Sunday, May 31, 2015

Final #SampleSunday for Summertime

Please enjoy this final little snippet (I'm trying not to share any spoilers) from Summertime before it's released this Tuesday (06/02/15)!!!





“That’s a lovely voice you got there, girl. I might have to start calling you ‘songbird.’”

I jumped a little, startled by his voice. “You could hear me? I didn’t think I was that loud.”

“You weren’t loud at all, lovely. I just got good ears when it comes to music. I heard you all the way from upstairs. Left a good card game to see where that heavenly sound was coming from.”

I tilted my head to the side. “You couldn’t hear me from up there.”

He rubbed his hand over his wavy hair and then rubbed his chin as he approached me. “You might be right. Maybe I just wanted to see you...”






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Friday, May 29, 2015

#BookReview - Locked In Purgatory

Locked In PurgatoryLocked In Purgatory by Nakia R. Laushaul
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Locked in Purgatory we follow the story of flawed family patriarch, Luther Bennett, and learn of the far-reaching effects of his life and how he chose to live it. This story is one that could easily be ripped from the pages of any real family's history today. This story evoked deep emotions and made me root for the most unlikely (and maybe even unworthy) of characters. With this novel, Ms. Laushaul has solidified her position as one of my favorite authors. This is a highly recommended must-read. One of the best books I've read in a long time.

Adrienne Thompson
Author of Home

View all my reviews

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Thriftbooks Book Haul

So, I found out about the Thriftbooks website on BookTube and placed my first order quite quickly. The books are used and supposed to be in fairly good condition and I couldn't turn down the prices!! Check out the pic below of the three books I purchased.






Links to the books' Goodreads pages:



Sunday, May 24, 2015

#SampleSunday #2 from Summertime

Here's another little snippet from Summertime. Enjoy!!







“Would it be too forward of me to ask if you already have a beau, lovely songbird?”

I looked up at him, willed myself not to stare at his lips. “No—I mean, no, I don’t.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “The men around here must be dumb as rocks. Letting a fine-looking woman like you walk around here alone like this? I might just have to do something to fix that.”

I placed my hand on my chest. “Something like what?”

“Something like making you my woman.”

I shook my head. “Can’t do that. You’re just passing through.”

He nodded slightly as he reached up and touched my cheek. “Well, if you’re my girl,” he whispered, “I guess you’ll have to come with me… or I’ll have to stay.”

Then he leaned in and softly kissed me on the lips. Every nerve, muscle, and blood vessel in my body vibrated, and my knees buckled ever so slightly. “Dizzy…” I said softly.

He backed away from me with an intoxicated look in his eyes. “Call me John. I like the way you say it.”

“John?”

He smiled. “Yeah, I like that.”

“Dizzy, you holding up the game, man!” a voice shouted from upstairs.

He leaned in close to me again and smiled. “Damn, girl… you smell good.”

“I’m not wearing any perfume.”

“I didn’t think you were.”


CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy of Summertime!!!



Friday, May 22, 2015

Author Interview: Amarie Avant (The Fear Series)






Tell us about yourself.
Though I’m ironically afraid of scary movies, my books veer toward the darker side of romance and love. ‘Happily Ever After’ has always been a hard pill to swallow since my day-to-day clients deal with depression all the way to suicidal tendencies. I write to separate myself from reality and I enjoy creating character’s who are fully developed.

My favorite pastime besides writing a good story is being nosy. To me, ‘the life’ is just sitting back and watching. Then of course, I must know what moves their actions. I’m all about the “why’s” of life, having a B.A. in psychology (and Child Development), and a Masters in Counseling. Oh, and just a bit more about me, I love coupon shopping at high-end department stores, TV shows, and movies. And I’m dyslexic.

What has been your greatest reward in writing this book?
Simple. Learning about me. There’s nothing better than learning that I can finish something I’ve started. Writing a book is time consuming and knowing when to “chuck it out in to the world” for others to enjoy is just as hard.

Author Amarie Avant


What inspired your series, Fear: Falling in Love with an Alpha Billionaire?
Well, I thought it would be just one book, but here I go falling in love with the characters. It may be the dyslexia in me but I’ve learned to live with complex creativity.

