Giveaway – The Secrets We Conceal by S R Fabrico @iReadBookTours @StacyRowe1

Posted on April 18, 2022 by fundinmental

Join us for this tour from Apr 11 to Apr 29, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title: The Secrets We Conceal by S.R. Fabrico
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 300 pages
Genre: Coming of Age, Women’s, Psychological and Family, Relationships Abuse/Child Abuse
Publisher: S.R. Fabrico
Release date: March 15, 2022
Content Rating: R. Maybe more PG-13 +M. There are 3 chapters of sexual abuse and approximately 5 total curse words.

Book Description:

A riveting coming of age story, that will make you laugh, cry and root for Laura to find happiness.
Laura Shirk is a normal, happy, go-lucky, little girl playing with Cabbage Patch dolls and Legos. Until she isn’t. Set in the late 1980s-early 90s, a visit to her aunt and uncle’s house changes everything.

What follows is a nerve-racking story shedding light on child sexual abuse. As the tragedy unfolds, Laura mutters through life concealing her secret from everyone. Feeling alone and isolated, she struggles to navigate her younger years wondering if she can or will ever find happiness.

Then, Laura meets ‘the perfect man’ for her. Can he heal her heart and break down her steel walls?

The Secrets We Conceal, S.R. Fabrico’s debut novel is a riveting coming of age story that beautifully conveys how love and strength can heal all wounds.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N ~ iBooks
BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Born a raised a Yankee who loves NY style pizza and Philly cheesesteaks. I was introduced to the amazing world of Southern BBQ after moving to Tennessee where I live with my husband and two children. My family is my main priority, everything I do is for them. I attended college in the 90’s and received a degree in mathematics with a minor in secondary education, I went on to coach cheerleading and dance for 20 years and won a Hip Hop Dance World Championship. Anything and everything creative are my absolute favorite, so writing has always been a hobby. When I’m writing, I like to wife hard, mom hard, paint, read good books and watch good movies.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

April 11 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 12 – Pick a Good Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
April 13 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
April 14 – Lynchburg Reads – book review / giveaway
April 15 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
April 18 –Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
April 18 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
April 19 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
April 19 – My Fictional Oasis – book review
April 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review / giveaway
April 21 – @twilight_reader – book review / giveaway
April 22 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
April 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
April 25 – Books for Books – book spotlight
April 26 –Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
April 27 – The Page Ladies – book review / giveaway
April 27 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
April 27 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 28 – Ravenz Reviewz – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 29 – Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway
April 29 – Novels Alive – book spotlight / giveaway
April 29 – Novels Alive – book review

Enter the Giveaway:

THE SECRETS WE CONCEAL Book Tour Giveaway

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
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Memories From The 70’s – False Starts by Ken La Salle @KenLaSalle

Posted on November 7, 2016 by fundinmental

Ken La Salle is an amazing author that dips his feet into many genres.

I have enjoyed everything I have read by him, so to get a glimpse into what makes him tick is an opportunity I can’t pass up.

Are you ready to take a blast to the past…The 1970’s coming up.

Amazon / Goodreads

Normally I am getting lost in make believe, but now and then I feel a need to gain insight into the real world, and to learn more about an author that I enjoy is an opportunity I can’t pass up.

I have read several of Ken La Salle’s wonderful, wacky and creepy books, so to learn where all that talent came from is something I was more than happy to do.

A box of memories started this journey.

“It was the hippest of times. It was the funkiest of times. It was the 1970s.”

What would your box of memories hold?

In False Starts, Ken La Salle shares his life during the 70s. Do you remember what you were doing?

His talk of TV and music strikes home to me. A lot of people think the 60s was a time of change, but the 70s brought so many more options for our viewing and listening pleasure. Do you remember Hot Wheels, 45s, or the Smother’s Brothers, who were only on one season because they were too disrespectful?

Ken La Salle grew up poor with his mom and siblings. I cannot understand from personal experience the lack of enough food, going hungry and no clothes to wear. It wasn’t like I had a lot, but I had what was needed and an occasional goodie or two.

