THE WIDOW’S WATCHER

by

ELIZA MAXWELL

Genre:  Literary Fiction / Gothic

Publisher: Lake Union Press

Date of Publication: March 29, 2018

Number of Pages: 286

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From Eliza Maxwell, the bestselling author of The Unremembered Girl, comes a gripping novel about the mysteries that haunt us and the twists of fate that can unravel them…

Living in the shadow of a decades-old crime that stole his children from him, reclusive Lars Jorgensen is an unlikely savior. But when a stranger walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake, her intentions are brutally clear, and the old man isn’t about to let her follow through.

Jenna Shaw didn’t ask for Lars’s help, nor does she want it. After he pulls her from the brink, however, Jenna finds her desire to give up challenged by their unlikely friendship. In Jenna, Lars recognizes his last chance for redemption. And in her quest to solve the mysteries of Lars’s past and bring him closure, Jenna may find the way out of her own darkness.

But the truth that waits threatens to shatter it all. When secrets are surrendered and lies are laid bare, Jenna and Lars may find that accepting the past isn’t their greatest challenge. Can they afford the heartbreaking price of forgiveness?

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Praise

“There was a moment I had to tell myself that this is just a book…” – Goodreads reviewer

“A well-paced story of healing, forgiveness and tragedy, with enough unexpected twists to keep readers guessing.” — Amber Cowie, author of Rapid Falls

 

 

Eliza Maxwell lives in Texas with her ever-patient husband and two kids. She’s an artist and writer, an introvert and a British cop drama addict. She loves nothing more than to hear from readers.

 

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5/22/18	Book Trailer	StoreyBook Reviews
5/22/18	Review	The Librarian Talks
5/23/18	Guest Post	Texas Book Lover
5/24/18	Review	#Bookish
5/24/18	Notable Quotable	The Page Unbound
5/25/18	Review	That’s What She’s Reading
5/25/18	Author Interview	Dressed to Read
5/26/18	Review	Tangled in Text
5/26/18	Notable Quotable	Missus Gonzo
5/27/18	Deleted Scene	Books and Broomsticks
5/28/18	Review	The Clueless Gent
5/28/18	Excerpt	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
5/29/18	Top Five List	Nerd Narration
5/30/18	Review	Forgotten Winds
5/31/18	BONUS Review	Hall Ways Blog

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DAM NATION

Bonnie and Clyde #2

by

CLARK HAYS AND KATHLEEN McFALL

Genre: Historical / Alternative History / Romance

Publisher:  Pumpjack Press on Facebook

Date of Publication: March 24, 2018

Number of Pages: 266

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Bonnie and Clyde: Defending the working class from a river of greed.

The year is 1935 and the Great Depression has America in a death grip of poverty, unemployment and starvation. But the New Deal is rekindling hope, with federally funded infrastructure projects, like Hoover Dam, putting people back to work.  Set to harness the mighty Colorado River for electricity and irrigation, the dam is an engineering marvel and symbol of American can-do spirit.

So, why is someone trying to blow it up?

When an informant on the construction site is murdered, Bonnie and Clyde—spared from their gruesome deaths and forced into a covert life working for the government—are given their second assignment: stop the bomb and protect the thousands of laborers and families in the company town. It’s their most dangerous mission yet: working for a living.

Can the notorious lovers put aside their criminal ways long enough to find out who wants to extinguish the American dream, and hopefully reclaim a shred of redemption along the way?

The thrilling story cuts back and forth between the modern era where a reporter interviews the now-elderly Bonnie Parker, and the dangerous 1930s undercover exploits of Bonnie and Clyde, as they are thrust into a fight to defend the working class against corporate greed.

Dam Nation, a historical thriller with unsettling contemporary parallels, continues the explosive “what-if” series, started in Resurrection Road, about two unlikely heroes fighting to defend the working class during America’s Great Depression.

PRAISE

Crisply written, well-researched, thoroughly entertaining. As in Resurrection Road, Hays and McFall evoke time and place well in this sequel. The story’s politics are fresh and timely. Readers will find Bonnie and Clyde to be great company, and the novel’s framing story (the widowed Bonnie’s 1984 recollections) gives their relationship an extra layer of poignancy.  — Kirkus Reviews

“Dam Nation” highlights the real-life turmoil of the 1930s as only Hays and McFall can — shadowy intrigue, plenty of suspects and enough behind-the-scenes and under-the-covers action to keep the narrative sizzling along to the final page.  — East Oregonian

A rollicking good read. The real history of the rise of unions and worker rights against the backdrop of a nation recovering from the Great Depression contributes an engrossing, realistic scenario; a vivid read that blends fiction with nonfiction elements in a way that makes the book hard to put down. — Midwest Book Review

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER FOR RESURRECTION ROAD, BOOK ONE IN THE BONNIE AND CLYDE SERIES

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHORS CLARK HAYS AND KATHLEEN MCFALL

Why did you write this series? First and foremost, we wanted to spin a gripping, entertaining story with broad appeal. What could be more fun than imagining a different life for two of the most notorious lovers in American history, infamous outlaws able to use their “skills” for good? There’s a long tradition of rooting for outlaws who atone and ‘break good.’

