Sep 30, 2015

Played for a Fool w/ $25 Amazon + Book Giveaway

0 comments
A review copy was provided

PLAYED FOR A FOOL
by Stephanie Black

Three years ago, the small town of Britteridge was rocked by the senseless murder of Gail Ludlum.

Now the people most affected by the tragedy have returned to the place where it all began, and the scene is set for the perfect revenge . . . 

Megan O’Connor’s life was shattered when she was unwittingly drawn into a kidnapping plot that ultimately led to the murder of an innocent woman. 

Though the road to redemption has been long, she’s finally found happiness with her recent engagement to a wonderful man, a pillar of the community. 

But amid the chaos of wedding planning, the return of Gail Ludlum’s son to Britteridge sets in motion a disturbing sequence of events.

Soon Megan finds herself the victim of a series of cruel deceptions that indicate one thing: her past mistakes have not been forgiven or forgotten. 

As the mischief escalates to dangerous levels, it becomes clear that someone is determined to avenge Gail’s death. 

And they won’t rest until they’ve taken a life for a life.

My Review
What a GREAT BOOK!
Intense suspense and twists in the plot keep you glued to the pages until the very end! SO. LOVED. IT!

I cannot believe how quickly all that Megan has worked for comes unraveled...fun to read about...wouldn't ever want it to happen to me.

I love the title--such a perfect fit for the story!

I had a chance to work with Stephanie a few months back--she is a super nice person and a FANTASTIC author!

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!
You will be absolutely mesmerized by it!

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY
(Covenant Communications will notify winner by email)
About the Author
A couple of decades ago, I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in history and secondary education, but I am the most pitiful history major on the planet: I’ve forgotten nearly everything I learned. No, that isn’t an exaggeration. Go on, ask me what the Teapot Dome Scandal was about. I don’t know. See?

I never did end up teaching high school (or I’d be better at remembering history). One month after I graduated, I gave birth to my first daughter and entered into full-time motherhood and part-time writing-hood. I’ve been married to my husband, Brian, for twenty-six years and we are the parents of three daughters and two sons. Recently, we added a son-in-law to the clan; he fits right in and doesn’t seem disconcerted by our quirkiness. We also added a cat a few years ago, but the son-in-law is easier to get along with, since he doesn’t scratch at the door at four a.m.

I’ve enjoyed making up stories since I was a child, when my sisters and I would play long, strange Barbie games or write and direct plays for ourselves and younger siblings. I took a creative writing class in high school, but my stories stunk, since I hadn’t yet figured out that a story needs a plot. I finally got a fun idea, and an encouraging comment from the teacher got me rolling (thank you, Mrs. Owen!). I wanted to write a novel! After a few years of writing random scenes, I decided to try writing the novel start to finish, but that led to a failed, unfinished manuscript and the realization that there was a lot more to writing fiction than I’d ever understood. I began reading fiction technique books (my first was The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them by Jack Bickham. Love that book!) I started over with my novel project. After many years of reading technique books, writing, rewriting, more rewriting, submitting, and then—when I thought I was finished—major rewriting, my first novel, a futuristic thriller called The Believer, was published by Covenant Communications in January 2005. I turned to writing contemporary suspense, andFool Me Twice was released in 2008, followed by Methods of Madness (2009), Cold as Ice (2010), Rearview Mirror (2011), and Shadowed (2012). In 2013, a long-awaited dream came true for me with the publication of The Witnesses, the sequel to my first book, The Believer. In 2014, Traci Hunter Abramson, Gregg Luke, and I each contributed a novella to the suspense compilation Twisted Fate. In September of 2015, my eighth novel, Played for a Fool, will hit bookstores.

Four of my mysteries are Whitney Award winners for Best Mystery/Suspense, and The Witnesses was a Whitney Award Finalist for Best Speculative Novel.



