Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop!


Welcome to the Happy New Year 2013
Giveaway Hop!!
Thanks to I Am A Reader Not A Writer 
and Babs Book Bistro for hosting this Giveaway Hop!

I love the beginning of a new year,  bringing
a promise of hope and change to any
who seek after those things. I look forward
to the promise of all of the many books that
I know are coming out in 2013!
This is why I am offering a $10.00 gift certificate
to Amazon.com to one lucky winner. 

You can decide
which new book you want to buy in the new year.
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Here are some of the books I can't wait to read
in 2013...
(This is a fan art cover of Tiger's Dream. The official
cover hasn't been released yet.)

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway for The Alchemists Academy Book 1 and 2 by Kailin Gow

Tour Schedule








The Alchemists Academy Book 1: Stones to Ashes by Kailin Gow

What do you learn here...at the Academy? Wirt asks. Magic? The responsibility to use your powers responsibly? Uh...something like that, his roommate Spencer said. More like how to rule worlds. Wirt, is used to being shuffled from foster home to foster home, adopting a devil-may-care attitude toward the world along the way. Now he s in a school he can t escape, learning to develop his latent magical abilities, for what use, he doesn't know...to save his world or to destroy it...


Purchase




The Alchemists Academy Book 2: Elemental Explosions by Kailin Gow

A new student has entered The Alchemists Academy, and he brings with him an explosive power that threatens the Academy and the legend of Merlin. Wirt thought he was the only bad boy at the Academy, but he was wrong. Not only is Roland Black worse than Wirt, but a new teacher had replaced one of their beloved teachers, and she has more planned for Wirt and his friends than just lesson plans. Alana, his crush has grown prettier, and now he is rivals for her attention with not only his best friend Spencer, but newcomer Roland, as well. On top of that, it is their second year, and the year where all the students must pass a test to move on to the Elite Class at the Academy. The Elite Class is the only class in the third year at the Academy, and the students who fail will be sent home, others will face something even deadlier.

Purchase
Amazon * Barnes & Noble

My Review:
The Alchemists Academy books are a fun new twist on a magical school. The magic is very different from what you would find in Harry Potter. The magical system is based on Merlin and The Lady of the Lake. I liked this a lot because I've read a lot of stories about King Arthur and the Sorcerer Merlin. Of course from the title, Alchemy is studied at the school. The characters in the story are distinct, from silly Princess Priscilla, to the studious Spencer, the serious Alana and then to main character Wirt, orphaned and misjudged by those around him. The school is in another realm in a HUGE tree. They travel around in huge tubes within the tree. There were many fun and different ideas that were original to this story. I think that fans of magical schools will truly enjoy these books. Also, tweens and YA readers will enjoy the characters, the challenges, and the mysteries that await them at the Alchemists Academy.





Author Kailin Gow

Kailin Gow is the award-winning, international bestselling author of over 80 distinct books.

Kailin Gow is also the President of a media company, a media personality, and has been writing full-time since she was first published. Holding a Masters in communications management and leadership positions in Fortune 500 corporations, she puts her leadership abilities, her experience, and desire to help others into her fiction books. As a result, she has written the forthcoming, Finding the Heroine in You book which is also a national tour. She is a mother and spends whatever spare time she has volunteering at the Red Cross, Battered Women's Shelters, and other organizations.

Currently her Frost Series is in development for a major international MMO Game, and she has over 14,000 and growing Frosters on her facebook fan page.



Links:



Tour $25 Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/31/12


Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Alchemists Academy Tour Schedule
(links will be updated to go directly to tour posts)


Friday, December 21, 2012

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway for, For What It's Worth by Karey White

Tour Schedule


For What It's Worth by Karey White

Book Description:

Twenty-four year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.

Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?