What’s compelling about Bonnie and Clyde? The endurance of their appeal is likely about bucking a system that seemed designed to crush them. They were dirt poor yet boldly (and at times cruelly and selfishly) rejected a life of what likely would have been grueling, low-wage jobs with little chance of getting ahead. Don’t we all sometimes dream about throwing it all away and going on the run? The groundbreaking 1967 Beatty-Dunaway film cemented the myth.

In your research, what did you learn about Bonnie and Clyde that surprised you? We were surprised at their youth: twenty-four and twenty-five when they were killed. We were surprised that Bonnie wanted to be a movie star and also to learn about the brutal slave labor and abuse Clyde endured when he was in prison—events that likely shaped his worldview and future decisions—years before the Bonnie and Clyde saga began. We were surprised to learn that they were not very skillful criminals, and that they botched a fair number of jobs.

Are the plots of your series grounded in history? Yes, absolutely. In Book 1, we leverage a real-life but little-known assassination attempt on FDR when he was president-elect by Giuseppe Zangara, a man with presumed anarchist leanings. In Book 2, suspicious aspects of the construction of Hoover Dam are the focus which, in reality, ended up taking decades to fix behind the scenes after it opened in 1935.

What’s it like writing with your spouse? We fight a lot and often about ridiculous things, like the alleged overuse of commas or the hair color of a villain. But we keep each other on our toes, and it’s a lot of fun. The first book we wrote together was a test for marriage. We figured if we could write a novel together we could stay married. So far, we’ve passed, but it’s touch and go when we get into the final editing phase.

Bonnie and Clyde were notorious criminals. Is the book letting them off the hook for their crimes? It is a fictional account of their lives, but we are sensitive to this point. In the books, Bonnie and Clyde evolve and repent and actively try to compensate for the suffering caused by their actions. We want the stories to indirectly explore the topic of atonement.

Who do you like better: Bonnie or Clyde? Impossible to choose! They each have strong and weak points. What’s interesting to consider is individually neither likely would have become legends. The love that connected them so fiercely was—and still is—a core part of their appeal.

Tell us about your indie publishing label Pumpjack Press. As we learn more about the publishing industry, we want to share that knowledge to help other aspiring authors publish their stories. Check out the website for more information about how to submit.

Where can our readers find the Bonnie and Clyde series? Everywhere! Online retailers, bookstores and libraries. If you don’t see it at your favorite spot, ask for the books to be ordered.

 

Clark and Kathleen wrote their first book together in 1999 as a test for marriage. They passed. Dam Nation is their sixth co-authored book.

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5/16/18	Excerpt	Chapter Break Book Blog
5/17/18	Review	Forgotten Winds
5/18/18	Author Interview	StoreyBook Reviews
5/19/18	Notable Quotable	Bibliotica
5/20/18	Review	Missus Gonzo
5/21/18	Character Interview	Texas Book Lover
5/22/18	Notable Quotable	Tangled in Text
5/23/18	Review	Hall Ways Blog
5/24/18	Guest Post	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
5/25/18	Review	Momma on the Rocks

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THE WAY OF BEAUTY

by

Camille Di Maio

Genre: Historical Fiction / 20th Century / Literary

Publisher: Lake Union Press

Date of Publication: May 1, 2018

Number of Pages: 384

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Hearts and dreams evolve in the shadow of the once-magnificent Penn Station.

Vera Keller, the daughter of German immigrants in turn-of-the-century New York City, finds her life upended when the man she loves becomes engaged to another woman. But Angelo Bellavia has also inadvertently opened up Vera’s life to unexpected possibilities. Angelo’s new wife, Pearl, the wealthy daughter of a clothing manufacturer, has defied her family’s expectations by devoting herself to the suffrage movement. In Pearl, Vera finds an unexpected dear friend…and a stirring new cause of her own. But when Pearl’s selfless work pulls her farther from Angelo and their son, the life Vera craved is suddenly within her reach—if her conscience will allow her to take it.

Her choice will define not only her future but also that of her daughter, Alice.

Vera and Alice—a generation and a world apart—are bound by the same passionate drive to fulfill their dreams. As first mother and then daughter come of age in a city that is changing as rapidly as its skyline, they’ll each discover that love is the only constant.

Praise

“The Way of Beauty is a thing of beauty. The writing is gorgeous, the story is engaging, the characters are amazing. The amount of research that goes into historical fiction just astounds me. Add this to your TBR!”

“If you want to be swept away by a love story set in a fascinating and meticulously researched past, Camille Di Maio is the author for you. Don’t miss this one.”