Tour Schedule
*Sept. 28th: 

*Sept. 29th: 

*Sept. 30th: 

*Oct. 1st: 

*Oct. 2nd: 

Sep 29, 2015

Westly: A Spider's Tale w/ $25 Amazon or PayPal Giveaway

0 comments
A review copy was provided

WESTLY: A SPIDER'S TALE
by Bryan Beus

This is tale of a caterpillar named Westly who is destined to be a Monarch butterfly and the next king of the butterfly kingdom.

But sometimes things don’t turn out the way we plan. 

When Westly emerges from his cocoon he is nothing like he expected. 

As a spider he must rediscover who he is. Adopted by the “dirt eaters,” Westly is determined to make a difference. 

He is determined to belong, to be loved, and most importantly, to become who he was born to be.

Excerpt Pages
My Review
What an AMAZING book!
I loved it!

Fun story line as a caterpillar emerges from his cocoon as a spider-- such a GOOD MESSAGE of "life does not always turn out as planned."

Fantastic scenes as Westly flounders while trying so hard just to fit in--

And when he so desperately needs a friend one shows up-- but is he really a friend? And how can Westly tell? And who ends up being his true friends?

So MANY GREAT LESSONS!

Plus it is simply just an AWESOME READ!

Adorable pictures adorn the book making it a PERFECT get-away read for the whole family!


BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY
$25 Amazon Gift Code or PayPal Cash
Ends 10/15

Giveaway was organized by Kathy from iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author
Bryan Beus – which rhymes with Zeus – is the winner of the Kirchoff/Wohlberg Award from The New York Society of Illustrators. He works full time as an illustrator for magazines, book covers, film and game conceptual art, and more. When not writing and drawing, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Amanda, mindful meditation, drinking root beer floats, and eating far too many Sour Patch Watermelons. Westly is his debut novel.

Sep 28, 2015

Dust Fairy Tales: Absolutely Aggie

2 comments
A review copy was provided

DUST FAIRY TALES:
ABSOLUTELY AGGIE
by Michelle R. Eastman
illustrated by Kevin Richter

Fairies, music, and dust! Oh my!

Aggie is a little Dust Fairy with a big problem. She wants to join the fairy band, but they do not approve of her offbeat style.

Aggie is determined to impress them, but that turns out to be harder than she imagined. 

Just when she thinks she will never find a way to fit in, Aggie discovers it might be more fun to stand out. 

Lively, rhyming stanzas and vibrant illustrations come together in this magical tale. 

It is sure to delight boys and girls alike while imparting a positive message about embracing one's individuality.

My Review
You gotta see this book!
Absolutely adorable!

You will wonder and giggle and maybe even feel a tug at your heart--

And then you will clap and smile and give a little cheer as Aggie finds her confidence in who she is!

A fantastic read with some very creative rhymes and pictures!

Perfect story for all ages!
I am SO LOVING this author!

Excerpt Pages





BOOK GIVEAWAY
Michelle is giving away 2 copies of her book
on GoodReads -- Click HERE to enter
Offer ends 10/5/15

About the Author
Michelle began her career as an elementary teacher in the West Des Moines School District. At Iowa Public Television, she wrote educational content for teachers and students. Her work with children, and passion for picture books, inspired her to found the literacy initiative, Picture Book Pass it On. When she's not chasing dust bunnies, or her two cats, she likes to cuddle up with a good book and her son. Michelle lives with her husband and son, in Waukee, Iowa.

Michelle Eastman is the author of 'Dust Fairy Tales: Absolutely Aggie' as well as 'The Legend of Dust Bunnies, a Fairy's Tale'. Michelle's books take a lighthearted approach to the compelling desire kids have to fit-in. The stories validate the need we feel for acceptance, while imparting a gentle take-away message of the joy that can come from embracing one's individuality. The lively, rhyming stanzas and vivid illustrations appeal to boys and girls alike.

About the Illustrator
Kevin Richter has always drawn, doodled, painted and scribbled. He loves it so much that he makes a living doing it. He lives wit his wife and their two sons in the beautiful English town of Toyal Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Visit Kev at www.kevtoon.com

Sep 26, 2015

In Spite of the Odds

0 comments
A review copy was provided

IN SPITE OF THE ODDS
by Richie Contartesi

Ever wonder what it takes to earn a full D1 football scholarship as a walk-on?

