The Tale of Lucia Grandi Review

The Tale of Lucia Grandi

When an old woman is asked to tell the story of her life, she tells an intense and poignant tale about growing up in and surviving a warring suburban family during the 1950s and '60s. 

Written as a memoir, each chapter describes a particular incident in Lucia's life which shows the constant struggle between her parents and the perverse effect it has on her and her family. From her complicated and unwanted birth, to her witnessing a suicide at age 3, to her stint as a runaway at age 14, the story progresses to the final crisis where as a young woman she is turned out of her house and banished from her family forever. 

Told in breathtakingly beautiful prose, this is a powerful and timeless story of a dying woman's courageous attempt to come to terms with her past and the troubled family that dominated it.

Purchase The Tale of Lucia Grandi: The Early Years Kindle | Paperback | Barnes & Noble

Follow Susan Speranza Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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Now for my review:

Interesting throughout

This book is a memoir of Lucia's long life which was sometimes sad, sometimes traumatic, sometimes happy, but always interesting and thought provoking. Lucia deals with many issues I think most people can relate to to some degree or another. My overall thoughts: If you think you've got it rough, read this. It will help you appreciate what you've got - especially your loved ones. I enjoyed traveling back in time to see her growing up in that era. I chuckled, shed a tear or two, and just kept reading. If you like memoirs, historicals, or stories that stick with you, I recommend this book. 

Happy reading!

Parker Francis Guest Post

Bring Down The Furies

Sherman’s troops burned it the first time. Now a serial arsonist threatens a small South Carolina town and private investigator Quint Mitchell is caught in the backdraft. When Quint follows the “Heartthrob Bandit” to the hamlet of Allendale, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ugly cultural war between an ultraconservative minister and the scientist who may have discovered proof of the oldest humans ever found in North America. 

As the heat grows more intense, arson turns to murder, and Quint is embroiled in a growing firestorm that threatens to destroy Allendale for the second time. A media frenzy surrounding the clash of faith and science whips emotions to a fiery crescendo. With time running out, Quint is the only man standing between a vicious killer with nothing to lose and his plan to bring down the furies on Allendale and Quint.

Purchase Bring Down The Furies on Amazon.

About Author Parker Francis

Parker Francis is the pen name of author Victor DiGenti. As Parker, I write gritty, fast-paced mysteries filled with murder, violence and laced with humor. The first in my Quint Mitchell Mystery series was MATANZAS BAY, an award-winning adventure set in the nation's oldest city. The second in the series, BRING DOWN THE FURIES, takes PI Mitchell to Allendale, SC where he becomes embroiled in an ugly cultural war and comes face to face with a serial arsonist. 

In my first life I worked for the Public Broadcasting stations in NE Florida with diverse duties that included public affairs producer, director, reporter, fundraiser and producer of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. My first three books were written using my real name. They were adventure/fantasies with a feline protagonist. The WINDRUSHER trilogy won multiple awards and attracted readers of all ages. 

Parker (aka Vic) lives in NE Florida with his wife and their rescued cats who tolerate them as long as their bowls are filled and litter boxes emptied.

Follow the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

The author is giving away $50 Amazon gift card, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and autographed copies of the two Quint Mitchell Mystery books, MATANZAS BAY and BRING DOWN THE FURIES.

Click here to enter and follow the tour!

Now for the Guest Post...

Lisa, thanks for the invitation to be a guest poster on your blog today. As a writer of vampire paranormals you know that tension, conflict and, yes, violence are all part of the writer’s toolbox. There’s a fine line I try to walk as a writer of mysteries. My goal is to create a compelling story filled with ever-rising tension and conflict as background for a cast of memorable characters. Together, the characters and plot should jump off the page and hook the reader. It’s often difficult to be objective about our own work (isn’t that why the editor was invented?), but we usually know when the story rings true. When we’ve created a powerful illusion of realism in our fiction.

