Wednesday, February 27, 2013

'Woman of Substance' by Annette Bower Book Tour & Review

Woman of Substance
by Anette Bower
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

"You will never understand what it means to be fat.” With those words, grad student Robbie Smith begins the Fat-Like-Me project. In order to support her thesis, she puts on a fat suit to measure people’s reactions to the new her.

Accused of embezzling funds, Professor Jake Proctor returns home to spend quality time with the only father he has ever known. There, he meets an intriguing overweight woman who reminds him of his late grandmother. She’s witty, charming, and cares deeply for those around her, including his dying grandfather.

When Robbie meets Jake while she’s in disguise, she deceives him for all the right reasons. But how long can she maintain the deception before Jake discovers that she is not who he believes her to be?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read an excerpt:
Robbie in her disguise meets Jake Proctor for the first time and there are not good impressions shared.

“Robbie’s cheeks burned. “You, you think I’m asking Frank for money?” She forced herself to stand straight and gripped her hands so she wouldn’t brush at the dirt clinging to the front of her jacket and kept both feet on the ground so she wouldn’t kick him in the shins. These solid shoes would give him a good bruise.

“For starters, you look as if you could use some clean clothes. There’s bread on the bench. And there’s the open wallet and a frail, old, man.” His clipped words and flashing eyes when he nodded toward each item left no room for doubt as to exactly what he thought.

Struggling between her outrage and the genuine concern in Jake’s eyes, she said, “Ah, Sherlock Holmes, I presume.” Nincompoop. Just goes to show a well-fitted jacket and height can disguise real character, too.

“No.” He put his hands behind his back and jutted his chin forward. “I’m a concerned grandson.”

“Stop it, both of you,” Frank growled. “Here’s the picture of Mabel I wanted to show you before Jake turned up out of the blue.” He handed his billfold to Robbie. Behind yellowed plastic was the image of a woman with dark curls smiling at the camera holding a baby wrapped in a blanket.

“That’s our Mabel.” He looked from Jake to Robbie.

“Yes.” Jake stood behind Frank and his hands hung loosely at his side.

Robbie felt a sense of relief. She turned toward Jake and pointed at the baby. “You?”

“No.” Jake sounded resigned. Robbie understood that sometimes a person just has to allow the story to be told.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**My thoughts**

Being a larger woman, I found myself relating to Robin a bit more than Robbie. I have heard all of the same things, only much more brutally than Robin ever has to experience. I also related to Jake's struggle in saying goodbye to his grandfather, having recently lost both my grandmother and my father. This story became much more personal to me than I had thought it would when I signed up for the tour.

I wasn't sure how to take Jake at first. I didn't care for his opinions of Robin. I found him condescending at times. And then I realized that he had some stereotypical thoughts that illustrated how a lot of people react. I loved his grandfather, Frank. I also got a kick out of how his name symbolized his true nature. He was the voice of reason that seemed to have quite an impact on both Robbie/Robin and Jake. The time frame in which this book took place seemed quite short for the story and Robbie's experiment, but I don't think she could have maintained the charade much longer. Plus, Christmas just needed to happen the way it did.

I think there are some good, subtle (and a few not so subtle) lessons to be had in this book. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but then I couldn't tear myself away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buy link: Amazon 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Annette Bower writes about women in family and women in love and women’s quest for love. Her short stories are published in magazines and anthologies in Canada, United States and in the United Kingdom.

Her first sweet contemporary romance Moving On, A Prairie Romance is e-published by XoXo Publishing™. Her second novel which is a blend of sweet romance and women’s fiction, Woman of Substance is e-published by Soul Mate Publishing.

Annette Bower lives and writes stories from a high rise where she can see the immediate hustle and bustle of downtown Regina and experience the changes in the grain fields throughout the Saskatchewan seasons.