It’s hard to feel sad for Ken when I was reading the book, because of his writing style. Is it a positive spin he puts on it or is it his drive to find what he was good at, what would work for him and make his life a good one. I find myself nodding and smiling as I read along sharing similar memories.

He finds those moments of light and happiness that shine through the darkness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip down memory lane and getting to know an author I plan on following for a long time. I think it is because of his upbringing that he is able to write so well in very different genres with his humorous bent shining through the written words.

As long as you are moving forward in life, it can appear to you as though it were a series of False Starts.

I can only imagine what fun it would be to listen to this in as an audiobook., which is available.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of False Starts from Ken La Salle.

4 Stars

Memories…Some things I was familiar with, others not so much. How about you?

GOODREADS BLURB: I recently opened up my chest of childhood memories, faced a decade I had long since forgotten, and wrote these words:

“It was the hippest of times. It was the funkiest of times. It was the 1970s.”

And I grew up right there in the middle of it. I won talent shows. I went to camp. I fought the school bully for the honor of the girl I loved. I lost my father…

But having just turned 50, I decided the time had come to take an honest look at those years without the tinted lens of nostalgia, which allowed me to remember so much more. I never told the girl I defended that I loved her. I barely survived camp. No amount of talent show victories brought my father back and, to be honest, my memories weren’t as accurate as I thought they were.

The 70’s were a swirling minefield filled with a family destroyed by poverty and divorce, horrible TV shows, bad disco on AM radio, wretched food… and the only saving grace a child like me had was Pong. My teachers tried to put me on drugs. My sister taught me the art of shoplifting. My best friend was Burp Boy. Life was a series of constant set-backs, a barrage of defeats, embarrassments, and false starts.
And I wouldn’t change a thing.

ABOUT KEN LA SALLE (From Amazon)

Author and Playwright, Ken La Salle grew up in Santa Ana, California and has remained in the surrounding area his entire life. He was raised with strong, blue collar roots, which have given him a progressive and environmentalist view. As a result, you’ll find many of his stories touching those areas both geographically and philosophically. His passion is intense humor, meaningful drama, and finding answers to the questions that define our lives.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / YouTube / Goodreads

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’.
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Awards and Recognition From One of My Favorite Followers

Posted on February 22, 2013 by fundinmental

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It is always nice to be noticed and know the words I print and the posts I make are read by others. Thanks to everyone who follows me or stops by to take a look. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Thanks to Emily Guido for all these wonderful awards. She always stops by and is one of my most loyal followers. She is the sweetest, nicest person you would ever want to meet. Be sure and stop by her BLOG and check her out and her Light-Bearing Series of books with Charmeine and Tabbrius.

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There are rules to these awards and I hope you will forgive me in choosing my own way to present them.

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I have been challenged to name three traits I love and hate about myself. So here goes:

1. I love the convenience of the cell phone I own. I love that I don’t need to remember anyone’s number. I know you might think I am lazy because of that; but really, I have so many other things I would rather remember and sometimes it seems like there isn’t enough room in there for more. I love being able to talk to anyone, anywhere at any time.

I hate cell phones. People pull them out at the check out counter, when they are in their car and pulling into traffic while making a left hand turn. While driving they weave back and forth, sometimes driving outside of their own lane. They talk louder, do they think the person they are talking to is deaf or do they just want us know what they are talking about? As if we care. Phones are ringing everywhere, so many people talking at the same time – Noise Pollution. I hate not knowing anyone’s number; when my SIM card goes bad and I lose all my information.

2. I love the beach. I love the sounds and smells of the water and watching the waves rushing up the sand. I love walking on the sand and feeling the water wash over my feet. I love looking for beach glass, shells and cool rocks. I love feeling the sun as it beats down on me and warms my skin. It makes me feel so alive.

I love watching the people, but I hate it when they are too close to me. I don’t like their kids screaming and yelling and kicking sand in my face. I hate the feel of the salt and sand on my skin. It acts like sandpaper. Thank goodness there is a shower on the boardwalk, so I can wash it off, before I go into the bar for my margarita.