And that’s part of the balancing act between fiction and reality. How far should we push the realism? After all, the real world overflows with so much “in your face” realism of death and destruction it can leave us emotionally desiccated. The media’s 24-hour news cycle bombards us with realism, inching us closer and closer to paranoia, one gruesome story at a time.

Although lighter in tone than MATANZAS BAY, my first Quint Mitchell Mystery, BRING DOWN THE FURIES has more than it’s share of violence. Bad things happen, there’s murder most foul. Yet, the violence factor is tame compared to the grisly cases real life cops see. Even so, most people read to be entertained, not grossed out. These are the folks who might enjoy cozy mysteries where the violence usually happens off stage, and an amateur detective solves the crime.

I don’t think writers are much different than ordinary people. What was it that Shylock said in The Merchant of Venice? “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?”

True enough, particularly the poison part. Yet when I sit down at the computer it’s more likely I’m communing with the dark side rather than with the better angels of my nature. That’s one of the job requirements when crafting realistic mysteries. Writers want to create inspiring characters, unpredictable plots and satisfying dialogue. Donald Maass calls it writing with passion. He had this to say about passionate writing in the introduction to his book, The Fire in Fiction. 

“Passionate writing makes every word a shaft of light, every sentence a crack of thunder, every scene a tectonic shift.”

In the end, I’m sure most readers understand fictional violence is just that—fiction. And as writers of books with a darker side, we shouldn’t be confused with our characters. Although people may have their doubts when they read that noted horror writer Stephen King once said, “I have the heart of a young boy. And I keep it in a jar on my desk.” 

Welcome D. N. Simmons

Desires Unleashed (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book One)

Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually-charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.

When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.

Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural-free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where shewanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives. All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.

Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!

Purchase Desires Unleashed on Amazon.

About Author D.N. Simmons

D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies. She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.

To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com . D.N. is always interesting in meeting new and wonderful people.

Follow D.N. Simmons Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

The author is giving away a $100 gift certificate and a Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Tshirt. 

Click here to enter and follow the tour.

Now for the interview...

Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself. What do you do for fun? 

I enjoy the simple pleasure in life, really. I love going out to the theaters. I enjoy reading a great book or watching a wonderful movie or TV show. I also enjoy dancing and traveling, seeing new places. 

Q:What sets your series a part from the other Urban-Fantasy/Paranormal Romance books? 

Every author has to bring something original to the genre. One thing that you’ll notice immediately is that I broke away from the norm where the story follows one main character/couple. My stories surround my characters and because I don’t have one set character/couple, I have the freedom to create scenarios you won’t find in other paranormal books in my genre. I really wanted to give readers something that was unconventional and highly entertaining. You can have a number of characters to fall in love with because each one is just bursting with personality. One more aspect that you’ll notice about the KOTDC is that it’s multicultural, there’re straight, gay and bisexual characters. I wanted my series, even though it’s set in a fictional world, to reflect people as they are in the real world. I wanted readers to be able to relate to the characters on a more personal level while embarking on adventure after adventure. 

Q: What do you like most about the genre you write in? 

What I love about Urban-Fantasy is the freedom you have. For me, at least I indulge in combining PNR, horror, mystery, erotica and comedy into each book bringing my characters to life. 

Q: Where is your favorite place to write? 

Someplace quiet, where I can listen to music and just let my mind flow. 

Q: What’s your next project? 

I’m currently working on a horror novel that may see itself as a trilogy… we’ll see. 

Q: How do you feel about Dr. Pepper?

Oh, no, a trap question! I really do not like Dr. Pepper. I suppose 23 flavors is a bit too much for me. LOL. I’m more of an ice tea drinker. :D

Olivia Hardin Guest Post

Shifty Business (Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy Book 3)

Gerry Hinton thought she had the perfect career as an operative for the Company. Her next assignment should have been another "mission accomplished", but hell was delivering hand baskets that day. When a little girl gives a mysterious silver box to Gerry, her world self-destructs. Suddenly under constant mental attacks, the only person who can save her is her partner, Nicky--but nothing comes without a cost. Secrets buried deep in the past begin to rise, threatening everything she holds dear. If she can't out run her past, can she save her future?

