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Thursday, November 29, 2012

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

Tour Schedule

"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:

When I first started reading First Time I couldn't help but think about the Back to the Future movies, even though Garison (the scientist and main character in First Time) is much younger than Doc (and not so crazy).

The book starts out in present day and goes back in time. Between each chapter there are excerpts from a family history book. The jumping around confused me somewhat, although if I'd focused a little more and realized that the family history book was not referring to Garison, I would have saved myself a lot of confusion.

Once I clued in, I enjoyed the story. I really felt for the characters, especially Sarah and Heather. I felt bad for Garison too, although my feelings for him were mixed due to the circumstances that came about from his living in two time periods.

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
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


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


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Book Blast: First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White

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?



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




Tour Schedule





Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/16/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Sam then you can leave the others blank.

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

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Review: After Hello by Lisa Mangum

What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City.

Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find.

When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello.


I have been trying to come up with one word that describes After Hello, a new YA novel by Lisa Mangum. I keep coming back to "sweet" but "magical" is right up there. And both of those words might be sort of misleading without elaboration. Afterall, the story has many ups and downs, so the words are the overall feeling I ended with.

It's no secret that this story covers a day in time; however I couldn't help but wish that Sara would be able to stay in New York and have more time with Sam. But, she has another year of high school, and she needs to work on the relationship with her father, so even though I wanted more, it was a good ending.

Other than a couple of mild swearwords, this is a clean and enjoyable story.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Review: Someone Else's Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts

Jason Vanderholt, Hollywood's hottest actor, falls head over heels for everygirl, Chloe Winters, who hasn't gotten around to watching most of his movies. She becomes the woman every other woman in America is dying to be, but it just isn't her fairytale.

Someone Else's Fairytale made for an excellent afternoon of reading. I loved Chloe's indifference to the attention she receives from Jason Vanderholt, "Hollywood's hottest actor." She has had a very difficult upbringing, and her focus is on doing well with her undergrad classes and getting into grad school. 

There's a bit of a love triangle, but it is resolved fairly early on, so readers can enjoy a regular romance (well, as regular as a romance can be when it involves a celebrity).

I also really enjoyed the bit of mystery to Chloe's past, and the suspense that comes about when her past comes back to haunt her.

This was very entertaining and a clean read. It is available in paperback or as an eBook. Enjoy this sample:


I'm looking forward to reading more of E.M. Tippetts' books, especially Nobody's Damsel, the sequel to Someone Else's Fairytale which will be released January 5, 2013. Preorder here.

*I received a copy of Someone Else's Fairytale in exchange for a review.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Book Blast: Imperfectly Beautiful by Diony George

Imperfectly Beautiful by Diony George

At 1:30 am, in New York City, Regan Wright is ripped out of a sound sleep with a jolt - her heart thuds in her ears and her face feels flushed. Straining to hear anything out of the ordinary, she fumbles to turn on the bedside lamp. Nothing seems out of place. Suddenly her stomach twists in knots - it's her identical twin, Rebecca. Something is terribly wrong...

Though twins, Rebecca and Regan couldn't be more different.

Independent and outspoken, Regan chose a high-profile career as a fashion designer in New York City. Despite her hard-earned success, Regan’s become disillusioned by the glamour and the glitz. She’s tired of coming home to a lonely penthouse apartment welcomed only by her cat and has all but given up on ever finding “Mr. Right.”

Steady and reliable, Rebecca chose to be a wife and stay-at-home mom. From the very first moment she met James Conrad—tall and muscular with eyes as blue as a cloudless sky—she was captivated. Married and four children later, Rebecca’s life is not what she expected. Her marriage has lost its shine and her sweet babies have become challenging and often unappreciative children.

Both Rebecca and Regan must discover, a higher power has the answers to what matters most, but when a serial killer strikes nearby, and his victims look eerily similar to the twins, will it be too late?