“A captivating story of love and family that spans several generations.”

“The writing transports you to the time, not so long ago when women had to choose between love and their rights. Camille Di Maio’s dialogue, descriptions, and relationships create a complete picture of the era and struggles. Great book club book.”

Check out the Trailer!

If you enjoy historical fiction and love old buildings/landmarks, you will want to read this book!

This story spans several generations and starts in the early 1900s and ends in the 1960s and encompasses two world wars, the women’s suffragette movement, and love. I especially enjoyed learning about Penn Station (which was torn down in the 60s) and how it impacted the lives of our characters. It was a central focus for various reasons and I think my favorite reason was for the adventure and possibilities it held since you could take a train from this building to almost anywhere.

The love story was just the right amount of happiness, sadness, and struggles to reach that point.  Vera and Angelo may eventually find true love together, but it is a path fraught with heartache and even a little misdirection before they are able to start their happily ever after.  I admired Vera for not giving up on her belief that she and Angelo were meant to be together.  Then their daughter, Alice, is torn between two men.  They both proclaim to love her, and she loves both in their own way but which one will be her true love?  Will her path mirror Vera’s?

While I didn’t make note of each one, there are many memorable lines throughout the book that will warm your heart and maybe even make you think just a little bit!  This is one quote that I enjoyed, mostly because I love books and it compares books to buildings:

“There are some things that are better as they age. Wine. Cheese. Books. Who doesn’t love the smell of an old book? That’s exactly why I love old buildings. They have history. The things they’ve seen. A new building is an empty shell. Sure, its plumbing may run smoothly, but has it ever embraced a cheering crowd or housed a dramatic performance or sponsored a ghost?”

Overall this is just a feel good, turn of the century romance that will leave you smiling.

We give this 5 paws up!

~Romance Writers of America Honor Roll Inductee~

Camille recently left an award-winning real estate career in San Antonio to become a full-time writer. Along with her husband of 19 years, she enjoys raising their four children. She has a bucket list that is never-ending and uses her adventures to inspire her writing. She’s lived in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California, and spends enough time in Hawai’i to feel like a local. She’s traveled to four continents (so far) and met Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. She just about fainted when she had a chance to meet her musical idol, ‪Paul McCartney, too. Camille studied political science in college but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmer’s markets (justifying them by her support for local bakeries) and belts out Broadway tunes whenever the moment strikes. There’s almost nothing she wouldn’t try, so long as it doesn’t involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal. The Memory of Us was Camille’s debut novel. Her second, Before the Rain Falls was released ‪on May 16, 2017, and The Way of Beauty is her third novel.

 

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5/1	Notable Quotable	Forgotten Winds
5/1	Notable Quotable	Books and Broomsticks
5/1	Notable Quotable	The Clueless Gent
5/2	Review	Hall Ways Blog
5/3	Review	Books in the Garden
5/4	Guest Post	Carpe Diem Chronicles
5/4	Excerpt	That’s What She’s Reading
5/5	Review	Reading by Moonlight
5/5	Promo+	Chapter Break Book Blog
5/6	Review	Momma on the Rocks
5/7	Author Interview	The Page Unbound
5/7	Top Five	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
5/8	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
5/9	Guest Post	Missus Gonzo
5/9	Character Interview	The Librarian Talks
5/10	Review	Tangled in Text

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HIGH TREASON

An FBI Task Force Novel, #3

by

DiANN MILLS

Genre: Inspirational /Mystery / Suspense / Romance

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Date of Publication: February 6, 2018

Number of Pages: 416

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When Saudi Prince Omar bin Talal visits Houston to seek cancer treatment for his mother, an attempt on his life puts all agencies on high alert. FBI Special Agent Kord Davidson is the lead on the prince’s protective detail because of their long-standing friendship, but he’s surprised—and none too happy—when the CIA brings one of their operatives, Monica Alden, in on the task force after the assassination attempt.

Kord and Monica must quickly put aside interagency squabbles, however, when they learn the prince has additional motives for his visit—plans to promote stronger ties with the US and encourage economic growth and westernization in his own country. Plans that could easily incite a number of suspects both in the US and in countries hostile to Saudi Arabia. Worse yet, the would-be assassin always seems to be one step ahead of them, implicating someone close to the prince—or the investigation. But who would be willing to commit high treason, and can Kord and Monica stop them in time?

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Praise

“Compelling characters and a riveting plot that fits seamlessly with current events make this novel impossible to put down. Readers can count on being glued to the pages late into the night – as “just one more chapter” turns into “can’t stop now.”” – RT Book Reviews

 

 

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed.