About Author Olivia Hardin

About the Author – Olivia Hardin realized early on how strange she was to have complete movie-like character dreams as a child. Eventually she began putting those vivid dreams to paper and was rarely without her spiral notebooks full of those mental ramblings. Her forgotten vision of becoming an author was realized when she connected with a group of amazingly talented and fabulous writers who gave her lots of direction and encouragement. With a little extra push from family and friends, she hunkered down to get lost in the words. She’s also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and is sometimes accused of being artistic, though she’s generally too much of a perfectionist to appreciate her own work. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband and their puppy Bonnie.

Connect with her Online - Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Witch Way Bends (Book 1 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Bitten Shame: (Book 2 in the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Shifty Business: (Book 3 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy) (Volume 3)

Tour prizes include $75 Amazon Gift Card, 3 paperbacks, and bookmarks. 

Click here to enter and follow the tour!

Now for the guest post...

I have a pretty eclectic Shifty Business playlist, but at the top of the songs for that book is Pink’s "Try". To understand why that song fits so much, I think you have to watch the video.

 

I see so much of Nicky and Gerry in this video and in the lyrics. There is this constant push and pull between them. Their past, the things they do to each other, the things they do for each other all leave “marks” on their hearts, just the way the splashes of color are left behind on Pink and her guy. Wow… it just encompasses the essence of the story. If Nicky and Gerry are going to make it, they have to realize that “just because it burns doesn’t mean you’re gonna die, you’ve gotta get up and try.”

So besides “Try” there are quite a few other songs on the Shifty Playlist. The scene where Gerry attends the Bittner party in the body of Lady Margaret Alvey? Yeah, I listened to “The Golden Age,” The Asteroid Galaxy Tour. “Hello, Hello” by Missy Higgins makes me think of the way Nicky is constantly trying to get Gerry to open up to him: “Hello, hello, is anybody there? This disappearing act is getting’ harder to bear…”

For actual writing time, I prefer music without lyrics, so that the words of the song don’t interrupt the words of the story. During book 3, I liked to play Nero, music that I first heard during the trailer for the movie Anna Karenina.

So feel free to enjoy all of my Shifty Business play list here at Spotify. And if you link your facebook account to your Spotify account, you can keep an eye on what music I’m listening to all the time!

 

~Olivia  

Beer Money Book Tour

Beer Money

In the explosive opening to an exciting new mystery series, private investigator Burr Ashland learns that his best friend, a history professor, has been murdered. Burr is plunged into an investigation that puts him in the middle of a violent struggle not just between the present and the past, but between good and evil. With nonstop action and breakneck twists, BEER MONEY is the next bestseller from Dani Amore, who Mystery Tribune calls “A sensation among Kindle owners who love fast paced thrillers.”

About Author Dani Amore

Dani Amore is a bestselling crime novelist living in Los Angeles, California. She is the winner of the winner of the 2011 Independent Book Award for Crime Fiction. Her books include THE CIRCUIT RIDER (A KINDLE SERIAL), The Mary Cooper Mystery Series, THE KILLING LEAGUE, The John Rockne Mystery Series, and TO FIND A MOUNTAIN.

Follow Dani Amore Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Pinterest 

Purchase Beer Money on Amazon. 

The author is giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card. 

Fill out the form to enter! 

Closed - Congratulations Denise L.!

Follow the Tour!

The Forgotten Ones Cover Reveal

Title: The Forgotten Ones

Author: Laura Howard

Genre: NA Paranormal Fantasy Romance

Expected release date: May 15, 2013

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designer: Stephanie Mooney 

Book Description:

Allison O'Malley just graduated from college. Her life's plan is to get a job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She doesn't have room for friends or even Ethan, who clearly wants more.