My Review:
I have been reading a lot of sweet romances this year that I have really liked. For What It's Worth falls into this same category. The biggest compliment I can give this book, is that I stayed up past 2:30 in the morning reading it because I could not put it down. It seemed to be touch and go for the relationship between Abby and Dane throughout most of the book. Another unusual thing about this book, is that I equally liked both the main characters. In many romance books it's a pretty predictable call about whose fault it is why the couple is not getting together. I didn't feel this way reading this book. It was honestly a situation that was bigger than both of them and something unexpected. I'm not going to go into the details because I want you to experience first hand what they are up against.

The recipes at the beginning of each chapter were great. All of the recipes were woven into that particular chapter. I think I was hungry the entire time reading this book. The whole storyline of Abby and her growing Wedding Cake business was fun to read about. Especially with the creative way that Abby decided to set the pricing for her cakes. Author Karey White has written such a delightful love story! The side characters are also just as interesting and contribute a lot to the main story.

 The life lesson that Abby learns at the end of the story is one we all should remember, what is worth the most in our own lives? There are times we all may need to shift priorities around to what we value the most. This book is a winner for me and sweet in so many ways.

Praise for For What It's Worth


Reading Karey White’s books, like eating chocolate cake, is always satisfying and brings a smile to my face. For What It’s Worth is light, romantic, and delicious. It’s a great pleasure read. Sit down and get lost in the charming world of wedding cakes and love. As an added bonus, each chapter  starts with a recipe, so it’s a novel and cookbook all in one. A fun read!
—Teri Harman, KSL columnist, Studio 5 contributor, and author of Blood Moon, available June 22, 2013

I just loved the book – loved it. Hated putting it down and hated finishing it. Karey White is my new Maeve Binchy, her writing as warm as the bakery her novel is set in. For What It’s Worth surprised me, made me smile, say “no” out loud in a public place. I love when a character feels like my sister. I didn’t want to finish it, so now I may try the recipes that began every chapter.
—Amanda Dickson, author and radio personality

This book oozes charm, romance, and mouth-watering recipes. If you want to escape reality and curl up with a darling story, For What It’s Worth is the perfect fit. Thank you, Karey White!
—Rachael Anderson, author

This is a book worth every penny of the price. In the business of baking wedding cakes, every detail must be perfection, but this story remembers that real life is oh-so-messy. White’s clear and honest writing left me hungry for good food, a close family, and a little romance. A beautiful marriage of food, family, and faith.
—Regina Sirois, author of On Little Wings, 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award



Purchase


Book Trailer





Author Karey White


Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.







Links




Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card + A Copy of For What It's Worth
Paperback available to US only, Ebook Available Internationally


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winner of the Gift Card Giveaway Hop!

We have a winner for the 
Gift Card Giveaway Hop!
Congratulations to...
Janae H.!!
She has been contacted and
will be receiving her gift card soon!
Thanks everyone for entering and
following my blog in so many different ways!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway for V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram

Tour Schedule



Author Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.





V is for Virgin


When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.


After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.


As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?


V is for Virgin is scheduled to be released on December 11, 2012.

For those who might wonder about content based on the title -
From Kelly: The book has a great overall message and promotes good strong moral values. For a book all about sex, there's not anything even close to a sex scene in it, but because of the nature of the topic there is a lot of innuendo/sexual humor and some name calling.

Book Review
I loved this book! When I first heard the title, it threw me off for a bit. Once I read the book I am going to champion this book! I want every teen to read this book, male and female! The message is clear and straight forward about abstinence, and waiting for marriage to have sex, but it is delivered in a very entertaining story. Main character Valerie is a girl that young women everywhere will be able to relate to. Valerie is not always confident, but she chooses the right moment to stand up for herself. I like how this character is not painted as perfect, she still has temptations along the way that challenge her. The characters' interactions and relationships seem real like you would find in any high school. I just really liked how this story shows how one person standing up for something good, like abstinence, can influence others to find the courage to do the same.

Overall, if you are a parent and worry about the content, by all means read the book first. But I want to assure you, as a mother of an almost 15 year old young woman, I would not hesitate in the least having her read this book. In fact, this is one I would like to read together, so if she wanted to talk about things, I would be ready there to answer any questions. Bravo Kelly Orem, for writing a book that will so powerfully influence young people in many ways.