Tell us about your main character.
I have two main characters. My alpha male, Victor D’Ross, Duke of Arlington. Six foot even, hypnotic, icy blue eyes and a British accent to boot. Victor is rigid in his ways. He is royalty so of course he has an aura about him that commands attention. But you must read the story to learn more about Victor because he first presents as very aloof.

My doll, Luxury Whitson is a sweetheart. She’s 4 foot 11 and owns a florist shop in Brooklyn, NY. On the outside, she is easily persuaded having dealt with the heartbreak of losing her mother, her closest friend. When she meets Victor it's life changing and so very dangerous.

What are you currently working on?
I’m working on Fear III the finale. This series will have elevated across the three books. The drama and tension have begun to climax, now it’s time for a thrilling ending. In addition, I’m attempting my first ‘straight’ romance, meaning I endeavor toward not being placed into the box of only being able to write romantic-suspense.

Now, please check out my books, I’ve put my all into everything from the stories to the book covers. Find me Amazon  Goodreads  Facebook  Twitter ,feel free to strike up a conversation. And for the love of all things holy, I strive off of knowing your thoughts of my work.




Book Blurbs:

FEAR I

22 year old Luxury Whitson is a romantic at heart. Yet this florist only grasp at love is listening to a customer's sentimental story while he purchases a beautiful bouquet of roses for a significant other. When Lux crosses paths with Victor, his presence commands her attention. From a tailor-made suit that drapes over 6 feet of muscles to aqua blue eyes that hold her siege, Lux falls fast. Victor exudes sex, and a plethora of other emotions. The most intense one being... fear.

Victor has a strict policy: work now, play later. With a sharp and twisted mind for murder, this billionaire doubles as a hitman. Victor always takes assassinations seriously until meeting Luxury, the daughter of his next mark. Now he has a new challenge. Tame Luxury and keep the Whitsons' alive....




FEAR II

Luxury's sole desire is to love Victor, a man that cannot love her. She once feared him. Mysterious and dark, Victor's cerulean eyes hypnotized Luxury's mind and commanded the drumming of her heart. The Duke has claimed her. Victor will keep Luxury against The Queen's order.
As the palace echoes with footsteps, the English dare to whisper the horrible truths. Suspense crescendos along with intoxicating sex.

The beast has made it clear who Luxury belongs to and how much of him he will allow: Money. Sex. Nothing more.

The stakes are high. Now fear... love.




Thursday, May 21, 2015

Guest Post - Laura Maw, author of Ollie the Orca






Children's Book
Date Published: October 2014

Come along and join Bubba the Bottlenose dolphin as he makes a new buddy while sharing a day they won’t soon forget. Grade 1-2 Reading Level

Bubba is out on one of his undersea adventures when he finds a frightened Orca trapped by a fishing net! In this attention gripping yet comical tale, Bubba works with his buddy Sammy the Seagull to free Ollie. Come along and join Bubba the Bottlenose dolphin as he makes a new buddy while sharing a day they won’t soon forget.





10 Things You Didn’t Know About Ollie the Orca

1. Ollie the Orca received a 5 Star Seal in March 2015 from Readers’ Favorite. This is an awesome achievement!
2. The character of Ollie was created through daydreaming about Bubba’s new adventures.
3. The project took about one year to complete from rough draft to published book. The writing process included a rough draft, word evaluation for grade level, edited drafts, final copy, and book dedication. The illustration process included pencil sketches, edits to sketches, and colour illustrations. Then once the story and illustrations are completed book layout brings everything together and gets the book ready to print. After a proof is printed and everything looks great, you are finally ready to publish!
4. Did you know that the use of Smart Boards in elementary school classrooms is on the rise? This definitely had an impact on the decision to publish Ollie the Orca in e-book format in addition to paperback.
5. It is completely coincidental that the page count and publication month matches Bubba’s Balloon. When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be! The two books fit so well together.
6. The author and illustrator are both Canadian.
7. The name Owen was also considered for the Orca character. Ollie was chosen because it fit best with the character’s personality.
8. The illustration of Ollie turned out exactly how the author had imagined him.
9. In the initial pencil sketch of Bubba and Ollie meeting with the net in between them, Bubba was accidentally positioned inside the net instead of Ollie! It was really funny and an easy fix!
10. Sammy the Seagull is the senex in the Bubba n’ Buddies stories. He is the wise older character that helps Bubba learn about himself and his surroundings in a safe and enlightening manner. Yoda and Gandalf are examples of famous senex.