Standing a stellar 5’7″ and weighing in at a magnificent 150 pounds you wouldn’t think Richie would be much of a football player. Instead, he looks more like a chess player.

Richie Contartesi is a small town kid who dreamt his entire life of playing big time college football in the SEC. He had the heart, passion, tenacity, and love for the game but there was a nagging problem that haunted him from youth football through college, his size. Standing at 5’7 150 pounds, he was never the biggest, fastest, talented, or strongest wide-receiver on the team.

Richie’s journey chronicles the trials and tribulation of a boy with a dream and the realities of Division I college football at Ole Miss. An inspirational story of hope, determination, and success that will fuel your inner desire to be the best you can be and defy the naysayers and odds to reach your dreams.

What happens next shocks the world and will most definitely shock you too. "It is like watching the movie Rudy, but with a machine gun"-- Pat Canuso.

My Review
Filled with determination and hard work Richie has made his dreams come true and he tells his story in a very compelling, even captivating, way.

I am impressed with all the accomplishments he has made just by putting his mind to it and his back into it :)

In one part he tells of how "the stars needed to align" in order for him to get what he wants--

And while it is true that it looked almost impossible-- he made it happen.

I also loved that when he had set-backs he didn't let it get him down-- he learned from it and moved forward with even more determination.

He jokes about his height and weight-- but when facing a coach those things really do matter--

And in "spite of the odds" Richie proved to them all that he had what it takes :)

A FANTASTIC book!
Richie's story is very motivational!
A PERFECT read for anyone!
Do not miss out on this one!

About the Author
Despite the odds and the naysayers, Richie walked on at Ole Miss and eventually received a football scholarship, started every game his senior year and earned the scholar athlete award twice. His inspirational book, "In Spite of the Odds" tells the triumph and determination.

After football and as a graduate of Ole Miss, Richie found himself sleeping on couches when he decided to start a business with only $700 in his bank account. That business has became successful and Richie now has a full-time staff managing operations. Born on December 10, 1987 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Richie is the only boy and has four sisters. He knew his athletic ability and resilience for success at a very young age by taking on the challenge of riding a 2 wheel bicycle at 3 years old and winning. His football career started when he was 10 years old and right away he found his passion. Richie was determined to play college football and from hard work in high school he had earned awards and accolades such as: Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, and Team Captain among others.
Currently, Richie speaks to Kids and Adults. He has realized through all of this that no matter how much he enjoys defying the odds, his true passion is in helping others defy theirs. As a youth motivational speaker, he helps teens and adults understand that their dreams are closer than they appear. Through all the noise and out of reach possibilities, speaking is truly his favorite way of communicating his passion.

In his spare time when Richie isn't challenging himself with CrossFit, he spends time with family, friends, golfing, writing, playing/watching football, learning, reading, and running.



You will find Richie a great source of motivation and inspiration for your next school assembly or youth conference. Richie is available for school assemblies in middle school, high school, leadership students, and talking to Parents and Community programs about helping their teen athletes reach the top of their sports and how to go about scholarships.

Sep 25, 2015

The Ring of Remaliha

2 comments
A review copy was provided

THE RING OF REMALIHA
by Melanie Mason

When Egyptologist April Tanner is asked to translate the hieroglyphs on an ancient ring, she is unwittingly drawn into a world of danger and intrigue. Her colleague, Dr. Peter Scherril, believes the glyphs will lead to a treasure hidden nearly two thousand years ago by an Egyptian named Remaliha. The problem is the glyphs don’t make sense.

A week after Peter is killed in a suspicious car crash, the ring shows up in April’s mail. She vows to decipher the artifact’s code and figure out why someone wanted Peter dead. Her inquisitions put her in the path of dashing archaeologist Nathan Hayes and his mysterious friend James Reddingham. Nathan invites April to join his expedition near Luxor.