Guest Post From the Author:
I asked Kelly why she wrote books for teens. Here is her answer...
 
Why do I write for teens? I think it’s because my maturity peaked at age 16. Honestly, it’s just the genre that I enjoy the most. I love coming of age stories, I love first-time romances, and if I have to pick a “team” then all the better.

There’s never been any question that young adult was where I feel most at home as a writer. I’ve never considered writing anything else and probably never will. I have tried to step outside my genre before just to see what would happen. It’s always been a disaster, and almost always ended in an abandoned manuscript.

You have to write what you enjoy. If you’re not having fun with a story it’s evident in the writing. Not to mention you spend so many hours writing, and if you’re not enjoying it then that makes for one miserable long project. (And one majorly cranky mom!)

As I get older, and my children get older, I think I appreciate the genre even more because I understand the importance of having good books for teens to read. I’ve never really thought about the influence my writing could have on people until I wrote V is for Virgin. I didn’t set out to write a book with a “message” but now that it’s written I find myself hoping that people will be able to connect with it.

The topic of when to become sexually active is a very sensitive, and often difficult one. Do I expect the book to change anyone’s life? No. Of course not. But do I hope it might make people at least stop and think about what they want before they have to make such a difficult choice? Sure. What writer wouldn’t like to be a positive influence on their readers? 

But mostly, I just hope to entertain my audience. As a reading addict myself, I know how much it stinks to pay for a book and then not like it, so my ultimate goal is always to end up with something that I wouldn’t mind paying for. I certainly had a lot of fun writing V is for Virgin, and hope that people enjoy it just as much.


Tour Giveaway

$30 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Open Internationally
Ends 1/6/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour schedule can be found here: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/v-is-for-virgin-blog-tour.html 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway for First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White

Tour Schedule




Product Information
  • File Size: 618 KB
  • Print Length: 407 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1591094658
  • Publisher: Cottage & CO Press; 1 edition (July 22, 2008)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B001D2Z5LS
  • Genre: Time Travel
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.







 Book Description:

First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch

"What if history didn't happen that way ... the first time?"

Garison Fitch was one of the most revered scientists in the Soviet Americas until he left fame behind to work on a secret project in his log cabin in the mountains of Marx.

But something went wrong. Instead of traveling interdimentionally, Garison has traveled through time ... twice.

Now, he's in something called "The United States of America" and a woman he's never met before is calling herself his wife. It it a hoax? Or, has he somehow changed history?

If so, can he return the world to what he believes is "normal", or must he live in this strange world he created?

My Review:

I have always been a huge fan of time travel books. This is one unlike others I have read before. I liked the different twists and turns that you will find in this novel.After a little bit of a confusing beginning, you soon understand what is happening in the different chapters. The reader is reading two different stories, one from the main character Garison's POV, and the other from one of his relatives. Even with all of the cool Sci-Fi elements in this novel, there are also some great themes about finding love and finding God in your life. I was surprised about how there was a small, underlying theme of Christianity.

First Time was a fun story with elements of Sci-Fi, history, romance and religion. I'm excited that the next two books in the series are already written.

Purchase


Praise:

"Sam continues to weave his magic as a storyteller. I always find myself anxious to find out what will happen next and what kind of twist will befall the adventurers. It helps to be familiar with the places that the heroines go, which adds to the story."
~Labdaddy, Texas

"I've had a few very unproductive but enjoyable days thanks to Samuel Ben White. If you haven't read Sam's books you have been missing a treat. These were funny, suspenseful, spiritual and kept you turning the pages."
~Karen S.

"Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your books. I have a Kindle and I have purchased all of the Garison Fitch novels. I am in Saudi Arabia and your books have really helped take me away from here."
~Scott, Saudi Arabia


Also Part of the Series:



Saving Time

Two years ago Garison Fitch traveled through time and rewrote history. An accident in the eighteenth century created a whole new world, and even gave Garison a wife he had never met before. Now, he’s got a daughter and he’s coming to enjoy this world he created. Until he’s attacked by men masquerading as Indians, and a funeral procession from out of the past enlists his help, and a tree grows from sappling to full-grown in a matter of minutes, threatening his daughter’s very life. Time itself is unraveling and Garison’s trips through time seem to be the cause. Garison must go back in time once again and keep himself from making the original trip that started the problem. But he can’t use his time machine to go back. How does one sew up a rip in time?
Lost Time
Jason Kerrigan and Brownwyn Dalmouth are pilots with the Republic of Texas Army Air Corps. A world war is going on and bombs have just brought an end to Crockett Air Field in south Texas. Jason and Bronwyn, though, are called away from the battle to be test pilots for a new aircraft that-they're told-will bring the war to an end. The experimental craft lives up to expectations in early tests, but then it lands them somewhere it never should have sent them. Another place? Another time? Another dimension? Somehow, they've taken a trip to the future and changed the past. Or did they? The answer to their change of reality may be known to a Justice of the Peace in Colorado named Garison Fitch. To figure it out, though, Garison may have to team up with his least favorite person: Bat Garrett.






Purchase

Author Samuel Ben White

Samuel Ben White (“Sam” to his friends) is the author of the national newspaper comic strip “Tuttle’s” (found at www.tuttles.net) and the on-line comic book “Burt & the I.L.S.” (found at www.destinyhelix.com). He is married and has two sons. He serves his community as both a minister at a small church and a chaplain with hospice. In addition to his time travel stories, Sam has also written and published detective novels, a western, three fantasy novels and four works of Christian fiction.

Links





Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/18/12
a Rafflecopter giveaway Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.





First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch Tour Schedule:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/first-time-blog-tour.html


First Time Tour Schedule:
November 27th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - Tour Kick Off

November 28th
Book Blast - $50 Giveaway
Book Cover Justice, Bookhounds, Kaisy Daisy's Corner, Literary Winner, Scribler's Sojourn, My Guilty Obsession, The Mod Podge Bookshelf, Minding Spot, My Photopage, My Charmed Mom, A Date with Books, Celticlady's Reviews, Froze 8's Blog, Live to Read ~Krystal, The Lucky Ladybug, Every Free Chance, Kelly's Lucky You, and many more!

November 29th
Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews - Tens List
Pandora Poikilos: Peace from Pieces - Interview
icefairy's Treasure Chest - Excerpt
Literary Time Out - Review

November 30th
A Casual Reader's Blog - Excerpt
A Dream Within a Dream - Tens List
My Reading Room - Guest Post
Hardcover Feedback - Tens List

December 1st
My Devotional Thoughts - Review & Tens List
Sweeping Me - Guest Post
Sony The Book Lover - Guest Post

December 2nd
Shakira's Book Blog 'n' Stuff - Review & Interview
Promiscuous Diva - Tens List

December 3rd
Cuzinlogic - Interview
LovLivLife Reviews - Guest Post
Fly High - Guest Post
The Write Game - Excerpt

December 4th
MK McClintock - Interview
Wanted Readers - Excerpt
Vampandstuff - Excerpt

December 5th
Fantasy Book Addict - Interview
Books, Books the Magical Fruit - Excerpt
Tamara's One Stop Indie Shop - Character Interview

December 6th
4 the LOVE of BOOKS - Excerpt
Too Clever - Excerpt

December 7th
Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks - Guest Post

December 8th
Mommy Adventures with Ravina - Spotlight
Oh the Books You'll Read - Review
Deborah's Books - Excerpt

December 9th
The Book Diva's Reads - Guest Post
GoingCrazy!! WannaGo??!! - Tens List
Under the Hat - Excerpt
Vonnie's Reading Corner - Excerpt

December 10th
Susan Heim on Writing - Excerpt
Debbie's Inkspection - Review
Brooke Blogs - Excerpt

December 11th
Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf - Review
Bonnie Gets a Say - Interview
Not Just a One Night Stand - Tens List
Book Readers - Excerpt