Purchas Link




About the Author




When Laura Maw was a child, her favorite activities were going to the ocean and picking out another stack of books from the library. She loved reading from a very young age and could never seem to satisfy her craving for another new adventure, another new imagination landscape. Writing is a passion that seemed to come naturally with her love of reading. She too wanted to be able to help someone through a bad day, or to have a unique and thrilling experience on a good day, through the written communication of a story. She has a very vivid imagination that often takes her on wondrous adventures in her dreams. In fact, the idea for Bubba’s Balloon came to her in the form of a very funny dream. She woke up laughing and felt that it was a story that must be shared with others. The character of Ollie was even developed through daydreaming about Bubba’s adventures.







Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Virtual Book Tour - My Little People, A social worker's journey

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Book Title: My Little People A social worker's journey 
Genre: Self- Help, Instructional, Healthcare workers, Caregivers, Social Workers 
ISBN-10: 1502738643 
ISBN-13: 978-1502738646



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My name is Annie Clara Brown. I am from Alexander City, Alabama and currently reside in Sylacauga, Alabama. I am passionate about serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I serve as a licensed minister and secretary at my local church. I am definitely family oriented and enjoy spending quality time with my children, grandchildren and great-grand child. My professional skills and areas of expertise include providing emotional support and grief support to patients and their families. My professional title is Medical Social Worker at Lakeside Hospice, Inc. in Pell City Alabama, where one of my qualifications is individualized psycho-social care for each family. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama with a Concentration in children, adolescents, and families. My interests include working with veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) as well as being an avid reading. I recently joined the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) became certified to teach Family to Family. 



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 When facing terminal illness the shock of the news that there are no more medical treatments (chemo or radiation) only comfort measures available can turn your world upside down. Hospice? What is that? Many people have never heard of the word or if they have it has been presented in a negative light. Annie Brown writes as a hospice social worker giving informative information for patients, caregivers, healthcare professional, and social workers who might have an interest in working in the field of hospice. What services hospice provides for patients, grief issues, emotional support, and resources are discussed in an easy to understand fashion. Annie also shares some stories from her experiences that will touch your heart.


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Monday, May 18, 2015

Edge of Tomorrow Blitz and #Giveaway



Dystopian/New Adult
Date Published: April 15, 2015

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Twenty years after The Great Global Riots and the collapse of humanity, Alex Locke struggles to save his family, and his home colony of Pena, from starvation. When a letter from the corrupt Govern arrives dictating a game of survival penning local colonies against each other, Alex must trust a childhood friend, and seven others, on a certain death march to win the bounty or lose the only hope left in a war-ravaged world.

Excerpt

Beads of sweat rolled into Alex Locke’s eyes as he stared at the man before him crouched in the chair, weeping, gasping for breath. The left side of his face was swollen where a cheekbone had been fractured. A urine stain dampened the front of his pants.

Alex swallowed the lump in his throat, sickened by the stench. “I want to be reasonable here, Ernie,” he said. “I really do. But I know what you are.” He lowered his mouth to the man’s ear. Heat radiated off Ernie. “And I know you have information for me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the nomad stuttered back, squinting up at Alex with his one good eye. His wrists and ankles were torn and bleeding from the rope binding him to the chair. He jolted once, twice, before giving up.

“I think you do. I’m a patient man, Ernie. I can stay here all day.”

Thump. Alex turned to find York Holt, his best friend brandishing a machete. Sun rays filtered through a broken window, giving York an aura.

“York, come ‘ere,” Alex ordered. “You need to persuade this man.”

As soon as Ernie saw the dirt-encrusted blade, he jerked up in his chair, so high that two legs left the ground. “Don’t hurt me! I’ll tell you. What do you need to know?”

Alex smiled gleefully. After two hours of integration, he was finally getting somewhere. He crouched to one knee and hooked an arm over Ernie’s armrest, his face inches from his own. “Ernie, you’re a Treme, right?”

The man’s head bobbed up and down.

“I know what your kind is like. You travel the wastelands of this state, wandering in and out of colonies, taking what you please.” His gaze crossed to Ernie’s armor lying in a pile in the corner of the room, fashioned from scrap metal, car parts and animal hide. It glistened under the sun’s rays.