 

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2/6/18	Book Trailer	StoreyBook Reviews
2/7/18	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
2/8/18	Excerpt	Tangled in Text
2/8/18	Author Video	Missus Gonzo
2/9/18	Review	The Librarian Talks
2/10/18	Excerpt	Margie’s Must Reads
2/10/18	Guest Post	Forgotten Winds
2/11/18	Review	Reading by Moonlight
2/12/18	Author Video	A Novel Reality
2/12/18	Guest Post	Books and Broomsticks
2/13/18	Review	Momma on the Rocks
2/14/18	Promo	The Page Unbound
2/15/18	Review	Syd Savvy

 

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Movie Synopsis

Written by Hollywood screenwriter David Howard and Jon Enos, and directed by Alan Peterson, TREK is a family comedy that follows a group of LDS teens as they stumble their way through the sagebrush looking for their pioneer heritage as well as their own testimonies.

Watch as Tom, a young Mormon teenager and his friends try to smuggle in unsanctioned food, battle sibling rivalry, encounter a “special ops” Young Mens leader, ponder doctrinal brain teasers, and match wits with a Twinkie-loving skunk.  Through all of the ups and downs, they are revealed to be “real” LDS youth who are struggling with real challenges—doubts, divorce, relationships.  When they encounter unexpected trouble, their faith is tested much like their pioneer ancestors.

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Giveaway

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Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Gordy Stitser is one of the few people who knows the truth about the secret society of potions masters, called Elixirists, whose specialized concoctions have been responsible for three centuries of advancements, including hybrid cards, enhanced military weapons, and the cure for the common cold. Not only is Gordy’s mom on the Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide (B.R.E.W), but she has also been training Gordy in the art of potion-making. Gordy is a natural, and every day he sneaks down to the basement lab to invent new potions using exotic ingredients like fire ant eggs, porcupine quills, and Bosnian tickling juice.

One afternoon, Gordy receives a mysteries package containing an extremely rare potion labeled “The Eternity Elixir.” In the right hands, the Elixir continues to protect society. But in the wrong hands, it could destroy the world as we know it.

Now, sinister potion masters are on the hunt to steal the Eternity Elixir. It’s up to Gordy, his parents, and his best friends, Max and Adeline, to prevent an all-out potion war.

Trailer

Review

If you have a child (or even if you) like YA/Middle Grade fantasy books, this is one to pick up and read.

The author did a great job of making this an enjoyable and captivating read for me. I liked the concept, the characters, and the action. There is a good balance of good and evil to add enough tension for the reader to wonder what might happen next and how certain situations would resolve themselves.

The main character, Gordy, is a talented potion maker and is leaps and bounds ahead of those around him. He is perhaps even better than his mom. He is also smart and is able to figure out a few things when situations become tense all looking for the Eternity Elixir. This is a fantasy book, so you do have to suspend reality when they talk about various potions and what they can do, but that isn’t hard at all.

I had a hard time putting the book down and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

We give it 5 paws up.

About the Author

Frank L. Cole was born into a family of southern storytellers and wrote his first book at age eight. Highly superstitious and gullible to a fault, Frank will believe in any creepy story you tell him, especially ones involving ghosts and Big Foot. Currently, along with his wife and three children, he resides in the shadow of a majestic western mountain range, which is most likely haunted. Potion Masters The Eternity Elixir is Frank’s 10th published book.

I’m an active promoter of reading and using imagination and have been to more than 150 schools presenting to kids.

With a good imagination, you can solve any problem you ever come up against in life!

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Title: YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD: BE A CHANGE WIZARD AND GET IT LIKE YOU LIKE IT
Author: Bever-leigh Banfield
Publisher: Twinkle Entertainment
Pages: 366
Genre: Nonfiction

Synopsis

You have an ultimate magic within you, capable of transforming yourself, your life and everything that exists. You needn’t fear change, leave it to others, or get stuck with whatever happens next. You can pull heaven right out of your hat with the alchemy of your heart and mind. You just have to know how to use your abracadabra presto change-o. You can make things disappear or pop up because you are the change you crave. Your dream is a reality somewhere, ready for you to experience it by making change your BFF. Tap into who you’re meant to be, and the special thing you’re meant to do – with this book about your mission in life, and how you can have it materialize to be happier, healthier, wealthier, wiser, and make the world a better place.

Guest Post

CHANGE CHALLENGE

How To Be A Change Wizard In Seven Steps

by Bever-leigh Banfield

Here we are in the holidays again! And you may be asking why all those things you thought would magically change this year may not have morphed as quickly as zombies transmute in The Walking Dead. It might feel like this year has streaked by at the speed of light and left nothing to show for it. That five pounds that was going to melt away still clinging and turning into ten? Still no date for New Years Eve? Drinking too much or sleeping too little? Closet still packed with clothes you never took the price tags off of and never wore or, worse yet, are still sporting despite their, shall we say, tattered appearance, advancing age and glaring out-of-styleness? Well, help is here. Or at least on the way – depending on how you transform your life by changing your state of mind.

