is well written, the characters are real, everyday folks. It is very easy to identify with them. Donna Fasano is a talented author.” ~Elizabeth M. Caldwell on Amazon

“…a fast paced riotous look at family life today. Donna Fasano is right on target!”
~Donna Zapf, SingleTitles.com

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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To pick up your copy of Reclaim My Heart by Donna Fasano, or one of her many other books, click on the cover below.