“Th-That’s true,” Ernie stammered. “But we only take trash. We never steal purposely.”

“What’s that?” Alex slammed his fist onto the wall beside him and pointed to the armor. 

“These parts weren’t trash. They belonged to people, Ernie. You can’t steal, no matter if the world ended or not!”

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Angered by this blatant lie, Alex withdrew a knife from his back pocket and thrust it into Ernie’s right thigh. The man howled in agony and squirmed violently in his chair.

Alex didn’t budge to release him or the knife protruding from Ernie’s flesh. They were ten miles outside of town, free of interruption. There was nothing out here but barren farmland and abandoned homes.



About the Author


Born in Sydney, Australia Kellie Wallace developed a love for the written word early in life, recalling her earliest memory when she was three years old. Her father used to read to her when she was a child, establishing a deep love and respect for books. Kellie wrote a bit in high school, most memorably her first fantasy book called Giblin the Conquer, an X Files fan fiction and a military fiction. She didn’t write another word until 2007.
After finishing high school, Kellie moved to the sunny Northern Beaches from the Central Coast and carved a successful career in the media/advertising industry writing for numerous Sydney based publications.

An aspiring novelist, Kellie fulfilled a dream in 2008 having her first book All She Ever Wanted published by Zeus Publications at the age of 22 years old.
In 2013, Kellie released her newest catalogue of books Darkness before Dawn and Skylark. In her spare time she loves to write, game and draw. Her first crime fiction novel To lean of falling men and EarthWalker are out now. She currently resides in Sydney with her husband.

Author Links




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Arc of Edge of Tomorrow



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Sunday, May 17, 2015

#SampleSunday #1 - Summertime

Check out this short excerpt from Summertime!! Enjoy!!




I woke up with a start. The room was pitch black and very still. Eerily quiet. So what had awakened me? I lay still, listening and wondering. That’s when I heard the music. Horns were blaring and a piano’s keys were trilling loudly—upbeat jazz, the likes of which I’d never heard before. I stumbled to my feet and slid them into the shoes that sat next to my bed. I opened the door and my room partially filled with the light from the hallway. Placing my hand on the bandage that still covered the side of my head, I slowly stepped out into the familiar hallway and cautiously made my way to the staircase. With every step, the music grew louder and louder. At the bottom of the stairs, I took in the scene with awe.

There were wall-to-wall black folks. The women were dressed to the nines in flouncy dresses and hats with feathers, long white gloves on their hands and big gaudy rings on their fingers. They wore bright red lipstick and rouge, and nursed glasses of brown liquor. The men wore suits and hats and looked like they’d just stepped out of a gangster movie. Loma was behind the bar smiling brightly and pouring drinks. Linda, or Lila, was dressed in a tight little gold dress and was walking around hawking cigarettes. She spotted me and headed my way. “What you doing out of bed?”





CLICK HERE to read advance reviews of Summertime on Goodreads!!

CLICK HERE to Pre-Order!!!


Saturday, May 16, 2015

Book Review: Everything Everything

Everything, EverythingEverything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an apt name this book has, because it is truly EVERYTHING!!

18-year-old Madeline Whittier is dealing with a fatal disease that closes her off from the rest of the world. She lives life in a virtual bubble, and other than her mother and nurse, her only interactions are via the internet and she's just fine with that until the new neighbors move in, bringing with them every teenage girl's kryptonite--a teenage boy. Everything Everything is a cleverly written story that tugs at your heart strings and makes you believe in love in all its forms. This book could very well be the next big thing in YA fiction. As a caveat to parents, there are some adult situations but they do fit into and are essential to the story. I absolutely loved this book and it has been added to my list of favorite reads. (I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)

5 enthusiastic stars!!

View all my reviews

Friday, May 15, 2015

Poetic Expressions Cover Reveal

About the book:
Poetic Expressions by LaToya Murchison 
Genre: Literary Art/Poetry/Inspirational
Release Date: May 30, 2015








Blurb:

Poetic Expressions is a book of poetry that contain words of love, hope, and inspiration. Author LaToya Murchison used her love of writing poetry as her source of therapy and healing. She takes you on a journey of renewed spirituality, the pain of lost love ones and the joy of finding true love.