Change is an inside job that can happen in the blink of an eye or at glacial pace. The good news is it’s up to you. You are The Changer and you are The Change. When you change, you change the world. You can commit to BE the change and work to see it come about. You can decide to work for change and make change work for you. Not just any old change, but change for the better. Change big enough to change the world.

You’re wired for change. You’re supposed to transform. It’s the reason you’re alive. Feeling you need to change is not an embarrassment or a sign of weakness. It’s the seed of greatness planted in you germinating, sprouting, budding, signaling it’s time to bloom. Change is what you’re here for – to become much more of YOU. 2018 is calling your name and you’re ready. Here’s how to take it on for you and those around you. You’re entering the realm of the Change Challenge now. Ready? C’mon, let’s go!

STEP ONE – DECIDE

Decide that you want to change, that you’re willing and ready and up for change. That you’re able to change anything you want – from top to bottom, from inside out. Take a breath. Close your eyes. Envision yourself. See your loftiest self where you most want to be. What are you doing? Who are you with? How are you at your happiest? Explore this. Touch it. Taste it. Smell it. Hear it. Capture the feeling. Meditate on your miracle.

STEP TWO – EXPLORE

Identify what you need to change. Is it your living situation? Is it the state of your finances? Is it a job that you’ve outgrown? A relationship that doesn’t serve you anymore or never did? Is it the way you treat yourself, your parents, your mate, your kids, your friends? Whatever it is, call it out. Nail it down. It’s on its way to change.

STEP THREE – COMMIT

Commit to implementing change to make yourself healthier, happier, more effective, more at peace. Commit to letting yourself be changed for the better in every way you can, and to changing the ills around you, by your example if nothing else. Claim the life you want to live and the way you want to live it. Realize that you change the world every glorious minute of every day, with every thought, word and deed you bring to it, every vibration you emit. You’re lifting up people in your sphere or causing derision in your midst. You’re encouraging people or tearing them down. You’re creating or destroying. You’re an up or a Debbie or Donald Downer. Face it, you matter, you have an effect. Commit to being a benefit.

STEP FOUR – DREAM

Dream a huge dream, and make it good. Set your imagination free. Set goals that can bring about lasting, impactful changes as far as your eye can see. Imagine a better world that works for everyone, everywhere, all the time. Let it come into focus as sharp as a camera lens or magnifier. Protect your dream from negatives. Be convinced that your dream life exists somewhere, that it’s yours and it’s meant to come true.

STEP FIVE – PLAN

Take the time to make a plan. It can change and become more detailed as you go, but you must have a plan you can implement to bring what may now just exist in your mind into form that the world can experience. Brainstorm the steps you’ll need to take. Write them down. Make notes as your ideas form. Create as coherent a plan as you can. You may only be able to see the first step when you start. Have faith. A plan will form.

STEP SIX – TASKS  

Plot the tasks your plan demands and set out to perform them one at a time. You can multitask if you do it well, as long as you focus on one thing at a time and you prioritize. Keep in mind what’s important and do that first. Organize a team to help you.

STEP SEVEN – PERSEVERE

A determined mindset is key to ensuring maximum performance. Avoid letting anything get in the way of doing what you know you must, or allowing people, circumstances or events to dissuade or discourage you. Be brave. Stay on course as it twists and turns. Be consistent and flexible. Research. Learn. Keep going until your dream comes true.

I’m rooting for you and I send you love. Go out and change the world!

Trailer

Excerpt

Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. You are my brothers and sisters, and I’m excited to get into this. Okay, first let’s claim your ideal life—because it is ready to bring you joy. Your ideal life is the one the world is waiting to experience, watching to see it reveal and unfold.

When you envision the life you most want to lead, what do you see? Great health, of course. Maybe the perfect body, at the weight and shape that makes you feel invincible, relatable, and up for anything at any time. A high-paying, cool job, with health benefits—or maybe self-employment you can’t wait to get to every day. Let’s toss in some work that fulfills you, stretches your talents and abilities, and challenges your mind. Perhaps you desire Prince Charming too, riding up on his mighty steed to take your hand, or a Sleeping Beauty awaiting your sexy kiss to awaken her love. You might only long for a roof above your head that doesn’t leak, or that new car that doesn’t break down, puff smoke from the tailpipe, or embarrass you when you pull up to valet park. You may simply desire security, whatever your concept of that is. Maybe you crave a weekly mani-pedi or massage, relaxing vacays in exotic ports, a closet full of designer clothes, the latest tech, some diamond bling, a pair of name-brand athletic or red-soled shoes and cozy creature comforts. You could be aiming to play a sport, or pursue a hobby you adore. And who doesn’t want some excitement, adventure and fun to liven up their days? If you’ve chosen to have children, you will want them to grow up happy, healthy, prosperous, kind, educated and free. You will want all that’s good for them, and resolve to help that happen.