3. I hate that I am perfect. It is so hard to be humble when I am so – beautiful, intelligent, athletic, sexy, brilliant, funny, magnificent, intriguing – well, you get the drift.

I love that I am able to be anything and everything, do anything and everything. I love that everyone loves me and want’s to be a part of my life. I am so much fun to be around that people can’t get enough of me. I love that I am so HOT, a goddess, that men fall at my feet, professing their love and wanting my hand in marriage, or whatever I will give them. I am so brilliant that President Obama calls me when he is stuck for a solution to anything and everything. It is hard to be humble because I am so perfect.

WOW. I can’t believe I am going to share all this personal information with you guys; but hey, it’s not like it’s my pin number or anything.

I have been working on this post for a while, but I wanted to make sure it was perfect. LOL

I am passing on this challenge to three of my favorite authors. I am selfish, I want to see what they can come up with to WOW me and you, my followers and readers. I hope, and think, they will enjoy the challenge as much as I did, and I hope you do too.

MY NOMINEES ARE:

Vickie McKeehan

Anne Hargrove

Patrick Jones

Please accept these awards in the spirit they were given. If your blog is award free or you do not post awards, just know I am happy to share your site with others.

Fanged Mania #10 – Giveaway and Review of Charmeine: The Light-Bearer Series, Book I by Emily Guido (fundinmental.wordpress.com)
Awards From My Fellow Blogger Ella Medler (fundinmental.wordpress.com)

Giveaway/Guest Post and Review of Love Travels Forever by Jaye Frances

Posted on November 13, 2012 by fundinmental

Jaye Frances has some of the most beautiful covers for her books and Love Travels Forever is another beauty.

Jaye Frances has been kind enough to offer fundinmental a guest post, promo and giveaway of her new book, Love Travels Forever. I will also include my review after her post, so keep reading.

Welcome Jaye.

Thank you, Sherry, for hosting me today with my new release Love Travels Forever, an anthology of my favorite short stories and essays. Inspired by interviews and personal recollections, each one takes the reader on an emotional journey of love, passion, and inspiration that lifts the spirit and touches the heart. In “What Might Have Been,” you’ll revisit those angst-filled high school years, courtesy of a twenty-fifth class reunion and the surprise revelation of a secret love. Here’s an excerpt:

The reunion party was earmarked by all the usual characteristics: a rented banquet hall, some hastily prepared table decorations, and a few balloons taped over doorways. As I made my way to the reception table, it was impossible to ignore the unmistakable uncertainty in the air. The electric charge of youthful anticipation ever-so-present at seventeen had been replaced by awkward pauses and quick scans at nametags, making it clear how time had affected our memories—and expectations.

As I ate my wilted salad and pretended to enjoy the overdone roast beef, I reminisced with girlfriends about hairstyles, prom nights, the teachers we liked, and of course, some of the boys we dated. As we picked at the dessert—dry chocolate cake—prizes were awarded for the person who had traveled the farthest, changed the most, and been married the longest. One of the gals at the table wondered out loud if the emcee was the same overly aggressive twerp who hadn’t been able to keep his hands off the typing instructor.

As we began to run out of small talk, it became obvious that four years of high school was, in most cases, our only commonality, and a few adolescent memories could not compete with the twenty-five years of life that had passed since. As the conversation turned to career concerns, aging parents, and unappreciative offspring, I found myself drifting away from the group. Retreating to an outside patio, I sat at an empty table to collect my thoughts. I had been there less than a minute when I was approached by someone I didn’t recognize.

“Hi, Jaye, I was hoping you’d be here.”

I couldn’t place him. He was definitely familiar, but I couldn’t make the connection. I managed a few clumsy questions about mutual friends and teachers, yet I was still clueless. Then he asked if I had kept the old Chevy Nova I drove in my senior year. I felt terrible. He had recognized me, even remembering the car I used to drive. I finally had to admit it—I didn’t remember him.

“That’s okay,” he said. “It’s my fault for not wearing my nametag. I’m Neil Graham. My locker was across the hall from yours. We were also in senior English together.”