Praise for Imperfectly Beautiful

“5 Stars! Great Novel-Romance with Suspense. Captures your attention from the very beginning...then difficult to put down...A good solid read!”
-Booklover, amazon review

“This was a great book. I could relate to Rebecca and the trials she was going through with her marriage and her children. I feel this way at times too. I liked the suspense and it was enough to keep my hooked…” 
-K. Neilson, Utah

“I enjoyed the development of the characters. Lots of dialogue took me right into the everyday lives and struggles of each person. The underlying story of the unsolved murders of women who look like the twin sisters simmers through out the chapters until it finally boils over into an exciting ending! I recommend it!”
-J.T. Bolla, Washington

Purchase



Author Diony George


Diony George is a wife, full-time mom of seven, grandmother of two, and a published author of uplifting women’s fiction and inspiring nonfiction. She is also a regular contributing writer for Deseret Connect and FamilyHow. Originally from Alaska, she currently lives in Salt Lake City with her family. Besides writing she loves to read, especially romantic suspense, bake, sew and craft.

Her current fiction WIP, Inside the Heart, is based around the kidnapping and disappearance of four-year-old Emma and is slated for release in Feb 2013. Her next nonfiction book, Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away will be released by Cedar Fort, Inc in July 2013.

Links


Book Blast Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 11/29/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it for the first person you follow and leave the others blank.

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

Monday, November 19, 2012

Review: Athena by Heather B. Moore

Athena is a self-proclaimed bachelorette—it’s better that way—no one gets hurt. But when tragedy strikes, Athena realizes friendship and love is the only way she can pull through, and she must, for the first time in her life, risk opening her heart.

Athena is the fourth book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series, and it was my favorite. I didn't relate to Athena as much as Paige (the main character of the last book), but I could relate enough that it was a good escape. I really enjoyed the way her story was written-her realistic life had plenty of downs, but I think what I liked most about it was that it wasn't a downer.

The importance of the friendships gained through the book club was more subtle in Athena than in the other books in the series, but I liked that. Sometimes it's those little kind thoughts and deeds from friends that really help us pull through the tough times in our lives.

The romance in Athena was great. The relationship comes on fairly quickly due to some tragic events, but over the novel it is proven to be solid.

You can read more about the Newport Ladies Book Club Series here, and Athena can be purchased on Amazon, Deseret Book, and Seagull Book.

*I received a copy of Athena in exchange for a review.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: All Fall Down by Julie Coulter Bellon

Welcome to the All Fall Down Blog Tour, hosted by Lexie at The Book Bug. Make sure to visit the other tour stops for more reviews and author interviews! And don't miss the awesome giveaway in this post.


About the Book:


Author: Julie Coulter Bellon
Release Date: September 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down . . .

That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire Michaels’ current hostage situation into an international incident. Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis escalates she realizes she’s dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has the means to become another bin Laden---with the potential to attack America. Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive and possibly stop an assault on U.S. national security?

Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his tour in Afghanistan and he doesn’t expect to be fighting terrorists on his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

My Review:

All Fall Down drew me in with the first sentence. The hostages, bombs, government secrets, terrorists, and romance made for a great book. I did find my attention waning a little bit near the end, but I can't put my finger on a reason. It may have been external distractions in my life. But, even with that, I really enjoyed this action packed adventure.

Claire and Rafe were a good team. Their occupations are both so exciting. I liked that neither seemed power-hungry. They were in their jobs for noble reasons, and wanted to right the wrongs before them.

I also really liked the length. At just over 200 pages, it wasn't too short or too long. Everything was wrapped up well and I didn't feel slided for not having more, or frustrated that it went on too much. It was just right! It also kept me company while I was waiting in line to vote.

You can read the first chapter of All Fall Down here.

About the Author:

Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of seven international romantic suspense novels. She loves her work partly because she gets to travel to distant lands to research and add an authentic feel to all of her books. Her favorite cities so far are Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She taught journalism at BYU for fourteen years and that kept her on the cutting edge of current events and world news---which is where she gets her story ideas. Julie offers writing and publishing tips as well as her take on life on her blog.