Though you might not want any of these, it might also be true you want all of them. And yet, there is something you must want most. Are you in touch with what that is? If not, then this is the time to seek it out and have it come to you. When you’re alone—or not alone—in the dark at night with your active mind, or when you wake up in the morning and realize the universe has gifted you with another day of living your life, what do you want to do with it? Do you want your life to shine, or are you content to just get through it, putting one foot in front of the other, surviving as the clock ticks and the years fly by like soaring jets.

When someone discovers an abnormality in some vital body part, or loses a parent, a child, a marriage, their business or a job, or is presented with some other ginormous hill to climb to reclaim their life, things tend to zoom into focus. Disparate ideas seem to coalesce into helpful realizations. They’re given to epiphany, become open to insights they’ve never received before. They often drop all pretense, and become able to skirt trivialities that might have irked them earlier. Other people in their life come closer or fall away. Those remaining are held cherished, and communication blossoms. Longrepressed yearnings surface that may cause them to rethink their choices and mull over past mistakes or missteps they may feel have brought them to that point. People look for the meaning of their lives, and seek to address and fulfill it when the rubber is meeting the road, the chips are down, and their back is to the wall.

Why wait for such a cataclysm? Life is occurring with every breath. Every now gives way to another now that presents great opportunity. Every instant is calling you to rise up and reach your highest consciousness, and nothing is standing in your way. On the contrary, even the beat of your heart is designed to uplift and support you.

You are the answer to all of your questions.

You are the change you’ve been waiting to see.

About the Author

Bever-leigh Banfield, M.F.A. is a writer, actress, voice over artist, host and speaker. She has penned numerous celebrity interviews, one of which, published in Essence magazine, won the American Diabetes Association National Media Award for journalism. As an actress, Bever-leigh has performed in television shows, movies, Broadway and off-Broadway theater and national commercials. Her voice has been heard in TV and radio ads, as an ABC network announcer, in animated films and cartoons, and as narrator of planetarium space shows at landmark Griffith Observatory in Hollywood. Ms. Banfield holds an M.F.A. from the Yale University School of Drama and a B.A. from Stanford University. She has lived in Europe and the Caribbean, and traveled in Africa, South America, and across the United States. She has been gifted with psychic perception since childhood, and as an intuitive, has experienced a vision of world peace. Creating is her joy. Her debut non-fiction book You Can Change The World is about helping you be who you are meant to be, and do what you are meant to do – live your dreams, and change the world for the better!

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A GOOD GIRL

by

JOHNNIE BERNHARD

  Genre: Southern Historical Fiction

Publisher: Texas Review Press

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Date of Publication: March 7, 2017

Number of Pages: 288

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A Bible’s family tree and an embroidered handkerchief hold the key to understanding the past as six generation Texan, Gracey Reiter, prepares to say goodbye to her dying father, the last surviving member of the Walsh-Mueller family. The present holds the answer and the last opportunity for Gracey to understand her father’s anger, her mother’s guilt, and her siblings’ version of the truth.

The Walsh-Mueller family begins in Texas when Patricia Walsh leaves the famine of nineteenth century Ireland, losing her parents and siblings along the way.  She finds a home, love, and security with Emil Mueller in a German settlement near Indianola on the Texas Gulf Coast.  They begin their lives on a small cotton farm, raising six sons. From the coastal plains of Texas, five generations survive hurricanes, wars, The Great Depression, and life, itself.

An all-encompassing novel that penetrates the core being of all who read it, A Good Girl pulls back the skin to reveal the raw actualities of life, love and relationships.  It is the ageless story of family.

Sales benefit Port Lavaca, Texas! Much of the setting of A Good Girl, a six generation Texas saga, is set in Port Lavaca, Calhoun County. During the Lone Star Book Blog Tour, all author’s royalties will be donated to the Calhoun County Museum of Port Lavaca in its recovery effort after Hurricane Harvey. Texas Proud! Port Lavaca Strong!

 

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Texas A&M University Press

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Praise for A Good Girl

*2017 Kindle Book Award Finalist*

*Over 50 5 Star Reviews*

One of 2017’s best will surely be A Good Girl by author Johnnie Bernhard, who as much as any writer since Flannery O’Connor and Walker Percy, offers a breathtaking tour of the human heart in conflict with itself, desperately searching for grace and redemption in the face of unremitting loss.  Bernhard’s sentences are filled with the stuff of what blues and country music singers refer to as “soul” and “high lonesome.” –Jim Fraiser, The Sun Herald Newspaper

Relatable and real, A Good Girl speaks to the heart of what it means to be human and that generations come and go, but love binds us together. –Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of The Final Salute, Johnnie Come Lately, & Seven Wings to Glory

A Good Girl is a raw, real, and relatable gift to the soul on every level. Ms. Bernhard’s writing is so descriptive, reading this book is truly a visceral experience. One cannot help but reflect on their own family legacy and life journey. Prepare to be riveted by this heartbreaking, yet healing story about family, self-discovery and learning how to love. –Eva Steortz, SVP, Brand Development, 20th Century Fox

A beautiful debut novel across oceans and time, with a clear, objective yet poignant Southern voice. A timeless voice much like Doctorow’s Ragtime, A Good Girl is a true Southern American story. A story of one family spanning generations, dealing with love and loss, despair, and redemption, that leaves its readers with a timeless lesson. -Kathryn Brown Ramsperger, Author of The Shores of Our Souls and Moments on the Edge. 