Once she arrives in Egypt, April aggressively pursues her investigation of the ring. But soon she suspects the motives of both Nathan and James and finds herself dodging thieves and assassins at every turn.

In the end, uncovering the secrets of the ring could lead to Remaliha’s treasure . . . or April’s own tomb.

My Review
I so LOVED this story!

Archaeological digs, ancient ring, hidden clues, unsolved codes, treasure, conspiracy, travel, secrets...It's all here!

Strong female character and an exotic location make this a very fun read!

Your heart will pound as you watch April get in and out of trouble, trust and then get betrayed, and ultimately solve the mystery--

GREAT! GREAT! STORY!
LOVE THIS AUTHOR!
Grab a copy of this one for the upcoming weekend!

About the Author
Melanie Mason is an author, designer, photographer, and flight attendant all rolled into one. She graduated from Utah State University with a degree in communications. She has published several articles and stories that are featured on HubPages.com.

Melanie has told stories all her life and finds her passion in sharing the plots that spin through her head. she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her two dachshund-chihuahua dogs. She loves the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that feeds her imagination.

Melanie loves to belt Broadway songs in her living room and car when no one is listening. Someday she hopes to be on a flight where someone is reading her book.

Sep 24, 2015

Jamberry Nail Wraps

6 comments
Have you heard of Jamberry Nail Wraps

Jamberry nail wraps are new to me...but I have fallen totally in love with them!

I used to paint my nails regularly when I was a teen and even kept it up as a young mother...

But then I had some health issues and stopped wearing makeup and stopped painting my nails.

And then it just became easier to not do it.

I now work at a job where I use my hands a lot and was often embarrassed by their appearance...

I was also always envious of my coworkers and customers who had really cute nails.

Well, I am no longer embarrassed-- and I am no longer envious--

In fact since using Jamberry I now look at my nails often and I smile :)

WHAT ARE JAMBERRY NAIL WRAPS?
Jamberry nail wraps are basically heat activated super cute stickers-- You heat them up and rub them on-- it is that easy!
Click HERE to view application instructions.

DO YOU WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY?

I am giving away TWO half sheets of nail wraps-- your choice--
Each half sheets has enough wraps for 1 manicure and 1 pedicure and you get 2 designs-- 

Go to https://verycutenails.jamberry.com/shop
and see all the fun designs then enter the giveaway

If you fall in love with them like I did and can't wait for the contest to end they ALWAYS offer a Buy 3 Get 1 FREE deal--
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are some of my favorite wraps

Heidi's Favorites

NaDell's Favorites

Probert Familie's Favorites



Heart's Journey w/ $25 Amazon + Book Giveaway

2 comments
A review copy was provided

HEART'S JOURNEY
by Kristen McKendry

Adventure is in her blood, so when wealthy eighteen-year-old Rachel Hamilton’s treasure hunting father disappears in the wilderness of British Columbia, she considers only one course of action: she will embark on a quest to find him.

But for a well bred woman with little understanding of the world beyond her upper class existence, the harsh realities of the trail quickly become apparent. 

Woefully unprepared for the hardships of crossing a wild and unsettled continent, Rachel is hungry, lost, and distraught when handsome frontiersman Peter finds her in the middle of nowhere. 

Taking pity on the downtrodden young woman, Peter promises to escort her to the safety of civilization. 

Little does he realize he’s taking on a naïve and foolishly brave girl who will test the limits of his patience. 

But he also discovers the same naïve girl will blossom into a strong, competent, and captivating woman as they undertake an epic journey that will forever alter both their lives.

My Review
What a truly delightful book!
I absolutely loved it!

Subtle humor mixed in with strong emotions and a determination that will not quit.

I was increasingly intrigued with the adventure of travel across the country. We so take for granted our ability to hop in a car or jump on a plane to travel that far.

And to do it under the open skies, with little food and water, and I cannot even imaging the time that Rachel was lost and alone for a few days...so incredibly written...such wonderful description!