Purchase Links:


Giveaway:

Julie is generously offering 7, yes 7 awesome giveaways for the tour!! That means you have 7 chances at winning! (Pretty good odds, huh?!)

The prizes include:

(2) "Book Lovers'" baskets which include a copy of All Fall Down, a hand tied lap blanket, Julie's favorite hot chocolate mix, and a copy of Janice Sperry's Christmas novella, The Candy Cane Queen

(3) Print copies of All Fall Down

(2) Ebook copies of All Fall Down

To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form.
*Open from November 12 to December 7.
*Must be 13+ years of age to enter
*US mailing addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Review: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Cammie Morgan is back, and it's clear that her life hasn't calmed down since the events of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. At first, giddy anticipation is in the air. Gallagher Academy, Cammie's elite spy school, is hosting a visit from a covert training center for boys. Soon after the boys' arrival, though, everything goes dangerously awry when a series of security breaches are discovered at the academy. Worse yet, teenage agent-in-training Cammie is being blamed for the penetration. With the school's top-secret status at risk, the Gallagher Girls have to work quickly to save their beloved school.

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy is another fun and entertaining novel by Ally Carter! Cammie and her friends make a great team. The new characters made for an exciting story, and any "loose ends" from Cammie's relationship in book one were resolved.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I'm so glad I was introduced to Ally Carter's YA books. They are so entertaining and fun (especially if you're into spy novels with some humor).

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.


I got a kick out of the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. I went to public school, so boarding schools have always fascinated me. Spy life is also something that interests me. Probably because it is so far from anything I'd ever do, but it's fun to think about.

The characters in this story were great, especially Cammie. It was fun following her as she tried to be a normal girl.

I highly recommend this series. There were a couple of mild swearwords, but other than that it was very clean.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Cover Reveal: Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore



Author Heather B. Moore

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of ten novels, two inspirational non-fiction books, and two anthologies, including The Newport Ladies Book Club Series, A Timeless Romance Anthology, and Christ's Gifts to Women (co-authored by Angela Eschler).

Her historical fiction is published under the pen name H.B. Moore. She is the two-time recipient of Best of State in Literary Fiction, two-time Whitney Award Winner, and two-time Golden Quill Winner for Best Novel. Her most recent historical novel under H.B. Moore is Daughters of Jared (2012 LUW Gold Award of Excellence & 2012 LUW Best Book Trailer).

Links:

Author Website:
www.hbmoore.com

Author Blog:
http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com

Timeless Romance Anthologies Blog:
http://timelessromanceanthologies.blogspot.com/

Heather B. Moore Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Heather-B.-Moore/e/B007HLYZ6A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2

H.B. Moore Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/H.-B.-Moore/e/B001K8942Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1351275833&sr=1-2-ent

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/heather.b.moore.3

Facebook “Fans of H.B. Moore” page:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/37783537691/?fref=ts

Twitter:
@heatherbmoore


Book Summary:

Heart of the Ocean
by Heather B. Moore

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost  . . . a handsome stranger  . . .
What more could Eliza Robinson want?
Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza's life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt's death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

Cover Reveal:



Thursday, November 8, 2012

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall

It's Blog Tour time again! Today I'm reviewing Vickie Hall's new novel, Secrets of the Red Box. There is also a Tour Giveaway at the end of this post, and you can learn a lot more about Secrets of the Red Box and Vickie Hall by visiting the other tour stops.

Tour Schedule

Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

The other day my daughter and her friend came inside very excited because a (HUGE) cat faced orb-weaver had taken up residence in our front bushes. I'll admit that its web is a work of art, but I am not one to get excited about spiders (especially any of a size that would make an audible squishing sound when eliminated-which I did not attempt. I did the smart thing and ran back inside).