When Allison's long-lost father shows up, he claims he can bring her mother back from the dark place her mind has sent her. He reveals legends of a race of people long forgotten, the Tuatha de Danaan, along with the truth about why he abandoned her mother.

Laura Howard | Facebook | Twitter

Share on Facebook and/or Twitter and you could win a $50 Amazon (or B&N) Gift card!

Closed - Congratulations Alyssa C.!

Gambling On A Secret Blog Tour

Blurb:

When Charli bets everything on a secret, will she find the deck stacked against her?

Former runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her sordid past and planning a future in Colton, Texas. Attending the local college for a degree in social work, she intends to raise cattle on her newly purchased ranch, which she plans to open as a home for troubled teens. Only a few glitches—the Victorian mansion is crumbling, the barn needs a roof, and her oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she meets Dylan Quinn, Charli is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown ranch.

Dylan has his demons, too. The former Special Forces commander can’t get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and the botched mission that left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the greedy oilman next door to Charli wants much more than just her heart, Dylan’s even willing to stop drinking in order to protect her.

When things get dangerous and secrets of the past are revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer, or is she the new start he so desperately needs?

CONTENT WARNING: Details abuse of a minor, drug abuse, alcoholism, swearing, spicy sex, murder.

COVER QUOTE: “Full of intrigue, tangled pasts, and raw emotions, this one is guaranteed to keep you turning pages from start to finish and then wishing for one more chapter!”
Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Just a Cowboy and His Baby.

Ms. Brown also named Gambling On A Secret as one of her favorite romance reads in 2012 in the Happy Ever After Blog on USA Today.

Giveaways below: Gambling On A Secret ebook, custom jewelry, & 2 Grand Prizes

Desires Unleashed Book Tour

Desires Unleashed (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book One)

Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually-charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.

When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.

Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural-free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where shewanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives. All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.

Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!

Purchase Desires Unleashed on Amazon.

About Author D.N. Simmons

D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies. She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.

To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com . D.N. is always interesting in meeting new and wonderful people.

Follow D.N. Simmons Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

The author is giving away a $100 gift certificate and a Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Tshirt. Fill out the form below to enter!

Closed - Congratulations Sonya M.!

Follow the Book Tour!

925 Ideas Review

Get Out of Debt and Retire A Millionaire So You Can Leave Your Mark on the World

925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire A Millionaire So You Can Leave Your Mark on the World from the author of the highly acclaimed book, Your Mark on the World, is a collection of articles about family financial planning that originally appeared at FamilyHow.com. 

925 Ideas... is an easy and readable guide to help your family find financial peace. Author Devin D. Thorpe explains: 

1) how you and your spouse can find agreement on money matters, 
2) how to teach your kids about money, 
3) how to pay for your children's college education, 
4) how to live like a millionaire 
5) how to come up with $25,000 in a crisis 
6) how to make ends meet on one income 
7) how to get out of debt and stay out of debt 
8) why home ownership should be your family's top financial priority 
9) how to ask your boss for a raise 
10) how to use your finances to do more good in the world.

Get the book on Smashwords FREE or Amazon for only $0.99

Purchase Your Mark on the World on Kindle / Paperback / Nook / Smashwords

Follow Devin D. Thorpe 
Blog: YourMarkOnTheWorld.com

Facebook.com/YourMarkOnTheWorld

Twitter: @devindthorpe or #yourmarkontheworld

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/NLQBn6

Click here to enter the giveaway and follow the tour!

Now for my review:

925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire A Millionaire So You Can Leave Your Mark on the World  by Devin D. Thorpe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book really does cover everything as far as creating financial goals and meeting them by prioritizing your spending. It covers getting your spouse on board and teaching your children to be responsible with their money. Not only does the author share hundreds of money saving tips but he also delves into spending quality time with your family and increasing their awareness of spending and the value of a dollar. All of this, he wraps together in a way to show us to improve our quality of life while living frugally. This book will benefit anyone at any stage of their lives and it comes at a perfect time with the economy as it is. Kudos to the author!