I have found Johnnie Bernhard’s book to touch a powerful chord in my heart.  Masterfully written with deep insight into the journey of family and forgiveness, I’m a better person for having read this book. -Cynthia Garrett,  The London Sessions & The Mini Sessions (airing regularly on TBN Network),  Author of The Prodigal Daughter

 

Gracey opened the door to room 605, and the first person she saw was sixty-eight-year-old Irma Novosad. Sitting directly in front of Henry, clad in a pant suit with large pockets in front, Irma had arranged her body as a brace to keep Henry from slipping out of a green vinyl chair. Her pockets were bulging with used Kleenexes, a jewel-tone cigarette purse, peppermints, and tooth picks. On her head was a blue sun visor with a yellow rose embroidered above the words, “Yellow Rose of Texas.” In the eight years Gracey had known her, she had never seen Irma without a sun visor, rain or shine, summer or winter; it was a permanent part of her wardrobe.

Johnnie Bernhard, a former AP English teacher and journalist, is passionate about reading and writing. Her works have appeared in the following publications: University of Michigan Graduate Studies Publications, Heart of Ann Arbor Magazine, Houston Style Magazine, World Oil Magazine, The Suburban Reporter of Houston, The Mississippi Press, University of South Florida Area Health Education Magazine, the international Word Among Us, Southern Writers Magazine, Gulf Coast Writers Association Anthologies, The Texas Review, and the Cowbird-NPR production on small town America. Her entry, “The Last Mayberry,” received over 7,500 views, nationally and internationally.

A Good Girl received top ten finalist recognition in the 2015 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, as well as featured novel for panel discussion at the 2017 Mississippi and Louisiana Book Festivals.  It is a finalist in the 2017 national Kindle Book Award for literary fiction and a nominee for the 2018 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize.

Her second novel, How We Came to Be, is set for publication in spring 2018. It is a finalist in the 2017 Faulkner-Wisdom Competition.

Johnnie is the owner of Bernhard Editorial Services, LLC, where she writes book reviews for Southern Literary Review, as well as assists writers in honing their craft.  Johnnie and her husband reside in a nineteenth century cottage surrounded by ancient oak trees and a salt water marsh near the Mississippi Sound. They share that delightful space with their dog, Lily, and cat, Poncho.

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Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn

 

Johnnie will be on the road with A Good Girl at the following locations:

October 26         Southern Bound Book Store, Biloxi, MS, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

October 27-28     Louisiana Book Festival, Baton Rouge, LA, state capitol

November 4      Peter Anderson Festival, Ocean Springs, MS, Poppy’s on Porter, Washington Avenue

November 13     Live on KSHU Radio 1430 AM, Houston, Texas, 8 a.m.

November 16     Calhoun County Historical Museum, Port Lavaca, Texas, 5 p.m.

November 18    River Oaks Book Store, Houston, Texas, 3 – 5 p.m.

December 6 – 8    Words & Music Literary Feast, New Orleans, LA

December 10        Barnes & Noble, New Orleans, noon – 2 p.m.

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October 26-November 4, 2017

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26-Oct	Excerpt	Hall Ways Blog
27-Oct	Review	Texan Girl Reads
28-Oct	Author Interview	Reading by Moonlight
29-Oct	Guest Post	Tangled in Text
30-Oct	Review	Missus Gonzo
31-Oct	Notable Quotable	Texas Book Lover
1-Nov	Review	Syd Savvy
2-Nov	Scrapbook Page	Forgotten Winds
3-Nov	Excerpt	StoreyBook Reviews
4-Nov	Review	The Librarian Talks

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LADY JAYNE DISAPPEARS

by

JOANNA DAVIDSON POLITANO

  Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: October 3, 2017

Number of Pages: 416

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When Aurelie Harcourt’s father dies in debtor’s prison, he leaves her just two things: his wealthy family, whom she has never met, and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll. Her new family greets her with apathy and even resentment. Only the quiet house guest, Silas Rotherham, welcomes her company.

When Aurelie decides to complete her father’s unfinished serial novel, writing the family into the story as unflattering characters, she must keep her identity as Nathaniel Droll hidden while searching for the truth about her mother’s disappearance—and perhaps even her father’s death.

Author Joanna Davidson Politano’s stunning debut set in Victorian England will delight readers with its highly original plot, lush setting, vibrant characters, and reluctant romance.