So, what does a spider and its web have to do with Vickie Hall's new novel, Secrets of the Red Box? The main character, Bonnie, had a very troubled upbringing, and her defense mechanism is to lie. She is a master weaver, if you will. The more I read, the more I disliked the her. Oh, the tangled web she wove, and wove! I was somewhat nervous for her, knowing that she couldn't keep it up. The lying was enough to make me dislike her, but when her secret was finally revealed, I was blown away. How selfish, deceitful and . . . evil.

Thankfully, she eventually has a turning point, and the reader is given brief breaks from the lies when the POV switches to Glen. He's a soldier fighting in WWII Europe. He isn't perfect, but there was a much needed goodness in his chapters. I especially liked how much he cared for his friend and tried so hard to make sure he made it home to his wife.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. It's eye opening to think about soldiers returning home after war and having to move on with their lives after they've seen and done so much. And life at home while so many were serving overseas was also interesting.

The resolution didn't play out how I thought it might, but it was strangely satisfying.

Content: There is some swearing, war violence, and some intimate scenes.

Purchase Link:


Author Vickie Hall

Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.






Praise for Secrets of the Red Box:

"Amazing book! Wow, it caught me from the first paragraph. What detail, mystery and suspense. Loved the main character, Bonnie, so relatable. Vicki is an amazing writer. I wish she would write more books!!!"
~Amazon Review

"Secrets of the Red Box is a great read! Whether you're looking for a book with an intriguing and unusual plot, or a story of how life's choices effect the rest of your life, you will love this book!"
~Amazon Review




Be sure to visit & enter the 

$50 Book Blast



Blog Tour Giveaway

  • $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall + copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US - Paperback, Kindle ebook - International)
  • Paperback copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US only)
  • Kindle Ebook copy of Secrets of the Red Box (International)

Ends 11/25/12

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.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Review: Nourish & Strengthen by Maria Hoagland

Chloe Taylor has the perfect life: a model’s figure, a husband who adores her, three healthy children. So why does she feel so much less than perfect?

After losing forty pounds, Chloe Taylor is finally happy with her body. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s not the one in control. When Chloe is called as the Primary president, she discovers that managing the highs and lows of a chronic illness may be easier than the ups and downs associated with family, friends, and church callings. Consumed by her own challenges, Chloe fails to recognize the issues her friends are facing and is in danger of losing their friendship. As Chloe strives to develop Christ-like love for herself and those around her, she learns that outer appearances are far less important than inner peace and spiritual strength. But is she strong enough to face her most difficult trial yet?

Reading is an escape for me. I am very happy with my life, but that's not to say that there aren't aspects that I like to "get away" from at times. If you are a mother and a homemaker, you might be able to relate to this idea.

Anyway, with that in mind, Nourish & Strengthen was a little too relatable to be an escape for me. If you are looking to relate instead of escape, this might be the book for you. Also, if you are a diabetic, or have a loved one with diabetes, you might appreciate the details that are included about living with it.

The story follows Chole over the course of a year, and the reader sees her ups and downs with her day-to-day life. Chole's outlook for the bulk of the book is focused on the down side (either directly, or her perception of people's intentions). Chloe's thoughts were very realistic, but I was sad for her that she didn't have a more positive outlook.

I appreciated that this is a clean read, and that Chole has a change in attitude at the end. This is a great demonstration about how negativity (both about yourself and those around you) brings you down. It is so important to look for the positive in our daily lives.

*I received this eBook in exchange for a review.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Book Blast: Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall

Secrets of the Red Box
Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Purchase Link:




Author Vickie Hall

Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Links:




Praise for Secrets of the Red Box:

Amazing book! Wow, it caught me from the first paragraph. What detail, mystery and suspense. Loved the main character, Bonnie, so relatable. Vicki is an amazing writer. I wish she would write more books!!!
~Amazon Review

Secrets of the Red Box is a great read! Whether you're looking for a book with an intriguing and unusual plot, or a story of how life's choices effect the rest of your life, you will love this book!
~Amazon Review


Blog Tour:
Be sure to check out the blog tour for the chance to win an additional $25 Gift Card.