December 12th
Earth's Book Nook - Excerpt
The Bibliotaphe Closet - Excerpt

December 13th
Day by Day in Our World - Review & Guest Post
Loves 2 Read - Excerpt
Author Cindy C. Bennett - Tens List & Excerpt
Mommy Reads Too Much - Excerpt

December 14th
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch - Excerpt
Taking Time for Mommy - Excerpt

December 15th
Why Not? Because I Said So - Review

Friday, December 14, 2012

Review and Giveaway for Open Adoption, Open Heart by Russell Elkins

Tour Schedule



 Product Details:
  • Title: Open Adoption, Open Heart:An Adoptive Fathers Inspiring Journey
  • Author: Russell Elkins
  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Aloha Publishing (May 21, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 161206034X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1612060347






Book Description:Open Adoption, Open Heart

The world of adoption has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. No longer do biological parents have to say goodbye to their child forever. They now have more options when deciding the type of adoption to pursue, such as open adoption. Open adoption creates the opportunity for a special relationship between biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the child.

 Open Adoption, Open Heart is an inspiring and true story, which takes the reader deeper into the feelings and emotions experienced by adoptive parents. As you read this incredible story, you will experience the joys, difficulties, and amazing victories facing adoptive couples. Russell and his wife, Jammie, invite you to share in their inspiring and heartwarming journey.


My Review:
This book took me down memory lane. I went through much of the same process as the author when we adopted our first child. Our adoption was open to a certain extent, but not quite as open as the author's experience. We also had fewer problems with the birth parents. But we did experience many of the same emotions that you go through as you wait for that long-awaited child. I agree with the author when he told of how people think adopting is the "easy" way to get children. Having had the opportunity to be blessed with children through adoption and giving birth, I have to say that they were both hard in their own ways.

Russell tells a wonderful story of how they persevered to finally be blessed with a child. As a reader you get very involved in their story and anxiously await to see how things will turn out. Even though this is a non-fiction story about real people, it reads like a novel where you are glued to the pages. Any reader will love reading about Russell and his wife's journey to become parents. Those considering adoption or those who have adopted will also truly enjoy and benefit from reading Open Adoption, Open Heart.


Purchase


Book Trailer:




From the Author: While my book's primary audience was thought to be those hoping to adopt, close to half of the books I've sold are simply people who want to read about our story and how adoption is different now than it used to be- and they have not adopted nor do they plan to adopt.



About the Author:

Russell Elkins was born on Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1977. Along with his five siblings, he and his military family moved around a lot, living in eight different houses by the time he left for college at age 17. Although his family movedaway from Fallon, Nevada, just a few months after he moved out, he still considers that little oasis in the desert to be his childhood hometown. He and his family now live in the Boise, Idaho area.

Russell has always been a family man at heart, looking forward to the day when he could be a husband and a father. It took him a little while, but eventually his eyes locked onto a beautiful blonde, and he has never looked away. Russell and Jammie were married in 2004. Years of struggling with infertility left Russell and Jammie with a decision to make and their lives changed dramatically when they decided to adopt.

Russell and Jammie have adopted two beautiful children, Ira and Hazel, and have embraced their role as parents through open adoption. Both are actively engaged in the adoption community by communicating through social media, taking part in discussion panels, and writing songs about adoption. Russell also writes a weekly post for Adoption.com and contributes regularly to Adoption Voices Magazine.


Links



Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash from Author Russell Elkins
Ends 12/23/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Blog Tour Schedule: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/open-heart-open-adoption-blog-tour.html

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Review and Giveaway of: The Unfortunate Tale of Little Mary Jenkins A Short Story by F.W. Adams


http://cache.smashwire.com/bookCovers/f5b77df23c7d9776da4c17d5273d329cf722e743 
By F.W. Adams
Published: Sep. 28, 2012
Words: 8351 (approximate)
Language: American English
ISBN: 9781301613687
(You can purchase at here at Smashwords

Book Trailer

Story Description:

 Sam Lemanski and his three best friends find themselves in the middle of a hot, boring, summer. To break the boredom, they escape into the dark desert behind Sam’s humble double-wide trailer one night with a cooler of sodas to hang out around a bonfire in a secluded clearing.

