Posted in 4 paws, contest, Giveaway, Historical, nonfiction on March 31, 2013

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Synopsis:

Armed with camera and notebook, war was an assignment Croswell Bowen could finally sink his teeth into — until the bombs dropped and the story began.

Croswell Bowen, Betsy Connor Bowen’s father, began writing and taking photographs for Back from Tobruk in 1941 while en route with his unit of American Field Service volunteer ambulance drivers to serve alongside the British Eighth Army in North Africa.

His message took shape not on the front lines of battle but rather in the field dressing stations and hospital ships among the wounded and dying on “war’s reverse supply lines.”

A Catholic pacifist at heart, Bowen found himself united in shared suffering even with his former battlefield enemies. He had seen the sick and wounded from all over the globe treat one another with respect and compassion. “Here, perhaps, lies the hope of the world of tomorrow,” he wrote.

Steaming past the Statue of Liberty back into New York City’s harbor, he felt a new pride in America’s conceptions of freedom and respect for the dignity of man.

“When the great leaders sit down at the peace table,” he wrote of his fellow servicemen, “they might take a lesson from those men.”

But the times were not right for the message between the covers. Bowen talked about peacemaking in a country that was hungry for victory. He advocated world federation when patriotism was at a fever pitch. He had lived and witnessed war’s suffering, but the country did not want to hear about it. Despite the breadth of experience he packed into his memoir, it would go largely unread for some sixty-five years. The times were not right. The rejection letters were unequivocal. No publisher bought the book.

The typescript and his negatives lay for decades in the ancient, moss-roofed Connecticut barn where he put them. I would come upon them from time to time, growing increasingly moldy. Eventually, the barn was sold and the negatives disappeared.

“Growing up,” says daughter Bowen, “my father at times wistfully mentioned his war book.” But fortunately, through the efforts of her sister Lucey, the manuscript had been transferred to the archive Bowen had donated it to, and thirty five years later, she could read through it for the first time and see that it still had something to say. “It’s about the brutality of war, the compassion that springs from shared suffering, and how the vision of world peace through international government might give that suffering meaning.”

But there was more. Croswell Bowen was a writer. He left a copious paper trail. She dove into his reporting, his books, her family papers. What emerged was the shape of a life; its keystone, appreciation for the “common man” whose nobility and resilience he’d seen in those ambulances and field hospitals. Advocating for liberal causes became his mission as a writer. The shape of a biography emerged: Truth Teller, coming out from Potomac in 2013.

Review:

If you had asking me 5-10 years ago to read a non-fiction book I would have looked at you like you had 2 heads!  Non-fiction was not my cup of tea…but as I get older I do like some non-fiction especially if it is written like fiction, where there is a story that flows well.  Back from Tobruk falls into that category.  The recounting of Croswell’s stint as a photographer during WWII helped me see what things were like during that time for the men fighting the war and for those in the countries being attacked.  There are even some of the photos he took during that time in the book.  Photography has come a long way but it is fascinating to see this bit of history.

I give it 4 paws and if you like history, especially tied to war, I think you’ll like this book!

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Praise for Back from Tobruk

“I found Back from Tobruk fascinating. A sensitive young American journalist watching the British at war and play in the Middle East does some of his best reporting when he becomes a stretcher case and is evacuated through various field hospitals, fraternizing with the wounded of both sides. By rescuing her father’s unpublished memoir from undeserved oblivion, writer Betsy Connor Bowen has done us all a favor.”

“As World War II recedes in human memory, we are left largely with statistics, battles, generals, destruction. Back from Tobruk, Croswell Bowen’s memoir of the war in the desert in the summer of 1942—published, at last, more than forty years after his death—tells what the war was like for an American attempting to do his part as ambulance driver and photographer. It is a cultural gem, recording Bowen’s personal awakening to war’s reality at the most human, individual level. Deeply moving.”

Giveaway:

Win the book that the publisher sent to me to review! Open to US residents only and ends April 30th.

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Posted in Cover Reveal, romance on March 28, 2013

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Book Title: Thursday Nights (The Charistown Series, Book #1)

Author: Lisa N. Paul

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Expected Release date: May 13, 2013

Cover Designed By: Okay Creations

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Lisa N. Paul (Author) Facebook | Website | Goodreads

Book Summary:

“Pain can leave even the strongest of people weak and hollow

Max DeLucca has spent seven years trying to forget the betrayal of his past.
He lives his life from day to day never looking forward and never looking back.
The walls around his heart keep anyone from getting too close and prevent him from feeling too much… until he meets her.