I loved the developing relationship between Peter and Rachel and wait until you read about Shorty--he stole my heart.

What would you do and how far would you travel to find a loved one?

An incredibly fantastic story!
I highly recommend this one!
So well written!
Love this author!

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY
(Covenant Communications will notify winner by email)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author
Kristen Garner McKendry began writing in her teens and her work has been published in Canada and the U.S. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Linguistics from Brigham Young University and has always been a voracious reader.

Kristen has a strong interest in urban agriculture, sustainable living, environmental issues, and the local foods movement. She incorporates these themes in her writing, and she also lets her Mormon background flavour her work to make her culture more accessible to mainstream readers. She enjoys playing the bagpipes and banjo, learning obscure languages, growing wheat in the backyard, and making cheese. Raised in Utah, she now resides with her family in Canada. She's also the proud grandmother of the world's cutest kids, Rowyn and Eòghann.

Kristen won the 2012 Mississauga Arts Council MARTY Award for Established Literary Arts, and her book Garden Plotwas nominated for the 2011 Whitney Award for excellence in LDS fiction.


For more information about Kristen and her books, check out her website at www.kristenmckendry.webs.com, where you will also find a ling to her blog, My Daily Slog Blog.



Tour Schedule
*21st:

*22nd: 

*23rd: 

*24th: 

*25th: 

Sep 23, 2015

Hold On: Tribute Music of Michael McLean

0 comments


HOLD ON: 
TRIBUTE MUSIC OF MICHAEL MCLEAN

Eric Robertson, a popular producer in Provo, has brought together an impressive list of talented vocalists to sing on new, fresh productions of classic Michael McLean songs. 

The vocalists include some of the top names from the burgeoning Provo music scene, including Elaine Bradley, from Neon Trees, and Ryan Innes, one of the top contestants on NBC's The Voice. 

Eric grew up listening to Michael McLean songs and still feels a strong connection to them. This album is an effort to pay tribute to those songs and produce them in a way that will speak to a younger generation of LDS youth.

Track List
- Hold On, the Light Will Come feat. Scott Shepard
- Give a Little Bit of Yourself feat. Catherine Leavy
- You're Not Alone feat. Andrew Langdon
- Gentle feat. Drew Danburry
- I Can't Do Everything feat. Brooke White of American Idol
- Homeless feat. Ryan Innes of The Voice
- You've Always Been There for Me feat. Elaine Bradley of Neon Trees
- Share the Joy feat. Severin Bozung
- Be the Joy feat. Eric Robertson
- Promise of Light feat. Adam and Darcie Sanders

**Hear sample songs HERE -- Individual tracks available on iTunes.

My Review
When I saw this CD I thought it was just another Michael McLean CD--OH NO! SO MUCH MORE!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the idea of having today's artist spin their twist on these favorites! 

What a FABULOUS NOTION!

It brings a freshness to the songs we have so loved for so long!

I think this is a FANTASTIC CD and a GREAT TRIBUTE to Michael McLean!

THANK YOU Eric Robertson for your vision :)

Deseret Book is graciously offering a
HOLD ON CD GIVEAWAY
for my followers :)
(USA address only please)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't want to wait for the giveaway?
You can grab a copy here

Sep 22, 2015

Fires of Invention

2 comments
A review copy was provided

FIRES OF INVENTION
by J. Scott Savage

Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical.

But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain.

In Cove, creativity is a crime and invention is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished.

Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they've ever seen before.

They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on and quite possibly their very lives.


STEAMPUNK + CLUES + DRAGONS!

Steampunk refers to a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.



My Review
What a FANTASTIC story!
I LOVE this genre!

Trenton and Kallista are very believable! So fun to go with them as they followed the clues and built the machine--and what a machine it was :)

It was interesting to read about a people who were afraid of technological advances and why...I can so understand--

What a FUN TWIST that really brought them to the inner mountain--so creative on the author's part!