Tour Schedule






Book Blast Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall
Ends 11/25/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it for the first person you follow and leave the others blank.


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.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Blog Tour, Review & Author Interview: For All the Saints by Kristen Smith Dayley

I was honored to have Kristen Smith Dayley invite me to join the Blog Tour for her book For All the Saints.


For All the Saints provides an uplifting account of the ways in which the Lord builds his kingdom through ordinary men and women. Set in Boston, Massachusetts and its surrounding areas, the book draws upon the experiences of hundreds of members, ranging from prominent Church leaders to brand new converts. Their collective insights teach powerful lessons about commitment, faith, sacrifice, and leadership that are applicable to us all, no matter our corner of the vineyard.

Drawing upon accounts both humorous and profound, these Saints remind us of the impact one person can have when partnered with the Lord. They also instill a sense of gratitude for the contributions of those who precede us and demonstrate that the Lord’s promises are sure, as we each play a role in a work much larger than our own vantage point might suggest.

The history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New England is fascinating. Many of the stories of service and the attitudes included in For All the Saints could be found anywhere in the world, but it was great to focus on one area and to read about the many ups and downs over the years.

One lesson that stood out to me was the importance of not just accepting a calling, but doing the calling with everything we have in ourselves. Elder Dunn said, "It was never a matter of how we felt about it, it was just a matter of let’s figure out how we’re going to get it done." Such a great attitude!

Several stories brought me to tears. So much has been sacrificed, and there were many great examples of reaching out and being bold in sharing the Gospel.

Reading non-fiction is a slower process for me than reading fiction, so I appreciated the way For All the Saints was written. Filled with many different accounts, you can fill your bucket reading for 10 minutes or several hours.

Author Interview:

*There are many touching stories in For All the Saints. What one story was the most touching to you?

I don’t know that I could pick a single story. I think it’s impossible not to be touched and inspired by the story of George McLaughlin, the milkman from Maine whose inspired focus on missionary work led to the conversion of over 600 people in two years, which led to the formation of the first stake in that state. The remarkable account of Jaime Valarezo, the young, illegal immigrant who stuttered so badly that adults could not understand him, is similarly touching as it shows the profound impact one person can have in building the kingdom when committed to the Lord’s work. But I also love the small accounts that I call “nuggets,” such as the one where the boys from the fledgling Scout troop in inner city Boston begged the missionaries who led their troop to take them camping. The missionaries saw no way they could fulfill this wish for the boys, but when the boys wouldn’t relent, they turned it over to the Lord. The manner in which this request by the boys and the missionaries was answered is touching because it reminds me of the nature of the God I worship. Nothing is too small for his notice because if it is important to his children, it is important to him.

*Why do you think it is important to share the stories of New England Saints?

I don’t know that I think it is more important to share the stories of New England Saints more than any other group of Saints, but I had a unique opportunity to look at this particular region and the individuals and events that impacted the growth of the Church due to the volumes of material Clayton Christensen and others had spent almost 20 years collecting from hundreds of people. We are all familiar with the stories of sacrifice, commitment and miracles that characterize Palmyra, Kirkland, Nauvoo and the trek out to Utah, but this work has not stopped. The stories, insights and testimonies contained in For All the Saints are accounts of modern day discipleship, which remind us how the hand of the Lord is and can be present in our midst and teach important lessons on what it means to serve in the Church today. If this book can inspire others to capture stories about the growth of the Church in their own area so we can learn from those as well, I believe this project will have been a great success.

That being said, I do have a special place in my heart for New England and am always impressed with how many members of the Church have connections to the East Coast. We share a common heritage of founding fathers and mothers of the Restoration, the majority of whom came from New England. And even today, a surprising number of General Authorities have had significant shaping life experiences that they gained in Boston and its surrounding areas. I have my own theories on why that might be, but regardless of whether I am correct, Boston continues to serve as an interesting crossroads in the Church that has a lasting impact on the people who pass through its many wards and branches.