Her entire life, Janie Silver searched for the kind of love that wouldn’t leave her broken and more importantly, wouldn’t leave her behind. She longs for a love that can heal the wounds of her past and give her the future she knows she deserves.
She thought she was looking for something that just didn’t exist…until she meets him.

Danny’s on Main is where their story begins.
A neighborhood bar where strangers become friends, friends become family
and some … become lovers

… it all started on Thursday Nights”

Excerpt:

“So, your place or mine?” Janie asked nervously as they left the parking lot. The butterflies in her stomach were starting a revolution as she took in the sexy profile of the man sitting to her left with one hand on the wheel and the other on her thigh. Was she really doing this? Not to mention, doing it with Max DeLucca?

Removing his hand from her leg, Max placed both hands on the steering wheel of his black Ferrari Spider. Janie held in the whimper that threatened to escape from the loss of his touch.

Max pulled over to the side of the road, and she felt the butterflies once again trying to take flight. Why was he stopping? Had he changed his mind?

“Janie,” he said, his voice strong but calm. “Janie, look at me. I need to see your eyes.” She looked into his grassy-green orbs. Callused fingers stroked her jaw, sending shivers through her body. “I won’t hurt you. Your body is safe with me. Do you understand?”

She wasn’t sure she did, but she nodded silently, the innocent, doe-eyed look on her face bringing out his every possessive instinct.  “Words Janie, I need words,” Max demanded.

“I think I understand, Max.” She couldn’t help the breathless tone in her voice. “But what is this about?”

He inhaled, holding the air in his lungs for an extra second before letting it go, his eyes smoldering while his body still held the relaxed pose that had become so familiar to her. She could hear her own heart beating, and she could also hear it stop when the next statement left Max’s lips.

“I intend to fuck you tonight, Janie. I intend to fuck you very well. I am going to make you come in every way imaginable. With my fingers, my tongue, and my cock. I am going to do things to you that you and Lyla have only teased about at Danny’s, things that you have fantasized about, and things that have never even crossed your mind. You will have a say in whether or not we stop, but Janie, you will not have a say on whether it is your place or mine. Got it?”

She stared at Max her mouth formed an O. She was thoroughly and truly speechless. So she nodded again.

“Words, Janie. I need words.”

“Ok,” Her heartbeat started speeding up again as Max’s car did the same.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted in Book Blast, romance on March 28, 2013

AmberLinBlogTour

Synopsis:

Shelly Laurent escapes her life as a high-class escort, but against her better judgment she takes the scared young Ella with her. Framed for murder by her pimp and his dirty cops in retaliation, Shelly turns to the one man who could be her salvation: Detective Luke Cameron. She doesn’t know if she can trust him or if he’s just a mirage, but it’s time for her to take a stand. Just one shot, make it count, she’ll fight Ella’s demons—and face her own.

Shelly throws light on the shadows of Chicago’s underworld, challenging everything she knew and the man she’s come to love. Together, a prostitute and a cop fight for truth stronger than secrets, hope deeper than deception, and a bond more enduring than betrayal.

Excerpt:

“Shh,” I murmured, stroking his back.

“Shelly, goddammit.”

But his protests fell away as I pressed my breasts to his arm and my tongue to his ear. His harsh inhalation sounded broken, shattered, or maybe that was me.

I tasted salt and man, earth and spring. Slow licks alongside his lobe and upward, more suggestive than sensation, but for a man like this, anticipation would be everything. Or so I had imagined, all the times I had dreamed of it.

A small sound escaped him, somewhere between a grunt and groan. I took it as encouragement and smoothed my hands along the hard planes of his shoulders, his chest. Not anywhere near the bulge in his jeans, because this wasn’t about pleasure—it was about wanting.

Anything to get closer, I let my knees slide apart around his side, the faint heat of his body a shock to my core. His hands clenched and opened on his knees, and again, the muscles rippled beneath his darkly tanned skin. Was he restraining himself from touching me or pushing me off?

“Baby, no,” he groaned, letting his head fall back onto my shoulder.