And talk about a system of mines and tunnels and levels--WOW!

Hidden messages, flying machines, dragons, fears, and friendship--

You will so fall in crazy like with this story!
Grab a copy and share it with EVERYONE!

About the Author
J. Scott Savage is the author of the Farworld series, the Case File 13 series, and the Mysteries of Cove series. He grew up in Northern California and now lives in Utah with his wife and four children.

Scott has held too many jobs to count, including: a mall Santa, French chef, CEO of a dot com, plumber, radio station talk show host, and the guy who sits in the little photo developing booth. He has completed one marathon and hopes to complete another when the memories finally fade away. He loves reading, writing, camping, playing games with his family, and especially hearing from and meeting his readers. To e-mail him or schedule a visit, come to his website www.jscottsavage.com

Sep 19, 2015

True Heroes

0 comments

True Heroes: A Treasury of Modern-day Fairy Tales Written by Best-selling Authors


Twenty-one imaginative authors were paired up with twenty-one extraordinary kids.

What makes these kids so special? They all have two things in common: They all have very big hopes and dreams, and they all have battled cancer.

Photographer Jonathan Diaz asked each of these remarkable children, "If you could be anything, what would you be?" Their answers were the inspiration for this one-of-a-kind book.

So turn the page and meet Korbyn the firefighter, Bre the dancer, Braelyn the superhero, William the dragon rider, Tristan the football star, and Rae the princess—and more—

who were all photographed in full costume and digitally inserted into a background showing them as the hero of their own story. 

Then read the original short stories that were based on each child's specific dream.

True Heroes shares the powerful message that children can do hard things. They are dreamers. They are fighters. They are heroes.

All royalties will be donated to the Anything Can Be Project www.AnythingCanBeProject.com.



Contents:

  • Lilly: Lilly, Warrior Princess by Shannon Hale
  • Korbyn: A Firemand Always Helps by Tyler Whitesides
  • Jacob: A Good Day for Victory by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • Cami: Fairy Magic by Sara B. Larson
  • Annika: Annika, Little Fashionista by Kristyn Crown
  • Marley: Marley's Shot by Stephen Reid Andrews
  • Jordan: Jordan in Everywhere by Liesl Shurtliff
  • Sarah: Swimming in the Stars by Ilima Todd
  • Carson: Cowboy Carson by Jess Smart Smiley
  • Caimbre: The Mermaid's Tale by Lehua Parker
  • Sophia: Sophia's Wings by Sharlee Glenn
  • Eli: Eli Rides the Sky by Clint Johnson
  • Rae: The Princess in the MIrror by Linda Gerber
  • Ellie: Ellie the Baker by Adam Glendon Sidwell
  • Tristan: Tristan's Touchdowns by Frank L. Cole
  • Sada: Sada of the High Seas by Bobbie Pyron
  • Braelyn: Braelyn and the Speeding Train by Peggy Eddleman
  • Breann: The Drop-Off by Ally Condie
  • William: William and the Dragon by J. Scott Savage
  • JP: The New Guy by Chad Morris
  • Ethan: Batkid Versus the Bully by Brandon Mull

  • My Review
    This book is AMAZING!

    I LOVE the idea of photographing a child in his dream-come-true picture!

    I also absolutely LOVED reading the bio of each child!

    And to have an author write them into a story of their own-- WOW! So WONDERFUL!

    FUN! FABULOUS! FANTASTIC! Stories! The real and the make-believe!

    This is a book for the WHOLE FAMILY!

    One that you won't be able to put down until the last story is shared!

    PERFECT for bedtime stories!

    I so wish I could just copy the whole book here for you--it is that breathtaking--
    But alas all I can do is share a few sample pages--

    THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS
    REALLY ARE THE TRUE HEROES--

    Excerpt Pages
    You can click on the picture to enlarge it.











    GRAB A COPY and START READING about TRUE HEROES

     

    I Love to Read and Review Books :) Copyright © 2012 Design by Ipietoon Blogger Template