The memories came rushing back. In high school, he’d been an anomaly—good looking, athletic, smart—and painfully quiet. Seldom seen at school dances or other social functions, he didn’t seem to have a lot of friends, and yet he usually offered a smile to anyone passing by, as if silently inviting them to stop and chat.

SYNOPSIS

In Love Travels Forever, Jaye Frances captures the reader’s heart with an inspiring collection of seventeen stories filled with romance and passion, the hopeful innocence of youth, and a love so strong that it transcends the mortality of life. Here are just a few of the people you’ll meet:

Evan and Frankie, a loving couple traveling through life hand-in-hand, are unaware that the shadow of fate is about to tear them apart. Helpless to change their shortened future together, one of them makes a promise—a promise of devotion and courage, honoring a love that surpasses the boundaries of time.

Mark and Janice, the perfect couple with the perfect life, are on the threshold of finally seeing their dreams come true—until an unexpected circumstance changes their lives forever.

Danny, a young soldier fresh out of boot-camp, is desperate to find a way to travel home and marry his sweetheart before being shipped overseas. Stranded in a train station on a three day pass with no hope in sight, Danny meets Wanda, an incredible woman who vows to find a way to bring Danny and his fiance together.

Nora and Georgia are two eight-year-old best friends who share giggles, dolls, and secrets. But when one of them faces sudden danger, the other responds with an unconditional act of love and forges a lifelong bond between them unaffected by fear or prejudice.

So find a quiet spot, get comfy, and grab a box of Kleenex. You’re about to take an unforgettable journey of the heart, to a place where compassion and hope have no limits, and where love continues to travel forever.

Love Travels Forever is available now

in kindle eBook on Amazon for $1.99

Author Bio: Jaye Frances is the author of The Kure, a paranormal-occult romance novel, The Possibilities of Amy, a coming-of-age romance novella, The Cruise-All That Glitters, a humorous adult satire about love on the high seas, The Beach, a sci-fi supernatural tale about a man who is given the opportunity to receive his ultimate wish, and Love Travels Forever, a collection of poignant short stories and essays. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.

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MY REVIEW

The cover is beautiful and leads you into the seventeen short stories of life and love.

Travel through life – not necessarily to places but to times and memories.

Love Travels Forever – the opening story, sums up the collection.

Valentines Day – holds a special surprise and has a special meaning for Jaye.

Life is Too Short For Regrets – as Cassie said, “Admit it, get over it and get on with it.”

Halloween Man – put a smile on my face and made me feel warm and fuzzy.

Packed With A Promise – I fought to read the words through the blur of tears in my eyes.

What Might Have Been – why she wrote The Possibilities of Amy.

The Angels of Ellis Island – The angels do make this a true Thanksgiving story.

Middle Age Crazy – now what? In youth we think we are invincible and are allowed to make mistakes and have fun. Then mid-life crisis – where we make adjustments to find out where we want to go and how to get there.

A Gift From the Mayans – superb ending to a captivating collection.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Full of gems of wisdom.

“Mary Ann Evan, writing as George Eliot, “The strangest principle of growth lies in human choice.”

The stories are full of choices people made. The choices we make don’t always make sense to others, but are so vital to us! Will make you feel good about your life, or maybe let you know you need to change it.

Sometimes the most important things are the little things.

Packed full of love, life, emotion, tears, happiness, smiles, heartbreak, warm and fuzzy, kindness, compassion, hope and giving. Moving, touching, beautiful, poignant stories.

Be sure to be alone, with your hanky or tissue and take time to think about what you read as you travel on Jaye’s wonderful voyage through life.

This is a book you will want to pull out again and again to read this story or that story. Not necessarily front to back. Excellent. Must have.

With so many examples of the generosity and kindness of strangers, this is the perfect time of year to give this as a gift.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and impartial review.

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Jaye Frances has offered one kindle copy of Love Travels Forever to one lucky commenter. Just answer the question – WHERE IS YOUR DREAM DESTINATION? – and leave an email address. Giveaway ends November 27, 2012.

TO SEE ALL MY GIVEAWAYS, GO HERE.