Twitter: @bowerannette


Author of Moving On - A Prairie Romance on Amazon \ XoXo Publishers \ AReBookStrand

Author of Christmas Wishes with XoXo Publishers on Amazon \ XoXo Publishers \ ARe \



Annette will be awarding a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn host. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Review of 'Fractured Light' by Rachel McClellan

Book Blurb:
 
Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she s been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.

**My thoughts**

I signed up to tour the second book in this series, Fractured Soul, and asked if I could also have a copy of this one, so that I could understand the second book. 

This book was a nice change of pace for me. Yes, it's a young adult book about a girl with powers, but it was a little different. There are no witches, vampires, shifters (per se), nor werewolves. Llona is an Aura. Her mother was an Aura. Her father had his own powers. She has grown up knowing about the Light, though she doesn't come into her own with it until she is in her senior year of high school. 

Llona's parents are both dead. Her mother was murdered and her father was killed in a car accident. She lives with her Uncle Jake. Whenever she doesn't feel safe, the two of them move somewhere else. She is also shy, because of her powers. She knows that when the moon is in its full cycle, she is extremely powerful and filled with energy. As the moon fades back to a new moon, she loses her powers and become significantly weaker. This doesn't make her very popular with the other kids, especially her basketball team. It's safer and easier for her to just keep to herself.

But then she gives in to cultivating friendships with other kids and finds that she can be happier. In fact, her almost best friend May is harboring some of her own powers. Her math teacher, Mr. Steele, is a beautiful sight to behold. Matt gets her involved in book club. And then there is Christian. 

Ah, Christian. He seems to be interested, but then doesn't. He watches out for her and takes good care of her. He also holds the answers to so many secrets about her self, her true heritage, and what the future may hold for her. They work well together and even he finds out somethings he doesn't know.

This book captivated me, holding my attention all the way through, and it flowed nicely. I am glad that I have the second book on hand, instead of having to wait a year for it!

  Buy links: Hardcover Kindle

Sunday, February 24, 2013

'Tide Ever Rising' Book Tour & Review


Blurb:

 Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.  

  Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.
 
Read a brief excerpt:
The can, though rusty in spots, still showed the original yellow paint and black lettering clearly. Kadie clasped the can in her hands and shook it gently. The contents clanged and thumped within, and she grinned. Whatever was inside were definitely not coffee grounds. 
 
**My thoughts**
 
I do love a good ghost story. I felt like I was there with Kadie and Maysha as they were exploring the ruins of Charlotte and Adelaide's home. I am like Kadie and like to explore places like that while out hiking. I love to get immersed in the history, and would have probably done the same thing she did. At least as far as researching the history. I am not sure that I would have driven across a few states to hunt down the poor woman!
 
Maysha is not one of my favorite people. She seems kind of whiny and often inserts her foot into her mouth. But even sisters can be total opposites! Logan is interesting and quite possibly someone I would also like to get to know better. He is quite generous and alluring and also loves a good mystery.
 
The truth about the family just gets more and more interesting, the deeper they delve into it.
 
This book was a quick and easy read that kept me entertained in one evening. 
 
Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle 
 
Meet the Author:

Mandi Tucker Slack grew up in Orangeville, UT, where her father worked as a coal miner for eighteen years. In 1987 the coal mines shut down for a time and her father joined the U.S. Army. They were stationed in Hanau, Germany, and she had the opportunity to explore Europe. Mandi’s family returned to Utah in 1992, and they settled in Orangeville once again, where she attended and completed High School. She then attended the College of Eastern Utah, where she studied Geology. Eventually Mandi changed her major and moved on to Utah State University while she completed a degree in Special Education. She then married her best friend, Charles Slack. They have three children, with one on the way, 6 chickens, and a lizard (sometimes several lizards).Their family loves to spend time together. They enjoy 4-wheeling, camping, and especially rock hounding. Her house is littered with rocks and fossils. As a child Mandi spent many weekends with her parents and sister exploring abandoned mining towns and searching for relics among the brick ruins. Her adventures with her family are often the inspiration for her stories. Mandi is also the author of romantic/ suspense title, The Alias, available at a bookstore near you.