No, I would never deserve to have him as more than a sex partner. And he had never fucked me, though I knew he wanted to. Every time he saw me, his eyes would darken and my stomach would bottom out, but we’d never touch. But maybe for one brief inconvenient moment, while the door was open and the young woman beyond it needed help, we could pretend. Maybe it could be enough.
I shut my eyes tightly and pressed a kiss to his temple. Pretend, just pretend. I would give him the sex he had craved, and in return, he’d give me memories. It would be a payment, just the same.

“You want this,” I whispered.

He shuddered in my arms; it was like hugging a wild animal, one who could just as easily maul me as cuddle.

“Can I touch you?” he whispered. “Please.”

It unraveled me, that plea. As if he understood that a little bit of my soul slipped away every time someone touched me. As if he would cherish the part I gave him.

I scrambled away from him as if burned, breathing hard. No.

No one understood, which was exactly the way I liked it. I ran a shaking hand over my face to smooth away the panic.

Sure, he knew the score better than most people. He had worked the beat as a patrol cop and then as a detective. Life as a high-priced escort wasn’t glamorous; it was sweat and blood sprinkled with glitter. But he didn’t know the full extent, and I prayed he never would. Henri didn’t sell bodies; he gutted them.

I panted against the headboard, unable to walk away but unwilling to beg. Luke remained carved in stone where I’d left him sitting on the edge of the bed. The air pulsed with doubt and longing—with sex.

“I want it to be real between us.” He spoke low and hoarse.

A quiet sound escaped me. Every caress, every pinch. Every slur ever spoken. “It’s always real. That’s the problem, Luke. It’s always too damn real.”

He hung his head, and I thought for a moment I heard him say I know, but the moment slipped away, the sweet intimacy sailed away like clouds on the horizon—never really mine.

 Trailer:

About Amber:

AmberLinAuthorPicAmber Lin writes erotic romance with damaged souls and deep emotion.

Her debut novel Giving It Up (Loose Id, 9781611188431) received The Romance Review’s Top Pick, Night Owl Top Pick, and 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies. RT Book Reviews gave it 4.5 stars, calling it “truly extraordinary.” The sequel is slated for release in early 2013. Her small town romance will be published by Carina Press in Fall 2013. She is represented by Jewelann Cone of the Cascade Literary Agency.

Amber married her high school sweetheart, birthed a kid who’s smarter than she is, and spends her nights writing down her dirty thoughts. In other words, life is good.

 

 

Giveaway:

Amber is giving away a $75 gift card to Amazon, B&N, or All Romance.  Open internationally.

Tour Stops:

  looseID

Posted in 4 paws, Review, romance on March 27, 2013

playingthemaestro

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?

Review:

It was either while I was reading this book or after that I discovered that Aubrie is a Flutist so her perspective for this novel was from first hand knowledge…after all they say to write what you know!  Melody doesn’t seem to have much experience in dating men, or so it seems from this book.  She seems to always choose fellow musicians and it is evident that isn’t what she needs.  Enter the new conductor, tall dark and handsome!  He seems Melody and while attracted to her, she is the spitting image of the fiancee he just broke up with and assumes Melody has the same temperament as his ex.  He’s a man…so of course his thoughts are wrong!  After some stops and starts, they recognize their attraction for each other and start a relationship.  Of course there are others trying to wreck everything which throws monkey wrenches into everything.

I enjoyed the story but thought that Melody didn’t seem very strong as a woman and individual.  It could be tied to her past experiences which I can relate….if you have bad dating experiences it tends to make you not quite as strong in what you bring to the table.  That aside, Melody did start to grow and realize her worth more as the story continued.  It was also interesting to see how Wolf changed as a man as he spent more time with Melody and with the orchestra.  And what is a story without at least one “evil” character?  It added enough tension to bring Wolf and Melody together despite the odds.

I give it 4 paws and the price is reasonable if you want to check it out for your eReader – just $2.99 on Amazon.

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Information:

Title: Playing the Maestro
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 190 pages
Release Date: February 2013
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-872-4
Imprint: Bliss

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Posted in 4 paws, Review, romance, suspense on March 26, 2013

Voodoo_rev_500x750

“By day a frog, by night a man, ‘til de next full moon…”

At first, lawyer and ladies’ man Craig Thibodeaux thought Madame LeBieu’s chant was a strange bayou joke. But the voodoo worked and Craig is spending his days as…well, a small green frog. Now he has only two weeks to find love, or his new froggy transformation becomes permanent.