*Who should read For All the Saints?

For All the Saints is definitely written for an LDS audience and assumes a general understanding of our beliefs and doctrines. My intent, however, was not to write a book for a specific portion of that membership. I have lived and served in the Seattle area for the last nine years, throughout the time I was researching and writing this book. With each personal account I read, I found insights and examples that helped me better understand challenges and problems I was facing in my own stake and leadership callings. I found answers to questions in my own life and inspiration to draw closer to the Lord and be of greater service to those around me.

As I state in the preface of the book, although the accounts contained in its pages relate specifically to the Church in New England, “the principles they illustrate and lessons they teach are not unique to any particular geography.” Instead they are “the common lot of latter-day pioneers in all parts of the Lord’s vineyard and the spiritual legacy and promise of all who faithfully seek to follow the Lord’s commands and build up his kingdom. In other words, these chapters are written not just for those members who call or have called New England home – they are written for all the Saints.”

*It sounds like you had a lot of material to work with. How did you determine what would make the cut?

That was the most daunting part of the project. I came to have great empathy with Mormon and his inability to include anything more than the “hundredth part.” There are so many things I couldn’t use and so many stories I had to cut. The finished product is about half the size of the manuscript I started with. My consolation is that most of the oral history transcripts I worked with will soon be available to others at the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library at Brigham Young University – hopefully others will discover them and find ways to tell the many stories that I couldn’t at this time.

*Did any of the history or interviews surprise you?

Yes. The interviews came from a huge cross-section of people, from well-known General Authorities to brand-new converts and hundreds of people in between. Some of the interviews were literally jaw-dropping for me, but let’s just say I don’t have the authority (or consents) to share those reasons. I will say that the topics that raised the most passion among certain interviewees were interesting and I was touched by how the Lord places the right people in the right place at the right time to do his work.

*Do you have any unusual habits while you write?

I don’t know if it is unusual, but I definitely eat too much junk food when I write. Have to have your rewards!

*What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I like to spend time with friends, have family movie nights, travel and read. I fantasize about sitting on the couch for weeks at a time catching up on all the television shows I’ve never had time to watch, but the fact is I’m very bad at sitting on the couch doing nothing, so that’s likely to remain a fantasy for the foreseeable future.

*Your life sounds very busy. If you have time to read, what book are you currently reading? If you are too swamped to read for pleasure right now, what book do you wish you had time to read?

It’s true. I don’t have nearly as much time to read as I would like. I recently read Run by Ann Patchett and loved how she drew and developed the characters for the reader. On my list next is Out of My Mind, which is a young adult book that my fourth grader has fallen in love with and I would like to share with her.

About the Author:

Kristen Smith Dayley lives in Issaquah, Washington, with her husband and children. Although she loves the Pacific Northwest, she insists on regular pilgrimages to New England, where her early childhood was nurtured by Make Way for Ducklings and the Freedom Trail. 

Kristen’s first experience with confession and repentance occurred at the age of five, after she shoved dead leaves and grass through the mail slot of the bishop’s office at Cambridge’s Longfellow Park Chapel. Despite that misdeed, she was allowed to return to New England when she was admitted to Harvard Law School, and she even served as Relief Society President of the Cambridge University Ward (perhaps as penance).

Kristen is a practicing attorney and aspires to develop some hobbies outside of church and family when time allows.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Spotlight and Review: Tweet the Police by Ellis Drake

Rick thought being a sheriff's deputy in the small New Mexico town of Ultima would be a quiet job--but that was before he met Mrs. Pendergast, the local busybody who fancies herself an amateur sleuth.
 

When Mrs. P sees a tweet asking for help on her new smartphone, she's determined to find out if the "tweep" is okay; and it's all Rick and her granddaughter, Sylvie, can do to keep up with her!