Excerpt: 

Jesus
You woke me up this morning to have a better day
Instead of praising you I disobeyed you and at times
I am not sure what I am supposed to do
The sound of your name rings in
My heart and I hope that
It never stops
Lord I pray that you
Forgive me for all my sins
Forgive me for passing judgement on others
Teach me to have forgiveness in my heart
For those who have mistreated me
As you lead me to the riverside
To leave all of my trouble behind
I look to the future instead of my past
Thank you for blessing me with
The talent to express my feelings
Through your loving words
Lord it took me a long time
To realize my gift
Now that I have I promise to
Use it to uplift your people
Thank you for teaching that I had
To fall before I would be able
To walk and stand tall
Lord thank you for being the lover
Of my soul and the joy in my life
When I was down you allowed me to
Sit on your shoulders until I
Was able to get up and stand on my own
Lord with all that I am I offer up this prayer
Today and every day to come in
You precious name Amen



About the Author:

LaToya’s life experiences have been filled with very colorful people and experiences. With the stress of battling with health issues and loss of loved ones in her life; LaToya found writing provided her with a source of therapy and healing. LaToya is passionate about encouraging, helping, and building up others.

You can connect with her at:

Thursday, May 14, 2015

His Ultimate Desire #Book Blast

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Author Joy Avery is giving away One His Ultimate Desire Goodie Bag. Enter contest below.

Book Title: His Ultimate Desire, Book 2 in the Indigo Falls series 
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction 
ASIN: B00W8MUYRC 
Publication Date: April 17, 2015



cooltext1950058583 his_ultimate_desire_cover 


 A past packed with memories… When Marisol Chesapeake returns to Indigo Falls, North Carolina, her ex is the last person she expects to see. The second their paths cross, sparks fly out of control. There’s no denying the attraction that still lingers, but there’s no way she can allow herself to act on it. No matter how badly she needs his strong, protective arms around her. A future filled with possibilities… Kincaid Tinsdale has spent the last few years away from Indigo Falls, and the hurtful memories there. But now he’s back, and so is the woman he’s dreamt about for the past ten years. The second his eyes settle on his ex, it awakens a hunger only she can satisfy. There’s just one problem. By the looks of it, Marisol wants nothing to do with him. But looks can be deceiving. A present that will determine everything… She’s not searching for love—especially his. He’s not giving up. Will the flame that once blazed between them be reignited? Or will she simply remain his ultimate desire?



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 Joy Avery is a contemporary romance author who loves watching her imaginary friends fall in love. In addition to HIS ULTIMATE DESIRE, she's the author of SMOKE IN THE CITI, HIS UNTIL SUNRISE, and CUPID'S ERROR: a novella. Joy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. When not crafting her next love story, she enjoys reading, spending time with the family, playing with her two dogs, and cake decorating.


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Contest Giveaway: Author is giving away One (1) His Ultimate Desire Goodie Bag. 
Enter to Win. Contest open to USA only 

CLICK HERE to enter----> a Rafflecopter giveaway


Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Joy Avery and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

After the Rain Virtual #Book Tour

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Author: Vanessa Miller 
Print Length: 131 pages 
Publisher: Praise Unlimited Enterprises (January 28, 2015) 
Genre: Christian Fiction 
ASIN: B00OJT6X5O



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Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has been centered on themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles. Vanessa’s novels have received rave reviews, with several appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. Miller’s work has receiving numerous awards, including “Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award” and the “Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction.” Miller graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. She is an ordained minister in her church, explaining, “God has called me to minister to readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.” Vanessa has recently completed the For Your Love series for Kimani Romance and How Sweet the Sound for Abingdon Press, first book in a historical set in the Gospel era which releases March 2014. Vanessa is currently working on an ebook series of novellas in the Praise Him Anyhow series. She is also working on the My Soul to Keep series for Whitaker House.


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 Isaac Walker is back with a vengeance. As old enemies from his past resurface Isaac desperately tries to hold onto his faith in God’s ability to fight his battles. Nina and Isaac raised their youngest son, Isaac Walker Junior (Ikee) as far away from the hood and drug life as they could get him. But the sins of the father were too strong and too deadly for the son to avoid. Once Ikee leaves the church to become a gang banger Isaac is pulled back into a life he left behind so long ago… and only God knows how this nightmare will end.



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