Baker Book House * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Christianbook.com

iBooks * Kobo * Lifeway * Books-A-Million

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Praise for Lady Jayne Disappears

“Emotional. Intriguing. Both haunting and romantic. . . In her historical fiction debut, Joanna Davidson Politano delivers a smart plot that navigates twists and turns with a mixture of wit, intelligent characters, and a refreshingly original voice. Reminiscent of Dickens’ classic storytelling, Lady Jayne Disappears is a debut to remember!” —Kristy​ Cambron, author of The Illusionist’s Apprentice

“Wonderfully unique, this compelling debut grabs you from the first intriguing line. The evocative English setting, textured characters, literary theme, and unusual romance make Lady Jayne Disappears a standout, the lovely cover offering a hint of the gem within. A must read!” —Laura Frantz, author of A Moonbow Night

 

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her manuscript for Lady Jayne Disappears was a finalist for several contests, including the 2016 Genesis Award from ACFW, and won the OCW Cascade Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and shares stories that move her on her website.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

 

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Grand Prize: Copy of Lady Jayne Disappears + 18pc Book Lover’s Basket

2nd Prize: Copy of Lady Jayne Disappears + Vintage Library Pendant Necklace

3rd Prize: Copy of Lady Jayne Disappears + $10 Starbucks Gift Card

October 17-October 28, 2017

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

17-Oct	Excerpt	Texas Book Lover
18-Oct	Review	Syd Savvy
19-Oct	Book Trailer	StoreyBook Reviews
20-Oct	Review	Missus Gonzo
21-Oct	Character Interview	Chapter Break Book Blog
22-Oct	Scrapbook Page	Tangled in Text
23-Oct	Review	Momma On The Rocks
24-Oct	Deleted Scene	The Page Unbound
25-Oct	Author Interview	The Librarian Talks
26-Oct	Review	Reading by Moonlight

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Game Changer by Charissa Stastny

Meridee Mansford wants nothing to do with the popular crowd. She’s comfortable being invisible. But that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about the hunky football player who visits the campus ice cream shop where she works. Still, she’s smart enough to know he’d never notice a girl like her, and she’d never want him even if he did. Too much unwelcome attention.

Parker Harrington basks in the glory that’s been his since the game-changing passes he caught that pushed his team into the national spotlight. Sticky Fingers is his media moniker now, and the cheerleaders who used to ignore him when he sat the bench have become his most devoted fans. But when he accidentally crashes into a quiet coed and covers her in orange chicken, it throws off his offensive game.

As fate, ice cream, and orange chicken throw the opposites together, will Parker continue keeping company with women he knows are only using him for his fame, or will he change up the game and risk his heart on a genuine girl who despises the attention he craves?

Praise for the Book

“A fun and flirty new adult romance. It’s a sweet indulgence that keeps you turning pages. The start to what is sure to be a great new series. – Jennifer Peel, author of Pianos and Promises series

“Opposites attract when the overlooked sweet girl lands herself the popular football star in this quasi-Cinderella story. It’s the perfect read to keep you up way past your bedtime…” –Taylor Dean, author of Chasing Fireflies

 

 

Excerpt

Twiddling my fingers, I waited for Ken to make up his mind. I hoped he’d order without looking up so he didn’t recognize me. Not that he would. But just in case, I kept my chin tucked as I stared at the counter.

“Um, let’s see.” His head stayed bowed. “I’ll have a triple waffle cone with a scoop of caramel cashew and…” He paused and scratched his head as though solving a physics problem. “…a scoop of huckleberry ripple, and, umm…I guess I’ll try a scoop of that…”

When he paused, I peeked up to see if he pointed at a flavor. Instead, I found him staring at me.

“Y-you,” he sputtered.

I cringed and wished a hole could open up in the floor and swallow me.

“You’re the girl I crashed into in the CUB yesterday, aren’t you?”

My cheeks burned and my throat felt like sandpaper. “W-what was the last flavor you wanted?” He hadn’t finished ordering.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Um…” His gaze dropped, but shot right back up to stare at me again.

“What’s your last flavor?” I determined to keep him on task.

His brows furrowed. “I guess I’ll have the licorice since it’s new.”

I shuddered, and attempted to ignore the infuriatingly sexy man gaping at me as though I had horns sprouting from my head. The tightening in my chest and labored breathing proved I tried in vain.

 

 

About the Author

Charissa Stastny is an avid reader, happy writer, wasp-hater, iris-lover, and food connoisseur (especially sushi and chocolate, but not together). She was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, but has never pulled a handle of a slot machine and can’t shuffle cards to save her life. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has four children that make her smile and laugh all the time. She called Idaho her home for years, but has recently moved to Utah, where she was thrilled to discover dozens of flavors of hot chocolate to keep her happy in the winter. The cherry one might be her favorite (this week). She is the author of five books and ‘imagine-eer’ of many more.

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$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 11/5/17

Open only to those 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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