View all my reviews

Welcome Jessica Gibson

Chasing the Witch

After the events of Mark of the Witch, Jilly at last begins to breathe easier though her powers are still growing. But can she harness them in time to confront a new chain of events that threatens to change everything? 

Caroline has finally accepted her life as a witch, but when a stranger comes into her life she's forced to question her family loyalty. 

The sisters are thrown together to protect a young girl from the enemy determined to hunt her down. Can they save her -- and themselves?   

Purchase on Kindle / Barnes & Noble

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Literary Addicts  

Follow the Tour

Now for the interview...

Welcome Jessica Gibson!

Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself. What do you do for fun? 

I’m a wife and mother, and an author, a blogger, and an online event planner. I wear a lot of hats lol. I don’t usually have a lot of spare time, but when I do get a few minutes to myself I love to read.

Q: What do you like most about the genre you write in? 

The thing I enjoy most about the paranormal/fantasy genre is that anything can happen. You can create whole new worlds.

  

Q: Where is your favorite place to write? 

My kitchen table late at night. When the house is quiet and everyone is sleeping.

Q: What’s your next project? 

I have a few things in the works, the last Boston Witches book, the 2^nd Blood Ties book, and a  YA series called Haunted U. I tend to have a bunch of books going at the same time, so if I get stuck on one, I can jump to the next.

  

Q: How do you feel about Dr. Pepper? 

Lol, that is funny. Well, I’d have to say I really like Dr. Pepper.

Bring Down The Furies Book Tour

Bring Down The Furies

Sherman’s troops burned it the first time. Now a serial arsonist threatens a small South Carolina town and private investigator Quint Mitchell is caught in the backdraft. When Quint follows the “Heartthrob Bandit” to the hamlet of Allendale, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ugly cultural war between an ultraconservative minister and the scientist who may have discovered proof of the oldest humans ever found in North America. 

As the heat grows more intense, arson turns to murder, and Quint is embroiled in a growing firestorm that threatens to destroy Allendale for the second time. A media frenzy surrounding the clash of faith and science whips emotions to a fiery crescendo. With time running out, Quint is the only man standing between a vicious killer with nothing to lose and his plan to bring down the furies on Allendale and Quint.

Purchase Bring Down The Furies on Amazon.

About Author Parker Francis

Parker Francis is the pen name of author Victor DiGenti. As Parker, I write gritty, fast-paced mysteries filled with murder, violence and laced with humor. The first in my Quint Mitchell Mystery series was MATANZAS BAY, an award-winning adventure set in the nation's oldest city. The second in the series, BRING DOWN THE FURIES, takes PI Mitchell to Allendale, SC where he becomes embroiled in an ugly cultural war and comes face to face with a serial arsonist. 

In my first life I worked for the Public Broadcasting stations in NE Florida with diverse duties that included public affairs producer, director, reporter, fundraiser and producer of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. My first three books were written using my real name. They were adventure/fantasies with a feline protagonist. The WINDRUSHER trilogy won multiple awards and attracted readers of all ages. 

Parker (aka Vic) lives in NE Florida with his wife and their rescued cats who tolerate them as long as their bowls are filled and litter boxes emptied.

Follow the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

The author is giving away $50 Amazon gift card, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and autographed copies of the two Quint Mitchell Mystery books, MATANZAS BAY and BRING DOWN THE FURIES.

Fill out the form below to enter!

Follow the Tour

Closed - Congratulations Eve K. & Kaci G.!

The Tale of Lucia Grandi Book Tour

The Tale of Lucia Grandi

When an old woman is asked to tell the story of her life, she tells an intense and poignant tale about growing up in and surviving a warring suburban family during the 1950s and '60s. 