When she receives the anonymous toxic water sample from Bayou Miste, research scientist Elaine Smith decides a trip to the bayou is the perfect excuse to escape the lab, and forget about her cheating ex-fiancé. Then she accidentally stumbles upon Craig’s oh-so-fine naked form, and her science-nerd brain is overrun with naughty thoughts about her new gorgeous night-time bayou guide.

But there’s more to Bayou Miste than voodoo curses and sexy late-night trysts. Dark secrets threaten the delicate ecosystem, and there are those who would do anything to keep those secrets hidden. Even murder…

Review:

Voodoo on the Bayou was a fun read!  It was the classic story of the frog prince meets the Cajuns!  And as someone who has Cajun relatives, I could image the locations and accents in my head (and those accents are important!).  Craig was in  Bayou Miste to try and get some business accomplished but learns that maybe there is more to life than being a lawyer, or at least a lawyer that has no compassion.  Elaine ends up there based on a water sample that was sent to her and a broken engagement.  Elaine learns some things about herself including that you can have passion in a relationship and that not all men are idiots!  There is just enough mystery to make it interesting and maybe not as predictable as one would think.

I give it 4 paws.

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Information:

Title: Voodoo on the Bayou (Cajun Magic)
Author: Elle James
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Digital
Release Date: February 2013
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-879-3
Imprint: Entangled Suspense

 

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Posted in Cover Reveal on March 26, 2013

The do Over by A.L.Zaun photo THEDOOVERecoverLarge_zpsd67596c7.jpg

Title: The Do Over

Author: A. L. Zaun

Genre: Contemporary Adult

Cover Designer: Wicked by Design

Expected release date: May 20, 2013

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Life doesn’t look like it’s supposed to for Daniela, aka Dani. After a painful break-up with Rick, Dani decides she doesn’t want to deal with the hassles of relationship.

After almost two years, Dani’s friends stage an intervention, forcing her out of her holding pattern and back into the real world of dating.

Liam, a down to earth firefighter, may be just the person to show her she’s still worth something. Their chemistry is instant and electric. But will Dani be able to trust her patched-up heart with him?

And what will happen when Rick decides he’ll go to any lengths to get her back?

 

About the Author
A.L. Zaun photo ALZaun_zps02443741.jpg
A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.

A.L. Zaun| Facebook

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Posted in fiction, paranormal, Young Adult on March 22, 2013

ashadeofvampire

Synopsis:

On the evening of Sofia Claremont’s seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.

A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.

She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? …or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

Review:

Author Bella Forrest contacted me about reading her book, A Shade of Vampire.  I’ve been reading some paranormal books lately and while still not my favorite genre, this book was only 150 pages (or so) and so I thought I would give it a whirl.  So I read it the other day over lunch and enjoyed it quite a bit!  I liked that the book wasn’t heavy on vampire activity and seemed to focus more on the characters and their emotions and the interaction between them.  I felt like this was more a potential love story….however, the book was too short!  I know, I’m saying it was too short!  But there is another book due out in the near future that continues Derek & Sofia’s story.  Sometimes I wondered about Sofia….but when she starts to have sessions with Corrine (a witch turned psychologist?) which helps her cope with who she is and the situation.  Sofia’s compassion at various times is refreshing, she isn’t happy to be there but is making the best of the situation to stay alive.

I give it 4 paws and if you like paranormal/vampire books check it out.  It isn’t long!

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Where to find the book:

Amazon * Amazon UK * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Excerpt:

I’d been meandering along the shore for about an hour when I suddenly sensed that I wasn’t alone. Someone was approaching me from behind. My heart leapt. I was so sure it was Ben, that when a stranger showed up beside me, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

He must have noticed, because a smirk formed on his lips. “Were you expecting someone else, love?”

I eyed him suspiciously, remembering how many times my father had told me not to talk to strangers. I looked him over, taking in his appearance. My eyes widened. I couldn’t find words to describe how fine a man he was. He was almost beautiful. The first thing I took notice of was how his blue eyes were about three shades brighter than any I’d ever seen before. It was such a stark contrast to his pale – almost white – skin and dark hair. Standing beside me, he was easily more than half a foot taller. His height, broad shoulders and lean build reminded me of Ben, but he had a presence that was far more imposing than my best friend’s.

My gaze settled on his face.