To find out more on Tide Ever Rising and author Mandi Slack, visit: www.mandituckerslack.com.

Friday, February 22, 2013

'Untangling the Knot' Super Book Blast!


UNTANGLING THE KNOT
By
Deanne Wilsted

BLURB: 
 
I did what?”

Twenty-eight year old Gabriella Bessu is St. Therese’s meticulous wedding ceremony coordinator. So the fact that she has mistakenly signed her newest couple up for an annulment, rather than a wedding, sends her Catholic guilt into overdrive.

But who can blame her? The groom is gorgeous and his two kids tug at Gabriella’s heart in a way that overcomes all her best intentions. Before long she’s in over her head, fixing her mixed-up plans and helping the children and dad come to terms with their haunting grief for the mother and wife they lost years earlier.

Can Gabriella untangle her own fears and accept the messy life that God has handed them?

Read an excerpt:
Gabriella heard Mandy’s screech all the way down the corridor. Oh no! That didn’t sound good. She’d sort of thought Mandy appeared wound up when they had first arrived at the office but she couldn’t imagine what would have made her explode like that.

She didn’t have to wait long to find out. Seconds later, Mandy stormed into her office pointing a piece of paper at her like a gun. Within moments, Ryan and Fr. O’Shea followed her through the door, Ryan seeming confused and Fr. O looking apologetic.

“There is no way . . .. I can tell you, NO WAY that Tina would have said I was not ready to get married. This is beyond crazy.” She turned to Fr. O’Shea and waved her arm in Gabriella’s direction.

“Okay, let’s slow down a little, honey.” Ryan tried to calm her. “We need to find out what happened from Gabriella.”

He studied Gabriella questioningly, but she could only stand mute, shaking her head.

“Bri, you took Tina’s statement, right?”

Gabriella nodded her head.

“Did she say anything to you to make you think”—Fr. O. stopped and gently took the paper from Mandy’s manic grasp—“that Mandy might not be prepared for being a wife or mother.”



Author Bio:

With an English teacher for a mom, Deanne Wilsted, grew up reciting conjugation instead of nursery rhymes. Now, forty years later, she's sharing that special skill through her writing and her mothering. Her first book, a contemporary romance called Betting Jessica, was released October 2011. Her second Novel, Untangling the Knot, is due out in February 2013 from Soul Mate Publishing. She is currently marketing her third book for publication and writing her fourth, fifth and sixth while blogging about the crazy stuff she overhears while writing.

LINKS:
Author Follow Links –
Amazon author page - http://amzn.com/e/B005YHFBQ2

Deanne will be awarding a $10 Amazon or BN.com GC (winner's choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

'Spin the Plate' Book Tour & Review



Title of Book: Spin the Plate

Length: 234 pages

Genre: 1) Contemporary, women’s fiction, 2) Love-story/Romance, 3) Abuse/inspirational

Warnings: this book contains profanity and descriptions of sexual abuse

Note: this book contains Christian themes, although they are not the primary focus.

Brief Synopsis:

Jo is a survivor of a bleak and abusive childhood who roams the city streets at night as a powerful vigilante. Francis is a mysterious man she meets on the subway train. In this story, the average-guy hero battles to win the battered heart of the wary, edgy, less-than-perfect heroine. "A fast-paced, edgy, darkly comic tale of resilience, romance, and redemption that breaks over you in waves." - Holly Robinson, author

Reviews:

Barnes and Noble (Short Story version): “This book really spoke to my heart. It spoke of endurance, journey and the light at the end of the tunnel. Right now so many of us are scrambling to keep one step ahead and survive in the world today. This book reaffirms that a strong faith, endurance and the willingness to take that journey can speak of a new beginning and a healthy recovery from one’s past and the damage that we bear daily. The author showed amazing insight and truthfully reflected that while the journey can be uncomfortable or scary, the destination is well worth it. The book was well written and captivating. The story and it’s more profound meaning is something I’ll definitely carry with me for a long long time. To the author, I thank you for a bright light in these dark days.”