Written as a memoir, each chapter describes a particular incident in Lucia's life which shows the constant struggle between her parents and the perverse effect it has on her and her family. From her complicated and unwanted birth, to her witnessing a suicide at age 3, to her stint as a runaway at age 14, the story progresses to the final crisis where as a young woman she is turned out of her house and banished from her family forever. 

Told in breathtakingly beautiful prose, this is a powerful and timeless story of a dying woman's courageous attempt to come to terms with her past and the troubled family that dominated it.

Purchase The Tale of Lucia Grandi: The Early Years Kindle | Paperback | Barnes & Noble

About Susan Speranza

ONCE UPON A TIME...

...I was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island where I had an interesting and creative childhood. Once in college, I studied Psychology and Philosophy, but since "thinking" didn't translate into earning money or job security, I worked at a variety of different and unrelated jobs both in New York City and on Long Island.

In order to keep me sane through all the craziness of life, I spent my spare time writing. Anything and everything. The culmination of this was a fantasy - The City of Light - which has recently been reissued as an ebook.

I took up the hobby of dog showing and breeding and produced many Pekingese Champions. You can see them over at our Castlerigg Pekingese website.

Somewhere in the middle of my life so far, after a great personal upheaval, I went back to school, became a High School Librarian. I managed to fulfill my childhood dream of living in the country when I finally escaped suburbia and moved to Vermont where I now happily live with my beautiful Pekes.

But I've never stopped writing. My biography (as with my life, I hope) is to be continued...

Follow Susan Speranza Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Follow the Tour! -->Tour Prize -$50 Amazon GC & 5 Autographed copies Fill out the form below to enter

Closed - Congratulations Kath B., Alison M., Ellie W., Kathy W., & Melanie W.!

An Unexpected Blessing Review

Single Mom Katy Roth thinks life can't get any worse. In the past six months she's been let go at work, had to move back home with her parents, and found out her ex is cutting his child support payment. As Thanksgiving approaches, she finds little to be thankful for in a life that is quickly spinning out of control.

Joe Mason is the town's bad boy. Literally. He's just returned from a four year stint in prison. He wants nothing more than to put the past behind him and get on with his life. He's had a secret crush on Katy since grade school, but when Katy's parents hire him to be their handyman, she's less than thrilled to have him around.

But soon, through her young son's eyes, Katy discovers the good in Joe. As their feelings for one another deepen, small town gossip and prejudice threaten to ruin everything. Will Joe's past come between them, or will they be able to get beyond it and hold onto a love neither expected?

Author Website

Purchase Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Wild Rose Press

My Review:

An Unexpected Blessing by Debra St. John
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful and touching holiday story about love, second chances, and small town life. It’s a beautifully written romance and so heartwarming, I recommend as a great read any time of year. Not only does it remind the reader about the importance of Thanksgiving but it also reminds us to open our hearts and minds to those who’ve made mistakes and are working to set things right. Everyone deserves a second chance if they work for it and this book highlights how detrimental gossiping and bullying can be in that setting.


View all my reviews

Pinch of Naughty Review

Eleanor Lacey’s husband is as dead as their sexless marriage. While she waits for the law to decide if she’s widowed or divorced, she leaves scandal in Connecticut behind and flees to Texas to begin anew. But she needs money—fast. What better way to earn her grubstake than by cooking meals for the richest rancher in the state?Cyrus Burke works hard for every penny he makes and prides himself on knowing where to cut costs. He doesn’t want a wife cluttering up his life. His housekeepers are good enough—round-the-clock employees tending his sexual appetite too. When Mrs. Lacey applies for the position, she looks like a promising candidate. Delicious in fact, as smooth and creamy as a tasty tart.When Eleanor and Cyrus come together, it’s a recipe for hot love. Take one wickedly willful widow and one arrogantly masterful man, add a dash of decadent desire, a pinch of sizzling naughty, and turn up the fire.

Author Website

Purchase Amazon / Barnes & Noble / All Romance

My Review:

Pinch of Naughty by Gem Sivad
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deliciously Naughty!