Surrounded by darkness and the strange night sounds of the desert, Sam tells the tragic story of little Mary Jenkins, a haunted house and an innocent game of hide-and-seek—gone terribly, terribly wrong.

What happens when a not-so-friendly neighborhood rivalry ends in tragedy? Do you dare read it in the dark? Hide and Seek will never be the same!

My Review:
 When was the last time you were really scared by a ghost story? Well for me it was when I read this short story,  The Unfortunate Tale of Little Mary Jenkins. The first part of the story is just about some friends on their way to build a bonfire and hang out. As they sit around the fire, pitch darkness all around them, low flames burning, Sam decides to spook his friends a little. This is when he shares the story of a little girl named Mary Jenkins and what happened to her during a "harmless" game of Hide-and-Go-Seek. F.W.Adams does a great job of building the suspense, for the teens listening to Sam's story, and the reader following along. This would be a great story to read outdoors at night to unsuspecting friends and then wait to see then squirm and jump! 

The other interesting thing is that Sam and his friends are the characters that can be found in the full novel, yet to be released. Here is the information...

Title (working): Storm Drain Chronicles
Synopsis: Sam Lemanksi and his three best friends inadvertently stumble across a danger that has the potential to destroy them, their small community and perhaps the world as we know it.  As they fight against this danger, they must outwit a pesky and nosy neighbor and Sam must face personal demons along the way.

Availability: Completion and release dates TBD

This book sounds great and by reading The Unfortunate Tale of Little Mary Jenkins:A Short Story you get a nice introduction to these characters and their personalities. There are goods things to look forward to from what I read in this short story. I truly love F. W. Adam's writing style. I have a feeling that you will too!

Guess what? You have a chance to win one of the 5 e-copies that the author has generously offered to readers of my blog! This is SO exciting!! You know how to enter...go to the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway




PURCHASE:
Now available at www.smashwords.com,( Download now: Click here to purchase now)
The Apple Store and other fine purveyors of electronic books. 


About the Author:
 F. W. Adams: husband, father, mountain biker, road biker, snowboarder and abecedarian author.  When not working to pay the bills or playing with his family, he can be found in random places, scribbling ideas and thoughts on scraps of paper that eventually find themselves into the stories he writes--some of which make it past his very capable and often brutally honest editorial staff.

A few related links that might interest you:
1. Book trailer: http://youtu.be/Ba5nybVBhTQ
3. Amazon link: http://amzn.com/B009LMAIIW

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Book Blast and $50 GIveaway for The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman

The Jelly Bean Crisis Book Blast - December 12th



The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman


A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.

When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.

Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love.

The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.





*** Praise for The Jelly Bean Crisis***

"The Jelly Bean Crisis is a heart warming and thought provoking story, especially if you're in the process of figuring out your life!"  - Ajoop On Books!

"This book had me riveted. Completely riveted the entire time. The Jelly Bean Crisis was instant love for me."  - Book Briefs.

"It's a beautifully told story that you'll be thinking about long after you finish reading."  - A Pocket Full of Books.

If you're looking for a smart contemporary YA read, then The Jelly Bean Crisis is for you!


Purchase



***Book Blast Special***
Get your Kindle copy of The Jelly Bean Crisis for 99 cents!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Jelly-Bean-Crisis-ebook/dp/B008PODAAK





Author Jolene Stockman

Jolene Stockman is an award winning writer, speaker, and an expert for Girlfriend Magazine Australia. She is a Master of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and one of the youngest in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Jolene lives in New Zealand, and is the author of Total Blueprint for World Domination. The Jelly Bean Crisis is her debut fiction.









a Rafflecopter giveaway $100 Book Blast Giveaway
Ends 12/21/12
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