Goodreads Reader: "I’m left almost speechless."

Provided by author Holly Robinson, The Wishing Hill (Penguin, in Press) and Sleeping Tigers: “Spin the Plate is a fast-paced, edgy, darkly comic tale of resilience, romance, and redemption that breaks over you in waves. All you can do is gasp, stay afloat, and enjoy the ride.”

**My thoughts**

These are two of the strangest characters I have ever met. Jo is what my dad and I would have called an "Amazon woman." She is very large and very strong, which she has done over the years to protect herself. She would rather have men be turned off by her than deal with their advances. She also wants little to nothing to do with women, either. She is a vigilante for animals, because they are the most defenseless of all. It's her way of seeking penance for what she endured as a young child.

I don't quite understand what Francis' profession really is. He is kind of a mystery man and unlikely hero all rolled into one. He is strong in his faith and is able to see things in others that they usually cannot. He has an unusual fixation on Jo from the moment he lays eyes on her, knowing that she is capable of being so much more. He will do anything it takes to help her to see her potential.

Both of them are searching for something. They lack companionship, only don't quite seem to realize it. They are both hurting deep within. Jo's pain is more obvious than Francis', I think. They have little in common, yet are drawn to each other.

The lesson that Francis teaches Jo, to "spin the plate," is an important one that we all need to do in our lives. Basically, take a step back from your situation. Look at it from another perspective. You can change your point-of-view and realize that things are not so bad after all. You can make them fit your needs. Just turn things around a little bit. At least, that is what I got out of the book.

Yes, abuse is a part of the story, but it does not dwell on the abuse. I thought the flashback scenes were handled delicately enough to not be offensive. They also serve to demonstrate how you can overcome even the worst situations in life.




Buy links: Amazon \ Smashwords


Donna Anastasi is the author of two non-fiction small animal books published by Bowtie press: The Complete Guide to Gerbil Care (2005) a popular how to breed, raise, and care for gerbils book and The Complete Guide to Chinchilla Care (2008) a chinchilla handbook promoting these exotic and intelligent creatures as companions, not coats. Spin the Plate is Anastasi's debut novel. The 2013 printing of Spin the Plate is a completely revised and expanded version of her 2010 indie-award winning novel: Living Now Book Awards (Gold Medal), Reader’s Favorite Awards (Silver Medal, Contemporary Romance), International Book Awards (Finalist, Women’s Literature), Best Book Awards (Finalist, Cross-Genre Fiction).

Donna Anastasi lives in the woods of Southern New, Hampshire with her husband, two teen-aged daughters and an ever-changing menagerie.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

'Untangling the Knot' Book Tour & Review

Untangling The KnotUntangling The Knot

“I did what?”

Twenty-eight year old Gabriella Bessu is St. Therese’s meticulous wedding ceremony coordinator. So the fact that she has mistakenly signed her newest couple up for an annulment, rather than a wedding, sends her Catholic guilt into overdrive.

But who can blame her? The groom is gorgeous and his two kids tug at Gabriella’s heart in a way that overcomes all her best intentions. Before long she’s in over her head, fixing her mixed-up plans and helping the children and dad come to terms with their haunting grief for the mother and wife they lost years earlier.

Can Gabriella untangle her own fears and accept the messy life that God has handed them?

**My thoughts**

From the moment I started reading this book, I knew how it was going to end. But that's okay. I was anxious to see how they were going to get there! The book was filled with ups and downs and a roller coaster ride that kept me glued to the Kindle until the very end.