I’ve read Western romances before but this one held an unexpected surprise with a more modern-minded woman and a more sensual-minded man. Put the two together in an arranged setting and the sparks fly. Here’s what I like the most: The woman was not a virgin (as is the case in most that I’ve read) and she willingly agreed to enter into a contract to take care of a man’s needs and actually goes through with it with hardly any trepidation. How often do you see that in a Western? Never. At least I never have. The combination was exciting and fresh, and I loved the chemistry between the couple. I could NOT stop reading this story.


View all my reviews

The Learner Book Tour

The Learner

An alien from the dark side of the universe is sent to Earth on a mission. She’s called a Learner. When she falls in love with a human—which is against her specie’s covenants of exploration—her rulers order her to leave him. She refuses, risking not only the successful outcome of her mission on Earth, but also her life as well as the life of the man she loves.

Purchase The Learner on Amazon!

 

About Author Alan Nayes

I live in Southern California but still consider myself part Texan by birthright. I was born in Houston and grew up in Dallas. I've resided in California since the mid 1980's but get back to Texas as much as possible. My first two published novels--GARGOYLES and THE UNNATURAL are biomedical thrillers. Actually THE UNNATURAL could also fall into the horror genre as it is a pretty bizarre tale. BARBARY POINT is a love story about a successful young woman who falls in love with a fishing guide. It was written on a suggestion from a former agent. My favorite football team is the Superbowl champs GREEN BAY PACKERS. Sorry Cowboys. But when GB is not on the gridiron--Go Dallas! Great Cheerleaders, too!
I enjoy the outdoors and as a side note I'm one of only a few individuals to ever swim across Wisconsin's chilly Lake Winnebago. Does this make me a better writer--probably not. When I'm not working on my next project, I enjoy relaxing and fishing at our family vacation home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Alan Nayes is the author of GARGOYLES, THE UNNATURAL, BARBARY POINT, GIRL BLUE, and SMILODON.

Follow Alan Nayes Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / His website

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances out of my control, the sponsor requested the contest end early.

Follow the Tour!

Friday Jan 4 Blast Monday Jan 7, 2013 http://amandablogs.com http://mommyreadstoomuch.com Tuesday Jan 8, 2013 http://31daysearlyirise.com Wednesday Jan 9, 2013 http://takingtimeformommy.com Thursday Jan 10, 2013 http://yummybookalicousbabe.blogspot.com Friday Jan 11, 2013 http://www.craftymomof3.com Monday Jan 14, 2013 http://nikita-mattes.blogspot.com/ http://booktester.blogspot.com/ Tuesday Jan 15, 2013 http://coziecorner.blogspot.com Wednesday Jan 16, 2013 http://literaryaddicts.com
Tour prizes include a $50 Amazon Gift Card and ebooks of GARGOYLES and SMILODON. Fill out the form below to Enter. Open INT.

Closed - Congratulations Melody A.!

Shifty Business Book Blast

Shifty Business (Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy Book 3)

Gerry Hinton thought she had the perfect career as an operative for the Company. Her next assignment should have been another "mission accomplished", but hell was delivering hand baskets that day. When a little girl gives a mysterious silver box to Gerry, her world self-destructs. Suddenly under constant mental attacks, the only person who can save her is her partner, Nicky--but nothing comes without a cost. Secrets buried deep in the past begin to rise, threatening everything she holds dear. If she can't out run her past, can she save her future?

About Author Olivia Hardin

About the Author – Olivia Hardin realized early on how strange she was to have complete movie-like character dreams as a child. Eventually she began putting those vivid dreams to paper and was rarely without her spiral notebooks full of those mental ramblings. Her forgotten vision of becoming an author was realized when she connected with a group of amazingly talented and fabulous writers who gave her lots of direction and encouragement. With a little extra push from family and friends, she hunkered down to get lost in the words. She’s also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and is sometimes accused of being artistic, though she’s generally too much of a perfectionist to appreciate her own work. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband and their puppy Bonnie.