I realized that he was inspecting me just as closely as I was him. His eyes on me suddenly made me feel uncomfortably vulnerable. I gave my father’s advice a second thought, but quickly canceled out all notions of heeding to his counsel when I reminded myself that he stopped caring a long time ago.

I straightened to my full height and mustered all the courage I had to keep myself from running away from this stranger.

Big mistake.

The confident smirk didn’t leave his face for even a moment.

“Like what you see?”

“A bit full of yourself, aren’t you?” I scoffed, annoyed by his audacity.

He stepped forward, closer to me, and leaned his head toward mine.

“Don’t I have the right to be?”

He knew he looked good and wasn’t about to act like he didn’t.

“Whatever,” was my oh-so-brilliant comeback.

My shoulders sagged with defeat as I took a step back, unsettled by how close he was now. I rolled my eyes and did a one-eighty, not quite in the mood to play whatever game this stranger was proposing.

I would soon realize that I was about to play his game whether I liked it or not.

He grabbed my arm and turned my body to face him. This motion alone made every single internal alarm I had within me go off in a frenzy.

This man was danger and I knew it. I tried to wriggle away from his touch, but I was no match for his strength.

“Tell me your name,” he commanded.

I was about to refuse, but was horrified to find myself blurting out my name in response.

“Sofia Claremont.”

As soon as I revealed my name, his eyes lit up with a kind of sinister approval. Then he reached for my face and traced his thumb over my jaw line.

“Hello, Sofia Claremont. You’re one stupid girl for taking a walk alone at this time of night. You never know what kind of evil a pretty little thing like you could happen to come by.”

I found myself wondering exactly what kind of evil he was. But I was suddenly overcome by the sensations that were surrounding me. My senses took in everything at once. I heard the waves, felt the sand, smelled the ocean salt, tasted the flavor of cherry and saw the stranger’s manic appearance as he stuck a needle to my neck. The effect was instant. I was barely able to gasp, much less scream. I went from sensing everything to sensing absolutely nothing.

My last conscious thought was that I may never see Ben again.

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Posted in 5 paws, Blog tour, Book Blast, contest, Giveaway, women on March 21, 2013

Why Cant I Be You Tour Banner2 

 

Title: Why Can’t I Be You?

Author: Allie Larkin

Release date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Plume

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Women’s Contemporary Fiction

Find the book here:

Amazon * B&N * Indie Bound * Goodreads

Book Description:

WHY CAN’T I BE YOU takes its name from a 1987 hit song from English rock band The Cure.  All her life, Jenny Shaw toed the line, striving to be the perfect colleague, girlfriend, and daughter – a path that has led her to an unhappy (though successful) career, a failed relationship, and all-but-severed family ties.  On her way to the airport for her first business trip, she is unceremoniously dumped by the man she thought she would one day marry.  In her haze of shock and confusion, she responds to the wrong name when Myra Aberly, organizer of Seattle ’s Mt. Si class of 1999’s thirteenth high-school reunion, shouts “Jessie!” across the hotel lobby.

In an instant, Jenny Shaw becomes Jessie Morgan, a woman to whom she bears an uncanny resemblance. She is immediately embraced by Jessie’s warm circle of friends – and gains a possible love interest.  But when Jenny becomes more and more curious about Jessie’s history, she uncovers a trail of secrets, pain and deceit that inspires her to uncover the truth that will heal her own painful past.

Follow the tour here!

Review:

I took this book with me when I went to visit my parents this weekend…I was on my own (no dogs or hubby) so started the book around 11pm Saturday night….I did not put the down until around 1:30 AM…yes you read that right, I finished the book into the wee hours.  I don’t know what it was about the book but I just couldn’t put it down.  I could have made myself do that but I kept wanting to know what happened next.  I felt bad for Jenna who kept trying to tell these people that she wasn’t Jessie, but at the same time wondered if she really tried hard enough.  I couldn’t blame her for her actions, who wouldn’t want the chance to have real true friends if the opportunity presented itself?  I think all of the characters did some growing up in this book and perhaps we all see a little of ourselves in the various characters.  I remember going back to my high school reunions and finding out that the cliques in high school don’t really continue into real life.  Like the characters in this book, some people do keep more in touch with each other, but you still have some that fall off the face of the earth.

I LOVED this book and if you get a chance to pick this book up (or win it below), I think you will be glad that you did.  I’m giving it 5 paws!