Dealing with the loss of a spouse is bad enough. Dealing with the loss of a parent is even worse, especially at such a young age. Poor Ryan is still so distraught that he cannot see how horrible Mandy is for his family, and how right Gabriella is for his kids. You can't blame her for feeling conflicted. After all, she is the wedding planner. But you can never deny that connection that kids sometimes feel with adults. They knew better than we do about life. They have better instincts for the truth than we do. We should listen to them more.

This book also reiterates how God sometimes has a greater plan for us, no matter what we think we already know. "Ours is not to wonder why..." was always my mother's favorite saying. God truly does work in mysterious ways, and definitely has a hand in many scenarios in this story.

So, while this is a formula romance that we have seen before, it is still worth the read. It will take you away for an afternoon or a few, reminding you to give up some of   

Deanne Wilsted About Author Deanne Wilsted

With an English teacher for a mom, DEANNE WILSTED, grew up reciting conjugation instead of nursery rhymes. Now, forty years later, she's sharing that special skill through her writing and her mothering. Her first book, a contemporary romance called Betting Jessica, was released October 2011. Her second Novel, Untangling the Knot, is due out in February 2013 from Soul Mate Publishing. She is currently marketing her third book for publication and writing her fourth, fifth and sixth while blogging about the crazy stuff she overheard while writing.

Follow Deanne Wilsted

Feb 18

1. Review: http://mommyreadstoomuch.com
2. Excerpt: http://mamasgotflair.com

Feb 19

1. Review: http://upliftingreads.blogspot.com
2. Review: http://takingtimeformommy.com

Feb 20

1. Review: http://adventuresfrugalmom.com
2. Interview: http://midwesternmoms.com

Feb 21

1. Review: http://tiffanytalksbooks.com
2. Review: http://blogspot.com/Randomfamilygal

Feb 22

1. Review: http://www.craftylife.net
2. Guest Post: http://susanheim.blogspot.com

Feb 25

1. Review: http://nikita-mattes.blogspot.com/
2. Review: http://www.hangingoffthewire.com/

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

'Wind's Aria' Super Book Blast!



Wind’s Aria
by Tessa Stockton

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Aria falls into the hands of the dreaded angel who seems to have stolen more than her voice . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~





Read an excerpt:
Who are you?”

He pushed further back into the shadows as she strode closer. “Someone you need not know.”

What’s that supposed to mean?”

When he didn’t answer, she sighed.

What a strange, terrible day,” she mumbled. “Well, at least tell me your name . . .”

He stood, speechless, knowing he shouldn’t be there at all—conversing with a Meleyan—especially not their musical deliverer that he was set to doom the day after tomorrow.

A peculiar grumbling interrupted her insistence, to his relief.

Sorry.” She patted her stomach. He could see, even in the blackened night, how her face turned a deeper shade of red than her hair. “I’ve forgotten to eat. I guess I’m hungrier than I realized.”

He plucked an apple from the tree he’d nearly become a part of and held it out to her. The girl approached tentatively. She reached for the fruit but recoiled when her fingers brushed his.

Is touching me so horrible?” he asked.

Her jaw dropped open and her delicate brow furrowed. She inclined her head. “It . . . hurt.”

How?” he asked, for her fingers felt good to him, soothing. Warm. He wanted to try again.

I don’t know how to explain . . .”

Hum.” Unsatisfied with the answer, he tossed the apple to her and watched as she crunched her teeth into it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buy Links: Soulmate Publishing \ Amazon \ B&N
 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A veteran of the performing arts and worldwide missions, Tessa Stockton also contributed as a writer/editor for ministry publications, ghostwriter for political content, and she headed a column on the topic of forgiveness. Today she writes romance and intrigue novels in a variety of genres. In addition to her fantasy romance, WIND’S ARIA, she’s the author of suspense/thriller, THE UNSPEAKABLE, political intrigue/romance, THE UNFORGIVABLE, and a literary short story, LOVE AND LULL, with more in the works.





Tessa will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her reviews tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!