Connect with her Online - Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Witch Way Bends (Book 1 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Bitten Shame: (Book 2 in the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Shifty Business: (Book 3 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy) (Volume 3)

Tour prizes include $75 Amazon Gift Card, 3 paperbacks, and bookmarks. Fill out the form below to enter Open INT for GC but US for print books and bookmarks

Closed - Congratulations Coupon L., Stephanie M., & Lacey T.!

Follow the tour

The Silver Sphere Book Blast

The Silver Sphere

Shelby Pardow never imagined killing someone. That's about to change. While hiding from her troubled father in the local library, Shelby stares at a flashing instant message on her computer: YOU ARE NEEDED. 

She discovers a portal that opens and teleports her to the planet Azimuth, where soldiers await. Here, she is not a child but a warrior, Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members imprisoned by Malefic Cacoethes, the daunting leader of the Nightlanders. Malefic, the evil spawn of the demon Biskara, razes towns and cities in his quest to rule Azimuth, and yearns to turn his forces against Earth. Yet every time Biskara gets close to achieving his malevolent goals, the Assembly uses the Silver Sphere, a sophisticated arm illary device, to thwart him. With the Assembly deposed, Biskara directing Malefic's conquests, and the Silver Sphere out of reach, Shelby is thrust into an unforgettable quest with her fellow Kin. She must learn to kill and lead an army into battle, or Azimuth—and Earth—will fall.

Purchase on Amazon Kindle / Paperback

Read the first chapter HERE

Sign up for the Kin Chronicle Newsletter HERE

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Website

Watch the book trailer!

The Silver Sphere - Extended Book Trailer
The author is giving away a $100 Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to Enter!

Closed - Congratulations Laurie N.!

New Year's Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the New Year's Blog Hop!

Happy New Year! 

I hope you all had a fabulous year! Tell me about your resolutions and how you're going to make the coming year even better.

What are my resolutions? I'm planning to publish at least four new books this year including Book 2 in my Wanted: Vampire series. Wanted: Vampire - Bad Blood will release in January. I'll also be releasing a brand new trilogy. I've revamped Curse of the Egyptian Goddess into a full length book and will republish it, along with the two books that will follow. If you'd like to read the free novella, get it here: FREE NOVELLA

Find out more about my books HERE.

MY GIVEAWAY? A surprise. Fill out the rafflecopter to win!

Closed - Congratulations Stephanie M.!

Tell us about your New Year's resolutions! You, as a reader, can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address to be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains 10+ paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more! (US only for this one)

PLUS over 200 other giveaways!

Click here to follow the hop and win some more great prizes!

Silenced Virtual Book Tour

RaeBeth McGee-Buda

RaeBeth McGee-Buda was born in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1987, the second daughter of Rachel Yost and Arthur Curtis McGee. RaeBeth grew up loving to read and write poetry, as well as short stories. Her childhood dream was to become a teacher. Rae Beth's dream of writing was created in her eleventh grade literature class where writing became her passion.

RaeBeth married in August 2012 to her husband, Gregory Stephen Buda Jr. and resides in a small Pennsylvania town of Fairchance. RaeBeth is a full time mother of one and is expecting her second.

She graduated from American Intercontinental University with her associates in business administration. She enjoys spending her time writing and feels that connecting with readers is her main goal.

RaeBeth published Silenced under her maiden name but plans to continue writing under her married name with any other works.

Genre: Young Adult/Suspense

Release date: December 13, 2012



Email – raebeth.buda@gmail.com
Website 

Link to Tour on Main Site  

Amazon  

Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the mist of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

Giveaway:

I am doing a tour wide giveaway that will include the following as a prize... 1 ecopy of Silenced, an author card, & (fake) razor necklace.

Fill out the rafflecopter to enter.

***CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW!***

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Closed - Congratulations Alex M.!

This is what the FAKE razor necklace looks like for the giveaway.