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allielarkin

 

About the Author

Allie Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novel Stay, and the upcoming novel Why Can’t I Be You (2013).  She lives with her husband, Jeremy, their two German Shepherds, Argo and Stella, and a three-legged cat.

Author Social Media links:

WEBSITE * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

 

Tour Giveaway:

 

(5) Print copies of WHY CAN’T I BE YOU.  Open to US/Canada addresses only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Posted in Cover Reveal, Young Adult on March 20, 2013

Nissafinal

Title: Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale

Author: Bethany Lopez

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Age Group: Young Adult

Cover Designer: B Design

Expected release date:  April 23, 2013

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Book Description:

At 900 years old, Nissa is finally ready to follow her mother’s path and become the best Fairy Godmother she can. She’s not thrilled when her first assignment turns out to be a teenage human girl with self-esteem issues, but she knows she has to start somewhere. Her assignment has dealt with bullies since her freshman year and they haven’t let up. If Nissa can’t help her regain her self-confidence her future is bleak.

To complicate matters Nissa experiences all the signs that she’s met the being fated for her. This impossibility distracts her from her purpose. After all, fairies and humans aren’t meant for each other. How can her heart believe otherwise? Can Nissa successfully complete her first assignment as a Fairy Godmother? Will the fates allow Nissa and Levi to be together? And even if they do, will Levi believe Nissa once she reveals the truth?

 

About the Author

Bethany Lopez

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Bethany Lopez | Facebook | Twitter

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Posted in Blog tour, Book Blast on March 19, 2013
Circle of Lies
Aiden Wright is trying to figure
out who he really is, but the truth could cost him his true mate—or his life.
Life has always been easy for
Aiden Wright. He’s smart, athletic, funny, and the ladies adore him. But when
tragedy strikes, Aiden discovers the truth about who he really is, and his
whole world comes crashing down around him. Aiden thought that being a teenage
werewolf was going to be awesome, but it might just cost him the one girl who
could make him whole.
Since her mother’s disappearance, Teagan Rhodes’s life has been littered
with her father’s empty beer cans and his hollow promises to change. Convinced
that others would only let her down, she keeps everyone at arm’s length—but
resisting Aiden’s charm is proving to be more difficult than she thought. Throw
in a psychotic werewolf hunter out to terminate the species, and one wrong
move, one wrong decision could destroy everything.
 
CHAPTER 1
 

 