Some short stories feel rushed, but even with only 26 pages Tweet the Police was just right. This is an entertaining mystery set in a small town, where the sleuth is a pint-sized granny with a Smartphone. Even though there wasn't a lot of time to develop characters, I really liked Mrs. P. It's hard not to like spunky grandmas.

Tweet the Police is available as an eBook for $0.99 on Amazon.

As far as content goes, there are a few swearwords and a violent crime is discovered.

*I received this eBook in exchange for a review.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Blog Tour & Review: Bonded by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Michelle Davidson Argyle and I went to high school together, and we were able to connect a few years ago through a class reunion website. It has been so exciting to watch her career progress, and today I am happy to be a part of the Blog Tour for her latest book, Bonded.

The Innocent Flower

What happened after Cinderella married her prince? How did the evil sorceress in Sleeping Beauty turn evil in the first place? Discover these stories and a world filled with magic, forbidden love, elves, sprites, dragons, and the most powerful creatures of all— the fairies —in Bonded, a collection of three fairy tale inspired novellas.

CINDERS:
A Cinderella sequel. Money can’t buy love, but magic isn’t a sure bet either. Cinderella, now officially a princess, finds royal life is not what she once dreamed. When a mysterious elf from her past stirs up long-suppressed passion, Cinderella begins to wonder if there really is love beneath the spell that captured her husband’s heart. But undoing magic can be harder than casting the initial spell, and the results are even less predictable.

THIRDS:
A retelling of the Grimm’s fairy tale, One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes. Issina is surrounded by magic, yet none of it belongs to her. Despised and abused by her mother and sisters, she finds comfort when she meets the beautiful elves living in the nearby woods. The elves want to help her discover her own magic, but it’s not the kind of power she hoped for, and she learns there is more to magic than getting what you want.

SCALES:
A Sleeping Beauty prequel. The sun never sets in the realm of the fairies. When the young fairy Serina looks into her sister’s eyes, she sees darkness for the first time. After her mother is murdered, Serina defies fairy law to follow her sister to the human realm. There she discovers the strength of a bond, the weight of a promise, and the darkness in her own heart.


When I think about fairy tales, I think about happy endings with true love conquering all. Bonded takes what you've always thought about fairy tales and gives it a major shakeup. There isn't always a happy ending, and evil is not always conquered. Such a unique twist that really takes you places you never considered.

I was able to read Cinders back in 2010 when Michelle originally self-published it. The story was so different from any Cinderella story I'd ever read. It definitely goes against the happily-ever-after idea ingrained in my brain, but it was captivating. Michelle has a way with words, and I didn't want to put it down. I was very excited for Michelle when she announced that Rhemalda Publishing would be publishing it along with two other fairy tale inspired novellas.

The Grimm's fairy tale One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes isn't one I'm familiar with, but I really like what Michelle did with it. Thirds took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. The way Issina's family treats her is heartbreaking. The mystery involved about her past and her power was intriguing, and the romance was sweet. Thirds has a happy ending (yay!), and left me thinking about the importance of familial relationships.

The first thing I noticed about Scales was its sweet dedication. Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Disney cartoons, but I will admit that I've never thought about why the evil fairy was evil. Serina's story brought about a lot of emotions. I was left torn between wanting more and just sad because there is nothing left of the Serina we came to know. Even though the hope for Serina was gone, she at least set some things in motion that redeemed her (at least in my mind). A very touching story!

Bonded was released on November 1st, and is available to purchase in paperback, hardcover, and as a Kindle edition.


Launch Party:

The official Bonded Launch Party will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 7, 2012, at The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah (1511 South 1500 East). If you are in the area, don't miss this opportunity to meet Michelle and buy a copy of Bonded.

About the Author:

Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She loves the seasons, but late summer and early fall are her favorites. She adores chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in whatever time she can grab between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life.


Giveaway:

Michelle has a great giveaway open through November 9, 2012. Just enter using the Rafflecopter form:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can also enter to win a copy of Bonded on Goodreads, open through December 1, 2012.