Teagan
“I’m taking off, guys. Have a great Thanksgiving,” I yelled to my coworkers as I pulled off my
Sephora apron and slid into my winter coat. 
     “See you later, Teagan. Happy Thanksgiving!” Janie replied as she finished up restocking
the lip gloss. 
     I’d been kind of hoping that we would be busy, that the store managers would be forced to
ask me to stay and work a double, but no such luck. Guess all the shoppers were waiting for
Black Friday. I really could have used the extra money, but more importantly, the work would
have kept me out of the house a little longer. Holidays are not so fun around there these days. It’s
safe to say this is my least favorite time of year. 
     New Mexico. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the weather here. And I used to think it got
cold in San Antonio! I guess when you grow up in Texas, you don’t really know the true
meaning of winter. As I stepped outside the mall, a rush of cold November air hit me so hard it
forced my teeth to chatter uncontrollably. Zipping up my coat, I ran as fast as my frozen legs
would carry me to my beat-up Toyota Corolla, circa sometime before I could walk. I always hear
kids talk about how much they love their junked out “classic” cars, how those cars have
character. Well, my car doesn’t have character. It’s a piece of shit. The damned thing’s heater doesn’t even work. But, at least I have something, and when you have to buy it for yourself at
seventeen you can’t afford to be picky. I could only imagine what it would be like to depend on
dear ol’ Dad for transportation. 
     By the time I got home little icicles were forming on my eyelashes, and as I walked up the
front steps to our house I saw that evidence of my father’s ever-growing habit littered the porch.
By the look of things, he should be fairly close to passing out if not already face-down on the
couch. A girl could hope. An entire case of empty beer cans and countless cigarette butts
surrounded the wooden rocking chair that my mother bought just before she disappeared. 
     “Disappeared.” That’s the belief my father holds on to—or at least he pretends to hold on to
it. Me, I know the truth. Only a fool wouldn’t see what really happened. She was miserable at
home, hated my father, and had clearly found someone new. Her sudden interest in late-night
drives were enough proof for me, but I’d followed her anyway one night just to be sure and
ended up at a Motel 6 near the highway. No, she just up and left one day. We moved to Red
Ridge, New Mexico, and in just over a month Mom went MIA. No goodbyes, no see-ya-laters;
she was just suddenly gone. Life isn’t a soap opera where beautiful, mysterious captors abduct
women with miserable lives and carry them off to happier ones, though. No, women have to
choose to leave. They pack a bag, snag your favorite family portrait from the mantel and just
walk out of your life. Out of their children’s lives. Out of everyone’s life. 
     So, that’s what really happened. Only an idiot like my father would believe anything else.
Hell, he likely believed that Paris kidnapped Helen of Troy. No way. Helen just took off with
that hot younger guy, leaving her sorry-ass husband Menelaus alone. Life would be so much
easier if my father would just accept that Mom chose to leave. Then maybe, just maybe, he could
move on. 
     I have. I sometimes wonder, though, if the face that launched a thousand ships left a
daughter alone with a drunken father. Who knows? Maybe she did. My Greek mythology is a bit
rusty, as Mrs. Shultz wasn’t the most fascinating teacher ever when we studied it in class last
year. 
     The inside of our house wasn’t much better than the porch. More empty beer cans, full
ashtrays, and the dishes from the night’s dinner welcomed me back, which meant Dad was really
messed up. Being a retired Army captain, he’s anything but messy. The house was always clean
and orderly, sir! Unless he was drunk. And he never, ever smoked in the house. Something must
have really set him off. 
     I put my bag down and hung my coat in the hall closet. The sooner I picked this place up,
the sooner I could lock myself in my room and just crash. 
     “Oh…hey…when did you get in?” Dad asked as he stumbled inside from the backyard. 
     “Just now, actually,” I replied as I grabbed a trash can. Trying to avoid confrontation, I
walked around the kitchen and living room picking up the mess. Unfortunately, this only seemed
to irritate my father. 
     “Don’t do that. I’ll do it tomorrow,” he slurred. 
     “Dad, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I need to clean up so I can attempt to cook this year. I told
you that, remember?” 
     “I know damn well what tomorrow is,” he grumbled. “You think I can’t remember what
tomorrow is?” 
     There was no use trying to talk to him like this. Instead, I handed him the trashcan and said,
“Fine. Have it your way. I was just trying to help.” 
     He didn’t reach for the trash can, so I let it drop to the floor and spill out even more evidence
of his drinking binge. At first he looked shocked, but that shock soon turned to rage. Maybe I shouldn’t have done it, but come on, who was the parent? I was sick and tired of trying to make
things better all the time when all he did was screw things up. 
     He just stood there, anger boiling inside him. I saw it in his eyes just before he snapped. He
kicked the trash aside and tried to grab my arm, but I stepped out of the way just in time and Dad
lost his balance and fell to the ground. He wasn’t hurt, though, just defeated. The look of failure
on his face as he lay there was almost worse than the anger. I reached out to help him up, but he wouldn’t let me.   
     “Don’t touch me! Just leave. Leave like your goddamn mother did,” he yelled. 
     “Come on, Dad. Let me help you,” I said. 
     “Get out! Get the hell out of my house!” 
      So I did. I grabbed my bag and coat and left. 
      Leaving the house like this wasn’t new to me. It’s not like it happened every day, but I’d
walked out quite a few times over the past couple of months so I knew where to go and how long
to stay away. The 24-hour diner on the other side of town was always open, so I figured I’d go
there and order myself a nice, greasy burger and a few sodas. I was hungry, and in a few hours
my father would be good and passed out. Then I would drive home and pretend that nothing ever
happened. Just like I did every other time Dad kicked me out.

 


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Both Sara Dailey and Staci Weber are avid readers,
English teachers, friends, wives and soccer moms. 
They have been teaching
together for the past ten years and writing together for six.
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Staci Weber is a
graduate of the University of North Texas. Staci is a junior high school
teacher with an addiction to reading romance novels. She considers herself
incredibly lucky to have a close family, some good friends, a fabulous husband
and two beautiful little girls.
Sara Dailey co-authored the Red Ridge Pack Novels with
her good friend and co-worker Staci Weber. She has a degree in literature from
U of H Clear Lake and is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature.
Sara is a native Texan and lives with her wonderful husband and son in League
City, TX
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